GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4836, 21 September 1876, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

Sir Julius Vogel resigned his seat for Wanganui on September 11. This was notified to the House during the evening, and the Premier immediately moved for the issue of a new writ, which was agreed to. The writs taken out against Ministers at the instance of Sir G. Grej were on September 12th served upon some of the Ministers personally. Plaintiff's declaration is in effect :—" That on the Ist day of September the Governor appointed Ministers, and they accepted office. That none of them were of the Maori race or halfcastes. That at the time of the appointment they were each members of the Executive Council and of the House of Representatives or Legislative Council. That since the said appointments they have, in contravention of the Disqualification Act, 1870, and the Civil List Act 1863 Amendment Act, 1873, sat from the Ist to the Bth September inclusive. That they are sued under the 12th section of the Disqualification Act, 1870, for the sum of £ 100 for each day they have so sat." In the cases of Sir Donald McLean and Dr Pollen the action is to recover penalty for each day they have sat since taking office. The former gentleman's sins against posterity are said to be represented in cash by £14,000. The Hon. Dr. Pollen having sat about half the time Sir Donald McLean, will be asked for a proportionate amount. We are afraid Sir George Grey's expenditure in law will be a bad investment for posterity, however good it may be for the Solomon Pells who are advising him. We have had the pleasure of viewing the clay model of the proposed bust of the late Dr. Featherston. Messrs.,Luigi del Vescovo and Tominati Sani, who lately arrived in the Fritz Renter, are the artists engaged on the work, and a visit to their studio will well repay the trouble of the journey. The model is executed in common clay taken from behind the Immigration Barracks, and is a most faithful picture of the deceased, in fact a gentleman who during the past year had the pleasure of personally interviewing Dr. Featharston on several occasions, characterised it as " lifelike." The bust is mounted on a pedestal, and stands about three feet four inches in height. At the foot of the pedestal there are four figures representing medicine, history, agriculture, and polities, each figure being surrounded by appropriate symbols. The sculptors propose to execute their work in Carrara marble—a most superior stone obtained near Parma, in Italy—and hope to have it completed in about six months. They expect a consignment of marble at the end of the present month,'and as soon as it arrives will commence work. Had it not been for their present commission it was the intention of both gentlemen engaged on the work to have returned to Italy, and we can only hope that having made a beginning, sufficient inducement will be offered to keep them in this colony. The work even in its present state shows that it is the production of genuine artists; and although high art is rather at a discount in a new country, still the time has arrived with us when encouragement should be given to those arts which, such as painting and sculpture, elevate and refine the tastes of the people. A number of gentlemen, Ministers, and friends of the deceased have visited the studio, and all have expressed satisfaction with the work. It is the desiro of both gentlemen that all those interested in the proposed memorial should call and view the work at any convenient hour.

The usual quarterly meeting of the Wellington Typographical Society was held on the 9th September in the sidoroom of the Odd Fellows' Hall. There were between 50 and 00 members present, the President of the Association, Mr. Monaghan, occupying the chair. The general reports, financial reports, and auditors' report were presented, and adopted by the meeting. From these it appeared that the society is in a very flourishing condition ; 105 members are on the rolls, and the balance to credit at the bank is upwards of £l5O. Certain alterations were made in the rules, and the meeting then adjourned. On September 12th Mr. Ingweraen, by the kind permission of Messrs. Bates and Howard, took about a dozen of the patients of the Lunatic Asylum to the Theatre, to witness the evening's performance. The patients, who were of the more rational class, and were well taken care of by their keepers, enjoyed the treat much.

Arthur John Burns, Esq., has been appointed a Justice of .the Peace for the colony. Members of the General Assembly who", were in last Parliament will read with regret

