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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3908, 7 May 1877, Page 2

A sitting of the Licensing Court was held last Saturday, the commissioners present being R. Beetham, Esq., R.M. , his Worship the Mayor, and J. A. Smith, Esq. Mr Wilson applied on behalf of Messrs Watt Brothers for a transfer of the license of the Criterion Hotel from H. Ford to J. G. Becker. Mr Balharry gave evidence as to Messrs Watt Brothers being entitled to possession of the hotel. Mr Sheehan appeared for the trustees under Mr Ford's deed of arrangement, and Mr Cornford for Mr Ford. Both learned gentlemen said that no objection was offered to the transfer on the part of their clients. The transfer was granted. We take from the " County Diary " the following agenda for the week ending May 12 : — Monday : Councils and road boards should commence to prepare statement for the Minister of Public Works, showing an account of the expenditure during the year ending March last upon all works executed under the Public Works Act or other Acts. If the clerk has been unable to prepare the rolls of the ridings (see Counties Act, section 42), the Govornor-in-Council may, on or before this day, extend the time for tho preparation of the said rolls, and also extend the time for sending the county balance-sheets to the County Auditors. Tuesday : Special meeting to consider balance-sheet may be held on this or any other day in May. Friday : The Governor-in-Council may, on or before this day, grant an extension of time for carrying out tho provisions of the Counties Act (see 40th section) with respect to the rolls of ridings being open for inspection from the 20th April to 15th May. The rain of Saturday night and yesterday was exceedingly welcome to those residents in Napier who have not water laid on from the Corporation waterworks, as the rain water tanks were in most instances quite empty, and many persons were under tho necessity of procuring water from other sources of supply. Mr Graham, of Graham and Co., Poverty Bay, and Mr Todd, of Ivaikora, left here yesterday by the Rotorua, both on their way to the home country ; but we understand they intend to be out again in about nine months. Mr R. Dobson, late of Napier, was also a passenger by tuc Rolorua, on his way to Sydney to recruit his health. It will be seen that Mr M'Vay. with commendable liberality, offers a pair of horse collars as n prize for the best kept harness used at the ploughing match to take place on the 24th instant in Mr Wellwood's paddock, near Hastings. His Excellency tho Marquis of Normanby, in responding to tho toast of his health at a luncheon given to him in Invercargill on the 28th ultimo, said that he was always glad to see proofs of loyalty to the Queen in this and otJier colonies. Long may this attachment continue ! And he believed that it would long continue. Each of the colonies on the one hand, and England on the other, derives advantage from the connection. England had adopted a course towards her colonies which had, he believed, no parallel in the history of the world. She exacts no tribute from them and gives them all the protection of her prestige. He believed the constitution of England was the freest in the world, and this colony participates in all the advantages arising from it. He had lived in several colonies, and had noticed that in all of them the residents, on re-visiting their native land, had talked of going home. As long as that feeling exists there was little fear of England being separated from her colonial possessions. In responding to the toast of the Ministry, Mr M'Lean rather foolishly, as it seems to us, in the course of his observations, remarked :— The credit of New Zealand was not very good at present, but lie hoped and believed that the time would come before long when capitalists would run after thorn instead of their running after the capitalists. The Christchurch Press, in commenting on the Premier's speech, remarks : — "With regard to native lands, the Premier makes an important statement. ' The Government,' he says, 'have come to the conclusion that greater facilities should bu ailorded for the acquisition of native lands by private individuals,' and will submit a measure for tho purpose to the consideration of the next Assembly. This is understood to mean that the Government propose to get rid of the tribal element which is the present great dilliculty in dealing with native lands, and to individualise the title in the same manner as among Europeans. Mr Whi taker is said to have been for some time engaged in the preparation of a Bill for this object. We heartily hope it will be successful. — Press, April 28. The Winif/uimi J lent Id thus alludes to the brave Tamehana, who lately died : — " A hero has gone to his rest, and Wanganui has reason to mourn for one of her gallant defenders. Tamehana did valiant service that day when the Han Hans threatened tho safety of the young settlement, and the friendly natives joined issue on the famous island of Moutoa, and vanquished the enemy. Taiuehana was the hero of that light, laying low no less than five of his opponents, but lost a leg in the encounter. For his prowess on thai day he has received ever aince a pension of £'47 a year, sent to him from the Queen. On Saturday night last Dr. Tripe was .sent for from Putiki to see the warrior, but he was past medical skill, and he sank to his rest the same night. Tamehana was a powerful chief of the Ngaruaka tribe, and the natives from tho up-river districts are fast arriving to hold a la iii/i over the departed rangatira. " The Ooro District Board, it will be seen by the notification of the chairman, Mr Buchanan, intend to levy a rate of sixpence in the pound for the six months ending 30th of June next. The meeting for striking the rate is to be held on the 22nd inst. , at Mr Tiffen's woolshed, Oero. The Hawke's Bay Education Board will meet at 11 o'clock this morning.

