NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1851, 28 January 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEBBS ASSOCIATION-! WELLINGTON, January 28. Resignation of Eoni Mohi TawhaiHoni Mohi Tawhai has resigned hie appointment as one o£ the Royal Commission on Native affairs. It is understood that his avowed motive in the course he has taken was dissatisfaction at the restricted functions of the commistion, alleging that they did not comprise all that was required for the satisfactory exposition of the differences that sundered the Maoris and Europeans, and altogether avoided the main issue, viz., the confiscation of Maori territory, and moreover that the commission recognised the legality of the confiscation.

OAMAEU, January 23, 2.15 p.m. Fire. A fire broke out at the back of the store of Bailie and Humphrey. It has utterly gutted the Queen’s Hotel, and the back premises of two contiguous buildings. Several thousands pounds of damage has been done, and the fire is still burning. WESTPORT, January 28. Heavy FloodsThe heavy floods on Monday carried away the Koranui Company’abridge, lately erected. Perjury CaseThe perjury case, Johnston v O’Conor, in the Resident Magistrate’s Court was dismissed. DUNEDIN’, January 28. More ImmigrantsAt the Heads is the ship Wellington, with 400 immigrants. Volunteering. Seven hundred and fifty volunteers attended the inspection by Colonel Scratcbley last night, who distributed the prizes won at the Rille Association’s meeting. Colonel Scratchley and Major Sargood, of Victoria, strongly deprecated drilling men in halls at night. The Tramway AccidentOn dit that the Tramway proprietors offered to pay £4OO before any proceedings were taken re the Castle street accident. NORMANDY, January 28. The Armed Constabulary. Major Goring and ninety-two men arrived at Kaikaki from Opunake on Monday afternoon, making in all 200 men under Colonel Roberts. The camp is cleared and in good order, and the men are hard at work at th* roads. There are no Native visitors, and al the men are exceedingly well conducted. The camp is mv.ch pleasanter since the rain of yesterday morning.

AUCKLAND, Janaary 27. Criminal Assault. Wm. Samuel Tid marsh, charged at the Police Court with a criminal assault, was remanded. He has been tried at the Supreme Court before for a similar offence. The police have now ascertained that it waa he who attempted a criminal assault in the Kyber Pass road about a month since. Te Kooti’s New Religion. It is stated that one of Te Kooti’a wives is at Te Kopua, near Eawakawa, engaged in making converts to Te Kooti's new religion. She is expected to visit Marsh Brown’s settlement at Wciomio, and much interest is taken, in her movements. Narrow Escape. A narrow escape from fire occurred on the barge Matarau shortly after dusk. A kerosene lamp attached to the rigging burst, and the blazing liquid spread over the deck. The flames were extinguished by two sailors from the man of war schooner Sandfly. Land SaleA public sale of waste lands, consisting of town, suburban, and rural sections, was held at the Waste Lands Office. More than ordinary interest was attached to the sale, from the fact that a number of lots in Waikato township were those which had been withdrawn from sale by the late Government pending negotiations with Tawhiao. Another feature was that at this sale the first portions of Te Aroha block were put up for sale. Considering the pressing demands that have been made on the Government and Waste Lands Board, especially by the Thames public, and the outcry for lands for settlers of small means, it was astonishing to observe that there waa not only no competition but few bidders, and not a single Thames settler appeared as a purchaser. The small suburban lots in Te Aroha were specially surveyed so as to enable working men to acquire a small freehold, but they did not seek to avail themselves of the privilege. A considerable number of sections in the town of Tauranga, the whole of those in the town of Te Awamutu, and the greater portion of those in the to* a of Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) offered for sale were disposed of. Only a few of the Te Aroha suburban lots found purchasers, and none of the rural lots. Farms varying from 130 acres to 48 acres were put up at £2 an acre and elicited no bid, although the land bordered on the river and was of good quality. Mr Sheehan, and Native land-

