Evening Post FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1881. THE PARIHAKA LAND.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 52, 4 March 1881, Page 2

Evening Post FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1881. THE PARIHAKA LAND.

It has been decided by the Government to offer again for sale some land in the Parihaka Block, only under different conditions. It will be remembered that the b2ock was placed in the market recently, but that no applications were received. This at the time created some surprise, as the land, if not equal to the best of the Waimate Plains iB nevertheless pronounced by good judges to be of excellent quality, and probably cheaper at the reduced price asked for it than the finer but more expensive Waimate land. It is true the close proximity of Parihaka might be deemed in some respects a drawback, but this is more imaginary than real as regards its supposed greater application to the Parihaka Block than to the Waimate Plains. That is to say the actual and practical peril incurred by settlers on the Parihaka land would not in reality be appreciably more serious than that of those who settled on the Waimate Plains, while it is clear that very little weight is attached to this consideration by residents in the locality from the readiness with which they have taken up and begun to improve the confiscated land. The total failure of the first attempt to sell the Pa.rih.aka land seems, therefore, somewhat strange and unaccountable at first sight. A good deal of light has, however, been thrown on the matter by more recent discoveries. It is now tolerably certain that the failure was the direct result of an artful combination on the part of a " ring " of laud speculators. Strenuous efforts were made before the sale to induce the Government to lower the price, in which case there is reason to believe that the whole blook would have been secured by speculators, and then resold at a large profit to genuine settlers. Whether any suspicion of this ingenious little device entered into the Ministerial mind or not we, of course, cannot say, but in either case the result was the same. The suggestion that the price should be reduced was promptly and distinctly rejected, and the land was thrown open on the twins originally decided upon. It is reported, aud apparently with good foundation, that the "ring" then determined to force a reduction in the price by a skilful and succeasiul combination to render the i eale a failure. It is alleged that they succeeded in inducing intending settlers to refrain from applying under the representation that, if the land failed to sell at present prices, these would assuredly be reduced, and all purchasers would thus be the gainers, while those who purchased at the higher prices would have the value of their purchases diminished when tke prices were subsequently lowered, as they urged would inevitably be the case. Consequently, by waiting a little, they would be able to obtain the coveted land at a much cheaper rate, and so would save some of their capital for more profitable use. Such, it is said, were the astute tactics employed by certain persons on the West Coast of this Island, and they-.must be accredited with having achieved a complete success in the preliminary step of their policy—the defeat of the first attempt to Bell the Parihaka land. No applications were received, and the sale proved a total failure. So far then the scheme has worked admirably, and the chief schemers have been indulging in pleasurable anticipations of shortly seeing the Parihaka Block announced afresh at prices so materially reduced as to put a very agreeable little profit into their pockets. Unfortunately for them, there is no reason to suppose that these attractive prospects will ever be realised. It wonld almost seem aa if there was a deliberate intention on the part of the

