LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 10, 15 May 1875, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.] AUCKLAND. May 13. Tlic City of Melbourne proceeds to ’Frisco at noon to-morrow. Among the passengers arc Sir George Amoy, Seymour Superintendent of Marlborough, and several old Auoland settlers. The steamer was compelled to crowd out a number of Sydney passengers. A large meeting was held last night to promote revival. Mid-day prayer meeting to-day, ministers of all denominations taking part. The opening of the Mercer lino has been definitely fixed for the 20th, Carrutln rs being satisfied, by recent inspection, that the line is in a sufficiently forward state. In reply to question from Provincial Council to day, the Executive slated that Grey considered the police should bo handed over to the Provincial Government, but if the Council was still favourable to their retention by the General Government, he would consider the matter. May 11. The following information has been supplied by one of the missionaries of the Li tee Society Groin): —“ We had passed through the hurricane season with comparatively quiet weather; no storms of any consequence, when suddenly on the 2<Sth March last, at a quarter to eleven, We were all alarmed by a very sharp shock of earthquake, mi eh a one as was never felt before. It 10-b'd SOUV time, cud We had severs' slijder om-s during; le night. M-xt day had 'vea.-ioiud Mio-l-.s, •.civ <■!

which were rather sharp. Next night had only one slight shock, and hoped it wn ov Inn: on Tuesday evening, 30h3i : wo v; uv vi-ited by anoth hightful earthquake, which i'.ignCnrl ns ui;. It did not lust so long as ihe others, but was more severe. On ihc Ist April, liad bad news from Rev. Mr Sleight’s side of the island. After the earthquake on Saturday night, a great tidal wave swept away three villiages. Trader, from there, tells ns twenty-four were killed, and others were 1 so much injured by bruises, &e, that they may die. Our church at Wide By, which was well built by the French, was badly crushed one end. Have counted thirty-two earthquakes since 28lh March. Most of those drowned were children, their fathers being absent from borne on the plantations. The sudden inrush of the sea cleaved out the stone walls, and all fires wore put out. It was pitch dark. Mothers groped about in vain for their babes. There was groat distress, men and woman getting drowned* although the natives are such excellent swimmers. Poor people on Rev. Mr Sleight’s side of island lost everything.

In the Provincial Council last night, the {superintendent transmitted message recommending appropriation of £I,OOO for the late Bnperm tendon t’s widow. Address in reply adopted unanimously. During course of debate, Reader Wood stated that Superintendent would not accept responsible Government of Auckland,

An address w‘as presented on board the City of M-Ihoumo to-day to Bir George Arney, prior to his departure. The Bnperinlevident del've.: ed an address on behalf of the inhabitants. Sir George Arney was deeply moved. In reply, alluding to statement that lie had tempered justice wilh mercy, Sir George said that if he had passe-1 light sentences, it was without reflection lie believed fear of pnnishm 'nt had very little influence in deterring from crime—not so much as the desire to stand well with fe.llow-mcn. If fear of punishment influenced mankind very largely, we should none of us sin. WELLINGTON. May 11, O’Shea, reports :—Flour, £ll 10s to £l2 10s; oats, 8s Od ; maize, none; potatoes, £1 10s; bacon and hams, mme ; cheese, lO^-d. CHRISTCHURCH. May 1L W. C. Walker, M.P.C., Chairman of Mount Somers Hoard Hoard, lias been sewed with a writ of £5,000 for libel by Bain, Surveyor. Claim is based on letter written by Walker to Provincial Government, impugning on accuracy a number of Bain’s surveys. DUNEDIN. May 13.. Tim Govorner was entertained at luncheon to-day by the members of the Provincial Council. On the light of the chairman was His Excellency and Dr Pollen, and on the left the Supeviutcud- ut. The vice chair was occupied by Mr M e(« la.-han, cl .’airman of cv-mmitees. Only thru 1 oasts wore given—“ The Queoe,” The Prime of W.l ■- and

Boyal Family,” and “ Ilis Excellency,” which was proposed by ■ho Superintendent. ITis Exc Hemy, in responding to the toast, thanked Ido Council and the public of the province for the hearty welcome they had given him. lie was favourably impress's! with the climate, the seen ry, ami the resources of the colony, a.;d a!chough he long looked upon British North America as his second home, lie thought that if he had now to choose a, permanent residence amongst any of the colonies, ho would determine to spend tint remainder of Ids days in Now Zealand. He much admired the enterprise of the colonists in initiating the great scheme of public works, althonh the experiment, of hying to force the country into prosperity, and the advancement by means of Government of the great scheme of public works and immigration, had sometimes been doubted in other countries. Ho had no doubt it would ultimately y-rove a success in this colony, hut at the same time, he would counsel the utmost prudence in the working out of this scheme.