a telegram recording the death of Mr.. John White, who was a member of that Parliament.' An Order in Council has been- issued declaring lithofracteur to be specially dangerous within the meaning of the Dangerous Goods Act, 1869. A school of anatomy having been established in connection with the Otago University, Dr. Coughtrey has been granted a license to practice anatomy, Mr. T. K. Weldon, Commissioner of Police, being appointed Inspector. The House was not long in recognising the existence of the Attorney-General. He had not taken his seat five minutes before a notice was placed on the paper giving notice of a question for the Attorney-General to answer. The following telegram has been received from the principal lightkeeper at Manukau H<;ads :—" Picked up under South Head two pieces planking 9 feet long, 7 by 4 inches, being burnt nearly through; a spar, jibboom and flying jibboom in one, 49 feet long, heel of mast burnt within two feet of head and other burnt timber—all American pine." The Mauawatu, which arrived in Wellington on September 6th brought a natural curiosity in the shape of a lamb which has eight legs, four ears, one eye, and two tails. The little animal was born at Wanganui, but died shortly afterwards. Mr. Dougherty, the purser of the Manawatu, brought it to Wellington with the object of having it stuffed. This, as Mark Twain might say, is "no slouch" of a lamb for Wanganui to produce, and certainly rivals the Wairarapa call; September 9th was said to be the windiest day of the season on the Kimutaka, and Mr. Macara had to be extremely careful in conveying his passengers over the Kimutaka. The coach, says the Standard, was loaded with legislators ; on the box seat was the Speaker of the Legislative Council, who faced the gale as if he enjoyed it. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse and the Hon, Dr. Menzies were also among the passengers; the former thought he would be safer on foot, but on attempting to walk discovered that he was being blown off the road, and had to lie down to avoid this catastrophe. All got safely over, but the passage was one to be remembered by timid travellers.

A week or two since Bishop Hadfield issued an appeal to the Wellington congregations of the Anglican Church on behalf of the diocesan fund. The object of this fund is io provide assistance for struggling churches in sparsely populated districts, and to extend the ministration of the church to districts which as yet have been left nncared for. The Bishop in his address, and the several clergymen officiating last Sunday, when special collections were taken, pointed out stamgly that it was upon the richer city congregations that the fund principally depended, and' therefore extensive sympathy was asked. The amount collected was upwards of £6O, £37 14s. of which was collected in St. Paul's, Thorndon. It is noticeable that the collection for the same object in this church last year amounted to only £lB. The men, Young, Paul, and Reidal, who were so severely assaulted at the Hutt, are being provided for. Young has got charge of a railway crossing, which is about all that he is now able to do." Paul has also obtained some light work in town. Reidal, alone of the three, remains unable to do anything, and it is feared he may lapse into mental imbecility. It has therefore occurred to the Benevolent Society that the most kindly thing to do for the poor man would be to get him comfortably sent back to Germany, his native country, where he has two sons working in the mines. The Government have undertaken to find a passage for him, and the Benevolent Society will transmit a cheque on some German bank for £9O or £IOO, to be devoted to his use on arrival. The arrangement seems the best that can be made in the circumstances. The money, of course, is a portion of the fund which has been raised for the three wounded men.

A good deal of amusement was caused by the evidence of a Chinaman in the Resident Magistrate's Court on the Ist September. The ease was Gilchrist v. Oakes, an action to recover a sum of money for breach of agreement. A Celestial named Won Yong was called as a witness for defendant. He said he was a Christian, and was sworn in the ordinary way, appearing thoroughly to understand the form. But it appeared subsequently that his description of himself was somewhat doubtful. Mr. Barton in his cross-examination said " How long is it since you became a Christian ?" to which he vouchsafed no answer, but in broken Knglish began with great volubility to discourse of something wide of the question. However, he was made to confess that he had once before been engaged in a court case at Riverton. Then Mr. Barton slyly asked him whether he had on that occasion blown out a match before he gave his evidence, to which the simple Chinee said yes. There was a general burst of laughter at the Celestial being thus caught tripping, and he began to look as if he thought there was something wrong somewhere, presently got muddled, and eventually stated that Mr. Oakes, the defendant in the action, had before his entering court told him to call himself a Christian.

