INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 46, 22 February 1879, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

TPREfIS AGENCY.! TAruAXGA, Friday. Mr M'Kellar, the Collector of Customs, is making a private and preliminary enquiry into the accident to the Taupo this morning. Capt. Worsp, the Insurance agent, arrived per Rowena yesterday, but nothing will be done till the arrival of the Hawea, which vessel will probably be detained 12 hours to assist in getting the Taupo off. .Oamaru, Friday. Very little grain is now remainiog uncut in this district. Threshing operations are in full swing, and grain is now beginning to come in, so far as it is possible competent judges at present state that the crop is more thau an average oue, while the quality generally is first class. Few transactions have yet taken place in wheat, which is quoted at the low figure of 3s, an advance is not expected. Oats are worth 2s 6d to 2s Bd. Sub-Lieut. Morris and Vol. R. Harding left for Christchurch at noon to-day en route to Nelson to take part in the rifle matches at the New Zealand Rifle Association. Hokitika, Friday. The body of a man was found on the beach at the South Spit by Scott, a boatman, yesterday afternoon, and who reported the same to the police, who identified it as that of J. Gracey alias Jack the Slinger alias John de Grass. He has been missing since the 14th t inst. His mate, Henry Palmer, is now on : his way from the inquest which was held at 2 p.m. to-day. Arrived, Isabella Andersou, from Oamaru, with produce. She is chartered by Craig and Co. to carry timber. Wellington, Friday. The Auckland Waste Lands Board having recommended setting apart reserves for the Auckland Museum, Hospital, and Asylum, the Minister of Lands wrote stating the law provided for educational reserves, therefore there was no power to give effect to the recommendations. The Board passed a resolution in favor of amending the Act to mnke provision for such cases. Large parcels of New Zealand Insurance shares were ottered at 655, South British 565. The Mayor having received a request from tbe I'rovost of Glasgow invites contributions for the City of Glasgow Bank before the departure of the outward mail. A memorial in favor of the inland route of the Kaipara railway is being signed. Another memorial for the restoration of the timber duty is spoken of, the timber trade of the province having suffered seriously through the alteration in the tariff. The Government considers the demand of the printers for an increase of wages so unreasonable at the present time that they have decided to employ no Society men in the future. It is understood that all the printers in Wellington intend to give a week's notice to-morrow or on Monday. A new Masonic Lodge holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and designated St. Andrew's Lodge, is to be constituted next ~** 7~V*-¥-- r I"» c dispensation has been granted by cn«r-«„_i<s Whitaker the Provincial Grand Master. nuaKer i tue ™- The highest temperatures recorded in New Zealand during the last month were— Christchurch 89, Nelson 85, Auckland 84, Wellington 81, Dunedin 78, Hokitika 70. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Gisborne, Reeves, and Woolcock, waited on the Minister for Public Works re the Brunner and Amberley railway. Mr Macandrew promised that tenders would be called for a portion of the construction for each end within three months. Chief Justice Prendergast was sworn in as officer administering the Government at three o'clock this afternoon. All the Ministers were present, and Judge Johnston administered the oath. Saturday. The rifle match, Nelson Naval Brigade v. Wellington Artillery was fired at Polhill range yesterday. The day was favorable for shooting, there being a good sun. The number of men on each side was eight, and it was decided that the teams should fire in two squads, four on each side, the first firing to be at 11 a.m., and the second at 2 p.m. When the first range was completed the teams were 84 points each, but after starting at the 300 yards range Wellington forged slightly ahead, which they increased at 400, and when the first squad completed had gained a lead of 18 points. The second squad fired at 2 p.m., and Wellington got the best of it by six points, thus giving them a majority of 24 points over Nelson. The latter fire against the City Rifles to-day. Auckland, Friday. ltie kowenahas arrived from Tauranga with Captain Worsp. He reports that if the weather keeps fine there is every probability of getting the Taupo off the rocks. The number of lunatics in the Auckland Asylum is 192. About 400 natives are expected to attend the Maori paret on Monday at Orakei. Great bush fires are raging in Kaipara, and serious destruction is being done to valuable kauri forests. Napier, Friday. At a meeting nerc, at which nearly all the merchants and tradespeople were present the following resolutions were carried unanimously :— lst— That the present harbor works now are insufficient for the trade of the port, and that no further money be expended. 2nd— Tbat immediate action be taken to commence the breakwater designed by Mr McGregor on the plans supplied to the Provincial Government on the 23rd June, 1873. 3rd— That a sufficient loan be raised for the purpose of constructing the breakwater, paying off the £7500 loan, and repressing the Board securities. 4th— Should the debenture holders refuse to release the bond of £7000 the amount be deposited in some Government securities at a fixed rate of interest until the maturity of the loan and Vu %*u ? f J, he Board ' 8 securities be given. sth— That all endownments, wharfage rateß, and all other securities be handed over as securities for tho new loan

Blenheim, Friday. The takings at the race course for the "two days were at the gates £168, grand Btand £53, booths £68, other privileges £10, maka total of £-299, Monday will be the settling day at 8 o'clock at the Club Hotel. Saturday. Tho newly built Church of England here was consecrated yesterday by the Bishop of Nelson, who preached an eloquent sermon from Psalra 84. In the evening a conversazione was held, the Hon Mrßaillie, M.L.0., in the chair. There was a large attendance. The Church cost, in round numbers, £1000 j £250 is required to add a spire, &c. There is only a very small debt, the work being all paid for. The Church will seal 300 persons easily. O'Brien and Haygarth's Comedy Troupe has been successful aud much appreciated here. "