TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5449, 13 September 1878, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Thursday. The City Council election caused great excitement. Thompson, Cosgrave, aud Peacock were elected. At a meeting presided over by Mr. Frith it was resolved to prepare a petition against Mr. Curtis’ amendment to tho Education Act, declaring that such a Bill would stir up religious strife, and destroy the efficiency of the national school system. The petition will be forwarded to Mr. Swanson for presentation. Grahamstown, Thursday. The municipal elections for three wards took place to-day. The candidates. returned out of a field of fifteen for the North Ward were Graham (of Auckland), McGowan, aud Price. For the Middle Ward Messrs. Wilson, Mennie, and Brassey were returned ; and for tho South Ward, Messrs. Ehrenfried, Hansen, and Speight. Napier, Thursday. A good deal of interest has been taken in the municipal elections to-day. All ladies on the roll polled, and this is the first time any of them have exercised the privilege. The Synod for the. Diocese of Waiapu closed their session last night. New Plymouth, Thursday. There is no doubt now that the Kaiuma is lost. There were seven on board when she left Waitara, including Captain Manle, his son, aud Frank Leipman, better known as the “Professor,” who was the first man who introduced the rope-tying trick in Auckland fourteen years ago at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and was brought down to Taranaki by Mr. Landbridge, now- of the Northern Advocate. Mitchell was a boy going to see his friends at Kaipara. Sorrenson was the son of a German living here. The mate's aud seamens* names are not yet known. Captain Maule has two sous, little children. His life was insured, but as he was not married to the woman ho was living with, she and her children are left destitute. He is said to be a‘relative of Captain Grubb, late <rf the Merlin schooner, which was ■wrecked some time ago.

The survey of the Hue of railway between Stratford and Nonnauby has been started. Christchurch, Thursday.,

The polling for the return of three City Councillors took place to-day. The candidates were as follows ;—Messrs. Briggs, Bird, and Toomor, (retiring Councillors), Gapes and Wilson jex-Mayors), Tremayne, Banks, aud Ayers (outsiders). The excitement in town was immense. Up to 5 o’clock 8100 ratepayers have polled. The polling for the municipal election resulted iu the return of the two ex-mayors, Messrs. Gapes and Wilson, aud Aaron Ayres. ©The number of nominations for passages from the United Kingdom made at the Christchurch office during wa» 112 souls. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Club look place last night. The club commences this season with 173 members. The case of the Land Fund and the Government was partly argued to-day before Justices Johnston and Williams. Mr, Harper and Mr. Joynt appeared for the Avon Road Board, and the Attorney-Goueral and Mr. Duncan for the Government. Argument had-not concluded when the Court rose. The hearing will be resumed this evening. Invercargill, Thursday.

At a meeting of the Waste Lands Board today Mr. J. it. Raymond applied to purchase 300 acres of a run in the Eanugaturu District, which was granted. .Messrs. J. and T. Mabin applied to purchase 575 acres in the Hokonui District. This was granted. Mr. W. Johnston applied to lease 368 acres in the Wairoa District. He explained that his preemptive right was included in his application. The Board decided that he should select his preemptive right,-and that the balance of arable land should be declared open for application at £2 per acre. Mr. Ekenstein applied to purchare 882 acres of run 188 nt Centre Hill, The application was granted. Mr. K. D. Zulo, on behalf of Mr. T. C. Denniston, J.P., Mr, Maitland, and Mr. W. Arthur, applied to purchase 2000 acres in the Centre Hill District. The application was granted. Mr. J. Brown and Mr. J. Walker applied for 116 acres at Oreti. A hundred acres were granted. A letter from Messrs. Maeassey and Kettleon, on behalf of Messrs. Mathers and J. Duncan, was read, setting forth theirclaim to a Urge block of land purohase4.froui the natives in 1838. The block is adjacent to the Mataura Kiver, and follows it for 20 miles. ‘ It comprises the Waimumu District, and runs 119 a, 119 b, and 116. The writers requested that the Board would conserve the land till the question of

title was settled, and also requested that a copy of the letter should be forwarded to the Minister of Lauds. The Board considered the descriptions unintelligible, and forwarded the letter to the Minister of Lauds. The rest of the business was unimportant. Timaru, Thursday.

The Court of Inquiry on the wreck of the barque Melrose has concluded. The Court attributes no blame to the officers or crew, and adds that there is not sufficient evidence to enable the Court to express an opinion on the state of the hull.

Grand Master Grange, of the Orange Institution of the Middle Island, New Zealand, will open a lodge at Waimate on Thursday next. There is every' prospect of a largo number joining. He will also officiate at the Royal Arch Purple Chapter in connection with local Orange Lodge, No. 18, at Tlmaru, next Wednesday. At a meeting of the Harbor Board to-day it was decided to pay Henderson’s claim of £4ll. The Board also voted one huudred guineas as an honorarium to Heale. These are the two commissioners appointed re Timarn breakwater.

The election of five councillors for the Borough of Timaru was declared by the returning officer as follows J. Jackson, J. Gibson, H. Green, G. Jones, and F. J. Wilson, The election caused no excitement, and the result was declared before only about twenty persons.