A story reaches the Saturday Advertiser from the West Coast concerning a legal luminary who astonished the natives in that out-o'-the-way part of the island by his eccentricities now and then. The gentleman in question is a dapper, fussy-looking little Judge, who entertains a thorough appreciation of his own dignity and importance. His Honor had occasion to pay an official visit to that frightfully busy and bustling place Charleston a few weeks ago ; and on the first day after the rising of the Court, he called the constable outside, and accosted> him thus:—"l say, constable, is there any society in the town that a gentleman of my position can associate with ? " "Is it societies, yer Honor? Begorra there is plenty o' them. There's the Hibernians, and the Odd Fellows'; and the Foresters ; but I'd recommend yer Honor to thry the Hibernians." "Pooh, pooh, man, I mean society fit for a gentleman to mix with. Who did my predecessor, Judge Blank, associate with, or what did he do when the business of the Court was concluded ? " " Faix, yer Honor, Judge Blank, when the Court was over, always turned to have a game of cut throat with ineself and the bailiff." His Honor turned away in disgust.

From Dunedin we hoar that an extraordinary occurrence took place on the 13th September at the funeral of a Good Templar. Hages, a member of the Hearts of Oak Lodge, died iu the hospital on Monday, and was buried at the expense of the lodge, with the approval of his widow. The funeral left the hospital about 2.30 p.m. for the Northern Cemetery, where a piece of ground had purchased by the lodge. The widow accompanied the hearse in a carriage as chief mourner. When in King-street, and near Union-street, a party of about ten or twelve men overtook the funeral procession. One of the men seized the horses' heads, and some of the others said, " You have gone far enough; we will take it our way now." Iu order to avoid a scene, tho Good Templars, numbering about 70 or 80, did not offer any resistance, and withdrew from the procession. The men who had possession of the hearse and body then asked the undertaker to drive to the Roman Catholic Cemetery. Upon arriving there it was found that no preparation had been made for the burial, and between five and six o'clock last night the body still remained unburied. It is understood the lodge had been allowing the man's wife 10s. a week while the husband was in tho hospital. One of the members of the lodge, who had taken a principal part in the funeral arrangements, says there had been no intimation whatever conveyed to the lodge that any objectiou would be taken to their proceedings until the funeral was interrupted in King-street.

By private telegrams we learn that tho Kumara rush in Westland is attracting great attention. Forty-six miners arrived from Sydney on September 14tb. The lead is three claims wide. It has been traced over two miles. There are 2000 people on the ground. The claims are asserted to pay from three to four ounceß per week per man.

The 'Government have announced that a gratuity of one year's salary would be given to" the widow of the late Colonel St. John. Dr. Henry is to move that the amount be doubled.

During the month of July 264 acres of land were selected or applied for in the province of Wellington, the receipts at the Land Office being £407 16s. in cash and £3O in scrip.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have generously offered a cup, value £25, to be competed for at the next regatta in Wellington. The fine weather of the last few days (observes the Patea Mail), has had a most favorable affect throughout the district, and already farmers hopes are high for future crops. Lambing also has set in early, and the increase is so far highly satisfactory. Indeed pastoral and agricultural prospects are exceedingly good, and settlers have every reason for great satisfaction at the present outlook.

The local paper understands that Mr. Blackett has fixed a site for the single span bx-idge, 40ft. long, which is intended to cover the future channel of the Waiohine. The site will of course be where the new river line crosses the main road, and the stream when the new line is opened will be diverted from its present crossing, and will be some chains further from Greytown than ii is at present. Mr. Manders, member for the Lakes, in lately writing to a friend at Queenstowu sa y S : —"The land fund is doomed. It makes no differences what party is in power. Go it must; I cannot help it. Macandrew knows it as well as I do. He knows also, as well as I do, it is better to have a grip upon it while yet time, even if the South Island undertakes to pay £700,000 interest as against the North Island £196,000, and I say it is as well our district should have an early strong grip upon our land revenues."

