KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1345, 9 March 1868, Page 3

KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

BOBBERY OF THE WARDEN'S OFFICE. (FBOM OCR SPECIAL COBBBSFONDBNT.)

Shonland, March 7. At the usual hour of opening the Warden's Office this morning, we had something even more sensational than the late " jumping arrangements." It was found that the safe in which were kept all the records of the Warden s department—the register of claims, of shares sold, of protection granted, the blocks of miners" rights, and the miners' rights themselves, with the whole of the papers relative to the lease of the allotments in the township— all were missing, and in addition, tho money that lies in the safe nntil banked. Where had the safe gone to ? That, was the question. To solve it the Civil Commissioner, the Warden, the Police, our Special Correspondent, and some two or three hundred were turned out. As we got out into the bush, we found Mr. Naughton. Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Burke of the District Court already on the alert. Search was made in the usual fashion for anything lost in the bush, and it is a fact that both the Commissioner, Mr. Mackay, and Mr. Eobert Graham went to a tent within a few yards of where the safe was afterwards found to have been planted. It was not found just then, though. Towards one o'clock in the day an account reached Mr. Mackay, who had been on horseback down to Point Tararua after some one who had been running in that direction, that the safe had been found. On returning to the township, it was found that a Maori policeman and "Jimmy" Sinclair, the native who, three weeks ago, piloted me from the Puriri, had found the safe in the Hape Creek, or near it, buried about two feet down in the ground. All the books and papers were untouched, as the safe had never been opened. I may send you by the nest opportunity a few more particulars, but as I am writing on the steamer, and she is pitching considerably, I think it will take one or two P.D.s to read this M.S.

Thames Crashing Company.—A meet'ng of the shareholders in the above company is conrened to take place at 3 o'clock this afternoon, at the stores of Messrs. Cruickshank, Smart, & Co., High-street. Masonic. —A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge is announced to be held at the Masonic Hotel, at 7 o'clock this evening. All Master Jlasons are invited to attend. The regular monthlv meeting of St. John's Lodge, Otahuhu, trill be held at the Criterion Hotel to-morrow evening. Ltixg-ix Hospital—A meeting of the Committee of the Wefuge for the Destitute and Lying-in Hospital, will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon, at the Museum, in order to arrange about the opening of the Kefuge. jßazaab.—"We observe that a bazaar will be held in the Catholic Hall, Onehunga, to-day and following days. The proceeds wiil be in aid of St. Joseph's Convent, Onehunga. We are informed that a large and varied assortment of beautiful needlework has been prepared for exhibition. H.M. Gaol, Mount Eden.—"Weekly state ending 29th February, IS6B: —Awaiting trial before Supreme Court, 2 males ; sentenced to penal servitude, 34 males; sentenced to hard labor, 117 males 9 females ; in default of bail, 3 males 3 females; debtors, 9 males; received during the week, 14 males 2 females ; discharged during the week, 26 males 1 female • total in gaol, 165 males 12 females. Escaped I/unatic.—A lunatic named John Bradley Webb, for sometime past confined in the new Lunat\c Asylum, contrived to effect his escape yesterday by scaling the wall. He appears to have run along through the ti-tree towards town with the intention of returning to his mother's house. He was, however, met by Constable Green in Symonds-street, recognised, and brought to the police station. He will be replaced in the Asylum to-day. The LiTE llubdeb in the Victobia Vaixet, JJongonui.—lntelligence has, we understand, teen received by the police that the murderer of Mr. Smith, many months ago, a settler in the Victoria Yalley, Mongonui, is a native, the same indeed whom Detective Crick followed up to Kataira. The detective, however, was put off the scent at the time by the remarkably clever manner in which this native assumed the appearance of extreme illness; so ill, indeed, did he appear that it was considered impossible ihat he could have committed the murder. Since then, however, he has boasted that he was the perpetrator of the deed, and showed the murdered man's boots as a proof and trophy. Mr. Kelly (of jVTongonui) got possession at one time of the boots, but they were forcibly wrested from him by other natives when it became understood for what purpose they might be Ui- ed. The self-accused murderer has since recalled his statement, and now denies the truth of his former confession. At the time he boasted of being the murderer he stated that his reason for killing Mr. Smith was because he (deceased) had charged him with stealing a pig.

