COLONIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 232, 19 December 1874, Page 2

COLONIAL ITEMS.

WELLINGTON. December 9. Dr. Hector and party were unable to make an observation of either the ingress or egress of Venus, but got a good view after the contact. December 11. The Times, in commenting on Mr. Reynolds’ speech at Dunedin, congratulates him on taking the final leap and bidding farewell to his provincialist allies ; but stated that the extreme views he expressed against the land revenue being made colonial must embarrass his colleagues in preparing a measure for revising the fiscal policy and equalising taxation throughout the colony. It says that Mr. Reynolds should riot, as Minister, know either North or South as having conflicting interests, but should consider what is best for the whole colony. If he cannot rise to this level he should retire from the Ministry. The Presbyterian General Assembly adopted a resolution in favor of increasing the stipends of Presbyterian country ministers throughout the colony. A resolution was also passed to offer special prayer that a religious revival analogous to that in Scotland might be brought about in New Zealand.',,

Sir George Grey writes to the editor of the Wairarapa Standard thanking him for the support given to his (Grey’s) published views. Referring to an article in the Standard about Sir James Fergusson’s reply to him, he says it is a mistake to think that he had information that the Constitution, Act had been amended, the fact being that he had carefully considered the amending Acts at the time he forwarded his petitions. He declares that it is the Government, only which has misunderstood. the scope and intention of these amending Acts. He has had the best legal advice upon the matter, and declares it surprising that the Government should fall into error on such a point. In the Vice-Admiralty Court to-day the flaim for demurrage re the Strathnaver case was urged. Counsel for Turnbull argued that the claim for salvage having been made bona fide and in belief that it was well founded it would be unjust that his clients should be obliged to pay demurrage because their salvage claim had been lost. A long argument ensued at the close, when the Judge gave a preliminary decision to the effect that liability to pay damages followed from loss of action for salvage in evidence now being taken with a view to fix the amount of demurrage. It will involve an extra liability to Turnbull of £4,000 to £5,000. December 12.

In the Strathnaver case judgment was given against Mr. Turnbull for demurrage £22 a day, making it £6OO. There are large costs besides. Notice of appeal to the Privy Council lies been given on behalf of Mr. Turnbull. Mr. Dransfield addressed a large meeting of the Te Aro ratepayers last night, and made an excellent speech. He reviewed his past services and appealed to the ratepayers to elect him. He secured a unanimous vote of confidence. Mr. Moorhouse addressed a meeting at Thorndon, and also obtained a vote of confidence.

It is reported that the Corporation have to pay £lOO,OOO for the Thorndon foreshore.

Mr. Thomas Buchanan, manager Bank of Australasia, and who refused a very advantageous offer to join the new Colonial Bank, has accepted an offer from the National Bank, and commences his new duties in the early part of February. December 14.

For the Hurdle R ace Tommy Dodd and New Zealander were the only entries. New Zealander fell at the first hurdle, and threw his jockey, who was bruised but not seriously injured. Tommy Dodd cantered over for the money. The Hack Hurdle race was won by Stafford’s Don Juan.

A match between Raupo and Dick Turpin for £2O a-side produced a magnificent race. Raupo won by a head, but the judges decided it to be a, dead heat. The decision gave great dissatisfaction, and the stewards refused to allow the horses to run again on the ground. Mr. Tancred and two other gentlemen acted as

judges. The Governor arrived in the Luna last evening. It was a misapprehension that the Governor wished to be received by the authorities only. What he wished was to leave the inhabitants themselves to receive him in whatever way they thought proper. The reception ceremony was rather flat, and people generally seemed uncertain whether to make holiday or not. Hence shops and other places of business were nearly all open. The Governor’s last telegram came rather late to enable complete arrangements to be made. As the Luna came to the wharf at twelve o’clock the Volunteer Artillery fired a salute, and the Scottish Volunteers, Veterans, and other corps presented arms. The Governor and Marchioness of Normanby were received by Ministers, and walked down the wharf.. At the shore end gailydressed little girls threw flowers in the path. At carriage his Excellency was met by the Mayor and several members of the Ministry. The Mayor read and presented a general address of welcome to which the Governor briefly replied. The defalcations of Lyell, agent of the Bank of New Zealand at Marston, are ascertained to be £1,500. Lyell will be brought down to Wellington in custody. Mr. Lemon, general manager of the Telegraph Department, has received the following message from the telegraphist at Queenstown: —“ Pleased to inform you that Professor Peters, American astronomer, was very successful in taking observations of the transit of Venus here.

GRAHAMSTOWN

December 11. Sir Donald M’Lean met the natives today, in front of Taipari’s house. Mr. Mackay and Mr. Puckey were present. The representatives of all the Thames tribes were present. Te Moinanui welcomed Mr. M‘Lean, as did Hoterene Taipari, R.iwai, Rapana, H. Taipara, Taniati. Tangiteruru, Te Hira, and others. Most of the speeches were confined to welcomes and to remembrances of old times. R.iwai asked Sir D. M’Lean to take from among them that reptile of Satan, referring to Mr. Mackay. Te Hira said he would hold on toOhinemuri. Sir D. M.Lean said he had come at the

request of Te Moananui to hear what they had to say. It was for them to speak. The natives did not seem inclined to plunge into business, and Sir D. M'Lean suggested that they should adjourn till to-morrow, when they could arrange among themselves.

The natives appear to be gratified at Mr. M'Lean having come here. There was a large nnmber of Europeans present, and ® great interest is taken in the ceedingsDecember 14. The Thames Volunteers had a church parade yesterday, and were inspected by the Defence Minister. Muster was about 300 strong. Sir Donald paid them a compliment, saying that it was the finest turnout he had seen in any district. CHRISTCHURCH. December 9. A light rain fell last night, and the weather this morning was most unfortunate for transit observations. There was no rain, but the sky was overcast. Only one momentary glimpse of the sun has been abtained since daybreak. The Hon. C. C. Bowen has issued an address to the electors soliciting their suffrages. He says therein: —“ It would in my opinion be a mistake to initiate any revolutionary measures where they were not called for ; but it has long been obvious that changes have become necessary in parts of the colony to secure good and economic government as well as local administration of local affairs.”