AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 104, 30 October 1900, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES.

WHITE MEN'S " ABOMINABLE INIQUITIES." At the annual meeting of the Aborigines' Friends Association, held at the Adelaide Town Hall lately, the Governor, Lord Tennyson, said the success of the Point Macleay mission station and school warranted further efforts being made in the same' direction in other parts of the province.- He added : — "Are you aware that black women in the Northern Territory have very insufficient protection by law from, ] am sorry to say, the brutality of some of the lawless white. men there, and suffer accordingly? Are you aware there is a great deal of illicit trading in liquor with the blacks there^ which ought to be stopped — (cheers) — and which is ruining them body and soul? Are you aware of what your late Chief Secretary stated last year in Parliament, that 'the blacks 1 are even now being carried away from their tribes by white men into virtual slavery? All 1 can say is that in God's name I hope South Australia, will awaken to a truer sense of the responsibility that she owes to these blackfellows, and that she will pub down with a sirong hand these abominable iniquities." (Cheers.) The Minister for Education stated that the Government was anxious to help in providing every comfort and protection for the blacks.

The census which will be taken in 1901 will be for the whole of the British Empire, as in 1891, and will bo taken for the night of Sunday, 31st March. The census of 1396 was not taken in England or Australia, but was merely an interim census foV New. Zealand alone. Our system of representation " being based yon population being evenly distributed over the various districts necessitates fiequent takings of the census on account of the internal movement of population, and it is expected it will be found that the preponderance oi ]nnd settlement since the census of 1896 will have taken place in the North Island. At the invitation of Captain Harvey (of the Himitangi) and Mrs. Harvey, a large number of their friends gathered in the Masonic Hall last night to celebrate their silver wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were married in this city, and have made a host of friends -during the 25 years they have lived in the community. At supper their health was proposed by Mr. W. E. Fuller. A programme of dances, interspersed with instrumental and vocal selections and imitations, helped to pass a very pleasant evening. Minifies string band supplied the dance music, and Mr. Qodber was caterer. Interviewed by a representative of the New Zealand Herald, Mr. R. Thompson, M.H.R., a supporter of the present Gov* eminent, spoke as follows of the work of the session :—"I.: — "I. think that the first two months of the session were practically wasted. Tire important Government measures were not brought forward. It is quite true that the Ministry have now the power by the passing of the, Publio Revenues Act Amendment Act, to supersede statute law, and stultify the action and abolish the functions of the Con-troller-General, in any effective check upon the Government finance. With regard to the passing of the vote of £40 extra by" members, in the expiring'moments St the session, I may say that it was nob creditable to those who supported it. \ was not present, and do not regard myself as in any way responsible. I had to depart for Auckland, on leave, to attend a meeting of the Auckland Crown Lands Board. I should not wonder if an attempt is made next session to raise the honorarium to £300 a-year. I do not think that members have tho sense of responsibility, and of their duly to their constituents and the country, which ihey had in former years. The Premier has a majority at his back who will pass anything. As to the Technical Education School Act, it should prove one of the most valuable measures of the session, if it is properly administered." The case of Russell and Campbell v. Jane Blanc, a claim of £12 0s 2cl for services rendered in connection with the leasing of the Cafe Victoria by the defendaait, came before Mr. W. it. Haseltlen, S.M., this morning. Mr. Gray appeared for plaintiff and Mr. Hislop for defendant. The cause of dispute was a misunderstanding as to certain arrears of rates and taxes which had beeai owing prior t(> the defendant's entry. Defendant said she had told the plaiutiff firm to see that all arrears of. rates, taxes, etc., were" cleared off up to the date of entry. She was riot quite clear how this was to bo ,done, but understood that Messrs. Flockton and Co., the bailors, were liable for these amounts. After entry she has received a bill for these amounts, and her contention was that the plaintiff firm had not acted according lo arrangements. She therefore disputed Ihe claim. Judgment was given for plaintiffs for amount claimed with Court costs, amounting to £1 7s. Mr. W. D. M'Kollar, who has been connected with Messrs. Sargood, Son, and Kwon's local warehouse, was presented Insb night with a gold chain and sovereign oase on the occasion of his leaving the firm's employ. Mr. Maudsley, tho warehouse manager, in making tho presentation spoke very highly of Mr. M'Kollar's business ability and capacity, and on behalf of his fellow employees conveyed to him their best wishes for his future success. Mr. M'Kellar leaves for London by the Kumara to-morrow, with a view of gaining experience in some of the drapery establishments in the great metropolis. Mr. H. Robovts, a deacon of the Christian Catholic Church, writes to us with reference to Dr. 0. A. Dowio, whose career in Chicago was referred to in an article wo quoted from the Melbourne Argus on Friday Inst. Mr. Roberts says that a largo number of statements in the article were erroneous and misleading, but a comparison of his letter, which is far too long for insertion, with ihe nrtiele does not benr out the statement. Ho admits that it is true that Mr. Dowie has been arrcsied in Chicago more than ]00 tunes, but says that he was victorious on appeal to the higher Courts-r-at a cost of 20,000 dollars. The property accumulated by the Zion Church founded by Dr. Dowie at Chicago is, our correspondent says, nearci 5,000,000 dollars than 2,000,000, as stated in this Argus article. If I his is correct, tho statement that Porkopolis must be a worldly paradise for men oi' his stamp appears to be fully justified. When Dr. Dowie visited Wellington some ten or twelve years ago no material falling-off in the death rate was recorded as the result of his ministrations, and probably the Chicago sheep who followed tbteir pastor to the railway station on his departure for newer pastures will have 'a similar, experience.

The annual examination of the students of Victoria University College concluded this afternoon. The examinations were conducted by the profe.ssois of the College. A deputation from the Amalgamated Society ol' Railway Servants wailed ou the Minister for Railways this morning. The deputation /consisted of Messrs. T. BuHoi'k (President). W. J. Edwards (General Secretary). P. Nolan, T. Wilson, M. Thomas, and C. Leek. The deputation discussed mutters affecting classification, .superannuation, and sulijaets bearing on ihe intercuts of the service generally. Np det.tils aro yet being made . public, but there i.s eveiy expectation of the conditions of tho service beiug considerably improved. Matters were quiet at the Trading Stumps Depot to-day. Several persons attended and had their books of stamps exchanged for articles of various kinds, and about nioon the premises were closed until to-morrow morning.^ There are now 77 people in the Benevolent Home, 17 "of them being women. At the meeting of the Trustees of the institution this afternoon letters were read from two persons returning thanks for relief which had been given them. It was decided that the Committee which liuh been appointed' to select a * nito for v. casual ward should meet at tlin Home to-morrow afternoon for the purpose oi' making it choice. The West Australian Govcrnmenl have decidad to fall in line with the Kiiggft*' tion made by New South Wal««, and refuse the return of any horses (mm Houlh Africa. Alrcsdy action hu» Ixseu taken in this direction. The well-known homestead at Johnson' ville, " Woodlawn," will be submitted i/> the hammer to-morrow by Mr, W/». V> Shortt, on tho premium. Thft who)** of t)m furniture, Btock, affriculfcuml Unpl^nanta, dairy utensils, etc,, will bo soJ4 without re* serve. Messrs. D. T. Uimvt frn<J ftm. «sfcate agents, 4, FeatborßfcoH'(ili'fi«h nslr&rtisd tot 9/ building allotment at Thowwbn,