NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1910, 8 April 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEE PBESB ASSOCIATION.] HAMILTON, April 8. Native Affairs. The “ Waikato Times ” has published important particulars regarding the last gatherings of the Kingites at Kopua and Hikurangi. Tawhiao and To Ngakau were absent. The latter is in disgrace at Kawhia, in consequence of the want of tact he displayed at the lust meeting with Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan. Rewi and a number of important men were present. Te Whiti was invited, but did not come, the King party feeling antagonistic to Te Whiti. No armed resistance will be offered to road and railway surveys. The King is concentrating his people at Kawhia, where there is every indication of permanent settlements. A large number of Ngatatatuwhareto (?) have arrived from the south side of Lake Taupo to settle the King’s country at his request. Many of the chiefs speak freely about surveys, leases, and sales, and the “Times” says it needs but one or two powerful chiefs to take the lead, when there would be a rush to open up the King country for settlement. On the whole the position of Native affairs in the King country is very satisfactory. AUCKLAND, April S, Captain Colbeck and his Constituents. Captain Colbeck addressed his constituents at Waipu, last night, and received a vote of confidence. He said he had no faith in Mr Maoandrew as a leader, nor in S : r G. Grey as a financier. Plenro-pnenmonia. Pleuro-pneumonia is rapidly spreading in the Waikato. Two farms at Okakaupo have been proclaimed infected. A Compact Opposition. Communications are proceeding between Auckland and Southern members with a view of forming a compact Opposition next session. Sir G. Grey’s Invercargill speech is expected to sound the key-note of the new party. Sir Q. Grey is expected to address the electors at the theatre, Auckland, before going South. Skating Society. One hundred and fifty persons attended a meeting of the Auckland Skating Society last night, including many ladies. Mrs Whitaker was elected president.! Short Crops. The agricultural statistics show a great falling off in the average yield of crops, caused by sparrows and pheasants. A County Council Indignant. The Waitemata County Council demur to the deduction of £321 by the Government from its subsidy for the relief of alleged destitute persons. It denies that any real destitution exists in the county. AquaticThe regatta committee have fixed the prizes for the champion four-oared outrigger race at £135, and that for the champion schooner race of fifty tons, and upwards, at £IOO. HAWERA, April 8. The Waimate Plains. Mr Parris, with the chief surveyor and others, has gone over to the Waimate Plains with a view to deciding the boundaries of the Native reserves. As the Natives will not name what portion they wish reserved, a good deal of judgment has to be exercised in defining the boundaries between the races. DUNEDIN. April 8. EireBy a fire which occurred last evening an eight-roomed nouse in George street, belonging to John Adams, was destroyed. The only person in the house at the time wag a young girl, a servant. The fire originated in this girl’s bedroom, but she says she was not in the room after half-past two in the afternoon. The house was insured in the Standard for £250 and in the Northern for £3OO. WELLINGTON, April 8. The charge against a Superintendent of an Asylum. It is understood that the charges made against Mr Whitelaw, superintendent of the asylum, by an ex-attendant, are principally that several breaches of discipline were allowed to pass unnoticed by him, and that about two months ago he asked a patient named Buchanan to go to work, and on his refusing it is alleged that Mr Whitelaw knocked him down, and afterwards had him locked up for flve-and-a-half days, and fed on bread and water. It is further alleged that, during a visit of several gentlemen to the asylum, Buchanan was shifted from place to place in order to prevent his having an opportunity of making any complaint. Criminal Sessions. The charge of rape against Longhurst is still proceeding, and will not conclude before this evening. The Maori Prisoners. Mr Travers, the solicitor, makes an application this afternoon at the Supreme Court in Chambers for a writ of ?iaieas corpus, to enable him to bring up from Dunedin the Maori prisoner Winari Parata and obtain his discharge, as it is alleged he is no longer legally in_ custody. This is a test case in connection with the whole of the Native prisoners. Death of a Maori PrisonerOne of the Maori prisoners, named Tami Koiha, died at the Mount Cook Gaol this morning. An inquest is now being held. Later. At the inquest on the Native who died this morning a verdict of “Natural Causes ” was given.

AUCKLAND, April 7. Criminal SessionsAt the criminal sessions, W. EadclilTe, for { obtaining a marriage certificate from the Bogistrar under false pretences, was acquitted.

