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Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3107, 6 April 1880, Page 2

MR Fenton, Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, has returned from Wellington, after a visit on matters connected with his department. We arc glad to learn that the Government havo succeeded in retaining his services, and that tho Court will bo placed on a footing much more satisfactory to those charged with administering its judicial functions. Instead of being subject to the caprice of the Native Oilice the Native Lauds Court is in future to stand on tho same footing as other Courts, under the direction of the Minister of Justice. The Native Lands Court constantly deals with cases involving very large monetary interests, and with intricate questions of title. The Court, above all others, should be above suspicion,aud beyond the reach of political iuiluences. Thanks to Judge Fenton, not even a whisper of improper motive has ever been attached to auy decision given by the Court ; aud considering the nature of the evidence upon which judgment:! arc demanded, the rarity of disputes arising out of the decrees of tho Court is surprising. The Chief Judge haa been continually embarrassed ia his operations by the interference of the Native Department; Courts have been summarily adjourned, and blocks removed from juris-

diction for political considerations. It is high praise, therefore, to say that under all disabilities the institution has successfully maintained the respect of Europeans aud natives, audits decisions haVe Wmmanded a loyal obedience. The Government have acted judiciously ii^ authorising such changes as wijl facilitate the discharge of the judicial functions with more perfect satisfaction to those who arc entrusted with the administration of tbe law, and also in refusing to allow the control to pass from those hands that have guided the organisation so well in the earliest and most critical period of its existence,

TIIEBE is a delicious freshness aud innocence about the tone in which the Cook's Straits journals speakof ill-used Wellington. In au article beating tap tlaquers to an indignation meeting, meant to bring pressure ou the Govei'«>»lcut in the matter of the West Coast railway, the "Chronicle" denounces the public works policy as a gigantic fl'aud on the poor deluded ratepayers and says : " Wellington has to pay her share, and it is a tolerably large one, towards the cost of our ruinous national debt, and what does sho get for her money? She has a splendid hack country, but it might just as well he as barren as the Sahara. She has appealed to Government aftor Government to give her justice, hut she has been, like Hagar, crying in the wilderness, with the difference that she has not obtained even the bottles of water." Could the force of unblushing impudence further go ; when it is notorious that the money squandered in Wellington, to open up an agricultural back country which does not exist, has been one of the principal causes of tho failure of the Vogel scheme. Immediately beneath tho rhapsodical nonciise we have quoted, is a second article bearing the significant heading " Another Job Contemplated." The term " another" speaks eloquently of familiarity with'jthesomal-appropriatious. Tho "other' joh, is cxplaned iv au extract from the "Fielding Guardian," to the ell'oet that "there is every reason to believe that the construction of tlie Bunnythorpe Gorge and Aslmrst railway will he forthwith! commenced," ]in consequence of the recommendation of the ! Railway Commission. The " Chronicle" remarks :—" We look upon this as oue of the grossest jobs that could be perpetrated. How the Railway Commission can make such a report as that indicated by the Guardian is one of those mysterious things which surpasses ordinary human comprehension. The " Manawatu Herald" can discover no explanation of the puzzle save the Colonel l'earee, an influential member of the Commission, is also a director of the Fielding Corporation wliich is deeply interested in the Buimythoi'pc-Woodviile line. We should not like to believe tbat a gentleman ol Colonel Pcarce's high reputation for integrity would for privatcjreasons lend himself to aiding in the commission of such a discreditable piece of jobbery, aud we therefore cannot accept the explanation hinted at by our 'Foxton (contemporary." The virtuous indignation of tho "Chronicle" is suggestive of another old adage, in which it is assorted that when certain people fall out other aud more deserving persons come by their due. We agree with our contemporary that to spend £140,000 on a short line through a mountainous gorge, in order to bring tin; West Coast traffic to Wellington, would be a job, but still it would not he so gigantic a fraud on the colony at large aa the appropriation of nearly half a million of money for the same purpose,— the job which has the " Chronicle's" special

advocacy

The new regulations under the Diseased Cattle Acts are published on the fourth page of this issue. The regulations are trained to Meal with the subject of notices by the Inspector, quarantine, destruction of cattle, and fees.

