PRIVILEGE AND THE PRESS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 25, 16 June 1886, Page 2

PRIVILEGE AND THE PRESS.

Members of Parliament should not bo tln'n skinned. As public men their actions are legitimately subject to public comment and oriticism. Theso may be vory severo, at times oven unjust, rendering patient submission hbmowhat difficult. Such, however, is tho wisest courso, and the Houso, very properly, generally discourages attempts to mako breach of privilege cases out of newspaper paragraphs. Sometimes, however, tho widest interpretation of legitimate comment or criticism is exceeded, and thore is published some statement or assertion involving serious charges of dishonourablo or almost criminal conduct, which demands notice from tbo Houso as tho guardian of tho fair fame of its members. Snoh a case was tho one brought before the Houso of Representatives yesterday by Sir Julius Vogel. The paragraph he complained of was a gross charge such as could only have been conceived by a uross mind. That any respectable paper should have published it, is to us a matter of surprise. It was a direct acousation of attempt on the part of a Minister of the Crown to bribe a member, an act whioh if committed would certainly roquire his retirement from office, and justify his expulsion from the House, if not still more serious punishment. The accusation was olear and direct, and it was most decidedly Sir Julius Vogel's duty to call the attention of tho House to it, so that he and tho other gentlemen named might put on record the uttor untruthfnlness of the statement. Had ho not done this, we fear that somo of those who in yosterday's debate affected to blame him for 'taking notico of the matter, might not havo been incapable hereafter, either in the Houso or before thoir constituents, of seeking to make capital out of the fact that such a chargo having been oponly made had boen allowed to pass unchallenged. Several members yesterday, wo rogret to notice, appeared so blinded by party or personal projudice as to bo unablo to sco that the matter was one affocting tho honour of the Houbo and of the colony as much as that of the Ministor immediately concerned. What would bo thought abroad of the political condition of a country whero an accusation of direct bribory against a Ministor was allowed to pass without indignant refutation and the oxposuro of tho slanderor ? The Houso wonld, wo think, have done well to havo passed Mr. Seddon's motion. These breach of privilege discussions always have ono very amusing feature. Thoy aro invariably taken advantage of by some of tho politically smallest, and intellectually most insignificant, members of tho Houso to abuse the press generally, and to affect n contempt, which they certainly do not feel, for all newspapor criticism. They usually culminate in a withoringly sarcastic reference to ponny-a-linors, evidently oouceiving that to be a very opprobrious term. To most of thoso behind the scones tho lofty sentiment, the boasted indopendonce, the assumed indignation, of those honourablogentlomen aro intensolyamusing. Old Parliamentary pressmen know how many of theso supremely virtuous and highminded members act as "own correspondents" for their own little local papers, being ' remunerated not indeod by the mythical penny a lino, but by the opportunity 'of blowing their own trumpets, and exhibiting themselves in not always natural or truthful colours _to the admiring 'gaze of their constituents. Old pressmen, too, could tell strange tiles of the anxiety displayed, the oourt paid i to them at times by hon. members, oither to obtain indirect pnffs to themselves or to, discredit o'pppnonts. It is probably no breach of privilege to say that 'there is a vast amount of humbug and " make bolio/V« " oven in Parliament.

