TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 19, 25 January 1881, Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1881.

GREYISM AND LAND-SHARKING. "~ ? It will be remembered that among the numerous grounds on which Sir Geoboe Geet and his particular followers based their claim to popular suppart, and to the title of " The Great Liberal Party," none was thrust down the public throat with such energy and persistency as their denunciation of that " Royal Road" to fortune commonly known as " Land-sharking." Nothing wa«

so utterly abhorrent to Sir Geoege Grey's soul, or so foreign to all his most cherished principles, a3 thi3 pestilent practice. In every speech he ever made in Parliament, whether as Premier or as Opposition Leader, Sir George Grey was always very strong — very strong, indeed, was Sir Geoege Gisey — on this point, and hU favorite followers vied with him and with one another in the vehemence of their invectives, not only against the practice of land-sharking, but still more against the individuals who were commonly reputed to be practising it with great comfort and pecuniary gain to themselves. The EDgliah vocabulary was not copious enough to supply epithets of sufficient strength to describe the manifold iniquities of land-sharks who were held up to the righteouß indignation of an outraged and defrauded people as the particular children of the Evil One, and irrevocably doomed to hopeless perdition. It is perhaps scarcely neceasary to define landsharking, as its meaning is understood with tolerable clearness by most persons, but to leave no room for misconception it may be described in general terms as consisting in " the purchase of land in New Zealand in large blocks for a Email sum and disposing of it m smaller lots, either as virgin soil or after it has been improved by fencing- in, . ploughing, &c, and thns made ready for cultivation or for other kindred objects. It is well known that large fortunes have been realised by individuals who have engaged in this business in the Colony, and that there is ample scope for the employment of capital in further similar operations in New Zealand." We direct especial attention to this quoted definition. This was the sort of thing which Sir Geoi-ge Grey and Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Stout and Mr. Tole, and Mr. Moss and Mr. Bakton detested from tho bottom of their soul, and on which they heaped the bitterest maledictions which the heart of man could conceive or his tongue utter. They, and they alone, were the selfappointed savioar3 of the people of New Zealand from those birds of prey, the landsharks. We are not responsible for this mixing of metaphors, or this confusion of different orders in the animal kingdom, but we rather admire the boldness of the flight, for nobody will deny that a land-shark is quite as '"fearful a wild-fowl" as the lion of Bottom, the weaver, so the Gbeyites had fciHAKSPEARiAN authority for their seeming " bulls." Time rolled on, and then, alas, and well-a-day ! a change came o'er the spirit of their dream ! Turn we in every direction, and we now find all the most devoted followers of Sir George Grey, the most fervent renouncers of land-sharks and all their works, the most effusive advocates of " the land for the people and the people for the land," themselves- engaged in " land speculations," as it is pleasantly put, which, if not land-sharking of a very pronounced nature, resemble it so closely that not a soul on earth .could possibly tell " t'other from which." The names of Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Stout, Mr. Moss, and Mr. Tole all are now associated with "land operations" of considerable magnitude, and certainly bearing an extraordinary resemblance to the very transactions on which they used to exhaust their utmost powers of malediction. All these names have been so recently before the public in regard to various enterprises ©f this kind that it is needless at present to quote the particulars. But what of Mr. Barton, it will be asked; surely he, at least, has remained faithful to his anti-land-shark principles and true to the " land-for-the-peoplv " creed ? Well, to tell the truth, we very n.ach fear he hasn't, judging from a certain prospectus now before us. It is that of the " New Zealand Land Corporation (Limited), in 10,0U0 shares" of ;SIU each." The object of this company is thus described : — " Tho New Zealand Land Corporation (Limited) has been formed for the purpose of purchasing land in New Zealand in large blocks and disposing of the same in lots, either a3 virgin land or after it has been improved by fencing in, ploughing, &c, ready for cultivation, and for other kindred objects. It ia well known," the prospectus proceeds, "that large fortunes have been realised by individuals who have engaged in this business in the colonies, and there ia ample scope for the employment of capital by thi3 Corporation in similar operations in New Zealand." But really this is uncommonly like the definition of land-sharking which we gave just now. In fact, it would puzzle the keenest examiner to detect any difference at all between the two. It may be asked, however, what all this has to do with Mr. Barton ? We will explain No. 1 on the list of directors is " George Cavendish Taylor, Esq., Director