NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1273, 1 July 1870, Page 2

NORTHERN NEWS.

: — ♦ BY ELEGTBIG TELEGRAPH. — : — .»— - (PSOM: OUtt OW.V CORRESPONDENT.) • ■ Dunkdin", June 30. j The Daily Times' Wellington correspondent says: — " The Finincial St\tement wras received yery .coldly, with fraquent jjfesfcs of ridicule. Mr Reader Wood ■EUemned ..the financial policy as wildest, most visionary, most unpractical, and most impracticable scheme • ever listened to. He wished to divide the House by resolution. Mr Yogel twitted him with having come to the House with a foregone conclusion. Mr Grillies heartily endorsed Mr Wood's words, that the policy wa3 wild and extravagant in the extreme. If carried, every sensible man would quit the country as soon as the fictitious prosperity induced by reckless expenditure en abled property to be advantageously sold. He objected strongly to the adoption of the resolution in favor of protective duties. Mr Stafford and Mr Fitzherbert, without expressing any opinion on the general scheme, . urged that the committee was bound in honor to adopt the resolution, as the had disclosed the items on which the duty was to be altered, which he had said he would not do if the committee objected "to authorise their temporary collection, and the committee had not dissented. Mr Fitzherbert gave ( Mr Yogel credit for having made a candid statement. Mr Fox promised that no GJ-overnment business would be proceeded with until the Statement had been fully discussed, and opportunity afforded for discussing every item of the proposed alterations in the tariff. Mr Reader Wood then withdrew immediate opposition, saying he had come with every predisposition to support the Government, but was sorry to say he found it impossible to do so." Other accounts deny that the Statement was badly received. The Daily Times considers it doubtful whether, in the present temper of the Colony, the marked disapprobation with which certain influential members of the Assembly greeted the budget, will meet with any general response, and counsels an appeal to the country, when they would be sure to carry their point. The Evening Star findß no fault with the proposals of the Grovernment, but blames them for neglecting to submit proposals for the settlement of the relations between the two Islands. Severe floods occurred on the Molynoux on Friday last, there beirtg much destruction to mining property. One life was lost.

"We take the follow ing telegraphic summary from our Northern files : — Wellington, June 22. The Ballot Bill was read a second time to-day. It was opposed by Mr Carleton and Mr Hall. No other business of importance took place. Leave of absence for a week was granted to Meßsrß Ormond, Birch, and Howorth. June 23. Colonel Haultain's motions were all carried without debate. In reply to a question, the Government stated that they did nofe intend to introduce a general measure regarding primary education, but would ask for the appointment of a Committee to consider the subject of a Colonial University. A week's leave of absence has been granted to Mr Driver, and a fortnight's to Mr Jollie. Mr Richmond has brought in a Bill for the protection of the property of married women. He proposed to place married women in the same position with regard to the control of their property as if they were unmarried. He supported the measure in a lqng and excellent speech, which was highly applauded by both sides. Mr M'Gillivray has given notice that on Wednesday next he will move the following motion : — " That in the opinion of this House, the Imperial Government has failed in its duty to the colony." The Government have settled the claim of the Wanganui natives for pay. They claimed £15,000, but accepted "£12,500. The greater portion of the money was paid to Kemp and Topia, the balance being retained to meet orders on the Treasury given by them to tradesmen. The Government have given instructions -for the prosecution of the half-caste Hamilton, for perjury in his evidence against Tricker, six year 3 ago. Mr Reynolds's resolutions are generally considered crude, ill-timed, and not likely to command support. The Northern members, however, will take advantage of the opportunity to raise the question of the localisation of the Land Fund, and to call for a revision of the compact of 1556. The feeling on this point is very strong among the Auckland members, who covet the Middle Island Land Fund. The Government, it is expected, will move the previous question, on the ground that proposals involving important constitutional changes should not emanate from private members. June 24. The Otago Educational Reserves Abandonment Bill has passed through the House. Mr J. C. Brown to-day moved for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Otago Hundreds Eegulation Act. Mr Macandrew, who. had just given notice for next week that he would introduce a Bill to amend the same Act, objected to Mr Brown's motion being taken before his. .Mr Eeynolds and Mr Yogel also opposed the motion. The latter suggested that the previous question should be moved, in order to shelve the motion. Mr Stafford- suggested the adjournment of Mr Brown's motion, until Mr Macandrew's had been disposed of. He said that he had taken no part in this dis-

cussion last session, bein:* unacquainted with the merits of the case, but subsequent enquiries had perfectly convinced him that the Act contained many unfortunate provisions, and was calculated to operate prejudicially to the interests of. the province. If the Act were to come before the House a^ain, he would opposo it. The uncertainty of the land laws of the province caused great anxiety, and lowered the value of property of all kinds. What was wanted was a complete revision of the existing system, so as to withdraw from the runholders the exclusive occupation of the land, to release them from their ruinous rent, and to throw the whole country open for selection to those who wished to buy land at a fair price. The Hundreds Act locked up a quantity of the land, and was very obnoxious to a large section of the population of the province. j Mr Haughton said that he agreed with } every word spoken by Mr Stafford, and | moved the adjournment of the debate for a week, which was agreed to. The House shortly afterwards adjourned till Tuesday night, when the Financial Statement will be made. The Government do not intend to send delegates to the Intercolonial Conference. The reason assigned by them is that one of the representatives would require to be a minister, and that one cannot be spared. Mr H. R. Kane, an old settler, and lately a draper here, was found dead in his bed this morning. Heart disease issupposed to have been the cause of death, as he was apparently in good health. A dwelling-house in Bolton street was totally consumed by fire this afternoon. June 26. Negotiations are pending between -the Circular Saw Company and the purchasers of the New Zealand Company's plant for an amalgamation, which iB likely to result successfully. Mr H. T. Kemp has been appointed Under Secretary in the Native Office. He is an old interpreter in the service. Najpieb, June 24. The Star of the South went ashore at high water last night four miles to the south of Napier Bluff. A dense fog is said to have been the cause of the mishap. She is high and dry on the beach, and her cargo has been saved. Her main mast is Bprung a foot, and the stays carried away. It is feared that" her back is broken. Latest accounts state that there are three feet of water in the engine room. Mr Locke has completed the purchase of 500 acres of land on Lake Taupo, at the outlet of the "Waikato River. Blenheim, June 26. A Masonic ball was given here on Eriday, and proved an immense success. 120 couples were present. The Wairau river being flooded, the chain at the ferry parted, and the punt was carried away. Communication, except by telegraph, is consequently stopped.