BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 369, 1 July 1874, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Wellington, June 22. The 'Tribune' circulates a rumor that the Government has sold the Luna to a Sydney firm for L 12,000, and that a new vessel to replace her is now on her way to England. Auckland, June 22. All doubt regarding- the fate of the cutter Agnes, with three men aboard, is settled by the discovery of portions of the wreck. The contract for the completion of the Kaipara Railway to Riveihead was signed to-day for L 13,000. It is to be completed in six months. Mr Falloon is the contractor. The ' Star ' has published three columns of statements re the escape of Communists from New Caledonia, tending to show that they were expected aboard the P.C.E., and that the captain and mates went ashore the night before sailing. The Communists going aboard in their absence indicates complicity with the French authorities. Alexandra, June 22. The Kingites have written to the Government, refusing to allow vessels to enter the Mokau as agreed by Wetere. Ltttelton, June 22. Among the Northampton immigrants, two cases of scarlet fever broke out on Saturday, a nurse and a boy. Comments appear in thelocal papers as to the unsuitableness of the locality, if V>«ir> ff t-nr. ~*. 1 C J. J Invercargill, June 22. The girl Mary Hall, who was murderously assaulted on the 15th instant, having recovered full possession of her faculties, another deposition was taken to-day. SHe identified Brennan as the man who struck her. She saw him take the adze from behind a door in the kitchen. The day before the assault, Brennun said there would be death in McCarthy's house before he left it. On one occasion he had attempted to take liberties with her. Gretmouth, June 22. On Monday the steamer Waipara, bound for Hokitika, while waiting to cross the bar early on the tide, took the ground on the South Spit, where she remained till the evening, after high water, when she floated off, but drifted amongst the breakers to the southward, and eventually drifted ashore on the south beach, about half-a-mile from the river mouth. The position of the vessel is a dangerous one, as there is a heavy sea'rolling along the shore. Wellington, June 24. The Goveinor and Lady Fergusson were at Miss Alice May's benefit last evening. Over 1,000 persons were present. It was the greatest house ever seen in Wellington; 500 people were sent away, and the lessees refused to sell more tickets at 7.20. "The enthusiastic audience showered bouquets, the demand for which exceeded the supply at the florists. The Luna proceeds North to-day, and wilT bring back the Northern members of the General Assembly. Christchurch, June 24. In the Provincial Council last night an Ordinance introduced by the President of the Executive, giving'the Superintendent power to dismiss his Executive during any session of the Provincial Council, was thrown out by 19 to 17. A resolution was carried to the effect that intending travellers by railway be allowed to purchase tickets during any time of the day, either at the railway stations or certain specified places in the various centres of population, such ticket to be only available for the day of issue. An Ordinance introduced by the President of the Executive for making over all fees received in municipalities on account of dog tax, publicans' and auctioneers' licenses, to the respective municipalities in which they are received, was thrown out by 19 to 14. Alexandra, June 24. The aukati is now broken, and produce is timing in." "Wellington, June 24. No eligible tender having been received by the N.Z.S.S. Company's manager, foi the purchase of their steamers, it has been decided to sell them by public auction on 24th July. Six thousand shares in the new Colonial Bank have been allotted (? applied for) during the last two days. Invercargill, June 25. At a meeting of the Southland Waste Land Board to-day, Mr Brown's application for a saw-mill license in Winton forest was reconsidered. There were present, Messrs Mitchell, (in the chair), M'Arthur, and Baker. In favor of Mr Brown's application were Messrs M'Arthur and Mitchell. The final consideration was deferred for a full meeting of the Board on the second Thursday in Jaly. Palmerston, June 25. This afternoon, at Shag Valley, near Palmerston, James Cochrane, a public carrier, en route to the gpldfields, while attempting to alight from his 'dray accidentally fell to the ground, and the wheel passed over one of his legs, which is badly broken. The sufferer will be sent on to Dunedin forthwith. Invercargill, June 25. The Superintendent arrived here by the Wanganuni to-day, en route for Riverton, to turn the first sod of the light railways. Wellington, June 25. The Governor has fixed the sittings of the Dunedin District Court to be held in the Resident Magistrate's Court on the last Monday in each of the months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, Octpber, and November. The first of such sittings to be held on the last Monday in July next, provided nona of these days fall upon a holidaa, in which case the Court is to be held on the next day. Fixed sittings of the District Court of Otago Goldfields :— Resident Magistrate's Court, Naseby, second Wednesday in August next ; Magistrate's Court, Clyde, the Monday next after the second Wednesday in August; Magistrate's Court, Queenstown, on Monday after second Wednesday in August ; Magistrate's Court, Lawrence, second Tuesday in September next. His Excellency has accepted the resignation of Commodore Goodenough, R.N., of his seat in the Executive Council of New Zealand,

t, Auckland, June 26. n The deputies from the Colonial Bank met the :e Brokers' Association and discussed the question c re the allotment of shares. The Auckland >f deputies promised that 40,000 should be allotted r to Auckland, and if an excessive number were applied for, a local committee would be ap1 pointed to supervise the allotment. 3 A.UCKLAND, JUNE 26. i The charge of incendiarism at Hotson's i Buildings against the youth Alexander Brown, l a soh of Samuel Biown, property owner, Shortl land street, commenced to-day. The 'Herald' s shipping reporter stated that, subsequent to the i fire, Brown ur^ ed him to advocate in that paper the granting him a reward for discovering the fire and saving the block. The evidence of the Inspector of Police chiefly related to the contradiction in prisoner's version of having seen a man do the deed and run away, and the discovery of a portion of a ' Juwish Chronicle,' lampwicks, rags, &c, which were identical with other portions of the same articles found in the house of the accused's father. The case will last several days. June 27. _ The Chamber of Commerce passed a memorial to the General Government, protesting against the pamphlet issued by Dr Featherston, in which Auckland is "compared unfavorably with other Provinces. Christchorch, June 26. In the Provincial Council, Mr Andrews moved — " That the time has arrived when cremation, or burning human bodies, be adopted, in order to prevent the pollution of the ground which results from burying such bodies ; and that a sum be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of establishing the most approved system of cremation." Sir Cracroft Wilson. said he seconded the motion with great pleasure. A short discussion ensued, during which no positive objection was made to cremation ; but a general opinion was expressed that the time had not yet arrived for bringing it into operation. Ultimately the motion was withdrawn.