TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 32, 2 September 1871, Page 13

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

AUCKLAND, August 90. The chief Rewi is at Kopua, on the Waikato frontier, collecting pigs for the forthcoming great native meeting. The discovery of a coal field is reported near Shortland. A new Gas Company is being formed to compel the existing company to reduce.the price to 10s per 1,000 feet. The first sod of the Kaipara Railway is to be turned on Thursday next, by the Deputy-Superintendent. In the share market there is a further fall. Clark Bros, report a slight panic. Caledonians, £125; Thames, £24; Nonpareil, £5 15s; Alburnia, £5 10s; Otago, £4; Moanatairi, £5 12s Gd; Tookeys, £3l; Central Italy, £2 ss.

August 27. A fire occurred at the New Zealand Insurance Company's new building on the 27th inst. The rear of the premises was entirely destroyed, and the damage is estimated at £3OOO.

Fuller particulars :—Haley's reading rooms were entirely gutted, and the walls of that portion of the building are reporied to be in dangerous condition. Haley was insured for £IOOO. The glass roof of the main building is much damaged. The fire apparently commenced on the first floor. The origin is not known. The share market is quiet. There is an uncertainty about the Caledonian mine. The Moanatairi and Nonpareil are looking well. TAURANGA, August 30. Te Kooti is reported to be making for Waikato. A party of Arawas have started from Maketu to intercept him, and intelligence of his capture is expected daily. NAPIER, August 21. The reported surprise of Te Kooti's camp is correct. Capt. Preece struck Te Kooti's trail, and captured a woman, on whose information he discovered the locality of Te Kooti's camp. He rushed the camp, killing four Hauhaus, capturing five women, eighteen stand of arms, a quantity of ammunition, 1000 caps, and a quantity of clothing. Te Kooti was recognised, and fired at twice. He escaped minus his clothes, and his blanket, which was picked up, had a bullet hole in it.

It is expected that Ptopata and Capt. Porter will come across him. WANGANUI, August 25.

Two large pas are being erected at Otaki by hostile parties who have been disputing about the boundary. Pakelias have been forbidden admission.

Mr R. S. Low reports small lots of store cattle only have been offered during the week at auction, yearlings realising from 30s to 355. Several lots have changed hands privately at last week's rates. Sheep, nothing doing; holders being unwilling to sell before shearing unless there is an advance in prices. Beef and mutton are firm at last week's quotations. CHARLESTON, August 25.

A public meeting of Roman Catholics was held last night, at which it was resolved to petition the General Assembly in favor of a denominational system.

There was a strong expression of feeling against O'Connor for not being in his seat in the House, and a vote of censure was passed upon him, and he was requested to proceed to Wellington at once or resign his seat. LYTTELTON, August 25. The ship Merope, 75 days out from London, has arrived. She brings 175 good immigrants. There are a large number of passengers, and all arrived well. August 28. A slight earthquake throb was felt here yesterday, at 3.52 p.m. The direction was from S.W. to N.E. CHRISTCHURCH, August 26. A thousand persons attended the inaugural meeting of the Presbyterian Church Extension Association in the drill shed last night. August 29. At a public meeting held last night at PrebbJeton, it was resolved to petition the General Assembly to impose a protective duty on grain. This is in consequence of the recent action of- the Victorian Government. August 31. A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced here this morning at 2.5 a.m.