of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, Chairman ;" and director No. 2is "George Elliott Bakton, Esq., late member for the City of Wellington in the Parliament of New Zealand, 45, Godolphin Road, Hammersmith, W., London." Thia is very sad ! We are not surprised generally to find Sir George Grey and his friends indulging in these pleasant little freaks of inconsistency, or what would be regarded as inconsistency in patriots of a les3 exalted stamp, but we did look for better things from Mr. Barton, after his tremendous professions. Who does not remember the brilliant eloquence and fervid earnestness with which he expatiated on the unimpeachable right of the people of New Zealand to the land of the Colony, and all the " unearned increment" thereof. So did Mr. Stout, it is true, only then everybody knows that Mr. Stout's theories and Mr. Stout's practice are not always synonymou s. But Mr. Barton, the fearless and irrepressible champion of the liberty of the bar and tho rights of the people, it is indeed painful and disheartening to find even him unable to resist the temptation to '' realise a large fortune by purchasing land in New Zealand in Jarge blocks, and disposing of the same in lots." After this, whom can we look up to as the consistent advocate of "Liberalism?" Wo fear that the Greyites are not a bit more disinterested in their patriotism than other men. There is really no reason why we should expect them to be so, did they not protest so very much. But we have bsen so nauseated by the incessant blowings of their own trumpet by these self-appointed apostles of so-called Liberalism, that it is quite a malicious relief to find them all throwing off the mask one after another, and thus practically confessing themselve3 to bo no better than their fellows. We have seen successively Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Stout, and Mr. Moss and Mr. Tole publicly announced as leading spirits in undertakings which bear a painfully close resemblance to the transactions which they had so violently abused their political opponents for being associated with. And now we find Mr. Barton among tho company.

The Hon. Mr. Dick telegraphs that he expects to return to New Zealand about the 10th proximo. The date of Major Atkinson's and Mr. Oliver's return to Wellington is still uncertain. It is understood that another block of confiscated land on the West Coast will shortly be placed in the market. The block in question is, we believe, bush land of excellent quality, situated due north of the Okaiawa Settlement. The wind on the Rimutaka on Friday was said to be as violent as on the occasion of the accident. The new protective works, however, rendered the crossing at Siberia gully perfectly safe. Immediately after the rising of the Bankruptcy Court yesterday afternoon, Mr. Fitzherbert had an interview with his Honor Chief Justice Prondergast, in Chambers, relative to a summons which had been issued calling upon George North to show cause why he should not be adjudicated a bankrupt. North did not appear, and his Honor issued an order requesting him to surrender at a sitting of the Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday next, on which day a meeting of his creditors was also convened to be held. A meeting of considerable importance to the residents of Karori is to be he!d this evening at Spiers' Hotel, Karori, for the purpose of considering the completion of the new deviation road from Karori to do away with tho steep approach on both sides of Devil's Bridge, As a good road only is wanted to make Karori qne of the most favcrite suburbs of WeUington, there ought to be a full meeting on the occasion. The Wharf Committee of the City Council will recommend, on Thnisday evening tho adoption of a report from a sub-committee appointed to enquire into tho present system of dumping wool. The sub-committee id of opinion, that " the syßtam of giving a bonus on tho exces3 of wool dnmped, at present paid each day, should be discontinued, and that the payment of an equivalent at the end of the season be made, dependent on the absence ot" any cause for complaint." At the next msetingjof tho City Council tho Hospital Committee will submit a report recommending that a notification be sent to tho Government to the effect that the Council will have to relinquish the control of the hospital and charitable aid department after the 3l« Mgargh next, on which date the Government subsidy is to. cease. A meeting of the creditors of H. G. Steffert, of Wellington, late of the AC. Force, horse-driver,- was convened at the new Supreme Court Buildings this morning, bnt lapsed for want of a quorum. The liabilities are sworn at £53, and assets nil. In reference to uhs cgen £ a' ling race 'at the Regatta, W. Jones, g'teeisiwsji .qf the Imp, wishes ns to state that that bdk« passed the Antares at the first buoy, and was leading a mile at the second buoy, but there the crew of the Hope directed them to round the Eetone buoy, and following this direotion, which vai put the Imp entirely out of the raco. A telegram waa received in town yesterday stating that Mr. Arkoll, of the late firm of Mace and Arkell, brewers in this city, died at Auckland yesterday morning. The news will be learned with regret by a large circle of Mr. Arkell's friends in Wellington.

