Telegrams.

Otago Witness, Issue 1382, 25 May 1878, Page 14

Telegrams.

INTEEPROVINOIAL ITEMS.

Auckland, May 16th. The Government have determined to stop the sale of native reserves. Seven were offered to the Government during Mr Sheehan's recent visit to the King Country, but declined. He informed the natives that the reserves were made to prevent them becoming landless. A large number of reserves had been alienated during the last few years to private speculators.

Hawkes, asailmakeron board H.M.S. Sapphire, during her passage here, jumped overboard and rescued a mau named Begley who had fallen overboard. Hawkes held him up 37 minutes till a boat picked thorn up. Begley was insensible. This is the seventh life Hawkes has saved. He holds the Humane Society's medal.

It is estimated that the land on the left bank of fc he Waipa and Waikato rivers, promised by Sir George Grey to be returned to Tawhiao, will amount to nearly 100,000 acres, valued at L 50.000. At ft meeting of the Waste Lands Board today, a mass of correspondence wa3 submitted from Mr Vesey Stewart, complaining of the Agent-General's conduct re the Katikati Settlement. Sir Julius Vogel refused to issue certifi. cates to those he had sent out, and he was issuing land orders on the Government under his own signature, depending ou their being recognised in the (Jolony.

May 17th. The local Press is making severe strictures on the graving dock. Though costing L 70,000, it is not capable of receiving the smallest war ship in the harbour. H.M.S. Nymph sails shortly for Dunedin to dock for repairs to her rudder fastenings. Owing to the dock not having been deepened, as previously proposed, it is too shallow, although the channel has been dredged five feet below the sill.

A quantity of dangerous kerosene oil in the hands of parties here, which has led to accidents, was purchased from Ocoper and Bailey's Circus Company before they left Auckland. The Man-oMVar Regatta came off to-day, and excited great interest. The crews of the Nymph, Wolverine, and Sapphire took part. In the third content between ships' galleys, the Wolverine was again victorious. In the second and third races, for ships' cutters, the Nymph won.

May 19th. During the week, applications have been made for nearly the whole number of Colonial Insurance shares set apart for Auckland. Noue but bond fide insurers are encouraged. The list expected to be closed at an early date. Tenders for the erection of South British offices have been opened. The lowest is Willcox and Co., L 4840, and the highest Watson and C0.,L6344. Michael Bagley, a Beaman of H.M.S. Sap. phire, who was washed overboard on the voyage from Fiji to this port, and rescued by Petty- officer Hawkea, who jumped overboard and held him for 30 minutes, died from exhaustion here, and was buried yesterday. The officers and crew followed his remains to the grave. A purse of 30 sovereigns was presented to Hawkes for his bravery by his comrades. He holds the Humane Society's Medal, and has rescued seven persons. May 20th. Mr Richard Hobbs has been elected unopposed, vice Mr H. Lusk, for Franklin. The Hon. Mr Sheehan will go to Mahurangi and address his constituents tomorrow. He will afterwards visit the Ngapuhi tribes.

New designs have been prepared for the collapsed portion of the extension of the Kaipara railway. Mr Blackett is expected here to approve the designs. Te Kooti has Beot the following lotter to the Government :— " Te Kuiti, May 14th, 1878. To the Government. Friend Sir George Grey, salutations to you and friend Sheehan. Salutations to you— that is, both you and Sir George Grey. Friend Sheehan showed you (Sir George Grey and yourself) have received my letter, which points out the cause of my transgression. If you see in it any fault, please inform me, in order that I may know, for you are our light (or lamp) now, and you utter words of light, of goodness, and of love to man. You all teach that troubles may not arrive during your days. • My word is, your management is very good, and is exceedingly good. No man has taught in that manner before ; no trouble will now befal us. Salutations to you both and to your Council. Sufficient from yoTir sinful slave, Te Kooti Te Tubeki." Rewi also writes to the Government :— " Te Kuiti, May 17th, 1878. To Mr Grace— l have received your letter. Your word which finds fault with newspapers is correot. I am also much grieved at*deceitful works that are being carried on during days of interviews between Tawhiao and Sir G. Grey, who are trying to arrange matters between the Maori people. Sir G. Grey says let them (the two races) be under one arrangement (law). Friend Mr Grace the words of the newspaper are bad, they endeavour to separate Tawhiao and Sir G. Grey. Friend Sheehan make right those words which are true. Contradict those words which are untrue. Sufficient from (signed) Manga." At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, the balance-sheet showed a credit of £117, The President's address complained of the apathy and want of unity amongst the members.

