TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5006, 1 February 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[from our own correspondent.] . WAIROA, January 21. Eight large sperm whales have been killed at Mahia. The estimated value is £2400 Cooper aud Co. return to Poverty Bay to-day, with 100 head of cattle.

(from our own correspondent.) ALEXANDRA, January 31. The day has passed, hot, dull, and weary, waiting on the convenience of Tawhiao, the chiefs, and visitors, the meeting being deferred till to-morrow. Taiwhare, brother-in-law of Tawhiao, arrived shortly after noon, conveying an invitation for to-morrow morning. Huge canoes, about 80 feet long, belonging to Major Te Whero, arrived from down river this evening, and were moored a little distance, in waiting to convey Ministers. Several deputations on subjects of merely local interest met the Premier. In the course of his remarks, the Native Minister said that very considerable alterations in the Counties and Rating Acts would be proposed next session. The monotony of the day has been disturbed by tho arrival, at 7 o'clock, of the chief Hikau, who, as the herald from the King, galloped into the township, and stopping in the middle of the square, called out in a loud voice a warning to all persons in Waikato, Waipa, or elsewhere, whether Europeans or Maoris, not to cross the frontier, except Sir George Grey aud those of his party. The proclamation has caused considerable sensation, as a large number of friendly natives and some Europeans had intended proceeding to the place of meeting. The Premier and party start at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. '

fFItOM TUB PKKSS AOKNCV.] AUCKLAND, January 31. Rewi was present at a tanyi with Tawhiao. Rewi intended to return to his own settlement, but Tawhiao pressed him to stay and receive Sir George Grey. Tawhiao took hold of Rewi's hand, and said, " Our friend George Grej>- is coming here ; let us both meet him." Rewi° with a show of reluctance, consented. The meeting is expected to be of such a character as to burn the old grievances of the war, and all the names of the great chiefs killed in the war will be mentioned, and thoir deeds rehoai'sed. It is expected that the effect will bo a permanent renewal of friendship between the two races, and burying of the hatchet. One of the most prominent chiefs at the reception of Sir George Grey yesterday was the Hicjh Priest of Tariah. When at Sir D. M 'Lean's last meeting, he appeared in a Maori mat, holding the Taiaho. When pressed to clothe himself decently, he replied, "lam a Maori." After the reception ho drcssod himself in the boat European attire. Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan were occupied all day at Alexandra receiving local deputations. Replying to one depu° tation, Mr Sheehan said that no doubt the Rating Act was framed in the interest of the large property owners, but it was impossible to get the valuation clause amended in the present Parliament. The remedy was a dissolution. The Govern- : meat would submit material amendments

in the Counties and Rating Acts next* session. The large landowners had now the control of local elections by plurality of votes. The Premier said matters were really in the hands of the people. Every member of the present Ministry favored the small settlers. Te Whero came in a war canoe with a | hundred men. Other lare;e canoes have arrived. Tawhiave, brother-in-law of Tawhiao, arrived from Kopua and waited on the Premier and Mr Sheehan. Tawhiare welcomed them to Waikato. The Ministerial party will proceed upwards at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. A dividend of five shillings was paid by the Moanatairi to-dan. Dr Sommerville's labors have resulted in the formation of a Ladies' Christian Association. i! The yacht race to-day was won by the Good Templar, Contrabandist second. Forty-six candidates were nominated for the Board of Education. ALEXANDRA, January 31. There will be no meeting to-day, the Lower Waikato, with canoes to escort Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, having just arrived here. Te Whahanui and party, from Mokau, are hourly expected. There is a large assembly of nativos at Kopua. No reporters are to bo present at the meeting with Tawhiao. CHRISTCHCJRCH, January 31. ; At a pigeon race from Ashburton to Christ-church, the winner flow tho distance, 50 miles, in two hours and five seconds. J. S. Sweet, who recently levanted, has fleeced the Midland Cricket Club of £75, and the Canterbury Cricket Associa- • tion of £100. He was treasurer for both. The. moneys embezzled from the Press Company, his employers, amounts to very heavy sums. The Insurance Agents Association offers a reward of £250 for information leading to the conviction of the person who caused the recent fire; DUNEDIN, January 31. The result of the ballot for the election of one director and two auditors for the Colonial Bank was the election of Richard Oliver as director, and Keith Ramsay and D. P. Street as auditors. Jude Chapman was the only other candidate for the office of director. It is reported that Mr Reid, M.H.R. for Taieri, has decided to resign his position as a member of the House. Mr Reid will address his constituents shortly. Itfr George M'Lean, M.H.R., will address his constituents at the Waikouaiti township next Wednesday. WELLINGTON, January 31. A good deal cf curiosity has been evinced as to Mr Barton's condition and treatment as a prisoner. It appears that his treatment will be exactly that of a person committed for trial. He will not be subjected to hard labor, but will only be allowed ordinary prison fare, and if his wife or any friend wishes to see him, an order must be obtained from a Visiting Justice. Mr J. B. Bradshaw reports :—Bank of New Zealand shares, £24 ; Colonial Bank, £2 11s, cum div. ; National Bank, £3 14s; National Insurance, £1 10s ; Standard Insurance, £12s ; South British Insurance, £3 8s; New Zealand Insurance,. £4 15s; Union Insurance, 13s; Mosgiel Factory, £3 7s; Shipping Company, £4 ; Union Steam Shipping Co., £7. Mr Thomas reports produce prices as follows :—Flour, colonial £14 to £14 10s, Adelaide £18 ; oats, 4s 2d to 4s 3d ; bran, scarce and in demand, at Is Id ; wheat, no demand, 4s ; hams, 9d ; bacon, 8d ; cheese, full supply, 7^d per lb.; potatoes, new, £6 per ton ; pollard, market glutted, £6 ; maize, 5s ;. butter, 7d. At the Wesleyan Conference, it was resolved to send the following recommendations to the General Conference :—That parents be required to see the minister or other person appointed by the Church preparatory to baptism; that, at the ordinance, in addition to other questions, parents will be publicly asked, "Do you wish to bring up your children in connection with the Wesleyan Church ;" that a leader be appointed to keep a baptismal record that all baptised children be regarded as provisional Church members, to be received into full membership in the usual way when they shall have reached an appropriate age, and shall have satisfied the leader's meeting of their fitness ; that the form of baptismal service be revised ; that the formal service for the recognition of those transferred from provisional to full and accredited members be held from time to time.