INTERPROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5755, 28 February 1884, Page 6

INTERPROVINCIAL ITEMS.

AUCKLAND. The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company has written to the Waste Lands Board, abandoning the idea of purchasing blocks of land on the overland route from Hawke's Bay to Waikato, which they previously applied for as cattle driving stations. The letter proceeds to ask the Board to recommend the Minister of Lands to have these blocks set apart as permanent reserves for stock-driving purposes, and requests the Government to have the said. sections fenced in and sown in grass. The communication was read at a meeting , of the Waste Lands Board today. It was decided to refer it on to the Minister for Lands. A general meeting of the New Zealand Tobacco Growing and Manufacturing Company was held. It was reported about onehalf of the total shares of the Company had been applied for and allotted. It was resolved to start manufacturing operations at once. Mr Vollbracht, working manager, was isstructed to get his cigar makers together and commence manufacturing upon a few cons of leaf left over from last year's growth. Beports received from farmers now engaged in growing the leaf are most favorable The New Zealand Timber Company have declared a dividend of 10 per cent. Captain Vine Hall, of Sydney, is engaged in making a searching investigation on behalf of the London underwriters into the circumstances attending the sale of the Triumph, recently stranded on Tiritiri. It is stated that Mr Fraser, purchaser of the Triumph, has received notice from the underwriters that the legality of the sale will be disputed. Messrs Kussell and Campbell have been acting as legal advisers in the matter, and the probability is that if evidence adduced when submitted to the underwriters appears to justify them in resisting the claim, they will do so, leaving the owners to sue for the amount, and to settle the question of sale as thej please. The Penguin brings the following Fijian news : —"A formal communication has been received from the Premier of New Zealand, acknowledging the receipt of a petition designating New Zealand as a colony to which the colonists of Fiji j desire to be attached, and asking! for assistance in their - endeavor to bring about such union. Major Atkinson promised to lay the petition before his colleagues, and further to communicate with the representatives of the colony concerning its snbject. The labor schooner Winifred has arrived at Suva. She brings Mr Coll and the boatswain of the Windward Ho, who were taken from that vessel, one suffering , from a bullet wound and one from a spear thrust. The Su%'a " Times " says Gregg, so well known in the colony as the energetic and popular manager for Messrs James McEwan and Co., has been appointed by that firm its representative in Australia and New Zealand." Mr Bryce has stopped tho Government pension allowed to the Chief Rewi in consequence of his recent action re surveys. Kβwi is believed to have been animated by jealousy of the importance attached to VVahanui, and also he was influenced by favourable feelings towards 'X awhaio. It is expected that the Wanganui chief Topia and Henere Tomoana will accompany Tawbaio to England. At a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, the President stated that at the request of the Premier three Indian mongooses, which bad been presented to him by the New South Wales Government, had been received into the gardens, and were.being kept for him there, the climate of Auckland being especially suited to them. As soon as sufficient stock had been obtained from them it was intended to experiment with them in the South Island as rabbit exterminators.

Judgment has been delivered by Judge Macdonald in the Lands Court as to the ownership of Little Barrier Island. He reverses the decision of previous Judges, and awards the property to Temawerau. It has been six tune 3 before the Court and four times decided. The Natives are in treaty to sell this land to Government, who wish, to possess it, as it may be used at some time or other for defence purposes. Mr Sw&nson has declared his determination to resign his seat for Newton after the next session. Mr Peacock, the present member for City North, and Mr ÜBton, stationer, have already announced their intention to stand for the seat whenever the vacancy arises. At an interview which the "Waikato Times" correspondent had with Eewi at Kikihi, Eewi stated his reison for goings over to Tawhaio was that by so doing he might be successful in gaining over the King and partner to his views ; also, that he thus prevented violence to the surveyors and quarrelling among the Natives, lie desired to see the work of sors-ey proceed, and he is afraid that any marked leaning to pakehae would give offence to Natives.

