TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4901, 6 December 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PEE PRESS AGENCY.) Port Chalmers, Tuesday.

The ketch Palmerston has just arrived. Captain Brebner reports sighting a vessel ashore off Chasland’s Mistake at 10 a.m. yesterday. He bore down, and found the steamer Otago on the rocks, heading about W.S.WWas boarded by Captain Calder, who informed him that the passengers and crew, numbering one hundred persons, were all safely landed, together with their luggage and the mails. Captain Brebner offered assistance, and was requested to communicate with the first steamer he met and send her to the Otago’s assistance. The Otago ran on the rocks at 2 a.m. yesterday, in a dense fog.; Has lost her forefoot, and at low water the sea was abreast of the taffrail.

Invercargill, Tuesday,

Mr. H. Baker, who has been Inspector of Surveys here since 1869, having formerly held the office of Chief Surveyor of the province of Southland, has been appointed Chief Surveyor for the Canterbury district. Dcnbdin, Tuesday.

At the Licensing Court to-day all the new licenses except one were refused. The Bench cautioned publicans against building.expensive premises, and then coming to Court for licenses on that ground. The City Council have determined to tax hotels for baths, £2 per annum for first year, and £1 for each subsequent,year. ; Complaints are rife about the appointment of a number of members for ridings. The proposals of the Canterbury and Dunedin Kace Clubs, the one to have a Leger, the other a Derby, of 250 soys., with a sweep of 20 sovs., has given great satisfaction. Christchurch, Tuesday.

Ah article in this morning’s Lyttelton, Times argues, with apparent truth, that the prorogation of the Assembly in October last, by Commissioners, under a Eoyal Commission issued and witnessed by the Governor, was not legal, or in accordance with the Constitution Act. It is shown that if the prorogation was illegal the session is not ended, and the Abolition Act of 1876 is not in force, and therefore the provinces and Superintendents still legally exist. If the Abolition Act is not in force, the Counties Act also is not in operation, and any steps taken under it up to the present time are null and void.

At a meeting held this afternoon a committee was appointed to select a crew to attend the Nelson Regatta. Only three names of men willing to row were received. The committee adjourned till Friday ; efforts are to be made in the meantime to obtain more names.

Mr. Montgomery, M.H.R., announces his intention to address the electors of Akaroa on Tuesday next. The City Council has voted £3OOO as a first instalment of an amount to be expended in asphalting footpaths beyond business thoroughfares one-halt width.

It is reported that Mr. T. W. Hall, of Timaru, will be appointed General Government Agent for Canterbury, in conjunction with Mr. Bolleston.

The City Council appear rather frightened at tackling the charitable aid question,; and have appointed a committee to confer with the General Government on the matter. Gbbytown, Tuesday.

An indignation meeting was held in the Town Hall here last evening regarding the injustice done in apportioning the representation to ridings. The meeting was well attended. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse presided,- and agreed that. Bast and. West Wairarapa and Hutt should form one, county, and that the Act should not be brought into operation in this ■ district till Parliament, by legislation, altered the present inequitable arrangements. He expressed his astonishment at the injustice done to Grey town riding, which contained one-sixth of the population of the whole district, and was given only one vote in eighteen. Resolutions were passed—lst. Requesting Mr. Waterhouse to Wait on the Premier re Greytown riding. 2nd. Against bringing the Act into operation before the ; present county boundaries were readjusted. - ■ 3rd, ■ Inviting Mr. Waterhouse to represent Greytown riding in the Council. , Mr. Waterhouse expressed his willingness to do so. Auckland, Tuesday.

An inquiry re the late fire in Shortlandstreet resulted in a verdict that the place was set fire to, but there was no evidence showing ;by whom. . ; ■ • 1 . | At a meeting of the Acclimatisation Society the chairman said, a considerable . number, of ova were dead.

A meeting of the Presbytery to-day considered a call to the Bey. Mr. Mcßae, from -Tasmania. The matter remains undecided until the next quarterly meeting of the Presbytery.’; .-.i. .v ;i .a v 1 The general Presbyterian 'Assembly- meets' this evening. At Buckland’s wool sale to-day 600 bales were offered, principally washed; Long wool, in grease, 7d. to 13d. ; half-bred, 7Jd. to Bd.; looks and pieces, 4|d. ; Thomas Henderson,-jun., and O. Daore will represent the Auckland Bowing Club in the pair-oared race at Nelson. There is some probability of White’s crew going from Mercury Bay to compete ip the champion four-oared race.

A fire at Papatoitoi destroyed a farmhouse known as Fairmont. The house was insured for £IOO and, the furniture for a like amount, in the National.

At the inquiry re the wreck of the Peerless on Suwarrow Island the verdict was that the’ wreck had been caused by the negligence of the mate, John Nichoh His certificate is cancelled. The Court also censured the master. Bichard Metcalf. (iTROM A bOKBESPONDBNr.) Foxton, Tuesday. The telegram from Feilding re the distribution of members for the County Council does not represent fully the case, as the Kawitea riding adjoins, and is in fact portion of the Manchester block, and any election can be decided by them. They are therefore on the same footing as Palmerston and Foxton, especially as Kawitea does not contain above half-a-dozen settlers. When so many statements are made as to the amount of rates paid, they may probably be found to be exaggerated, and due allowance should be made for all such assertions, considering that they are undoubtedly used to influence some projected alteration of boundaries.