TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 744, 21 July 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, July 15. Dr Featherston is dead. The Hon. Mr Hall and Sir J. Vogel are talked about as successors. Mr Hall will most probably be selected, the services of Sir J. Vogel cannot be spared the Colony. Rumored that Mr Pyke will obtain second Resident Magistrateship for Dunedin. In going into Committee on tho Rating Bill yesterday, the Premier announced the Government proposed that runs should be rated at one half the estimated value, in accordance with the plan arrived at after much discussion in the Highways Act, 1871 ; he also said that the Government proposed re-valuating the Canterbury runs, with a view to offering them to the present holders. Government considered that, taking into account the promises given, and the understanding arrived at, this was a fair mode of dealing with them. The circumstances in Otago were widely different to those in Canterbury, where tho tenure was much less substantial, respecting the Otago runs also the law specially declared that there should be discretion as to granting new leases, and as to cutting them up into smaller runs, and that all new leases must be put to public tender. The Premier also stated that where there was a new power to late, mining property would not be exempt. Mr Stout moved, Providing always that in valuing the fee simple the value shall be guided by the actual selling price, and not by any provision of the Waste Lands Act.” The clause, after discussion, was amended as follows, and agreed to: “The rateable value of any property l means the rent of which such property would let from year to year, but shall in no cise be less than 5 per cent on the fee simple thereof, provided also that every person occupying waste lands of the Crown or other Crown lands for pastoral purposes shall be rated only in respect of the annual value, having regard to the tenure under which the said lands are held, provided always that in valuing the fee simple the valuers shall be guided byjthe actual selling price, and not by tho provisions of any Waste Lands Act.” The Counties Bill was circulated last night. It provides for thirty-nine Counties: eight for Otago—the number may be altered. The Clyde County is bounded towoards the north by the southern boundaries of tho Waimate County from Mt. St. Balkans to Mt. Kurow, thence towards the east and north-east by the western and south-west-ern boundaries of Waitaki County to the eastern corner of Run No. 255, and by the eastern boundary of that run to junction of Deep Dell Creek and boundary of the Mt. Ida Gold Field, thence towards the south by the southern boundary of the Mt. Ida Goldfield to the Taieri River, and a right line thence to the summit of tho Rock and Pillar Mountain, thence by a right line to Souter Hill; thence by a right line to the summit of the Lammerlaw Mount, and thence by a right line to the source of the Spylaw Burn ; towards the south by the centre of the Spylaw Burn to its junction with tho Pomahaka River, thence towards the north-west by the centre of the said river to its junction with Copenhagen Creek, and by a right line thence to the Remarkable Gap in the Garvie Mountains, and thence north-west]by a rightline from peak to peak along the summit of the Garvie Mountains and a right line to the source of Fraser’s River; thence by centre of that river and a right line to the summit of the Cairnmuir Hills, thence by a right line to the junction of the Leaning Rock Creek with the Clutha River, by the centre of that creek and a right line to the summit of the Leaning Rock Hill, thence by right lines from peak to peak along the summit of the Dunstan Mountains to the south-eastern corner of Run No. 237, and thence by the eastern boundary of that run to the summit of Mt. ot. Bathans, the commencing point. Wakatipu County is bounded towards the North and North-west by the Northern part ot tho south-eastern boundaries of Westland County; from tho West Coast, to the most western comer of tho Waimate County to hit. St. Bathans, thence towards the South-west, by tho Northwestern boundaries ot Clyde and Southland Counties to the centre ot tho Matanra river, thence towards tho south-west by the centre of the said river to its source, and a right lino thence to Eyre Peak, thence toward tho West, by the Western boundary ot the Wakatipu gold-field to tho Round Peak, thence towards the South by a right line to Moffat Peak, thence by a right lino to Mt. Kane, and thence by a right lino to the head of Blyth Sound, and thence towards tho West by that Sound and tho Ocean to the south-western comer of tho County ot Westland, tho commencing point, together with the adjacent islands. Dunedin is included in Otago County, and is bounded towards the West and North-east by Clyde and Waitaki Counties; from tho South.eastern corner ot tho Mt. Ida Gold-field to tho ocean ; towards tho South-east by tho ocean to tho centre of tho Taieri river; towards the Southward, by

tho centre of the Taiori river, and the Western boundary of tho Outram road district to tho boundary of of tho Hundreds, thence by tho boundary of tho Hundreds to the South-western boundary of tho Taicri Gold-field, and by . that boundary to tho summit of tho Lammorlaw Mountain, and thence towards tho North-western boundary of the Clydo County to tho commencing point. Tho Financial arrangements Bill introduced, provides compensation to Superintendents, of two years’ salary, to bo taken from revenue of tho Province, July 19. The Premier has announced that the Government will oppose any attempt to make the Land fund general revenue, and will insist on each Province being secured in possession of tho fund. Dunedin', July 20. There is not much excitement about the Mayoral election, Mr Reeves’ candidature is almost certain. Severe shocks of earthquake were experienced yes'erday morning all over tho North Island, tho heaviest felt for years. Shooks wore also felt at Hokitika, Greymouth and Christchurch.

