TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4277, 4 December 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

ARRIVAL OP THE HERO. THE GOVERNOR SWORN INTO OPPICE. LATER ENGLISH NEWS. SIR GEORGE GREY TELLS THE STORY OP THE CONSTITUTION. [Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Thursday. The Governor landed at 10 o’clock. He was received on the wharf by the Provincial and General Government officers. The Volunteers lined each side of tho wharf. At the city end, the City Council presented an address, The Governor replied very briefly, and said as he had only just landed, they must not expect him to express any opinion regarding the colony. They might depend that ho would make himself thoroughly acquainted with it. He hoped to return soon and enjoy tho scenery for which Auckland was famed. Tho procession proceeded through the city to Government House. Most of tho shops were closed, and strings of banners crossed the streets. The ceremony of swearing-in commenced shortly before 12 o’clock, in front of Government House. There was a large assemblage by that time on the lawn. The oaths were administered by tho Chief Justice. The Superintendent then presented an address, setting forth that peace was reigning between the two races. Tho Governor 1 briefly replied. This closed tho ceremony. It is not expected that tho Governor will leave till after Monday, as tho citizen’s ball has been postponed to that night. Miss May Howard, a celebrated actress, was a passenger by the Hero from Sydney, with G. W. Collier and a large company of theatricals. Groat consternation was created lost Sunday morning on board the Hero, when Miss

May Howard discovered that the whole of her jewellery, worth £2OOO, had been abstracted from her jewel casket. She had last seen it safe in Sydney two hours before leaving, when she placed the gems in the casket herself. On the vessel arriving here Detective Jeffrey made a search. No discovery. All the single men and women immigrants per Hydaspea were brought from the quarantine station to-day.

The Governor holds a levee at Government House to-morrow. He proceeds south by the Luna. Lord Hervey Phipps is appointed A.D.0.; Captain Maling, 35 Regiment, private secretary. Sir G. Grey has addressed a long letter to the Herald repudiating statements made by a portion of the press. He denies that the Constitution was obtained by the Constitutional Association, aided by influential men in England. No association whatever gave Sir G. Grey any assistance, directly or indirectly, in proposing or preparing any part of it. His chief assistant, here was Mr. Swainsou, who drafted the most important clause. ■ Sir Wm. Martin also assisted him, and Lord Grey in England gave all the energy of his powerful mind to perfect means by which full self-govern-ment might be secured. Sir G. Grey is no way responsible for the nominated Upper House. The whole balance of the Constitution, as originally sent home, depended upon its being an elected body and upon the manner of election, viz., by the Provincial Councils. Sir J. Pakington, who was then Colonial Minister, acting upon the advice of persons in England, changed the proposal for an elective Upper Plouse into a nominated one. Sir George Grey thought it wrong that one man should thus deal arbitrarily with the liberties of a young nation. He defends his action in first calling Provincial Government into existence before the General Assembly, and says that he rigorously fulfilled the requirements of the law. His conduct received the closest scrutiny, twice in the House of Commons and once in the House of Lords, and the result was unanimous—admission in each case that he had fully and impartially fulfilled his duty. He states that he went hurriedly home in December, 1853, after a service of eight yearn in New Zealand, amidst toils, difficulties, and privations, hardly to be imagined, in order to defend himself against accusations made by a powerful party in England, who he had offended then by preventing them from obtaining enormous Bishopry endowments in New Zealand. He refers to the debates in the House of Lords on the subject. His letter concludes with strong language on the present constitution of the Upper House, and says it is by assistance of such a, House that it is now proposed every germ of real freedom in New Zealand should be crushed out. Blenheim, Thursday. Bishop Redwood arrived here to-day. He was met at the Ferry bridge by a large number, including his mother among other relatives. An address from the laity was presented. When he came into Blenheim he proceeded to St. Mary’s Church, where an address from the clergy was presented. The Bishop replied, referring in affecting terms to his mother, who was present. Dunedin, Thursday. The new English Church (St. Matthew’s) was opened by Bishop Neville to-day. He recommended that the seats should bo free, and the church supported by offertories. The Presbytery met yesterday. Amongst the Ministers associated was the Rev. Mr. Moir, of Wellington. The Hon. Mr. Reynolds addresses his constituents in an early part of next week. Port Chalmers, Thursday. While two men, named William Gibbs and William Hawkins, were making a drill in a ballast quarry in Sawyer’s Bay this morning, the rook above them suddenly gave way, falling on top of Gibbs and so injuring him that he died shortly afterwards.