BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Western Star, Issue 31, 13 June 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

. Wellington, June 1. i.ue Court of Appeal delivered judgment in the case Attorney-General v. Bunny. The demurrer was overruled on all points, with Costs. The first point was the validity of tiie warrant. It was held that the warrant was a bad one under the 25th clause of the Constitution Act, owing to the Su. erintendent delcgatmg his own constitutional powers to another, tvhicn he had no right to do. It was his duty to issue a warrant for every payment. On the second point whether the Court had any jurisdiction at all in the matter, a large number of precedent cases were cited, and the Court dethat it had the power. The third point raised by Mr Travers was that the necessity of a relator in the present case was unnecessary, and would have been improper. The fourth P Ol w ? s ' Ou oht the Superintendent ’s name • i rrT e “ eea worded with that of the Provin cial Treasurer. The Court 'ruled that it was not necessary, the course adopted being a proper one. The heavy gale yesterday swamped numbers of small craft, and injured others. No serious casualty is reported.

, June 2. The Government have advices of the sale in London of L 672.000 of per cent debentures, nominally at L9B, but with allowances for interest, which reduce the price to L 96 9s sd. This is part of the one and a-half million which has been offered for sale. The balance is to be old at the same price. In the Anglican Synod, Mr Sewell moved regarding the Bishopric of Dunedin—“ That this Synod having carefully examined the circumstances under which Dr Jenner claims to be first the see of Dunedin, declares that Dr Jenner, not having been appointed in accordance with the laws of the Church in New Zealand, ought not to be recognised as first Bishop, and this Synod doth hereby recognise the Eev. Samuel Tarrant Nevill, D.D., as the present and first Bishop of Dunedin.” The motion was agreed to. Mr M‘Kirdy, of Wellington, is the successful tenderer for Mungaroa contract of the Masterton line, which consists of eight miles of heavy cutting, including two tunnels. The contract price is L 55,000. There were eight unsuccessful tenderers, the highest being LBO,OOO.

Christchurch, June 2. Mr Pender, Inspector of Police at Christchurch for the past twelve years, having been removed to Timaru, a testimonial—consisting of a gold watch and chain, a silver tea and coffee service, 250 sovs, and an illuminated address— was yesterday publicly presented to him.

Alexandra, June 2. Purukutu has returned to Kuiti very proud of the excitement caused by his absence. He ssys he was engaged in flax-making.

Grahamstown, Junel. A fearful N.'W. gale raged last night, doing extensive damage. Three coasting vessels made breaches through the wharf known as Curtis. The sea-wall from Grahamstown to Tararua was considerably damaged, and a part of the railway and a quantity of ballast washed away. The Tararua wharf was nearly destroyed, and the beach strewed with timber One cutter now lies high and dry in the main street of Grahamstown. It is scarcely possible at present to estimate the extent of the damage.

Rebfton, June 1. _ The Wealth of Nations’ crushing for twenty six days yielded 4600 zof melted gold. A divi dend of 2s has been declared.

Timaru, June 1. A fire broke out at 12.30, and burnt down two wooden houses belonging to Cassidy, a baker. He was insured in the Northern Insurance Office. Paget, a tailor, for L3OO in the Standard, and L 350 in the London and Liverpool and Globe.

Auckland, June 1. The Star of the South’s news contains particulars of the murder of Eoss Lewie, a planter at Tanna. He was shot by a Native, ijn revenge for shooting a pig in a garden. He requested that his body should be buried at sea, lest the Natives should dig it up. r His wife went out with a boat to comply with his request, when the boat was driven awfEcHm a J£*le. After enduring great privations she was picked up by the schooner Donald M’Lean on a labor cruise. Bloodshed occurred on the vessel previous to taking her on board, the mate having been killed with an axe by a Native. A sailor was shot through the mouth with a poisoopd arrow, and two others were wounded. "

Mr Von der Hyde, of the firm of Henderson and Macfarlane, is a candidate to represent Waitemata.

