LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 873, 18 July 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[special to kumara times.]

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Wellington, July 18

The Native difficulty, on investigation is expected to assume an entirely different aspect to its apparent position. Successive Governments have succeeded iu getting matiers in the Native department in a most extraordinary muddle. Many prisoners possess land scrip granted fifteen years ago, while the Government could never be induced to issue the Crown grants. In one case a Maori settled on what he believed his land, and sold to a European two pieces of fifty acres each. Crown grants were immediately issued to the purchasers, but the Maori cannot get his title. Government offered to purchase a large block from the Natives at first, at 5s an acre, and afterwards at 7s 6d. This was owing to the land not being confiscated. The survey maps of the Waimate Plains show that the Government intended to take every acre, in spite of all promises of law and justice. These are but a few facts of the case.

James Mackay has been appointed a Commissioner to visit the land, and attempt negotiations. He starts on Monday.

[press agency.]

Dunedist, July 18. A fatal accident has occuved at Gibbs and Clayton's saw mills. A young man named Fox placed a band on the shaft;, and, while riding on the shaft, his clothes got entangled, and he was twisted round. Both legs were broken, and oue arm torn from the body. He died soon after admission to the Hospital. "Wellington, July IS. It is understood the Ministry can only count oh 41 members whose votes can be relied upon in emergency. The evidence relating to the Jackson's Bay and Karamea special settle ments is in the hands of the printers, and will be ready in a fortnight. The Opposition had a meeting this morning, when it was decided that Sir W. Fox should follow the English precedent, and move the addition of a clause to ihe Address in Reply condemning the administration, and praying the Governor to call for other advisers to his counsels. Intrigue has been going on amongst the Ministerialists to set a new Ministry under Mr Ballance or Mr Montgomery, but it is thought not likely to come to anything. Ministers are said to be clearing out their offices, with a view to defeat. The Opposition estimate a majority of U.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hokitika, June 17. A large attendance of shareholders in the Mount Rangitoto Silver Miuing Company was held last night to receive the directors' and manager's annual reports, which, with balance-sheet, were unanimously adopted. The shareholder expressed every satisfaction with the management during the past year, and with the prospects of the enterprise. It was resolved to send lOOcwt of the ore to the Sydney Exhibition, under care of Dv Elector, to be tested by the new process there. Christchurch, July 14. The man Strange, for assaulting his child, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and also bound over to keep the peace for six months. The child was not severely hurt, nor was there any direct evidence of the prisoner striking the child's head against the post. July 16. The twelfth annual Poultry and Canary Show was opened co-day, the exhibits being very fine. Wellington, July 14. In the Supreme Court, Perotti, an Italian, was convicted for aiding and abetting in a recent stabbing case. W. Wood was arrested on a charge of wife desertion and fraudulent insolvency. July 16. The majority of appeals at the Land Tax Revision Court were disallowed. A deputation waited upon Sir George Grey and Colonel Whitmore from Hawera, to urge upon the Government the necessity of taking prompt action in regard to the Native difficulty, and also that public works might be commenced at once in order to retain

the population. It would be have war at once than settlers toTive in the'present., state of uncertaint\\ The Ministers replied that the Government were fully prepared to act when occasion required it, and public works would be commenced immediately. • July 18.

A deputation of the Press waited on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to-day for the purpose «if urging upon him the necessity of giving increased accomodation to the Press. Ic was decided that the Press should be provided with-six additional seats. • TiMaru, July 16. The steeplechases to-day was an unqualified success, so far as racing was concerned, but the attendance was poor. The following are the results : Tally-ho Handicap—Royalty, 1 j Black Prince, 2 ; Lone Han.l, 3^, Maiden Plate—Noumea, 1.;. Millie, 3. The Cup—The Ageot, | 1 • Royalty, 2. This was a splendid race, and the popular verdict was that Royalty won by a head, but the judge decided otherwise. Consolation Handicap—Ada, 1; Jack, 2 ; Loyalty, 3. Oamajru, July 16. Mr Samuel G>bles was elected Mayor. ~- : Dun'edin, 'July 14. Tidal waves were observed this morning in the Molynenx aud Kaitangata Rivers. July 15. A man named Lewis Mahohey seriously injured both his hands and fractured his jaw with a charge of dynamite at Logan's Point Quarry. The City Council are about to raise a loan of .£IOO,OOO for Municipal purposes. • "; Wanganui, July 14. A man in the employ of Mr W.'Somers picked up a Worcester sauce bottle on the beach, and opening it discovered these words written on a small piece of blue paper:—" Strathnaver on fire off Paltry Beach. April 29—Heavy sea running.—W. Walter, chief officer." It will be remembered that the Strathnaver left Sydney about the date mentioned, and was never heard of afterwards. The paper appears to be a genuine production. Napier, July 15. A Danish chemist named Grandman was acquitted on a charge of manslaughter of a woman named Caroline Durzig, a Dane. The prisoner attended deceased during her .confinement, aud treated her unskilfully, but the Magistrate considering there was not sufficient evidence to convict him discharged him. A man named Sounday got into a furious passion with his wife- and daughter who ran out of the'house. He seized a.gun and fired after them, the shot striking the door as they closed it. He then set fire to his house, which was his own property and nob insured, and it was burnt down. He was however fined ,£1 for-assaulting his wife, and was sent to prison in default of finding .sureties to keep the peace for six months.