NEWS OF THE MONTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 4

NEWS OF THE MONTH.

SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS.

AUCKLAND. N.Z.. April 24th, 1886,

Considering that Parliament is to assemble within three weeks for the despatch of business, there is very little stirring in the political world. True, various leaders and would-be leaders of parties havo given public addresses, but their utterances have aroused but a languid interest in politics. The leading men who have spoken to J the country during the. last four weeks are — Major Atkinson, Mr Ormond, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Montgomery. The first - named is the recognised leader of the Opposition, and Mr Rolleston is an able and energetic supporter ; Mr Ormond is leader in posse of some yet undreamed-ol coalition ; while Mr Montgomery is leader of the forlorn hope of Provincialism. Brief abstracts of tbe different addresses are given elsewhere. Major Atkinaon'a address, delivered in this city on tho 30th March last, was not only able and valuable as a disquisition upon the plausible fallacies of Vogehan finance, which presumes upon the supposed dulness of tho people, but it was a commonsense criticism of ihe public works policy. He effectually pricked the great borrowing bubble when he declared that it was merely a device to wrap up in a golden shroud the grim skeleton of the Christchurch-West Coast railway, which Parliament and the country have refused towelcome in any other form. Against Sir Julius Vogel's dangerous and speculative politics Major Atkinson advances his own safe policy of pursuing railways with moderate expedition, and endeavouring to settle the lands as they aro opened up, of promoting by wise, well-considered measures sound local industries, of aiding the local government^ co operate in the work of opening and settling the country, and accompanying theee measures with a prudent finance, tending in the direction of retrenchment and simplification of government. The Hon. the Piomier delivered an address a few days later atDunedin, butit wasremarkablefornothing save the more forcible attention which it drew to the irreconcilable differences of opinion between himself and the Colonial Treasury. By far tho most exciting event of the month haa been the news recently received in a telegram from the Agent-General to the effect that a quarter of a million sterling had been subscribed by the Syndicate in London which|is now ready to tako up the contract for the East and West Coast railway. For some days previously the Syndicate have been discussing various matters with Sir F. Dillon Bell, an! have now intimated that they will obtain specific subscriptions and then state if they were willing to proceed. It appears that, satisfied with tho amount raised as a* preliminary subscription, they have intimated their willingness to accept the business on condition that certain modifications are made in the terms. The full detail, of the matter are not yet known here.but it is leltin Canterbury at any rate that a great difficulty has been solved, and the feeling of jubilation is intonse. The Colonial Treasurer, who was pledged to have thia railway made, doubtless also rejoices, more sincerely if less ostentatiously ; for this railway question was the great "rock ahead " on which it was believed the Government would split. To the colony at large it will be a genuine relief if therailway referred to is undertaken by a private syndicate. The railway party was getting te be recognised as the obstacle to progressive legislation, and the construction of that line was bidding fair to become " the Irish question " of the colony, while the North in particular was threatened with spoliation unless consent was given to the Government making the railway to connect Christchurch with the West Coast. Of course, the proposals of the Syndicato must undergo Parlimentary review, and it may happen that, like the Meiggs proposals, they involve the paying of too high a price for the removal of a perpetual bugbear. His Excellency the Governor, MamrGeneral Sir William Jervois, K.C.M.G., arrived on March 31 at Manukau Harbour, in the Hinemoa. He was met at the wharf by the Onehunga Volunteers, under Cap--tain Lundon. The two companies formed a guard of honour and escorted His Excellency to the train, where he was received by Colonel Lyon, who came on with him to Auckland, Here there was a full muster of local Volunteers. Upon reaching the station the Cavalry and Lancers drew up on the Reclamation Ground, forming a guard of honour around the carriages, the Infantry being drawn up in open order within ths station. At 11.30 o'clock the train containing His Excellency and Colonel Lyon arrived, and the bands immediately played "God Save the Queen." The Governor *as welcomed by His Worship the Mayor (W. R. Waddel), who was accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr P, A, Philips), Hon. Mr Buckley, Hon. Mr Chamberlain, Mr Peacock, M.H.R., Rev, Mr Tebbs, Very Rev. Father Walter MacDonald, and Surgeonu Tennent and Evans. His Excellency passed along tbe ranks, and was introduced to several of the officers in command. He spent a little time in examining the medals worn by som6 of the men, and paid particular attention to the Old Veterans. Sir William Jervois then entered his carriage, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, the Mayor, and the Hon. Mr Buckley. The line of march was then re-formed, the bands struck up inspiriting airs, and His Excellency was driven off to the Government House. At the foot of Shortiand-street the Infantry marched off to the Drill-shed, and were there dismissed, the Cavalry and Lancers accompanying the Governor's carriage the remainder of the distance. Aa the procession left the station three cheers were given for His Excellency, which were renewed as the carriage reached the street. Most of the public buildings displayed bunting, and crowds lined the footpaths aB the procession passed. His Excellency is still residing here, and i 3, as usual, taking an active part in all the leading social "events. He will return to Wellington when Parliament assembles. -

