LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 175, 13 December 1876, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Pur Press Agency.] AUCKLAND. December 9. At Hokianga, the body of a chief named Wiremu, which bad been neglected after death, was entirely eaten up by dogs. The Presbyterian General Assembly have appointed a Committee to request the Government that the Presbyterian Church be represented on the Senate of the New Zealand University. In reply to the overture from Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay upon the supply of Ministers lor the Assembly, it was resolved that the Presbyteries of Church be authorised to appoint tutors to conduct in the form best suited to their respective circumstances the theological studies for students who are looking forward to the ministry. The Assembly passed a resolution expressive of their satisfaction at hearing of the weal of the Canterbury Church Extension Association. The Rev. J. Bobeitson, of Melbourne, has accepted the pastoral charge of the Congregational Church at Auckland. WELLINGTON. December 12.

The ship Zealandia sails fur London today, with a lot of passengers, amongst whom are Pearce, member for the City, Mrs Pearce, and Ridge and Young, two of the victims of the Hutt outrage. Her cargo consists of 4,773 bales of wool, and large quantity of tallow and sundries, valued altogether at £97,000. The inquiry into the loss of the Otago was concluded at (3.45. Decision is, that loss of ship is attributed to default of the second mate, Thomas G. Palmer, in not keeping to course ordered by master, in neglecting to check repeatedly steering compass by standard compass, in neglecting to call master or to take the usual precaution in thick weather, when so near land, viz., slacking speed, heaving lead, and keening vessel oif laud. The other officers’ certificates were returned, and the Court stated that everything that prudence and good judgment could suggest, had been done to save property and life from wreck, and that Gapt. Calder was specially to be commended for the way in which he acted under trying circumstances. The second mate’s certificate was suspended for two years, he was also admonished from the Bench for his carelessness. No costs were applied for, or the Court would have had to make an order on the second mate to pay them. A heavy south-east gale has been blowing all day. The Storm Bird does not leave till tomorrow afternoon.

The Christchurch Union Rowing Club have decided to send crew to Nelson. Heavy rains fell yesterday, and crops considerably damaged. The Acclimatisation Society lias decided to impel t prairie hens and humble bees. CHRISTCHURCH. December 12. Heavy rain fell yesterday, and caused one of the greatest floods in the Selwyn and Ashburton Rivers experienced for many years. Railway traffic was stopped, and the Selwyn Bridge on the Main South Line was seriously damaged. The permanent way, between Bakaia and Ashburton, was very much injured. It is reported that the Selwyn Bridge, on the Soutbbridge Line, was partially washed away. At Homebush Railway Station, the White Cliffs Branch Line was partially destroyed. : , GRAHAMSTOWN. December 9. Considerable interest is being taken in the County Council elections. Already four candidates are out for the Ohinemuri Biding. All seats in the County Council will probably be warmly contested. TIM ABU. December 9. John Hamilton, farmer, Waitobi Flat, lias been sentenced to one year’s imprisonment with hard labor, for having illicit spirits on his premises. He has appealed against bis sentence, and is released on bail. DUNEDIN. December 9. X>uring" a quarrel at 2Ho«g-ieJ, a man named O’Brien, a lecturer for American War Panorama, had his eye gouged by a man named Stanley. He suffered severely but will not lose his sight. BALCLUTHA. December 9. Dissatisfaction is felt in the country at the manner in which the elections are being ‘conducted. Many returning officers were too late in receiving instructions to enable

them to comply with the act, and are not supplied with the Act or forms of any kind.; In many cases the. officers were instructed by the Resident Minister, to write out a single notice of election, and post it up somewhere in their Ridings. This was done at midnight, and is the only notice large scattered country districts have received. No Acts can be procured without sending to Wellington, and the elections will be o”er before many of the public can now know anything about it. AUSTRALIAN. SYDNEY. December 8. When the stumps were drawn yesterday the Sydney team had a score of 41, with nine wickets down. Later. Our fifteen, finished their innings fora total of 81. Spoiforth and Coates played well to-day for 19 and 8 respectively. The bowling of Shaw was splendid ; that of Emmett also being good. The English fielding, as usual, was perfect. They made a good stand in their second innings, four wickets going down for 71. (Jylctt made 3G. Our bowling and fielding was very creditable, but the batting was too strong. There were about 12,000 spectators present. December 9.

The Englishmen were all put out yesterday for IUG runs. Sydney is fielding and baiting splendidly. Our team, in their second innings, with eight wickets down, have scored 100. There were 16,000 spectators present. Our chances to win are good. December 10. Sydney all out for 123, of winch Evans made 38.