NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1173, 29 November 1869, Page 2

NORTHERN NEWS.

"Wellington, November 22nd. A special messenger who arrived here to-day brought the news that the surveyors had been warned by the natives not to survey the Manawatu Block. Both sellers and non-sellers are united in takiug this step, the former saying that the award of the Native Lands Court with respect to some of the reserves has not been compared (?), and the latter intimating their intention to oppose the survey or settlement of the block in any case. The Provincial Council was opened to-day by tbe Superintendent. In his address he alluded to the Manawatu difficulty, which hesaidwas not important, but was owing to tho baneful influence of those who had always caused mischief and trouble, and who would never be quiet till they were brought under the operation of the Disturbed Districts Act, which he hop -d would soon be the case. He also alluded to the probability of a mail service to San Francisco being shortly established. He suggested that an Ordinance should be passed to enable him when in England to settle the dispute wilh the Messrs Kennard, and to arrange for the construction of the patent slip, so as to give Wellington a chance of being made the port of call for the new line. He spoke of the importance of his going home next mail, but said he was entirely iv the hands of the Council in the matter.