TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5520, 5 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(nsß mess agency). Masiebton, Wednesday. Opaki Kacos,—Maiden Plate : Harkaway, wou easily. Opaki Stakes Handicap : Only two entries. This was a walk-over for Ada, Diver being scratched. Auckland, Wednesday. The Auckland Shipowners and Shipwrights Association have resolved to continue for another year. Two hundred to one is offered against Don being placed for the Auckland Cup. At a meeting of the Presbytery to-day the Eev. Mr. MoCallmn said some steps must be taken to welcome Pastor Cbioiquy, who he coaid testify was held in tho highest esteem iu America. The Presbytery appointed a committee to meet Mr. Cbiniquy, and agreed to call a public meeting immediately after his arrival. The Hannah Mokau struck her propeller on a snag in the Waitara Biver yesterday, and carried away the blades. Dr. Hector was on board as a passenger for Mokau. An inquiry into the stranding of the Hanraki was held yesterday, when Captain Dale bad his certificate returned, tho assessors stating that no blame whatever was to be attached to tho officers of the ship. It appears that the rudder, which was very defective, was carried away by the first sea that struck her whilst crossing the bar, and although every exertion was made to get the steamer into the river, the captain was eventually compelled to beach her for the sajety of the crew and cargo. The agricultural show takes place to-day, and the races to-morrow. The town is full of visitors. Mr. aud Mrs. Darrell make their first appearance iutho “Lady ot Lyons” to-morrow night. Tauranga, Wednesday. Tho enquiry into the loss ot the Taranaki will bo held to-morrow at 10 o'clock. The election of Mr. Gellibrand to tho Chairmanship of tho Council was voted informal, and Vcsey Stewart was elected in his place. New Plymouth, Wednesday. The following is a list of tenders sent in for the New Plymouth gas works ;—Voale aud Hooker, New Plymouth, £7300; S. Younger, £5960; S. Brown, Wellington, £5600; Hayes and Darroch, Wellington, £5156 18s; H. Similar, New Plymouth, £4975; D. Glendinning, New Plymouth, £4948 ; Thompson Bros., Port Chalmers, £4858 10s ; George Kitchen, Auckland, £4467 13a; James Gibbs, Wanganui, £4250; j. Duthio, Wanganui, £4238; Berry and Newman, New Plymouth, £3345The agricultural show was held to-day. There was a large number of visitors, but the exhibits were not up to tho last year’s show, either in quality or in quantity. The races commence to-morrow. . Geeymodth, Wednesday. Tho steam dredge for the Grey Elver was successfully launched at 6 p.m. The orthodox bottle of champagne was broken by Mrs. K. Jonnson, who called tho vessel tho Hapuku or Groper. Timabu, Wednesday. J. T. Ford aud Co. hold a sale of laud, the Paroora estate, to-day. The Mechanics’ Institute was crowded with anxious buyers, and the bidding was spirited. 3082 acres 3 roods were sold, realising £41,155 18s. 6d., an average of £l3 7s. per acre. They afterwards sold forty sections in St. Andrew's township, which realised £1217, an average of £3O 9s. an acre, Dunedin, Wednesday. The Morning Herald points out a blunder in the Administration Act, 1878. The omission of the word “ illegitimate” before the word “female” in tho 36th clause of tho Act has tho effect of transferring the property of any female who dies intestate, and without issue, to her mother and to the heirs of her mother. Keith .Ramsay and James Mills have been

elected members of the Harbor Board without opposition. Another accident happened on the northern railway, near Palmerston, yesterday. A goods train from Aamaru, consisting of several trucks, was thrown off the line. The train was proceeding at a slow rate, but there is a sharp curve where the accident happened. The Government are about to call for tenders for the construction of the branch railway to Ctag Point. The elders of Knox Church have resolved not to observe the annual Presbyterian fast day on the 10ch. Tho insurance companies interested have demanded an enquiry into the cause of the George-street fire, but the coroner has not yet decide ! when to hold it. The official report showed that there were no suspicious circumstances connected with its origin. On Thursday afternoon a boy in the employ of Messrs. Schott and Walton lit a fire in tho back yard, and left it burning after the premises had been closed for'the day. A neighbor discovered the fire smouldering, and eo-ifc his son to put some water over it. The youngster, however, does not seem to have effectually extinguished the fire, which must have continued to smoulder until fanned by the wind. A sad accident occurred this morning, by which the infant daughter of Mr, aud Mrs. Almao, of Princes-street, lost her life. The child fell out of a chair in which it had been placed, and on being taken up was found to be insensible. Medical aid was sent tor, but the child was quite dead before any assistance could be rendered. The panorama of “ Zealandia,” containing descriptions of New Zealand from the time it was discovered until the present day, mow being prepared by Messrs. Willis and Seymour, was visited this afternoon by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. the Postmaster-General, and Captain Praaer, JSI.LC., who expressed themselves highly pleased with the views shown. Invercargill, Wednesday. Several gentlemen hero have arranged to collect subscriptions from Scotchmen in Southland in aid of the shareholders who have been ruined by the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank. It is expected that the movement will result in the formation of a branch of St. Andrew’s Society.