NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1995, 21 April 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Satuuhy. Sir Juiius Yiu.u. this afternoon le ceived a cablegram fiom the Agent General stating that the prospects of peace an 1 jet gloomy. The (iovcrnnioiit have cabled to the Agfnt Clcntral to piocure and forward 2000 stiud of tlie latest nnlitaiy rifle (the Maitini-Huiry) to the colony, together with all necessary appointments. The Newcastle Herald of the 11th Apnl has a p.uagiaph as follows :— " i'lic Anieiio.in schooner (Quickstep arrived liere yesterday 11101 iiini^ from Melbourne Captain Jaolw tupoits that on tho Gth, when '25 miles from Cape Howe, he passed a KusMan sloop ot war steeling W.S. W., coming fiom the oust- ward, but had no communication with her. She had fore and nit canvas, and was i •teaming." A supplementary (Gazette, issued today, contain* the new i emulations on the ! (jovernment Insurance Association Act, ! and also a number oi new tables. The result of the local option polling for tli» Lambtou vVacd wa» in favour of I additional licenses by 4(j to 3-3. lii the Divorce Court, in the cane of Monkton v. Monk ton, His Honour refused, with regret, » decree «m. He | considered tlie ca&e of an unprecedented natuie, but the present law gave him no option, cuielty in the eye of the law not iiaving been proved. He expressed a hope that the caae would lead to the | amending of the Deceased Wife's Sister* Act, winch deptived a woman of all remedy in such a cake as the present. The local option polling for Thorudon Licensing District resulted in power being given to increase the hotels in the wa>d. Theie was only a majoiity of one.

Monday. Tlio Hon. Mr Balknce and Colonel Reader n. turned rather hurriedly from the South yesteulny. Mr Ballnuce says there is no special reason for his hasty return, though he received a telegram requesting hid immediate presence in Wellington. The Governor is anxious that the defence scheme should be more vigorously carried out, and owing to the absence of Miuistera from Wellington the work was being delayed. The Minister for Public Works returns to Wellington by the Coptic on Thuiaday.

TIMARU, Sunday. The Defence Minister has agreed to accept the act wcea of the Timaiu Rifle Yolunteeis. The company roll ia being rapidly filled up. Over 50 names were signed last night.

DUNEDIN, Sunday. The Otago KarJy History Society held a highly successful conversazione on Friday night. Amongst many interesting exhibits was Tasmau's cliait of New ZtalaniJ, 203 yuars old, obtained by Dr Hockeu ou a recent visit to Europe.

Monday. A creditor's petition to adjudicate David Proudfoot, the well-known contractor, a bankrupt, camo before the icgistrar to day, and adjudication was granted. Proudfoot is at present on hit way back from New Mouth Wales, w hero he lia-s large contracts on hand.