NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 6 March 1886, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, Thursday. Some forty of the unemployed, living in South Dunedin, who were discharged from the relief works, waited on the Mayor of the borough to-day, who said something must be done to keep them and their families from starving. He afterwards forwarded | a telegram to the Premier protesting against Dunedin men only being employed on the relief works, and asking all to be treated alike. A sub-contractor on the Otago Central was killed yesterday by an explosion of a charge which missed fire. His name wai James Russell, and his wife is in Dunedin. A navvy named John MeGrath was' hurt about the face and eyes at the same time. Alfred Wood, a chemist, of Green Island, was found dead in his bed this morning, supposed to be from an overpose of morphia, taken to procure sleep while suffering from neuralgia. He was a married man, with a family.

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Amongst Tawhiao'a suite when he visited England was a chief named Hori Ropiha, who since his return has been active in getting the natives to keep their lands free from European interference. He it was who got the chiefs at Taupoa little while ago to sign a memorial against the sittings of the Land Court tbtre, and he has always been averse to the Government having any dealings with the natives whatever. Ropiha appears to have changed his views, for he is now said to be anxious to promote the union of the races, and this morning he led a deputation of twelve Maoris to interview Mr Ballance. The natives came from various parts of the island, but mostly from the Taupo district. The meeting was a preliminary one, and will be continued tomorrow morning, when the real business will be entered upon. Bopiha made a friendly speech, and was followed by Hura Tahi, from Tongariro, who presented the Minister with a white whalebone mere, greenstone ear ornament, and £20 in notes. Mr Ballance of course returned the notes, but the natives refused to take them, or at any rate the question of their disposal was put off till to-morrow. Mr Ballance, in reply, expressed his gratification at the natives coming to Wellington to see him, and talk over matters. He refered to the visit of Tawhiao and Bopiha to England, and stated that the natives had been misled respecting it, as Government in New Zealand affairs; that Home there could be no interference by the th« Government of New Zealand was in fact as much the Government of the Queen as the Government of England. He expressed his satisfaction at the desire of Bophiaand his people for the unity of the races, and said he had had evidence

of its sincerity by the meetings of the natives to talk over their grievances, a statement which those present received with approbation. At the interview, and after every speech, the Maoiis knelt down and chanted prayers. Among the questions they intended to bring before the Minister are the system of dealing with native lands and the North Island Trunk

Railway. Friday. A Cabinet meeting was hold yesterday, but it in understood that nothing of importance was done. The great questions, dissolution and public works policy, will not be considered till a full Cabinet assembles at the end of next week. Messrs Larnach and Tole will then be back.

TIMARU, Friday. At the District Court Judge Ward sentenced a man named Stone to one year and three months hard labour for fraudulent bankruptcy.