NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1183, 17 December 1869, Page 2

NORTHERN NEWS.

♦ Nelson, December 9th. The question of the Wangapeka land sales is still unsettled, as the diggers refused to allow the surrey of the land to be made. Mr Warden Broad sent surveyors to survey the land, but they were stopped by the miners, and pushed back by a man of the name of Noble. A warrant was issued for the apprehension of Noble, on the change of assaulting the surveyors, and the police went to apprehend him. Noble, however, was protected by the diggers, and the police were compelled to return without accomplishing their object. No violence was used, but the miners expressed their determination to hold the land. Mr Domett, Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, is here. He has been instructed by the General Government to enquire into the matters set forth in the petition signed by 700 miners and inhabitants of Nelson as to the validity of the sales, and as to whether the land is within the proclaimed boundary of the south-west goldfields. The state of affairs is considered critical, and the progress of the place is meanwhile arrested. Napier, December 9th. The Star of the South brings later news from Auckland. A new leader has been struck in the Otago claim. It is supposed to be the same reef as that in the Golden Crown claim. New leaders have also been struck in the Shotover and Missouri claims. There is a great demand for scrip in the Otago, Belfast, and Eureka claims. Mr M'Lean arrived at the Thames on Friday last. He intends to visit Ohinemuri. The Mohaka natives, while out scouting the other day, discovered a camping ground of the Hauhaus, and followed up the tracks. One scout has now been missing for four days, and a party started yesterday in search of him. Wellington, December 10th. At a meeting of merchants held here to-day a deputation was appointed to wait on the Government and urge the renewal of the system of subsidising steamers for the conveyance of the English mails to and from Melbourne. Th© deputation -will have an. interview with the Government; on the subject tomorrow. The Government are understood to be favourably disposed towards the renewal of the contract with Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co. Earl Granville's despatch relative to ] the removal of the troops, is very decided and imperative.

The following telegram was handed to us yesterday by his Honor the Superin- j tendent, with the request that it might be published : — "WfiLiiiNGTOisr, Dec. 16th, 3.40 p.m. j The Superintendent of Southland. j Be good enough to give publicity to the accompanying notice : — " Caution to the public. Police office, "Wellington 15th Dec. 1869. Notice is hereby given that a certain quantity of sugar having been sent by Dr Grace to the Government laboratory this day, upon being i analysed by Mr Skey, was found to contain a considerable quantity of arsenic. The sugar in question was recently purchased by Mr Henry Yates, of Moles-worth-street, grocer, and was sold by him from the 4th to the 1] th insfc., inclusive. The unsold portion of the sugar was immediately handed over to the custody of the police by Mr Tates on the discovery being made. — Frederick Atchison, Inspector of Police." (Signed) Gisboene.