authorities to spoil the charming little plan. It has been decided to place a portion of the block again in the market, but at the old prices, and there are two peculiarities about the new arrangements which are not at all calculated to promote the objects of the worthy men who are reputed to have contrived so effectually to spoil the first sale. For one thing, the land will be open for application on the 4th proximo, and will remain open " every lawful day thereafter until sold." It is not expressly stated whether the last word applies solely to the land or by inference to the land speculators also, bnt it may fairly be taken for granted that it refers to both, for if the Land is sold at present prices the speculators will be also, and their pet project for making money at the colony's expense totally defeated. Another noticeable feature is that only portions of the block will be offered at present, and these in detached sections scattered over the whole area. It is thought that in this way a better criterion will be arrived at a3 to the real value of the remo inder than otherwise. The Land will be sold for cash (excepting, of course, in the case of the deferred payment sections) to the first applicants, unless two happen to apply on the same day tor one Bection, in which ca6e it will be put up to auction. The advantage of this plan is that any intending purchaser now will know the lowest price at which he can obtain the land, and will have no inducement to wait on in the illusory hope of its being reduced, while if speculators want to secure any of the sections their only course is to apply directly the land is open, otherwise they will lose their chance. It is so important to the welfare of the Colony that all the disturbed territory should receive genuine European settlement as soon as possible, that we shall be very glad to hear that the present plan for the eale of the Parihaka land has proved successful. It is hardly to be anticipated that there will be the same " rush" as there was for the Waimate land, but still from all accounts it is a very desirable block, and probably will be taken up by degrees when it becomes clearly apprehended that the price will not be reduced under any circumstances. Whether this opinion id a correct one or not, future events alone can show. It is with very sincere regret that we have to announce that Mr. E. W. Mills, iron merchant, of this city, is about to file his schedule. Mr. Mills stands bo high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens for his personal integrity and liberality, as well as for his business ability and enterprise, that this intelligence will be read with deep concern. Mr. Mills has always been noted not only for his honorable conduct.in regard to his own affairs, but also for his invariable readiness to help others. Indeed, it is chiefly through the extent to which he has assisted other people that he finds himself in his present position. At a private meeting of creditors, held yesterday at the office of Mr. W. H. Levin, M.H.E., who presided, it was proposed to appoint trustees to work the estate for the benefit of the creditors, but as no satisfactory arrangement was come to, the meeting was adjourned until today, in the hope that some arrangement would be arrived at in the interval. Unfortunately the attempt was not successful, and accordingly Mr. Mills finds himself in the position of being forced to file his schedule. The estate shows assets valued at .£190,000, as against liabilities of giving a surplus of .£55,000 Great sympathy with Mr. Mills iB felt on all sides, and we express the public sentiment in hoping that he" may yet surmount his difficulties. There are many struggling and deserving men in Wellington who have found in him a good friend and benefactor while he possessed the means as well as the will, to help them on. The working classes also lose in him a generous and large employer of labour, at a time when such can ill be spared, and the city misses one of its most energetic and enterprising mercantile men. From every point of view, Mr. E. W. Mills' failure is apublic calamity. No definite decision has yet been arrived at in regard to the proposed removal of the refreshment station on the Wellington and Masterton Eailway from Kaitoke to Upper Hutt, but the matter is still under official consideration. We are requested to state that both instalments" of the Property Tax will be received at once if desired. Many people in town and country, we are informed, have already paid both instalments, but there appears to have been a doubt in the minds of others as to whether the first and sejjqnd would be received at the same time*,^ v His Worship tho Mayor and Mr. J. /H. Wallace carried on a most energetic canvass of the city yesterday on behalf of the Wellington and JVlanawatu -Railway. Their efforts were most gratif jingly successful, a large number of shares being taken up, many by some of the leading business men in the place. The prospects of the undertaking are now very bright, and the provisional directors are exceedingly sanguine of success. All who intend to take up shares should do so without delay, in order that the requisite number may be made up aa soon as possible. