BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3742, 19 February 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

„ Wellington, February 18. ihe Gazette’ notifies that the Harlingford Post office is closed. The following new Post Offices are opened Cambrian, Islabank, Kensington, Martin’s Bay ; the North-East Valley office will be re-opened. Mr William Brown, M. D,, is gazetted a member of the Dunedin Central Board of Health. In a Police Court case to-day between the two fire brigades, Superintendent Whateford, of the Wellington Brigade, charged Captain Moss and his branchman with having deliberately turned the hose upon him. The evidence was in favor of the plaintiff, though the occurrence arose out of a mistake, some spraj r from the Wellington Brigade’s hose wetting some man of the other company accidentally iu the first instance, when the hose was turned upon Whateford in retaliation. Defendant was fined 40s and costs. The sittings of the District Courts for the Otago Goldfields are fixed as follows Naseby > Clyde, 19th April; Queenstown. 26th April; Lawrence, 11th May. February 19. ihe islands known as the Brothers, iu Cook’s Strait, has been reserved as a site for a lighthouse. * The ‘ Times ’ is requested to state there is no foundation whatever for the statements contained in telegrams from the South to the effect that the timber in certain railway bridges in Otago and Canterbury is rotten. The Times also contradicts the statement published in the ‘ Evening Post,’ that the Government has just received news of half a million being placed to its credit in the bank by some unknown agency, and says it was neither sent by, nor passed through the manager of the Wellington branch of the Bank of New Zealand.

Some little outcry having been made against the proposed regulations as to the transhipment of dutiable goods, the ‘ Times ’ says repeated instances have come to light of transhipment cargo having been broached, but it has always been found impossible to recover the duty under the present system. “Bonded goods will be shipped, as heretofore, only during Customs hours, after which the hatches, when bonded goods are aboard, must be secured; but many vessels have more than one hatch, and where they have not they will probably construct a bulkhead, ao that bonded goods may be secured and the business of a vessel proceed as now! It appears that very small alteration will enable our coasting vessels to comply with the regulation, and the interests of trade and revenue will be advanced by the proposed change,”

Grahamstowx, February 18, The meeting of Sir Donald M‘Lean, Dr Pollen, and Mr Mackay with the Natives at Ohinemuri commenced yesterday at noon, and continued for some time ; but a drizzling rain at last c impelled them to desist. The burden of the talk was that the only question to be settled was with reference to gold, timber, and coal. It was contended that it should remain with the Natives ; but Mr Mackay explained P T ro P° sed terms of agreement, and warned the Natives of the difficulties that would arise unless all matters were arranged before Europeans entered upon the land. Te Moanarauri and Te Hiri were both present taking part in the discussion. As far as the kororo progressed it amounts to this : that the Natives only want tho gold to be included in the agreement, and all other rights to be reserved. . „ February 19. Ihe Olunemun talk continued all day yesterday until dusk, when a number of the principal chiefs came forward and signed an agreement prepared for ceding rights over the land. The Luna returns to-day, and Ministers will proceed to Auckland to be present at the late Superintendent’s funeral.

e , r , Auckland, February 18. bir George Grey has written a letter to the Government expressing his high opinion of Mr Williamson s public career, his unselfishness and integrity, and regrets he is himself so ill as to be unable to attend the funeral, Napiek, February 19. me gas company have purchased a suitable piece of ground for their works. The Rev. C. Clarke’s reception last night exceeded expectations. Both houses were purchased by speculators. (From our own Correspondents.) mi, t) ■ i , TTT Napiek, February 18. The Bishop of Wellington, who arrived here last evening, was met by crowds of Catholics, who formed a procession over a quarter of a mile in length, headed by a band. A carriage i ra T\ b /, f - ou , r ho . rses Con vcyed the Bishop to tne Catholic boys school, where he was arrayed in Ins episcopal robes, and then walked between two rows of the St. Mary’s Church oongregation, beneath a triumphal arch, the whole being lighted brilliantly with blue lights. His Lordship received an address, and preached a sermon. Much indignation is expressed in correspondence to the ‘ Telegraph’ concerning the alienation of town reserves for educational purposes at las* session of the Provincial Council. A Select Committee recommended the Superintendent to lease the town reserves, to obviate an education rate. This was done, but it was always

