The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-12-09
NEW ZEALAND.

We clip from the Auckland Herald Of Nov II:
The General Assembly was prorogued on the 3Ist
Of October, after having been in session from the
10Th Of June, an unprecedentedly long session for
the Legislature Of this colony. The colony is not
yet by any means reconciled TO the abolition Of the
provincial system, and on the 9Th Of the present
month a convention, called together by Mr.. Macan-
drew, the Superintendent, met in Otago, TO consider
the subject. This convention was composed of the
members Of the Assembly representing constituencies
in Otago, mayors of municipalities, and chairmen of
highway districts, and other representative men.
Some of those invited declined TO attend, as not
sympathising with the object Of the convention, but,
on the whole, the convention represented the large
majority Of the people Of Otago, who believe that
the change will be most injurious to them. The
convention was opened with q speech from Mr..
Macandrew. The resolutions passed were-that O
petition be despatched, praying for the recall Of the
governors; declaring that the change was against the
will of the majority of the people and represen-
tatiyes Of Otago, which had been practically de-
priyed Of q large amount Of local self-government,
and would be dcspoiied Of her revenues. IL was re-
solved q petition be sent to Her Majesty, asking that
the rights Of the province Of 0tago, conferred by
the Constitution Act, may be preserved; If not OBJ
tainable otherwise, by proclaiming her a separate
and independent colony. 1t was resolved that Sir
George Grey, Mr.. Macandrew, and the Hon. Capt.
Fraser, should be sent to England to represent
matters to the Home Government.
Mr.. j. B~roomhall, a magistrate OF the county Of
Surrey, ia at present in the province, with the view
Of obtaining a block Of land TO form q special settle
ment in connection with the United Kingdom Tenn
perance and General ProYident Institution. II 10
intended that the settlement should consist primarily
Of persons connected with the temperance organisa-
ton in England, but not that il should be confined
to such persons. Mr.. Broomball was encouraged 10
come TO New Zealand by the Hon. w. Fox. Mr..
Broomhall has had communications with several
Of the. Ministers, and power has been taken in
the Waste Lands Administratien Act TO sell
him a block Of land Of 100000 acres. lie has
been over the district to the North Of Auck-
land, in WaikatO, and in the Upper Thames, and
is now visiting the Raglan district. Mr. Broom
hail has been well received in Auckland. 1t is TO
be hoped he will find a suitable block Of land,
aud that the proposed settlement will become an
accomplished fact.
a good deal Of interest has been excited in
Auckland by the discoveries Of the Rev. q. Brown
in the islands adjacent to New Guinea. where he
has been labOuring. Dir. Brown has brought 10
Auckland a large collection Of objects Of natural
history. He has faced great dangers in the carry
ing out OF his mission, and we have no doubt that
The results will excite attention in Europe.
As Spain assumed to be as she was in the times
Of the Great Armada" which she sent over the
ocean TO wipe out the British feet. she commences
her determination 10 Feconquer Cuba by sending
over two OF her noted commanders, and proposes
to back them up With fifty thousand men. But
even while she attempts doing this, the people Of
the Basque Provinces give signs Of discomfort and
revolt. the ~part.sans OF Don Carlos move again in
his interest and give signs OF a disposition to re-
sort to the arbitrament OF arms in defence Of their
ancient nights WHICH tue present Government mas
abrogated, while the Republicans seem taking
counsel again and threaten moro trouble to young
Alfonso. lie, or bis Ministry, should have taken
care to keep his notorious mother out OF Spain.
With her advent came trouble, reaction, perslcu-
tioa Of Professionalism, violation Of promises and
pledges, and in fine just such q miserable apology
for a constitutional Government as the promises OF
a boy amount 10 when oyer-ruled by the folly Of
another bigotsd. reckless, extravagant aud determ-
ined to make all considerations secondary TO her
bigoted ideas Of Church and Der tyrannical views
Of State.-ARG.