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Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 49, 26 February 1894, Page 2

No further native obstruction is reported regarding the disputed road survey bhrough the Opuatia native block, on the wesb bank of tho Lower Waikato, in connection wibh which a police expedibion wenb up to the Opuatia lasb week. The road survey has not yeb been re-commenced, bub bbc line ibself baa been surveyed through bhe Opuabia bush for aboub eight miles, in a soubherly direcbion from Tuakau, and ib iB bhe chaining out and marking with pegs of this line for the future road that the natives object to. The chief, Kerei Kaihau, -who has persistently opposed surveys over European lands, is believed to have gone to consult Tawhiao aboub bhe matter. The inbention of bhe aubhoribies now is bo geb oub plans of the proposed road through the block, from Onewhero southwards, and gazette bbc land needed for bho road as taken for road purposes under the Public Works Acb. The road can then be gone right on with, providing thab the money is available for bho work. It is expecbed thab a sum sufficienb to clear the road through the bush may be got from the Governmenb, and that authoriby will shorbly be given to the Crown LandsCommissionerin Auckland to construct a bridge across the Opuatia Creek in the centre of the block, out of a sum of £250 for the bridge and £50 for the approaches, which is now in hand. The bridge is an absolute necessity to tho settlers living in bhe Awaroa, bo the southward of bhe native land, for without this bridge they have at present to convey the goods some 20 miles oub of their way. The native difficulty at present stands in the way, bub bhis will shortly be overcome, ib is anbicipabed. The Opuatia block, of about 45,500 acres, was included in bhe proclamation confiscating the whole Waikato district after the Waikato War. Io 18G6 the Compensation Court sitting at Port Waikato allowed the Ngabibipa tribe to claim the land, in consequence of their services in the war. Since then bho Courb awarded bhe whole of the block to the Ngabibipa bribe. Tho awards made by the Land Court to Ngatiteata (Kerei Kaihau's tribe) wero all at Pukakawa, opposito Mercer. It seems that the Ngabibipa bribe have noarly all turned from their old chief Hori Kukutai and are followers of Kerei Kaihau, who is generally understood bo be aching under Tawhiao. inabrucbions—-at any rate with his tacit acquiescence.

From the cable columns of tho Australian press we gabher a more debailed account of the death of Bourdin near bhe Greenwich Observatory and the descent of the London police on the Anarchist Club, where it was ascertained he had been staying. The raid was mosb cleverly managed. Ab an early hour in the evening the building waß suddenly entered by tho police, who took entire possession of the premises. A few persons found in tho club wore placed under arrest, and the attendants were then ordered to receive members as bhey arrived as usual, and were warned under, throat of severe penalties, against giving information that the police were in occupation. The detectives had been removed from bhe etreeb outside, and the idea gained ground thab tho .surveillance of the place had been diaconbinucd. Members walked in quibe unsuspiciously, and were at once pounced upon and placed under guard with thoso previously arrested. Before the nighthad far advanced no fewer than 80 persons had been thus secured. Not the least interesting piece of informamation elicited, in reply to the questions of tho police officer was that-the Anarchists had made a oompact between them to spaie Great Britain and her colonies. Against the Governments of all other counbrioa war, unceaaing and implacable, had beon declared ; but from bhe schemes of wholesale murder dosigned by bbc Anarchisba Bribish possessions all over bhe world had been specially erenipbed.

To-day Colonel Pat. Boyle, late Private Secretary to Lord Glasgow, lefb by bhe noon brain for Onehunga, en route to Wellingbon and Lyttelton, where he joins bhe Bbeamship Gobhic for London. Mias Wanchope also leaves tor London in bhe same steamer, and departs from Auckland at bhe end of bhe week. Capbain Eliot, successor to Col. Pat. Boyle, is expected to arrive by Thursday's steamer from Sydney. Lord Glasgow leaves tomorrow in H.M.e. Curaeoa for a cruiso to the Groat Barrier. Lady Glasgow and some other members of the Government Houso party abtended divine service at St. Paul's church last evening. On Wednesday evening Lady Glasgow opens the Society of Arts Exhibition. Tho vice-regal parby expect to remain in Auckland until tho 20th March.