The P.M. S.S. Co.'s s.s. City of Sydney, which left Sati Francisco on the 20th March, or five days lata on account of the lire on the 14th, the day previous to her due date of departure, is in reality due here on Monthly, the 12th, but we anticipate that, as the weather has been easterly so long, if a good run be made the steamer may put iv its appearance on Saturday or Sunday next.

The Komata natives have consented to the construction of the road, and it is proposed to employ a number of Tuktikino'a people on tho work. The prejudices of the natives were partly removed by the action of Major Murray in repairing certain crossing places which were dangerous to the visitors from Waikato.

"Anglo Israel," who has distinguished himself iv Wellington, Auckland, and other parts of the colony by his able advocacy of the theory that the people of Great Britain are the descendants of tho Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, lias devised another method of dessominating his views in the shape of a chart. The chart is in the form of an ancient oak-tree, on tho stem of which are the words Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and further up the trunk the Twelve Tribes with their presumed modern national descendants, The Jews arc shewn us, diverging from the Ten Tribes on the two lower branches, leading to Asia Minor and Cyprus, but intermingling with other boughs of the tree. The Kingdom of Israel passes further up the trunk to the British Isles, and thence spreads out to nil the British dominions, which are represented ou separate branches aud boughs. Suitable quotations from Scripture upon which tho Anglo-Israel theory is based are marked on separate parts of the chart, which is sold by Messrs Upton and Co. at Is per copy.

Sir George Grey has writteu a letter to the Reform Association of lnvcrcargill intimating his willingness to visit that plaeo and address the electors.

A paragraph [appeared in our last issue with reference to some observations mado by Judge Richmond on the unsatisfactory process which obtains in swearing a child to give evidence, but the sense of tho matter was greatly obscured by a printer's error which occured in the second line, " to question au iufaut " being rendered " to question an informant." The mistake had a tendency to mislead, and therefore wo correct it.

A singular discussion recently took place in the State Senate of California. A committee on Saintary questions was nominated when a member named Bowell, objected to one of the persons nominated, a certain Dr. Breyfogle, on the ground of his being a homceopathic quack. This led to a discussion. Senator Baker though the senate should not interfere in the disagreements of physicians, aud Senator Cheney said that " thousands of people in California recognised homoeopathy as a regular method of practice," to which Dr Bowell replied that " the admission of Breyfogle ir> t'-o committee would he an insult to tho school of allopathy." Ultimately the nomination was confirmed by twenty-live to eleven

votes,

The Protestant Alliance colicert and soiree, will be held this evening in the Newton Hall.

The Melbourne " Argus" states that Messrs. Boyle and Scott received a letter from tboir .agent in London by the mail giving particulars of the programme of matches arranged for Ihe Australian Eleven. He writes as follows :—" I saw Lillywhitc last night, aud got the full programme so tar as already arranged, but Lillywhitc has left some good dates open for the Eleven to pick for themselves where they will play aftor they arrive. He states when it was known that the team were coming for certain he was rushed with applications for matches, and as there were so many he intended advertising them iv all the sporting papers, and picking the host, lie is anxious to get as many elevcn-a-side matches as possible. The matches arranged are as follows :—-

ICleven-a-side Matches — Leicestershire, Lancashire, Gloucestershire, Sussex, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Yorkshire, All-England at Canterbury, Maryloboue. Against Odds —Newcastle, Buxton, Birmingham, (Spalding, Malton, Northampton, Kcighlcy, Crewe, Hastings, Longsight, Birmingham (return), Broughton, Burnley, Oldham, Leeds, Stockport, Dublin, and jjjllclfast, Giasgow aud Edinburgh, and probably Aberdeen."

