NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2138, 28 January 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Pee “Times” Special Wiee.] The Northern Land Scramble. Auckland, Jan. 28. —Mr Sheehan proceeded to Waikato last night, where lie will enter into partnership with Whitaker and Grace, and pass through 300,000 acres of laud in the Pataroa district, most of which, is fit for cultivation. Fifty thousand acres are to be sold on defended payment, probably as a special settlement. Whitaker, Douglas, Walkex*, 11. Jackson and others, who have advanced separately

on the lands have agreed to combine, and they hope that the Government, which has also advanced, will abandon its claims by arrangement with them. Many blocks overlap, and the claimants have taken money from all sides. The Native Office. Great reductions are being ma le in the salaries of Native Office officials, native assessors, and others. Paul, of Oraki, will receive a life pension of £IOO a-year instead of his £3OO salary. Abolition of Tolls. The Government refuses to abolish tolls in many counties. Railway Works. The second tenders for the section oE the Waikato-Thames line to the Thames will shortly be called. There is great dissatisfaction that the Government has not replied to the telegram from the Chamber of Commerce, urging the resumption of the railway reclamation contract, as the earth is rapidly silting up the Harbor through want of protective works. ';' f 1 . Band for. Settlement. At the Waste Lands Board yesterday a resolution was passed approving of the granting of the To Puke land to Yesey Stewart, A telegram from the Government advised the Board not to deal witli Bnsell’s claims to Peanohana’s land pending an enquiry. The Board agecd to open the unsold blocks of the Te Aruba land on deferred payment at £‘2 an acre. ! A Bridge Swept Away. Wkstj’OUT, Jan. 28.—Heavy Hoods in the Waingongoro River on Monday carried away the Koronui Company’s bridge, which was only recently erected. Missed Fire. The. perjury, ease Johnston v; O’Connor, in the R.M. Court, was dismissed. The Waimate Invasion. Nokmanuy, Jan. 28. ; —Major Goring and 02 men arrived at Kaikake from Opunake on Monday afternoon, making in all 200 men under Colonel Roberts. The camp is cleared and in good order, and the men arc bard at work at the road. There are no Native visitors, and all the men are exceedingly well conducted. The camp is much pleasanter since the rain of yesterday morning. New Zealand Wool at Sydney. Wellington, Jan. 28.—The following is a list of the awards granted to the New Zealand wool exhibits. Long wool (in grease) from any variety of sheep other than merino, sub-class 26 : —Six ram hoggets, unskirted, commended, Dr McNicoll (Auckland). Subclass 27, six owes fleeces, unskilled, first prize James Wallace (Auckland.) Subclass 28, six ewe hoggets fleece, imskirted. first prize, Charles Reid. Supplementary competitive exhibits : Division G. wool in grease, other breeds Sub-class 25, six ram tlceces, unskirted, highly commended, W. H. Watt and Baker and Allison. Sub-class 26, six ram hoggets fleeces, uuskirted, highly commended, W. H. Wait and Owen and Lethbridge. Sub-class 27, six ewes fleeces, unskilled, highly commended W. H. Walt. Subclass 28, six ewe hoggets fleeces unskirted, commended C. W. Tancred and W. H. Watt. This division of wool was ahead of other breeds. Subclass 29, six ram fleeces, unskirted, highly commended W. H, Watt. Subclass 30, six ram hogget fleeces, unskirted, highly commended W. H. Watt. Sub-class 31, six ewe fleeces, unskirted, highly commended W. H. Watt. Subclass 32, six ewe hogget fleeces, unskilled, highly commended W. H. Watt.

Resignation of a Commissioner. Honi Mold Tuwai has resigned his appointment as one of the Royal Commission on native affairs. It is understood that his avowed motive in the course ho has taken was Ids dissatisfaction at the restricted functions of the Commission ; that they did not compass all that was required for the satisfactory exposition of the differences that divided Maoris and Europeans, and altogether avoided the. main issue—confiscation of Maori territory ; and, moreover, that the Commission recognised the legality of confiscation. A Fete Abandoned. Cliuisrciiumai, Jan. 28.—At a meeting of- the sub-committee of the Irish Famine Fund, this morning, it was decided that in view of the Christmas holidays being just over ami farmers being engaged in harvesting, and us the district is just recovering from a severe period of depression, it would be inexpedient to held a monster fete, as suggested. The Farmers’ Relegates. The Lincolnshire delegates visited the Canterbury saleyanls to-day while the sales Avcre going on. They aflerAvards diwe to Mr Garforth’s farm at Sprcvdon, and thence to the Cashmere Estate. Fire at Oamaru. OAMAKU, Jan. 28.— A tiro broke out to-day at the hack of Bailey and Humphrey's store. The Queen's Hotel and back ..premises,, together Avith two contiguous buildings, have been completely gutted. Several thousand pounds Avorth of damage lias been done, and the tiro is still burning. Volunteer Information. Dunedin, Jan. 28.—750 volunteers attended the inspection by Colonel Scratch ley last night. The Colonel distributed the prizes Avon at the Rifle Association’s meeting. Colonel ScratchIcy' and Major Sargood, of Victoria, strongly deprecateddrilling men in halls at night. A Raid on the Pewters. Three publicans at Blueskiu Avcre fined £3 and costs, at the City' Court, for keeping unstamped measures. A Good Offer. On (lit that the tramway proprietors offered to pay £4OO before any proceeding's Averc taken rc the Castle street accident. Immigration. By to-day’s mail applications under (be nominated system of immigration for 44 souls Avere forwarded home. Accident. Alex. McDonald bad bis right leg broken. He Avas slinging iron eastings from the hold of the lighter Dunedin Avlien a case fell on him.