TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 50, 6 January 1872, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Napier, December 30. The Hon. Mr Ormond and his family had a fearfully narrow escape from a serious accident yesterday. After driving across the Epairiarua bridge, the horses got restive, the harness broke, and the carriage ran backwards down a steep incline, but fortunately recrossed the bridge safely, thus avoiding a fall of twenty feet into the bed of the river. Paoro Torotoro, a native chief, has been committed on a charge of perjury. December 31. Upwards of sixty passengers left in the Albion for Auckland. The Hon. Minister of Public Works and Major Green were amongst them. Kereopa confessed yesterday to the Bishop of Waiapu that he assisted in Volkner’s murder. The natives are perfectly satisfied with the justice of the sentence, and give no condolence to the prisoner. January 3. Messrs Bell and Weber have gone to examine the railway line as far as Manawatu Gorge. Mr Bell will from thence proceed to Auckland via Wellington. Joseph Rhodes, Esq, has been appointed Deputy Superintendent. January 4. Rather an awkward demonstration was made last night at Big Bush by some natives, who are supposed to .belong to Weka’s pa, owing to dissatisfaction with a decision of the Supreme Court. They made a raid on Mr Caslimore’s premises, tore up the tramway for conveying timber, and worked some considerable damage besides. It appears that Karaitiana had given Mr Cashmore permission to cut timber at Big Bush, the Supreme Court having dissolved the injunction previously granted by the District Court in Weka’s favor in reference to the land. The issue of this reversal is that Weka defies the ruling of the Court, and has taken the law into his own hands. Wanganui, January 2. The Marton-Rangitikei races yesterday were a success. Produce Stakes, Escape ; Ladies’ Purse and Jockey Club Plate, Flying Jib ; Hurdle Race, Dick Turpin. . Wanganui horses won six out of seven races. A crowd of people from all the surrounding districts were present. On Saturday the Premier, Mr Fox, protested against liquors being sold in the booths on the race-course. The justices, however, gave permits for its sale. Great indignation is felt at the Premier’s conduct, and it is stated that he intends to lay informations against the publicans for the illegal sale of liquors. He was not present at the races. January 4, At a meeting of the Ngatimaru tribe, recently held, Titokowam threatened to return to the sea coast. It is believed at Patea that Titokowam is at Te Ngaere. Further particulars are expected from Patea by telegraph. LATER. A man arrived from Patea, and reports that Titokowaru’s people are at Kaupukanui, eight miles from Waingongoro. They say they are collecting fungus. Titokowaru is at Waitara, and says he is coming in a month to take possession of the land.

No further intelligence of a disturbing nature has reached here from Patea. The latest news reports all quiet at Waihi. It is said that the Constabulary expected by the Luna are only coming up to relieve and replace those recently stationed at Hawera and Manutahi. New Plymouth, January 1. The Ngatimaru natives have given in their allegiance, and have invited Mr Parris to visit their district. Titokowaru held a meeting there recently, but only a few were present. He asked them to follow him to the Waitotara, but they declined. He and his people will leave shortly. A store at Waiiti has been robbed,but the men have been caught and committed for trial. At a sale of wool,washed brought from Is 2d to Is 3fd. Nelson, January 1. The Hon J. J. Casey, late Minister of Justice in Victoria, Messrs Thompson and Moore, members of the Victorian Parliament, Messrs Richard Annesly Billing, B- F. Bunny and J. Lawes, Victorian Barristers, and Mr Wilkinson, Master in Equity, are passengers round the Middle Island in the Rangitoto. They praise Milford Sound and New Zealand scenery very highly, and say that this colony is sure to become a popular resort for Victorian tourists. Gbeymouth. January 2. Captain Baldwin has been lecturing here on behalf of the Government Life Assurance scheme, and has been well received. Hokitika, December 30. A whale, fifty-four feet in length, has been cast ashore opposite Montizuma. Mr Bastings, of the Montizuma Hotel, secured it as his prize. All the town has gone to see it. January 2. Robert Thomson, a son of Mr Thomson, of the Arahura Bridge, was drowned on Sunday while bathing in a lagoon close to the bridge. Christchurch, December 30. Wheat moving slowly at 4s fid. Farmers are making arrangements to ship to England in preference to accepting lower rates. Flour, heavy stocks, £l3. Oats are languid at 2s fid for best samples. Lower rates are expected. Butter is iu improved demand for good samples for the West Coast. Medium samples are still being shipped to England. Hams and bacon are improving at from 7d to 7£d. January 2. The volunteer encampment has commenced, but the papers do not report it in consequence of insufiicient provision having beeu made for the reporters. The Lyttelton Regatta yesterday was a great success. Shaw, Saville & Co’s cup for vessels under 150 tons was won by the Aspasia, Antelope 2. Yacht race —Annie Ogle, 1 ; Founent (Dunedin), 2. Shaw. Saville & Co’s cup for fouroared gigs, Fernleaf. Mayor’s cup for same class of boats, May Flower (Lyttelton). Champion sculls, J. Dawson. Swimming match, W. Merriman (Auckland). The May Flower is now the favorite for the interprovincial boatrace. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court commenced to-day. The calendar is a light one. Andrew Samuel Cremore, forgery, two years. George Brown, stabbing and wounding, two months. January 3. The Provincial Council was opened to-day. In his speech his Honor the Superintendent said that only business of pressing urgency would be submitted, as it would be more convenient to leave the ordinary business until the usual autumn session. The railway to Kaiapoi, a distance of twelve miles, would be opened in February. In regard to branch railways, an arrangement had been made by which the province was to find £42,000 and the General Government £150,350, and the works were to be commenced immediately. He had great doubts as to whether the change recently made in the mode of conducting immigration would prove advantageous. An endowment in land and a large money vote would be asked for education, and the Council would also be asked to make provision for the erection aud maintenance of an observatory. Increased accommodation was also required for the Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, and Orphan Asylum. The latter now contained ninety-eight children. The ex-

