LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 201, 31 August 1870, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

NAPIER, Aug. 24.

A large m ooden house belonging to Poai-a Toru Torou, at Wakatu, has been burnt down. The cause is unknown. It is intended to issue the Herald as an evening paper three times a week. Another paper is starting, tinder the designation of the Evening Telegraph, by a company, with two hundred shares at £5 each.

A policeman named Hebberly has been found guilty of stealing a saddle. He is sentenced to six months' hard labor.

The Native Lands Court was notified to meet on the 22nd inst. A number of natives and Europeans attended, but there was no appearance of the Judge. Great dissatisfaction is expressed with respect to the matter, which will be reported to the Native Minister. I learn that four more Urewera3 have surrendered, and ten more have died from ex-

posure. Te Kowhai, a leading chief is not expected to live.

A rascal named Tepiki is amongst the dead Anaru Matene and thirty followers have returned to Waikaremoana, and are anxious to surrender.

Te Makarini, the chief who surrendered at Waikaremoana to the force under Mr. Hamlin, has now returned to see the Uriwera to induce them all to come in and give themselves up. Later advices have been received from Poverty Bay, which state that nothing had been heard of Kopata's expedition since he left Tologa Bay in quest of Te Koofci, and it is fully believed he is following him to his stronghold at Waioekji

August 28 The Keera has arrived from Auckland. WELLINGTON, August 25

To-morrow Mr. Vogel is to give a definite explanation as to the intentions of the Government -with regard to railways in the Northern Island. He has promised, in compliance with a demand to that effect, to put a sum on the estimates for the erection of a lighthouse on Portland Island—to be expended if, after the erection of the one in Tory Channel, there will be, as is anticipated, any available balance. Last night, in the House of Representatives, tlie Eepresentation Bill passed through committee without substantial alteration.

Numerous amendments were proposed, but were negatived by large majorities. One, to leave the City of Wellington tbree members, instead of reducing it to two, was negatived by 44 rotes to 13. One, to take a member from the City of Auckland and give it to the Thames, was lost by 37 votes to 21. There were equally large majorities against Mr. Armstrong's proposal to leave Christchurch with only one member, and to give the second one to Heathcote; also against Mr. Bradshaw's proposal to leave the goldfield towns intact.

Considerable opposition to the Bill is expected on the third reading. Mr. Macandrew asked if the Government would consolidate the bonds under the Otago Dock Board Ordinance, 1865. Mr. Yogel replied that the Government wore not prepared to consolidate them, but Mr. Macandrew could repurchase those bonds at 105, and so effect a saving of £1200 yearly to the province. The Government would probably place a sum of £52,500 in the schedule of the defence loan for the repurchase, thus reducing the interest from 8 to 5£ per cent. GREYMOUTH, August 25.

At 5.30 p.m. yesterday, the ketch Constance, from Charleston, Pastfoe, master, attempted to sail in over the bar at dead low tide. A roller struck her on the broadside while tacking, and she capsized in a moment, and rolleft over in the surf. A boat from the p.s. Despatch, manned by a volunteer crew, put off, and went through the surf at great risk, reaching the wreck twenty minutes after the accident. The harbor master, Captain Allardyco, threw a line which was caught by Cap'.ain Pascoei who was holding on to the bobstay, and he was saved. The crew, Peter Shields and James Carr, of Charleston, were drowned. The bodies have not yet been found. HOKETIKA, August 24.

A crowded public meeting was held last night in the Town Hall, re the annexation of Westland and Otago. The Mayor waa in the chair, who after loudly abusing the County Council, said that he kad not made up his mind as to the advantage of joining Otago.

Mr. Button, barrister, moved the first resolution —' That this meeting considers it advisable that Westland seek annexation to Otago, in the event of the Grey annexation to Nelson becoming a fact, and the Q-eneral Government refusing such assistance as \yill enable Westlaud to carry on the functions of Government." He made a long speech, impressing upon the meeting that his desire for annexation was contingent on the eventualities referred to in the resolution. He compared county and provincial institutions favorably to the former, which, he said, had not had a fair trial, and which the Ministry were detei mined it should not hare. ' His main argument was that, by annexation, powerful frieuds would be secured, who would not allow the Government further to plunder Westland.

Telegrams that, had parsed between the League an 1 Mr. Macandrew and others, at Wellington, were then read. One from Mr. Bonar, saying that he had always beeninfuvor of a nominee chairman, excited surprise and hisses. The people do not remember him to have announced that view publicly. Mr. Macandrew's telegrams express his belief that annexation

would be mutually beneficial. Mr. Barff r< commends the utmost caution.

Mr. Cassius seconded Mr. Button's motion

Mr. Hard, barrister, in an argumentative speech, deprecated annexation, and urged the meeting to cling to the boon of local sellgovernment. Mr. Macfarlane followed on the same side.

An amendment was then proposed, deferring the consideration of the question for one week." On being put to the meeting, the amendment was declared to be lost, and the original motion carried. A petition to the House of Representatives was submitted and adopted. ■ It-sets forth that, owing to losses by the capitation scheme, Westland is unable to carry on local governmtnt, and that she should bo released from her portion of the Canterbury debt; that the Government promise to take over the maintenance of the Christehurch roads is coupled with a condition most distasteful to the petitioners, namely, the nomination of a County Chairman. It prays to be released from debts, or annexed to Christchurchi

DUNEDIN, August 26,

Heavy floods throughout the country. At Oamaru, the flat part nearly submerged ; persons had to leave their houses. The landing stage was washed away. A shepherd named M'Bride lost his life in attempting to cross at Gilligan's old f«> I. Palmerston. M'Lennon has L<.e:i further remanded. He tried to dash his brains out in" his cell j has since been confined in chains.

The Provincial Q-overnment intend to establish a registry labor office at each telegraph office in the province, so that the state of the labor market throughout the province, may be learned in Dunedin at a moment's notice.

It advises employment for any number of men, in road-making, at five shillings per day.