News of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 178, 28 November 1874, Page 1

News of the Week.

The Hon. Mr. Reynolds was a passenger for the South by the steamer Tararua, which sailed on Sunday.

The Superintendent of Auckland, Mr. Williamson, and Mr. Sheehan, the Provincial Secretary, have been on a visit to Sir George Grey, at Kawau.

We are not surprised to learn, as we do from “ Tahite” in the Australasian, that little Miss Rosa Towers has created quite a sensation in Sydney. “ The profoundest astonishment,” are the terms employed, at her cleverness.

An Auckland journal mentions that the adapter of the new play “ Cigarette,” lately performed at the Theatre Royal here, is Mrs. C. P. Searle, who is favorably known in that city as an actress, and who was lately a member of Mr. Collier’s company there.

We observe that the Marquis of Normanby and family were conveyed from Brisbane to Sydney by the new Torres Strait mail steamer Legislator. At Sydney his Excellency is the guest of Sir Hercules Robinson. The Hero, by which the Marquis and Marchioness will come to Auckland, may be expected early in the present week.

Speaking of the recent dismissal of Mr’ George Hodgson by the Provincial Treasurer of Nelson, the Grey River Aryus —publishing the correspondence—remarks : —“ We have come across some queer instances of official tyranny in our time, but we never heard of anything approaching to Mr. O’Conor s action in this case. If the Provincial Council has the slightest respect for itself it will take the earliest possible opportunity of making a repetition of such conduct impossible.”

4 It. seems to be thought in Napier that there a strong probability of the government of the Piji Islands being offered to Sir Donald McLean. Speaking of the probable early resignation of his seat by Mr-. Ormond, who desires to go to England, the Daily Telegraph of the 20th inst. writes :—“We look upon Sir Donald McLean’s appointment to the governorship of Piji as almost an accomplished fact, and any day we may be called upon to chronicle his departure from this colony. It is quite on the cards that the announcement of ' the retirement from the representation of Hawke’s Bay of both Sir Donald McLean and Mr. Ormond will be made simultaneously; and this being so, we regard the omission at the recent dinner of all mention of the subject as somewhat peculiar.”

The Melbourne correspondent of the Hamilton Spectator —the leading journal of the Western district of Victoria—writes as follows on the Constitutional question now being discussed in this colony. We may add that the writer is one whose opinions are of some value, and who has had an opportunity of observing closely the working of provincial institutions in this colony: —“ While referring to New Zealand, I must confess I was not a little astonished the other day to read Sir George Grey’s protest against Mr. Vogel’s proposed extinction of the Provincial Governments, for it appeared to me to be the crowning act of his mission. Por years they had been the bane of the General Government, interposing innumerable obstacles to all really great undertakings, as was most notably illustrated at the last moment in the matter of forest reserves. Never at any time were they a real necessity, but now, when the telegraph permeates both islands, and railways will soon unite their several sections, there can remain no further pretext for provincialism, and one cannot see the utility of carping at the mode of carrying out the work once its expediency has been settled.”

The New Zealand war medal has been given to Te Hapuku and Tareha Te Moananui, two old and staunch chiefs of the East Coast, in recognition of their services.

An English trout has been taken in the river Wairoa, in the province of Auckland, that measured 17 Ain. in length and 17in. in girth. This is a strong proof of the adaptability of English trout to New Zealand waters.

Intimation has been sent to England by the authorities of New South Wales, we observe, to the effect that as no duty is now imposed in that colony on watches and jewelry, there is no longer any difficulty in the way of transmission of these articles through the post-office.

The Canterbury papers continue to report in the highest possible terms of the performances of the English Opera Troupe at Christchurch. All the leading artists are praised, and the progress Mr. Hallam has made since his previous visit is noticed and approved. Mr. Templeton is also highly complimented and congratulated -on the success he has achieved in the parts that were formerly in the hands of Mi-. Rainford. Altogether, the company appears to have been unusually successful in Canterbury.

