SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3349, 24 June 1879, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

' ADVERTISER' SPECIAL WIRE.

(pee pbess agency.)

Auckland, Monday. TIIE FRANKLIN MEMBERS BEFORE

THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

At Otahuhu to night Messrs Hobba and Hamlin, the Members for Franklin, addressed their constituents in the Public Hall, The weather was inclement, but their was a good attendance. Mr Hamlin reviewed the work of the past session, and defended the Government from the charge of wasting the time of the country. He pointed out that a great number of local and personal acts of importance had been passed through, and a number of enactments of considerable public importance introduced. He strongly advocated the appointment of several members as Parliamentary secretaries, for the country was at present being governed almost solely by irresponsible Under-Secretaries. He complained bitterly of the unfair distribution of loans between the Islands in the past, and although he was in favour of the three million loan, he would oppose it if a promise was not given to allow the North Island a fair share. Thero should bo a Minister of Works for each Island. Ho urged strongly the construction of a railway coming to the east and west coast of the North Island. He would support Ministers having half-an-bour in the school time for religious teaching. He was generally in favour of the Government programme, and reserved the right of independent action on future measures. Ho was in favour of triennial parliaments, and that the Legislative Council should be elected every seven years. Mr Hobbs said the Land Tax was not so equitable as tho Income Tax. Ho defended tho Legislative Council from the attack made by Mr Hamlin. In reference to the alleged opposition to Government measures, ho said ho was against the removal of tho duty on timber, as the Americans had an import duty. Ho was in favour of all duty off sugar, tea, and necessaries of life. He attacked trenchantly the native policy of the present Government, He had full confidence in Sir George Grey as native adminstrator, but none in Mr Slieehan. Ha believed war with tho natives was inevitable, and the cause he traced to Mr Sheehan's action at Parihaka in demanding the surrender of Hirokeand allowing himself to be brow-beaten by To Whiti. This gave that chief an inflated idea of his own importance. Ho contrasted the sobriety | of the good Order of Hau-haus with the drunkenness and brawling of the spirits nearest the Waikato settlements. Ho said no man should bo a Native . Minister whoso character was morally, * socially, and politically not such as to bo 1 an example to the natives.

Votes of confidence and thanks wero passed to both without opposition. Arrived: To-night, the 1 Glen Baladh,' barque, 108 days out from London j the 'Peerless,' brigantine, niuo days from Newcastle. The ' Baladh' reports sighting an American barque showing tho letters J.0.Q.N., bound to New Zealand, on April 13th. Tho 'Loch Fleet,' from Auckland, arrived at London prior to the 21st in. stunt.

it is the ;intention of the Government during tho session to introduce a bill making provisions for superannuation and pension allowances to officers and men of the Constabulary Forco retiring from active service.

The Auckland Stud Company promise] to bo a great sucecss. Shares are goinf

freely. The charge against O'Gilvio, of em' bezzlomoutat Kiuvakawa, was withdrawn) thero boiug no ovidoucoi

Captain W. Farquhar, of tho s.s. ' Glenolg,' which arrived from Tauranga this morning, informs us that tho contractors, by tho aid of their hydraulic apparatus, yesterday succeeded in raising tlio ' Taupo' nine inches higher than she formerly lay. At this height tho blocks were'safely fixed in position under her keel. The vessel has now been lifted a total of twenty inches, and a further distance of sixteen inches is necessary boforo tho desired threo foet is attained. As tho contractor can only work one hour daily, at low water, the work must necessarily proceed slowly.