TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5080, 5 July 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.)

Auckland, Wednesday. American Independence Day passed without any demonstration. The Howick rape case is proceeding at the Supreme Court. Prisoners are defended by two experienced solicitors, who are endeavor* ing to shake the woman’s testimony. The case is likely to last to-morrow. At the Presbytery to-day the question of appointing theological tutors for preparing students for the ministry was postponed until October. The Rev. D. Brqce announced hisresignation of St. Andrew’s charge. Napier, Wednesday. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural Society to-day, it was resolved to hold the annual show on Wednesday and Thursday, loth and 11th October.

New Plymouth, Wednesday. The pioneer settlers, Shore, McMillanf' and Jones, with their wives and families, left town last night by special train for Waitara, where they embarked in the steamer Hauraki for Mokau, a native district which has hitherto been considered closed to Europeans. Christchurch, Wednesday.

The prospectus of a new fire and marine insurance company, under the title of the Union, Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, will be published to-morrow. Thecapital is £2,000,000 sterling in 100,000 shares of £2O each. It is arranged to call up £1 per share in instalments extending over two years. The list of provisional directors includes the names of a large number of the leading merchants and business men 'of Canterbury, forming one of the strongest companies in the colony. It is stated that a large business support has been promised. Arrangements will be made as speedily as possible to receive applications for shares throughoutjthe colony, to open agencies, and commence business. Oamaeu, Wednesday.

The following telegram has been received by the. Chairman of the Oamaru and Naseby Railway Committee ;—“ The following resolution was adopted by the Naseby committee last night. In the opinion of the committee the advantages of having direct communication with South Canterbury are so great that independently of an engineer’s favorable report, the line from Duntroon via Livingstone would receive the general support of this district.— E. W. Busch, Chairman Naseby Committee.” Dunedin, Wednesday.

Daniel Quarrie, charged with having killedhis mother at Oamarn, was acquitted to-day. This concluded the calendar, with the exception of Mrs. Heed’s case. The charge against Bridget Kyan, Margaret Ryan, and Honoria Sheehan of abandoning a female child, was heard at the Police Court to-day. The prosecution was concluded, and the defence will be proceeded with to-morrow. A public meeting was held in the Temperance Hall last night to consider the railway question. The Mayor presided. Not more than 300 people were present. Several speakers, including Messrs. Bastings and Pyke, M.H.lk’s, addressed the meeting. The following resolutions were carried :—“ 1. That in the opinion of this meeting the delay that has taken place in the completion of the main trunk line of railway (north and south) in the provincial district of Otago is unjustifiable and vexatious, and is proving most injurious to agricultural, pastoral, manufacturing, and commercial interests of the community.” “2. That this meeting desires to emphatically protest against this delay, and urges the Government to take immediate steps to have the line north and south of Dunedin forthwith completed.” “3. That in the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when the interior of the provincial district of Otago should be connected with the > seaboard by a main trunk line of railway. That the route best calculated to effect this purpose is that from Dunedin, by way of Straith Taieri, through the Maniototo Plains and Ida Valley, Manuherika Plain, and on to the Dunstan. That this route is the most practicable from an engineering point of view ; is most economical as regards cost of construction, and opens up the largest area of the Crown lands of the Otago district. That the Government be strongly urged to take steps during the approaching session of the General Assembly to have the necessary survey of this line made with a view of advertising for tenders for its immediate construction.” “4. That this meeting is of opinion that the Government should proceed to negotiate a loan specially for the construction of this central interior main trunk line of railway ; and in the event of the Government not seeing their way to find the necessary funds, they be urged to amend the present law so that a private company may - undertake the construction of the lines.” “A. That a committee, consisting of the following gentlemen, be appointed for the purpose of!” furthering the objects of this meeting in such a manner as they may deem advisable :—The chairmen of County Councils and Road Boards,

mayor and councillors of the city of Dunedin, the committee of the Chamber of Commerce, mayors of suburban Municipal Councils, members of Harbor Boards, and Messrs. John Cargill, Robin, Driver, Sligo, Barron, Prosser, Campbell, Burt, Kobert, Davie, Mackerras, and Gillies.” Craig was found guilty last night at ten and was this sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonmeth, with hard labor.