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Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 76, 31 March 1888, Page 8

The Hon. Mr Mitchelson has been busy all day attending to Departmental matters. He leaves for the Thames next Thursday, and will, we understand, renew the ofi'cr made by the late Government regarding the Big Pump, provided the motive power is changed from steam tq water. Next Monday week he returns to Wellington overland via Waikato and Rotorua.

The Hon. Mr Mitchelson returned to Auckland yesterday morning aftor attending the opening of Major Ropata's new runanga house at Waiomatatene, near Awanui. The house is a most notable pieco of native architecture. It has taken ten years to carve and erect, and tho carvings are principally illustrations of the prowess of Ropata's Ngatiporou's ancestors. Thero were over 2,000 natives present at tho opening ceremony, including most of the notable East Coast chiefs. Mr Mitchelson was moat cordially received by the natives, who danced hakas in his honour, and an address of welcome was read by Ropata. At a meeting ab the runantra houso which followed, Mr Carroll, M.H.R. for the East Coa*t Maori Eistrict, made a speech in favour of the repeal of the Native Land Administration Act and tho raising of a more simple ordinance. Mr Mitchelson in reply said the intention of the Government with respect to native legislation would be in the direction of pressing on individuality of title, and allowing the natives the same privileges as tho European subjects of Her Majesty in Now Zealand of dealing with their lands. Mr Mitchelson •and Mr T. VV, Lewis, Under-Secretary for the -Native Department, who was also present, subsequently dined with Ropata, and re-embarking in the Stella, reached town, as already stated, on Friday morning.

On Good Friday evening the choirs led by Mr J. H. Edmondes performed, in So. James's Hall, Root's cantata " The Pilgrim Fathers." The' principal parts were allotted as follows :—Captain, Mr Robertson ; Elder, Mr D. Stewart; Elder's Son, Mr J. McGregor ; Elder's Daughter, Miss Reid ; Sister of the Captain, Miss Frazer ; Indian, Mr J. Bell. The soloists acquitted themselves very well, and the organ accompaniment by Mr Wilson was all that could be desired. The choruses as a whole went splendidly, but the male voices could be improved upon. A desire was expressed that this cantata should at some future date be repeated.

Mr Joseph Barber, already favourably known to the commercial community as Secretary of the Miranda Coal Company, has received the appointment of Secretary to the North New Zealand Woollen Company, renedered vacant by the resignation of Mr A. D. Bennett. There were 99 applicants for the post. We understand that the Company is now making satisfactory headway, there being: a good demand for its manufactures in the South.

The news from Samoa by the mail steamer has been anticipated by our advices via Sydney. It was rumoured, however, thab notices have been posted up at the island of Savaii, warning the natives against borrowing money to pay taxes from either English or German traders. This would appear to justify tho belief thab the recently imposed district tax is merely a device to compel the S&mbans to' mortgage their lands to the Germans with the view to eventual ownership.

Yesterday being Good Friday the Skating Rink was not opened, but on Thursday evening there was a large attendance. Another children's matinee is being held this afternoon, and on Monday there are to be special attractions offered the public in a polo match in the afternoon and a hoop race and an exhibition of fast skating in the evening.

At the property sale by D. F. Evans next Wednesday the following lots will be offered, viz: The whole of the property of the Kamo Colliery Company (Limited) now in liquidation; Lot 2, a 7-roomed house and 2 allotments in Hadyn-street, in tho heart of the city ; and Lot 3, a new 6-roomed villa and allotment in Charles-street, Rocky Nook, which will be sold without reserve.

A petition signed by 34 residents of Morningside, whose families number 195 individuals, was to-nay presented to the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works, praying him to use his influence to prevent Morningside being made a dopob for nightsoil from the city of Auckland. An ercursion will bo run to Motutapu on Monday next in connection with the Primitive Methodist denomination. The ferry steamer Victoria has been Chartered, and will leave ab 9 a.m. The Devonport ferry Company beg to notify that on and after to-morrow the return fare will be 6d, single fare 4d, children half price. An excursion by the Jubilee Steamship Stormbird will run to Waiwera on Monday next, leaving the Queen-street Wharf ab 10 a.m, The fare being low there is likely to be a large number of visitors to the Hot Springs. The following ye. rlings are advertised for sale .-—Bay coif by Torpedo, dam Yatterina; bay col^ by Ingomar, dam Hipporina ; chesbn*»t. ly by Leolinus, dam 1 Yentis Transit,