Hawke's Bay Herald FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1878.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5072, 10 May 1878, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1878.

There are certain great questions which are brought forward in each session of the British Parliament, apparently without any expectation of any practical result, and probably also without any other purpose than that of eliciting discussion upon them. One amongst them is the abolition of capital punishment. A bill to effect that object was brought in by Mr Pease, and after a lengthened debate it was, on the 13th of March last, rejected by 263 to 64. The majority against the proposed change in the criminal law was larger, we believe, than on previous occasions. • Evidently the abolition of capital punishment makes no way, either with the country or with the Parliament. As xhe limes remarks, thirty years ago, when it was proposed by Mr Ewavt, he had a larger following than Mr Pease has been able to secure. At that time public opinion showed signs of being aroused, and it was anticipated that as years went on the feeling would gather strength, and sooner or later capital punishment would be done away in England. , But the anticipation was not realised,

the feeling in favor of abolishing the punishment of death has become weakened, and it is generally admitted by the English Press that the verdict of the House of Commons expressed very fairly the general sense of tho country upon the question. In a great measure, no doubt, the change in public opinion is attributable to the change in the mode of inflicting the punishment of death. While it was made a matter of public exhibition, the feeling against it was intense, but since executions have been removed from public gaze they no longer excite tho same feeling of horror, and thus the advocates for abolishing the punishment have lost the support of those who objected to the manner of carrying it out. "As long ns tho sentence of deatli was carried out before tho public eye, and in the presence, it might bo, of thousands of spectators," remarks The Times, " the mischief done was very great indeed. Those who objected to the infliction of the sentence in any manner could rely on the aid of those whose objection was to the manner, and not to the thing itself. The combination, however, is now at an end. A private execution does not involve the shocking scenes which were familiar enough a few years ago. If the choice Avere between the old method and the abolition of capital punishment, Aye should have no doubt which to prefer." The principal point upon which the question was argued in the House of Commons was as to the deterrent effect of the punishment of death. On that point, naturally enough, the opinion on either side was in direct opposition. The Attorney-General maintained that from its very nature there could not be a more deterrent punishment than death. On the other hand, Mr Pease brought forward statistics to prove that the punishment had not the effect ascribed to it. The statistics, however, had not the effect of convincing the majority of the House. But the opinion, that death should follow the perpetration of wilful deliberate murder, is one which is not confined to the majority of the British House of Commons, It is an opinion which is quite general both at home and in the colonies. "When that opinion changes among the people, Mr Pease, or any other member of Parliament who may take up the question, will have no difficulty in getting it carried into effect.

We referred yesterday to the suspension of Mr James Booth, R.M., for being a party to transactions in native lands. We are glad to see the Government taking that course, as it is the only way of saving the public escate from falling into the hands of speculators, but it seems surprising that the same thing is still allowed to go on in Poverty Bay. One instance which has been freely spoken of lately is that of a reserve which had been given back to the natives out of a Government purchase, and which no sooner was it given back than steps were taken to get a title for it. The traffickers in native lauds set themselves to work, either on their own behalf or for their friends, and it is tolerably certain that they will succeed in obtaining a title for the reserve. This should be looked to. r It is worth while being a Maori interpreter, or lawyer, or philanthropic M. H. R. in these times. There is quite a congregation of them up in the neighborhood of Poukawa at present, fighting over the will of the chief Te Hapuku. The present fight over a will has some features quite peculiar to itself. In the first place it is a fight over the mil of a man who is not yet dead, and the fight is not as to what interpretation shall be put noon his will, but as to what his will is to be. Two lawyers, representing opposing sides, have obtained, from him, it is said, contradictory wills, day about, for some days past, one of these documents handing over his property to trustees— who are Mr Rees, the Hon. H. R. Russell, and Sir George Grey — for his son Watene ; the other revoking all previous wills. At last Te Hapuku has got tired out, and has taken a vow that he will sign no more documents brought to him by either side. It is further reported that he has endeavored to manufacture a will absolutely out of his own brains, and dictated it to a Maori. We should think that would be a puzzler for the lawyers. After practice last night, the Napier Volunteer Fire Brigade held a meeting, at which a statement of the financial position of the brigade was made by the honorary treasurer. From the accounts it is shown that i-262 4s has been received for maintenance from October, 1870, to 3ist March, 1878, including the Corporation grant. The expenditure for salaries, maintenance, new hose, clothing, &c. — clothing and boots £123 — for the same period has been £262 18s, being 10s over the receipts. The liabilities of the brigade to 31st March, including salaries due to engine-keeper and engineer, &c. , are £70. Great dissatisfaction was expressed by the members present at the apathy shown by the insurance companies and Municipal Council in their not providing for the future maintenance of the brigade. Considering that they have fulfilled the duties undertaken by them to the best of their ability, which is undoubtedly all that can be expected from a volunteer body, the fire brigade certainly cannot be expected to provide funds as well as to work the plant. The Royal Italian Opera Company gave their third concert last evening, and went through a very choice programme most satisfactorily. The pieces which appeared to please the audience most were the duet between Signora Caranti Vita and Signora Venosta, which had to be repeated, and the buffo aria by Signor Tessada. hi the grand act of Donizetti's opera of " Don Pasquale," the Norina of Sismora Caranti Vita was a great treat, both her singing and acting being admirable in the extreme. Signor Tessada, as the old Don, was in splendid voice, and his impersonation was a thorough quiet piece of acting, and quite took the fancy of the house. Signor Camero, as Ernesto, had little to do in this act, but his singing was thoroughly enjoyable. To-night there is to be a complete change of programme, and the performance is to conclude with the comic scene from Ricci's opera comique, " Crispino c la Comare." An execution upon a judgment for £-3700, which was entered about two months ago by default against Arihi tc Nairn, at the suit of the Hon. H. R. Russell, was put into force on Wednesday, but as the moveables in Alice's possession consisted of Maori mats, valued at five shillings for the lot, the officer bearing the warrant of execution returned to town. We observe a notification in our advertising columns intimating that Mr C. L>. Hoadley has taken into partnership with him Mr Jamas Lyon, the well known runholder of Kereru. It is their intention to carry on a stock and station agency, together with an auctioneering business. Wo feel assured from Mr Lyon's knowledge of stock and properties, and Mr Hoadley's business capacity, that success must attend them in that field of operations. It is their intention, we understand, to erect capacious stores in the centre of the town forthwith. Messrs Hoadley and Lyon have been appointed managers for Hawke's Bay of the Colonial Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand. The share list of the company is filling up very rapidly, as can be well imagined from the fact that it is of a mutual character, the first of the

