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

The New Zealand Mail of this day (early edition) contains a summary of news for Europe and America, for transmission by the h.s. City of Adelaide, which sails this afternoon with the San Francisco mail via Auckland and Kandavau ; or by the Tararua to-morrow, via Melbourne and Suez, if specially marked to be forwarded by that route. A report, wo learn, has been current for some days in the Wairarapa district, to the effect that a payable quartz reef had been discovered there. One of the many tongues of gossip Humor spread it that the prospectors had proceeded to Wellington, to claim a reward from the Government for the discovery of a goldfield in the Province. Nothing has been board here of the party, so far as wo can learn, though they would uo doubt be welcome if they brought with them undeniable proofs of such a discovery. Our Wairarapa correspondent says :—“ A rumor is current in Wairarapa that a goldfield has been discovered on the East Coast by two men who were engaged fencing. The accounts about the matter are rather conflicting. I believe that two men wont to Wellington last week to claim the reward for the discovery of a goldfield, and that when there they discovered that the glittering metal that raised their hopes to fever point was not gold, but a blight metal that ia to be found in quantities in different parts of Wairarapa, but which no practical gold digger would over mistake for gold. It also appears that the rumor about the discovery only gained currency hero after their return—sadder but wiser men—and not on their way to town, as they then kept their precious secret safe from everyone hero until they found out its real value in town. Among the conflicting accounts I hear about the matter, I believe the above to be near the truth.” A pcdler of the name of King, arriving at the Long Bush Maori pa on Friday evening, tiro 22nd of May, stayed there all night. His caution induced him to make an entry of the numbers of bis bank-notes, amounting in value to about X 35, besides some cheques and orders ; but Ids ineautiou permitted him to disclose his money while counting it to sec if it was all right. The consequence was that ho was robbed during the night. Suspicion fell on John Riley, a white man, who was working for Wirnnm Mapopuka, chief among the Long Bush Maoris, who always employs white men to look after his sheep, and do other work that requires more attention than can he expected from Natives. King, the pedler, would not have been robbed if ho had not exposed his money in a reckless manner, but as it was, suspicion fell on Riley, for whoso apprehension a warrant was issued, and its execution entrusted to District Constables Byrne and Hargood, who started for the Long Bush Maori pa on Friday

last, where they succeeded in suddenly and unexpectedly pouncing on Riley. He was lodged in tho Greytown look-up on last Friday night, and he was taken to Foathorston for examination on Saturday before Mr. Wardell, E.M., when he was remanded until Wi M.apopuka’s wife could be brought up to give evidence. Riley, it appears, had only regained his liberty last November, after undergoing a sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. Tho Greytown Local Board held its first sitting at the Institute rooms on Thursday last. All the Commissioners wore present except Mr. II .stwell, who was in Wellington at tho time. Mr. Tully was elected chairman and Mr. T. Frethey assessor. Tho resolutions passed at the first meeting gave promise of tile proceedings of tho Board being of a practical character. In its summary of the month’s intelligence the Taranaki Heirs waxes eloquent on tho character of tho climate of tho Province. Thus “Wo are now in what corresponds to November in Groat Britain. To our Homo readers wo would urge tho beauty of our climate. Sunshiny and clear days, like the best of English autumn days, of a mildness that has not yet interfered with tomatoes, chilies, and other tender plants ; while figs arc being gathered, and are still ripening on the trees. To a certain extent the season is milder than usual. But recognising that it is so, it is a most equable and delightful climate.” An important meeting of mine managers and directors lias boon held at tho Coromandel Hotel, at which tho present system of mine reporting was condemned. The opinion of the speakers was that the reporters should only get their information from head quarters—the managers—and that they should confine themselves to facts, and not build hypotheses upon those ; in fact, that the reports should he as those are in The Miuiwj Journal. Subsequently a resolution was passed that each mine manager should draw up a weekly report and send it to tho newspaper oilices, with ids name appended ; and that all other reports should be deemed unreliable. It is usual in countries wherein Constitutional Government obtains to elect a Refreshment Committee when Parliament assembles. The South Australian Parliament met last mouth, and on a Refreshment Committee being proposed, a whisper went round, aud the result was that three somewhat notorious Good Templars were elected by ballot. The question arises, How will these lion, gentlemen fulfil tho duties cast upon them ? Will they taste of that wine which maketh glad the heart of man for the convenience of their brother legislators, or will they provide only temperance beverages 1 Mr. Hall, tho City Missionary, acknowledges having received during the month of May subscriptions in aid of the mission fund, amounting altogether to £ll Gs. Mr. Marsdenfwho mot with an accident on the Waitara Railway works last week, through the explosion of some powder whilst blasting a rock, has had a portion of his hand, including two of his fingers, amputated. Tho operation was skilfully performed by Dr. O’Carroll, and Mr. Marsden, says the Taranahi Herald , is progressing as favorably as could be expected. Tile Westland Provincial Council have resolved to communicate with the Commissioner of Telegraphs, with a view to getting the telegraph extended to Goldsborough and St" fiord. A committee of the same body has been appointed to consider what amendments are required in the Licensing Act, which is condemned as unsuitable to the district. It is a strange tiling, says the Grey Hirer Ary ns, that no one in the Council has taken up the subject of female immigration to Westland. The Province could readily absorb a considerable number of single women for domestic service.