ITEMS BY TELEGRAPH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 3

ITEMS BY TELEGRAPH.

(PER PRESS AQBNOT.) Masterton, March 28. A woman named Smart yesterday had her attention called to a well by a dog scratching violently its aides, and found a child eighteen months old had fallen in. The child was all but dead, but is now recovering slowly. April 2. Mr. Pharazyn, chairman of the County West County Council, delivered in the Treasury at Wellington documents proving that £1207 of the Wairarapa votes have been overlooked by the Government, and are now available for expenditure. The Daily says the unearthing of these unexpected balances is a feather in the cap of Mr. Pharazyn. Foxtok, Tuesday. A survey party, engaged at the Manawatu River on trig, work, under Mr. James Baker, have been stopped by Maoris, who threatened to throw the instruments into the river. Mr. Baker has telegraphed to the Native Department,

Auckland, March 28. Young salmon are reported by the Maoris to have been seen in the Upper Thames. Four boys, ranging from 13 to 17 years of age, were arrested for till robbery, when false keys and other house stealing implements were found in their possession. The report of the examiners on the Auckland College and Grammar School gives credit for preficiency in mathematics, but says there is general neglect of teaching in English composition aud literature. The head-master, replying to the examiners’ reports, attributes this to the fact that the appointment of the late English master was a most unfortunate one.

At a meeting of solicitors to-day a Law Society was formed of all the solicitors in the Auckland District, subscriptions being fixed at two guineas, payable Ist May next, and subsequently on Ist January. H March 29.

Ths revenue under the land tax in Auckland is not expected to exceed £16,000. The Piako Company and Mr. Firth will be the largest contributors. Sir G. Grey returned a favorable reply to a deputation respecting the flying surveys of the Northern railway line. The education report for last year shows 193 schools in operation, 30 being half-time schools. Six receiving aid under section 88 are conducted by itinerant teachers ; also two training classes and girls’ high school. Number of teachers: 185 males, 127 females. Total on roll : boys, 5020 ; girls, 4075 ; increase over 1877, 1300. The Board had kept the expenditure within the income. Thirtytwo new schools were erected or are contracted for. March 31. Four boys were charged at the police court this morning with breaking into a store and stealing goods. The eldest, named Cox, aged thirteen years, was recently released after a term of imprisonment for fruit stealing. The evidence showed that he formed a gang of juvenile thieves. Another boy in the gang was also recentlv released from gaol. The Magistrate sentenced Cox to four months’ imprisonment and a whipping. Another was sentenced to two months with a flogging. Two others to six weeks, without a flogging. April 1.

The Supreme Court criminal calendar is unusually heavy, but there- are no serious cases. They consist of three cases of larceny, three of indecent assault, three of horse-steal-ing, one of house-breaking, two stealing from the person, one of arson, and one of forgery. _ The. committee who voluntarily gave their services in placing the new claims on the electoral roll have forwarded claims to the number of 1665, of whom 1532 are freeholders and leaseholders and 133 lodgers. The committee will also endeavor to purify the rolls. It is believed that the total new claims will amount to 2000. David Wright, stonemason, aged 50, was killed by falling from a house near Pukekohe. He leaves a wife and nine children. The cause was intemperance. The Registrar’s returns show—Births, 30 ; marriages, 27 ; deaths, 23. April 2.

Private letters from Wellington state that Sir Hercules Robinson will probably be at Waikato to attend the native meeting in company with the Premier, as the Waikato chiefs desire to see their new ruler. _ > The Star to-night condemns colonial officers names appearing in speculative prospectuses in connection with the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and highly approves of Sir George Grey’s refusal to serve on the directory. It says the eagerness to obtain the names of Ministers in these prospectuses must either arise from a desire to secure an appearance of Government approval, or to foster the belief that the company will receive special concessions and advantages from the Government which would be in either case a gross abuse of influence of the Government, It says if Vogel's salary is not enoughto secure his entire devotion to colonial business and prevent him using his name in private speculation, it is bis duty to resign. The article concludes by admitting that the investment may be thoroughly good. Vital statistics for Auckland during March quarter : Births, 374; deaths, 272; marriages, 100 ‘ April 3.