Wellington, June 3. The sum of L 22 has been subscribed for the crew of the South Esk, to buy them clothes. A subscription list has also been started for the captain amongst the master mariners. The remains of the wreck and two boats were sold to-day by auction for Ll 5. The Opera Company has been well received. In the General Synod a Bill has been introduced to regulate the affairs of St. John’s College, Auckland. A Bill for amending the constitution of the Church in New Zealand, and making certain necessary alterations in its organisation, was read a second time. It was resolved to appoint a select committee to inquire into the desirableness or otherwise of adopting the new lectionary.

The Customs reveaue collected here from the 7th to the 31st of May was LB,IOO.

Auckland, June 2. A fire at Newmarket has destroyed four buildings. M‘Neil’s bakery, owned by Mr Wrigley, was insured in the South British for L 250, and Norwich Union for LSO. Withe, ford, ironmonger—stock, L2OO in the New Zea land ; building, L2OO in the South British and Ll5O in the New Zealand, Jenkins, draper—stock, L 250 in the New Zealand. Morgan’s -buildings, L2OO in the New Zealand ; and stock L 260 in the Norwich Union. A quantity of goods was saved, but the estimated insurance will not nearly cover the loss. The fire is believed to have originated in Witherfords workshop. The Government propose to withdraw the rating clauses of the Education Bill and institute an uniform household tax of LI, and a bachelor tax of 10s, with a capitation of 10s per child attending schools up to four in one family. This temporary arrangement will defray the cost this year. The new system, on the basis of a property tax, will be introduced next year.

Lyttelton, June 3. About 3,000 tons of stuff are estimated to have been removed by the last blast, which was ojjly a partial one. A chamber containing over two tons of powder did not fire.

Napier, June 3. The Superintendent opened the Provincial Council at 3 o’clock to-day. His address was a lengthy one, and complained of the lethargy of the inhabitants of this Province in matters of policy.

Christchurch, June 3.

In the Provincial Council a motion was put that the Museum be opened for at least three hours every Sunday afternoon, and carried by twenty-six votes to seven.

Auckland, June 4. The Clio, from New Caledonia, reports that Bateman, formerly of Auckland, and convicted of shooting a French officer, has been sentenced to ten years’ seclusion. Business at the island is active. Various gold discoveries are reported, but they are not proved payable. Prospectors are out in every direction. Arrangements have been completed between the Auckland Steam Packet Company to run one of their boats, probably the new steamer Southern Cross, between New Zealand ports, commencing at Dunedin, and Fiji.

Lyttelton, June 5.

Export quotations free on board. —Wheat, milling, 5s to 5s 3d ; oats, milling, 4s 9d ; barley, 5s to 5s 3d; flour, Ll2 10s. Potatoes have risen to L 4, with the prospect of a further rise.

Gbahamstown, June 5. The gold returns for May show a decrease of 1,300 ounces on the previous month. A number of Natives are now en route to tho great meeting at Miuanda. Native* have arrived from Makitu, East Coast, and the remote districts. The ostensible object of the meeting is to lift the bones of a great chief, and remove them to Tapu from the burial ground.

