TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5304, 26 March 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Auckland, Monday. Mrs. Warren, a ladylike person, who came from Sydney some time ago with her husband, supposed to be a commercial traveller, was arrested, charged with attempting to set fire to Haslett's boarding-house, Waterloo Quadrant, and stealing wearing apparel to the value of £BO, the property of Mrs. Laurie, another lodger. Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Laurie were on friendly terms, but on Saturday night Mrs. Warren’s room was found to be on fire in several places, while a quantity of valuable articles from Mrs. Laurie’s room were missing, Mrs. Warren ultimately confessed she had taken them. When brought before the Court this morning she fainted. She had to be carried out. The case was remanded. The Governor and Colonel Whitmore have gone to Waikato. Sheehan returns from the Thames to-night. Alexandra, Monday. King Tawhiao arrived here yesterday and was interviewed by Te Wheoro. It has now been decided that the meeting with Sir George Grey and the Native Minister will be held shortly. Te Wheoro accompanied the King and Te Ngakau on their return from Hikuraugi, and will meet the Mokau natives who have arrived here. Patea, Monday. On Friday the natives who had lately obstructed the survey at the Waitotara, aud other's interested, met Major Brown at Carlyle, all active opposition having been withdrawn. All day was occupied in discussion, aud at times it was very, exciting, with no good results, the natives being unable to agree among themselves whether to accept the money offered or insist upon their right to 50,000 acres of confiscated land. The meeting was resumed on Saturday. Civil Commissioner Brown was willing to distribute about £3OOO, but held that the hindrances to survey and the destruction of bridges had cost the Government £4OO, which he intended to deduct. Late on Saturday terms were agreed upon, and an instalment of money paid, the Waitotora troubles being thus ended. The Mauutahi and Mokoia natives, who for a long time had refused to forego their claim to land, also met Major Brown and received the sum allotted to them, seemingly satisfied that further opposition would only place them in a worse position. The settlement of these two troublesome questions will materially and beneficially influence operations respecting the Waimate Plains, and the Europeans are feeling more secure.

Tisiaeu, Monday. The South Canterbury Jockey Club will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday. A singular occurrence took place on Saturday night. Three children belonging to Mr. Henry Gardner were playing on the beach near one of the landing services about dusk, when a man took one little girl, about five yeaas of age, in his arras and walked away with her. The other two went home, and the police were communicated with. Several men scoured the beach in the hope of finding the child, without avail, until about eleven o’clock at night, when Father Goutenoir took her home. The child states that the man took her to a shop and bought lollies for her, and then took her to some house and asked a woman to send her home. The woman refused. They then walked along the street, and a man driving a horse and cart took her and drove her to the Catholic church premises. They got out, and the man took her towards Father Goutenoir’s. The horse started away, and the man left her. The child, knowing Father Gonteuoir’s house, went to it and knocked. Father Goutenoir knew the child and took her home. At present the affair is wrapped in mystery. The Good Templar Lodges are urging members to place their names on the electoral roll. Mr. Tesohemaker, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Waimate this evening, Dunedin, Monday. The last rail on the Elueskia section of the Northern Railway, was laid on Saturday afternoon, so that communication is now complete between Dunedin and the Maori Kaikat Waikouaiti. There is still a gap of nearly a mile between the kaik and the township, but that

is expected to be filled up by the end of the month. Coming southwards the rails are now laid to Shag River, The lino right through to Christchurch will probably be opened early in April.