NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1253, 20 May 1870, Page 2

NORTHERN NEWS.

■ ■ • ...-.■ "We take the follow iag telegraphic summary from the Otaqb Daily Times: — Auckland, May 8. A petition to the Superintendent has been adopted against the goldfield commission award. Mr W. Austin, C.E., has published an elaborate report on the dock accommodation at the port of Auckland. Mr Busby's claim is at last settled. The Provincial Government pay £23,000. The General Government guarantee to support the proposed loan to the Provincial Government. . - r The agricultural statistics published show acres under crop, 155,025.; increase on 1868, 32,631 j land broken but iot in crop, 12,092; increase on 1868, 2,518 acres. The quantity of wheat produced is less than 1868 by 9,889 bushels-; oats, 8,106 ; barley, 532. A passenger from Natal, via Mauritius, brings the latest news of Dr Livingstone. Letters dated December, 1869, from him, were published in the , Natal papers. He is all right, and hopes to come out at the end of February. He was making towards the mouth of the Zambezi. More Native surrenders are reported. Te Kooti's followers are deserting him. ■■■•■ WELLEfGTOir, May 11. At the adjourned inquest to-day, on the late fire in Cuba-street, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that there was no. evidence to show how it originated. A public meeting was held last night in favor of the establishment of a steam mail service between Melbourne and San Francisco, via "Wellington. Mr Taylor, the Duputy-Superintendent, occupied the chair. The following resolutions wer» passed unanimously :■ — (1) , " That it i& of the greatest importance to the colony of New Zealand that a regular monthly mail steam service should be established between Melbourne and San Francisco, the vessels to call at Wellington ; the Honolulu service to be performed by vessels of large size and sufficient power, having proper accommodation for a considerable number of passengers, and ample room for cargo ; the contract to be entered into with parties who are known to have suitable steamers under their control, and to be able to give a guarantee that the service will be efficiently; carried out." (2) " That the Committee be appointed to take the most energetic steps for the promotion of the above object, _, to adopt 'the best means of communicating with all j the Legislatures, Governments, and other ! bodies or individuals likely to concur in its attainment, to procure; and diffuse the fullest possible information on the subject, to collect funds for defraying tne preliminary expenses, and generally to employ the most expedient methods available for agitating public opinion in favor of the plan." (3.) " That it is highly desirable that the co-operation of the Victorian Government be secured in any contract for the establishment of an Australian American mail service, and that the -Hon. W. Fitzherbert, the Hon. C. J. Pharazyri, and Mr W. B. Rhodes be appointed a deputation to wait on the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce to induce it to urge the Govecnment_of Yictorialo. join this colony in initiating and supporting such a service." A committee of 21 members was then nominated. MrTravero opposed the granting of any subsidy for mail services while roads and bridges required to be made to open up communication with the interior, and announced his intention to oppose the granting of asubsidy in the House. He denounced Mr Vogel's contract as a miserable job, utterly indefensible, and done for his own interest. Mr Travera's views on the subject of a mail subsidy were received with great disfavor by the meeting. MrCollie, accompanied by Messrs Pharazyu and Ehodes, leaves to-morrow by.Jhe Tararua. , May 13th. Tricker did not receive a free pardon, his sentence being only commuted to imprisonment to date. He was released to : day, and left immediately for Wanganui, where his wife and family reside. . The steamer Beautiful Star struck on a snag when coming out of the river at "Wanganui, -and was -seriously damaged. Her cargo was taken out of her and landed by the John Perm. . , Nelsoh May 11. News up to Friday last, brought to Auckland by a cutter from Opotiki, states that the rebels are 'mjict^dis- * heartened, and are willing to surrender if the Government will grant them protection. Three of them gave themselves up before the cutter left. ' - . " / _ There is still no sign of jteLCh«rles Edward, now eight days out from Westport to Hokitika. ' , .■-' r- ■■-> In the Provincial Council last night, Mr Luckie moved a vote of want of confidence in the Government. The previous question was then moved, and was carried J on a division by the carting vote off the J Speaker. .'■■-.-- • ■■--^-■•-9 "j * M

Cheistchfbch, May 13. Mr Fox addressed the citizens in the Town Hall last night. The Mayor presided, and the meeting was a very large one. Mr Fox, who was enthusiastically received, spoke for an hour and a-half, but with the exception of the introductory congratulations on the prosperity of Canterbury, his speech was simply a repetition of the one delivered by him in Dunedin. At its close, a vote of thanks to Mr Fox was proposed and carried. Hoeitika, May 12. The Rangitoto reports the Charles Fdward as inside Cape Farewell Spit on Tuesday night. She has brought on her mails and passengers here.