AUSTRALIAN.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1602, 8 April 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

[beuter’s telegrams.] Sydney, April 7. Mr Maxwell Allen, Under Colonial Secretary, died suddenly at Manley Beach last night. Arrived —Hero, from Auckland. Arrived —Koto r ua. Owing to a difficulty which has arisen between the Lambton and associated collieries disturbances are expected to-morrow. Melbourne, April 7. Mr Berry telegraphs to Sir B. O’Loghlen that ho will have another interview shortly with the Secretary of State tor the colonies. [Via Bluff.J Melbourne, April 1. Some of the more prominent of the Opposition members are taking opportunity to address the country, notably Mr Service, who recently addressed a gathering at Emerald Hill, at which several Ministers were present, and he also spoke at an gricultural Show, but neither Opposition nor Ministerial members have anything of importance to communicate. The Government are preparing their measures for the coming session, which will probably not begin for three months or moro yet. Of the three million loan only about one million will bo available for railway construction, so that all the lines projected cannot ho carried out. The Governor rpence! the Sandhurst industrial Exhibition on Wednesday and made one of his practical speeches, lie has still several invitations on hand. In a large tire at Chamberlain and Kcmpton’s mill. North Fitzroy, the damage done was .£6OOO. The property was only partly insured. A large quantity of wheat and flour was stored in the mill. The cause of the tiro is unknown. Rev. T. C. Colo, a well-known Church of England clergyman, committed suicide by strangulation whilst of unsound mind. On the same day a neighbor of Mr Cole’s, on hearing of the circumstance, also hanged himself. He was apparently sane and well-off, and no reason for the act was assigned. The report of the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company shows a loss on the transactions of the

I h df-yea’’ of JhYiOi. This is attiibuted to the ■mall quantity of stork that has come into the market and the operation of tho stock tax. N s ( j 1 ] /i. jj A 1 ) i [PUB PRKBS AGENCY.I Gratiajistown*, April 7. A small tribe of Natives proceeded on board the snogging punts at Waihoia river this morning and took forcible possession of the gear, &c , leaving the crew unmolested. Tho connty authorities arc do I cmirxed to put a stop to this kind of thing. They will ask the permission of Mr Sheehan to prosecute the offenders. New Ply mouth, April 7. Tho Hinomoa arrived with a detachment cf Arms Constabulary, which she was unnbioto land at Opunaka. She remains at anchor with them on board, waiting orders from Major 1 uke. fFHOAI DUE OWN COEEE3PONDENTS.I TTmakd, April?. Arthur Goodwin was brought up at + ho R.M. Court to-day on a charge of fraudulent insolvency, and was remanded. Owing to one of the cogs of the driving wheels of the steam crane breaking to day, operations on the breakwater will be stopped for several days. Thrre are eighteen vessels in the roadstead to-night, while a dozen others are duo. Exertions are being made to procure a steam launch, and thus facilitate boating operations. Tho ship Renfrewshire, from London, with the Waterworks plant, is due e irly next month. It is now understood that no action will be taken on the recent resolution passed by the Geraldine County Connell re bringing the Aft into force as it is considered invalid. Oakaru, April 7. Constable Cuthbert, a typhoid fever patient, from Waimate, died in the Oamnru Hospital yesterday. In connection with this a strange report is current. It is openly stated that notwithstanding that there is a special fever ward in connection with the hospital, the constable was placed in the general wai’d, in which were several other patients. After his death Constable Donovan, of Ngapara, also alleged to be suffering from typhoid fever, was placed in the ward, and actually told to take the bed in which Constable Cutbbert died. This ho refused to do, and threatened to lea o tho hospital unless he was given a different bed. It is also stated that some more typhoid fever patients have arrived from Waimate, and there is a growung feeling of indignation about this amongst tho public hem, though as yet the state of affairs is not generally known. The subscriptions received in aid of the Knitangata relief fund now amount to nearly .8600. [Press Speeisal Wire.] Auckland, April 7. Letters from Mr Macandrew state that the Government will accept sleepers in lots of a hundred with tenders. Mr Whitaker, in reply to a question brought before him on behalf of tho Waitemata County Council, has given the following important opinion on the liability of Maoris for rates : “Natives bolding under Crown grants areas liable as other persons to bo rated, but not those holding under certificates of titles when the land is in their own occupation. If it > i •ot in their own occupation tho occupiers are liable. Bates due from Native < can be recovered in the same manner as rates frem other persons.” The petition from the working men of Auckland against Chine-o immigration is over thirty yards long and contains three thousand signatures.

