TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5272, 15 February 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(X'EB PXIE3S AGENCY). Auckland, Thursday. The cricketers are being handsomely entertained by private residents. They go to Sydney by the mail steamer. Wanganui, Thursday. The umpire gave his decision on the foul in the Volunteer Race in favor of the second boat, the Elvira. The Wellington men won altogether £IOO in money and £3O in plate. Wanganui, Thursday. The Native Minister arrived at Wanganui at 10 o’clock last evening from Patea. He has travelled from Taranaki by coast road, calling at all the chief native settlements on the road. He stopped on the evening of the first day at Te Whiti’s settlement. He was cordially received by the prophet of Parihaka. After food being served in the wooden building provided for the use of European guests. Ministers and party proceeded to pay a formal visit to Te Whiti in his own house. There was a large meeting, the house being full of people. The reception was cordial in the highest degree. The talk began at half-past 8, and lasted until nearly 2 o’clock in the morning. It appeared quite clear that Te Whiti will strain every nerve to preserve peace. The great question was the confiscated lands. Many, demands were made for the i-eturn of the confiscated lands, to all of which Ministers made the same answer, that the Government declined to entertain any such proposal. The confiscated land would be cut up aud sold to European settlers, and no interference on the part of the natives would be allowed. The last of such demands was made at Waitotara by Tapa te Wairo aud his people. They asked that the survey of confiscated lauds near Waitotara should be stopped, and spoke of gx’eat trouble that would ensue if the survey were persisted in. Sheehan told Tapa plainly that the survey must go on —that any trouble which might arise would be occasioned by Tapa, and not by the Government, and he reminded them that it was by their disobeying the law in the past that they had lost their lands, and warned them against a course of action which might necessitate strong measures. Sheehan left by the Manawatu this morning, aud attends a large native meeting at Greytown on Friday. New Plymouth, Thursday. Richmond Hursthouse, member for Motueka, writes to the Herald denying the statement that he was one of the foremost in the endeavor to destroy the arch erected for Sir George Grey and party, as he (Hursthouse) was not even near the spot at the time of the supposed attack, and he feels himself aggrieved at having his name made use of by certain political tools who are being carried round New Zealand, apparently at the country’s expense, for the purpose of advocating Sir George Grey’s cause. He concludes by saying that, for his honor aud that of the Press of New Zealand, it is time to give such statements the only answer they deserve, namely, a fiat denial. Nelson, Thursday. The fix-st case here under the Destitute Persons Act, 1877, was heard to-day, when a widow sought to compel her deceased husband’s father to contribute to the maintenance of her children. Mr. Lowther Broad, R.M., ruled that the children living with their parents, who was not incapacitated from working for them, were not destitute children within the meaning of the new Act, and that such parent could not compel any other relative to contribute to their support. He also expressed strong doubts whether, upon the construction of the Act, looked at as a whole, infant children could,under any circumstances, beheld to bo “ destitute persons.” Westport, Thursday. A, mishap occurred on the Mount Rochfort Railway yesterday by the flood washing away some of the ballasting of the line. The down train ran off the line in consequence, and toppled over the bank. No one was hurt, but tlie passengers were much scared. C aiusTCixuiiCii, Thursday. A testimonial consisting of £72 has been forwarded to Inspector Feast, now of Greymouth, formerly of Christchurch,- on the occasion of his removal to the West Coast. The money was subscribed by a few friends and well-wishers. T. I. Joynt, the well-known barrister, has published a legal opinion that the action of the Selwyn County Council, in bringing the Act into force, was quite valid, notwithstanding the opinion of the Council’s lawyer 1 to the contrary. Lawrence, Thursday.; The Rev. H. Cowle was 'inducted.into the charge of the Presbyterian Church hero last evening. At the service -the following ministers were present ; —Drs. Stuart and Copeland, the Revs. Messrs. MoR-xe, Alien, Borrie, Selford, and Wilis. There was ; a soiree held in celebration of the event at the Town Hall. It passed off successfully.. Nearly 400 persons were present. ; Tlie harvest operations are now going on generally. The yield is up to the average despite the unfavorable spring. The late heavy winds have inflicted some damage to tlie ripe corn.