The Customs returns for the financial year 1885-6 have been made up. The amount collected in the colony was £1,418,302, which shows a deficit of £11,697 below tho Colonial Treasurer's estimate. Last month the revenue collected was £116,460 as compared with £137,202 for the corresponding month last year. During the month just passed the principal amounts collected were: Auckland, £22,504; Wellington, £22,443 ; Lyttelton and Christchurch, £17,638; Dunedin, £29,909. The beer duty collected during the financial year was £55,167, whioh is £166 in excess of the Treasurer's estimate. Last month thereturns amounted to £5,106 as against £4,925 for the corresponding month of last year. The following are the principal amounts

collected: - March, 1886, Auckland, £1 077 ; Wellington, f 548; Christchurch, £987 ; Dunedin, £1,064. The amount ol revenue collected during the financial year 1884-5 was :-Cußtoms, £1,413,860 ; beer, £55 719 ' During the month of March, 1,497 persons arrived in the colony and 1,467 took their departure, being a gain of 30. The arrivals from the United Kingdom wore 521, and there being only 274 departures, the clear cain in population from the old country was 247. The effect of the influx of " ne-v chums," however, has apparently only been to displace the colonial population. Thus the departures from New Zealand to New South Wales during tho month exceeded the arrivals by 224, and the departures for "other places" wore 83 in excess of the arrivals. This loss more than counterbalances tho apparent gain by immigration, when it is borne in mind that the new colonists were to a great extent aesieted immigrants on the " nomination " plan. The arrivalsatAucklandandlnvercargill(4B4and 532 respectively) include the usual tourist and business traffic between this colony and Australia, and are exceeded by the departures, which were 603 from Auckland and 447 from Invercargill. At Wellington,, on the other hand, tho total arrivals wore 100, and the departures 388 ; while a', Lyttelton the arrivals numbered 351, and the departures were, only 11. These statistics of the movements of our population are always interesting and instructive. While it is difficult to draw general conclusions from these returns, those of last month seem clearly to prove that there is no room in the colony at present for new population, but that there is a tendency to depletion, on account of the dull times. Sydney, which seems to be the goal of most New Zealand colonists in search of work, would appear to be quiteas " depressed " as any of our own centres of population, and in her large list of unemployed are to be found not a few who went there from this colony, in the hope of bettering their condition. Nomination of immigrants from the , Mother Country to New Zealand has now been stopped, and if the people would take the next most palpable lesson from the present aspect of affairs they would cease to leave the colony, and rather await here the advent of better times than flee to a worse condition in a neighbouring colony. The Auckland Timber Company has arranged to ship 200,000 feet of baulk and sawn timber per barque Waimea, for London. The Hafcione,which ia to receive her cargo at Kaipara, will take about 700,000 feet of baulk and sawn kauri for the Union Sash and Door Company. This revival of the timber export trade to London i 3 partly due to the great fall in homeward freights by sailing vessels, partly also to the falling off in the timber trade with Australia, and to the decline in local building, causing the market here to be overstocked. We understand that the Haleione takes a full cargo of timber from Kaipara at about 8s per 100 feet superficial, or about 38-2-oths per.ton of 40 cubic feet, whilst the price for shipment here is about 10s per 100 feet superficial, although this quotation would no doubt be considerably reduced for large shipments. This is, however, a