SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 9

SUMMARY FOR EURO PE.

POLITICAL.

The inauguration of the County system is still occupying the attention of our local politicians. In most of the Counties the whole Act has been brought into operation, but in some few instances the system has only been partly taken advantage of. Great confusion has been caused by the hasty legislation of last session, it having been found that the^ various Acts creating .the County machinery do not work in with one another. One result of of this ctate of things is that the law officers of the Crown have had a busy time of, it in endeavouring to decide the many knotty points which have been presented to them for solution by the officers of the County Councils. The last stand of resistance to the Abolition policy may be said to have been abandoned, now that the action proposed to be taken by the Otago Convention will not be carried out As our readers are aware, a Convention was called by Mr Macandrew to consider what should be done in resistance to the policy of Abolition, and it was resolved that Mr Macandrew and Sir George Grey should go home to protest against the action of the "New Zealand Parliament, on the part of the people of Otago and Auckland. Mr Macandrew would have gone on the authority of the Convention, but Sir George Grey could not go. He has been suffering greatly from Illness since the conclusion of the session, and this of itself would nave prevented his going to England. Moreover, the people of Auckland, or those of them who had objected to the carrying out of the Abolition policy, seemed to be averse to any further action. It was clear that the English Crown law officers had given full consideration to the point as to whether the- New Zealand Parliament had power to make the change, ' and had decided that what had been done was quite within the power of the Colonial Legislature. In these circumstances, the -mission home could have had no good effect. The Council of the Otago Convention has decided " that, in consequence of the continued ill-health, of Sir 1 George Grey, and the short* time that must elapse before the. meeting of the Colonial Parlunient, this, Council is ot opinion that Sir George Grey and Mr Macandrew should not at present proceed to England." At the same meeting, it was resolved " that the Council of the Convention remain as an organisation to watch the interest of the Colony against the efforts of the Centralists."

The Conference on the Bubject of the duplication of the telegraph cable between Australia and 'Europe assembled in Sydney, and held their. first meeting on the 25th January. The whole of the Australian Colonies were represented. The -deliberations of the Conference were concluded on the 2nd February. An agreement was come to, subject to the approval of the respective Governments, that New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, should enter into arrangements for duplicating the -present means 6f cable communication by the construction of a cable from Singapore to Port Darwin. By taking the matter into their own hands, the colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia will be committed to an expenditure of £9000 per annum each in excess of what they would have had to pay had all the colonies combined together, and it remains to be seen whether the Cabinets of the three colonies will be willing to furnish the extra money. Should the' proposed scheme be carried out, there is no doubt that the execution of the work will be entrusted to the Eastern Extension Company.

On the 31st January the Native and Defence Minister, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, visited the Kingites at Kaipiha, at the invitation of Manubiri, the chief adviser of Tawhiao, the so-called Maori king.' Dr. Pollen was very kindly received, and, after the ceremonies customary among the Maoris had been observed, the real business of the meeting began. The natives were asked to freely express their views. The Native Minister asked first : If the natives present were willing to act in concert with the Government in maintaining peace and upholding the law 1 and, second, if such was their desire, then a district might be set apart for Tawhiao and his people, within which he could administer the affairs of his people subject to the law. To the first proposal the natives gave a ready adhesion, but as to the second, they asked for time to consider it. Then came the customary request made at such meetings of natives, " Give us back the Waikato Islands." To this demand the Hon. the Native Minister gave a very distinct reply. He said : "It is of no use alluding to Waikato. The lands inside are absolutely gone, and even if the Government desired to return them to the natives, they could not do so, as they had passed into the hands of Europeans. If Tawhiao consented to the first and second proposals, and then asked for a piece of land within Waikato, a piece of land would be given to him." After a good deal of argument, it was suggested by Te Tuhi that the question of lands acquired by conquest should be left in abeyance. All the Waikato islands are in this position, and the Maoris are now fully convinced that those islands are for ever gone from them. Various other matters wsre talked over, and a friendly feeling was evinced on the part of the natives. At the conclusion of the meet-

