BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3747, 25 February 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Wanganui, February 24, 1 he Ha wera correspondent of the ‘Herald’ telegraphs that the Natives of Opunake are again taking the law into their own hands. At Opunake, they have taken possession of Mr Bayley’s house, turning his servants out, and threatening to burn it down. Between Opunake and Stoney Bridge, as Messrs Broadbent and Diggs were bringing a lot of cattle, the Natives took possession of several head, shooting some and driving the others inland. They refused to give them up. They have also driven off a lot of sheep. Wellington, February 25, The Times ’ says that unimportant telegrams were received by the General Government from the Agent-General early this week, but no news of or from the Premier. ( A deputation of merchants waited upon the Commissioner of Customs regarding therecently enforced regulation affecting the transhipment of dutiable goods. The Commissioner of Customs said the regulation would be modified, and was intended to apply only in instances were cases of dutiable goods had been opened on the voyage. A fresh circular to that effect will be issued. Auckland, February 25. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. C. Wilson (‘ Herald’), G. M. Reid (‘Evening •Star’), P. Dignan, and J. Sheehan, the two last named being members of the Provincial Executive, proceeded to Kawau and presented a requisition signed by 700 of the City West electors to Sir George Grey, who readily acceeded to the request. The deputation then told him that there were many in Auckland who had mentioned him as a candidate whom they would bo glad to sue in the field for the Superintendeucy, but they scarcely ventured to hope he would make the sacrifices which such a candidature must involve. Sir George at once told them that he thought little of any personal sacrifices in the present condition of the Colony, He believed it had arrived at a turning point in its history, when every man who had ability, and the means to come forward m its service, should feel bound to do so. He was quite ready to serve the Province and the Colony to the best of his power in any capacity, ho cared not what, so that the people thought his knowledge and experience could be made useful. So far, however, as the s>uperiutendency was concerned, he (considered the claims of Mr O’Rorke were such that he should not dream of entering the field against him. When assured that Mr O’Rorke was one of those who earnestly wished him to stand, and that he would withdraw at once if he came forward, Sir George asked to be allowed to think over it for a night. The next morning he informed the deputation that after careful con-

sideration he had come to the conclusion that if the people of the Province thought ho could be useful in that or any other capacity he should be only too happy to reply to the call. He said he had spent a long life in various public capacities, and had always felt bound not to shrink from any position where the experience and knowledge be had thus acquired could be serviceable. He felt that what were commonly regarded as sacrifices, whether pecuniary or of personal comfort, were only additional arguments, and might not be without benefit, if only by example and as some check upon the growing practice of wealthy colonists of going Home and leaving the country to its fate. He should feel that in itself to be a great reward. That he was master of his own time and blest with sufficient means were no reasons for being idle\ if he could be of service, but rather he felt it made it obligatory on him not to shrink back in the present condition of the Colony. There were questions raised in the settlement of which he believed he could do a fair share. Constitutional changes were imminent, the land laws and other great Colonial questions would be brought forward, and on their satisfactory settlement the future of the Colony and the Province especially will depend. It was • an honor to be called upon to take a prominent part in a work upon which they were all more or less engaged, viz., that of laying the foundations of a great nation. He had done his share in the past, and was perfectly ready to do his best in the future, if his fellow colonists thought it desirable. All Auckland journals have declared in favor of Sir George’s candidature. (From our own Correspondents.) Auckland, February 24. A brutal assault was committed on a Native woman by a man cohabiting with her. The European went home drunk and assaulted the woman m a shocking manner. She sustained great injury, especially from a kick in the eye, which burst the eye-ball. The ruffian then decamped. A serious disturbance is expected at the proclamation of Ohinemuri as a goldfield, owing to the non-recognition by the Government of prospectors’ licenses issued by the late Superindent as holder of delegated powers. Two parties claim one section, and have got a large number of men to support their claims by physical force. The Orangemen have rallied round one claim and the Catholics round another, and a very serious collision is feared. The regulations now in course of preparation are to be gazetted, together with the proclamation of the field, in a few days hence.

* Timaru, February 25. At a public meeting hero last night it was unanimously resolved to memorialise the Post-master-General to provide a daily mail to Oamaru, so as to complete the overland service between Christchurch and Dunedin A copy of the memorial will be sent to Dunedin for signatures.

. Wellington, February 25. Parliament is further prorogued till May 31. The Commissioner of Customs, in replying to a deputation of merchants, explained that the recently promulgated order re tranship, ment of goods is not to be literally interpreted. Instead of all_ goods, only those apparently not in an original condition are to be examined.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF ARSON.

(From our own Correspondent.) Timabu, February 24. Margaret Baxter Dods, a governess in the family of Mr Gosling, was committed for trial to-day on a charge of attempted arson on her premises. Bail was allowed in ,P n 13th February the house of Mr Gosling, who resides four miles from 1 imam, was discovered to be set on fire in two different places. Shavings, paper, pieces of ri°°u an< * matc ' ies ' were found pushed tinder the floor. The police were sent for, and a watch kept all night. At half-past four in the morning a noise of feet was heard in a certain passage. The door of the cottage where the governess slept was seen to open, and marks of muddy feet were seen on the threshold. Five minutes afterwards the door was shut. A pile of sticks and shavings was found at the spot where the noise had been heard. One piece of flax stick in the pile was found to tit exactly with other pieces afterwards found in the governess’s room. The watch was continued. On the 18th a man named Berry was on the night watch. At half-past two in the morning he saw some one pass the window under the verandah, kneel down at a certain spot, and strike a match on the wall. Berry got out of the window, and challenged the person on the verandah, who was the governess. She said she heard some one about, and was going to see who it was. A quantity of shavings was found under her feet, and jammed in the wall where she struck the match. The governess had not undressed or been in bed that night. A quantity of shavings was found in her bedroom. All her clothes and effects were packed up iu a box and travelling bag when she was arrested. The prisoner is quite composed, and says she is innocent, but that appearances are against her. She asked the Inspector whether she would be transported if found guilty. It is a very extraordinary case. She is a woman of good character, is well known in the district, and has property. No motive whatever is apparent for the supposed crime. Her counsel reserves her defence. The evidence is so far circumstantial, but remarkably strong. The prisoner has tried to implicate another person, but not detinitely.