The Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2,1867.

Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 198, 2 October 1867, Page 2

The Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1867.

The Legislative Council took iteasy,like noble peers, as they are, yesterday after* noon. At two the Speaker took the chair; a number of bills were assented to, others were read a second time— a message was received requesting a conference on the Municipal Corporation Bill and the Gold Fields Act Amendment Act, and at a little after four the " Lords" went home to dress for dinner. Their more hard-working brethren below " took up the running" at five, and kept it up gallantly till half-past two the next morning, during which time they considered a petition of 3, H. Wallace against the operation of the Native Lands Act in bis particular case, as the possessor of certain land orders ; it agreed to recommend the payment of their chief officers by appropriation instead of by annual votes ; passed the Public Debts Bill on division by a triumphant majority of 37 to 12, notwithstanding an indignant and forcible protest from Dr. Featherston ; accepted its twinbrother, the Consolidated Loan Bill, in the same way ; and passed' the Westland County Bill through Committee. There was then an adjournment for a short space to Bellamy's. After due refreshment the House went to work again on the Estimates in Supply, and went through nearly all the Charges for law and justice, which were voted with only some slight reductions. It was by this time two o'clock, and the Government made a strong effort, by postponing a number of the orders on the paper, to get the House to go on with tbe bills in

! which it was interested ; but Mr. Baigent moved the adjournment, and was not to be moved by the most piteous appeals, so they were obliged to give way, and the House rose at half-past two. The Postmaster- General, at an early hour this morning, after the voting ot a number of items for law and justice in Committee of Supply, tried bard to induce the House to go on with several bills that were down on the Paper amongst the Order of the Day ; but on its expressing a determination to adjourn at about two o'clock, said, wi th much irritation of manner, that it would be impossible, if they went on thus putting off their work from day to day, to break up on the Bth, as had been arranged. There were bills' enough to be passed to keep them there for three weeka at the present rate of progress. The House $ however, was not to be frightened by this threat, and preferred to sit afewdayslonger rather than to be kept out of its bed till daylight a second morning. We believe the Government will adopt its usual policy of rushing a lot of important measures through Committee at a time when the members are frantic to get home, ana ready to pass anything rather than be kept a week longer away from their homes, so that probably they will attain their much-desired liberty on Tuesday next, as originally promised. Major Atkinson has given notice of motion for this evening — v That a select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the circumstances of the appointment of Lieut.-Col. Lepper to the command of the Taranaki Militia. Such committee to consist of Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., Mr. Jollie, Mr. Potts, and Mr. Wells. Three to be a quorum. To report on Thursday, the 3rd of October." Mr. Wood to move-—" That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the Govern* ment, during the recess, take steps for the purpose of establishing one or more Courts of Arbitration in each province of the colony." A very neatly got-up little pamphlet of eight pages has beeq put into our hands by Robert Pharazyn, Esq., the acting secretary of the New Zealand Society. This is a scientific society, constituted in July, 1851, "for the development of the physical character of the New Zealand group, its natural history, resources, and capabilities." The pamphlet describes in terse and well-chosen language its career from that time to the present, which doe's not seem to have been a brilliant one, as it has lingered through a feeble existence until now, when it ib all but defunct, its property having been transferred, since 1865, to the Colonial Museum. It is with a view of reviving an interest in this, which might become a most useful institution, that his Excellency, who is the president of the society, has invited its members and a large number of scientific gentlemen to a conversazione at Government House on Friday next. c The Taranaki Herald of the 21st ulfc., says : — We are glad to be able to state that all difficulty with regard to the Waitara township, as far at least as the natives are concerned, is now at an end. It will be remembered that in May last there was a good deal of grumbling excited by certain aibitrary proceedings in Wellington with regard to the loyal native owners of this township, the fact being that the Government had set aside certain sections for the satisfaction of these claims, and as compensation for their confiscated rights in the land, without consulting the natives themselves, or referring the matter to the Civil j Commissioner of the district, who was, of j course, the proper person to deal with it. | The Maoris disapproved of the sections reserved for them, and loudly expressed their discontent. His Honor the Superintendent and Mr. Parris were in consequence empowered by the Government to take such measures as would allay this feeling, and the result was that on Monday last the natives were allowed to re -select their allotments, those sections which have been chosen by the holders of the New Zealand Company's land orders being the only ones reserved. On the afternoon of Tuesday we met Ihaia Kirikumera in town, and he expressed himself as satisfied with the arrangement. The pastoral staff of the Bishop of Dunedin, recently completed, is one of the most beautiful modern specimens of Gothic art. It was designed by Mr. W. Burgess for the Ecclesiastical Society, and is in every respect perfect. The crook represents, carved in ivory, St. George and the Dragon. In the crockets there are jewels of ureat size