Yesterday a. Renter's telegram announced the death of Mr. E. A. Sothern, the original " Lord Dundreary." Mr. Sothern was born in 1830, and wa3 consequently in Ms s'st year. He was educated for the Church, but soon abandoned that intention, and ■we:>.t upon the stage in his 21«t year. His " American Cousin," in which the character of Lord Dundreary occurs, was produced by Mr. Sothern in the United States, and proved a tremendous sncceas. Having appeared in the character 1100 times in the States he came to England, and the play was repeated 496 tinrs at the Haymarket Theatre, London The greater part of Sir. Sothpm'a professional career has been spent in America, but the talented actor wa3 in the habit of paying long professional visit 3 to England, where he alwaye met with a hearty welcome. Hi 3 Honor the Chief Justice held a sitting of the Bankruptcy Conrt after we went to press yesterday afternoon. Mr. Edwards appeared in support of an application for a certificate granting the discharge of J. C. 11. Isherwood, a debtor. It appeared that Isherwood's creditors had passed a resolution against granting the discharge, and in face ot that resolution his Honor declined at present to make the order, but adjourned the matter till Wednesday, at' 4 p.m., in order to enable Mr. C. A. Baker, the creditors' trustee, to appear. Mr. B. Cohen's discharge was granted without opposition. Mr. Gordon Allan made a similar application on behalf of Robert Droingool, of Carterton. Mr. Bishop, representing the creditors' trustee, appeared to oppose, on the ground that the debtor had not kept any books, but had conducted hi 1 * business in an unsatisfactory manner, and the creditors were dissatisfied with a certain transaction in connection with a bill of sale. A resolution had been passed by the creditors on the sth August last in favor of withholding the certificate for three years. After considerable discussion and an examination of the debtor, hia Honor decided to let Dromgool have a certificate of discharge on the sth of August next. An adjourned meeting of the creditors in the estate of Mr. G. Jones, of Kaitoke, was held yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of assenting to the deed of arrangement as originally made. After a somewhat lengthy discussion, it was resolved not to assent to the deed. Several of the creditors suggested that Mr. Jones should file his schedule, a proposal which Mr. Jones said he would think over. We understand that several publicans were detected in the act of committing a breach of the Licensing Law yesterday, and that informations will be issned against them in due time. The Court of Reviewers under the Property Assessment Act was opened in the Grand Jury Room of the new Supreme Court this morning, Messrs. E. Pearce and AY. L. Hirst presiding. A large number of objections were brought forward on various grounds, but several were raised by the Hon. C. J Pharazyn (attorney for various objectors), Mr. Brandon, sen., and others, on the ground that the rolls were not made up in accordance with law. Mr. Pharazyn raised this objection in the first case called on, but Mr. Bell, who appeared for Mr. C. M. Crombie, Deputy Land Tax Commissioner, urged that the rolls had been made up, quite in accordance with law, from the statements and lists furnished to the authorities. The Court at once overruled the objection, and thus settled similar objections in other cases. Mr. Brandon, who appeared for Mr. Jacob Joseph, raised a number of objections, including one similar to Mr. Pharazyn's. He argued that where land and buildings are let on rack rent they should bo sssessed under clause 32, and not under clause 24, or in other words they should not be assessed at 14 times the rack rent. The Courc adjourned its decision. The Wellington Fire Police and Municipal Fire Brigade held a practice last night, which was witnessed by most of the delegates to the Municipal Conference, they having been invited by Captain Asher, of the first-named corps, to see the working of the Fire Police appliances. The Municipal Brigade were under the command of Superintendent Whiteford. The practice ground was Panama-street, and the premises of Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co., and Messrs. Thompson and Shannon were the buildings "operated" upon. The delegates appeared much pleased with the manner in whioh both corps performed their duties. Captain Asher, of the Fire Police, narrowly escaped serious injury last night during the practice of his corps. One portion of the long ladder broke from its coupling while being erected, and fell on the head of Captain Asher, knocking him to the ground in a state of unconsciousness. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt, the fall of the ladder being somewhat broken by one of the corps, who saw it coming down. Captain Asher attributes the breaking of the ladder to its having been left for a long time exposed to the action of wind, sun and rain while lying in the Corporation yard. This is a source of grievance to the Fire Police, who think the Corporation might permit their gear to bo placed in the Central Brigade Station, and thus preserve it from injury. Mr. Shaw, R.M., will, on Thursday morning, deliver judgment in the charges of Sunday-trading against Messrs. H. Bennett, of the Commercial Hotel, and Mr. T. Walkley, of the Cricketers' Arms Hotel. The weekly return of Hospital patients shows that during the week ended Saturday last five males were admitted and nine discharged, leaving in the Hospital 62 patients — 48 male and 14 female. Mr. Parker