TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5072, 26 June 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(RER PRESS AGENCY.) Masterton, Monday,

The settlers on the Opaki have called a meeting for Saturday next to consider the best means of abating the rabbit nuisance. A largely attended meeting was held at Tenui on Saturday, to consider the advisability of briuging the Counties Act into operation. The main argument in favor-of it was the had state of the roads to Masterton. Messrs. Beetlmm and Pbarazyn showed that the ratepayers would gain nothing except their own extra rate, which could be raised specially by a Highway Board, and that they would only have .an expensive machinery, without any good result. They advised waiting till after the session. Their views were carried almost unanimously. Mr. Beetham theu addressed the electors, and suggested several amendments in he Counties Act, especially reborrowing. Mr. Pbarazyn followed, and stated that in order to avoid splitting the votes of a party with Mr. Beetham, he would withdraw. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Beetham ; also a vote of thanks to Mr. Pharazyn. There is now only one candidate in the field.

Auckland, Monday. Colonel Haultaiu holds an inquiry at the Old Men’s Refuge to-morrow.

A special telegram from Wellington reports that Mr. F. B. Passmore, Superintending Engineer of Constructed Railways, is about to sever his connection with the railways of the colony. Frank Barber, one of the hands of the Wanaka, sustained a broken ankle and other injuries by one of the hatches falling on him. Several alarms of fire were raised on Saturday night, but none were serious. The football matches played on Saturday were wanting in spirit, owing to the feelings exc ted by the late fatal accident. A fine specimen sailing boat, 25ft. long, goes to Wellington per Wanaka.

Christchurch, Monday.

At a meeting of the Drainage Board to-day a letter was read from Mr. Carruthers resigning his appointment of consulting engineer. The consideration of the letter was postponed.

It is rumored that a new morning paper is to be started at Timaru.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day W. XI. Capons, the boy arrested for endeavoring to pass buttons in imitation of sovereigns as sovereigns, was committed to the Industrial School for 18 months. A youth named Reese, charged with a similar offence, was committed for trial.

11. Fielding, formerly editor of the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette, was brought up here to-day charged, under the name of Hiram Walter Patterson, with having embezzled monies belonging to the Darebiu Town Council, Victoria, in the year 1873. Inspector Buckley said the total amount embezzled was about £6OO. Prisoner was remanded till July 24. Dunedin, Monday.

It has -been determined to keep the lists for the Macaudrew testimonial fund open a few days longer, and it is understood that the presentation will be on the eve of his departure for Wellington to attend next session of Parliament.

A public meeting to consider the railways question will be held early next week.