NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1944, 18 May 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, May 18. A Trunk Railway. The settlers of Whangarei, at a meeting, resolved to urge the Government to set aside land in the North Auckland districts for the construction of a trunk railway north. It also decided to frame a memorial from the local bodies to Parliament. The Coming Session. It is not expected that the Auckland members will leave for Wellington until Monday or Tuesday week. The HarbourThe late rains have caused a great silting in the incomplete railway reclamation works. The entrance to the dock is rapidly closing. ElectoralMuch apathy is shown in registration in all the Auckland electoral districts. At the Thames and Rodney the number of electors en the new roll is less than on the old roll. NAPIER, May 18. A New Maori Superstition. Superstition is on the increase amongst the Natives, owing to the teachings of the new prophet Parora Eta, from Wairarapa. He prophecies great floods in two months, when all Europeans will be drowned, and the Natives will get their own again. He christens every morning in a stream, which he calls the TeAute Jordan, men and women who are perfectly naked, and who believe that they will be cured of all diseases. The teaching and the prophecies are great rubbish, but the local chiefs fear the spread of the euperstition, and say that all the trouble with Pakehas has originated from the teachings of such lunatics. Toreha calls a meeting of Maoris for next Friday, to fix boundaries within which the prophet and his disciples shall not enter. DUNEDIN, May 18. DiphtheriaDiphtheria is prevalent about Dunedin. A fatal case was reported at the end of the week. Attempted Suicide. Mrs Hunt, living in St. David street, attempted to poison herself yesterday, and was removed to the Hospital. The Cause of Temperance. The Dunedin school committee have recommended the adoption of Richardson's temperance book. The Late Minister for Public Works. Mr Macandrew addresses his constituents on Friday. The Harbor Board. The retrenchment proposals in the Harbor Board have been finally agreed to. ' The changes come into force on the Ist of July. The Burnt-Out Commissioner. The fire at the Railway Offices is believed to have been purely accidental. The Department finds temporary accommodation at the Minister's offices. AUCKLAND, May 17. Evading the Customs. A petition for the release of Mrs Bostock, imprisoned for evasion of the Customs duties, has been signed by 600 citizens, including the Mayor. Mr Barstow, R.M., forwards it to the Minister for Justice. Sporting. On the course this morning, Ariel was the first to put in an appearance, and was cent for a three-mile canter with Butler up. The old horse went well, and appears to justify the expectations of his admirers. Harry Mount went his usual gallop of two miles. He has greatly improved since he ran at the Autumn meeting. Soukar and Laertes did two miles, finishing at a good pace, and the former could have pulled over his opponent at the close. Hard Times also did a serviceable two-mile spin. Vampire, Xantippe, Luna, King Quail, and Ratcatcher all did a spin afterwards. WELLINGTON, May 17. Colonial Insurance Company. The second ordinary meeting of the Colonial Insurance Company was held this afternoon. A dividend of 10 per cent, was declared, and it was decided that the bonus to the directors should bo £7OO instead of £IOOO. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the shareholders on the position which the company had attained, and stated that although they had had heavy losses to pay, the company compared very favorably with the other companies in the colony. Price of CoalIn consequence of the dispute between the miners at Newcastle still being unsettled, the prices of coal here will be the same as before the recent reduction. The ps- Manawatu. Legal proceedings, arising out of the facts elicited at the inquiry recently held in reference to the late accident to the p.s. Manawatu, are about to be taken against the captain for going to Bea without the proper complement of men, againßt the purser for falsification of the ship's articles, and against Mr Martin, agent, for fraudulently engaging men to go to sea. Summonses will be issued forthwith, and their hearing will probably take place this week. The Cutter HeroNothing has been heard of the cutter Hero, which left Lyttelton for Wellington about a fortnight ago. She was loaded with grain, and was the property of Captain Thompson, the master, and Mr Bishop of this city, and valued at £SOO. The latter's share is insured for £l5O ie the South British. It is understood that the cargo is insured for £350. GREYMOUTH, May 17. The Sew RushMr Warden Mackay and Mr Guinness, chairman of the Grey County Council, visited the Seventeen milo beach rush on Saturday, and washed out three dishes of wash dirt from three different claims, with the following results : 2£ dwts, 4 dwts, and 27 dwts, of gold. The Prospecting Association's Tail Race was also visited, and fine gold was obtained, but not in sufficient quantity to justify a rush at present. The terrace claims are very rich, the gold being coarse and heavy. TIMARU, May 17. Supreme CourtThe half-yearly Supreme Court session next month promises to be heavy. Twenty caeeß are already on the list, besides the final hearing of the riot cases. The Weather. The weather is very unsettled and boisterous, bitter froßts alternating with north westers. OAMARU, May 17. Fatal Gun Accident. A fatal accident ocourred on Sunday afternoon, by which a lad sixteen years of age named Charles Haggie lost bis life. He and

a companion were out shooting, and when in the act of putting on an overcoat one of tb» guns exploded, and the charge entered Haggis's side, killing Lim almost immediately. At the inquest to-day a verdict of "Accidental death " was returned. DUNEDIN, May 17. Mr Webb's Disappearance. It is understood that the result of the auditors' investigations into the accounts of the Permanent Building Society has resulted in defalcations to a considerable amount being discovered. Mr Webb was guaranteed by the Standard Insurance Company to the extent of £2OOO. r*Boir oub own cobbbsfondkst/I WELLINGTON, May 17. The Political Situation. The Premier is much better, and goes South to-morrow by the Wakat'pu to Lyttelton, with a view of addressing his Selwyn constituents. It is expected that he will take the opportunity of making some statement as to the intentions of the Government regarding the programme of the coming session. Ministers have been extwmely reticent lately as to their intentions, and it is understood that their reticence is observed with a view to the Premier's approaching speech, so that he may be able to state the position in his own way. For the same reason, probably, no further information as to the revenue and expenditure during the past financial year has been allowed to transpire. The Waimate PlainsThe Government received telegrams to-day to the effect that the Maori are assembling in large numbers at Parihaka for the monthly meeting, as there is greit curiosity to hear Te Whiti's latest view regarding the double intrusion of the Constabulary on hia sacred territory, but no particular results are expected. An absurd rumour has been carefully circulated in Taranaki and the neighborhood of the Waimate Plains to the effect that the Government had given orders for the road to Parihaka to be barricaded as as to close it up and prevent the Natives from proceeding to Parihaka. This is utterly untrue and unfounded, for the Government, so far from discouraging the Maoris from attending Parihaka, seem anxious to afford every facility for their doing so.