MONDAY, SEPT. 23.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 220, 27 September 1878, Page 3

MONDAY, SEPT. 23.

"With reference to the murder m the Waitotara block, the Hon. J. Sheelian said he believed it a purely private murder, with no relation- to the survey of the plains. Maori chiefs, lately arrived in Wellington, owning land where the murder happened, had been astonished and horrified at the news of the crime. The chiefs had also appointed search parties, by telegraph, at once. He expected the murderer would be arrested. Rewi had telegraphed his regret, and wanted particulars describing the person of the murderer. The Government believed if the murderer went into the King ' Country the first act of the Maoris there would be to give him up to the law. The criminal owned no land, and the surprise shown by the Native chiefs of the district, who were now in Wellington, was convincing proof that it was unexpected and regretted by them. The Otago and Southland Education Reserves Bill was read a first time. In , Committee the schedules. . to the Electoral Bill were passed, and three new schedules added. Verbal amendments ', were made in Various clauses. In Committee of Supply, the following items were passed : — Vote of X36,202 for Asylums ; the Agent-General Department," L4OOO ; Inspection o£ Machinery, L 179 1; Department of Justice, L 1255 ; Crown Lands Offices, L2llO. The Lands Claim Office was reduced from L 350 to L 250. The Committee^ got as far as the item " m ai-ine , ' ' which passed , t . and . progress was reported. , . . !"