kind, we believe, that has been organised in the colony. The company are to be congratulated on their selection of managers for this district. The advent of new settlers amongst us is a matter of gratulation — nob only those who bring capital, but also those who bring fresh stock and have the skill to manage it. Amongst the arrivals yes- ' terday by the Taupo, _ was Mr John Anderson, of Otago, bringing with him 430 stud merino ewes from the wellknown Hocks of his father, Mr Anderson, of Wyndham. There was but one opinion expressed about them at the Spit yards yesterday by experts — that they wore the best clothed sheep that have arrived hero ; for density or quality seldom have we seen their equals. Mr Anderson has joined Mr Royse, as resident partner in the Kereru estate, formerly Mr Lyons. We understand that groat improvements in grass-seeding, fencing, &c, have been progressing on that property during the past six months, under the management of Mr Wigan, for Mr Royse. A correspondent writes to us ; — " Onga Onga is still progressing. Mr John Britten, of Waipawa, has purchased of Mr H. H. Bridge 100 acres of land, which lie is fencing in, and intends to plough and lay down in grass for a grazing paddock. The land is second to none in the province, your correspondent , having gone through 20 feet of soil without coming to stone. Mr Coles, builder, has also settled at Onga Onga, having built a large house opposite the smithy of Mr Jones, who, judging from the number of ploughs, carts, &c. , and the ring of the smith's hammer until late at night, must be doing a good trade. We are sadly in want of a pound at Onga Onga, as one of our respected neighbors has made up his mind to go in heavy for stray pigs, &c. , it being a long distance to drive the little porkers to Waipawa. He would find it more convenient if we had a pound here, when he could whip them in without trouble, put damage on them, and quietly retire to rest, and dream (oh, so sweetly) of his pet bull which breaks down his neighbor's fences and thus allows stock to trespass. Although we have had a long bout of dry weather, the stock look re- ! markably well. The late steady rains 1 have been very acceptable, and will see : the owners of stock through their troubles. We shall have feed enough now to see us through the winter. Dog and gun have been busy this month among the pheasants. Colonel Herrick, I believe, bagged fourteen cocks in two days in the neighborhood of Hampden." An important sale of thoroughbred horses is announced by Messrs J. T. Ford and Co. , of Ohristchurch, to take place in November next, at the stables of Mr Henry Redwood, Chokbore, near the Canterbury racecourse. The sale will include Longlands and other well-known horses in training, besides yearlings and two-year-olds, and also twenty brood 1 mares, among which is the celebrated Waimea and her five daughters. Mr ! Redwood, it appears, is about to dispose of his blood stock, in consequence of his leaving for England in December next. We hear that Mr Turley proceeds next week to survey the land near AshleyClinton, which Colonel Lambert is about 1 to cut up into small farm lota. They will therefore be very shortly in the market. Since we first mentioned the matter, 200 acres of the land have been sold at £6 per acre. It is reported that Mr Rhodes, the owner of the Rissington estate, has given orders for a further expenditure of £25,000 in improvements. Since his purchase of the estate he has expended about £62,000 upon it. The Press Agency's telegram respecting Captain Morris's meeting with his constituents at Opotiki on Monday night, stated that he received a vote of "no confidence," but we notice that in the Ncio Zcalander it is stated that the vote was one of " confidence." A pigeon match took place at Waipawa on Wednesday afternoon, in a paddock at the rear of the Empire Hotel. The result of the match was that Mr Corrigan took first place and Mr Baker second. The Walton and Howard troupe were to open in Wellington last night for a new dramatic season. They originally intended to take their company to Wanganui, but decided to remain in Wellington, having come to terms with the proprietors of the Theatre Royal. "The Rivals " was the piece dc resistance of the opening night, with Mrs Fitzwilliam as Mrs Malaprop. Divine services will be held on Sunday next as follows : — By the Rev. J. C. Eccles, at St. Peter's, Waipawa, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ; by the Rev. A. Shepherd, at Havelock at 11 a.m., and at West Olive at 3 p.m. ; by the Rev. J. U. Spence, at Waipukurau (with Communion) at 11 a.m., at Ivaikora at 3 p.m., and Waipawa at 7 p.m. ; by the Rev. R. Fraser, at Hampden at 11 a.m., at Onga Onga at 3 p.m., and at Waipukurau at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. JE. Reignier next Sunday, 12th instant, in the schoolroom, Havelock, at 11 a.m.