Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3824, 13 February 1874, Page 2

Messrs. Nathan and Co., tho agents of tho Wave Queen, give us in explanation of tho complaint of tho passengers by that ship, the following particulars : —Owing to tho gnlo of Saturday night, they were unable to charter a steamer or cutter to bring off the passengers and luggage. Tho eheep being housed on tho main hatch, where the luggage was stowed, it was impossible to got out tho luggage until the ship was berthed ami tho sheep were landed. The luggngo, howewr, was to bo got out yesterday. Tho agenU esplain that it was their interest to get rid of the pnsaengere at the earliest hour, for -while on board they of course bad to be iept at tho ship's expense.

Two more bodies were picked ap yesterday mid brought to the dead-house. These were recognised as those of Mr. B. Worthiugton and Poter Martin, who lost their lives on Saturday night last during tho fntal gale. Tho first named was drowned in the yacht Colombo, and the latter in the Pearl. luqueetß will be held oa the bodies to-day.

A special train will leave Onebunga on Saturday (to-morrow) evening at T p.m. for Auckland, calling at all etatione, to give persons an opportunity of attending Mr. Hoskins and Mies Colville'e benefit at the Prince of Wales Theatro. The train will return after the oloso of tho entertainment,

The disabled ship Allahabad, reported as arrived yesterday, came up harbour in course of the morning, and was moored to westward of the wharf. Her fine saloon cabin is completely gutted. Nothing but the bare walls remain, while the wrecked fittings are piled up in a corner of the saloon. Amongst the debris is to be observed the remains of a. valuable harmonium belonging to Captain Crispin, which shared the same fate of all his other property on board. The bath-room has been washed clpan away, and the bath pounded down, resembling a heap of tea lead. Her port and starboard lanterus are battened in and twisted into all manner of shapes. Her lower masts are of iron, and the mizen most has broken off below the poop deck. A maintopsail yard dropped into the hollow of the mizen mast stump, and has served the purpose of a jury mast. On looking at the wreck the vessel presents, and bearing an account of the fearful weather she has encountered, one is struck with wonder at the possibility of her having reached this harbour iu safety. " Any port in a storm" is a common expression amongst sailors, and Captain Crispin and his officers and men are thankful that they have been enabled to make such a port as Auckland under the circumstances. But for the master's determination to bring his ship to port, the bouts would have been resorted to long ago. A survey will be held in course of to-day.

A short time ago the watermen presented a petition to the Harbour Board for a reduction of their licence fee, which amounts to two pounds per annum. Tbo Board considered the matter, and declined to accede to their request, at which decision the watermen are dissatisfied. The fee ie certainly higher than in any other port of the colonies or elsewhere, but at the same time the watermen may coneider that this is to their advantage. If the licence fee had been fixed at half-a-crown or five shillings, they would have found nlenty of men willing to pay the amount, and take their chance with the rest" to pick up odd job?. As it is, the number of watermen is reduced from twenty-one to thirteen men, who have lately paid tlnair licence. The high rate paid for licence, therefore, keeps their circle select, and the decision of the Harbour Board is doubtless to their advantage. If, however, the rates of hire were made considerably more reasonable than at present, the boatmen would probably double the business they do. If the licence fee charged in Auckland water is higher than in any other part of the colony, so also are the rates they demand from their customers. Cab and boat fares are higher in Aueklund considerably than in any other portion of New Zealand and Australian colonies.

At an inquest held yesterday upon the body of William Hnstie, one of the men belonging to the yaolit Colombo, a verdict of " found drowned" was returned. A report of the evidence appears in another column. It ia probable that the deceased and his companion mot with their death when leaving the yacht in the dingy, as when found it appeared to have been loosed from the yacht. A painful incident with regard to poor Haetie is that he was this week to havo been married to a young woman with whom he had formed an acquaintance for some months. The marriage was to have taken place at Coromandel at the residence of one of his intended's relatives, and it was for the purpose of going to Coromaudel on the Monday that he had been putting his boat in trim. The young woman, who had been in service with onefamily in Auckland for a longwbile, had resigned her situation on the Saturday with the intention of proceeding to Coromandel on Monday to prepare for her wedding. It may woll be imagined that the poor girl has received a very great shock. Haetie was much respected bj his acquaintances, and was always known as a steady and industrious workman, being a shipwright by trade.