An influential meeting was held last night at the Empire Hotel to start a co-operative store. The boundaries of Counties as proposed by the Bill, aro subject of much discussion in the General Assembly—the Government proposed a select committee of fifteen. The matter has been adjourned until after the second reading of the Bill. At a meeting of the Provincial executive, the subject of reducing tho rents on the Wakatip runs was considered—the rents will probably bo reduced on the back runs. The present rents are ruinous to the lessees. An English telegram of June 24, reports a fall of two-pence to three-pence on wool, and further that, a very uncertain market for the future. Mr William Grant, of Cromwell, has been granted by the Waste Land Board leave to occupy for seven years, one and a half acres of land on the Clutha river, Cromwell, as a landing and stacking place for timber, at a rental of L 5 per annum. A late Wellington telegram says it will probably bo the end of next week before real debate on the Government policy comnences : little business will bo done until then.

The Lingards are drawing at the Princess’s theatre. The s.s. City of New York, with the San Francisco Mail has arrived. The weather is wet, Dunedin is in astate of mud, and business is very dull. (From our Exchanges.) Wellington, July 15. The Counties and Financial Arrangements Bills do not seem to be received with very great favor. There is very great dissatisfaction about the county boundaries, and the Government has had to promise to move for a Committee to consider the county boundaries for each island. An effort will probably also be made to have the Chairman elected by the Council instead of by the county. Scarcely any Province seems satisfied with the Financial Arrangements Bill. The proposal to give each Superintendent two years’ pay will be very strongly opposed, as although some are felt to have a claim, it is thought all should not be treated a’ike. The Government will propose a vote of L3OOO for Dr Featherstone’s family. Either Sir J. Vogel or Mr Fitzherberb is regarded as most likely for the Agent-Gene-ral-ship. A deputation of Westland Members of both' Houses interviewed the Premier to-day, and he explained how the Government proposals would affect that Province, apparently to their satisfaction. , Some Otago members also had an interview, in which he said that public works to the full extent of the estimated revenue in the Province could be carried on. Some unexpected sum of L6OOO of trust funds was referred to as being available for such works in Otago. A caucus of Auckland members to-day appointed Sir G. Grey and Messrs Wood, Sheehan, and Lusk as a committee to negotiate with the other Provincial Committees. The Auckland , members are, however, a good deal split up by local differences. Messrs Pyke, Manders, Bastings, and De Lautour waited upon the Hon. Mr Richardson re the sludge channel at Tinkers, for which L6OO had been voted by the Provincial Council, but the Government had omitted to place it in their Estimates sent up here, though the amount appears on the Supplementary estimates not yet received. Mr 'Richardson replied that if the Deputy Superintendent issues a warrant or writes recommending the amount it will be immediately sanctioned. The Lotteries’ Bill passed by the Legislative Council forbids, under a penalty of LIOO, the disposal of anything by the throwing of dice, or by any game of chance or skill, or by any device whatever. The only exception being Art Unions held under Warrant from the Attorney General. The Otago men are dead against the proposed vote to Superintendents. The Auckland members hold a caucus this morning, when Sir George Grey, and Messrs Lusk and Sheehan were appointed a committee to confer with committees from other Provinces. Messrs Whitaker and Maofarlano were proposed, but rejected. Sir George Grey strongly urged economical administration and more justice to Auckland. The meeting also discussed the Californian Service, and the feeling was strongly in favor of the Bay of Islands being made the port of call, the discontinuance of the coastal service, the abandonment of Fiji as a calling place, smaller boats, and, if America declines to subsidise, the abandonment of the service. Ju’y 17. A mooting of the Committees of Otago, Auckland, and Canterbury to-day reported

they have resolved to move a direct vote of want of confidence, which it is by no moans certain would not bo carried. Tho report that such a vote is intended is contradicted by some of the Opposition. Tho Otago Committee moots to-morrow.