TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5311, 3 April 1878, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PEE PRESS AGENCY). Auckland, Tuesday. Sir George Grey has gone to the Kawau for a few days, to recruit his health. The Aibumia mine has declared a dividend of ss. per share. The Governor will shortly visit the Hot Springs at Rotorua. At a meeting of the South British on Monday the directors recommend dividing 15 per cent, per annum. Alexandra, Tuesday. .. Te Ngakau was down here to-day for supplies of flour and sugar. The meeting with Sir George Grey will probably come off shortly. ... Napier, Tuesday.

Mr. J. J. Tye reports that the total number of acres of the Arlington estate sold last week was 9456, which realized £42,600, or on an average a little over £4 10s. per acre, including the township, the suburban sections, and the rural land. The township of Wanstead included 33 acres, which brought £1216, or £37 3s. per acre ; the suburban sections, 43 acres, £304 ; and the rural lands, 9380 acres, £40,990, or an average of about £4 7s. 3d. per acre. Many of the lots have been changing hands since the sale at higher figures. New Plymouth, Tuesday. A testimonial was presented to-day to C. W. Hursthouse on his leaving the Civil Service.

The case of Wallat v. Wallat—husband and wife—in the District Court, for perjury, having been heard before two juries who could not agree, has been abandoned. Blenheim, Tuesday.

Last night three stacks of barley were burnt at- Redwood Brothers’ farm, Spring Creek. The destruction of property would have been less but for a strong wind blowing at the time. The origin of the fire is unknown. A threshing machine stored near was saved. Insurance £3OO in the South British. Hokitika, Tuesday. Ryan's trial for murder has been on all day. Five witnesses were examined, namely, Mrs, Daniells, wife of Daniells the man supposed to be murdered ; Walter Daniells, son of the same ; and W. Galvin, who identified Daniells’ watch ; also Peter Gourdie, who identified the body; and Mary Downie. The evidence was much the same as that given in the Magisstrate’s Court, but a few stronger points of evidence have been elicited. The trial is likely to last three or four days more. There are still about twenty witnesses to be examined. Later.

Ten more witnesses were examined to-day in Ryan’s case. Over a dozen witnesses have yet to be heard. Mrs. Daniels was about three hours in the witness-box, and fully identified her late husband’s skull, watch, and clothes. Inspector Mallard's, Detective Brown’s, and Inspector O’ConueU’s evidence is expected to be taken to-morrow.

Kumara, Tuesday. Three hundred young salmon, brought by the Mayor from Greymouth, were successfully placed in the Teremakau River last night. Christchurch, Tuesday. ' Mr. Clarke’s report on the drainage of Christchurch was issued this morning. It strongly condemns the use of the Rivers Avon or Heathcote for the discharge of the sewage, and also condemns Mr. Carruthers’ proposal to discharge the sewage by the present outfall drain into the Heathcote Estuary. Ho confirms Mr. Carruthers’ opinion as to the desirability of underground sewers, and the necessity for a pumping station on tho East Town Belt, hut advocates the conveyance of the sewage, after being raised by pumps, to the Corporation Reserve on the Sandhills, so converting tho latter into a sewage farm. ■ Ho estimates the whole cost of the scheme at about £190,000. The annual expenditure for interest and maintenance would bo £12,000. The Drainage Board meet to-day to discuss the scheme. . A three-roomed house and contents were totally destroyed by fire this morning. In the Supreme Court, Quana Tam, a Chinese, was sentenced to ten years’, penal servitude and two floggings for rape on a child at Opawa. Charles Phillips, convicted of stealing £56 from one Moody, was remanded

for sentence. Charles McGrudegall was con•victed. of indeoent assault on■ a little girl at Templeton, and was recommended to mercy on; account of his youth. Mr. Justice Wilhamssaid he would give effect to the recommendation byi not inflicting flogging, and would consider the: term of imprisonment. Kobert MoParlane pleaded guilty to three indictments of forgery; and uttering, and was remanded for sentence. Bawai Papae, a Maori, was acquitted of the charge of rape. George Stevens pleaded guilty to the larceny of thirteen watches, and was remanded for sentence. Dunedin, Tuesday. Mr. James Green announces himself as a candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives for Port Chalmers, vice the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, resigned. Invercargill, Tuesday. Sir John Coode, accompanied by Mr. Blackett, • marine engineer, and Captain Thomson, harbormaster at the Bluff, starts for Riverton to-day, to inspect the harbor there. They will return to-morrow, and inspect the' New River harbor on Thursday. The following approximate results of the census have been obtained :— Population of Invercargill ; 1814 males, 1787 females; total, 3631. East Invercargill ; 302 males, 318 females ; total, 620. North Invercargill : 211 males, 191 females ; total, 108. South Invercargill : 273 males, 255 females ; total, 528. Avenel; 132 males, 159 females ; total, 311. Gladstone: 105 males, 122 females; total, 227. The total population of Invercargill and suburbs is therefore 5725.