We hear that Mr Witty has been asked to stand for the Mohaka riding in the Wairoa county. There was a disturbance in the Whiteroad on Saturday night, which will probably become the subject of investigation at the Resident Magistrate's Court. The circumstances, as we are informed, arc as follows : — About 9 o'clock in the evening Constable Irwin arrested a young man named Connor (who had been havino a quarrel with another man) and was conveying him to the lock-up, when Connor's brother came up and attempted to rescue the prisoner. The constable resisted, and, during the struggle that ensued, took out his baton and dealt the rescuer a severe blow with it on the forehead. The blow drew blood very freely and excited so strong a feeling of indignation among the bystanders, that the constable was immediately assailed, and when he got away it was not only without his prisoner, but with the loss of his baton also. We learn that Constable Irwin went to the lock-up for assistance, but was unable to procure any, as there is no one at present in charge of that establishment. The nomination for the vacant seat in the Waipawa County Council, Waipukurau Riding, Avill take place on the 18th inst. , at the school-house, Waipukurau, and the poll, if necessary, on the 23rd inst. Messrs Turley and Brathwaite will sell at Pukahu to-day, at 1 p.m., household furniture and effects. Mr Lyndon will sell to-day, at Richmond Villa, Waipawa, at 11 o'clock, the whole of the furniture and effects of Mr George Lloyd. The Patea 3lail has been favored with a very interesting account of a trip in search of gold in the Taranaki province, written by one of the party, Mr Robert Hughes, a gentleman carrying on business in New Plymouth, and who for years has had strong faith that gold will yet be found in payable quantities in that province. Many excellent prospects were found, princij)a]ly consisting of gravelly stuff similar to what has been found at Charleston, on the West Coast. The writer says : — " I have not the shadow of a doubt but that it is not far from Tukemaho where gold will ultimately be found. The places tried -were on native land. You may be certain it was hard work for me in travelling and roughing it, but I am willing to be oft' again, with two or three experienced men, and confident am I that gold will be found that way." The Press says :—" On one point Major Atkinson, in his late speech, throws out a hint which makes us desirous of knowing more. He refers those who are interested in finance to the financial statement of last year, 'in which," he says, ' they will find a short and clear statement of what was then the financial position.' They will observe, he continues, ' that there was one considerable difficulty.' This difficulty the Government ' have grappled with,' and he is ' sanguine enough to think that they will deal with it so as to satisfy Parliament and the country. ' Now the position shown by the last financial statement was that there would be a deficit of nearly £150,000 ; and Major Atkinson owns that a subsequent falling-olf of revenue has deprived him of the surplus on which he had calculated for partially meeting it. We presume that this is the difficulty to which he refers ; and the real cause of it consists simply in the refusal to carry out abolition to its natural consequences, and the endeavor, by debiting this and that to the land fund, the subsidies, and what not, to keep up the old plan of provincial charges. Until this practice is wholly abandoned, the colonial finance will continue to carry within itself a radical and incurable source of disorder. If Major Atkinson has really accepted this view of the position, and has grappled with the difficulty in this sense, he may indeed claim to have at length placed the finance of the country on a sound basis. What precise steps he has taken we cannot expect him now to disclose. It is impossible, of course, that he can anticipate his financial statement. But it is at all events a most promising piece of information, and after this announcement we shall look forward -with great hopefulness to the forthcoming budget." The Christchurch Education Board have applied to the Government for 500 acres to endow a ladies' college. Sir James Paget, in delivering the Huuterian oration at the Royal College of Surgeons, pronounced an animated eulogium on Sir W. Fergusson at the close of his lecture : — " No one would again watch those eyes which were so keen and yet so kind ; those hands which were so strong and yet so sensitive ; that clear precision and that rigid calmness ; all this had gone ; and with them, those tilings which would endear him still more to those who knew him, his warm heart and generous nature and social grace." Wo observe in the report of the Chancellor of the New Zealand Universit}' the announcement that Mr Peter Seaton Hay, 8.A. , who was for five years a student of the Otago University, obtained first-class honors in mathematics at the examination in last November. The Chancellor remarks : — " It is gratifying to observe that the first candidate who has presented himself for honors in this University should have distinguished himself so greatly." Besides the papers on the more elementary branches of jmre and mixed mathematics, the honor examination comprised papers on the differential and integral calculus and differential equations, analytical geometry, analytical statics and dynamics, and mathematical physics. We congratulate Mr Hay on his success is gaining the Ingest distinction which it is in the power of the University of New Zealand to bestow — a success which could only be attained by rare ability combined with rare industry. We are glad to note also another proof among several that had recently been presented that our local institution for the higher education has been devoting itself to earnest University work. It is well known that pressure from several quarters has boon brought to bear upon the professors to induce them to direct their strength into other channels in a way which would lead to an interference with their proper duties, and they have even incurred some obloquy on account of the stedfastnoss with which they have resisted this pressure. The professors, however, have preferred to lay the foundations of the future reputation of the Otago University in solid work and real usefulness, and we are sure that the wisdom of their policy will stand approved by the test of time. An amusing scene took place recently in the Vienna Stadt Theatre. Some of the actors possess dogs which are in constant attendance on them. The animals are generally put together in the wardrobe while their masters are acting on the .stage. In the intervals between the acts they are released for a short time. On the occasion in question, " Lear" bcinw the play which was being performed, a large dog called Mops, belonging to Herr Bukovics, managed to escape just when the exciting scene where Edmund lies mortally wounded on the ground was on. Mops rushed precipitately down the ilight of steps to the stage. The manager tried to call the dog back by every moans lie could think of, in vain. The audience welcomed the new actor with a lively titter. The dead Edmund (M. Greve), to conceal his laughter, pulled the visor over his face, and the do«---.sniffed all over him. Edgar tried to drive the animal away by threatening him with his wwoid, and just then King Lear rushed in shouting " Heult I heult ! heult ! O Mcnschen ! scid ihr von Stein." The dog, which apparently understood the "Heult, hcult, heult,'" obeyed the command dutifully, and began to bark with all his might, whereupon* on the stage and off the stage a roar of laughter destroyed every scrap of remaining gravity, and tragic effect was no longer to bo hoped for,

The Otago Times says :— " The inhabitants of Wanganui seem to be of an aspiring turn of mind. Nobody short of a Premier would serve as their representative at the last general election, and now they want a "colonial" regatta all to themselves. If they have set their hearts upon the regatta, there is no reason that we know of why they should not have it, provided they like to pay the necessary cost. The Wanganui River is one of the best in the colony for rowing purposes, although it affords little scope for sailing matches ; and if the town on its banks is one of the dreariest places conceivable, there will be the less inducement for the visiting crews to idle away their time in Sybaritic pleasures instead of attending diligently to their practice. The fact of a small place like Wanganui seriously undertaking the responsibility of a colonial regatta, however, cannot but be regarded as a reflection, to some extent, upon the lack of enterprise in this direction exhibited by the Dunedites." In many of the gardens in Timaru second crops of strawberries are being gathered just now ; the fruit, both in quality and size, being quite equal to the first crop of the season. It is not often that such an occurrence as this takes place, and the Herald considers that it speaks highly for the climate and for the productiveness of the soil in the district. Announcements