TELEGRAPHIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2907, 23 May 1873, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

NATIVE AFFAIRS. [FEOSI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] SIACKAT'S BETUBN TO CASED RIDGE. Alexandra, Thursday, 4.15 p.m. Me. Mackay, with his party, liaß returned to Cambridge. He is very reticent, and communicates what be soes, or hears, or is informed of, only to the Government, atWellington. ~ , . , Up to the hour I write, which 13 four o'clock, there is 110 native news. TE KOOTI JOINS rCRCKCTr WITH A 110 DX OF FOIXOWBES : IS OEDEBED BACIC BY TIIE EING. Camkhidge, Thursday, S p.m. Mr. Mackay has arrived at Alexandra. lie called at Kihikihi and other places. Te Kooti, with twenty-five men followers, eau'.e down yesterday and joined Purukutu. When this became known to the King ho immediately ordered him to go back. The Constabulary leaving here this morning were joined by 12 others fromlvihitihi. There are now altogether 45 camped at Rotorangi. Some friendly natives will join to-morrow. THE OCCCTATIOX OK TE "WAOUr. AItRIVAL OF TOKTr HOUSES. Captain Mair has asked the Ngatiraukawa to allow him to lake occupation of Te Waohi. As many of the Constabulary as can bo spared are to be mounted. 'The island on the swamp is fixed upon as the site for a redoubt. The position commands a considerable portion of the country. Forty horses have arrived ft out Poverty Bav, with several of the iNative Contingent.

THE MAOEIS COLLECTING COFriiß COIN'S TO MAKE BULLETS. Hamilton, Thursday, S p.m. A very great scarcity exists in procuring copper coins in the district, and very strong suspicion exists that the Maoris procuring them in large quantises tor the purpose of making slugs and bullets. Several natives , have been, within the last, few days, detected purchasing articles of little value, for which they tender silver coin, and request change in copper, lhe man in charge ot the ferrv first made the observation, and reported his" suspicions to the commandant of the forces. MEETING- OF TIIE INHABITANTS ON TIIE NATIVE QUESTION. Cosomanpel, Thursday, 5 p.m. A meeting of the inhabitants of Coromandel was held, in the Coromandol Hall, this day, at which over seventy persons were present. The meeting had been called to express an opiuion on the present state of native affairs. Although only ft hours notice of the meeting had fee en given, tho attendance, as will be seen, was verv large, and all present evinced the greatest interest in the proceedings. The meetins was addressed by -Or. Hovell, Messrs. H. "Wilson, T. Douglas* R. Ross, «T. Brawe, F. Swindley, and J. Sheehan, Goldfields Secretary. Several of the above-named gentlemen were listened to with great attention. The present Government and the Native Oflice were very warmly for their truckling and imbecile policy. The following are the resolutions passed, the first being proposed by Mr. E. Wilson, and seconded by Mr. T. Douglas; the eocond proposed by Mr. Ross, and seconded by Mr. J. Brame :—

"That in the opinion of this meoling, prompt mid decisivo action should be taken by the Government for the arrest of the murderers of Sullivan, aud that this meeting pledges itself to support the Government in the vigorous prosecution of measures to ensure their capture.' " That this meeting is of opinion that the present crisis is the direct result of tbe policy pursued fcv the Otlice j and that the country should insist on a more manly aud straightforward policy iu connection with native atlairs." THE OHINEMCTZI NATIVES. Grahahstowx, Thursday, 7 p.m. The natives at Ohinemuri yesterday held a korero, and from what passed, C. F. Mitchell felt that the lives of himself and family were unsafe, and he returned to Shortlaud to-day. He reported to the R-ssident. Magistrate that, among other matters, an attack 011 the goldfields~was contemplated, and they were devising a plan for doinj; the largest amount of damage in the least possible timo. Te Moauanui and the other chiefs stute that they intend to remain neutral, while at the present time I am informed 011 very good authority that many are preparing to join the King party in the Waikato, well knowing that if any disturbance is created in their own district, it would sound the death-knell of Oliiuemuri, and that the auriferous 1 mds could not then be closed to the liuropeaus. 8 p.m. Louis Dihars, the most outlying settler in the Ohinemuri district, is iu town. He apprehended 110 danger from the natives, and says that the korero held yesterday, as reported by Mitchell, is slightly coloured. PIRIIiAKAU NATITE3 DISAFECTED. TAtrRANGA, Thursday, 8 p.m. It is believed that the I'irirakau natives are disaffected. They are well supplied with provisions. THE NEWS OF MITCHELL COXFIIt.MF.D.