The very changeable weather thab has been experienced throughoub the colony for aome weeks past culminated today in a stiff southerly breeze accompanied by exceptionally cold weather for this season of the year. At Onehunga and other outlying disbricba aboub 9 o'clock briia morning bhere was a heavy fall of hail and in town thore was a copious downpour of rain. Similar weather appears to bo prevalent in the southern portion of this colony. A Christchurch tolegram states that the weather there is bitterly cold, and thab rain ia falling. Captain Edwin wired ab 11.40 a.m. :

" West bo south and south-east gale with rain and exceptionally cold weather soon ; glass riBO."

Among bho passengers of bhe steamer Mararoa, which arrived from Sydney yoaterdny, were Mr and Mrs Furby, who returned from an American and European tour. Mr W. S. Furby, who ia the officer-iii-charge of the Auckland Telegraph Deparbmenb, lefb last year by bho San Francisco mail steamer in company with Mra Furby. They journeyed to England via bho United States and Canada, visiting the Chicago Exhibition. They also apenb some time in France, Italy, Palestine and Egypt. Mr and Mrs Furby returned to tho colonies by bho P. and 0. steamer Britannia after a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board to-morrow afternoon is expected to be a somewhat lively one, in consequence of the discussion which is certain bo bake place over tho Finance and Legal Committee's reporb. This Committee recommends thab "it ia nob neceasary bo print bho annual speech of bhe Chairman this year," bhis decision having been arrived ab at bhe Committee meeting on Friday, A fierce discußaion took place at the meeting of bhe Commibtee bebween the retiring Chairman (Mr W. Crowther) and Messrs Alison, Napier and Wibheford. Messrß Napier and Alison especially attacked the Chairman's speech in decidedly warm terms.

Wo are glad to learn thab Captain Tilly has been re-appoinbed examiner for masters' and mates' cerbificabes. Hia duties commeuco on the lab of April. Captain Robertson, harbourmaster, Manukau, will assist in bhe examinations.

Mr H. D. Johnson, who has been connected with the Native Department in the Auckland province for a considerable period, left by bhe sboamer Takapuna boday for Wellingbon. There Mr Johnson assumes bhe position of Native Land Registrar, recently rendered vacant by bhe appointment of Mr Edger as judge in the Native Lands Court.

William Frederick Barber, book-keeper, has filed a petition to be adjudicated a bankrupt.

A Sydney cablegram to-day states thab news has been received ab Sydney of the safe arrival ab Monte Video, Soubh America, of bhe barque Royal Tar wibh bhe second contingent of settlers from Auslralia for " New Australia," in Paraguay. We have been shown twoinberestingletbers written by one of the ** New Australia" emigrants, Washington Sayers Sorensen, a lad of 18_ years, to his friends in -Parnell, from the "New Australia Corporation Settlement," Paraguay Republic, in which he gives an accounb of his voyage and of the country of the New Australians. In hiß last letter he aaya : —" We journeyed up from Monbe Video (where we lefb the Royal Tar) in a steamer a3 far as Ascuncion, and then we wenb on by train to Villa Rica, in Paraguay. From Villa Rica we went on in bullock-waggons to bhe land, three days' journey. To look around now and see. the change we have made in this place in four weeks is wonderful. Most of bhe people are up here now, though there are th^ee families in Ascuncion. We have started a brickyard here, and three of us are working in ib. We have been bua^ building houses, or 'humpies,' for ourselves, thatching them with grass. Wo are getting on all right now. We had a bib of roughing ib ab the firsb, bub we did nob feel ib so much as bho women and children did at the sbarb. Tbe natives can't make ua oub, as we are always working. They say they work in tho towns from six to eleven, and from two bo six—three hours for dinner or sleep. Ib bakes bwo or bhree to do the work an Englishman does, bub in the country the women do most of tbe work. The men are a lazy lot, but nobody can blame tbem for taking it easy."

To bhe Editor: Sir,—Permit me through your columns to correct an error in Saturburday'e supplement respecbing the death of the late Mrs Thackeray, who resided for the past sixteen years with her old and esteemed frienda, Mr and Mra Thompson, of Edon Lodge, Leigh, Essex (which was not a privato asylum aB stated). —Yours truly, Correct.

