THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1879.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5545, 25 August 1879, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1879.

On Tuesday evening the Hon. the Native Minister will address a public meeting, at the invitation of the North New Zealand Association, on the proposed native land legislation. The Native Minister was interviewed on Saturday by several members of the Association, who stated tho action that had been taken by the Association on the subject, and the anxiety felt that such changes should be made in tho law as should conduce to^ the bringing of the native lands under cultivation in the most beuefioml w&y foe the roaw of the

people. Mr. Sheehan gave a brief outline of what the Governmentproposed, and stated that the bill wa3 in print, and that a copy would be in Auckland by the nest mail from Wellington. The bill will provide machinery by which any natives desirous of selling a block of land may have it surveyed by the Governme nt, put up to auction, and the proceeds handed over to the owners without any deductions, except the expenses incurred. Due provision will, of course, be made for reserves for the maintenance of the natives and for other purposes, such as native schools. . The land will be offered for sale in such a way that persons having command of comparatively small sums will be able to buy, and all the troublesome negotiations and vexatious and costly delays that at present occur will be obviated. We should think this change in the law would involve some kind of reconstruction of the Native Lands Court, but as to that no information is yet before the public. It i 3 considered by many that a heavy duty should be paid to the Government on all native land passing into the hands of Europeans, the opinion being that the duty should be 50 per cent. The condition is, that the Government are entitled to make a profit out of native lands, to which value ha 3 been given by colonisation, and that to levy a duty on land in process of transfer is the only possible way to obtain anything like a land revenue in the North Island. It might be said in answer that to levy such a tax is unjust ; that the native is a3 much entitled to the full market value of his land as is the European speculator who bought for the rise ; that so long as the State does not sweep away the " unearned increment " from the European, it ought not to do so from the Maori. It is abundantly proved by experience, even if it were not clear enough a priori, that any tax levied on lands passing from native ownership is simply a deduction from the market price of the land. For instance, a native selling land which would fetch £1 per acre in the market would, if a tax of 50 per

cent, were levied, only receive 10s. Such a law would amount to a virtual confiscation of half the landed property of the natives, and might lead to complications endangering the peace of the country. Apart from all objections on the score of equity, however, or merely political difficulties, there is this formidable objection, that if a tax were levied, the natives would not bring their lands into the market. The primary object is not to obtain a revenue for the Government, but to have the country opened ana beneficially occupied; and, therefore, any law which would prevent the transfer of land—which would preserve immense wastes in the ciuntry— would be positively mischievous. Otherwise the law might be perfect. The arrangements for furnishing good titles might be complete and unexceptionable ; the provisions to give small holdings in suitable places might be perfect ; but if all these were clogged with a tax which prevented the land -being offered by the native owners, then the law would be ol very little use.

As to the large extent of land under proclamation, something will have to be done. The bill which the Government intend to bring forward in next session provides for the adjustment of claims of private parties on these lands. These claims have been a subject of great trouble aud embarrassment to the Government, and the Premier and Native Minister have simply been hunted about them. Not that we fael much pity for these Ministers in being subject at all times to being waylaid and badgered about equitable claims on land which they had seized. by proclamation, because we hold that somo better law should have been in operation before this time. It was the opinion, we believe, of the Native Minister that the Government should have taken power to make arrangements with all persons having claims on blocks of native land, but the Premier was averse to this, and thought that some responsible, non-political tribunal should be established, which should deal with all such claims according to defined rules, and in the face of tho public. "We think it well that Ministers should not have tho duty of making these arrangements we refer to. If they had, they could perpetrate the most scandalous jobs, and at all events, even if they were incorruptible, they would always be open to the suspicion of corruption. Another difficulty, however, will arise with regard to the proclaimed land. Suppose the natives take to selling their land by auction, and get good prices for it, the owners of tho blocks which the Government have tied up by proclamation will not bo willing to complete at the low prices which the Government propose to give. A difficulty also arises from the enormous areas which have been proclaimed. Tho return published in 1878 shewed that 6,570,267 acres had been dealt with, 2,130,765 acres being set down as the area over which negotions had been completed, and 4,439,502 acres as in progress. In the province of Auckland negotiations had been completed for 1,098,828 acres, and negotiations were in progress for 3,031,245 acres ; in all over 4,000,000 acres tied up, more than a fourth of tho total area of the province. Several proclamations have been issued since, largely increasing the area, till land open to be purchased can scarcely now be found. To institute a system of auction Bale would not now bo of very much effect, for all the most eligible land is proclaimed. Where the negotiations are completed, the work of the Government should b'e to have the land handed over to the Waste Lands Board as soon as possible, with the best arrangements made to have it disposed of. As for the blocks "in progress," the Government should secure their rights, and then bring the land under the law, with this difference, that, where tho blocks have been proclaimed, the natives might bo compelled to expose for sale. Wo have no doubt that if Mr. Sheehan's statement is satisfactory, the Ministry will secure support in Auckland from quarters where otherwise they would not. The meeting will also have the effect, if tho Native Minister's statement ia approved, of strengthening the hands of the Government in carrying out their proposals, and of uniting the Auckland members on this important subject.

