TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5313, 5 April 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(PER PRESS AGENCY). Auckland, Thursday. There is an unexpected hitch in the Broomhall negotiations, which will probably upset them. The Attorney-General advises Government that by the 29th clause of the Waste Lands Act all the negotiations are invalid. It is contended that though power is given to the Governor to sell the lands of the colony by private contract, the lands under negotiation were never the property of the Crown, the Native title not being extinguished. The Government have the matter under consideration. The Governor, Commodore Hoskins, and Colonel Whitmore will visit the training-ship at Kohimarama to-morrow. The Governor proceeds to the East Coast on Monday. Mrs. Warren was found not guilty of arson, but was sentenced to six months on a charge of larceny, in stealing clothing. Russell, whose clothes were found on the shore of the harbor, was arrested te-day on three charges of embezzlement. He has been living on Hayes’ farm lately. The Hero, for Sydney, took several passengers for New Guinea. Sir George Grey is at the Kawau in bad health.

The fire in Fort-street was extinguished by the promptitude of the bluejackets of the Wolverine.

Mr. Sheehan has received a telegram from Alexandra thatTawhiao is seriously ill, and has sent special messengers to Alexandra for medicines.

Alexandra., Thursday. Large numbers of natives are hourly arriving, en route for the native meeting at Hikurangi. Te Kiroto has not yet fixed the day of meeting with Grey. Te Ukakea went up this morning from here. Taupo, Thursday. Messrs. Watt Bros.’ steamer Victoria foundered to-day at her moorings in the river. Endeavors were made to raise her, under the direction of Messrs. Noble and Walker, but without success. Pohipi, one of the leading natives, has returned to live here after an absence of twelve months. Ho was received with welcome by both the European and Native residents. Napier, Thursday. The new Education Board was elected today as follows : —Ormond, Lee, J. Williams, Sutton, Rev. Sidey, Capt. Russell, Kenrick, and Miss Herbert, sister-in-law of Hon. H. Russell. Miss Herbert tied with Archdeacon Williams and Colonel Lambert for ninth place on the Board ; ballotted, and tied again. The casting vote of the chairman decided the matter in favor of Miss Herbert. Wanganui, Thursday.

The steamer Wallace was discovered at daylight this morniug riding at anchor, evidently disabled, six miles south of AVanganui Heads, about a mile and a-half from the shore, flying signals of distress. She has nine passengers. Telegrams were sent to Nelson and Wellington. There is no steamer in the port of AVanganui. She is now riding heavily, the keel visible at times. If the wind rises her position is dangerous. It will he seen by our shipping telegrams that the weather having moderated the Wallace is out of danger. The commercial traveller named Hart who attempted snicide yesterday died this morniug. An inquest will be held at 3 o’clock. New Plymouth, Thursday.

The census returns show the population of Taranaki County to be 7375, having nearly doubled itself in four years. The population of the town of New Plymouth is 2680, being an increase of 640 in four years. Grey and Bell District four years ago had 1808 souls in it, the census returns now show 3807. There are 1559 houses in the county, showing an increase of 515, and New Plymouth 599, showing an increase of 105. Christchurch, Thursday.

In the Supreme Court J. Riordan was acquitted of larceuy ; John Simmonds, charged with forgery, was found guilty, but a point was reserved for the Court of Appeal; Ainos James Sudball, convicted of forgery, was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude. The following sentences were passed ;—Robert MoFarlane, jun., convicted of forgery, was sentenced to six months’ hard labor ; Henry Richardson, for forgery, got nine months ; and James Mills, for forgery, eighteen mouths ; Charles Smith, for larceny, six months ; Charles McGuiedigall, for indecent assault, two years ; George Stevens, for larceny, twelve months; William Phillips, for larceny, twelve months. ■ Mr. Clarke, O.K, disapproves of all the twenty-five schemes sent in for the water supply of the city. He recommends that the premium bo withheld, and £IOO distributed equally amongst the authors of the various schemes.

Abhbukton, Thursday. Mr. Wason, M.H.R. for Coleridge, addressed his constituents here last night. He was very severe on Mr. Larnaoh’s conduct, and blamed Major Atkinson for not resigning on Ballance’s Native Lands Court Bill resolutions, and for taking part in trying to oust Grey immediately after the latter came into power ; but he said Major Atkinson's motives were pure, and he

desired personally to withdraw from office. He thought Sir George Grey should have had, and should still have, a fair trial. He himself would oppose the measures of the Government with moderation, but not with bitterness. He was opposed to manhood suffrage. He received a vote of thanks. C. E. Watkins, a youth latterly employed in the Canterbury Foundry, received from the County Council the £IOO voted as a reward for the best scheme for supplying Ashburton with water. Port Chalmers, Thursday. The contest for the seat at Port Chalmers vacated by the Hon. W. H. Reynolds is likely to be keen. Mr. Joyce declines standing. Mr. H. Dench, the ex-Mayor, has consented to stand, and his supporters are very confident of his return. Hokitika, Thursday. The evidence in Ryan’s case will be concluded to-night. The counsel for the prosecution and defence will address the Court to-morrow. The police evidence is the same as that given in the lower Court.