ing it was agreed that, after the business of the meeting had been reported to Tawhiao, a report should be sent to the Government, in which the views of the Kingites would be expressed, and that a future meeting should be held shortly at Alexandra to discuss those views. It ia expected that in a very Bhort time unrestrained friendly intercourse will be again established between the Maoris and Europeans. Various circumstances support this view. At a Police Conference held in Wellington, the amalgamation of the Police and Armed Constabulary Forces has been recommended. The new force will be divided i into six divisions, of which four will be employed on police duty, and two reserve divisions on constabulary duty in Native districts. The various settled portions of the Colony will be divided into four police districts, each of which willbe under the control of a superintendent. The four superintendents will be Messrs Weldon (Otago), Shearman (Canterbury), Aitchison (Wellington), and Broham (Auckland). Inspector Thomson, of Auckland, will be superintendent of the detective branch, and Colonel Moule will command the whole as Chief Commissioner. The Government have completed with ! the Bank of New Zealand arrangements for advances to the extent of £1,000,000, ; which, with the half million recently borrowed in Australia, will, it is understood, enable the Government to avoid resort to the London markets for two years. Mr A. J. Burns, M.H.R., has been appointed a member of the Education Board, in the place of Mr D. Reid, resigned. A writ issued by the Court of Queen's Bench, and received in the Colony by the Californian mail a few days ago, has been served by the Messrs Brogden on the Hon. Mr Ormond, for damages arising out of the breach of the Emigration Agreement of 1872. social. • On St. Valentine's Day over 2740 letters were sent out of the Dunedin Post Office, showing an increase of about 450, as compared with the same day last year. The Suez mail took 5405 English, and 3450 Australian letters, and 30 bags. On the 16th the Annual Meeting of the Otago Institute was held, the President, Mr R. Gillies, in the chair. Officebearers were elected, and the retiring President delivered an address reviewing the work of the past session. Am'ovement has been organized through- , out the Province, with a view to present Mr Macandrew with a substantial teoti- j menial for his long public services to the Province. At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the Benevolent Institution, a very important discussion arose out of the question of legislating with a view to check, the evils arising from wife desertion and drunkenness. "The Reminiscences of a Commercial Traveller in England fifty years ago " was the subject of an able lecture delivered by Mr George Bell on the 23rd, at St. Paul's Schoolhouse, under the auspices of the Young Men's Association. ' The Port Chalmers Annual Regatta, which took place on the 23rd, was a great success. It was attended by from 2000 to 3000 people. A pleasant evening was spent at the Foresters' Hall on the 23rd, when Court Robin Hood, No. 3991, A.0.F., celebrated its thirteenth anniversary by a soiree and concert. At Dunning's Hotel on the 23rd, a social gathering of the railway employe's, who . were unable to attend the recent Railway Fete at Waihola, took place. The General Manager (Mr W. Conyers) occupied the chair, and about 25 were present. At a regular quarterly meeting of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, held at the Fire Brigade rooms on the 30th, there was a very large attendance of hon. and regular members. Several new members were proposed and elected. Mr Charles Bright delivered his clever lecture-satire, "A Race of Barbarians, or Our Noble Selves," in Watson's Hall High street, on the 2nd inst., to a numerous audience. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The match, between the All England Eleven and an Otago Eighteen has resulted in a draw. The Englishmen scored 163 in their first innings, and the grand total of the two innings of the Eighteen was 182, j leaving the former only 20 runs to get to win. The usual monthly meeting of the Otago Schoolmasters' Institute was held in the Normal School on the 3rd. Mr Fitzgerald submitted a series of regulations for the future management of the Institute. It was resolved to defer consideration of them until the next meeting. The following are the returns of the vital statistics for the month of February : Births, 129 ; deaths, 51 ; marriages, 22. MUNICIPAL. The South Dunedin Council held along meeting on the 19fch. The Conference | has passed a resolution in favour of amalgamating South Dunedin, St. Kilda, and Caversham, under one municipality, and it appears that the matter will soon be submitted for the decision of the ratepayers generally. The election of Councillor to represent East Wardof South Dunedin Municipality, in the room of Mr Barrowman, took place on the 24th. Mr. Sutcliffe received 35 votes, and Mr. Wybar 25. The South Dunedin Council, through the National Bank, has just succeeded in disposing of £1,500 worth of debentures, at £90 per cent, Aa the effect of this

