TELEGRAPHIC.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6977, 3 October 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

"T fPHB VmVMD PBHSS i.SSOOIi.TIOK.I Auckland, Thursday. The clergy of Auckland have started, a counter petition to that praying that the museum be opened on Sundays. The diocesan synod was opened yesterday with an inaugural address by Bishop Cowie. Bef erring to the question of religious teaohing in the State schools his Lordship said, "It is my firm conviction that but for the mutual jealousy of a comparatively small number of the population, the same -willingness of parents that their children should receive religious instruction in the Government schools would be found to exist throughout the colonies of Australasia. The readiness of a umall minority of the population to withhold from their own children the religions teaching that they approve, lest the majority should have their children taught that which they also prefer, is an instance of the illiberality and tyranny of the sp-oalled (unseotarian ' party. Their action is scarcely compatible with the Gospel rule, • to do to others as you would they should do to you/ and it has been compared not inaptly to the decision of the false mother in the judgment of Solomon, who preferred the death of the ohild to leaving her rival in contented possession of her own." At the Supremo Court yesterday John 4 Brown, convicted of unlawfully wounding, wag sentenced to six months' imprisonment; Reese, house robbery, twelve months ; Jameß Walden, stealing, twelve months. One of the cases of murder— -that of Te Meibana, a Maori charged with killing a woman—did not come before the Grand Jury at the Supreme Court aB the accused was so manifestly insane that he had been committed to the lunatic asylum on. the order of the Colonial Secretary. : .'.'.' Wellington, Thursday, la the House to-day Mr Maoandrew gave notice to move, " That in view of the steps whioh are to be taken during the recess towards submitting to the House- at its next session proposals for securing local government, this House is of opinion (1) that no proposals for local government can be efficient in themselves or satisfactory to the country which do not provide that the people shall be relieved of all taxation at the hands of this House other than Buch as may be necessary to cover the interest on the colonial debt, the cost of defence (other than local policej^of. tl»e> Supreme Court, telegcaph 'and post-offices, immigration, ocean lighthouses, and legislation departments." 2.

"That all other matters affecting peace and good government, inclusive of the construction and working of railways, shall be placed tinder the oontrol of the local governing bodies, and that to enable such bodies to perform their functions they shall have the whole of the railway revenue and land fund arising within their respective territories, and they also should possess such powers of legislation as shall enable them to raise the necessary funds in suoh manner and from such sources as they shall see fit, and also to provide for the proper local government of their respective districts." It is understood that a suggestion will be made to the Government to have the Stella sent to Lyttelton and the Hinemoa to Auokland for the purpose of oonyeying to Wellington the Volunteers who intend taking part in the Rifle Association's prize firing. A deputation from the New Zealand Rifle Association waited on Mr Ballance to-day, urging the Government not to divide the vote for prize firing between the two Islands. Mr Ballance said it had been represented to him that the feeling in the South was unanimous in favor of dividing the vote. He had also been informed, that if a meeting were held in each island a triennial competition could take place in some central part of the oolony. After some further conversation Major Biillie expressed a hope that the Government would try to get more than £250 voted for the prize firing. In reply to Mr Ballance Major Baillie promised to telegraph to Auokland, Thames, and other volunteering centres to ascertain . their views on the question of division. ' Hokitika, Thursday.^ • A public meeting was held last evening at the Town Hall for the purpose of advocating the completion of the HokitikaGreymoulh railway. The meeting was largely attended. The following resolution was carried unanimously : — " That this meeting earnestly impresses upon the Minister for Public Works the desirability of making provision on the estimates for the speedy and vigorous proseoution of the long-promised Hokitika-Greyinouth railway j (1) because" the line would prove '■ a reproductive work, (2) because it has ' been in hand many years, and cost several thousand pounds, and. (3) because the T total cost will not be great." Chbistchuroh, Thursday. On Saturday night last, during a heavy . rain storm, two men named Snowden and .Butterfield, started to cross the country . from Sherwood railway station for home. After getting some distance Butterfield missed Snowden. He searched, but failed to find him. Next morning Snowden was found dead about half a mile from where Butterfield missed him. Both men had been drinking. Snowden died from congestion of the lungs caused by exposure. Sixty candididates have entered for the University examination in. connection with the Canterbury College, which will be held on November 10th — eight for the degree of M.A., fifty-one for 8.A., and one for LL.B. . James Hollis, who has been on the staff of the Chrißtchurch telegraph-office . for upwards of twelve years, and is about to be transferred to Auokland, was yesterday . presented with a souvenir by his fellow operators. He will be succeeded here by Mr -■ R. J. Wilson, late of Wellington. The Lyttelton Harbor Board have agreed to adopt a revised list of rates for docking. The rates are now so reduced that the harbor-master considers they will have the effect of attracting to Lyttelton all West Coast and Wellington crafts in need of docking. The Board have accepted the tender of John Jack- , Bon, of Titnaru, for planking the ocean steamer wharf. . The amount of the tender is £710. Dunedin, Thursday. ', The Medical Association have written to the/committee of the Benevolent Association that honorary medical services cannot be undertaken, as they are of opinion that medical services should be ■ paid for. Invbeoaiigim., Thursday. Leading lights were shown for the first time on Tuesday night on the Dolphins . in Bluff harbor. The light on the first Dolphin with a pross is red, and oh the . other Dolphin it is green. They will . facilitate the entry of vessels at night.