NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2153, 13 February 1880, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per "Times” Special Wire.] Sir George Grey ait the Thames. Auckland, yFeb. 13. Sir George Grey when invited to attend a Masonic ceremony at the Thames, said, it was so long since be attended a Masonic Lodge be bad almost forgotten all about freemasonry. He also rcteivedan invitation from Takawara to talk over the Thames difficulties, but advised him to meet the. wishes of the Government. 7. B. Gough. A letter received by Mr John Lamb, a prominent temperance man here, from John Pae* of England, says there is not much prospect of (jough coming to tbe Antipodes, as bis health is not good, but if he recovers he will re-visit England. . Quarantine Amusements. : .The passengers of the British Empire are still in quarantine. The}' have organised themselves by appointing constables and they relieve the monotony with rabbit shooting, pic-nics, and games. On the War Path. HTaweka, Job.' I:l.'—The telegraph wire was but near the Wahi Stream, on the Waimate Plains yesterday evening. The natives are engaged digging potatoes near the spot, although it is reported the potatoes arc not ripe. They commenced digging them yesterday, and they are suspected of having cut the wire.' Presentation ■ Nelson, Feb. 13. —A very handsome sword was presented to Mijor Pitt last night by the H Battery of Artillery. Contraband Tars. Wellington, Feb. 13. —At the Police Court,; Captain Dempsey, of the schooner Darcy Pratt, was summoned by the Commissioner of Customs, for carrying seamen who were not on the articles. Being his first offence, he was fined, 10s and costs. Valueless Charges. Feb. 13. At the Police Court to-day Edward Emersficldj charged with issuing four valueless cheques, was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. With reference to the Sunday trading case, His Worship said he would get his decision to day, on the points raised by counsel. ; Dunedin Items. Dunedin, Feb. 13.—Some of the Chinese working atMacetown, obtained a patch weighing five pounds of gold. Four small insolvencies were filed this week.

Water is very scarce in the Cromwell district, and mining is almost at a standstill. ;. "Kieeali In Banco this morning, the Judge granted a rule nisi for a new trial in the case of Mackenzie v. Smith, and suggested that the case should be taken direct to the Court of Appeal, on account of the importance of the points involved. Female Employment’Act. Oamauu, Feb. 13. —At the Magistrates Court to day Daniel Toohcy, a Draper was lined £5, for keeping dressmakers at work after 2 o’clock on Saturday, afternoon. [from our OWN CORRESPONDENT,] Another chance. Christchurch, Feb. 13.—At a private meeting of the mercantile linn referred to the other day the principal creditors decided that the firm should go on as usual.