TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 532, 15 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(per PRESS. AGENCY.)

WELLINGTON.

January 14.

For some time back a Committee of Inquiry has been investigating certain matters in connection with claims for extras by the contractor for the waterworks, in respect of which he was paid one cheque fur L 2,970 on account. During Sir. Blaeketts examination jthat gentleman took exception to one item of JA.OII, set down as an extra, saying it belonged to the original contract, and ought not to be charged for as an extra. The con.tractor thereupon enclosed the cheque in dispute to the Mayor, pending the conclusion of the investigation, remarking he did not wish to be paid a penny more than he was entitled to. Very keeu interest is taken by the public in this inoniry. A ".Gazette" issued this evening contains notifications to the effect that Sir | George Grey has resigned} the appointment of Commissioner of Cusromo, and that Mr. Ballance has been appointed Commissioner of Customs and Minister | for gducation. It is stated by tlie Argus ; that several otl:er changes are about to take place in the Ministry as regards the j

distribution of portfolios : Mr. Ballance is to become Colonial Treasurer in place of Mr. Lamach, who will, however, remain in the Ministry as Minister for Public Works. Further changes than these are not* anticipated before next session.

To-night's Post says :—We are informed that as the result of an investigation re working of railways, it has been found possible to dispense with the services of about 40 clerks in that department alone.

DVNEDIS. Januaiy 15. I An hotel-keener was fined 20s. yesterday for allowing a drunken person in bis bar. AUCKLAND. January 14. The schooner Nellie, of Auckland, hound from Port Cooper, r.-in ashore on j Astrolobe Reef, the sea at the time being j smooth. All hands were saved. Her cargo consisted of breadstuff's The wreck lies°on the eastward shore of Matiti Island. All valuables were sav-d. The master sustained a frMC.te.ro of the ribs. The Nellie belongs to Mr. M. A. Owen, is of 60 tons register, and was built in 1876. She was insured for LI,OOO in the NewZealand office, * . NAPIER. January 14. I The remainder of the immigrants per Renfrewshire, were placed in the quarantine barracks on Saturday, There has* been a <joqd deal of trouble in connection with them. On Saturday, the sailors who took them over from the ship, contrived to get to the place where the stores were kept, and drank all the liquor they could, and took the remainder with them on board. In the afternoon, some half dozen or so male immigrants made their way to Farndale. and were served with drink before it was known who they were. Yesterday, eleven of them went to Farndale, and were served the way. Jt is said that, on Saturday night, the single men broke into the single girls' quarters. Two police constables have been sent down to remain in quarantine. Later.

Be the Renfrewshire immigrants, the police constables did not go to the quarantine barracks, as the Immigration Officer stated he had no power to send them, and he did not thuik the circumstance warranted his applying to Wellington for authority. The wines and spirits which the sailors took were given to them by Dr. Dale, the ship's medical officer, who says he gave them because he considered the men must be wearied with pulling two miles. The intrusion of the male immigrants into the female ward was not so serious as was at first reported, but nevertheless something that was not quite right did occur. The breaking of quarantine previously telegraphed was a fact. The mem hers of the Board of Health are making inquiries into the matter,

BLUFF. January 14. Arrived—Albion Shipping Company's ship Oamaru, 1316 tons. Captain Stuart, from Glasgow, with 200 immigrants, all well. Noninfectious disease ..ccurred on the passage, but There weretv o deaths and three births. Sixty of the in.migrants are for the Bluff, and the remain lor for Dunedin. The passage occupied ninety days.