An Insight into a Mtstic Boby.—A. scurrilous little pamphlet in doggrel rhyme, by a " Slave " (misprint perhaps for " Knave ") has been published under the above title in this city during the last week. It bears no imprint, but the author is known as a discharged member of the police force. Its feeble attempts at satire are levelled at the Commissioner of Police, the Sergeant Major, and other members of the force, from all of whom the miserable rhymster had, while a member of the police himself, received more than ordinary kindness. With some difficulty we procured a copy, but the perusal did not repay the trouble, as the verses are without point, humour, or raciness. They are, however, clumsily libellous, in spite of the evident precaution taken, and we think that Mr. Commissioner Raughton will fall short of his duty to himself and the community if he does not at once commence a criminal prosecution against the writer. It may also be advisable that he should do so against a certain party who has copies of the pamphlet on sale, and who, in selling or disseminating them, is equally guilty of libell as the author, or if he could be traced, is the printer. Were the parties merely libelled in their capacity as private citizens the publication might be very properly treated witn contempt, but the attempt to weaken the respect in which the custodians of the law are held by the public is a public crime, and should not be passed over. Kotal Keception Committee. —A meeting of the committee was held on Saturday afternoon in the board-room of the city commissioners, Mr. T. Macf'arlane in the chair. His Honor the Superintendent was present, and said that Mr. Stafford had informed him that the Commissioners would find carriages, horses. &c, for his loyal Highness and suite theGovernorandsaite, &c, also bonfires, fireworks, &c. The Commissioners had recommended £150 to be given to the licgnlta Committee, £30 of which was to go towards the repair of the large canoe at Onehunga. Mr. Stafford accepted the recommendation, so that the money is at once available. A sum of £350 is recommended by the Commissioners towards bringing natives to Auckland should the people of Auckland desire to have a nutive demonstration. The natives in this case

inust be the guests of the Auckland people, but it should be told that this recommendation requires the sanction of His > xcellency the Governor. '1 here are to be no triumphal arches, but ihe wharf is to be decorated with fern and palm trees. The address from the " people" of tlie Province will be presented (probably) on the landing of His Koyal ; Ugliness. The City Board address (should there be one), at the end Oi tho wharf, and the address of the Provincial tcuncilin Government House. The sum of £100 was handed over tothe KegattaCommittee., we give a detailed report in another column.

AucKiJ.ND Begatta.—A special meeting of the Kegatta Committee is convened for this day at 4 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce. Gun Pbactice.—The Auckland Naval Artillery Volunteers met for gun practice on Saturday last, at the rear of the Albert Barracks. Twenty "four rounds were fired from two 24 pounder howitzers. The men were under the command of Lieut. Featon.. Sergt Broughton, K.A., the instructor being in attendance. His Honor the Superintendent. Dr. Pollen, and quite a crowd of people witnessed the faring, and were agreeably surprised at the efficiency exhibited by the Volunteers. Notice to Masters and Owneks of "Vesseis. —We call attention to the advertisement which appears elsewhere, by the Secretary of the Kegatta Committee, inviting masters and owners ot vessels to place themselves in communication with Captain W. Ellis, Harbour-master, in order to arrange for tho Boyal Eeception. Mr. B. Wakelin, proprietor of the Wararapa Journal informs his subscribers that the next issue of that paper will be from Wellington. We hear it is Mr. Wakclin's intention to start a new paper in this citj—a daily evening or a triweeklv, but which we cannot say, as tho prospectus" has not yet made its appearance.—Wellington Post, Feb. 29. No. 1 Company Kiflo Volunteers met for competitive firing on Saturday last. The highest scores were made by Private Stephens, 52 ; Lieutenant Elliott, 47 ; Private O'Connor, 46 ; Private Lewis, 45 ; Color Sergeant Gillon, 54.— Ibid. The term of services of tho Native Contingent now stationed at Waingongoro expires on Saturday next, the 20th instant. When the force is withdrawn thero need not be the slightest apprehension of any disturbance on tho part of tho Ngatiruanui who are now quito satisfied that discretion on their part is the better part of valor. Yesterday, Mr. K. T. Wood concluded the leasing of a block of land near Manwapou, between Tanghoe and Tnghape owners, and two gentlemen recently arrived from Victoria, for a terms of ten years at a paying rental. The settlement of the country between this and New Plymouth is gradually but surely progressing, and that is the safest and surest guarantee of peace and harmony between the two races. — Wanganui Times, Dr. Hector having analysed theviscerabelonging to the body of Alexander Collins, exhumed at Poriruaon the 19th inst., failed to find x.ny traces of poison therein which must set at rest any suspicions of foul pay that may have existed in consequence of Collins' sudden death.