f and richness. The staff itself is of ebony, Avith bands of silver-gilt. The beaten work of the knob and crook is most exquisitely done, and the whole may be regarded as a work of real excellence. The Bishop's i episcopal ring is of pure gold, with onyx stone. — Church Times. The Wanganui Times says : —We regret to have to record the death of Mr. James Clark, of No. 1 Line. He had been staying in town for some time past, and yesterday afternoon, about half-past three o'clock, he went to his bed-room at the Criterion j Hotel, complaining of being unwell,, and I shortly afterwards waß found to be dying. Dr. Samuels attended him before life was extinct, but he died shortly afterwards. The deceased gentleman came to New Zealand from South Australia some years ago, where, we understand, he has friends and relatives now residing. The s.s. Storm Bird, Captain Doyle, from Napier and Castle Point, arrived this morning, at ten o'clock, having had to contend with strong north-west winds throughout the passage. The Hutt Kifle "Volunteers will compete for a silver cup, to be presented to the best shot by Lieutenant W. A. Fitzherbert The ranges, 200, 300, and 400 yards, kneeling. The firing is fixed for the 19th inst., en the Hutt Race-course. A public soiree will be held in the Free Church, Willis street, on Monday next, after which there will be a public meeting, Jonas Woodward, Esq., in the chair. The s.s. Wanganui, Capt. Linklater, left Wanganui at 12 noon yesterday, and arrived here at 11 o'clock last night. Capt. . Linklater reports strong N.W. winds throughout the passage. The Fire Brigade will parade for practice this evening, at the Liverpool and London Engine Honse. Another case of awfully sudden death occurred about ten o'clock this morning. I Thomas Liddie, a labourer, residing in the Adelaide Road, having been taken ill, was being conveyed by his friends in a trap to the Hospital, when, on passing close to the Cricketers' Arms, he expired. The body was taken into the hotel, where it now remains, awaiting the result of the inquest, to be held to-morrow at the Victoria Hotel. On Wednesday last a public dinner was given in the Masonic Hall, at Napier, to E. Catchpool, Esq., upon the occasion of his retirement from official life. About thirty gentlemen in all sat down to dinner — J. Curling Esq., R.M., occupying the chair, and J. G. Kinross, Esq., the vice. j The chairman, after the usual loyal toasts, effectively proposed as a toast the " Guest of the evening," which was feelingly responded to by Mr. Catchpool. A great many toasts and songs followed ; and a pleasant convivial evening was spent by all present. The new missionary ship John Wesley has sailed from England for her cruising ground amongst the Wesleyan mission stations in Australasia and Polynesia. The original John Wesley was wrecked in November 1865, in sight of the island of Tonga. The new John Wesley is a vast improvement on her predecessor. She is a three-masted brigantine of 238 tons. Her dimensions are 118 feet in length, 23 feet 9 inches in breadth, and 13 feet 5 inches in depth. She has been built tinder Lloyd's special survey, and is classed A 1, the highest character assigned. A special valedictory service was held before her departure. There was not a single case, either of police or civil, to be heard before the Resident Magistrate this morning. This offers a striking contrast to the state of things in Auckland, where, according to a statement made last night by Mr. Stafford, there must be an average of over a dozen cases every morning. . The Hawke's Bay Herald, of the 28th ult., says: — A Government land sale was held on Wednesday last, and was pretty well attended. The town sections on the White Road were all sold, most of them at a considerable advance on the upset price. These realised £475 7s '6d. A few town sections in Clive were sold, bringing £127 6s 6d. In the townships of Wailingford and Porangahau, only one lot was quitted in each. The half acre lots at Awatoto were all taken up, either during or at the close of the sale, realising £81. There was spirited competition for a 20 acre section at Wesfc Clive, with extended frontage to the Ngaruroro river. It was put up at £100, and was eventually knocked down at £225. The sale realised in all close upon £1000. Sections at Blackhead were in no demand ; and for some fine agricultural lands at Wangavrehi there was no offer. The latter are now open to selection at 15s per aero, and are well worthy of attention.