, Mr J. 0. Firths attempt to import humble bees has again been unsuccessful On th.fr boxes ibein?' opened at Mataurathey were all dead but two, which appeared ; healthy and flew away.. He has determined ■ to sendlor a fresh importation. Tawbiao arrived from Waikato on Feb. 13 accompanied by Tv Tawbiao (bis eldest soul, Te Wheoro, M.H.R, a Wanganw chieF, and two other chiefs. *Hia visit haa, aid political object, but to arrange certain' matters before going to England. Tβ 'Wheoro intends going, also two or three northern chiefs, and it is understood McTJeth will accompany the party. The date is not exactly- &c«d, pending communications from Southern chief?. Tawhiao intends interviewing the. Abominee' Protection Society with a view te making representations to the Secretary of State for Colonies and Parliament as to alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitanei. The City Council award first prize for the Public Library and Art Gallery design to Messre Granger and Debbor, Melbourne, and second to Mr Wales, Dunedin. The prize is awarded subject to the tenders being within the stipulated estimate of £21,500. The estimate of cost made by the Conncil'e architect is .£40,000. Major Ureen, Sheriff, with- AssistantSurveyor, and two mounted constables, proceeded to the famous Pukekura block, near Cambridge, to give effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Walker and party against the grantees of Pukekura regarding the possession of these lands. Horses of the Natives, eeventy-six in number, were seized, with other property, to be sold at Cambridge in satisfaction of the damages of .£BOO awarded Walker by the Supreme Court. The Sheriff explained te the Natives that he had that day handed over possession of the land and all thereon in the name of the Queen to Walker, and as now they remained on the land at his pleasure ne could proceed to destroy their whares and to pull them down. There were in all about twenty Natives on the block, others having recently cleared off. The Sheriff and party have gone out again to complete the process. Messrs Bryce and Kolleston had a con- i ference with the Natives at Ohinemutu on Feb. 17, re the Eotorua township leases, and the working of the Thermal Springs Act. The Ministers warned the Natives not to be biassed by interested Europeans, and stated that the Government were only defeated as regards the Eotorua leases in the minor Court, but shortly the case would be tried in the Supreme Court, when doubtless the matter would take another turn. The meeting adjourned till Monday, in forder to give the tribe time to concentrate their grievances and bring them before the Government through one spokesman. Ministers privately met in the Court House* Ohinemutu, (Feb. 18) seven young chiefs of the Ngatiatiuakaroa, the principal chiefs refusing to meet them. The Ministers being unable to satisfy the Natives with their action regarding the township and other matters, the Natives positively refused to grant any land for railway, and withdrew their former offer to the Directors of the Bailway Company of a considerable area. Ministers informed them they would suffer for the decision arrived at. The trig surrey of the Native territory ia being rapidly proceeded with. Cussen, who is in charge of the party, has been as fax as Tuhua, at the head of the Wanganni river, seeking the most commanding point for trig stations. The Natives have in every instance been most favorably disposed, taking contracts for clearing sites and erecting trig stations. The New Zealand Tobacco Company have taken premises in the Beach road, and expect shortly to be employing 150 men in the manufacture of tobacco. CAMBRIDGE. A party of gentlemen arrived here overland from Napier on Jan. 81, having driven ia a coach over the entire route via Taupo and Eotorua. They drove over the new road through the bush, and their coach was theifirst to pass over the new road. GISBOENE. There has been an explosion of petroleum gas in the South Pacific Company's bore, which has filled with loose debris 80ft of the bottom of the hole. This, however, is below the pipes, and as the boring tools were out at the time, no harm is done beyond the necessity of taking ont the staff.. It is thought this shows certain nearness of oil. NAPIEB. The Harbor Board on February 19th, adopted Mr GoodalTs plan for a breakwater to cost .