TELEGRAPHIC.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 166, 7 September 1877, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC.

,[Pe'R P&ESS A.QENOY.]

Welmn&ton, Sept. 6. A Very warm discussion took place/ iii the Hoxase this afternoon about the land transactions in Hawke's Bay. Mr Ormond made an earnest speech ia. reply to the charges made against him and tie settlers generally. He said he had only three leases from Maoris, and two he gave up when he became Superintendent ; and of 301 charges brought against the Hawke's Bay settlers before Judge Richmond, not one was substantiated. The Jury -returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the Waka Maori libel case, giving £500 damages. They found for plaintiff on all the issues.

Inveroargili., September 5. There were 200 apx^lications to-day for deferred-payment sections in the Otago and Chatton districts on M'Nab's run. * —

[ftROIi OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT,] Wellington-;, Sept. 5. A Wieetlftg of what is called the Moderate party in the House Was held to-day. Mr Thomson was elected to the chair. Nineteen members were present, and seven others sent in apologies, while other two were known to be favourable to the object of the meeting. It was unanimously resolved to form a constitutional Opposition, the main points of policy being administrative and financial reform. It was also understood, that tlie new party "would endeavour to secure the localisation of the land fund, and that all idea of Separation must be abandoned* As those present at the meeting were pledged to secresy, the full programme of the policy adopted has not been divulged. No leader was agreed upon, but a Committee was appointed to manage the affairs of the party, consisting of the following gentlemen ": -*- Messrs Thomson, Montgomery, Gisborne, Evans, Bro\vh, Burns, and Lusk. !» r ■ ■, ■