PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 235, 2 January 1875, Page 2

PROVINCIAL ITEMS.

Ohinemuri Difficulty Settled. GRAHAMSTOWN. December 22. The Advertiser issued an extra this morning stating that all the difficulties regarding Ohinemuri were overcome last night, and the country will be opened in about a fortnight. It appears that after the conclusion of the native meeting yesterday, Sir Donald McLean was asked to meet Te Hira and Moananui at the residence of Taipari. Mr. Puckey was also present, but Mr. Mackay was not asked to attend by the natives, and knew nothing of the matter.

The question was urged upon Te Hira and Moananui by Sir Donald McLean, who pointed out the advantages to them in accepting the terms offered. After some discussion, the elder Taipari was sent for, and it was finally arranged that the right to mine be surrendered. Te Hira asked for time before the issue of the proclamation, but Sir Donald McLean pressed for a definite period to be fixed. A fortnight was then named. Sir D. McLean goes shortly to the Bay of Islands, and will return here within a fortnight to be present at the formal opening. He seems delighted at the success of his negotiations. It is stated that the natives asked for Mr. Mackay to be removeci from the district, but this was promptly declined. Mr. Mackay has just furnished the following particulars:— Sir Donald McLean was requested by Taipari to meet Te Hira and Moananui at his house. The chiefs admitted they were beaten, but wished a short breathing time to clearly consider the terms. They agreed in the presence of witnesses to make arrangements, Ac. They will fix details with Sir Donald McLean for the opening on his return from the Bay of Islands in a fortnight. NAPIER. December 28. The Napier cricketers consider themselves slighted by the Wellington team, who challenged Napier to play a match on New Year’s Day, and the match was put off by Wellington, wdio play Nelson instead. Subscriptions have been raised, and every preparation made here to suitably entertain the,Wellington cricketers. Mr. Eccles, student at St. John’s College, Auckland, was ordained yesterday by Bishop Williams. He is to have charge of the Waipawa district. Two boys, eleven and nine years old, sons of Mr. Curtice, town band-master, were drowned while bathing in the lutaekun river yesterday. The elder boy was drowned trying to save the younger.

By the Taupo coach upsetting at Pohui on Friday, Mr. Gollan was much hurt, but not seriously. It is reported that the Times, which now appears as a bi-weekly will, at the begining of the new year, appear as a penny morning paper. It is anticipated that owing to the want of enterprise and independence shown by the Herald the venture will be a success. It is currently reported that an old and respected settler in Hawke’s Bay, Mr. Charles Nairn, of Pourerere, purposes endowing the Church of England institutions of that province with a gift of £lO,OOO. WELLINGTON. December 28. Mil. T. B. Gillies has been offered and accepted one of the Judgeships. Judge Gresson retires on a pension in preference to leaving Christchurch. Justice Champman retires on condition that Judge Ward is not to succeed him. A permanent Judgeship and acting Judgeship are still vacant. It is rumored that Sir George Grey will stand for City West in place of Mr. Gillies. By proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette, January, February, aud March have been declared as a close time for oysters within certain prescribed limits in the province of Auckland. E. J. Wakefield, the incomprehensible M.H.R., is just now a patient in the colonial hospital.