Matturs political are fast becoming lively. The electors are evincing a deep and excellent interest in the various contests, and tho temperature is rapidly rising. This is as it should j miy tiling ia batter than tho

apathy which allows your half-and-halt men to creep into Parliament, having committed themselves to little or nothing, and ready to turn any way as opportunity may offer or interest dictate. It is this which makes the working of Parliamentary institutions so difficult, and so fatally hampers the action of Governments. Your mere delegate is a very so-so kind of man, but on the other band, the independent member is an intolerable nuisance. Sow the cry is, " Who is not for is against, and Christchurch is a case in point. There all is aflame. The Premiers meetino at that place on Saturday appears to have been as stirring a one as the most ardent politician could desire. We have this morning an excellent sketch of the scene, but of the Premier's speech scarcely a word, thanks to the senseless friends of his opponents keeping up a clamour to prevent his being heard. We kuow of nothing more fatal to the objects of its perpetrators or more favourable to the candidate, unless he has broken his pledges, as is laid to the charge of Mr. Rowe ; then the omen ia very different. Sir George Grey seems to have had a most enthusiastic reception, the efforts of his opponents notwithstanding, and to have been put on his mettle by the din of the conflict. It is true that he has hit his Southern foes hard in the lite debates in the House of Representatives, but it was an indefensible thing to attempt to prevent his being heard. Although Christchurch was the sceue of his speech, it was the whole colony he was addressing, and it was rather too much for an organised opposition by

mere lung force to prevent the public journals acquainting their readers with the purport of his remarks. Folly of this kind is quite likely to lead to reprisals, and that would be neither edifying nor useful. Brains would soon be at a discount, and the one qualification for a candidate would be the voice of a Stentor. Sir George Groy ought to have his say, and will have it, and should the proceedings of Saturday night be persisted in, the possible result may be retaliation of a more awkward kind. Let us hope that they will cool down a little southward, snd that, at all events, those who wish to hear iho Premier will not imitate the tictics of his opponents It is about the only monopoly that would be unobjectionable. At the Thames, Mr. Rowe has been making very bad weather; and if the reception he met with can be taken as an indication of the result of the last appeal of the ballot-box, his prospects are not suggestive of much comfort to him. With him the stream appears t:o have gone all one way, and never a word was ho allowed to s-ay. Our neighbours always enter into political contest with a zest, and they no doubt deem that Mr. Howe has given them much provocation. But it is not fair to close a man's mouth when he comes up for judgment. He ought to be al.'owed to plead, to state his defence, and it is just as easy to condemn him afterwards as before, and it gives no one a handle. We feel assured that the opponents of Mr. Kowe will, in their cooler momenta, concur with our remarks. Do not let us bawl down men, because that proves nothing. Let us have a fair field and no favour —a fair fight, and then whoever goes to the wall, whether he accept his defeat with a good grace or not, will not be able to complain that he never had a chance, or the result might have been different. Let everybody hear everybody else, and condemn anybody afterwards, but only afterwards.