GREYMOUTH, August 25. Fat cattle are worth 33s 6d per 100 lbs; sheep average at the sale yards near Hokitika, 13s 6d. Wanganui sheep have been sold here at 21s. "

The Grey Valley Agricultural Association's ploughing match came off at Totara Flat on Wednesday, and was a great success. A dinner took place after the proceedings. There were twelve entries. The first prize was won by David Stewart, who has been ploughing for Mr Michael Savage of Totara Flat, the second by David'Campbell, who won the first prize last year. P. M'lnlay took the third prize, and David Kirkwoocl, who worked with a plough made by Messrs M'Gregor and Campbell, Greymouth, secured the fourth. A dinner took place after the proceedings, at Lande's Hotel, at which most of the members of the Association were present. The judges were Messrs J. S. Thomas and John Elliott, and Mr J. B. Hunter acted as referee. August 31. A monster public meeting was held at Ahaura township on Tuesday, to protest against the mismanagement of the South West Goldfields by the Nelson Government. Resolutions were carried unanimously in favor of petitioning the General Assembly for redress, and asking the General Government to assume the control of public expenditure. There is great excitement in the district. DUNEDIN, August 25. The Cromwell company's yield for the fortnight has been 400 ounces. Crushing has been resumed at the Bendigo reef. A rush has set into the Deep Stream. Two men obtained 36 ounces in a fortnight. The price of flour has improved for good quality, which is worth £l4 10s ; second class, no sale. Oatmeal, £l4 ; wheat is dull, but may be quoted at 5s 6d for prime milling. Oats, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ; barley is unsaleable. The " Times" employees sued Brent for expenses. Mr Strode held that the prosecution was a public one, and the Crown would probably pay the expenses.

August 26. A large meeting was held last night, when resolutions were adopted adverse to the granting of the poweis asked for by the Water Works Company in their amended bill now before the Assembly. Letters received by the last mail state that Bishop Jenner has relinquished all his claims to the Bishopric of Dunedin. August 29.

Mr Macassey has been returned to the Provincial Council for the electoral district of Waikari. Mr John Cargill is a candidate for the district of Roslyn. Reicheld's trial will come off before a special jury on Monday. Petitions are circulating in favor of the Macandrew resolutions. PORT CHALMERS, August 31. Arrived—Early, the Beautiful Star, from the Bluff; at 10 a.m., Alhambra, from the Bluff It is is blowing a strong gale from the North-East, and the weather is black, dirty, and rainy. AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Melbourne, August 17. Commercial—Flour, £l6 to £l7 15s ; wheat, at auction, nothing higher than 6s 7d; half withdrawn, and privately sold from 6s 8d to 6s lOd, net cash. Oats inactive; common sorts at 3s 3|d to 3s 4-|d ; prime is scarce, and saleable at 3s 8d to 3s 9d. The Scott Centenary was celebrated in all the chief towns in Australia and Tasmania. The Victorian tariff bill has finally passed through committee in the Assembly. The brewers agitated against double duties on malt, but the department,was inflexible. Mr Parkes, representative of Hall's line, is in Melbourne. In addition to £15,000 voted by the Sydney Parliament, the South Australian Government to ask subsidy. Victoria, with Melbourne as terminus, to pay £20,000, the line to be by Sydney, Levuka, and Honolulu, with three days at Melbourne and Frisco, and forty-six to Liverpool. August 24. Parliament is engaged with the estimates. Considerable skirmishing. Captain Hanson's trial, for loss of the Hector in the &"West Channel,

through alleged negligence, resulted in aC< The tender of a Ballarat firm was accepted by the Government for the construction of ten locomotives, less wheels and axles, for £2,900 each. Flour and wheat market easier; maximum price of flour, f*\/*™ Zealand wheat, 5s 6d ; oats, 3s 4*d. Tookeys—£3o to £3O 15s; new issue, £l4 10s. . Sydney, August 1/. A prisoner in Paramatta gaol says he found a deposit of Leichardt's papers in Central Australia. He offers to find them if taken to Northern Australia. August 24. A wool ship is loading for California The man Quilty, of Tumut, who was fired at through a window, and shot in the head, is likely to recover, although the ball has not yet been extracted. Two hundred pounds reward offered for the offender. Sales-—Tookeys reported at &31 10s. Adelaide, August 16. A rich discovery of copper has been made near*Wilcannia, on the Darling. August 24. Wheat, 5s Id to 5s 2d. Holders talk of shipping to England.