INTERPRVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 291, 8 December 1877, Page 2

INTERPRVINCIAL.

[PRESS AGENCY - .]

Wellington, Friday. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand met last evening at St. John's Church. After an opening sermon, the retiring Moderator (Rev. J. Patterson) nominated as his successor the Rev. Geo. Barklay, of Geraldine, who was unanimously accepted. Mr Barklay, after taking the chair, opened the proceedings by a long and learned address. After the transaction of formal business, the Assembly adjourned till to-day. The Provincial Hall has been placed at the disposal of the Assembly by the Government. Saturday. Great speculation in Crown Lands has been going on during the last few days' amongst purchasers anxious to obtain land before the new Land Bill conies into operation. Upwards of 30,000 acres were disposed of in some districts, and very little Crown Land now remains. The Tararua sailed for Nelson at 4 p.m. It is understood that next week Mr Bunny will be gazetted Commissioner of Annuities, and Mr Rees Attorney-U eneral. Dunedin, Friday. The railway line from Blueskin to Port Chalmers is to be open for traffic on the 20th instant. The temporary water supply from Leith was turned into the mains last night. The rain has ceased. The through railway to Christchurch will probably be opened in April. Operations on the harbor works are proceeding night and day. The electric light is to be used shortly in their prosecutiou. Letters have been received by the mail stating that the Rev. Peter Hope, Secretary to the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotlaud. has been appointed to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand and Australia, and that he was to sail from London in the Hereford for Canterbury about tbe 20th of October. Ballasting operations commenced yesterday on the Anderson's Bay section of the Dunedin, Portobello, aud Ocean Beach railway. Lyttelton, Saturday. Sailed— N.Z.S. Company's ship Waitangi, with a cargo of wool, tallow, and wheat valued at £193,000. Poet Chalmers, Friday. Arrived-Ship Catiff, from London,' 90 days out. She brings 3 passengers, and 1800 tons of cargo. She reports signalling the American barque Learning, H.T.M.F. on Nov. 7th, in lat. 42 degs. S., from New York to Otago. New Plymouth, Friday. At Mr. Courtney's cattle sales. Mr. Fanthaui's bull-calf Earl of Darlington, from Auckland, sold for 125 guineas; fat cows, £8; store cows, £5 5s to £6; heifers, £5 10s to £7;; three-year-old steers, £6 to £6 I0s ; two-year-olds, £4 5s to £5 ss ; yearlings. £3 to £3 IOs; ewes, 13s 6deach. Oamaru, Friday. Henry Andrews, revenue constable, has been charged with perjury. The charge arises out of Audrews giving evidence against J. O. Conquin, a boarding-house keeper, who was charged with sly grog selling. He swore that he saw two beer engines in Conquin's house. Conquin has now brought the case to prove that Audrews committed perjury. The Magistrate said as a. prima lacie case was made out he would commit Andrews for trial at the District Ciurt. The grain and breadstuff market is quiet. Wheat 5s to 5s 3d; milling oats 3s; flour in fair demand at £15 to £15 105f.0.b.; oatmeal £15; pearl barley £20; pollard £5; bran £3 10s. Lawiience, Saturday, One of the heaviest floods occurred in the Molyneux river yesterday that has been seen for many years owing to the hot winds bringing down the snow from the mountains. The river rose as high as what was known as the Old Man flood, when so many lives were lost. No special damage is yet ascertained. Curistchurch. Saturday. The Railway employees have subscribed £250 for the benefit of the widow and family of Henry Oddinott recently killed on the railway. Heavy rain and a north-west wind on the hills caused a heavy flood in the Waimakiriri yesterday. The river overflowed on to the railway doing considerable damage in the old place. Rain fell in some of the southern districts yesterday but not sufficient for their requirements. Christchurch aud the northern districts have had no rain yet.