PAINFUL SCENE THROUGH DRINK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6948, 23 February 1884, Page 5

PAINFUL SCENE THROUGH DRINK.

fßtf TELBORAPH. — PHKSS ASSOCIATION.] Nelson, Friday. A somewhat sensational scene took place in the tolice Court today. Mr. Harley was applying for a prohibition order against hii son Arthur. The latter was in Court, and asked his father to withdraw the application. His' father refused, whereupon his son drew a phial from hie pocket, and saying "Then here goes," attempted to awallow the contents. The police rushed on him and took the phial away, and found it contained chloral. Arthur Harley was remanded in custody.

RETURN OF MR. BRYCE, MR. OLIVER, AND MR. ROLLESTON.

The Hons. J. Bbyoe, Native Minister, R. I Oliver, Postmaster-General, and W. Bolleston, Minister of Lands, returned to Auckland by train from Rotorua via Waikato last evening. The Northern Club being full, the Ministers are staying at the Star Hotel, Albert-street. Sir Frederick and Miss Whitaker paid them a visit last evening. j Although the visit to Rotorua did not result in the natives making endowments of land, Ministers state that so far as expression of good will and desire to assist in the construction of public works is concerned, there was nothing wanting on the part of the Maoris. The regret was that they did not, where they could, make an absolute endowment, although their power in that respect, until the land, is subdivided, is not great, owing to the large number of names on the certificates of title. Everything is thought to be in a good train at Rotorua just now, and in a very satisfactory position, except inasfar as the Railway Company is desirous of coming to a determination at once in regard to receiving the grante of land to which they are entitled by law. The Thames Valley Kotorua Railway Company, we understand, intimated to the Government that it was of great importance to them that they should know whether they could have, without further delay, the endowments of land provided under the District Railways Act, for upon this will hinge the decision of the company whether they will confine their operations to the Lichfield section or continue the construction to Rotorua. The land, of course, has not yet been given. It may be stated that the Government have bought a good block of land alongide the proposed railway line, and mayaecure more. Many of the Maoris are anxious to sell, money being scarce amongst them.-butowing to the large number of owners, it is a formidable task getting all the names to one deed. This applies principally to the large blocks. In the case of several small blocks this difficulty does not exist. Applications have been received for subdivision, and many natives are anxious that the title to the land should be individualised. The Maoris who had the interview with Ministers on the subject of endowments were men selected by the tribe owing to their special fitness as spokesmen. The Government is very anxious that the line shonld be constructed, and appreciates very fully the immense advantages whi;h would accrue from a line of railway between Auckland and Rotorua, consequent on the increased settlement which would follow, and the enlarged stream of tourists which would flow to the wonderland of New Zealand. The visib was Mr. Oliver's first to the Hot Lakes district. He was amazed at the grandeur of the scene. The feeling he experienced at some of the sights was one rather of terror than pleasure. Ministers leave for Wellington on Monday by the Hinemoa.