TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4590, 6 December 1875, Page 2

T E LEGRAPHIC NEW S .

(FROM oub OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ; WestpobtJ Saturday.' ! At yesterday's sitting of the Colliery KeT serve Commission, Mr. Dobson, district engi; neer, stated: that if diligence were used in completing the railway to Mount Rochfort, he could pick out a mine which could ship 500 ;tons of coal a day. - He also gave valuable 'testimony as to the general prospects of the district and the probable effect of protective works upon the town. The claimants as a body tell a pitiful tale of l6ng btanding grievJ arices, in consequence of the indecision of the Provincial Government of Nelson. 'The Commission has taken evidence in eighty-five casesj this 1 week, two of these occupied a day each on account of ■ the Complications. Those remaining' on the list'will probably be disposed of in eight or ten days. The Commission is sitting late and early, but had to adjourn to-J day to enable the shorthand writer to bring up 1 the arrears of evidence." ';..'•' "/ ; ; ' i (rEB; PRESS .AGENCY.) i p . ■ ... Auckland, Saturday, j '. Weights for the Auckland Cup Handicap.— Mr. Watt's Parawhenua, 6 yrs., Bst.i lOlbs.;' Mr. Redwood's Guy Fawkes, 4 yrs., Bst, 81bs.; ! 'Mr. Watt's iNgaro,. 4 yrs.,: 85t..21b5.; MrJ Owen's ;4 yrs.,, Bst; Mr. Bobbett's: Piako, 4 yrs., 7st. 121b5.; Mr. Crammer's 1 Rahgi, 4 yrs.,- 7st. Mr. Perkin's Dis-j cord, 5 yrs., 6st. 121b5.; Mn Kirkwood's Tui.l 4 yrs„ \6st. lOlbs.;, Mr.. Walter's Kingfisher, 5: yrs., fist. lOlbs.; Mr. Kedwood's Cocksure, 3j yrs„,'6st. 81bs.;,Mr. Buckland's Ariel, 3 yrs.J ;qst.'sibs... ; ; ', '.;.,„; : ; • The entries for the Handicap Steeple Chase' of, 100, sovs.; Saunterer, Auckland,: iKate, Isleman,, Stranger, The Arrow, Mount | Rarey,- and Moose, all aged. .".,"■. ' V- : -:.,.; ;•'■ Gisborne, Saturday, j ' The,great Maori kaikaukai commenced at Waerenga Ahika yesterday. , Presents exchanged hands to the valueof over five thousand pounds., Thegifts included about fifty tons .of flour, a hundred pounds worth of tobacco, live stoclc in immense grog to the value of a thousand pou'ndsj preserved pigeons, clothing, ornamental, calabashes, dried sharks,, bank notes, gold, and Maori curiosities. There was a.warrdance during the day. The feasting and drinking will last till all the grog is consumed. About one thousand Maoris and five hundred Europeans Were present. One Gisborne storekeeper Bold over two thousand pounds worth of stuff: for tliei festival. . ' , ' ! ' :il .'.■'■.', '/ ■ Oamailo, Saturday. Steward, the' member for Waitald, addressed a largpmeeting of his constituents', last, night. Thero.were oyer threo liundred persons present. He reviewed the legislation of the session, and declared himself a supporter of a central legislation and local administrationi :'iHe':Was opposed to insular separation and the four provinces scheme. • ! He saw' no' necessity for more than, one, Legislature for tho colony. Boarusof works should be established to take charge °f main roads and largo works. These, added to the road boards and the municipal system, would provide ample administrative

machinery. '. He' advocated son the incidence of taxation, and would support a lanii tax which should not allow unimproved lands to escape ; also a reform in the construction of the Upper House, the number of members to be fixed—half nominated members and half elected. The following resolutions were unanimously passed : —"That this 'meeting highly approves, of the action of Mr. Steward in supporting the' measures brought forward by the Ministry 'for the abolition of provincial government throughout the colony, and desires to acknowledge its,appreciation of the valuable services rendered by.him during the past five years as member of Parliament for the Waitaki district,,arid the thanks of the meeting be accorded to him for his address."