TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 791, 24 October 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. October 23. Mr. Feldwick asked the Government today if they will grant railway passes to the Southland Volunteers attending the volunteer demonstration, to take place at Dunedin on the 9th November, and as Mr. Proudfoot offers the use of the railway he has under contract as far as Kaituku, whether the Minister for Public Works can grant the use .of carriages to run over the same. Mr. Macandrew, in reply, said that the money would be refunded 011 the voucher of the commanding officer. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government would not interfere, as they might be implicated. The report of the Gaols Committee stated that they had not be able to go thoroughly into the charges, in consequence of the long time that had elapsed since some of them had occin ;d, and the difficulty of securing evidi ace. There was 110 reason to believe that wanton cruelty had been inflicted, but citizens were wrongfully arrested, prisoners too readily handcuffed, and, when violent, were chained down to rings on the floor. The police had also refused to prosecute when appealed to. Too much power was left in the hands of the police, in granting arid refusing licenses. There had been too much laxity in the regulations, and in allowing police to accept rewards from private individuals; and proper records had not been kept. In conclusion the Committee recommended the periodical transfer of police officers. CHRISTCHURCH. October 23. Two men from the Constabulary Reserve in Wellington arrived yesterday. A dastardly assault was made on the Rev. Mr. Douglas, of Akaroa, after the Sunday evening service, as he was returning home. He was severely beaten with a stick, and his assailants made off. In the morning service the rev. gentleman had spoken in very strong terms of the conduct of a portion of the larrikin element of the town.

At the Synod this afternoon a motion to adjourn until after the return of the Bishop was lost. v

The immigrants ex Waitangi were taken out of quarantine to-day. A number of them proceeded to Ashburton and Timaru, but the bulk are in the Addington barracks, Christchurch. October 2-4. His Lordship the Bishop is expected back from England on the 12th December. The six new American engines, recently arrived for the Christchurch section of the railway, are being put together in the railway workshops. Authority has been received here to commence the construction of 800 railway waggons at once. At the annual church meeting last night several papers were read, one being on the formation of a Church Society, This matter will be brought before the Diocesan Synod at present sitting. The first of the annual agricultural shows takes place to-day at Leeston. AUCKLAND. October 23. Mr. Northcroft, R.M., discovered last night on the banks of the Waikato River, a white mackintosh overcoat and a gentleman's hat. Attached to the overcoat there was-a piece of paper, on which was written, " Good-bye, God bless you all." Amounted constable has been riding all day searching

in -vain for a trace of the owner of the articles."

The Acclimatisation Society has liberated COO Californian trout in the lake at Waikato.. The Harbor Board votes LIOO towards the regatta. Reid, the vocalist, who travelled the Colony with his wife, Miss Leaf, died to-day of dysentery; The New Zealand Insurance Company has risks amounting to over L3OOO on the cargo of the City of Auckland, a considerable portion of which is for Auckland. The South British also loses heavily. DUNEDIN. October 23. The body of Samuel O'Kane, landlord of the Commercial Hotel, Mosgiel, was found in the Waikouaiti River to-day. The deceased mysteriously disappeared on Friday last from his brother's hotel at Waikouaiti. An inquest will be held. OTAKI. October 23. The ship City of Auckland lies about 20 chains north of the Otaki River, and about 40 chains from the wreck of the Felix Stowe. About half the passengers are now ashore, and at present there is no danger to life. Jenkins, the pilot, and crew are busy getting the passengers ashore. The ship's boats and crew are also busy in the same way. All the immigrants are going to be lodged in the College at Otaki. Th 6 ship's stern is on a good beach, and all the cargo can be saved, and the vessel floated. October 24. All the people on the wreck of the City of Auckland were saved. The people are sho.rt of provisions, which have not yet been landed. The ship is not likely to break up. PATEA. October 24. News was received here last night that Hiroki, the murderer, had arrived at Parehaka, but that Te Whiti requested that no one should attempt his capture, as he (Te Whiti) desired to see the Native Minister before anything further was done.