A return has been laid on the table of the House of Representatives showing the total acreage of land in each land district surveyed, and now ready for occupation on the homestead system. It is as follows:---Auckland, 45,106 acres; Southland, 2988 acres; Weslland, 6560 acrea ; total, 54,654 acres. The areas in the other hind districts are returned as nil. Thero is a noto attached to the roturn as follows.- —"No homestead land can be surveyed until after selection, because the right of .selection varies according to the number of persobs in a family, and they may requite t'tom 20 Up to 300 acres." Mr. Moss intends to take the advice given him by the Government yesterday in reply to his question regarding the duties on machinery, and he is going to move that it ia desirable to impose Customs dutie.i on all machinery now imported duty free, and which can be manufactured well and cheaply in the colony ; care being taken to make a corresponding reduction in tjio dutioi on articles manufactnred in New Zealand in order that the total taxation may not be increased. We are glad to notice that the question raised by the Visiting Juntices of the Terrace Gaol, as to tho treatment of uiiconyicted prisoners in the gaols of the colony, is to bo brought under the notice of the Legislative Council. Tli'o Hon. Mr. Peacock is to ask if Government will reconsider the prison regulations, with a view to modifying the treatment of persons confined for »afe custody and unconvicted of crime, whereby their confinement nu>y be nladc as little oppressive as Possible, in Accordance with subjection 4 of clauso 14 of the Act. We hope ho \vill elicit a more satisfactory reply than that vouchsafed to the Visiting Justices. Mr. George Webb, grocer, Tory-street, Wellington, has again petitioned Parliapient lespeeting tbo cancellation of Iris contraot of March, 1885, to supply tho Hospital with groceries for a period of 12 months. After Mr. Webb had signed the coatrstct Dr. Chilton terminated it, and Mr". AVliitelloUso's contract was accepted. Tho matter was referred to the Public Works Committee of the Houso of Representatives! last year, who recommended that Webb should be treated as tho contractor for the supply of groceries to tho Hospital for tho yoar. Then the Government, in order to settlo the question, suggested a splitting up of the contract between Webb and Whitehouse, but this Webb declined to entortain. After somo correspondence between the petitioner and tho Government, the former received a letter from tho latter, dated 12th November, stating "that as the Hospital Committee, who now had the sole power of dealing with tho subject, had declined to interfere the Government could not do so." Mr. Webb now prays the House to make a further enquiry into tho matter, and grant compensation for logs of contract. I

The Government ia to bo congratulated upon Its selection of Mr. John Duthio to fill the vacant nominated seat on the Government Insurance Association Board. Thero is no belter man of business in tho colony than Mr. Duthie, and his presence on the Board cannot fail to prove reinsuring and satisfactory to the policyholdors, while it affords a complete answer to those who .°ay that tho Government wish to uso the Board for political purposes. Mr. Duthio is certainly not a Government supportor. A most mnrvellously-wordcd petition to Parliament, complaining of the iniquities of borough government in Ma&tcrton, is in circulation in that town&hip. It is a decided curiosity in ita way. The stearaor Botorua, w bich arrived from tho South tit 11.15 this morning-, brought up tho Tarawora's English and Australian mail?. Now that winter is setting in the City Council should keop an eye on that part of the Island Bay road botweeti Berhamporo and Honnor's Refreshment Rooms. It is now only beginning to show signs of gotting boggy, and tho judicious application of metal in a few places at present will keep it from working into ruts, and so savo much more expensive repairs later on. It was stated at tho meeting of the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution yesterday afternoon that Mrs. Love, the wife of the plumber and tinsmith whose sudden disappearonco oxcited soine^ interest some months ago, had ascertained from tho men employed on board the steamer Penguin that a man whom they were certain was her husband took passago to Lyttolton by that steamer, and was seen to get into a berth at night time. As he was not seen by any of them after tbat, the conclusion was that ho had subsequently returned to tho dock and fallen overboard in the dark. It was also mentioned that although thero was a policy on Love's lifo, tho insurance company still refused to pay the amount to Mrs. Love until thero was ample proof of his death. This morning, as tho s.s. Penguin was coming out of Tory Channol, about 40 Maoris w«ro soeti standing in a long lino on tho shoro. Captain Allman, thinking that somothingunusualmighthaveocourredwhichthey wished'to communicate, slowed down, and baying got as close as compatible with safety, hailed them, and asked if they wanted anything. The only answer being a succession of cheers, the captain came to tho conclusion that nothing was wrong, and continued kis voyage. Tho School of Design established by Mr. A. D. Riley, the art instructor of tho Board of Education, is becoming a very popular institution. Although it has not boon in existenoe for three months tho attendance has reached the maximum, viz., 60, and there is now no furthor accommodation for pupils. Most of tho pupils aro making very satisfactory progress, and the result of the training which they aro