TELEGRAPHIC.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 173, 2 May 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

FEU ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY. Lust Night’s News.

Auckland, Friday Night. Captain Fbaser, Magistrate and Warden at the Thames, who entered a criminal libel action against the Auckland Star, called a meeting of bia friends last night. It was resolved to withdraw the action if the Star made an apology and paid £SO to the Hospital. The Star, in reply, says If Fraser will apologise to the police and pay £oo to the Auckland Orphan Home it will allow the case to drop. It blames Fraser’s solicitor for advising him to ‘ run on bosses of our shield,’ and now, when he knows we are preparing defence 9hat will make New Zealand ring again, he, without warrant from us, delivers a message to Captain Fraser, which induces that gentleman to lick the •dust before us. We are sick and weary of these stupid threats of action, which never come to anything. People are like little boys who write ‘No Popery’ on the wall and then run away. We wish for once and for all to say that neither bribery, threats, damages, fines, nor imprisonment shall ever paralyse our pen.” The complete census returns make the population of the province 68,500, exclusive of Maoris. Provincial Council. The Provincial Council was re-opened to-day. The Superintendent, in a lengthy message, referred to the efforts made by Government fco prepare lands for settlement. It was proposed to throw the lands at Whangarei open for free selection nnder the Homestead Act. During a visit to Poverty Bay, the Government were strongly impressed with the evident necessity for taking active measures to divert the trade to Auckland, and to supply the incr:asing demands of this district. A pilot station would be established there and also at Tauranga. During the Snperintendent’s visit to Wellington arrangements were made to transfer the fore-shore of the Thames to the Provincial Government; also, for an advance of £40,000 from the General Government to the Provigcial Government, to be repaid out of land sales, and an advance of £6,000 to test the deep levels at the Thames, pending the sanction of a loan of £50,000 by the General Assembly. A Highway Bill, empowering Boards to borrow, and an Education Bill would be introduced. He regretted that the General-Government had abandoned the intention to construct the SLaipara railway extension. The Council would be called upon to consider whether the Provincial Government should do so. He acknowledged the cordial cooperation of the General Government with the Provincial Government. Auckland Cattle Market Yesterday. Mr Buckland reports:—Dairy cows are in increased demand. Cows, £7 to £ll each ; fat cattle, 36s to 37s 6d per 1001 b. Sheep in short supply ;no improvement in values. Fat, 3£d per lb; inferior ewes, 12s: long-woolled, 30s ; ewe lambs, 17s. Wellington, Friday Night. Tenders for £50,000 New Zealand Government debentures, under the Westland Loan Act, were opened to-day. The minimum price under sealed cheque was The tender was accepted. For the Colonial Trust Fund : £40,000 at 101£, £IO,OOO at 102, which was declined- The Mayor of Christchurch, £30,000 at par j this is per cent lower than last sale in London. Alexander McDonald, an adopted member of a native hapu at Manawal u, yesterday deliberately shot one of the leaders in Young’s Napier coach when near Palmerston. The supposed cause is an old land grievance. Arrived: The Golden Lea, with 358 souls. She has been placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure, there having been eleven deaths from scarlatina whilst in the tropics. There is no sickness now, and her detention is expected to be short.

Doings at Ohinemutu. The Great Native Rananga. Eotoeua, Wednesday Morning. The native meeting opened yesterday. Messrs IT. E. Hamlin, B. M, and James Maokav, Government Agent, represented the Government. Great dissatisfaction was expressed at the Governor not being present. Mr Mackay explained that his Excellency was travelling for pleasure and not officially, with which the natives seemed satisfied. After songs of welcome to the different tribes represented, Eotohiko Haupapa stood up and read the three great questions for consideration : Ist. The breaking up of the lands by sale, and of the unity of the people, and the non-adherence to the word of the island—the word not to sell or lease lands. 2nd. The land. What is to be done with It that the people may live ? 3rd. An administrator to be appointed, from among Maoris as a companion for the Governor. This may be interpreted that a Maori is to be selected to stand in precisely the same position as the Governor, or, it may be, as an assistant. The meeting then adjourned in order to allow visitors to consider the questions stated. (fboii cue special eepobtbb.) Wednesday Night. The meeting has scarcely fairly started even yet. Messrs Halse and J. C. Young and Captain Mair have joined Messrs ila nlin and Mackay. Various private Europeans are present. It is probable that the only subjects brought forward will be land—that much vexed question—and the Governor’s^Native Associate. Friday Night, The native meeting has terminated. The grand subject s considered were:—What to do with the lands in order to save the race —that the Maori King have a boundary of his own, &o.

The meeting considered the questions too complicated, and agreed that the wrongs bo sent to the General Assembly, (from ode own correspondent.) Gbamamstown, Friday Night. * Two men were yesterday committed to prison for six months, with hard labour, for robbing the widow of an hotelkeeper who died recently. °The prisoners went to condole with the widow, and took the opportunity to rob her. The Star’s correspondent says that the row between the natives of the Korewera tribe has been referred to the arbitrations of the Ngatimaru. Some of the disputants wanted to fight. Mackay is expected down here next week to resume the land purchase business. Mining is rather dull. The share market is less brisk. Claims in the Old Whau lino of reef are coming more into notice. lha Alburnia is etiii continuing to turn out rich stone. At the Borough Council meeting last night permanent officers were appointed, Mr F. ~'o. Dean was appointed Town Clerk, ho being the only applicant.