GENERAL SUMMARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 27 June 1872, Page 6

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, May 23rd. In the House of Commons to-night, in presence of a full House and crowded galleries, Mr Gladstone made an explanation regarding the American indirect claims and the position of the Government therein. After praising the forbearance of Parliament during the controversy, he said he would commence the narrative of its progress with the 18th January, when it was first learned that claims for indirect damages would be presented at Geneva in the American case. "The English Government protested on the 3rd February against the indirect claims, which were not within the scope of the Treaty, nor within the intention of either party thereto. Secretary Fish replied in a most courteous note that he thought the Geneva Board might decide the entire question. Meantime Minister Schenck suggested, a course which would be acceptable both to England and America, viz., the interchange of notes, setting forth the views, terms, and conditions whereon both could agree to proceed to arbitration. We accepted the suggestion, and carried on the correspondence altogether by telegraph. On Wednesday, the Bth, President Grant submitted a proposition to the United States Senate, and on Thursday we ascertained that that proposition was not precisely as we understood it should be, because of the brevity of the cable despatches on which it was based. On Friday, a draft covering a letter ot our view was forwarded to General Schenck, and immediately telegraphed by him to Washington. On Saturday, General ■Schenck informed Earl Granville that the President had accepted, and the Senate entertained that draft. Mr Gladstone thought the fact was almost equivalent to a ratification, and begged the further forbearance of the House now that the question was approaching a conclusion satisfactory and honorable to both nations. Mr Gladstone was loudly cheered upon taking his seat. Mr Disraeli thauke I the Premier for his statement, and said he should not seek to embarrass the Government. Whatever differences existed on other subjec.s, all parties were united in desiring a peaceful and honorable settlement of this matter. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville made a statement similar to Mr Gladstone's. Earl Russell again postponed his motion for an address to the Crown to withdraw from arbitration. Lord Derby and the Duke of Richmond hoped the new proposition by the Government was not ambiguous, and said they had had enough of misunderstandings. Long editorials have appeared in all the journals upon the Ministerial explanations regarding the indirect claims and the position of the English Government. The journals approve of the pending negotiations, but doubt whether the United States Senate's concurrence will be obtained. The message to President Grant and the United States Senate, submitting a proposed additional article to the Washington Treaty, relative to the indirect claims, serves to reassuit the public that the differences between the two nations will be honorably settled. The publication of this message has had a marked effect upon the American securities it the market, which are now firmer than at the opening. The Pall Mall Gazette say the whole drift of the feeling of England justifies it saying that the worst thing to do with the Treaty is to save it. Saving the Treaty means offence and humiliation to America or England or to both nations. It means a renewal, not an abatement of the ill-feeling it was intended to a : lay. How to save the Treaty means who shall eat the leek, or whether means cannot be invented whereby both parties should agree to eat it in each other's presence. The American papers appear to exclaim against the adoption of a supplementary article. Here there is only one opinion, viz,, that its acceptance would be discreditable and dangerous to both nations. The people would be pacified and content at once if the Treaty and articles connected therewith were dropped as an irremediable blunder for which the Governments alone were to blame. That is the proper fate of the Treaty, and the only safe and. peaceful way of disposing of it. The Agent of the Cunard Line has received information of the loss of the steamer Tripoli, bound from Liverpool to Boston. The Tripoli went ashore on the South Tuskar Rock, off Carnsore Point, on the coast of Wexford. The crew and passengers were saved, but the vessel is a total loss. London telegrams mention the death of another yeterau companion of Sir Charles Napier in the person of General John Lysanght. The accouchment of the Princess of Wales is expected to take place in the latter part of June, or early in July. The revolving turret (British) ironclad Hotspur is going to attack the fixed turret (British) ironclad Glatton, to test the revolving turret. The London Telegraph says it is expensive work, this blazing away at our own navy. Letters from Aleppo give distressing pictures of the state of affairs at Antiouh. The town is a heap of ruins, and the soil is quivering with volcanic movements, frightening the people, so that they dare not approach the site to remove the large number of uu buried dead. The bullion in the Bank of England on May 23rd had decreased L 52,000. France. The Commission of Capitulations blame General Uhrich for the surrender of Strasburg, and especially censure him for screening himself and his officers from the conditions imposed on enlisted men. In the National Assembly on May 21st, M. Rouher spoke for nearly three hours on a motion to interrogate the Government as to its intentions regarding the frauds in war contracts. M. Rouher disclaimed any intention of provoking controversies, and defended General Palikao'from charges against bis administration of affairs. He urged that the luemlers of the Government collectively should be held responsible for their acts. M. Audiffret Pasquire (?) replied to M. Rouher. He vindicated his own exposures of corruption under the Empire, denounced Napoleon, and called on the Empire in the language of Augustus to restore to France her legions, her provinces, and her glory. The members of the Assembly and the spectators in the adjacent rooin3 and the galleries were greatly excited, and repeatedly interrupted the speaker with passionate outbursts of applause. M. Rouher replied in a speech of two hours' duration, which was listened to with impatience. The Prince and Princess of Wales are to arrive in Paris on May 24th. The Paris journals consider that the debates in the Assembly on May 21st and 22nd inflicted a crushing blow on the hopes of the friends of the Empire.

