TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 541, 25 January 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(per press agency.) ♦ WELLINGTON. January 24. The Wesleyan Conference met to-day Lay representatives from all parts of tin Colony were associated in rhe Cnrif'-ivnc. with ministers. Statistical ret urns-show-id considerable increase in all department of the Church. The following staf.isnc«ere presented by the secretary :—Ministers. 63; church's, 162; preaching places, 175 ; Sunday school teac'iers, : 1306 : scholars, 11,724; attendants of .-ministry, 30,882; lopal pre i. he: s 228; class leaders. 180. There were twelve requests for m-\\ ministers. The ministers of other churches in Wellington dined with the members of the Conference, and fraternal congratulations were expressed. . . Sir G. Grey and Mr. Sheehan left for' Wairarapa this morning. They expect tobe back at the end of the week, when it is their intention to proceed to Waikato to see the native king, ' Mr. Thomas reports:—Flour (Colonial), Ll4 to Ll4 10s ; oats, 4s 2d to 4s 3d ; bran, Is ';■' wheat, 4s ; hams, 9id.; bacon, Bid ; cheese, 7d ; potatoes (new), os 6d per cwt.; pollard, L 6 10s; maize, 4s lOd to 5s ; butter, 7d. January 25.

According to the report of Mr. Ames, City Valuator, not yet published, there are 4390 rateable properties in the eity, being an increase of 354 over last year. 3334 of these are dwellings, and the number of dwellings in the city last year having been 2003, this year's return shows an increase of 431. There are 298 stores, breweries, offices, and other mercantile premises against 237 of last year. Government buildings, churches, schools, police barracksj hospital, asylum, gaol, and college are not included in the last category. He estimated the population at 20,000, or sis peysons to each house, which he considered not a high average, as • lie frequently found as many as three families occupying cottages of four and five rooms, in consequence of high rents. By adding the occupants of public institutions, such as the gaol and hospital (about 500), and the crews of ships in the harbour, the Valuator brings the population to 21,000. Mr. Travers goes Home, He will be absent about eight months. It is uaderstood that Mr. Pearce, a former member for the city, will be a candidate for the vacant seat.

AUCKLAND. January 24. The racehorses Hippocampus, Izaak Walton, and Venus Transit, will be shipped per Hawea to-niorp.nv. Hippocampus is still first favourite for the Dunedin Cup; the odds against him do 2iot exceed four to one.

The Itatian Opera Company open here on February Ist. The Auckland Timber Company's premises had a narrow'escape from fire today. The fire originated in the boilerhouse, but was promptly extinguished by thefemployis. \^t ; >--.. v > -fifi~;Mr: IV' 3. Mossiwillprob>bly Deselected' for Mr. Header Wood's seat.-; ";:.•' l 'Privateintelligence sayslthat SiirJulius "VJbgel has- ; retirect|frbni the directory Mercantile promises "to ; >serve again if he resigns the Agent-General-ship. The Union Sash and Door Company has declared a dividend of 20 per cent.

TAUPO. January 24. An extensive survey of Government purchased land has just been begun here in the Upper Mokaka country. .. The Opepe surveys, suspended in November last through native troubles, were completed yesterday under Captain Turner. Tonuariro, after an interval of eight years, is giving signs of activity. Loud rumbling sounds were heard from the direction of the volcano last night, continuing at intervals to r day. The crater and cone are covered with clouds, so that sires, if any, are not visible

GREYMOUTH. January 24. complaints are being made about •he scarcity.of coal waugons, as the three lines are now in full work, and there are not sufficient waggons to bring the coals to port.

INVERCARGILL. January 24.

Mr. Larnach is expected to return from Riverton tliis evening, and will.be entertained at a banquet. The Southland County Council passed a resolution torday directing the attention of the Government to the necessity for frequent arrivals of immigrant ships here.

TIMARU. January 25. A meeting was held at Temnka on Wednesday to take into consideration the action of the Timaru Harbour Board. One hundred persons were present, and the speeches were strongly in favour of the harbour being at MUford instead of Timaru. It was resolved, "That the Chairman be requested to memorialise the Government to withhold their con- : sent to the Timaru Harbour Board spending L 106,000 of public money now in hand on harbour works at Timaru, until such time as plans had been submitted, to, and received the unqualified approval of, a Royal Commission. Ist. Because we believe it would not facilitate in any way what is urgently needed—a speedy outlet for produce from South Canterbury. 2nd. Because of its uncertainty of result. 3rd. Because the Royal Commission say it would be imprudent to commence any works before the Board could definitely count on L 250,000 at least, which we fear cannot be done without compromising the interests of the outlaying districts. 4th. Because it has been clearly demonstrated that the harbour can be constructed at Milford (which is equally central) that would give an outlet to the whole of South Canterbury for less money than is in the possession of the Timaru Board, and that this work can be completed in eighteen months from the time of its commencement." It was also resolved, "That in the opinion of this meeting the Government be respectfully requested to appoint a marine engineer to report on the two harbours—Milford and Timaru—as to which is the most practicable for South Canterbury." It was further resolved, " That the Chairman communipat". with the member for Geraldine, asking him to meet his constituents at Temuka at an early date, and explain his actions in the past and his line of action for the future." It is reported that Mr. Wakefield is held in great disfavour at- Temnka.