COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 76, 6 August 1873, Page 3

COLONIAL ITEMS.

(FBOM THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAM AGENCY.) AUCKLAND. July 29. Eppwright was hung this morning. He made a long speech exculpating Fisher, stating that he stabbed Garity in the heat of a quarrbl, without intent to kill. NAPIER. July 23. The Tauranga yield of wheat next harvest is expected to be double that of last harvest. The schooner Meteor is stranded at Whanganui, and is likely to become a total wreck. The cargo is being removed much damaged. WELLINGTON. July 19. Mr. Stafford is reported to be seriously indisposed. In reply to a deputation consisting of the West Coast members, the Premier suggested that Westland should become a province, the Superintendent being elected by the whole body of electors and having a seat in the Council. The deputation expressed themselves in favor of the proposal. The Ironsand Company’s lease has been modified, and further concessions made to the Company. Operations are to be commenced immediately. Mr. Smith, agent, proceeds South shortly to canvass, exhibit specimens, Ac. July 29. Mr. Stafford holds a meeting of his supporters to-morrow, to consider the course to be adopted with regard to the policy of the Government, and especially to consider the financial statement. It is stated on good authority that the provinces intend to attempt to obtain large provincial loans.

July 31. The s.s. Rangitoto left Nelson at 1 o clock yesterday for Wellington. She got safely through the French Pass. Captain Mackie then left the ship in charge of the chief officer, ine ship hugged the shore too closely and, struck a reef heavily, staving in her bottom, lhe ship s fires were extinguished immediately, and she was driven ashore. Mr. Nancarrow, of the Customs, with the second mate and boat’sjprew, started to meet the Wellington returninjkfrom Picton. The Wellington returned to the wSjck, saved the remaining passengers and crew, and took off the mails and a large quantity of cargo. The Rangitoto sank about seven. The Wellington took the passengers to Wellington. The sea was calm, and the greatest order prevailed. The passengers of both vessels presented Captain Carey with an raddress. Mr. Blackwood, one of the owners of the Rangitoto, and 34 others were passengers. Jackson’s Head, where the wreck occurred, is on the North shore of Queen Charlotte s Sound.

August 2. The s.s. Lady Bird went yesterday to the wreck of the s.s. Rangitoto, and found three parts of her funnel and her forecastle and deck above water.

The inquiry has been held, and the Captain and mute were both censured and admonished.

Mr. Vogel,-in.the House yesterday, stated that the total cost of the cable from Singapore to New Zealand--was £1,000,000. The cable between Australia and New Zealand cost £400,000. The Speaker, last night, appealed to the House regarding his action in reference to the Post's report of Mr. Bathgate’s speech, and read a letter f rom the editor, taking the responsibility of any errors in the Post. The Speaker announced, in the matter of the alleged incorrect report in the Post, that he had sent the Sergeant-at-Arms to fetch the reporter, but the latter declined to come. The editor, instead, sent a letter, which the Speaker read, suppressing however part of its contents. The letter was to the effect that the editor declined to recognise the Speaker’s authority in the matter. The reporter was responsible to him alone, and he was responsible for what appeared in the paper. If the House thought fit it might call him to the bar, but it was certainly no part of the Speaker’s duty to administer a lecture to a member of his (the editor’s) staff. The Hon. the Premier thought, on the whole, it was better to let the matter alone. The letter was, without doubt, studiously disrespectful, and might be treated as a breach of privilege, but the advisability of treating it as such was questionable. In such cases the press generally got the best of it. Mr. Stafford and Mr. Gillies were glad to see that the Premier took that view, one in which they fully concurred. The Speaker said he would never again place himself in. such a position as he had been in that afternoon Henceforth he would take no not ice of any remonstrance made by any member with reference to reports in the newspapers, except on the motion that the Speaker should leave the chair. Reporters, henceforth, might give any accounts they pleased of proceedings in the House. * . NELSON. July 21. The heaviest snowstorm last night ever known here. Reports from Waimea and Motueka state that the snow was several inches thick.

' CHRISTCHURCH. July 22. The credit balance in favor of the province for the month of June is £341,501. LYTTELTON. - July 22. Arrived : Hope, from London. The barque Sunday Hope arrived from London yesterday. She has no passengers, but brings a full cargo. All on board are well. The Paterson from Wellington encountered a terrific gale. The captain reports haying spoken the cutter Hope, of Dunedin, in distress, those on board being without food or chart. They were driven three weeks ago from Oamaru, and were drifting up the coast. The crew had been three days without food. Captain Kennedy states that he sighted the wreck of the brig Australia, about 1£ miles N.E. of Cape Campbell lighthouse, in the fairway for vessels running for shelter under the Cape. DUNEDIN. July 21. The nominations for the Dunedin Cnp, a sweepstake of lOsovs. with 300sovs. added, close on the Ist November. Mr. Gillies has been returned by a majority of sixty for the district of Waikouaiti, vice Sir D Munro, resigned. July 29. Mr. Anderson, pianist, was a passenger to Melbourne to arrange for a visit to New Zealand of Miss Arabella Goddard.