The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo. THURSDAY, JANUARY 5,1882.

Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3559, 5 January 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5,1882.

For the cause that lacks asslilance, For the wrong that nccijs resistaac For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

The Grand Jury have to-day givon another reason for their speody abolition. Why New Zealand shou'd linger behind all the other Australasian colonies in the maintenance of this obsolete farce we do not Know, "While rarely if ever useful, it is often mischievous. To-day's proceeding affords a notable instance in point. The Grand Jury threw out two of the bills for burglary against Plummer, thereby rendering nugatory weeks of careful investigation by the police and an experienced Magistrate. Iv revising the indictments sent up by country J.P.s, the Grand Jury may be excused for exercising a very liberal discretion ; bat to any person acquainted with tbe loose, irregular, harried, and most unsatisfactory way in which evidence is taken by a Grand Jury, their unacquaintanee with tho merits of cases brought before them, and frcquont incapacity to elicit the essential testimony of dull witnesses, it is perfectly laughable, but for the serious injury to public interests, to think of such a body sitting in judgmenton the commitments of a legally trained, experienced, and painstaking judge like Mr Macdonald. We have no desire to prejudice tho position of the prisoner now awaiting trial on the three charges for which true bills have been found, but we arc compelled to say most emphatically that, considering the alarm caused by the long series of burglaries committed ia Auckland, the whole of the cases ought to have gone for trial by the judge and common jury. The committing magistrate was the most competent to say whether a prinia facie case for trial had been made out, and in reversing his decision and so baulking tho trial, Mr Barton Ireland and his colleagues have done a foolish and unwarrantable thing.

It may perhaps bo explained by tho Government upon the assembling of Parliament why the desire of the Mokau natives for tho opening of that district to European settlement has met with persistent obstruction. We confess we regard most of the mysterious movements of the Taranaki ring with a largo amount of suspicion, and tho figure cut by Mr Parris, the trusted Government officer of tho district, lately, docs not inspire confidence in Inn judgment and discretion. His appearance on tho beach at the trial ofTe Whiti, and indecent attempt,* by loading questions, to bounce Mr Carrington into a statement which would have amounted to perjury, has been strongly condemned by the press of the entire colony. We again find him figuring prominently as one of the presiding Magistrates who dismissed the charge of stealing cattle from the Maoris, in which certain connections of Taranaki ruling families were implicated. This I «.ffair, we observe by our telegrams yester- "»», haa been severely handled by the LJW<sUon Times." And again Mr Parris'a ntt™e c, ro ?a out conspicuously in oppositien to the deshvof Te Wetere and other chiefs to have aU n 4 Court at Mokau. Mr parris, it is said, w received a letter signed King Tawhiao," asWng him on no account to listen to any petitioAom the natives of Mokau for a Court there. The i-overn-ment are fond of Royal Commissions; perhaps they will be good enough to appoint one to inquire into the entire administration of native iffairsin the Taranaki district,which is a continual aourco of disquiet and cost to tho whole colony. Such a Commission should be specially instructed to keep in view trailicking in nativo laads by persona who now. hold Government appointments, or have ever been ao employed. If the Government fail to take the initiative in this matter, we hope it will not escape thoattcn. tion of some private member. _ The question of opening the Mokau river, which suggested these reflections, has a history, The tiver forms th'£ boundary

