TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1002, 11 September 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

C A B LeTe W S [REUTER'S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS TO THB PRESS AGENCY.] TIIE WAII. London, September 9. A Russian official despatch states that the army of the Czar has been withdrawn to a new position at night. The .Russians arc now concentrated at Ziog, where the works were carried on unobserved. The heights of ’Plevna were bombarded continuously on the 7th instant. Yesterday, the Bth, the Russian left occupied the southern heights, losing 500 men killed, whilst the positon of the right and centre is only 1800 yards from the Turkish entrenchments. Cannonading is going on furiously. Bombay, September 11, A Vienna despatch states that Niksich, has capitulated. There is nothing fresh from Plevna, A Shipka (?) force has entered Bulgaria. M. Thiers’s funeral was quiet. INTEEPROVINCIAL. [per press agency.] The Victorian Cricketers. Wellington, September 11. In a private letter to the cricketers here, Mr John Conway, the Victorian cricketer, says everything towards playing in New Zealand is getting on satisfactorily. Their idea is to play only the four principal cities, unless time should enable them to take the small towns rn route from one place to another. After playing at Dunedin, Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, they purpose challenging the strength of the whole colony to play at Christchurch as the final match. Mr Sweet is to write to the different places to secure their co-operation. Mr Conway will start in advance of the Eleven, in about three weeks, so as to have ample time to arrange the preliminaries. A deputation of clergy and laity, headed by Archdeacon Stock, presented a petition to the Licensing Bench praying that no new publicans’ licenses should be issued in the city. The Resident Magistrate for a long time declined to receive the petition, but as two other Justices considered it might be received, the petition was placed in the hands of the Clerk of the Court. It was signed by 2700 adults of the city. The Inspector of Police incidentally mentioned that there were forty-four public houses in Wellington, fewer in proportion to the population than in any other town in New Zealand. Tire following tenders have been received for the Motnekaßridgccontract:—(Accepted) Brittain, Auckland, £5159 ; (declined) Watson and Co., Auckland, £519-1; Stock, Christchurch, £597(1; Blair and Watson, Dunedin, £(5000; Q-oodall, Auckland, 00959 ; Moley and Breeman, Nelson, £7757; Cameron, Auckland, £7900; Gibbcrtson, Nelson, £9587. Hokitika, September 11. Arrived—Claud Hamilton, from Melbourne. She left on the sth at 2 p.m. Had moderate weather throughout. Passenger for Lyttelton—Mrs Hamilton. Cargo—l tons. Dunedin, September 11. A fire broke out last night on the premises of Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser and Company, Stafford street, but it was extinguished before much damage was done.

PARLIAMENTARY

Last Night’s Proceedings. Ministerial Victory. The debate was continued by Sir G. Grey, who said that Messrs Cox and Russell’s proposal to lease the Taupo lands was a perfectly legal and legitimate transaction. He had, at the request of the Native owners, suggested to many people to lease the land in the interior for twenty-one years as runs He did not in the least remember the conversations recounted by Mr Cox. Ho had no doubt Mr Cox had correctly stated his impression, but ho was equally sure it was a mistaken one. There was a misunderstanding somewhere. Almost it amounted to his having for a few days contemplated becoming a partner with other gentlemen in a perfectly fair venture, but determining not to do so for fear of his action being misconstrued, He had been accused, as Governor, of having extorted a bribe to use his influence, and such charge demanded an exhaustive inquiry. The letters should be produced, all the parties being now quite willing. He believed it would be found that the only reference to him was in the words “ The Governor, for State reasons, declines to take any part. Some other monied man will take his place.” He desired to have the charges made against him fully investigated, and with the evidence placed on ollicial record. Mr Rees had been surprised at the tone of the debate. He would not imitate it. If Mr Ormond and Mr Whitaker did not know the falsity of the charge about his absconding from his creditors, tiiey ought. He denied it absolutely. Through over speculation in mining, and being made responsible for debts not his own, he had been driven into the .Bankruptcy Court, but he had passed through without loss of credit, and, ever since, every penny he made beyond the absolute means of subsistence for his family was devoted to paying off his just claims. He hoped that in another year or so all would be paid. Sir G. G rey wanted none to do Ins dirty work. He would not ask him if he did, and he was not elected for the purpose. He reprobated the attack made on Mr Henry Russell, lie was astonished at the charge ot extorting a bribe being made against Sir G. Grey without its truth being first ascertained. Mr Cox’s statement showed it tu be absolutely unfounded. He defended his action regarding the Native claims to vote in Hawke’s Hay, and dwelt at length on the Hawke’s Hay Native land transactions. He denied that the actions had been withdrawn, although Mr Sheehan’s clients had been bribed to withdraw them. There were plenty of cases for the committee to enquire into, without interfering with those pending in the Court. The refusal to grant a committee would cause a general suspicion throughout the colony. The House divided on the previous question—Ayes, 34 ; Noes, 41, The motion therefore dropped. Hi committee on tbo Lducutwa M, clauses 34 to 33 wav

nassed. There was a long discussion, and numerous amendments were proposed in clause 39, but all were rejected, and the clause passed. The House adjourned at 1.5 a.m.