Page 2 Advertisements Column 4

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 90, 17 April 1894, Page 2

The call to aruio is sounded. New Zealand id about to bo invaded by a hostile torce. Us outposts aro thicat=ned, and on its navy it has to rely for their defence. A Norwegian sealing steamer threatens a raid on tho Auckland and other islands which are under the control and government of this colony. As the seals on these islands aro strictly protected from our own people, they must not, of course, be left a prey to tho Norse marauders who, after the fashion of the Vikings of old, are contemplating a descent upon British territory. So the colonial warship Hinemoa, under the command of our gallant Admiral Fairchild, is to be sent in hot haste to waru the fillibusters away. This is quite rigut, always supposing that an interpreter is provided, for we doubt whothor tho Admiral possesses a knowledge of the Nor^e language, and it is quito posiiblo the commander ot the invading force knows no English. .But suppose tho modern Viking is obstinate, refu-es to bud^e, and pursists in killing:" tho aealtj. What is the gallant Fairchild to do theni- It is probable that the Antarctic ia more heavily manned than the Hinemoa, and the outfit of a whaler and sea'er includes more dangerous weapons than the Hinomoa usually carries Harpoons, lances, clubs, &c, are nasty things in a melee. The little old*fashlohed hali'pounders which the colonial vessel cariies for signalling purposes would bo of no moro use than pop-guns. If the Hinemoa is sent down to the Auckland Island with her ordinary complement and equipment, the burly old Norseman viil probably laugh at her and hor commander. We should cortaiuly bUSRost that a dozen or so of tho Pormanont Militia should bo put on boaid to overawe him, and enforce obedience to the warning to depart. Perhaps the Promier would like to send Colonel Fox in command of the land iorcca to co-oporato with Admiral Fairchild in effectually protecting the Phocida which this colony claims os its own. The Norwegians will probably enjoy scvoral days' unipterruptod slaughter beforo tho Hinomoa arrives on the scone. Our repoi't of yesterday's proceedings in the caEe of Grimm v. Muuttan, sporting: and bowling news, particulars of tbe St. Paul's Club outing, a newsletter from Manukau, and letters to the Editor, will bo found on the fourth pago. -It ia probable that the Premier, as well as tho Colonial Treasuror, will bo at the banquet to bo tendered to the Hon. J. Mackenzie at Shag Point on the 27th iust The Hinomoa 13 to remain at the Auckland Islands as Ion? as may be necessary to boo the last of the Norwegian whaler Antarctic. While thero she will establish a new food depot. Wo havo to thank out contemporary the Government organ for pointing ont that the Native Land (Validation ot Titles) Act, although passed on 6lh Ootober, did not, in logard to its main p ovisions, come into operation until Ist January. Tho intervening P- riod was, of course, intended by Parliament to bo used in preparing rules and making other arrangements whereby Ihe Court could be set to work immediately Ihe Act came into operation. Three mouths and a half havo now passed since the Act nominally caruo into operation, but through Ministerial laches the Court is still unprovided with officers, and therefore inoperative. Tho Wairarapa Star says vro blamed Mr Hutchisoii, S.M., for counting informal votes in the Wairarapa licensing election. Our contemporary is in error. We did nothing of the sort. What wo blamed Mr. Hnlolmon fot was hot counting the informal rotes when required to ascertain whether a majority h*'d been recorded for reduction, when ho had already, and wo think proporiy, counted them as assisting to mako up a valid poll. He should havo taken them into account for both purposes, as Lieut.Colouel Koberts did at tho Bay of Plenty, or not at all. We have always thought that informal votes shonld be counted. Mr. Leo Smith is on his way to Wellington from Dunedin, and after consulting with the Cabinet will go to America by the May San Francisco boat, to attend the Canadian Conference as New Zealand's representative. Notice comes from the international telegraph centrn at Berne that private telegraphic correspondence has been re-estab-lished with the States of Brazil, and between Brazil and the Aigentino Republic. The Terranora is to go on the Patent Slip to-mor.ow, and on coming 1 ff will take up tho Hinemoa's lighthouso work under the uommnnd of Captain Kennedy, after which sho will make tho necessary sii'veys for tho now cablo. Mr. Alex. Veitch failed to put in an ap. pearunce when his name was.callod on the jury list this morning, and he was fined £0 by his Honour tho Chief Justice. Mr. A S. Paterson atteuded later in tho day and explained that Mr. Veitoh left for England on Saturday. His Honour considered the explanation sufficient. The Colonial Secretary has informed Mr. Win. Hutchison, M.H R., that enquiry will be mado iv the caao of persona improperly struck off the rolls if the names are forwarded him. Our readers will romomber the unfortunate foundering of the ketch Spec off the Thorn' don breakwater in a recent gale The accident has left hor owner, "Mr. Hugh Downos, quito destitute. If the vessel oould be raised, he would be able to oarn a living with her, but it will cost about £i oto get her afloat again. Mr. Williams has most kindly offered the assistance of a steamer on mere payment for coal used, and some friends of Mr. Downes havo started a subscription to assist him to get the ballast cargo in tho Speo discharged and the hull raised. The object is a deserving one. Several hours were spent yesterday in the Magistrate's Court in dealing with a civil caso in whioh W. R. James and others sued Benjamin Williams for .£lB 15s. The defendant put in a conntor-claim for £20. During the night of tho 22nd January the plaintiffs' wbaleboat was moored at her usual place, the defendant s steam launch Flower of Kent being- anchored close by, but, as plaintiffs considered, at a perfectly safe distance. The wind, however, shifted during tbe night, and the next morning the whaleboat was found much damaged, presumably by the launch. The defence was that the plaintiffs, by mooring their boat whore they did, had boon guilty of contributory negligence. His Worship cinsidorod that both parties had boon guilty of contributory negligence, and consequently entered a nonsuit 'in each case, and d'rected that each ■ide should' pay its own costs. Mr, Skerrett appeared for James and parly, und Mr. Edwards for Mr. Williams. The Union Steam Ship Co.'s b.s. Tok&po, which has been chartered by the Adelaide Steam Shipping Co. for six months, is under tbe command of Captain Cameron. Messrs. Smith (late of the Wakatipu) and Robinson are first and second officers respectively, while Messrs. Dalrymple, M'Braid, and Peterson, occupy the positions of firet, second and third engineers. Air. Polmck, late of the Flora, is chief steward Captiin Cameron, who has been in the company's employ for many years, has sent in his resignation, whioh will taka effect on the arrival of tha Tekapo at Sydney. A large quantity of dairy produce waa brought down from Patea this morning, for transhipment lo the 's.s. Ruapehu, by the steamers Waverley, Waitapu, and Aorere.