The match between Eclipse and Black Eagle did not come off yesterday, owing to a dispute regarding the mounts, Mr. G-wynue refuging to allow any but Uia own jockey to niount Black Eagle. His desire, in fact, was to see nothing but a straight race eneue. Eclipse was then sent for a mile and a-half spin, in order to qualify him for his match with Argyle, the understanding -when the match was made being that Argyle was to run him after his match with Black Eagle, which, however, as veo have stated, did not eventuate. The distance was dono in tho very capital time of 2 rain, and 55 see, with 9 st. up. The match between Eclipse and Argyle then came off, for £20 a-side ; distance, miles. Eclipee gave Argyle 3 et., whereby the former was weighted at 11 et. 7 lbs., and the lutter at Sst. 7 lbs. Betting at starling was 2 to 1 in favour of Eclipee. Argyle got weli away to a rattling start, and kept up the lead for half the distance, when Eclipae waited on her, and a neck-and-neek race ensued for the next half-mile, when Eclipae forged ahead, oud came in an easy winner by about five lengths. There was considerable interest taken in the event, and a number of persons flocked to EUorslie to witness the race.

A " Catholic-" writes from Otahuhu :—For strict morality and ulta-Sabbatariunisin commend ne to the good folk of Otahuhu. Last Tuesday four lads were mulcted to the tune of £1 each for playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon. Two of tlieae lads (the Littles) live in Auckland and are kept at close work all the week. Ou this unfortunate Sunday they came on a visit to their parents, and after tho morning service indulged in tho very wicked game of cricket. The question arises, what will happen when tho railway runs to Otahuhu on Sunday ? Will the railway authorities bo summonsed before Mr. Barstow ? Surely, soon we all shall be mnde good by Act of Parliament! Perhaps if a liltle more charity and good-will towards others of a different faith were exercised, we should see more Christianity in our midst, and a little less of Pharisaism aud spiritual pride. There are crimes wiuked at fur worse than lads playing cricket on a village green on a Sunday afternoon.

Wo learn that Captain Bennett, of tbe barquenliue Prince Alfred, whilst on hie way up from tbe Thames on Saturday, eaw the yucl Pearl anchored near him, to leeward of Brown's Island, where he was also anchored. He also saw the yacht's dingy break loose. Afterwards the barque lostono of her anchors, and eho drifted towards RaDgitoto, where he aaw tho maat of the yacht as she lay sunk near Drunken Bay. Referring to Mr. B. WayiDouth'a ead end, an affecting spectacle was observed on the wharf yesterduy. A party of Maoris from WaihoUe, who knew him in life, accosted his father, commiserating in their rude way with his loss. Tlio eilent grief depicted in the countenances of these untutored people told how truly they regretted the loss of one they evidently loved ao well.

A meeting of the committee of the Central Waikato Agricultural Society was held on Saturday last in the Volunteer flail, To Anmuiu, for the purposo of ascertaining the amount collected for the show (to be held hero on the sth March next), and making out the prize list. After receiving the various subscription lists it was found that nearly £200 had been subscribed, not including £50 from the General Government for prizes for natives for live stock, cereals, curiosities, articles of native manufacture, &c,, so that our show is likely to bo a great success this year. Tin's will bo a good opportunity for parties who contemplate a vieit to the Waikato.

A meeting of tho principal mine managers and those interested in the deep drainage of the Fluts was held last orening, at the G-o----vernor Bowen Hotel, Thames, when tho report of ilecera. Rovre and Sully, the deputation appointed to confer with tho Auckland capitalists, was received with satisfaction. The future proceedings and mode by which tho subject is to be brought before the Premier was referred to a enbcommitlee.

