TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4222, 1 October 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pkess Telegraph Agenct.] Gbettown, Wednesday. An attempt was made yesterday afternoon to carry the Wellington mails through Abbott's Creek in a trap. The driver was nearly drowned, and the mails were lost. The floods are subsiding. The Masterton coach tried to reach Greytown this morning, but could not succeed. 11.30 a.m. The search party has been successful, the lost mails having been discovered. Auckland, Wednesday. The barquentine Falcon, 285 toDs register, built to order for Watt Brothers, Napier, was successfully launched to-day. She is intended to trade between Napier and Australia. The Superintendent has proclaimed the 7th of October as a holiday, that day being the 105th anniversary of Cook's arrival in New Zealand. Joseph Bennett, a well-known speculator, proceeded to Sydney to-day by the steamship Victoria, to arrange for a shipment of horses and stock. He has chartered the steamship Blackbird for the purpose of bringing his purchases down. Gbahamstowst, Wednesday. The steam launch Buona Ventura returned from Piako yesterday, bringing Terapipipi as a passenger. Major George, in a letter to the Advertiser, explains the circumstances under which the Natives were refused passages, leading to the threat that the river would be closed. The steamer was -chartered on that occasion and full; and when the Natives were refused passage, Adlam, who is a Shortland storekeeper, threatened that it would be the last trip the steamer would make to Piako_ Terapipipi denied his signature to the letter closing Piako, and Major George states that the signature may be spurious. He also states that "but for the meddling interference (if not a worse motive) of Mr. Adlam," in his (Major George's) opinion, no trouble would have occurred. Another writer suggests that the Native Minister should take some action in the matter. The drainage cases, Bright Smile against Waiokaraka mines, in the Warden's Court, have been adjourned by consent. Specimens of coal from the Miranda were exhibited here to-day, apparently of fine quality. Attempts are being made to float a company to work the same. The weather is clearing up here. No further damage is reported in this Namer, Wednesday. At a sale of Crown lands to-day all the lots were knocked down at the upset price of five shillings per acre, excepting three hundred acres, on which there was an advance of one farthing per acre. ' Taobanga, Wednesday. A number of immigrants are confidently expected in this district. There are heavy floods in the rivers inland, and heavy weather. Blenheim, Wednesday. A fire has occurred at Mr. Thomas Redwood's, at Burley, which destroyed the stable and part o£ the stack of hay. Damage estimated at £IOO. The town was very flooded yesterday, owing chiefly to a partial break in Bamford'a bank, letting in the water from the Opawa, which had an immense torrent in it. The flood has gone down to-day, and foot traffic iB resumed. There is ucarcely any water in the centre of

the town; but there is still a flood in the vicinity of the Opawa River. The country between this and Picton is still much flooded. There has been no communication between Blenheim and Picton since Monday last. New Plymouth, Wednesday. The weather here is terrible. The rivers are higher than has been known for years. There is a fearful surf in the roadstead. Not a boat could leave the shore to communicate with the steamer. Major Atkinson, who left on horseback for Wellington, will have a, perilous and unpleasant journey. Chkistchubch, Wednesday. The Globe evening newspaper has changed' hands to-day, having been purchased by Mr. C. A. Pritehard, who continues it on his own account. Showers of rain at short intervals till seven this morning. The sun is now shining ; sky still threatening. The rivers are going down. It will take three days to repair damage on the Northern railway. The Grand Lodge of Good Templars for the Middle Island was instituted here last night. Representatives of forty-one lodges were present, Mr. S. P. Andrews, M.P.C. of Christchurch, was elected Gr»nd Worthy Chief Templar. It was decided to hold the next annual session of the Grand Lodge at Dunedin. At the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society yesterday, it was announced that 3800 trout had been hatched out artificially. Dunedin, Wednesday. The weather to-day has been fine, but there are appearances of more rain. Some slight damage has been done by the floods in the low-lying portions of the city. There are reports of heavy rain, and the severest snow-storm for years past, from the mining districts. A number of persons have sailed by the Tararua for the Palmer River diggings, and it is . said. that a vessel will be despatched direct in a few weeks, when a large number of miners will probably go away. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Colonial Bank this afternoon the chairman stated that the number of shares applied for in each Pi-ovince was as follows: —Otago, 106,731; Napier, 8200, Westland, 5054; Marlborough, 2077 ; T&ranaki, 1078 ; Nelson, 5618; Auckland, 812?,; Wellington, 17,531 ; and Christchurch, 15,367 total, 170,040. This number represented 3000 shareholders, and 30,000 shares were reserved. The result of the ballot for directors is not yet known. The Church of England Synod commenced to-day. The address of the Bishop spoke of the revived state of the Church.

