Telegraphic Despatches.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 384, 22 August 1874, Page 2

Telegraphic Despatches.

{From our ovm Correspondent.) DtTNEDIN, AugUSt 21st. At Greymouth last night, an-enthusias-tic meeting was held in favor of the provinces abolition. Resolutions were unanimously passed praying the Premier to extend the proposed reform to the Middle Island. A crowded meeting of over 1000 persons was held at Auckland last night, at which the announcement of the passing of Mr. Vogel's resolution was received with loud hissing. Numerous speeches of a bitter nature were made. In the Legislative Council, Mr. Fox's Licensing Bill received general condemnation. Mr. Waterhouse's amendment, providing that new licenses should be granted at the June quarterly meeting, was carried ; also amendment clause fortytwo by Mr. Richardson, restricting barmaids' working houra from 10 to 10. The Opposition held a meeting last night, the result being that Mr. Fitzherbert will on Monday move : " That, in the opinion of this House, it isjunadvisable for the Government to carry the resolutions into effect until the country has first had an opportunity of expressing its opinion thereon." He will make a four hours speech in support of this motion. The prorogation is fixed for the 28th instant. August 22nd, 10.10 a.m. A destructive tire broke out this morning at 4 o'clock op the extensive premises of Guthrie and Larnach, Princes-street. There was a night watchman, bat the place was in a mass of flames before he gave the alarm. The premises are completely destroyed, as also the Spanish Restaurant adjoining, from which the lodgers escaped with difficulty, and lost all their effects. The old Immigration Barracks were saved with difficulty. Guthrie and Larnach are heavily insured, but it said to be nothing like sufficient in extent to cover their great lo3s. Gibbs and Clay.'on, who had manufacturing works on part; of the premises, loss about £3000, their insurance being only £750. The Pacific Islands Trade Encouragement Bill has been discharged from the Order Paper. The Premier said the Government did not deem it advisable to proceed with the measure at such a late Deriod in the session. The Committee of inquiry have decided that Mr. Von Der Heyde's election is void. Wellington, August 19. 2.30 p.m. The Public Works Committee, re the Blue Spur petition, reported to-day — " That from the evidence before the Committee, it is manifest that the auriferous deposits at tha Blue Spui? are of ©noi«mous value, and cannot be fully worked without some such provision being made, for the disposal of the tailings as indicacated by the petitioners. Resolved, therefore, that the question be referred to the Government for its favorable consideration ; and that, with a view to enable effective steps to be taken in the matter, the amount available for works on goldfields, under Immigration and Public Works, be extended." Messrs. Creighton and J. C. Brown were examined by the Committee, and gave important evidence favorable to the petitioners. The report was carried unanimously on Mr. Macandrew's motion. Messrs. O'Neill, Richardson, Ormond, Robinson, and Parker were present as members of the Committee. The loan for Goldfields Public Works is exhausted. The Government will ask for an increase. Vogel's proposals for the abolition of the Provinces will be carried probably by a majority of ten. Mr. Macandrew, in an effective speech last evening, strongly opposed it. August 21, 8 p.m. Mr. Fitzherbert has just challenged the Government, giving notice that he will move when going into Committee of Supply, "That this House having resolved that the Provincial form of Government in the North Island be abolished, declares its opinion that organic change in the constitution involving the establishment of a central bureaucratic authority for the rights and powers conferred on the people of the colony by the Imperial P arliament ought not to be made without first testing the opinions of the people through theirco ntituents ; and in order to give effect to the foregoing lesolutions, a respectful address be presented to His Excellency praying him to dissolve the present Parliament." The announcement was received with great cheering. The member for Waitemate, Von Der Heyde, has been disqualified — a fresh election to take place. A number of members were unintentionally absent from the division last evening, and th.9 debate terminated unpectedly. Mr. Yogel purposely refused replying. He is 'trying hard to induce Mr. Stafford to join his Government. Mr. J. C. Brown has given notice of motion for Monday asking Parliament to make provision for the construction of tailings channel, Gabriels Gully. August 22, 9 a.m. A Bill was read a first time this evening giving a pension of three hundred pounds yearly to Mr. Wilson Gray. A further report was brought up from the Ward-Chapman Committee, stating they are satisfied that the " Otago Daily Times " received the telegrams from Mr. Macassey, bnt the manner they came into his possession was not satisfactorily proved. That the evidence taken wa3 of a very contradictory nature, involving a distinct question of perjury on the part of one or more persons, and suggest that the evidence taken should not be made public, but recommend his Excellency the Governor to appoint a Royal Commission to carry on and make full investigation of all matters connected with the inquiry, and that an Act of | Parliament should be passed giving extraordinary powers to enforce the production of evidence, and granting an indemnity where the evidence efiven by witnesses criminates them. Irregularities at the O-imaru telegraph .office have been discovered. The Committee strongly recommend Messrs Holdsworth and Clayton telegraphists at Oamaru to the Government as giving their evidence in a truthful and satisfactory manner.