undergoing will no doubt proyo creditablo alike to themselvos and to thoir painstaking instructor. Once more the case of tho lad Wilkinson has been dealt with by the Trustees of tho Benevolent Institution. At the meeting of that body yesterday afternoon, a letter was read from Wilkinson stating that if tho Trustees would pay a debt of 163 to a boardiughouso-keeper, ho would not troublo them any further. Some discussion ensued, and it was oventually decided to pay the amount. Members expressed a hopo that they had heard the last of tho caso. Wo understand that Wilkinson has beon employed aa portor at tho boardraghouso of the man to whom he was indebted. The Commissioners appointed by tho Government and the local bodies to consider tho appeals of the City Council and tho Hutt County Council against the charitable aid assessments —Messrs. H. S. Wardell, B.M W. C. Buchanan, M.H.8., and 11. J. Williamß—held their adjourned sitting in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon. Mr. Martin, City Solioitor, appeared for the Corporation, Mr. Travors for tho United District Charitable Aid Board, and Mr. W. FitzGerald for the District Hospital Board. Some discussion took placo in the outset as to whether or not the Commisßionors must bo unanimous in thoir decision, .and oventually it was arranged that the Board should, in reporting to the Colonial Secretary, state whether their judgmont was unanimous or whether it had been carried by a majority. The principal itom in tho appeal of the City Council was in reference to the omission of the Wairarapa counties from tho general levy, in consequence of which, it was claimed, tho assossmont of the Corporation could not be sustained. Mr. Martin admitted that he had not hithortobeen awaro that tho United Board's estimate included a considerable sum for the support of tho children committed to industrial schools and orphanages. In fact, he complained that the 'Board had simply mado a bald statement to tho Council as to its estimated requirements, and had furnished no particulars. Evidonoe as to the details of the assessment having beon given by Mr. L. W. Lovoday, Secretary of the United District Board, an argument took placo between counsel as to the legal points. The enquiry was then declared closed, and tho Commissioners promised to give their award in open Court at an early date. A prohibition order was issued by the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning against a wharf labourer named John Donovan, on the application of his wife. Bosina Donovan. An affiliation case was called at the Magistrate's Court this morning, in which a youth named John Meek was summoned as the putativo father of the illegitimate-child of Lucy Sparkes. Mr. Stafford appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Moorhouse for dofendant. Mr. Stafford intimated that ho would assent to an adjournment of tho proceedings until Wednesday next on condition that defendant obtained a satisfactory recognizanco to the amount of J!SO for his appearance, tho bond to bo forfeited to the mother of tbe child in the event of default. The caso was allowed to stand ovor until this afternoon, to enable defendant to find tho necpssary surety. Palmerston North is agitating for a bonded warehou3O in that township. The balance-sheet of tho Now Zealand Riflo Association has beon published, showing the receipts and oxpendituro in connection with tho lato firing. The receipts wero: —Government grant, .£500; 213 volunteer subscriptions at 10s, jEIOGIOs ; sevon civilian subscriptions at £1 Is, .£7 7s; ontries for ordinary matches, i*495 16s 6d; ditto for teams matches, .£135 14s Gd; ditto for civilian match, .£ls 10s; sale of sighting shot tickets, £139 Is 6d; salo of ammunition, £2,1 78 6d; disputed shots, ,£l4 ss; Wanganui subscriptions, .£B9 12s : Wanganui corps subscriptions, .£2O; donation, £20; sale of rights, £55; making a total of £1631 14s. On tho other side tho incidental expenses, including prize-money, amount to £1551 9s, leaving a balance of £80 5s to the credit of tho Association. ¦ The report is a most satisfactory eno, tho mooting being tho most succeßßful one hold sincothe formation of the Association. Captain Somervillo hod tho general management of the whole, while Lieutenant Collins, of Wellington, had chaige of the office arrangements. The next meeting is to'be hold at Christchurch, and it is very probable tbat the competitors will by that timo DO armed with the Martini-Enfield rifles, 500 of which have been promised to the Association. A young man named John Steel 0 was charged at tho Magistrate's Court, this morning, with having deserted from H.M.S. Nelson, and pleaded Not Guilty. It transpired that the acoused bore an unfortunate resemblance to an absoonder from the vessel, so much so that ho was arrested on suspicion at Newtown, last ovening, at tho inßtigatiou of tho ship's officers now in Wellington. Tho master-at-anns and ship's corporal wero examined this morning, and admitted that they' had made a mistake as to the identity of the accused. Mr. Warden ordered that Steele should 1 be discharged, observing that it was a pity that he should have beon subjected to the annoyanoe of' being locked up, but as the Inspector would not charge anything for the night's lodgings, he supposed the man would not complain. Judgmont was given by the Resident Magistrate this morning in the case of W. L. Bullor v. R. Ransfield, a "olaim of ?£ls upon a promissory note, in which evidence was taken last week. Judgment was in favour of the plaintiff for the full amount claimed, with costs £2 Is. Mr. Hutchens appeared for plaintiff. - .

