NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1986, 31 March 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Saturday. Another petition for the release of the prisoner George Longhurst has been piepared, and w ill probably be presented to His Excellency on Monday. An information has beeu laid agaiust a grocer uudcr the Sales of Poison Act, for selling a bottle of " Rough on Rat-."

Monday. There is to bo ci meeting of military and naval oiilcers to-day, at which his Excellency the Governor will preside, and members of the Cabiot, including the Defence Minister, will attend to discuss the situation, and confer generally on the defence question. It is now thought in official cii cles that war may be declared at any menient, and the necessity for ! prompt action is fully lecognisetl. ' There are twenty-three big guns in the colony, distiibuted neatly equally between the four principal ports. These have been lying idle three or four years, that is to say they oug;ht to have been mounted and got into position four years ago but for the dilatoriuess of the heavenhorn Minister who formeily controlled the Defence Dupaitmeut. These guns will be at once mounted on sites selected by Mnjor Cautley, land for which has been rusurveyed and surveys made. Plans, &c , are also being prepaied, and torpedos are alieady being laid at different ports, but the locale is, of cotuse, strictly seciet. Jt is probable that the appointment of an officer to command the Volunteer forces will bo made to-day. It is announced that Major Cautley is the officer selected, though the Minister for Defence refuses to give auy information on the subject. Major Cautley's recent report on the defences of the colony is now held to be of a strictly confidential nature. It ia largely ot a technical character. The Government has made an application to the authorities iii uharge of the Australian mjuadion for * mau-o'-war

to be stationed in New Zealand waters. Ihe Deft nee Minuter does not consider theie is a piolnbility of a war bi caking oat, but should wai l>e declared the firstclass militi.i will be called out. The following gentlemen have been cilled to the Legislative Council • — Capt. Moms, Tani.itig.i ; Mr J. Shepherd, W.umea, NVlsou ; Mi ShiinibUi, Oamaiu ; Mr Plwuazyn, WanuMnui ; Me Walker, Cantei I'iiiy ; Mr Bath^itc, Otago; Mr

Suanson, Auckland; Mr I ni iro.i, Otago. KAWAKAWA, Monday. The prophetess, with .Marsh Biovvn, v^ited Kauak.iwa, and addressed a crowd fiom the Star Hotel verandah. She evinced a friendly disposition, and sv.d she was \exed at the Pi ess reports, bhe loves as all. The litule is postponed lill to-m >n.i»v. A. largo number of paKehas mi ted the camp gioand on Siinilay. aii'l were treated well. The proplii'tiKs h.»^ i whare ready for the reception of tliedixiue visitois.

CHRIVTCHUJJCH, Monday. A meeting convened by the Mayor wa- held this afternoon, to consider the suhjVot oi defence. Theie was considerable excitement here on Sit'ird»y night, respscting the Hanlan-Bcaclv boat race. Tlie newspaper offices were be&ii'treil l>y eoplc waiting for tho news, and a lot of money oluuged lianris.

'DUNEDIM, Sunday. The amateur athletic clubs held a day's sports ycdtc.riay. Tlie attendance was poor, n^ thp weather was threatening, tint it turned out fine. FUlht won the three bioycli* iaces — om\ three, and five miles — from sciatch Mr Samuel V«nle, of Auckland, lias addieased a public meeting heic, on riiilway ri-form Theie was a moderate attendance. The Mayor »vas iv the chair. In reply to a deputation fiom policyholders in the Government Instuanco. Department, Sir Julias \ ogel said that no uiireMSonabU* delay would take place in calling the locil boards into existence. The Montire Run, in the Manuherikia district, consisting of 1000 acres, freehold, and about 40,100 acres leasehold, with 17.0.)0 sheen, has been purchased by- Mr X. I) Lubecke for C 10,000 The Miimotnto station, consisting of 1200 acies fivnlinld, and 23,000 acres leasehold, with IS,O -0 sheep, has been bought by Mr Pog3ou, of Blackstone Hill, for £26,000. Monday. There is considerable disgust in commercial circles on account ot the apathy of the Governnit nt re the defence of the port. Nothing whatever has been clone towards mounting the guns at the Oceau beach. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce will wait on Sir Julius Vogel to-monow' in regard to the defence of the city.

OAMARU, Sunday. Mr S'lrimski, M.KU, for Oamaru, has fen warded his resignation to the Speaker. It is sud tliat Mr Nhrimski is to be called to tlie Upper House.