TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5241, 10 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Wednesday, It is positively announced that Mr. Reader Wood resigns his seat for an extended visit to England. Mr. if. J. Moss, and probably Mr. Dargaville, will be candidates for the vacancy. At the meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company the chairman said the company had made steady progress during the year, but at the same time had experienced heavy marine losses. He would ask' the shareholders to agree to the appointment of an inspector, who was at present engaged in the Southern districts. The receipts, including a balance from last year, were £150,780, and the expenditure £126,103, including all losses to the end of the half-year. The balance to the credit of profit and loss was £24,600. A dividend of 15 per cent, was declared, and a balance of £9677 carried forward. The premiums amounted to £83,500, and the losses to £59,276. Appropriation for losses unpaid, £31,363. The report was adopted. The directors and auditors were reelected. Mr. Cooper, Under-Secretary, has returned £340, collected at Auckland towards the Indian Famine Fund, as the subscription is closed. At the Supreme Court, Rolfe and Speers were each sentenced to twelve months for stealing jewellery belonging to a woman lying dead. Dr. Somerville commences his revival services at the theatre to-morrow. Bright lectures to-night. Alexandra, Wednesday. There has been very little news from the King country lately. It is feared that Tawhiao will not meet the Premier and Native Minister at Te Kuiti. Te Wheoro has gone up to Hikurangi to-day, to see the natives and Tawhiao there, and to, arrange for a meeting shortly. Napier, Wednesday. The Renfrewshire immigrants are now anxious to leave the ship, but they will not be landed until Friday, when the vessel will be admitted to pratique, and even then the immigrants will have to go into the quarantine barracks. Mr. Wheatleigh has been drawing large houses with “ The Shaughrauu.” The Odd Fellows’ Hall, now the Theatre Royal, has been much enlarged, and converted into a commodious and handsome theatre. The stage appliances and accommodation in the way of dressing-rooms, &0., are very good. Christchurch, Wednesday. Yesterday Edward Green was killed by an immense fall of earth and shingle while working in a shingle pit in the Oust District. At the Supreme to-day, Wm. Petley, charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, got six years. Timaru, Wednesday.

The report of the Timaru Harbor Commission has been received, and is very elaborate. It goes into the whole question of the practicability of the schemes proposed for the breakwater, Timaru harbor. It puts aside Sir John Goode’s plan as too extensive, and proposes a solid structure from the shore, viz., a solid mole from shore to the distance of nine hundred feet, terminating in a breakwater similar to Sir J. Goode’s, but of smaller dimensions. The report considers that it would take a year to construct a mole of three hundred feet. Regarding travelling shingle ; if it is found when the mole is constructed that an accumulation of shingle takes place in the southern angle between it and the shore, an opening might be left. The portion then executed would protect the present landingplace. It also remarks on the two plans handed in bv the Harbor Board. It accepts the general form of that marked “Panagathos,” and suggests as the best site that chosen by the late Hr. Balfour. It considers that the “ Panagathos” pian could not be constructed under £500,000, and suggests that it would not be prudent to undertake a work of this kind unless that sum was definitely counted on. The Harbor Board meets tomorrow to consider the report.. A town section at Waimate, the property of Mr. Rhodes, was sold, averaging £l3 ss. per quarter acre. Au accident occurred at Sharp’s farm at Kakahu. A lad named Chute, 16 years old, was driving a grass-cutting machine, and while he was cleaning the blade the horse started off, and the boy was caught by it, and had his arm cutoff a little below the shoulder. No one was near : at the time, and he lay twenty minutes on the ground, when he was discovered senseless and bleeding profusely. The flow of blood was staunched with difficulty. A movement is on foot at Waimate for proclaiming the township a borough. A meeting passed a resolution to the effect that the County Council be requested to expend £IOOO with a fair share of the subsidies received within the limits of the proposed borough. Ddnedin, Wednesday. At the Presbyterian Synod a notice of motion was tabled instituting a professorship, to be called “ The Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy.” At the Supreme Court to-day Charles Inder, who was put upon his trial on two

charges of larceny, was discharged. The case against' the' women Ryan and Sheehan, for concealment of birth, is going on. The Soldenes produced “Belle Helene" last night. It was a great success. Riverton, Wednesday. Mr. Hodgkinson addressed the electors here last night, and reviewed topics which occupied the house during the session. He received a vote of thanks.