TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5068, 6 May 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

[From tub Prkss Aawor.\ AUCKLAND, May 4. The Governor presided at the inaugural meeting of the Auckland Young Mens' I Christian Association. In his opening I address he said he desired, when opporJ tunity offered, to evince his appreciation of associations such as the one in connection with which the present meeting was held. He considered that the character, progress, and national ways of a country greatly depended upon the education, character, and social condition of its inhabitants. He referred to the spread of knowledge and the increased facilities for giving education to the young. Unfortunately sectarian differences prevented the association of secular and religious education in public schools. In a country where the schools are supported by the State it has been found impossible to conduct religious education in public schools, so as to i meet the views of the various religious j bodies, and therefore it is most essential that in every Christian country religious education should be available for the young. He advocated the formation of associations such as the Auckland Young Mens' Christian Association, and considered they were the best means of preventing the spread of drunkenness. Sir George Grey arrived at Tauranga early this morning, and left at 10.15. He leaves for Waikato at nine to-morrow by special train.

The Governor leaves for Wellington on Wednesday, per Hinemoa. Mr Buokland reports beef 2a per lOOlbs higher than last week ; sheep, market fully sustained. Mr Binney quotes— Flour, £li ; oats, 4s 6d; pearl barley, £22; wheat, 5s 6d; hams and bacon, 8d ; butter, 9d ; potatoes, £3 10s; oatmeal, £20; maize, 6s.

ALEXANDRA, May 4. There is an immense assemblage of natives here. All the houses are full up, and tents are erected at every available spot, but the whole place is very bleak. The only conversation is as to when Sir G. Grey is likely, to come. Food is scarce, and the main store of provisions is not to be broached, pending the arrival of the Government party. A number were to leave yesterday for Alexandra to meet the Government party and escort them up. Te Kooti, after leaving Hikurangi, went to Alexandra, and after being refreshed, returned to Te Kuiti, determined not to put in an appearance at the meeting.

DUNEDIN, May 5. Out of fifteen candidates nine passod the matriculation examination at the Otago University, and two passed the preliminary madical examination. Dr Somerville addressed about 2000 persons in the Princes-street theatre this afternoon.

HIKURANGI (via Alexandra), May 4. There has been no business done yet. "Sesterday the food was distributed, consisting of nineteen carcases of beef, 270 bags of flour, a quantity of sugar, and 60 tons of potatoes. It is said by the natives that this is the largest assemblage of natives for many years. They estimate that some four thousand and upwards are here. It was a great sight to see the multitude carrying the food with the usual ceremonies, singing, grimacing, and dancing. A large number of natives are on duty as policemen. A regular patrol is carried on. Their bye laws are very strict, and somewhat judicious. lam informed, that a reporter for one of the Auckland papers was en route, but was stopped at Kopua, and requested ,to return to Alexandra and await Sir George Grey's arrival. The King has a guard over his quarters, and a regular sentry too is kept. The sentinels, to relieve the presumed monotony, occasionally amuse .themselves with firing shot at a tree. This brings out his majesty, who fires several shots himself, shewing that powder is' no way scarce. It rained here last night up to nine o'clock this morning, which has made everything very uncomfortable. The roads are nothing but mud, ancle deep. Sleep here is impossible. The houses are crammed to suffocation, and card playing is kept up in all of them all night, Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan are now most anxiously looked for. Rewi and party are not here as yet.

WANGANUI, May 4. The Hon. W. Fox addressed his constituents, and received a vote of confidence. After referring to the events of last session, and his reasons for supporting the Atkinson Government, he stated that as far as he could gather, the present Premier had given forth three points as his governing policy. The first was manhood suffrage. He (Mr Fox) would support the extension of the suffrage, so as to include all men and women resident a certain time in the colony, who were capable of intelligently understanding the political position. He would support a tax on land, without, the exemption of small farms. He would also include incomes derived from invested capital, and would oppose payment to members beyond necessary expenses. About 130 electors were present, the Mayor being. in the chair. The motion of confidence was moved by Mr Robert Pharazyn.

WELLINGTON, May 4. Mr George Thomas reports produce prices as follows : — Adelaide flour, £18 per ton ; Colonial, £12 15s to 413 10s ; oats, 4s 3d ; bran, Is Id ; a good demand for wheat at 4s, stocks ample ; hams, Bid; bacon, 8d; cheese, 7|d, markets full ; pollard, £7 per ton ; maize, 6s 6d per bushel, market bare ; potatoes, £3 10s to £3 153 ; butter, Is to Is 3d per lb. A fall of brick work occurred in the Rimutaka tunnel on Thursday, by which Patrick Moriaty was killed outright. John Mathieson was severely injured, and is expected to lose the use of both his eyes.

The contents of a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, regarding the defence of the colony, is very obscure, and the Government have sent for it to be repeated. The following is its purport as nearly as can be deciphered : — The committee appointed by the Imperial Government to report upon the best means of defending the colonies in the event of England going to war, have reported, with reference to New Zealand, that defence by sea is impracticable, and should not be contemplated. They recommend the construction of land batteries at Wellington, Auckland, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, by which they consider those ports might be defended against any class of vessels likely to be despatched by foreign powers, to these watera. It is estimated that twenty-two heavy guns, eleven seven-ton guns, and eleven sixty-four-pounders, of the pattern used on board Her Majesty's ships of war, would provide an adequate armament for the batteries. The committee estimate the total cost of the guns, including transport, erection of batteries, &c, at £44,000. Ministers here resolve to telegraph to have the guns forwarded to New Zealand at the earliest opportunity. The Government further intend, in the event of war being declared, to telegraph immediately the receipt of the news to Colonel Scratchley, asking him to visit New Zealand to advise as to distribution of the guns among the four ports mentioned, and as to the method of locating and mounting them. The batteries are to be mounted by artillerymen trained for the purpose.

May 5. Mr G. S. Graham, of Auckland, has been appointed inspector-general and manager of the Colonial Insurance Company.