SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 828, 9 December 1878, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

("FROM •-•r-ii -w .- ■ -:-::••-,:■■.-!vnKvr ] , * WELLINGTON. December 8. The deferred telegram system has proved a great success. Duriug the first week the system was in operation 33S deferred telegrams were sent, but last week deferred telegrams total was 1017. The revenue from this source now amoivnts to about L2OOO a year. This is said to be all profit to the Department. The deferred system does not appear to interfere with the number of ordinary telegrams sent. The increase in the revenue of the Telegraph Department as a whole has also been particularly marked during the present year. It is estimated that at the end of the financial year it will show a surplus of LSOOO or L9OOO. Mr. Rockscow (coroner) and Constable Purcell, yesterday went several miles down the south beach, near Foxton, and found on the terrace amongst the sandhills, the remains of a man. The man, at his death, was dressed in light tweed trousers and vest and a flannel shirt. He appeared to have been about 30 years of age. No marks of violence were visible on the body, and as the remains were some distance above the high water mark, it is conjectured that they arc those of some drowned sailor, who was buried in the sand. A private telegram received in town states that Mr Varley, the w'll-known Evangelist, left Sydney for Wellington by the Wakatipu, which is expected to arrive here to-morrow. At the Southminster enquiry, Capt. M'Fee deposed that the insurance on the vessel last year was L 12,000. He did not know whether she was insured this year. He valued the vessel at L 12,000. He estimated that the rock on which the vessel struck was a mile distant from the shore. On this point the chief officer stated that he considered the rock was four or five niilt-a fr.oin the shore, while the second officer estimated the distance at half a mile. The enquiry was continued this morninir, when Captain Gibbons gave evidence bearing strongly against the captain, who, he said, ought to have anchored. On the other hand, Captain Holmwood and an A.B. named Albert Lucas, cave evidence in favor of the course adopted by Captain M'Fee. The enquiry was then adjourned till Monday, in order to obtain the evidence of nautical men acquainted with the coast. December 9. A private Melbourne telegram to the Post says that Sir Hercules Robinson has been appointed to succeed the Marquis of Normanby. A violent thunderstorm with heavy rain occurred yesterday, and serious floods arose in the country, causing much damage, which is estimated at several thousands of pounds. It is the heaviest flood that has occurred for more than ten years. There are 15 steamers in port to-day, including six of the Union Company's boats, viz., Wakatipu, Tararua, Hawea, Taupo, Taiaroa, and Claud Hamilton. The Claud Hamilton reports that the schooner Torea, of Auckland, is a total wreck in Tory Channel. The Torea sent a boat on board, and reported that while beating out of the Channel she struck heavily on a rock, The vessel immediately made water so fast that the master had to beach her two miles inside of the Channel, where she now lies full of water. All hands are safe.

DUNEDIN. December 9. The Hon. Mr. Stout comes here at the end ,of the week, The body of Somerville, the shepherd who ■was missed from Vount Ida three months ago, has been discovered near the Naseby road. Judge Williams leaves on Wednesday. The police received information of the arrest, in Sydney, of a young man wanted here for forgery.