PARLIAMENTARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1597, 28 July 1874, Page 302

PARLIAMENTARY.

(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] Wellington, 27th July. The session will not last more than oiijb month longer—members say they will go then. The general feeling of the House is that nothing can be done, and that the originators of the policy of progress must be allowed to carry it to its end, and stand responsible for its failure or success. There is no defined opinion about the South Sea scheme, and it will probably stand over for another session. It has not the merit of originality, the members say—it has been floating about in a crude form in men's minds for many years, and Mr Vogel has'only put it into shape like the policy of railways and immigration originated by Mr Stafford. The impression produced by the financial and public works statement is generally favorable; but less must be given to every province to make it palatable. The Otago members meet to-morrow to consider how the Government proposals affect their province, and whether they shall continue for amendment or alteration. Karaitiana has many petitions here from the northern natives, referring to the Hawke's Bay Commission and other affairs, and, Mr M'Lean now being back, native affairs will probably receive attention." WAIROA. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Clyde, 25th July. The late sensation re Te Kooti has quite died out. " The old woman "is held responsible for the hoax. It may here be remarked that old women are very convenient scapegoats in affairs of the kind. Exaggerated or improbablej Maori yarns are generally traced to some old beldame or other, who, poor soul, probably knows little, and cares less, about the matter. In this instance, the bearer of the startling intelligence did not fail to turn his quasi importance to good account. Propping in, heated and agitated, at various places on the road, he would inform his numerous interlocutors that he was very " matt mati to kai" placing his hand pathetically on his stomach. Of course, while the hoax lasted, he fared sumptuously, and was lionized accordingly. But the denouement came, and with it the downfall of this " false prophet." The Kopeno bridge has been rebuilt on an improved principle. Mr Gardiner) who had the contract for the work, informs mo that it is now beyond the reach of any ordinary flood; that it would require a second deluge, in fact, to remove it. This will no doubt be a pleasing item of intelligence to travellers, as the Kopene is rather an awkward stream to ford when in freshet. The weather has been very cold here lately. Heavy falls of snow have taken place in the interior. This time last year, snow fell in the Wairoa and lay on the flats for some days. Old identities, native and European, affirm that the New Zealand winters are becoming colder year by year. This may be the case ; they should remember, however, that age and youth see thiuga through different mediums. Our Wellington correspondent writes, under date 18th July—" Farm and dairy produce is r sing in price in Wellington owing to the unusually bad weather experienced of late. There is snow un the hills surrounding the city, and within the memory of the oldest identity so severe a winter as this has not been experienced. —A butcher's dealing aud slaughtering co-operative company is being formed here." Our Tauranga correspondent telegraphed yesterday afternoon as follows:—■ " Agents of southern land speculators are engaged at Mafcetu in urging the natives to renounce arrangements made with the Government Land Purchase Commissioners, even in cases where the deposit has been paid. The natives express repugnance to the interference of these pakehas, and consider them inconsistent. The native chiefs are mustering strongly in town to-day.—A farewell address to Sergt. Naden is being numerously signed. —The s.s. Southern Cross arrived from Auckland yesterday, and returns tomorrow." Mr John Brooks, produce merchant, of Manse-Btreet, Dunedin, was lost in the snow at Waikari on Thursday night. His body has since been found. Mr Ramsay was elected Mayor of Dunedin on Friday, having polled 1106 votes against Mr Walter's 1072. On the same day, Mr Andrew McKinnon was elecied Mayor of Port Chalmers by a majority of 21 votes o/er the other candidato, Mr lunes. In the House of Eepresentatives on Thursday, the Minister of Justice said it was intended to extend the jurisdiction of Mr District Judge Weston farther along the East Coast. At a public meeting held in Christchurch on Friday night, resolutions were unanimously passed endorsing the action of the City Council for applying to the General Assembly for an Act making over the proceeds of the dog tax, and auctioneers' and public-house licences, to municipalities within whose bounds they are collected. A correspondent of the Hour writes :~ " I have just stumbled upon a volume of 1 Poems and Translations ' of various merit, which is dedicated in the following form : — ! To the Right Honorable Sir Alexander Edmund Cockbum, Bart., Lord Chief Justice of England, &c, &c, &c, .this volume is most respectfully inscribed by one who shares in the the fervent admiration, honour, and regard which the whole Bar feel for the Judge, the jurist, and the scholar.' One of the poems, I observe, is entitled 'The JJLegend of Lewie.' Will it surprise your readers to learn that the the author is Edward Vaughan Kenealy, L.L.D."