TELEGRAMS,

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 419, 23 December 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAMS,

(From tlie Dunedin Dailies. ) WeiaingtON, December 18. The "Gazette" announces that the Hon. Charles C. Bowen has been appointed a member of the Executive Council. He has also been appointed Minister of Justice and Commissioner of Stamp Duties. Lieutenant Irwin Charles Maling. 35th Regiment, has been appointed Secretary ; Lieutenant Lord Hervey Lepel Phipps, of the New Zealand Militia, has been appointed A.D.C. ; Lieutenant R. F. Lepatourel, extra aide-de-camp. Lord Hervey Phipps is appointed a Lieutenant in the New Zealand Militia : the commission is dated December 3. Samuel Herbert Cox has been appointed Assistant-Geol-ogist for New Zealand. It is also notified for general information that the competition for the colonial prizefiring commences at the Thames on Monday, the 25th January. It is currently reported that Mr Travers has declined the appointment of AttorneyGeneral, offered him by the Government, contingent upon Mr. Prendergast's elevation to the Bench. The alleged cause of his refusal is said to be in consequence of a difference of opinion with the Government as to the position which the Attorney-General of the colony occupies under the Act regulating his appointment. December 19th. The Tararua, with the- outward English mail, sailed south at noon. A gentleman passenger stated that on the voyage from Melbourne she encountered a terrific gale, and was hove to for fifty hours. Eighteen valuable draught horses were killed. The life-boat was nearly-washed overboard. The passengers were huddled together in the saloon, and hardly expected to see land again. December 21. Owing to the decision in the Supreme Court, affirming the liability of mail coaches with passengers to pay tolls, the toll-gate keeper presented the coach proprietors with a heavy bill for arrears of tolls refused. The debt was admitted. Measels are prevalent here. Many adults have been attacked. Auckland, December 18. Mr Buckland reports fat cattle from 235. to 28s. per 1001 b; sheep, 235. 4d. to 3Ls. 4d.; lambs, 12s. to 18s ; cows, £6 to £9 ; calves, 30s. to 455, Mr. Binney reports flour, £14 to £14 10s.; oats, 6s. 3d. to 6s. 6d.; wheat, 6s. to 6a 3d.; maize, 6s. 6d.; bran, £7 10s.; pollard, £7 10s. to £8 10s.; ham and bacon, Is. to Is. Id.; cheese, Bd.; butter, lOd. December 19th. Miss Christian, the best contralto that has visited the Colonies, has arrived in the Wonga Wonga. She will make a tour through New Zealand. Cheistchuech, December 18. Market quotations, to. b.: Wheat, 5s 6d.,oats, 6s. to 6s. 3d.; flour, £12 10s, to £13 10s. ; bran. £6 10s. ; pollard, £6 55. ; sharps, £7 ; cheese, Bd, The market is dull. Lyttelton, December 18. An accident occurred at this end of the tunnel. A goods train collided with a shunting engine, smashing a truck, with goods, damaging the engine buffers and buffer plate, and resulting in other small matters, which caused a stoppage for a few hours. Gbahamstown, December 19th. At the Native meeting to-day a number of the most influential chiefs said they were agreeable to give up land for gold-mining as agreed upon at Okinemuri. Four others, amongßt whom were Te Hira and Moananui, objected. Sir Donald M'Lean addressed the objectors, and told them they ought to be glad to let their lands for gold-mining to pay of the tribal debts. The discussion continued with the greatest good feeling. Napiee, December 19fch. Good news has been received from the Poverty Bay Oil Springs. The shaft is down 45ft., and the oil is welling up from the bottom. During the interval between the men leaving work on Saturday night and 10 a.m. next morning 3ft, of oil had accumulated. It is estimated that from eight 'to ten barrels per day are now being obtained without pumping; and it is estimated that 20 times that quantity can be" obtained by pumping. Invebcaegill, December 19th. At the Supreme Court to-day John Brennan, who pleaded guilty to a charge of murderously assaulting the girl Mary Hall, was sentenced to penal servitude for life. Neison, December 21. The first crushing of the Golden Ridge claim, Anatori, yielded 3400z. from 130 tons of stone.