TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4483, 2 August 1875, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Saturday. In reply to a telegram from Swanson, relative to information re the proposed kauri gum tax, Dargaville, who moved the imposition of the tax in the' Council, has telegraphed that in the present state of the market, and in consequence of the competition with Manilla gum, it would not be advisable to levy the tax. Some scandal has arisen relative to the location of the Kaipara railway terminus in an inaccessible position, said to have been done through log-rolling by owners of the land near the place selected for the station. Some of the works are already rotten, and a ticket is placed on the wharf at Harkin's Point, announcing that it is unsafe. (PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Saturday. The Gas Company have declared a dividend of 15 per cent., and promised a reduction in the price of gas. They intend increasing their capital to carry on new works. Fiji news by the Emu has dates to the 23rd July. H.M; Barricoota left Levuka with the Governor on that date for Nadi, the proposed seat of government. G. McMunn, teller of the Fiji Bank, has died of typhoid fever. A sanitory board has been formed at Levuka. At Suva one prisoner was sentenced to death for child murder. The prisoner's wife had been confined, and to save his wife's life, he killed the child by burning it alive, in accordance with Fiji custom! The native police have been interfering with the white population so much as to cause general indignation. A public meeting was held on. the subject, but nothing was done. There has been public agitation as to Kandavau being made the port of call. The general opinion is that Levuka's claim is paramount. Ex-king Cacobau is convalescent after his attack of measles. H.M.S. Pearl left Levuka for New Hebrides on the 12th July. A fire occurred at Bau on the 11th, and destroyed the principal public buildings. One-sixth of the natives perished in the flames. A dinner to the Bau murderers is spoken of by the Fiji Times as the latest thing on the tapis at Levuka. Thomas Beckham, District Judge, is dead. He was sent over to the colony from New South Wales by Sir George Gipps, to join the staff of Governor Hobson, in 1839, and he has continued Resident Magistrate ever since. He was 71 years of age. Grahamstown, Saturday. Gold returns for week, 23780z5. Long Drive contributed 580ozs. as result of month's work. Bank of New Zealand shipped 42S0ozs. .this week, making total about 28,0000z5. during last four months. New Plymouth, Saturday.

One of the botlies of the crew of the Hero was washed ashore at Mokau. It is not identified yet. The Maoris buried it high up on the beach. A number of natives have come in to see Mr. Parris respecting his retiring from office. A survey of the Hero has been held to base a claim for salvage. The report of salvage values the derilect at £330, and the timber, &c, at £U9. Simms, late captain of the Julius Vogel, is to be appointed harbormaster at Rangitikei. All the railway bridges are expected to be finished by the end of August, and the line opened for passenger traffic at the end of September. Chmstchuech, Saturday. In the Supreme Court the case of Passmore v. the Bank of New South Wales, which was a suit fop the specific performance of a contract in respect to the sale by defendants to plaintiff of two stations held by them as security for advances made to Major Hornbrook, was tried yesterday, before Justice "Williams and a special jury. On the close of the plaintiffs case, Garrick, for defendants, contended

either that the : learned Judge should enter anonsuit, or that he. should direct the jury to find a verdict for the defendants on the ground of variance with the terms of his contract, as set forth in the declaration of plaintiff. In this his Honor concurred, and Travers refusing to take a nonsuit, the Judge directed the jury to return a verdict for the defendants on the first issue, the Eecond issue not being able to be found by them. This was done, Travers obtaining leave to move that a verdict be entered for the plaintiff, or for a new trial, on the ground of misdirection. Ddnedej, Saturday.

The Chain Hills trurael, on the Dunedin and* Clutha railway, was finished this morning. It is bricked throughout, and will be ready for a locomotive to run through in eight days. All the bridges on this contract are erected, and the line will be ready for public traffic the second week in August. A large meeting was held last night on the gas question. It was a perfect farce. It was only intended to obtain Stephen Hutchison's appointment as valuator in the purchase by the Corporation of the works from Hankey. Hutchison was too late, as the Council had appointed Curtis, of Melbourne. Invekcargill, Saturday.

The nomination of candidates for the vacant seat at Wallace took place to-day. The following were proposed—Basstian, Monekton, and Cameron.