Wellington, Thursday, 8 p.m. Mitchell, who has for two years lived at Ohinemuri, has abandoned the Empire Hotel there, and, with his wife, haa come in, considering it unsafe to remain any longer. It is reported here that the Ohinemuri nutives have been consulting together about making a night attack on the r J?hames goldfield. Warden Fraser has telegraphed the above to the Government.

AN ATTACK ON SIIORTLAND DI3CCJSSHD. Wo are indebted to tbe Thames Evening Star for proof slips of the native intelligence which here follows: —" C. F. Mitchell, M.P.C., who has for the last two years lived in tho Ohinemuri district, near the Paeroa settlement, came into ShorLland this morning, and reported to the Resident Magistrate that he did not consider it safe to remain any longer at Ohiuemuri. Mr. Mitchell stated to Captain Eraser, that at a meeting held at Ohinemuri, yesterday, the natives discussed tho plan of attack on Shortland in all its bearings—their modo of entry, amount of damage to be done, and mode of retreat. Mr. Mitcheli considered it to be his duty to come in at once, and give information to tho chief magistrate of the district, and he (Mr. Mitchell) informed Captain Fraeer that he should hold him responsible for the safety of tho dißtrict, now that he had been warned. Mr. Mitchell has removed his stores and household goods from his place at the Paeroa. We have no wish to comment upon the ! above at length, because we have no information of the native meeting at Ohinemuri beyond Mr. Mitchell's statement to Captain Froßer ; but we are disinclined to accept as a fact that there is any danger to out-Bettlers in this district. The professions of the Natives have all along been friendly, and tho chiefs have too much to lose to embroil themselves in the difficulties of their Waikato friends i without some better inducement than has at 1 present been offered."

The same authority says We are informed by Mr. Uollis —who was at Ilikutaia, pheasant shooting, cn the day when a Maori was said to have pointed a gun at a man aiimfcd McCarty—that the accused Maori was seen by him, and spoken to, and that be was in search of pigs. The Maori was carrying his gun at the capping position, and honce McCarty may have fancied that the weapon was pointed at him. Mr. Hollia thinks the Maori was perfectly harmless, aa ho saw him on two occasions—the latter j Hat as he had shot a pig and was preparing to carry it away v?ith him. In these tiraes the invention of absurd rumours is a practice very much to be deprecated." The following is from a proo r -slip of local intcl igence, from the same aulkjriiy "We , do not know wkother it ia t:> be accounted for

by the present tronbie in Waikato, but it is nevertheless a fact, that the number of natives about the town is considerably less than it has been for some time. In our experience of the natives in various districts, we have noticed that whenever any difficulty .arises between Europeans and natives, the latter become at once more retired tbau usual, and confine themselves much more to their settlements, although professedly friendly."

THE THAMES

[from our own correspondent.] Gkahamstown, Thursday, 8 p.m. Long Drive tribute obtained fifteen pounds of specimens. The general crushing is better. The "United Pumping Association cut another vein a few hours ago. It is four or five inches wide, and full of base metals. Die water is slightly increasing. Alburnift pot a few more specimens. There are seventy or eighty pounds now on hand. The Una have a good strong lode iu face, showing ?old. Tho M •-anatairi have lodged 351 ounces of gold, as un instalment, from the picked stuff and plate amalgam. The single stamper will commence work to-morrow upon the specimens, of which there are over half a ton in hand. The Shamrock tribute crushed 30 tons for 4S£ ounces retorted gold. The Golden Age No. 2 tribute —from 5 tons obtained 4 ozs. 7 dwls. ret oiled gold. The Shamrock Compauy obtained from about 20 tons, G£ ounccs of golu. Prices—Sales : Caledonian, £15 os ; Cure, 23s ; Biaek Augel, 27a' 6d. A alight accident happened at the Imperial Crown battery to-day to an employee George French, lie was using a Icvnr to raise a stamper, which struck him on the chest, rebouuded, and caught the chin, breaking no bones, but injuring the teeth..

COl'O MAND KL.

