LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 707, 4 January 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, January 3. The trunk line from Dunedin to In vercargill will be opened on the 14th or loth hist. Arrangements are being made for a controversial dehate between Charles Bright, the free thinker, and Green, thn evangilist. The Caledonian wrestling contest between Thoums, the Victorian champion, and Tyson will be resumed to-morrow. Thomas is the favourite. The winner will reccMve,a silvei cup from the manager, of the Kelly and Leon Minstrels.

In the Supreme Court in bankruptcy to-day John Martin had his discharge suspended for six mouth, his Honor stiting that the bankrupt had obtained goods from different tradesmen on tin; same day that he filed, and that it was clear he had swindled some of his creditors.

The Age suggests the explosion of fireworks in the pul-lic streets should he vigorously prohibited, and that special constables should be .sworn in fr.'Ui among the citizens on festive occasions.

A young man respectably connected, named Hanz Metz, is committed for trial for forging a bill for £33. Timaru, January 3. During the week some showers have fall-en, and in .some cases have proved of great benefit to the crops. The harvest will generally begin in a few days, and already the reapers are at work. It is expected aits will open at 3s to 3s 3d, and wheat 3s to 4s 9d. No transactions of importance are reported during the. week, but a feeling of enquiry is being manifested by millers.

An enquiry was held to-day on the late, fire near Timaru, by which a large amount of property belonging to Judge Ward and others were destroyed. The following verdiet was returned :—" That the firo in question originated from sparks from an engine ;" adding the rider "That the jury consider it advisable all railway engines should be provided with spark ci tellers on the most improved principle." Wellington, January 3. A deputation interviewed Mr Macandrew to-day, re railway site, and obtained a promise of a central passenger station, and the reclamation of .20 acres more for railway purposes, the construction of the railway wh uf, and that the construction of the railway up the West Coast be commenced out of the proceeds of rhesale of theThorudon reclamation, which is expected to realise lja'f a million. A jgood West Coast route has been surveved.

Mrs Harry Bennett, ' C •mmprc : al Hotel, held Warlock in Hughes' sweep Alaekie, late manager of the New Zealand Bank. Hutt, is c-uuiui ted for trial on two charges of forcing a cheque ior £I3OO, aud the larceny of £l3lO from the bank.

A serious fire occurred at, Marton, Rangitikei, to-day. Half the t-.wn is reported as destroyed. iS'o further particulars yet. Cheistchurcit, January- 2. Valpy, of the railway department, was committed for trial on eight charges of embezzling the fund of the Hail way

Employees Association, of which he was Secretary.

The total passengers carried by rail yesterday between Christchurch and Lyttelton was 8000, an increase of 1000 on last year. To avoid a crush, boxes for the sale of tickets were constructed outside the railway station. The Press newspaper came out yestei'day at the reduced price of one penny.

Yesterday a workman engaged in the repaiis of the Rangitata bridge, was blown oft 1 the structure into the river. He was rescued by a companion in an' exhausted state.

Early this morning the' stables at Pool's Hotel, consisting of ten stalls, loose box and coachhonsh, jnst completed, was destroyed by fire. The building was just completed, and the contractor looses from £SOO to £7OO.

Five competitors have entered for the reaper and binder contest, under the auspices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The entries which close on the 4th hist, are Osborne, Wood, King, M'Cormick, Marsh, and Buckeye.

The barque'Charles Deeriug arrived to-day from New York, with a cargo of reapers and binders, and notions. At the monthly meeting of the Agricultural Pastoral Association this afternoon, Grigg's protest against the bull Leo, exhibited last show, was disallowed.

The ram fair is fixed for March 6th next.

January 3. The repairs to the Eangitata Bridge are so far forward that the department hopes to run through trains "to-morrow.

The Waterworks Committee of the Municipal Council are about to experiment with a 3ft. cylinder on one of the Waimakariri Islands,

La>t night's rainfall was general over Canterbury, and raised the hopes of many of the farmers.

An accident occured at Springfield Colliery to-day. Some props having been carried away in a drive, a man named Hollows was sent to repair the damage, wjjen the roof fell in, inflicting severe injuries on him. He was promptly extric ited and sent to the hospital at Christchurch.

. Property was withdrawn from the recent sale at £9 10s per acre. Mr Bo wen, M.H.R., Kaiapoi, will, it is understood, succeed Carruthers as Inspector of the Trust and Loan Company. It is not known if this causes a vacancy for Kuiapoi. Auckland, January 2. For ihe Mares Produce Stakes there sviis only one entry, Omega, and there w.-;»s no rice. A. Bucklaud, the owner, presenting the Club with the stakes. Hurry Skinry Stakes, 100 sovs— Little Dick, 1 ; Entry, 2 : Durby, 3. Auckland Plate, 100 sovs—Pm Fire, 1 ; Tom Trim, 2 ; The Don, 3. Handicap Steeplechase, 150 sovs— Agent, 1 ; Perfume, 2; Sportsman, 3. Steward's Handicap, 100 sovs—Pin Fire, 1 ; Zmtippe, 2; Pungawerewere, 9,