Auckland, June 3. In reply to a deputation, the Superintendent stated that Dr Hector would arrive shortly in Auckland, and that the Government would then ascertain what arrangements could be made to prospect the Kaipara district for minerals. The deputation handed in ore from the North producing 82 per cent of pure copper. , . The Harbor Board has resolved to petition the Government to lay a submarine telegraph to Tiri Tivi, in order that the arrival of the mail steamers may be telegraphed to all parts of the Colony hours before they reach the anchorage. Grahamstown, June 3. At an inquiry held into the causes of the late stranding of vessels by the recent ga e, it was decided that the qualities of the holding ground had been impaired owing to the accumulation of silt from batteries and tailings. The inquiry is not concluded. Wanganui, June 3. A crowded meeting has been held at Landon to hear Alexander McDonald's account of the points of dispute between the Natives and the Government. The meeting lasted six hours, and at its conclusion a committee of settlers was formed to represent their feelings upon the matter to the Government. M‘Donald had the meeting entirely with him. The Chiefs expressed their determination to prevent surveys or leasing or selling of land until a final adjustment of the dispute. Napier, June 3. The Provincial Council met this afternoon. All the members were present, except Messrs Tiffen and Johnson. The Superintendent, in opening his speech, alluded to the prosperous state of the Province, which had made greater progress than at any previous period. __The population had increased from 6,039 in 1871 to 9,239 in the present year, being an increase of 52 per cent., more than double proportionately that of any other Province. The revenue had largely increased, and there was a balance in the Provincial Treasury on May 31 of L 5,321. His Honor recommends the townspeople to tax themselves more for streets and roads ; advocates the making of a breakwater, and proposed that a rate be levied on certain lands to pay for its construction. He considers this the most important of all the proposed works. Measures will be submitted for the re-distribu-tion of seats in the Council; for amending the Sheep Act, which is at present ultra vires. A resolution in favor of the amendment of the Act of ISG6, in reference to the lands at the Seventy-mile Bush, so as to enable them to be put up at auction at such an upset price as they will fetch. Education for the present is to be provided out of the revenue. Teachers’ houses are to be built. He recommends that the Superintendent should alter the construction of this Council, and be be elected by the electors of the whole of the Province. He intimates that he shall not seek re-election.

Greymouth, June 3. A fire occiu’red at Paroa, six miles south of Greymouth, at one o’clock this morning. The premises were occupied by O’Connell, hotelkeeper. The office of the Road Board and a private dwelling-house were totally destroyed. Three other building were pulled down. A girl, named Eliza Houghton, twelve years of aged, was burned to death ; and other residents were severely burned while trying to escape. The cause of the fire is at present unknown. It is estimated that the loss of property will be over LI,OOO, and not covered by insurance.

Wellington, June 4. The ‘ New Zealand Times’ says that the arrangement for the reciprocal admission of goods between New Zealand and Tasmania has not been concluded, but that a circular letter covering a memorandum, approved of in the Executive Council, has been sent by the Colonial Secretary to each of the Australian Governments by Tasmania, suggesting the products mentioned in the telegram as those respecting which reciprocal arrangements might be made. The memorandum is published. Christchurch, June 4. _ At a meeting of Good Templars last night it was resolved that it is desirable to establish a Grand Lodge for the Middle Island, and that the various lodges be consulted as to whether Christchurch or Dunedin is the better place for such Grand Lodge. Ai Napier, .Tune 4.

Mr Ormond made his Financial Statement in the Council to-day. The actual revenue for the year ending 30th June will amount to about LBO,OOO. The balance in the Bank on the Ist of May was L 53,221. On 30th June, after paying all claims, there will be an available balance to date of L 34,334. The proposed expenditure on roads, bridges, and public works is 050,100. The report of the Inspector of Sheep shows there are 1,025,250 sheep in the Province—a very large increase on previous years. 70,000 bushels of grass seed have been sown. The Inspector points out the results of sowing ryegrass exclusively, and suggests the substitution of cocksfoot, timothy, and fescue. Christchurch, June 4. A meeting was held this afternon of persons favorable to the establishment of the Colonial Bank. An influential working committee was appointed to promote the undertaking. A prospectus is issued of a company to establish a new tri-weekly paper to be called the ‘ Guardian,’ with a capital of L 5,000. Wellington, June 4.

It is notified in the ‘ Gazette’ that the No. 2 (Dunedin Scottish) Company of Rifle Volunteers has been disbanded.