was to put the Council in funds, a number of new works in the nature of street formations have been voted. RELIGIOUS. The Government having given formal notice to Mr Torrance, the Chaplain of the Gaol, that his services will be dispensed with at the end of this month, a meeting of ministers has been held to consider the subject. It was unanimously resolved that a memorial to the Government be drawn up, praying for a reconsideration of their decisioa in reference to the cancelling of Mr Torrauce's appointment. The Presbytery of Dunedin met in the Church, at Anderson's Bay, on the evening of Tuesday, the 13th instant, to moderate in a call to a successor to the Rev. Mr McNaughton, who has left the colony. A show of hands being taken, the majority was found to be ia favour of Mr Ross. Notwithstanding the numerous counterattractions, there was a good attendance at the concert given at St. Paul's Schoolhouse on the 13th ult., in aid of the Building Fund. Mr H. F. Hardy occupied the chair. The Anglican Church parishioners of the Roslyn district' held a well attended meeting last evening in the Roslyn Hall, and they resolved to form a separate parish. At the Kaik on the 20fch, the Maoris observed a general holiday in honour of the re-opening of their Church, to which an addition has been recently made. There are now about 75 adult Maoris at the Kaik, besides a large number of children. On the 20th the Presbyterian Church, Portobello road, held its annual Boire*e and meeting, under the presidency of the minister, Rev A. Greig, M.A. The building was literally packed by persons of all ages. The question of introducing instrumental music into Knox Church was partially discussed at the annual meeting on the 22nd, and referred to the Session , and Deacons' Court. A bazaar in aid of the funds of Trinity Church, Port Chalmers, was opened in Mr Kettle's old store, George street, on the 22nd. A handsome sum was realized. The anniversary services of the First Church were held on the 25th. The Rev j Professor Salmond officiated in the morning, and the Rev John Ryley, of Otepopo, in the, evening. The anniversary tea meeting of the Congregational Church, Port Chalmers, on the 25th, was a very successful affair. The anniversary. soiree of the Wesleyan Church, Broad Bay, was held in ; the Ohuroh on the 31st. About 130 persons partook of an excellent tea. The annual meeting of the congregation of the First Church was held on the Ist inst. The Rev Lindsay Mackie presided. The speeches delivered, and reports read, showed the affairs of the Church to be in a very efficient state. ' Religious services under the auspices of the Young Men's ; Christian Association were re-commenced son 'the '4th at .the Queen's Theatre, which! was crowded to excess. Mr A. Barr ocpupied the chair. Addresses were deliveded by Professor Salmond and Mr Wright. SAVINGS BANK RETURNS. The New Zealand .Gazatte of February Ist publishes an account of money orders and Savings Bank transactions for the quarter ending December 31st last in connection with the various postal districts of the Colony, as follows :— Dunedin : Money orders issued, £17,892 0s 7d ; paid, £12,803 6s ; Savings' Bank deposits, £33,655 183 3d ; withdrawals, £37,665 7s. Christchurch : Orders issued, £11,688 19s lid ; paid, £7120 Is 7d ; Savings' Bank deposits, £34,868 