THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1890.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8162, 25 January 1890, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1890.

Poor Captain Hobson ! . Little could he have dreamed when, in 1841, he proclaimed the 29th day of January as the anniversary of the colony, that he w-s laying the seeds of such terrible trouble in 1890. The thing seemed, and still seems so clear. Irregular settlement had been going on for many years. Whaling and trading stations were scattered along the coasts, and in the Bay of Islands a thousand people had settled. Perfect peace prevailed, and the missionaries had their schools in many parts of the North Island, including Port Nicholson and Otaki. Then came Colonel Wakefield in 1839. Before they had even heard from him, his employers, the New Zealand Company, sold in London certain Maori land to the value of one hundred and one thousand pounds. The unfortunate purchasers came out and found that no land, and no title to land, could be given to them. The Imperial Government decided, about the same time, to

adopt New Zealand as a colony, and sent out Captain Hobson to obtain a cession of the country from the natives. Meanwhile, he was to be Lieutenant-Governor over such lands as Englishmen might have acquired, and was to add any which he could induce the natives to cede. Captain Hobson arrived on the 29th January, 1840, and with him a stall of officials, including Colonial Secretary, Treasurer, Collector of Customs, and half-a-dozen mounted police. The country was not a British colony when he arrived, and it would have been a French colony if no further action had been taken. The New Zealand Company had no power to found a British colony, and could not do so. Their settlersthe chasers of'" the' 101,000 acres in London —arrived on the 22nd January, just a week before Captain Hobson. They could not get possession of their purchased land and were in great straits. They formed a government of their own. but Captain Hobson sent down a small body ot soldiers to suppress it as unlawful. It ishard.underthese circumstances, to see the slightest ground for Wellington claiming that the arrival of its first settlers was coincident with the foundation of the colony. Yet they have done so, and pushed their claim beyond the bounds of common decency. They presented to the Governor an address, to be forwarded to the Queen, in which they sought, by implication, to obtain the recognition of the 22nd as the date of the foundation of the colony. The Governor wa3 not to be entrapped. He replied in the most courteous terms, but stated that as the address was to Her Majesty he need not make any comment upon it. The men-of-war in harbour took no official part in the celebration, and the indignation of the Wellington people is extreme. At al! events the indignation of a loud section is plainly heard. They will have nothing to do with Lord Onslow in the future. He is to be nothing to them, for he even stayed at the Club instead of going to Government House during the three or four days of his stay in Wellington. All this is very shocking, and the outraged Wellington people talk loudly of joining the movement for the elective Coventor, and of showing their displeasure in various other ways. Not a bit of fear that Wellington will do anything for the public good, or adopt any action based on political principle, need be entertained. They have always lived bj getting to windward of the rest of the colony, and will do so still. This course has paid them too well to be abandoned for elected Governors or anything else that concerns the rest of the colony as much as themselves. Meanwhile their press seems mad with impotent rage. The Governor is warned that it is not wise nor politic ""to put the slightest strain on those delicate links which bind us to the Crown of England." What bosh ! what fervent una delicious loyalty! All because Lord Onslow did not recognise the •2i!nd January, and aid in its celebration at Wellington as the anniversary of the colony's foundation ; every use and official action having been to the contrary for the previous 4!) years out of the 50. The Wellington newspapers have simply gone mad over the affair, and talk the purest rubbish. New Zealand will not join the Australian Federation in a fit of pique for an imaginary slight to Wellington. Nor will she separate from England and turn her back upon herself and all her past, for the same small cause. It is pitiable to behold so poor a display of petty feeling in a city claiming to be the metropolis. The rest of the country will look on and merely laugh. It is all they can do when they read of the sorrows of poor, slighted Wellington, and the terrible evils to result from a picnic given on anniversary day by its Mayor, but which the Governor failed to attend. Mr. Gladstone has been writing on federation. He says that the action of Sir H. I'arkes is apparently judicious, but that ignorance of details prevents him from pronouncing any positive opinion. It must be acknowledged that Mr. Gladstone is modest and cautious. It would be well if more home statesmen were as prudent in speaking on colonial questions. The Cork Guardians have been dissolved on the ground that the members are guilty of disloyalty. The American press are not satisfied with the Samnan Treaty, and declare that Germany still dominates. Trains have been snowed up in Oregon, and several passengers have died of cold and hunger. Monsignor Yidal, of Fiji, who is at present in England, has been making the charge against the Wcsleyau missionaries that they are more traders than missionaries. The Wesleyan Conference are calling him to account. I The Hkbald Monthly Summary, for transmission per R.M. s.s. Zealand will bo published on Monday morning next, '27th instant. The mail for newspapers will close on the same day at half-past eleven a.m. We understand that it is intended to invito His Excellency the Governor. Lord Carrington, and Admiral Lord .Charles Scotb, to visit the Takapuna district shortly after the Jubilee festivities. It will be remembered that during his first visit to Auckland, the Earl of Onßlow said that he would leave his examination of the Calliope Dock till his return. He will no doubt see it during the Jubilee, but then it will be tilled. It is proposed to invite him and his party to view the dock when it is pumped out, and when H.M.S. Orlando is in it. The party would be embarked on board the Britannia or the Wagle, and after viewing the dock would be taken up the harbour. The boat would then go round the North Head, giving a close view of the fortifications, and steam down to the wharf which is boing erected at the reef on the Lake beach. The Governor and friends would then be driven round the Lake, and could then either be taken to Devouport, or reembarked at the wharf. The wharf will be completed in a few days, and the landing of the Governor will constitute the formal opening. The arrangements for this trip, which may be made a very pleasant one for the Governor and party, are in the hands of Mr. Malcolm Niccol, who is chairman of the Harbour Board and also Mayor of the Borough of Devonport. It is to be hoped that the City Council will make an example of the offenders who mutilate the papers in the reading room of the Free Public Library, whenever the offence can bo sheeted homo to any of them. Yesterday a visitor to the reading room went to consult the files of some Taranaki journals, and to his disgust found that a column had been cub out of one place, and some paragraphs out of another page. Every citizen who visits the Library should regard himself as a special constable, and aid the custodian in the detection of such despicable practices.

