TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1190, 9 February 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. ' February 7. The tail of the comet is distinctly seen to-niglit, and appears to be increasing in brightness. it is stated that, his Excellency and Lady Ribinson leave for the South on Monday. Messrs. Laery a,nd Campbell have received a letter from Sydney asking what prospects there are of disposing of potatoes and oats in this market, as there are likely to be very abundant crops there, which will require some outlet. February 9. Young Scott completed his 24 hours' walking match on Saturday night, doing 108 miles in that time, thus losing the match by four miles. Great interest was shown in the event, and at its conclusion Scott was loudly cheered. About 4000 persons paid for admission, and Lls was collected in the hall for the purpose of presenting Scott with a testimonial. The body of Charles Cochrane, who was drowned in the harbor last week, was faund on the beach at Kaiwarawara this morning. The election for two representatives for the Harbor Board is causing but little excitement. The police called at the principal hotels on Saturday night, at eleven; o'clook, and ordered the barmaids to leave the bars. This action has been taken in compliance with the Employment of Females Act.

DUNEDIN. February 9. Volunteer Dalziel will be the Waikari Company's representative at Nelson, Volunteer A. Marshall, of the North Dunedin Rifles, an extra representative, and Sergeant Cox, that of the South District Rifles. The body of the fisherman Benton, drowned in the Lower Harbor twelve days ago, was found yesterday. Eggers and Company have been prospecting in the neighborhood of Holversen's claim at Hyde, and have struck good gold. A verdict of " Temporary Insanity " was given at the inquest on the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. The evidence showed that the illness of his son had latterly preyed on Mr. Hayes' mind, causing excessive'melancholy. AUCKLAND. February 7. The published accounts of the Auckland Savings Bank show that at the end of the year 1879 there were on the books 4621 depositors, having a credit balance of L 124,255, and in the Penny Bank 2222 eepositors, with L 2499. The band, be--yond the amount due to depositors, have an accumulated reserve fund of LISOO. There was carried forward to profit and loss account a balance of L22G4. The annual valuation of the city of Auckland by the City Council for the ensuing year, subject to adjustment at Assessment Court, is L1G0,405. Last year the valuation was L 154,401, showing an increase of 90 houses, 45 stores, and 121 properties to the roll, and an increase of value of L 6004. A son of John Lamb, of Waimtemata Mills, while working at the retaining wall at Fort Britomart, met with a serious accident. A piece of earth fell from above, breaking his leg, and, striking the platform on which he stood, jerked him off, and he fell from thirty to forty feet down the face of the cliff, near Jacob's Ladder. Elder Place, President of the New Zealand Mormon Mission, has sent for ten more Elders from Utah, who will be located to various spheres of labor in the Colony. He has made arrangements for the passages of the southern converts en route to Salt Lake City by the next San Francisco mail boat. ; It is not yet settled whether Elder Place will go ift charge of the detachment and return or not.

CHRISTCHURCH. February 8. A woman named Mrs. Ross died at Ashley 011 Saturday morning. She had been for a long time in ill health, which was increased by her efforts to maintain a family of three children, while her husband was laid up with a broken leg. The circumstances of the case appear to be particularly painful, and the residents in the district feel much sympathy with tlie family. February 9. A man named Willia.m M'Millan, railway gatekeeper at Kaiapoi, was found, on Saturday night, in his house with his throat cut, and in a, very weak condition from loss of blood. He was attended by a medical man, and brought to the Christcliurcli Hospital yesterday. Though in a critical state, there is great probability of his recovery. M'Millan admitted haying inflicted the wounds on himself, saying that he was induced to do it through family troubles. A married woman, named Mrs. Johnston, residing in Kilmore-street, ;was badly burnt one .night last week through a kerosene lamp exploding. Mrs. Johnston was preparing to go to bed, and turned down the wick low previous to blowing it out, when the explosion took place. In an instant her clothes caught 011 ,fire, and he,r .husband had great difficulty "in putting the flames out, which was not done before the .woman was blistered all over. Mrs. Johnston is now in the Hospital:' ' ' It was reported at Kaiapoi that a man had been drowned near Waikari yesterday. No further particulars are yet to hand. Last night the comet was distinctly seen. Its position isS.W. about lOdeg. to 40Jeg. above the horizon, with a tail remarkably well defined. M'Grath's men, employed on the northern extension and Little River Railway, have, unsolicited, contibuted over L 54 to the Irish Relief Fund.

GRAHAMSTOWN. February 7. At a meeting last Provincial Grand Lodge of "Scottish Constitution, the the' chair, the officers-;-elected! Dr. Johnston, Deputy Master j iln H. J; H. Eliott, -Assistaijfr" Secretary-; Harvey, Chaplain"'; Mb Posies] They are all- of Wellington, Jhb remain.-: ing officers'being members of the'Auck-' landand.ThariiesLodges.- .After complimentary rejnarks-from Mr. Whitaker ,;Mr. M'Culloch and the Tyler, a vote of thanks was passed unauitnously to Mr. E. T. Gillon, late Secretary, for his past services. ...A ..bauquet tookplace after the Lodge. • •'. V; "i < .'-y ; {!'• ' The" 1 Hon. F.'" Whitaket will - meet a. deputation from. the ,-Council,., introduced by Sir George Grey, this morning. 1 Sa&e; feeling is expressed at cheers being only given for Sir George Grey when" he and the Hon. F." Whitakerlanded yesterday. .. ! Walter. Ratcliffe was committed for trial for making a false declaration as to the age of the girl he married a few days ago. The mother of the girl prosecuted. The Hon. F. Whitaker again stated to a deputation re the railway, that being personally interested he would take no steps in the matter of the extension of the railway. ■ February 9. At the conclusion of Sir George Gre3 7 's address, Mr. Speight, M.H.R., proposed a vote of thanks to him for his eloqueut address. He spoke of Sir Geo. Grey as the only member who stood forth without motive or object of gain. The vote was carried enthusiastically. Sir George Grey stated that he had received letters from several American Statesmen, and writes for copies of all the speeches delivered by hint at the Thames ; also complimentary notices on the land question. He visited the Hospital, the Orphanage, and the Old Men's Home to-day, and left in the afternoon. Mr. Whitaker left on Saturday. The speech of Sir George Grey is considered the best he has ever given at the Thames. : Application is being sent in to the Government to reserve a portion of the goldfield for the purpose of working silver and zinc mines. NELSON. February 7. A man named Alexander Ross, a miner, was found dead in his hut at Collingwood on Wednesday morning. An inquest will be held.