TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5523, 9 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(I’ROJI A CORRESPONDENT.) ' Alexandra, Saturday.

Tho telegrams from New Plymouth are causing no little excitement amongst the natives here. They say it is all nonsense that Rewi has granted land for railway construction, and that if any survey is attempted trouble will at once take place, and as Purukutu is still about, the colony might lose the services of a valuable Native Minister.

(PER PRESS AGENCY). Alexandra, Saturday.

Major To Wheoro leaves here to-morrow for the Aku run, Raglan Heads, to meet Tawhiao at the opening of the new house erected for him there.

A good deal of interest is manifested by the natives in the telegrams from New Plymouth regarding the arrangements and negotiations which have been going on between Sheehan and Rewi regarding tho granting of land for railway construction. Gbahamstown, Saturday. •Mr. Wakefield, the Under Secretary for tho Goldfields, has returned, after making himself thoroughly acquainted with tho district under his control. Sir George Grey Is to address his constituents here next week. Auckland, Sunday. Mr. Maclean is engaged in organising the Land Tax Department. . The Roman Catholic total abstainers will pjaroh in procession through tho mail

hroughfarei of the city to-morrow afternoon, dressed in green sashes and wearing temperance medals.

The heavy rain last night and to-day flooded the creeks, and enabled logs to be brought down.

New Plymouth, Sunday.

Every preparation is being made to get the Hauraki off the Waitara Spit daring the coming spring tides. Captain Dale is sanguine o£ success. So far little damage has been done to the vessel.

Dunedin, Saturday.

The annual exhibition of the Otago Arts Society opened yesterday. The contributions are generally admitted to be superior to those of last year. At the monthly meeting of the Otago branch Educational Institute yesterday, a question relating to science in schools was discussed. The opinion was generally expressed that the syllabus recently issued by the Minister of Education was of too ponderous and learned a nature to bo of any practicable value to teachers. Sir John Richardson will be buried with military honors on Wednesday next. The Government will grant free passes to country corps attending the funeral, in order that the community may be fully represented at the ceremonial. The Mayor has called a meeting of members of societies, schools, and other public bodies, to make the necessary arrangements.

Invercargill, Saturday.

At a meeting of the Southland branch of the Teachers’ Association to-day, the new syllabus of books recommended by the Education Department was discussed at length, and definite works on each subject were chosen, to preserve uniformity. The president thought the list far too numerous, and that the department should have specified particular books.

At an adjourned meeting of Scotchmen to-day steps were taken to obtain subscriptions towards the appeal on behalf of the Glasgow Bank shareholders. The calamity is regarded as a national one, appealing to all British subjects, and a large amount is expected to be obtained. Subscription lists are being circulated. A meeting is convened tor Monday afternoon to taka steps to provide a memorial for the late Sir John llichardson, which is likely to be heartily supported. The Times, in a leader on railway matters, recommends greater liberality in the general issue of return tickets.

The town is in mourning for Sir John Richardson, and all the flags have been halfmast high during the day. At a meeting of the Horticultural Societylast night a satisfactory progress report was presented. Subscriptions are coming in freely. A judge has been appointed, and a committee to perfect arrangements. At a meeting of the Invercngill school committee yesterday afternoon, Mr. Graham, of Stawell, Victoria, was appointed head master of South Invercargill school, at a salary of £3OO, and Miss Smith, of iiiv<j; i■■ ■, school mistress, salary £l2O. Christchurch, Sa m-day. Avery large outward mail wa • forwarded by the Rotorua last night. At a meeting of the Cricket Association last night a proposal was made to play a match with Invercargill. H. F. Towle has taken the Gaiety Theatre, to rehearse the amateurs in, prior to their appearance at. the Theatre Royal in February and March.