AUCKLAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 547, 1 February 1878, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

January 31. Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan were occupied all day at Alexandra receiving local deputations. Mr, Sheehan said no doubt the RatiDg Act was formed in the iuterest of large property owners, but it was impossible to get the valuation clause amended in the present Parliament. The remedy was a dissolution. The Government would submit material amendments in the Income Tax and Rating Acts next session. The large landowners now pontrol the local elections by plurality of votes. Tfee Premier said the matter was really in the hands of the people. Every member of the present Ministry favored small sei-rierg,

Te Wheoro came in a war canoe with 100 men, other large canoes have also arrived. Tawhia, brother-in-law of Tawhiao, arrived from Kopua, and waited on the Premier and Mr. Sheehan. Tawhiao welcomed them to Waikato. The Ministerial party will proceed upwards at o'clock tomorrow morning. A dividend of ss. was paid on Moanatairis to-day. Dr. Somerville's labors have resulted in the formation of a Ladies Christian Association. The yacht race to-day was won by Good Templar, Contraband, second. Forty-six candidates have been nominated for the Board of Education. Arrived. Norval, schooner, from Tonga. February 1. Mr. Buckland reports :—Fat cattle at irregular prices, varying from 245. to 30s. per lOOlbs.; fat sheep, in moderate numbers, at 2d. to 24d. per lb.; lambs, 7s. to 13s. Share market—Sales: National Insurance, 30s. ; South British Insurance, 70s. Buyers-..Colonial Bank, 505.; National, 725. 6d. Sellers: Bank of New Zealand, 235. to 275. 6d.; Standard Insurance, 235.