penditure on the three institutions, and in charitable aid, already amounted to £13,600 per annum, with a population of 46,000 persons. Actual survey had proved that the scheme for irrigating the plains between the Waimakariri and the Selwyn was possible. On the whole the position of the province was a subject for congratulation. The volunteers have returned from camp. It is said that insurbordination prevailed there. Supreme Court, to-day—John Muirhead, larceny, three years; E. Burke, forgery (three indictments), four years ; John Reid, false pretences, nine months. The Opera was crowded to excess last night, and the performance of La Somnambula was a triumphant success. January 4. At the Supreme Court sittings to-day Joseph Brunt was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for forgery. This concluded the criminal business. Dunedin, December 29. The play in the interprovincial cricket match recommenced this morning at 11.45. Fowler and Savill, who were in when the stumps were drawn, made a determined stand, and the bowling was bad, owing vto the strong north-west gale. Sa\ ill saw seven wickets fall, and scored 58. Fowler scored 40. The wickets then fell fast, and the innings then terminated shortly after one o’clock for a total of 161, of which fifteen were extras. Otago commenced the second innings at ten minutes past three, and at four o’clock seven wickets had fallen for twenty. After a short time further, the last wicket fell for forty-three. Otago in two innings thus tying Canterbury’s one. Price went in and scored the single run required to secure the victory for Canterbury. Oil Saturday the Canterbury eleven played eighteen of the Citizens Club, with Henderson, and won by four runs. Canterbury, 57 ; Citizens, 53. January 2. The attendance at the Caledonian Games yesterday was the largest ever known, being nearly 7000. Mr Hevvson, cordial manfacturer, Tokomairiro, has been killed by the upsetting of a cart. The criminal sessions of the Supremo Court commenced to day. The calendar comprised twenty cases, and the Judge in his charge commented on the increase of crime, and advocated whipping as a punishment for offences against females. Edward Food, charged with an unnatural offence, was acquitted. C. Robertson and H. Hook were found guilty of larceny. January 3. The Grand Jury ignored the hills against Frederick Matchett, for wounding with intent, and William M'Leod, for indecent assault. Hook and Robertson, previously convicted, were sentenced to nine and twelve months respectively. Maria Webb pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy, and Joseph Contor was found guilty of robbery from the person. Mr Hallenstein, Mayor of Queenstown, will probably come forward as a candidate for Wakatipu. Mr Malaghan and Mr G. B. Barton are also mentioned as probable candidates. The body of Peter Serymageour has been found. The Customs Revenue for the year is £194,529, or £SO less than last year. There was a heavy falling off in the first quarter, but a steady increase ever since. The escort is 171,8140 z for the year. Melbourne, December 23. The Ministerial banquet at Ballarat is generally admitted a success. Duffy made a.long and able speech. Rosenwax was sentenced to three and a half years for fraudulent insolvency. Rolfe is buried, and had a large funeral. It is determined not to admit females to University matriculation. The Rangitoto brings a number of excursionists, Messrs Billing, Casey, Banisters, Thomson, Moore, and Moran, on mining speculation. December 29. General holiday keeping is the order of the day. Mr Childers has been appointed Agent-General permanently. The Galoghly case resulted in a verdict of murder against a person unknown.

Tbere has been great forgery of one pound Union Bank notes, and a man named Jenner is in custody for utlering. Anthony Trollope and lady are lionising in the provinces. The Somersetshire has arrived from London in fifty-six days. The Tararua’s trip down the bay on Boxing Day realised £268 for the Ladies Benevolent Society. The betting is level on to-day’s race between the Boy Bedford and Penticost, of New Zealand. Sydney, December 23. Mackey’s motion in favor of economical railways was carried. More gold finds at Tambaroora. The mail news impaired a firm feeling. A better demand for wool. December 29. The Sobraon, from London, brings a number of pure bred stock. An inquest on a drowned seaman disclosed evidence that the lighthouse was not lighted on Saturday night. Earl Belmore is to be succeeded by Sir Hercules Robinson, late Governor of Ceylon. At the wool sales prices were firmer. The Condon, from Mauritius, reports five ships loading for the colonies. Adelaide, December 23. Westcott is forming a party for a prospecting exploration expedition. Locusts still doing mischief'to grass and gardens. The weather is intensely hot—lll in the shade. December 29. There has been three deaths from sunstroke. Bochen has been committed for trial for the murder of Guiren and Paradise. At Western Australia the figurehead of a ship, evidently burnt, has been found. It had apparently not been long in the water, and there were no barnacles on it, nor was it worm eaten. The figurehead bore the seafaring motto, “ Keep a Good Look-out,” on the scroll. The ship was probably fifteen hundred tons burthen, and the figurehead was found near Rotten Nest Island. It had evidently been burnt away from the ship. The promoters of the Northern Gold Prospecting Expedition have received very favorable concessions from the Government. Tasmania, December 23. The Legislative Council rejected Legislative Messages Copyright Bill. A servant girl arrested for infanticide.