WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3458, 24 January 1880, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day. Three men found with an instrument for gaming in their possession, were sentenced to four weeks' hard labor. The Distress in Ireland. Dr Lemon has received the following message to the Mayor of Sydney, and I shall be glad if you will hand the same to the press agencies for publication, and also forward to the central committee for relief of the distress in Ireland:—" Lord Mayor, Dublin, to Lord Mayor, Sydney— Eeturn grateful thanks for second munificent subscription as distress increases fearfully." The Committee lias telegraphed to Melbourne, and asked that it should make known their wants.

Since the receipt of the above, another telegram has been received through Grlover of Brisbaue from a member of Parliament asking what is doing in Brisbane for the distressed Irish.

Yesterday.

It is intended to ask for a new trial in the libel case Anderson v. Kirkbride. The reply to the issue : Whether the plaintiff illrtreated his wife? should be no evidence of any personal ill-treatment or violence, but his wife did seek protection of Hoggard.

The Post to-night in a semi-official manner says after long and care.ful consideration, the Government arrived at a final and defiuite decision on Wednesday as to their course of action in reference to the native difficulty on the West Coast of this Island, including the Waimate Plains. The Hon. Mr Bryce, Native . Minister, and Maior Brown, Civil Commissioner, left for the East Coast ou Wednesday, Mr Parris having gone thither a day or two previously.

The Government have expressly instructed Major Brown to assure the natives that ample reserves will be made for them ia the Plains, and their wishes consulted as to where these shall be situated, and tiiat a ..Royal Commissioner will investigate all the alleged Government promises brought before them by Maories, who are urged to take advantage of ihis, as it is probably the last opportunity they will have of raising such quostions, which will be. dealt with fairly and impartially, and every sound claim will bo equitably redressed. Major Brown is also instructed to take every possible .opportunity of personally explaining these points to the natives (including Te Whiti himself, who will be kept officially informed of all that is done) and to circulate Maori translations of the Act and the proclamations. By the time the road h made through the Plains the commission will have reported and the Government will be in a position to proceed with the survey and peaceful settlement of the lands, after making due provisions for "all valid native claims. It will be remembered that it was reckless instrusion on some private native holdings last year that mainly provoked the forcible resistance. This is to he studiously avoided, aud indeed the utmost care is to

be used not to irritate tho feelings of the natives or to provoke their opposition. It is believed that there will bo no such opposition, but Te Whiti, being convinced, that the Government is the stronger of the two, will quietly accept the position.

The following tenders have been received for the .Waikato-contract of tho Waikato-Tlmmes railway :—Accepted : Hern and White, Auckland, £9930. Declined: Jas. Coates, Hamilton, £10,519; J. B. Eoss, Auckland, £10,688; W. Laght, Hamilton, £10,832 ; J. C. Smith, Ngaruawahia, £11,002; W. Foughey, Auckland, £11,423 ; John Heath and Co., Newton, £11,752; Robt. Farrell, Onebunga, £11,980; Wm. Cameron, Auckland, £13,743; Britton and Glendining, £12,250.

The brigantine Progress, Capt. Hyne, owned by Messrs G. W. Owen and Co. of Auckland, went ashore at Palliser Bay this morning during a thick fog. At 2 o'clock when the Messenger left the wreck the bottom was almost out of the vessel, and she was breaking up, The crew reached the shore in safety. No information has been received as to her cargo (if any), or from what port she is, and her destination. A heavy sea is runniug on the beach, and probably the vessel will go to pieces fast.