TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 4

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER. PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Thursday.

Mounted-Constable Bullen was kicked on the thigh by a horse at the Whan this afternoon. The wound caused by the blow was a very serious one, and it bled to an alarming extent. It was dressed by Hr. Wine, who considers that if the bleeding recommences there is little or no prospect of his lasting through the night. The Star to-night strongly attacks the Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School in connection with the evening classes for young men. It says the Board has fixed a scale of fees at 7s. per month, for two hours’ tuition in each of five branches of instruction, amounting to 355. per month for all branches, while the regular pupils only pay two guineas per quarter. The Board desires to make the evening classes self-supporting, although the New Zealand University pays £3OO a year for those classes, which the Board for several years past has applied to the purposes of general education in the Grammar School.

A Mr. Couplaud, an old Coromandel settler, died to-day. Messrs. James Wrey Nolan, J. Erades, aud E. W. Burton have passed the examination for admission to the bar.

The Theatre Royal open to-morrow evening with a round of English operas.

The ketch Venus arrived this afternoon from New Caledonia. She left Noumea on the 19th ult., and therefore only brings one day's later news than that brought by the I, iraotlm Piquet, which arrived here on the 14th inst. She reports that on the night previous to her departure the brigantine Sir Isaac Newton, belonging to Sydney, while beating out of the harborwentouareef aud was wrecked. The French pilot jumped overboard and drowned himself. It is supposed the rash act was committed in a fit of vexation. Several vessels had previously gone on the reef while in his charge, and he had been suspended on that account. A mau-of-war went next morning to the vessel’s assistance. The Sir Isaac Newton was a vessel of 121 tons, and was commanded by Captain H. Boon, The Bail Committee met, to-day. Sir George Grey, accompanied by Mr. Swanson, entered the place of meeting and made an explanation regarding the vice-regal movements. He read a telegram he had received from Colonel Whitmore, stating the probability of the Governor not visiting Auckland till after the session, or if he did, that his visit would not extend over a week. At the desire of the Mayor, Sir George Grey promised to telegraph at once to the Governor, intimating to him the earnest desire of the citizens that he and Lady Robinson should visit Auckland before Parliament met. In making this promise, the Premier said he had no doubt Sir Hercules would accede to the request, and feel gratified at its receipt. Grahamstown, Thursday.

A man named Michael Ryan, a gum digger, was charged to-day with stabbing Patrick Nolan, a barkeeper, at Tairua, with an open clasp knife. Complainant and prisoner had words, when the latter rushed at Nolan with an open knife and stabbed him in the shoulder, the blow being averted from the vital parts by complainant flinching to one side when tbe block was struck. The solicitor for the prisoner obtained a week's adjournment for the production of additional evidence. A large number of exhibits will be forthcoming here for the Sydney Exhibition. Wanganui, Thursday. The nominations for the Wanganui Steeplechase will close to-morrow evening. Balcluiha Thursday. The Clntha Presbytery met at Clinton to-day, when the Rev. ,D. Gordon was initiated into the pastoral charge of that congregation. The Rev. H. 0. Cowie preached on the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Baunerman and Rev. Sir. Borne addressed the minister and people respectively. In the evening a most successful soiree was held, and addresses were delivered by tbe Revs. Gordon, Bannerman, Cole, Borrie, and Allen. During the evening Mr. John Gibson, of Ashley Downs, on behalf of the congregation, presented Mr. Gordon with a handsome buggy and horse, with harness, saddles, bridles, &c., also a purse of 30 sovs. The call to Mr. Gordon was absolutely unanimous, and the sederunt perhaps the most harmonious, ethusiastic, and hopeful that, has occurred in connection with the Church in Otago. New Plymouth, Thursday. Robert McMillan and family have arrived at Waitara from Mokau. McMillan says he has given up the’ attempt to settle in the Mokau ■district, and intends to live bn his land on the Mountain-road. Christchurch, Thursday. The first of a series of scientific lectures in connection with the Christchurch Philosophical Institute was delivered last night by Professor Bickerton in the science theatre of the Canterbury College. There was a large attendance. A case, Baxter v.j Christchurch Drainage Board, being a claim of £35, fixed by arbitration, was heard in the District Court this morning, when the plaintiff was nonsuited on the ground that in giving their award the arbitrators had exceeded their authority. The claim was for injury done to. certain land entered oh by the Drainage Board, while the arbitrators make tbe award for the laud absolutely taken, hence tbe nonsuit with costs. A case was tried to-day at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to decide whether the owner or occupants of houses were liable for soavengering rate. J udginent was given that owners are liable. Timaru, Thursday. An inquest was held to-day at the Winchester Hotel on the fire which on April 2 last destroyed a threshing machine belonging to A. Main. It appeared from the evidence that the machine was heavily insured, and that shortly before the fire occurred a horse was heard trotting in the direction of the machine. Next morning the footprints of a horse were noticed, and on being compared with the shoes of the owner’s horse were found to correspond. Verdict : That the fire was the act of an incendiary, but there is no evidence to connect any person with it. John Crammond, one of the oldest settlers, died rather suddenly this evening, at the age of 89 years. He was able to walk about on the previous evening, and though ill his death was most unexpected. Dunedin, Thursday. The property known as Allendale, situate on the Forbury-road, was destroyed by firs last night, The insurances were £250 and £SOO in the Standard, £2OO in the South British on the furniture. Mr. Allen estimates his loss at over £2300. A man named James Barrett was found drowned on the Ocean Beach yesterday evening near Jewett’s Hotel. He had been drinking heavily for some time. The notorious Hit-or-Miss sly grog cases are again occupying the attention of the Police Court, several charges being brought.