LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume X, Issue 414, 15 May 1869, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[FEOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Chbistchckcii, Friday, 2 p.m. Mr Anderson, the Mayor of Christchurch, has been presented by the citizens of the town with u silver tea service for the manner he received the Duke on his visit to the city. The presentation took place on Thursday by Mr Justice Gresson before a large audience. Iu the Council on Thursday a resolution was carried that the Government should take over the management of the Kaiapoi bridge aud to erect a new oue. The bridge is to be repaired by tender. The contractor is to receive the tolls till the money expended is paid. The Provincial Solicitor moved the first reading of the Provincial Council Representation Bill. An amendment was proposed by Mr J. S. Williams that the first reading of the Bill be on Tuesday next, for the reason that the Government had not stated any proposition for a re-distribution of seats. The amendment was carried on a division of fifteen to thirteen. The Government have a divided opinion on the Bill, consequently it is an open question.* Mr Knight moved the advisability of leasing the railway. An amendment was moved by Mr Brown that the railways be sold. The debate on this question was adjourned till Tueaday. To-day only formal business was transacted, and the House sut for only ten minutes. The salmon ova is nearly all dead. Wellington, Friday, 5 p.m. The Hon. Mr Fitzherbert addressed the Hutt constituency on Wednesday night, aud gave an account of las English proceedings. Mr Fitzherbert said that the great question at present was the suppression of the native insurrection, and that it must be met firmly and unhesitatingly. It was of no use looking to England for troops. They must depend on themselves. The colony must occupy and settle the confiscated lands. Money was wanted, but he thought that if the Imperial Government saw the colony acting firmly, it would probably guarantee a loan. There iB no further news from the front beyond that Major Herrick's native force have been delayed in leaving Wairoa, owing to the natives' dislike to the cold weather. Mr N. G. Morse has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council. British and Foreign Bible Society.— A case of assorted Billies, shipped by the Bible Society in London expressly for Timaru, arrived by the Keera yesterday, consigned to Mr P. W. Hutton. This is the second instalment Timaru has received. Rifle Match.— The Timarn Artillery Company will this morning tire a match with the Lyttelton Artillery. The conditions are — ten men a side, each corps to tire on its own ground, and five shots each at 2UO, 300, and 400 yards, standing at 200, any position at 300 aud 400. The Timaru team consists of Sergeants Overmyeraud Beswick, Corporals Cull' and Beldy, and Gunners Blake, Mair, Machiu, R. H. Wilson, F. Wilson, and Anderson. The following are the names of the Lyttelton men — Captain Hargreaves, Lieutenants Taylor and Walker, Sergeants Hill and Cuuiiniu*, Farrier Childs, Gunners Atkinson, Ca.ro, Wells, and Kick. Waimate. — As Mr M'Clurc, of the district school, has been appointed to the Akaroa district, and was to have left Waimate on the 12th iustant, a meeting of the children was held iu the schoolhouse on the someday for the purpose of presenting him with a gift, and taking leave of him. A sum of money which hud been collected amongst the parents of the children and others, was presented to Mr M'Clure by Miss O'Keefe on behalf of the children, and an appropriate address and farewell, expressing their respect for Mr M'Clure as their teacher, and wishing him success and happiness in his new appointment. The number of children was not large, qb there is great alarm amongst many at the prevalence of a severe disease, which for some time paßt has been spreading amongst the children in and near this township, and 'of which five have died within the last week or ten days. Sheep Washing. — The Melbmirne Argus says: — "A new process of sheep-washing has been patented by Mr Muuro, who has tried its efficiency in presence of a number of gentlemen interested in pastoral pursuits, at the works of Mr Patrick Hayes, Saltwater River. The principle of the patent is to lesson labour, and make the sheep wash themselves, by swimming and passing under spouts, without any rubbing, forcing, or crutching. The sheep, one after another, enter the bath, and pass along under the spouts, coming out perfectly clean and white. By this process two or three men can superintend the washing of a large flock. Provincial Council. — On Tuesday the Provincial Solicitor moved for leave to bring in the following Bills : — Sheep Ordinance 1864 Amendment Bill 1869, Trepass of Cattle Bill 1869, Fencing Bill 1869, and Roads Bill 1869 ; and the Provincial Secretary, the Little River Reserves Sales Bill 1869. The reply to his Honor's speech was moved by Mr John Studhome, and seconded by Mr Drummond Macphcrson. On Wednesday the Sheep Ordinance 186* Amendment Bill IBG9 was read a second time. This amendment bill is to give greater facilities than have existed heretofore for the introduction of sheep from other provinces and countries. The Trespass of Cattle Bill was also read a second time, and referred to a select committee. The Fencing Bill 1869. and the Roads Bill 1869 were also read a second time, the latter bill being referred to a select committee. The provisions of this bill are to give road boards power to divide their districts into wards for electoral purposes, and also gives power to Superintendents to divide a road boad into two or more road boards. Chairmen of Counties.