GENERAL NEWS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXI, Issue 3072, 24 January 1894, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

Tho crime statistics for the past year, show tbat the total number of persons apprehended was 1,727, as against 1J20'6 in 1892. Of these, 78 males and five females were committed for trial, and 52 males and two females were subsequently convicted ; 1,1 69 males and 254 females were summarily convicted, and 14*7 males and 4-1 females discharged. It is re-affirmed that Sir W. Perceval is desirous of returning to the colony, and that the office of Agent- General wiU consequently become vacant very soon. It is further stated that Sir Walter Buller is returning to the colony for the purpose of urging his claims to succeed Sir W. Perceval if he should retire. The claims of Sir Walter Buller are admitted. His long experience as a magistrate, his scientific attainments, his knowledge of the native race and their language, his practical judgment, and sound sense are reierred to as constituting claims not to be overlooked. Sir Patrick Buckley is spoken of as possessing higher claims to the office from the tact that he has for a great number of years conducted the Government business of the Upper House, viz., . under the Stout- Vogel Government, the , Ballance and Seddon Governments, and havingaduiinisteredseveraldejmrtmentsof the public service with credit. A good 1 deal of interest is beginning to be felt in the event. The New Zealand Alliance for tlie suppression of the Liquor Traffic has issued a manifesto in connection with tho r% approaching March licensing elections. 2 The manifesto of the Committee, whose "j headquarters are in Auckland, advises if s ° auxiliaries to take no action in respect to 3 the election of Committees on the ground 9 that the Committees are merely regulating 6 and administrative bodies, whilst the Alli- £. ance exists for prohibition purposes only, g The manifesto, however, advises the takg ing of the local option polls by casting of g j votes for prohibition only. This "ticket" « will be issued from Auckland to the Com- |* mittees in every part of the colony. The Alliance, wliich has held a series of 3 meetings in connection with the matter , 3 has finished its sittings. g At the Oamaru Caledonian Society' q games two Maoris took part in the daucing contests. The fact was used as an argu- ° ment by a sturdy Celt in favor of the 8 civilising power of the bagpipes it was that 5 induced them to learn to dance, and the e seductive strains of that instrument i } impelled them to continue. The mesmerism of the bagpipes was potent, and it h expected that next year the Maoris wil] " appear in kilts. Officers and soldiers of the French armj " will henceforth have a metallic name--9 plate fastened to their collars for identi 6 fication. A similar scheme is being conL- sidercd for the benefit of miners. An effort is likely to be made to reclaia ,n the extensive shallow flats in Pegwel Bay between Sandgate and Ramsgate. >n The lady litigant who has frequently apoeared before the Courts to recovei £'300,000,000 from the Treasury haj § been sent to Holloway Gaol for thre< montha for disobedience, of an order o: Court forbidding her to interfere with t tenant.