At the Thame3 police-court recently a woman entered the witness-box with a plump well-dressed little girl in her arms and asked for advice. Some few years back she said she took a fancy to the child, whom a man sold to her for 6d. She had kept and clothed her for three years and a half, and now the man came forward to claim her. She had no husband, but was well j able to maintain the child. The magistrate remarked that the child looked well, but the law did not give him power to say that she could keep the child, or that the person who claimed her could take her away. The only person who could decide whether she or the man was entitled to the custody of the child was a Judge at Chambers. The Dunedin Acclimatisation Society is doing a good work in the production and distribution of trout. The Guardian says the hatching-boxes at Opoho are very well situated, the temperature of the water having ranged from 41 to 43 degrees. Some of the salmon trout there hatched are still doing well. About 20,000 young brown trout were obtained last year, and sent to all parts of the province. At the present time there are about 20,000 egg 3 in the boxes. Some of the ova it is expected will be hatched w'thin a few weeks, and the l whole of it before the end of October. The other I day about 10,000 ova were obtained by the process of " dry stripping " some brown trout, | which had been taken from the Water-of-Leith. The old trout, thirteen or fourteen in number, will be placed in a stream in some other part of the province. The work now being done by the society in the distribution of fish is of a utilitarian character, and will pay compound interest upon the labor and expense bestowed upon it. If a waste of gunpowder can assist the soul of a Maori, then that of Ihaka, of the Ngatikahungunu, who was for many years a resident at Akura, not far from this township (says the Masterton News Letter) should be comfortable. Ihaka seemed in very good health only a day or two before his death, but falling suddenly ill his relations gathered around him, evidently expecting an early dissolution, which actually took place either late on Friday night or early on Saturday morning. A number of guns, as well as a large quantity of gunpowder, must have been stored up in anticipation of the event, for about 2 a.m. on the latter day some twenty or thirty shots : were fired, similar numbers following at short intervals. This was continued throughout the day, and even Sunday was enlivened with these volleys. During the afternoon of that day the funeral took place, the usual service of the English -Church being read by Ihaia Whakamairu. Ihaka was a chief in his tribe, but his influence was not very great. He was very friendly towards Europeans, and wo are told objected to the practices of Hauhaus. He was baptised in 1847, being at that time about 37 yeirs old. A recent Nelson Times says :—There ought to have been a marriage notice in our columns this morning, but it is held over for this reason :—The breakfast was prepared in Host Blank's best style ; the cake was a masterpiece of the confectioners art; the horses, decked with white favors and resplendent with new harness, were waiting to be put to, and last, but not least, the bride, " Half smiles, half tears, like an April morn," was ready to make the alarming sacrifice The hour arrived, but one essential was wanting—the bridegroom. Where was he ? '' There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan," anl a systematic search was commenced. The stables were visited, publichonses were examined—upon the suggestion that the poor man required Dutch courage to face the ordeal—but all without avail. Hour after hour passed away ; the April appearance of the bride had changed to a very wet and wintry one; the cake remained untouched ; I the bridal baked meats were ready to coldly furnish forth an ordinary table; and ere night the belief gained ground that the poor craven bridegroom elect had left by the Taupo, and we hardly know whether to rail at him for his cowardice, or praise him for his common sense. One thing is certain, the lady may be congratulated upon the loss of one who held her love in such light esteem. For obvious reasons we repress names, but if any person or persons would like a wedding cake at a liberal reduction on cost, particulars will bo supplied upon application. In re erence to the- Surveyor-General, Mr. J. T. Thomson, the Otago Daily Times has the following:—" Before coming to Otago, in the year 1866, Mr. Thomson had been an officer in the East Indian service for the period of seventeen years. He was led to seek these shores for the benefit of his health, and for the purpose of taking up country for occupation as a runholder. On his arrival at Auckland he met Captain Cargill, by whom he was induced to accept the position of Chief Surveyor of this province. Bel ore Mr. Thomson's advent to Otago, the interior of the province was a terra incognita. Ho immediately inaugurated the reconnaissance surveys, which are now a matter of history, and in the course of about two years he had mapped out the great internal features and the lake and river systems of the country. He then addressed himself to the miner triangulation survey, and with it as a basis all property and section surveys have been controlled ever since. Theexcellence of Mr.Thomson'BSurveyarrangements has become well known throughout the colony ; and we believe we are correct in stating that his system is the onlv one to which the Land Transfer Act can be applied. Not only had he to do with the Survey department, but also, in the early days, he had the control of the construction of roads, bridges, Harbor Board works, lightouses, and he also was the originator of what is known as the Dunedin Cutting—which work, strange to say, met with a determined opposition from the " Old Identities." But in regard to it, as well as many other public matters, Mr. Thomson having once come to the conviction of what he thought J should.be done would not be turned aside. The General Government in assuming the surveys of the colony have wisely availed itself of the services of one who has attained so high a reputation in his profession, and who by long experience and trial has proved his fitness to fill the position which he now occupies. He possesses in a high degree the systematic and administrative faculty, and we predict that in the Herculean task to which he has now addressed himself he will soon produce order in the surveys of those provinces where utter confusion now reigns supreme."

