TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4969, 24 February 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(from ode own correspondent.) Foxton, Friday. At the inquest on Beatty’s fire to-day a verdict was returned that there was nothing to show how the fire originated. The jury added a rider complaining that there was not sufficient police protection in the township at night. (PER PRESS AOENCr.) Auckland, Friday. Te Patui, the murderer of Morgan, was brought to town last night. At the inquest the medical testimony showed there were four wounds on the body, one above the right ear, three and a half inches long, and going deeply into the brain, sufficient to cause instant death. There was a second mortal wound In the neck, cutting the muscles and dividing the arteries and windpipe ; a wound across the breast-bone, and another wound over the right jaw-bone. The murder was committed with a tomahawk kept in the gml in .the kitchen. ’ The murderer escaped over the gaol wall by a rope fastened to a chimney. The arrest showed great judgment. : Constable Kirk and a man named Margrove, who were watching at a ford in the creek, heard a horse’s steps passing up to another ford. They ran along the bank, concealed themselves in a narrow place, and as the murderer came along at a hand gallop, they jumped upon him, and dragged him off. They found Morgan’s boots and a blood-stained shirt on the murderer. . Napier, Thursday. At the races to-day. the weather was beautiful though very warm. The attendance was not so large as yesterday. The results of the races were— l

Hurdle Race.—Wairarapa, 1; Shark, 2j. Whitefoot, 3. ' • Hawke’s’ Bay Stakes.—otiipui, 1; The Peer, 2; Tregeagle, 3. ; Produce Stakes.—Tamakia, 1 ; Longlauds, 2 ; The Worm, 3. . .

Tradesman’s Handicap;-—Parawhenua, 1 ; Tawera, 2 ; The Peer, 3.' J,i Consolation Stakes.—Pretender, 1; Shark, 2. Hokitika, Friday, About 500 persons were present at the prize firing yesterday during the visit of the Governor. In the evening his Excellency and suite attended the citizens banquet in the Hall. The Mayor presided. The Governor, in' ’ responding-to the toast of the evening, expressed his gratification at the sighs of progress presented in the district. Mr. Button, in proposing the toast. “ The Governor’s responsible advisers ’’ said he was convinced that there was no part of New Zealand in which the people were more generally satisfied with the Ministry of the day than the people of Westland. Mr. Bowen, in responding, said no doubt, on the question of abolition, a great part of the country was at the back.of the Ministry, and this part of the; country especially. In afterwards proposing prosperity -to Westland, he referred to the recent discoveries of tin, antimony, silver, and lithographic stone. He said he should, have, liked much to have seen-the County Council in full .working order, so that he might have discussed! with them! at this meeting the question of water races., After the banquet, the Governor dm ve 1 through the town, escorted by the. Volunteer. Band and Fire Brigade in torchlight procession. The day's proceedings ended with illuminations and a great display of fireworks. The Governor is now, on his way to Greymouth, via Ku- - rnara,- where there is to be a lunch and presentation: of addresses and characteristic miners’procession.

, i> .' j , Kcmaba, Friday. His Excellency and suite, accompanied by the Hon. Messrs. Bowen and Bonar, and Mr. McWhirter (Chairman of the Westland County Council), arrived at Kumara at noon, and were, met by the members of the Arahura Road Board, who presented an address ,of welcome. His Excellency then went over a portion of the lead, and washed out a prospect in one of the claims. On returning the viceregal party was entertained at a public luncheon. The Governor said Kumara was the most wonderful goldfield he had seen, and he had visited nnmbfers In Queensland. He left for Greymouth at 2—p-m/ On crossing- the Teremakau he was , received by the Grey County Chairman (Mr. Guinness), who welcomed him to the district, and presented an address. ,

Charleston, Friday. A prospecting association was formed here last night. It offers a bonus of £250 to the parly who first finds a payable goldfield within an' area situated between the Totara and the range, dividing the Four-mile and Fox’s River, and terminating at the ‘White Horse track! The said new goldfield t<v be within an area oI two miles from the prospectors' claim, and to be capable of giving continuous 1 employment to 250 miners for six months, at current wages. The offer of bonus to extend to the first day of October next. Christchurch, Friday. A meeting of the Selwyn County Council took place to-day,' and the question of bringing the permissive clauses of the Counties Act into force was discussed at great length.'; A motion not to bring them into force was supported by Messrs,' Eolleston, Tancred, 1 Fitzroy, McMillan, and Mathias, and. Dr.'! Turnbull. The motion was carried. The Hon-' J.Hall was the only dissentient. Valuable trophies are offered for the best scorer, best bowler, Mad best. fielder in the Canterbury team against the English. Dunedin, Friday. * At the annual meeting of the subscribers tc the Benevolent Institution, held yesterday' Sir J. Richardson and Mr. Bathgate, R.M, . dwelt at considerable length upon the futur prospects of the institution, and' the ques tien of legislation, with a view to chec

the evils arising from wife desertion and drunkenness. Two other questions were also largely discussed, namely, the increasing pauperism in the city, -and , the establishment of an orphanage in connection with the insti-

tution. . , Mr. Henry Driver yesterday sold the Raglan estate, in the North Island, to Mr. Studholme, of Christchurch, for £34,000. The.escort last month brought down 8/73 ounces of gold.

