TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PBOM OUB OWN OOURESPONDENT.) , , Westpokt, Saturday. The Commission has had heavy work this week. The inquiry is the absorbing topic here. People speak of it at the street corners, and declaim from the house-tops. Westport has its demagogues, and every demagogue who proclaims aloud upon the subject of the colliery reserve finds willing listeners, who devour with greedy ears the speakers' words. A publican, a namesake of the Auckland Goliath, held sway in the witness-box yesterday for three hours, and shrieked defiance to any power in the "rillem" that should attempt to dispossess him of the land he occupied. He did not take at all a sanguine view of the prospects of Westport. Men of experience have r testified that the coal mines will take a start, and send Westport ahead within four or five years. Sheehan says he does not expect to see it improve for 100 years. It is scarcely necessary to mention that Sheehan is a Norwegian. He said that when he came to Westport it was a festering quagmire, breeding fever and all other diseases, and that it was men like himself who had made the place. There is a good deal of truth in this, for some of these people have spent thousands of pounds with no better tenure than the business license, or the miner's right, which it is, held by the Crown representative gives no title to"the land. The fight has been a very tough one on both sides so far, but a tacit understanding has been come to that the case will, close on Wednesday next, when counsel for the claimants will sum up. Counsel are greatly indignant at the conduct of the Government repi-esentative, who claims a right to inspect all documents employed by them to support their cases, and refuses access to papers used to support his own case. There has been one "shindy" about it already in Court, and thero may be more. The Commission does not sit to-day. (PEK PIIEBS AGENOY.) .. Napier, Saturday. ; The dwelling-house of Mr. Carley was burned down this morning. The cause was the accidental upsetting of a lamp. The house and furniture were insured, but not sufficient to cover the damage done. This afternoon J. Massey's premises, Dickensstreet, were burned to the ground. The cause

was a spark from the engine dropping on the straw. The premises were insured, but the particulars are hot yet to hand. New Plymouth, Saturday. Atkinson, Kelly, and Carrington publish their addresses in to-day's papers. No opposition is expected. Atkinson has called a meeting for Wednesday next, whtn he will address the electors. LATER AUSTRALIAN. The following late items of Australian news are from files to hand by the barque Australind, which left Newcastle on the Ist instant : Sydney, November 30. The time for the reception of articles for the Philadelphia Exhibition has been extended to December 31. A meeting of the Lands League was held yesternight, at which thirty members were present, and a resolution against the present Acts carried. The first school swimming match was taken by the Newington College, on Saturday last. In the Legislative Assembly, to-day, the Hon. John Robertson stated, in reply to a question, " that he hoped to table an Amended Public Schools Bill before the close of the session." Motions for the abolition of the import duties on salt, also the annuity to Dr. Lang, have been postponed for a week. The Bill to amend the Divorce Law passed the third reading. Melbourne; November 30. An immense meeting, in favor of a dissolution of Parliament, was held last night; fifty thousand persons were present. A man named Thomas Parkinson has been seriously injured by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. Richmond is the favorite for the Bendigo Cup and Handicap.