OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR LETTER HOME.

.... Excellency the Governor returned to New Zealand on April 17, after a delightful trip to the Cook Islands, which now form part of the British Empire. Lord Glasgow left Auckland in the Hinemoa on March 20, the party consisting of himself, Lady fias-ow and three daughters, Mrs. A. jlo'yle, Captain Stewart A.D.C., and Mr- ' Stewart, Miss Eastwood, Dr. /viH.w Mr. Moss (British Resident at ffoligaX Mr. Miller, Mr. Van der Bvl and Captain Elliot, (private secretH"ry to His Excellency). After calling nt Sunday Island, the largest island of the"Keriuadeo Croup, where Good Fri].lV was spent, Karotonga was sighted 01 V Wednesday evening, March 28, and anchor dropped off Avatiu Harbour eirlv nest morning. On the arrival 0 the 1 linemoa a number of the British and foreign residents came pa board and welcomed the Governor, and these were followed by Ngamaru (Kins of Atiu Mitiaro and Mauke), who js Makea's husband, with the Judge 'JVpoii o te Kangi, Makea Daniela, and hers. They came off to welcome Lord Glasgow and his party to Karotonga in the name of Queen Makea, and after consulting with Mr. Moss, presented to His Excellency an address of welcome, r.lso from Makea, as Chief of the Government of the Cook Island Federation. Upon landing His Excellency was received by the natives with the greatest enthusiasm. and nothing was left undone by them to make his visit both pleasant and memorable. Wherever he went he found evidence of deep attachment to Queen Victoria, and satisfaction with the new state of things inaugurated under the British Protectorate, which speaks well for the manner in which .Mr. Moss, the British Resident, has performed his unique and arduous duties. The visit of Lord Glasgow to the islands will have excellent results, and cement still closer the friendly relations which now exist between the natives and this colony. The visit is regarded as one of the greatest events in the annals of Karotonga. It was brought to a conclusion on April 5, when opportunity was taken to get Lord Glasgow to hoist the new flag of the Cook Islands Federation. Mr. Moss sent invitations to all the people to attend, and the result was a gathering of about 1000 to witness the event and take part in the feast provided in native fashion, and with native cookery for the occasion. Piss, salt beef, bananas, and a whole bullock, formed the staple. Mr. Moss addressed the natives, and explained to them why they were called together. Lord Glasgow then addressed them, and hoisted the flag in due form, with "God Save the Queen" sung by the natives and Europeans. The flag was hoisted over the Parliament House as being the only spot, except the Residency built for Mr. Moss, which is ned in Rarotonga by the Federal Government, and therefore could not excite jealousies among the several islands. So ended a most successful visit, which Lord Glasgow and his party evidently enjoyed thoroughly. They entered fully into the spirit of the event, made friends of the natives, and earned golden opinions from the white men. Everything went off' well. No hitch of any kind, anywhere, or in any way, and Lord Glasgow's visit must not only bind the Cook Islands more closely to New Zealand, but will enable him to speak fully and precisely as to the state of affairs in them.

During the early part of the present month the Premier of the Colony (Mr. Richard Seddon) has been devoting a considerable amount of attention to the extreme North of New Zealand, and to the question of native lands. In order to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the nature and extent of the lands held, but not utilised, by the Maori population, he undertook a journey of inspection through the Urewera country, which has not often been traversed by State officials, though Lord Onlsow, whilst Governor of the Colony, was cordially welcomed in this territory some years ago. Everywhere along the line of route Mr. Seddon was hospitably received, and conferred with the natives upon '.natters connected with the acquirement of their lands for European settlement, placing before them in a very plain manner the intentions of the Government upon this question. He told them that the Government had come to the conclusion that the vast areas of unoccupied and unutilised lands in their possession must be opened up for European settlement, and that measures would be taken at an early date to secure this end. Hp, however, assured the Maoris that they might be certain that the Government would treat them with scrupulous justice. The general outcome of the visit is said to be most satisfactory, and will, it is thought, put an end to the native difficulty. The natives promised to respect the law of the land, and to discourage any movement among the Maoris generally antagonistic to the Government. They even went so far as to request that the land Court should sit at Ruatoki, a famous liauhau centre, and have also asked for a school. The statements which have been made respecting the Urewera country have been very conflicting. The truth seems to be that the district inhabited by this tribe is exceedingly broken, but of fertile soil. Amongst the natives there are, as usual, two parties—one willing to sell or lease, while the other opposes, ilie policy of the Government is to give no heed at all to what the tribe may say, but to regard only the wishes of those who have been found by the native Land Court to be owners of the particular block to be dealt with. A block of land has for some time been in process of survey, and if completed, this could, it is said, at once be utilised as a sheep run. The giving way of the Urewera would be a good thing in itself, and it would undoubtedly give ? s readier access to the whole of the interior, and do away with opposition everywhere. It is said that there are " lie fertile valleys in the country, suitable for cultivation by small settlers.