great reduction on freights ruling a short time ago, when timber could not be shipped to London under 12s 6d per 100 feet superficial. It is probable that with the decreased cost of carriage the timber will find a ready market ~,.,.,.. __. Mining prospects in this district are most encouraging, and it is probably from this source that the first impetus to renewed commercial and industrialactivity will arise. Important discoveries in the treatment of refactory ores by the i a Monte process will enable millions of tons of valuable ore in Karangahake and Te Aroha districts to be utilised. Professor Black, of Otago, who lately visited the various goldfields on the Cape Colville peninsula, expressed his belief that the Province of Auckland is possessed of mineral resources needing only development to be classed in the front rank of ore producers of the world. Up till quite recently gold only was looked for, but it is now proved that we hare silver, galena, zinc, copper, and cinnabar in paying quantities, and what is of equal consequence, fluxes to melt them—an abundance of hematite and carbonate of lime being found in the district " A large development of mining activity is confidently anticipated, which will have a beneficialeffect on every other branch of industry. The prospecting of the King Country has proved unfruitful of any gold discovery, though there are plentiful indications of gold. McLean, one of the prospectors, gives very dismal reports. The celebrated Tuhua country, regarding which such glowing anticipations had been formed, is a duffer. He could not see the colour of gold. The country is chiefly of a slaty formation, with small veins of hungry quartz, while the low-lying lands are mostly pumice. Messrs Fenton and Griffiths are still at the head of the Waipa, but they are hoping against hope almost. After all the beautiful stories we used to hear concerning gold in the King Country, ihe result of the prospecting is a disappointment, though there are not wanting those who are leady to say, " I told you so," and who declare they never believed that there was an ounce of gold in tho whole territory. However, it may be that Waikato and other districts where the presence of gold was not suspected will have goldfields of their own, if not more than one, before long. We do not want another Te Aroha, but something substantial would be welcome at the present time. The Auckland Harbour Board on the 6th inst., decided to ask the authority of Parliament for the raising of a £200,000 loan. Nominally it will be for £500,000, but as this includes the £300,000 raised in 1874 and 1882 respectively, it is really for only £200,000. With this in hand, reclamation work in the harbour ought to be prosecuted with vigour. A symptom of the dull tijnes, and pot a very pleasant one, is found in the fact that the operatives in all the boot factories in town are at present on strike in consequence of a dispute as to wages, apprentices, etc., with their employers. The men left their work in a body on Saturday, 2nd inst., and have been idle since that date, the factories being worked solely by apprentices. The Trade and Labour Council offered their services as intermediaries, but though their good offices were accepted by both parties to the dispute no settlement has yet been arrived at. Smal committees representing the employers and employed respectively have been appointed to discuss terms of agreement, but their first meeting, held the dther night, did not advance the solution of the questions at issue to any appreciable extent. The " strikers " are meanwhile being supported by otber'trade societies or by their brethren in other parts of the colony. And what is chiefly to be deplored is that the boot manufacturing industry in Auckland is likely to be permanently injured through other parts of the colony receiving orders for work whioh used to be executed here. i

