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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3909, 8 May 1877, Page 3

The Puketapu ratepayers at tlieir meeting on Saturday last, we understand., adopted a course similar to that adopted by the Papakura ratepayers the same day, though not quite identical with it. The Papakura ratepayers, it will be remembered, put off the election of wardens till they saw how the Clive Eoad Board election case would turn out. The Puketapu ratepayers definitely postponed the election of warders till after the 30th of June. Our Taupo correspondent writes : — Since I last wrote we have had an addition to our noble defenders of this place, in the shape of 30 native A.C. from Tauranga. It seems strange policy to keep these native constables in the force, and to discharge Europeans on the plea of its reduction. There are also many good men in the colony who would only be too glad to get the same amount of pay (6s a day) as these dusky bobbies are getting. "Whilst on the A.C. topic I may remark that at the numerous stations the men have occupied in this district the only traces they have left behind are rusty sardine tins and piles of empty rum bottles which would give a Good Templar the horrors to look at. This is very different from the missionai-ies, who, whatever their faults mey have been, alwaj's left permanent marks of tlieir sojourn in many ways, but especially in planting European trees and beautifying the wilderness. I believe that a Native Land Court is to be held here this month, when I presume we will be inundated with those noble officials from the native office who nearly all seem to be running in opposite grooves, and in fact playing a sort of game of euchre with each other by always passing the game on to the next player. Second-class Sub-Inspector Gascoigne has charge of the road-working party of A.C. atTarawera. I believe the Government purpose supplying him with alpaca goats, to see if the hills about Runanga will furnish sufficient food to sustain these animals, the wool of which is so much prized in the home markets. The weather for the last two months is all that could be desired. A good number of tourists have been here. One of the geysers- (Cow's Nest) has been active for the last week, after being dormant for two months. All the members of the Ministry are to assemble in Wellington this month, when full Cabinet meetings will be held to further consider the measures to be submitted next session. Amongst the passengers by the s.s. Wanaka on her last downward trip from Auckland (says the P.B. Herald) was Mr S. Buckland, and we hear that this gentleman, in conjunction with Mr R. Kelly, lias purchased the entire herd of Messrs Johnson Bros.' cattle, about eight hundred in number. The whole of these animals are described as being of the finest quality, and well calculated to realise tip top prices in any market. Mr Buckland likewise purchased a first-class mare from Mr Kelly, well-bred, Avith plenty of bone, and a faultless hack in every respect. It is to be regretted that animals of her stamp are purchased to leave the district. "We publish in to-day's issue the list o^ objections to voters on the Napier and Clive electoral rolls ; the former will be found in our supplementary sheet, and the latter in our third page. An instance of rare presence of mind in a boy occurred recently in Dunedin. The Star says :— ' ' A few days ago two children were sitting playing on the Port railway line, near the foot of Hanover-street, when the mid-day train from town came in sight. The driver, on seeing them, put on the brake, but was unable to stop the train, and death to the children seemed imminent, when a lad named Brooks, recognising their danger, sprang forward, and grasping the children just succeeded in dragging them off the track as the train went by. Such an act of bravery on the part of one so yoxmg should not be allowed to pass unnoticed." Kauri gum dealing appears to pay. Mr R. Walker, who has carried on that business in Auckland for the past thirteen years, left for the home country in the Glenlora a few days since, with his family and a competence. The Georgia Minstrels, who are shortly expected in Napier, have been doing capital business in Auckland. The Iferald says, referring to one of their performances : — ' ' There was again a large and appreciative audience at the Theatre Royal last night, when the Georgia Minstrels gave one of their highly characteristic and very amusing entertainments. The company certainly improves on acquaintance. The humor is genuine and unrestrained ; even the most grotesque performances of the corner men are rendered in such a natural manner as to add largely to the effect. There is far less effort made to speak in broken English than is perceptible in the " funny " men of most minstrel troupes, and the Americanisms, instead of being caricatured, fall quite naturally from the widespread niuuths of those sable performers." \. 