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company was held in London on the 4th February last. The report stated that the net profit for the year 1880. inclusive of .£Bl7o los 2d brought forward from the preceding financial year, waa 15s 9d which the Directors recommended should be applied a3 follows, viz. :— To payment of a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annnm, and interest on calls paid in advance on old shares .£31,376 9d ; payment of bonns at 5 per cent., 10s ; reserve fund, .£10,000 ; to bo carried forward, 16s 9d. In July last an ad interim dividend was paid at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, amounting, with interest on calls paid in advance, to .£15,688 4s 6d, so that there remained for distribution the Bum of .£47,480 11b 3d. The dividend and bonus proposed were equal to the maximum of previous years, and the addition of to the reserve fund raised that fund to ,£170.000 At the sitting of the University Senate yesterday, a committee, consisting of the Chancellor, Dr. Hector, Mr. Habens, and Professors Brown and Shand, was appointed to suggest arrangements for the conduct of degrees, honors, and senior scholarship examinations during the year. The Eev. C. Fraser's motion, relative to awarding scholarships to all students reaching a certain degree of excellence, waß agreed to after a long discussion. The Committee upon Examinations brought up its report, and it was resolved — " That Helen Connor be admitted to the degree of M.A., with first-class honors in languages and literature (Latin and English) ; that William Henry Herbert be admitted to the degree of M.A., with first-class honors in mathematics and mathematical physics, and honors in chemistry and experimental physics; that James Eonaldson Thornton be admitted to" the degree of M.A., with third-class honors in chemistry and experimental physics; that the following be admitted to the degree of B. A.— Charles Chilton, Benjamin Michael Connal, John King Davis, Margaret Lilian Florence Edgor, William Fidler, Thomas Schofield Foster, John Innes, Basil Keith Senior Lawrence, William M'Lean, William Deans Milne, Alexander Montgomery, Donald Muir Stuart, Alexander Bruce Todd, Edwin Walkins, James Eeeve Wilkinson, and Charles Frederick Wyke Smith." An Order in Council has been issued regulating the class books to bo used in public schools. The regulation inns thus : — The books entitled "A Class-book and Method for teaching Geography and History to the Second and Third Standards," " Geography of New Zealand and Oceania," by Key. Peter Mason, 8.A., and " A First Geography for the Schools of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies," by D. Pefcrie, M.A., may be used in any public school as if they had been described and included in the list of works set forth in the Order in Council dated the 24th September, 1878. At a meeting of the shareholders in the Albion Gold Mining Company, held last night, some alterations in the artde'ea of association were unanimously agreed to. The following persons have been gazetted as having been duly elected trnstees of the Wainuioru Babbit 13istrict, Wairarapa East : Hugh Horsley Beetham, Walter Clarke Buchanan, Frederick Moore, John Martin, jun., and Eobert M'Laren. The application of the Albion Gold Mining Company for registration under the Mining Companies Act, 1872, is published in yesterday's Gazette. The Westen "Theatre Mechanique and Troupe of Comiques " openß at the Academy of Music to-morrow. There will be a matinie at half-past 2, and the ordinary performance will be given in the evening. The entertainment includes mechanical performing automata, performing dogs, Punch and Judy show, &c. The Hon. W. Eobinson's racehorses On Dit and Natator, which arrived here on Tuesday last from the South, were taken up to Wanganui by the steamer Huia last evening. Mr. Eobert Chisenhall Hamerton has been appointed by his Excellency to be a member of the Government Officers' Guarantee Board, vice Mr. J. Woodward, retired. The annual cricket match between the Treasury and Audit Departments took place on the Basin Beserve yesterday, when tho Treasury team were victors by seven wicketß. The Audit made a total for both innings of 9i, and the Treasury eleven scored 95 with only three wickets down in their second innings, 'lhe men who did beat for the Audit team were M'lniyre and Jiamea, who made 19 and 15 respectively. For the winners, Cowie scored 17 and Vincent 12. The Treasury have now won three successive matches.