A valedictory soiree to the Rev. Mr. Kirk, who proceeds to Wellington, was a great success. All the speakers spoke in eulogistic terms of his services and popularity. T. Buddie, president of the Three Kings College, thought the itinerant system should be extended to four or five years, as under the present system ministers are frequently removed iust when they become most useful. 1 April 4.

In compliance with numerous applications from country districts, the Waste Lauds Board has resolved to open many blocks of land. The total area of land in course paration for sale is 72,000 acres, and 65,000 acres have been surveyed and mapped. Eighty-five heads of families at Tauranga have petitioned for a block of twenty-five thousand acres of land under the homestead system. The directors of the South British Insurance Company have decided to pay a dividend of 15 per cent.

April 6. A petition from the working men of Auckland against Chinese immigration is over thirty yards long, and contains 3000 signatures. Bonds for the Shortland contract of tiie Thames and Waikato railway were signed on Saturday. At the Chamber of Commerce to-day a resolution was passed urging the Government to extend the Kaipara railway from the most convenient point northward. An intimation has been received from the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, with a resolution passed by that chamber, asking the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to co-operate with it. It pointed out the difficulty existing between America and the colonies with regard to the very high duties imposed on Australian and New Zcal-nd wools, preventing the colonies from sending wool to America on account of the high duties. After some discussion, Mr. Firth proposed, and Mr. Holdship seconded, That the Auckland Chamber of Commerce concur with the Sydney Chamber in obtaining the reduction or abolition of the duties oa Australian wools in America.— Carried. April S. A great tangi took place at the falls just above Alexandra on the arrival of Major Te Wheoro, whose daughter died lately in Auckland. Tawhiao, with his family, ard all the Hikurangi people, 800 in number, came down, and the Ngatimaniopoto. The usual speeches and ceremonies on such occasions were gone through, and two bullocks, a number of pigs, seme tons of flour, with a large quantity of shark, eel, and other kinds of dried fish, were distributed to visitors. Tawhiao made the longest speech he has been known to make for years, but, as usual, it was so figurative that it was hard for even many of the natives to guess the meaning. He spoke of natives “ not having only to mourn for their child (Te Wheoro’s daughter), but for the land that was being killed, for the cloud over the land, for the threatened storms of lightening and thunder, of fires and earthquakes.” Evidently his Majesty dees not look upon things in general as wearing a pleasant aspect. Tawhiao expects that the ensuing meeting at Kopua will be much larger than the last Hikurangi meeting, which was the largest hitherto held. The rates collected by the City Council for the year ended 31st March last was £7200 12s. sd. April 9. It is said that the Government intends to prosecute Robert Graham under the Native Lands Act for occupying land at Rotorua. Messrs. Hesketh and Whitaker are retained for the defence. The case will open some important questions. At Ohinemutu, the chiefs threaten to turn off all Europeans if the Government prosecute Robert Graham. It is estimated that the recent freshes brought down 7,000,000 ft. timber. April 14 Messrs. Hawks wood and Gouk, the contractors for raising the Taupo, left for Tauranga to-night, and a cargo of timber and other other material has been already sent down. Operations will he proceeded with energetically. April 15. The Flirt, from New Caledonia and Huon Island, reports matters very unsettled at Now Caledonia. The Star in an article on timber duties says the timber trade of Auckland regularly employs 3000 men and half the vessels that trade on the coast. Arrangements have been made by Gilchrist, Watt and Co. to enable passengers by the San Francisco mail to stay at San Francisco, Honolulu, or Auckland till the following trip without forfeiting their passages, as formerly. The following reply from the Premier to the petition for the establishment of night classes connected with the Auckland College and Grammar School has been received :—“ Government Buildings, Wellington, 10th April, 1879. Sir, —lt was with great pleasure that I received your letter of the 27th ultimo, covering a petition from a aumher of young men engaged in commercial pursuits in the city of Auckland, asking for the establishment of evening classes for instruction in tbs higher branches of education in connection with the Auckland College and Grammar Schools. I entirely sympathise with your anxious desire to establish evening classes, an object for which many years ago, when Governor of New Zealand, I gave charter to Auckland College and Grammar School so that evening instruction should be given to persons such as are described in petition. If you apply to the managers of that institution, I have every confidence that they will give effect to the provisions of their charter, and will establish in the city of Auckland such classes for instruction as you and the other petitioners wish to see formed. You may rely upon receiving at all times my aid in promoting the great object which you have in view.—l have, &o. (Signed) G. Grey. —To'Mr. W. J. Napier, Auckland.” April 17. At the soiree of the Working Men's Club, the secretary said it would shortly he entirely clear of financial burdens. Mr. Alfred Cox, a leading settler in the Waikato, was presented by the residents of Hamilton this afternoon with a magnificent solid silver epergne, two and a half feet in height, and a valedictory address prior to his departure from that district. Gbajiamstown, April 1. The keel of a steamer, intended for the Upper Thames trade, to he driven by water as motive power, was laid on Monday at Stone’s building yard. Stone is the builder of the trading vessel which took first prize at the Auckland regatta. The vessel will also receive a screw, to be used in the event of the water experiment failing. She is on the principle of several vessels plying in English and American water. The Thames Produce Company is also about to have built a 60ft. keel steamer, for the Upper Thames trade, in the same yards. April 16. The following telegram was received by Major Murray to-day from the Colonial Secretary, at present acting as Defence Minister, in reply to a report from him upon the efficiency and good behaviour of the men who went to the Waikato :—“ Wellington, April 16th.—Major Murray, Thames ; I congratulate you on the success of the Volunteer demonstration, and upon the orderly behavior and efficiency displayed by the Thames Volunteers. It is very gratifying to be able to rely upon the assistance of so large and well trained a body as the contingent you took with you to the" Waikato. The Thames Volunteers seem to have been worthily supported by the Waikato Cavalry. Please accept my personal thanks for your own personal action in bringing about this result.—G. S. Whitmore.” Alexandra, April 14.