are made in the Greymouth paper that a reduction in the price of coal for town consumption has taken place. The price — hitherto 28s per ton — has been reduced to 20s. This reasonable concession is due, no doubt, to the competition caused by the introduction of the Coal Pit Health Company's coal in the market. A skating rink is proposed for Dunedin, the dimensions to be 120 feet by 80 feet, capable of holding 200 skaters. The following telegram appears in the San Francisco papers: — "New York, February 24. — A London special denies Patti's elopement, and says her final quarrel with her husband occurred in the opera-box at St. Petersburg ; that Patti immediately went to the Palace, obtained an audience with the Emperor, and an j order to the police to send the Marquis de Caux promptly otit of the country. On reaching Paris the Marquis was summoned to answer legal proceedings instituted at Patti's telegraphic orders for a legal separation ; it is said she offers him 100,000 francs for a peaceful separation, which he declines unless the terms can be adjusted. On the following evening at the opera, when Patti made her appearance, the ladies manifested their displeasure at the prima donna's conduct in seeking the Marquis's banishment. The ladies occupying the boxes in many instances went so far as to draw the curtains in the boxes on the first tier, in full view of the stage. The ladies went into the corridor while Patti sang." Says the Auckland Herald of a late date : — " As the brig Moa, a vessel wellknown to Auckland ' salts,' rounded the North Head and came up the the harbor on Saturday morning, much speculation was caused by the appearance of a white flag which was flying at the masthead. The code of signals was ransacked in vain by the watermen in endeavoring to satisfy the inquiries of anxious questioners, who were at a loss to imagine what nationality or what company she belonged to. The ' old identities ' reluctantly acknowledged themselves nonplussed, and awaited the approach of the brig with mingled feelings of curiosity and perplexity. As she came nearer, a person, distinguished for his advocacy of the principles of total abstinence declared, with much satisfaction, that the strange nag was a Good Templar one. This was found to be the case. It bore the emblems of Faith, Hope, and Charity over the portentous initials, 1.0. G.T. It appeared that the vessel is sailed on Good Templar principles, Capt. M'Diarmid and his crew being strict members of the order. Whenever the Moa enters a port the flag is hoisted, is readily recognised, and sympathising brethren visit her in order to offer their congratulations to the worthy skipper." A writer in the Auckland Star tells the following story : — A friend of mine at Ohristchurch has sent me an account of an incident that happened at a recent racemeeting. Some sharpers, returning by train, wex'e playing the three-card trick in a friendly way, and invited an old gentleman on the opposite seat, who had been watching the game with considerable interest, to join them. "It is quite easy," they said, " and you are sure to win." The stranger replied in courteous tones, "No doubt, but there is just a little difficulty in the way. You see, I am the Resident Magistrate of the district, and as it is morally certain that you will come before me in the course of a week, perhaps, on the whole, I'd better not become j)ai'tice2)s criminis." The sharpers got out at the next station. There is some talk on the part of a certain section of the Liberal Scotch Peers to substitute the Earl of Rosebery for the Duke of Argyll as their leader in future. Tliis young nobleman lias rendered himself singularly popular by his varied accomplishments, genial manners, and genuine humor, and people are not likely to forget his positively SydneySmithian joke about the Queen's title of Empress being intended "for external application only." Moreover, on the question of education and of ecclesiastical pretensions — -for the Duke of Argyll's attitude in regard to the Patronage Abolition Bill will not soon be forgotton — lie is nearest the Nonconformist platform than his senior, while ho has also certain Whig traditions or prejudices which form a recommendation to him in the eyes of .statesmen like Lord Granvillc. We learn from our Southern exchanges that in the meat-preserving factory at Green Island, a place about six miles south of Dunedin, 500 sheep are now boiled down daily. The work is done by contract on owners' account, who send in their superfluous stock, receiving in exchange the fat and skins.