NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6534, 4 February 1882, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[Feb Fbbbb Absooiaxioe.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 8. Sir George Grey, and several other mem* hers, waited at the Premier’s office to-day, for the purpose of requesting him to follow the established rule of calling Parliament together as quickly as possible after a general election. Through some misunderstanding the Premier was not at his office, and the deputation was postponed till to-morrow. Mr Moss has a petition forwarded from Dunedin to a similar effect, with a request that he would get it signed. Mr Moss has handed the petition to Sir George Grey to take action. At the inquest on the body of Olsen, lamp trimmer on the Taiaroa, a verdict was returned of found drowned. Government has purchased the hulk Clara Hargreaves for the reception and fumigation of mails. It will be placed at Orakei Bay, as intermediate to the quarantine station. At a meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, a resolution was passed expressing sympathy with and promising support to the Union Sash and Door employees looked out. Bepresentatives of the Bricklayers’ Society and representatives of the Auckland Timber Sawmill Company’s men endorsed the resolution, and stated that the men with whom they were associated, as well as the building trades, would assist them. The speakers expressed the belief that their new proposals for extended hours were intended to break down the eight hours’ system which had been established nearly 20 years in the Province in the building and sister trades. Mr Floyd has received a letter from Messenger, the Australian oarsman, notifying that he is coming to New Zealand, and asking him to arrange a match with Hearn if possible. He telegraphed to Hearn on the subject. Messenger has some idea of settling and following his calling of boat building in the Colony. NAPIEB, Fbb. 8. The Committee of the Education Board and Trustees of the High school are conferring with the object of introducing a Bill into Parliament to amalgamate the present High school endowments (which were purchased from funds publicly subscribed in town) with the secondary education reserves, so that a Girls’ High be built, and the boys’ school improved. Large mobs of sheep and cattle continue to leave Hawke’s Bay for Wellington and Auckland markets. Stock are now getting scarce and rising in price. The plentifulness of feed all over the Province is assisting the upward movement. The exports from Hawke’s Bay last year, excluding considerable quantities of wool sent coastwise, were over £600,000, or about £3l per head of population, the largest proportion in the Colony. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 3. The steamer M'Gregor arrived in the Waitara river last night, from Mannkau. This morning, at an early hour, it was discovered that she was rapidly filling with water. Instant measures were taken to endeavour to discover the cause, when it was found she had whole in her bottom. Shejia supposed to have settled on a snag. Her cargo is being discharged from her, in a very damaged state. WELLINGTON, Feb. 8. His Excellency has further prorogued Parliament until April 4. DUNEDIN, Feb. 3. Mr Bunoiman, miller, of Green Island, is sending 5000 bags of flour and wheat to Glasgow by a specially chartered vessel, and follows himself to try and establish a trade for grain and produce. The Walton Park Coal Company has declared a dividend of 5 per cent. The weather has again turned cold, bat is still fine, and harvesting operations are being carried on briskly, [ebou oub owe ooeebspondent.] DUNEDIN, Fbb.'3. The question of a new railway station, and whether a street shall pass through part of the station yard, is still a most exciting subject. To day a deputation waited on Mr Oliver, and there was a conference with Mr Maxwell, the General Manager. Mr Maxwell pronounced against the opening of a street, making the third professional opinion against the- agitation given by Government Engineers. A new proposal suggested to-day was the building of a bridge across the station, and by means of hydraulic power to bodily lift horses and drays on to the bridge. Mr Oliver strongly objected to any interference with the plans. Aiter so large an amount of money had been spent, and after so firm a refusal, the agitation ought to subside. There has been a great struggle in Vincent County as to who should he Chairman in succession to Mr Vincent Pyke, resigned, and exceedingly stormy meetings have taken place, at whioh much unparliamentary language has been used. The straggle has been between the townships of Cromwell and Clyde, the Chairman with the casting vote having control of affairs through members being equally divided. Mr Pyke’s opponents to-day succeeded in effecting their object, and electing one of their members as Chairman.