£107,000. WANGANUI. At the E.M. Court; three Maories—two men and one woman—were committed for trial at the Supreme Court for burning down a whare at Murimutu on May Ist last. A dispute arose between two tribes as to the title of a piece of land about to go through the Land Court, and the defendants burnt the wharc tc eject the occupants—a Maori woman and her European husband—whom they - regarded as intruders. Bail was allowed, and Topia became surety. * WELLINGTON. The nominations for .immigrants forwarded by the outgoing mail on Feb. 3, were—Auckland 135 souls, Taranaki 1, Napier 26, Wellington 88, Marlborough 7, Nelson 7, Hokitika 2, Christchurch 88, Otago 51, InvercargUl 29. The amount received was £1058 2s 6d. Tbe following are the nationalities —Single women: English 51, Irish 64, Scotch 19; single men: English 16, Irish 32, Scotch 6, foreign 4. The remainder are families. The immigration and emigration retnrns for the last month are as follows:—lmmigration—Auckland, 643; Wellington, 515; Napier, 3; Greymouth, 17; Hokititca, 3; Lyttelton, 373; Dunedin, 410 j Invercargill, 664. Total, 2628. Emigration—Auckland, 298; Wellington, 109; Napier, 17; Greyi mouth, 10; Lyttelton, 81; Dunedin, 5; Invercargill, 340. Total, 860. The above returns do not include Timaru and Westport, which are not yet to hand. The number of Chinese who arrived in the colony last month was 3, while those who left the colony were 21. SOn Wednesday, Feb. 7th. Donald Smith, rmerly farmer at Opaki, but recently residing at Carter ton, was about to again remove his household goods to Master ton, and left home to purchase some biscuits prior to starting. Since then he has not returned, and nothing authentic can be ascertained of hie whereabouts. His friends have been searching, thinking he may have met with an accident. He was observed to cross the paddock opposite his house instead of taking the roid to the store, but nothing was thought of it at tie time, until hia continued absence gave cause for alarm. A meeting of shareholders of the Titanic Steel and Iron Company was held fan Feb. 12th, to consider the affaire of the company. The debt of the company was stated to be .£1792, due to the chairman on account of his having taken over the liability of the company to the Bank. Correspondence with the Premier wa3 read, and it is anticipated that the affairs of the company will be finally settled by the shareholders authorising the acceptance of .£3OOO from Government and omitting the mvtter of penalties. ■■ Under an arrangement with the Government, Mr Stenhouse, on Feb. 15, left for Oamarn to carry out a test of Stenhouse and Smith's rabbit exterminator. The test will be under the supervision of Mr Foster, Q o vernment Inspector. Captain Bobb, of the Alexa, just arrived from Mauritius, reports—"Onthe 14th and 15th January we wore in company with a large French transport ship. We tried to exchange signals, but the transport bein? to leeward her flags being end on they could not be distinguished. Wβ endeavored to get nearer to her. Aβ we kept off so did she also. I think from her appearance the vessel had convicts on board, as a great display of rags of clothing was strung all over her rigging. She looked to be a vessel of 2000 tons, painted black, with red bottom. She looked a splendid vessel. Her rig was that of man-of-war, f nil rig, only she had double topsail yards." It is conjectured that the vessel was bound for New Caledonia. The Government have purchased 132 acres at Porirua, about fifteen miles from town on the west coast of the railway line, as a site for a new Lunatic Asylum. The sum of .£2750 was voted for the purpose last session. Inspector Grabham consider a the site exceptionally suitable. It is intended to erect temporary premises, and draft out there from Mount View, now much overcrowded, a number of the most capable patients to work at the erection of permanent buildings. Dr. King, late Superintendent of Mount View, having accepted an appointment at Hokitika, and Dr. tiillon, who has been acting as Visiting Superintendent for some time, being unable to continue, owing to demands of private practice, the appointment has- been conerred on Dr. Levinge, late Burgeon of the steamer Doric. Major Atkinson will, it is understood, shortly address his constituents, after which he will visit the principal places ia the colony and deliver an address on *' Federation." It is understr<od that a wnt for .£6500 was served »n the Wellington Corporation to-lay, by Mr W. T. L. Travers, acting on behalf of Mr Corcoran, one of the sureties of Messrs O'Malley and Pepperill, the Te Aro reclamation contract. It will Lβ '

remembered that Messrs O'Malley and Peppeiill assigned , their contract /to Mr Corcoran, but thejCoung.il refused to ratify the.assignment and eeisecTtheplant,and stopfc over the contract themselves. Mr .Corcoran now-claims .£2500, value of the plant, and .£4400 damages for alleged i wrongfuleeizure. It is understood that the iplant is also claimed ; on behalf of- the) ■creditors of Messrs O'Malley and P«p-s periU. :. ■'■ ..