Madrid, May 24th. It is reported that the Carlist leader, Yturbe, has received a fresh supply of arms, and threatens vengeance on the surrendered Carlists in Guipuzeca. A Carlist band in Lerdu surrendered yesterday. America. The Liberal Kepublican Convention nominated Mr Horace Greeley for President. The nomination took the country by surprise General Grant, no doubt, will get a regular nomination from the Republicans. Davis has also been nominated. It is believed the contest will be narrowed to one between Greeley and Grant. To-day a severe windstorm passed over Washington and New York, destroying the foliage of the trees in the parks, and houses, barns, and orchards. A Spanish gunboat captured, under suspicious circumstances, the English schooner William Julius. The President signed the House Amnesty Bill passed by the Senate. The exception provided for in the Bill will, it is supposed, cover less than 200 cases, including Jefferson Davis. The Senate went into Executive Session on May 22nd, on the additional article of the Treaty of Washington, with the modification proposed. By a majority the Committee on Foreign Regulations resolved to effect the original object by a change of the phraseology, but to make it of equal application to both sides. A fire in Broadway, New York, destroyed 500,000 dols. worth of dry goods. In an attack by the Cherokee Indians near Fort Smith, thirteen persons were killed and twelve wounded. The whole district has been deserted in consequence. A million dollais' worth of property has been destroyed at Somerset, Pennsylvania, by fire. Over 10,000 immigrants arrived at New York on May 21st. COMMERCIAL. The latest London date is May 1, which ia not so late as the dates received via Suez. May 1. The public sales of wool were progressing slowly, foreign buyers operating with caution, and a similar policy being adopted by the home trade. Good wools show a fall of 2d, and inferior wools of 2^d to 3d, as compared with the last sales. .^^■MP r For hides the demand is limited. W^^^ quality heavy New Zealand are W \&'> second quality at s|d ; and salt^/.»norse atßd. Butter is at 38s to 40s. Tallow is at 42s 6d for beef, and 43s 6d for sheep. New Zealand hemp was active at L3B 15s to L4O, and finished at L 42. New York, May 13. The receipts of the new crop of Australian wool are beginning to stock up, and the bulk of the supply intended for the American market now to hand is rapidly passing into consumption. The sales of Australian wool for the month include 752,0001b5, at prices ranging from 60 cents to 67 cents, and 50,0001bs heavy at 56 cents. San Francisco, May 23. Tho proposed American subsidy to Webb's line has been rejected by the Senate.

Greymouth, June 21. The wreck reported to have been found between Caswell and Thompson Sounds, is all debris carried away by the great flood at Greymouth last summer. The papers, illustrated Bible, slippers, etc., were in a desk which was swept ont to sea in a house belonging to Mr Whitmoie, of this town. The ship's planking found is supposed to be part of the river protective works. Two ships' spars, which were lying on the wharf, were carried away at the same time, as well as several boats. News received from Reefton states that a compositor, named Freddy Hodges, has been missing since Saturday last. A search party has been out since Wednesday, looking foi him, and has not yet returned. • Christchurch, June 21. The Wesleyan Musical Festival was a great success. Sixteen hundred persons were present, and the collections amounted to L 133. Petitions in favor of a Permissive Bill are being numerously signed by persons of both sexes. Auckland, June 22. A Tauranga letter states that gold has been discovered on the eastern side of the Ohineniuri Ranges. The stuff yieldcdf three grains to the dish. The discove»r baa proceeded to Auckland to claim Ibe reI ward. A

