TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 293, 28 July 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

NAPIER. (from our own correspondent.) July 26. The following reply has been signed by a number of chiefs of Ngalikahungunu to the petition sent down by Ngatiwhatua for signature, praying the Queen to appoint Sir Donald McLean permanent Native Minister : —“We have received your petition which you are about forwarding to England, in reference to Sir Donald McLean, and in respect to which you wish the chief of the tribes of the south to sign their names. The tribes of the south do not agree with your petition; these are all the words from Ngatikahungunu, and its sub-tribes.”

The debate on the address in reply wa s resumed on Friday last, in reference to which the Telegraph's special correspondent says it was allowed to conclude owing to the declaration of Ministers that the reply to the Governor's opening address meant nothing, and committed nobody; it was carried on the voices; Sir ’Geetgl. Grey’s speech was most effective; altogether the debate was the most brilliant one that has taken place iy the House for years past; so many good speakers rising in succession. The Hon. Mr. Bowen’s speech was very good, though amounting to nothing. The Wellington Post on Saturday, while warmly praising Sir George Grey's speech, and admitting that he got the better of Stafford on many points, warns him that it was not calculated to satisfy the country, because, if it meant Anything it meant that at the general election he would take his stand in favour of a status in quo, as opposed to the abolition of provinces. It warns him that he has mistaken public opinion, if he thinks the people love provincial institutions, and deem them suitable to the circumstances of the colony, or if they consider their liberties are bound up with them. It urges him to bring forward a rival scheme in simplification of the constitution and administrative machinery, as one being better able to devise a satisfactory measure than the present ministry, and concludes that if he does not do so, he will be hopelessly beaten. Notice of Government bills will be given on Tuesday (yesterday) ; Financial stateincut will probably be delivered on Friday next. , AUCKLAND. A petition is in circulation to the Assembly by the publicans, praying for the opening of hotels from one to Ogee and seven to ten oh Sundays. The Fiji papers contain further details of fearful mortality from measles. Many of the natives driven to desperation have committed suicide and burned villagee; dead bodies are left exposed to be eaten by pigs and dogs. The number of deaths on the Island of Vita Lau alone is estimated St 18,700.