The programme of his Excellency the Governor's movements— regarding which some incorrect information has been telegraphed from Dunedin— is arranged as follows -.— His Excellency leaves Wellington by the Hinemoa next Thursday, and reaches Cnnstchurch on the following day. He will remain there on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the 14th, he proceeds by rail to Dunedin, where he Btays on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the 17th, he goes by rail to Invercargill, where he remains over Friday, proceeding on Saturday by rail to Lake Whakatipu, and staying there over Sunday. On Monday he travels from Kingston, via Waimea Plains Railway, to Dnnedin, and probably will remain there until after the Dunedin races on the 23rd, starting by rail for Christchnrch, en route for Wellington on the 24th, and arriving here on the 25th. A short time ago we reported the discovery of a human skull, supposed to be that of a lad named Stewart, who was lost in the bush near Hayward's station 21 years ago. Mr. Charles Stewart has to-day called at this office to inform us that on Wednesday last the skeleton of the lad had been found and identified as his son by meins of a button found near the spot, which was at once recognised by the mother. When Mr. Stewart read in the Evening Post of the discovery of the skull he suspected that it was a portion of the remains of his lost boy, and he organised a party of ten men, who went out last Wednesday to search the bush in which the Bkull had been discovered. The searchers succeeded in finding the skeleton in a complete state, and also the button referred to. The remains were brought to the Police Station in Wellington, but it is unlikely there will be an inquest. It is just 21 years ago this month that the lad, who was five years of age, was sent by his father to bring in a cow from the bush, and never returned. The father got together some forty Bettlers, and instituted a search, which was unceasingly maintained for a period of three weeks, but all unavailingly. The country was hilly and covered with thick bush, and it was evident the little fellow had lost himself, or had become entangled in the bush, and there perished of starvation. It is a satisfaction to the parents— thongh a melancholy one indeed— to recover, after a lapse of so many years, the remains of their child, and to be able to have them interred with Christian ceremony. There was an unusually large muster of the Guards at the Drill-shed last night for the customary weekly drill. The captain and all the other officers were present. Staff Sergt.-Major Bell put the men through firing and bayonet exeroise and company drill, the whole of the movements being gone through in the most creditable style. Several new members were " proposed. The drill practice was witnessed by a large number of spectators. The new Supreme Court House has been gazetted as the place wherein the circuit sittings of the Supreme Court shall in future be held. On Sunday evening next, and until further I notice, the evening service at St. Paul's Church, Thorndon, the Church-room, Tinakori Road, and St. Peter's, will commence at 6.30 o'clock. In consequence of the inclement weather having interfered with the Melanesian Mission offertory at St. Paul's on Sunday last, any amount in excess of the ordinary offertory on Sunday next will be paid to the treasurer of the Melanesian Fund. The arrangements for bringing into use the new Penny Postage Stamps Deposit system in the Postal Savings Banks are now all but complete, and we understand that the necessary forms, cards, instructions, &c, will be issued very shortly. A cowardly assault was committed in Willis-street this afternoon on a man who was somewhat the worse for liquor. This man was walking by Mandel's hairdresser's shop, and stumbled against a ladder whereon stood a painter named Bloom. Bloom, irated at this and at something said by the man, came down and Btruck him a tremendous blow on the head, which sent the blood spurting out of his ear and over the pavement. The intoxicated man, who is known to be very unoff ensive, quietly walked away, but appeared to be much hurt. The cowardly affair was witnessed by a number of people, who were loud in their expressions of disgust at the conduct of Bloom. Since the promoters in the Phoenix Company have abandoned their interest in the paid-up shares we are informed applications are coming in more freely. Some of the applications exceed fifty each. There seems ( every prospect of the company being floated within the time fixed by the promoters, viz., the 19th inst. It has been suggested that it might be worth while for the Terawhiti prospecting companies to send twenty or thirty tons of the stone to be crushed and tested at the Golden Point Company's works, where there is suitable machinery for that purpose. The crushing and testing could be done under the supervision of trustworthy witnesses, who could see that the test was a thoroughly fair and reliable one. In our advertising columns will be found a notice of a concert to be given on Friday next in aid of the funds of a very good cause. The Ladies Christian Association have for the last fitteen or sixteen months been trying a very successful experiment in the shape of 'a Home for Destitute Women, but they are convinced that their good work would be much more useful if they had more suitable premises, with proper arrangements for classifying the inmates. The ladies have some money which has been set apart for building purposes, and