The property in Lower Queen - streot known as Firth's old mill, with frontages to Queen-street and Mill's Lune, was nut up for sale yesterday by Messrs. T. M. Jackson and Co. Bidding started at £2000, and the property was bought in by Messrs. Jackson and Russell on behalf of the mortgagee for £GOOO. The mortgagee is Mr. Bateman Thornton, and the amount of the mortgage on the property was £12,200.

The maize in Te Puke is looking better. With the recent splendid weather it has come on apace, a-nd many fields are now in blossom. There are fully 600 acres of maize in Te Puke this year, all of which are looking well. The farmers are jubilant, and this year's results should go far to put Te Puke on its legs.

Monday, the 27th instant, will bo observed as a public holiday in New South Wales, and, to eonform to the hours of attendance observed at telegraph offices within that colony, the New Zealand and Australian cable will be open from 10.30 to 11.30 a.m., and from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m.

With regard to the vacant resident magistracy in New Plymouth, ib is reported a legal gentleman who has been for many years in practice in Otago is to be appointed. Major Tuke is temporarily performing the duty. Judge Broad is to have Ta'ranaki, Wanganui, and Mauawafcu districts added to his other duties.

A very interesting exhibit attracted crowds to Mr. Wildman's window yesterday. It was only a dirty old book, bub moat likely its owner {Mr. Kidd) would require its weight in gold before he would part with such a rare curiosity. It was an original and complete copy of the Government Gazette for the year 1842 ; and the portion that is now specially interesting is a Government proclamation to the eilect that the second anniversary of the establishment of the colony is to be observed by a general holiday on the 29th January, signed, "by His Excellency's command,' by Willoughby Shortland. Mr. Wildman' has also shown us an advance copy of a most interesting and appropriate souvenir of the Jubilee, to be issued in time for the 29th by the Government. It is a graphic account of the signing of the famous treaty of Waitangi by an eye-witness, Air. William Colenso, who is still alive and well. It i 3 on the cards that Mr. Colenso may be a visitor to Auckland during the Jubilee week. We hope then to have the opportunity of gathering from his own lips, for the benefit of our readers, many interesting details of his reminiscences of the stirring times of fifty years ago. A telegram from Dunedin states that the whole of the berths in the Tarawera for" the third Sounds trip have been engaged, and the Union Company have had to refuse alarge number.

There were only two orders made yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court. In the case of S. Gooseman v. T. Bray, claim £9 lGs Gd, the defendant was ordered to pay in two months, or, in default, one month's imprisonment. In the case of Burton and Moore v. H. C. Clavering, claim £7 0s 6d, an order was made to pay 2s a week. There was also a defended case, T. McLaren v. McKenzie, which was partly heard yesterday. Mr. Campbell appeared for the plain tiff, and Mr. Cotter lor the defendant. The action arose out of a dispute over the ownership of a calf, through it having been put on open land at Takapuna. After hearing a lot of evidence judgment was given for the defendant with costs.

