TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5531, 18 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AOENCY.) Auckland, Tuesday’. Instructions have been issued to give telegraph communication to Wairoa immediately. Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Maoundrew were cordially received at Wangarei. As compensation for the claims for land obstructed by the commencement of the Kamo line the County Council have agreed to accept the responsibility of all claims for a lump sum. The railway will therefore bo commenced in about six weeks. A quarrel between two native tribes at Wangarei beiug unsettled, one burned down the houses of the other. A conflict was only prevented by the Government officers promising to compensate the aggrieved party. Sir George Grey and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan will visit the district in January and settle the dispute. The Hiuemoa left Mr. Maoandrew at Kawau, and took Air, Blackett to the Thames to arrange for turning the first sod of the Thames Valley Railway. Sir George Grey will probably visit tho district on Saturday and address his constituents. Another smart iron steamer with 100 ft. keel, for the Waiwera trade, was launched to-day. She has been built to the order of Captain Casey. Thomas Rennell, charged with the murder of Captain Aloller at the South Sea Islands, was again remanded on the application of the Crown Prosecutor, who said ho was awaiting instructions from the Government. Counsel for the prisoner said it was doubtful if prisoner could be legally detained in custody. Alexandra, Tuesday. A native named Hohepa, a near relative of tho Ngatiman'opoto chief Toanui, was struck by lightuing on Saturday last while riding between Orauui and Otiwa. He and his horse were killed instantaneously. GraHamstown, Tuesday. The Govex-nment steamer- Hinemoa arrived here to-day from the North via Kawau, with Alacandrew and Blackett on railway business, They go to Ohinemuri and To Aroha tomorrow. New Plymouth, Tuesday. Labor is getting so vary scarce here that if a supply from outside is not soou available it is feared the Inglewood sawmills will be stopped. The hands ax-e leaving in twos and threes to go harvesting, for which farmers are giving high wages. It is reported that arrangements are being made for connecting Englewood with Hiwera at once by means of Cobb's coach, and that an attempt will be made shortly to drive a coach through. Mr. Seed, the Inspector of Customs, is here, and leaves by steamer for the South to. morrow. Balolutha, Tuesday. The platelaying on the section of the railway carried out by day labor is completed. The last rail was linked this afternoon. Only four chains are ballasted. The line is ready for opening as far as the commencement of Prouclfoot’a contract. The river protection works are proceeding rapidly. Bags of gravel ax-e being put over the bank to-day. Fascines of scrub will be placed along the face of the bank to-morrow. It is believed they will answer temporarily until the permanent wox-ks are completed. Christchurch, Tuesday. At a mectixxg of delegates at the Fire Brigade Conference held tu-day, Harris, superintendent of the Christchurch Brigade, was in the chair. Delegates were present from Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Morningt'on, VVaimate, Kaiapoi, Timax-a, and Lyttelton. In his opening remarks the chairman said the Dunedin men were entitled to tho credit of suggesting the conference. A good deal of conversation ensued. Lieutenant Mills, Timaru, moved, — That a memorial be presented to the Government asking them to subsidise the vax-ious fii*e brigades iu New Zealand toxvards their support,. because they have large risks in the various towns. Agreed to. The conference then adjourned till eight to-night. Commissioner Weldon held a general inspection of police to-day. Thirty-three men were present, with Inspectors Broham and Kirkson. Tho sports committee yesterday netted £250. Invercargill, Tuesday.

The appeal against the election of Thomson as County Councillor for Winton Riding was held to-day before Air. McDonald, R.M. The chief objections were that the date of election was not notified in the manner- required by Section 10 of the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876—tho day of polling instead of election had been notified ; that the place adpointed for the nomination of candidates being within a municipal boi-ough was not within a riding. The case was argued exhaustively, and the magistrate sustained the objections. The election of MoGillau for Gere and Smith for Awarua having been also petitioned against on similar grounds, were likewise declared void.