Thomas McCarthy, for robbery with violence, received six years, The Grand Ju'y, wtk the approval of the Judge, throw out tne bill against James Macgregor for arson. Five bills were returned against J. O. Young of larceny of public money, also one against Isaac Wilson, publican, for shooting at Ohinemutu. Sir G- Grey Visited. A party of Thames visitors to Sir Q. Grey reached Kawau by the steamer Blanche yesterday afternoon. They were met by Sir G. Grey and Mr Seymonr George, and heartily welcomed. Sir Q. Grey is in excellent health and stated that it was his intention to leave in a few weeks for Canterbury and Invercargill, to address the electors of the Southern constituencies. At an early hour to-day a tour of the island was made, and the lodes cf quartz and manganese, lately discovered by Mr Seymour George, were pointed out. Mr Phillips, manager of the manganese works at the Bay of Islands, arrived last night for the purpose of reporting on the lode. The Blanche, with the party, left at noon for the Thames, calling at Waiwora. Sunday S;hool UnionAt a meeting of the Auckland Sunday School Union, the report showed the receipts to have been £1847, leaving a balance over expenditure of £333. The assets were £1613, showing a balance over liabilities of £768. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 7. A Hop Kiln SuratMr Martin, of Waiwakio, had his hop kiln totally destroyed by fire last night. •It was insured. The Minister for Public Works. The Minister for Public Works and Mr Blackett arrived at New Plymouth this afternoon, from Stratford. Pacing. The following amounts, won at the late rac® meeting, were paid over :—Mr Georg , £213 ; Mr Horsfall, £IOO ; Mr Powdrell, £9O ; Mr Davis, £80; Mr Rowe, £7B ; Mr Melvor, £SO; Mr Gibson, £SO; Mr Baird, £3O j small sums, £7 ; total, £717. NAPIER, April 7. Messrs Sutton and Russell and the Napier ElectorsMessrs. Sutton and Russell addressed the electors at the Theatre Royal. The meeting was orderly, though Mr Sutton towards the end of his speech attacked Mr Sheehan, and was subject to frequent interruption. Mr Russell was heard in perfect quiet. Tha speeches were in the main rehearsals of the proceedings of last session. Rt-ferring to the telegraph scandal, Mr Sutton said—“ One of them contained an offer to a person of an appointment as officer in the A.O, provided he retired from his candidature for the East Coast, and supported the Government candidate.” Mr McDougall asked for the name of the person, and Mr Sutton replied that it was Oapt, Porter. The hon. member said—- “ Another telegram contained an offer to a gentleman relative to a position in Auckland, provided he gave his support to the Government. One of the telegrams had for its object an effort to induce the creditors of a candidate to bring pressure upon him.” Mr McDougall asked Mr Sutton to name who it was sent to, who was the sender, and expose his felonious conduct. Mr Sutton said he would not name who the telegram was sent to, but he would name the sender. It was the Hon. J. Sheehan, and if he challenged it he (Mr Sutton) would produce the telegram. When Mr Sheehan was in Napier he sent a telegram to Wellington, asking the person it was sent to there to bring pressure to bear upon a newspaper. Mr Sheehan made more fuss about that telegram than about any other. He tried to make it appear that it was a private telegram, but he failed. At the conclusion of the meeting votes of thanks and confidence were carried without opposition. WELLINGTON, April 7. Inquest. An inquest on the fatal fire at Wahnri commenced this morning. An Ice CompanySteps are being taken to form an ice company. Proceeding to Business. In accordance with the recommendation in the report of the Native Commission, Mr Parris has been instructed to proceed at once with the survey of the reserve awarded to Honi Pihama, and to cut the front survey line of the reserve allotted to the Ngatiruanui tribe. The Government have received telegrams to the effect that he has mads a commencement with the work. The Missing Clerk. Henry Kirk, the clerk who was reported missing, has turned up at Ohinemutu. An Inquiry. An inquiry, ins* igated by Mr Jno. Houghalin, was held to-day, touching the conduct of Mr Whitelaw, of the asylum. A counter charge has been laid by the latter. The proceedings are private. A Heavy lossA telegram from Wanganui states that the loss by the destruction of Messrs. York and Cornfoot’s saw mill is £4OOO. All the machinery is gone and new will be required. HOKITIKA. April 7. Harbour WorksThe harbor works are progressing rapidly, and the bar is dsepening daily. The Weather.! Rain has fallen after a month’s dry weather. DUNEDIN, April 7. Educational-

The Education Board’s annual report shews that during the last quarter of 1879, the attendance at schools was 9194 boys and, 8500 girls. At the close of 1878 there were 131 schools in operation under the Board, employing on December 31st, 334 teachers, 161 schoolmasters, 72 schoolmistresses, 8 teachers of sewing, 32 male pupil teachers, and 61 female pupil teachers. The number of children attending the public schools for the year shows an increase in the average attendance of 1260 on that of last year. The increase in the number of children who attended at all was 2379. Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commissioners continued their sitting this morning, and examined Mr Grant, General Manager ofßailways, and Mr Armstrong, Locomotive Superintendent. This afternoon the Commissioners, accompanied by Mr Conyers, west to Hillside to inspect the railway workshop. [PBOir OUB OWN COBBB3PONDEKT.] WELLINGTON, April 7Meetlng of ParliamentAs I see that several dates are named for the meeting of Parliament, I may say that the original intention of the Government to call Parliament together for the despatch of business on Thursday, May 20th, remains unaltered. Circumstances may cause an alteration of the date, but this is not anticipated. No definite decision has yet been arrived at. Hard, if true Many inquiries are being made as to thd' effect of the provision in the Property Tax Act that all the tax be collected from April Ist for the following year, while the land tax is also being collected for the half year ending June 30th next, the two thus ov«dapping, instead of being coterminous, notwithstanding that one is merged into the other, which repeals it. I have made inquiries, and find that the practical result will be that the people will have to pay both the land and property tax for the quarters ending on April Ist and on June 30th, and it is not at all probable that either will be refunded, unless by special resolution of the House. It is rather curious that the appointments of officers under the Property Assessment Act gazetted to-day are in nearly all cases transfers from the Land Tax Department.