A large number of natives, about 800, assembled to-day at Kaipiha to lament over the death of a boy, a relative of Manuhiri. It is generally believed that some of the delegates appointed at Paul’s late meeting will attend the Kopua meeting. King Tawhiao has again been at Kaipiha this week. He has also been at Kopua to see to arrangements for the meeting. Bewi is having an oven built there. Six drays loaded with flour, escorted by about thirty Ngaitihawas, arrived here yesterday. Te Ngakau and Mr. Grace left last night en route for Tauranga. Taupo, April 6.

The meeting of Taupo chiefs, which commenced on the 26th March at Tohoina, concluded on Friday last. Assurances of peace and a firm adherence to the law were made by both sections of the natives.

Mr. Mitchell was authorised to carry out whatever surveys were necessary to bring their tribal land claims before the Native Land Court.

The road from Tapuaeharuru towards Wanganui was authorised as far as Tauranga, Taupo, and Topinu. Turoa declared that he would carry out the road beyond Toraugipo and Murimotu. The meeting was adjourned until July to decide the site of a township and other matters. Napier, March 28.

There is a proposal before the Napier Harbor Board for a loan of £225,000 to pay off the present loan of £70,000, and with the remainder to construct a breakwater.

New Plymouth, April 2. At a special meeting of the Land Board to-day the Waimate Plains was declared laud of special value, the upset price for cash being fixed at £5 per acre, and on deferred payments at £7los. per acre. Wanganui, April 14.

