TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 928, 7 April 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER IT.ESS ASSOCIATION.) ■WELLINGTON. April 6. At a meeting of the Ngatimaniapotos at Kopua, some reference was made to Rewi's action towards the Government and the Native Minister. Rowi at once ro3c and challenged anyone who disapproved of his conduct to come forward and say what he had to say, but no one seemed at all inclined to accept the challenge. April C. There seems but little doubt of the peaceful settlement of the Waimate business. The Government will deal liberally in regard to reserves, and this is nearly all Tc Whiti is aiming at. DUNEDIN. April 0. Great dissatisfaction exists at Government not accepting a tender for the construction of the Wingatui section of the Strath-Taieri railway, tenders for which have been in some time. It is understood that tenders for the work range from sixty to seventy thousand pounds. CHKiSTCHURCir. April 5. A fire broke out at half-past six this evening in Mulligan's drapery shop, adjoining the White Hart Hotel. By the exertions of Sergeant Morice and others the flames were put out, but not before some damage was done. One of the plate glass windows was smashed, and a large fjuantity of goods spoilt by the water. Very little, damage was actually done by the fire. The fire broke out in the window, and is supposed to have been caused by a gas jet coming in contact with some of the goods. LIOO will cover the loss sustained. April 6.

The first sod of the Malvern railway extension was turned at Kowai Pass, on Saturday morning. The directors of the Canterbury Corn Exchange carried a resolution, at their meeting on Saturday, deprecating any action having for its object the levying of an import duty on grain and timber, and expressing an opinion that reciprocity of trade should prevail throughout the Australian Colonies.

AUCKLAND. April 7. A stoker named George Cox has been killed on the Kaipara railway. He was attaching the hoses to the tank at the watering station, when the structure, in consequence of the rottenness of the framework, fell upon him, and broke his back. Cox leaves a wife and two children.

The Rev. E. W. Bree, incumbent of All Saints', is dangerously ill. Mr. J. M'Cosh Clark and Judge Fenton have been elected Governors of the Grammar School of Auckland. The Auckland Working Men's AntiChinese Petition has now 300 names attached to it.

It is rumored that Messrs. Fraser and Tinne have refused to abide by certain conditions specified in the Taupo contract, and that Mr. D. Gouk, shipwright, has taken the job. Several race horses arrived by the Taiaroa for the Autumn meeting. These are Mr Walter's Venus Transit and Slander, Mr Day's Izaak Walton, Mr George's Resolution, and Mr M'lvor's Peep-o'-Day, Loch Lomond, and Nora. A three-roomed cottage in the New Market, containing fodder, stored by Mr. Lupton, a carter, has been burned. It was insured, Owing to a caustic- article in the Free Lance on Signor Pompei's Opera Company, the prima donna, Miss Waugherhiem, " went for " the editor. It is alleged

that threats of an action for libel and horsewhipping were freely used. In G. W. Binney's estate, matters are arranging. General creditors get 10s. in the £, and the Bank of New Zealand 12s. The ship General Butler, for New Zealand ports, was spoken off Mauritius (?). The Melanesian mission schooner leaves for an eight months' cruise among the Islands, on Wednesday, taking the Rev. Mr. Penny, and other missionaries. It is understood that a libel action is threatened against the Star in Mrs. Croker's case. Damages, L2OOO.

INVERCARGELL. April 5. The following is the programme for the Easter Volunteer demonstration :—Battalions will be three in number. No. 1 will be composed of the men of the Artillery and Naval Companies over and above those required for gun squads, and will be commanded by Captain Hill Jack ; No. 2, of the Otago (Dunedin) district, principally Rifle Companies, commanded by Major Wales ; No. 3, of the Canterbury, Lake, and Southland Companies, commanded by Major Lean of Canterbury. Attention has been paid to the equalisation of the strength of companies and battalions. The following will constitute the Staff:—Reviewing officer, the Hon. Colonel Whitmore; Brigadier, Lieut. - Colonel Stavely; Chief of the Staff, Major Macrorie ; Brigade-Major, Captain T. Chalmers Reid; Town-Major, Captain James Thomson ; Garrison Sergt.-Major Fowler. On Saturday, 12thApril, there will be guard mounting, trooping of colors, and sports.'*On Sunday, 13th April, church parade. Monday, 14th, drill, attack, and defence; attacking battalions, Nos. 1 and 3, with gun detachments from Batteries B and I, under the command of Captain Craig; defence battalion, No. 1, with gun detachments from Batteries C, E, G, and K, under the command of Captain Hamersley ; defeat of the attack ; march to review ground; review programme, form up in quarter-column on No. 1 Company of Battalion; pile arms and break off for refreshments. The Brigade will move to the right in fours ; deploy in-: o line of quarter-column at deploying distances, 12 paces interval ; deploy to the left of battalions ; brigade will take open order; general salute ; quartercolumns on the right of battalions ; line of quarter-columns on the right battalion ; advance, retire, wheel into mass to the right; deploy into line of quarter-columns outward, form mass on No. 1 battalion ; deploy into line at quarter-column; change front, half right on the right battalion ; change front, half left. Battalion advance in echelon of battalions from the right, and form four deep square ; form mass on No. 1 battalion ; march past. April 7.

The"Volunteers had an active drilling at full battalion parade on Wednesday. Billeting arrangements are complete for the demonstration. The Committee has made araangements for the purchase of 150 pairs of blankets for billets in private places. The hotels will, however, be able to accommodate nearly all coming (some 850). At a recent meeting it was suggested as likely that each man would bring a blanket or rug, but the Committee thought that it had better provide in case the men neglected to provide for themselves. Patrick M'Menamin has been committed for trial at the Supreme Court for arson of a hut used as a stable, by which the horse Young Lofty, lately sold for LIOO, but insured in the New Zealand office for L 275, was burnt. The jury added a rider to their verdict to the effect that insurance companies encouraged fires by over-in-suring. The Kaitangata Fund is still growing. Over LSOO have been received to date. A coach accident occurred at the Waimutuku river on Saturday last. The coach got into quick sand, and two out of four horses were drowned. The others will have to be shot. The loss is LIOO. The passengers escaped.

TIMARU. April 6. John M'Gill, a Christchurch contractor, was committed for trial yesterday for issuing a valueless cheque on the New Zealand Bank, Christchurch. GREYMOUTH. April 6. The Clau I Hamilton, which sails tomorrow for Melbourne, takes from Greymouth G6l4ovs lldwts lOgrs of gold, shipped as follows:—Bank of New Zealand, 37900zs 19dwts ; National Bank, 16720zs 4dwts lOgrs ; Union Bank, 14510zs Bdwts. Total value, L 24,458. PORT CHALMERS. April 7. Sailed—Albion Company's ship Canterbury, for Lyttelton, with part cargo for London.