THE PROVINCES.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 18, 20 June 1874, Page 3

THE PROVINCES.

AUCKLAND. Captain Porter, who had returned to Gisbornc, is reported to have stated that he has opened negotiations for the purchase of a large block of laud between Tologa Bay and the oilsprings, the natives stating that they are quite willing to sell to the Government. The Gisborne correspondent of the " Hawke's Bay Herald" hears also that another Government official connected with land purchases on behalf of the Crown, is now in Gisborne, so that he expects that the Government have at length realised the advisability of acquiring land on this coast. The ". Southern Cross" notices that there was lately exhibited in the window of Mr K. Baird, seedsman, Victoria street, a very substantial proof that the sweet or Lisbon orange can be grown in the neighbourhood of Auckland with great success and profit. The proof consisted of a small branch of an orange tree, containing no fewer than fifteen large-sized oranges. It was grown by the Rev John Warren, of Onchunga, in the open air, without shade or shelter of any kind. The Hokianga correspondent of the " Herald "gives the following account of a native disturbance at that place—A disturbance which at the time this is despatched promises to assume greater magnitude, is taking place at a gum field named Bakau Wahi, near Kaikohe, the facts of which, so far as can at present be ascertained, are these .:—lnvitations were some weeks ago issued by some of the owners of the land, to natives in the several kaingas in Hokianga, to proceed thither for the purpose of digging gum on the field in question, advantage of which was largely taken. The work was carried on for some days without interruption, when other claimants to the land, who did not acquiesce in the work being proceeded with, entered appearance and ordered the intruders off the ground, no notice of which was taken. Complaints were then made to the Resident Magistrates of the district, Messrs Williams and Von Stunner, and the latter at a meeting held on the field for the purpose of discussing the right of digging or otherwise, obtained from the diggers a promise that they should immediately desist digging and return to their kaingas. This promise they did not keep, and the result now is thsrt the offenders will have to clear out quietly, which they do not all feel inclined to do, or means will be taken to eject them. Already two pahs are in course of construction, and under the orders of Mohi Tawhai, who leads the objectors, upwards of thirty sheep and a number of cattle belonging, to the offenders have been killed and several whares destroyed. Wi Totoia has assumed the lead on the part of the offenders, and both parties are now under arms with a plentiful supply of ammunition. This morning upwards of thirty armed natives proceeded to the scene of action from Whirinaki to assist the offenders if a fight should happen to take place, which at present appears inevitable. Mr Von Sturmer was again at Rakau Wahi on Friday, but returned the day following, without being able to effect a settlement of the difficulty. The younger natives in the district all appear anxious to fight, and only wait till the fight commences, when they will immediately join their respective sides. WELLINGTON. The members of the Geological Survey Staff have been so zealous in their field operations during the past summer (says the " N. Z. Times"), that the cubic space available at the Museum proves utterly inadequate to the classification and arrangement of the various geological specimens procured for the purpose of illustrating the character of the country explored. For some time past, the crowded condition of the Museum has impressed upon visitors the fact that the Colonial Museum is miserably deficient in space for display ; but the Museum officials are endeavoring to make the best of the means at command, by re-arranging the geological department with a view to economising space. In about a fortnight, the geological specimens recently collected will be displayed in such a manner as to convey a proper idea of the resources of the Colony. This department of the Museum will then afford much information to those members of Parliament who, judging by their speeches of last session, took a great interest in the operations of the Geological Survey Staff. The Wanganui " Herald" reports the death of Mr Peacock, at Manawatu —a young man. who had settled on a small farm, and who had received a £IOOO instalment of a legacy of £12,000. He was found dead in a field after having been mißsed for some time. The Natives in the neighborhood of Waingongoro, says the Wanganui " Herald," are going in for four-horse coaches, three or four of which are now owned and driven by aboriginal Jehus, who exhibit considerable skill in the handling of their teams. The "Wairarapa Standard" notices the death of an old Masterton settler, named John Goodchild, who died on Friday last, after a long iliness. He was formerly a soldier in the 65th Regiment. A meeting was recently held for the purpose of considering the propriety of erecting a new Anglican Church in the city. The following were the resolutions arrived at : 1. That a new district be formed out of St Peter's parish, between the cricket ground and the harbor. 2. That a suitable site be procured, and a church erected thereon. 3. That a parsonage be, if possible, erected, and the services of a clergyman be secured for the new district;

A death is reported by the Wangauui " Herald " to have occurred in that district under suspicious circumstances. The deceased was buried on Friday without an inquest, though the f;icts an; patent to the eye of the authorities. Mary Healy was cruelly assaulted in the begiuuiug of May, her brutal assailant receiving seven days' imprisonment with hard labor for the assault. The victim was removed to the hospital suffering from the effects of her beating, and gradually succumbed until death relieved her from her sufferings. Mr W. Leatham. who is favorably known in Wellington, as a successful public caterer, has been appointed to the charge of Bellamy's during the coming session. A number of men in the employ of Messrs Pell and Parker, the contractors for the second ten miles of the Wangauui-Manawatu Railway, arrived at Wangauui per Wallace, from Nelson, last week, and will commence operations immediately. Another batch will shortly follow, and the progress of the works Will be urged on expeditiously. It is understood (says the " Herald") that the greater portion of the contract will be sub-let in small jobs, as most of the hands have worked together previously on the West Coast goldfields,..and on railway formations in the Proviuce of Nelson, and are all accustomed to the work. The Artillery Company have arranged the preliminaries for a graud ball to be given on the 6th proximo, in the Theatre Royal, the proceeds of which will be applied in augmentation of the band fund. An extensive list of lady patronesses has been secured, and there is every probability that the affair will eclipse all previous volunteer balls given in the city. The interior of the theatre upou the occasion will present an imposing array of flags, rifles, and glittering steel, and the effect is to bo further heightened by the introduction of the battery guns. The company, in fact, intend to do the thing upon a grand scale.