Under the head of " unfulfilled promises" the " Northern Advocate " says : " On dit, that Sir George Grey is collecting information regarding the uufulillcd promises of tho present Government, with tho view of showing the House tliat the Government got in on promises which they had no intention of carrying out. Sir George will make capital out of the fact of the Property Tax not being levied, and it is rumoured the cost of assessing property and collecting the tax will he so great, that Government will make this a pretext for not bringing it into operation, while the laud tax is abolished, and the wealthy relieved of their fair share of the burdens of the country. The friends of Sir George believe that he has the material with which 'o make out a nasty case agaiust the 'Financial' Ministry. Tho Liberal Party complain that the Government have done little for Auckland, in the matter of Public Works; have mado no adequate recompense for the support of the ' four;' have not fulfilled the promises made at the time of the secession. We cau answer for the veracity of the last clause, as wo havo seen memoranda which, if published, would be suilieieiit to damn any Ministry. Wc yet hope to see tho Hall Government come out with clean hands,"

It ia said that the price paid by Mr. Suttor of New South Wales, for the Piako Company's Eureka Station, comprising 2000 acres, is £18,000, cash.

The young men of Pitt-street Wesleyan Association will discuss the life and writings of Charles Dickens to-night, with the view of placing the inimitable novelist in hh true position in tho republic of letters.

The commissioners of the Sydney Exhibition have awarded the second prize for selections of biscuits to Mr John Lamb, biscuit manufacturer, of this city.

Among the articles given for the gift auction in aid of the funds for St. Peter's bells in Wellington are one live pig, halfton coals, three new kegs, one pair picture frames, dozen lemonade, one pair oleographs, one volume Paine's "Rights of Man," one copy Besant'a " Law of Population," two toilet and two watering cans &c, &c.

The Taranaki Herald says :—" About the quickest ride from Wanganui that we have heard of was made by a son of Mr W. F. Hoskins of Bell Block, who rode his marc Bonny Lass from eleven miles the other side of Wanganui to his home at Bell Block-a distance of 110 miles—in fourteen hours.

The inquiry iuto the cause of the death of Mrs Pollock, at Helensville, was concluded on the 2ud inst., and resulted in the verdict " Death from natural causes."

We are requested to state that it was the Victoria Band and not the Hobsou Band that performed at the Theatre Royal on Saturday last.

The following is the report of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum and Old Hospital Auxiliary for the week ending April 3, 18S0 :—Remaining last week, 235 ; discharged, 2 ; males, 158 : females, 75 ; total, 233.

The annual meeting of the Sundayschool Union will be held this evening, in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. Speakers, J. C. Firth Esq., (chairman), Revs. W. Morley, and J. Robertson, and Mr G. Hemus. Musical selections by the choir.

Tho Wild Boast Show in Wellesley-street, at the hack of tho United Service Hotel, was largely patronised yesterday. The lion however, seems to attract the greater attention, being not only a very line animal, hut symbolical of England's strength and greatness. The bear, within bars, appears to bo a docile, harmless creature, but not to be trusted with liberty. Tho show will be open during the present week.

" A Visitor" writes making further complaint of the performance of the Port Albert, steam service by tho Kaipara Shipping Company. Ha siiys :— " Being on a visit to Port Albert and having an engagement iv town with an iuteudiug passenger by tho San Francisco steamer, I made every preparation for leaving on the Friday, i.e., the day advertised hy the Company, by the s.s. Durham, but a mishap occurred to her. She did not arrive. The Company promptly chartered the s.s. Tangihua to carry out her engagements, and deliver passougers and mails at Port Albert, but both passengers and mails were shortly transhipped into a small Cutter with instructions to deliver them at Port Albert, making no provision for taking tho return mail or for passengers who were anxious to reach Auckland, of whom there were seven. Thero being no means provided for my reaching Auckland, my engagement was broken, and 1 stiller considerable loss in consequence."

The "Dunedin Herald," commenting upon the telegraphic report of Mr Hurst's speech at City West, says it appeared to be " both frank and manly,"

A curious charge was laid the other day against a milkman at Wellington, lie hail been granted permission to ring a bell in going his rounds, iv order to inform customers of his prosonce, aud this he did on a recent Sunday. On the following Monday he was charged before the R.M. with having rung a bell to the annoyance of a policeman, and somo other persons, and fined 20s and costs.

