TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4305, 7 January 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Wednesday. The agents of the Australian Steam Navigation Company have received definite information that the present arrangement for the California.n mail service will be continued for six months longer. In the case of Cecilia Allen, charged with arson, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Grahamstown, Wednesday. The Mayor has called a public meeting to consider the best means of receiving the Volunteer representatives. The Star advocates the extension of the telegraph line from Grahamstown to the rifle range, in the interests of the New Zealand press. The range is two miles from the local station. l A comparative return of the Customs' revenue for the quarters ending December, 1873 and 1874, shows an increase on the latter quarter of £66 18s. 6d. The figures are for 1873 quarter, £1921 4s. lid. ; 1874 quarter, £I9BB 3s. sd. Alexandra, Wednesday. The natives have commenced reaping their crops, which are turning out well. At Kopua alone there will be two thousand bushels of wheat for sale. Subscriptions to the Colonel Lyon testimonial fund are coming in fast. Taupo, Wednesday. An interesting ceremony took place here today—the preliminary installation of Paihipe Tukaringa to Good Templarism. All the aboriginals about Taupo were assembled, and Mr. C. 0. Davies, in appropriate Maori style, presented the elaborate regalia of the Order to the old chief, who in return made a capital speech, indicating his appreciation of the principle of Good Templarism for his own race, and expressing the utmost loyalty to . the Europeans. New Pltmouth, Wednesday. The quarter's Customs' returns show an increase of £556. The first land sale in the Moa block is advertised; 5000 acres are scheduled. Part will be sold on deferred payments, the remainder by auction on February 20. Major Atkinson will leave here for Wellington about the 11th instant. Wakgakui, Wednesday. - A. CUrtUll Uir-H>w--nW7—tiTT-AxcmaoUo.-uOggk -JW"*-" terday afternoon. It was full of passengers. Some of them were severely bruised. A son of Dr. Buller had his arm broken and his head waß a mass of bruises. Port Chalmers, Wednesday. Thomas Bassett has been arrested on suspicion of having murdered his mate, George Aldridge, during a drunken spree. Both are fishermen in the harbor. An inquest will be held to-day. Christchurch, Wednesday. In the Supreme Court,' Georga William Price," for robbery from the person, was sentenced to_ three . mouths' imprisonment; Alexander Clark, for an unnatural offence, was sentenced to ten years', and for indecent assault to three years' imprisonment; William Rich, convicted of larceny as a bailee, received a sentence of two years' imprisonment. Hokitika, Wednesday. Numerous applications have been made to the Provincial Government by persons desirous of taking up land under the Special Settlement Regulations relating to Jackson's Bay. Several applicants proceed to the settlement by the steamer Waipara next week. There is a considerable inquiry for land in the southern portion of the province. - Dunedin, Wednesday. In the Supreme Court, Charles Fowlei and James McCormack wero each sentenced to two years' for stealing from a dwelling; Thomas Samuel Cave to nine months' for stealing a watch, and James Eraser to two years' for forgery.