A considerable amount of surprise as expressed throughout the country the announcement that Colonel Fox, lf ' Commandant of the New Zealand orce.s, had asked to be released from »s engagement. The reason for this e P, Wu,lj stated to be the high-handed ♦ni'i °- the Premier, who practically ti ■ upon himself the duties and aulonty which the Colonel had been a L? u = t ,*-0 the colony to assume. An en,.? anc * experienced Imperial officer tin/ Colonel Fox is, naturally felt j. it would not be dignified for him mm o^ 6 ?^ 0 , Commandant only in Air V V !'! le k' ie real Commandant was clpari, i"' Colonel Fox set forth til-; y u'• concisely his reasons; for M-eiJu .stand, and they will carry He e i, * i 1 eve,, y fair-minded man. ( ot i' oWe^.P la, ' ie had been reduced attiri,rP oSltl^n a mere cipher by the Defenr. 6 as * urne( l by the Minister of Bt ructed In t l ' ad . tllwa, ' fced and ob " Fox "in - 01 ! 1 I' l6 vm 'y first - Colonel "mdichno certailiy drawn up a serious shows tf at a » : , lllls Mr Seddon, which very 0 COnc^ t of the Premier in a has not v V ? uable U S ht - The matter Cabinet/ Q dealt wifch W the

. It is satisfactory to notice in these times of depression on all hands that, according to the revenue returns from the various centres for the last quarter, which have just been made, a surplus of £200,000 is expected. The first by-election of the present Parliament, arising out of the unseating of Mr. lv. Monk as representative of the Waitemata constituency, for corruption on the part of his agents, took place on April y. The candidates in the field were Mr. W. F. Massey and Mr. Jackson Palmer (who was defeated by Mr. Monk). The Government made strenuous efforts to secure the return of the latter, whom they regarded as a faithful folio The Government whip assisted Mr. Palmer in fighting the battle, and the Premier went so far as to endeavour to influence the electors by assuring them that they could hardly expect assistance from the Government in their district if they did not support the _ Government by returning the Ministerial candidate. However, tlie electors were not to be moved either by threats or entreaties, and Mr. Massey was returned with a majority of 173 votes.

It is stated that the Government, intend to make some rather important alterations in the tariff", more especially with reference to articles used in ironwork, building materials, and several commodities. All articles of domestic use will also undergo careful revision, and it is believed that several lines, including sugar, will bo reduced ; but, of course, until the contents of the Budget are known there can be no certainty about these matters.

The first, triennial poll under the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act of last session took place on March 22, the polling being on the following questions :—l. Whether the number of hotel licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor should continue as at present or bo reduced, or whether no more licenses should be granted. 2. Whether the number of accommodation licenses should continue as at present or be reduced, or whether more should be granted. 3. Whether the number pf bottle licenses should be continued as at present, or reduced, or more be granted. Unless a clear majority of the voters on the roll go to the poll no change takes place. Very little interest was taken in the polling in Auckland, but in some of the country districts, and in the large Southern cities, the excitement ran very high. Although a three-fifths majority is required to carry prohibition, this was secured in the Clutha electorate, whilst a reduction in the number of licensed houses was carried in Dunedin, and some other important places. The Act worked very unsatisfactorily, the officials not knowing whether the enormous number of informal votes cast should be counted in deciding whether half the electors had voted. They were ruled out in Wellington, and a reduction, which would have been carried had they counted, has not been allowed. The Act requires considerable amendment to make it workable. In Auckland the poll was void.

