WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3143, 15 March 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day.

The executors in the estate of the late W. B. Bhodes, having, owing to some legal technicality, refused to pay more than two thousand pounds probate duty, the Government have instructed that legal proceedings be commenced immediately.

A telegraph boy was stuck up last night near the cemetery, while going to J. B. Wallace's house with messages. A man rushed out of the cemetery gate, catching the boy by the throat and ordered him to turn out his pockets; the boy's cries brought Mr Wallace to the rescue and the man made off.

The evidence on the Hyderabad inquiry contained nothing new. Judgment will be given on Thursday next.

The Sydney Exhibition Commissioners have resolved to inform the local committees of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Duaedin, that they might expect funds up to one hundred pounds in order to meet their expenditure.

The committee appointed to inrestigate the charges of disobedience and insubordination made by the Surveyor General against Henry Jackson, chief surveyor of the Wellington land district, have reported adversely to Jackson, and the Government have decided to call upon him to resign. It is stated that Jackson charges the committee with partiality, and that he intends to petition Parliament for a select committee to inquire into the whole matter.

The Times publishes the following vital statistics for the year ending December, 1878 :—Auckland—Total births, 536 ; deaths, 206. Wellington—Total births, 964; deaths, 295. Christchurch—Total births, 608; deaths, 218. Dunedin— Total births, 962; deaths, 310. Number of deaths of children under one year old, Wellington and Dunedin respectively— Wellington, 124; Dunedin, 87.

An arrangement has been come to today with the creditors of Amelius Smith, by which the matter is removed from the bankruptcy court, and no further proceedings will be taken.

The passengers per Hudson were landed to-day. They are all well dressed and healthy looking.

Mr Jackson, chief, surveyor of the Wellington district, has received intimamation, that if he will send in his resignation, he will receive six hundred pounds compensation for the loss of his office, but if he refuses to resign, he would be dismissed without payment. He has replied that he prefers to receive dismissal.

Friday. It is now known that Sir George Grey will not return to Wellington when the new Governor arrirest

The Post to-night says it is the imperative duty of Sir George Grey to meet, and welcome as Premier, the representative of the Queen. It is a duty he owes to the Crown, to the people whom he represents and to his colleagues. The total amount received towards the Kaitangata relief fund is £640.

Arrived: the ship Hudson, from London. She left on the 14th of November, arid experienced a long passage owing to light winds. Bounded the cape on January 26th, and made land at noon on the 12th inst. The Hudson brings 253 immigrant, all well. There were 5 births on the voyage out, but no deaths.

A cable message received by the Government says the Stadt Haarlem brings 605 immigrants, of whom 346 are for Lyttelton, 220 for Wellington, and 130 for Dunedin. She comes direct to Port Chalmers. The immigrants for

Canterbury will be sent by rail fronvPort Chalmers. She comes to Wellington, and proceeds to Lyttelton to load for Home. The officers of the Telegraph Department have given £60 towards the J£aitangata fund.

Ballinger, the winner of the Champion Belt, is to receive a public reception, and at the Opera House to-morrow Hicks, of the Georgia Minstrels, will present him with a silver cup.

A Gazette issued to-day says the average attendance at the schools of the colony for the June quarter of 1878 was: 47,606 ; for the September quarter 47,864 ; for the December quarter, 50,848. The returns show an increase in tho December quarter of 9,000 over the corresponding quarter of the previous year's estimate. The average attendance for the whole year on whidh rate of educational maintenance was based was 50,000. The September quarter had in round numbers 57,000, and the December quarter 50,000. There was very little difference in the average attendance during the June and September quarters. The number of schools last quarter was 748, and 1,587 teachers. The attendance in the different educational distriots was : —Auckland 8,689 ; Hawke's Bay, 1,580; New Plymouth, 670; W/uiganui, 1,874; Wellington, 3,245; Marlborough, 751; Nelson, 2,709; Weitland, 2,064; Canterbury North; 5,588; Canterbury South, 745; Otjgo, 12,566; Southland, 2,382. Total, 47,864.