LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1184, 25 October 1882, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

(PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION). WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. The Postmaster-general supplies the following information, as it is found that the arrangements necessary to carry out the original intention of the Government to call for tenders in the Australian Colonies as well as in London for the direct steam service would cause a serious loss of time and postpone the intention of the service indefinitely, it has been determined that only the Agentgeneral in London shall call for and receive tenders. This decision is made public in order that intending tenderers in the colonies may make their arrangements accordingly. The following is an outline of the service required : —l. The service to be once every calendar month each way, commencing in April, 1883, from London and from New Zealand in July, and to continue for three years. 2. The vessels employed to be not less than 3,000 tons gross tonnage. 3. The contractor to have the option on each voyage of making Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, or Port Chalmers the first port of arrival in New Zealand and the last port of depurtuae, with liberty to cull before departure at as many of the ports as the contractor may think fit, 4. The service to be performed each way within 1,200 hours; five passengers to be cariied at rates not exceeding the following—Second-class, £3O ; third class, £l5; Government immigrants at rates not exceeding the following—Statute adults, £l5 ; children, above one year old and under twelve years, £9 ; children under one year old free. Cargo for New Zealand Government, ordinary dead weight, 24s per ton ; ordinary measurement, 30s per ton. 6. A preference will be given the contractor for the carriage of Government immigrants and cargo. The probable quantity of Government cargo will be about 14,000 tons, and the number of Government immigrant about 2,500 per annum. No absolute guarantee as to the quantity of cargo or number of immigrants will be given. 7. All the vessels to be fitted with approved refrigerating machinery for the freezing of meat and dairy produce, and each vessel to be provided with a fire and vermin-proof locker for the safe custody of mails. 8. The vessels employed will be exempt from the payment of light and harbor dues at New Zealand ports. The above particulars are given without prejudice to a revision or alteration of the terms and conditions of the contract which may finally be issued by the Agent-general, from whom further particulars can be obtained.

At a meeting of the Executive Council today various Orders in Council, required under tho Acts of last session, were issued. Henry Andrew Gordon has been appointed Inspecting Engineer of Mines. Mr Gordon has, for some years, been connected with the Nelson Creek Water-race. A prospectus of a New Zealand Tobacco Growing Manufacturing Company has been issued.

WANGANUI, Oct. 24. The half-yearly sitting of the Supreme Court opened yesterday, before Judge Richmond. The calendar a light one, including three charges of Ur ;eny, oue against a Native for wounding, a id one against another Native for forgery. His Honor in hit charge to the Grand Jury referred to

forgery as a favoiitc offence, owing to the the Maoris who presented a singular mixture of simplicity and art. The Grand Jury found true bills in all the cases except the charge against the Native prisoner Poharata for cutting and wounding, in which no in- 1 dictment was presented, as prisoner demanded a Maori jury, and means for drifting such are not available at present. The prisoner was bound to appear at the next sitting of the Court. For larceny John Williamson was sentenced to four months' imprisonment Herman Weisner to 18 months, and Wm. Higgins, an old offender, to four years’ penal servitude. Terehura Hamahona pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery, and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. NAPIER. This Day. Mr F. Sutton addressed his constituents at Hastings, and was well received. He ' dealt chiefly with the legislation of last i session relative to local government. Ye Old Englishe Fay re in aid of the : Wesleyan Church funds was a grand suc- { cess. An accident happened to a merry-go-round I last night. The pivot-post worked out of the top socket, and the whole thing came down when going full speed. The cars were 1 full of children, who were all thrown out — ! one being picked up senseless, but otherwise i sustained no injury. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at • | four o’clock this morning. The new volunteer regulations are not favorably received by the members of the local corps, many of the members regarding them as the death-blow to volunteering in this district. AUCKLAND, This Day. ! Several rifle competitors left for the south ; per Hawea. Several others and the Thames men go on Thursday. Owners of property at the Whau applied to the Government for boring tools to sink for coal. The prizes offered by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the show on November 9th exceed £l,OOO. A telegram from Alexandra says Tawhaio was here to-day, and interviewed Mr Butler (Mr Bryce’s secretary). The Native Minister will meet the King at Whatiwhatiho on Friday. A number of Natives from Kawhia and up the country have already arrived for the meeting. Mr J. M, Clark has been elected a director of the Bank of Now Zealand, vice W. J. Taylor resigned. The Bank of New Zealand forty-aecoud half-yearly meeting was held to-day. The Directors’ report shows a not profit for tho half-year after making allowance for doubtful debts, etc., of £98.921 17a fid, to which has to be added the balance from the last half-year £11,003 12 m, making in all £109,925 9s lid, which it is recommended to appropriate as follows :—Dividend at rate of 10 per cent, per annum, £50,000 ; bonus, 5s per share, equal to 5 per cent., £25,000 ; addition to the reservo fund, £25,000, balance to profit and loss, new account, £9925 9s lid. The following is tho statements of assets and liabilities and capital paid up, £1,000,000 ; reserve, £575,000 ; notes in circulation, £523,428; bills in circulation, £1,781,411 6s 8d ; deposits and other liabilities, £7,775,365 10s 8d ; balance, £109,925 9s lid. Total, £11,765,130 13s 3d. Assets, coin, and cash advances, £1,078,682 12s 3d ; money in London, £505,000; bullion, £235,068 12s 5d ; Government securities, &222.821 12s fid ; bills receivable and securities on London, £1.416,956 13s 9d ; bills di»counted and debts due to the bank, £8,071,110 19s 1 Id ; landed property account, £2,354,490 3s 3d. Total, £11,765,130 13s 3d. GREYMOUTH, This day. It is stated that Richard Reeves succeeded In floating the Randall Creek Race Company, which will supply 60 heads of water over a very large extent of auriferous country. The Mahinapua took away 9057 ozs of gold. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The incendiary scare has been revived in Akaroa. On Saturday Mr Wickliffe, hotelkeeper, received an anonymous letter, threatening to burn down one of his houses, occupied by a man named Carragh. A careful watch has since been kept, and the !■ Mayor has appointed two men to patrol the 1 town at night. ! A Youths’Club has been started with 150 members. John McCallam is committed for trial for breaking into the shop of his brother, a ’ watchmaker, and stealing a quantity of 1 jewellery. DUNEDIN, This Day. > A heavy fall of snow occurred in the ; town and suburbs last night. Arrangements are being made for holding a grand carnival, opening on the 22nd Nov., ; in aid of benevolent institutions. Weather bitterly cold, with occasional hail. TIMARU, This Day. The trustees of Pat Ryan, recently arrested ( in Melbourne, will have to go there to receive a large sum of money taken from Mrs Ryan.