TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4420, 20 May 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[PROJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Auckland, Wednesday.

Respecting the charge of assault on a seaman by the mate of the Marathon, on her voyage from Sydney, medical testimony goes to show that the seaman is insane. He is severely injured about his head with a belaying pin. The defence will attempt to shew that the man inflicted the injuries on himself during a fit of insanity.

It is stated that one of the French officers shooting on Kawau with Sir - George Grey shot one of his geese.

The revival united prayer meeting was largely attended. The Board of Education held a special meeting, and intend to levy the full amount of rate authorised by Act, viz., on householders, 20s. ; other males, 10s. The money is absolutely required for expenses and arrears. Dunedin, Wednesday.

Although the Executive have gone out, there seems a very strong wish on the part of members generally that Mr. Reid, the Provincial Secretary, should form part of the new Government; but it is not likely he will consent, as he stated last night that the Government would not accept blame individually, but must take it collectively. According to a report just published, it appears that the three most prevalent classes of disease in hospital during the past year -were—consumption, 67 cases ; inflammatory diseases, 66 ; and delirium tremens, 63. Net expenditure on hospital for year, '£4980 19s. lOd. ; cost per day of each inmate, Is. HJd. His Excellency the Governor and. Lady Normauhy and suite visit Queen’s Theatre tonight, to witness the entertainment of the Fakir of Oolu.

At the inquest on the body of Boorland, who was run over the other day through getting his leg fixed in a “ cowcatcher ” while crossing the Port Chalmers railway line, the coroner, to-day said the Government were greatly to blame in the matter. The inquest was adjourned in order to examine Mr. Mathesou, manager of the railway. The escorts brought down SOOOozs. gold last night. Jn re the widening of Princes-street: already two requisitions are nut, asking the City Councillors to meet their constituents. Great uneasiness is felt here on receipt of news of the wreck of the Schiller, because several Dunedin gentlemen were passengers by the Mikado. [Per Press Agency.]' Auckland, Wednesday. The Provincial Council last night passed a grant of £looo to Mrs. Williamson. A motion was carried for the retention of the police by the General Government as now. An excursion train ran to Mercer to-day. About forty guests of Messrs. Brogden were invited. The journey of forty miles was accomplished in one hour fifty minutes. The news of the Schiller calamity creates groat excitement. , Abner Jones Turner, mate of the barque Marathon, was brought up charged .with a violent assault on Charles-Brown, a sailor, on the high seas, by hitting him on the head with a marlingspike. He was remanded. Brutal details expected. A special meeting of the Education Board struck rates for the current year same as last. The board expressess the opinion that the rates will not raise sufficient funds to carry on till August 31. The Secretary presented a general report of the state of education in the province, which was adopted, and ordered to be presented to the Superintendent. J. W. Waller, timber merchant, failed for £20,000. Napier, Wednesday. At the Te Ante election, J. Lawrence and R. Harding were returned. Colonel Lambert,. the old member for the district in the Council ever since there was one, was thrown out.,This concludes the Council elections for 1875. The railway platform has been put up at West Clive. A large quantity of tallow, as much as three tons per day, comes from the boiling-down station close at hand. Mr. Lyndon sold yesterday a suburban section, Napier, of less than a quarter of an acre, for £230, to Mr, J. R. Reardon, Blenheim, Wednesday. Mr. Joseph Ward held last night a crowded meeting of electors for Wairau, in the Provincial Hall. A resolution. declaring Mr. Ward the best fitted to represent the district was opposed by Mr. Pell and Mr. Hodson (Mayor), members of Mr. Moorhouse’s committee ; bub their amendment for a simple vote of thanks for Mr. Ward's address, was lost by 33 to 19. The original resolution was then carried by 48 , to 14. Nelson, Wednesday. Anew daily paper, entitled the Nelson Daily Times, appeared this morning. The Provincial Treasurer made his financial statement last night. He complained that Superintendent Curtis had misrepresented the state of ordinary revenue in stating that it had fallen off, whereas it actually showed an increase of £3700. Waimate, Wednesday. Grand National Handicap Medora, 1. Maiden Plate—Phinn, 1; Sam Slick, 2; Kaipi, 3, Cup—Lunatic, 1 Medora, 2. Consolation—Tommy Dodd, X.

