By Electric Telegraph

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 205, 31 January 1873, Page 5

By Electric Telegraph

(From our own correspondent;.) Dunedin, Thursday Evening. The Government have instructed the 1 Agent-General not to enter into a new contract with Shaw, Saville, and Co., or anyother firm, for a long period; but to accept? the offers of Auckland, Christchurch, or Dunedin shipping companies, if favorable. M'Lean has settled the confiscated land difficulty at-Patea, and .proceeds ...to Taupoto induce the Natives to open up the Goldfields.

' He afterwards proceeds to Auckland with the view of getting a large meeting of Natives to settle the Confiscated Lands Amnesty: The ' Independent' attributes the increased yield of. gold in Otago to the good means of communication, the open country, and the liberal opportunities afforded to miners to become settled.

The great Native meeting has ended. No business was done'. The Kingites refuse to open the land, ftewi's speech was pacific. The survivors from the wreck of the City of Newcastle returned to "Wellington to-day. Hall denies that he is going Home to supersede Featherstone, and states that he is simply going on account of ill-health.

Strong inducements, have been brought to bear to induce him to remain, but w6ak health will not allow him

A melee took place between the Chinese and European miners at the Woolshed, about the ownership of a claim. One Chinaman got ; his leg .broken, and a EuropeaH was hurt. Arrived.—At Port Chalmers- Heads, tfie" Margaret Galbraifch, from Londen.

A large sale of station property took place yesterday. Hon. Robert Campbell bought West Dome and Windley'S station, for £l6*ooo, and the Wairaki station for £13,750. The Spy law station was bought by F. Roberta, for £16,500. ' Colonial prize firing is fixed for March 4th. Twenty-six Otago volunteers are already qualified.

Great preparations are being made at Christ* - church, to receive Bishop Moran.