Several rather warm passages occurred between Messrs. Shaw and Brown in the Magistrate's Court this morning, during the progress of the case of Egan v. Egan. Tho latter gentldmati was examin*' ing the applicant us to the moneys v.-liich he hod paid to Mr. Jellicoe for legal expenses, with the view of proving that he was possesfeed of more moans than he bad represented, when Mr. Shaw objected to the questions, as they related to a privileged communication between solicitor and client. Mn. Wardell observed that Mr. Brown" ought to know enough about the inner working of .fcolicitorti' offices to be awaro that a great deal of work was done from motives of generohity. "Yes," retorted Mr. Brown, bnt there are solicitors and solicitors." Mr. Shaw replied with some feeling that his friend had quite exceeded the limits of professional courtesy. Mr. Brown then proceeded to question the witness as to the amount that he had paid to Mr. Shaw for_ conducting the present cahe. Mr. Shaw indignantly interrupted, and slid hi? friend might as well ask what he had had for dinner on the previous day. As a matter of fact the man had friends who believed that he had been wronged, and who were paying his expenses. He considered it perfectly impudent on Mr. Brown's part to put such question*. Slight ebullitions of feeling occiurcd at other .stages of tho case. Yesterday's meeting of tho Trustees of the Bonevolent Institution was attended by Me.sf.ru. A. W. Brown (in the chair), S. Danks, T. M'KeUiiio, j. Petherick, A Wilson, and Rev. H. Van Staveren, Mr. C. P. Pov/les (Treasurer) and Mr. A. G. Johnson (Secretary). A lettet 1 wa=3 read from Mr. Wardell, R.M,, introducing the case of a man who wished tho Trustees to advance him £5, so that he and his young ton might get to Dunedin where they had friends. It was stated that tho applioant would refund tho amount when a quarterly allowance made him by his brother in England arrived. The Trustees decided to take no action in the matter. Mr. Danks brought up tho ease of a man in quest of roliefi It was stated that he lisui been iii the Lunatic Asylum twice. As it is believed that lie is again Buffering from an attack, tho Trustees decided that he should undergo a medical examination as to bis mental condition. Several other cases, the mo3t important of which are referred to elsewhere, having been dealt with, the meeting terminated. As more than ono allusion hns been made in tho Divorce Court this week to a pecnliar case fit Napier in which Mr. Edwards, of Moorhouse and Edwards, solicitors, is at present engaged, it may bo explained that tho action in question is ono brought by a resident of Hawke's Bay to rocover from a firm ot solicitors in Napier the sum of i>3ooo as damages for professional negligence. It is alleged that tho plaintiff's premises were burnt down ; that he instructed the defendants to rocover the amount of insurance on the building, about ; that they neglected to mako the olaim within six weeks after tho date of tho firo ; and that the company refused to pay tho amount because notice of the claim was not given within a month after tho occurrence. The application of Mr. James Madden for a license for Barrott's Hotel came before tho adjournod annual meeting of the Licensing Bench to-day. The Clerk (Mr. Ames) read a resolution passed at the last annual meeting to the effoct that if the premises i wero not rebuilt during the ensuing twelve months a license would not be given to it at tho annual meeting. Mr. Fisher said ho wished it to bo known that if owners of property would take upon themselves to ignore resolutions of the Bench, thoy did so at their own risk. If in future ho found any resolution ignored, as that read by Mr. Ames had beon, lio would give his voto direct against tho granting of tbo license Ho had been ovor Barrett's Hotel. It had been painted and papered in every possible way, but this had not mado tho premises what they should bo. Ho considered that it was not the sort of hotel that should exibt in tbe centre of the city. The front recently orcoted was a brick screen, and nothing more. The Chairman (Mr. Willeston) said he qnite agreed with what Mr. Fisher had said. Mr. Barnett intimated that ho would not oppose tho granting of tho application by Mr. Madden, although he admitted that it had been a disappointment to find all tho improvements which the Bench had stipulated had not been carried out. This was a somewhat common experience with Licensing Benches. Some timo ago plans of a fine large hotel to replace one in existence in Wellington for years werepropared.buttheyweronotcarried out, improvements such as paint and paper " could effoct being all tbat was.done. Ho agreed that improvements should be of a permanent character. In tho present case, there had been a disposition shown to carry out the wishes of tho Bench, and ho would not therefore object to Mr. Madden getting a license. On the motion of Mr. Fisher, it was unanimously resolved that if the house was not rebuilt before tho next annual meeting, tho liconso would bo takon away from it. Mr. Maddens application was granted, an 11 o'clock license being decided upon. Otto of tho old men who are being supported by tho Benevolent Institution having preferred a complaint against the keeper of tho boardinghouse whore they are residing, ! the matter was considered yesterday by tbe Trustees. The Secretary reported that he had made onquiries into the case, and found that tho charge made by the man waß unfounded, the boardinghouse keopor never having bohaved unkindly to him. Ho (Mr. Johnson) had ascertained that the man who made the charge was rocently brought home drunk by a policeman, and on several other occasions had returned to tho