TELEGRAMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7539, 16 April 1886, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

(Pan UsiTEn Fhess Association.)

Auckland, April 15. The Thursday half-holiday movement among the boot shops has collapsed. Sir George Grey received a birthday address from the Auckland Liberal Association and liechiibites Society.

The Hon. Mr Ballance and party, after leaving Alexandra, called at Whatiwhatihoe to see Tawhaio. Good wishes only were exchanged. Mr Ballance explained that he wished to give time to Tawhaio to consult the, deputation, which returned from Auckland before a formal meeting. Tawhaio said he was glad to meet the Minister. It was a good thing they sjiould meet.

Wellixgton, April 15. j\ir A. H. Shipley's appointment as American consul at Auckland is gazetted. Mr Alexander Beck as consul for Belgium at Christehureh has been provisionally recognised. Sir C. J. Johnston has been recognised as Belgian consul for Wellington. The chairman of the board appointed under the Government Officers' Guarantee Act makes a call of 3d per cent., to repay certain defalcations of one H. D. Willcox. The amount ot defalcation was £12113s Sd.

The refusal of the Epuni Licensing Committee to grant a license for the sale of liquor at the Hutt races to-morrow and Saturday has created a good deal of comment in town. This afternoon it was discovered that portion of the course is within the boundary of the Hutt Licensing Committee, and this Committee is quite willing to grant a license, but the position where the booth would be erected is so inconvenient that it was decided not to trouble about it. The Club, however, have made arrangements for a full supply of liquid refreshments to be on the ground, aud patrons of the course will fiud no difficulty in obtaining grog, which will be supplied free.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(Fhom Our Own Correspondents.) Wellington, April 15. MR BALLANCE AND TAWHAIO. Mr Ba!lance telegraphs that he has had a most satisfactory interview with Tawhaio, whose permanent reconciliation with the European race is now, he hopes, positively secured. Tawhaio came to dine with Mr Ballance at Alexandra, and gave some very gratifying assurances as to his views and future intentions. THE PREMIER'S TARANAKI VISIT. It is stated by a local paper that the Hon. Mr Stout's late visit to Taranaki had nothiug to do with harbour matters, but was made in fulfilment of a promise to JMr Samuel, M H.R., for' the purpose of inspecting the Taranaki schools aud educational matters there generally. This explanation is not given as " an authority," and it has failed to find universal acceptance. I see no reason to doubt the accuracy of the report | which I telegraphed to yoii before—that harbour matters constituted the real object of the visit. Voluminous representations on the subject have, I hear, been received from Taranaki,and a scheme has been under consideration for the Colony taking over several of the halting harbour works on certain terms. MR DRIVER'S APPOINTMENT. A rumour is afloat to-night that all does not go quite smoothly in the Cabinet, and that MiDriver's appointment and its collateral incidents form the apple of discord. There is said to be a strong difference of opinion among Ministers as to the course which should be taken in the circumstances disclosed, but it is rumoured that Sir Julius Vogel is disinclined to accept any dictation on the part of his colleagues as to his action as chairman of the Government Insurance Board. Tijiaeu, April 15. SEEING THE GLACIERS. i The stream of tourists to Mount Cook still continues, and during last week several parties have passed through Timaru on their way to the glaciers. ! THE BORROWED DREDGE. The. dredge Progress broke down for the third time this afternoon, when a large "spur" wheel split completely in two. One half fell crashing on deck, and had it not been for a coil of rope, would probably have gone right through. The repairs will probably occupy a week. The accidents which have occurred to her are expected to cause the Harbour Board to purchase a dredge of their own. THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT. The Early Closing Association have formed a football club, which played its first match this afternoon. The movement still continues very popular.