NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1228, 25 March 1870, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

Wtslltsqtos, March 16th. The Government have received a private telegram to the effect that Te Kooti has reappeared in the neighborhood of Tauranga. The colonial prize firing will take place in Dunedin on the 29th and 30th April.

Nelsok, March 16th. A new reef has been discovered at "Wangapeka, half a mile to the north of Culliford's claim. It was rushed by 80 men by candlelight The prospects are good.

Chbistchtjbch, March 16th. The proposal of the Government that it should construct the Northern Eailway itself, was strenuously opposed in the Provincial Council. The debate was adjourned until this evening. The Lyttelton Times of to-day publishes the official agricultural statistics, from which it appears that there are 217,528 acres of land under crop in Canterbury.

Hokthka, March 16th. The Otago Times correspondent thus refers to the loss of the steamer Charles Edward in Martin's Bay : — The Survey party landed at Lake Kakapo on the 28th ult. The steamer in returning to the river mouth struck a snag and filled. The cargo, crew, and passengers were landed on the sandpit. There are no appliances here to raise the vessel. It will be a work of time, and will probably cost a thousand pounds. A message was attempted to be sent via Queenstown, but the river was too high and the messenger was obliged to return. The Captain proceeds by boat to Hokitika for help. The entrance to the river is very good. The Survey house is nearly finished, and the other works are in progress. We have received the following telegram from our special reporter, who accompanied the expedition : — " The Martin's Bay expedition landed at Lake M'Kerrow, on Monday, February 28th, all well. The Charles Edward steamed up into the lake and landed the party. On her return she struck on a snag in the river, and was beached. The cargo was landed high and dry. The passengers and crew landed in safety, and camped on the sandspit. A party tried to proceed to Queenstown overland, but the rivers were in flood, and they had to turn back at the crossing of the Hollyford river." Our Hokitika correspondent telegraphs the following additional particulars: — " The s.s. Kennedy left last night in search of the Charles Edward. She picked up the captain of that vessel and a boat's crew in a whale boat three miles from the bar. They were then five days out from Martin's Bay. They state that the passengers and the remainder of the crew are living in teuts on shore, and are all well. The cargo was saved, and it is expected that the vessel herself will be raised, as her deck is only covered at high water. The Kennedy left again this morning, to bring up the passengers and crew." Cromwell, March 16th. Logan and Co.'s washing-up for the week ending on Tuesday night gave 2000 ounces of amalgam. The yield is estimated at the rate of 10 ounces to the ton. WELLDTOTOir, March 17th. Mr Justice Johnston is suffering from an attack by a gazelle, which knocked Kirn down, and ripped up his arm and leg. Sergeant-Major Bullen has been promoted to be Acting Sab-Inspector. March 21st. The Circular Saw Company's tender for the interprovincial mail service between the Bluff and the Manukau, in j connection with the San Eraneisco service, \ has been accepted. It commences at the Bluff on the 25th instant. A deputation from the Tricker Defence Committee had an interview with the Government to-day. Mr Gisborne promisedto give them a reply when Mr Fox returned. Napier, March 17th, The Star of the South has arrived from Auckland. She called at Tauranga on her way, in order to land Colonels Moule and Lyon, who were proceeding thither to investigate the case of Colonel Eraser, who was arrested by Colonel M'DonnelTs. orders. On their arrival there, however, they found that Colonel Eraser had died of fever two days previously. Eopata, who entered the Uriwera country by way of Ngatapa, has not been heard of for 14 days. He is supposed to be at the head of Lake Waikaremoana. Te Kooti made a raid on a Native settlement at Opape,near Opotiki, on the 7th inst. He captured a number of women and children, and killed several men, among the latter being the only son of William Marsh, the Arawa chief. The women and children belonged to the Wakakdtotea hapu. Some of the women who escaped report that Te Kooti killed between 20 and 30 women and children, sparing only the young women. These he has carried off with him into the mountains, whither he has once more retreated. Kemp and Topia are in pur-