between the Provincial Districts of Auckland and Taranaki; it is tidal for thirty miles, and opens a splendid agricultural and mineral district. Coal outcrops on the river bank. Many years .iro the Provincial Government of Auckland acquired 00,000 acres at the mouth of the river, but the Waikato war, in which many Mokau natives participated, arising, nothing could be done with the land, and the whole country, from the confiscated lino to the Mokau, became sealed against Europeans, and remained so until about four years ago, when ollicial intercourse with the Mokau natives was opened by the Grey Administration. The natives.who had been thirteen years in seclusion, came out to meet the Premier and the Native Minister in New Plymouth, and a firm footing of friendship was established. The leading chiefs have since been two or three times in A uc kland. A iteamcr was subsidised to trade to Mokau, a wepkly mail carried by the natives was established betwixt there and New Plymouth, the survey of a block of land had been effected, and a Laud Court was on the eve of sitting, aud an application had been made by the natives for a road and railway from Taranaki to Mokau, forming a portion of the trunk line from Auckland to New Plymouth. The change of Ministry, however, changed the condition of things. Sir George Grey and Mr Shcehan rctinid, and their successors adopted a different policy. The subsidy to the steamer was stopped, the natives were deprived of the money promised them for carrying the mails, and the district was once more sealed up. llec-ntly, however, the natives—hoping for a change—made application for the sitting of a .Native Land Court under the Act of 18S0, and the chiefs interviewed Mr Kolleston in New Plymouth on the subject, but for some reason uot known to them no attention appears to have been paid to their request. They then interviewed Mr Kelly, M.H.K., who promised to do what he cau for them in the matter, and at a meeting reported by Press Agency tcicsraws the other day, the chid* resolved to petition Parliament. Imamdiately after tl-ia further, movement by the Mokaa natives inure was published in the Kew Plymouth papers the* statement that Mr Parria had received a lottet "signed King Tawhiao" instructing him not to ltettn to the petitiouetd. Ar<; wo to understand from this that tho Mokaa district has been formally transferred from the Queen to King Tawhiao'a ruin, and the natives. oC tin: district arc to bo thwarted in thair loyal aspirations J That it should rcquiro any agitation n? political influence te obtain Uic si'A'.ug ot a Isative Lauds Court for thi; opc'Mug of such an important place »•■ i&oicau, and that tho natives should U, permitted to complain of refusaj r -% a procedure no!; oasily under-

feCJtt amidst suoh wholptalc [irofesiion's of I" opening up the country." The people of - Auckland are greatly iutcreated in thU mat tor, became tfiey would benclit moat by a peaceable opening of thy cinnlry, and beiue joined by toil with Torunaki ;ind Wellington, to uv.y nothing of the gripping trade that mast jjrow up nn so fme a river as the Mokan, where the land ahc nnie in inincr.il wealth. PoBMbJy the Ministry, or the Laud.Coutt Ju<!go, whoever has power, in the matter, may profess the mysteries of the Nativo Office, "!re«!i troublcg," "peace of the couatry," &c, sa

reasons for rctnsiu:: a Land Court; and it ia said both in Waikato and Taranaki that tha Native Department has always been averse to Mokau being opened by private settlers instead of through the influence of the .Native Office. Indeed, it has more than onco been publicly asserted on roliahle authority that a Civil Commissioner has used his utmost intluence iv opposition to the negotiations of the European settlers, who were the means of bringing the natives to meet the Government, a task that he could sever accomplish. Such objections will not be considered a sulficient reason for refusing the request of Te Wet ere, the head chief of that country, to Mr Kolleston and Mr Kelly in Wew Plymouth :^-"Thoro will be no trouble. Let tho Judge decide the ownership." With evidence like this beforo us of the strongly expressed and unanimous wiah of tho natives to avail themselves of our Courts, there are fair reasons for supposing that something beyond " tho cood of the country " is keeping tho district closed. It is to the public interests that those reasons should bo known.

A telegram was received here to-day from the Hon. Mr Lick, Colonial Secretary, to the effect that the licensing districts under the new liccnaing ordinance are to be gazetted at once. This will speedily be followed by the election of tho I icensing Committees. An advertisement appears in our columns this evening, inviting Good Templars to meet on Saturday evening next, at tbe Albert-street Hall, for the purpose of making arrangements for working the Act, At a meeting of creditors in the estate of Maurice Kelly, Jun,, held to day. Mr Thos. Macffarlane was appointed trustee. Liv-

bilities were set down at £460 ; assets, nil,

We have been informed that several members of the Auckland police force have giv<m in their resignation. Some of these are intelligent, well-educated men, and have been in the forco for several years.

