TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4380, 3 April 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Friday. A missionary scandal is ocouiiying attention here. The Star of the South, from Fiji, reports fearful mortality from measles among the natives. They tire paralysed, and refuse to assist each other. All the head chiefs are dead. Three hundred natives died in the Island of Ovalau alone, and in the other islands a greater number. The disease, which is always followed by dysentery, has assumed a form of plague. Several native towns arc depopulated. At one the bodies lay for days uncovered, and were mangled by pigs. The natives are only burying the bodies a few inches below the surface, and the late rains have washed the soil off. The smell is fearful. In the Island of Anrpihu a great many natives are reported lying dead, as no one will bury them. Trade is at a standstill. The Star of the South returns with but little cargo, no one being about to take it out of store and put it aboard. The Rum and Sugar Company are erecting macliiucry. Messrs. Brodijaok and Evans have been committed for trial for manslaughter, natives having died through their neglect. The Albion, whaler, was sold to-day for £IOOO, and purchased by Captain Daldy, on behalf of the Steam Packet Company. The South British Company, at its approaching meeting, will increase the capital, from profits, to £50,000, and pay a 10 per cent dividend on that amount. Alexandra, Friday. Feasting is the principal business now going on at the meeting at Kuiti, Tawhiao not having arrived from Kawhia. A large business is being done in the sale of spirits. Fresh supplies are going up every day. Wanganui, Friday. Thos. Anslow was brought up on remand to-day, charged with arson. A good deal of strong evidence was produced, but the case ■was again remanded for further evidence. Bail was allowed, but Anslow could find no sureties. Napier, Friday. An amateur performance will take place next Friday in aid of the sick and destitute. A large amount of subscriptions have been received for their present relief. If there is a surplus it will probably be devoted to hospital improvements, which are much needed. Eleven thousand acres in the Wairoa confiscated block have been granted to military settlers, under the regulations of March, 1874. The balance is to be put up to auction.

A lifeboat for this port was landed from the Southern Cross to-day. Routledge, Kennedy, and Co. sold 1000 three-quarter bred rams at from 6s. 9d. to 7s. 3d.

Nelson, Friday. Further news from the Sandspit is to the effect that a fiddle figurehead has been found, painted black, with raised carving painted yellow ; also a •windlass chock, painted, first coat green and second yellow ; also several blue-gum stanchions. Measles are very prevalent here. Christchurch, Friday. The Superintendent will open the Provincial Council at 2 p.m. to-day. It is expected that there will be warm debating regarding the financial management of the railways during the past nine months. The Secretary for Public Works has announced that he will be able to give a thoroughly satisfactory explanation.

The Hon. Watts Russell died this morning of inflammation of the bowels, after a short illness.

The following are the weights for the Great Autumn Handicap, one and a-half miles, SOOsovs.: —Tambourini, aged, 9st. 91b.; Templeton, 4yrs., 9st. 71b.; Yatterma, aged, Bsfc. 121 b.; Flying Dutchman, aged, Bst. 101 b.; Pertobe, syrs., Bst. 51b.; Traitor, 4yrs, Bst. 21b.; Castaway, 4yrs.,7st. 121 b.; Right Bower, syrs., 7st. 101 b.; Parawhenua, syra., 7st, 71b.; King Philip, 3yrs., 7st. 41b. ; Tadmor, 3yrs., 7at. 31b.; Guy Fawkes, 3yrs., 7st. 21b.; Hercules, 3yrs., 6st. 111 b.; Ngaro, 3yrs, 6at. 71b.; Spritsail, 4yrs., 6st. 71b.; Septimus, aged, 6st. 61b.; Wainui, 3yrs., 6st, 51b.; Princess Mary, 3yrs., 6st. 51b. Dunedin, Friday, A fire broke out this morning, at 1 o’clock, in a stable on the grounds of the Dunedin Club. The blaze while it lasted was terrific. The brigades were on the spot promptly, but could do nothing, owing to the inflammable nature of the building. A valuable horse, the property of a member of the club, and another belonging to the owner of the building, were burned to death.

