TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5466, 3 October 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Wednesday.

The following is the.result of the Pukuranga Hunt Club races Steeplechase, of 25 aovs.; distance 3J miles, over a fair hunting country; Cossack, list. 121 b,, first; Mulcahy Brothers, 11st. 101 b., second. This was a splendid race. Hurdle race ; Jonathan Wild, list. 101 b., first; Minette, 1 Oat. 71b., second ; The Rail, list. 101 b., third. Maiden Steeplechase : Bookel, ridden by Laxon, had the race to himself, and came in au easy winner. He jumped well throughout. Mr. Tonics’ Ruby did not run well, Faugh-a-Ballagh fell, and Mulcahy Brothers jibbed. Faugh-a-Ballagh went at a furious pace at the stone wall, and without rising at the jump took the wall with his forequarters, falling with a fearful crash. The rider was much bruised and shaken. The horse’s oft fore-leg was ripped up with a fearful gash. In the pony race Alexander Percy, the rider of Fanny, met with a severe accident while crossing the paddock. The horses ran across in front of the river, and Fanny followed up to the wire fence, in jumping which horse and rider came to grief. Several of the rider’s teeth were broken and his face much cut. The Auckland Timber Company have reso’ved to increase tile capital of the company by the issue of 12,000 new shares. Napier, Wednesday, There is a strong suspicion that the fire at the Spit yesterday morning was the work of an incendiary. Au inquest is to be held tomorrow afternoon, when it is expected that evidence will bo given showing that some person, out of enmity to Beukors, on whose promises the fire originated,-set them on fire, Hokitika, Wednesday. The steamer Waipara has not yet shown np. She has been absent nine days. Uneasiness is beginning to bo felt. The Lioness goes in search southwards to-morrow. The schooner Dunedin spoke the Waipara some days ago, short of coals. Christchurch, Wednesday. At last evening's meeting of the Charitable Aid Board it was resolved that no girl should be allowed to leave the orphanage for service under the age of twelve years. It was stated that a letter had been forwarded to the Government asking for a sum of money to be placed on the supplementary estimates for the purchase of a piece of laud, so us to make the institution self-supporting. If the application is granted the orphanage will be converted into a home for the destitute. The election for City Councillors takes place on Monday. The Council meeting has therefore been postponed till Tuesday. At a meeting of the Rifle Association last evening it was resolved to firo a match with Otago at the end of November or the beginning of December, and that the number a side should be fifteen, ten shots at 200yds., 500yds., and 000yds., and that the Christchurch Rifle Association rules bo adopted, The council of the association will select the Canterbury men. - A sharp shook of earthquake was felt on Monday morning at several places within 20 miles of Christchurch.

At the Synod to-day a committee was formed to watch any Education Bill that may be introduced into the House before the next meeting of the Synod. _ ■ Daniel Walter Stanton, for being illegally on the premises of the Hon, John Robinson, received a sentence of one month’s imprisonment; for burglary at Mrs. Stanton's and stealing £IOO worth of stamps the same prisoner was committed’ for trial. at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, ■

