TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4578, 22 November 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Saturday. A large quantity of Moa bones and Maori relics, such as stone hatchets, &c., were brought to town to-day from near Whangarei Heads for Auckland Institute. These are the first Moa bones discovered north of Auckland. Captain Burgess, chief harbor-master, has laid an information against the captain of the Vasco de Gama, for refusing to allow him to take command of the vessel, as pilot, when coming into port the last time. News from Norfolk Island says the supply of stores has run entirely out. The people are living on island produce. Grahajistown, Saturday. Promising indications in Pumping Association shaft at depth of 264 feet. In the air shaft, “ruby silver” came upon, which, in higher levels of Caledonian, Golden Crown, and Manukau, almost invariably indicated gold being near. Napier, Saturday. The borings on the line of piers proposed in Carruthers Harbor Works scheme are partially completed, with a satisfactory result. A boy, eight years old, was sentenced to a whipping for robbing gardens and hen-roosts. Other boys implicated will probably be dealt with in the same way. The Wairoa Land Court is over. All the cases are satisfactorily disposed. Two or three adjourned cases will be heard at Gisborne. The reserve for the lighthouse on Portland Island passed the Court, at Mahia, on Priday. The Government has completed the purchase. Christchurch, Saturday.

The Press this morning says :—“ We understand that it is in contemplation to endeavor to get up a champion two-mile race of 1000 bovs. for next Metropolitan meeting. The details are not yet settled, but from the approval the suggestion has met with from sportsmen and the outside public, we have no doubt that if energetically taken in hand the movement will have a successful issue.”

Invercargill, Saturday. Cuthbertson addressed a large and influential meeting of electors on Friday evening. The Mayor occupied the chair. In his introductory remarks Cuthbertson referred at some length to the changes in the House at the beginning of the session, nine seats having been altered, and also to the changes in the Ministry and changes in parties, Stafford being on the side of the Ministry, and an Opposition being formed, with Grey as leader. The public works policy, he said, was no longer the bone of contention, but had been acquiesced in by all. The constitutional changes were now the real dividing element. The two parts being provincialists and abolitionists ; the effect of this state of parties was perceptible in all the debates on every subject.

Charges of corruption were freely made against the Government, and the negotiation of the loan was condemned. The charges of corruption were illustrated by reference to the Piako Swamp transaction, of which 'he gave details, showing that a select committee had exonerated the Government from blame in the matter, notwithstanding which. Grey had repeated the charges the day after the report had been adopted by the House. The Treasurer’s financial statement had been received with approval from all sides of the House. It was clear, satisfactory, and honest. It showed that the negotiations for the four million loan had been a successful operation ; the average cost of the loan was £5 15s. 10d. per cent., and of all loans £5 Os. 7d. per cent. When the public works policy commenced, the calculation was that money would cost from 6J per cent to 6 per cent. There was, therefore, no cause for disappointment. Mr. Cuthbertson then referred to the amount of the debt,, annual charges for interest, revenue, &c., remarking that on the whole the financial position was very satisfactory. He regretted that the Qualification of Electors Bill had not passed ; it had received his warmest support. He had also supported the Representation of Lodgers Franchise, Registration of Electors,. Registration of Births, and several local Acts. He then referred to the fact that he had voted against Government in the matter of the San Francisco mail service, believing that they had done wrong in exceeding the authority of the House. He had supported the extension of the deferred payment system in Otago, and he was no new convert to the settlement of the people on the land. The Abolition Bill was next referred to. Objections had been raised that it was not in the interest of the people, and that delay was needed. These objections had been pressed by twenty-three members,, who voted against the Bilk Of these, seventeen were directly interested in provincialism.. The system of double government was pernicious and fatal to the interests of the colony as a whole, fatal to the success of colonial finances, in respect to which the time had come for simplification. The Abolition Bill really meant the extension of the system of local endowments, local bodies, and localisation of laud fund, the simplification of finance and administration of Government and retrenchment. In conclusion, Mr. Cuthbortson said a single-minded view to the public interest had been the motive of his action. Whether elected again or not would rest with the constituency. In any case he would always feel he had had the honor of serving the public for three years faithfully and industriously to the utmost of his ability, without fear or favor, with a single aim, to go on what seemed to he the right path, both as the representative of an important local constituency and a member of the supreme council of one of the most interesting and progressive colonies in the Australasian group. After a number of questions had been answered, the following motion was proposed : —“ That the vote given by Cuthbertson on the abolition question was contrary to the wishes of the electors and against their interests, and that they withdraw confidence from him.” Only about a dozen hands were held up for the motion. An amendment thanking him for his manly and straighforward address was carried enthusiastically.