NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1856, 3 February 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[Br Tsie-.jbaph.] fI'BOM OTJB OWK OOHBBBPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, February 2. The appointment of a Native member of the Royal Commission re Native affairs, vice Tawhai resigned, is unavoidably further postponed until Wednesday, owing to the nonarrival of Sir F. Dillon Bell, who waß pxpected yesterday by the Wanaka from the 8 juth. He telegraphed, however, that it was quite impossible for him to catch that, steamer, but he would come without fail by the following boat, arriving on Wednesday, when the Premier also is expected back. The Government are much dieappoin.ed at Sir F. D. Bell's nonappearance, as they are very desirous of getting the Commißßion to work as «>on as possible. Mr McCarthy, late of the Press Agency, and Mr D.-ake, of " Hansard " .-taff, have been appointed short-hand writers to t he Commission. Mr Bryce deemed it inadvisable to be linger absent from 11-. e Wa ; mate Plains, so he left overland this morning on his return. Sir W. Fox was to have left with Mr Bryce this n'.orning, but has consented to delay hiß■leiparture till Wednesday, when Messrs Hall ind Atkinson, in consultation with Sir W. Fox and Sir F. D. Bell, will decide on the ■ppointmont of the Maori commissioners. It was rumoured that the Government would >• ot accept Tawhai's resignation, but would inform him that as he had been appointed he would remain a commissioner, and if he did not choose to act his place would simply be vacant. I have authority, however, for -tating that this i» incorrect. The resigna'ion has been definitely accepted, and his successor will be a Native of good family and bigh reputation. The name is not yet disclosed. There is no fwsh nfws from the front.