NORFOLK ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7627, 3 May 1886, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND

[from our own correspondent.] April 21, Thk quarterly meeting of the community, presided over by the chief magistrate (Mr. Stephen Christian), was held in the courtroom on Thursday, the let instant. The attendance on this occasion was larger than usual, in anticipation, no doubt, that the vexed question of the change in administration would be brought forward. After reading prayers, the school committee's report was read and adopted, and was on the whole not unfavourable to Ihe existing state of things. Then the Stock Delimitation Committee's report went through the same ordeal, and although the document stated that there was enough food for all the stock depasturing, nevertheless the subject, which in like the proverbial rod rag to a few, gave rise to a very animated discussion, which lasted through the greater part of the day, and became at the latter end very, very dreary indeed. Howover, the magistrate was equal to the occasion, and on his motion that the report be adopted, the wrangling ended, and the matter was shelved. The next business was the all-important topic of the meeting, t «., the transfer of the lalaod administration from the Imperial to the New South Wales authoritee. Unlike the previous questions, strange to relate, this subject was discussed in a very calm and dispassionate manner. The magistrate, in introducing the subject, delivered & very neat and appropriate speech, in which he reviewed the whole circumstances of the case, from tho beginniog, the leading paragraph of which will give perhaps the Uey-note of the situation: "I may state that, although 1 have had no official communication from the Governor on the subject, the question i 3 almost sure to crop up in some shape or another before very long, and I think it would be wiae, and, besides, I wish very much to have the opinion of the people on the subject, when 1 shall know better how to act. Of course, if the Imperial authorities turn us over to New South Wales, we have very little to say about it, but if, thereby, our local form of government is menaced, then, I think, we have a very great deal to say, and with justice, too," etc. After discussing the proa and cone, the magistrate put the question, and the meeting was unanimous in declaring that they would stick by the present constitution, and were in favour of no change, upwards of seventy people giving in their nr.mes. On the magistrate declaring the result, it was received with loud cheers, and the room for a few minutes was a scene of great excitement. The meeting afterwards separated. Our local paper, the Pioneer, is dead, through some difficulty, it is stated, with the composing staff. Gentlemen who handle the " stick" are scarce here; we number only one on the island, consequently, when he refused duty there was no alternative but to go " bung." I rejoice to add there are no mourning creditors. The little rag was paying, and has left a small balance to the good. The Southern Cross, Captain Bongard, arrived on tho 30th ultimo from Auckland after a very rapid passage, bringing Mr. Culwick, a new addition to the mission staff, and the usual supplies. Tho vessel left for her firet cruise among the Islands the Saturday following, taking Biahop Selwyn, the Revs. Palmer, Comins, Brittain, Plant, and a large number of natives, and is expected to be away ten or eleven weeks. A few days ago I happened casually to come across an extract in an Auckland daily from a Sydney contemporary, reflecting in not very complimentary terms upon us as a community, with the addition of some rather acrid, and, I thought, uncalled-for remarks from tho scissors man. It makes one feel venomous seeing such stuff floating about, especially when most of it, to put it mildly, is gross exaggeration of facts. The mystery ie how any influential paper can lend itself to publish articles of this kind, particularly when the parties concerned, ten co one, may never have a chance of seeing, much less of refuting, the accusation. It seems to me very heartless and cruel. The weather continues seasonable, and for thia time of year ia exceptionally mild 'and pleasant. The blustering winds prevalent at this period are conspicuous by their absence. Since the breaking up of the drought we have had rain at not Ions; intervals, and as a coneequeuce the spring crops, notwithstanding the unfavourable predictions, are turning out exceedingly good, and almost everywhere the kumera vines are knee deep. The Horticultural Society's autumn show cornea off next week, and is expected to be an exceptionally good one. We have had three deaths during the present month : On the 7th an - infant son of Frank Evans ; on the 12th an infant daughter of Phillip McCoy ; and on this same date died also Augusta, daughter of Mr. John Buffett, and wife of Selwyn Christian, a young woman who was much respected for her gentle and unobtrusive ways. The Aurora, Captain Watt, returned from Noumea, after a quick run of a little under two weeks. She sails this afternoon for Auckland, and if at all favoured by the winds, will make a very successful trip. Mrs. Phelps and Messrs. F. Bell and Wood are passengers.