NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 14 January 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBB PBBSt ASSOCIATION.J AUCKLAND, January 13. Marine Inquiry. An official enquiry into the stranding of the May Queen at Tauranga was held at tbe Custom House. The evidence will be forwarded to Wellington. The Patients in Quarantine. The latest from the quarantine station is that Crawford’s cate is considered serious. The rest are well. The Fumigation Question. , The Mayor at the City Council referred to the delay in fumigating the mail, and said that it was one of those matters, as to which the local Board of Health for the harbor had sought delegated powers under the Public Health Act, and these bad been refused by the Government. The Council intend petitioning the Governor for the use of the Governor’s Grounds dnring his absence from Auckland for the recreation of the citizens pending the completion of Albert Park, Serious Charge. MoKerry Tepapa and Pome Tekere, charged with the Oxford murder, was re> manded to Cambridge. Bail was allowed, each in £2OO, and sureties of £IOO. Our Native Coal. The Southern Cross sailed from Russell for Dunedin with 280 tons of Bay of Islands coal. The Maori King’s VisitA public meeting was convened by the Mayor to-day, at which it was decided to give Tawhaio a public reception. A committee was appointed to canvass for subscriptions to defray the expenses of providing accommodation and victualling of Tawhaio and retinue, consisting of forty. A procession and banquet will be arranged for. The Crops. The wheat crop in the Auckland districts are reported good. Tbe average is stated es l-'kely to be from 35 to 40 bushels per acre. WELLINGTON, January 13. Privileges to VolunteersAt a meeting of the committee of the New Zealand Rifle Association, held this evening, it was announced that the Government had given authority for free passes over the railway to all volunteer competitors attending the Nelson meeting. Negotiations are now in progress with the Union Company in regard to passages. The Natives’ Potatoes: The Parihaka Natives ere now selling potatoes to the Government ration contractor. Election Petitions. The petition of Mr Ballance against Mr Watt, for the Wanganui seat, has been received by the Chief Justice. Tbe grounds are bribery, and by offering employment to two electors; also, intimidation of three others by threatened deprivation of employment. The petition of Mr Hirst against Mr Daniells, for Wallace, has also been received, GBBYMOUTH, January 13. Fire. A fire broke out in an unoccupied cottage in Master’s street, this morning. Three cottages were destroyed. One was insured in the Victoria for £IOO. DUNEDIN, January 13. Frozen Meat by Sailing Ship. The repairs to the freezing machinery of the ship Dunedin have been completed, and the vessel has recommenced taking in meat. [PSOM THE OWN COBBESPONDENT OP THE “ PRESS.”J KUMAR A, January 13. At tbe Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before J. O’Hagan and A. C. Campbell, Esq.’s, J.P.’s, Edward Haylook, of Kawbaka, was again brought up charged with shooting at Andrew Curie, of Fapanui. Inspector Emerson prosecuted, and Mr Purkiss, of Hokitika, defended the accused, who was discharged.

WELLINGTON, January 13

As I notice some papers still bang on the necessity of the early meeting of Parliament, and do not appear to understand the direct reason why such course is deemed needless, I may as well explain that Ministers assume Parliament to have died a natural death, as it would have done on the 28tb prox. had the law been simply allowed to take its course. The elections then would hare taken place in March or April, and Parliament could not possibly have met earlier than May, the time now intended. It was simply for public convenience that the Government dissolved in the spring, and caused the elections to be held in December, but they do not consider that this in any way alters their relations with Parliament. Moreover, on the 21st of September last, strenuous efforts were made by the Opposition to compel an early meeting of the new Parliament by limiting the grant of supplies. No fewer than three divisions took place on various proposals made with that object, but all were decisively negatived by the House, which thus expressed a distinct opinion against any premature assembling of the new Parliament, and left Ministers’ hands entirely free. Such I understand is the view held by the Government on the question, and it is as well that there should be no mistake on the point. Of course had the elections given an obvious majority against Ministers, or had there been any appeal to the country either on a question of policy, or as between Ministers and another set of men, the case would have been quite different. I hear that the Premier, as leader of the Ministerial party in the Lower House, has on behalf of his party presented Mr G. Beetham, M.H.8., with a very handsome gold watch and chain, subscribed for by members of the party, as a mark of their cordial appreciation of Mr Beetham’s assiduous and valuable services as whip during the last two session*. A deputation waited on the Government to-day to urge greater facilities being afforded

for the development of the Westport coal trade by the improvement of the harbor and other works. Tho Premier expressed the cordial sympathy of the Government with the enterprise, and promised to do all that was possible in the desired direction. I understand that probably £2OOO will be expended during the current year in improving Westport harbor. One of the deputation stated that had due facilities been now available, they could have secured a contract for the supply of coal to Victoria.