TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5507, 20 November 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PKB&i AOtI'TCT.) Mahon, Tuesday. Oq Saturday, at Bu'ls, the following nomination* were received for the two event*, Railway Handicap and Marten-Kangitikei Handicap:—Rail fray Handicap—tJira, Flora Me Donald, Tamouri, Tam aea, Parawhetma, Redeemer, Haphazard, Gownsman, Junius, Tricotrin, Expectation, Lara, Mufti, Ot * va, Templeton, Maritaua, Diver Jasper. Marton Rangitikei Handicap—Him. Flora McDonald, Tatnouri, Tam-iteft, Redeemer, Htphaird, Gownsman, Tricotrin, Expectation, Lara, Mufti, Otawa, Templeton, Marltaaa, Diver, Polly, Jasper, Grey Mornus, Auckland, Tuoday.

There was ft grand reception of the Australian cricketing teaia. A steamer was chartered, on board which the leading Auckland citizens met the mail steamer City of New York ont-ide the North Head. They accompanied the mail boat to the Queen-street wharf, and landed on the wharf, which was crowded with spectators. The hand played while the team went up to the Auckland Club, where a champagne spread was prepared. The Hon. Mr. Whitaker presided. In proposing the health of the team he made a brilliant speech, and said tha*; though there were no New ZiA and players iu the team, the latter had our entire sympathy. Though not directly connected with the there was one at least indirectly connected, as he remembered seeing at Hokiauga iu 1842 Mr. Spotforth’s father and mother courting. (Applause). After dilating on the victorious performances of the team, he alluded to the probable Australian combination for the purpose of defence, the importance of cultivating unity, and concluded by reading a telegram from Sir George Grey, the Premier, as follows:—“ The arrival of Australian cricketers at Auckland gives me an opportunity of assuring them of the interest with which their success in other parts of the world has been watched by the inhabitants of New Zealand, and of the great pleasure with which- we welcome them to our shores.— G. Grey.” Gregory 7 , the captain, responded for the team, when they were entertained by Mr. Brett, the Mayor. On their last departure Irom Auckland they expressed their intention to play another game with Auckland, but he was B»rry they had not time. Gregory expressed the agreeable surprise of the team at their magnificent reception by the people of Auckland. Firth proposed the health of Conway, manager of the team, who bad successfully played on English and American soil, proving that Britons at the Antipodes had lost noue of their pluck, vigor, and activity, but were able to bold their own against Britons in the mother country. E. Isaacs supported the toast, and said he knew Conway when a boy, bowling against the first English Eleven which visited Australia. Conway, in responding, said the Auckland reception could not bo beaten In Australia. When Pilot Burgess brought word of the welcome prepared, each cricketer blushed profusely. Conway humorously referred to English speeches on one occasion, when they were addressed as Polynesians ; and he drew a happy sketch of the ex-Mayor of a town in New Zealand (meaning Hurst, of Auckland), who embraced them as they met on the ocean. If he got up another team he would endeavor to include several New Zealand players. Conway concluded by referring to the former good treatment at Auckland and the present cordial reception. The team have also received a congratulatory letter from the Otago cricketers. John Gosgrave and Thomas Peacock were the only persons nominated for Mayor.- The election takes place on the 27th. James Berth, engineer, was killed at Riverhead. Ho was struck by a crane. Au inquest will bo held to-day. There is no sign of the mail steamer. Grahamstown, Tuesday. At the nomination for the Mayoralty to-day the present occupant was opposed by Mr. McCullough. Gisborne, Tuesday. Frederick Humphries, editor of the Heralds has issued a writ claiming £IOOO damages for libel against Henry Edwin Webb, proprietor of the Standard, for a grossly personal article reflecting on the character «f Humphries as manager and editor of the Herald. Blenheim, Tuesday. At the nomination fur Mayor to-day, Mr. Fell (the present Mayor) and Mr. Samuel Johnson (proprietor of the Express) were nominated. The election takes place on the 27th. New Plymouth, Tuesday. Sub-Inspector Kenny has received intimation to hold himself in readiness'to relieve Sub-Inspector Ballon, of tho Thames, who is to come here. Messrs, Conyers and Lawson were ashore this morning, and went by special train to Waitara. Mr, Hialop, the Under-Seoretapy for Education, has been visiting schools iu this district. At an interview with the Education Board ho said he yras agreeably surprised at what he had seen, and the buildings wore more substantial than he had expected to find. The teachers also, he said, appeared to be more efficient than he expected to find, and most of them seemed to possess some of the essential requisites of school teachers. Ho thought a normal school school should be established at Auckland, at which some of the teachers would be benefited by attending for [a month or bo for technical teaching.

Christchurch, Tuesday. The fire brigade demonstration on the 16th ‘December promises t» be a great success. Firemen from a;l parts of the island will be present. The infant daughter of Mr. Cmlden fell in a stream ‘at eualtowu ye-terday, an t was drowned. The turning-of the first end of the Smith Rakaia and Ashhurtxm railway took place at Rakaia this afternoon. A special train had arrived from Christchurch bringing a large number of visito a, and a number of settlers were also present from the Ashburton and sur- • ounding distric a. The * hristclmrch party were met on the platform by the school children carrying, banners and evergreens. The Ashburton band was also present. After the ceremony of turning the sod had been performed by Mr George Hart, the chairman of directors, the party adj aimed to an excellent ’luncheon, at which speeches of the usual character were made. This will hethefir-t private railway constructed under the Act; its length is to be ii2 miles, the contract £5 r »00 (sic), and the work is to be finished in ten months. Timaru, Tuesday. Air, George Cliff has been reappointed Mayor of Timaru for the ensuing year. Dcjnbdin, Tuesday, The question of the desirability of making provision Jor the religious instruction of the young in public schools has been discussed by the Synod, but nothing definite was resolved upon. The Caversbam Borough Council has agreed to Proudfoot’s tramway proposals, hue hi-* Ot#ncessmns are to terminate at the same time as those for the City Board. The governors of the High School have resolved, in conjunction with the Otago University, to obtain from Europe a teacher of the French language. The Stewart Family made their first appearance at the Queen's Theatre last night, and created a favorable impression. The committee of the Utago Cricket Association to-day wrote to the City Council complaining of the inadequate provision which exists in Dunedin for cricket. They suggest that an additional area of the southern recreation ground should be reclaimed. Mr. G. S. Cooper, on behalf of the Government, has written an explanatory letter to the Dernbach Hoad Board in regard to the prosecution of its chairman for making false returns. The board has resolved to apply to the Government to pay the cost of the defence. IrviRCARGILL, Tuesday. The Waterworks Committee last night decided to recommend the borrowing of £IOO,BOO for the purpose of bringing in water lr*'m Dunsandel Creek for the supply of the town. The Mayor trill be recommended to cull a public meeting to take the opinion of the ratepayers on the subject. A sale of town sections to-day was not very successful. One quarter-acre fetched £57 10s. Others situated at Alitchelltown were withdrawn.