PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1833, 17 November 1874, Page 2

PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.

Auckland, This day. ' Two fresh cases of scarlet fever have appeared among the Hydaspes passengers at the Quarantine Station. Most of the saloon passengers are southerners. There is great complaint among them about not being separated from the Government immigrants. Mr. Day, of the firm of Haywood and Co., Christchurch, has sent a petition to the Superintendent, protesting. Mr. Collins, of Nelson, and aged eighty years, is in a low state of mind, and passengers fear that unless removed within a few days he will die. He is not Buffering from any disease. The passengers are put to great inconvenience through want of water and sanitary conveniences.

Wellington, Monday. Mi. Walter Johnstone, M.Li.R., and a number of influential settlers waited on Ministers to-day and presented a petition addressed to his Excellency the Governor, signed by upwards of 600 people, praying for the release, of Alexander McDonald. A similar petition from a large number of Maoris was also presented. The Ministers stated that a Cabinet Council would be held this afternoon, prior to His Excellency's departure, when the petitions would be considered. The result is not known.

His Excellency, who was seen off by a number of gentleman, went on board his yacht about five o'clock this afternoon.

In the Divorce Court to-day the lule was made absolute for a decree in the case of Carpenter v. Carpenter, sent from the Auckland Supreme Court.

Weliington, This day. Dr. Pollen and Major Gampbell (Clerk of Parliament) accompany His Excellency in his yacht. The Times this morning announces that Mr. Bowen, E.M., Christchurch, has been appointed a Minister of the Crown, and announces the appointment. The News is not aware what claim he has. He may be an able man, but we object (says the News) in most emphatic terms to a gentleman being taken from the rank and file of the civil service and pitchforked into the position of Minister of the Crown. The outcry that was made in the case of Gisborne's elevation and retirement is as nothing to what ought to be made on account of this latest Ministerial performance. The country groans under the weight of the civil service. It is made subject to tribute in the most literal and unmistakeable way and if it submits to have its ministers elevated for a season from the ranks of the civil service, and then, having served their purpose, retreating again within its lines, it may abandon all hope of economical or efficient Government. We are friends and supporters of the Government, but Ministers are not infallible, they are liable to err: and in this case their error is of the most serious character. We can conceive of no action rightly considered so well calculated to bring the Government into contempt as this one.

Sir James Fergussoa did not grant the pardon of Alexander McDonald but left the matter to be decided by the Marquis of Normanby. It is understood Ministers have decided to recommend Normanby to grant the pardon.

Napier, Monday. The Rosario sailed this morning for Dunedin in charge of Captain Veal. Captain Crabbe also proceeds in her. Several of the crew, were taken out of gaol and put on board in irons. The cook and steward have taken their discharge and forfeit £50 wages rather than go on the vessel.