TELEGRAMS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 366, 20 June 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(From the Dunedin Bailies. ) Wellington, June 17th. A telegram from the Agent-General, dated 2nd June, and brought by the Claud Hamilton, states that the following immigrant ships were despatched "for this Colony : — Reichstag and Strathnaver, for Wellington, with 700 souls ; Lawrence and Carisbrook, for Lyttelton, with 900 ; Corona, Bohn, and Otago, for Port Chalmers, with 1300. Also, shipped during May, rails and fastenings to the extent of 2500 tons; bridgework, 700 tons ; wire, 115 tons ; waggon ironß, 100 sets ; four engines, 30 switches, 98 cylinders, 160 pipes, and six weighbridges. The " Post " says one of the crew of the Chevert (the disabled vessel which put in | here recently) called at their office, and made a statement that, when five days from Newcastle, the weather being fine, a light breeze blowing, and the vessel going about fire knots, Goko — a Tahitian — was sent aloft to furl the main royal, which wag carried away, owing to rottenness of the rigging. * The backstays I broke, and the top mast and Goko went over the side. After getting clear of the rigging, Goko swam after the vessel for half an hour, and notwithstanding the entreaties of the crew and the passengers no attempt was made to pick up the unfortunate man. The only reason given for not doing so was that it was no use losing other lives for the sake of one. Finding on arrival that the loss of a man was not reported, and the rotten condition of the rigging, the Crew were afraid to go in her. June 18. Endeavors are being made towards the establishment o£ a monster Civil Service Club. The outlines of the scheme are said to be £10,000 capital, which is expected to be advanced by General Government debentures. The building is to oontain seventy odd rooms, besides other essentials. Holders of debentures are to allow a deduction of five per cent, from their salaries. ,, A co-operative store for the use of members of the Civil Service is to be attached. Rundel and Basset, of Patea, obtained the contract for erecting. a, railway bridge over Wanganui River, for £15,831. The Collector of Customs is about to hold an official enquiry into the statement made by the sailor of the Chevert. It is since corroborated by another of the crew. It appears, however, that the captain of the Chererfc did report fclie man's loss to ihe French Consul. The officers of the barque Bay he rounded to immediately, but the man sank like a stone. A " Gazette " proclamation announces that telegraphic meesages originating in the Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland may be transmitted through post for delivery in New Zealand with charges for postage. Also, letters addressed to any officer in charge of a telegraph station, and containing no writing other than necessary directions for transmission, will be also free. Auckland, June 17th. Alex. Brown, the youth who gave information to the police of having seen a man set fire to Hobson's Buildings, was arrested to-day, suspicion being that he is" the perpetrator himself. . The Provincial Council was prorogued today. The Superintendent.in his speech said that immigration would have his special attention, both in support of the General Government immigration, and appointments, where desirable, of immigration agents for the province. In reference to the Education Tax, he said it is probable the adjustment of the whole question of taxation, direct and indirect, in this colony must soon take place. He would hesitate to give consent to a measure on behalf of the Governor which would increase direct taxation in this province, lest it prejudice or embarrass any action that may be taken by the Colonial Legislature towards equalising the taxation of the country — embracing, as such action no doubt will, a provision for the educational requirements of the Colony without the necessity foiv^the imposition by legislation of a direct taxation upon a section of the community. He therefore reserved the Education Act for the Governor's pleasure. The Provincial Executive was ousted on the motion of want of confidence. In the Supreme Court to-day, in Banco, the case of FFaser (R.M. at the Thames) v. Reed and Brett (proprietors of the " Evening Star,") which was an application for criminal libel, counsel, on behalf of the defendants, stated that he should offer no objection to making the rule absolute. The rule was accordingly granted. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports : — Sales — Queen of the May, 10s;' City of York, 7s. Buyers — Alburma, £2 2s ; Caledonians, £10 5s ; City of London, £1 6s 6d ; Sons of Freedom, £4 5s ; Old Whau, L 4 15s ; Thames G. M. Co., £3 ss. June 18. Referring to the excitement created in the Colony by the "Pall Mall Gazette " article on "Gold in Samoa," the "Star" points out that Consul Williams, when he first brought the specimens to Auckland, and while they were on view, stated that they were given him just prior to his departure from Apia, and that he 'Was unable to verify the discovery. Doabts "were then expressed regarding the genuineness of the find, on account of the resemblance in the quartz to Thames stone, and from the fact that Green Harp swindlers levanted to Samoa en route for America. Consul Williams promised, on return to Samoa, to forward intelligence back to Auckland, if the discovery was genuine. He then went to Sydney, whence he telegraphed news to Earl Granville' which was published in the "Pall Mall Gazette." The "Star" further says that the news is etale, admitted unreliable, and absurd ; and that the above was known in the Colony six months ago, when specimens were exhibited here, s»nd tested by competent miners, who pronounced them to bo a fraud. In the Police Court to-day, Alex. Brown was charged with incendiarism and remanded, bail being allowed in the sum of £1,300. The Star of the South has sailed for Napier and the South9rn Provinces, being the inauguration of the new arrangement for a service with Fiji. Nelson, June 18. The Governor sailed in the Blanche at one o'clock, and intends if possible to call at Picton . The ball last night was a great success, over 200 persons being present. Gbeymouth, June 18. In the District Court to-day, judgment was given in the action of the Municipal Council v. Hughes and Vl'Carthy, the lessees of the Brunner Coal Mining Company,- for payment of Lll6 odd, the promised contributions towards Mr. Moriarty's fee. Judge Harvey non-suited the plaintiffs, with costs on account of the action being premature on point of ultra vires. He likewise raised the Judge's opinion that the Municipal Council had no right to enter into an engagement for services in connection with the Haroor Works. Lyttelton, June 11.The Northampton was admitt ed to pratique yesterday. The immigrants are progressing favorably. * -

Sad Case ov Suxcipe. — The failure of Dixon of Wangaratta, the well-known miller, is causing wide-spread dismay amongst his local creditors, and has led to the Sflf-destruotion of one man. from a telegram in the Argus we learn that Jackson Orr, Wangaratta, farmer, believing himself mined by giving accommodation bills to Dixon, drowned himself this morning. He left home at eight o'clock, saying he was coming irt to give his proxy to another creditor, and his wife, some hours after, following him, found his body in alagoon near the house. His legs were tied together.