2s 8d ; withdrawals, £38,360 16s 7d. Wellington : Orders issued, £13,391 10« 3d ; paid, £9875 Ss lid ; Bank deposits, £30,431 10s 7d ; withdrawals, £27,533 8s Bd, Auckland: Orders isaued, £11,797 12s 4d ; paid, £13,375 18s 2d; Bank deposits, £17,750 16s 6d ; withdrawals, £18,498 Is 3d. Napier : Orders issued, £4337 10s 8d; paid, £1713 10s 8d; Bank deposits, £5178 5s 6d; withdrawals, £4203 9s 2d. Greymouth : Orders issued, £3888 0a 2d ; paid, £1960 19s sd ; Bank deposits, £4878 ISs j withdrawals, £4672 0s \ 3d. Hokitika : Oiders issued, £2481 183 7d; paid, £1951 3s 3d; Bank deposits, £5155 6: sd; withdrawals, £3575' 8s 2d. Nelson: Orders issued, £2210 0s sd ; paid, £4406 19s 2d ; Bank deposits, £369 i4s ; withdrawals, £3755 6s lOd. Blenheim : Orders issued, £2636 3s 4d ; paid, £696 8s Id ; Bank deposits, £3598 8s 9d ; withdrawals, £3052 2a sd. Invercargill : Orders issued, £2348 9s 3d; paid, £1376 2s 2d; Bank deposits, £3279 2s lid ; withdrawals, £4607 5s 9d. New Plymouth : Orders issued, £1789 6s 7d ; paid, £843 9s ; Bank deposits, £2713 11s 2d; withdrawals, £3081 9s lid. Westport : Orders issued, £1621 19s lid ; paid, £602 13s 9d; Bank deposits, £2015 Is; withdrawals, £1978 Is 6d. Thames : Orders issued, £1493 18s sd ; paid, £1203 14a; Bank deposits, £7800 163 3d ; withdrawals, £3637 03 sd. Total orders issued, £77,517 10s 5d ; paid, £57,93043 2d; Bank deposits, £154,976 2a Id; withdrawals, £154,621 17s lid. 20,233 money orders were issued, and 15,167 paid ; 12,682 deposits were made in the Savings Banks, and there were 9,987 withdrawals. RAILWAY AVORKS. Rapid progress is now being made with the work of platelaying on the Tokomairiru and Lawrence railway line, and it is expected that it will be ready for opening on the 15th of the present month. The whole of the formation on the Clutha and Mataura railway is now nearly completed between Mataura and Clinton. The laying of the permanent way between Waipaliee and the Mataura has been commenced by the contractor. The work of erecting- the Clutha bridge is being pushed on vigorously, and about threefourths of the total number of cylinders have been put down, and sivtisfactory progress is being made with the superstructure. The contracts on the Dunedra and Moeraki line are progressing favourably, During the mouth of January, there were 118 men em-

ployed at piece work on the Waikouaiti secidon. Tenders are now being invited by the, Dunedin Railway department for the erection of, 13 timber trucks, and also for the supply of about 58 tons of iron segments of cylinders for the Clutha bridge. IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION. The following is the return of immigration and emigration at the port of Dunedin during' the month ending February 28th, 1877 : ' Immigration. ! Infanta « From. Adults. Chldn. under TL Tl. 4 lyear to ¥- ' M. P. M. P. M. F. M. F. • United Kingdom 33 22 10 7 1 2 44 31 75 , New South Wales 11 8 6 4 — — 17 12 29 Victoria 90 64 6 2 — — 96 56 152 : Tasmania 5 6 21— — 7 6 13 ; \ Totals .... 139 89 24 14 1 2 164 106 269 •' Chinese. 4 — 4— 4, To Emigration. , r . Dnited Kinirdom 20 15,12 7 3 3 35 25 60; ! New South Wiles 24 15 — 3— — 24 18 42 ' Victoria 76 24 12 13— — 88 37 125 ' ' Tasmania 15 3 — 15 3 18 1 Totals 135 67 24 23 3 3 162 83 245 Chinese . 9 — 9_ 9J. R. MONSON, I Emigration Officer. -