AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3416, 3 December 1879, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Last night.

A lad named Swinburne, aged 10, has been arrested for sheep stealing. The prisoner stabbed a man, who endeavored to arrest him, in two places.

There are 17 candidates for the senior and 31 for tho junior Civil Service examination.

Acceptances for the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase close to-morrow night at 8 o'clock.

At a meeting of the Cambridge Jockey Club it was decided to hold the first meeting on January 15, 1880, money prizes to be offered to the raiuo of £310. Thomas Russell and tho To Aroha Block. At the Waste Lands Board meeting today the difficulties orer the Te Aroha Block assumed a new phase. The Chairman bad received a letter from Mr Htgketh, solicitor, which affected a large and very valuablei piece of the Te Aroha Block. The letter enclosed a copy of one forwarded to the Hon. the Native Minister claiming on behalf of Mr Thomas liussell r largo block in the Te Aroha, which he claimed in fulfilment of a promise made by James. Mackay on behalf of tho Government. He enclosed Mackay's letter, which stated thai in consideration of Kusaell not opposing the Government in certain land purchasts they were then negotiating he would receive a Crown grant for the land referred to when the purchase of the Tc Aroha was completed. Mr Russell accordingly

had been negotiating, and he now claimed the fulfilment of the promise made to him. The Chairman said no reply had yet been received from the Native Minister, and he did not know what actiou the Government would take in the matter. Of course this stopped the sale of the land claimed ai present, which is between 7000 and 8000, and was no doubt the bout land in the block.—Mr Tonks thought it somewhat singular that this claim should only crop up now. Why did it not arise when it wus proposed to sell the land to Broomhall P.—Other members coincided in expressing surprise at the claim now made after the Board had been at great expense surveying the land.—lt was agreed that the treatment of the portion claimed should stand over for the present, and to offer other portions for sale ; also to send a copy of the letter from Mr Hesketh to the Hon. Minister of Lands.