TELEGRAMS. INTERPROVINCIAL. * ' [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1614, 7 November 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAMS. INTERPROVINCIAL. * ' [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WAIWERA, Last Night. C.vrT. Skekt, chief surveyor of the West Coast Commission",' of New -Plymouth, died here last night, after a long illness.

NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night Constable Madigan, at Pungarehu, shot himself through the head with a pistol this morning at' half-post eight o'clock. , ■ The Supreme. Court was opened this morning by Judge Gillies. There were only three cases for trial. John Dantsy, for stealing a stiver watch from John \Tnhollatul at Normaubyy : was found guilty and sentenced to two years' hard labour ; J. Hislop, alias O'Connor, for forgery ami uttering, was .sentenced to one year's imprisonment with hard labour. The charge of murder against Antonio G. Schnell, who is supposed to be insane, will be taken to-morrow.

OHRTBTCHUROH, Last Nght.. Tlie Middle Park Company's imported stallion King of Clubs, who received injuries through being cast in his box, has had to be killed. / ' Robert Parke, market gardener; of Cuthticld, was drowned whilst endeavouring to ford the river Ko\vai,on horseback while in flooding condition this morning.

HAWERA, Last Night; Mr Mackay, Native Reserves Commissioner, at Hieir own request, met the natives at Hokorima on .Saturday, re leasing portions of continuous reserves between Waingongoro livev and Okaiwa, recently solcl;*inost,of .the leading natives interested were present. 'A. few were absent, as weather was favorable for fishing, and a scarcity of food compels the natives to avail themselves ot all means of obtaining provisions. The natives who met Mr Mackay expressed their willingness to lease through tiie commissioner all portions of the reserves they do not want for cultivation, or grazing their own stock. One or two old women raised the old cry about Government, having already robbed them of their lands, and that now the commissioner was going to take fvom them the only land they had left on which to grow potatoes , and 1 feed their pigs. The old ladies having had their say sat down on the ground, and at the close of the meeting cordially shook hands "W'iih the commissioner. It is 'quite clear that the natives begin to see the folly of allowing large areas of 'c'otin* ti'y they cannot cultivate to remain in an unproductive state. They can forfa a pretty fair estimate of the probable income they are likely to 'derive from the waste, lands, and are wisely making lip their minds ,to lease, - ' '- " ' J l _' .Later. It 'is,; understood that farther ; m'ogress has, been made in the matter of leasing the West Coast reserves, Mr Mackay having succeeded in inducing the leadpg chiefs of the Aunutahi and Munae hapus •to agree to the leasing' of 2069* acres. This will emblc the Survey Department to make a start, and, the ice ha vine been once broken, there will be less 'difficulty in future. The Minister of Lauds has authorised the felling of bush roads', the cost to be taken out of the rents. . ' ,