DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 34, 9 December 1843, Page 3

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

itoGGiKO and Petty Tyranny.— We offered or two remarks on this subject last week. We \ DO t then fully aware of the facts of the case, !h are briefly the following :— A Parkhurst penitent we believe was free since his arrival in this on y committed some offence for which he was put ;Bil; 8 il- but he exercised his ingenuity in breaking ouch the wooden walls, and for this second offence was ordered by the Police Magistrate to be flogged. j Sheriff was requested to see that this sentence raid he duly executed, and for this purpose, he b ordered a respectable young man (Somerville) was Superintendant of the hird labour men, act as the Sc^ur^er of this Paikhurst lad. The ng man had however, too much self-respect to mit of his descending to this degrading occupation. declined to become scourger, and the Sheriff dissed him from his situation. We deem this subject thy of a little notice, not because we think that Parkhurst delinquent was not deserving of punishit but because we think that the method of punishit' was objectionable, illegal, and an assumption oo much power on the part of the Police Magise We are well aware that in New South Wales Jets are sentenced to be flogged by the Police nstrates ; this power is conferred by a local O.dils. We have never heard of any free- m en how* , who have been flogged even in New South Wales, he order of the Police Magistrates. This is not nal colony, and Mr. Mathew, the Police Magise, cannot then claim power under the laws of the il colony • The boy, or man in question, was perj (tee, and if Mr. Mathew has the power of ring free-men to be flogged, and if there be a iff like Mr.'Berry, to execute the disgusting and al sentence, the sooner both are deprived of their iman and cruel power the better. If Mr. Mathew Mr. Berry have the power of flogging a Parkhurst they have the same power to flog every man, lan, and child in the colony under similar circum* ces. We care not about opinions founded on r South Wales customs, we are perfectly coned that no man can bs improved by flogging. We 2 seen several convicts en whom this punishment been inflicted, and we may safely say, that every of them from that hour ceased every effort at ndment ; they became degraded in their own eyes in the opinion of others, and they generally be» c bushrangers. We know also, whatever Solomon oion may say to the contrary, that it is perfectly ible to bring up a child, and to educate him as a , without the application even of the rod. There doubtless some of-jiisposition so perverse, and of HlOH 10 bad, That they may have in childhood exenced benefit from the use of the cat. They might iat manhood and old age, be kept somewhat in rby its occasional applicition, and if these feel this is the case, they may perhaps be excused for mmendine; the" system. We have one word to say 16 Shcr ff, and it is simply that he either does not it his duty, or that he has wilfully abused his t. If the Police Magistrate has the power of ting, the Sheriff is nat the person to enforce his tnce. A scourger, even in New South Wales, is lideous appendage of the Police Magistrate, and of the Sheriff. We trust the Judge wiil look after ifficers, and cause them to know that thia is a free ly, and that the people are free British subjects, conduct of the Sheriff towards the young man erville r cannot be too severely reprehended. We ler how'ahy man possessed of delicacy of feeling noral sentiment, could a*k even the lowest of his nts to execute thia beastly sentence. Could a possessed of a single good, generous, or sym> sing impulse of a human heart, take up the lash st his fellow-man ? His morality would be indeed if he could. We hate this subject, but it is sary to sttike at every thing like the attempt of duciog the brutal conv.ct discipline into a free in Country, the Summer, and Pleasure 'les. — Since the fine summer weather has set in, og h talked of but pleature parties to the in- ' of the country, or the interesting and lovely a which, surround our harbour. Papakura appears s the favorite spot at* present, and we do not t that it has many attractions, both in situation »oil, but however delightful and agreeable the ct of Papakura may be, it is very inferior to of the other districts in the neighbourhood of 'and, both in scenery and in soil- The Kaipara, tlley of Kaiu, and the extensive plains of the Wi are not to be compared to it. We understand " r > Bell, the Company's Agent, is about to take though the valley of the Thames to Matamata, Ui, TaUpo, and Weikato. To all those who wUh to see and to judge of New Zealand, we recommend such a trip as that. The Rotorua .hot, tepid, and vapour baths, with their varied mal virtues, if known to our friends in India, be the certain means of inducing-many of them le m this country in preference to the neighbourMonies, where the climate ia so variable, and =t contamination so much to be dreaded. s * sur y— It i 8 reported that Mr. Mitford, the Uerk at the Colonial Treasury has been dis- • We have not been able to ascertain how ha fended M r . Shortland. Mr. Ryder, who was satisfaction at the Bay of Islands, as Post lr t has also after a fortnight's service, been re^ from the Bay. What a Government we live E Natives and the Government.— Several • °» |he natives have been in town for some days of 'if W °* rece "' n £ * rom Government the pay the lands of Papakura, which are advertised '^eminent for sale next week. The natives ex'o have received full payment, but the Governre only able to give a hundred pounds at present. I Wives have good-naturedly consented to allow ""nee toremain over till the arrival of Captain I y* This however, has been consented to, more I "* anxiety to obtain the for the purpose c aa«iag blankets for the ensuing great meeting.

