TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4422, 22 May 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[FROM ODE OWN’ CORRESPONDENT.] rp , Auckland, Friday. 1 here was a sharp debate in the Council regal ding Mr. Sheehan's motion to rescind Mr. . gnall 3 resolution re abolition of provincial- ™' Sheehan argued that the resolution would hamper Sir George Grey with cast iron restrictions. He also said Mr. Bagnall’s resolution was carried by a fluke. Mr. Carleton said that Mr. Sheehan’s asking the Council to stultify itself, proved the low ebb to which proviucialism had fallen. A sharp personal discussion ensued between him and Mr. Sheehan. Mr. Sheehan’s resolution is likely to lead to a' long debate. It will probably be carried by a narrow majority, out of consideration for the position of the Superintendent, and mot okitl: merits of the question.

Mr. Sheehan has announced his resignation of the Provincial Secretaryship. It is probable some arrangement will be made to combine it with the Treasurership, to save expense. Considerable progress has been made with the estimates.

[Pee Press Agency.] Auckland, Friday. The creditors of Walter Sinclair, merchant (estate, £19,000), have accepted an offer of five shillings in the pound, made by Howard, one of the principal creditors. In the Council to-day Sheehan presented a petition from James Burnes, of Wellington, claiming a grant of land under the forty-acre system. Mr. Sheehan replied to a question, that he had received the whole of his salary as Provincial Secretary, and more than that, he had earned it by doing solicitor’s work as well as secretary’s. He had acquainted the Superintendent of his enforced absence at the opening of the Council. On going into committee on estimates, Mr. Sheehan said he had sent in his resignation, as secretary, to the Superintendent, which had been accepted. He assigned urgent private business as his reason for resigning. All estimates, except the departmental and the miscellaneous, have been agreed to. Alexandra, Friday.

Produce is coming in fast. Eight canoes, loaded with wheat, arrived yestei-day. The Storekeepers are looking cheerful.

Macmann is the favorite candidate for the Provincial Council. If all three stand a tight contest may be expected.

Napier, Friday.

Some days ago Mr. Sheehan, solicitor, advertised 28,000 acres near Porangahau, occupied by J. D. Canning, for lease by tender. Now the principal native owners of the block give notice that Sheehan had no authority from them, and caution all persons against dealing with him for their interests, which represent the majority of value. Messrs. Barker, Cable and Co. have made arrangements'with the Government to give up the possession of about 75,000 acres of land near Wairoa, held by them on lease from the native owner's for about £2OO a year. The amount of consideration given by the Government has not transpired.

Chkistchokch, Friday.

Last night a new club was formed for the west side of the city, under the title of the Christchurch Boating Club. Sixty-one members were enrolled ; and £llO was collected in subscriptions. In the Provincial Council last night, Mr. J. N. Tosswill, a private member, spoke at some length on the working of the railways, and showed that the branch lines were not being worked at a loss, as stated by the late Secretary of Public Works, but would pay working expenses, and a considerable portion of the iunetion and general railway management charges. The Presbyterian Synod yesterday unanimously agreed to request the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, if there was no immediate chance of a union of the Presbyterian Churches of both islands, to take steps for the union of the churches of Otago and Canterbury. The Synod then adjourned until 16th April, 1876. The bi-weekly land sales yesterday, realised £IOB4.

Port Chalmers, Friday.

The Maoris at the Kaik are making extensive preparations for a. meeting on the 25th May, when matters of importance relative to certain lands, or the value of them in this province, will be discussed, and a delegate appointed to proceed to England and lay the matter before the Imperial Parliament.