SOCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1787, 13 April 1874, Page 3

SOCIAL TELEGRAMS.

(Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency.)

Auckland, Saturday,

Tho Star replies forcibly to the remarks of what it calls tho 'I Lames Evening Rag re Fraser H.M., aiitl says tho Thames Star has espoused the cause of specimen-stealers and their Magisterial sympathiser Fraser, and in doing so deals heavily witli us in its own small way. The Star i 3 not surprised at this, for that wretched little paper at the Thames, which disgraces us by bearing our name, owes its existence to specimenstealers, and the continued action of tho police in the course now adopted would drive from the goldfield its chief patrons and supporters. As the THiMES Adv-Ektisee, tho Cross, the Eerald, and this journal all gave utterance to the instinctive feelings of honest men, it is perhaps fair that rogues should have an organ,- and irrespective of the fact that we believe Fraser himself to be the writer of tho article iu question, it is wholly natural that specimen-stealers should liavo au advocate in the Thames Star. The T quartz-brusher aud the thief aro bound alike to absolute secrecy by the common danger, for any scrupulous--ness on the part of the crusher will only drive away the customer, and deter other customers of a similar class from coming. If tho police must fumble at their batons till a case of guilt comes into their hands they are likely to wait about as long as till Fraser is made a judge. There is not an honest man in the Auckland province but approves of the action of the police, and will rejoice that an evidently habitual offender like Manning has been trapped. They will also have equal confidence in asserting that it is the duty of the Government to inquire into tho conduct of tho Kesident Magistrate, and consider whether in the circumstances it might not I be advisable that he should be removed to some other sphere, not by way of punishment, bat to effect a .separation between him and the class of persons whose friendship and applause he, evidently courts. We ( s tar) should like to know any one axiom of English jurisprudence—unless it be the thieves' code-antagonistic to the trapping of thieves. There are few who do not know how common it is, for example, to send marked money by letter through the post-offic?, although in this, as in similar cases, something more important is sought than the object mentioned in the Thames Star's rennrkable anti-climax, namely, proving " tho character of the police for smartness." We feel, however, the difficulty of carrying on an argument with our small contemporary. We reason from a different stand-point. Our premises are based on different codes of ethics. Theirs are the moral principles of Newgate; ours of honest men. The little organ of thieves twits us as pandering "to the prejudices of Auckland speculators." Heaven knows we often bear down heavily enough on " Auckland speculators," and if they have any gratitude in their souls, we lay no claim to it. But, bad as they may be, we respect the " prejudices" of these or any other men when those " pre" judices" are simply " prejudices" against being robbed by hundreds of our small Thames contemporary's patrons, who have worn the garb of simple working miners, and have gone to England laden with tho spoils of shareholders; and, if these shareholders have an objection to this, upon our honour we respect their, "prejudices." This action of Fraser's has been a very dirty business, aud the more he stirs it up by writing for the Press, the moro unsavory is the stench.— Mr Meikle, the engineer of the steamer 'Murray,' reports that Whangarei coal fully equals the Bay of Islands. It burns more fiercely, gives a clearer flam l ,, and less smoke. He believes Whangarei coal will bo found equal to any ia New Zealand.—iiharemarket: — Sales: South British, 495; Alburnia, 355; Windsor Castle, 3s 6d; Caledonian, £8 15s; Watchman, 7s 6d; New Pacific, Is 6d ; Ooliban, 8s 9d;Cure, lis 6d; Pride of Tokatea, Is 6d; Old Whau, £7 6s 6d; Thames, £2 17s 6d; liuby, 4s 6d. Buyers: Bank of New Zealand, £17 7s j National, 755: Standard, 12s; Alburnia, 355; Bright Smile, £4 2s 6d; Eldorado, 36s 6d; Nonpareil, 3s 6d; Queen of the May, 14s; Union Beach, 19s.— Mr Mackay and Colonel Lyon met Kewi yesterday at Eopua'. Mr Mackay allowed no civilians to be present. - Kewi welcomed the party cordially, and said his word was not about Waikato. Manuwhiri said McLean would have to settle that. His word was about road-making, &c., at Faupo and Wanganui, that it must be stopped. Aporo also spoke to a similar effect. Mr Mackay said that Mr McLean was out of tho country,' and would not see him perhaps for Bis months. Eewi then said he could wait a year. A dance by tho natives in drill by the Armed Constabulary terminated the proceedings.

(FHOJI OUtt OWN COBBESPONDENT.) Cobomandkii, Saturday. A public meeting wag held tonight, which was a great success, and a requisition of 205 signatures soliciting Dr. Hovell to stay here was presented to hitn, as well as a pursa of sovereigns.— Arrived: The schooner 'Mary Thompson,' from the Thames, with tho machinery of the Plutus claim; and the cutter ' Henry,' from Aucklmd, with cattle.