We believe there never was an uncivilized people bo easily dealt with, and so sensible to reason as the natives of New Zealand, and it is much to be regretted that the Government have not studied to avoid giving them any unnecessary cause of offence. Whils ihe natives are thu3 easily managed on the principles of equal justice, it is still fair that we should at all times beware of conveying the idea that they will allow themselves to be in the least imposed upon ; this one of the very best traits in their character, inasmuch . as it manifests a proper sense of their own rights, and an intellect to appreciate them. We could give many instances of. this, but shall at present merely notice one very recent case, that of Mr. Beveridfje, who about two or three years ago, purchased lands from the Government at Epsom ; the land was publicly sold by auction ; Mr. Beveridge paid the money to Government, and fenced in the land ; the natives about twelve months ago objected to his having fenced the whole land, alleging that a portion of it hud never been sold by them to Government ; the matter was referred to the Chief Protector, who discovered and reported that the natives were in the right. The portion they claimed was never bought by Governtne: t, though sold by Government to Mr. Beveridge, still the Government made no arrangement with the natives. ' Mr. Beveridge since then, bought an adjoining farm j from a private individual, who purchased at the same Government sale. While Mr. Beveridge's servants were the other day, ploughing this land, the same : tribe of natives happened to be at the place on their way to Auckland, and they persuaded Mr. Beveridge to desist from tilling the land, as it wai never sold by them, and as they had received no compensation for the former portion included in his other farm. It is really too bad that Government should in this manner impose upon the settlers and the natives ; much has been said about the Land Claimants, but they never attempted to sell lands they had never bought, like this Government. Parties intending to purchase lands 1 from Government, should in future satisfy themselves that the lands have been really bought 'from the natives and paid for, before they purchase at Government sales. The License of Mr. Thomas Henderson. " Com* mercial Inn," was transferred to Mr. Hy. M'Parlaue. -j New Boxded Stores. — We perceive that our entei prising townsman, Mr. JEticb, has procured a license for the brick warehouses recently erected hy him in Queen-street. These, stores have been erected with much care, and at considerable expence. Their situation and safety are certain to recommend them to the mercantile portion of the communi y. He who erects a brick or stone building does permanent good to the place ; he who spends his money on a wooden bouse, is only adding fuel to the fire ; which we fear will sooner or later take place. / Mechanic's Institute — We are happy to perceive that tbe timber for the completion of the hall i of this institution is now on the ground. It would be very desireable to have the building finished before j the arrival -of%he new Governor. It would be well to let him, see that the Mechanics, even in these far off islands, are not behind their ecu itrymeii at home in the desire to promote the diffusion of general knowledge. We trust that such of the Mechanics a3 are friendly to the cause of knowledge will come forward and give a day or two in getting up the building* It will in after times be a pleasing recollection th it they have pfirsonally assisted in this praiseworthy object, of which they and their children will reap the benefit. The Coal Mine — The parties who have been for gome time occupied in digging for coals at Matakana are, we understand, still very sanguine of success. They have sunk a shaft to a considerable distance, and feel confident from the appearance of the various strata they have penrtrated, that they are very near the coal bed ; but being only persons of limited means, we are sorry to hear that they are not able to carry on these operations with that vigour which the undertaking deserves. We trust some of the more wealihy of the community will come forward to their assistance. Nothing is more calculated to advance the prosperity ot this capital than an abund nt and cheap supply of coals. Supreme Court. — Mr. Coyney, on the part of the applicants made his debut before the Supreme Court with much effect, and was opposed by Mr. W hitakcr. — Auckland Times. Profanity and Servility. To the Editor of the Auckland Chronicle. Sir, — After such an exhibition of profaneness as is displayed in the two last numbers of your journ;il, under the head " Gazette d'Enfer," I think it my duty to request that you will erase my name from the list of your subscribers. I am, &c, James Busby. Victoria, Nov. 25, 1843, We kiss Mr, Busby's shoe ties in an apology of any length he pleases to imagine, and regret exceedingly that our Gazette was displeasing to him. Auckland Chronicle.