TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 54, 3 February 1872, Page 8

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Auckland, January 25. The men employed on the Waikato railway works have struck in consequence of aD attempt to introduce the nine hours’ system. Mr Brogden refuses to give way. Messrs Ormond and Gillies have gone north for the purpose of officially taking over the Kaipara railway from the province. Captain Morrow is the only Auckland volunteer who has qualified to compete in the Colonial prize firing. Auckland was entitled to send eight representatives. Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the wretched firing made. The Thames has four qualified. Some unknown ruffian fired several shots through the windows of Mr Thomas Bussell’s house. No one was hurt. January 29. The Gas Company has declared a dividend of ten per cent, for the half year. Major Jackson is a candidate for the seat for the Waikato. The drought continues very severe, and pipes are being temporarily laid to supply the city from Seecombe’s spring. The Waikato railway navvies are still on strike. They have held a meeting and expressed a determination to hojd out. They knocked down and kicked a man who expressed contrary views. Fat cattle, 22s to 20s per lUOlbs, Sheep, 3d per lb. Lambs, 11s to 16s. Canterbury wheat, 5s 6d. January 30. On Saturday night two haystacks on Thomas Russell’s farm, at Onehunga, were set on fire. The police went towards the scene of the fire in extended order for the purpose of intercepting the incendiary. Inspector Broham on the way came across Cyrus Haley, formerly a news-room keeper in the New Zealand Insurance Company’s Buildings, which were lately burned. After an exciting chase and conflict, Brobam secured Haley, who was armed with a revolver. The prisoner has since been charged at the Police Court with firing shots through the windows of Mr Russell’s house, with intent to murder the inmates, and also with setting fire to the stacks. He has been remanded. M‘Donald, who bolted in the Nebraska, took £5lB of liis employer’s money. The Regatta on the Anniversary Day was a great success. Na Noba won Shaw Savill's cup, by time allowed over the Dauntless, which came in first. The trading cutters’ race was won by Sovereign of the Seas. The Auckland Rowing Club won the first gig race, and the Thames Naval Club won the second gig race. Mr Thornton’s house at Wangawai has been burned. Lennox reports Caledonians £24; Thames, £7 10s ; market very dull. M‘Donald, a clerk in the Thames Goldmining Company’s office, has levanted in the Nebraska with a Miss Alley, a barmaid at Campion’s. McDonald, prior to his departure, let several friends in, one to the extent of £SOO. There is great excitement in Auckland in consequence. The £60,000 five per cent New Zealand debentures sold at Sydney lealised £lO2 net. Napier, January 26. The cut timber on each side of the road through the SeventyMile Bush is on lire right through, but the line is not damaged. The timber on three hundred acres at Tahiaraiti is also on fire, and likely to be entirely destroyed. There are also fires raging at Waipawa, Waipukarau,

and Wallingford, all doing more or less damage. January 28. Only Ensign Close of the Napier Rifle Volunteers has qualified to represent this province. He scored 78. Moore made 69 ; Morrison, 69; and Renouf, 65. They were representatives the last two years. January 30. Mr Ormond, Minister of Public Works, leaves Manukau for Taranaki on the Ist February. January 31. A rumor has just reached here from Omahu that the natives at that place are suffering from small-pox. The Government will have to adopt prompt measures if the rumor prove correct. February 1. The rumor of small-pox having broken out at Omahu is incorrect. The disease is only a virulent vesicular eruption allied to chicken-pox. The drought continues very severe, and cattle and sheep are dying on all sides. The Catholic Mission has lost twenty head within three days. Fresh butter is now unattainable. Blenheim, January 27. The polling for the Wairau Provincial Council election took place yesterday, and resulted in the return ot Mr Samuel Johnson, the proprietor of the Express. He polled 42 to Mr Henderson’s 3 votes. The Governor paid a semi private visit here last evening. There was no public demonstration, and but a poor attendance at the levee. The Governor promised on his next visit to turn the first sod of the Picton and Blenheim railway. He left this morning for the purpose of fishing in tne Sound until Thursday. Greymoutii, January 31. A sale took place to-day alongside the s.s. Wallabi, from Wanganui:—Lambs realised 16s; sheep, 20s: small pigs, 80s ; new potatoes, £l4 per ton. An extensive rush has taken place to Teviot Creek on the Grey River. The workings are alluvial, with IGft sinking. Thirteen grains to the bucket have been obtained. The Inangahua reefs are proving immensely rich. Lyttelton, February L The barque Natal Queen, and the ships Robert Henderson and Glenmark, sailed to-day for London, fully loaded with wool, grain, &c. Christchurch, January 27. The reports from the country districts are very distressing. Enormous quantities of oats have been blown out by the late nor-wester, and the wheat crops have also suffered considerably. New oats may be quoted at Is 9d ; new wheat, 3s 9d : old wheat, 4s 2d to 4s 4d, Hams and bacon are unaltered. Butter is now being offered less freely, as grazing is becoming scarce. Cheese is almost a drug at 34d to 3£d. January 28. The entries for the interprovincial • race at the Heathcote Regatta close on the 12th February. Those for the other events on the 16th February. Efforts are being made to establish a drag hunt. The firing for choice of representatives for the Cavalry is concluded. Cohn, 52, and Judge, 49, are qualified. - February 1. The police have received notice of a reduction in their pay, and a public meeting has been called to protest against it. A bush fire has occurred at Alford Forest, and several houses have been destroyed. The Little River bush fire is still smouldering. The cricket and boating clubs have formed a joint association for holding annual athletic sports. Dunedin, January 27. I Reichelt's action against the Insurance Companies is now going on. lhe plaintiff's examination excited a good deal of curiosity. He stated that he went to his shop on the night ot the fire for an immoral purpose, and hence the fire. There is no milling wheat in the market, and the mills are almost idle waiting for the new crop. Cats quiet, 2s; flour, good trade, sale at £l3. Bran very scarce. January 28. The Heart of Oak claim, (Jarriek Ranges, has cleared up, obtaining 32d

