TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5439, 2 September 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Sunday. Mr. Joseph Smith, a settler at Waiuku, committed suicide by hanging himself in his house. Mr. 'Wheeler, of Dunedin, presided at a meeting to establish a branch lodge of Odd Fellows under American constitution. Peter Jowen, a sailor belonging to the ship Lady Jocelyn, fell over the wharf in an intoxicated condition last evening, and was drowned. The body has not yet been recovered. The police are dragging for it. Alexandra, Saturday. The following petition was unanimously adopted at an influential public meeting held here in the Public Hall this afternoon: —“ To the Hon. the Minister for Justice, Wellington. We, your petitioners, having learned with regret that Major W. G. Mair, our Resident Magistrate, ia about to be removed from this district, would humbly ask you to reconsider your decision for the following reasons—That during the many years Major Mair has acted as Resident Magistrate of this district ha has given uni versa! satisfaction by the impartiality of his judgments and the uprightness of his conduct; that your petitioners consider him eminently fitted to fill the post of Resident Magistrate from his long experience in that capacity; that as a Native Commissioner he has done great service to the country, for under his beneficial influence, drunkenness and the thieving propensities so common amongst the natives have nearly disappeared, and a good- feeling has been effected amongst us. There has been a feeling of security amongst the settlers and a freedom from panic very common before. For these and various other reasons we hope that you will not dismiss from the public service an old and valuable servant, and your petitioners, 0 &c. The above was numerously signed at a meeting of the committee formed to procure signatures. Pate A, Saturday. The Mail says that Mr. Macandrew’s proposition in the Public Works Statement, which practically leaves but three per cent, of the laud fund to Patea County, is viewed with alarm and dissatisfaction ; that tho expenditure on New Plymouth harbor is of no benefit to Patea, which is thus deprived of funds urgently needed for roads of its own, or tor its own harbor. The Mail adds that it must be want of local knowledge which has induced Mr. Macandrew to make such a proposition, thinking that Taranaki and Patea interests are allied, whereas they are, in reality, autogonistio. Nelson, Saturday. Great anxiety and alarm has been created hero by Mr. Macandrew’s proposal to entirely exclude the Nelson province from all participation in tho benefits of tho Public Works scheme for the next five years. A public meeting on the subject is called by tho Mayor for Tuesday next. Christchurch, Saturday. The Christchurch Poultry Society ,have resolved to import a number of first-class birds from Homo. A meeting was held last night in favor of dividing the city into wards. Tho Mayor has received a telegram staating that the Governor and suite will leave Wellington in H.M.S. Nymphe on Tuesday, and arrive here on Wednesday. Metropolitan Meeting. Tbo following weights were declared to-day for tho Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, of 500 sovs., folded to a sweep of 20 sovs.; second horse,

BOsovs,; third to save his stakes;—Templeton, 9st 71b ; Guy Fawkes, 9st 71b; Fishhook,, Oat 41b ; Ariel, 9st 21b ; Mata, Bst 91b; Danebury. Bst 81b; Jangler, Bst Gib '! Laertes, Sst 51b ; Longlnnd, Sst Bib ; Ijora, Sst ulb; Hippocampus, Bst 4ib ; Maroro, Sst 31b ; Puriri, Bst 21b ;>Camhillo, Sat ; Fallacy, Sat ; Bribery, 7stl2lb; Insolvant (late Bide-a-Wee), 7st 111 b ; Pungawere, 7st 101 b ; Foul Play, 7at 10lb ; Blue Peter, 7st’9lb ; Foam, 7st 91b; Orange Lightning, 7st Sib; Dead Heat. 7at Slb; Songster, 7st Slb; Piripiri, 7st 71b ; Maritana, 7st 71b; trophe, 7-st 71b; Folio Farina, 7st 71b; AUwa, 7st Slb; Harlequin, 7st Slb ; Sinking Fund (late Eanolf), 7st Slb ; Cloth of Gold, 71b ; Te Whotn, fist 131 b; .Mufti, fist 121 b; Chancellor, fist 101 b ; Luna, fist 91b ; York, fist Slb ; Eversley, fist Slb; Nemo, fist 71b; Victim, fist; Kamarama, fist 7lb ; Me Dean, fist 71b ; Dundee, fist 71b ; King Quail, fist 71b ; Bipo, fist 21b ; Prudence, Cst 21b ; Naid, fist 21b. Dunedin, Sunday.

