TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5438, 31 August 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PEE PEE 33 AGBNOV.) Wanganui, Friday. The employes on the Mauawatu and Wau* ganui railway have agreed to form a Provident Society on the basis of a plan in operation in F.uglaud on tho great railway works. It icousidered desirable that all employes on the North Island railways should combine in forming such a society. A committee was appointed to communicate with the meu oa the other sections of railway works. Auckland, Friday. The Taupo collided with a schooner in the Raugitoto channel. The latter had a narrow escape, but neither was damaged. The Auckland Timber Company held their half - yearly meeting to • day. The report showed a profit of £2385, equal to 13 per cent., which was cax’rled to the new account as a working balance. The Harbor Board, at a meeting held to consider the new Harbor Bill, resolved that it would not suggest any amendments which might obstruct the passage of the Bill. McLoughlin, a publican, has been fined £lO for supplying a drunken man with liquor. Napier, Friday, The unfortunate man Hall, who attempted to commit suicide in the Waipara lock-up last Sunday morning, died in the Napier Hospital to-day. The return football match, Napier v. Gisborne, takes place ia Napier next Tuesday. The absence of Mr. Rcea from the Napier team will bo much felt. Christchurch, Friday, The recommendation of the Minister of Lands, to reserve lands in the vicinity of the proposed railway lines, has already been given effect to in this provincial district. The fact became known yesterday at the Lands Office, to the disappointment of many intending purchasers, Some- of these had made application several days ago, but were informed that the land now being reserved could not be granted to them. A fire broke out in Mauchester-street at 5 o’clock this morning, nearly opposite the site of the fire of the night before. A strong wind was blowing at the time, and four shops were destroyed before the flames were extinguished. The insurances are :—South British, £IOSO on the stock and furniture ; Uniou, £IOO on the pledges of Alexander, the pawnbroker; London and Lancashire, £3OO oa the buildings ; Victoria, £IOO on the stock of Green, the draper. The other two shops were occupied by Shannon, bookseller, and Hyams, a general dealer. Tho fire commenced at the pawnbroker’s, who was absent at Timaru. He estimates his loss at £BOO over and above the insurances. There ia some suspicion of incendiarism. At a meeting of the Selwyn County Council ■ to-day the chairman stated that the Governmeat had instructed the engineer in charge to hand over the Malvern Waterworks to the Council The engineer was instructed to report on the best means of carrying it on. The Council resolved to make an annual grant of £SO to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, aud several grants of £25 each to country associations. At the request of the Selwyn Council, the Government have agreed to lay off a township at Bealey-road station. - Several firemen were a good deal injured this morning through falling rafters. Dunedin, Friday. Tho Chamber of Commerce received an intimation from Government that they will take no action this session to provide that fourteen days* notice of intention to file a bill of sale be given, and that suits be carried on at places where the debt is legally due. The Jesuit priests are to arrive in Dunedin early in October, Invercargill, Friday. The Southland Times on the Public Works Statement points out to-day how Parliament has been hoodwinked by Ministerial promises in the expenditure of such an enormous sum in eight years, and that if such power is to be entrusted to the Ministry, it will be tantamount to making provision for the wholesale bribery of constituencies. The article recommends that the progress of the contemplated works be defined by Act of Parliament, so as to obviate the possibility of corrupt pressure for priority of construction. The Southland Times asks how it is that the Otautu Nightcap Railway, already undertaken by a private company,- should have been included amongst the public works.