having disputed the decision of the judge in the walking match in giving the first prize at the Druids' sports on Saturday to Zesch, the committee decided last evening that the match should be walked again this evening, at the Basin Reserve, at 6 o'clock. The Hospital authorities acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of vegetables from Mr. C. J. Richardson, and a parcel of books from a person who has given no name. The United Fire Brigades' Association commemorate their second anniversary with a banquet this evening, which takes place at the Fire Brigade Station, Manners-street. The chair is to be taken at 8 o'clock by Mr. Harris, the President of the association, and the vice-chairs by the Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Lightfoot and Whiteford. As all the members of the various brigades will appear in uniform, the table, together with the decerations, will no doubt have a very pretty effect. The Wairarapa Jockey Club Autumn meeting is advertised to take place on Thursday and Friday, 10th and 11th February. Entries and nominations close on the 29 th January, at Queen's Hotel, Greytown, at S p.m. The soirie given under the auspices of the Naval Brigade Band on Anniversary night was such a success that we learn it is probable the band will give a grand plain and fancy dress ball on the first night of the Wellington races. Steps are being taken by the committee of the Thorndon schools to obtain a gymnasium for the use of the scholars) Already a set of swings has been erected at a cost of jBIO, and the committee have subscriptions to the amount of .£ll towards the cost of the gymnasium. The "privileges" in connection with the Wellington Racing Club's races, on 3rd and 4th February next, will be sold by Messrs. Laery, Campbell and Co., at the rooms, tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon, at half -past two. Further particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Mr. Grattan Riggs made hi 3 second appearance last night at the Academy of Music, which was again crowded with an appreciative audience. Mr. Riggs' varied impersonations are undoubtedly clever, and show him to be an actor of considerable versatility. We cannot speak in unqualified praise, however, of the drama selected — '* The Irish Detective," which is full of somewhat lsw-class sensationalism. We should like to see Mr. Riggs in a play affording a higher and more legitimate scope for his abilities. However, the present pl&y seems to hit the taste of a large section of the public, and as long as this is the case the management are hardly to be blamed for continuing to produce it. The Manawatu Herald announces the death of Ihakara Tukumaru, the wellknown Foxton chief. He was a staunch friend to the Europeans, and was greatly respected. Further particulars are given by the Wairarapa Daily of the exciting scene at the Taratahi-Carterton races on Saturday, to which wo briefly referred yesterday. During the hurdle rase, on neariDg the last hurdle bnt one, Ada, one of the horses competing, put on her best pace, rushed at the hurdle just cleared by the leaders, caught her forefeet on the top bar, pitched over on to her ht;ad, and rolled over a corpse, her neck being Broken, As neither man nor horse arose, the spectators thought thoy verQ both killed; out the race was on, and for a moment the excitement and interest of it overcame sympathy, Hamlet and Kangaroo coming up to th 6 last hurdle by this time at a slashing pace. They rosa at it almost to-g-ether, and loud wero the ciie3 of encouragameni ani the cheers which greeted the latter when it' was se^n t^at the jump had given him a slight lead, and they- raced np tho s'.raight, neck and neck, amidst intense excitement, the old horse winning by hah* a length. Immediately the race was over, a pngh was made to the scene of the accident, when if was found thai; Ada wa3 dead and lying across her jockey (Br-enjner), yrhb most fortunately escaped with only some severe bruises. Ada was a well-known Masterton horse, and though not often a winner, she always ran a good race.

We would remind our readers that Monday next is the last day for receiving applications for shares in the Hutt Industrial Company. Applications should therefore be sent to Mr. Crawford, Brandon-street, or to any branch of the Bank of New Zealand before that date. A notice a3 agreeable as it is rare will be found in our advertising columns. Mr. C. A. Baker, trustee in the estate of Mr. C. K. Jeffa, announces that a dividend of 20s in the £ is now payable at his office.

We are indebted to the Americans for a vast nutnbeT of labor-saving domestic machines, one of which, the "apple parer," deserves special notice at this season. It saves waste of the apple by paring much thinner than hand, and in one-twentieth of the time It can be proenred at Robt. Gabdneb & Co.'s, Clearing Sale, Lambton Quay.— LAdvt.] One Pound Fbee Gifts. — The proprietors of Wolfe's Abomatic Schnapps, to induce the destruction and prevent the improper use of their wrappers and labels, and thus f nrther protect the public againts fraud and deception, have inclosed in the bottles, or under the label on the quart j bottles, since Ist October, 1878, and continue to inclose in eveby day's packing THBOUGHOUT THE YEABTHBEE £1 ORDERS, which are drawn upon the undersigned, and which will be cashed by their agents. To secure these gifts, the public must be careful to ask for and accept nothing but the Genuine Udolpho Wolfe's Schnapps, with our name upon the top label. M. Moss and Co., Wynyard Lane, Sydney. — [Advt.]