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Southland Times, Issue 1564, 16 April 1872, Page 2

It is rumored that Mr H. J. Tancred has joined the Ministry, but the report wants confirmation. Telegraphic communication with Auckland was opened on the 13ch mat. Office hours are > from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. A scarcity of potatoes is expected ia Wanganui this winter, in consequence of the crops being nearly all destroyed. It is said that several miners from the Danstan district have taken their departure for the South African diamond fields. We understand that the injury to the Nevada's machinery is but slight, and that she will be in perfect order and readiness to leave Auckland on the 18th instant. At a meeting of the Education Board, held in Dunedin on the 11th insi., communications from the Riverton and Groper's Bush committees were referred to the Inspector for report. The Superintendent of Canterbury has been authorised to exercise all the powers and functions delegated to his Excellency the Governor under the " Contagious Diseases Act, 1869." The Suez March mail, with detailed advices via Briadisi, up to February 23, was due at Melbourne on April 11, and may possibly arrive by the Alhambra, due to-day. The local paper says that a movement is on foot in Oamaru for the closing of business establishments on Thursdays at 1 p.m., and on other days (Saturdays exceptei) at 6 p.m. At the meeting of the Otago Waste Land Board, held in Dunedin on the 10th inst., the plan submitted with the application of Mr Tru mble for a pre-emptive right on his run, was approved of. The Kaikorai contract of the. Southern Trunk Railway was declared fiaished on the 9th inst. The final certificate was granted to the contractor, Mr A. J. Smyth, next day, and the works taken ofF his hands. Mr M'Leod contradicts the statement of hie appointment as General Government Immigration Agent, and ol his intention to resign his seat , for the Bay of Islands in the- H->use of Representatives. Typhoid fever, it would appear from the Thames papers, has broken out in that district. Dr. Lethbridge, who reported the matter to the Waiotahi Highway Board, attributes thefaotto defective drainage. By the ship Warwick, from London, which arrived at Port Chalmers on the 10th inst., 180 tons of rails, fastenings, and plate-layers' tools have been received for the Clutha Railway, as also about 500 tons of iron girders for the Waitaki Bridge. At the nomination of candidates for the representation of Port Chalmers in the Provincial Council, Messrs Dench, O'Donoghue, M'Dermid, MKenzie, Pitt, and Millar were duly proposed and seconded. Mr Millar stated he had do intention of contesting the election. The poll rakes place on the 18th inst. The Town Council held its weekly meeting on Friday evening. The business was chiefly of a rout ne character. The tender of Mr J. Henderson for gravelling Jed-street, £20, was accepted. The Town Surveyor's application for an increase of salary was favorably regarded, but decision on the question wus postponed for one month. The following rents were obtained for the undermentioned Educational Reserves, leased by auction at the Land Oifi.ce on Friday : — Arable land— New River District, block 13, section 65, 40 acres, J. H. Menzies, 5s 3d per acre ; do, block 13, section 17, 43 acres, M. Coulson, 2s. Invercargill District, block 14, part section 26, 20 acres, EL A. Giller, 3s. Land — Aparima '. District, block 4, sections 14. 15, 16, 18 to 25, I 12U9 acres, John Russel!, K. W. Williams, lOd.