The 1 lindon Correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times " states that the " unemployed " engaged on the railway works there are greatly dissatisfied with the Government seslo of rations, and contemplate holding a mass meeting ou the subject. Tho scale of rations for each man per day is 21b of bread or ljlb ot biscuit, l.Ub fresh beef or mutton, 4ozs of white sugar, Soy. of tea, \oz coffee, loz of salt, .}oz of pepper, l.oz of composition candle. The men grumble at the absence of matches, butter, potatoes, and soap from the list, and are alarmed at, the idea of having to do without tobacco.

W re notice that Madame Eraser will com monce a new quarter class tor pupils in the art of phonography, in Princes-street. .Madame Eraser is a good short-hand writer, her stylo is clear and accurate, her knowledge also is sufficiently varied and extensive to justify her in conducting a winter class in anatomy aud physiology, and imparling instruction on organisation and structure. Professor Eraser will lecture this (Tuesday) evening in Whangarei, and in his tour will lecture on phrenology and physiology, at Kamo, Waipu, Paparoa, Port Albert, and in other townships.

Considerable amusement was created in the Palinerston Court, by the persistent worrying of the letter " H " by a thoroughbred Cockney. lie had declared his inability to pay the amount for which he had been sued, and in reply to the Bench as to why ho cotdtl not, answered with strong vehemence "Because Hihaint liable lo live ou (h) air." After the smile had died away from the countenances of tho audience, thoir risible faculties were again exercised by the suggestion of Mr Hawkins, that "perhaps if the defendant and the (hare) air were jugged, he might manage to exist."—" Manavvatu Times,'-

Tho " Napier Telegraph " indulges In n lameut over the fact that Yankee farmers supply the residents of tbat place with bacon. The "Telegraph" remarks : " Bacon, hams, cheese, butter, fruit, wheat, and potatoes, arc poured into this market by industrious settlers living to the north and south of Hawko's Bay limits. At this moment eggs cannot be bought wholesale for 2s a dozen. With the exception of beef and mutton, we have to look for our food supply to Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington, Otago, England even, and the United Statesof America ? Fruit iv tons, every summer rots on the grounds in our wildernesses of orchards ; poultry yadrs are so neglected that eggs cannot be had ; dairy farms aro uot to be depended on for butter ; cheese iv this community is only known a3 a productof Canterbury : and, to attract a buyer, bacon and ham must ho ticketed as coming from anywhere bat Hawkc's Bay."

At Wanganui, in answer to an advertisement by Mr Tod. for a man to assist iv a wholesale store, forty-three applicants put in an appearance,

Duriug the year 1879 I notico that 4,294 new books were published, and 1540 new editions, of these 1080' were Theological, S2B educational, classical and philological, 214 juvenile, 1013 novels and tales, 157 law aud jurisprudence, 121 political and social economy, 353 art and science, 29S travel, 403 history and biography, 191 poetry and drama, 236' year books, 189 medical, 179 bellres lettrcs, 51G miscellaneous pamphlets, total 5,534. Ought we not to be a reading nation, and a thinking nation, instead of a frivolus drunken mob, as churchmen inform us wo aro weekly fro m thoir puIpits.—GItKKNSTONE.

In an article on the annual statistics of the colony tho " Otago Daily Times " finds that to every 100 persons engaged in producing there are 20(1 persons dependent, C ministering professionally, and 14 distrij bating. But there were besides dependent ou tho community at largo 2,301 persons supported by charity, and 759 in prisons, making a further burden on tho whole of the classes, whether producing or distributing.

