BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3509, 22 May 1874, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Wellington, May 21. xlie announcement made by the Superintendent of Taranaki, regarding Mr Vogel’s circular on free immigration, did net state the case fairly. The Premier’s circular to Supermtendents of Provinces stated that 'the Gevernment were considering the propriety of abolishing free immigration, excepting in respect to single women and nominated immigrants. All others are to be required to give promissory notes to the amount of L 7. Before the question is finally decided, the various Superintendents are requested to express their opinions on the proposed change. The Superintendent of Wellington has written to say that he sees no reason for any change of system, and is perfectly satisfied with the immigrants already imported, all of whom were readily absorbed into the population. In the General Synod, the Bishop of Nelson moved, “That a select committee be appointed to report on the supply of candidates from the ministry, their training,” &c. The Bishop of Dunedin seconded the motion, on the ground that the time was not far distant when the supply of clergy from England would practically cease. The motion was agreed to. Archdeacon Harper’s motion regarding the independence of the Church of IN ew Zealand, namely, that the General Synod should have power to make such alterations in the articles, services, and ceremonies of the Church in New Zealand as its circumstances require, came on for discussion, and amendments by the Bishops of Nelson and Wellington led to several discussions. Ultimately it was decided to appoint as aselectcommittee the Bishops of Wellington, Waiapu, and Nelson, the Dean of Christchurch, Archdeacon’Harper, the Rev. Mr Burrows, and Messrs E. C. Quick, Hunter, Brown, and Sewell, to report upon the expediency of adopting Archdeacon Harper’s motion, and upon the advisability pf making some alterations in tho name and formulas of the Churoh of England in New Zealand, the report to be brought up on Tuesday next.

May 22. There was a long debate in the Synod on Mr Lee’s motion for distribution amongst the people of religious literature of the purest and most readable kind. In the course of the discussion the opinion was expressed that the distribution of tracts and religious books was a waste of labor. It was ultimately decided that all parts of the several dioceses should be sup* plied with tho means of obtaining religious knowledge in the shape of suitable books, printed sermons, papers, Synod reports, courses of lectures on Churoh history and liturgy. A commmittee was appointed to carry out the resolution.

During last year, according to the report of the Commissioner of Annuities, there were four* teen hundred proposals for insurance which amounted to L 547.800. Of these 309 were re. jected, representing 1420,650. The gross annual income of the department was increased by L 16.429. There were, nine claims on the fund, amounting to L 2,801. New Plymouth, May 2L In the Council, yesterday, Major Atkinson supplemented his statement of the previous day, and said the. Executive only acted as the Superintendent’s advisers, and were responsible to the Council He would taiake a statement °f the Government policy on Friday; meanwhile the Council could proceed with the formal business. The motion, for doing away with the militia parades was moved, but withdrawn on the understanding that the Government would attend to the matter. _ Hokitika, May 21. The census returns for the Province show a total population of 14,823. Males, 9.458; females, 5,365. Number of : houses, 4,974, Chinese population, 898. Ah Education Bill, similar to the Nelson Bill, is being introduced in the Provincial Council • , Ltttelton, May 3}. Ihe five-ton powder blast in connection with the contract for harbor works * failure inconsequence of the insultation being jipper- . ■ ..! V. . J . ■ _ . Alexandra, May 22. Purukutu is keeping the aukati strictly at Otanerl Already there is great grumbling amongst the Maones, who wish to oome in to dispose of their produce.