The following is a translation of the lebber recently received by Sir George Grey from Rewi Manga Maniapoto, the celebrated old native chief, who was visited ab hia residence near Kihikihi, Waikato, last week, by Sir Georgo Grey. " Kihikihi, 19th February, 1894. To Sir George Grey. My friond, —I greob you because of our long mutual atlection for each obher. We have now both of us reached bhe limits of bhe days of our forefathers. Leb this suffice by way of greeting, aud let me touch upon anothor subject, and mention that as your body and mine appear to be equally affecbed by age during bhose days of our unbroken unity of feeling, even until this very day, my most earnest requesb ia bhat your namo and mine be recorded on the same memorial atone. Enough ! —From your aliectiouate triend, —Rewi Mauiafoto." From thia letter ib appears that Rewi doea nob exactly wiah to be buried in the same grave aa Sir George Grey, aa it would be conbrary to tho native cußbom bo dispense with the univereal ceremony of resurrecting the bones of bhe dead, and concealing bhem in come secreb bury-ing-placo, bub thab he merely wishes tho names of himself and his old friend " Hori Kerei " recorded on the same monument. If bhis were erected ab or near bhe scene of llewi's memorable fighb at Orakau, ib would be a most interesting memorial. The Rev. VVm. Gittoa, suporintendenb of the Wesleyan native missions, who ia in town ab present, visited Rewi at his residence on the Puniu lately, when tbe old chief said bo him:—"Carry my greetings to Sir George Grey. Tell him 1 intend to send my friend Kiln to see him aboub our monument to be erected ab Kihikihi. I should like ib bo be ono with bwo sides—one for Sir George and the obher for me. We are bhe men who made peace in Waikato, and our names musb be on the same stone, co thab the present and succeeding generations—English and Maori —may know. If Sir George consents to my wishes, we will have the monument erected ab bhe junction of bhe roadß ab Kihikihi." Rewi entertains feelings of the greatesb eabeem for Sir George Grey.

The only caae set down for bearing ab the Police Courb this morning was that of one inebriate, who, being a first offender, elecbed to forfeit hia bail of 20s rather than appear. Mr W. Dinnison, J.P., was on the Bench.

A sitting in bankruptcy was held this morning at the Supremo Courb bofore Mr 11. C. Brewer, Registrar. On tho motion of Mr McAlister the bankruptcies of Joseph Graham Percy and John Gueat Ralph were doclared cloaed.

After two hours' argumenb the Chief Justice and Judge Richmond refused costs to the respondent in tho Stoat election pebition case. Their Honors ruled they had no jurisdiction in the matter, and refused to allow Sir Roberb Stoufc's cobls on tho ground thab had the petition been proceeded with, instead of preliminary objections being taken, he could- then have recovered.

To the Editor : Sir,—The Trustees of the Baillie Fund desire, in the'name of Mrs John Baillie, to express their thanks to you for the valuable and hearty assistance rendered in the columns of your paper to her in her greab bereavement, and also to thank all those who have subscribed to the fund or have otherwise helped her, for their sympathy and aid.—l am, etc., E. La Tkubk. lion. Secretary.

The attractions of this country are co great thab several of the men from the warships now in port, have overstayed bheir leave. Two wanderers from the Curaeoa were found out at Avondale yesterday by Mounted Consbable Kelly, who escorted them back to bown.

Capbain Williams, of the schooner Borough Belle, wibh a crew consisting of six Europeans, four Kanakas, and two Malays, arrived at Mackay (N.S.W.) last weok. The captain reported that bhe vessel was caughb in a hurricane and ran on a reef ab Belona Shoals, Cheßbertield Group. Seeing no hope of assistance the vessel waa abandoned and the crew took bo bwo open boaba in which they intended -to make for Long Island, 110 miles distant. The weabher, however, compelled them to abandon bhe projecb and to run for the northern coaat. They were 17 days in bhe boabs, and wore reduced bo a moubhful of waber morning and evening per man. Tho men did nob appear much tho worse for their rough experience. The Borough Belle was a fine etaunch vessei specially adapted for the island trade, and valued ab £1,400. She waa insured in the Morbh Queensland Insurance Company for £1,000, a portion of this being re-insured. Her cargo, consisting of general merchandise, trade, and provisions, waa insured for £800 in the New Zealand Insurance Company.

