TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4496, 18 August 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(from our own correspondent.) Dunedin, Tuesday.

A man who a few days ago was convicted of picking » pocket, is now known to have been at one time an inmate of a London workhouse. A suit of workhouse clothes were found in his swag. Mr. DarreU's new play, "Under the Ban," last night drew by no means a large attendance. It was not a genuine success, and there was not even a call for the author at the end of the piece. The Press speak of it this morning in very mild terms. The telegram of the Dunedin Press agent of the 13th iust., that "there are rumors of more failm-es here are of great magnitude, the goldfields districts being in a depressed state, and likely to affect general business," is exciting great indignation here amoDg merchants and others, as being untrue, and liable to injure Dunedin. The Guardian this morning says the motto of the Daily Times seems to be " Shut your eyes and swear hard." It also, in another article, says the tactics of the Opposition re the confiscated land question was an amusement more fitted for larrikins than gentlemen. The counti-y Press almost without exception declare for immediate abolition. The Southern escort to-night brought down 17490z5. of gold. (per phess agemct.) Auckland, Tuesday. Three meetings re abolition were held last night. The Franklin electors (May and Buckland's constituency) met at Otahuhu, where the first resolution proposed was in favor of the Government measures ; but an amendment by Mr. Buckle, seconded by Mr. Foley, was carried after various speakers had addressed the meeting. It was then resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. Gordon, " That this meeting hereby requests the two members for Franklin to use every legitimate means to prevent the Abolitjon Bill passing further than the second reading." At Ponsonby another meeting was held, where all the speakers were against the Government measures. One of them said the people now appealed to the Government in a constitutional way, but revolutions had taken place in British communities ; kings had found they had gone a step too far, and the people of this colony might yet be compelled to take an extreme course against Government tyranny. Resolutions adverse to the Government measures were carried.

At Onchunga tho meeting passed a resolution calling upon the Auckland members to resist tho Bill clause by clause, line by line, and word by word. The Rodney electors at Waipara also passed a resolution adverse to the Government Bill, and concluded with cheers for Sheehan, their member. A public meeting was held at Alexandra, Waikato, this afternoon, when, the following resolution was carried unanimously :—"That this meeting approves of the action of the Government in introducing tho Abolition Bill, and trusts to see the measure become law during the present session. The resolution to be telegraphed to Major Jackson, in order that the same may be laid before tho Government." Tho meeting at Corornandel goldfields affirmed the desirability of abolition, but considered that the Government measures should be submitted to tho country at the general election. Another man was fined £5 to-day for adulterating milk with water to the extent of 40 per cent. Named, Tuesday. An inquest was held at Waipawa to-day on the body of a man, name unknown, found drowned in tho Patangata River. The deceased was about sft. 9in. high, of fair complexion, and well made; age, about thirty. Verdict, " Found drowned." An inquest was held at Havelock on the body of Patrick McLoughlan, who was gored to death by a bull belonging to Mr. Tanner, in one of his paddocks. It is supposed the man had been drinking, and was attacked by the bull while asleep. Verdict accordingly. Mr. Cornford, solicitor, delivered' a very interesting lecture in the Young Men's Improvement Club on " Discoveries of Science." Hamilton, Tuesday. A large and influential public meeting was held here last night. It was resolved, " That it is expedient that the Abolition of Provinces and Local Government Bills should become law during the present session of Parliament." Chmstchokch, Tuesday. At a public meeting held last night, the Bev. A. O'Callaghan proposed a resolution in favor of immediate abolition; but an amendment was moved by Mr. Knight, Minister for Education, to the effect that the questidn of abolition should bo reforred to the decision of the electors at the next general election, which'was carried by 25 to 6. At a meeting held at Courtney last mijht, a motion that the question of abolition be referred to the next election was and an amendment in favor of immediate abolition was carried. HOKITIKA, Tuesday.. ; Captain Johnston, of tho Marine Department, has selected Cemetery Hill at Hokitika as the site for tho new lighthouse. The site is approved of by nautical authorities here.