TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 9 December 1880, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. December 8. With reference to the native telegrams relative to the dispute about the Omarranui block, it is stated that the statement-made by Captain Preece to the natives was to the effect that it was Mr. Sutton and not the Government who were proceeding against thern in the Supreme Court. The accountant's offices of the North and South Islands Railways have been amalgamated. Mr. W. Fyfe, the present accountant for the South Island, will receive the new appointment, Mr. Whitaker, the accountant for the North Island, retiring upon-a compensation allowance. No further tidings have bee]i received regarding the boat which left Cape Campbell for Wellington on the 24th ult. It is feared the occupants have been drowned. The names of the men are :—Leandro Teodolis, Francisco Moris, and Christie Nicholas. At the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, nine publicans were charged with not destroying or defacing the stamps on the barrels of beer supplied to them. Four were fined a nominal penalty of Is, and in the remaining oases his Worship reserved his decision. During November last the exoes3 of immigration throughout the Colony was 1119, of whom 1052 came from the TJnited Kingdom,

| December 9. The criminal sittings of the Supreme L Court commenced tliis morning. Eleven cases are set down for hearing. The Chief i Justice's charge to the grand jury was unimportant. With reference to the murder case, he reviewed the evidence which has already been telegraphed, and Raid that the question if t'lip prjspjigr v»'aq insane, dnink, or 3ober when he committed the aot was not a matter for their consideration. ' John Watson pleaded guilty of attempting to commit suicide, and the Judge remanded him for sentence. Charles William Ellison, alias Thompson, pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking, and was remanded for sentence. Stephen Baker, on a charge of attempt to wound, pleaded not guilty. The case is now proceeding. : The Hinemoa arrived this morning from Opnnake, with witnesses in the murder case. J Baker was acquitted. True bills were found against Adam Leitch, for housebreaking, and Ellison (alias Thompson) for larceny. Ellison's case is proceeding. The grand jury found a true bill against Tuhi, for the Opunake murder. Ellison was found not guilty. The s.s. Australia, with the London mails of the 4th nit., left San Francisco for Auckland on the 21st November, one day earlier than the time-table sailing date. She is due on Monday next. The City of Sydney, with the November Colonial mails, arrived at San Francisco on the 30th ult., two days in advance of the contract date. DUNEDIN. December 9. A deputation of the City Council waited on the Hon. Mr. Oliver and asked for the removal of the Harbor Board offices in order that Cumberland-street might be carried straight through, the building now being in the centre of the street. Mr. Oliver replied that he had determined that the building should remain where it is, and be used as railway offices until the permanent station was built. The City Council are disposed to. pull down the building in the exercise of its powers. CHEISTCHTJR.CH. December 8. A quantity of twine for reapers and binders was imported by the s.s. Durham, upon which, the Customs demanded duty,

though last year it was admitted free like binding wire. After two weeks' detention a telegram was received to-day from the Government authorising the admission of such twine free. December 9. At Akaroa, Mrs. Scarborough, wife of a prominent resident, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court for aiding and abetting her niece in throwing boiling water over William H. Rossiter. . The Government have agreed to close all public' offices in Canterbury on December 16, being the anniversary of the establishment of the Province. NEW PLYMOUTH. December 8. The Taranaki Herald learns by private information that the Parihaka natives look upon the Opunake murder as the act of a dastard. They say it is the work of a ponango kino (a bad or vile slave). Tuhi, it is thought, was not an attendant at the Parihaka meeting. He may have been there two or three times, but not oftener. The natives are strongly impressed with the notion that Tuhi must have been drinking previous to committing the act. TIMARU. December 8. A young man named Cox jumped from a bridge on to the river bed at Kakahu yesterday to get his riding whip. He landed on his back, and was so much injured that fatal consequnces are anticipated. INVERCARGILL. December 8. Being dissatisfied with the low price now ruling for butter, Mr. J. W. Hamilton, of Flint's Bush, has determined to send g, trial shipment Home per Jessie Readman, which leaves Bluff in a few days. He is now salting down a large quantity. From news received, it would appear 'that the Stewart's Island " reef" is a myth. Acting under pressure, Roper was obliged to open up the tunnel where the leaders were said to be buried. After about 20 shovels of dirt had been washed, a solitary speck of gold was found, and although the supposed leaders were followed a considerable distance into the hills, no reef could be found. The specimens found by Roper are pronounced by experienced miners to be nothing but mundic. The miners are returning, thoroughly disgusted.