TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4984, 14 March 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Tuesday. Considerable damage has been done to the Bay of Islands railway by the late rains. Thomas Bussell remains only a short time in Auckland. Thomas Newton, a Waterloo Hero, aged 77, has died in the hospital. The question of hanging up the Counties Act is exciting considerable public feeling in Eden County. At a Waste Lands Board meeting to-day Vesey Stewart intimated bis acceptance of the Board’s terms for the purchase of 10,000 acres adjoining Katikati settlement. The Board consented to extend the time for payment to September 1, if required. Returns show that there are 78,539 acres in the Thames County under the administration of the Board. A first trial of the waterworks was made with rain water accumulated in Newtown reservoir to-day. A jet of water was. thrown by the fire brigade over a three-story warehouse in Queen-street. Mr. Tole, M.H.R., addressed his constituents last night. He received a unanimous vote of confidence.. The Acclimatisation Society have agreed to recommend the Governor to fix the time for commencement of the shooting season in the North on 24th May, to the end of July. New Plymouth, Tuesday, Mr. Richard Chilman (late Collector of Customs) died last night. Christchurch, Tuesday. The Drainage Board have replied ts a deputation from the ratepayers. They say that they intend to carry out Carruthers’ scheme of sewers, but would not drain waterclosets into the sewers. Dunedin, Tuesday. A Chinaman named Ah Wong hanged himself in Stafford-street last night. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held to-day, at which the Hou. Mr. Young, explained the objects of his visit to the colonies. A numerous deputation from ministers of various denominations waited upon Mr. Reid to-day, asking that Government should reconsider their determination to dispense with the services of the Dunedin Gaol chaplain. The reply was that they would do so this afternoon. The City Council decided to alter the conditions for the construction of street tramways so as to provide for a double line and to increase the guage to 4J feet. The Corporation has been served with a writ for £6OOO, at the instance of Mr. Pritchard, for damages sustained by him during the recent floods. At a meeting of the University Council this afternoon it was resolved, —Whereas it has been alleged that proposals are being made to the Senate of the University of New Zealand, now in session at Nelson, that the standard of examination be lowered, this Council is of opinion that any such proposal if given effect to would be subversive of the objects for which the University was constituted, and would be a direct breach of faith with the University of Otago, which agreed to affiliation understanding that the standard would be maintained. It was also decided that the present Otago University building should be advertised for sale, and that the meetings of the Council should be open to the Press in' future. 1

The half-yearly meeting of the Standard Insurance Company was held yesterday. The report showed that although the amount paid for losses during the half-year had been considerable, the business of the company had largely increased. It was' resolved, in order to increase the capital, to allow the dividend available to be carried to the account. Some discontent was expressed at the system of distributing bonuses to insurers and limiting the dividends to shareholders to ten per cent., but if was not considered desirable to alter the arrangement for the present.

WANGANUI RACES. Wanganui, Tuesday. (prom oub own cobbespondent.) : The first day of the Wanganui Jockey Club annual race meeting came off most successfully, the weather being all that could be desired, the attendance large, and the racing first class, A few showers the night before made the course splendid going ; and the time in consequence was the fastest yet recorded. The club had turfed it where necessary during the winter, and otherwise improved it greatly. The bookmakers were not very fortunate,_ as every event was run out on its merits, which gave the public an advantage over the ring. The first Wanganui Derby provided a field of six, of which Queen of the Vale was made the favorite, only level money being obtainable about her as she left the paddock. Mamama was also backed for a place. The Queen rewarded her backer’s confidence by winning cleverly .by a neck from Mamama.

For the Wanganui btakes Elsa was made the favorite, and again pulled the takers of odds throngli, though had Opawa gone straight it is doubtful whether she would not have had a say in the finish. A field of nine faced the flag for the Scurry Stakes, Flora Macdonald being the choice of the public, who were in it again, as she won in a canter. May Moon gave the ring a turn in the Railway Plate, as the two Floras were supported by the public, but could not get on terms with the Moon, who won all the way. The Ladies Purse brought six to the post, and was won cleverly by Opawa, finely ridden by Campion. A hack race brought the first day’s programme to a close. For the handicap to-morrow Opawa, Maori Weed, and May Moon are freely supported. The following is a detailed account of the racing to-day:— WANGANUI DEEBY Of 100 sove. Second horse to save his stakes. Acceptances. 5 sovs. Colts, Bst. 101 b.; fillies and geldings, Bst, 51b. One and a half miles. Powdrill’s b m Queen of the Vale, 3 yrs (Belcher) 1 Newry’s b f Mamama, 3 yrs 2 Baker’s b g Lucifer, 3 yrs 3 Patrick, Tamouri, and Sunshine also ran. A good start was effected, and Mamama went to the front, closely attended by the Queen, with the others close up. Mamama kept the lead until within a few lengths from the winning post, when Powdrill’s filly got her head in front, and won by a short neck. Time, 2min. 54Jsec. WANGANUI STAKES Of 00 sovs, second horse to save his stakes. Entrance, 3 guineas. Two miles. Weight for age. Durie’s g m Elsa, 4 yrs (Belcher) 1 McGee's b m Perfume, aged (Hudson) .. .. 2 Watts’ b g Parawhenna, aged 3 Glenavy, Opawa, and Folly also started. This was a good race between Perfume and Elsa, bat the latter won with something in hand. Opawa refused to face the flag, and was left at the post, and did not get away till the others were twenty lengths on their journey. When she did begin to go she rapidly - ran up to the leading horses, but the effort put her hors da combat. Time, 3min. ssec. SCURRY STAKES. Of 20 sovc. Entrance, one guinea. One and a quarter miles. Catch weights. Post entry. Hadley’s b m Flora Macdonald, 4 yrs (Alfred Walker) 1 Hayward’s b m Ada. 5 yrs 2 Shields’ blk m Iniquity, 4 yrs 3 The Fox, Glenavy, Skedaddle, Dolly Varden, Reuben, and Maid of the Mill also ran. The Fox led for a mile, whenFloraMacdonald went through her horses and took the lead, winning easily. RAILWAY PLATE Of SO sovs, second horse to save his stakes. Entrance, two guineas. One and three quarter miles. Weight for age. McGee’s b g May Moon, syrs, 9st. 81b 1 Handley’s b m Flora Macdonald, 4yrs, Sst. ISlbs... 2 Watts’ b g Parawhenna, aged, 9st. 81bs 3 Flora also ran. May Moon led from the jump, and was never headed, although Flora Macdonald tried gamely to collar him coming up the straight. Jackson’s Flora was held too long, aud was in consequence never dangerous. ladies’ purse Of 30 sovs; second horse to save his stakes. Entrance, 2 guineas. One and a half miles. Welter weights for age; non-professional riders allowed Tibs. Rowe’s ch h Opawa, aged, 12st. 41bs. (Campion) .. 1 George’s b h Resolution, 4yrs, list 2 Browne's ch gTe Wheturaarama, syrs, list. 51bs. 3

Border Chief, Tamouri, and Frowning Beauty also started. A good start was effected, Campion getting Opawa away without delay. Resolution jumped off with the lead, and cut out the running at a slashing pace, closely attended by Frowning Beauty and Te Whetu. At the back stretch Opawa began to put steam on, and went through his field, until entering the straight he was seen at the head of affairs, with Resolution gamely struggling to get back the lead. A few lengths from the post Campion gave the Ravensworth horse a lift, and landed him a winner with plenty to spare, never having had to draw the whip out to him. A hack race closed the first day’s programme. It is now raining, but there are hopes that it will clear off before morning. The town is crowded with visitors.