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 tlieir 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 lias been unable to prepare the rolls of the ridings (see Counties Act, section 42), the Governor-in-Council may, on or before this day, extend the time for the 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 the 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 Sunday 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 the necessity of procuring water from other sources of supply. Mr Graham, of Graham and Co., Poverty Bay, and Mr Todd, of Kaikora, left here on Sunday 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 the Rotorua, 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 a prize for the best kept harness used at the ploughing match to take place on the 24th instant in Mr AVcllwood's paddock, near Hastings. His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, in responding to the 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 other 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 wjiich 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 he hoped and believed that the time would come before long when capitalists would run after them 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 be afforded for the acquisition of native lands by private individuals,' and will submit a measure for the 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 difficulty in dealing with native lands, and to individualise the title in the same manner as among Europeans. Mr Whitaker 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 Wang an vi Herald 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 Hau Haus threatened the safety of the young settlement, and the friendly natives joined issxie on the famous island of Moutoa, and vanquished the enemy. Tamehana was the hero of that fight, laying low no less than five of his opponents, but lost a leg in the encounter. For his prowess on that day he has received ever since 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 the up-river districts are fast arriving to hold a tangi over the departed rangatira." The Oero 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. We hear that Mr Witty has been asked to stand for the Mohaka riding in the Wairoa county. There was a disturbance in the Wliiteroad on Saturday night, which will probably become the subject of investigation at the Resident Magistrate's Court. The circumstances, as we are informed, are as follows : — About 9 o'clock in the evening Constable Irwin arrested a young man named Connor (who had been having 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, will take place on the 18th inst. , at the school-house, Waipukuraii, and the poll, if necessary, on the 23rd inst. The Press says : — "On one point Major Atkinson, in his late speech, throws out a hint which makes us desirous of knowing moi'e. 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 filling-off of revenue has deprived him of the surplus on which he iiad 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 cany 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 cany 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 sen.su, ho may indeed claim to have at length placed the finance of the country on a sound basis. What precise steps lie has taken we cannot expect him now to disclose. It is impossible, of course, that ho 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 Chriatchurch Education Board have applied to the Government for 500 acres to endow a ladies' college.

The following, on the late decline of wool in the Home market, is from the Melbourne .Iclcgrajj/i : — <; We have only to follow the upward movement of prices from that date to illustrate how important a change has taken place in regard to the manufacturers' returns. In 18G9 the average value of a bale of wool was £15 15s, in 1870 £16 15s, in 1871 £20 10s, in 1872 £26 10s, in 1873 £24 ss, in 1874 £23 ss, in 1875 £22 ss, and last year, owing to the drop, the average was only £18 15s. When the first series of the London wool sales opened this year, however, Australian wool, we are informed, was worth, on the average, about £21, but the decline of from 2d to 3d per lb,, at which these sales closed, again reduced the price to about the average rate of 1876. Now, the result of this advance in prices is clear when we compare the reduction in the gross exports of woollen yarns and manufacturers from the United Kingdom between 1872 and 1575. These thereturns of the Board of Trade show to be valued in millions in 1872 at 38 4, in 1873, 30-7 j in 1874, 28 -3 ; and in 1875, 26 7. Thus there is a falling of sj? per cent, in 1874 in the exports, as against 13 per cent, in 1873, and against 30 per cent, in 1872. And we may folloAV these figures a step further 1 , for by the mail steamer Bangalore we have the trade returns of the United Kingdom for 1876, which give the value of the exports of woollen and worsted manufactures at £9,100,498, as against £11,159,914 for 1875. Blankets and blanketing declined from £758,500 to £60G,779 ; flannels, from £481,197 to £409,294; woollen cloths and mixed material, £6,489,045 against £6,850,000 in 1874 ; woollen and worsted yarn, £4,417,232, against £5,099,307; and sheep and lambs' wool from £928,264 to £757,971. It will be, therefore, seen from these figures that the decline is general, not special ; every article in which the staple is used shows a falling off, whilst on the other hand the importations into the United Kingdom during 1876 still show an increase. Thus we -have the value at the lower prices ruling during last year set down at £23,228,976, as against £22,889,421 in 1875, when the relative prices per lb. was calculated on a higher basis. Nor does the increase in production of the raw staple seem likely to fall off. On the contrary, the River Plate States are coming to the front in an