Constable Samson, who has lelt the water* police, has resolved upon farming, and has taken posscftsion of a farm some ten miles out of town, where he intends to devote his energies to the peaceful pursuits of agricul-

ture, feeling that it is " better to work in Golds for health uubought than fee the doctor,"

The threo vessels, the Glcnelg, Welling, ton and Kose Casey, reached the Queen-

street wharf on New Year's night nearly at the same time with their several bands and passengers from the Waiwera. The first in siKht waa the Kose Casey, but she was passed by the Glcuelg; aud immediately on nearing her tho Ulenelg band struck up " See tho Conquering Hero Conies." Tho Wellington band in passing performed the well-known air, "The girl I left behind me," when, in response, tho Koso Cnsey band played sweetly and plaintively " The last Koso of Summer." The position of the boa's, and the suitableness of tho tunes to the circumitances, uau*cd much amusement and no ill feeling.

With reference to the complaint of ,a Northern Wairoa correspondent about mail arrangements, we learn that the loiter h«s nothing to do with the regular twice a week mail service to Kaipara, but refers to an extra trip of an unsubsidised steamer, tho time-tabc ol which the postal authorities cannot control. The post-oincc was informed on tho occasion complained of thot the steamer would leave Ilelonsville after the arrival of the morning train ou Saturday, by which mails wero accordingly sent. But the steamer left on Friday night without tho mails ; hence the growls.

Tho railway employe's' annual pieuic will be held on the 21st iost., at Hunua (Mr Hay's grounds). An efficient committee has been appointed for making due arrangements, and the carrying out of the programme, which is of a satisfactory character, similar to that of last year. An excellent band will be in attendance, and everything provided for the comfort of the employes and their friends. It is. hoped that merchants and tradesmen will refrain aa much as possible from sending goods on that day, in order that the picnic may be wholly enjoyable, and a fete of uninterrupted pleasure.

The bazaar hold on tho premises of Mr Battray, of Queen-street, in aid of the funds of the new Catholic Church, Newton, was brought to a satisfactory close last evening. Tho remaining goods iverc disposed ot by auction by Mr K. C. Greenwood. The evening's receipts were £77 os 4d, making a total of £900, a most gratifying result. Tho ladies and friends connected with the undertaking worked energetically and well. The grand concert, as a conclusion to the whole of the efforts in favour of the new church, will beheld in the Choral Hall on the cvoning of the 29th inst., when a splendid and inviting programme will be presented to the audience.

Private letters received by the mail at Melbourne, fays the Melbourne "Herald," point to the prospect of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy shortly entering the Bervico of the Imperial Government as Governor of Ceylon. Sir Charles's recent utterances relating to the state of Ireland have received the approbation of Mr Gladstone and the Liberal Ministry. Persons who are behind the scenes speak of the appointment as a certainty. At the farewell banquet given to him in Sydney, Kir Henry Parkes said:—"l arrived in this country in the year 1830, an entirely unknown young man. I brought no letter of introduction; I'vas known to no person in the country; and lived in New South Wales for two years wittnut seeing a human lace which I hud known during the first twenty-three years of my life. On one occasion I rctueruber picking up a sixpence in oco of the public streets of Sydney ; that bought broad, which, if I had not picked up the sixpence, 1 should have had to have gone without for the day. I leave this country as Prime Minister, apparently with the confidence of both Houses of Parliament." He considered this a proof that the highest positions in the country were open to all men without respect to rank or station in life. *

Captain M. T. Clayton was yesterday nominated for the vacant seat in the I'arnell Borough Council by Messrs It. Walker and B. Ireland, and there being no other Candidates ho was declared elected.