— The Westport Sepaiation Committee, in arranging the details of their scheme, have raised the question which was so much debated in Westland during last session of the County Council, namely, the best means of electing the County Chairman, so as to ensure the appointment of the most efficient person. On this subject the Westport Times says:— "ln the adjoining County of Westlaud, the Chairman is elected opeuly by the Council from amongst their number. The precedent embodied in the New Provinces Act was adop-

ted in the Westland Act, and althongh a good deal of objection has been raised to the principle, we confess we cannot see that election by the people would tend more to secure efficient administration. We cannot help thinking that, if conscientiously- conducted, the election of Chairman by the Council itself offers by far the greatest security for the election of a fit and proper chief officer. It is true that there was much that was objectionable in connection with the election of the Chairman of the Westland Council, but that was the fault of individuals and not of the system. .Similar struggles for place and power continually occur in much more important bodies, and because some one or two individuals choose to intrigue, that Is no reason why the whole system of election should be blamed. What would be gained by popular election ? It is no use disguising the fact, that, as a rule in communities like ours men are frequently chosen for public positions, not because of their fitness for the post, but on account either of personal considerations, or of one or other of the many minor reasons which too often regulate elections. The man with the longest purse, who could establish the most numerous agencies, and pander most to the prejudices of the people, would undoubtedly be successful; but would not be so likely to prove an efficient executive officer as one who having first undergone the ordeal of election to the Council, can afterwards only arrive at the post of honor by undergoing the crncical test of election by his fellow Councillors ? We think not ; but we do think that a great improvement can be effected upon the plan of election adopted by the County Council of Westland. The great security against intrigue cau be afforded by the ballot." Maori Juries. — Whatever the capabilities of the Maori, he appears to require a good deal of training before he can be a good juryman, as will be seen by the following paragraph from the Auckland Herald: — The other day, a Maori jury (of five) was empaunelled to try the dispute of Taipara aud Rapaua Maungauoa, in respect of the boundaries of a piece of land in Shortland. A great deal of time was occupied in getting even 5 good men. Five were at last obtained. It was almost as difficult to keep the Maori gentlemen in order as it was to get them, one placed himself in the position of counsel, and made speeches to the wituesses. Three others «vent to sleep, aud all exhibited an ungovernable propensity to keep their mouths open. His Honor the Chief Judge at last interposed, and asked. " Will no one wake up the jury ?" Fiji. — The Daily Times says: — "A correspondent writing from Levuka, on March 21 says : — There is very little of importance to report from here. The most important item is the arrival of the first branch of the Polynesian Company from Melbourne. Their steamer is shortly expocted. On the 15th inst. we had a terrific gale, one of the heaviest we have had for some years. The barque Ellesniere of .Sydney, was lost in it on the island of Gau. She is a total wreck. Nearly all the houses in the Rewa district were blown to the ground ; and the Catholic Church was boilily moved a distance of 22 feet. On this Island several stores suffered considerable damage ; and at Ban, the native houses were all blown down. As yet, we have not had time to hear all the disasters which I fully expect will tie great, especially to small boats trading about the group, aud to the cotton crops. The natives are pretty quiet. Thakambou is preparing for war with the mountaineers ou Viti Levu, in which I trust he will be successful, as everything Jb quiet. It is the king's intention to hire the prisoners of war out to planters, which will be a great boon. I send this by the Ida, via Sydney. Our port is very bare just now, there being in harbor only the Alfred, brig, bound for Samoa ; the Jeanie Duncan, bound for Sydney ; and the Jubilee, mission Schooner.