Tho weekly meeting of the St. James Mutual Improvement Association was held last evening. Messrs 11. S, F. Pcltzer and 11. Sherlock wore elected members. The business of the evening consisted of a debate on the question, " Ought the employment of females iv public-house bars to be prohibited hy law ?" Mr Johu Gow opened the discussion in the affirmative, aud he adduced a number of arguments in support of his oniniou. He pointed out that the morals of the young women who occupied these positions wero naturally affected by the conversation, &c, which they wen; compelled to listen to in hotels. Mr G. A. King, who replied in the negative, considered that tho employment of females in public-house bars had a tendency to raise tho moral tone of thoso who frequented those places ot resort, and to restrain tlieir drinking habits. Woman always exerted a strong . inlluence over man. He considered the law had no right to interfere with personal liberty, except whoic flagrant evils existed, and he contended that the employment ot barmaids was not a flagrant evil. All the members present having addressed the meeting, a division was called for, when eight voted on the ailirmative side and seven agaiust. Somo of the members, who had spoken on the ailirmative side, left the meeting before the division took place. At the next meeting, Mr C. Williamson will read au essay on "Proverbs," and Mr H. liaslett j another on "The Social Aspect of Auckland."

The "Northern Advocate" is in future to be published twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

An attempt is to be made next session to make Whangarei a Borough.

Madame Ure'dj Ihe great violinist, whose masterly performances have created quite a furore in Australia, will appear in the Choral Hall on the 16th inst. A plan of the hall will he on view at the Auckland Music Warehouse, Queeu-street, in a few days, where tickets will be obtainable.

We hear on good authority that it is the intention of the Steel Lining Troupe of H.M.S. Comorant to give one of their wellknown entertainments and ball, in aid of the Irish Famine Relief Fund. It will doubtless be as successful as the one given here some few months ago. Several public bodies have promised their support, and the entertainment will no doubt be a highly enjoyable one. It will take place on tho arrival of H.M.S. Wolverine in harbour. The major part of tho proceeds will go to the fund, and we heartily wish our " hold defenders" success.

Mr aud Mrs Hewett will appear at the Theatre Royal in their operatic " Zip," for the lirst time in this city on Thursday evening. The entertainment is of the drawing-room order, and the sketches airy and pleasant, without taxing the thought of the audience. The first part of three characters, Harold, Cox, and Waynor, shows to a certain Lord how foolish it is to become infatuated with the stage and music. Miss Eva Hewett, iv the second part, will appear invariable impersonations, quick changes aud comic songs. 'I he last of the sketches will be " A Husband in Clover."

A concert will be given to-morrow eveniug iv Albert Hall by the actors and vocalists of Auckland for the benefit of Tom Williams, who has been in the Provincial Hospital for many weeks suffering from illness. A capital bill has been preparod for the occasion, full and interesting, and likely to draw a favourable house tor the distressed comedian. The posters tell the tale.

Mr Doran's excellent Variety Company gave another performance last,evening to a good house in the Albert Hall. The negro entertainment and dances by Mettam and young Elder and another were really good, and elicited much applause. Young Elder is a perfect wonder of juvenile precocity, and if carefully trained will some day make his mark in the Thespian profession. He is well made up and displays remarkable versatility for his yearsi The performance by Elder, the one-legged gymnast was warmly applauded. Mr Love was encored in the character songs, "Building Castles in the Air," and " That's where you make a mistake," and he was equally good iv Irish comicality, and a splendid imitation of l'arroii in Tim Flagherty. " Tho Bow at City West " win repealed, aud elicited laughter and applause, aud an excellent entertainment was brought to a close with the farce of " The Divorce," in which Mr Love and Mrs Leonard took the principal characters. The programme, though full of genial fnu, is quite deyoid of auything to oll'eud the tastes of the fastidious.

The name of Major A. 11. Campbell will probably be familiar to most of your readers, as he was all through the New pjoaland war. After his adventures in New Zealand, ouu of which included the storming of a pah, Major Campbell ollered his services to the Turkish Government, and was with Sulieman Pasha at theShipkaPass. Whilst in Turicey, Major Campbell corresponded forth'! "Daily Telegraph." From Turkey Major Campbell went off to Zululand directly the campaign opened, and threw his active mind and robust physique into the new position. He was killed duringthe attack on Tckukuni's stronghold, and will be widely regretted as a man of pluck, bravery, and indomitable energy.—(Own Correspondent, London.)