Late Telegram. — The private telegram appeared in the Post. It is dated, London, May 10, and comes via Melbourne : — Fall in greasy wool, 4d ; other kinds 3d, from the highest February rates. Bank rate of discount 5 per cent. Public Works. — An Auckland telegram dated the 20th inst., states that an English. Company has offered to construct a railway from Port Kussell, Bay of Islands, to the Thames, and that the offer has been forwarded to the Minister for Public Works. The terms are undisclosed. The Chinese and Mr Warden Bf.etham. — The Chinese petition against the Wakatip Warden, presented to the Provincial Council by Mr Macassey, was referred to the Government for inquiry, and they have remitted the task to the Speaker of the Council ;' Mr J. P. Maitland, E.M.; and Mr H. W. Robinson, R-M. The Commission will commence its sittings at Queenstown on i the Ist prox. A Slice of Luck. — An Auckland settler, who has been living at the Bay of Islands, has just received notice from England that he is the possessor of L 300,000. This, it seems, is the accumulation of a sum of money which for a length of time has been locked up in the Court of Chancery, and which with th<} interest of years is once more to see the light of day. The owner has been advertised for for some years, but until lately hi* whereabouts could not fee discovered. Arrow Miners' Association. — The committee of this association submitted their annual report to the mcinbeis on Saturday, the 13th inst. The report was adopted, and it was resolved that a memorial should be placed in the hands of Mr Hallenstein, praying that the recommendation of the Commissioner on Water Supply (Mr Haughton) in reference to the Wakatip District, be given effect to. Mr Hanghton's report recommends that a modification of the Act, for the purpose of granting money for the formation of pack tracks into the auriferous back country of the Wakatip, might be made to the great benefit of the district. A memorial for the abolition or reduction of the gold export duty was also ordered to be forwarded. The number of members enrolled amounted to 200 ; the income for the year was L 42 3s Od, and the expenditure Lll 17s 6d. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year :—: — Jno. A. Miller, President ; SamL Symonds, secretary ; J. F. Healey, treasurer,

Sawn timber is beinc cut at Woodlands, at the low rate of ss. per 100 feet, and is delivered at the Wyndhaui and Mimihau from the Bame place, at Bs. to 9s. per 100 feet. As much as £5 per 100 super, feet is reported to have been given by a Dunedin firm for some broad timber (boards) of Rata, or Ironwood, sawn at Waikava,

three miles of the O taria Accomodation House, on Trimble's Station, there' are a small party of miners at work and several Chinamen. The "wash is reported as very shallow and poor, and confined to the centre of the gullies — very much resembling that found about the old Mataura diggings. GREAT numbers of cattle have lately died from tutu on the Matauxa Hundreds. The losses far exceed thos^JK^y previous year. The readings given at the Wetherstones schoolhouse, on Thursday evening last, were -well attended. There was a considerable improvement in the character of the programme, and the proceedings passed off exceedingly well. As usual, there was a social dance after the readings. Our Alexandra correspondent says that mining in that district is entirely at a standstill, all the races having been frozen up. The frost is exceedingly severe, and seems likely to continue. The Butchers Gully Quartz Reef Company have suspended operations for the winter, and it is not probable that the present shareholders will ever resume work. The widow of a British Vice-Consul now lies bed-ridden and desolate at Athensj This may not seem a very remarkable circumstance, but, the old lady was formerly Theresa Black, and to her Byron sang, " Maid of Athens, ere we „ Tart," An Orepuki correspondent informs us that things are rather quiet ou that goldfield at present. There are two large rac>:s in course of construction and a sludge channel being brought ' up. When these works are completed, which will be in about 12 months hence, it is expected that Orepuki will make a figure in the escort returns. The following paragraph should be a caution to our New Zealand Government in their hnste to construct railways through country where ' there is not population to create sufficient traffic j to make them pay :— •' The railway line from Launceston to Deloraine and the coast has been closed, owing to the smallness of the traffic and the heavy tax its maintenance imposed on the landlords through whose property it traversed. The company has grabbed all the land granted to them in part payment of the line, and will probably sue the Tasmanian Government for. heavy damages, for wilful misrepresentation in the statistics sent to England as an inducement to the capitalists who built the line to put their money into itr. This line ought to be a caution to sparsely populated districts saddling themselves with works of such magnitude, -whilst

they are still in the ' oue hoss ' stage of their existence." A letter received this -week from Switzers, states that in the Break-'em-AU claim splendid prospects have been struck: It is confidently expected that the old lead which our readers will recollect was exceedingly rich, has been again found.