house late at night apparently intoxicated, -while his general conduct had been far r rom satisfactory. Mr. A. Wilson suggested that the old man should bo warned that if he again misconducted himself, ho would bo severely dealt with. The Eev. H. Van Staveren questioned the veracity of several of the old men whom the Secretary had examined, and urged that it would bo unfair to fall in with Mr. Wilson's suggestion on the evidence bofore the Trustees. After some discussion, the Eev. H. Van Staveren and Mr. Petherick were appointed a committeo to make a further investigation into tho charge against tho boardinghoußo keeper. Somo timo was occupied at the Magistrato's Court this morning with tho hearing of a caso in which Gustave Frantz was charged with having maliciously damaged certain sholving, the property of his late employer, Alex. McPonald, confectioner. Tho evidence for the prosecution was to tho effect that defendant received notice of dis1 charge, and was paid off on Saturday last. On Sunday evening, in tho absence of tho owner, dofondant entered tho bake-house, and toro down several shelves, strewing tho tins and implements about, and causing damage to tho extent of about £1 ss. Defendant's statement was to tho effect that he had put up the shelves for his own convonienco, and thought he was entitled to removo them when ho left, and place tho boards where ho had found them when he came. On the application of defendant, the case was_ adjourned until this afternoon, to enable Mm to omploy a solicitor. When the case was again called, Mr. Jellicoo appeared for the defendant. It was arranged that the information should be withdrawn, on payment by the defendant of the damago sustaiued, and costs. Messrs. Biggs and M'Mahon's dramatic company ropeated " Peop-o'-Day " at tho Theatro Royal last evening to a largo downstairs audience. The porformanco was as successful as on the previous ovening, Mr. Grattan Biggß being especially natural in his portraituro of the charaoter of Barney O'Toole, whilo Miss Jessie Groy's Irish jig was encored. A new four-act drama entitled " Grasp, or a Mother's Lovo," will be produced this evening for tho first timo in Wellington, and new scenery and mechanical effects will be employed. When played at the Princess Theatro, Molbourno, somo timo ago, "Grasp" ran successfully for a four weeks' season. Two first offenders wero punished for drunkenness at the Magistrate^ Court this morning, penalties of 5s being imposed in each caso, with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment. Mr. Wardell, R.M., occupied the bench. A' cab-driver named Herbert Williams was summoned to the Magistrate's Court this morning for having driven on tho Queen's Wharf at other than a walking pace. Mr. Izard appeared for the Harbour Board. The charge was proved by ono of the night-watchman, and Mr. Wardell infiicted a fine of J2l and 7a costs, remarking that_ it was • necessary to prevent rapid driving on tho wharves. The temperance meeting 1 conducted in tho Arcade last evening by Mr. Noble was better attended than any other of the series, the hall being full. Mr. F. H. Fraser was in the chair. Mr. Noble delivered an address on the subject of "Colour Blindness," and kept the audience both interested and amused for over an hour. At its close a number of pledges were taken. Mr. Noble will speak for tho last time in Wellington this evening, when he will deal with "The Life and Labours of the Late John B. Gongh, the Celebrated Temperance Advocate." As Mr. Noble was for some time a colleague of the deccasedj he is in a position | to deal with the subject in a manner which very few aro ablo to do. It is expected that there will bo a very large attendance of the general public. Mr. Noble leaves for Sydney to-morrow. At the Fine Arts conversazione this evening, Miss Trehair Osborne; the newlyarrived English songstress, is to sing the following selections : — Romanza — " St. Cecilia's Reverie)" cavatina — "Vißavviso" (" La Sonambula " — Bellini) ; song — "O. Bay of Dublin " (Lady Dnfferin). As it is expected that the attendance will bo very large, visitors are requested to circle round the room as much as possible. A special tram for Newtown visitors is to leave Government Buildings at the conclusion of the conversazione. The Persevoraneo Tent, 1.0.8., hold its fortnightly session last evening in the Primitive Methodist Church, when the Chief Enler,'Bro. John King, occupied the Chair. Two condidates having passed the required medical examination, wero duly initiated and added to the roll of membership. A discussion arose respecting where future meetings should be held while the schoolroom at tho rear was in courso of erection, and as bot!< minister and trustees hod expressed their willingnoss to allow the use of the chnroh, it was resolved to accept the kind offer, subject to the decision of the summoned quarterly meeting next session. ' To-morrow, at 2 o'clock, Messrs. J. H. Bethune & Co. will sell by public auction at their rooms, without reserve, by order of the mortgagee, under conduct of the .Registrar of the Supreme Court, that valuable corner section having frontages t<> Cubastreet and Webb-street, situated immediately opposite tho Star and Garter Hotel together with the buildings erooted thereon After whioh, the same firm will sell 50 shares in the Northern Land, Loan, and Building Company, Wellington, and 20 shares WeC ling-ton and Manawatu Railway Company.' l Messrs. Deacon & Co. announce tiiepay-ment-of a dividend (the second). of i6d per 24,000 th. share by the Venus Extended Goldmining Company, Eeefton. ' „ -. ¦<___ ¦ The Rifle Battalion parades ' to-morrow evening for drill at Volunteer Drillahed, at half-past 7. -'¦ .'

