THE HINEMOA MYSTERY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5513, 9 January 1885, Page 2

THE HINEMOA MYSTERY.

STRANGE REVELATIONS.

(PER OHITfiD PRLSS ASSOCIATION.)

Aucklvm), Jan 9.

The following is an official explanation of tho Hinemoa mystery : — On December tho 27th the Government received a telegram from the Agent-General stating that the British Ambassador at Berlin believed that Germany intended to annex Samoa, or proclaim a protectorate over the Navigator Group. A Cabinet Council was hastily convened at Wellington. A telegram was despatched to Mr Stout, who was then at Dunedin, requesting his immediate return to Wellington, and the Colonial Secretary, who was also in Dunedin, was likewise desired return to the seat of Government in consequence of the importance of the communication received from London. It was considered advisable that His Excellency the Governor should be present at the Council of Ministers, and Governor Jervois accordingly left Christchurch, where he was staying with his family, and returned in haste to the capital. On December the 31st Ministers met in the Cabinet Council. The subject of German annexation in the Pacific was discussed generally, but the attention of the Cabinet was mainly occupied with the Samoan question and the alleged designs of Germany in regard to that group of islands. Sir Julius Yogel strongly urged the imperative necessity"for the Government of New Zealand taking immediate action for the purpose of preventing these Islands falling under the dominion of a foreign power, and pointed out that this colony, by reason of its geographical position and trade, was deeply interested in the Navigator Group. It is evident that it is the desire of the natives of these Inlands to be brought into a close alliance with New Zealand, as shown by the petition addressed by some of their most influential chiefs to the Government, which was referred to as an argument in favor of the colony being entrusted with tho task of extending British domiuion in these parts, in the event of the Imperial Government declining to take action. Mr Stout coincided with the views expressed by the Treasurer, and they were generally acquiesced in by the other members of the Cabinet. The decision arrived at by the Cabinet, after a mature aud prolonged deliberation, was that tho Governor shoul'i be requested to communicate with Lord Derby the opinion of his advisers that Samoa should forthwith be annexed to New Zealand by the Colonial Government, and that Her Mujesty should be advised to assent to Sir George Grey's Annexation Act. In the meantime it was decided, with the view to practical effect bciug given to the decision of the Cabinet, that the Hinemoa should be made ready for a voyage to Samoa. Immediately after the termination of Cabinet Council, the Governor despatched a telegram to the Secretary of State tor the Colonies to the following effect: — "December 31 — My advisers deem the annexation of Samoa by New Zealand imperative, and have resolved on that step. They strongly urge the Royal assent to the Confederation and Annexation of Islands Act, 1883." Extra stores having been laid in by the Hinemoa, and the necessary preparations made for the contemplated voyage to Samoa, the steamer left Wellington the same evening and proceeded to Waiwera, where she arrived on Monday morning. In the meantime a reply had been received from Lord Derby to the telegram sent by the Governor, of which the following is understood to bo the substance— "Government disapprove of the proposed annexation of Samoa by the New Zealand Government pending the present negotiations, and the royal assent given to the Act specified." A copy of Lord Derby's telegram was communicated to Sir Julius Yogel at Waiwera by the Governor's private secretary, and an informal Cabinet Council was forthwith held at Waiwera, at which Sir Julius Yogel, Hon. Buckley, and Tole were present, when it was again decided to urge again upon the Imperial Government the importance of sanctionary the proposed action of the New Zealand Government, It is anticU pated that this further pressure brought to 'bear upon Lord Derby, will induce the Imperial Government to consent to the wishes of the Colonial Ministry, and in the meantime, pending advices from London, the Hinemop. is being kept in a state of readiness to proceed at a moment's notice. La^er. The Hinemoa is now lying at the wharf with steam up, awaitiug orders. It is now .believed Ministers intend to despatch her despite the adverse telegram from Lord Derby. The ordinary weekly meeting of the Southern Star Lodge 1.0. G.T. was held last evening, Bro.G. BraithwaiteW.C.T. occupying the chair. During the evening 4 new members were initiated and 3 proposed for membership. The nomination of D. Dand Grand Lodge representative also took place, Bro. B. C. Rollens of Hawera and Bro. D. Eyre being naminated. This being all the business transacted the lodge closed.

We (Eangitikei Advocate) regret to have to announoe the death of Mr H. Humphrey, bookseller and stationer, Marton, which took place at 3 o'clock this morning. Mr Humphrey had for years past been suffering from disease of the heart, and lately there was snperadded to this dropsy. The deceased gentleman had been in Marton for about six years, and was for some time one of the most active and intelligent members of the Borough Council. He also acted as secretary of the Horticultural Society, until compelled by illness to resign the position. He leaves a wife and fifteen children, several of the latter being grown up.

An application was made to the Chairman of the Hospital Committee yesterday from Foxton, requesting that a patient suffering from erysipelas in that township should be admitted to the Wangauui Hospital. As the latter institution is full to overflowing, the application had to be declined, which was as well under the circumstancea. EryBipelas is a dangerous ailment to admit into an hospital ward, as there is no saying when it wilt take its departure, rendering all surgical operations of even the most trivial character highly dangerous, so long as it is about the place. Not long since, it was thought the Melbourne Hospital would have to pulled down and the debris burnt, as the only means of stamping out the disease, which caused quite a number of unlookedfor deaths in the surgical wards.

Mr Ward presided at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, when the following civil business was disposed of : — A. D. Wills v R. W. Parkinson, claim £4 2s, judgment for plaintiff for whom Mr Cook appeared ; Wangaehu Board v J, P. Lomax, claim £10 19s ; Mr Burnett appeared for the Board, judgment for plaintiff with costs 21s, add solicitors fee 21s. H. McFayden vT. Barnott, clam £3 10s, judgment for plaintiff with costs 10a ; Peter McKinnon v Thomas Barnott, claim £8 19s, judgment for plaintiff with costs 10s ; 0 oseph Paul v F. K. Crowther claim 13a 6d, adjourned until Tuesday by order of the Court. In the action brought by .Joseph Goldsmid against J. T. Anderson, the E.M. ordered a fresh summons to be issued as the plaint note had not been signed by the plaintiff. The amount of the plaintiffs claim was 10s Id, and the defendant had paid 4s 4d of this amount into Court. This being all the business, the Court adjourned.

To-night the Drill Hall will be the centre of attraction, and all in search of a really good night's amusement should pay the hall a visit; No time or trouble fias been spared by those taking part in the Eichardson Show, every performer being perfect in his particular business, so that no hitch or stick is likely to occur in the "Terrible Tragedies," "Comical Comedies" "Farcical Faces" &c, which are to be performed. Iv addition to the show there are the attractions of the promenade concert, for which the Wanganui Rifles' Band as also a string band have been engaged. Mr Dustin will have a stall inßide the building, and we hope he will make up for the loss he snstained on New Year's Day. Part of the hall has been set usidefcr those who wish to engage in the mazy wa^tz during the intervals of the "Show." The admission to the hull is Is, which includes the first performance at the " Agony Theatre." We hope to st-e a bumper house to-night, which will enable the combined Friendly Societies Committee to settle the 1885 picnic accounts, without drawing from the individual lodges.