BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3520, 4 June 1874, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

- ■ • Auckland, June 3. In reply to a deputation, the Superintendent btated that Dr Would arrive shortly in Auckland, and that the Government would then ascertain What arrangements could be made to prospect the Kaipara district for minerals. The deputation handed in ore fi om the North producing 82 per cent of pure Copper. The Harbor Board has resolved to petition the Government to lay a submarine telegraph to Tiri Tiri, in order that the arrival of the mail steamers may be telegraphed to all parts of the Colony hours before they reach the anchorage. Geahamstown, June 3. At an inquiry held into the causes of the late stranding of vessels by the recent ga e, it was decided that the qualities of the holding ground had been impaired owing to the accumulation of silt from batteries and tailings. The inquiry is not concluded. Wanganui, June 3. A crowded meeting has bsen held at Landon to hear Alexander M ‘Donald’s account of the points of dispute between the Natives and the Government, The meeting lasted six hours, and at its conclusion a committee of settlers was formed to represent their feelings upon the matter to the Government. M‘Donald had the meeting entirely with him. The Chiefs expressed their determination to prevent surveys or leasing or selling of land until a final adjustment of the dispute. _ . . Napier, June 3. • The Provincial Council met this afternoon. kIL 0 members were present, except Messrs Ipiffen apd Johpspn. Thp Superintendent, in opening his speech, alluded to the prosperous state of the Province, which had made greater progress than at any previous period. The population had increased from 6,039 in 1871 to 9j239 in the present year, being an increase of u P er , more than double proportionately that of any other Province. The revenue had largely increased, and there was a balance in toe Provincial Treasury on May 31 of L 5.321. His Honor recommends the townspeople to tax themselves more for streets and roads; advocates the making of a breakwater, and proposed that a rate be levied on certain lands to pay for its construction. He considers this the most important of all the proposed works." Measures will be submitted for the re-distribu-tion of seats in the Council ; for amending the Sheep Act, which is at present ultra vires. A resolution in favor of the amendment of the Act of 1866, in reference to the lands at the Seventy-mile Bush, so as to enable them to be put up at auction at such an upset price as will fetch. Education for the present is to be provided out of the revenue. Teachers’ houses are to be built. He recommends that the Superintendent should alter the construction of this Council, and he be elected by the electors of the whole of the Province. He intimates that he shall not seek re-election.

* ' June 3. _ A. fire occurred at Patoa, six'miles 'south- of Greymouth, at one o’clock this morning. The premises were occupied by O’Connell, hotelkeeper. The office of the Road Board an>l a private dwelling-house were totally destroyed. Three other building were pulled down. A girl, named Eliza Houghton, twelve years of aged, was burned to death ; and other residents were severely burned while trying to escape. The cause of the fire is at present unknown. It is estimated that the loss of property will be over LI,OOO, and not covered by insurance. _ c Wellington, June 4. The ‘ New Zealand Times’ says that the arrangement for the reciprocal admission of goods between New Zealand and Tasmania has not been concluded, but that a circular-letter covering a memorandum, approved of in the Executive Council, has been sent by the Colonial to; each of the Australian Governments by Tasmania-, suggesting the products mentioned^in the telegram as those respecting which reciprocal arrangements might be made. The memorandum is published. Christchurch, June 4. At a meeting of Good Templars last night it was resolved that it is desirable to establish a Grand Lodge for the Middle Island, and that the various lodges be consulted as to whether Christchurch or Dunedin is the better place for such Grand Lodge.