TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 20, 18 May 1867, Page 3

TOWN NEWS OF THE WEEK.

(from oue own correspondent.)

Wellington, Wednesday, 6 a.m. The Patent Slip Committee lias adjourned its sitings until the arrival of Mr, Travers from Canterbury, who is expected at the end of the week. The Fencing and Highways Acts Committees have brought up their reports which have been ordered to he printed. The Provincial Treasurer made his financial statement last night, and carefully guarded himself from making the slightest reference to those items in the Estimates on which an explanation and defence were most required. The Committee of Supply is to sit again this evening, and the object of the Council appears to he to hurry through the session.

The news from Otago shows that Province to he in a semi state of rebellion owing to the action taken by the General Government in depriving the Provincial Government of those powers which were formerly delegated to it. The general opinion is that the General Government is in the wrong. The news from Wanganui proves that the General Government are not equal to the work they have undertaken. The “ Wanganui Times” of the 10th instant, says ;

“In our last issue we intimated that the friendly (?) chief, William King, who had received 70 stand of arms and a large quantity ■of ammunition from Mr, Paris had failed to do what that gentleman expected. We can now state upon reliable authority, that the British ensign which was hoisted at Opunake, and under which 70 stand of arms and a large quantity of ammunition were handed over by Mr. Paris, has been hauled down, and the Hau-haus red flag of defiance hoisted in its stead.”

With reference to Mr. Wtdter Duller and the Manawatu Purchase Mr. J. C. Williams of the Hutt has published a long letter in the “Advertiser” in which, amongst others, the following passages occurs:—

“ I much fear me that that bright shining west coast light—that beauteous law and justice administering gem—that priceless pearl of the genius magisterial by name called Walter Buller, has neglected to avail himself of the advice so kindly, so frankly, and so very freely bestowed upon him by myself through your independent columns, now some ten months since. So Walter Buller, Esq., R.M., is to receive £SOO, being two per cent, upon the transaction, for having thrown away nearly £25,000 of the public money, and for having degraded the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England, with pakeba’s rule and the pakeha’s law in the estimation of the loyal Ngatiraukawas, and through them of the whole Maori race.”

At a meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club, to consider the protest entered against Volunteer, the winner of the Hurdle Race at the Hutt Races, resolved

“ That it is their unanimous decision that Jack Tar is the winner of the said heat and race; and it is further the decision of the Jockey Club that Jack Tar was intentionally jostled and forced off by the rider of Volunteer from taking his leap, and that James Bay, the rider of Volunteer, be disqualified in future from riding or running any horse at any race conducted under the auspices of the Wellington Jockey Club.”

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the N.Z.S.N. Company is convened for tholQth June when a resolution that the Company be wound up will be submitted by the Directors to the meeting. A private meeting has been held, when the course pursued by

the Directors in not sooner bringing this question before the shareholders for their decision was generally condemned. Thursday, 7 p.m. The debate on the financial statement is to take place on Thursday, (this evening,) but have unfortunately to write before it will be concluded. There is expected a long and important discussion. Last night was occupied by a long and windy discussion on the Licensing Bill, which on its passage through Committee is being' turned inside out. Public houses, except to travellers, are to be closed on Sundays. Mr. Justice Richmond is to reside at Nelson and have the West Coast Circuit assigned to his charge. It appears that the fancy birds imported into the Province cost £1(12 and realized £69. You will think with me that this money could have been better laid out. The Wellington Small Farm Association oppose the splitting up into three equal portions of the 30,000 acres of land on the Rangitiki, reserved for small farm settlements, and have petitioned the Provincial Council protesting against such arrangement. Our Volunteer Fire Brigade are carrying on a newspaper warfare, arising out of their annual election of officers. I am sorry I am obliged to close this brief letter without being able to send you the result of the discussion on tho financial statement of the Provincial Treasurer.