TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5534, 21 December 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) . Auckland, Friday. Ministers are making .desperate efforts here to stem the tide of disfavor caused by the long neglect of Auckland interests. Mr. Macfarlaue's speech was a true indication of public opinion.

The first sod of the Thames Valley railway will be turned presently. Plans and estimates of the line must be approved by the Governor in Council before the contract is let. The first sod is therefore not much.

Lady diplomatists at Punui are making preparations at the Government expense for the meeting of the Ministers and Eewi. Rewi has not arrived.

The Ngatimaniapoto tribe are annoyed at the newspaper reports of Rewi's sayings and doings at New Plymouth. Unless the reports are proved lies the tribe will desert him. Tawhiao, at Kawhia, understands how that Grey's "at last" has not arrived yet. More will be said at the March meeting than is pleasant for Grey to hear.

The Raglan road works are stopped. The impudent excuse is a want of funds. The fact is, Tawhiao regards making roads as a breach of engagement with him, and has caused the stoppage.

A party of Ngatiraukawa are now occupying and cultivating land near Rangiohia, purchased by Mr. Walker years ago. There is also a similar difficulty at Pukekura. A Maori' proclamation comes from Kuiti that in future the law must not take cognizance of offences committed by Hauhaus. The natives themselves will investigate and judge. The position of affairs in Taranaki is critical. Tho Native Minister prudently abstained from demanding Hiroki from Te Whiti. The public money from tha native tap is flowing like water. The result is the dissatisfaction of both races at the waste of public money and tho profusion of pledges never to be, or intended to be, redeemed, and may be regarded as the beginning of the end.

(FEIt PHESS AGENCY). Auckland, Friday.

The Hanuah Mokau, on her way to Auckland from Mokau, used four tons of Mokau river coal, loaded at the bank of the river, in deep water, from an outcrop in the bank. The engineer states it is good coal, with good steaming qualities, very little sulphur, bums to fine ash, no clinker, and equal to the best Waikato coal.

The early closing movement is making great progress. The consent of 58 drapers and clothiers was secured to keep open on Friday night and to-close at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, A deputation to the General Manager of Railways will request that the late train on Saturday night bo altered to Friday night; also, 'bus proprietors to run late 'busses on

Friday night.- The general public will be " circulared " to co-operate. A Canterbury capitalist is investing £20,000 in the Waikato.

The, Hinemoa, with the Premier, arrived at 1.15 to-day. The Mayor of Auckland and Councillors, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen, have been invited to accompany the Premier to the Thames, to be present at the turning of the first sod. The Hinemoa leaves Auckland at 4 o'clock to-morrow morning. Mr. Macandrew is expected from Waikat* by the late train. It is not settled whether ho will accompany the Premier to the Thames. Several deputations are awaiting his return to interview him to-morrow respecting the Kaipara railway. The Hinemoa returns to Auckland on Monday, when Mr. Sheehan is expected. Ministers will confer prior to visiting Waikato to arrange with Rewi the preliminaries of the native meeting. At the Police Court to-day Thomas Russell was again brought up, charged with the murder of Charles Moller, on the 5 7th October, at Butaritari, Brookfield. The Crown Prosecutor argued that the Court had power to take preliminary evidence under the Pacific Islands Act. Mr. Hesketh, for the prisoner, contended that the offence not being committed within the limits of Fiji the Court had no power to take evidence. The Court ruled that the..said Act was intended to apply to all persons in the Pacific Islands ; they would therefore take the evidence. . At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Hesketh argued that the Court had no power to commit prisoner under the powers delegated under the Foreign Offenders Act, 1863. The Bench ruled that according to the interpretation of that Act the Jimits meant longitude and latitude including all small islands, and committed the prisoner to gaol, to await the Governor's pleasure in sending him to Levuka.

Alexandra, Friday. Rewi has returned; Taonui remaining at Kuiti. The Native Minister is expected next, week at Eewi's feast. Their proposed trip oxprland, it is said, is postponed. Tawhiao and party are still at Raglan. Nelson, Friday. The auction sale of St. Vincent's township, Waitara, lapsed to-day from a want of pur T chasers, only three sections being sold. Fifteen hundred children.' attending the town schools were present at the Provincial Hall to-day at the prize distribution. Chkistchubch, Friday. The members of the Drainage Board, which expires by effluxion of time to-day, paid a visit of inspection to various drainage works, and expressed themselves as highly pleased at the progress being made. Mr. Conyers, Commissioner for the South Island railways, proceeded North by the Wakatipu to-day, on a visit to the Nelson and. West Coast railways. Tenders, amounting to £25,000, have just been accepted for the supply of 15,000 tons of Newcastle coal, during the coming year, for the Cristchurch and Otago railways. The Government immigrants per ship Marlborough were brought over from the quarantine station this morning to Lyttelton. The racehorse Blaritana was despatched North by the Wakatipu to-day, to fulfil her racing engagements. The following telegram was sent to London to-day, addressed to her Majesty's Private Secretary : The citizens of Christchurch deeply sympathise with the Queen upon the death of the Princess Alice. —(Signed) C. T. Ick, Mayor. Two more engines have arrived by the Hurunui for the Christchurch railways. Three more are on their way by the Thames and the Piako. This will make a total of 75 engines between Amberley and InvercargiU. Dunedin, Friday. Negotiations have been entered into between the new Portobello Tramway Company and the Ocean Beach Railway Company with a view to amalgamation. The fine belonging to the latter is being valued by Messrs. Blair and Higginson, and a meeting will shortly be held to consider the matter.

The case of Stanford v. Gilliea and others was continued to-day. The plaintiff's examination was concluded, and Messrs. Gillies and Harris have been examined for the defence.

Balclutha, Friday. The last rail in Proudfoot's contract—Balclutha to Clinton—was laid this afternoon. An engine with one carriage, from Clinton, arrived at Balclutha station at four o'clock; of course ballast and fitting are required before it will be ready for traffic.