WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3291, 9 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day., The New Zealander says the Governor's speech at the opening of Parliament will. not be given until Friday. The House will be opened by commission, a speaker will" be elected, and then it will be formally adjourned till Tuesday, .when the' Governor's speech will be given. ' Fitzhcrbert, as Speaker of the Upper House, took the formal oaths of office yesterday. Very little doubt now remains that, the wreck at Fencarrow is the remains of the Swallow wrecked in Tory Channel. The objections raised against the Land Tax "Valuations, were heard at the R.M. Court this morning. There > were 2,205 objectors' names on the list, but comparatively few put in an appearance. Where the objectors could show the rating being excessive the rate was reduced. The Eesident Magistrate today declined t6 hear a legal argument in favor of objectors. Kllaby, land commission agent, will call a meeting of his creditors to-day. As soon as Parliament meets the Government are going to ask to have a second Eesident Magistrate appointed for Wellington; they would have appointed a second one before this, but no appropriation had been made for such an office.

Two of the crew of the Swallow identified the figurehead as.,belonging to that Vessel. ' ■ . : ,- .. . : .-'■■;'. .;■ .: . -■'.■■ ' ; Shares in the Imperial Opera House, seven pounds paid up, sold to-day for the— pounds (Query, three pounds). ■■■■■■■;:/; Tuesday. The Maori prisoners in the Constabulary Barracks are represented as being fairly looked after in the way of food and clothing, and are as contented r as can he expected under the circumstances. In addition to the Government rations little luxuries are supplied to them by sympathisers in the town. Some of them yesterday expressed a strong wish to taste some of the Wellington mussels, and to-day some of the natives here went out in a boat to procure some. Tobacco has been brought by various visitors, including the Minister, who sent up a quantity for their use last night. The Maoris say that the ploughing will be continued after the men are all taken. They observe it will be carried on by the women, and after them by the children. The natives, when stating this intention, added .'.half-jokingly, " The Government have taken our land; now we mean to make them spend some money on us." A large number of the prisoners apptar* to be so-called "Friendly natives." It'is said two of them acted as guided to us in,, the late war. They still adhere firmly io the statement that they are only 'contesting for their rights, and state that they

petitioned Parliament repeatedly without avail, and at length they were driven to take extreme msasures. They also state that they are acting under the orders of To Whiti, obeying him as soldiers would obey a general, trusting that he will only give them such orders as are justified by expediency. One of them was asked if he would hang himself if Te Whiti told him to do so. He laughed and said he would not. It is expected that a special sitting for trying the Maori ploughers will be held, about six weeks hence. No evidence, or even a list of the prisoners' names is ready yet. The Native Minister received a telegram to-day, stating that a meeting of the followers of Te Matu (rival prophet of Te Whiti) has been held, when 150 were present, and all declared themselves on the sffte of the Government. No further information has been received regarding the wreckage near,the; Heads. Some think it is that of the Swallow, recently wreckod in Tory Channel.