TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1455, 16 January 1886, Page 1

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

The Grand Lodge of the New Zealand Independent Order of Good Templars opened their twelth annual session at the Temperance Hall, Auckland, on^Wednea* day. The Minister of . Public Works on

Tuesday crossed the Punui bridge, by train, it being the first entry of the ‘‘ iron horse ” into the King

The General Survey Department' have prepared a number of excellent maps concerning New Zea 1 and, which are intended for exhibition at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, to be held this year. One of the maps, which have been beautifully executed, shows very clearly in detail the land tenure of New Zealand, along with which is given all important statistics since 1855. Another mkp gives the physical features of New Zealand. Both these maps are'chfawn on the scale of eight miles to one inch. Ten oth'er maps show the localities of the Maori population, the districts in which are 1 to be discovered extinct volcanoes, and a third indicating the manner in which Crown lands are dealt with. The ’subjects are very interesting, and the’ Department deserve every credi f for the manner in which the maps are executed. Telegrams received 1 by Government state that the prospectors who are to roughly search the King country forgoldi made a start on Thursday. Mr Arthur Olaydea, has booked as a passenger for England, by the Tainui on Sunday next. It is understood that Mr Clayden has made arrangements with the Government to lecture in the agricultural counties of England on New Zealand, with a view to the encouragement of small capitalists and farmers. In connection with the enquiry recent narrow escape of collision on the railway at Wellington, between an arriving passenger train and a shunting engine, the driver of the passenger train has been disrated for six months, and the driver of the shunting engine for three months. At the adjourned inquest on John Smith Legge, who died suddenly on Jan. 6th, at Christchurch, the letters of the deceased were produced, which proved that he had poisoned himself by taking chloral. He wrote that he had been driven mad by financial embarrassment, partly caused by going in largely for consultations and sweeps, but , luck was always against him. A. verdict of anieide while temporarily insane was re««lrnedr"~ A case of some importance to tenants was concluded at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on* Wednesday. Jones and others claimed damages from J. G. Buckland, M.H.R., and another for breach of covenant of lease. £2OO was claimed for the non-repair of buildings, etc., £SOO for neglecting to clean the land, and £2OOO for allowing the land to be overrun with couch grass. It was contended for the defence that couch grass was the very best thing for this land, as was proved by its carrying capacity for stock. After a lot of evidence the jury gave a verdict for defendants on all the issues.

Several notices of motion were given at Wednesday’s Presbyterian Synod on the question of a successor to Professor McGregor in the Mental and Moral Philosophy Chair at the University. DrSalmond and Dr Copland, have been proposed, and also a motion that the appointment be left to the University Council. On Thursday a satisfactory report by the Temperance Committee was adopted. All the Ministers of the church save five are pledged abstainers. . A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon

at H. Waite’s eight-roomed residence, Mount Eden, Auckland, which spread to 0. D, Syke’s seven-roomed adjoining. Both were destroyed. The damage is estimated at £2OOO. The Hon. T. M. Slattery, late Minister

for Justice for New South Wales, left by the Te Anau on a tour through the colony. The yearling sister to the MartiniHenri, passed in at the late sale at Sylvia Park, was purchased on Thursday by Mr J. P. Hilson, for 600 guineas. It is understood that the purchase was made on behalf of the Hon. W. Robinson. Another color has been given to the Waikato mystery. Two men named McElroy and Galfoyle, have made a statement to the police that they observed the body floating down the Waikato river on December 20th, some days preceding the discovery of the body that was supposed to be that of Dunbar. Several of Te Kooti’s followers passed Taupo on Thursday morning, and report that Te Kooti has crossed the Kaingaroa Plains with a numerous following, for either Wakatane or Ohinemutu. The Hon. G: R. Johnson, and Messrs J. Stephenson and R. G. Wood have resigned their appointments as J.P.’a, His Excellency the Governor 1 made an olßcial visit to Admiral Tryon on Thursday afternoon, and on returning from the received a salute. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, on Thursday afternoon'Erank VlcDoweP, charged with converting certiin goods the property 1 of Jas. McDowell to his own use, was discharged, i Subsequedtly he was arrested on a charge.of having embezzled two cheques value £34 and £39 respectively, which it is alleged had been paid to him by F. H. Wood of Qreytown, on behalf of Jas. . McDowell. The case was adjourned until the 25th inst. Bail was allowed which accused obtained; A meeting of the Executive Council was held on Thursday, the Governor presiding. Only formal business was transThe ball to Admiral Tryon and the officers of U.M.S.' Nelson, which was held at Wellington on Thursday night,, was largely attended*