A private telegram received in town yesterday from Lawrence intimated that his Honor Mr. Wilson Gray is dangerously ill, and faint hopes are entertained of his recovery. He gave judgment in some intricate cases last Monday, attended by two medical men, and was then carried back to his hotel. The Provincial Council -will meet on the 4th of May. The Rev. Mr. Leichehstein, the Jewish Rabbi for Dunedin, arrived by the Otago. Two engines went off the line yesterday. No damage was done. Customs duties collected for quarter ending 31st March, £100,678 ; corresponding period, 1874, £91,961. Total Consolidated Revenue from Ist January to end of March, £102,351. Gold duty, £3149. Ad valorem duty for March quarter, 1875, £43,326 ; and for 1874, £38,649. There has been very little in the way of immigration during the past month. Only 119 by the Dallam Tower, 95 of whom were sent to Invercargill and Riverton. The Times this morning, in an article on Judge Chapman, remarks : “ It is just as well to remember sometimes the very deep debt of gratitude which the country owes to one who, like Judge Chapman, has given a standing to the office of Judge, which it does not always—which, indeed, it very seldom, possesses in a young country. We are not unaware that from time to time exception has been taken to his ruling ; that he has been found too lenient in his management of the Court, and somewhat dilatory in his decisions. While New Zealand, with only one exception, has been peculiarly fortunate in its appointment of Judges, we believe that Mr. Chapman has not fallen short of the best of them in ability, in courtesy, in upholding the position, as well as in undertaking those other public matters which, while not necessarily attaching to the office, hang so gracefully upon one who holds it.”

CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Christchurch, Friday night. The session of the Provincial Council was opened this afternoon. The Superintendent delivered a long speech. He said they had still cause to be satisfied with the progress the province is making in the enlargement of industries, and increase of population, and extended means of communication. Though the price of agricultural produce was lower than last year the unusual yield of grain was some compensation for it, and the price of wool had been maintained at fairly remunerative rates. “ Nearly 50,000 acres had been laid down in artificial grasses during the past year, making a total of nearly 300,000 acres so laid down; while the growth of other crops than grain and grass had been more than doubled in the past year, thus largely increasing the producing power of the country, and showing a marked advance in the conduct of farming operations.” On the whole, an additional area of not less than 90,000 acres had been brought under cultivation during the past year. The result was gratifying, as indicating a steady increase of industry and settlement simultaneously with an increase of population and alienation of the public estate. Various causes had contributed to diminish the sales of waste lands during the past few months. One principal cause was, no doubt, the higher price of money which had recently obtained. The estimated receipts for the nine months ending March 31 had not been realised by a sum of about £40,000. Considerable progress has been made in the construction of harbor works at Lyttelton, and the steam dredge authorised by the Council had been contracted for and was now ready for despatch from Glasgow. A careful survey of the harbor at Timaru was made by Mr. Eliott, the engineer sent for from England. “ I hope,” said the Superintendent, “ shortly to receive Sir John Cooke’s opinion and proposals, which he was expected to forward after Mr. Eliott’s return to England. A survey of Lyttelton by Mr. Eliott, with borings and all necessary information, will also be submitted to him for his opinion as to the best design for a graving dock and patent slip. About fifty-three additional miles of railway have been opened for traffic during the last nine months. The length of line open on Ist July, 1874, was about sixty miles ; at the present time there were nearly one hundred and thirteen miles, thus it would be seen that the length of line open for traffic had been nearly doubled during nine months. Within the course of a few mouths,” he added, “ it will be still further increased by the opening of an additional ninetysix miles, which, added to the length now open, will make a total of nearly 209 miles more, or about throe times the millage open in last July. I am glad to be able to announce that arrangements are being made by means of a temporary bridge over the Rangitata for carrying off the traffic to the south side of that river within four months from this time. Immigration to this province has been actively promoted during the past year, and notwithstanding the difficulties attending arrival of a large number in the depth of winter they have hitherto been readily absorbed by the industries of the colony. I am of opinion that it would bo unwise to repeat the introduction of any considerable number at that season of the year. During the past year twenty-six immigrants ships arrived at Lyttelton, conveying 10,098 immigrants for this province, of whom 1120 wore nominated in the colony, and joined their friends on arrival. Included in the above number are upwards of 1704 married men with families —a large proportion of whom are agricultural laborers from the Midland and Southern Counties of England. The whole of these immigrants, with few exceptions, have been readily and naturally absorbed. New depots have been built during the year at Waimata, Timaru, Ashburton, Southbridge, Akaroa, and Rangiora, and a depot for the accommodation of convalescent patients from the quarantine station has been erected on Quail Island ; 129 cottages have been erected and placed under the control of the several road boards, besides several groups of sod huts in the southern pax-t of the province. I take this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction which it has given me to observe the generally suitable character of the immigrants who have arrived. I have also to express the obligation under

