TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4559, 30 October 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PKESS AGENCY.) Palmerston, Friday. Messrs. Pearce and Levin, local directors of the Colonists Aid Emigration Society passed through here to-day, en route to Feilding. Auckland, Friday. A woman named Heath, an immigrant by the British Empire, tied her child to her back and jumped from the wharf into the harbor.. She was rescued. It is believed the cause was unhappiness with a man she is living with nominally as her husband. The child of the woman who jumped from the wharf yesterday has died. The mother is believed to be insane. She lies dangerously Captain Logan writes a long reply to the Commissioner of Customs’ letter regarding the fine on the steamship Hero. He asks why, now that the Customs officer and surveyor admit their error in measurement in consequence of which the fine was imposed, the Government do not also acknowledge the wrong done him, and restore the amount. Christchurch, Friday. The forthcoming elections are exciting a great deal of interest in various parts of the province, and there seems every probability of numerous candidates coming forward, the Hon. E. Richardson, E. J. Stevens, and P. Andrews having announced themselves candidates for the three Christchurch seats, Messrs. Bluett, Watson, Enys, Jebsou, and George Holmes, jun., are candidates for the one Coleridge seat. Sir O. Wilson will stand for re-election for Heathcote, where he will probably be opposed by W. Montgomery, who it is rumored does not intend to offer again for the district of Akaroa. The Hon. C-. O. Bowen is reported to have an intention of standing for Akaroa, instead of Haiapoi, where Mr. Beswick, his old opponent, appears to have gained strength lately by, the accession of some of Bowen’s provincialist supporters. G.. B. Parker intends to visit England, and will not therefore seek re-election for Gladstone district. W. M. Moorhouse is to be a candidate for the vacancy, and there are no signs of opposition. The Hon. E. W. Stafford will again seek to represent Timaru ; and Mr. Wakefield, editor of the Timaru Herald, intends offering himself for the new seat for that town. Dr. Rayner will oppose him, and a warm contest is expected. Dunedin, Friday. The fourth half-yearly report of the National Insurance Company shows that the total re* ceipts for the half-year, including £2OOO from the previous balance, amount to £42,738 • the expenditure for the same period is £23,578, leaving for distribution £19,161, which it is proposed to appropriate as follows ;—Reserve fund, £SOOO (which will then make reserve £35,000) ; a dividend of fifteen per cent, per annum, £3750 ; carried forward to next half year, £10,411. The company is interested in the Strathmore to the extent of £4BOO, which is not provided for in the present balancesheet. Inthedrainagemachinecompetitionat Milton yesterday. Read and Gray,Dunedin makers,took the first prize .of £IOO ;no second prize was awarded. The four Superintendents were present at the luncheon. After the competition Sir George Grey spoke at length against abolition. He paid a high tribute of praise to Mr. Murray, M.H.R. Sir George speaks at Clutha to-night at Thomson’s banquet, . Messrs, Sheehan, Bunny, and J. C. Brown went on to Lawrence from Milton. Sir George Grey delivers a lecture on Tuesday next in one of our large halls in aid of All Saints* Church fund. He does not leave here till Wednesday on that account. The Star, speaking of Wednesday’s banquet, says, as a political demonstration it was calculated to produce precisely the opposite effect from what was intended. Both the advocates and opponents of provincialism expected a fair outline of the future tactics of the party; but instead of that they were treated mainly with petty speeches, well enough to listen to at a purely social gathering, but utterly unworthy of men who assume, to be leaders of a great political movement. According to the Bruce Herald, Mr. A. Stewart, who recently unsuccessfully contested, the Balolutha Mayoralty, will, if he meet, with any encouragement, oppose Mr. Thomson, M.H.R., for the Clutha district.

A special train left town at 3.30 p.m. to-day with the Superintendent, Sir George Grey, Mr. Fitzherbert, and other gentlemen, who proceed to Balclutha to attend the Thomson banquet.