COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 120, 10 January 1874, Page 2

COLONIAL ITEMS.

(from the anglo-australian press agency) Auckland. The Resident Magistrate bas dismissed the charge against the doctor of the Chile, completely exonerating him of blame, on the ground that it was absolutely necessary to restrain Mrs. Vesey. There was no suitable place of confinement except the one used, and no unnecessary violence. The Jockey Club has arranged for two races especially in order that Kakapo, who was disqualified by a wrong entry, may run. In compliance with the request of the Secretary of Customs, the Harbor Board are determined to instruct the Harbor master to prepare a report on the weather, with a view to the establishment of a system of storm signals throughout the colony. Grahamstown. The Bright Smile Mining Company is stopped, and 150 men are thrown out of employment. An action will arise out of the drainage question. It is expected that the stoppage will flood the adjacent mines, and compel contributions without recourse to further litigation. Wellington. The Celseno has arrived, 120 days from Gravesend. She brings three saloon passengers, but no Government immigrants. Twelve valuable sheep, out of seventeen, died on the passage. On the 2nd January the captains of all the steamers in port were served with a formal notice from the seaman’s strike committee, that the seamen would work no longer except at an advance of £1 per mouth, making the L

wages amount to £7, and working only eight hours instead of twelve. A compromise was first offered by owners, of £2 per month wages, with twelve hours work. The men rejected this proposition insisting on £8 per month if they work d twelve hours, to which the owners acceded.

The Government have arranged that the Taranaki should collect the next San Francisco mail. She leaves Port Chalmers on the 13th, and Wellington on the 16th, arriving at the Manukauon the 19th. In consequence of the strike and the high price of coals, the cost of passage and freight by steamer is raised 20 per cent. Christchurch. There have been heavy north-west winds during the last few days, which have done great damage to the throughout the province.

The land sales for the past month amounted to £51,000.