The Te Puke Survey to commence.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 349, 12 January 1876, Page 3

The Te Puke Survey to commence.

(FROM OtTB OWN COBBBSPOKDENT.) Makbtu, Tuesday evening. The township is busy to-day with natives flocking in to meet Messrs Mitchell and Young, the Government Land Purchase Agents. These gentlemen have made arrangements with the several sections, and the survey of the Te Puke block begins on the 24th iastant. On the completion of that Important work a general meeting of the tribes will take place to recoivo the balance of the consideration money. aud European occupation may then follow. Great interest is manifested in the" approaching Maori election. All the Arawa will stick to Kepa or Hikairo against Karaitiana ; one of the former will retire.

TEB PBESB AGENCY. The Cook's Strait Cable. Lysll Bay, Monday evening*. On. board the Luna yesterday several attempts were made to again pick up the cable; but failed. Owing to the wind and tide being so strong it broke a prong off one grapnel, and straightened out other prongs. The wind freshened and sea rose, so that it was impossible to do anything, and the Luna put back to Oterangi. Wind strong all night ; weather was looking a little better at noon. Went out for another try, but found it quite impossible to work. Turned about and came into Lyell Bay so as to be able to telegraph to town for anything wanted. Provisions and water getting short, and the if weather is not more favorable to-morrow, will probably go to Wellington and take in provisions, coal, and water before making another stare. Will go out again to-mor-row morning ttt three if the weather is fine, so as to be on the ground early. The Luna was employed all yesterday and Sunday dragging for the cable, but unsuccessfully, until about 9.30 yesterday,, when she hooked the cable, but wien about twelve feet from the surface the shackle of the grapnell carried away, and the chain and cable all! went to the bottom. Bearings were taken, and at last accounts operations had re-commenced. Soundings a* yet average 90 to 100 fathoms ;, bottom generally fine gravel and shells with occasional rocks. Wellington, Tuesday evening, No news from the Luna to-day. The s.s. Tui, when crossing the Straits this morning: with Southern telegrams, saw nothing of her ; she must havo sought shelter from the strong gale which Captain Kennedy, per Easby, reports. The sea is now too rough to grapple the cable. Aschool of 26 porpoises were washed ashore at Lyell's Bay this morning. They are high and dry on the beach. The Elections. Weixingtoit, Tuesday evening. . . Totara election : Tribe (old member), ,117 i'; Comeskey, 47. All the returns are not in, but the result will not be altered. Manawatu eleotion : State of th'o poll: — Johnston, 191; Buller, 16 i

thecontest was a very close one. The distriot: gave Buller a small majority, but the 30 votes from "Wellington polled- at 1 Pakahariki swamped him. " The Commissioner of Customs obtains a large majority. Port. Chalmers, Tuesday evening. The Port Chalmers election took plaice to-day, and despite the efforts of the Superintendent and the AntiCeatralist League, Mr Reynolds proved victorious. The votes polled being — Reynolds, 241 ; Green, 185; majority for Eeynolds, 56. Dujstedin, Tuesday evening. Coinjrtete returns for the "Wakatip election give Manders (Provincialist) a majority of 61 over Bradshaw. Oamaru, Tuesday evening. "Waituke election : Two Provincialists have been returned by a large majority — Heslop, 335 ; Shimskie, 266; Steward, 175; Omeagher, 98.