We understand that the Hon. the Native Minister has agree i, at the request of some members of the North New Zealand Association, to address a public meeting in Auckland before he proceeds to the Thames, on the subject of native land legislation. He will explain the views and intention! of the Government on the subject. The meeting will take place on Tuesday night, and the hour and place will be announced as soon as arrangements have been made. In the present political excitement, we have no doubt there will be a large attendance.

Considerable comment is daily made as to the weary and listless manner in which the Minister of Marine case is goinij slowly through the Court. A party interested in the case states that two sittings were held last week, and only ten hours of the worthy magistrate's time was taken up. If it had been a case of petty larceny, as much work would have been got through at one sitting as was done in the two days iu question. The frequent adjournments of the case are acting prejudicially to all parties. They not only "add to the coat but als3 enhance the misery of the accused, while the seamen are so unsettled in their mind 3 that it is said they do not perform their fair share of work on board the ship. To bring the case to a final issue with all the speed possible would be only a matter of justice to all concerned.

The meet of the Pakuranga hounds was at 1 Epsom on Saturday afternoon, and the weather being most inviting, combined with the fact that the meet was in the vicinity of the city, and in one of the principal suburbs, of course the attendance was unusually large. Breaks, traps, carriages, and conveyances of all descriptions took large numbers of people who desired to witness the hunt without taking part in it, and there was a very good assemblage of ladies, prepared, no doubt, to enjoy the beautiful afternoon and the pleasure of witnessing the hunt. The hounds, .under the control af the huntsman, appeared to be in excellent form. The present season being particularly wet, especially on Saturdays, they have not received the same amount of work as in former years, but they were eager for the chase and ready for a start. The hunt, a drag, led from Gardiner's padiock, near Gwynne's hotel, in the direction of the Three Kings, which were rounded, and returned again to tbe paddock from which the chase started. The fencing was good throughout, although there were several spills, which, terminating without harm, merely added to ths amusement, but somehow the scent laid badly, and the hounds were several times at fault. On the whole, however, a most enjoyable afternoon was spent, and all returned home well satisfied.

By the Bchooner Myrtle, from Samoa, we have received, tiles of the Samoan Times to the I2fch ult. The contendiug factions have not come to blows yet, and a manifesto has been issued by the English, American, and German Consuls, notifying the neutrality of the nations they represent, and earnestly dissuading the Samoans ;froal engaging in civil war. The Samoan Times says :—For this remarkably clear and straightforward declaration of the position taken up by the representatives of the three Powers, we have to heartily thank the gentlemen who3e names are signed to the docament. After this there will be no excuse for any misunderstanding on the part of the natives, or for any interference with Samoan affairs on the part of any foreigner. If the Samoans are loft to settle their purely native questions alone, and have it clearly before their minds that foreign powers having infinitely more important matters to absorb their attention, think very little about, and care still less for, these islands, we have very little doubt but chat the question of which party is entitled to recognition as the rulers of Samoa will soon be settled.

We are informed that the contractor for the removal of night-soil is commencing his old habit again of coming into the city before midnight. This ought to be promtly stopped, as there is no neoessity for his commencing work before that time. Our informant states the carts have been in the city before half-past 10 frequently during tha but month.

A most artistic piece of work, in tt l6 shape of a chronological Masomc picture, ha 3 been completed by that artistic, p taking, and uuiciue pen-and-ink artis , i . Meek. Works by this artist havealreadj been bofore the public only to be admire , but in this last effort Mr. Meek bas surpassed all hia former sketches. It is hig ly finished, and brethren of the Masonic Order will at once recognise how faithfully ie P r ®~ seuted are the emblems of the Order, xne card on which this painting (for we can hardly denote it by any other word) is contained is 2 feet 4 inches by 1 foot 10 inches. Mr. Meek has had this excellent design lithographed in full size. A copy is now on view at the Masonic Hotel, Princes-street, and we are iuformed that a large number of copies have been ordered by the various lod°e3, as well as by individual members of the = Craft. An inspection of the painting, prinE, or sketch, will well repay those who appreciate artistic elegance, as well as by those who are acquainted with Masonic lore.