A prisoner named Johti O'Brien, who was recently brought from Christchnrch, and i"» at present fulfilling a sentence for felony in the Terrace Gaol, was brought up at tho Magis* trate's Court this morning, charged with having, on the 20th August, 1885, feloniously stolen a ring, valued at jfi4, the property of Mary Moncrieff. The evidence of Mary Moncrieff, barmaid of tbe Island Bay Hotel, was to the effect that in August last, when staying at the Star Hotel ?he missed the ring iv question from her box, whi^h was in Tier rd6m upstairs. Had not giv'en afictiserff or any other, person permission to take it, and had not given it to anyone. Detective Neill, of Chri&tchureb, deposed that when he arrested the accused at Christchurch, in September last, on another charge, the ring produced was in his mouth. Accused btated that he had had it a long time, and that a girl friend had given it to him. _ The prisoner was committed for trial. O'Brien was further charged with having stolen a ring valued at 10s, and iJ2 10s in . cap}), the property of Amelia Bertha Skipper. Prisoner reserved his defence, and was committed for trial on this charge albo. At a Bitting of the Banco Court this morning, before Mr. Justice Eichmond, argument was taken in the case of Burrow and another v. Wills, an appeal from the decision of the Eesident Magistrate at Wairarapa. The appeal was dismissed, with 10s costs. Mr. 801 l appeared for tho appellants, and Mr. W. T. L, Travers for the respondent. The Wairarupa Observer Btates that the JSative Committee for the Wairarapa District has Just concluded a sitting which extended over n fortnight, at Papawai. All tho members were present, und Piripi, one of the Lower Valley representatives, presided. The principal subject discussed was the opening of tho lake. The majority were at first averse to the proposals made by the Native Minister, but Mauihera Maaka, the Te Ore Ore representative, pointed out the great hardships to which the settlors woro exposed by having their land flooded to such an extent that their stock starved. Eventually it wtvs decided to consent to the opening of the lake for t^ii mouths in tho year, it being admitted that if it werfl dosed for two months at a suitablo season of tho year, the requirements of the natives would be met. A contemporary states that Mr. W. L. Roes, of Auckland, who was in Samoa in connection with M'Arthnrand Co.'s lawsuit when the recent difficulty occurred, came to the nifl of Malietoa and recoived the appointment of Attorney - General to the King of Samoa. He was also consulted by Malietoa on a question raised by the American Consul as to the definition of the Samoan Treaty, and be considered tbat it was clearly within the ptnver conferred therein that tho King could claim protectibn from the United States in tho event of disputes arising. Consequently, next night the old King took the Samoan flag, which lie had not been allowed to hoist for many months previously, carried it to the American Consul (Mr. Greonbaum), and claimed the protection of the United States: Mr. Greenbaum then accepted tho responsibility, took Malietoa nndor his protection, and notified on the following morning that he had done so, and from that timo forward tho Samoan flag and King wero under tho protection of the United States. He then hoisted Malictoa's flag, with the American flag over it. Tho thirteenth anniversary of the Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0. G.T., wilh'be celebrated to-morrow evening, when the chair will bo taken by Mr. B. Hobbs, M.H.B.