NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1799, 26 November 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[>BB PEEBS AGENCY.] WELLINGTON, November 26. Sir J. Vogel and Mr larnach’s Co. Mr Whitaker, in the Legislative Council yesterday, tabled copies of the telegrams bearing on Sir J. Vogel’s connection with Mr Larnach’s company. The first was Sir J. Vogel’s reply to the query as to who were the three Ministers aware of and who approved of his action. It was Stout certainly and best of my belief Macandrew and Ballance.” Mr Stout’s telegram in reply to Mr Hall says “ Sir Julius Vogel’s telegram is correct. I knew, and thought the other members of the Ministry were aware, that he intended to join the company. I believed then and still believe the company, in its efforts to settle people on tho land, must be beneficial to the colony. I saw no objection to tho Agent-General being connected with the company, believing he wa* benefltting the colony by so acting.” Mr Jackson’s Case.

The Petitions Committee of the Council have brought up their report on the petition of Mr Henry Jackson, late Chief Surveyor. Tho report states that Mr Jackson did nothing

which justified the removal of so valuable a public officer. The report was referred back to the committee to take further evidence from Mr Thompson, late head of the department. The Tramway Shareholders. A private meeting of the shareholders of the Tramway Company has been held, at which it was stated that the promoters had divided amongst themselves £13,000 out of the capital of the company, the shareholders never being made aware that such a thing would be done ; also, that insteel of the line being handed over in complete working order for £43,000, as arranged, a further sum of £4OOO was taken out of the capital to put the line in complete working order. It was stated that the line and its belongings only cost the promoters £27,C33. It was resolved that the shareholders had been induced to take shares in the said company on the faith of certain prospectuses and other statements issued by the promoters and directors, which had since proved to be gross misrepresentations of facts, A committee was appointed to look after the interests of the shareholders and restrain the directors from enforcing payment of any more calls and to compel the promoters of the company to place the affairs of the company on a more equitable basis. The Tramways.

A paper is being signed in favor of having the tram cars drawn by horses. The Accident to the Tui.

In the inquiry into the accident to the Tui, the Captain attributed the accident chiefly to the want of steam, and said that the engineer was not at his post when the vessel struck. He further stated that the bulk-head bad been broken into, and four bottles of brandy taken out of the case. A Chloral Drinker. Angotbsen St. Just Mackay, a recent arrival by the Wairoa, took enough chloral last night to kill half a dozen men. Dr. Gillon’s services were fortunately obtained in time, and by aid of a stomach pump and other means he saved the man’s life. Sudden DeathA man dropped down dead on the Tinakori road this morning. It is supposed that he died of heart disease. The Native Expenditure Committee. The interim report of “ The Native expenditure committee ” has been tabled in the Council. The expenditure for the fifteen months ending 30th September last was £46,699, including various payments not coming within the ordinary application of votes for contingencies. The committee were struck with the large amount for salaries and pensions, and think that a permanent change should be made in the mode of distributing these salaries. The committee think that £BBI3 as contingencies for the preoeeding year is so large as to bo suggestive of an irresponsibility not compatible with the efficient working of Parliamentary Government, and calculated to demoralise the public service, and exercise a pernicious influence on the Natives. The explanations afforded regarding the expenditure are vague and unsatisfactory, and the system must necessarily tend to set at defiance all attempts to properly control the expenditure of the public funds. After going some length intotheland purchase transactions of the late Government, the committee record their opinion that the Government were not justified in entering into negotiations to so large an extent without the sanction of Parliament. The evidence taken by the committee leads to the conclusion that the said lands are not likely to realise, after payment of survey, the amount of the purchase money exclusive of prepayments and expenses on account such purchase. The committee express th< i r conviction that the pie sent system should cease absolutely and the Land Purchase Department be abolished. All sales of Native lands to private individuals should be done away with, and that the Government henceforth, upon application of Natives to sell lands to which they can show an established title, shall cause the same to be surveyed, and, after proper reserves have been made, shall sell the remainder by auction, the repayment of advances made being deducted, together with necessary deductions for roads. DUNEDIN, November 16, The Tariff. The chemists of this city have agreed to raise the prices of certain articles affected by the tariff, and to petition Government to license vendors of medicines. The Mayoral ElectionThe city Mayoral election will be hotly contested. The general opinion feems to be in favor of Fish’s return. The latter had a large meeting at the Piincoss’ last night, when he vigorously denounced the “ Tablet ” for seeking to introduce the religious element into municipal elections.

[PBOM OUB OWN COEEESEONDBNT.] INYB EC ARGILL, November 26. Singular, The country is suffering from drought, rain is much wanted. The Claud Hamilton. There is no sign of the steamer Claud Hamilton, which was due at the Bluff yesterday morning. It is feared she has either broken down or has encountered tremendous weather. The latter is probable, for though uncommonly fine weather has prevailed here lately, the barometer has been very low, and is now standing at from 29.20 to 29.35. Evidently bad weather is not far off. AUCKLAND, November 25. Accident Insurance Company. An Accident Insurance Company is started, with a powerful board of directors. They have secured the services of Mr Thomson, late lecturer to the Australian Mutual Providence Society, as manager. The capital is £IOO,OOO, to be placed in all parts of New Zealand. The Harbour BoardThe Harbor Board agreed to the transfer of land to the City Council comprised in the Bill now before the House. The land was reclaimed by the city. The CarandinisThe Carandinis have arrived, and will give a series of concerts. The Tariff. The chemists have raised the price of patent medicines in consequence of the tariff. The NautilusThe German man-of-war Nautilus arrived to-night from Sydney. A Narrow Escape. A fire was discovered to-night under a barrel of whiskey in the store of L. D. Nathan and Co., merchants. It was extinguished before any damage was done, but had it been discovered five minutes later it is believed the whole buildings, which contain goods to the value of £IOO,OOO, would have been destroyed. The fire is supposed to have been caused by rats. Police NewsA man named Hall was arrested to-night for breaking and entering the offices of Mr Craig on the wharf. TIMAEU, November 25. The John Watson. A preliminary enquiry was held to-day before the Collector of Customs, on the foundering of the schooner John Watson on Friday. No fresh evidence was adduced. Damage to the vessel was caused through her not being able to stop, and she consequently grazed the reef off Bloody Jack’s Point,