INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1878, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[PBESS AGENCY.] Wellington Thursday. Mr Thomas Luther Shepherd, of the Government lusurance Department, has been foe some time suspended, but, after a full enquiry, the Government have reinstated him in the service. It is understood that on the first vacaucy occurring he will be transferred to the Law aud Justice Department, probably as Clerk of a Court. Bishop Moran arrived here yesterday. He intends proceeding to Auckland. The Soldene Opera company opened here last night, inJGirofle Girofla. They made a hit. Christchurch, Thursday. Both the Times and the l'ress deplore the election of Mr Barton to the Assembly, and say that it will be a bad.thing for the country in general, and Wellington in particular. At a meeting of the New Zealand Shipping Company, the resolution passed at a previous meeting to borrow money on debentures was confirmed. Twenty schemes have been submitted for a Christchurch water supply. A Railway Fire Brigade is about to be established. At a largely attended meeting at Rangiora a resolution was passed condemning the system of mixed schools. Two boxes of American white fish ova containing 20,000, which had been presented to Canterbury by the Government arrived by the Californiau mail, but turned out a dead failure, not more than twelve ova out of the 20,000 being alive, many having already hatched out. Mr Farr, the Secretary of the Acclimatization Society is of opinion that there was too much moss employed, and that the ova were killed by its weight. He at once telegraphed to Dr Hector at Port Chalmers recommending him not to proceed to Lake Ohau, near the Bluff (where the Dr proposed to liberate 20,000 ova) without first examining the boxes in his charge. At a special meeting of the City Council last evening it was stated that Mr jCuff, the city assessor, had undervalued the properties of the city by a great many thousand pounds. The Mayor stated that the valuator had been heard to say that it would not pay him for the sake of £50 to raise the value of his clients' property. The Council resolved to make objections to a large number of the assessments as, made by the valuator. Four events are fixed to come off at- the Grand National Steeplechase Meeting, to be run at Christchurch on the Queen's Birthday:—The Maiden Plate of 100 sovs; the National of 200 sovs; the Hunt Club Cup of 150 sovs, and the Consolation Plate of 50 sovs. Auckland, Thursday. Mr Whitaker has addressed his Cambridge constituents. Referring to the proceedings of the session, he said that separation was now impracticable. He approved of secular education. Sir G. Grey, he thought, would have to explain his action regarding tho Lands Bill. He recommended free trade in native lands where tbe native title was extinguished, lie believed that there would be a deficiency of £200,000, which would have to be provided for. Personally, he was glad that Sir G. Grey was in office, and ho would give him a fair trial. He defended the Piako purchase. An unanimous vote of confidence in him was passed. Messrs Lusk and Hamlin have also addressed Jtheir constituents, and received votes of confidence. Blenheim, Wednesday. At the races there was an immensely large attendance. Hurdle Race — Grey Mooius 1, Septimus 2. Maiden Plate— Mr Redwood's Flirtation 1, Mr Redwood's Omaka 2, Treason 3. Sapling Race— Mr Redwood's Araminta 1, Raupo 2, Blue Peter 3. Shearer's Purse— Mr Riley's Half-Caste 1, Phoebe 2. The winner was sold to Mr Bolton for £45 after the race. Thursday. In consequence of the heavy rain, the races are postponed from day to day. Westport, Thursday. Sir George Grey and the Ministerial party were entertained at a banquet last evening. He afterwards addressed a large meeting. His speech was well received, aud a vote of thanks accorded to him with hearty cheers. He has made a generally favorable impression here. Greymouth, Thursday. Sir George Grey and party arrived at noon to-day, and met with a most enthusiastic reception, and the day is observed as a half holiday. There were over 600 school children on the harbor works, and 100 citizens on the wharf, who cheered him most lustily. An address was presented by the Borough Council. The party proceed to the coal mines by a special train this afternoon, and are to be entertained at a banquet in the evening.