The vital statistics lor August were as follows Births, 121; deaths, 59; marriages, 26. The Jockey Club last night fised_ a programme for the ensuing year. The prizes and events are the same as formerly with the exception that the Newmarket Stakes have been abolished, and a La lies’ Purse substitute! instead. The Cup race will be preceded by a Maiden Plate and 'Champagne Stakes, and the Derby will bs run before the Jockey Club Handicap. The Herald says several runs in the neighborhood of Dunedin, the licenses of which expired on the 2Sth June, remain undealb with. They have neither been elect nor advertise! for sale. With a plethoric treasury, however, the loss of revenue may not bo noticed. The loose mode of conducting the administration of Crown lands is the result of centralising all the functions of Government. Their response should have been determined a year ago. Ti.maru, Saturday.

An inquest was held at Winchester touching the death of Mrs. Lucy. Edmonds, who died from injuries received from her clothes catching fire while burning tussocks on her husband’s land ou the Opuha River. A verdict of accidental death was returned. The husband was also badly burnt, and taken to Christchurch, where his parents x-eside, Sunday.

A sad catastrophe happened this morning. The sea was breaking iu shore in terrific waves. About 10.30 a.m. the barque Melrose, Captain Kennedy, with coals consigned to ■Rbenezsr Smith, parted anchors, and came ashore soon affcenvarda near Splashy Point, and broke up within ten minutes after touching the land. The crew had a narrow escape for their lives, the timber floating amongst them in the sea whilst drifting towards the beach, and coming close to the ketch Palm l rston. Some of the crow of that vessel jumped overboard. A rope was thrown from the barque, and all succeeded in escaping except one, who, iu getting aboard, was drowned, and the body has not yet been recovered. Prompt assistance was rendered by the Rocket Brigade to the crew of the barque Melrose, but as she broke up so soon the rocket apparatus was of no use. Amongst spectators who tendered valuable assistance was Judge Ward, who went into the surf, and through strenuous exertions saved one of the crew. Captain Kennedy was brought ashore almost lifeless, being dreadfully bruised by the floating timber. He was taken to the hospital, and attended to by Dr. Mclntyre. It was rumored at one time that the captain died soon afterwards, but this was contradicted by tho doctor, who states that he is out of danger. Scarcely a vestige of the barque is now to be seen. About an hour afterwards the ketch “Fanny parted, and came ashore a short distance north of the Government landing. The crew landed without difficulty, being close in shore. By half-past two the brigantine Lampwiug parted, and came ashore close to the railway viaduct in Caroline Bay. The crew also safely landed. The latter is a fine vessel. The ketch Glimpse parted one cable, and is only now held by a kedge-anchor. A rumor is afloat that a man was killed on the ketch Palmerston through tho topmast falling on him. Tho cargo of the Melrose consisted of 250 tons coal, and was insured in the Union Company. The sad scenes were witnessed by thousands of persons standing on the cliffs. The football match, Christchurch versus Timaru, was won by the latter by one goal and one try to nothing. There was some splendid play, and a very tough context. The weather was fine. About 200 speetators were present. A fire occurred at Otaio last night, resulting in the destruction of stables and outbuildings connected with Hoskins’ Hotel. Hoskiushimself discovered the fire first, but the flames had such a hold that all attempts to extinguish them were unavailing. The horses were saved, but nothing else. At the B. M. Court Charles Sheridan was charged, on remand, with making a false declaration before the Registrar for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of marriage. The Magistrate committed tho accused for trial at the next criminal sessions of the District Court, which commences .to-morrow. Five prisoners are awaiting trial.