At the Police Court yesterday a person for malicious injury to property, and for assaulting the police, was fined for the first and imprisoned for the second offence. A boy, charged with an indictable ofifenoe of larceny, was remanded. One inebriate was dealt with iu the usual manner, and a warrant wa3 issued for the apprehension of a person who ignored the summons of the Court. T. Beckham, Esq., S.M., presided.

on the state of the kbour ma rket f *°" land, but „ Jfc editor foot-note,— , uYo fear our u looked at Auckland with a jaunffitf has, over-rated the Hadvantages, Vrhile altogether overlook o " advantages of settlement there ,, lt{° tb ," neceesary to give one or two quotation fm J '•Saip, in proof of his qualißcation for ?£ YFhau, if he is not already secured i n a „:'■ lar institution. " Snip" says :— '■ I have been tn a good many places, but in none of them hav« I seen that indeliblo stamp of Old Wo la poverty that is to be found mixed up in evei thing in connection with Auckland and iti people. I now read with bitterness their philanthropic propositions with regard to pc-.r law guardians, and some time a°o I took a grim pleasure in reading over their ' souo kitchen regulations.' I raturally inquired the cause of all their poverty, and from what I could gather I have come to the conclusion that white men never ehould have settled there. Now, Mr. Editor, I think it but right that tradesmen coming from either the States or the old country ehould be warned about that place. They do not want tradesmen of. any description there, unless it be to give them the benefit of their poor laws, and a littla starvation to boot. . . : . You may o ue , 3 my surprise when I went there, to find journevmen tailors working piece work for less than London wage. These are a lot of pensioners men who once belonged to the British army' who take homo work and, with the assistance of their families, manage to do it at a price that a Chinaman would turn up his nose at in San Fraacifco t all events I think it is the last place oa earth a man should take a family. Sir, I will conclude by saying that I think you will only be doing jour duty as a journalist by warning or telling tradesmen where they are wanted, and where they are not wanted." It is evident Auckland does not want any men of the stamp of ''Snip." Any captain of a vessel landing such an individual would certainly become amenable under the Act to prevent the introduction of imbeciles aud cripples into the colony.

The system of badgering and browbeating witnesses in colonial courts of law ban often been commented upon by judges as well as the Press. But magistrates do not sufficiently protect witnesses in the minor courts, and more frequently than not a miscarriage of justice ensues through the unfair questioning of a witness by counsel than perhaps through any other one cause. It u with pleasuro we read and reproduce the following remarks recently made by the Lord Chief Justico of the Queen's Bench on the subject. He says : —" I deeply deplore that members of the Bar so frequently put, unnecessarily, questions affecting the priTate lifo of witnesses, which are only justifiable when they go to the credibility of a witness. I have watched closely the administration of justice in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and a little iu Spain, a 9 well as in the United Slates, iu Cauada, and in Ireland, and in no place have I seen witnesses so badgered, browbeaten and ia every way bo brutally maltreated as in England. The way iu which we treat our witnesses is a national disgrace, and seriously obstructs instead of aiding the ends of justice. In England the most honorable and conscientious men loathe the witness-box. Men and women of all ranks shrink with terror from subjecting themselves to the wanton insult and bullying, misnamed cross-examination, in our English courts. Watch the tremor that passes the frames of many persons as they enter tho witness-box. I remember to hare seon so distinguished a man as the late Sir Benjamin Brodie Bhiver as he entered the witness-box. 1 dare say hia apprehension amounted to exquisite torture. Witnesses are just as necessary for the administration of justice as judges or jurymen, and are eatitled to bo treated with the same consideration, and their affaire and private lives ought to be held as sacred from tho gaze of the public as those of the judges and jurymen. I venture to think that it is the duty of a judge to allow no quest tons to be put to a witness unless such as are clearly pertinent to the ieeue before the Court, except where the credibility of tho witness is deliberately challenged by counsel, and that the credibility of a witness should not be wantonly challenged on slight grounda."

