TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 533, 16 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(per press agency.)

WELLINGTON. January 15.

Replying to a statement published that Col. Whitroore was about to retire from the Cabinet, in order to assume the office of Chief Commissioner of Armed Constabubuy, the Post says, Owing to Col. Monle's resignation as Chief Commissioner of Armed Constabulary a difficulty arises in performing certain official acts re<juirin" to be done, in conformity to ]a,w, by the Commissioner. It, therefore, has been, arranged that such duties previously devolving i;poii th;j Commissioner will now be added to ihos.s of the of Defence for the time being. Col. Whitmore will therefore be gazetted Com-

missioner of Armed Constabulary in addition to his present portfolio, but without salary or allowance in connection -with the former office. This arrangement as to the Commissionership of Armed Constabulary will continue so long as Col. Whitmore remains a member of the present Government, it being understood that there is no intention to revive the appointment lately held by Col. Moule. «. DUIS T EDIIS T . January 10. Mr. Hislop has been appointed Secretary to the Educational Department, and leaves for Wellington to-morrow. A man has been received into gaol under sentence of 48 honrs fur a debt of L2 125., including c<>srs. This is the shortest debt sentence in the gaol records of Her Majesty's dominions.

CHRISTCHURCEL January 15.

The collector to a Joint Stock Company referred to yesterday as having levanted is T. Sweete, the cricketer, for whom a warrant has now been issued. He has embezzled moneys belonging to his employers, the Pre.is Company, and is in debt all over Christchurch. In one case the amount is said to be L6OO. Sweete leaves a wife and one child behind. Tlie sites for the three booths at the cricket match —Australians v. Canterbury —sold to-day for L 124. The betting here is strongly in favor of the Australians. Sweete, one of the best bowl .-l's, is absent, and it is doubtful if Frith will be able to play. The action of the Selection Committee in deciding in face of this to play with vnlv 15 men is strongly condemned. In the Supreme Court to-day, Mary Todd applied for a judicial separation from William Todd, farmer, Geraldine. The evidence showed that the respondent, who was imprisoned some time ago at Tiiuaru for cruelty to his daughter, had grossly ill-used petitioner, kicking her and striking her with a stockwhip, and knocking her down on one occasion and holding her head to the fire till hrjlf her hair was burnt off. The application was granted,

January 16,

At a meeting of the jSTew Zealand Shipping Company held yesterday, resolutions were adopted repealing clause 5 of the articles of association, and empowering the directors to borrow on. debentures any sums not exceeding the amount of the uncalled portion of the capital of the company, debentures to be a first charge on suoli uncalled portion of the capital. The Chairman aunounoed that a dividend of four per cent, would be declared for the half-year ending the 31st December last.

A furious gale from the north-west commenced early this morning, heavy rain falling at intervals. Towards six o'clock the wind abated a little and rain ceased, but the b.oisterqus wind still prevails. Considerable damage has been done in town ; two large plate glass windows in Beatty's Hotel were blown in and smashed. Several trees, shop signs, and portions or roofs of buildings were blown down. It is also feared that the crops have suffered severely.

LYTTELTOK January 15. Cleared—Shaw, Savill and Co.'a ship Halcione, for with eleven passengers, and a cargo of wheat, wool, tallow, and sundries, valued at L 08,850. A\: olv L A XD. Jan navy l-~>. A telegram received to-day stares that the Hero will bo detuined at Melbourne until the 2:">,h instnnfc. The steamers pnro'msctl i>y the Auckland Steamship Oomjciny, were handed over tn-day. A man named Walter Bonnet, ulinx Bnller, was arrested to-day, charged with forging and uttering cheques. He lias only been in Auckland eigiit days. He was remanded for inquiry. The Auckland cricketers are practising for the coming intercolonial match. A large quantity of Nelson apples were auctioned to-day for 2id per pound. Mr. Charles Bright went south by the Taranaki to-dav.

Arthur Utting was found guilty of fraudulent bankruptcy at the Supreme Court ; Sentence deferred.

The Primitive Methodist Conference lias closed. The increase fur the last year includes two ministers and 920 members. The Cliurch property lias increased in value to L 4 :000. The I?::v. Mr. Dt-an was appointed editor of the Methodist paper, cuicl also general secretary, to reside in Wellington. The following stations of ministers were fixed for the ensuing year: .New .Plymouth, John Standren and Alfred G. Jeynes ; Wellington, John Bumbell and William Spather; Auckland, Paul Dutton, F.R.S.A., and S. P. Wright; Christehurcli, William Tinsley; Invercargill, Chas. E. Ward ; Timarti, J. Sharpe ; Manawatu, J. Clovin; Aslibnrton and Geraldine, B. W&rluw and J. Westbrook; Thames, John K'ixon 5 Dtmedin, J. Ward and two from England ; Greendale circuit, a missionary ; Oaniaru and Waimate, ditto. Two other ministers are expected from England shortly. The next Conference will be held in Wollinton. Most of the delegates returned by the Taranaki to. day.

A girl named Docherty, who was rebuked by her mother for companionship with a young vagabond named Home, picked lip 0* Ipiife wifli v/hifih ijhe was cutting bread and severely stabbed her mother in the head. The girl has been arrested.

Sailed—Taranaki. Passengers for Lyttelton : Messrs. M'Master, Cox, Potter, Cracroft Wilson, Wilkins, Cutts, the Rev. Mr. Ward, and Mrs. Edgar.