TELEGRAMS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 359, 27 May 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(From the Duntdin Dailies. ) Wellington, May 21st. The annoucement made by the Superintendent of Taranaki regarding Mr. Vogel's circular on free immigration did not state the case fairly. The Premier's circular, to the Superintendents of Provinces ftated that the Government were considering the propriety of abolishing free immigration, excepting in respect to ■ingle women and nominated immigrants. All others required to give promissory notes to the amount of £7. Before the the question is finally decided, the Superintendents are requested to express their opinions on tha proposed change, Tlie Superintendent of Wellington has written that he sees no reasons for any change of the system. He is perfectly satisfied with the immigrants already imported. All were readily absorbed into the population. In the General Synod, the Bishop of Nelson moved that a Select Committee be appointed to report on the supply of candidates for the Ministry, their training, &c. The Bishop of Dunedin seconded the motion, on the grounds that the time was not far distant when the supply of clergy from England would practically cease. The motion was agreed to, Archdeacon Harper's motion regarding the independence of the Church of New Zealand—namely, #< That the General Synod should have power to make such alterations in the articles, services, and ceremonies of the Church in New Zealand as its circumstances require." and amendments by the Bishops of Nelson and Wellington, led to several discussions. Ultimately it was decided to appoint a Select Committee, to report upon the expediency of adopting Archdeacon Harper's motion, and upon the advisibity of making the alterations in the name and formulas of the Church of England in New Zealand. May 22nd. The New Zealand Steam Shipping Company advertise their fleet of steamers for sale by tender, viz., the Phoebe, Taranaki, Wellington, Ladybird, Rangataira, collier, Anne and Jane ; and the coal hulk, European. The passengers of the Golden Sea are taking proceedings against the Captain for an insufficient supply of water during the voyage. There was a long debate in the Synod on Mr. Lee's motion for distribution among the people of religions literature of the purest and most readable kind. ' In the course of the discussion the opinion was expressed that' the distribution of tracts and religious books was a waste of labour. It was ultimately decided that parts of the several dioceses should be supplied with the means of obtaining religious knowledge in the shape of suitable books, printed sermons, papers, Synod _ reports, courses of lectures on Church history and liturgy, A committee was appointed to carry out the resolution. May 23rd. In the R.M. Court this morning, the tollkeeper at Kaiwara sued Mr. Young, mail-coach contractor, for not paying tolls. The Magistrate decided that the mail coach is not liable. The case will now be brought before the Supreme Court. This is the second Magisterial decision of the same kind in the Province. In the General Synod a Committiee has been appointed to enquire into the action of the Standing Committee of the diocese of Auckland, in refusing to take fire risks outside of thai diocese. In reply to Archdeacon Stock, the President stated that no obstacle now exists to the winding up of the Life Insurance Fund. - A Bill was introduced and read a first time, for qualifying any layman 2t years of age, and two months a member of the Church, to take part in church meetings. On the motion of the Bishop of Dunedin, it was resolved that a closer intimacy should be cultivated between the branches of the Church of England in New Zealand and Australia. Christchcrch, May 23rd. There was a crowded house at the 'heatre last night, on the occasion of Miss ! Alice May's benefit. Numbers were turned away. Between the pieces, Sir J.C Wilson presented Miss May with a handsome and valuable gold necklace and j locket. The merchants close here on Monday and Tuesday, in -honour of the Queen's Birthday. Grahams-town, May 23rd. The lodgement of gold in the Bank of New Zealand was 2000 ozs. for the week. The share market is dull, and most stocks have declined a trifle. The prospects of the Colonial Bank are favourable spoken of. Auckland, May 21st. - The Provincial Council has passed the Education tax. It is a household rate. The tax hi as follows ; — Over £10 and under . £20 rental, £1 ; over £20 and under £50, £2 ; over £50 and under £100 £3 ; over £100, £4. All bachelors will be taxed £1 10s anually. May 23rd. A public meeting is to be called to protest against the Education tax. The difficulties connected with the valuation will render the tax hard to -collect. Hokitika, May 21st, The Census returns for the Province show a total population of 14,823 souls being males, 9458 ; females, 5363. The number of houses is 4974. The Chinese population is 898.