It was not in the race for the Melbourne Cup alone that Lurline failed to distinguish herself on the Elemington course. She ran also in the Royal Park Stakes, which were won by Dagworth, who beat Goldsbrough by a neck, with Protos third. Lurline started at six to one against her. Eor a time she showed with a chance in the race, running third. When half a mile from home (the race two miles) she dropped back beaten. The time was 3 min. 43 secs. In the Plying Stakes (three-quarters of a mile), which was run on one of the days following the Cup, Harricot was fifth, though at starting the betting about him was even.

The following extract from an English newspaper should possess more than usual interest here, where wood is so extensively used in the buildings, public and private, of the city : Some experiments have been recently made at “Devonport Dockyard, by order of the Admiralty, to test a method of rendering wood uninflammable, by saturating it with tungstate of soda. It has been clearly shown that the prepared wood is, under all circumstances, much less readily inflammable than ordinary wood, and that prepared timber steadfastly resists mere flame, although it may be made to burn when acted on continuously by great heat. The cost of preparation and the largely increased weight of the prepared wood are disadvantages to be set against these advantages. Before Dr. Jones, the patentee, receives from the Admiralty the large sum he asks for the right to use his patent, further trials will be ordered, which the Lords of the Admiralty will themselves witness.”

The Albion, from Melbourne, readied The Bluff, and the Wonga Wonga arrived at Auckland, from Sydney, early on Saturday. The news—by Suez, San Prancisco, and Torres Strait—thus came to hand simultaneously, a curious instance of the extent to which the means of communication by mail and telegraph with the old and new world are increasing. The items of intelligence thus received are generally interesting, but not such as to call for special remark. It will be noticed that, like the Otago, the Albion was detained off the Solander by signal fires, and remained the whole of the night endeavoring to communicate with the shore, and at daylight not being able to observe any person. The Otago, it will be remembered, conveyed a message to The Bluff from the sealers on the Solander, desiring that assistance should be sent to them. Whether this was done we have not since learned. If not, it should be promptly given, because (leaving the question of humanity out of sight), it will not do that mail steamers should be detained—as the Albion was—for an entire night, unless to render aid really required by distressed seamen.

Colonel Gorton, the Government Inspector of Stores of the Colony, has been paying his annual visit of inspection to all the departments of the General Government. On Friday afternoon last, says the Southland Times, he minutely inspected all the Government property at the Immigration Barracks, and, with the assistance of the barrack master, Mr. Lillicrap, on everything that was not already marked the brand was didy fixed. The Inspector expressed himself well pleased with all the arrangements and the well kept condition of the establishment. The fact reflects credit on the depot master, considering there has now been between thirteen and fourteen hundred immigrants at different periods located there. The barracks are now empty, and there is a great demand for labor. Men for the railway -works are not to be got, nor single men for sawmills, though wages are high. Por ploughmen and general farm and domestic servants applications we hear are numerous. Married men with families, even ploughmen with wives able to milk, wash, and cook, however, are objected to, the faimers having no accommodation for them. This drawback on the part of our settlers seems to be, and indeed is, a great misfortune. We would strongly urge on them if they want labor to erect some dwelling places in the vicinity of their homesteads, and not throw out good workmen on this account.

It appears to have given considerable satisfaction in Taranaki that two hundred immigrants, intended specially for that province, are now at sea on board the ship Achmet. They sailed in October, and will arrive at a season when there always is a good demand for labor. It is possible the Achmet may proceed directly to New Plymouth, but that is uncertain.

Mr. Phelps, the son of the famous English tragedian, is said to have arrived in Melbourne, from London, by the Lord Warden, with the view of ascertaining whether an engagement can be made with the Theatre Royal Conqiany for the appearance of his father on the boards of that house. Should Mr. Phelps be successful in his negotiations, he will immediately telegraph the result to his father in London.