understood that the rents would be paid to the Corporation on the town obtaining a corporate government. It appears now that the reserves nave been permanently alienated and vested in trustees ; consequently tho Corporation starts with ue> income. The Superintendent offers the Corporation LIOO a-year from the toll-gate receipts for the maintenance of the main street, which will cost Li,200 to keep repaired. It is considered that the Provincial Council, having nobbled the town reserves for Provincial purposes, wut refuse to hand over the publicans’ hcenscs and wharves to the Corporation. Ihe telegraph ’ condemns the payment of cipiuation grants to schools, which are profifca de establishments, and it sayr, for example. Urn tees arc fortunes to the masters of the .Napier common schools. r P , -T ir, Annow, Fehiuarv 19. JJio United Company have struck a'heavy body ot good _ payable river wash, but cannot continue sinking until the new turbine is obtained. Auckland, February 18. An important land claim against the General Government is likely to be taken to the Privy Louacil, It arose under the following circuiniKaScnß :—Ca P t . ai 1 u Beaton, in 1839, purchased 15,360 acres of land in Piako from a Native named Koenaki, and the transaction was duly gazetted. His Sydney agents, who purchased the lanu through the sub-agent, were compelled to go into the Bankruptcy Court, and Beaton annulled the power of attorney that was given to them to act as his agents. After this some sub agent withdrew Captain Beaton’s claim to Uie Piako lands without producing authority. Ihe Court allowed the claim to be with<ii au n, and for this Beaton holds Government responsible. He never authorised the claim to be withdrawn, and the Sydney firm had ceased to be his agents. The land in question been purchased by Messrs Young, Whitaker, Russell, and others. Another revolting case of alleged indecent assault came before the Police Court yesterday. Dugald M'Naughton, a farmer at Remae accuse d of criminally assaulting a child, eleven years old. The girl deposed that the offence had been twice committed in her parents house during her mother’s absence. Sue was subjected to a long cross-examination, but adhered substantially to her original account. The case has been remanded tin Saturday for medical and other evidence and the defence. ■l'll® scarcity of much complained of. The immigrants to arrive by the next ship are all engaged beforehand. The railway works are delayed by the lack of hands. Sir Donald M‘Lean proceeds from Chinemuri to the East Coast, to settle some Native disputes there. EXECUTION OF THE MAORI NEWTON. (From our own Correspondent.) nr . Auckland, February 19. oTl 10 Mittene, convicted of the murder of the Native girl Henrietta, at Okarita, by breaking her nock, was executed to-day. Since his condemnation he has been very callous, and remarked, when the erection of the gallows was commenced, “Kapai”; but yesterday was very dejected. An improved form of gallows prevented any hitch. The wretched man died without a struggle, but lasserted his innocence till the last. A most objectionable feature at the execution was the appearance of the hangman, who, owing to the recognition of the local Calcraft on a previous occasion, and his consequent expulsion from a Good Templar lodge, this time assumed a most hideous disguise. He had a long painted mask, a slouch hat, and a pocket hankerchief hung round to conceal the color of his hair, and had generally a most diabolical and repulsive appearance, ARRIVAL OF THE OMEO. m. n . Bluff, February 18. iho 8.8. Omeo arrived at the Bluff at 7.30 p.m. She left Melbourne at 2.30 p.m. on the 13th, and brings three days later Australian news, but no additional English news. She brings thirty-two saloon and twenty-eight steerage passengers, 250 tons cf cargo, 45 horses, and 160 rams, for all ports. She sails for Dunedin at 4 p.m. to morrow. For Dunedin she brings twenty-three steerage passengers U0 tons of cargo, 45 horses, and the following saloon passengers Messrs Leikey, Denny Montgomery, Young. Macßeath, Denbigh, Simmons, Martin, Higson, Mrs Leikey, Mrs P/. !in J’ Mrs Mills, Miss Simmons, Mrs and Miss Colwell, Miss Little, and Mrs Denbigh. LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS. . Melbourne, February 13. i)urmg the last few days the rain has fallen m torrents, and has flooded the lowlying streets, but the atmosphere still continues close. A Royal Commission on Friendly Societies has been appointed. r-m Vre uM tlle Bleneathra was sold for PaTt or£ he i " sarances are :-New Zealand Un T V o r L5 > 000 ; National, Sydney Marine, L 3,450; United, L 2.700 ; Adelaide, L 1,400 Southern, L 1,300 ; New South Wales, LSSO ; Mian General, L 350 ; and Victoria, LIOO Miss Kmmmont, daughter of a Presbyterian minister, has died from the effects of accidental burning. The mortality amongst young children continues. i ■f*’ t|l e , Philadelphia Exhibition, Australasia will be located between India and France. iho corvette Nymph, nine guns, is to join the Australian station. O Farrels case is partly heard, and is adjourned till Monday. WOn Ji he Hobart Town cup; distance, in the race ere was nothing of consequence M r, i , , Sydney, February 13. • j• r Bobertson < has issued an address which indicates legislation on most subjects proposed r y la * e Government. He will increase the facilities for free trade; amend the Land Act; arrange expeditious mail contracts : increase telegraphic communications, and push on railways. Mr Innes succeeds Mr Docker as Chairman or Committees in the Council. at ?, a^ es is a ! 3out New Zealand. ~ Mr Hniley seeks a seat in the Assembly on the first vacancy. mi Adelaide, February 13. Ihe Chief Secretary, Treasurer, and Commissioner of Public Works were re-elected. Ihe elections so far favor the Government.