TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4416, 15 May 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] . , Auckland, Friday.

A large assembly of the inhabitants met to-day on the wharf to bid farewell to Sir George Arney. Sir George Grey presented an address from tho inhabitants, the Mayor from the City Council, and Dr Campbell one from the Harbor Board. Sir George Arney replied in feeling terms. He was much overcome. Mr. Tonks, late Provincial Treasurer, is a jpassenger for England. Tho Provincial Analyst recommends that a sum be placed at the disposal of the police for purchasing articles of food and drink for testing. Tho inhabitants of Parnell have adopted a petition to the General Assembly in favor of retaining the Wynyard pier. Lieut. Kelly won the National Rifle Association prize to-day with an aggregate score of eighty-nine. The relieving officer! in his annual report, says that pauperism is increasing. The relief amounts to a charge equal to n shilling per head of the population. Amongst the paupers a large proportion are aged people. A special committee has been appointed by the Council to take evidence relative to the nature of the General Government laud purchases but of the £250,000 vote for Creating a land endowment in this province. The evidence is not likely to be finished until after the Council has been prorogued, but will be used in the Assembly. A seaman named William Carrington fell from the maintopgallant yard of the Tien

Tsin. His skull was fractured. Recovery is unlikely. , A. Macdonald has been appointed manager of the Auckland and Mercer railway. DdnEDIN, Friday.

A man named Hammond, a storekeeper at Mcßae’s Flat, last night committed suicide by tying a 281 b. weight round his neck and drowning himself. He was discovered by his wife this morning in a pond in the paddock in front of his own store.

A young man drove a cart against the wharf this morning, and went over —horse, cart, driver, and all. His brother, who saw the accident, jumped over to his rescue. Neither could swim, but a boat put off and both were saved. The horse was also got out -with difficulty. Mr. Bell, editor and proprietor of the Evening Star, is dangerously ill and not expected to recover.

A man charged with being drunk and insulting a female in the public street has to-day been sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment, the Bench remarking that this kind of thing must be put down. After the prisoner had been removed, the “ great unpaid ” learnt from the Clerk of the Court that they had exceeded their powers, so they called the prisoner back and fined him 4Os. He had only been charged with drunkenness, and for a first offence this was the maximum penalty. The Rev. Mn Corrie Johnston, the “Revivalist,” wdro left for Australia on Wednesday, was presented with a purse of 180 sovs. A public meeting, called for Monday in re the widening of Princess-street and the arbitrators’ award, will probably be one of the liveliest held for years past. [Per Press Agency.] Auckland, Friday. The following information is supplied by one of the missionaries:—“Lifu, Society Group.— We had passed through the hurricane season with comparatively quiet weather, and no storms of any consequence, when suddenly, on the night of the 28th March last, at a quarter to eleven, we were all aroused, alarmed by a very sharp shock of earthquake, such an : one as was never felt here before. It lasted some time, and we had'several slighter ones during the night. Next day we had occasional shocks, ’some of which were rather sharp. Next night we had only one slight one, so hoped they were over, but on Tuesday evening, 30th March, we were visited by a frightful earthquake, which frightened us all. It did not last so long as the others, but was more severe. Party-walls in nursery (lath and plaster) came down with a crash, and many parts of the wall cracked. To-day, Ist April, we had sad news from the Rev. Mr. Sleight’s side of the island. After the earthquake on Saturday night a great tidal wave swept away three villages. A trader from there tells us that twenty-five were killed, and others so much injured by bruises, &c., that they may die. Our church at Wide Bay, which was well built by the French, is badly crushed at one end. -We have counted thirty-two - earthquakes since Sunday, the 28th March. Numbers of those drowned were children. Their fathers were absent from home at the plantations. The sudden in-rush of the sea cleared out stone walls, and all fires were put out. It was pitch dark, and the mothers groped about in vain for their babes. There was great distress. Some men and women were drowned, although the natives are such excellent swimmers.' The poor people on the Rev. Mr. Sleight’s side of the island have lost everything.” In the Provincial Council last night, the Superintendent transmitted a message, recommending the appropriation of £IOOO for the late Superintendent’s widow. The address in reply was adopted unanimously. During the course of debate-Reader Wood stated that the Superintendent would not accept responsible government, An address was presented on board the City of Melbourne to-day to Sir George Arney prior to-his departure. The Superintendent delivered an address on behalf of the inhabitants, Sir George Arney was deeply moved. In reply, alluding to the statement that he had tempered justice with mercy, he said that if he had passed light sentences it was not without reflection. He believed the fear of punishment had very little influence in deterring from crime—not so much as the desire to stand well •with our fellow-men. If fear of punishment influenced mankind very largely, none of us would sin. -