Fuller details have been received relative to the fire which destroyed bho ComBbock Hotel at Hikurangi. The building contained fifteen rooms, and was valued ab £500, while bho furniture was eatimabed to be worbh £200. Ib was bhe property of Mr James Rolleston, but was in charge of Mr William Lloyd. This gentleman states bhab on the day of the fire he lib bhe fire in bhe kitchen, and pub on his kebble. He bhen locked the house, and went to look after bhe horses. When about a hundred yards from the hotel, he noticed smoke issuing from bhe roof ab the back of the building. He returned prompbly, and found bhat the building was in flamee. He succeeded in caving a few things, bub the building and an adjacenb cottage were bobh deebroyed, together with the bulk of the conbenta. The only insurance waa a policy in the North German Office for £300.

A fortnight ago we published the following cablegram: "Canon Strobb declares that the position of the Anglican Church is a by word, owing to its selfishness and disregard of the interests of the people." This scathing announcement attracted considerable attention ; as although similar indictments are sometimes preferred by outsiders, it is not ofben that a dignitary of the Establishmenb makes bo sweeping a charge againsb his own communion. The question arose "Who ia Canon Sbrott?" No such name appears in bhe clergy list, and one of our local clergy on being appealed to expressed an opinion that ib was not an Anglican who was "fouling hia own nest," but that some Roman Catholic, " indifferent as to bhe accuracy of the stabements" ho made respecting the Church of England, was probably the offender. It appears, however, thab the ecclesiastical bomb was thrown by a distinguished Anglican dignitary, and the mistake in the names evidently oocurred in transmitting bhe cable message. The charge was made by Canon Scotb-Holland, of Sb. Paul's Cabhedral, London, in the course of a recent address. Ib may prove, of couree, bhat the condemnation he uttered is greatly modified by the context, or that he used the language attributed bo him wibh some qualification. We observe that tfae Bishop of BaiJarab expresses hia disbelief in the authenticity of the statemenb, and has wribten to Canon Scobt - Holland, whose reply his Lordship believes will prove that gen leman " to have been guiltless of the false nonsense attributed to him."

The greateat gathering ever held under the auspices of one organisation waß undoubtedly the picnic of the Oddfellowa' on Saturday last to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the order in Auckland. The varioua lodges determined to combine and fibtingly commemorate this important epoch in their hißtory of progress and success, and bhe resulb of bheir endeavours certainly exceeded bhe mosb sanguine expectations. Owing to the prevailing weather disembarkation ao Motutapu was out of bhe question, and the rendezvous was reluctantly changed to Tamaki, '-at Mr Buckland's paddocks. Thither Oddfellowa from all parts of the province flocked in great numbers bhroughoub the day, until ib waa estimated thab between 7,000 and 8,000 people were presenb. The time was spent very enjoyably, games music, and the sports providing excellenb en certain men b and amusement. It speaks volumes for bhe careful and efficient management bhat not a single accident occurred to mar tho pleasure of the proceedings. The landing and embarkation of the vast crowds were safely accomplished, the arrangements under the circumstances being as perfect as possible. The Devonport Ferry Company provided an admirable service bo enable tbe excursionists to reburn to town in good time.

The reported murder of Samuel Roe, an old Thameeite, by Thursday Island natives, has been confirmed by letters just received by his brother, Mr Roe, of Kopu. There is littlo doubb thab Roe and hia parbner Bruce were brubally murdered by their native crew (aeven mainland natives) on board bhe lugger "Wren," bebween Baden and fche gulf coaßt, on or about the 20bh of November lasb. The members of bhe crew were recruibed by Bruce from a notoriously treacherous tribe, bub Itoe especially had been very euccesaful in managing all sorts of natives, and was well-known and trusbed among them. A police search party patrolled the mainland, where the crew had been recruited, as soon as the lugger was brought iti after being looted and abandoned. The natives of the locality mentioned were then intervewed, and gave information of the murders, accounts;of which they had received direcb from the murderers themselves. Foot- Bruce and Roo were killed on board and their bodies thrown overboard."

A complaint has been received by the. Victorian Customß authorities that the boxes which are uaed for exporting butter to London are being made principally in New Zealand. The ground of diasatisfaction, says the "Age," is not merely intercolonial jealousy ; it is thab afber bhe "Victorian Governmenb, to encourage the butter export industry, had arranged bo permib material for making butter boxosio be imported free in a piece, and to allow boxes to be pub together in bond, exporters should prefer to buy ready made hoxea from New Zealand. " Under the circumstancea it i 3 sought to bavo duby charged on bhe latter, because, ib is represented, hundreds of Victorian unemployed carpenters mighb benetib by making butter boxes hero cheaper and more expeditiously. The matter will receive the attention of the Minister.