| suit. The Arawas are said to be furious at Marsh's loss. Nelson, March 21sfc. Details are to hand of the attack od Opape, which is a Native settlement six or eight miles from Opotiki. The first reports are not corroborated, and the pari ticulars are not quite clear. Only five | persons appear to have been killed, while about 50 were made prisoners. The Arawas are greatly incensed at young ! Marsh's death, "for which they will ; demand utu. The reported butchery I of women and children by Te Kooti is ; not confirmed. A steamer is much wanted for the conveyance of the Arawas. Some think that the occupants of the pah were willing prisoners, many of them being Hauhaus. The cause of Colonel Fraser's death was typhoid fever. . There is no news of importance from the Thames. The returns from a few of ' the claims are tolerably good. The Ohinemuri news is to the effect that the natives are about to hold a meeting. Their "talk " is to eschew the past, to make peace, and as one family to open up the Ohinemuri country. Deputations from the King and the Waikato natives are expected to be present. Major Brown has resigned his Beat for Omata in the General Assembly. A machine for crushing quartz specimens is at work at Taranaki, A meeting of the neutral and hostile natives has been opened at Pariaka, 35 miles from New Plymouth. The business of the meeting has not yet commenced, but anticipations of a favorable result are indulged in. A very warm welcome was given by the meeting to Mr Paras, Major Brown, and other Europeans • who | accompanied them, as well as to the friendly natives. Chbistchurch, March 17th. It has been decided to carry the Railway along the route proposed by the Government. The adoption of the bonus or guarantee system to contractors is now under discussion. St. Patrick's Day passed over quietly; March 18th. A smart shock of earthquake was 1 experienced here last night, at 11.28. \ It appeared to travel "fromi N.E. to S^WV No damage was done. v Hokitika, March 20. i The following are the results of "the Greymouth races : — Thursday, March 17. — Trial Stakes — Economy, 1 ; ; Ma-; genta, 2 ; Robin Hood, 3. Lottery Plate —Prince Patrick, 1 • Dick Turpin, 2 j Sir Tatton, 3. Town Plate — Backbiter; 1 ; Magenta, 2. Butchers' Purse— Robin Hood, 1; Trooper, 2. Hurdle Race — Trump, 1 ; Blink Bonny, 2 ; Brown Stout, 3. Hack Race — Mazeppa, 1 ; Selim, 2 ; Moss Rose, 3. Friday, March 18. — Publicans' Purse — Dick Turpin, 1; Skelton, 2j Sir Tatton, 3. Greymouth/ Handicap — Backbiter, 1 ; Magenta, % Selling Stakes — Prince Patrick, 1;; Deception, 2. Ladies' Purse — Dick Turpin, 1 j Trooper, 2 ; Sir Tatton, 3. Westland Hurdle Handicap — Trump, l^j ; . Blink Bonny, 2 ; Brown Stout, 3. Consolation Stakes — Deception, 1 ; Corsair, 2 ; Sir Tatton, 3. ' ] [ Tokomaibieo, March 21st. . The nomination for the election of a candidate to represent the Bruce district in the General Assembly, in the room of Mr John Cargill, took place to-day. Mr J. C. Brown was proposed by Mr J. L. Gillies, and seconded by Mr Henry Clark. There was no opposition, 'and Mr Brown was consequently declared duly elected. There was but little excitement, not more than 25 electors being present. _DuHEpnr, 24th March. The attendance at the race-course yesterday was good, and the several ■ events went off well. The Maiden Plate of 65 soys. was won by, JR. M. Morten's Southern Chief j the ' trbtting race, 40"] soys., by Mr Pollock's Straggler. ' Southern Chief also carried off the Dunedin Handicap of 130 sots. The Taieri Stakes of 60 soys. were won by Atlas, belonging to the same owner." The, Ladies' Parse of 50 soys. was taken by Webb's Tantrum. .- / ' .