A Maori, has this year won the district champion belt annually fired for by the Thames Volunteers; "\

The following is a return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during and ending the month of August, 1876:—Admitted, 20 males, 2 females ; discharged, 16 males, 3 females ; died, 2 males ; left in Hospital, 39 males, 5 females. Total remaining, 44.

The rush which has broken out on the West Coast appears to be attracting a large number of diggers from Wellington. About fifty left by the s.s. Matau, which sailed from here on September sth for Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika via Foxton.

The survey of the leases on the Rangitoto silver lead in Westland has been completed. It shows that the lode runs, or ought to run, through several of the areas taken up. Mr. Barff, the member for Hokitika, is one of the lucky individuals who has drawn a prize in this lottery. Rather a smart shock of earthquake occurred at times differently stated from ten minutes past to twenty minutes past 12 o'clock on September 2nd. The shock consisted of one violent vibration from north to south. Another slight tremor was reported to have occurred about 5 o'clock.

The Poverty Bay people have started a new idea in reference to petitions, and one that is not at all devoid of smartness. Captain Morris on September 4th presented'a petition from the Poverty Bay settlers in reference to the bad condition of public buildings in that dhtrict, and upon the petition were pasted photographs of the dilapidated buildings. A nice little Wellington album could be presented to the Assembly, especially if the interior of the buildings could be exhibited. For instance, the Resident Magistrate's Court, Supreme Court, and Post-office.

A ludicrous incident in connection with the municipal elections is related. A fervent supporter of one candidate was engaged with a roll of paper, a pocket ink bottle, and a steel pen, procuring the rest of IS3 signatures, when he was beckoned across the street by a gentleman who serves summonses. He obeyed the beck, and hastily thrusting the roll into the beckoner's hand produced the ink bottle, dipped the pen in it, and offered every facility for putting down another good name. But the beckoner put the roll, the bottle, and the pen to one side, and served the fervent sup- • porter with a summons to appear and show cause why he should not be ordered to pay the candidate a small amount. The fervent supporter cast the roll to the wild north wind, broke the nibs of the pen, crushed the bottle beneath his heel, and occupied ten minutes saying what he would and would not do for the candidate. However, the matter coming to the candidate's ears, the whole matter was explained to be quite a mistake, and harmony once more reigns.

By an Order in Council, dated August 29, rule 63 of the regulations made by the Order in Council, dated September 10, 1874, is thereby altered as follows, viz.:—Ammunition in the following annual proportions, to be reckoned from the Ist April in each year, is allowed to volunteer corps of the several arms without payment, on the condition that such ammunition shall be fired off under the command and supervision of a commissioned or noncommissioned officer. ( Vide Appendices B and C): —Ordnance ammunition.—For artillery and naval volunteers, per gun detachment (bandsmen not included), five rounds shot, five rounds shell, and ten rounds blank. Smallarms ammunition For every enrolled member, one hundred rounds ball, and twenty rounds blank. Cadet corps are entitled to half the above blank ordnance ammunition and small-arms ammunition. Note.—Rifle and carbine ammunition is allowed to be purchased by volunteer corps in such quantitie as the supplies in store may permit. The following is a copy of the receipt given by Mr. Smythies, and which forms the basis of the opposition to the Bill introduced into the House of Representatives to give him a new hearing before the Supreme Court :—" I, the undersigned Henry Smythies, do hereby acknowledge that I have this day received from the Honorable the Colonial Treasurer of the colony of New Zealand, the sum of £IOOO sterling, being a sum of money which by a resolution of the House of Representatives of, the said colony, passed on the second day of October instant, was voted to be paid to me ' by way of compensation for the loss which he has sustained by the operation of the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Act, 1866 :' And I do hereby further acknowledge and declare that the said sum is received by me in full discharge and satisfaction of all or any claims or demands which I allege to have or to have had against the said colony or the General Assembly thereof, for or by reason of anything contained in the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Act, 1866, or any Act Amending the same, and which may in any manner have affected or concerned me, directly or indirectly, in respect of the practise of the profession of a barrister of the Sujrenie Court or solicitor thereof, or any other function, duty, or privilege which as such barrister or solicitor I was or might have been entitled to perform or exercise. Witness my hand this fifth day of November, 1872, Henry ] Smythies. Witness to signature—W. Boddington, Accountant, Bank of New Zealand, Dunedin."

