TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5258, 30 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Tuesday. A deputation from the Thames waited on the Premier and urged upon him the importance of the Thames Valley railway. Sir George Grey replied that the acquisition of land was being rapidly pushed on, and all obstacles to the line would soon be got over. Stephen Massett went South in the Taranaki, after a successful season at Auckland and the Thames. A thousand children belonging to various schools went to the Domain for a feast to-day, but got drenched and returned. The weather is most unfavorable for the regatta. There is a drenching rain and no wind. - Five large .schooners started at the latest hour. The Reward was leading, but it is doubtful whether the vessels will reach the finishing point in time to make the race according to rules, Six started for the trading cutters’ race, and the Thistle is leading, hut it is considered improbable th.it they will complete the course in time to finish the race. The Lochfieet’s boat won the ship’s gig race. In the rowing races there was very little competition or interest taken. Gisborne, Tuesday. There was a slight shock of earthquake here at 2.20 p.m. on the 27th. To-day there was a smart shock at 10.40 a.m. Christchurch, Tuesday. The. Canterbury crew left by the Wanaka to-day, to take part in the Colonial Regatta at Wanganui. The Olobe 'was enlarged this evening to twenty-eight columns. The Star is to be similarly enlarged to-morrow. Invercargill, Tuesday. i The section of the Kingston railway from Lowther to Athol, a distance of fourteen miles, was opened yesterday. A free train ran from Invercargill, and carried about a thousand passengers. Mr. Larnach joined the party at Lowther, and was accompanied by Messrs. Oarnithers and Blair. They had been inspecting the route of the proposed line from Gore Elbow, which has been approved and a survey ordered. Mr. Larnach returned to Invercargill in the evening, an 1 started this morning for Queenstown, en route for Cromwell. To-day Mr. Larnach purchased, at £7 per acre, Mclnley’s freehold estate/jon the Waimea

plains. ■' There are 1511 acres, 250 of which are under crop, and there is a considerable amount of fencing. Dunedin, Tuesday.' Nearly 1000 persons attended the election of the school committee last night. The meeting was very stormy, and the mode of election gave general dissatisfaction, and was severely criticised. .The patholics held aloof. Resolutions were passed endeavoring to have the defects of the Act remedied. Mr. J. P. Armstrong is likely to become a candidate for the representation of Mount Ida in the General Assembly if Mr. De Lautour .carries out his expressed intention of resigning his seat. Telephones are being used here by some business people, so as to connect their warehouses with their offices.