i The Maori King Tawhiao's annual meeting at Whatiwhatihoe was opened on 31st March by Kerei Kaihau reading the Treaty of Waitangi. Te Wheoro addressed the assemblage, urging them to take into consideration what steps should be taken to get their wrongs redressed. Correspondence from Lord Derby was read, also from the Governor, relating to Tawhaio's mission to England. A written account of all meetings between the Government and King natives, with, copies, letters, &c, were also read, from the commencement of the King movement until the present time included, and all the minutes of the meetings when the Government officers were present. The only practical outcome of the meeting was that tho following chiefs were chosen to interview the Governor at Auckland : — TelKoremoho, Te Teharahi.Te Arai Parepa, Tareha, Te Mahutu Tara, Te Waharoa, with Te Rawahita as secretary. Money was collected to pay their expenses. Tawhiao sent a telegram on to the Governor notifying their visit. The deputation duly waited upon the Governor, made the stereotyped protest against the Native Land Court and appeal for their rights under the Treaty of Waitangi, and were dismissed with tho customary assurance that the New Zealand Parliament would see that theyreceiyed justice. Hon. Mr Ballance, Native Minister, arrived by the Hinemoa on April II from Russell, and had an interesting interview with Taonui and Ngakuru, two Maori chiefs then in town. Next ,day Mr Ballance was interviewed by the chiefs who had come down from Tawhiao's meeting to see the Governor. At] noon, Taonui and Major Ropata Wieretaken to Government House byMr BaPance and introduced to His Excellency. The Native Minister afterwards visited the Maori King at his settlement and the result of a very friendly conference has been to make Tawhiao much more favourably disposed towards the New Zealand Government than he has heretofore been. It is expected that he will in a short tinde be fit to' accept nomination to the Legislative Council if not a Government subsidy. Mr Ballance ia now at Gisborne, where an inter-tribel dispute has arisen, and his influence will be exerted to settle it satisfactorily. There is no doubt that; a decided advance in the rapprochement feetwflen

Tawhiao and other lealZ!/55555:! Waikato district. $_$ h,, a commendable anxi^T TO h« Ift self acquainted with rh»» fl wr of the natives, and duX*^ 8 *>!*' i of office has ffit*£**S*. I personal popularity among" alf am° 0l>H[ the Maon race. The Maori I'^ may by courtesy call'tZL- "R (aa * Mr Ballance molt aS2^ "«*^ in the course of his address f thal»C respect ho entertained for % *%?**&% there was no ambiguity ab o „r\« blao- M which was .pWnWaCtte^S; legitimate influence is of ar„ TawW and not of a sovereign chi^P**"*!* fact that the overtures of iKft*?• a«tl been favourably received, andfeß^ has consented to hold fnX7* tTl»^> with him on the snbjeof^ !J*«s' happy results flowing from t lP omi* of and the essential union of th* M3<% European races under one aathorih t^ secured in form as it has Wk. ™? Dr. C D. Mackell ar) l 0 on March 31 appointed by than.-' *•»■■ Council to the post of LeotuL ,Vet% tomy. This is tfc initial B ten to? 11 j for the first year or two of m^f ro,Tidi»g in connection with the AaZl i^J versity College. It is, very fi^ W tended to attempt anything _Z!jlv__ k' at presont. The College has bl? bltt«" ingly fortunate in securhm tk» Mce* of a man of such hirf mJ 6*I** as Dr. Mackellar, to t nmeilt« «» work Besides .tmk__J^f_% highest character from thn p7„* "» Glasgow College p r . Mackefft" °' ceived tho recognition ot the India,, n_ "' ment for services rendered in ™ oVen|with tho Indian Famine Relief "gS^ gard to his specialqualmcationaValJ.,/6 on anatomy, Dr. Allen ThomsoMate P * feasor of Anatomy in Glasgow UnL„X writes :-" lam aware that he is an 7, y' plished anatomist, having at vanW« m' received valuable assistance iM?? teaching that department in thaTTni? .lr of Glasgow, and from whrt lotoV his relations to the students when7 o ! so engaged I feel confident that h B *M sesses the capacity for teaching witK ; cess, and the manner andknowfedwtv! will give him a high place bothwitht' students and with his colleaguesfe2 ' stitution with which he may be connect" I know also that he has given much of to attention to the study and investigatL „i pathology and pathological ttrtoL, !3 that he has made himself fully momS with the modern methods of histololS ' vestigation, bo that I am of opinioni thit I. ! is in every way highly qualified to petC , the duties of a public teacher in thatX partment of medicine."