Telegraphic Despatches.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 359, 27 May 1874, Page 2

Telegraphic Despatches.

(From our own Correspondent.) Dunbddt, May 2Q\ 9 a.m. The race* yesterday were run under disadvantageous ' circumstances^ a heavy rain falling. The attendance was about 600. Result : Hurdle Race — Kildare, 1 ; The Pluin^ 2 ; Falcon, 3. Trotting Race — Tommy, 1 ; Maggiej -2 ; Jessie, 3, Maiden Plate — Congrieve, 1 ; Miss Kbwe, 2 ; Baroness Burdett, 3. Selling Race - Wee Lad, 1 ; Schoolboy, 2 ; Gamester, 3. Birthday Handicap— Mabel, 1 ; Miss Rowe, 2 ; Baroness Burdett, 3. Butchers' Race— Magenta, 1 j Donald, 2 ; Bain, 3. Consolation — Envy, 1 ; Earl of Lynne, 2. A distressing boat accident, resulting in the drowning of four young men, took place in the Bay yesterday afternoon. Seven young men left Dunedin in a boat, purposing to visit T;he regatta at Port Chalmers. They had sailed down to the cross channel near the Quarantine Island, when a heavy squall struck the boat, and the sheet having been foolishly made fast, she immediately capsized, and four out of seven occupants were drowned. One swam ashore, and two were rescued from' the bottom of the boat, to which they clung after she oapsized. The four who were drowned were named Andrew Skene, Fra,nk Cassell, Frank Butterfield, and William Liuton. The City of Adelaide is at Auckland with the English 'Frisco mails 7.59 p.m. The statement that the Corporation have succeeded in purchasing the Water Works is contradicted ; but negotiations are still in progress. The bodies of the four men drowned yesterday have not yet been recovered. At the inquest to-day on the body of Isabella Tasaey, found dead in the Bristol House yesterday, a verdict of died from overdose of laudanum was returned. The. Waste Lands Committee reported to the Provincial Council to-day on the petition of the residents of Crooksfcon and Tuapeka districts, that while not justified from the evidence before them in recommending the opening of speoial blocks asked for, strongly recommended the Government to open up such blocks as may be deemed advisable convenient to the land occupied by the petitioners. Message No. 13 from the Superintendent was read, recommending the setting apart for settlement on the deferred payments system of land in various parts of the province, in all about 30,000 acres. Mr. Haalett moved, "That the Hospital Ordinance be amended so as to provide that the Hospital Surgeon be elected by subscribers who have paid a subscription of not less than 10s. three months before the day of election." Mr. Hallenstein moved, "That the Ordinance should be amended in the direction of giving HoaS'tal Committees power to eleot surgeon." c said he was sorry to have to state that at present it was frequently the case that the best drinking man was chosen, because puhlioans had such great influence on the golilflelds. The amendment was accepted by Mr. Haalett and agreed to. May 27, 9.10 a.m. The iniquitous incarceration of the man Stead in the Dunedin Gaol by Sheriff Watt, is causing great indignation. A meetiug is to be held in the Athenaeum, to raise funds to pay the debt and procure his release, A vessel has been laid on for Svnoa rush. Mr. Ireland yesterday, in the Provincial Council, brought forward his motion to abolish compulsory reading of the Bible in public schools, making it optional for Committees to have it read or not. Mr. Lnmsden moved an amendment,, "That reading the Bible should be dis* continued in the public schools in the Province." After discussion, the amendment was carried by 20 votes against 16. Mr. Fish's resolution for the abolishing of the High School was thrown ant on division by 25 votea to 12.