NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4260, 25 March 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB __883 AGENCY.] Auckland, March 21, A lunatic named Fd ward Kelly, who had been brought from Huia on Sunday, attempted to commit suicide by drowning himself. . He was saved by a workman named Collins. Mr McGregor's new steamer the Glenelg, for the Tauranga trade, arrived this morning in company' with the Argyle. The cause of the breakdown was that the coal ran out. Wellington, March 24. It is understood that Governor Bobinson will only make a very short stay at Wellington, and proceed almost immediately after his arrival to Auckland in a man-of-war, and from thence make a tour of the whole colony. At Parihaka, the Native Minister had a conversation with Te Whiti on Saturday. Pressure was put on Te Whiti by his people to speak. Mr Sheehan having addressed the meeting, demanded the surrender of Hiroki, to be tried at the Supreme Court. Te Whiti constantly interrupted Mr Sheehan while speaking, and in half an hour's harangue accused him of stealing the Natives' land, and said he would not talk to a < thief. Te Whiti also said if the Supreme Court could not come thereto try Hiroki he should hot go to the Supreme Court, as he had claimed his (Te Whiti's) protection. All that could be got out of Te Whiti was a passionate tirade. He would not discuss anything. A "Gazette," dated Friday evening, but issued to-day, notifies that the sheep districts of Napier, Canterbury, mid Otago are clean sheep districts, and Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland infected districts. All inspectors of sheep are appointed to receive the rate upon sheep and other fees under the Sheep Act. Mr P. B. Bo_ton, of Christchnrch, is appointed Chief Inspector of Sheep. Messrs Reginald Foster (amberley), R. T. Holderneas (Christchnrch), James McDonald (Timaru), R. M. Pasley (Amuri) are appointed Inspectors of Sheep. Blenheim, March 24. On Thursday last, at 8 in the evening, the ketch Unity, 43 tons, Thomson master, coming from Lyttelton, with 63 tons of flour for Wellington, was approaching Cape Campbell when a squall sprang up and blew a heavy gale from S to W. The vessel first touched the Sandstone Rock, and about five minutes later struck on North Beefs. All hands, five in number, got into the boat, and the vessel broke up in twenty minutes. The crew reached the lighthouse after eight hours' pulling, where Handly, the keeper, showed them great kindness and lent them clothes. They reached hereon foot last night. The vessel wa_ owned half by the master and half by Captain Thomas, of Wellington. Dunedin, March 24. The Mayor and City Councillors, accompanied by Mr Massey (Town Clerk), Mr Mirams (City Surveyor), Mr Campbell (Civil Engineer), Mr McKay, and the representatives of the Press made aa exearsion to-day as far as Silverstream, with the object of inspecting the works now in progress in connection with the water supply. [FBOM OUB OWN COBBESFOND-NTS.J New Pit—outh, March 2*. The Parihaka March meeting has terminated without any result of a useful kind Procrastination is Te Whiti's last card, and he is pLying it well. lam afraid he will, before long, begin to lose his influence, which he has always used for the interest of peace. But he m very cunning, and may find some new ground to go upon, which will maintain bis present position. The Maoris have carted one survey camp and equipmenjs off the Waimate Plains. The surveyor, Skeet, is now in Hawera. No violence was offered, as far as I can hear. Ido not anticipate any open ruptnre of peace, if the Government are judicious and firm. m - Timabu, March 24. Tha steam crane i» now completed, and--)

set in motion on the breakwater tbia morning. It workt-d capitally, hioviiig smoitoly, anrl i lifting and lowering blocks easily. Tho official 1 test wil 1 probably tako piaco in about a week's time, when the cogs, &c, have had the rough- i ncsa worn off thani , ' A boy sixteen years of age, named Eli Jones, i was sentenced to six months with hard labor to- ' <"Uy, for indecent exposure. ! The Geraldiue County Council meets to- 1 morrow. The Raukaptika riding representative on Saturday received a very numerously signed ' petition, requesting kini to vote against the Act I being brought into force or resign. He pro- * mised to do the former. The Temnka sh'>w, to be held on Thursday, promises to be more successful than previously. At the opening services of St. Mary's School Church yesterday, the offertory amounted to nearly .£6O. The Primate preached both morning and evening. ' Den-DIN, M*reh 24. At the City Police Court, Morris Hepner was fined 20s for a breach of Bradshaw's Act. An important case is likely to come before Mr Bathgate in connection with the Act. Oa race days several apprentices absented themselves from work, and one employer having deducted wages on that account they left. The point on which the Magisterial ruling is sought is whether factory employes can take advantage of holidays proclaimed by local authorities. Invekcargill, March 24. Tbe volunteer demonstration committee havo decided not to take the cadets on the ground. There is not enough billetting accommodation for them and the men this season. This reason having been given to the Christchurch cadets, the latter have returned an answer regretting the lack of accommodation, and announcing their intention of bringing their own tents. The committee are so much pleased with the pluck of the boys, that they will probably let them come. The Bluff Harbor Board has a meeting on Friday to consider the request of the contractor for an extension of time for building the wharf, and to be allowed to u?e Oregon pine instead of local timber, because the mills are so busy on Government and other works that they cannot keep tbe contractor supplied. Large numbers of sheep are being sent here from Canterbury ay.d Olago. Another large train from Deborah station, Oamaru, had 1520 aboard last night. [Press Special "Wire.] Patea, March 24. It ia rumored that the Natives have determined to remove all tho surveyors from the Waimate Plains to Hawera forthwith. Wellington, March 24. When the liquidators waited at the New Zealand Steam Company's offices to-day to rpon tenders for tbe purchase of the steamers, it was fonnd tbey had not been sent in. The Native Minister arrived here to-day. The plans for the Wellington and West Coast railway are practically complete. It is thought that the line likely to be adopted is the one suggested in 1870 for the main line from Wei ington northwards, before it was thought of taking a line by way of. Wairarapu. The "Post" says it is authoritiwjly informed that there is no truth in a statement which has found currency that the Natives have raised obstacles by refusing to sell the land to the Government. ; t appears that the land is already proclaimed, which effectually prevents private purchasers interfering. The negotiations for completing the purchase are expected to be closed shortly. The Native i are represented to be anxious to dispose of the land now required, so as to give increased value to the remainder. The cook of the Loch Fergus, who was yesterday knocked down with a handspike by one of the apprentice?, has been unconscious ever since, and the doctors think tha skull is fractured, and that there is effusion of blood on the brain, and that the injury is likely to prove fatal. The apprentice who committed the assault was brought up ta-day und remanded, Banks, the cook, being unable to appear. Captain Roberts, of the Hermione, has appealed to the Supreme Court for a rule calling upon the Collector of Customs to show cause why he refuses to consent to the discharge of the two Eeamen belonging to the Hermione now in harbor. The rule will be argued to-morrow. The Stewarts opened to a woli-fillcd house on Saturday night. Aftar the season here they go to Wanganui, and after playing a few nights there will proceed to Christchurch. Blenheim, March 24. Charles Bright's lecture oa the Bible and its use in Education was well attended last evening. He will lecture on —volution to-night, and goes to Wellington on Tuesday