Mr. Reader Wood moved the second reading of the Appropriation Bill In introducing it, he said that after making his statement the Council would see that the force of events alone would compel some alteration in the relations between that Council and the General Government. It was probable the income for the half-year ending 30th June, 1875, would be— Capitation, £3290 ; confiscated lands, £7OO ; gold revenue, £I2OO ; hotel licenses, £11,500 ; sinking fund, £6OO ; pilotage, £350 : total, £17,550. The estimated expenditure was—Liability" to the Bank at the present date, £9712 ; payments to different departments, £7OOO ; total, • £16,752. Various causes might operate to equalise the amounts, and it was probable that they would finish the half year about clear. He would now proceed to the half-year from Ist July to 31st December. He estimated the receipts from the land fund at £10,000; capitation and special allowances, £9OOO ; goldfields,, £6OOO ; pilotage, £SOO ; water rates, £300; licenses, £500; Sheep Act, £3O ; slaughter-house,, £600; total, £19,200. To this add for public works out of the £40,000 loan, £5500 ; sale of old site of slaughter-house, £llOO ; total, £25,800. On the other side there were departmental expenses to the following amounts : —Executive, £I2OO ; legislative, £635 ; waste lands, £495; public works, £2630 ; : police, £9340 ; relief, £2000; hospitals, • £2OO ; lunatic asylum, £2BOO ; gaol, £3250 ; goldfields, £1750 ; harbor, £3OOO ; miscellaneous, £10,592 ; total, £34,295. This would leave an apparent deficiency of ,£8495, but a sum of £3BOI, included in the miscellaneous, was already paid, making the actual deficit between £3OOO and £4OOO. How this was to be made up be did not know, for every item had been cut down to the lowest limit, and could not be further reduced without disturbing social order. As tojeducation, in whatever other respects a success, financially it was a failure. The amount expended to the present date was £21,000. The rate yielded £II,OOO ; there was obtained from the provincial revenue £SOOO ; and borrowed from the Bank £SOOO. Eor the next six months they could depend on £IO,OOO or £II,OOO as before. This would satisfy the wants, leaving the deficiency at the Bank untouched. Mr. Wood concluded a most clear and concise statement with the remark that this statement showed them it was necessary for the General Government to make some provision or other for the decent carrying on of the Government of the province, or things must como to a standstill. They had only an authorised overdraft of £15,000 to depend upon. The debate was adjourned.

At the Rifle Association's firing to-day, Kelly won the Evening Star Cup with a score of 48. He also won the National Rifle Association’s Medal with an aggregate score of 89. Skinner, the champion, stood next in the aggregate with a score of 82 ; and eighth for the Cup with a score of 39. A Maketu telegram to the Star to-night says : —“ An important meeting between the Arawas and the leading Kingite chief, Rewi, took place last night. Rewi said the Government had been bothering him for eight years to make peace, and he had refused unless the land was returned. Sir Donald McLean, on his last visit, promised to return it. Therefore you see me among you. You ought to stop selling the land, and cease interfering between us and the Government. You do not fight for love of the Government or the pakeha—you fight for money. Thus you want to keep your bad habits, going on in your drunkenness and profligacy. He prophesied that before long the pakeha would be glad to ask protection from the King. He said Waikato knew that other Powers were arming against England. He spoke of "the Sandwich Islands. There was a Maori king there, and European subjects. The Waikato would never give up their king. Henare Te Pakuatua spoke well in favor of the Government, and completely turned the tables on Rewi. He said the Arawa had watched the King, and could see no good to

the natives from his rule. The Waikatos were welcome as friends to Maketu, but not as agents of the King. The Waikatos left at daylight for Whakatane, where there are eight hundred natives to meet them.”

