NEW ZEALAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2159, 19 February 1880, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

[Per “ Times” Special Wire.] An Epidemic of Crime. Auckland, Feb. 19. -- Eight cases of assaults on females are down for the next criminal session. Counterfeit sixpences are in circulation. James John Pook, has been arrested, charged with embezzling the funds of the Oddfellows’ Lodge, of which he was Secretary. The accused has been remanded ; bail accepted in £2OO. Simon alias Joe, a Fijian,was charged with attempted rape on a child, under live years of age, at Parnell. Superintendent Thomas asked for a remand for a week which was granted. The Parihaka meeting 1 . Hawera, Feb. 19.— The Natives returned from Parihaka yesterday, hut did not visit the commissioners at Oio. Te Whiti told them that those who visited the commissioners were chaff ; the wheat was all bagged at Parihaka; but ho left it to their own option to visit the commissioners. The letter from the commissioners to the tribes at Parihaka was read, but had no effect in inducing the natives. It was pointed out that it would not be considered proper for an adulterous man to enquire into his own sin, and that Sir William Fox was a Government man enquiring into the faults of the Government. The Natives present numbered about 700, They resolved to have no lighting, nc survey; and no law enquiries. They made presents of food to the Constabulary. A great meeting takes place at Parihaka in March. Belligerent Natives. Napier, Feb. 19—The Natives on Harding’s Station, Mount Vernon, have stopped men fencing, under threats of violence. Major Scully and an Interpreter have left for Mount Vernon. A survey party from the disturbed Patca country returned to town to-day, they having been threatened by Natives. It is also reported, though the report as yet lacks confirmation, that men have been turned off Moorehouse’s Station at Patea. Asisted Immigration Denounced. Wellington, Fob. 19.—Mr Albert Pitt, M.H.11., addressed the electors for „ the city last night, speaking for an hour 1 -J and a half. He was well received. , A pretty strong feeling 'was expressed by the meeting that it was desirable _to stop all free and assisted immigration and the opinion was also expressed that the pay to immigration officers should be stopped and other public expenditure curtailed greatly on account of the pressure of taxation. He received a unanimous vote of thanks. The Akaroa Railway. Christchurch, Feb. 19.—An influential deputation from Akaroa waited upon the Minister of Works to-day rc railway to Akaroa. After hearing what the de-

putatiori liiul to say, tlie Minister replied that a contract for plate-laying - one section would be called for at once, and no time would be lost in forming another section. Further progress would depend upon the action of Parliament. Another Appointment. Dunedin, Feb. 19.—The “ Oamaru Mail” states, that J. H. Pope, cx-master of the Girls’ High School, has been appointed Inspector of Native Schools in both Islands. Washes Dispute. The .Builders’ Association has fixed the wages of bricklayers at 12s per day, carpenters, 10s, and laborers, Bs. The Carpenters’ Association has declined to accept less than 12s. , Fat Sinecures in Danger. A meeting of ratepayers last night to consider the excessive salaries paid by the Corporation to their officers, was adjourned, pending a report from the Council on the same subject. Doss of a a Cutter. - Invercargill,' Feb. 19.—1 tis reported that the cutter Alarm has been lost at Chalky Inlet, on the West Coast. Don’t Dike their Quarters. The Invercargill Volunteers, if they attend the Christchurch review, will bring- their own tents or look out for their pwn accommodation. The strongest objection is felt against the Immigration Barracks, the more so as the Invercargill Demonstration Committee, last year, would not ask the Northern men to go into the Invercargill Barracks. Communications from Dunedin show that similar disgust is felt there ; and strong comments are also made about the Christchurch Committee demanding from Volunteers double the contribution per man that was charged here. With five shillings per man the Invercargill Committee had, after paying everything, a balance of some li2bo in hand. Reaper Contest.

A reaper and binder contest was held yesterday, under the auspices of the Southland Agricultural Society. Marshall’s harvester, with the Decring binder, made magnificent work, not a single band breaking. The first prize, a gold medal, was awarded a machine entered by Mason and Struthers, of Christchurch. The second prize was awarded the Osborne wire-binder.