On Saturday . afternoon the annua picnic of the members of the Young Women's Christian Association, took place in the grounds surrounding Mr J. L. Wilson's residence, Remuera. There was a large abbendauce, the party being conveyed to the rendezvous in 'buses. The afternoon was passed very pleasantly, games, etc, being largely indulged in. Mr and Mrs Wilson were very aasiduous in their efforts to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. In bhe evening an adjournment wns made to the Mission Hall, where bhe day's proceedings were broughb to an appropriate conclusion. Several sacred selections wero well rendered, and some excellent addresses were also delivered.

Ab the Choral Hall lasb evening, Mias Lilian Edger, M.A., delivered a lecture on " Theoaophy and Materialism," Dr. Saunders presided. Tho lecturer discussed the tenetß of the schoola ot Materialism, Positivism, Religion of Humanity, Utilitarianism, Atheism and Agnosticism, and pointed oub the common ground behind bhem all, Tho lecture was a mosb interesting ono, and was discussed by several present when Miss Edger had concluded.

News from Greymouth, West Coasb, states that the theme among sea-faring men and in shipping circles ia the plucky negotiation of the Grey bar a few dayß ago by bhe achooner Clyde under somewhat advenburoua circumebanceß. " The libble crafb, which hailed from Lyttelton in ballast, came straight on through the tremendous surf, rolling in under the influence of an almost phenomenal gale that had been increasing in fury since the previous nighb, and afber batting in the broken water, being sometimes even lost to the sight of the anxious crowds ashore, she hove up alongside the Grey pier amid the cheers of those assembled to witness her incoming. The captain and his brave wife were ab bhe wheel during the time of the dangerous passage, and it was a case of neck or nobhing with the ship's company — comprieing the captain and crew, the captain's wife and three children — as the ballaab had ahifted ; and had the effort nob been made and accomplished, thab evening, the chances are the vessel would have gone to the bottom, as the sborm reached its climax during fche night—a night which will be a memorable one up and down the whole of bhe Wesb Coasb."

A fearful tragedy occurred at Newton, a suburb of Hobarb, on Tuesday last. Thomaa Normoyle, a clerk, suspected his wife of improper conduct with a letter carrier, named George Henry Knight. Normoyle loaded a revolver, and lay in wait for Knight, who visited Normoyle'a house at aboub 11 o'clock. Knight was in bhe act of embracing Mrs Normoyle, when the labter's husband came upon the scene. He immediately levelled hia revolver at Knight and fired, blowing out his brains. Normoyle surrendered himself to the police, saying " I did it." The woman, who waa evidently suffering from poison, was taken to the hospital. Knight, who waa 25 yeara of age, was a married man, with three children ; Normoyle also has two children.

Year by year public interest increases in the annual Show of the Birkenhead and: Northcobe Fruitgrowers Association. This is no doubt duo to the fact that all the officers of the Association take a keen interesb in ibs affairs. The workers were rewarded on Saturday by having the besb Show ever held in the district, coupled with bhe largest number of visitors, Amongsb those present were Mr C. E. Bucbon, M.H.R. and Mayor of Birkenhead, and the Hon. E. Mitchelson, the member for the district. These gentlemen made a few remarks at the opening of the Show.

Although the general public did nob patronise bhe Auckland Polo Club sports and races held on Saturday ab Potter's Paddock, still bhere waß a large gathering. The company was select and fashionable, the grandstand being filled wibh ladies attired in bhe newest and mosb charming costumes. A large parby was presenb from Government House, and they appeared to enjoy the sports immensely. The Polo Cup fell to Mr H. C. Tonks by the aid of the well-known pony Lucy Grey. Great interest wob centred in bhe Bracelet by the ladies, and the contest waß keenly fought oub. The prize was a bracelet presented, by bhe captain and officers of H.M.e. Curaeoa, and tho coveted * trophy was won by Mrs Tonks, who nominated Makarau. Altogether the sports were mosb successful and provided greab amusement.