LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 2116, 14 May 1875, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Wednesday. Tbe Dauntless from !Fiji brings the following itema of news : — Tbere has been great mortality amongst children at Levuka. About 500 natives have died at Koralsland. Lately, a gentleman from Bewa,'gave a very sad account of the fearful ravages measleß are making throughout that district. He says it in hardly possible to realise the objects of misery that exist. Children of tender years whose parents lay victims of the complaint, lie huddled together without food or sustenance. Starvation steps in to harass patients should their constitutions master the disease, and. their last end is rendered all the more paiuful. Whale fishing has been commenced ty a local party. Two tons of sugar, which arrived at Levuka from Bewa, realised £28 per ton. Measles having somewhat abated, the natives are arriving at Levuka with produce. The distillation of rum has been com rnenced in the Group. Levuka at present is full of planters, and all speak hopefully of the future if I the land question be speedily settled. '

The City of Melbourne lias 'arrived from Sydney. '; - - <: ;-V\ ) EUROPEAN NE^S B3T t)A^|?. Belgium ia reply to a second diplomatic note from Germany, haj3 communicated ; .'to the Chambers its promiae^'tOrfbllow the initiative of Germany, arid io' bring about a modification of the law. " , ,? Resolutions for the suppression of religious orders have been introduced into the Prussian Diet, Freeman is the winner of the Chester Cup. The Pope is suffering from weakness. The wool sales have opened, the quantity catalogued being 264,000 bales. Upwards of 6000 bales were offered. There was a large attendance, and the competition was brisk, prices ranging about the same as those of last series. The sales will terminate on June 18th, and the third series will commence on August 18th. The first series has been abandoned. The Australian mail via San Fraucisco has been delivered in London. Melbourne, May 7. Measures for further railway extension are promised for neit session. A public meeting resolved in favor of a progressive land tax. Lurline proceeds to Adelaide to run for the Cup. At a Melbourne conference the local leaders of the Assembly re3olved to petition Parliament to alter the Education Act so aB to permit religious instruction during school hours. The Board of Health intend to prosecute the proprietors of several workrooms and factories for breaches of the regulations. The Presbyterian Assembly have received a note from Messrs Moody and Sankey, stating that they will probably visit Australia after they return to America. Leagues have been organised to defend the Education Act against Roman Catholic denunciations. The Theatre Royal has returned a dividend of ten per cent. The Rev. Charles Clark opens his new church on Sunday next. Governor Bowen and family will return to the colony in September. His ■ Excellency received great attention from Victor Emmanuel and the Royal family of Italy, in return for the reception given to the Duke of Genoa in Australia. Garibaldi intends to send his son Riccotti to settle in Melbourne. The rumor that Government intend to remit the duties on wheat and grain has caused some excitement in the market. LATE SPECIAL TELEGRAM. Before the steamer left the failure was announced of Stubba & Co, auctioneers ; with liabilities of £100,000. Sidney., May 8. A meeting has been held touching the propriety of annexing New Guinea by the British Government. " Probably increased facilities will soon be given for the loading of sailing colliers at the port of Newcastle. Dunedik, Wednesday. A public meeting of citizens is be held on Monday, in regard to the widening of Princes street. The proceedings will likely be rowdy in the extreme. Allthe papers contain letters protesting against such scandalous misappropriation of the ratepayers' money. Messrs "Walter and Reeves are announced as candidates for the mayoral chair this year. The Governor lunches with the members of the Provincial Council on Thursday. The Marchioness of Normanby opened St. Matthew's Bazaar at two o'clock to-day, Thursday. A deputation, consisting of four members of the House of Representatives and six Provincial Councillors waited by agreement upon the Colonial Secretary, and the Commissioner of Customs, in reference to the reduction or total abolition of the gold duty by the Province of Ofcago. Mr Pyke handed the Colonial Secretary a copy of au intimationffrorn the Provincial Government to the President of the Miners' Association, which appeared to throw the onus of obstruction on the Colonial Government. Dr Pollen stated that the Colonial Government did not wish to dictate to the Province what should be done with its own revenue. The gold duty was land revenue. What the Colonial Government objected to was, he said, special legislation. What the province chose to do in appropriating its own revenue did not concern the Colonial Government. The Colouial Government was prepared to say " aye" or " no" to a distinct issue put to them. At present no such issue was before them. The deputation then withdrew.