TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4120, 4 June 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

FATAL FIRE NEAR GREYMOTJTH. [PIIESS TELEGRAPH Agency.] Wanganui, Wednesday. A crowded meeting was held at Sandon on Monday evening, to hear Alexander McDonald's account of the points in dispute between the Natives and- Government. The meeting lasted six hours. At its conclusion, a committee of settlers was formed, to represent their feeling upon the matter to the Government. McDonald had the meeting entirely until him. The chiefs present expressed a determination to prevent all surveys, or leasing, or selling of land until the final adjustment of the dispute. Taukanga, Wednesday, The Times of this morning charges the XJndcr-Secretary of the Native Department with placing obstacles in the way of Stewart’s immigration scheme, at Katikati, by refusing to allow the Natives to sell the land. Auckland, Wednesday'. In reply to a deputation, the Superintendent stated that Dr. Hector would arrive hi Auckland shortly, and the Government would then ascertain what arrangements could bo made to prospect the ICaipara district for minerals. The deputation handed in some ore from the north, producing 82 per cent, of pure copper. James Halligau, while quarrying at Mount Eden, was killed by a fall of stone. The Harbor Board have resolved to petition the Government to lay a submarine telegraph wire to Tiri Tin, in order that the arrival of the mail steamers may ho telegraphed to all parts of the colony hours before they have reached their anchorage. Sailed—For Port Chalmers the brig Paketa, which was loading timber at Wangaroa. GItAHAMSIOWN, Wednesday. At the official inquiry asto tho causes which led to the stranding of vessels during the gale of Sunday, it was decided that tho vessels had no holding ground, owing to the accumulation of silt from tho batteries. Tho inquiry with reference to one vessel was adjourned. It is said that tho lessees of the Tararu and Grahamstown wharves will not repair them. A public meeting is to be hold this evening, to consider tho question of providing the port with proper accommodation for shipping. Napier, Wednesday. Tho Provincial Council met this afternoon. All the members were present except Messrs. Tiffin and Johnston. The Superintendent, in his opening speech, alluded to the prosperous state of the Province, which had lately made greater progress than at any previous period. Tho population had increased from 0039 in 1871 to 9239 in the present year, being an increase of 72 per cent.—more than double, proportionately, that of any other ProvinceTho revenue had largely increased, and there was a balance in the Provincial Treasury, on May 31, of £53,221, His Honor recommended the town people to tax themselves more for streets and roads, advocated tho making of a breakwater, and proposed that a rate be levied on certain lands to pay for its construction. Ho considers this tho most important of all proposed workaMeasurea would bo submitted for the redistribution of seats in tho Council, and for the amend, ment of the Sheep Act, which is at jiresont ultra vires. Resolutions would bo introduced in favor of the amendment of tho Act of 18CG

m reference to lands at the Seventy-Mile Bush, so as to enable them to be put up at such an upset price as they will fetch. Education for the present would be provided for out of revenue, and teachers’ houses would be built. He recommended that the aonstruction of the Council should be altered, so that the Superintendent should be elected by the electors of the whole Province. Mr. Ormond intimated that lie shall not seek re-election. Sailed—llangatira, for Poverty Bay. CI usisrcuuitCH, Wednesday. In the Provincial Council last night, a motion that the Museum be opened for at least three hours every Sunday afternoon, was carried by twenty-six votes against seven. Lyttelton, Wednesday. The s.s. City of Adelaide sailed at 2 p.ra. Cleared—Dilharee, for London, with 2020 bales of wool, 11,817 sacks of wheat, 1300 eases of moats,* 80 tons of tallow, and OS packages of sundries. G heyMOCTir, Wednesday. A fire occurred at Paroa, six miles south of Greyraouth, about one o’clock this morning. The promises occupied by O’Connor, hotelkeeper, the office of the Hoad Board, and a private dwelling, were totally destroyed, and three other buildings were pulled down. A girl named Elizabeth Houghton, twelve years of age, was burnt to death, and other residents were seriousiy Injured while trying to escape. The cause of tire fire is at present unknown. The loss of property is estimated at £IOOO. It was uninsured. Dunedin, Wednesday, In the Provincial Council, to-day, Mr Turnbull made his financial statement. It was only a repetition of the figures printed in the Estimates and balance-sheet. He said nothing now about the Government policy. Mr Gillies, the Speaker, has tendered his resignation, because Mr. Turnbull characterised his ruling on Monday as unprecedented and unjustifiable.