The Evening Post says : —" In his charge to the Grand Jury his Honor stated that he had been unable to hold sittings of the Supreme Court at Wanganui, in accordance with instructions, in consequence of their being no building available for the accommodation of the Court, but that the prisoners at present there awaiting for trial, would be conveyed to Wellington: and he would request the Grand Jury to adjourn to some convenient time, in order to hear the cases. His Honor attributed the want to the carelessness of the local authorities, and we trust the matter will meet an immediate remedy as our Wanganui friends are frequently much inconvenienced bybeingcompelled to leave their homes for the purpose of giving evidence at Wellington." Responsible Govebnsient. — The Superintendent of Canterbury in his speech at the opening of the Provincial Council on the 17th ult., said :—" I propose to send down for your consideration a memorandum describing certain alternative schemes of reform. I incline to a prevalent idea that great waste of time and power is involved in the present scheme of responsible government. It appears to me that the responsibility of the Superintendent is of a very mythical order, except that he is responsible at law upon breaches of certain statutes. In fact, under the existing order things the Superintendent has a merely nominal political responsibility. lam of opinion that the original constitution never intended the addition of responsible government, in its present shape, to the then cumbrous machinery of Provincial Government; and recent enactments by the General Assembly of very cogent and fitting statutory restraints upon Superintendents, renders the continuance of responsible Ministers in the provinces altogether unnecessary. I recently received intimation that His Koyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh would honour Canterbury with his presence. H.K.H. will be received with the greatest enthusiasm by a loyal population."

Fatai Accident. —The Westport Times,'o£ a late date, says:—A fatal accident has just occurred at "Welshman's Terrace, Brighton, to a miner named Frederick Toole. The deceased was working at the bottom of a shaft sending up wash-dirt from 7 to 11 in the forenoon, and then sung out to his mate above that he would not send up any more as he was going to take out some heading in the drive. His mate, at his request, lowered down a billy of water and went away, and did not return for an hour or two, when he called down the shaft that dinner was ready. Hot receiving any reply he descended and found the deceased in the drive, the head and upper portion of the body being buried beneath a fall of ground. A quarter of an hour's work sufficed to remove the earth, but deceased ■was quite dead, and had apparently been so for some time. An inquest was held the same afternoon "by Mr. Broad, 8.M., and the funeral, which took place next Sunday, was very largely attended by all the miners of the neighbourhood. The deceased was a German, having been much respected. The Case op Capt. Me Donneli.. — The Wanganui limes, of the sth March, has an article on this gentleman and the treatment he has received at the hands of the General Government. In October, 1866, he was dangerously wounded (the bullet entered the groin, passing through the right hip, shattering the bones of the pelvis, and passing through the body) in a night attack upon the Hauhaus in the neighbourhood of Kakaramea. After lying under canvas for a month, he was conveyed to Patea, thence to Wanganni. He was afterwards removed to Wellington, aud then back to Wanganui, where hehas undergoneseveral severe operations. He is disabled for iife, and his sufferings are acute and continued. The decaying bone has to be constantly probed, but operations must be continued till the shattered and decaying pieces of bone have been extracted. He has to live at an hotel, and pay doctor's bill, at 7s. per day, and even this pittance is to be discontinued. Colonel Haultain has informed him that if he finds his way to Wellington he will use his influence to have him admitted to the Provincial Hospital—asapauperof course—which, it seems, is the last refuge for a disabled officer of the Colonial Defence Force ! Now as the Military Pensions Act, 1866, provides for such cases as this, why make such a humiliating proposal to Capt. McDonnell? Under that Act he is entitled to £150 a-year from the time the wound was received, " the continuance of which shall depend upon subsequent examinations before a medical Board." liven that, in the case before us, would not pay hotel and medical expenses, much less compensate the sufferer for what he has endured and continues to endure. The Pensions Act fails to make provision for a case where a wounded man may suffer for years, and have to pay heavy medical expenses. When such, cases arise, they should be treated as " special" until such time as they could be legally dealt with, but we cannot see how Capt. McDonnell can be deprived of a pension in accordance with the Act.

Police. —Two persons were punished for drunkenness at the Police Court on Saturday last. Edward McAllister was committed for trial on the charge of embezzling a sum of £4 received on acsount of bis master, C. G. Whitely, of Wairoa.

EabtHQUAKES at Picton. —The Marlborough Press says;— During the last week no less than four shocks of earthquakes have been experienced here. The first occurred at half-past 10 o'clock on Wednesday evening, and was rather a severe shock. Two were felt on Thursday, the first at 6.30 a.m., the other at 3.30 p.m., both of which were very slight. On Sunday evening there was also a very slight shock at about 10 to 11 o'clock. Home Heathenism:. —At the Stafford Assizes, last week, the chief witnesses in a case were two young girls, about 14 years old, who are employed in canal boats. In cross-examination they both said they could neither read nor write; they had never been to a school, church, or chapel, and they had never heard of tho Bible. Mr. Justice Keating, in his summing up to the jury, thus remarked upon tho subject:—"l cannot help noticing the most deplorable state of matters shown by tho evidence of these girls. Wo call ourselves a Christian people, nnd pride ourselves upon being a civilized nation. These two girls have said that they could neither read nor write; that they had never in their lives been at school, church, or chapel; that they have never heard of the Bible; and, as the learned connsel has sucgested, in all probability they have never heard of a Divine Being. We send our missionaries to tho heathen, but what avails all this when we see such a state of things at home ?"