A private letter received from Victoria contains the following interesting information, "Sandhurst appears to be wonderfully rich. Week after week new reefs, the existence of ■which had been previously unknown, are struck. Some of them are very long-winded, taking

many months after they are struck before there is

a crushing. I think there are too many comL panics, ami that a great improvement would resuit from the amalgamation of companies along fta supposed line of reef until the lode is struck. they could divide the ground into tributes, divide the shares pro rata. The present ♦^wstem is frightfully expensive, entailing the cost of many legal managers, offices, &c. As the calls are only Id., 2d., or 3.1. per share, and many useless shafts have sometimes to be sunk, it will be seen that the cost of management is . a too heavy tax on enterprise. The Extended * Hustlers Company have a reef of immense wealth. Since last November it has yielded one ton five cwt. of gold, and paid dividends of £5 per share. It is expected to last for many years." * Fivk pounds per foot may be considered the value of land in Ross Place, Lawrence. Seveial seotions have changed hands at that rate during . the last few months. Last week Mr. Johnson, of 'Wetherstones, purchased from Mr. Matthews a section in Ross Place, having 14 feet frontage, for £90. The usual monthly meeting of the Lawrence School Committee will take place to-morrow evening. j "We have been informed that a rush has taken place to a gully in the vicinity of Mr. Dale's house, Bellamy Run. WE are compelled to hold over reports of the Warden's Court, Lawrence, also a report of the anniversary of Loyal Roxburgh Lodge, M.U.1.Q.0.F.. and other interesting matter. The usual monthly meeting of the Tnapeka Hospital Committee was held on Tuesday evening last. Present : Messrs. Harrop,. Humphrey, Walker, Uren. Goldsmith. Arthur. ana*°fe^ws (Secretary). The minutes of the previous/meeting were read and confirmed, and the Resident Surgeon's Report adopted. It was decided to hold a meeting of the committee on Friday evening, at 7 o'clock to receive tenders for supplies for the ensuing 6 months. Mr. Uren reported having visited the Blue Spur in company with Mr. Ferguson, and adopting a suggestion by Mr. Thomas Hinde, left subscription lists at each of the various claims. The. Secretary was instructed to write to the Government, urgently requesting payment of the subsidy due. Mr. Phillip Uren was appointed to the Visiting Committee, vice Mr. Mears. The meeting then /^djourned.

Mb. M'Gibbon, who in the early days kept the Government Accommodation House, at Mataiua Falls, has recently bought Mr. Pollock's stone store at the bridge, with the stock, and proposes to carry on business there. In the account of the Golden Point Water Race which appeared in our last issue, the race was stated to come on the saddle nearly 6 miles beyond Dickson's store. This should have read one mile beyond Dickson's store. Many among the settlers at Mataura, who were till recently bitter opponents to selling lands in these Hundreds at 10s /per acre, are now quite in favor of that proposal. The Hundreds have become so over-stocked that their value has much declined for grazing, and all the settlers who can muster any spare cash or can borrow any, are now"prepared to invest as far as their means will allow in grazing land. Thkre are 220 hotels, and from 400 to 500 sly grog shanties on the Otago- goldfields: "We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. A. "Willis, Under-Secretary, of the Colonial Secretary's circular despatch on public vaccination and re-vaccination. There was a very good attendance s at the postponed readings given at the Lawrence Athenaeum, on the evening of Friday last. The ! programme was very attractive, and the various songs, readings, recitations, &c, were well appreciated by those present. Down the Tuapeka creek the Chinese still persist in working on Sundays. If their disregard of the Sabbath day concerned only themselves it would not much matter ; but as in has the effect of robbing the Europpan miners of their day of rest, it ought not to be permitted. The European miners' opinion of the honpsty of the "hoathen "is well known. In the locality indicated, the presence of Chinese has caused the establishment of a strict watch upon the claims. On Sundays, as the Chinese are about the same as on other days, this watch has been found necessary, thereby causirg a number of Europeans, who would otherwise probably be better employed, to remain looking after their claims. , The Messrs. M'Lean have removed their flax-dressing mill from Mr. Aim's ground, and X>urpose_ erecting it on the Mimihau Flat. Another flax mill will shortly be at work in the j same vicinity. Extensive seams of lignite of fair quality j have been found in the ridges near the Mimihau j River, on the Tuturau Hundred.