POST-SESSIONAL SPEECHES.

MAJOR ATKINSON AT NEW PLYMOUTH. Major Atkinson addressed his constituents in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday night. The place was crowded. The Superintendent was in the chair. Major Atkinson on coming forward was greeted with loud cheers. After briefly refer ring to his resigning his seat in the Provincial Executive and taking a seat in the Cabinet, he made a few remarks on local subjects—the settlement of the land, harbor, Militia scrip, parades, and telegraph. He said he voted for an increased honorarium because he thought no man could leave his business for a less sum. Speaking on Colonial questions, he referred to the financial state of the Colony, and compared the years 18GS-9 with the present. He said that notwithstanding a large number of immigrants had been introduced into the Colony, yet the cry was for more. Otago and Canterbury wanted a thousand a month each, but the Government granted only 700. He thought the Colony would get the worth of its money in public works. The railways when completed wo\ild add considerably to the revenue, which he had reason to hope would increase so as to meet the burden thrown upon the Colony. He next spoke of the abolition of the Provinces, and said Mr. Reeves, of Canterbury, asserted in the House that the Taranaki members did not represent the feeling of the people. He (Major Atkinson) wanted them to undeceive Mr. Reeves by passing a' resolution expressive of their opinion on the subject. [At this point there was continued cheering.] He then gave the reasons asserted by those in opposition in the House; and after comparing the position of Auckland with that of Otago and Can» terbury, ho pointed out why the latter Provinces should not be abolished. He said the Public Works scheme was meant ultimately to extinguish the Provinces ; and when the General Government had to do the work of the Provinces, so soon would those Provinces cease. As long as the Provinces had money to take part in the settlement of the land, they would exist, and no longer. He again referred to Mr. Reeves's remarks respecting the feeling of the Taranaki people in re abolition, and said he hoped they would answer them decidedly. He concluded by urging thrift and carefulness on the part of the people, because if the people were extravagant so would be the Government. Their affairs were in their own hands. They must look after public men if they did not want public money wasted. In answer to a question, he said part of the Ministry's scheme was a Central Government. TSbe following resolutions were then carried unanimously, only one hand being held up against the first • "1. That this meeting is of opinion that Mr. Vogel's resolutions proposing abolition of the Provinces in the North Island, and to substitute in their place a form of government really local in its nature, is wise and statesmanlike, and deserving of hearty support." "2. That the land fund of the several Provinces should continue to be as far as practicable localised." "3. That this meeting does not desire to see the land fund of the Southern Provinces taken for expenditure in the North Island, but on the contrary wishes to see it applied locally to its legitimate purpose of opening up, and peopling the country." Mr. Standish, a member of the Provincial Executive, mored aa amendment to the first resolution, to the effect "That this meeting reserves to itself the expression of opinion as to Major Atkinson's action re Provincial changes until it is in a better position to judge on the question." This amendment did not oven find a seconder. The meeting was unanimous in favor of abolition, and a vote of confidence in Major Atkinson concluded the proceedings. Major Atkinson spoke for about an hour. All the most influential men of the towfi wore present. Major Atkinson leaves for Wellington to-day, on horseback.