NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2201, 16 March 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

fPBB FBHBB ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, March 16, Shock of EarthquakeA sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Tauranga on Monday at 10 minutes to 9. Coromandel Gold. IfiOOoz. of gold have been received by the Bank of Now Z;aland at Auckland from Coromandel, chiefly from the new gold-field at Tiki. The field discovered there is attracting great attention, WELLINGTON, March 16. Breach of Licensing Act. At the Magistrate’s Court, William Ebden, proprietor of the Thornden Club, was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, by selling spirits in less quantity than two gallons. Twoprevious convictions were recorded. Ho was fined £4O and costa ; in default, three months' imprisonment. Dinner with a VengeanceA largo Native meeting was commenced at Masterton to-day. About 800 were present. The meeting is called ostensibly for feast and talk. TIMARU, March 16. Ominous for Insurance OfficesThe Timaru Fire Brigade, being unable to get their books from the Borough Council, disbanded in a body, after voting their library to the Hospital, their torches to the Artillery Band, and their sick and accident fund to trustees. Yesterday an express manned by an ex fireman wont to the station for the books, but, they being considered the Council’s property, a man, instructed by theMayor, refused delivery. On going to the Bank to draw their money, the Mayor again stood in the way, and their cheque was returned, marked, “Drawers’ right disputed.” Last evening it was resolved to take legal proceedings against the Mayor, and to forward full particulars re the disbanding to the Fire Brigades’ Association. DUNEDIN, March 16. Grand Juries Superfluous. At the circuit of the Supremo Court, at Lawrence, Judge Gillies expressed an opinion that the time had come when grand juriesshould be abolished in trivial oases, as the circumstances of the colony had much altered since the framing of the enactment relative to the same. Welly BadCam Boon has been found guilty of wounding another Chinaman during a gambling transaction, and was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. Arthur O’Neill waa too ill to be brought up for sentence for fraudulent bankruptcy. AUCKLAND, March 15. Railway Extension. Tenders are to bo let at once for the extension of the Whengarei-Kamo railway to Longreach, giving sixteen feet water at high tide for vessels Lading. Grumbling at the LandlordThe Auckland representatives at the Nelson meeting complain of being fleeced by the hotelkeepers. It is proposed to form an Auckland association and have the next meeting here. Sensible. The Mayor has proclaimed the 17th as a holiday. The Friendly Societies promised, in future, to avoid holding their demonstration on national holidays, owing to party feeling. Wooden Walls v- IroncladsThe non-success of the Auckland men at the recent New Zealand Association meeting has caused a growl of discontent that the Thames and Southern men should be armed with steel-barrel guns while the volunteers of Auckland should be compelled to use old iron barrel weapons. GISBORNE, March 15. Native Lands. Great progress is being msde by the Native Lands Court towards the settlement of Native titles. Several subdivisions have been ordered which have given general satisfaction. The further hearing of the Fonawa block, which is intended for the Belfast settlers, was concluded to-day. The following are the particulars of the awards made. The Court gave 888 acres to the dissentors from the sale, and the balance, 18,364 acres, to the remaining owners, who had sold 12,000 acres for the purposes of Mr G. M. Reed’s special settlement. The Judges have consented to pass a deed of conveyance of thcee 12,000 acres on being satisfied as to thi surrender of the original lease. The existing certificate of title is to be cancelled, and a new certificate issued for the separate portion. WELLINGTON, March 15, Presbyterian. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly this morning, Mr McNiool gave notice that he would move in connection with the Foreign Mission report, that the Assembly take into consideration the spiritual necessities of the Presbyterian residents of Fiji. The Assembly expressed gratification at finding that O ago and Southland have agreed to co operate with this Church in the Maori Mission. It was agreed to appoint a committee to confer with the Synod of Otago on the subject of the mission, and to report to the next Assembly. At the evening sitting the report on Church property was presented, and narrated the steps taken for the purpose of having a Bill passed in Parliament to register trustees of Church property as corporate bodies. The draft of the Bill is to be sent to the Presbyteries. The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the SolicitorGeneral for his services in the matter. A motion that the next Assembly be held at Christchurch in February, 1882, waa carried. The report and treasurer’s statement of the widow and orphans’ futd were read and adopted. The Assembly adjourned until tomorrow. News for the Ladies. It is stated that Lady Gordon is now en route from London to Sydney, and may bo expected to arrive here about the Bth proximo. Asylum Enquiry The Asylum Commissioners took further evidence to day. The proceedings are likely to extend over another week. Restraint of SaleThe Supreme Court to-day granted an order restraining the sals of the mortgaged freehold property under foreclosure in the estate of 1 Mr E. W. Mills, advertised for to morrow. BAL’ILUIHA, March 15. Foolhardy unto Death. A man named John Maher lost his life today while working at the Balclutha bridge. He was working in the air lock, and had just finished bis four hours’ shift, and when coming out s«id, “ I am done for again.” About ten days’ ago he suffered considerably, and had a par ial paralysis of the lower part of his bndy. He was advised by his medical advisors upon no account to continue cylinder work, but to day ho insisted upon going in, feeling quite strong and equal to the work. DUNEDIN, March 15. Keep it DarkA circular from the Prison Department has been received by Ihe gaol officials here, prohibiting them from giving information to the Press. Gubernatorial EncouragementThis morning the Governor was driven aa far as Blueskin, and afterwards visited the Botanical Gordons, and in the afternoon a levee took place at the Town Hall, where an address of welcome was presented by the City C-inncil, to which the Governor made the following reply: “ I thank you for your address and coruial welcome, as well as for the wish you express that I should not only revisit this district, hut spend some time annually in the sou'hern part of New Zaaland. My present stay among you is necessarily short, bnt it ia impossible to pay eves the most hurried visit to your city without being struck by its rapid dovelopmont, and the activity and industry which pervade it, or without deriving from the sight the fullest conviction that no temporary oheek oan seriously retard the progress of thU. colony.” [FROM THK OWN OOEBBSPONDHHT OF -JHH “ PRESS ”J WELLINGTON, March 15, Property Tax. I am indebted to the Property Tax office for a return of the amounts received on account of the Property Tax throughout the whole colony up to to-day. Reepeclively the receipts are as follows:—Canterbury, £26,618; Wellington, £19,351; Auckland, £17,001; Otago, £l6 9.6; Hawke's Bay, £6168; N. Ison, £3898; Southland, £3430; Woitoki. £3050; total, £96,735.