TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5057, 8 June 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(TEll PBESS AGENCY.) ] Foxton, Thursday. Re the railway accident near Eeilding yesterday it appears that the train consisted of three carriages and one truck. The engine and brake ran off the rails, smashing the engine, which will take some weeks to repair. The manager and Mr. Stewart, with proper appliances, started at once to superintend the necessary repairs. llaweha, Wednesday. A deliberate attempt was made last night to burn down Winks' new butcher's shop. The culprit has not yet been discovered. Hot cinders, shavings, and rags saturated with kerosene were used. The fire was stopped before much damage was clone. Auckland, Thursday. The manager of the A.S.P. Company invites tenders for the purchase of the steamers Southern Cross, Pretty Jane, and Star of the South. Balcixtha, Thursday. Considerable indignation is felt here at the proposal to remove the junction of the Tuapeka and main line of railway from Clarke - ville to Milton. This would lengthen the distance between Balclutha and Lawrence four miles. Large quantities of timber are sent from here to Lawrence, and extra carriage would amount to £1 per week ; the cost of travelling would also be considerably increased. No action was taken here, as it was never supposed the Government would sanction the alteration. . ■ xnursaay. A compromise proposed »'c the dock question is not likely to eventuate, as Mr. Proudfoot requires nearly £3OOO compensation for departing from the terms of his contract. The Board will probably decide to adhere to the original plan. The briek wall of Kirkpatriek and Glendinning's premises in Princess-street fell this afternoon, carrying away the milliuery department and workrooms. Nearly all the girls, about 50 in number, were away at dinner when the accident occurred, but of those who were on the premises two were badly injured. Several thousand pounds worth of property were destroyed.

Invercahgill, Thursday. At the second coursing the sport was very good and the course in better condition than on the previous day. The attendance was not, however,so large. The All-aged stakes were won by Mr. Brydou's Souter. Mr. Brydon's Cricket was a runner up. The Puppy Stakes were won by Sir. Surmau's Gyp. Mr. Martiu's Spangle was a runner up.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE. CHBisrcHDiicH, Thursday.

I The Canterbury College was opened by the Governor this afternoon. The address to the I Governor was read by the Chairman of the ! Board of Governors. He gave a sketch of the establishment and progress of the College, aud then went on to say that the Board had taken steps to establish a school of agriculture in connection with a model farm, which it is hoped will be in full operation in a few mouths. A. building for a High School for girls, to be placed under the control of the Board, is now iu course of erection. It will shortly be completed, and in all probability will be opened in September next. The Board is uow endeavoring to make arrangements for the establishment of a school of mines as a department of the College. At the present time there are on the teaching staff three lecturers, giving instruction in classics aud English literature, in mathematics and natural philosophy, in chemistry and physics, in geology, and in modern languages ; also in biology, iu jurisprudence, and cognate subjects. The number of students attending the various" classes this term is seventy-eight; of these sixteen have matriculated in the University of New Zealand, to which this College is affiliated. The address concluded by expressing gratification at the presence of the Governor there, aiding the good cause of education.

His Excellency replied in a very eloquent speech, thanking the Board of Governors for the opportunity thus afforded "him of associat- | ing his name with the cause of higher education ; in the colony, and expressing the conviction that the college, when completed, would be of infinite service, not only to the city aud district in which it is situated, but also to the colony as a whole. He conibatted the notion that the establishment was premature. It was not alone for the present but the future that the}' had to provide. He was astonished aud deligbed when looking at the marvellous progress made here during the past twenty-five years, and could not but think that, so far from this being a premature institution, establishments of the character of Canterbury College were a positive necessity. In conclusion, he begged most heartily to congratulate the city of Ohristchurch on possessing so excellent an institution in its midst.