TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1176, 23 January 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON. January 22. The Stella is going to Opunake to-day with 80 members of the constabulary. The New Zealander this morning states that the decisive measures relative to the West Coast confiscated land business, some time pending, are about to be taken. It has been resolved to give full effect to the terms of the proclamation summoning all natives who have claims to tender them in due form ; and thus it is expected that a virtual separation will be effected between the Taranaki natives and those of Ngatimuri, to the weakening of Te Whiti's power. Road making is to be vigorously prosecuted by the Constabulary, commencing at Opunake and Tahi, and working towards each other. After a section of road between Waihi and Opunake is completed, the construction of another section from Opunake North to Stoney River will be undertaken. There are some 700 men. stationed in the district,

January 23. A large sperm whale was seen in the harbor this morning. The Outrigger Race was rowed to-day. Only the Wellington and Wanganui crews started. The former won by thirty lengths. Wellington beat Wanganui in the inrigger race by four lengths. A young man named Frederick Buckland has been sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment for playing at undpr-and-over in a public place. Several others were detained in custody on suspicion of having false dice, &c., in their possession. The volunteer whale boat race this morning was a most exciting one, the Wanganui Fire Brigade having a lead of about half a length of the Wellington Naval Brigade. This they maintained throughout the most interesting rage witnessed here. DUNEDIN. January 22. The Presbyterian Synod was brought to a close last night, when the Rev. J. Christie, of Waikouaiti, was elected Moderator for 1881. A commission, consisting of Professors Mason and Hodgson, of Edinburgh University.; Sheriff Campbell, of Edinburgh ; Professor Morley, of London University ; and- -Dr. Abhott, Principal of the City of London School, was appointed to advertise for and select a suitable person to fill the new Chair of English Literature at the Otago TJnir versity. The Bible Reading in Schools Committee was re-appointed. The Rev. Dr. Stuart was appointed Commissioner to the Pan-Presbyterian Council, to be held at Philadelphia in July next. The Revs. J. Ryley and A. Greig, and Mr. A. Rennie, were appointed to represent the Synod at the next meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Auckland: and the Revs. W. Bannerman and W. Will are to attend the Presr byterian Conference at Melbourne in November next.

A case of an unusual nature occurred at to-day's sitting of the District Court, the jury serving on it positively declining to bring in a verdict in accordance with the Judge's ruling. The case was Maurice Tcnduit v. the New Zealand Insurance Company, claim L2OO on a policy of insurance. The Judge directed the jury to find for the defendant, but they found for the plaintiff for the amount claimed. January 23.

Six insolvencies were filed this week, including Simeon Isaacs, publican, Dunedin. Liabilities, L 3162 ; assets, L 2400. Captain Penrice, of the Comadre, died on the voyage. Tlie case Tpnduit v, the I[ew Zealand Insurance Company is to bg re=Lried tor morrow. In the Supreme Court next week, Mr. M'Kenzie, commission agent, claims L2OOO from Mr. James Smith and Mr. Larnach for an alleged breach of agreement in promising, at the sale of land at Grant's Braes, that a steamer would be put on to ply between there and the city. CHRISTCHURCH. January 22. The Council of the Acclimatisation go r ciety has decided to lengthen the coming coursing season one month. The limits will be April Ist to July 31st this year. The Christchurch Society have distributed 26,925 trout, and in addition have sold 79Q0! Subscriptions are coming in for the Irish Relief Fund. An arrangement has been made with the Opera Company to give a benefit in the Theatre Royal on Monday week, and a monster fete is spoken of, after the manner of the Kaitangata fete. Captain Craig, of the Christchurch Artillery, has posted a challenge to all the batteries in New Zealand who competed in the recent contest, to fire a match during the first week in February. Mr. Luer's sawmill, at Oxford, with machinery and 80,000 feet of timber, was burned down this morning. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark gettjng into the sawdust and smouldering during thp night. Logs, LBSO. Insurance, L4OO in the South British. A Brookside (Ellesmere district) farmer has just threshed oat GO bushels of barley to the acre, ai)d 80 of ryegrass seed. Glendore Station, belonging tq Sir J. R. Aitken, containing 2500 acres of freehold, has been sold for L 15,000. January 23. In the Ashley district reaping is in full swing, and, with good weather, the end of the week will see a large proportion of the crops cut. A goods train, consisting of 72 loaded trucks, and equal to 370 tons, was drawn up from Lyttelton yesterday by ono of the new American locoinotivea. The interview of the deputation of the Anglers' Society with the Acclimatisation Society, yesterday, with reforonco to tho cross lining and illegal fishing now carried

oil in the Avon, resulted in a Sub-Com-mittee from each Society being appointed to draw up a draft of regulations for river fishing, which the Council will recommend the Government to proclaim. On the recommendation of Dr. Hector, the whitefish fry are to be kept.in the races at the Acclimatisation Society's grounds for some weeks, before being forwarded to Lake Coleridge.

AUCKLAND. January 22. A fire occurred at Hamilton East this morning at two o'clock, "destroying Swinri's blacksmith's -shop and White's dwellinghouse. The White's escaped in their nightdresses, saving nothing but a chest of drawers and bed clothes. Insurance on blacksmith's shop Ll2O, building LIOO, stock in private house L 75, all in the New Zealand Company. Swinn estimates his loss at L6OO. GRAHAMSTOWN. January 22. A meeting was held last night of the sympathisers with the Irish distress. L3O in subscriptions was collected in the room, and to-day subscriptions are coming in freely. Among the applicants for the head mastership of the High School, eight gentlemen were bachelors of arts. No choice has been made yet. The question of the legality of the forfeiture of the old Whau shares will be tested, and the market price of shares which fell through the late pumping case will be decided. The Imperial Crown had no title under the Act of 1866, but refused to grant a site for Colonel Fraser, as it could create a new title under the Act repealed. Colonel Fraser gave notice of appeal. •- NEW PLYMOUTH. January 22. The Government take possession of the Waimate Plains at once, and have had distributed amongst the natives printed notices to the effect that the Government have decided that the Commission shall hear only the complaints any natives may have to make as to individual title to any land, but any question relating to the confiscation will not be listened to. NELSON. January 22. The Reception Committee in connection with the Rifle Association comprises some 60 influential citizens. A cordial reception will be accorded to the representatives. Thomas Bray, a lad about 13 years of age, received one month's imprisonment for breaking into the Foxhill Railway Station, and stealing L 5 in silver. The boy pleaded guilty, and the circumstances show great cunning. He gained access to the office through the window.