TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 223, 25 February 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

{Press Telegraph Agency.') Gbahamstown, February 24. Fifty men have been placed on work making a road from the Whanmuri landing to the Government township. At the Gorge a township has been rushed by the miners, who expect to make use of the business sites. The police camp and Government offices will be stationed there. A private township at Paroma will be sold on Saturday. Fifteen applications have been lodged for prospecting claims, one for fifteen acres for sluicing; Wanganui, February 24. The Hawera correspondent of the Herald telegraphs that the natives at Opunake are again taking the law into their own hands. At Opunake they have taken possession of Mr Bayly’s house, turning his servants out, and threatening to burn it down. Between Opunake and Stoney Kiver, as Messrs Broadbent and Diggs were bringing a lot of cattle, the natives took possession of several head, shooting some, and driving others inland, and refused to give them up. They have also driven off a lot of sheep. Wellington, February 24. It is announced that Uaptain Fairchild has been appointed to go home to superintend the building of two Government steamers, estimated to cost £ 80,000. The directors of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company have determined to fit the steamer Wellington with compound engines, and invite tenders from firms in the colony. TnrAIUJ, February 24. Margaret Baxter Dods, governess in the family of Mr Gosling, has been committed for trial to-day on a charge of attempted arson on her employer’s premises. It is an extraordinary case. Port Clalmebs, February 24. Sailed— Auckland, for London, with fortyone passengers and a cargo valued at £103,306. Dunedin, February 24. A verdict of wilful murder has been returned against Margaret Collins for the Tokomairiro infanticide case. THIS PAY’S TELE Git AMS. Auckland, February 25. The Pally Southern Cross accepts Sir George Grey as Superintendent, and professes its readiness to_ support him. It acknowledges its surprise at the part of

his accepting the nomination, but admits the very great advantage which as Superintendent he would secure in the Assembly. The Cross differs from him in re provincialism, but holds that to be but a subsidiary question, on which the colony, it believes, has practically decided. It agrees with Sir George’s statement to the deputation that absentees who have made fortunes in New Zealand should not leave the colony, but should aid its future progress, and it indicates the propriety of bringing in an absentee tax, and urges the prevention of moneyed land speculators from securing the advantages of native lands which belong of right to the people. A deputation, consisting of W. C. Wilson [Herald), G. M. Reid [Evening Star), P. Dignam, and J. Sheehan, of the Provincial Executive, proceeded to Kawau, and presented a requisition signed by 700 City West electors, to Sir George Grey, who readily acceded to the request of the deputation. They then told him that there were many people in Auckland who had mentioned him as a candidate whom they would be glad to see in the held for the superintendeney, but they scarcely ventured to hope that he would make the sacrifice which such a candidature must involve. Sir George Grey 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 the turning point in its history, when every man who had any ability and means to come forward in 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, he cared not what, so that the people thought his knowledge and experience could be made useful. So far, however, as the superintendeney 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. Next morning he informed the deputation that, after careful consideration he had come to the conclusion that if the people of the province thought he could be useful in that, or any other capacity, he should be only too happy to obey the call. He said he had spent a long life in various public capacities and always felt bound not to shrink from any position where the experience and knowledge he had thus acquired could be serviceable. He felt that what were commonly regarded as sacrifices, whether pecuniary or of°personal comfort and enjoyment in such cases, were only additional arguments, and might not be without benefit, if only by example, and some check upon the growing practice of wealthy colonists going home and leaving the colony to its fate. He should feel that in itself to be a great reward, that he was master of his own time, and being 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 was questions raised in the settlement of which he believed he could do a fair share. Constitutional changes were imminent. Land laws and other great colonial questions would lie brought forward, and on their satisfactory settlement much of the future of the province specially will depend. It was an honor to be called upon to take a prominent part in a work upon which all were more or less engaged. That in 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 fellowcolonists thought it desirable. All the Auckland journals have declared in favor of his candidature.

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. The Alhambra has just arrived from Nelson.

A deputation of merchants waited upon the Commissioner of Customs regarding the recently enforced transhipment of dutiable goods. The Commissioner of Customs said that the regulation would be modified, and was intended only to apply in cases where the cases of dutiable goods had been opened on the voyage. A fresh circular to that effect will be issued.

A large sale of land in the township of Bunny Thorpe, on the junction of the Wellington and Napier Railway with Palmerston, is going on. There is a large attendance and brisk bidding, and the prices are ruling from fifty to one hundred per cent above the upset price, in some instances still more. Quarter-acre sections fetch from ten to sixty pounds. The sale will last a couple of days. The ship Oamaru is to be admitted to pratique on Monday. The Times , referring to the rumored appointment of Mr J. S. Williams to a Judgeship in Otago, says ; Williams may possibly possess, hereditarily or by acquisition, all those faculties and attainments which go to make a good Judge. So far he has given no proof of them, and if latent they will have to be developed by time and experience. Impartiality, uprightness, and a painstaking disposition, are qualities which we are sure Mr Williams possesses, but that an inexperienced tyro in force and combat, and one unused to the ways and customs of a court of justice, should be vaulted from a quiet post, now so well filled, into the most important and responsible judgment seat in the colony, is an absurdity so stark, that we foci bound to protest vehemently against it. We hope, ere long, some official announcement will put a speedy end to the widespread feeling of anxiety, which the uncontradicted rumors now current have very naturally occasioned.’ A Gazette extraordinary contains the proclamation of the further proroguing of Parliament till the 31st of May. [FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.] Auckland, February 24. A brutal assault has been committed on a native woman by a man cohabiting with her, who is a European. The scoundrel went home drunk and assaulted the woman in a shocking manner. She sustained great injury, especially from his kicking her in the eye, which burst the ball. The ruffian has decamped. Serious disturbances are expected at the proclamation of the Ohinemuri as a goldfield, owing to the non-recognition by Government of prospectors’ licenses issued by the late Superintendent as the holder of delegated powers. Two parties claim one section, and have got a large number of men to support their respective claims by physical force,

The Orangemen rallied round one claim, and the Catholics round another, and a very serious collision is feared. The regulations now in the course of preparation will be gazetted with the proclamation of the field a few days hence. Several deaths are recorded from measles, or the after effects of the disease. There are few houses which have not experienced visitations. Hoskins and his wife open a season here on Monday. [FROM OUR DUNEDIN CORRESPONDENT.] The case of Garrick v Pyke occupied the attention of the District Court during the entire day. Some of the evidence was most amusing, but the proceedings were characterised by unseemly quarrelling between Messrs Barton and Haggitt, the former continuing to harp upon the article in the Guardian of the loth, condemning certain practices by a lawyer here. Haggitt said he would not submit to being charged with the authorship of the article, and told Barton to hold his tongue. Recriminations followed, culminating in Barton saying that Haggitt had called him a *• damnable scoundrel,” which the other denied, and Haggitt saying that if Barton continued to insult him he would kick him. The funeral reform meeting was very unanimous. The committee have entered into a contract to conduct burials at £4 10s. The only opponent to the proposal to discountenance mourning costume was Mr Cargill, who on its being carried, refused to join the association. All the clergymen here have given in their adhesion to the movement. In a new Municipal Ordinance it is proposed to extend the hours of voting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.