Mr Sheehan has recently decided to go into business in Waikato, and specially to direct his attention to opening up and settling various blocks of Native land which have for some years past been under negotiation by Europeans. It is said that all the lands which he will deal with will he offered for sale by public auction, and that a largo area of the best lands will he opened for sale upon the deferred payment system. Tauperi Coal Mining Company. At the yearly meeting of the Tauperi Coal Mining Company, the directors presented their report and balance-sheet, the former showing that recent operations have been successful. A seam of coal of superior quality, varyißg in thickness from 32 to 42 feet, has been struck, which is estimated to contain 30,000 tons. The balance showed on profit and loss account a credit balance of £1052, out of which a dividend of la per share had been declared. A balance of £442 was carried to the present year’s credit. Free Methodist District MeetingTub Eree Methodist district meeting continued its Bitting. Prospective grants to the dependent circuits were decided upon, after which the list of stations was read a third time and confirmed as follows :—Addington, Joseph White; Auckland, Bobert Taylor; Christchurch, Edward Opery ; Napier, Charles Kenny; Oxford, Henry Wilkinson; Eangiora, Samuel McEarlane ; Beefton, John Parking ; Waipawa and Woodville, John Thesby ; Wellington, Blake and Bedstone j Westport, Thomas Hodgson. Working Men’s Chib. The half-yearly meeting of the Working Men’s Club was held. There are now 280 good members, about 200 having returned owing to more satisfactory government of the club The receipts for the half year, including a previous balance of £7B 7s 2d, were £BO6 8s lid, and the disbursements £734 Is lOd, leaving a credit balance at the Bank of £72 7s Id. Auckland RegattaThe entries for the regatta took place this evening, and considerable excitement existed. This year the interest is centred in the Champion Schooner Bace, as the Transit schooner, for years the champion of the colony, meets with better company than ever. Several of the crack Island vessels are just in, and also three or four new ones, including the Annie Wilson, which took second honors at the late Lyttelton regatta. The small ketch Adah is among the entries. She came in astern of ths Transit last year, but took first honors on time allowance. The following are the entries for the the champion schooner race ; Mazeppa, Caledonia, Borealis, Annie Wilson, Adah, Byno, Eeward, Eieetwing, Mary Anderson and Transit.

The Harbour Board and the Regatta FundAs the chairman of the Harbor Board declined to sign the cheque of £25 voted by the Bo »rd as a contribution to the regatta funds, on the score of illegality, three members of the Board—Messrs Compton, Masefield, and O. B. Stone—forwarded their cheques respectively for £8 6s Bd, so that the Board’s intention might be carried out. A stormy meeting of the Board was held to-day, and strong language used. QRAHAMSTOWN, January 27. Large Mining Sale—The Caledonian Knocked DownThe most important sale of mining property ever held in the goldfields took place to-day. All the properties transferred by the Government to the County Council, under the Public Works Act, was offered for sale. The famous Caledonian mine.from which £1,000,000 worth of gold was obtained, was bought fay Mr Rowe, late M.H.R., formerly manager of it, at £3OOO. He inlands forming a new company of 10,000 shares. The old company anticipated buying the mine in for a small sum, and the late shareholders will have no further interest in the mine. The Avoca mine, one of the first opened on the field, from which the tributaries obtained 400 oz. gold last month, was withdrawn at £I3OO. The Imperial Crown mine was bought by Cower, the purchaser of the big pump, some weeks ago. A Cooling Fiiendship. Mr Sheehan is not coming with Sir Q. Grey to the Thames. It appears as if the friendship between them is not so cordial as heretofore. WELLINGTON, January 27. Supreme Court Cases. In the Supreme Court to-day the argument of a demurrer tcok place in the case Rees v. M‘Farlane, an action for conspiracy and malicious prosecution, judgment was reserved. In the case Burnett v. Proprietor of “Punch 1 ’ a claim for £sl for printing, judgment was for £(> 10s. Singular FollySeveral narrow escapes from serious injury have occurred on the tramway, owing to persons attempting to alight while the train is in motion. Benevolent Tars. The crew of H.M.S. Cormorant gave an entertainment last night in aid of the widow of Francis Donald, who was accidentally shot at Eawarra range. A Postmaster SuspendedThe postmaster at Oraki has been suspended in consequence of his having dated a letter, enclosing an entry for Wellinglon races as being posted on the 19th inst., when really it was posted on the 20th. It is believed that it was so stamped to suit the convenience of the person entering the horse. HOKITIKA, January 27. Heavy Flood and Great Damage. The heaviest flood ever known here occurred lost night, and did great damage to land, ciops, and works in Westland. The Arahura bridge, on the main Kumara road, is almost destroyed. The North end for two hundred feet is swept away, and it will take three’or four thousand pounds to repair the damage done there. It it believed that there has been great destruction in the Southern part of the country. Acres of valuable land on the Christchurch road have been carried away along the Arahura river. The town of Hokitika was inundated, and most of the streets covered with a sheet of water for several hours. The floed has now subsided.

