TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5309, 1 April 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Havelock, Saturday. There 5s considerable excitement in the Wakamariri District on account of the reported new alluvial find on the goldfield. The new terrace was opened by “ Darkie Arthur” while “hatting” on the eastern river bank, about six miles from Oanvasstown. A mile south of Mountain Camp Creek a drive was made into the washdirt, and loz. 3dwts. to the “ sett” obtained. They .could not bottom on account of water, and the tailrace is now being deepened. The ground on the terrace is pegged out for three-quarters of a mile. Two claims—one to the south and the other to the north of “ Darkie Arthur’s”—are on similar washdirt, and presumably payable, but the inflow of water is very great. Leahy and party, to the south, are making a tailrace, and Mulaney and party, to the north, are working night and day to keep the water down, and get to the bottom. The difficulty with all claims to the north and towards Mountain Camp Creek is a large hard reef between the terrace and the river, which must be tunnelled to get the water off. Another difficulty is a want of water for sluicing, as the rights to the present head of the races are now vested, and at the outside are only sufficient for those claims, and any additional available head of water must be brought from a distance of five miles at least, over a difficult run of country. About twenty strange diggers are on the ground, and a few are now in Havelock, but there is nothing to justify a rush at preen t. Unfounded rumors in Pioton and the Wairau as to a rush have caused this. The whole district is patchy, and until something more, definite occurs, the diggers should hestitate to believe reports emanating from a distance. Diggers have spent two days in going over the ground, -and although good payable gold may be found, the area is limited. It was reported in Oanvasstown to-night that Lloyd, the Wellington prospector, had found a quartz reef and struck gold ; but the report lacks confirmation, and nothing can be believed that is heard of the ground. Two claims on Darkie’s-terraoe are panning off this afternoon. I will send the result when obtained on the ground. The present sinking is about 17 feet from the surface, and although there is a good fall for tailraces to the river, yet the distance varies from three to five hundred feet, and consequently it is no “poor man’s diggings.” Auckland, Saturday. The opening of the Ohaupo (Upper Waikato) railway line is postponed. The publication of the handicaps for the Auckland Easter meeting is postponed until Thursday. Sir G. Grey arrived per Hinemoa. Fiji news reports that H.M.S. Sapphire has brought to Fiji Mr. Hunt, who was concerned in the lynching case at Samoa. He has appealed to the Supreme Court of Fiji against the sentence of twelve months. The Bobtail Nag, brigantine, has been wrecked in Sandwich Harbor. The crew got ashore. Governor Gordon has offered to reduce the indemnity of the Samoan authorities for the Barracouta affair to 6000d015., which the Samoans refused to pay, and afterwards rejected two separate articles of treaty. Rotorua, Saturday. The meeting at Farekaranga is over. There was great talk and very little business done. The Native speakers all asserted their determination not to concede the large block of land to Government, but either to return the money or apportion the land instead. In reference to the surveys, they threatened that any surveys carried on without their consent would cause trouble, and perhaps the surveyors would be killed and eaten. They had heard there was a new Government formed, but did not believe it to be true ; they were in the dark. Napier, Saturday. The sale of Arlington Estate, the property of Captain Newman, was concluded yesterday afternoon. It was held in the Theatre Royal,

and occupied two days. The attendance each day was very large, and for some lots the bid* ding was very spirited. The sale comprised the township of Wamstead, the sections being about a rood each. The township realised over £13,000. The suburban sections ranged from £lB to £6 per acre. Yesterday the sale consisted of small farm settlements, oa deferred payments, and realised from £S to £3 10s. These rural blocks realised about £15,000. It is a very ordinary run of country, and the satisfactory prices obtained surprised a good many. There is talk of constructing a tramway, which will enable three large runs to be brought into the market for small farms. Gbetiiodth, Saturday. The first batch of 4000 salmon fry was placed in the Grey River to-day. There are supposed to be between twenty and thirty thousand lively fish in the ponds. The balance will be turned out during the following week, Christchurch, Saturday. Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach, of Dunedin, have purchased a little over a quarter of an acre of land near the railway station for £SOOO, for a branch establishment. The Times this morning says that the regular shipping lines are quoting and <»ettintr 40s. per ton for wheat to London, and the Inchgreeu, lately arrived at Calcutta, has been chartered by grain merchants, who advertise to sublet her tonnage space at 305., and also announce that the Cicero, which has ; been oa the berth in Sydney for London since last De* oember, is to follow. It is supposed that these exceptionally low rates are quoted to influence the grain market. Tim am:, Saturday, The train from Oamaru did not arrive till 11.30, owing to the accident at Richmond crossing. It appears that a bullock crossing the line was struck by a cow-catcher, and carried along thirty yards, when the front wheels went over it. The engine was thrown off the line and capsized. The driver jumped down, but the stoker (Mclntyre) had no chance. His legs were caught under the engine, and one of them was fearfully crushed. The carriages remained on the line, but the engine was broken into several pieces. A quantity of grain arriving. Buyers are not inclined to operate largely. Wheat, 45.oats, high ; the inquiry is limited ; 35., 3s. Id.barley, little offering, at 3s. 3d., 4s. 3d. Dunedin, Saturday. The swampy sections fronting Anderson’s Bay-road were sold by Mr. Pym to-day for the Otago Harbor Board, and realised an annual rental of £667. This is 50 per cent, above the anticipated price. Riverton, Saturday. A five-roomed house, the residence of Mr. John Arnett, was burned down at Eastern Bush early yesterday morning. The property was insured in the South British for £2OO.