TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5451, 16 September 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tapanui, September 13, Your remarks re Tapanui railway meet great approval hero, despite protests of some residents. Railway being extended several miles, to suit two squatters, at a cost equal to authorized thirteen miles. (PER PRESS AOENOY.) Ghbytown, Saturday. A deputation will interview the Minister for Public Works on Friday next, to urge on the Government tho construction of a branch lino of railway to Greytown. Tho committee has added tho names of Messrs. Caselberg, Duncan, and Hutchison to the deputation. Ifree gifts of land aro offered if the Government will undertake the work.'

Auckland, Saturday. A petition condemning Air. Curtis’s proposed amendment to "the Education Bill is being numerously and influentially signed. Dr. Aiken has been- relieved from the medical charge of the Auckland Asylum. Gkahamstown, Saturday. A banquet-was given to Mr. James Alackay, the Government land purchase agent, who is succeeded here by Air. W, H, Grace, who is the successor also of Alajor Alair as R. AI. at ‘ Waikato. 'The banquet was attended by all the leading citizens, who respect Air. Alackhy and appreciate his services in negotiating not only for the opening of the goldfield eleven years ago, when no white man was resident upon it, hut in acquiring the large block of the finest agricultural land iu the colony for the Government at a nominal price. A uumber of .Maoris, among whom were the influential chiefs of the district, were present, and made speeches, regretting Air. Alackay’s severance from Government service, and his departure for Wellington. An address was presented. The Native Laud Court sitting here has concluded. Gisdtrne, Saturday. At half-past twelve last night the coroner’s jury brought in the following verdict:—“ That the said Hina Wbakaaru, on the 23th August, 1878, on a terrace above the Waiatauto Greek, near Te Awauui, was found dead, there appearing marks of violence on and inside her body, the said marks being, in the opinion of the jurors, inflicted by Henare Fete and Feneamene, which cause 1 her to die.” They also made this presentment:—“That the action taken by the committee (native) at Walcmataine relative to investigating the cause of death of the deceased is worthy of the highest commendation and praise. The evidence taken before the said committee, and re-taken at this enquiry, has very much assisted the jurors in arriving at the verdict. The said jurors are also impressed with the advisability that representation should be made to the Government that action may at once be taken to prevent the wholesale traffic in spirituous liquors by unlicensed persons so close together iu outlying districts, such as where the offence was committed." Nelson, Saturday. A house belonging to John Kerr, of Waimea West, with total contents, has been destroyed by fire. The house and furniture were insured in the Liverpool and London for £IOOO. A slight shook of earthquake occurred here this morning. Westport, Saturday. A smart shock of earthquake was felt here thid* morning at 4.40, direction apparently north-east. Houses were shaken and clocks stopped by the shook. Kaikocra, Saturday. A smart shock of earthquake was felt here at 4.45 this morning. Ltttelton, Saturday.. A smart shock of earthquake was felt here at 4.50 this morning, Dunedin, Sunday. At a meeting of the University Council on Saturday, Judge Bathgate gave notice that at next meeting he would move, —That whereas the New Zealand University has failed in the due prom tibu of higher education in the colony, and has proved to be an obstacle in the way of the proper teaching of aa-ts and philosophy, it is expedient that the University of Otago should be disassociated from it, and should revert to its original independent status, and that steps be taken forthwith in that behalf. The University Council have decided to forthwith lease their mu jeum endowment (consisting of 11,000 acres) near the Strath Taieri Railway line.