LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1491, 20 November 1874, Page 3

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

HOW MR BOWEN'S APPOINTMENT AS MINISTER CAME ABOUT. EXTRAORDINARY ARRES U FOR tORGERYT IN OTAGO. PARTICULARS OF THE COMET CASE. —ACTION FOR SLANuiiR, DUNEDIN. (From our own Correspondent.) This day. The Guardian, commenting on Mr Bo wen's appointment, says it will excite surprise and not a little indignation. He is a connection of Governor Bowen's, a circumstance which can scarcely be considered a fault and evidently is not a misfortune. What influence was excited by his astute relative to bring about the appointment will probably never be known, but taking into consideration the presence of Mr Vogel in the vice-chair, is sufficient seeming of cause and effect to justify the suspicion that the Premier has been cajoled by the blandishments of the Victorian Governor, an irresponsible person, who cannot in any way be brought to account for bis misdeeds, while actually assisting in the Government of the colony, and this under thegform of responsible Government. The question naturally arises, if one, why not two or three, or any other number, and we shall thus some day find ourselves with a Ministry composed of one individual. There is really no limitation to the vicious principles, if once indulged in. It warns them to be cautious, as the acquisition, if it be one, of Mr Bowen as Minister of Justice, will entail a loss of some supporters, and another such mistake may be fatal. The ship Auckland, due here to-morrow, has 360 immigrants. Larrikinism is very prevalent here. Five boys were convicted within the last few days. The police made a peculiar arrest at Oatnaru on Monday. A man forged two cheques, and after an unsuccessful endeavour to utter them, commenced to hunt round town for the police, and ultimately gave himself in charge. In October, the Provincial Government refused to accept an advance by the General Government of £5,300, for bridging the Mauwhenua river, because it is conditional on the plans receiving the approval of the Colonial Engineer. This our Government thought a serious innovation, and declined to take action until the Provincial Council meets. It has since receded from this position, and accepted the money. Madame Goddard arrived per Taranaki this afternoon. The excitement about her is immense. All the box and dress circle seats of the Queen's Theatre are engaged, and her success here is ensured. The Cromwell Company's quartz claim yields well. A 120 ounce cake of gold was produced from 250 ounces of quartz at the last crushing, and is being exhibited at Dunedin. The ciimißal prosecution against Mr McIlroy, the self-assumed Christchurch agent of the barque Comet, before the R.M. of Dunedin, and which resulted in acquittal, as you-have already learned by telegram, arose in this wise. Mr Mcllroy advertised the barque for the Palmer, and took passage money, feut th>» owner of the barque, Mr MilPti, denied Mcllroy'a authority, and tne" Comet did not sail. Several 'miniirs then proceeded against Mcllroy for swindling them out of their passage raoney to tie Palmer rush. It is considered a disgraceful case, and as usual the weaker goes to the wall. Mr Mcllroy was adjudged to -pay damages at a suit heard at Chnstclvufch; the criminal proceedings against hij&> fail. The case does not end here, as M'eilroy has entered an action for damages fofe^defamaiion of character and slander against R. B. Martin. The damages are laid a tle2,ooo. Whatever may be the merits of the case as between Mcllroy and Martin, it is certain that the miners became the victims. They are now walking about the streets here.