ounces from 104 tons of stone. The Star of the East claim at the same place has got 227 ounces from the same quantity of stone. January 29. The commercial news by the mail causes great satisfaction. The drought continues to be severely felt in all parts of the province. Two-tliirds of the volunteer company representatives who have yet competed have qualified themselves as colonial representatives. The town companies conclude firing to-morrow. Mr Goldie (ex-champion) and Mr M‘Gregor, who was a representative last year, have failed in the first stage, only scoring 29. January 31. Messrs Cargills sold upwards of 600 bales of wool yesterday. There was a large attendance, and the bidding was spirited. Greasy wool realised 10-|d to Is 2i}d, and merino Is 4d. Mr JVI acassoy is a candidate for the Wakatipu. The miners are leaving Mount Ida in consequence of the drought. It is proposed to start a subscription for the purpose of sending the very large number of volunteers who have qualified as representatives to Christchurch. February 1. The Executive has been reconstituted. Mr D. Reid is appointed Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, and Mr Bradshaw Secretary for the Goldfields and Public Works. The City Council lias offered to purchase the Dunedin Water -Works, paying a premium of £2 on the paid up capital, amounting to £44,000, as well as paying the Company’s liabilities which amount to £IO.OOO. Bishop Moran in bis sermon on Sunday asserted that the Government has instructed the home agents against Irish immigration. The statement lias since been officially contradicted. A fracas occurred in Princes Street to-day, Signor Cagli assaulting a man named Graham, who bad published some slander regarding his wife. Invercargill, January 29. The French barque Union sailed yesterday for London. The steamer Wallace has arrived from Dunedin with the Superintendent, Mr Reeves, the professors of the University, and other gentlemen. They leave to morrow to examine Stewart s Island, with a view to forming settlements there. AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS. Melbourne. Jan 22. King, the explorer, died of consumption ; lie was not drowned as reported. He was buried unostentatiously. The Quinty Hindus has been wrecked. Imported teas here have dieted a newspaper correspondence, and are declared unfit for human consumption. The man Morrison, detected stealing a ring from the shop of Moss, in Bourke street, was struck fatally by the owner. Moss has been committed for trial for manslaughter. There lias been more ministerial banqueting. Toward Creswick Stawell and Castle maine dipthevia is rife. A Royal Commission has been appointed to enquiie into the cause and mode of treatment. January 27. Captain Collat'd has been committed for trial for wilful neglect in the loss of the Sussex, but it is believed there will be no conviction. Ihe Sussex salvage is still successful. A woman named Pirnin has been charged with infanticide. Numbers are going to the Tasmanian regatta fetes. Wool is loading for Montreal. The ship Loch Tav bus been chartered to convey breadstufis to England. Sydney, January 22. Vogel and Webb leave for Melbourne next week in connection with the establishment of the Californian line. The weather is hot. There have been six cases of sunstroke at Muiandi in nine days, aud all fatal. Of the New Zealand, loan, £66,000 were placed on the 18th at 102. The Chamber of Commerce have passed a resolution recommending the Government to subsidize Webb s, as it is proposed to do Hull s line. Ihe Government is indisposed to promise. The New Guinea expedition has sailed.

January 27.’ The Sydney Government has been defeated by a majority on the subject of the Border Customs duties. The House adjourned, tut there has been no intimation of the intentions of the Ministry. It is believed the Governor will not grant a dissolution. At the wool sales the prices were firmer. Private mercantile advices notify the discovery of extensive frauds in packing tallow for the London market. News from Fiji reports the Peri, schooner, as missing. She had on board a portion of the murderers of Warburton. Adelaide, January 22. The new Parliament made ail amendment on the address, condemning the conduct of the Government and recommending a dissolution, which was carried. The Ministry will not accept a want of confidence vote, and keep their seats. The latest news from Darwin is to December 2. The line was progressing favorably. Flour, grain, and produce are unaltered. The market is very quiet- . January 27. A new Ministry has been formed by Ayers. The House granted £.1.50,000 to carry on business, but refused estimates till the policy was further developed. The Treasurer estimates the revenue at £3OOO over expenditure.