The Australian Mutual Provident Society has purchased 40ft frontage to the Custom House quay for L 1,750. The following Acts passed by the General Assembly will not be disallowed by Her Majesty AcC to further alter and amend the Customs Tariff Act, 1866 ; Act relating to Life Assurance Companies ; Act to amend the Steam Navigation Act, 1866, and the Steam Navigation Amendment Act, 1867 ; Act to amend the Merchant Shipping Acts Adoption Act, 1869 ; the Canterbury Waste Lands Act, 1873; Act to amend the Westland Waste Lands Act, 1870 ; Act to provide for the Resumption of Land for the purpose of Mining for Gold or Silver; Act to amend and consolidate the Laws relating to the Native Land Court and Native Lands ; Act to fix the Duties payable to Her Majesty in relation to the alienation of Native Land, and to make provision for payment and recovery thereof : Act to make provision for the better administration of Native Reserves throughout the Colony. June 5. In the Anglican General Synod the following Bills were passed :—A Bill for making certain necessary alterations in the organisation of the Church ; the Diocesan Courts’ Bill; and the New Lectionary Bill. It was resolved that, in consequence of the paramount importance of religious instruction being afforded to the young, the Synod expresses a hope that the Bishops and Synods of the various dioceses will do everything they can to secure to the parochial clergy the privilege of imparting religious instruction in Government day schools. It was also resolved to extend as widely as widely as possible the system of mutual insur ance in regard to Church properties, provided that for the present no single risk be taken exceeding LSOO. Hokitika, June 5. The first Provincial Executive is formed as follows Mr John White, Secretary and Treasurer; Mr A. R. Guinness, Solicitor; and Mr P. Duigan, Goldfields Representative.

Wellington, Juue 5. In the Anglican Synod it was resolved that steps should be taken without delay for the better endowment of the bishoprics of Waiapu and Dunedin. Regarding the celebration of marriage the Synod saw no good reason for making any formal alteration in the present usage. It was resolved that the next ordinary session of the General Synod should be held in Nelson in 1877. In order to defray the expenses of printing, the following assessment was made : —Auckland, L2O ; Nelson, Ll 5 ; Christchurch, L2O ; Wellington, L2O ; Waiapu, L 7; and Dunedin, Ll 7. The Synod then closed. Several members went South by the Tararua yesterday, including the Bishops of Dunedin, Auckland, and Nelson, and Archdeacon Edwards. The ‘Tribune’ says that there is no truth in the rumor that Judge Johnston proceeds to Otago. Judge Chapman left for the South to-day by the Tararua, the Court of Appeal Sittings being over. The ‘New Zealand Times publishes the

following telegram from Governor Eergusson’s private secretary, dated Auckland : —“ lam directed by the Governor to inform you that the paragraph in the ‘ Independent ’ of May 29, quoted from the ‘ Argus ’ of May 11, and stating that his Excellency has started the idea that all correspondence between the Governments of the several Colonies should come direct from and to the Governors of the Colonies, and not through their responsible advisers, has no foundation in fact. ” Picton, J une 6. Overend’s Provincial Hotel was burned down at seven o’clock this morning. Most of the stock and furniture was saved. It is reported that the house was insured i« the New Zealand office for L 750, and in the Victoria office for a similar amount. Lyttelton, June 6. Two smart shocks of earthquake were felt this morning. The Tararua sails for Port Chalmers at seven to-night. Grahamstown, June 6. An explosion of fire-damp occurred in the Crown Prince claim. The manager narrowly escaped. This is the first time the explosive gas has been met with on the Thames. Auckland, June 8. The Governor’s yacht left for Manakau to take Governor anil family to Wellington on arrival. William Barton is at Alexandra, waiting for Te Wheoro, when they will proceed to Tu Kuiti to see Tawhaio. If their mission comes to anything, they will proceed to Wellington, to report. Invercargill, June 8. H. G. Fielder, Inspector of Sheep for Southland, died suddenly last night. Hokitika, June 6. Haworth’s lower sawmill was burned down this morning. The loss, which is uninsured, is estimated at LI,OOO.