[FUOII OUE O\Y.N T COUUESt'ONIIEN'T.] Thursday, 8 p.m. Tokatea.—Good prospects have been obtained during the past few (lays in the lower level of the Tokatea mine, the slone showing excellent gold and being evidently rich crushin!: dirt.. Yesterday 120 ounces of gold were lodged, u clean up having taken place in order to allow of everything being melted today. Be ten. —The line being out of order a delay occurred in starting the crushing for the mud company. Crashing will, however, be started early this morning. The refuse mullock and stuff passed through has given a veryfair return of amalgam. Golden Ijah.—The1 j ah. —The tributers to-day start to work to bail out the shaft, having rigged a whip for that, purpose. They should be able to carry out the work well in a short timo. The following parcels of gold were melted to-day at the Bank of New Zealand : — Buffalo, 19G ozs. G dwts.; Harbour View, 71 ozs. 16 dwts. ; 'Tokatea, 1502 ozs. 17 dwts ; Pride of ToUatea, 20ozs. ; Tokatea tribute, 13-1 ozs. ; sundries, Si ozs. Total, 2020 ozs. 14 dwts. Tokatea tribute got 50 lbs. of specimen stone last night. Royal Oak are getting good gold still from the lode.

THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES

[FECI! TIIE ANGLO AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAM AGENCY.] Wellington, Thursday, 5.50 p.m. In the CoHrt of Appeal, Holmes and another v. Rolleston. Argument iu this case commenced 12th May. Yesterday, 11 unanimous judgment, of the Court was delivered by the Chief Justice. This action was brought bv Messrs. Holmes aud Co. against the Superintendent for tho time being of the province of Canterbury, to recover the sum of £31,117 7s Sd, including about £11,000 interest, for certain alterations in the construction of the Lyttelton tunnel. After the contract had been duly taken for tho construction of the Lyttelton and Christchurch _ railway, it was found necessary, lor the public safety, to substitute a straight run out from the tunnel 011 the Lyttelton rise for a curved one originally designed,; and Superintendent Moorhouse instructed and employed the plaintiffs. There was 110 written contract nor appropriation by the Provincial Council to meet the additional cost. But the performance of the work and charge for tho same was not disputed. Tho def-'iiduut pleaded that the work waf done without tlio authority of ! the Provincial Council, and 110 provision for appropriation had been made, nor moneys voted or set apart for the purpose of specific work. The plaintiffs replied, setting forth the various ordinances of Lhe province, which, they contended, might be held constructively to give tho necessary sanction to the work. Tho defendant demurred to this replication, on the ground that any point raised by plaintiffs that one ordinance empowered the Superintendent to take all necessary steps for the construction of a railway. Disposed of on the ground that those necessary steps included the obtaining specific appropriation from the Provincial Council. The cose was tuken solely on its legal merits, and the Court decided that the Superintendent had no power to enter into such contract without the specific authority of the Provincial Council, and the appropriation money 1 necessary for that purpose. 7.10 p.m.

Paterson sails South to-night. Tauranga, Thursday, 8 p.m. Tho extra telegraph wire from Grahamstown to Napier is rapidly progressing. j The Southern Cross arrived at 3 o clock yesterday afternoon, and left for Ohiwa this morning. Arrived : Kiltie, from Jjittta. Wakganui, Thursday, 7.10 p.m. The meeting at Martou supported the separation movement. Christchurch, Thursday, 8 p.m. A large public meeting has been held recarding drainuge. It "waa resolved to refer the matter to two competent enginoors for

decision. Eight Balmon ova are hatched out. Pout Ciialjieks, Thursday, 8.10 p.m. Arrived, at Lhe Heads, Naomi, ship, from Loudon, 112 days out.

[FEOII TIIE NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday, 8 p.m. The Government havo resolved to grant a dissolution of tho Otago Council. _ Two meetings held in tho Rungitikei district have endorsed the separation movement. Arrived : Paterson, from tho North. Sailed : Anne Melhuisli, for "Newcastle. A telegram has been received, announcing that Captain Elger, of tho schooner Canterbury, has been drowned at Amuri. Dunedin, Thursday, 8 p.m. There aro two candidates for the scholarBhips. Invehcabgill, Thursday, S p.m. Election to-day : Cuthbertson, 159 ; Wood, , 144. !