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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1823, 18 December 1875, Page 2

One of the richest articles we have ever read is contained in the Hawke's Bay Herald. After groaning piteously over the suspicion cast on all the bogus titles to land in Hawke's Bay, it actually urges legislation to confirm to the holders the titfe to these stolen lands. "We had heard that such a course was contemplated, but we had taken it for a mischievous rumour of the enomy, intended to poke fun at the Land Ring, but here we have actually a journal—infamous and demoralised, it is true —but still a journal advocating retrospective legislation for the purpose of confirming by Act of Parliament the possession of lands that were literally swindled and stolen from the natives. "It comes to be a question," says this soiled brother of the honorable fourth estate, " whether the matter is not one which it would be desirable to deal with by means of retrospective legislation. The principle of~ retrospective legislation is already admitted in regard to questions connected with the title to native lands." It will certainly hardly be credited out of New Zealand that such principles L have been advocated in a public journal. The poor dark skinned wretches of Hawkes Bay have been first robbed by debauching them with drink and then inducing them to sign mortgages and otherwise involve themselves inlegal entanglements. And.then,when perjured juries refused redress, and the Highest Court in the land, removed from the vile atmosphere of the land of .swindle, interposed the protection of the law, the scoundrels have the audacity to propose that the law should be altered to aanctif^nd' ratify the robberie» of yen

After the Members Robberies' Condonation A< t of last session, however, nothing is too much to hope for. But it must be borne in mind that the Assembly, whose majority passed an Act to protect its members from legal prosecutions for their own misdeed?, has been scattered, and a new legislature, comprised of honest men will have in hands tbe destinies of New Zealand. And we hope that instead of passing a law to confirm, tbe robbery of Hawke's Bay natives, it will take steps to bring to condign punishment all, however high in office or in rank, whose hands have been stained with either private or public plunder,

We hold over—already in type —a piquant racy article from the Timara Herald on certain salient points in the political career of Sir Julius Vogel.

A marvelously narrowffescape from the serious consequences of an accident that occurred on the Onehunga road was reported to us to-day. It appears that Mr S. Wells was walking towards Onehunga yesterday evening when he was overtaken by a man driving a spring cart, having a horse fresh from the grass tethered by a lengthy rope behind the cart. When near Mr. Neal's residence Gilbam's 'bus came rattling along, and the sound of this vehicle jarred so much on the nerves of the " fresh" horse that he commenced plunging and pulling at the rope to get away. At this time the cart was near a siding on the road, and the pulling of the tethered horse caused the cart to heel over with its occupants, both of whom were under the cart as it fell. The owner crept out behind without a scratch, while Mr Wells remained underneath. He seeing a space near tbe point of the cart, and observing the cart to be gradually settling down, made a plunge through the opening and just escaped, and the cask came down with a slam on the spot where his head was a moment before. The Only injury he sustained was a bruise on his foot. While this was going on, a number of the bus passengers bad alighted, and both horses were secured, and evcrthing being set to rights, the journey was resumed.

We have received a letter in Maori signed JSTa Mate Whtta and Na Matou Katoa, of Kaitumlttumu, Waikato, informing us of the great loss and suffering caused to the natives of that settlement by recent floods. It says their houses, crops and cattle have been swept away ; and hopes the pakehas and Government will assist them.

Out of the nine competitors at Mr. Dennes's singing competition, Waiuku, Miss Speedy was successful in winning the prize by 11 points over the next highest score.

We call special attention to the programme published in another column of the entertainment to be given by the Saturday night committee on Boxing night. It should be a success if pains and assiduity on the part of the committee can ensure it. The entertainment will be conducted on thoroughly temperate principles throughout, and really promises Well.

A musical and literary entertainment, in connection with the Congregational Church, Beresford-street, will take place on Tuesday evening next, tho proceeds to be devoted to the building fund of the new church. The programme is attractive and choice, and cannot fail in giving pleasure to the audience.

The Saturday night committee have obtained the assistance of Misses Sinclair, Ash, and Carr ; Messrs. Chapman, Carter, Hunt, Fry, Marter, Marson, McDermott, and last, though by no means least, Mr. Butschkow. With such performers the patrons should spend a pleasant evening.

On Monday next, Messrs Tonks and Co. will sell by auction, at their Brunswick Mart, leases of valuable hospital endowments, by order of his Honor the Superintendent, situate at Epsom, Onehnnga, and near the Harp of Erin. Also, valuable freehold property, by order of the executors of the late Mrs Shepherd, situate at Auckland and adjacent settlements.

A meeting of tho committee in connection with the annual soiree and ball of Court City of Auckland, A 0.F., was held on Wednesday evening last, when it was decided to hold the same in the Choral Hall, instead of in the Lome-street Hall as previously intended.

A large congregation met last evening in St. Matthew's Church to participate in the advent service of the church. Rev. R. S. Hassard, the incumbent, read the service, and venerable Archdeacon Maunsell preached from Isaiah c. 11 v. 1.

We would cali the attention of our readers to the announcement in another column of the annual tea meeting and concert of the Sir Henry Havelock Lodge, to be held on Wednesday evening next.in the Lodge-room, Ed wardes street. We have no doubt but that the Lodge will-on this occasion keep up its character for being one of the best of our Auckland Good Templar Lodges.

We refer our readers to the third page of this evening's issue for the particulars and subjects of Sunday services to be held tomorrow in the several places of public worship1

A confirmation service was held yesterday evening in St. Sepulchre's Church by Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland. The service was very impressive and well attended. Twenty-eight youfl^g persons took upon themselves the responsibilities of their godfathers and godmothers ; after the performance of the ceremony of confirmation, his Lordship delivered a suitable discourse on the occasion and spoke in laudatory terms of the creditable manner in which the young persons had prepared themselves for the undertaking.

The committee of the Sheridan-street Chapel resolved laßt evening to forego the usual solicitation from house to house for contributions towards the children's New Year's treat, and determined, instead, to have a service of song on Thursday evening next, as will be seen in another part of our journal. Mr Booth will conduct the choir, and, we believe, Mr Smith will read the intervening passages of the service.

The- really beautiful series of twelve pictures by one of our best local artists, Mr Albin Martin, representing scenes in the localities around Auckland, will be drawn for this evening at the store of Mr McLachlan, in Queen-street. We have before referred especially to these works of art as examples of the painter's fidelity to nature and nicety of colouring, and need only add that the fortunate, winner will possess real art treasures.

The following from the stumpy quill of the Parnell Washerwoman has been received in relation to the stopping of Charles Burton's projected art union for plumcakes :— > A kake hart union was hannounced For cakes for Christmas time, Stampt with the portrate of the Mahar, Our neighbour Tonks, not Prime. But the hart union has been crushed, Fornted for the children's sakes. The cruel constables have stopped, The shake for Barton's cakes.

There seems to be no room now left to doubt but that at the Thames, at this present time, much real distress prevails, and that the condition of the district is fast becoming critical. The primary cause of the present distress is, no doubt, attributable to the stoppage of the Bright Smile pumps and battery. Not only have nearly 1000 men— for so it is estimated —been thrown out of employment, but mines to which we looked for support to enable us to tide over the time until fresh finds should happily be secured, have, for the time being, been rendered almost valueless to us.—Thames Star.

Ladies desirous of exchanging music, pictures, books, photographs, &c, &c, should consult the exchange columna of Saturday Night. Answers solicited to the prize riddle now published.—[Advt.J