Wellington, May 16th. The following new Justices of the Peace are appointed :— William John Birch, Hawke Bay ; Arthur Braithwaite, Hutt ; Charles Kobert Brunton, Mataura ; Michael Fraer, Lawrence ; Archil aid Fraer, Lake Wanaka ; Henry Gaisford, Ra#ke Bay; Richard Hobbs, Auckland ; Samuel Johnson, Blenheim ; William Lowes, Masterton ; John Thomas Matson, Papanui ; John Maclean, Anderson's Bay, Obago ; John M'Kenzie, Shag Valley, Otago ; Henry M'Neill, Palmerston North ; John George Shrimpton, Makarora, Otago ; William Guthrie Stewart, Makarora, Otago ; Frederick Swinley, Auckland; and RiohArd Wakelin, Greytown, Wellington. The writ in the libel action between Blundells, of the Post, and Gardiner, of the Chronicle, was served to-day. The damages are laid at LIOOO. Mi Travers is retained for the plaintiffs, and l*lr Stout for the defendant. May 21st. The Government have received the following cablegram from the Agent- General : — •' London, May 17th. — Bills accepted and advance obtained to meet bills falling due. Prospect 3of peace are improving. Hope soon to negotiate loan. Larnach arrived. — (Signed) Julius Vogel."

The Government have had a telegram from the Agent-General Btatiug that the Hon. Mr. Larnach has arrived, that the prospects of peace are more hopeful than a little time ago, and that he hopes soon to be able to place the loan lucceßsfully, In the meantime he had by

means of short dated debentures, met the bills drawn on him.

All the Ministers are expected to meet here next week.

The licensed victuallers of the city to-day formed a Trade Association. Mr. John Maginnity was elected president, and Mr. J. E. Coker treasurer. The weather is bitterly cold.

•d • j «. __AiaxAHDBA,M«ySKb.' # Kewi and other Nffatimaniopoto chiefs hay« issued an order that in future Native are to be imprisoned for robbery in Alexandra. In cast of Natives committing any crimes their punishment is to bo arranged between the chiefs and the Government. '

Tawhiao's party hare returned here. PnbUo notice has been given by one of the principal Kingitechiefs, that, in the event of any European being found trespassing on Native land in pursuit of game, his gun will be t»k«n from him. Tawhiao has determined to call a meeting of his people (to consider Sir George Grey* proposals) either near Kopua or HikurangL Liberal as the proposals are, they will be op. posed. f

rri, -d «t» . Tmjbanga, May 20th. The Bay of Plenty Times' Opotila correspondent telegraphs the following:— "An unprovoked outrage and attempt to burn" the whare of Mr Reay, Government Surveyor, over Jus head, was committed on Friday niehtat Ohwipa,byTeWharuand his brother-in-law. The matter has been reported to Captain Eeece, K.M. if immediate action be not taken Bear will be compelled to cease work. " „

a . _ , _ Gbahamstown, May 22nd, Sir John Coode arrived in the Hinemoa tbii afternoon to make a survey of the harbour. ' ; > The Thames County Council replies to tha cucular of the Westland County re Conference ot County Council representatives, .that the Conference should assemble during the sitting of Parliament in Wellington, and suggested that two representatives should be elected from erch Provincial District, by the Councils working under the Act, the cost to be defrayed equally by the Counties so represented.

m , Chbistohuroh, May 17th. There are 87 entries for the Board of Education scholarships. The average attendance of school children in the Canterbury distriot is 10,964, equal to 72 per cent, of the «ducable children.