Chmstchdkch, Wednesday. The extension of the Southern Railway, Ashburton to Eangitata, a distance of twenty miles, will be opened for traffic in a fortnight. This will make a total distance of seventy miles from Christchurch towards Timaru. The New Zealand Shipping Company have received telegraphic advices of the arrival of the ship Dorette at London on April 29. She left Lyttelton on January 4, and great anxiety has been felt about her. The Acclimatisation Society haring offered Is. each for the destruction of hawks, as a protective measure to imported game, three hundred hawks have been killed during the last week. The third annual Presbyterian Synod opened yesterday. The Rev. N. McGaman was elected Moderator. The Provincial Council last night resolved, on the motion of the Provincial Solicitor, that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that legislation should be promoted in the General Assembly with the view of consolidating and extending the powers of Road Boards, and for vesting the soil of public roads in the Boards ; and also for empowering Road Boards to take measures for preventing injury to roads, and for recovering damages from any person who may obstruct the same, or cause injury to same, by closing drains and other watercourses.

The Provincial Secretary, in a lengthy speech, introduced the new Education Bill, which includes three material alterations. It is proposed to do away with Board of Education, and transfer the management of education affairs to the Provincial Executive, assisted by a permanent secretary; also to double the charge on householders for children between six and thirteen (raising it from ss. per child to 10s. each per year, with a maxamim of 40s. instead of 205.,) and to require in every established district a contribution of one-half instead of one-sixth towards the cost of school buildings. For the first erection of school buildings in a new district the contribution will remain at one-sixtb, and the house rate of one pound is unaltered. The changes proposed in the election of school committees are —that a committee shall consist of four, six, or eight persons, and that one-half only of the committee shall retire annually, instead of the whole of the committee as hitherto. The Provincial Solicitor, in explaining the Bill, •said after mature consideration, the Government had decided not to object to the exclusion of the clause referring to increased district contributions to school buildings. This is regarded as a wise proceeding, as great objection had been expressed outside to tile clause. A warm debate followed, the general tendency being against the Bill. The debate was adjourned to this evening. Dunedin, Wednesday; The discussion on Mr. >Bastings’ want of confidence motion was resumed last night in the Provincial Council, and was brought to a close at midnight, and as had been expected during debate, the Government sustained a defeat. The voting was twenty-two for the motion and twenty against. The Council then adjourned till two to-day. The escort last night brought down 8225 ounces of gold. The acceptances for the Queen’s Birthday Races are declared ;—Hurdle Race—Medora, X2st.; Tommy Dodd, list. 101 b.; Ivanboe, list. There are eight entries. For the Birthday Handicap there are only seven. Atlas top weight at 9st. 11b.; Envy and Rory O’More, Bst. 51b.; Right Bower, Bst. 41b.; King Philip, Bst.; and Kathleen, 7st. For the Tradesmen's Handicap, ten entries, with Atlas top weight, 9st.; Right Bower, Sst. Gib.; Envy, Bst. 51b.; Kathleen, Sst. 21b.; and Rory O'Moore, Bst 61b. An attempt was made last night to rob the Treasury. All the burglars got was a packet of cancelled Bank of New Zealand notes. The Government have resigned. Mr. Bastings stated he had been sent for by the Superintendent. The House adjourned till Tuesday. A man named James Rexon, in the employ of the Harbor Board, dropped down dead in Cumherland-street this afternoon. He had been drinking heavily. . ■ At the inquest to-day on Borland, killed by the train, the driver said he heard cries of “ Stop the train,” but thought it was children. The night was intensely dark, and it was raining heavily. The inquest has been adjourned. A subscription has been started for the relief of the widow and six children, all girls; youngest three years. The Governor is at the performance of the Fakir of Oolu to-night; house crowded. Hokitika, Wednesday. Cattle market, short supplied, averaged 40a. per lOOlbs.; sheep, 11s. to 15s.