extraordinary manner, and the improved projects of that country since the capture of Lopez Jordan, coupled with the impetus given to sheepfarming by the introduction of emigrants from the Mediterranean ports, bids fair to double their last year's inincrease of 10 per cent. In looking the actual situation of the wool market boldly in the face, it would be poor sophistry to attempt to disguise its real significance. On the one hand we have a marked and steady decrease in the out-turn of the British factories, and on the other an increase of the raw staple, for which a market must be found. " A grand waterfall in the Normanby Ranges of Queensland is thus spoken of by the Cooktown Herald of 24th March : — " During the last few days the Normanby Cascade, some 20 miles away, has been observable on clear days to the naked eye, and when the sun was shining brilliantly the effects were grand. From the top of the mountain the torrent of water could be seen pouring itself into the gulf below, and the reflection of the sun's rays on the waters was very grand. The fall of this mountain torrent cannot be less than 1500 feet ; and the waters on reaching the base of the hill give a roar which, although not quite as deafening as Niagara, resembles it very much, the spray being sent to a distance of about 100 feet high." A robbery of j ewels , very similar in its circumstances to those which were so numerous near London rather more than a year ago, took place on February 15 at Battle Abbey, near Hastings, the seat of the Duke of Cleveland. As on former occasions, the time chosen for the robbery was while there was a dinner-party in the mansion. Between 10 and 11 p.m., a servant attempted to enter the Duchess's room, but found the door locked. She raised an alarm ; the door was burst open, and it was then found that the locks of the Duchess's drawers had been picked and the jewels stolen, the enrpty cases being left scattered about the room. .It was found that entrance had been gained through the window, which the thieves had entered by means of two ladders lashed together and planted upon the terrace below. The footprints of three men were traced upon the lawn. Fortutunately the thieves in their hurry overlooked one valuable jewel case, but the booty they obtained was nevertheless very considerable, amounting in value to about £10,000. The jewels consisted principally of diamond and ruby necklaces and earrings, gold bracelets and lockets, &c. Among the articles stolen was a necklace given to the Duchess by the Queen on her marriage, her Grace having been one of her Majesty's bridesmaids. It is described as "a handsome combination of diamonds and ruby stars and emeralds." There was also a gold watch presented to the Duchess by her husband on their wedding day. This watch was stolen once before, and tln-ee years afterwards was discovered in the shop of a London pawnbroker. A reward of £200 has been offered for information which will lead to the detection of the thieves, but as yet the police are said to be completely at fault. Since then another robbery of the same kind, but smaller, has been successfully committed in another mansion. The servants are not suspected of collusion in either case, but it is evident the internal arrangements of such large establishments need to be improved. — Correspondent of Otago Times. We learn from a sketch of the life of the celebrated actor, Henry Irving, furnished by himself to the Pictorial IVbrld, that one of his eai'liest instructors in elocution was our old friend Mr Hoskins, so well known on the New Zealand stage. It was Mr Hoskins who first brought Mr Irving to the knowledge of Mr Phelps, the manager of Saddlers' Wells. — JV. Z. Times. A declaration for regulating provisionally the commercial relations between Great Britain and Roumania states that British produce going into Roumania or Roumanian produce coming into England shall be treated respectively as the produce of the most favored nation. The special advantages existing in the cases of Austria and Roumania are not to be claimed by Great Britain. Archbishop Howard, who is to receive the cardinal's hat at the next Consistory, is a second cousin of the Duke of Norfolk, and was formerly an otlicer in the Guards. The Archbishop has been several years resident in Rome, and has been many times employed by the Holy see in important negotiations with other Courts. Some years ago ho was dispatched on a delicate mission to India, and was consecrated archbishop on" his return. He is well known for his mastery of Russian and of many Oriental languages. His nomination gives to the English-speaking nations four cardinals who will have a voice in the next Conclave. — Scotsman. The Lyttellon Times. April 20, says :— ' 'A farewell dinner was given to Mr A. A. Fantham, the short-horn cattle breeder, at the Clarendon Hotel, on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance of Mr Fantlnim's friends, and a most pleasant evening was spent. In proposing the chief toast, a most deserved compliment was paid to Mr Fantham as one of our chief cattle breeders, and a very hearty wish was expressed that he wonld be as successful on his new estate in the North Ireland, to which he is about to remove, as he has been on his farm in Canterbury. There is no doubt that Mr Fantham will be greatly missed in this province, where, for many years, he has maintained a high reputation as a breeder of first-class cattle."