The Central Fire Brigade had a practice Wednesday, August 31st, the ostensible object being to give Mr. J. E. Macdonald, Mayor of the Thames, who is at present in Wellington, an idea of the water power we have in this city, as well as of the efficiency of the brigade and the appliances at their disposal. The brigade, under the command of Superintendent Moss, mustered in force at the drillshed, and preparations were at once made for a start, the carriage and hose reels being brought out and arranged in proper order, each company taking up its position in respect to the hosereels. The word of command having been given, the brigade proceeded to Lambton-quay, taking up a position immediately opposite Willeston's tobacconist shop, No. 2 Company being on the right hand, and No. 1 on the left. The practice was more than satisfactory. The men displayed great efficiency, and in their movements were remarkable for . surprising rapidity. There were at one time nine branches in full play, which g<ive a good idea of the water power at their command. Practice having concluded, I the brigade proceeded to the Post-office Hotel I (Mr. Brown's), where Mr. Macdonald celebrated the occasion by assuaging the thirst of the brigade members, whose mud-bespattered appearance and heated faces showed that they had not spared labor in performing their exercise. Mr. Macdonald's health having been drunk in a variety of drinks, —from what are vulgarly known as deep sinkers to polite brown sherry,—Mr Moss spoke. He said the brigade had been called together with theobject of showing their visitor that Wellington was possessed of waterworks unequalled in few places in the colonies, and unsurpassed in none. He should be only pleased to learn that they had such waterpower in Auckland as we had here. He should be always willing to turn out the brigade for the information of strangers to Welliugton, because he felt proud to know that we had such a waterpower in Wellington, and desired that the knowledge of the fact should be extended. He might conclude by telling them that Mr. Macdonald was himself the commander of a brigade on the Thames, and would therefore appreciate the possession spoken of. Mr. Macdonald replied by saying that he could ouly accept the flattering manner in which his health had been drunk as one who was connected with a brigade in another province, not as Mayor of the Thames. He could assure them that he had been extremely gratified at the display he had jußt witnessed, and felt disposed to envy Wellington its water power and the appliances which it possessed for carrying into effect the object for which fire brigades were formed. He spoke flatteringly of the manner in which the men had performed their task, and concluded by saying that he should strongly advise the brigades in Auckland and at the Thames to compete among themselves, but not to enter into a competition in which the different provinces should take part. Three cheers were then given for Mr. Macdonald, and three cheers for the Auckland and Thames Brigades, after which the members of the Central Brigade retired and housed their engines, etc.

