TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 990, 21 June 1879, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. Ju:;e 20. The man who was recently convicted of stealing a pie from Dr, Lemon's house has been identified as Plumnier, the notorious Auckland criminal, and several other offences have been laid to his charge.

It is probable the first portion of the West Coast railway will be commenced in a few days. June 21.

The steamer Wanganui, on her passage from Lyttelton, had her yard and foresail carried away by a heavy gale. The Government have prepared a Bill re Chinese immigration. Mr. Stout will almost certainly resign, and Mr. Macassey will probably take his place. The Government propose no action re amendment of the Bankruptcy Bill. The Government propose a repeal of the payment of a half-penny bonus on rabbit skin^ DUNEDIN. June 20. An information for a criminal offence was to-day laid, and a warrant issued for the arrest of the late acting librarian of the Athenaeum.

At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to-day, the attendance was very small. The Secretary drew special attention to that part of the report which suggested that on that portion of the railway line from Dunedin to Port Chalmers at least, if not to Mosgiel, a double line of rails should be laid. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Low seconded the motion. It was ultimately decided to adjourn the meeting till next Friday, owing to the small attendance, several present expressing disgust at the apathy displayed by members. . HAWERA. June 21. Two teams, with ploughs, are on Livingstone land, guarded by fifteen Maoris. The natives are ploughing up land in front of the house.

TIMARU. June 20. At the Supreme Court to-day, Judge Johnston took exception to a paragraph ■which had appeared in the Timaru Herald to the effect that the case of Court v. Studholme was still dragging its weary length along. His Honor said such an expression of opinion on a case was likely to seriously prejudice the minds of the jury, and added that the paper had rendered itself liable for contempt of Court for making such remarks. NELSON. June 20. A man named David Morrison, of Foxhill, whilst shooting wild cattle on Lyndon Run, accidentally shot himself, the ball passing through the fleshy part of j his body. Hopes are entertained of his j recovery. The body of Mr. Shalders, telegraphist, at Cable Bay, has not yet been recovered. AUCKLAND. June 20. A deputation waited on Colonel Whitmore at Hamilton, Captain Dawson and other settlers offering the services of 90 men to the Government as Volunteers in a party. Colonel Whitmore stated that he would recommend the Government to accept their services and to arm them with Enfields, which would be replaced in six weeks by Sniders, a consignment of which is arriving from Home. He said that the Government recognised their duty of defending settlers in the country districts. Such has been the spirit of the Volunteers, that Government had refused +he services of six hundred old comrades, besides thousands of recruits.

NEW PLYMOUTH. June 20. There is nothing fresh in native affairs. The Normanby Volunteers have completed their redoubt, which is a fine piece of work. The Armed Constabulary that arrived here yesterday proceeded to Oakura this morning.

CIIRISTCHURCH. June 20. A meet ins; of clergymen wd laymen \va- hold this afternoon to consider whav curse should be taken to deal with existing distress. His Lordship the Bwhop presided. It was resolved to form a society to include all denominations, to be called the Benevolent Aid Society, and to be subsidised by Government, the Society undertaking to provide for all cases of distress in and around Christclturch. A sub-committee was appointed to confer with the clergy and laity of all denominations for the purpose of elaborating a scheme to be submitted to a public meeting. The men who have been sent up to work on the railway extension are in a rather unpleasant predicament, as, owing to the swollen state of the Waipara, no provisions could be got across to them to-day. It is thought that they have sufficient to last till to-morrow, when a special effort will be made to relieve them, but the heavy rain which is now falling will render tliis rather a difficult task. INVERCARGILL. June 20. Bennet, a bankrupt whose application for an order of discharge has recently been before the District Court, to-day had his certificate suspended for three years. At the request of the opposing creditors, an order was granted for the prosecution of the bankrupt for concealment, under the Fraudulent Debtors Act. Mr. Matthews, who appeared for the baidkrupt, deprecated the prosecution submitting that the bankrupt was sufficiently punished by having his certificate suspended for the longest period the law allowed. Judge Harvey was of a different opinion, saying that he considered it a public duty that Bennet should bo prosecuted.