LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS. LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. THE NEW MINISTRY. CHRISTCHURCH GOLD DISCOVERY: REWARD CLAIMED. THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS AT THE SOUTH. THE 18TH REGIMENT TO CONCENTRATE AT AUCKLAND. (FROM OUR TELEGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENT).

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3732, 5 July 1869, Page 5

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS. LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. THE NEW MINISTRY. CHRISTCHURCH GOLD DISCOVERY: REWARD CLAIMED. THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS AT THE SOUTH. THE 18TH REGIMENT TO CONCENTRATE AT AUCKLAND. (FROM OUR TELEGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENT).

Wellington (via Napier), June 25. To-day Mr, Stafford announced that the Government had sent in their resignation, and only retained office till their successors were appointed. Mr. Fox said that he had been sent for, and had undertaken to form a Ministry. The House then adjourned till Tuesday. The Canterbury members all hold off. The I Ministry is likely to inolude Fox, "Williamson, Featherston, Heaphy, Ormond or McLean, and Vogel, — John Johnson to represent it in the Legislative Council. Colonel Whitmore made a long speech in Council, defending his conduct and explaining military operations. He declared his belief that the Maori King would ultimately join the rebellion. A meeting took place to-night of members who voted with Mr. Stafford on the late diviaiuu, trlion it waa unanimously rooolvod to furiu a firm unitadjQppqsition, Mr. Stafford being chosen as leader. A committee of six has been appointed to manage the affairs of the party. They will not oppose factionsly, but will consider the Government proposals on their merits. There are various rumours as to the composition of the new Ministry. Mr. Cargill is the only Middle Island member spoken of 8S likely to join — probably as Postmaster- General. June 28. Negotiations for the formation of a new Ministry have been going on very slowly. The Southern supporters invited to enter it have proved very impracticable. No difficulty is experienced in forming a Government of firstrate men, but it is very difficult to form one who would unite Mr. Fox's supporters. Mr. Vogel acts as Treasurer for the session only. Messrs. Fox, McLean, and Vogel will probably meet the House to-morrow as a Cabinet^ giving time and opportunity to others to join. Mr. Bell will take office without portfolio, and so will Dr. Featherston, if it is absolutely necessary. Mr. Eolleston has declined to take office. Negotiations are now said to be going on with Mr. Stevens. If their polioy should be disapproved, or be factiouely opposed, they will dissolve. The Ministerial statement is anxiously looked for to-morrow. June 29. Messrs. Fox, McLean, and Vogel took their seats to-day— Mr. Fox as Colonial Secretary, Mr, McLean as Native and Defence Minister, and Mr. Vogel as Treasurer. Mr. Fox said that alarming telegrams received on Sunday morning rendered necessary immediate attention, but which neither the outgoing Ministry nor the one then forming could constitutionally give. This had decided him to take office with a partially formed Ministry, trusting to the good feeling of the House to give time for certain members to weigh offers for seats that had been made to them. The policy of the Government in reference to war and defence was to restrict operations is much as possible to defence ; not to turn a back upon the enemy ; not to give up any sonfiscated land ; but to cease to occupy isolated positions, and endeavour to avoid conflict with the great King party, a conflict which the Bountry had no resources either in men or money. Nearly all the forces would be demilitarised into Constabulary. •A cardinal point in the policy of the Government would be to seek Imperial aid injmen —the regiment now here, and, if possible, a regiment speeially enlisted, organised, and jfficered for New Zealand work— the colony paying such share of the cost as the Imperial Government required. The Colonial Treasurer had not had time to fathom the financial position of the colony, but lie had seen enough to be almost dismayed at" the responsibilities and liabilities incurred, and the great cost of useless operations at this season. He would make the financial statement as soon as possible. It waa proposed that purely 5var expenses should be charged on the revenue of both islands, but that a loan for special purposes, such as roads, should be charged permanently on the North Island by Act of the Im« perial Parliament. It was not proposed to make organic changes in the Constitution prematurely, preferring to postpone them till after next election. The treatment towards the provinces would be paternal, the Government giving them all the friendly help in their power ; but if any became defunot or a discredit to the colony, they must be separately dealt with according to circumstances. A bill for the trial of native prisoners, giving authority for them to be dealt with in a summary way, would be introduced. While careful to avoid barbarity, the Government would not act in a trifling spirit. The House received the statement of policy with cheers. Mr. Ormond sails immediately for Napier, where he will act for a week or so as General Government agent. Mr. McLean will continue Superintendent to the end of the session. Thursday. July 1. The troops are under orders to concentrate in Auckland immediately. The Commodore has received positive instructions. Dunedin, June 18. The late proprietor of the Evening Star, Mr. Hemingham, publishes anew evening paper, the JEcho, next week. June 24. An earthquake shock was experienced this morning, at twenty minutes past eleven. It ttss felt all over the province, and at the Bluff, but was most severe at Queenstown. The waters of the.Lake and the Shotover Eiver were much agitated. The ohannel has fallen. Chimneys fell, and some buildings were damaged. Mr. Dawbin reports that all the ova of last shipment are dead. No hopes of the experiment being successful are entertained. Qubbnstown, June 24. Two severe shocks of earthquake ware felt here at 11 o'clock this morning. ' The lake was greatly disturbed. The Masonic Hall, a substantial stone building, was injured, and many things were thrown down from shelves. The mining interest here is prosperous, and land in Queenstown is selUng at high prices. Bluff, June 24. A sharp shook of earthquake was felt at twenty minutes past eleven this morning. The direction was east to west. No damage was done. , ■, • ,. •

Hokikka, June 24. A smart shock of earthquake wm fell; here at 11.23 a.m. to-day. Its duration was about five seconds, and the direction of the wave appeared to b* from east to west. No damage was done. *r

!^> : - - - TniABir, June 24 - A shock 6f ibeartliquake wa8 felt here yery I aistiticfly, &irlW0iity iliuiutes put eleveathii

morning ; it was accompanied by a sound and lasted for about two seconds.

Oamaeu, June 24. A slight shock of earthquake was^ felt here this moraine at 21 minutes past 11 o'clock.

Chbistchubch, June 23. A quartz field is reported to have been discovered in the Malvern Hills, about 40 miles from here. Fifty diggers are now on their way to test the spot, though it is as yet extremely doubtful if the field is a payable one. June 26.

Mr. De Bourbel has claimed the Government reward of £200 for the dicovery of a payable goldfield in the Bakaia and Malvern districts ; the locality not divulged. He asserts in the Press that forty ounces have been obtained from two months' crushing with sledge hammers. The excitement is considerable. Lawbench, June 19.

Mr. Frederick Marriott, music teacher, was found drowned between Weatherstone and Lawrence this morning. He had just returned from performing at the Oddfellows' Lodge at the Teviot, and is supposed to hare fallen into a digger's hole.