The threat of cutting a channel through the railway at Irishman’s Plat was not carried out. The water is now going down. Tho following acceptances were received last evening for the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, of 500 sqv*., two miles:—Temple-’ ton, 9st 71b ; Guy Fawkes, 9st 7lb ; W. F; Nelson’s b g Fishhook, 9st 41b; H. Redwood’s b h Ariel, 9st 21b ; J. Gilligan’s ch h Daneburv, 9st 81b ; Williams’ b h Jangler, 9st 61b; J. Gilligan’a br h Laertes, 9st 51b ; Knight’s h h Lara, 9st 51b ; Redwood’s ch h Maroro, 9at 31b ;G. Frasei’a b m Bribery, 7«t 12!b ; Owen’s br f Foam, 9st 91b ; Redwood's ch g Orange Lightning, 9st 81b ; Redwood's ch h Pinfire, 7at 71b ; R. Ray’s blk m Maritana, 7#t 71b ; W. H. Gibson’s ch b Ottawa, 7st 51b ; R. Ray’s ch h Sinking Fund, 7st 31b ; W. F. Neilson’s ch g Te Whefcumarama, Cat 131 b ; J. Gilligan’s ch h Mufti, 6at 121 b ; Goodman’s br h Chancellor, Oat 101 b ; W. F. Feilaon’a ch m Luna, 6st 9lb ; Redwood’s ch h York. Cat 91b : J. W. Mallock’K b h Nemo, 6-it 7*b; Redwood’s ch h Kamararaa, Cat 71b ; R. Farm’s h c Dundee, 6st 71b ; Horsofall’s br c King Quail, 6st 71b ; Redwood’s b f Repo, Cat 21b ; Keith’s hr m Prudence, Cat 21b ; J. GUligan’s b c Merlin, 6at. A fire occurred last night on the premises of Mr. Merrin, Kaiapoi Island, which did damage to tho extant of £l7O. There was no insurance «n the property. Tiuaru, Wednesday.

The Customs revenue for September is £2046 12s. 7d, against £1873 Bs. 9d. for September, 1877. Tho total for tho quarter is £5544 16*. Bd., against £4739 16s. 2d. for the corresponding quarter of 1877The amount of the beer tax for September was £4O 13s. 3d.

The Registrar reports 32 births, 11 deaths, and 9 marriages during the past month. Traffic was resumed across the Rangitata bridge .to-day by the through train from Christchurch to Dunedin passing over it safely. The Waitaki River rose another 18 inches yesterday, but is now falling, and no further damage is reported. The cricket season opens here on Saturday next.

Yea‘ , erday afternoon a boy named Edwin Hubbard had a narrow escape from drowning in a pit about 4 feet deep, filled with mud and water, in the grounds of the, Timaru public school. He was playing with other boys, when they took hold of him and threw him in. The boy immediately sank, and the other boys ran away. The affair was seen by a pupil teacher named Martin Shepherd, who rescued the lad just in time. He was taken to his home, which is at a short distance from the school, and he has now recovered, Oaharu, Wednesday. Mr. James Mitchell, a surveyor, who for some time past has been engaged in surveying Lakaterama, was drowned yesterday in one of the overflows of the Upper Waitaki* River. He was riding down to North Waitaki railway station, accompanied by another gentleman who was driving a buggy. In going through one of the overflows the latter gentleman became alarmed, and Mitchell then took the buggy, giving his horse to his companion ; but the buggy soon afterwards overturned. Mr. Mitchell was unable to swim, and was drowned. The gentleman was washed off his horse, but being a good swimmer was enabled to reach land. Mr. Mitchell has two brothers in this district. Dunedin, Wednesday. At a recent meeting of the Professorial Board of the Otago University a proposal was received from the Synod of tho Otago Presbyterian Church to foundachair of moral philosophy and political economy in tho University. It was resolved that these subjects were already sufficiently taught in the University. Also, that as the patronage of the proposed chair was in the bauds of an ecclesiastical body its institution could not fail to give rise to an impression throughout the colouy that it was .intended to subserve sectarian or ecclesiastical purposes, and that such impression, even though unfounded, would be highly injurious to the welfare and future prospects of the University, The board further resolved that in order to enable’ students to successfully pass the Uu versity examinations the chair required was that of physiological science and English language and literature. On these grounds they recommended the council to refuse its assent to the founding of the proposed chair of moral philosophy and political economy, which, in the opinion of the board, would not merely be superfluous but would be prejudicial to the best interests of the University.

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commence on Monday next. The calendar comprises three cases of larceny, two of assault and robbery, one of forgery, one of horse stealing, two of burglary, one of perjury, and one of false pretences. The Dunedin Artillery Company intends going into camp for a week about the sth of November, and invites the Christchurch and Invercargill artillery companies to accompany them.