Dr Featherston arrived from' Mana watu on Saturday night. He has offered the discontents to refer tjieir claims to arbitration, convinced that their title, if any, is of an utterly insignificant extent. The sellers are more than ever determined to sxipport Dr. Featherston's purchase; and in spite of the persuasions of the runholders inhabiting the block, have refused to receive the back rje'hts, .except through his hands.
The Taranaki has turned up tMs morn-r ing. A Native report, received from Napier yesterday by the St.'-Hilda, spoke of her having got on some rocks at Po verty Bay, and while bacMng off to have gone down, with all on board: It ap pears she broke the key of her screw in Poverty Bay, and was towed back to 'Tauranga by the Lord AsMey, where she was repaired. ''

OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
fj(From.tke Independent Independent Extra.)

Tuesday, July 9th,

"Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, not a few persons assembled to witness the ceremony of opening the second session .of the fourth New Zealand Parliament, which took place at two o'clock tliis afternoon in the Legislative Chambers. Shortly before the appointed liour, the Hutt and Porirua Companies ■of Volunteers, sixty-six strong, under the ■command of Captain Taylor, headed by the Hutt Band, formed the first of the Guard of Honor, and shortly afterwards a party of twenty-four of the Royal Marines under Lieutenant Powell, formed up on either side of the entrance to the Government Buildings. Although the rain fell in torrents a large crowd had by this time.'assembled, and were marshalled in order by a strong body of police who kept the ground.