Tenders for Messrs Cook's warehouse have been opened at Mr E, Mahoney's, but the acceptance of one has not yet been decided, The tenders are as follows :— Baildon and StephcnsoD, £3 083 j Jos. J. Holland, £3,029; K. Kay, £3,350; G. Khodes, jun., £3,228; McCounochic and Flatt, £3,116; J. W. James, £3,069; C. H. Chalwiu, £3,560: A. Kcyes, £3,342; John Currie, £3,295; A, Maguire, £3,160; C. S. Wright, S3.IH

Mrs Bridget Mooncy writes complaining of her treatment in connection with the races at Devonport and Ellcrslie. She says she has had stalls for the last cloven years on the course, and has always conducted them satisfactorily. But this year some of the publicans objected to her selling ginger-beer and lemonade, and her business was put a stop to, although she had paid for the privilefc of a stand. She wishes to bring the matter under the notice of the committee, as she believes they are unaware of such a prohibition being enforced.

A pleasing instance of the kind feeling entertained by his people for the Key. C. W. Lambert, has come under our observation. On Christmas Day, after divine service, 11. Williams, Esq., on behalf of the trustees of the Pakaraka Church Endowment Fund, handed to Mr Lambert a letter containing a handsome present, and later on, the members of St. Paul's Church, Kawakawa, learning that Mr Lambart was about to take a holiday, for the purpose of visiting his family at Hawkes Bay, hastily collected a sum amply sulh'cient to cover all the expense of the journey, and presented it through J. P. Moody, Esq., J.P. This speaks well both for the clergyman and his people, and *it would be well if such instances of mutual regard between pastor and Hock were more common.

A cruel practical joko is reported to linve been played upon » youth who recently visited some country relations in the VVagfta Wagga dislrnHft-" He was taken out opossum-shooting by some of his young friends, who had previously arranccd that otic of their number should climb a tree and personate a chest by covering himself with a sheet, Suddenly the alaim wns given, and the conspirators decamped iv feigned alarm, but soon recovering thoir liurage, they persuaded ilioir yv.r.);'guest to fife at theghoat, bavins pvovioosly takeuthepreCiHtMnc u> sec that his gun was only loaded with powder.' The ghost descending from the tree approached the party, nud no terlified the kul that he became Insensible, and waa fully six weeks before ho regained his cuatoiunry health.

A block of 'J,500 acres of iirst-elass Grown !;iod at Kaipara, near Holensville, i« now being surveyed rrnd cut up into sections

varying in size from 50 to 200 .acios, Hia tho intention ot the Government to offer it fur aalu shortly, and intending settlers will have an excellent opportunity afforded thorn of obtaining excellent farms ot the best quality o" laud. With the object of giving access to tho laud, tenders wore roct'uUy called for tho erection of a swing bridge over the river, ;iUiut a quartt r-oi-ii-mile from the sailway terminus. The length will be 26lft, by 12ft, wide, und 24ft. opfeningin tUo centre. Hie Government estimate for the work was £1,100, and the following tenders were received:— V. Harness (accepted), £1,136 13s Id ; M. McLean, £1,255 15s ; Mercer and Marshall, £1,35-tl6s; Alexander Southerland, £1,450 ; J. McLean and Son, £1,450 ; Orlando Wells, £1,495 9s j B. F. Cuckscy and NeiKlj £1,5C4; Scott aud Coombos, £2,159.

The ordinary meeting of the l'arncll Borough Council was held on Monday evening last. Captaiu Clayton, who hud been elected to the vacaucy caused by the election of Mayor, took his seat at the Council Board. Dr. hichardaon reported a ca«o of whoopiug-coueh at Uath-street. A letter was received from the Undcr-Socre-tary to the Native Department stating that lot 89 could not bo given to the borough as an endowment. With reference to a complaint from Mr John Evaua, re the defective drainage near his premises, Mechanic's Bay, tho luspector cf Nuisances reported that the defect hnd boon remedied. Mr Hill, who wrote complaining of tho drainage of Scarbro' Terrace, was referred to tho Inspector's roporf. The report ot the (Streets Committee re the building lluc, channelling, etc , of Brown and Greystreets was road, enclosing agreement from residents to contribute towards tho expense of tho work, or pay tor the gravel for the paths. It waa agreed that the* work bo done en these terms, Tho reports of thd Inspector of Nuisances, and the Foreman of Works, were read and adopted, This was all tho business,

