TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4282, 10 December 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Press Telegraph Agency.] Auckland, Wednesday. A deputation waited on the Governor this afternoon, to urge upon him the propriety of the Native Laud Court Department being left in Auckland. His Excellency promised to forward their petition to his responsible advisers. Dr. Pollen was a passenger for the South by the s.s. Phcebe, yesterday. The schooner Fairy, which went ashore nt Holdanga, and was abandoned by the New Zealand Insurance Company and sold as a wreck for £l7O, has been successfully floated, and found in good condition. Beeeion, Wednesday. The body found in the river yesterday is not mutilated, hut much decomposed, and is believed to he that of Thomas Costello, who has been missing since 1872. An inquest on the body will he held on Friday. The cutter Boss, from Whaugapoa, was seized by the Customs authorities, having aboard three ten gallon kegs of spirits not on the cargo list. At the wool sales to-day, prices were a penny a lb. higher than they were at the last sales. The police were out to-day in a steamer specially chartered, searching on board the barque Bella Mary, bound for Hoharton, for Thompson, manager of Quick’s stables, who is supposed to have bolted. They were not successful. The Memento, from Newcastle, brings some items of Australian news not embraced in the summary of the intelligence brought by the Easby to Port Chalmers. At Sydney, on the 25th ultimo, a discussion was going on in the Assembly respecting the Governor’s minute on the Gardiner case. The debate is expected to take up the whole of the next night’s sittings. The division will probably be a very close one. A man named William Weeks, while in a state of intoxication, fell down the stairs of the Captain Cook Hotel, and was killed. A father and two brothers are charged with murdering a man [probably the murder on the Paterson river.] They were a party of riuglarkers [?], and are supposed to have murdered their mate to secure his share of the profits. A Bill will be introduced into the Council to create an Arbitration Court for the determination of labor disputes. At Sydney, sales of brandy in bulk have been made at 7s. 9d. There is no improvement in sugars : sales of counters at £3O ; grainy yellows, £3l 15s. ; brewing browns, £23 os. Valencia raisins, £3 15s. Bd., down to £3 13s. 4cl. Maize, ss, lOd. In South Australia the railway between Port Pirie and Gladstone has been commenced. Sales of new wheat have been made in Adelaide, at 4s. Cd., for delivery on the 20th December. Arrivals at Newcastle.—Edwin Bassett, Frowning Beauty, and Heversham, from Wellington ; Duke of Edinburgh, from Dunedin ; Moa, from Timani; Gutenburg, from Lyttelton ; Marion, from Westport; and Tasso, from Oaraaru. Wanganui Wednesday. The public race meeting last night was well attended. A new Jockey Club on broad principles is formed. There are likely to be races in March. Tauranga, Wednesday. The Opotiki regatta eventuates on New Year’s day. The Tauranga races on the Cth January promise to ha a success. It is reported that the Kiamx goldfields will shortly he opened. GnAHAMSTOWN, Wednesday. It is looked upon as settled that Ohiuemuri will be opened for mining at once. Mr. Mackay was busy yesterday in marking off reserves and boundaries. The natives retain the freehold. The system is generally disapproved. Mr. Mackay returned to-day, accompanied by about 100 natives, to meet Sir Donald McLean, who is expected here to-morrow or Friday. New Plymouth, Wednesday., At the firing of the volunteers for representatives, G. N. Curtis made 80 points, and was the only volunteer who qualified himself. The Waitara steamer has returned, from Tongaporutu, and reports the river difficult of access. The channel is narrow and shallow. The natives, however, are very friendly. Captain McCarthy has been examined by the Collector of Customs relative to the collision between the ketch Wild Duck and the schooner Merlin, on Waikato bar. At the sale of Oakara cattle, steers brought from £3 ss. to £5 55.; cows, £7 ; store sheep, Bs. The raising of the levels of the town has almost stopped traffic. '

Christchurch, Wednesday. Mr. Studliolm intends to resign his seat in the House of Representatives for Kaiapoi, The Hon. C. C. Bowen lias issued an address to the electors, soliciting their suffrages. He says ; —“ It would in roy opinion be a mistake to initiate any revolutionary measures where they were not called for, but it has long been obvious that changes have become necessary in part of the colony to secure good and economical government as well as local administration of local affairs,” Tile proprietors of the present theatre are making overtures for amalgamation with the promoters of the new theatre. 7 p.m. It is intended to bring forward a Proviucialist candidate to oppose Mr. Bowen, for the purpose of testing public opinion on the question of Centralism versus Provincialism. Joseph Beswick, ox-Provincial Treasurer, and formerly a member of the General Assembly for Kaiapoi, is most likely to be the Provincialist candidate. The chances are considered to be greatly in Mr. Bowen’s favor. The sky is clearing rapidly. Dunedin, Wednesday. Operations have been commenced at the Kaikoura woollen mills. The Licensing Bench, by a majority, decided it had no power to grant night licenses. Mr. Haggitt pointed out that a difficulty would arise, and suggested that all but one application be withdrawn, and that that person should keep open after ten o’clock, and the police proceed as a testiCase, The Bench concurred. There are thirty-two applications for the appointment of English master to the High School. Mr. Reynolds addressed his constituents in the Temperance Hall last night. There was a moderate attendance—the Mayor in the chair. Speaking of the Abolition of Provinces Bill, he said he supported the resolution, because ho considered that whenever a province became effete, and a burden on the colony, the colony should administer its affairs. He also supported it because from a central position like Wellington city, he considered it to be the best place for the government of the colony ; and further, because he considered that, by the means indicated, the legislation there would be greater security for the continuance of the expenditure of the land revenue, whether the resolution passed or not. There would have been, and would still be, hard fight. Some Northern members would make the land revenue colonial; but he had no fear of their success, unless the Canterbury and Ot.ago members treacherously abandoned the interests of their constituents. He trusted the verdict of those present would be in his favor for having supported the resolution. He complimented Mr. Wales on the assistance rendered in supporting him in local measures. In answer to a question, he said the General Assembly had no power to disfranchise Mr. Gillies, Secretary to the Harbor Board, who might continue to hold his seat if he chose. He thought Dunedin should have another representative. Judge Ward had not been promised, nor was he likely to get the position held by Judge Chapman.—Mr, Pish moved the following resolution, which was carried ; “ That the thanks of this meeting are due to Mr. Reynolds for his address, and that he still retains the confidence of his constituents.” Port Chalmers, Wednesday. The Naval Brigade fired for representatives to-day. Wilson made 91 points, and Goldie 88.