*,,■ * • !; ■ BLENHEIM. Ten mongooses out of eleven, recently shipped from Calcutta, have arrived here Ihe animals, which will form the nucleus of a breeding establishment, are for Mr F. Richmond, of Richmond Brook. WESTPOBT. A terrible accident occurred on Westport Coal Company's incline on February 12th. Joseph Brown, butcher, and member of the County Council, and William Harrison, storekeeper, of Wamangaroa and Denniaton> were ascending in an empty truck, when the shackling of the descending loaded truck broke. The full truck dashed into the empty one, killing Brown instantaneously, and seriously injuring Harrison. The latter was brought into the Hospital. Brown leaves a wife and a large family. GBEYMOUTH. It is understood that work will shortly be resumed in the Westport Colliery Company's Wallsend mine on a new principle, all work that is posaiblo being let by tender. The interpleader case came on (Feb. 19), the Government being represented by Mr Perkins, the newly-appointed Crown Prosecutor in this district. The Magistrate, Mr Stratford, who in the previous case gave judgment against the Education Board in favor of Arnott and Seabrook, school contractors, adhered to his decision that the Board was at the time legally in possession of the school property levied on. He did not consider he was called upon to reverse his former decision. Judgment was entered up for the judgment creditors. Notice of appeal was given by Mr Perkins. Costs were allowed the other side. TIMAEU. The special reporter of the "Timaru Herald," who has just concluded a tour of South Canterbury, states that the crops are generally looking well, and if fine weather continues, the harvest both of wheat and oats will be exceptionally heavy. OAMAKU. At the trial of reapers and binders twelve machines competed. The Champion prize was won by the Osborne, and the Society's silver medal by the same machine, the Seid and Gray being second, and the McCormack third. There was a large number of farmers and others present. DUNEDIN. There is atj resent sitting at the Supreme Court a commission for taking evidence in the case G. M. Bell v Joseph Clarke, involving over 43100,000. The action has reference to the sale to the New Zealand Agricultural Company of the Waimea Plains estate. February 6. The Takapuna will not be run as an express boat after the end of February. During the three months she has been t running her retnrns show a lots of £1000 a L month. i During a discussion en Feb. 6 at the Land Board on the dummyism question, Mr J. > Green, M.H.S., said a motion proposed by > Mr Stout (about the payment of witnesses > expenses) would delay the inquiry, and he * felt convinced that this policy of delay r justified the opinion he had heard ex- > pressed outside, that it was deliberately ' intended to delay the inquiry from time to > time, in the hope that nothing would be doae until Parliament met and took the ■ matter out of the hands of the Board. M r ■ Stout's motion was lost by four votes to i two. The Strath Taieri cases will be held on the 14th inst., and if not finished on that day the Board will sit on continuous ' following days till finished. l The trustees of the Dunedin Savings » Bank have agreed to pay out of the accrued ' profits the sum of £1500 to the trustees of i the Benevolent Institution. This is the third payment of the kind, so that with the Government subsidy the Benevolent i Institution has secured a sum of .£11,200. > The Lake County Council are seeking to ■ obtain control of Lake Wakatipu and other i lakes in the county, with a view to con- > serving them for fish breeding purposes, ) obtaining a revenue from the issue of j licenses, and taking steps to prevent poachi ing. A fire broke out on Feb. 14 at about half-past nine o'clock in Messrs Passmore . Bros, rope factory at Bumside, about four - miles from Dunedin, by which the whole of the buildings were destroyed with the exception of the engine-house and the rope > walk. The damage is estimated at fuUy f £4000, and -the firm will be heavy losers. X The insurances amount to only £1400 as b follows:—South British £200, Northern 8 £250, Union £350, Equitable £250, Aus- > tralian Mercantile £250, Norwich Union - £150. The hands were in fall work at the - time of the outbreak, and it is supposed i that the fire was caused by a upark from - the engine igniting some of the hemp. At the Harbor Board (Feb. 14), Captain Scott moved—"That the advance of 50 per cent, on the present harbor dues do not - take effect until after the question regard- , ingthe differential rates has been brought , before Parliament." An amendment waa , moved that the increased dues take , effect from to-day, but it was lost, and - the motion carried on the casting vote of 3 the Chairman, 6 being for and 6 against. i The Standard Insurance Company show - a balance on the year's transactions of 3 £7232, of which £2812 is absorbed in the payment of 7i per cent, dividend, and s £1607 is carried forward. The Eev. Mr Will, of East Taieri, was pre- ; sented with a purse of 100 soys and an ad- ; dress on the completion of his thirtieth , year of ministry here. , The- Minister of Public Works has tele--1 graphed to the Hon. W. H. Eeynolde, - Chairman of Vigilance Committee, that the i contract for the Wenthorne section of the - Otago Central line has been accepted, and 3 that others will be dealt with shortly. i BLUFF. > At a meeting of the Harbor Board (Feb. 19) Mr J. G. Ward was unanimously re- , elected Chairman, and Mr William Conyers, r late Commissioner of Bail ways, was api pointed Engineer and Secretary. A motion , to dismiss Harbormaster Smith, was lost ) by one vote.