COLONIAL PRIZE FIRING. Hokitika, Friday. The highest aggregate scores for the Rifle Championship, including Fourth Match, are as follows :—Paynter, 205 ; Richardson, 199 ; Keefe, 198 ; Acheson, 196 ; Chapman, 193 ; Davies, 192 ; Partington, 192 ; Harding 190 ; ’ Robinson, 189 ; McLeod, 188 ; Murray, 188 ; Stonebridge, 188 ; Anderson, 187. For the Carbine Belt: McLean, 173; Littlewood, 168; Hill, 168; Cummins, 165; Sykes, 163; Black, 158. The Fifth Infantry Match was begun this morning, and the two long ranges were finished. Then the long range of the Fifth Carbine Match was fired. After dinner the latter will be completed, and then the 200 yards of the Fifth Infantry Match. The weather is very fine, and the glass steady. Later. The firing was resumed after dinner with the short ranges of the Fifth Carbine Match, the winners being:—McLean, 67 ; Hill, 66 ; Muir, 63; and Sykes, 62. The present position of the probable winners of the Carbine Belt are;—McLean, 210 ; Hill, 232 ; Sykes, 276,; Littlewood, 226 ; Cummins, 223 ; and Sellers, 217. The Fifth Rifle Match, 200 yards, was then gone on with. Winners: — Anderson, 69 ; Richardson, 68 ; Harding, 68 ; Hay, 66 ; lire Whare, 64; Mellsop, 62 ; McLeod, 63 ; and Chapman, 62. Ure Whare, of the Thames, made: a fine score of 26 at 500 yards, and took the range prize. The weather looks very threatening, and rain is falling on the hills.

THE DUNEDIiX REGATTA. Port Chalmers, Friday. The Dunediu Regatta was an unqualified success, the weather equally favorable to sailing or rowing events. Fully 3000 persons were present. The steamer Wellington was the flagship. The races gave the greatest satisfaction, the different officers being indefatigable in the discharge of their duties. The results of the principal events were : SENIOR FISHING BOATS. Distance four miles. First prize, £lO ; second, £5. D. Carr’s Rose 1 J. Tonnage's Albatross 2 Tannage’s Oannet .. .... .. 3 Six boats started for this race, but beyond the owners of boats and the employes, little interest was taken in it. A breeze sprang up, enabling the boats to sail splendidly. WHALEBOAT RACE. Distance six miles. First prize, £10; second, £5. Innes’ Fet J Tannage’s Kingfisher 2 Innes’Trial .. 3 Kingfisher got away with the lead, but after about a mile was overhauled and passed by Pet, Kingfisher’s crew pulling hard, but they could not keep up with Pet, who won as she liked by twenty lengths, Trial being about a quarter of a mile behind the first boat. AMATEUR FOUR-OAR GIG RACE, Distance, two miles. Prize, £5, or trophy. Isis .. •• J Waihola ..2 little Kell .. .. ..3 Five entries for this race. A great deal of interest was taken in it. Some time elapsed before the boats got into line. Upon the gun beincr fired Waihola and Isis took the water firsthand the latter after going 100 yards took the lead and was never caught, coining in pretty easy amidst great cheering; Waihola second. Little Nell had a good spurt for second place.

CHAMPION SAILING RACE, Distance, eight idles. Prize, £l3. Royal Alfred .. .. 1 Davis’Victoria,. .. .. -.-. 2 Josephine ... 3 Gipsy and Anonyma also started. Victoria and Royal Alfred passed and repassed each other several' times. The race was closely contested. SHIP’S FOUR-OAR GIG RACE. Distance, three miles. First Prize, £5; second, £2los. Stewart’s Camara. .. 1 Leslie’s Canterbury .. .. 2 Pleiades,. ■ .. ‘ .." r.’- 8 BOYS FOUR-OAR INBIGGED GIG RACE. Two miles. First prize, £4 ; second, £2. Excelsior Club’s Little Nell 1 Port Chalmers Club’s Pioneer .. .. 2 The Pioneer swamped, and the crew were picked up. ' They lost the race in consequence. CHAMPION, FOUR-OAR INRIGGED RACE. Distance, three miles. First prize. Challenge Cup presented -by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and £ls added; second, £5. Young Colonist.. .. 1 Isia , 2 Union 3 Excelsior.. .. ..4 The rest were nowhere. This was an exciting race, and a good start was effected. The Pioneer was swamped. In coming back the tide proved troublesome. Yonng Colonist won by 200 yards.