A seal 12ft. 6in. in length was recently captured on the beach at Timaru. One of the most peculiar occurrences of the ' session took place in the House of Representatives on September 7th. Sir George Grey voted with the Government. The division was on a clause in the Debtors and Creditors Bill, of whieh the hon. member for the Thames knew nothing, not having been in the House till the division bell rang. A telegram from Auckland oh the 14th conveys the information that Captain Worap, of the s.s. Taupo, has been appointed Marine Surveyor by the Underwriters' Association at Auckland. Captain Worsp's appointment was rumored a few days ago, and we are glad to Bee that the rumor was correct. Mr. Stout made a capital joke on September 12th upon the disqualification question in recommending that the Hon. Messrs. Hall and George McLean should be declared to be half-castes within the meaning of the Act. It would have come well from Mr Andrew, \rhoae forte is in this direction, but it did Mr. Stout's argumentative speech harnv He made a good joke, but spoiled his speech. A number of members of the House of Representatives, including Messrs. Bastings, Stout, and others, accompanied Mr. McKirdy over the Rimutaka on Sept. 11th, and inspected the railway works in progress. They walked over the mountain, following as far as possiblo the line under construction, and returned to town late in the evening tired but satisfied, with the exception of Messrs. Bastings and Stout, who put in an appearance in the House about | 11 o'clock. Mr. Reader Wood was a little too candid in the House on Sept. 6th. In the course of a discussion he mentioned that though for six years pa3t he had been a member of the Public Petitions Committee, he had in disgust at its inutility given up attending meetings of the committee for the last four years. Shortly afterwards Mr. Andrew gave notice to move that the name of Mr. Wood be expunged from the list of members of the Public Petitions Committee. A rather curious occurrence is announced in our telegrams from Auckland. Captain Diaz, master of a cutter called the Start, fell overboard, and the crew, which consisted of two' men, manned the dingy, for the purpose of rescuing him, but before they had reached . him the unfortunate man was drowned. On turning to go to the cutter, the men found that she was sailing away to sea without anyone on board. They had probably in their hurry to get into the boat for the purpose of picking up the captain forgotten to take in the sails, and the vessel sailed away as stated, leaving them behind. She eventually drifted ashore on the Little Barrier. By a telegram from New Plymouth received on Monday, 28th August, we observe that Messrs Jones and McMillan, who have leased 48,000 acres of land at Mokau from the nacives, chartered a small steamer, and went there with provisions, grass seed, &o. The steamer entered Mokau river on Friday, when ahe was boarded by five natives, who piloted her three-quarters of a mile up the river, where the party landed, and. were well received by the natives. The cargo was landed, the natives working well and willingly. A meeting was held afterwards, when the headchief Takerau wasloud .in hi 3 protestations of friendshipto pakehas. Natives say they have seen more white people during the last four months .than for many years. The steamer after remaining twenty-four hours steamed out of the river under the guidance of natives. Certain natives who have come into town state .that Tawhiao, the Maori King, has decided to ■come to Waitara to hold a meeting. The Governor is to be invited, when arrangements are to be made for the settlement of the land by Europeans. The Bruce Berald correspondent gives the following description of the recent "great" meeting in Dunedin:—" The political meeting the other night was addressed by a lot of mediocre bodies. On the principle of giving every one his due, it must be said that Mr. Fish made a good speech. There has been much dispute about the number present, some •aa.y .2000, the Daily Times Bay 3 600 ; some put dt as low as 200. Your correspondent, from what he knows of the holding capacity of the building, and from hearing the extent to which it was filled, would say that there were probably about 500 present; and, at the very most, 600. The attempt to get up an excitement has signally failed. People have their own opinions on political matters, and can hold them quietly ; but they are not to be worked up to a pitch of enthusiasm by our political wire-pullers." On Sunday week about 150 natives assembled on Mr. Sutton's land at Omaranui, Hawke's Bay, with the object of resisting any attempt on the part of that gentleman to put stock on the ground. The Telegraph says : It was learnt from the inferior Maoris that they were acting under legal instructions. Mr. Sutton, however, knew nothing of this demonstration, and moreover had no intention of occupying the land without having legal authority, resistance to which, not even the natives, backed by their advisers, would attempt. This block of land was bought by Mr. Sutton about the year 1869. It consists of 163 acres, and was part of a large purchase he made in that district. It will be rememhered that this land formed the subject of an action Jin 1875 ; the natives seeking to set aside the deed of conveyance on the grounds of fraud on the part of the purchaser, and mistake on the part uf the natives. This trial was decided in favor of Mr. Sutton. The natives then appealed against the judgment, but without success, Mr. Sutton again obtaining a verdict with, as before, costs. It then became necessary for Mr. Sutton to bring an action against certain natives, who were not in the grant, who persisted in living on the land. This case was heard at the last sitting of the Supreme •Court here, and was decided in favor of Mr. Sutton. The only defence offered was on the apparently frivolous though technical ground that writs of ejectment Bhould have been served on every person who had been in the habit of living on the land. The natives again moved to set aside the verdict on that ground; the point was argued at Wellington last month, and again resulted in Mr. Sutton's favor. The Maoris having been beaten at law, have now, apparently, takea the matter in their own hands, and how it will end we cannot Bay. We trust at all events that the natives will not be so ill-advised as to provoke ill-feeling between the two race 3. It is a singular coincidence that the only fight that has taken place in this province between the settlers and the Maoris was within half-a.mile of this very block in question.