NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2133, 11 March 1886, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Parliament, which at. present stands prorogued to March 15, will be called together early in May, provided there ia no dissolution. It is understood that the Australia and Zealandia were bought by the Oceanic Company to ruu between Honolulu and Japan. Considerable trade is growing up with Japan via Hawaii. The new steamer which it is mentioned the Oceanic Company are going to build for the San Francisco mail service, will be fifty feet longer, and one foot broader thau the Alameda and Manposa. The Samoan chiefs, who left Auckland by the Mariposa in February, were landed at Tutuila, and proceeded by sailing vessel to Samoa. The chiefs expressed themselves to the passengers as being highly delighted with the entertainment they received at the hands of the New Zealand Government. The Nelson portion of the whitefish ova were found to be rotten when opened. The ova were carefully repacked in occoidance with instructions at San Francisco. It has been stated that the Wellington E-chibitiou will result in a loss ot £10,000. The Government, however, are very reticent on the sabject, and will not say more than that there is a loss ; but it is not, however, known how much as the accounts have not yet been made up. The post of Secretary of the Edncation Department is not yet filled up. Mr Habens will for the present fulfil its duties. The Government will inquire into the circumstances of the arrest of Oscar Johnstone at Christchurch, and if they consider the constable's actions within due limits, they will bear the charges of the action against him. It was intended to try a compromise, but the action came before the Cjurt too quickly. It is understood that the history of New Zealand is to be made a subject of national education, and a gentleman in Wellington is writing a manual for use in State schools. The Hon. Mr Larnach, Messr3 J. E Fitzgerald, and A. K. McDonald, the judges appointed to consider the meiits of the essays supplied in connection with the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, have selected the essays bearing the following mottoes :— " Sit Piudentia," "Press Onward," and "Nunqnam Dormio, 1 ' although it has not yet been decided who will get first, second, or third prize. The finil decision will be made shortly. Eighteen essays were sent in, one being too late for the competition. The prizes are :— 1 gold medal nnd 20 guineas, 1 silver medal and 10 guineas, and 1 bronze medal and o guineas ; the subjpet of the essays to be, "The present condition and future prospects of the industrial re3ourers of New Zealand, and the best means for fostering their development."' Mr Ballance intends next session to introduce a Bill appropriating 2000 ncret in various parts of the North Island for the settlement of landless Maoris. The Government are thinking of introducing chamois. Dr. Yon Haast is instructed to make inquiries when at home as to the cost and feasibility of thp scheme. The neighbouring colonies have been communicated with, and have raised no objection. Their consent was necessary, as chamois are liable to cattle disease. TAUPO, Tuesday, The Okaihukura block of 80,000 acres, on the south shore of Lake Taupo, passed the Native Land Court here on Saturday last, and the Government, it is said, are negotiating for the purchase of portions adapted for settlement. Te Heuheu and his brother chief have agreed, in accordance with the desire expressed by the Native Minister, to make the mountains of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe, and Tongariro, which are partly in this block, inalienable reserves, which are intended as public recreation grounds, and orders of the Court have been made accordingly. A large reservation at Tokanu, including numerous hot springs, is also being arranged for the purpose of a township and agricultural settlement. Much of the land in that neighbourhood is well suited for the latter purpose. The court is at present adjudicating upon a claim of Te Heuheu and Hitiii te Paerata to lands on the western side of LaLe Taupo, a large block of about 400,000 acres, extending from Waikato river, near Whakamaru, to Hurakia aud Tuhua. This covers a large portion of country, about which rumours of gold and other materials have been rife for years past, which will now soon be throughly tested. About 500 or 600 natives are now attending the court, and matters appear to be going on smoothly. Taonui and Rcwi Mauipoto or Manga, and other aboriginal natives are all looking after their several interests. NELSON, Tuesday. Dr. Sealey, an old settler, died this morning. He was a prominent member of the Masonic body, and was very highly respected. Mr John Brown,

another old Nelson settlor, of 40 yeaw 1 standing, died this morning, after a long illness. NAPIKR, Wednesday. The Miyor of Napier has received a telegram fum the Mayor of Cliristchurch .saying, that he had had a wire from Mr •J. I). Russell, stating that labour wai scarce and dear at Hastings, and request' ing 100 men be sent without delay. The M.iyor of Cliristchurch wiihcd to know if the information was reliable. The Mayor of Napier replied that the Mr Russell refrncd to was connected with the drainage contract at Hastings. Theie wuie plenty of unemployed men in the district w illin^' to work for fair wages, and be requested that no mini be sent on any account. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Sir Gtor«o Grey arrived from (Veilington in the Koranui this afternoon. Wednesday. Lar«e grass fires arc burning in the Northern district on Moore's Glenmarlc estate. They originated on Monday in the Waikui Valley, just after a threshing party had p.issed. The extent of the damage is nnknown. Another fire, now extinguished, broke out near Leithfield and destroyed a few telegraph pol**** The cause is unknown. DUNKDIN, Wednesday. At the inquest on Alexander Mcßae, » fisherman found drowned in the harbour, the evidence went to show that the deceased piobably fell into the water while trying to reacli his boat, waiting for him. He was uot iv liquor at the time. A verdict of "Accidental death " was given, the jury adding a rider that accommodation for fishermen landing should be provided, and lights placed on the wharf. At the Land Boird, to-day, one of the witnesses who could not be discovered st the time of the dummy ism enquiry, put in an appearance to claim a surplus due to him after the land had been re-leased. He stated at the time of the enquiry he was in Newcastle. The board postponed consideration to enable him to prove this, and his identity. The board resolved to give two months time to those deferred payment settlers who had capitalised, but were now falling into arream with incerest At a meeting of the University Connoil, the report by the committee that the council declines to give its assent to Dr. Salmoud's appointment as Professor of Mental Science, uutil legislation is passed placing the professor under the control of the council, was carried by 5 to 4,