WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 921, 23 March 1868, Page 9

WELLINGTON.

Eriday. Native Court is sitting at Otaki, to decide on Mauawatu claims. Mr Eox acting as Crown Counsel, at special request. Hokitika, March 14. — In Melbourne, John O'Shanassy has been elected to the "Upper House. The dead lock is causing dissatisfaction among contractors, jurymen, and witnesses. The civil servants are clamorous for money. — The wheat crop in Geelong district averages eight, to ten per bushels per acre. The wheat crop in Tasmania is light, and injured by rust. The Victorian wheat crop is below average. Parliament was to meet on 13th inst. There is groat speculation respecting the Ministerial policy. Nothing is known. — Twelve houses have been burnt down in Cambridge-street, Collingwood, on the evening of the 6th inst. — The Eev. D. M'Kenzie haa been called to the Presbyterian Church, Geelong. — George Marshall, the noted cricketer, is dead. — In New South Wales, the Irish intend celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Sydney.— The South Australian Australian Agricultural Statistics state average yield of land reaped is under seven bushels to the acre. — The corn market is firm. No alteration in the quotations. — The editor of the " Satirist" is committed for trial, for libelling the Official Assignee of Queensland. — The Gympie Creek Diggings are over populated, there being over 13,000 people there. Great distress is anticipated. — The Prince visited Ipswich on the 17th ult. He also hurridely visited Darling Downs, and returned to Sydney. Wellington, Saturday. — The Governor has not gone in the Falcon, but goes in a chartered steamer after the arrival of the Panama mail. The ' Auckland News' proclaims a holiday on the 14th inst., expecting the Governor's arrival. Great preparations are being made for his landing, All quiet on the diggings. The Commissioner has issued notice to those who refuse to vacate the jumped claims that they will be vigorously prosecuted. His oflice, shortly afterwards was robbed of the safe containing cash and documents. On offering a reward of £75, some Maories found it secreted in the creek, under the mud. A Maroi and a settler have been apprehended on suspicion. Several natives who were imprisoned for being connected with the Whakatani murder nave been released by direction of the Governor. Dunedin, March 18. — Beyond the usual band in the early morning parading the town, St. Patricks Day passed off

more than ordinarily quietly. — The Englisft Mail had not arrrived in Melbourne on the 12th. ■■•■-■•■■.•■.-'■.-.'-......,-::,: Chbisttchitbch, March 17. — The following resolution was tabled by Mr Jar.. Williams (late Provincial- Solicitor), and will be discussed in the Provincial Council to-night— " That in the opinion of this Council there can be no final settlement of the question Provincial v. Centralism, until there is a separate Legislature and Government for the Middle Island." The resolution is likely to be carried. — The convict Swale, has made * full confession, acknowledging he set fir© to the house when drunk. He denies he had any malice towards his wife.. ; He acknowledges the justice of his sentenceHe will make further confessions. , No hope of a reprieve. — Mr Kirby, of the firm of Beath, Kirby and Co., died suddenly to-day in the open street, of heart disease. Wellington, March 18. — Messrs Cra r corft Wilson, George Graham, and Lieut.-Colonel Cargill, have opened a commission at Wanganui to investigate the charges against Colonel Macdonnell on his attack upon the Pah at Ketemari* last October. — A detachment of 80 men. arrived on the 18th from Auckland. — The non-arrival of Sir George Bowen ia Auckland on the 12th caused keen disappointment, as great preparations had been made. The intimation in the news-' papers of the intended postponement of his visit only reached Auckland in the afternoon, and the Governor's letters nofc until the next day. The "Southern. Cross " published a most bitter articleThe following specimen will serve to illustrate the tone: — "If Sir George Bowen had shot one or two Maories ow landing on the wharf, it would perhapsnot have inspired them with the disguwfc that this breach of etiquette has done." Next day, however, an article appears^ --*- in which it is stated that they consider His Excellency : was fully justified im postponing bis visit. Chbistchtjbgh, March Is.— The Provincial Treasurer to-day issued his statement, showing the financial position o£ . the Province to the end of March. Assets*, L 258,89 1; liabilities, L 112,502. There is a strong reaction in influential circles in favor of Insular Separation. Chbistchttbch, March 19. — The ques--tion of Insular Separation, pure andsimple, was carried last night in the Provincial Council by a majority of nearly two to one. The " Otago Times" correspondent says the decision gives satisfaction generally, and that the Centralists are astounded, and greatly chagrined. — Eaining heavily. Wellington, March 19.— The European Mails are not expected in Mel-' bourne till the 19th, when the Claud Hamilton will probably bring them. *' ; Chbistchttbch, Eriday. — Elour.; [ £17 to £19; wheat, 5s 6d to 5s 9d,*!firm;> oats, 2s ; barley, 3s to 4s 6d. A fitin ioChristchurch is passing 300 tons'flour through tunnel to-day for shipment toMelbourne per Omeo. Wellington, Eriday. — Writs,;. . are -• Gazetted for four Maories to be electedas Eepresentatives in the General Assembly. Nomination takes place, on ! lsthtApril, at Eussell, Napier, Wanganuv and Kaipoi. ,