BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3731, 6 February 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Alexandra, February 5. At the Native Minister’s meeting with King Tawhaio on the 31st ult., the Native Minister received a written invitation from Tawhaio to pay him a visit at Watama, about half-way be* tween the European boundary and his principal settlement at Te Kuiti, on Monday, Ist February. Two well-manned canoes came down to take the Native Minister and his party up. On Tuesday, at 4 a.m.,the Native Minister and party started, and arrived at Louis Hetit’s at three in the afternoon, and Major Te Wharo, Pane, Hereare, Here te Ore, Rev. William Patere Te Awahiti, and other Chiefs, proceeded to Tawhiao’s village that evening ; and after the Native Minister, with Messrs Kemp, Mair, Bush, and Davies visited Tawhiao, they were received with the usual welcomes and waving of shawls. On coming close to the place two of Tawhiao’s head chiefs came out uncovered, to lead the Native Minister to the place designed for strangers. After the usual lapse of time it was announced that Tawhiao would come out and make a set speech, which had not been his previous practice. The substance of the speech was a welcome to the Native Minister, and fooio allasion to the restoration of Waikato. The Native Minister replied that his being welcomed was not a new thing, that his father bad done it before him, who has now gone, and it is but right that he should do so. After a long interval and a supply of food, Tawhiao and his principal chiefs came to shake hands with the Native Minister and party, and he expressed |his desire for a further meeting, at which he hoped the Governor and Native Minister would be present. The Native Minister replied that it might not be convenient for the Governor to attend a meeting unless it was at Kawhia. After some further conversation, the meeting terminated for that day.

On Thursday, the 4th, Tawhiao. accompanied by his wives, children, and principal chiefs, visited the Native Minister at Hetit’s, where he dined, and discussed the terms of the settlement with the Native Minister. On speaking of the restoration of Waikato, the Native Minister informed him distinctly that such a thing was quite impossible, and would not be entertained by him or by any other person in authority. The Governor had not the power to do so, the Assembly of New Zealand having passed loans respecting those lands which must be upheld, and the proceedings bad also had the concurrence of the English Government. The Government were, however, prepared to treat him with consideration, and on his aiding and co-operating with the Government in maintaining order and repressing crime within the district, whose people were under his influence, it would treat him generously for doing so; but the Native Minister did not desire to press any reply from him at present, until he had full time to confer with his people, and consider the proposals then made. Tawhiao appeared evidently well disposed, and frequently expressed his friendship towards the Native Minister, on account of his being a friend of his father’s, the late Potatau.

Ou the second day he lost much of the reserve of the previous day, and the demeanor of his people, over whom he has despotic sway, was quiet and respectful; and now that the ice has been broken by a formal meeting, which is always significant with the Natives of a termination of all hostile feeling, a wish was expressed by Tawhiao that more frequent and friendly interviews would take place with the Government.

Christchurch, February 6. Eosa Brogden, who met with a buggy accident at Temuka; died yesterday of Concussion of the brain. The City Council are not likely to agree ho the cabmen’s proposal to submit the question of the scale of fares to arbitration. 1 inal steps were taken yesterday evening to establish a Canterbury bush mission. Subscriptions amounting to LISO wore promised, and an influential committee appointed. * It has been decided to colcbrato the anniversary of St. Patrick’s Day by a dinner instead of a monster picnic. '• ’* ■ < Mr John Audepson, proprietor of the Canterbury P oundry, one of the oldest settlers and an ex-Mayor, being about to proceed to England, it has been decided to give him a dinner and testimonial.

o . . , ' Hokitika, February 6. ~. upermtendent Bonar yesterday opened the third session of the Provincial Council. In ms speech he stated that the land revenue had fallen short of the estimate by L 70 0; but as a third, of the General Government’s special grant was available, the total liabilities from the past yeajr were only L 20,000. Daring the ydar LIB,QDp had then Bjfenf on public-works, sguitallt in the pipyWnir ybshv jde referreo to the promising prospects of the JaVk-

son’s Bay settlement, and- regretted that no practical benefit to Westland had resulted from the general system of immigration. He stated it was the intention of the Government to amend license laws. He suggested the Council should settle the amounts to be paid to the tramway companies, and the General Government would be asked to introduce an Act to provide for compensation. On the Provincial question, he said his firm conviction was that the tune had arrived when the system of double Government should cease. So long as the present Provincial system continued, so long would the weaket sub-divisions of the Colony continue to suffer. 3

m, . . , . • Napier, February 6, Ihe total sales at the ram fair amounted to • Meß T* *^ led S e > Kennedy, and Co. s sales were LSOO, Mr M. R. Miller’s Jj4UO, and a few other transactions are reported. [From our own Correspondents ) . Auckland, February 5. Ine printers are greatly excited over the introduction of three girls into the ‘ Star’ office. An indignation meeting of the Typographical Society is convened for to-night.. The ‘ atar ’ defends its action, on the ground that it has , adv P cat ® d the principle that women «ii d R plaeed °? ®<l u al tooting with men m , aU busm “ 8 ®8 for which they are adapted, and states that they intend paying girls Pprecisely the same wages as boys. bb y Pattison has been committed for trial on a charge of assault with intent on a girl of tended years. The body of William Williams, a sawyer wasf ound imbedded m the sand banks o7the Waupa nver. He was last seen in a dingy on Sted Se he “ “ “ Partially i£toxiThe Superintendent proclaims a half holiday, to accord a fitting reception to the volunteer representatives, who are expected to arrive in Auckland on Tuesday evening, at six o’clock. it . a Christchurch, February 6. Up to 8 p.m. it was imagined that the per sons drowned m the Rangitata River on Thursday were Mr M Intosh, his wife, and daughter. Lhey are now proved to be Mr Hunt, head fL th Vr lu “S ru School > bis and her mother, Mrs Cunningham. The bodies of Mrs Hunt and Mrs Cuuningham were reebTfi ed y ?u terday> Mrs Hunfc leaves two young children, the youngest two years of age. 8 m c,, __ Wellington, February 6. .Jen °f the Wellington Rifle Association have ' challenged- ten Otago representatives to fire a srjar TOy b *° k - and *•» >•««. The following were the tenders for nlatelaymg on the White Cliff Brandi Canterbuiy : - George Holder. Christchurch Declined: Jos. Taylor Christchurch, L 4903; William White, fun., Ohmteburch, L 5,11 9; Wm. Fuller. Temukal The ‘Post’warmly commends Sir Donald withTl4hiS.“ m referoDCe tohiß meting WRECK OP THE S.S. PRETTY JANE, - [From our own Correspondent, ) Nbwb from Poverty day afternoon the Pretty Jane steamer left Kr r ?« “ < ? arge ° f a pilot t° P r <>ceed to Big. from tb piC ? up a r e° of grass seed, and Proceed to Auckland. OnenTbl F t u e Blg R ( ver ®he struck on the bar. The anchor was shoved out to warn the vessel b hile - this , wa ® being done the fluke p i erced . the hull of the steamer, filling her with water. There was no thf l h nM T*fb r °? tbe bar * but sut hoient to fill the hold of the steamer, which is rapidly filling wth sand, Efforts are being made to get her * no . gr ® at hopes are entertained The passengers to Auckland were brought to Napier