SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1100, 12 July 1879, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

fpEBSS AGENCY.] KOPITA, Friday. In the report of Saturday's •Star.' m reference to a meetin" at Kopaa, where Tawhiao is re* ported to have expressed his opinion that theTaranaki difficulty is utterly without foundation, it may be said that neither Tawhiao nor Wahanui have been at Kouua since leaving 1 the great meeting. Wahanui, at the time stated, was at Wanganui. AUCKLAND, last night. The English line is still interrupted. The Supreme Court was occupied all day with the chargo of perjury and arson against Le Sever, arising out of the burning of the Rev. Andrew Barton's house, at Wa?kato. Mr Kirk, Glerk of the Court, at Hamilton, proved tbe evidence given by prisoner, charging Dunn and Thompson with burning the house. John Thompson, Henry Dunn, Agnes Thompson, Joseph Cobley, Abraham Barton, and Detectives gave evidence, proving, beyond a doubt, that Dunn and Thompson could not have left Thompson's house on the night of the fire, and witnesses deposed to prisoner making inquiries about rewards offered for the discovery of the persons guilty of incendiarism. The Judge, m summing wp, said, as to motive, prisoner knew of £100 offered by the Insurance Companies, and .£SOO by Government, and that, with the probability of having to rebuild the house, he being the only carpenter m the district, might have acted as a temptation. His Honor deprecated such large rewards, as an

inducement to perjury. Thtv jury found him guilty of perjury. The trial for arson is unfinished. At the Board of Educatiou, to-day, several applications for grants were refused, owing to want of funds. Somo doubt arising as to whether Mr Austen, upon whom an inquest was held at Pokeno, and a verdict of died from disease of the heart was returned, is dead or merely m a trance, a doctor was sent for to Auckland. He is reported to be of opinion th^t it is a case of trance, but this lacks confirmation. GR \HAMSTO WN, last night. It is reported here that Mr Firth's new sceamer, Kotuku, ran on a reef near the Sandspit, on the passage down, on Wednesday night, and smashsd a hole m her bottom, which was plugged up with flour bags. The vessel did not call m hare, but went straight up the river. NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Major Roberts is promoted to the rank of Lieu tenant. Colonel, and will take command of the forces here. There is no native news. PATEA, last Dight. There is no fresh native news. Government, it is expected, will put the Hawera volunteers on pay. Large numbers are unemployed m these districts, owing to the trouble caused by the native ploughmen. WELLINGTON, Friday. NATIVE AFFAIRS. Mr James Mackay visited twentytwo insubordinate, to-d'iy. When brought out of their cells, he told them they had brought punishment on themselves, but, if they behaved quietly, they should be well treated. Underclothing anil other necessaries have been issued out to them. The Chief, Whakarariria, is pub m solitary confinement, one smoke a day only being allowed him. Forty members ot the City Guards with Captain Hawkes and Lient. Wolf, have offered their services to the Government to go to the front. No reply has yet been received from Colonel Whifcmore. The last batch of Maori ploughmen brought here gave more trouble ( • than all the rest. The ringleader m this conduct is the native Wbakawiria, who made an insolent and defiant defence before the Magistrates. He lefused to sweep out his room or allow any of his fellow prisouers to do so. Mr James Mackiiy ordered him off to the guard room, and be has been put ' into solitary confinement. The guard came m with fixed bayonets, and marched the lot of to their cells. A meeting of natives is to be held at Wanganui, the object being to discuss Te Whiti, and take the feeling of natives, whether it is not advisable to take prisoners both him and Tohu as the cause of trouble, and hand them over to be dealt with by the Government. Mr Bunny's candidature for the Chairmanship of Cotnmitties is sbrongly opposed. It is asserted, on good authority, that there will be a foreshadowing of the Government policy on Tuesday, when the Governor's speech will be brought forward. The re-adjustment of representation will be founded partly on a basis of population and partly on grounds of public expediency. The Electoral Bill will provide two franchises only, all other existing franchise being abolished. It is probablo sin income tax will be proposed, at the rate of sixpence m the £, incomes up to £50 (? <£150) being exempt. An increased land tax will probably form a portion of the programme. It is understood Sir George Grey will make his Financial Statement m about a fortnight. NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Titoko'waru, with a number of followers, proceeds to Parabaka on Monday. Euoka, who stole a horse from Parahaka, pleaded guilty. Judgment is deferred till Tuesday.