the concert is to be in aid of this fund. Mr. Parker, the organist of St. Paul's Church, has undertaken the conduct of the concert, and the Harmonic Clnb, which meets under his leadership, is to furnish the choruses. We understand that Mrs. Cotterell gives her services in the solos as a contribution to the fund, and that business people and others have acted so liberally that the whole of the proceeds of the sale of tickets will be available without reduction for the purposes of the fund. So laudable an object deserves the sympathy of the public generally, and we hope to see a crowded house on the occasion of the entertainment. His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Mr. James Hoyte Fry to be a member of the Licensing Court for the district of Feilding, vice Mr. D. H. Macarfchur, resigned ; and Mr. John M'Lennan to be a member of the Licensing Court of Foxton, vice Mr. A. Bayliss, resigned. The number of members of the Church of Christ was increased during the past year by the addition of 70 names. In a previous report it was erroneously stated that the number had increased from 77 to 99. Mr. Charles A. St. G. Hicksonhas been appointed Deputy-Commissioner of fctampß and Registrar of Joint Stock Companies at Wellington, during the absence from the district of Mr. F. W. Brookfield. The weekly meeting of the Wellington Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was held last night, the Rev. W. Kirk in the chair. Readings and recitations were given by various members and criticised. Next week the Rev. W. J. Williams will give an essay on " Social dangers of young men." The Treasurer of the Wellington Benevolent Institution acknowledges the receipt of a subscription of £1 from Mr. E. F. Norris ¦and a sum of £25 from ti.e trustees of the late Mr. George Crawford, being a legacy from that gentleman to the Institution. The following team will represent the Excelsior Cricket Club in the match with the Bohemian Cricket Club, to be played on the Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon : — Messrs. Kreeft, Duncan, Stohr, Renner (2), Brown, Ridings, M'Girr, Mansil, Augarde, and Hoggard ; emergencies — Messrs. Smith and E. Sleigh. The Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly session last evening at the Athenaeum, when an official visit was given by the Rescue Lodge. After the ordinary business was transacted, the question box was opened, and interesting addresses were delivered by various speakers, among whom was Bro. Shorter, who has just arrived by the May from China, and who referred to the progress ot the order there and in other parts. Bro. Price, G. VV.C, who recently returned from Napier, also gave an address. At the Athenaeum on Monday evening the Degree Temple will assemble to confer the second and third degrees, and to transact other important business. The Juvenile Temperance Society was convened last Wednesday evening, at the Schoolroom, Kaiwarra. The adult lodge, Temple of Peace, assembled immediately afterwards, and transacted the ordinary business. The other day the captain of a Sydney vessel was Beized with an apoplectic fit, and was conveyed to the local hospital. A friend of his called the next day. and was horrified to be informed that the unfortunate man died the previous night. The flags of the vessels in harbor were hoisted halt-mast high, and the news was broken to the family, when it was discovered that the patient was not dead, although in a very precarious condition. The Sydney News says that this is only a part of what appears to be a continuous system of mismanagement by the officers of the institution. The following extraordinary resolution was passed by the settlers in the Waipn (Auckland) district lately : — "That any collector of the said dog tax visiting Waipu b9 considered socially on a level of degradation with the common informer, and be treated as a voluntary outcast from all possible association with any respectable member of society." Mr. Hannaford, the collector, has protested against being insulted in this manner* and requested protection from the Government.

Directly after the clock struck twelve on the night of 31st December the whole of the prisoners for debt in Scotland were liberated, in accordance with Dr. Cameron's Act. Twenty-five men and two women were eet I free from Glasgow Prison. Ab they passed out of the gates, carrying with them their beds and bedding, several hundred persons who were waiting greeted them with cheers. The Btock-in-trade and book-debts of Mr. S. W. Alcorn, draper, Lambton Quay, have been purchased by Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains. When in 1840 the first settlers landed in Wellington they found it very different from what it is now. Lambton Quay was nothing bnt sand and scrub. Little did those early settlers think that in 1881 they would be able to buy a first-class Lockstitch Sewing j Machine for 45b, yet it can now be procured j at Robt. Gardner & Co.'s Cheap Sale, Lambton Quay. — [Advt.] What is generally known aa belching, a vulgar term for certain dyspeptic tendencies, is disagreeable both to the persons it affects and those by whom they are surrounded These eructations attest an exces3 of wind on the stomach, and should be dispelled summarily. The wonderfully diffusive properties of Udolfho Wolfe's Schiedam Abomatic Schnapps, the stimulating glow it imparts, and the tonifying results it affects, are the best recognised agencies for the eradication of this most annoying and irritating disturbance. — [Advt.l