LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1001, 15 December 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.] PARLIAMENTARY, ' Wellington, Ducemher 13. In the House at about 2.30 (Saturday) morning, Mr Richardson, referring to a portion of the Public Works State° merit in which.it is stated that it would be necessary to relay portions of the lines, through wear and tear, said that the reason for being obliged to do this was not generally known. Tile fact was that the railways originally made were light lines, for the sake of cheapness and to enable a large extent of country to be opened up. As a necessary consequence these lines were made for a slow rate of speed but after they had been open some little time, the public •

demanded a higher rate of speed, and the Government, in deference to the public wish, were obliged to put very heavy engines en Ihese lines, so as increase speed ; and the result \vas"v<4|Mß seiicus wear and tear. Lie added that on some of our liaes a speed was attained equal to sonic of the lih.es in Victoria, which cost four time?' 'the amount. Sir Oliver admitted this was the case, lie also intimated that Government would alter the tariff in various places and induce a system of sectional management.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Ohristciiurpii, December 12. The .Right Rev Primate Bishop Harper celebrated his golden wedding today. Among the presents sent on the occasion was a gilt tea service of local manufacture, the gift of the ladies of Canterbury. , . December 13\ The Rev. Henry Williams, passenger by the Lady Jocelyn, who came to New Zealand at the instance of the Colonial .Missionary Society, takes the place of the Rev. $. Walker, who has been, compelled on account of ill-health, id resign his connection with the Congregational Church. The police are anxious to find the address of James- Wilson who some two and a half yerrs ago lost a watch at Timaru. The watch has now been traced to the possession of a man named Ncwell Chamberlain, who lias been arrested on a charge of stealing it. Most of the representatives recently attending the Grand Lodge of Good Templars left Christchurh to-day. The sale of three racehorses; wjth. their engagements, belonging to the late Mr J. W. Mallock, attracted a large attendance, this afternoon at Messrs J. T. Ford and Cd's liorse bazaar. The first led out was Foul Play for whom bidding started a.t 300 guineas. By rapid bids of 25 guineas, SCO guineas was soon reached, at which price he was knocked down to tlie Hon. W. Robinson. On Dit was knocked down to the same purchaser at 1 75 guineas] and Mary Aritio'riette to Mr John Brabazon for 70 guineas. It was ; mentioned incidentally at the sale that a commission was held frciri his Excellency the Governor to bid up to 500 guineas for Foul Play. Oamaru, December 12. ** A sad accident accurred at Mahirid to-day at 10 o'clock. A Miss Gordon, Assistant teacher at the Mahino school, and about 18 years of age, was proceeding to her duties this morning in a dray in company with a lad named Flamamockj and Mr Davis, who was driving. While trying to ford the stream at Davis's Crossing, which has now flooded, the di-ay got into a hole which had been made by the fresh of water, aiid upset, Mr Davis swimming to the shoi'e. The horse struggling until it freed itself and got ashore, but Miss Gordon and the lad Flamamock were drowned. Their bodies were recovered in tide afternoon entangled in a fence. Efforts were made by both Mr Davis arid young Mr Gordon to save the lives of the girl and boy but tliey Were unavailable; No inquest will be held. Dunedin, December 6. The Rev. Mr M'Nicdl expired vein* suddenly at Waihola on Wednesday evening. The deceased .went out into a field for the purpose of moving some grass, and some time elapsing without returning Mi's M'Nicol went in search of him and found him dead; Timaru, December 11. At the Supreme Court to-day, tile following business was transacted : Thomas Hunt, cattle stealing, not guilty; W. C. Graham, feloniously cutting and wounding Thomas Martin with an ax?, guilty, and sentenced to four years; Edward Jeffrey, charged with attempting to upset a train, not guilty. December 12. The forgery case against Manning in the Supreme Court to-d;iy created intense interest. After lasting till G. 30 p.m. the case broke down on a law point raised by Schut under an Act of Henry "VIII. Manning and Saunders were at once acequitted. Edward James, the disputed owner of the land to which the alleged forged deed of conveyance was signed, and who pleaded guilty to the forgery yesterday and received a sentence of two years, was again placed in the dock, and Judge Johnston said that after the result of the case against Manning he should advise the Crown to arrest sentence. Auckland, December 13. An open air meeting of unemployed has been called for Monday. Their ranks have been swelled by Dempsty's men. A man named Home stabbed his wife during a quarrel, and has been arrested.