The bonds for the Shortland contract of the Thames-Waikato Railway were signed on Saturday. Binney’s creditors agreed to pay the Bank of New Zealand 12s 6d in the £, the rest accepting 10s.

A man named Hugh McKinnon was washed off a raft at Wangaroa and drowned. At the Chamber of Commerce to-day, a roso’ution was passed urging the Government to extend the Kaipara railway from the most convenient point northwards. A communication was read from the Sydney Chamber of Commerce with respect to a resolution passed by that Chamber asking the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to co-operate with it. It pointed out the diffic-'fty existing between America aud tho colonies in regard to the very high duties imposed on Australian and New Zealand wools, preventing the colonies from sending wool to America on account of these high duties. After some discussion, Mr Firth proposed, aud Mr Holdship seconded Chamber of Com merce concur with the Sydney Chamber in obtaining the reduction or abolition of duties on Australian wool in America.” Carried. Taupo, April 7. The meeting of Taupo chiefs, which commenced on the 26th March at Tokano, concluded on Friday last. Assurances of peace and firm adherence to the law were made bp both sections of the Natives. Mr Mitchell was authorised to carry out whatever surveys were necessary to bring their tribal land claims before the Native Land Court, The road from Tapuhaeruru towards Wanganui wa- authorised as far ns Tauranga. Topinui Tioroa declared he will carry out the road beyond Mari Motn. Tho meeting was adjourned until July, to decide tho site of a township, and other matters. Opunake, April 7. The Ilinemoa called in passing to New Plymouth yesterday, and returned this morning. She was unable to land her pa-sengers owing to the remnants of the late S.W. gale. Captain Fairchild improved this morning’s opportunity by taking soundings while the steamer wasin proximity to t e reef, to enable the Government to estimate as to the oost of making a breakwater here. The £25 per year, or whatever it vas that was taken off the estimate, for the services of a harbor master here, ought to be replaced There is a signal staff, but no man to signal, a goo i bay, but no one to give instructions as to the best landing place. Napier, April 7. At tho request of tho Minister of Justice, Mr Kobt. Stuart has resumed the duties of Magistrate, and was on the bench to-day Ho will continue until the arrival of Judg Kenny, who will leave Auckland for Napier on Monday next. Wellington, April 7. The “ Post” to-night, in an article on the Civil Service, mentions the following new officers as having been recently created -Railway < oramissioutr for each Island, Secretary of Railways (Middle Island), Under-secretary for Railways, Assistant Under-secretary for Public Works. Assistant Un a r-secretary for Immigration vrd Crown Lands, Assistant Under-secretary for Goldfields, Under-secretary for Native Laud Pnrcha-es, Commissioner of Land Tax, Undersecretary for Defence, Under secretary for the Marine Department, and Deputy AuditorGeneral. All these are either new appointments or, as in tho case of the Undcr-sec* etary /or Defence, the revival of appointments previously abolished as unnecessary. We have not, wo believe, by any means exhausted the list A list of new private secretaries might be added for instance, and v e have not taken account of Judges of the Native Land Court, and similar appointments. Neither have we mentioned appointments only filled un. It is stated that a telegram, received by the Government from Waikato, conveys certain information which points strongly to th- probability of a very satisfactory settlement being the result of the coming meeting. F. A. Bowden was to-day granted exemption from serving on the Grand Jury on the ground that he was a schoolmaster. Frederick Lymess, for begging, was imprisoned for eight days, and told that for the next offence he would pet three months. The loading merchants will close their places of business from Good Friday until Faster Monday. At the annual mooting of the Wellington. Football Club, it was stated by the secretary that there was a good prospect of a'uigby Union Association for tbe whole of New Zealand being formed, and of founding an annual tournament, with challenge cup, &e. Mr A. T. Maginnity, hitherto chief clerk in tho Telegraph Dep irtmeut, has been appointed assistant secretary of the same department. Dunedin, April 7. 'i ho iutcrprovincial draught match, tetween Otago and Canterbury, will take place in Dunedin on Saturday nest. The annual meeting of tho Benevolent Institution was held to-day. The reports showed that tho total numb -r remaining in the institution was forty-two men, eleven women., and twenty-three children. "the cost for each inmate was eight and eigliipencc per week, against seven and tan pence last year. ihe total receipts were £5716, and the expenditure was, for outdoor relief, ,£2307 ; maintenance of institution, £1100; salaries, £1)99; fencing, £635. Kirk’s boarding house in Cumberland streat was burned down last night. 'S he insurances are —Standard £8 0. Sooth Briti h £2OO. ■.cvjktuk vkc ub