The Burns' Club held high festival at St George's Hall, last night, in celebration of Burns' birthday. There was a lame attendance, and a most pleasant social evening was passed. The early part of the evening was occupied with a concert in which a number of well-known Scotch songs were pleasingly given. The following was rhe programme: —Selection on the pipes, by Mr. Simon Fraser ; song, " A Man's a Man for a' That," Mr. Campbell; song, " A Highland Lad My Love was Born," Miss Barron ; duet, "The Crooked Bawbee," by Mrs. Murchie and Mr. Campbell; soiur, " Duncan Cray," by Mr. Armstrong; song, "Robin Adair," by Mrs. Wright; sheantreaus dance, by Mrs. E. Cheyne; pianoforte selections of Scotch airs, by Miss Cheyne; song, " The Bonnie Briar Bush," by Miss Moncur ; song, "Corn Biggs are Bonnie," Mr. Campbell ; recitation, " Mary Queen of Scots," Mrs. Murchie; song, " My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose," Mrs. Wright ; sword dance, by Master Fraser ; duet, "Huniingtower," by Mrs. Wright and Mr. Armstrong ; and clarionet solo, by Mr. West. At the conclusion of the concert dancing commenced, and was carried on till a late hour. A considerable number of the gentlemen present were dressed in kilts. An excellent supper, with the inevitable " haggis,'' was so .plied at eleven o'clock, and at twelve o'clock, to usher in Burns' birthday, the 25th, the company sang. There Was a Lad Was Born in Kyle." '; The death of Mr. Charles Topp, for many years verger of All Saints'; in recorded in our obituary columns. His unassuming manners and kindly disposition won for him the respect of a large circle, and his death at the advanced age of 7G will be learned with regret by many friends.

We are accustomed to speak of the " good old days," and to contrast the days of profound depression" on which we have fallen ; but when we look on the comfort now enjoyed by our working people to day, and think of the pioneers of the colony, and how they fared 50 years ago under the shadow of the tomahawk, we have every reason tu be thankful. For illustration, the Bay of Islands Gazette of 1840, announces that the Kororareka bakers had just then reduced the price of the 4-lb. loaf from 2s Gd to 2s; pork was Bd, the daily diet being pork and potatoes; and for a change, potatoes and pork. InAuckland, the prices current of a late date (1S41), we notice "tea, none; sugar (very brown), £28 per ton ; candles, none ; timber, 29s per 100 feet; beef, Is 4d per lb; mutton, Is; potatoes, none.; fowls, pair, 12s ; eggs, 6s per dozen." These were the " good old days." At the meeting of the Trade and Labour Council last evening the new Bakers' Union wrote asking permission to become affiliated with the Council. The secretary was instructed to write congratulating the bakers upon having formed their Union, wishing them every success, and that their delegate would be cordially welcomed by the Council. A letter was also received from the secretary of the Social Reform Association at Dunedin, askiug the Council to co-operate with them in guaranteeing Henry George's expenses in New Zealand. It was pointed out that the Anti-Poverty Society had taken up this question, a«d a committee had been appointed to arrange for Henry George's reception, and that no guarantee was required. It was agreed to call a meeting of the tailoresses and pressers on Monday evening next for the purpose of forming them into a Union. It was also arranged to call a meeting of railway employees immediately after the arrival of the secretory of the Railway Commissioners from the South.

We understand that Mr. J. A. Beale has been appointed organist of St. Mary's Church vice Mr. Tallis Trimnell, resigned. The other day a respectable tradesman, Mr. James Jveily, was arrested on a charge of larceny, at the instance of his own son. The magistrate, Dr. Giles, discharged the accused, feeling perfectly sutisfied after hearing all the facts of the ease, that there was no felonious intent, the whole affair apparently arising out of a family squabble. The son to-day, by advertisement elsewhere, offers an apology and expresses his sincere regret that through a misunderstanding his father was arrested for theft on his account.

