WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3096, 20 January 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day. This week an official committee will be formed in which the country districts will be represented, with the object of giving a farewell banquet to His Excellency the Governor. [ ,\ A fire broke out at three o'clock this morning, but Owing to the promptness of the Fire Brigade the fire was confined to the inside of the building. It was insured in the New Zealand Office. ! " Notice of motion has been given in the City Council, " That the Tramway Company, in accordance with the. terms of agreement, be required to furnish the Corporation with statements of receipts and disbursements for the term ending with 1878." .:;.■ Mr J. B. Barton, editor of the; New Zealand Jurist, has been appointed assistant law officer of the crown in place of Mr Edward Stafford, who has gone into business. Saturday. The Primitive Methodist Conference continued its sittings yesterday and today. Eeports were presented from the various churches in the Colony of a satisfactory character, and a resolution was passed advocating the formation of an Australasian Conference. The Eevs. Messrs Clover and Guy were ordained. The Gazette to-night declares the following blocks of native lands to be waste lands of the Crown:—Te Onekura, Kaipara, 323 acres; Kaipotiki, Kaipara, 3454 acres. Notice is given of money being paid on, and negotiations going on for the purchase of the following blocks of native lands :—Waihi, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Hauraki District; Paruauku, No. 1, Te Eohui, Otaki District; Opotu, Mangatawhero, Te Keikei, Puketotara, Whanganui District. The powers under Mines Act are delegated to the County Council, Wallace. Section 151, Frazer.town, Auckland, is reserved for a cemetery. A number of former temporary reserves are made permanent. Louis Ehrenfried (Thames) and Edward Parsons (Te Awamutu) are gazetted J's.P. The resignations of Captain Macdonald and Sub-Lieut. Cameron, Thames Scottish, are accepted. The first meeting of the Governors of the Thames High School will be held on the 4th February, at seven •■pirn. The following auditot of School Committees and Education Board accounts is gazetted:— Auckland, Louis Adolphus Durrien';;. also auditor Auckland College and Grammar School. The Mcl bourne regulations' as to Customs drawbacks and several notices to mariners are also published. Mr G. S. Anderson is appointed surveyor, and Mr A. A. Forbes draughtsman in the Surveyor General's office. Mr Studholm's selection is gazetted. The names of the Woodside and Waitoa post-offices at Auckland are altered to Papatoitoi and Morrinsville respectively. ' I It is understood that the New Zealand Shipping Co. will declare a 10 per cent, dividend. > : The National Bank has declared an interim dividend at the rate of 6 per cent:, per annum for the half-year ending 30th September. A deputation from the City Council waited on the Minister for Public Works, to urge the immediate construction of the Railway wharf. Mr Macandrew said that Mr Blackett had already prepared plans, and tenders would be called for as specifications had been prepared—that would be within ten days or a fortnight. There were materials on the ground to the value of £7,000 or £8,000, and there was nothing to hinder the work being proceeded with as soon as specifications were out. The Eoyal Commission to inquire into the Jackson's Bay Special Settlement leave here in the Stella on the 28th. The boy Bacon has made a written confession of the Anchor office robbery, and is further remanded.