AUSTRALIAN.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 883, 24 April 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, April 23. Arrived—Auckland, from Otago. Hanks and Co.'s large grocer's establishment was destroyed by fire to-day. The adjoining premises wvrc also damaged. INTERPROVINCIAL. Native Meeting. Auckland, April 23. About 300 natives were present at the Kaipara meeting. The business was conducted in Parliamentary form. Resolutions passed expressed the determination of the natives to adhere to the Christian religion and laws, to become one with the Europeans, and to give up murderers and thieves to legal tribunals. They also affirm, the wrong of recognising claims to land by right of conquest, that the seat of Government ought to be at Auckland, that orphan children should be supported by the Government, all legislative grievances to be submitted to Parliament, and they acknowledged the benefits derived from the Queen's Government. The South British Co.'s loss on the cargo of the Isabella Ridley is £O7O, not £2OOO. The wreck was sold for £lOl, and the South British cargo for £l2.

[fron a correspondent of the tress.] Napier, April 23.

The Wananya learns, on good authority, that the promise made by the AttorneyGeneral (Mr Wlutaker) to the House of Representatives, that he would draft a Native Lands Bill during the recess, has been fulfilled. A new Bill, sweeping away all existing Acts, has been drafted by Mr Whitaker, with the assistance of Chief Judge Fenton. The Wananqa hopes that the Government will secure the confidence of the natives in that important matter, by circulating the Bill amongst them, in the Maori language, at least a month before Parliament meets.

The Telegraph, in noticing that returns were to be sent in to the tlnder-Seeretary by the several Friendly Societies here, with the object of giving Government information in order to frame a new Bill next session, points out that the face of the returns asks that they should be returned to Wellington on Ist April. They were not posted in Wellington until the 16th April, and the terms are more muddling and meddling. Several natives at Poranghiia state that a European, named Tiernev, or Kane, lias left that district for Wellington, after exhibiting specimens of liuggeffy gold, which he alleged to have been found on their land. Henare Matua, who states that lie hud seen the specimens, complains that the man borrowed tools from his people, and said he had pegged off 100 ft, when he obtained the gold. The Natives are particularly anxious that, if he shows the gold at Wellington, he should be seized and made to tell from where he obtained it.

Ford, late of the Criterion Hotel, held a meeting of creditors this afternoon. His assets wei'e roughly estimated at £GOO, and unsecured liabilities over £6OOO. The meeting appointed trustees, and the estate is to go through the Bankruptcy Court. When Messrs Ormond and Carruthers were being landed from the Wanaka in the steam tug, they had an excellent opportunity of inspecting the harbor works. The tug was stuck on the bar for nearly two hours, with seas dashing over her. Neither minister nor engineer appeared to care for the prospect before them. Eventually the vessel was got off. Mr Ormond has gone to his estate ; Mr Carruthers to Auckland.

It has been found that the Oregon timber imported by the Government for the railways is now all rotten, and will have to be replaced bv s ew Zealand timber.

' Mr F. E. Hamlin, Resident Magistrate at Maketu, has accepted an appointment as clerk and interpreter to the Magistrate's Court here. He previously filled the same situation, and on resigning was succeeded by his brother, who recently died. Why the Governor was Hissed. DtJNEDIN, April 23. Under the heading " Why the G-overnor was hissed," Mr Stout, M.H.R., supplies a column and a half letter to tho Guardian, in which he reiterates charges re despatches and the Abolition Bill, and bias as shown in his recommendations of Mr Hunter, M.H.R., and Mr Montgomery as consuls. He says in conclusion :'' If this be so—if the Governor has manifested party feeling, arc colonists so craven-hearted that they are afraid to condemn him for his action? If it is to be said of New Zealand colonists that their worship of aristocrats is so intense that all shortcomings of the Governors are to be overlooked, then it is useless to talk of being in a freo country, or amongst an enlightened people. Nor is this a question for Provincialists alone. Once it is recognised that it is a correct thing for the Governor to have party leanings we can afford to dispense with the Imperial Government appointing him. Why should colonists not be able to elect their own Governor ? No doubt those who assume to be ' upper crust' here have the same class-bias as in other countries to one in authority. They arc ever ready to bond, but I trust the citizens of Otago will manifest independence of feeling, which will show that they are ready to condemn any man who acts wronglv." Thc'Star says that Under-Secretary Willis, not receiving 'sufficient support, abandoned the idea of contesting Auckland West, but will take the earliest opportunity of trying to enter Parliament. The "Rev. Mr Stanford, preaching at All Saints last night, strongly denounced the practice of banks keeping clerks working late at nights, which, as much as anything else, produced mischief. At St. Paul's, the Archdeacon had to lament the abstraction of a £1 note from the collection bag. As the Governor leaves for Invercargill on Thursday, the projected civic banquet falls through.' His Excellency will be entertained at, a. ball on Wednesday.