Rewi’s party distinctly deny the report that Sub-Inspector Northcroft was followed by Te Kooti. .

Hopkins Clarke, Esq., follows Rewi down the Coast. Major Mair has returned to Waikato, through domestic trouble.

A sailor on the Tien Tsin fell from the maintop to-day, and fractured Iris skulk Grahasistown, Friday.

A man named Andrew Petersen, a packer, was drowned in the Kauarranga Creek yesterday. He was crossing on the back of a horse, which also carried.a load of-grain, when the current carried both away. Man and horse were drowned.

For some time past there have been rumors of a new find between Ohinemuri and Waihi, but nothing definite, is known. The finders were watched. The correspondent of the Star to-day says that wherever the find may be, Stewart, one of the party, has made sales of gold of 50oz. and, 60oz. respectively lately. A great improvement is noticeable in the reefs at Waitekauri.

Napier, Friday.

The insurance companies have agreed to a uniform rate of 90s. per cent, for the blocks in Hastinga-street and Shakespeare-road. The rates at present vary from §os. to 100 s. per cent.

Sir Donald McLean gave a big entertainment to the Maoris at Hastings yesterday. About 100 went there and back by rail. Sir Donald wasnot there himself. Mr. Locke, R.M., spoke ; also Paora Apatu, Kihuoa, Hohepa Tamamutu, Rawira Kohia, and others. They expressed loyalty to the Queen ; appreciation of Sir Donald McLean’s services ; a desire to live at peace with the pakeha, and a wish to participate in progress and civilisation, &c., &o. Everything passed off satisfactorily. All the provincial elections are now over except that for Clive (17th inst.) and Te Aute (18th inst.)

A memorial is in course of signature to the Native Minister, asking him to use his efforts to get placed on the new Estimates £SOOO as a grant-in-aid for the proposed bridge at the harbor, connectingtheeastern and western spits. The estimated cost is £IO,OOO. The Provincial Council have made a grant-in-aid of £3500, and further action will probably be taken this session.

The Council is expected to meet at the end of the month or the beginning of June. Messrs. Sheehan and Cadman, M.P.C’s., of Auckland, leave here to-morrow.

Christchurch, Friday. Austin Eussell, chemist, who fell from the steps of a ladder on Monday last, alighting'™'' on his side, died at noon to-day. He was insensible from the time of the accident to his death.

At a meeting of cricketers last night a letter was read from Mr. Goldsmith, Melbourne, stating that in consequence of the generally expressed desire from New Zealand for a visit of a cricket team from Victoria, two gentlemen, prominent supporters of cricket here (Messrs. Clarke and W. J. Ranting) have' been at some pains to ascertain what possibility there was of the event being accomplished, but finding it would not be possible to get a fair representation of Victoria alone, they associated themselves with several gentlemen in New South Wales in order toobtain a team, comprising six players from each of the colonies, to do the tour of New Zealand. These will no doubt comprise a majority of the best players in the two colonies. So far as can be ascertained the Victorian players will be drawn from the following ; —Allan, Blackham, Cooper, Cosstick, Conway, Goldsmith,. Midwinter, Robertson. There is less difficulty ingetting players from New South Wales, andfrom thence probably the best six will be obtainable. Of these, Coates will certainly be one. The meeting resolved to co-operate with the Auckland, Otago, and Wellington Clubs ; and to ascertain from Goldsmith the terms on which the eleven would visit New Zealand.

