(Per Press Agency.) AUCKLAND. 21st August.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 22 August 1876, Page 2

(Per Press Agency.) AUCKLAND. 21st August.

A very strong feeling was excited in town by a telegram in the Cross stating that Touks, in conjunction with a few other Auckland members, bad endeavored to force Gray to resign the leadership. Several telegrams from Auckland members have been received, emphatically denying the statement. A meeting of Tonks' committee and supporters was convened by circular, and held this afternoon. About a hundred gentlemeu were preseut. Several telegrams were read, after which the following resolution was unanimously carried, and it was agreed should be telegraphed to Tonks: — " Your committee is glad to know that telegrams respecting you to the Cross and other papers are false; but as reports have been widely circulated of your intriguing with G6vernineut and its supporters, you are requested to give such reports your deuial in the House, and declare your adliesiou to the Opposition under Sir George Grey." The met ting adjourned until further intelligence should be received. • 22ud August. Mr. Reader Wood, at a crowded political meeting last night, gave the -history of the separation resolutions. He said it was unquestionable that the colony is incurring a deficiency of £260,000 yearly. He could not understand how auy Auckland member could vote against separation on the basis proposed, but five had dune so, and the result was that, defection being contagious, a defeat occurred, while at the outset there was every prospect of success. Referring to the recent reports of dissensions, he said that Grey's motion on the Counties Bill was moved agaiust the opinion of himself, and others of the party were ot opiuion that they should see him through. As to Tonks, he felt assured that he was incapable of doing anything dishonorable or wilfully injurious to his party, but he was a young member, and was surrounded by older aud cuuniuger men, eagerly watching 1 for opportunities which want of caution may in his rase have afforded. This he believed would be the explanation of the mystery when a full account was received. Resolutions were passed by the meeting unanimously exonerating Robert Graham from statements made by the Southern Cross, and expressing unabated confidence in Grey. Three cheers for Grey and three groans for Vogel concluded the meeting.