An accident happened on Saturday afternoon to a party of quarymen on the Kai Iwi railway line. Xwenty-six of them, together with a little girl, were returning homewards after work to Aramoho station in a railway truck down a steep incline Without an engine, but using the brake to regulate the speed. The brake did not act, and the truck became uncontrollable. The speed increased to express train rate. The men jumped out all along the line, getting their heads cut, teeth knocked out, and ribs broken, but none were dangerously injured. In their panic all forgot

the little girl hut one, who quietly dropped her over the side of the truck and she fell quite unhurt. Wanganui was lighted with gas for the first time on Saturday night. Hokitika, April 1. William Pitt, solicitor, was accidentally drowned on Sunday. Ho was a passenger by the coach from Knmara to Hokitika, to attend the Supremo Court. On reaching the north hank of the Arahura, the bridge being under repair, he endeavored to cross on horseback, but the horse bucked and threw him off, and he was washed out to sea and drowned. Tho body has not yet been recovered. He leaves a widow and four children. Reejton, April 17. A fatal accident occurred at tiie Golden Fleece mine to-day. A miner named Richard White was standing at tiie month of the shaft doing some work when his foot slipped, and lie fell to the bottom of tiie shaft, 150 feet. Death is supposed to have been instantaneous, as when found a few moments later life was extinct. The body was dreadfully maugled. He leaves a wife and two children. The tender of Mr. J. Fraser (£11,504), for constructing the Ashburton branch railway, has been accepted. A project is on foot to form a private railway from Christchurch to Taitapu, with a view of ultimately connectiug with the proposed Akaroa railway. Lyttelton, April 13. Four drowning persons in the water clinging to a capsized boat were saved by the opportune assistance of a boat from the ship Casivelaunus on Friday night. Captain Cawse and his wife were proceeding oa hoard the Casivelaunus when they found two yonug women clasped in each other’s arms, being supported in the water by a man. All three were partially unconscious when rescued. The fourth man was clinging to the boat, which belonged to the harquentine Swallow, the occupants being Willigan, first mate, and Cooper, second mate, with two of their lady friends. Willigan saved the two women. Oaptain Cawse describes his conduct as being very praiseworthy. Christchurch, March 28. The first sod of the Northern Railway Extension for six miles seventy chains beyond Amberley, was turned to-day by Mr. H. McLean, of Amberley. There was the usual speechifying. March 31. The vital statistics for Christchurch and district for March are—Births : City, 43 ; district, 118. Deaths : City, 24 ; district, 55. The death rate is considerably lower than in January and February, when it was higher than had been known before. April 1. There has been such destruction of hares in Hagley Park of late through poaching, that it is considered doubtful whether a sufficient supply will ho obtainable to carry the Coursing Club through the season. The numbers of claims to vote sent in amount to 454, viz.:—City of Christchurch, 179 ; Coleridge, 157 ; Selwyn, 29 ; Heathcote, 00 ; Avon, 29. April 2. Pc Jackson’s Bay inquiry, a correspondent of the Press telegraphs that the commissioners visited the Haast, Okura, Turnbull, Waitoto, aud Arawata Rivers, and all sections taken up by emigrants, and satisfied themselves of the resources of the district by personal inspection. The inquiry at Jackson’s Bay was of tho most exhaustive character, and lasted about ten days. The commissioners sit again at 1 fokitika to-morrow, and purpose closing the enquiry about Saturday. Many settlers now at the Bay intend to remain. Some Italians, Poles, and Germans returned by the Stella. Tho had seasons of the last two years were against the settlement, and accounts for much of tho discontent of the emigrants. This afternoon's coach from Hurunui met with a serious accident to-day at the Waipara cutting. The horses took fright at some tents, and shied off towards tho precipice. Sir Cracroft Wilson and Mr. H. P. Lance, who were on the box seat, sprang off and escaped unhurt. The driver also got off. Inside were four passengers, including three females. The leaders of