TELEGRAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6591, 30 March 1883, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

(Phh United Pkkss Association.)

Auckland, March 29th. Bishop Luck has gone on a trip South by the Tavaweni to confer with his brother bishops, Bishop Cowie and several representatives are also passengers to Napier to attend tho Anglican Synod. A conceit in aid of the sufferers by tho German floods, under the direction of Horr Schmidt, was very_ successful. The band of tho Gorman war-ship assisted.

Oi-unakk, March 20th,

All tho Natives tor 10 mileu round have been going to Parihaka to welcome To Whiti and ■Tobu. It ia stated that 400 or 600 from the ActJipao on the Waimate Plains are expected up witaiu tho ueit fow days, Tlioy will not

be permitted to remain long, and when the tangi is over they will havo to go back to their own settlements.

Nai'lku, March 29th. Tawhiao an'l lm followers havo left for Taupo. At the Maori pahs here no intoxicating drink was allowed, and Tawhiao appeared to advantage when seen there When he came to town, however, he invariably became blind drunk,; and on the whole he did not create a very favourable improunion.

Wellington', March 20th. No further information has boon received by Government concerning Native affairs in tho North.

A deputation of citizens interested in the opening up of Terawhiti goldtield waited on the. Minister of Mines to-day, urging tho Government to grant a sum for the construction of a road to the field. In reply, Air Kolloston said he was aware of what work had been done at Terawhiti, but as yet no crushing had taken place. When this had been done, and the results were at all satisfactory, ho would take steps to have a road proceeded with. .

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Hawea and Patea at 10.30 last night.

A proclamation in to-night's Gazette notifies that hares and California quail may be taken or killed within the Otago district from the Ist day of May to tho 31st day of July (both inclusive); and further, that licenses to take or kill such gamo shall be issued on payment of tho sum of 20s each, and that licenses to sell such game shall bo issued on payment of the sum of £5 each. The Chief Postmaster at Dunedin is appointed to issue the licenses. Native game (excepting tuis) may be taken or killed within the said district from tho 2nd day of April to the 31st day of July (both inclusive). Mr Joseph Wood is gazetted Deputy District Land Registrar and Examiner of Titles for Lands and Deeds for the registration district of Otago during the absence on leave of Mr Hanson Turton.

The resignation of .Mr P. C. Neill as a trustee of the Dunedin Savings Bank is gazetted.

CHMSTcnuRCH, March 29th. The Bishop and other prominent members of the Episcopalian Church left in the Manapouri to-day to attend the General Synod at Nelson.

The Jennie Lee troupe left for Wellington by the same vessel.

Timaru, March 29th. At a special meeting of the Harbour Board to-day it wa3 resolved to adopt the plans for the extension of the breakwater recommended by tho engineer. By these^the angle will be commenced at the end of the present work, which extends 1700 feet direct seawards. The angle will run at 135 degrees to the present work, and with the northern wall would enclose a space of 180 acres. The depth of water will range from 12 feet to 22 feet, and can be increased seven feet by dredging.

SPECIAL TELEGRAM. (I'EOM OUE OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, March 29th. I hear that the latest advices from Sydney are decidedly discouraging as the probabilities of New South Wales joining in tho renewal of tho . San Francisco mail contract. Notice of motion has been given in tho New South Wales Parliament directly disapproving tho grauting of any subsidy by that Colony. If any subsidy is voted at all .it will be on a much smaller scalo than this Colony will have to contribute.

A report has been currrent here that the owners of the now steamships lonic and Doric, chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company, contemplate tendering for the San Francisco mail contract, and have let the New Zealand Shipping Company have their two boats at a very cheap rate, in order to show them off in the Colony and inspire a favourable feeling in their behalf, as being likely to give a better service than the present contractor*, I am assured, however, on what appears to be good authority, that there is no foundation for this report, and that the White Star Line have not the slightest idea of competing for the new contract; in fact it is thought no contractors except Americans would stand a far chance of carrying on the San Francisco service efficiently, owing to the difficulty that would be experienced in getting the mails conveyed swiftly across the American Continent by adverselydisposed railway companies. It is considered very improbable that any subvention will bo granted by Congress this year towards the service. There seems every reabon to believe that the Pacific Mail Company will secure a renewed contract under modified conditions. As to improved speed, the present boats are deemed fully capable of reducing the time by two or three days. If Now Zealand is left alone in the matter, some difficulty may arise as to the disposal of the mail boats on reaching New Zealand— whether to run them down the coast to Lyttelton, or keep them at Auckland until tho date of departure on the return voyage. There would be considerable reluctance to let themgo on, as now, to Sydney, and so give the latter placed the full benefit gratuitously of the service, which then would cost New Zealand a considerable sum —probably over £45,000 net. However, all this will be matter for subsequent arrangement when Sydney's final answer is received.

The Agent-general writes in glowing terms of eulogy as to the steamer Westmeath, which was despatched from London on the 23rd inst. for Auckland. I hear he is much less complimentary as to tho Shipping Company's new service.

The question of appointing a successor to Mr John Knowles as Under-socretary to tho Public Works Department of the Colony has, I have reason to know, been before the Cabinet, but it is understood no decision is yet arrived at. The latest rumour is that the appointment will be left open till the session for reasons of policy, but as it is one of the most important in the whole Civil Service, this report is generally discredited on the score of the public inconvenience which would be caused by allowing the post to remain so long vacant.