which I feel to Mr. Duncan, the agent who represented the province during the past year in the selection of immigrants, and who has cordially co-operated with the Agent-General for that purpose. The great influx of immigrants has made large demands upon the resources of the country for the support of hospitals and other public institutions, and for the maintenance of order. It has also in some instances made necessary an expenditure in excess of appropriation. The necessity for increased expenditure for drainage and other* sanitary purposes is pressing itself on the attention of governing bodies in the centres of population, and their requirements will, no doubt, be considered by you. The liberal provision made by you for education has produced most satisfactory results during the past year. The number of children attending the district schools in the province during the quarter ending 30th September, 1374, was 10,136, showing an increase of 2441. You will be asked to make further liberal provision for the current year. A Bill to amend the present Ordinance will be submitted to you.” His Honor then concluded by referring to the proposed alteration of Constitution of the colony, detailing what the Assembly had done in the matter last session, and saying it was impossible to discuss the matter properly, until it was known how the Colonial Bxecutive proposed to give effect to the resolutions of the Assembly, but he was convinced any change in the Constitution would have to be such as would be deemed advisable to apply to the whole colony. The Secretary of Public Works laid a statement on the table to the effect that the railways had yielded a profit of £20,000 during the past nine months.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ARRIVAL OF THE OTAGO. The Bluff, Friday. The Otago left Melbourne on the 27th March, and arrived here this morning about eight. She brings forty saloon and fifty-five steerage passengers. She has 300 tons of cargo for all ports, but brings no later cable news. Passengers for Wellington—Mrs. J. Burge, Mrs. Moodie, Mr. and Mrs. Poole, Rev. H. Penny, Messrs. Miller and Matheson ; and a few tons of cargo. VICTORIA. Melbourne, March 27. Notwithstanding all apparent precautions,, and the new and rigorous system, twenty lea&s. ing Communists, headed by Dr. Rastoul Nare, managed to escape from New Caledonia in a boat of their own building, and they are now at large, all search being unavailing. The Macgregor, with the Californian mails, reached San Francisco on the 20th.

All hope of hearing further of the Gothenburg is abandoned. The fund raised in Melbourne and Adelaide amounts in the aggregate to about £7OOO, for which there are numerous claimants. A man named Martin, at Launceston, recently fabricated a story of the wreck of the barque Colino, from London to Sydney, on King's Island, and alleged he was steward of the ship. No vessel with such a name proved to be coming to Sydney. A case of some interest, Cameron v. D. A. Hughes, for the recovery of money lent in connection with the newspapers JSxpress and Town and Country, resulted in a verdict forthe plaintiff. Blondin left for Europe by the mail steamer. Commercial. —ln breadstuffs, the market has assumed a better tone, and prices are firmer. Wheat, 4s. 9d.; for oats, 4s. Bd. to4s. 9d. is paid. Liquids are a little better ;- Hennessy’s case, 30s. 6d. Teas and sugars without noticeable alteration. A meeting of creditors of H. Smith and Co., drapers, Ballarat, has been held ; liabilities unstated. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, March 27. On the re-assembling of Parliament, Mr. Allen was elected Speaker in opposition to Mr. Wisdom, but he has resigned, as the fairness of the election was questioned. The Government has promised to amend the Laud and Educational Acts, and to modify the tariff. A vote of £SOOO was passed for the Melbourne and Philadelphia Exhibitions. 3000 more Chinamen are at Hong Kong, awaiting transit to the colony, principally for Cooktown and Townsville. A gun-boat is searching for the escaped Communists, but no tidings of them have been received. Incessant rains and heavy gales continue on the Queensland coast. The Brisbane Government has awarded Mulligan £IOOO for the discovery of the Palmer goldfields. . Newcastle Shipping. Arrived, 24th Prince Victor, from Wellington.