TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4494, 14 August 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) Auckland, Friday.

The feeling against the Government measures is said to be now very strong, and to-morrow’s meeting is pretty certain to be an endorsement of that at the Parnell and Eden meetings. At the latter, Wrigley and one or two others endeavored to turn the current, but they made no impression whatever. Expressions of opinion became exceedingly demonstrative, one well-known cattle salesman threatening to knock down a speaker who made remarks reflecting upon Sir George’s policy, although the speaker professed the utmost respect for Sir George Grey personally. Robert Graham spoke warmly of Grey’s exertions, and also defended the provincial management. The Franklin meeting on Monday will test the feeling in the country, of which hitherto there have been no reliable indications. The Herald is again mildly supporting the Opposition. A football team will probably visit the South, the Union Company having promised to take them at single fares. Dunedin, Friday. The tender for Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach’s new building is .£9OOO. It is expected that several gentlemen -will contest the Caversham district. Mr. Darrell has a crowded house at his benefit to-night. Hamlet is the play being produced. A meeting of the Fire Brigade is fixed for Monday, to reconsider the question of disbandment. Stout, in a letter to the Guardian this morning, is pretty severe on that journal. (per press agency.) Auckland, Friday. The Eden electors last night carried almost unanimously the same resolutions as those adopted at Parnell. They also adopted the following resolution ; —“ That the electors of Eden request our member (R. J. Creighton) to support Sir George Grey in his efforts to obtain justice for the province, and to oppose the passing of the Abolition Bill this session, and that the chairman telegraph to him to Wellington.” One speaker referring slightingly to Sir George Grey, was stamped down, and not allowed to proceed until he had apologised to the meeting. The Franklin electors meet on Monday. Hogan, a milkman, was fined £5 for aclulteratimr milk to '"' f “"t of 33 - WV.V-. .. per cent. An mterprovincial pigeon-shooting match has been arranged by Captain Wheeler, of the Hawoa, to come off shortly.

Ghahamstown, Friday.

The inquiry into Block 5a grievance was commenced by Oaptaiii Fraser to-day. Several witnesses were examined, the purport of whose testimony was, that they had taken up ground under miners’ rights, but had never received residence site certificate. They had renewed their miners’ rights ever since, and some had taken out leases from Mr. Robert Graham. The inquiry will he resumed tomorrow.

Dunedin, Friday.

There are three candidates for the vacant seat in the Assembly for Oaversham—Mr. Stout, M.P.C., Mr. Larnach, and Mr. G. E. Barton, solicitor. There will be a keen contest.

The non-arrival of the Omeo, which is supposed to have left Melbourne on the 31st, is causing anxiety. The occeoation of Mars by the Moon last night was quite invisible, owing to thick clouds.

CmusTCHUKCH, Friday.

A numerously attended meeting was held at Rangiora last night, to consider the Abolition Bill. A letter was road from the chairman of the Local Board, excusing his absence, from illness, but expressing his dissent to the abolition proposals, and urging the meeting to pass a resolution in favor of postponing the whole matter till after the next general election. Mr. H. Blackett, a member of the Road Board, made a statement showing that instead of the district being a loser by abolition to the extent stated in the Road Board’s finance table published in the Lyttelton Times, the district would gain £517 per year by abolition. Mr. Charles Cone moved that abolition meets with the cordial approval of this meeting. W. A. Burt seconded the motion. Mr. J. Bennett, an ex-Provincial Treasurer, in a lengthy speech, moved an amendment, —“ That this meeting does not approve of passing the Abolition Bill until it has been submitted to the people at the next general election.” Mr. Marmaduke Dixon, M.P.G., seconded the amendment. Mr.. Maude, late Provincial Secretary of Public Works, made an able speech against the provisions of the Abolition Bill, especially those relating to finance. The tables published in the Lyttelton Times had been most carefully compiled from official documents, and could not be wx-ong. Mr. A. H. Cunningham pointed out that in the table referred to an allowance had not been made for the fact that the General Government would take over main roads, ferries, bridges, &c., and as proving that they would do so, read tlxe following telegram fr'om the Hon. C. C. Bowen;—“ Two pounds guaranteed by the Government to road boards ; at any rate, the balance of land revenue, after legal charges, distributable by vote. At present road boards are dependent upon the vote of the Provincial Council for all they get. Votes would be taken for maintenance of the highways, which will not be thrown upon road board rates or subsidies. Signed, 0. C. Bowen.” Two others spoke in favor of immediate abolition, and one in favor of provincialism. On the amendment being put, only eleven voted for it, and the chairman declared ho could not count the large number of hands hold up against it. The original motion was then put, and carried amid loud cheers. No hands were held up against it.