The Queenstown (Otsgo) people evidently do not like the eff-handed treatment they received from tho Oorernor during his recent tour. His Excellency appears to h»ve ignored deputations and their appointed hours, and to have behaved only like an ordinary mortal. The Mail thus epeaks its mind in reference to his Excellency's proceedings:—"He was Governor, and acting as one. He had to be properly approached, and yet at tho same time wieliod to be treated as a distinguished private visitor. He stood upon hie dignity as Governor, and yet desired lo be considered a3 Mr. 'Tom Nobody' for the hour. He thus placed the whole district in a false position, and few thanked him for that

It was determined as boou as it was known that the Governor would visit the district that he should be received without ceremony, aud that only one addres3Bhou!d bo presented, and that of a congratulatory nature, by the llunicipal Authorities. But His Excellency managed even to ignore this one. This ignoring of the duties attached to the office of Governor — this abnegation of the position, aud yet its real retention, requires a good deal of tact to carry through properly. Sir James Ferguson may endanger, in a much lesser light of course, the feelings oi loyalty that should ratlier be kept warm and vigorous than become cold and repulsive. "We hold that the more the governing classes and the governed mix together upon suitablo occasions, the bettrr it is for the general interests of society. The tour aud reception of a ' live Governor , in state may produce a good deal ot bunkum, we all know it does, but that ' bunkum,' like the fragile toy of tho child, cives pleasure at the time, aud loave3 a remembrance behind half pleasing, half ridiculous, to recur to or talk about hereafter. "

A > T ew South Wa'.ee paper, the DuMo Despatch s.iya :—j\r«gijlrule3 sometimes do queer things. They tell of a certain metropolitan worthy with mure moiii'y Vmn tirmiii, who iiad, for a wonder, trie wkole Bench to himaelt ono morning. Locking down the slieet he snbi to the atteudunt trap, "Call Rcgiiiii v. Jonns." The blue called the cs.=s three times,and a dapper but evidently earnest little fellow came up to the table. "Whoare you," euid the J.P. "I am Jones, your Worship." " Wiiere's Begiuii ?" said the magistrate. Th e. constable attempted t0 explain, but the beak cut him short by saying, " You called him three times, doe=u t appear. Jones, you're discharged." 'i'.wj suy the tvatch-hou=e sergeant caivfully eu:-'ri his ense now, ,: The Queen against so-iuul-so.

Mr. Foster, in u recent speech on education, eays :—" Five out of tix of us hare to earn our bread by manual lubonr, and will have to earn it to the end of tho chapter. Fire out ol six English children in past generations were in consequence apprenticed to some trade or ca.iing. The only Knglish e !u<-ation was the upprentice system. .' . . Ido not undeivalue book knowledge. If- is a beautiful thing. But the stubborn fact, will ivmaiu that after tiie years which have been epent at school tue pupil will be launched into life as unable as when lio first entered the schto'-door to earn a sixpence—possessing neither skill n r ki:offledgo for which any employer in England w be willing to hire his eervices."

From the Bay of Islands, tho Thames M'arUser states, we learn that the output of Mil from tho Kawi\kawa mines i≤ now reJiuwJ to about fifty tons per day, and great de.ay l= experienced in obtaining supplies for y" colliers in tho trade. In consequent o: t" l3 tko freight has been raised to 3s per too, and ne most of tho collier* sire now tut , - ,11 oJ, a further advance in freights is expected.

A dividend of £1 per share will be payola on the ISth inatant to the Sous of ireedotn Gold Mining Company, jNotice appears of the bankruptcy Of U. •>• O'Kceffe, of G-rabuujstown. , • A call of 2s 6d per share has been mise iu the Union Beach Gold Mining Compaay.