At the City Hall, on April 17, Sir Robert Stout, M.H.R., delivered an address on The Aims and Methods of the Liberal Party," in the presence of a large and attentive audience. The address contained little that was new, while the speaker was careful to avoid anything that might be regarded in the nature of a criticism on the policy of the Government. But it was none the less interesting and instructive on that account. As was to be expected, he handled his subject in an able and skilful manner. While one may take objection to some of the political views which Sir Robert Stout advocates, there can be no doubt as to his earnestness and sincerity, his fulness of knowledge, and the unmistakeable evidence which his speeches contain of ripe thought and extensive study, which in these days of cant and humbug and superficial knowledge of the science of politics and government are so lamentably lacking in high places.

The balance-sheet presented to the shareholders of the Colonial Bank at the half-yearly meeting the other day showed a steady progress of the institution, and a strengthening of its resources. The profit made for the half year is somewhat better than for the previous half year, and the directors are enabled to declare the usual dividend at the rate of seven per cent., while carrying to the reserve the substantial amount of £5000. The chairman, the Hon. G. McLean, in his speech, showed that the bank had experienced the soundness of the policy adopted years ago by the directors in limiting the amount accepted on deposit in London. The bank, in consequence of this policy, had been but little disturbed in their business by withdrawals. Mr. McLean then stated briefly and clearly the present position of the colony, showing the unfavourable influences to which we had lately been subjected. These influences, however, must in their nature be transitory, and the colony, by steady increase in settlement, will be ready to take advantage of the first turn of the tide. The management of the Colonial Bank has ever been conservative and careful, and its position, as disclosed in the present balancesheet, is most satisfactory. In the last number of the New Zealand Trade Review there are tables showing the precise position of our export trade during the year 1393. The total amount of New Zealand produce sent from the South Island was £4,899,750, and from the North Island £3,651,669. The largest quantity from any one port is from Lyttelton, which despatched produce to the value of £1,709.971., Lyttelton showed the highest value in wool and frozen meat, and two-thirds of the total value of shipments of wheat of the entire colony. The next largest exporting port is Auckland, which sent away produce to the value of £1,148,987. That is closely followed by Wellington, with £1,101,451. Then comes Dunedin with £1,073,505. Dunedin is exceeded, as to shipments of wool by both Napier and Wellington. Dunedin is the largest exporter of gold, sending away to the amount of £299,420 ; Invercargill, £17,448; Auckland, £186,553. These are the only ports which send away { gold. But for the amount of gold export, Dunedin's total shipments of New Zealand produce would have been only £774,085, or less than the exports of Napier, which exported to the amount of £800,591. The Dunedin wool export was £412,958, while Napier's was £578,028. The Erincipal wheat exporting ports were yttelton and Timaru, the first with £231,048, and the second with £96,971. The exports are most varied at Auckland. The only absolute blank in the whole list of articles is in the item of rabbit skins, of which Dunedin exports to the value of £111,617. The North Island is backward in the amount of grain exported, the only article of that class being maize, of which Auckland exported to the amount of £7403. On Tuesday, April 10, the Auckland Amateur Opera Club gave their annual performance, which on this occasion had a run of nine days. The piece chosen was "Madame Favart. It was ambitious on the part of the Club to essay the production of Offenbach s opera comique. The rule of amateurs usually is to produce something which I they have seen enacted by professional [ artistes, upon whose ideas they can

base their work. It is different when they select a piece which perhaps most of them have never, if any, have ever seen. They have not only to get over the diffidence consequent upon infrequent use to the stage, an inevitable awkwardness to those unaccustomed to find themselves behind the footlights, but they have to frame for themselves a conception of the parts. All the more credit is therefore due to the undoubted success which attended this effort of the local club. Taken all in all, the production was a great success. Few amateur performances could come up to it. There were anachronisms in the dressing of the first act, but they could well be passed over, and too high praise cannot be passed upon all concerned, particularly those who had the preliminary work of training the chorus, than which a better could not be wished.