The Drapers' and Clothiers' Association last night discussed the early closing movement, which appeared to have been a complete failure here. A proposal was made todiscon* tinue efforts and to wind up the association, put ultimately it was resolved to endeavour to infuse greater vitality into the movement and to give it another trial • T t e a 8 * 1 Bowlin 8» whose body was' found in the Avon yesterday, had been staying with her sister, Mrs Hansman, of Feathers Hotel, Addington, and for some time had been acting as daily governess at Mrs Hardy Johnston's. She left the hotel at half-past 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, saying that she was "going to Bchool," and had not told her sister that Bhe had been discharged. She had often been heard to speak of a friend of hers to whom she was engaged to be married, and who was on board the Avalanche when that ill-f*t^d ship went down.

_, May list The census returns just published *how a total population for the Provincial district of 92,433, being an increase since 1874 of 33,658. Christchurch city proper has a population of 13,408, being an increase of 3114 ; Lyttelton, 3476, or an increase of 502 ; Timaru, 3382, or an increase of 1413. The population of Christ-church-and suburbs is estimated at 30,300.' The reports of the examination of the Univereity junior scholarship papers have been received. The following are the successful candidates :— Margaret Edgar, Auckland ; B. M. Connal and C. O. Hilton, Christchurch ; A. Purdie and A. Montgomery, Dunedin, There were 30 candidates, ' ,

_. _, , t „ , , , Gisbohnb, May 21»t. The Patutahi block of 20,000 acres was Bold to-day, having beenjcut up into town, suburban, and country sections. There was a large at* tendance^ and competition was brisk. Quarteracre sections at upset price of Lls, realised L2O and up to L3O. The portion laid off for a township, about 45 acres, realised over L4OOQ, The first-class rural lands averaged L 9 per acre. The Tapataho portion of the block realised L 7 per acre, and a small portion of tha second and third class rural land was sold at the upset price. In all other cases • nearly double the upßet price was obtained.

May 22nd, The sale of suburban sections at Gisborne this day, belongfing to the late Captain Heid, realised over LIO,OOO, being an average of abodt L 55 an acre. '

L 50,000 have been expended ia the district during the last two days in buying small holdings and town sections.

_, _ J , Ekbpton, May 20tb. Mr Reeves addressed a crowded meeting of the Eeefton electors. His speeah was an elaboration of the printed address. At the conclusion he received a unanimous Vote • " That he was a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in Parliament." Mr Barrowman followed, but he was not sufficiently clear on the education question, and an amendment— " That he was not a fit tnd proper person to represent the constituency," was declared carried. Both support the Grey Government.

Hokitika, May 22nd. TheWestland County Council has received replies from most of the County Councils 1 approving of the Conference, which has been fixed for the Ist July at Wellington. ,

Gbbymodth, May 20th. Thomas Hunter, partner in the firm of Arnott and Hunter, builders, committed suicide by hanging himself in his workshop. He was quite dead when ha was found. He has been in low spirits for some weeks, and threatened to commit suicide.

Lawrence, May 20th. Throughout the whole of the week the weather has been unusually severe and boisterous. There was another heavy anow storm last evening, covering the ground to a depth of several inches, and there is no present prospect of it clearing up. • Great interest is manifested in testing, the cement at Wetherstones Gully. Brown and Gascoigne purpose erecting a ten-head battery. A Dunedin firm has the contract, and is W have the plant finished in three months.

May 21st. The assault case — Duncan v. Buchanan — came before the magistrate this afternoon. The damages were laid at LSO. The case excited great attention, as complainant had been severely beaten with a long-handled shovel. The verdict was in favour of the complainant for L 3, together with costs, amounting to L 7. The Hospital Committee has received five applications for the position of surgeon to the Hospital, and has deferred consideration of the applications for another week. An effort will bo made to get Profesior Ulriob to reaoh Wetheratoneß tor the purport

ef expressing his opinion regarding the cement there.