LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 834, 3 June 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

• [press agency.] Wellington, June 3. • The shareholders in the West Wanganui Coal Mining Company have adopted a resolution to stop ail opera- ; tions forthwith, in consequence of the great mismanagement. It was shown | that coal which was sold at 30s per ton cost 65s to obtain.

i . The Government have a large quantity- of ammunition on board the ship iPleioue,'now about two months out; ; also. two locomotives aboard.

The assault case, for which Anderson was committed for trial and oat of which a cross-action was pending, has been amicably arranged, and the witnesses in the case were not bound over.

[new ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY. New Plymouth, June 2. The tribe to which Kereopa belongs have held a meeting concerning his late threatning conduct to Europeans. The excuse Kereopamade was that he was incited by Parihaka influence. The natives condemn his conduct. A monster meeting, conveyed by Major Atkinson, is now being held to discuss the question of defence and native matters generally. Colonel Whitmore, accompanied by Dr O’Carroll, visited, Okato yesterday, and, interviewed settlers there. W. Bailey and Mr Syme went with a party over the Blockhouse, and afterwards had a long conference with Colonel Whitmore, who told him that the Government would do its utmost to protect the settlers in case of an outbreak. His Excellency the Governor rode out yesterday with a party of gentlemen in the direction of the Meeting-of-the-Waters. To-day he has gone out to Caverhill’s, where he will enjoy a day's shooting. His Excellency, on his way, will have an opportunity of witnessing how the natives defy the law, for he will see them hard at work ploughing up Courtney’s grass paddocks.

A Volunteer corps is being formed at the Waitara.

The Okato settlers will hold a meeting to-morrow evening for the purpose of considering their position with regard to natives, and to make arrangements for forming a Volunteer corps. Major Atkinson has been requested to Le present.

A hug!- public meeting was convened by Major Atki ismii ah the Oddfellow.-;’ Mali tins morning to dsscus< Saturday’s iiit*--view with the Premier and Colonel Whitmore, the Major presiding, a ml explained the general feeling. Be was dissatisfied with Ministers who had not made any promises likely to lead to a settlement of the difficulty, and the impression was that it was desirable to go to the Governor direct. Volunteer corps were being formed in the principal out-seitlements, and he urged the formation of one mors. Major Atkinson confessed lie was not satisfied with the promises of Ministers. He asked the people to put aside political feeling fur once, and act as colonists

in emergency. Let them wait a few longer, and then, if necessary, they days could meet and express their views more decidedly. • - Mr H. Richmond, without wishing to cause undue fear or create a panic, said the situation was so critical that atrocities at any moment might be committed which would plunge the country into war. He moved a motion asking the Government to put the district iu a complete state of defence, and the natives given to understand that their settlement would be at once destroyed if they attempt any violence, by which he meant that natives could be brought from other parts to fight them. Mr Staridish, in seconding the motion, said while hoping war might be averted, urged being prepared for any emergency, Colonel Trimble believed trouble is inevitable, but should let the responsibility rest with the Government. The place greatly required to be strengththened with arms and men. The Government had not recognised the gravity of the position. Many influential residents of the out districts spoke in expectany of imminent hostilities, and mentioned the anxiety of the country people, who were in fear of being murdered in their bed.

The resolution agreed to was presented to the Plemier by a deputation in the afternoon He promised to send an extra force, and to consider affairs without delay. He also referred to the threatening letters which had been sent him. A large number of those in the room, headed by the Mayor, enrolled themselves as volunteers.

Wellington, May 31. The middle line of railway from Clutha to Gatlin’s River is defined.

The experiment of lighting the trains on the Wellington and Peatherston railway with gas manufactured en route has at length been rewarded with entire success. A trial made on a train a night or two ago, proved conclusively that so soon as the trains are fitted with complete apparatus, it will be perfectly easy to light them with with safety and economically. Preparations are nowin progress to carry out this system of lighting, which probably will be applied to all the New Zealand railways, from Its great superiority in every way to the dirty and inefficieet oil light hitherto in use. June 2. The election of City Auditors took place to-day. There were three candidates for the two offices, and the other old auditors were re-elected, the poll being—Stevenson, 342; Elliott, 327; Anyard, 182. A haka and war dance is to be per* formed in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday night by some Wairarapa Maoris, in aid of the funds of a brass band at Masterton. Constable Mack, of Adelaide, left by the Arawata to-day with Cowan, the bigamist, in custody. Gleich, of course, was left behind. The money and jewellery found on Gleich when arrested has, it is been left in safe custody here, until the right-to it can be legally determined. At a meeting of directors of the D’Urville Island Copper Mining Company, held this afternoon, Mr Hugh Owen was appointed manager, vice Mr Griffiths, who resigned. Mr Owen in consequence of appointment, resigned his position as a director, and Mr Kyall was elected to fill the vacancy. The Royal Insurance Company has adopted an iudependant fire tariff of its own here.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Licensd Victuallers’ Society lapsed to-day, there being only eight members present. To-morrow is annual licensing day. The Attorney-Genei’al and Minister of Public Works went south to-day. In the Kinross perjury case on Saturday afternoon Rees wanted the case adjourned till after the meeting of Parliament because the clerks of Legislative Council were unwilling to give evidence unless they obtained permission from the Council. Rees said a threat had been held out that he would be attached for contempt were he to press the Council c'erks coo much. Travers would not consent to such a long adjournment and the case was adj aimed till the 10th June. Rees hinted that, he would fill up the time from the 10th of June till the 11th of July by call Maori wtuesses Christchurch, May 31.

At a meeting of the Christchurch Chess Club last night, 12 entries were received fur che.-s tournament to take place on Tuesday and following days Dr HHis is appointed vice-President, and Mr Hailwood recently of Wellington Secretary, to to the Clmss Club. Timaku, June 2. , There are only two applications for fresh licenses for public houses to le held at the Licensing Court to-morrow.