A special meeting of the Council will be held to-morrow to consider what is best to be done. __ KUMAEA, January 27. A heavy flood occurred in the Teremakau River last night. The mails are all stopped to-day. The Christchurch couch was unable to leave. Irish Relief FundThe first instalment of £l3O was forwarded from here to the Lord Mayor of Dublin yeaterday towards the Irish Distress Fund. Subscriptions from out districts bave not yet come in. NELSON, January 27. A Lady on the School CommitteeAt the election of the education committee ■ for the city a lady, Mrs Gribbs, was among those elected. , , At a meeting of farmers at Richmond, which was largely attended, a resolution was unanimously carried that 50lbs. be the weight .given for a bushel of barley. Irish Relief FundThe Mayor has called a public meeting for Thursday re the distress in Ireland. GREY MOUTH, January 27. Reduction in Miners’ Getting PriceThe miners in the Coal Pit Heath mine have got notice of a reduction of fid per ton in the getting price. The miners consider the present price too low, especially as regular •work cannot bo depended on. OAMARU, January 27. InquestAt the inquest on the body of Wm. Pirie the jury returned a verdict that deceased died from natural causes. AppointmentAt the annual meeting of members of the Hospital committee to-night Dr. Wait was elected home surgeon. The HarvestThe heavy rain has done little injury to the crops. Harvest has commenced in some parts of the district. TIMARU, January 27. dominated ImmigrationThe nominated immigration list this month includes forty-one persons, of whom twentynine are Irish,and twelve English. The Crops. Heavy rain fell for some hours last night, but little damage was done to the standing corn. Educational. At the election of the Timaru public school committee last night, a vote ot thanks wa® passed to the committee of last year, who resigned in consequence of the action of the Education Board in refusing to accept their selection of a candidate for the second mastership of the school. The feeling of the meeting was decidedly in favor of Boards of Education being abolished. Borough ValuationGreat dissatisfaction is expressed at the result of the valuation for the current year for the Borough of Timaru, Colonel Scratchley. Colonel Scratchley is expected to arrive in Timaru on Thursday, when he will review the volunteers. Mr Rolleston.Mr Rolleston is on a visit here at present. To-day he visited the public buildings, being accompanied by the Mayor. He leaves tomorrow. DUNEDIN. January 27. The Wesleyan Conference-

At the Wesleyan Conference to-day the Auckland, Kaipara, Hokianga, and Wairarapa circuits were divided. A motion to divide the Manawatu circuit was negatived. The Auckland and Bangiora circuits were reported as being required to make provision for receiving a married minister each. Additional ministers have been granted to Waikato, Wairoa, Kawakawa, Wangaroa, and Wellington. It was decided to form the Upper Thames district into a new circuit, including Ohinemuri, Kati Kati, Waihou, and Piako. In the afternoon session the statistics were read by the secretary, showing the number of members to be 3737, being an increase for the year of 122. The number of members on trial is 202. The number of ministers is seventy-one, being an increase of six. The lay representatives from the several circuits in the colony were present for the first time this morning, as follows :—Prom Auckland, Messrs F. B. White and B. Wykes ; New Plymouth, J. George ; Wellington, W. Lustin and W. Moxham ; Christchurch, J. Shierlaw; Springston, H. W. Peryman; Bangiora, O. Howard; Timaru, E. Holgate ; Waimate, J. Manchester ; Dunedin, Trinity G. Hindle and Mornington, P. McLean; Port Chalmers, J. Lane ; Balclutha, W. Hope ; Roxburgh, H. Bloxham; Invercargill, L. Oheynes. The Treasurer of the contingent fund, Mr W. Harris (Christchurch), the Revs. A. Reid (Christchurch), W. Keall (Ashburton), and T. Fee (Waimate), also took their seats. Meldrum v- Proudfoot-

In the case of Meldrum v. Proudfoot, an action brought to recover damages by the representatives of a man killed on the tramway, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for £350. The jury recommended that men only should be employed as conductors. Tie Dunedin OperatorsThe “Star” states that the Dunedin telegraph operators who went out on strike have been fined £SO. BLUFF, January 27. Colonel ScratchleyColonel Scratchley left by the Hinomoa for Dunedin. Inquest. At the inquest on the body of James Colyer, who was found at Bushey Point, in a hut, on Sunday, a verdict of “ Died from apoplexy ” was returned.