TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5382, 27 June 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Hokitika, Wednesday. Tho following are the returns of the election to hand :—George, 862; Fitz Gerald, 751; majority for George, 111. Returns from small places have yet to come in, but cannot alter tho election. Mr. Seymour Thorfle George is therefore returned. Kdmara, Wednesday. At tho election to-day tho Kumara returns were —Fitz Gerald, 204; George, 182. AtDillmantown, majority for George, 49. At Staffordtown —George, 92 ; Fitz Gerald, 41. Goldsborough- George, 32; Fitz Gerald, 41. Callaghan—George, 19; Fitz Gerald, 5. At Big Dam—George, 25; Fitz Gerald, 3. At Fox’s— George, ID; Fitz Gerald, 9. At German Gully —FitzGerald, 1; George, 5. Reeeton, Wednesday.

It has been snowing here for nearly a week, and the storm still continues, with no prospect of immediate cessation. The season promises to be one of unprecedented severity. The surrounding mountains are heavily loaded with snow, and all communication is cut off save by telegraph. Dunedin, Wednesday.

Mr. 0. S. Reeves and Mr. A, Oliver wore nominated for the city to-day. The show of hands was largely in favor of Mr. Reeves. The poll takes place on Monday. At a meeting of the Land Board re the application received for 10,000 acres for settlement near Alexandra, Messrs. Bastings and Green were appointed to inspect tho run upon which the land in question is situated. At a meeting of tho National Insurance Company to-day it was resolved that the company should take advantage of the provisions of the Joint Stock Companies Act, 1869. Lawrence, Wednesday.

Ephraim Harris, an old and respected miner, died suddenly while at work in his claim, Tuapeka Creek, yesterday afternoon. He cooeyed to his wife, living close by, but expired before she could render any assistance. Port Chalmers, Wednesday.

Mr. Mansford, R.M., was presented this afternoon with an emblazoned address and a purse of sovereigns by the public of Port Chalmers. The Mayor read the address, which sot forth tho general regret felt at Mr. Mansford’s departure. Christchurch, Wednesday.

Tho criminal sessions of the Supreme Court openjon Monday. There ate eleven cases on the calendar, including rape, robbery, manslaughter, wouuding with intent, and unmentionable offence.

It has been resolved to farm a joint stock company, who purpose oreotiug a Temperance Hotel, to possess attractions in tho shape of amusements. It is also intended to endeavor to establish a Working Men’s Club in connection with it.

Sixty-four coursing licenses and 103 shooting licenses were taken out here this season. It is expected that pheasant shooting will have to bo temporarily stopped next year. John Bishop Hunter, who was brought back from Melbourne for embezzling monies belonging to tho Government while in their employ as surveyor, has been committed for trial.

A conference of road board delegates was held to-day in reference to the payment of land revenue to road districts by Government. It was considered advisable to take no legal proceedings against Government unless it was found that deductions are made from land revenue duo to road boards, and which Government has now promised to pay over. If any deductions are made, legal proceedings are to be taken at once, in order to have the matter before the Court prior to tho meeting of the Assembly. Several cases have been brought before the Police Court to-day for riding and driving at a pace faster than a walk round the corners of streets. The ;by-law proved bad, and all the cases were dismissed. Natier, Wednesday. A movement is on foot hero to protest against steamers visiting this port making Sunday their usual day of arrival or departure. Several influential persona are taking part in tho agitation, and it is likely to prove popular, as, commercially speaking, it is detrimental to tho interests of the port that Sunday should be a calling day. Tho police returns of offences for tho Hawke’s Bay District for the years 1876 and 1877 show a considerable increase of crime in

the latter year, mostly in drunkenness, larceny, and offences against the person. The total number of offences in 1876 was 538, and in 1877 it was 777, but only 776 were apprehended. Of that number 681 were summarily convicted, 35 committed for trial, and 60 discharged. For drunkenness 431 persons were apprehended and 429 convicted ; for vagrancy 87 were charged and 79 convicted. The number of offences against the person, including assaults of all kinds, was 108. Amongst these were three charges of rape, one of murder, and seven of indecent assault. For offences against property, including larceny, embezzlement, &0., there were 23; persons charged with lunacy, 17 ; broach of Merchant Seamens Act, 2; attempt at suicide, 1; escape from legal custody, 1 ; beastinlity, 1 ; bigamy, 2.

An inquest was held this afternoon respecting a fire that occured last Sunday night in a small building at the rear of Mr. MeVay’s saddlery shop, Hastiugs-street. Of itself the fire was unimportant. There was only a little straw in the store, and the fire was all put oat iu 20 minutes ; but the same store was on fire on the sth April last, and it is in the middle of a valuable block of buildings, and a good deal of uneasiness has been felt. At the enquiry to-day, after hearing the evidence of Mr. McVay and Mr. Kennsley, the superintendent of the fire brigade, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the fire was caused by an incendiary, hut by some person or persons unknown. Auckland, Wednesday. Mr. James Eoley, formerly member of the Provincial Council, was killed to-day on the Onehunga railway. It is supposed he was knocked down at the crossing place at Ouehuuga. The body was much mutilated. The Corporatioji has received a telegram from Government urging them to accept the management of the charitable institutions, Government undertaking to pay the whole subsidy, and also half the cost of charitable relief. The Council referred the matter to a committee. Messrs. Macaudrew, Conyers, and Lawson are inspecting the Kaipara railway. Sir George Grey has telegraphed a reply to the Railway Committee, who asked him to preside at the Central Station meeting, saying that ho cannot visit Auckland again before the session. Gisborne, Wednesday. Most important arrangements are now being carried out in this district by Mr. Rees, solicitor for the natives, relative to several large runs held by Europeans under titles disputed by the original owners. In the case ot the Whataupoko Block (Mr. Barker’s run) all the grantees but one have agreed to the arrangements proposed by Mr. Rees, and have signed a deed purchasing Barker’s interest for 1147,500. On the completion of this deed the run will then revert to the original native owners. These persons have also appointed Mr. Bees, along with two native chiefs, to be trustees. Thousands ot acres of this valuable estate on the opposite side of the river to Gisborne, at present used ns a sheep-walk, will then be opened up for agricultural purposes. THE WAITARA MEETING. (from our own correspondent.) New Plymouth, Wednesday. The weather is still bad, and the meeting is again postponed. Wm. King is not coming, but may send a representative to-morrow. Te Whiti refuses to be present, but the Pariaka natives have sent over forty dray-loads of provisions to Waitara. (per press agency.) Waitara, Wednesday, 12.40 p.m. The train due here at one o’clock is anxiously looked for,it being reported that Titoko. warn and party are passengers. There are no signs of the meeting taking place to-day. The weather continues very stormy. About one hundred natives taken to Manukau on Sunday, returned this morning. Sir George Grey is still indisposed, and has not yet been able to get out. It is rumored this morning that the meeting will not take place till September, Bewi being very anxious that William King should be present. He would also like to see a larger attendance, as he considers the meeting to bo of the greatest importance to both races. The town is still crowded with visitors, and want of accommodation is severely felt, every place being crammed. The natives are well conducted, no disturbance of any land having occurred. 2.15 p.m. The meeting takes place onEriday. Weather improving. Later. It is now positively settled that the meeting takes place to-morrow at eleven o’clock, wet or fine. In the event of rain a building has been secured. New Plymouth, Wednesday. A large number of natives, with 44 carts laden with provisions, passed through town at noon to-day. The natives who accompanied the carts were mostly mounted. Each cart had its own driver. White flags on poles were in the carts, and the natives cheered on their way through the town. The Waitara meeting will not be held till these natives arrive there.