TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4358, 9 March 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pjsk Press Agkncy.T Auckland, Monday. H.M.S. Dido, which arrived yesterday, left Levuka about a month ago, with 100 returned laborers. She called at Apia, Mallicallo, Amboyna, and the coast of Apia, where these natives were returned to their respective homes. It was ascertained that a great many of them had been kidnapped by small vessels flying the British flag. Mr. Dargaville has issued an address, stating that in consequence of the new and favorable light tin-own on Sir George Grey's views by his published address, and the fact that these views coincide bo closely with his own, he has decided to withdraw from the candidature for the Superintendency. DuriDg the interview with the deputation, Sir George Grey said the whole question of constitutional reform was now opened up, and many larger points than the abolition question would be raised. He doubted very much whether in colonies possessing Responsible Government the office of resident Governor was either useful or necessary. He believed it would be infinitely better if each colony had the power of electing one of their foremost citizens to reside in London as Secretary of State for the Colony, with the privilege of advising her Majesty on all questions alfecting the colony. In that way, the avenue to great political distinction would be opened to colonial statesmen. The Home authorities would

be far more,correctly advised on colonial questions, and thus connecting the colonies with the mother country would be made permanent and secure. He had always put forth -this view, and was much pleased to see it had been favorably received by the Colonial Institute at Home, only one member opposing it. There were also many other large questions to be considered, so that the new order of things in the colony should be capable of lasting for a long time. No plan of constitutional reform would be complete which did not grapple with the constitution of the Upper House. The system of nomination now in force was indefensible, and must be changed if we were to have a good and satisfactory system of government. The schooner Tawera caught fire lying at Mechanic's Bay, early this morning. The captain and his wife were on board. The fire brigade at first refused to go, the fire being just beyond the city boundary ; but on the cost of the horses being guaranteed, they proceeded, after the lapse of over an hour. They succeeded in extinguishing the fire after the inside of the vessel at the fore part had nearly been burned out. A hole was bored to scuttle the vessel, but there was not sufficient water where she was lying. She was owned by Mr. Archard, and is believed to be insured for £7OO.

The barque Ada had a pleasant passage of a hundred days from London. She brings a few saloon passengers, but no immigrants. Ghahamstown, Monday.

Correspondence from Ohinemuri reports that there is little work doing, and great dissatisfaction existing among those on the field. A meeting will be held to-day. The fact appears to be that a great deal more was expected from the prospectors, and as they are extremely reticent until the difficulties in connection with their claim are settled, very little work will in the meantime be done. The opinion of experienced men seems to be that the country is well deservingof thorough prospecting, gold having been found at three different points, nearly or quite ten miles apart. A number of diggers came down on Friday and Saturday. The general impression is one of dissatisfaction. Only persons who are prepared to spend time and money in prospecting should come here. A good sample of alluvial gold was shown to-day, from Waikawau, nearer Cape C'olville than the Thames, but as to how long it took to get the same, no information appeai-s. A party of miners have been working in that district for over two years. A memorial to the Government has been prepared, asking that Mackay's resignation should not be accepted, and it is being numerously signed.

Mackay has also been asked to contest the Superintendency, but he replied that he was opposed to provincialism. What was supposed to be a fine specimen, chipped off from the out-crop of a reef, was found on Friday last. When they sent it down to the Thames, it was proved to be mundic, and great disappointment ensued. Napieb, Monday. A smart shock of earthquake was felt at five o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. A. Daniell, of Poverty Bay, has purchased the good-will and stock of the Masonic Hotel, Napier, from Mr. Ellis, the present proprietor. A large number of natives are on the way to Taupo for a great bone-scraping affair in that locality. The Government survey party are busy laying out sections in the Seventy-mile Bush, and putting up cottages for immigrants expected per Fitzreuter. Masierton, Monday. It is rumored that two men have been shot in the Forty-mile Bush by a lunatic. The men's names are Buft'ey and Hunt. Wanganui, Monday. In the Besideut Magistrate's Court, to-day, James Richardson was charged with soiling alcoholic liquors without being licensed.. In defence, a bottle license granted by the Bench was put in. The prosecutor's counsel failed to prove that the license was illegal, and the case was dismissed. The Bull's correspondent of the Herald reports that several cases of typhoid fever had occurred there, owing, it was supposed, to bad sewerage. Nelson, Monday. Two sharp shocks of earthquake, in quick succession, were felt early yesterday morning. " "Hokiiika, Monday. -' Conelly and party have applied to the Warden for a prospecting claim for hew ground discovered by them in the vicinity of Hautau, about four miles from Hokitika. The Warden said he would grant the application. The prospectors state that they have been prospecting for a month, and had sunk a shaft over forty feet deep, when they struck washdirt seven feet thick, with gold throughout, which yielded one pennyweight of gold for seven dishfuls. It is considered a very good yield, and the ground was rushed by a large number of diggers. It will be a week or two before the value of the adjoining claims is known. The prospectors are sanguine of the discovery being a new lead. Chuistchurch, Monday. The ewe fair on Saturday was far from successful. 1300 good sheep were yarded, including many imported Lincolns and Leicester. Only 152 were sold. The highest price obtained was for a Lincoln ewe, bred by Budding, England, sold for 20 guineas. In a cricket match on Saturday, Stage v. LytteUon Times, the former won by seventeen runs. A regatta is arranged to take place at Kaiapoi on March 18. Donedin, Monday. The arbitrators in the Bruce Herald libel case, Turnbull (Provincial Treasurer) v. L. Gillies and J. Mackay, have made their award. They direct the publication of an apology, and payment of .£3O to the Benevolent Asylum, and £2O to the Refuge, and all costs, by defendants. Failing compliance within thirty days, judgment to be extended up to .-£3OO damages, with costs. Mr. Watt, R.M., Mr. Briver, and Mr. J. Reid were the arbitrators. There is greater speculation on the Bunedin races this year than ever before. The second Berby sweep (£1000) on the Bunedin Cup, was filled up and drawn in three days. A third sweep of the Bame money is opened, and there is a rush for tickets. The latest Cup odds is 5 to 2 against Traitor ; Pertobe, 4 to 1; Spritsail, 6 to 1 ; Castaway, Flying Butchmau, or Atlas, 7 to 1 ; Ngaro and Hercules, 8 to 1 ; Templeton or Right Bowel', 10 to 1 ; others from 15 to 100 to 1.

Flying Dutchman has been scratched for all his engagements. The total returns of the Otago and Southland railways, for February, amount to £OISB 2s. lOil.

The City Guards have again scored a victory over the Oamaru Rifles. The totals were : Guards, 398 ; Oamaru, 397. A return match between the Wauganui Hides and the City Guards is fixed for Saturday.