Mr. O. Walker, M.P.C., Chairman of the Mount Somers Road Board, has been served with a writ for £SOOO, for libel, by Mr. Bain, surveyor. The claim is based on a letter written by Walker to the Provincial Government, impugning the accuracy of a number of Bain’s surveys. , The Council adjourned at five o’clock, in order to give members an opportunity of being present at the citizens’ ball. The ship Don Juan, formerly the Rosalia, has not been allowed to proceed to sea without authority. The Government have had some specimens of her timbers forwarded to Dunedin to-day. They were found to be quite rotten. The Governor has visited the Mossgiel Woollen Factory, and also the agricultural district of Taieri plain. He was greatly pleased with what he saw. Poet Chamiees, Friday. The ship Don Juan barfing been unmoored from the railway wharf was towed by the steam tug Geelong as far as the Heads, when the steamer’s warp was east off and the Don Juan anchored. Telegraphic intimation having been sent to the Government, an answer was immediately transmitted by wire to Port Chalmers, in consequence of which Pilot Stevens proceeded to the Heads and boarded the vessel. In the meantime steps were taken , by the Commissioner of Customs, in order to obtain from his Excellency the Governor the necessary authority to preclude the ship putting to sea. This having been procured, Mr. Hackworth (Collector of Customs), accompanied by Captain Thomson (harbormaster), proceeded to Port Chalmers by the 4 p.m. train, and orders were at once issued to the Customs authorities there to proceed on board, and personally serve Captain Charles Clark, the master and part owner of the ship Don Juan, with a copy of the Order fin Council, duly approved by his Excellency, restricting the vessel’s departure from this port until ordered to be released by a competent Court of Appeal, or by order of the Governor. These proceedings were opened fin consequence of a report of survey furnished by Captain William Thompson and Mr. David Stevens, who were appointed by his Excellency’s orders to survey the vessel and report thereon. In consequence of the heavy sea on last night and the number of persons it was found necessary to take to the vessel, the steam tug Geelong was chartered for the occasion, and at seven o’clock, the following Government officers being on board, she started from the railway-pier—Mr. Monson (tide surveyor), Mr. Croker (landing waiter). Captain Thomson (harbormaster), Capt. MoOallum (piermaster), Segeant Neil, and two police officers, the Customs boat crew and the shipping reporters of the Guardian and Daily Times. Having made a smart run down to the Heads, the Geelong was run alongside the Don Juan, and Mr. Monson proceeded, on board, accompanied by Captains Thomson and McCallum, and personally served Captain Clark with the Governor’s order under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1873, restricting him .from taking the vessel out of port until the case had been decided by a Court of Appeal. Having done this, Mr. Monson instructed the tidewaiter, Mr. Croker, to remain on board, and similar instructions were given by Captain Thomson to Pilot Stevens. These gentlemen being left on board, the Geelong, with the remainder of the party, returned to the port. No obstruction was offered by any person on board the Don Juan to either Pilot Stevens or the Customs authority. It is likely the vessel will be brought up to the anchorage in the course of the day, to await the result of an inquiry into the matter, which no doubt will take place at an early date. Dunedin, Friday. There is a great vitality in the building trade. ' Smith and Fotheringham are building a large brick-kiln on the German principle, capable of turning out 90,000 a week; this will make their total per week 150,000. The Governor has been busy inspecting the cadet corps at the high school ; also the hospital and lunatic asylum ; and other public institutions ; he expressed himself pleased with the management and conduct of all. In the Council last night there was laid on the table a return showing the amount, of freight paid by the province during the past financial year, detailing the rate per ton and

the amount of freight by each vessel. The total amount was £1676 4s. The return of the quantities of gold received per escort for the year 1874-5, ending on 31st March, shows as follows ; —Totals:!'or April, 955Sozs. ; May, 72650z5. ; June, 10,6290z5.; July, 39440z5.; August, 70030z5. , September, 10,801ozs. ; October, 12,9-lOozs. ; November, 10,7170z5.'; December, 17,9150z5-, January, 73780za. ; February, 75j70z3 ; and March, 92910z5. The grand total was £l Mr. 4 Mander3 asked in the Gounod the Government intended Ao bring-■ in a this session to abate the rabbit nuisanoe lhe Government said they thought this was a private matter, and' should not anystep^ The citizens’ ball to the Govemoi this evening is likely to be a great success. . The Press Dramatic Club play on the -6th inst., on behalf of their own wardrobe fund. The Governor has given his patronage. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins also give their services. Over £3O worth of tickets have been sold already. .