BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3764, 17 March 1875, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

. . Wellington, March 16. 1 he following information regarding the area of land in the different Provinces, and the quantity alienated, has been supplied by the Crown Lands Office to Mr E. Wakefield by direction of the Hon. Major Atkinson: -Total area in acres of Auckland Province, seventeen million acres; quantity alienated, 1,600,461 acres. Hawke’s Bay—Area, 2,950,000 acres; alienated, 774,303 acres. Taranaki—2,29o,ooo acres; alienated, 57,175 acres. Wellington—--7,000,000; alienated, 1,489,384 acres. Marlborough—2,72o,ooo acres; alienated, 874,601 acres. Nelson 925,469 acres. Westland—3,o4s,76o acres; alienated, 26,370 acres. Canterbury—B,69o,ooo acres ; alienated, 1,912,804 acres. Otago (including Southland district)—l6,o3B,4oo acres ; alienated, 2,463,520 acres. mi -bt ... March 17. The Wellington portion of the ’Frisco mail was 3,629 letters, 2,106 newspaper's, and twentyeight book parcels. . T'he New Zealand University concluded its vesterday, the business being formal. The Bank oi Australasia is giving 8 per cent on deposits for twelve months. ■ Hokitika, March 17. At the Supreme Court, Hugh Homill, charged with an unnatural offence, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment; and Louisa O’Brien, for unlawfully wounding, to three months’ imprisonment. , __ „ , Maketu, March 16. The Native Minister landed shortly after one to-day. The Maori welcome was enthusiastic, and a thousand Natives were present. The speeches afterwards were mostly of a very exciteable character, chiefly arising through the presence of many of those favorable to the of lands, who gave expression to opinions, which were displeasing to many old chiefs present. A disturbance was threatening. Sir Donald did not compliment the Natives on their behaviour, and said he had not found other tribes so disorderly in conducting their debates. They could not expect him to listen, if they did not behave better. They prided themselves on their loyalty fo the Pakehas. and on having fought for the Queen, but their present conduct did not encourage hopes that the grievance would be settled. In future, he advised them to select their principal mien, in speaking about their grievances before him.

(From our own Correspondent*.)

Auckland, March 16. A remarkable case Of arson has occurred at "h® Thames, A house at Waiotaki Creek, with all it contained, was set fire to, ftpj burned down yesterday. For some years the house was occupied by one Wilkinson and a woman named Mrs Boome. The latter maintained the former, who, in turn, frequently thrashed her. Yesterday the woman ran from these beatings to a neighbor’s house, and Wilkinson gathering all the combustibles he could get, set fire to the house where they bml been living. It was burned down in a few minutes, only some old bed-ticking being dragged out. The furniture all belonged to Mrs Boome, who was so afraid of Wilkinson that she did not come out of the house in which she had taken refuge, while her house and furniture were being consumed. Wilkinson was brought up at the Police Court this morning, and committed for trial. Patrick Molloy, the young Jack Sheppard, again escaped from the training-ship for the fourth time. When caught his back was well Hogged. He disappeared the following day. and has not since been heard of. Christchurch, March 16. A man named Montague Fox Henry was Drought up at the Police Court to-day, charged with embezzling the sum of LSO from Shadbolt and Co., Sandhurst, Victoria. Prom the evuience of the chief detective it appeared that he had received an anonymous letter pointing to the prisoner as being “wanted” in the prisoner was arrested he stated that he had written the letter him“e handed over to the deteetive the keys of Snadbolt s safe, and also a cheque book belonging to the firm. There axe a good number of entries for the Kaiapoi regatta, which takes place to-morrow and it appears likely to be a great success. Mrs Walter Hill took her benefit last night There was a very good house. She playedlily OConnor in the “Colleen Bawn,” Miss May Howard appearing as Ann Chute. The Cases opened at the Oddfellows’ Hall to a good house last night There will be alarge exodus of sporting men from here te the Dunedin races. Betting is not very brisk, but several Canterbury owners are sanguine of the Dunbdin Cup being won by one of our representatives. Alexmider Le Bas, formerly a resident in the North Island, and believed to have served in the Colonial forces, was yesterday committed for tnal for forgery and uttering. He had obtained L 9 from Mr Warner, landlord of the Commercial Hotel, on a cheqne, purporting to be signed by Howard Bros., representing them as stock owners. Ho such firm is in existence. , , _ . , Lawrence, March 17. Judge Gray is not so ill as it has been represented he is. He is still at Clyde, and expects to Ob able to open the District Court there to-day. The Good Templars advertise their ball in the new Town Hall, in opposition to the Roman Catholic entertainment on Easter Monday. is said that this action is owing to the priests forbidding Catholics to join the Good Templars. " ,U r L G. Love, librarian here, is the drawer or 1 raitor in the third big sweep.