Four persona were looked up yesterday evenin" by the police on a charge of drunkenness. They will be brought before the Police Court to-day. We have received the current mmber of St. James's Chronicle. Mr. John Blackmail contributes an article on "Health and morals." The subject of the sketch in the portrait gallery, by "Scrutator, is Mr. F. Battley, Vice-President of the Baptist Mutual Improvement Association. A resume of the proceedings of tha local literary societies, Mr. Barstow's lecture on ''The Chaldaic account of the delnge," and an "Ode to Venus" conclude the number. Things are looking healthy with the Chronicle, for the editor makes the following announcement " Continued pressure upon our space compels us to contemplate an enlargement of this journal. A large crowd blocked up the front of the premises of Mr. J. Harris, Queen-street, on Saturday evening, and the police were at last compelled to make spectators "ni )ve on." The cause of attraction was a nnitme collection of local industries, which Mr Harris is now exhibiting. In the window was one of Peace and Todd's gas-stoves in full operation. There were also on view potteryware- from Boyd's yards, including some busts, after English models, of Byron and Shakespeare, in red clay ; terra cotta models, from Hamilton ; glass case of brushware, from Harbutt's manufactory ; Zealandia polish, from Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co.'B ; and other exhibits too numerous to mention. Mr. Harris has made arrangements for the occupation of the ground floor of Mr. Biuney's stores, on tha opposite side of the street, and where every description of local iudustry will be kept on view and for sale. The idea is a novel one, and w.i trust that success may reward his spirited enterprise.

Nelson Ireland, a man against whoin an order -was made that he should contribute fixed sums towards the support of his wife and children, having failed to comply with the order of the Resident Magistrate, was arrested on Saturday by Constable Abrams, at Newton. Ireland, when arrested, shewed fixht, but the constable, receiving some assistance from civilians, succeeded in securing his man, and brought him to the lock-up. In addition to the charge already lying against him, he will to-day have to plead to the charge of assaulting a policeman while the latter was in the discharge of his duty.

The funeral of the late Alra. Halyday took place yesterday, when a large number of citizens paid the last token of respect by ollowing her remains to the grave. The Rev. James Wallis, Wesleyan minister, read the burial service, after which he gave a brief biographical sketch of the deceased lady, from her connection with tho Wesleyan body. A bymn having been sung, the Rev. Thomas Buddie engaged in prayer, after jhich the Rev. Jam's Wallis pronounced ■she benediction, and the solemn ceremony terminated. It seems that there was a misunderstanding about the boy Murphy being flogged every day for a week by the manager of the Neglected and Destitute Home. It was the nightly incarceration that was to be repeated for the week. The City Council offers for sale by tender, at per cart, a quauity of manure at the city abattoirs. The manure is said to be of tho most superior quality, being composed chiefly of animal offal, blood, and other ingredients, containing a large quanity of ammonia—the most valuable property of guano —and the presence of alkaline phosphate of soda in the blood is said to be a highly valuable ingredient. The manure is reported by competent judges to be as immediate in effects as guano, while at the same time it benefits the land to a degree quite as lasting as any other manure known. A large number of ladies attended at the Mechanics' Institute, on Saturday afternoon, ia response to Miss Fidler's advertisement of her school of cookery. That lady made the necessary explanations to her audience of the nature and character of her treatment

of the subject, and announced that the first lecture, with practical illustrations of cookery, would be given this afternoon, at the Mechanics' Institute, at 2 o'clock. His Worship the Mayor, we believe, will preside on the occasion. This, the first lecture of the course, will be free, so that those who have not yet joined may see for themselves the practical benefits to be derived from attending the whole course. A slight alarm of fire was created in .Newton yesterday, on account of a chimney having shot forth something more than smoke. There was a slight fire, but it was only the result of the breakfast-cookiDg element, and any little danger which existed was soon obliterated by the exertions of a few friends who were on the spot. Mr. Wm. Da vies, ex-mayor of the Thames, has been appointed by the Government to be pilot and harbourmaster at Tauranga, vice Captain Marks, deceased. Mr. Davies holds a master's certificate, &c., and many years ago was engaged in the costal trade.

