LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 495, 28 February 1880, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

(Special to Taranaki Herald.) lIAWERA. February 2G. The Commissioners got through the bulk of native witnesses yesterday afternoon, and several have returned to (heir homes. So far as the evidence has gone, the grievances complained of by the natives are not very great, and can be dealt with in a manner likely to satisfy all parties. Nakora, a Wellington native, came all the way here, and tried to delude the Commission into recognising a claim ho put in for land, on the ground that he had not fought against us during the war, but upon Major Brown showing that Nakora had already received 100 acres from the Compensation Court on the same ground, Nakora subsided and slunk away. The Commission expect to complete their labours here to-day or to-morrow, and on Saturday mominjr proceed to New Plymouth.. Hone Pibama has been of considerable assistance to tho Commission in dealing with the natives. Mr F.' Lewis, the Under-Secretary of the Native Department, is now engaged in making a tour of the North Island with a view to reducing the expenditure of the department generally, and was lately through the Taranaki District. It appears from the Hue of action adopted by this gentlemen that he is animated by a strongdesire to carry out bis instructions to the letter, but unfortunately , as I am informed by tho people of this district, he does not possess either tho tact or experience to unable him to effect a reduction without injury to the public interests. His action at New Plymouth in reducing an allowance that has for years past been made to Ropata Ngarougomati, an exceedingly useful and influential person, as well as a staunch friend of the pakeha, is strongly condemned by public opinion on this coast, and surprise is expressed that the opinion of some competent person had not been asked before taking such a delicate step. It is feared that the allegiance oE thisold friend of ours lias been alienated. Old Porikapa, another Taranaki chief, a friend of the whites, has also been reduced in like manner. White people thoroughly agree with the effort to reduce the enormous expenditure of the Native Department. They regret the want of discrimination shown in the above reductions, and still hope that tho steps may be reconsidered.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. February 27. Scventy-fiye of the men engaged by Government for roti 1 ruak.ug on the Wninv.ite Plains, this afternoon for Opunake. AUCKLAND. February 27. I A small boat is missing in the Harbor. Portion of fittings have been found on the beach. The occupants wore unknown. DUNEDIN. February 27. Handicap Hurdles—Scamp, 1; Alice Grey, 2. Ford Play had a walk over for the big riandicap. Leger—Grip, 1 ; Betrayer, 2 ; Marie Antionette, 3. Time, 3 min 30 sec. Steward’s Handicap Titania, 1 ; Luna, 2 ; On Dit, 3. Time, 2 min 43 sec. Robert Irving has been killed, and Hugh McCann seriously injured, at Blue Spur. They were larking together as the tracks came up the incline, and got caught by a rope and dragged round the winding gear. TAUEANGA. February 27. J. C. Young, late Government Land Purchase Agent of this District, was arrested yesterday on three informations, for feloniously stealing money entrusted to him, in his capacity as Land Purchase Agent. The amounts are £sl, £7,

and £lO. Bail was accepted, himself m £I,OOO, and two sureties of £SOO each. Case will be heard to-morrow.