THE WAIMATE PLAINS DIFFICULTY. [Press S|#eci«3 Were.] OpunakEj April 7. There is nothing new or strange in the political aspect of affairs, but as some Southern papers have managed to obtain au erroneous idea as to the condition of this Waimate country, I will refer to one or two points ami

try to put the thing in, a dear light ’A hen Tito Kowaru heard that Hircki had been shot, h’s rejoinder was, “ There is one dog the less.’' When the proposition to light the pakeha was resumed, Hone ! ihama reiterated his caution to Tito Kowaru—“ You know I told you years ago that if I could not. beat the pakoba you could not, aval you found out the truth of the saying to your own and my cost. Don’t be a fool.” When the story was circulated about Whitmore and the Ngatiporu going to Farihaka, the response was, “ Let them all come. We cun give them all something to rat. Wo shall, be > cry glad to see them. Wo have no intention of fighting or spilling blood. No more war for us until the t’akelia commences to kill our women or children, to obtain possession of our lands, and then, why we will fight in self defence.” Mr Mackey has obtained golden opinions from ail the Native people in the district. They halt end pause over his name to do him honour. The Native Minister must have foreseen this when ho sent him on this mission. They say Mr Sheehan wished to kill the Maori, because ho wanted to kill their lands. They use the same word, “pvtua,” for both things. Mr Mackay, on the other hand, they say, wants thoiv assent to conserve the people and preserve to them their inheritance. I observe a good deal in some telegrams about Mr Assistant Commissioner Williams and the influence ho has over the Ngatimaniopoto. This day week, when Mr Mackay was having a conversa tion with Tito Kowaru about the survey, the name of Williams cropped up, when the following remarks were made by ! ito—“ 1 like the blacksmith very well 1 Mr Williams is a blacksmith] ; very 7 much indeed. Ho is a good man indeed, Mackay. You look at me, ’Mackay, and you do imt believe mo, but I can assure you the Blacksmith Commissioner is an excellent man, He made mo a plough or two, and then a buggy, and did his work well, and ho would be, in my opinion, a good man still, if the Government had continued to employ him buggy making.” I would not have related this anecdote had I not seen Southern papers full of Williams’ influence and ability. Wo are absolutely almost shat out from all correspondence here. All that we can learn of Maori thought and intention is gleaned from Mi-oris alone. In the c. can time Major Tnke and his men are building a redoubt at the bay, and to-morrow he will have some eighty men under his control. That there is no serious fear of any outbreak at Wellington can be gathered from the fact that there are 41 men at Waihi, 80 here ami 5 between Parihaka and Now Plymouth. The settled districts, you will thus see. has been left defenceless. I told you before no act of outrage will bo sanctioned unless we first break the peace; but some Tutua, or some white larrikin, may, in a drunken or wrathful moment, commit a breach of the peace, which the people may deplore and their leaders condem. . I met a Maori hero to-day, who asked me what all the men were sent here for. I told him to make a white Parihaka of Cpunako. I said, “ You have plenty of men and guns and ammunition, at Parihaka, h ve you not to defend yourselves?” “Yes,” he replied. “ i hen why should we not have the same?” Of course there was no response. Parihaka could send down four hundred well armed, well trained fighting men on to the plains; the Ngatiruanui could find about a s milar number, but they all insist on peace their leaders, I moan. Their turning off the surveyors was a protest against the bi’each of faith of ho present Government. Sir D. McLean’s promise they maintain must bo carried out if they appeal to the highest Court in the realm on the subject, and test the whole question of the legality of confiscation. Meanwhile, Mr Mackay’s presence is like oil on the troubled waters. The Native Minister cornea here when Mr Mackay returns.

