INTERPROVINCIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 243, 4 October 1876, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL.

i Auckland, Tuesday. The schooner Strathnaver owned ia Lytteltou, was wrecked while catering Kaipara Harbor. She capsized suddenly, drove ashore j and became a total wreck. The mate was drowned. The vessel was insured in the New Zealand office for .£7BO. The Wellington sailed at 9 a.m. Passengers for Nelson—Mrs Draper, Mr Lowe. Wednesday. Ihe brig Vision has arrived from a South Sea cruise She extended the Auckland trade to Marshall's Group, ten degrees north of the Equator, establishing agencies at the different islauds. H.M.S. Sapphire has arrived from Melbourne. Napier, Tuesday. A telegram from Archdeacon Harper was read at the Synod to-day, declining the Bishopric of Waiapu. A resolution vrvs passed appointing a committee to draw up a memorial praying him to reconsider his decision. The business of the Synod will be concluded this evening. Wednesday. Ihe "Mirror of England" opened last night to an immense house. Ulujff, Tuesday. J lie Albion has arrived from Ilobarton She left Melbourne on the 29th ult., stayed one day at Hobarton, and had flue weather throughout the passage. She leaves for Dunedin this evening. Passengers for Nel-son-Dr. Farrclle, Messrs Cox, Davis, Watson (2); and six tons of cargo. I The Kingarooma sailed at noon. Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Macaudrew telegraphs to the Governor on behalf of the people of Otago, asking him to withhold the Queen's assent with regard to the Abolition Bill so far us Otago is concerned, the great bulk of the people being determined to maintain those privileges of local self-government conferred upon them by the Imperial Parliament, and saying that if the action of the Government was persisted | in, it must result in the dismemberment of the colony. From all quarters the Provincial S Government is urgently appealed to obtain a plebiscitum of the people with the view of appealing lo the Imperial Parliament, which, it is confidently hoped, would not turn a deaf car to tiie wishes of an overwhelming majority of the people. Jle says tlml the gravity of the occasion is his excuse for addressing the Governor. The Premier in reply says Mr Macandrcw appears to forget that abolition is now law Ji: he thinks the action of the Assembly is ultra vnes, the courts of law are open to him' Ministers are aware of and deprecate the strong feeling against abolition apparently held by a portion of the inhabitants of Otago fomented as it has been by misrepresentations find agitation, for which the Superintendent is in a great measure responsible. They are also aware of a strong feeling in favor of abolition by another section of the people but neither party can judge of the effects of legislation not yet in force. The temporary cJtect of local agitation should not outweigh

the deliberate decision of the Parliament. He points out that aplebtscitum is unknown to any constitution based upon representative institutions, and that even if the Tote of a province were obtained against the act of the legislature such a vote could not weigh against the decision of the representatives of the whole colony. The Government have also received urgent appeals from the Otago outlying districts in a direction contrary to the representations of the Superintendent. In conclusion, he 3ays the measure now under consideration will leave the question of local government in the hands of the people, and there is no reason to believe that the Otago people are less desirous than other parts of the colony to localise the administration of local affairs. The Waiinea from London, 94 days out, with 240 immigrants, is signalled at the Heads. . Ciiristchurch, Wednesday. Alice Sheehan was arraigned for the wilful murder of her infant. The evidence disclosed that she drowned the deceased in August last, that she drowned another of her children in 1875, and smothered another in 1874. All the cases of infanticide took place a short time after her confinement. The jury retired at four o'clock yesterday afternoon and returned into Court at a quarter to seven with a verdict of Not Guilty on the ground of insanity. The Judge ordered her to be kept in strict custody in the Lunatic Asylum during the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary.