(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency.) (From the New Zealand Herald)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 381, 22 October 1874, Page 2

(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency.)

(From the New Zealand Herald )

Auckland, Wednesday. When the jury in the libel case came into Court, Mr Fivth (foreman), slated that lie wished to correct an assertion made for him by the morning papers, to the effect that he had said — " The majority of the jury favored the opinion that the Star articles were libellous ; " it was not f.o. The jury was unable to agree and was discharged. The numbers were, for a verdict of guilty, 4 ; against, 8. Craigs mill and bush, at Whangapoa, was sold to-day for .£f3000 ; Ward was the purchaser. The Superintendent and Mr Holloway left Auck land to-day at 2 o'clock en route for Waik'ato. The meeting of shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand ay.is held to-day, the report shewed a net profit of .£ [5, 70.'5. A dividend nt tho,rate, otMO percent, was declared, with a I'oni'M of 50 per cent, added. The Hon James 1 ; i"ii njiHOii was elected director.

Dunedin, Monday. 'i'lio « Lock-owners in the Tuapek.i and Dnnediu districts have nuft'ored groat loss owing to tho recent .severe weather ; it ia siiid that Messrs Sutherland sind Poison havo'lo.st 2000 hoad. All the single /prl.s by the Invercargill Jmvo found employment 'jit from .£2O to .£32. The demand being much in oxce&K of bupnly. ( >ne married cunple got .£BO, and another JKtiii.

Wellington, Monday. i The following is an extnusD iVom tlio living rnlefc ( for tliu next prize-firmg :— Qualification fdr represenj tat iv cm 'remain the hiiine, though tlio minunum fecore 1 is jncroiised for Iho cavalry fVom 63 \o (>8; for in-

fantry, from 80 to 63. Representatives must }>c t selected by the 12th December. The first selection of infantry (viz., district company representatives) by the 21st November ; tho colonial representatives, by the 19th December. Tho number authorised for the cavalry is reduced from 7to 6, and 1 Armed Constabulary ; the number of infantry, from 43 to 30. The present champions have $o qualify this year. The colonial prizetiring is to take place at the Thames, late in January next. Far cavalry there will be an extra match of 10 shots ai 300 yards, while the 200 yards match is increased 'from 7to 10 shots. There are now 62 shots for the cavalry championship instead of 49. The infantry match for the championship has been increased from 69 to 114 shots, by the addition of i a match of 10 shots at 500 yards and one of seven shots at five ranges between 200 and 600 yajds. Running and rapidity matches .are expunged. Skirmishing retained on, but instead of the scoring being made by individuals, the competitors are to hi divided into squads, and the prizes (li) will be given to the squads making the highest score. In the All Comers' matches, the first is for large bore rifles and the second is for any weapon. " Range prizes" have been introduced. Competitors for district prizes remain the same. The Cadet prizes are similar to last, yd r. Prizes are offered for A rtillery and Naval Volunteers, for Armed Constabulary, and for Native Contingents.

Melbourne, October 15. Although Mr Russell has come to an understanding with the New South Wales Government as to khe Culifornian service, it has not yet been reduced to printing. Mr Russell returns to New Zealand by the Hero. The steamer Macgregor is chartered for the Califomiau servicp and arranged to call at Auckland for mails. Mr Vogel remains in Melbourne until the departure of the next mail for Europe on Tuesday. He visited the Assembly during its sitting. The wool sales opened satisfactorily. A shipment of pure Cotswold sheep, for Busby and Co. of Auckland, was made per Hex'o. The new steamer Somerset, with the Torres' Straits mail, arrived five days before her time.