At the 11 o'clock service at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday, Mass was celebrated by a Roman Catholic missionary from the South Sea Islands. The rev. gentleman has been for a long time an inhabitant of the tropical regions. He has been for seventeen years resident in Tonga, and is now on his way to Rome to receive the appointment of R.C. bishop of Melanesia. Under ordinary circumstances the new prelate would of course have to receive his commission direct from the Pope at Rome, but it is quite possible that the necessary powers may be granted to Archbishop Vaughan at Sydney, and that the rev. gentleman may not have to return to the old country. The postponed debate on the question " Is the native policy of the Grey Ministry superior to that of previous Governments 1" will take place to-night, at the meeting of the St. James's Mutual Improvement Association. Mr. G. Warburton undertakes to prove"the affirmative, while Mr. T. Warnock will assert the negative. The Greyites expect to have an overwhelming majority. In the Drill-shed is posted a programme of three matches with the rifle, and a judging distance match, with £20 in prizes in all. Volunteers who can use the rifle well, should give in their names at once to their commissioned. officer, as the list closes on the" 29th inst. The matches differing in several respects from ordinary ones renders it necessary for intending competitors to know the work out out for them.

The police, in the pursuit o£ their ordinar patrol duty yesterday, met a man name? Foreshaw, a powerfully-built fellow, i n -J._ session of a bag, on searching which the» found two saws, two planes, some gau»ea chisels, a tomahawk, &c. Some of th' tools were marked on tha handle* with tv® letters J. C., and the police want anoowe!j e ! for the tools. The man arrested is evident!? suffering from aberration of intellect, and the fact of his having been already twice an inmate of the asylum, coupled with hia conduct on his arrest, and while in confine, ment, confirms the thoory that this is only a fresh outbreak of insanity. ' Wa have to record the decease of l[ r James Ansenne, of Lower SymoDd-street and a member of the well-known firm Schapp and Ansenne, of Mercury Bay, ti ra . ber merchants. Mr. Ansenne was an old settler, and, by industry, business capacity and integrity, rose from the ranks and carved out a competency for himself and family He leaves a widow and several children to mourn their bereavement. The canse of death was that which has proved so fatal during the trying weather of the last f ew months to many—a neglected cold, leading to bronchitis and other complications, ending in death.

The Samoan Times, of the sth July, gi ves the following testimony to tha trying character of the climate of New Britain, where the Rev. George Brown's mission has been established By the arrival of the barmi e San Francisco from Sew Britain, we learn that everything there is now perfectly q-jitf a: ;d business is beginning to improve. ]\ ro or three passengers who returned from N ew Britain by the S?n Francisco should impress one with the fast that it is a hard place for a white man to live in. Men who, a f ew years ago, were strong, able-bodied men h IVO now returned with an emaciated appearance impaired constitution, and looking aj it they had just come from their gaves. Fever and ague is the great scourge of the place.