The Ooilcc Palace tcuders were received yesterday aa follows :—Jones anrl Pollnrd, £2G,563; Bayldon and Stephcnson,£2s,97s ; McGuire, £2"),G0O ; Fhilcox, £25,400 ; Mai. colm, £25,282 ; James and Khodes, £25,175 ; J. J. Holland, £23,500; Cameron, £23,238 ; Blewdcn, £23,000; Wntaon, £22,755; Fallon, £22,550; Cbntwin, £21,296$ Mar. shall and Mercer, £20,590. The tenders arc co unexpectedly high that probably considerable modifications will lie made on the building before it is gene on with. A general meeting or. the shareholders is to bo called to consider tho question. Contractors do uot seem to have coincided with Mr Llughes'a opinion that the bnilding is unsubstantial. Tho complaint runs just tho opposite way, tho designer being charged with having made the structuro unnecessarily expensive nad elaborate, It is confidently aiecrted that a very largo diminution of tho work might be safely made'vithout detracting from the stability of the building, Mr Hnebcß will bo astonished to learn this after his painstaking study of the Rev. Henry Ward Bcccher on mansard roofs, and probably still more astonished to learn that the roofs of Chicago, which were denounoed as contributing to the spread of tho great lire, wero covered with a roofing felt, which proved highly inflammable, The longer Mr Hughes lives the moro ho will see how very dangerous a little knowledge ia, and ho will he proportionately impressed with the wisdom of the adnge which advises the cobbler to stick to his last.

The prcaont issue of tho "Church Gnzotto " commences the eleventh volume of this useful publication. The contents mo varied, including Diocesan intelligence, the Bishop's engngemonta, and interestingitoms concerning tho Melaucaian Mission. A pleasing report of tho opening of the now church at Kiln Kihi will be gratifying to church people. A number of extracts fr< m the Journal of tho Rev. Edward James Phillips are given, in which the writer chrouiclc3 Incidents by the way in a pleasant, gossipy manner, with brief notices of tho results of his pilgrimage and work. A supplement of twenty-two pages furnishes stfttutes, resolutions, and standing orders of the Diocesan Synod, and will be found valuable for its practical information. The excellent paper by Key. Joseph Bates, of Devonport, entitled "fome Account of tho Church of England in the Eighteenth Century "is concluded. This paper evinces a spirit of careful research, and not the least interesting of its paragraphs is the pithy record of John Wcsley'B religious movement of the paßt century, which permeated not only Great Britain, hut every part of Christendom, and led to several great and lasting reforms, such as tho establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the abolition of slavery in the West Indies. The Sunday-school lessons for teachers, and other matters, help to sustain the very creditable tone of tho " Gazette." *

The special correspondent who was lodged in tho guard-house at Parihaka for a night writes to the Wanganui "Herald," showing that Mr 15ryce ran a risk, when entering the pah, which he little dreamed of. In the course of this letter, speaking of the systematic discourtesy to tho press, he says :—"On another occasion an officer wrote to Colonel Roberts that he had put me in the guard-house all night " because I was a reporter." The affair was freely commented on by olliceis and men, but no sort o! inquiry was made nor apology tendered. When Titokowaru was charged with using threatening language, the Press Association wired all over the colony that if he got bail he would be re-arrested on other charges. It Mr Bryce suggested this threat, I think you will know how to characterise such action. At any rate it explains why the old fellow made no defence. I have myself no doubt that the " threatening language " used in Fort llolleston was used by Kmgi, Titokowaru being asleep. And it was really not threatening at all. The cock-and-bull story about Titokowarn threatening to burn Manaia has been already thoroughly exploded. Had Mr Jiryce bercn decently civil to us, he might have been told what would have given even him, who according to his own account dees not know fear, a pleasant chill. When he entered Parihaka he was covered by four rilles, and had Major Tuko's order, "If a Maori flashes a tomahawk shoot him down," led to a revolver being fired, Mr Bryco would have ltft the pah feet foremost. It is proper to add that Tc Whiti is probably now even unaware of the above arrangement."