the team of horses got free, hut the wheeler?, with the coach, went over the bank and down some fourteen feet, making a complete wreck of the coach and injuring the passengers—one of them, a female, it is feared seriously. Mr. Lance rode into Amberley for medical aid, and also brought back a conveyance, by which the passengers were conveyed to their destination. April 8. Mr. Conyers, Railway Commissioner, has now fully recovered, and will resume duty on Monday. April 16. The net proceeds of the fete in aid of tho Kaitangata relief fund was £705 14s, and is to be paid over to the chairman of the central committee in Dunedin. Brighting, the acrobat, known as Delete, fell and broke his leg while walking on a telegraph wire stretched across the racecourse. The wire, owing to a flaw, hroko beneath him Akaroa, March 29. Mr. W. Black, engineer of the lighthouse at Akaroa Heads, was found dead on tho ranges to-day, near Akaroa. It is supposed that ho perished during tho severe gale of Thursday night. Oamaru, April 1. The vital statistics for March are—Births, 60 ; marriages, 11 ; deaths, 8. Done din, March 28. The half-yearly meeting of the Working Men's Club was held to-night. Tho receipts for the year amount to £1561, and the expenditure to £1240. March 31. The Suez mail was delivered in town this evening, being eight days in advance of contract time. The vital statistics for the quarter ended today were as follows: —January, 145 births ; February, 137; March, 131. Total, 413. Deaths —January, 34 ; February, 47 ; March, 53. Total, 134. Marriages—January, 43 ; February, 34; March, 49. Total, 126. There was a rush at the registration office, Dunedin, to-day, to have names placed on tho electoral roll. The total number of applications was 770, of which Dunedin contributed 327, Boslyn 299, aud Caversham 152. April 2. The operative bakers decided to give to the master bakers in Dunedin and suburbs a week’s notice by circular, that they have formed themselves into a society for the purpose of the protection of their interests, and that on aud after the 14th instant they intend to give their employers nine and a half hours' work daily, viz., from 5 a.m. till 4 p.m. April 3. The annual meeting of the Otago Railway Club was held to-night. It numbers 122 members, and has £ll2 13s. Od. to its credit. The object of the club is the social aud intellectual improvement of its members. April 4. The annual meeting of the Benevolent Institution was held to-day. The report shows that the total number remaining in the Institution was 42 men, 11 women, aud 23 children. The cost for each inmate was Bs. Bd. per week, against 7s. lOd. last year. The total receipts were £5716. The expenditure was—For out-door relief, £2300; maintenance of institution, £1400; salaries, £590 ; fencing, £685. April 9. A most remarkable instance of paying life insurance premium took place yesterday, when, at breakfast time, Mr. Clark, a tailor,a gave his wife the money to pay the premium on a £SOO insurance before noon, or the policy would lapse. She paid the money, and on returning found her husband dead. He had been suffering from heart disease and dropsy. April 10. The returns for the Otago Education Board for the quarter ending March 31st, show that there are 140 schools open, employing 199 males and 131 females, besides eight teachers of sewing. The number of children on the roll at the beginning of the quarter was 14,511, and at end of quarter 16,754. The average attendance for the preceding quarter was 13,491. Six new schools have been opened by the Board during the quarter, mostly in country districts. April 15. The lists to hand for the Kaitangata relief fund show a total of £6Boo*, hut this does not include Auckland, where £IOOO has been subscribed, nor several other places. The money already received, with the exception of an amount necessary to meet pressing demands, has been placed as a six mouths deposit in the Colonial Bank. Invercargill, April 2. The vital statistics for the past month are as follows ;—Births, 121; deaths, 31 ; marriages, 39. April 17. The report of the Inspector of Forests for the past month, which was read at the Waste Lands Board to-day, showed the largest return of timber cut in. one month since the commencement of the industry in Southland. The amount was 13,180,092 superficial feet, and the royalty on the same was £164 15s.