Wellington, April 7. A correspondent telegraphs from Pa<ca:— lie telegrams from Opunake and New Plymouth, as to Mess's Blake’s and Macbay’s doings, those who know the former (who claims to he of the Parihaka people), know also the large private interest he has in Parihaka. The withdrawal of the Waimate Plains from sale is looked upon as a first instalment of the price which the colony will have to pay for the mission on which Messrs Blake aud Mackay have been sent the re-consideration of the confiscation question. This to him (B 1 ike) will practically mean the total exclusion of Kuropeans from Waimate plains, and the Inwiding over to himself and Te Whiti of an immense area, probably the whole of the Parihaka country 1 hat secure It hem a step beyond tho o boundaries will be made and land claims, which one after another Major Brown has successively disposed of will be re-opened. Blake and Mackay have practically superseded Major Brown, to whom Mr Sheehan, in the nresonceof tho Patea County Council, gave carte hhmche to act as he thought proper, and at the same time promised th full support of the Government. While Land Commissioner Williams was going from settlement to settlement with the Government ultimatum that, -f Major i rown could not settle the plains difficulty, Colonel Whitmore, with armed forces, wouid, Messrs Blake and Mack iy, authorised from the same source, were working in an opposite direction. This double dealing and withdrawal from sale of the Waimate Plains, has completely shaken all faith in Mr Sheehan, and the worst results are now anticipated. 'I he Government have received no further information of a definite nature in reference to the Waimate Plains difficulty. Te Whiti, however, has intimated to several persons his belief that a satisfactory understanding would be arrived at, and he has sent "twelve of' his nearest relatives, who arrived in town last night, to assure the Native Minister, that he (Te (To < Jiiti) had no unfriendly indentions, and to become in smue measures hostages for him. Te Whiti is saic to have been mueliularmed by the rumor lh-.it tho Government intended to send GO.» men to - eize him and transport himLo the Chatham Islands or some i thor place of exile. Mr she hau leaves hy the inemoa for New Plymouth to morrow ev ming. td ’mako certain enquiries and personally arrange various matters relating to the dispute. LI is absence is not expected t > last longer than three or four days. A private letter iro n a settler iu the Waima'e Plains District, and one who took a most active part in the late Native war, states that Native affairs look very ugly. It will be a very difficult matter now to maiuiain our position without fighting, which means ruin to most of the settlers there No stops involving fighting should be taken without ■ arliamoufc being first celh-d together.

The “ Now Zealander” says that although Government hav s withdrawn for the present a portion of the Waimate Plains, which were announced for sale on the 6th of May, the sale will take place at no di tant p riod. It says that this action was taken because it has been found that the surveys will not be completed by the da e originally fixed on. The Hinemoa has left for Opunako with another reinforcement of armed constabulary, rho abo took a quantity of stores and timber to erect barracks.