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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 33, 8 March 1873, Page 2

From our Southern exchanges, to hand per p.s. Paterson, we clip the following items : — WELLINGTON. . THE CRISIS. MR. FOX PREMIER. February 26. The members of the Club gave the Governor a farewell dinner last night. A Ministerial crisis has occurred. It appears to have been some time impending. Mr. Waterhouse has sent in his resignation as Premier for several reasons, the principal one being that when he joined the Government, he had no idea that the hon. J. Hall had any intention of resigning and going home, although that intention was known to Mr. Vogel when he undertook the formation of a Government. It is understood also that Mr. Waterhouse, in conveying his resignation to the Governor, expressed his sense of the false position in which he had been placed by Mr. Hall’s resignation, and particularly regarding his unassisted position in the Upper House. Mr. Waterhouse, previous to resigning, had communicated by letter his intention, and it is said that other difficulties in respect of the relationship between the Premier and Mr. Vogel existed, which induced Mr Waterhouse to confirm his decision. The Governor, since the receipt of Mr Waterhouse’s resignation, has endeavored to persuade him to re-consider it, but without success. On Monday the Governor telegraphed to the hon. Mr. Fox, who arrived here last night; he and the Governor have been in close consultation during to-day, but at present it is believed Mr. Fox distinctly declines to accept the responsibility which the Governor endeavors to place upon him. The difficulty is, Mr. Waterhouse simply resigns the Colonial Secretaryship, (?) but the Governor objects to receive it, on the ground that Waterhouse being Premier, his resignation would constitutionally involve that of the whole Ministry. Mr. Waterhouse replies, that as Mr. Vogel formed the present Ministry, he will be equally competent to supply any vacancy created by his (Waterhouse’s) resignation. Then arises a difficulty, that in answer to the distinct question put to Mr, Vogel in the House last session, “what would be the fate of the Ministry, in the event of the death or resignation of the Bmniar, ? ” Mr. Vogel replied, that in either case, it would involve the resignasuri of the whole Ministry. The Governor in order to solve the difficulty, wrooeee to the Premier to immediately call Parliament together, but Waterhouse dedines doing sol Mr Waterhouse offered to proceed to Auckwith the Governor to meet Mr ‘Veyt-nn hi* arrival in the colony, for the purpeaeef consulting him aa to the best steps to be taken in order to lessen the inconvenience attending the adminsMtion of the public businosflt The Governor, however, insisted that the question should be immediately settled. The complication is increased by the receipt of private advices from Sydney to the effiret that Mr. Vogel is seriously ill, and tlrit hb medical advisers imperatively counsel hie temporary retirement from public business. -

The rumour that a promise was given Mr. Shepherd, of Nelson, a seat ih the Ministry bv Messrs MLean and Vogel without the r “ < * turn, out to be well founded. Ministers consequent! v threatened, recently,to resign if tUappofatment were made. Mr. Waterhouse strongly opposed it. ** Owing to the Ministerial crisis, it is believed the Governor’s departure will be delayed. Private advices from Sydney state that, after after the proceedings of tht Conference were closed, an arrangement was entered into by Mr. Vogel with the Governments of Queensland and New South Wales, for a united guarantee towards the laying of a cable from Singapore to Norman River, and from Australia to New Zealand. The amount in which the three colonies are bound, has not transpired. The s.s. Rangatira brought 190 tons of coal from Greymouth, last night; her engineers report most favorably on it for steam purposes. The Governor has strongly urged Mr. Waterhouse to withdraw his resignation, but he absolutely refuses. The Governor has not accepted his resignation. ... Sundat, March 2. The position of affairs has become more complicated. The Governor having, declined to accept Mr. Waterhouse’s resignation, the latter refused to allow the Luna to leave without his authority. The other members of the Cabinet disapproved of this step, and recommended that hie resignation should be accepted, and that Mr. Fox should be requested to take office. Mr. Fox, on being appealed to, agreed to do so until the remaining members of the Cabinet should re-assenible at Wellington. The Governor will* proceed to Auckland to attend the native meeting, and will return to Wellington if required. Arrived—Forfarshire, from London; all well.

. DUNEDIN. Monday, February 24. Cyrus Haley attempted to escape yesterday, while he was beating a carpet, outside the gaol, but was soon captured. William Preston, a passenger by the Charlotte Gladstone, died on Quarantine Island of typhoid fever. A trout has been accidentally killed in the Shag River breeding ponds, which weighed 7 lbs. 6 ozs. The weather is so hot that threshing goes on simultaneously with reaping. • Cyrus Haley threw pepper in the warder’s eyes. This accounts for the escape.

AUCKLAND. Gold has been found in the Whangamata Block. The potato crop has been entirely destroyed by the heavy rains. Grahamstown is now lighted with gas. Preparations are being made for the farewell ball to the Governor. The heat was intensely great yesterday. Five bullocks died of sunstroke at the Newmarket cattle show. Eleven others were restored with difficulty. The Cross condemns Mr. Stafford’s speech as vague. Ihe Herald and Cross condemn the action taken by Mr. Waterhouse and accuse him of foul j lay, they say he knew of Mr. Hall's illhealth, and the promise made to Mr. Shepharr’. The Cross says it will damage the reputation of Mr. Waterhouse and will not affect the stability of the Ministry. -r. , March 1. Mr. Buckland reports store cattle in full supply at an increased price j fat cattle in full supply, 137 sold; fat sheep in average supply, with a downward tendency in price ; breeding sheep, less in value by 3s to 5s per head; fat lambs abundant; dairy cows, £6 15s to £ll 2s; heifers, calving, £4 7s fid to £6 17s 6d; calves 23s to 295; yearlings, 40s to 62s fid; two-year-old sheep, £4 10s to £5 ss; three-year-olds up to £7; fat cattle, 25s 9d to 27s fid per lOOlbs; 3Jd to 4d per lb ; long-woolled ewes, 16s 9d to 245; four and six two-tooth ewes, 23s to 255; young half-bred ewes, 20s to 255; aged merino ewes, 8s to 9s; long-woolled ewe lambs, 25s to 275. A pen of 30 ewes were withdrawn at 60s each. 2274 head were sold. CHRISTCHURCH The Hon. John Hall has declined a farewell banquet, owing to the state of his health, which necessitates the avoidance of all excitement. Wheat, 4a 2d to 4s 4d; flour, easier, Ils; oats, 2s ; barley, 6s; butter, scarce, 7jd j cheese in good demand at 7d. The ram fair held yesterday was a gipat success. There were 1000 entries nearly all of which were sold. Some Leicester* realised £42 10s each.