Our advertising columns give notice of a meeting of the shareholders of the Auckland Coffee Pa,lace Company, called by the directors for Thursday, the 12th inst., to consider tbe propriety of increasing tho capital of the Company or devise other means for carrying cut the views of the shareholders. The directors arc very confident of making the enterprise a success, if the moDey can be found to erect the building, and shareholders should be found to secure an object so desirable, and so well calculated to promote the prosperity of Auckland, by providing increased accomodation for strangers and meeting the requirements of our own people.

The Russian Consul at Melbourne has received a telegram from the Consul at Syd. ncy, asking if the Russian men-of-war could be docked at Williamstown. The matter has beeen referred to the Commissioner of Customs, who has directed the dimensions of the Alfred Graving Dock, and a,copy of rule No. 2 of the dock regulations, to be forwarded to Sydney. The rule provides for vessels in the commission of foreign nations being docked free, merely paying the wages and materials.

On Friday next a grand ontcrtainment will bo given at the Hetnuera Social Hall by Mdlle. Mcna Muriello and company, assisted by Mr Gordon Gooch, Mr W. Slater, and other;*. Mdlle. Murielle will sing Sir H. Bishop's beautiful cavatina, "Tell me, my Heart," and will also take part in the trio, " The Magic YVovo Scarf." Mr Gordon Gooch will sine " Goodwin Sanda," and Mr F. Brabazon will appear in his ventriloquial entertainment. The whole will conclude with the performance of " The Rose of Auvergue." On Monday the children attending the Whau Presbyterian Church Sunday-school, together with their friends^erc treated to their annual picnic by Mr and Mrs Buchanan on the grounds of ltose-Bank. There was a larger gathering than on any previous occasion. Games of various kinds were engaged in, and when the hour for voircslimtintscame round ainal! monntaina of jandwichea, bun«,and cakes disappeared la a marvellously short period ol time. Frizes, Urn Rift of Mr Uuchnimn, were I awarded to successful competitor/) iv the Sunday-school work a:id Xcv, Ifv Somervillo,addrcsßiug the children, told thorn of the gratilcuV they ought to Seel vi.l express towards Mi B".tiiaoaa for the nnmr.fy&ij! v-^ctica! interest he takesin their spiritual we) fare Sabbath after Sabbath,and aho for tho very rampinoni banquet, provided entirely at his own coat, on that occasion. He then culled for three cheers for Mr and Mrs Buchauan, which wore eitcn with an onthusiasm thai told of happy :tnd contented heart* aud j;ood lun^-s. Other tlireo cheers were given for Mrs , Buchanan, ou the burden of cookins; devolved,and who performed Her duties f.r> cheerfully* that she necoioi' to be amply rewarded in sccinc- the children happy.

A resident of Kew,' Victoria, Bays tlio Melbourne "Daily Telegraph," uawcii Matsoo, has committed suicide in a mo?!; determined manner. Ho was'a very old, colonist, having- arrived In the colony in 183.1 Ho fame formerly ftom India to Tnsinniiia; from there he brought aheep to Victoria in the barquo Henry, mid named Point Henry, at Corio Bay, ucelonc;, after the vessel, Ho waa subsequently in partnership, in squatting pursuits, with his brother, Captain Matson, in the western district, of which part of the colony they were pioneers, The deceased has nephews in the colony, and also a brother, who is at present managing a bank In New Zealand. Deceased was boardiDg witli a lady named Chalmers, in Denmark-stroet, near Barker's road, Kew, and was found dead with a large gash across bis throat, Hts relations ore wealthy. Whilst he was staying at the Port Philip Club Hotel, in the early days, a gang of bushrangers broke out, aud ho and a number ot other (squatters, who were staying at tho hotel, organised a party of gentlemen, who wont in pursuit of them, aud captured thegaug by tbe Iliror Plenty. Dcceoacd was a bachelor.

Dkkkhes at tub Backs.—See to morrow's Ouskkveh. No 905, A strange story.—Eco to-mor-row's Obsekvke.