Mr. Arthur Clayden's views on New Zealand, its settlers, and its clergymen, seem to have considerably altered since he received " {or self and wife " a cabin passage in the Stad Haarlem, and £250 fo: - a lecturing tour in England. It is to be hoped that the Christian World will be duly informed of the change in his views, for with two hundred and tifty golden reasons in his memory, Mr. Clayden cannot tiud it in his heart "to speak o£ U3 in any other terms than the following :—" After four months' observation of New Zealand's resources, visiting her cities, travelling along her railways, penetrating her forests, dwelling in her homes, worshipping in her churches, descending het mines, working on her farm-), attending her markets and agricultural shows, and in evt-ry possible way getting a perfect insight to her position and prospects, 1 have reached a tolerably firm conviction respecting her, and that is, that a splendid future awaits her. Nothing can permanently hinder rhe development of such fruitful germ?. In climate • and soil she stands second to no country in the world, and nowhere else can finer harbours be found than the wondrous openings made by Nature all around her shores. It would almost seem as if a special providence had been at work on these fair isles. That wondrous natural breakwater at Nelson ! Why were its millions of tons of pebbles thrown along those miles across the bay but to protect from the sea's ravages the future city that was to nestle down at the feet of its everlasting hills ? And the sublime amphitheatres at Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers and Auckland. Why those sheltering belts of hills but as indications as to the direction human enterprise should take, and as calls to commerce to enter in and erect its throne ? And earth's merchants have heard the call, and what the observant visitor of New Zer.land sees today are but the foundations which are being laid for that throne. Not in any sense as a rival of the mother country, but as her worthy offspring and compeer, will this England of the Pacific rise in power. Not for the impoverishment of the o!d home must the new one become rich, but each

mask share alike in the reward. The hoarded wealth. of Eugland, instead oE being allowed to moulder 111 the coffers of her banks, mu3t be judiciously employed in colonial development, and thus a fresh life be diffused through her vast manufacturing districts."

A walking match took ou Saturday evening, in the Lorne-street Hall, between O'Connor and A. X. Headry. O'Connor was to walk 11 miles to Hendry's 10 miles, O'Connor to walk 345 times round the hall to Hendry's 314 time 3. There was a large attendance. Mr. M. Gallagher officiated as judge and starter. A fair start was obtained. Hendry maintained the lead for tour timed round, when O'Connor put on a spurt and got a head. O'Connor was the favourite until the 279 th tiuie round, when he began to lose considerably, allowing Hendry to gain several rounds. After walking seven miles of the distance O'Connor gave in, completely exhausted, leaving Hendry t > finish the distance, which he did in an hour and a half. The money, £20, was paid over to Hendry. Mr. Gallagher proposed three cheers for Hendry, which were given heartily. This was followed by three cheers for Hendry's trainer and for Mr. O'Connor. The match caused great interest, and a considerable amount of money changed hands upon the result.

An ingenious artisan in Wellington has invented what he calls a " nail gun." The apparatus is not unlike a gun in shape, and is about the same length. It is kept in position with the foot and knee, and the nail to be driven is placed (point down) in an aperture at the top of the concern. It slides down to the bottom, and then the operator draws up a rod, and by one downward stroke of this the nail is cleanly driven into the bo; rda beneath. A practised hand, by this simple contrivance, could do the work of half-a-dozen men. The Tim 1 .! understands that Mr. Falkner, the inventor, is now improving upon his invention, ani is making a "nail gun" which will be selffeeding.

In a letter written to Mr. Hitchcock, formerly of Geelong, Mr. Gough, the celebrated temperance lecturer, says: —" Ido not at present perceive the possibility of my going to Australia. After my work here, which will close next week, I propose to rest for »ne entire year, and expect to go home to America for that purpose and with that intention some time before the late autumn. I have a letter from an agent, who says hjs shall call on me as soan as he sails, the wee». after he wrote me ; but I shall never engage myself to a speculation anywhere, ana therefore his visit to me will be of no avail. I have desired to see Australia for many years, and give up entirely the idea wits regret; but at my age, and being so very much worn, I must give it up."

A Parliaments,ry return, moved for by Sir C. Dilke, shews, with respect to the Parliamentary constituencies in the Unit™ Kingdom, the total number of electors® the register now in force. In tlio counte= of England and Wales there are SS3,Of electors ; in the boroughs, 1,563,319 ; ana "J the Universities, 13,031: making & 2,456,999. The Irish counties have electors; the boroughs, 55,-47; and tM University (Dublin), 3472 : making a of 221,289. The Scotch counties n»« 92,310 electors ; the boroushs, 204,1*- < and the Universities, 11,459: making ® total of 307,941. There are thus electors on the register for the whole ol tfl United Kingdom.