NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2360, 26 October 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

fPKB PHEBB ASSOCIATION. 1 AUCKLAND, October 25. The Late Premier. _ Sir George Grey has returned to Kawau. He is suffering from a slight indisposition, and it is deemed advisable that he should have some rest before the elections commence. It is understood that bis return is influenced by the uncertain issue of Native affairs on the West Coast, and the opinion that the present Parliament may yet have to bo called together. A Costly Undertaking. A boarding school is to be erected in connection with the Auekland Grammar School, at a oast of £25,000. For Active Service. Major Withers swore in several men for service in the Armed Constabulary to-day. Legal Decision. A highly-important judgment affecting transmissions for the acquisition of laud, and especially directed at the restriction of private caveats, was delivered in chambers this morning by Mr Justice Gillies. Henceforth, to use the judge’s own words, " caveats by private individuals will not be restricted to lands held in trust, whilst all other equitable rights or interests must bo established by registerable instruments or the decree of the Court,” WELLINGTON, October 25. The French in the PacificAuthentic information has been received, to the effect that the Native and European inhabitants of the island of Eorotonga were recently thrown into a state of considerable excitement by a visit from the French man-of-war Hugon, the captain of vthioh stated that France intended to establish a protectorate over the group. He is also stated to have actually prohibited the export of any produce from the group except to Tahiti. A considerable trade is at present dono with New Zealand, the shipments of produce last year to this colony from the group being valued at £55,000. The inhabitants are quite satisfied with their New Zealand trade, do not want a French protectorate, and will it is said, do their best to prevent its being established. Earthquake. A shock of earthquake was felt here at tea minutes past four this morning. HAWEEA, October 25. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here this morning.

DUNEDIN, October 25. The Weather. Snow has fallen on the hill-tops round Dunedin, and in the interior there hes been a heavy fall of snow, vhich it is feired will seriously damage fruit. Fatal Accident. A settler near Blueskin named Hubert Orisp was killed to-day by tiro upsetting of his dray. Two boys who accompanies him escaped. One jumped out, and the other wae found under the dray uninjured. On the StumpA meeting of working men. under the auspices of the Trades and Labor Council, was held in the Princess Theatre this evening, when about 350 people were present. Addresses were made inviting working men to unite for mutual protection and for the purpose of labor being represented in Parliament. The Government was censured for allowing alterations to be made in the Factory Act last session. Messrs Bradshaw and Stout were amongst the speakers. Mr Stout, in his speech, strongly condemned the action of the Government re the Natives, but his comments did not provoke very general applause.