Itcferring to the Liverpool election our London correspondent, writing on January 29th, says .-—The great political event ot the hour seems to be the Liverpool election.. The town is a great Conservative stronghold, and for many years has always been represented by two Tories and one Liberal. The present members are, or perhaps I ought to say were, Lord Sandon (C), Mr John Torr (C), and Mr William Eathbonc (I.) The other day Mr Torr died, aud a vacancy was created. The candidates iv the field are, on the Liberal side, Captain Lord Ramsey, 8.N., eldest sou of the Earl of Dalhousie, and on the Conservative, Mr Edward Whitby, a lawyer, and a well-known Liverpool man. Great interest is taken in the result all over England, as even the most enthusiastic Conservatives admit that the defeat of a Tory in Liverpool would mean the overthrow of the Government.

Legs of mutton wero recently sold ii Wellington at 9d each.

Tlie pleasant settlement of Kawakawa, near the Bay of Islands, is rapidly improving in its physical aspects. The mining population adds importance to the neighbourhood, and the miners generally have earned a good reputation as a sober and decent body of men. Among the new buildings which stud Kawakawa, is the Masonic Hotel, recently built by Mr Middleton, and which affords excellent accommodation for travellers. A correspondent, who has been staying for several weeks at the Masonic, speaks iv commendable terms of this hotel, and of (lie manner in which it is conducted. Mr Middletou is courteous and considerate to visitors, and has so arranged the various compartments, baths, and oilier conveniences, that his hotel is a thorough home for the stranger visiting the coal localities of that part of the North Island,

Professor Black, of Dunedin, entertains some very extraordinary notions of the value of the services rendered by teachers at the common Schools. He expressed his opinion that head masters of country schools should have at least £200 or £250 a year, while in the case of large country towns some should not despair of being the recipients of an annual income of £700 or £800, and the salaries of assistant masters and mistresses should he in proportion to those of head masters. Then in the case of cities as Dunedin, Wellington, lnvcrcargill, &c. higher prizes should be offered to the teaching profession, and the modest £700 should bo increased to £1000 a year. Inspectors wero not to be left out iv the cold. "Of course," continued tho Professor," " I would have the salaries of the University Professors and of Colleges raised in the same proportion." The Professor of Political economy has evidently only a very limited idea of the exigencies of ways ami means.

A good story comes to mc (" Loafer in the Street") from the North, and I take the opportunity of thanking the sender for many similar ones. A lad was sent to collect the amount of a bill from a house which was known to be shakey. After a long delay the head of the house gave him a cheque for £75. the amount of the account due. Darting oil' to the Bauk the lad presented tho cheque which was returned to him with the mystic letters N.S.E. written on it. " How much is it short, said the lad. " Four pounds fifteen shillings,' answered the teller after a pause. It only wanted two minutes to three, as the boy knew well enough, so pulling out a liver ho paid it iuto the credit of the firm who had given the cheque, and drawing out the full amount returned to his employers with the dollars. The other firm failed on tho following day, and were much surprised to iiud thoy had seventy odd pounds less in the Bank than they had anticipated. That boy will do well in this young colony.

At a meeting of ladies and gentlemen interested in the well-being of women, held a lew days ago at the residence of Lord and Lady Harbcrton, Mr Walter Browne in the chair, resolutions wero adopted establishing a society to promote tho emigration of women, and nominating a provisional committee to carry out the resolutions. The speakers were Mr Arthur Clayden, Mrs Ross Stepney, Sir Clinton Murdoch, Miss Jane Lewin, Or. Gerald Harper, Dr. L. Forbes, Miss Bewicke, Miss Barlocs, Miss F. Davouport Hill, Lady Stewart Hogg, and the Rev. G. P. Merrick. At the close of the meeting a largo number of promises of aid were given.—" Home News."