TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4010, 23 December 1874, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

Welltngton, December 22nd. The Jockey Club decided last night to hold an autumn race meeting on the Hubt course, about ten days after the Canterbury autumn meeting. There are to be four races—the Grand Stand Stakes of £60, one mile and a half; Autumn Handicap of £70, two miles ; Flying Stakes, mile and a quarter, £40; and a Hack Race.

One hundred and fifty thousand acres of the Foilding block, town and rural sections, were offered at auction to-day. There was keen competition for the town section®, especially among people from the district, and there were several instances where the upset price was doubled, £40 being paid for quarter acres. Rural sections were in- less- demand, the great bulk being withdrawn. The prices obtained all round are considered very high. Nearly £10,000 was realised.., The Marquis of Normanby presided at the distribution of the Wellington College prizes today, and after a few kindly remarks presented the prizes to the scholars.

A meeting called by the Mayor this afternoon appointed an influential Committee to cemmemorate in a suitable manner the arrival of His Excellency. It was decided to give a ball during the first week in January. Half-guinea tickets. The Post has published Mr Travers's reasons for refusing the Attorney-General-ship. The principal objection appears to be that the Attorney-General is "under the direction" of the Minister of Justice, instead of coming under the provisions of the At-torney-Generals Act, IBG6. ! CtßAHAMstown, December 22nd. The Native meeting broke ap suddenly last night, a message having been sent to Te Hira that Haiinona, Ngaroua was dying. It is reported to-day that after the public meeeting Te Hira and Te Moananui met Sir Donald M'Lean and withdrew all opposition, so that the country! is virtually open. Mr Mackay's side were said to' be annoyed at this, and say now that they .will give up the land as well as the gold. Thi chief Haimona Ngaroua is dead, and the tangi over his body is going on to-day. Te Hira and the other chiefs want a fortnight to make all arrangements and smooth down, their friends. Sir Donald goes away to the Bay of Islands, returning in two weeks, when the whole terms of the cession will be settled, and a proclamation issued. It is said that Te Hira's opposition all through proceeded from a sense of the responsibility of his position as guardian of the tribe, and riot from a desire to keep back the opening to suit his own ends.