The following report from the Melbourne Standard of prosecutions under the Early Closing Act should interest those who are endeavouring to carry out early closing in Auckland Robert Hayes, an employe of Messrs. Haynes Bros., grocers, of Chapelstreet, Prahran, was prosecuted by Mr. Levy, Chief Inspector of Shops and Factories, for selling goods after the prescribed hours. Constable M'Kinnon stated that on the 3rd of the month, at half-past nine o'clock p.m., he saw the defendant serving parcels of grocery over the counter to customers. A fine of 10s was imposed. William Symons, another grocer of Chapelstreet, was called to answer a similar charge. Constable Kinnebury said at twenty-five minutes past seven p.m. on the 3rd instant, he went into the shop and saw a woman served with a pound of buttor. He called defendant's attention to the time, ami defendant said, " Oh, your time's wrong." For the defence it was submitted that the constable called in at three minutes past seven instead of twenty-five minutes past, as he had stated. Defendant was fined 10s. Burnard Ellis, a bootmaker, pleaded guilty to having made a sale of goods after hours on. the 4th instant. He, too, was fined 10s. A glare of fire was seen this morning at one o'clock, on the sky, apparently in the direction of Onehunga. The s.s. Takapuna will arrive to-morrow forenoon, bringing some of the Auckland representatives back from the New Zealand Rifle Association's meeting at Dunedin. Captain Geddes, of tlie "A Battery, and some of his men, are going out to Onehunga to meet them. No doubt other volunteers will take part in the reception. The " Performing Fleas" are still on view at the City Hall buildings. Visitors can learn some useful lessons from these industrious insects, who, as an Australian journal observes, " have seen a good deal in their travels." A complimentary benefit will be given to Professor Pannell on Saturday next at the Calliope Dock. He will perform some of his best feats in natation on the occasion. There is on view in the show window of Messrs. Phillipps and Son a painting of the splendid trout captured in the Waikato River near Hamilton on the 17th ult. It was executed by Dr. Murch aud presented to Mrs. Wynne, of the Hamilton Hotel.

Abouo eight days ago a number^? were received for the Kaponeal \ tend the Rotorua railway, the lowest >#<* was that of Mr. D. Fallon L° the Since that period neither Mann, £ actorand Hunter the engineers in charge line, nor Mr. Fallon, have reo • } ha slightest intimation as to what deS ? e been come to in the matter t t ,- ,on "** stood that his tender, thou»lT*J,l iUnderand a long way below the en, „li°. Weßt . mate, is £2000 above the appronS the work. If this work biffin J 0 " 8 fo ' of the Otago Central that difficulty S have been easily overcome. ' 0U1(J A sawmill at Jnglewoxl (Brown's) w Wu was endangered by bush fires on Thai-?"* was eventually saved. Some of th*« 7 bers of the New Plymouth Fire & went out with a manual engine, and ffi that the danger was all over. un,i A truly choice programme, as will i found advertised in another column \ been prepared for the sacred concert fi organ recital to be given at St. atri Jg Cathedral on the evening of Mondav A 27th instant. The Rev. fir. Eo- an is d'ir tor, and he will sing the solo in Capoerf" celebrated " Laudate," to be ci ve n bvrh choir, and will play a flute i-ofo. AmonS the other performers are Mr. O'Beirne wh will contribute a clarionet «010, and M° McComish, a cornet selection, 'SuilivaJ" "Lost Chord." Mr. Hartwell, the orSi' will render a composition of his own which is highly spoken of, and also Meyerbeer's "La Prophete." A number of leading soloists will also, render vocal pieces. The pianoforte recital and Jubilee concert of Mr. Martin Swallow on Wednesday next promises to afford a musical treat. He will himself play five solos, namely, ThalbeiVj grand concert fantaisieon " Moses in Kgvtit* " New Zealand Jubilee March,' Beethoven*! "Moonlight Sanata," Chopin's "Polonaise C Sharp Minor," and '.'Home Sweet Home" A number of ladies and gentlemen are alan assisting, namely: Miss Derbyshire the " Misses Piokmere" (3), Misses Wi'lkins Wilson, Adams, Messrs. Reid, Ferridav' Darby, and others. J '

The committee of the Auckland Scripture Gift Association embrace the present oppor. tunhy of invitfng Jubilee donations towards the work of the society. It is notified by advertisement that seven distinct objects are now included in the Association's p. gramme, and any contributions forwarded will be appropriated agreeable to the expressed wish of each donor, or in aid of the general fund.

Mr. E. D. Halstead, veterinary surgeon intimates elsewhere he has resumed practice! The s.s. Lily will leave for Motutapu at seven o'clock on Sunday morning, returning at half-past five p.m.

The s.s. Waitoa will leave the old ferry tee this afternoon at quarter-past one o'clock, on a fishing excursion, calling at MotnLhi 'and Motutapu, returning in the evening.

The Ferry Company's steamer Eagle will run the St. Heliers' timetable to-day. The Harbour Board invite tenders for crane, trestles, etc.

The Jubilee Minstrels, assisted bv wellknown amateurs, will give a grand and" varied performance in the Catholic Institute oa Tuesday next, January 23 (Jubilee Eve). An exceptionally attractive programme will be presented, including orchestral items choruses, comic and sentimental songs, seep dances, and humourous character sketches. Proceeds in aid of Auckland Christian Doctrine Society funds.