TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4802, 12 August 1876, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(per press agency.) Auckland, Friday. A large meeting of settlers along the line of the Kaipara and Auckland railway was held last night, and passed the following resolutions: —(1.) “That this meeting recognises the necessity of the extension of the Kaipara railway to Auckland, and is willing to meet the Government in a fair spirit with regard to the compensation to be given for land required for that purpose,” (2.) “ That this meeting is of opinion that the extension of the Biverhead and Kaipara railway, as proposed by the Minister for Public Works in his Public Works Statement, is at present wholly unnecessary ; and that the sum of £15,000 proposed to be expended in its construction would be attended with greater and more immediate advantage if judiciously employed in continuation of line to Auckland.”

The magistrate sentenced the mutineers of the Orownthorpe to only from four to seven months’ imprisonment. The team has been chosen to play the Christchurch football players. A large public meeting to-night is proceeding. The first resolution, proposed by Mr. Morton and seconded by Mr. Goldie, was as follows:—“This meeting is strongly of opinion that Sir George Grey’s resolutions for financial separation, now before the House of Representatives would if carried remove many serious evils and inequalities in the existing system of political administration, and would constitute a basis of satisfactory and economical form of local self-government. The meeting therefore requests all members from the provinceof Auckland to givetheresolutions their hearty support.” Itis understood the following resolutions will also be proposed:— Mr. Malcolm Nicoll to move, and Mr. Bari to second, —“ That in the event of the resolutions of Sir George Grey being lost, this meeting, looking at the attitude taken by the Government on Whitaker’s resolution, and on Sir George Grey’s resolutions, calls on the members of this province to leave no stone unturned to remove from office the Ministry, which has entirely forfeited the confidence of the people of Auckland.” To be proposed by Mr. Wrigley, and seconded by Mr. King,—“That if our members find that justice cannot be obtained for the Northern portion of New Zealand in present House of Eepresentatives, this meeting pledges itself to render to them its unflinching support, in case of their resolving to withdraw from attendance in Parliament, and adopting such further measures as may appear to them to be advisable.” Grahamstown, Friday.

The Mayor has called a public meeting for this evening, on the requisition of a number of citizens, to take into consideration the important measures now before Parliament. It is stated that Robert Graham is a mover in the matter as an emissary of the Auckland city committee. Graham is here, and bis name appears on the requisition, most of the signers also being supporters of Grey. Probably an attempt will be made to pass resolutions favoring separation and the policy of the Opposition. Mr. Robert Graham writes to the Star this evening, denying that he has been sent down here by the central committee, and stating that he has not been to meetings of said committee for nine months, and never spoke to anyone in Auckland about getting up agitation here. 8 p.m. The meeting to consider the important measures now before Parliament commenced at 7 o’clock to-night. The weather was very wet, and the attendance small. The Mayor was in the chair. Dr. Kilgour read the following resolution he had to propose : “That having considered the proposals of the Ministry and those of Sir George Grey, relative to the form of government which should supersede provincialism, this meeting is of opinion that the interests of this district and of the colony generally will be best served by Parliament framing a system providing for local government, combined with the financial separation of the North and Middle Islands." The motion was received with mingled cheers and hisses. _ Dr. Kilgour then read a long telegram from Sir George Grey to Robert Graham, relative to his resolutions and the position of parties ; and the statement that Mr. Bo we was not in accord with_ Sir George Grey on the several points was received with cheers. Dr. Kilgour then proceeded to address himself to the resolution, and was seconded by Mr. Carpenter, M.P.C., who was followed by several speakers in their favor,including Messrs. B. M. Smith, Rowley, and Charles Hart. Mr. Bagnall proposed an amendment, to the effect that abolition should be carried out and the unity of the colony be preserved, and liberal measures and self-government be extended to out-districts. He was followed by several speakers, the debate lasting till 9.45 p.m., when the Mayor put the amendment, and declared it lost. He then put the resolution and declared it carried. The meeting had considerably increased in numbers, and the opinion was amongst the supporters of the amendment that it had been carried, while those for the resolution asserted theirs had been carried by a large majority, the Mayor's decision in a measure confirming that view. Tauranga, Friday.

Mr. Commissioner Brabant has settled with native owners re opening up Kaima for gold prospecting. An advance from Government of £SO on security of goldfields has been accepted. The natives are now prepared to show the boundaries of the district. Prospecting will commence at once. Blenheim, Friday.

At three o'clock this morning a fire_ broke out on premises in High-street belonging to McElwain, opposite Ewart’s Hotel. Ihe fire rapidly spread to adjoining premises of Carter, 'draper, and thence to the Bank of A ew Zealand, which adjoined, and to the National Bank* the next building on the block, though not in the same street, but facing Market-square. Th'e fire brigade, with both engines, were quickly on the spot,''but their efforts were directed to preserve buildmgs that had not ignited. Fortunately there'was no wind, else the whole of that part of Blenheim would have gone. As it was, the premises all around were much

injured by scorching, breaking of windows, &c. This was the case with the telegraph office, and so imminent was the danger at one time that all the instruments, &c., were removed to the premises of tradesmen. Several line wires were burnt through, and the terminal pole also was greatly injured. The department however had the instruments refitted and everything complete by 7.30. The Bank of New Zealand strong-room is all right and so also is the National Bank safe. Both banks opened business this morning in neighboring premises. The Marlborough Times was just going to press, but the destruction of the premises seemed so certain that the formes were lifted off and carried away, as well as everything portable. The fire however stopped at the adjoining building, and the ordinary work of getting out the paper was resumed at 6.30, by which time the fire was confined to the burning of the fallen timbers of the several buildings.

Dunedin, Friday. An old woman named Mary Cameron was found dro-wned in the Water of Leith.

The Dunedin firemen are indignant at the refusal of the Wellington men to contest for the Ballarat Cup ; also at continued reiteration' that the cup belongs to the Wellington men. There was a narrow escape from an accident yesterday on the Port Chalmers line. A log of wood having been accidentally or purposelyplaced on the line, it was found just in time toprevent an accident.

A large and influential public meeting'washeld to-day, to obtain endowment of funds for the Otago Institute. The following resolutionswere carried:—That steps be taken to procure a vote of £IOOO for the purchase of fittings a. and casings for museum, and a further sum foi^"E current expenses of museum after the end of September.—That the time has now arrived' when the Otago Museum should be placed on German footing, and for this purpose a desirable endowment of land be set aside for its maintenance.—That the Provincial Executive be requested to recommend to the Genera! Government the rates and action to carry out the above object; and a committee be appointed' to wait upon the Provincial Executive urging upon them the desirability of giving effect to the foregoing resolutions.

Invercargill, Friday. A meeting was held last night to considerthe action of the Provincial Government in. removing Mitchell and Dundas from the Waste Lands Board. There was a crowded attendance. Eesolutions were almost unanimously passed—“ That the Deputy-Superinten-dent’s action, in issuing warrants for removal, was arbitrary, unjust, uncalled; for, and an outrage alike upon Mitchell and Dundas and the public. That the removal of these gentlemen was a serious injury to to the public interests, as showing that members of the Board, which is supposed to be a non-political body, can only hope to retain office by being subservient to the Provincial Executive of the day.—That the chairman be requested to report the circumstances to Major Atkinson, with a view of having an inquiry into the subject.”