The fibre of a wild Pijian native plant was lately cleaned and prepared for the market by Mr. Drew, of Levuka, who shipped it for London experimentally. It was sold there readily at a shilling per lb., and he has since been informed that there is a market there at the same price for as *much as he can supply. This will be encouraging news to those who looked forward to the probability of a large trade being done in the future with England’s new possession in the South Seas.

Writing on the changes reported by telegram as having lately occurred in the Provincial Executive of Auckland, the Thames Advertiser says : —“Some months ago it was reported that Mr. Reed desired to leave the cares of office, and thus relieve himself of the ‘ muzzle’, which had been placed upon him by his appointment as Treasurer, but the event was postponed until the proposed visit of the Superintendent and Mr. Sheehan to England brought matters to a crisis. Mr. O’Rorke was lately taken into the Executive, but it is understood now that the object in doing that was to fill up a place during Mr. Williamson’s absence in England, and that Mr. O’Rorke would resign his place in the Executive before the next meeting of the Council so as to preserve his situation as Speaker of that body. Mr. Reed’s resignation will be a strong reason in Mr. Williamson’s mind inducing him to forego his visit to England. Mr. Reed will do far more service to the province as a ‘free lance’ than he could ever hope to accomplish as Provincial Treasurer. Who his successor is likely to be the telegram does not state. There are several hungry members of the Council who will be in a very anxious state until the vacancy is filled up.”

Put not your trust in lawyers, was exemplified at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning. During the hearing of the case Cleland v. Bowler, Mr. Izard, counsel for the plaintiff, found it indispensable to his case to submit as evidence a document which contained certain conditions of sale, and which should have borne a Is. duty stamp. Mr. Ollivier, the opposing counsel, objected to the document being received as evidence, alleging that it was illegal. He called His Worship’s attention to the stamps, which proved to be two sixpenny postaye stamps. Mr. Cleland (plaintiff) then explained that it was Mr. Travers (Mr Ollivier’s partner) who had drawn out the deed and affixed the stamps, and also stated that he had pointed out the fact to Mr. Travers at the time. That gentleman, however, said it was hardly worth altering ; it was probable the conditions of sale would never again be called for. Mr. Ollivier still remained inflexible in refusing to allow the document to be submitted. The plaintiff expostulated with him, and considered it the unkindest cut of all on his part to take ■ advantage of the lache. Ultimately Mr. Izard paid the penalty stipulated by the Stamp Act, viz., £5, and the document was received. As there was no attempt at defrauding- the revenue, Mr. Izard held out a hope to his client that the fine would be refunded. A nonsuit was given in the case.

A young reprobate—an English, mill-girl, lately imported—was before the Resident Magistrate’s Court, in Dunedin, a few days ago. Her name was Rebecca Stewart, and she was charged with having no visible lawful means of support. She at first indignantly denied the statement made concerning her by the detective; but as the case proceeded, her real character began to disclose itself. His Worship, in a tone of voice plainly implying that he considered the money badly spent, told her that she probably had cost the colony £ls or £l6 to bring her out, and that she ought to go to service. The woman, however, thought differently, for she emphatically replied that it was not her intention to go to service any more. She had tried it once, and the result was not satisfactory, as her mistress had not paid her her wages, and she was also told that she was not worth her meat. She could work in a mill, and was informed before leaving home that there were plenty of mills here; —but no more service for her. She also gave it as her opinion that there was not such a thing as a good mistress in the colony. She was then proceeding to tell His Worship that she would sooner live with those she liked than marry those she did not like, when she was stopped by the Bench telling her she might live with whom she chose, but that she must live according to law, or go to gaol for three months. As she had 15s. in her possession when arrested, the proceeds of a dress pawned by her, she was severely reprimanded and dismissed.

A seam of coal has been found just below the surface at the harbor of Nelson. It is nine inches thick, and only of indifferent character, but it may overlie coal of better quality.

Mr. Carruthers, the Engineer-in-Chief, was expected at the Grey about the ISth inst., for the purpose of making arrangements for the construction of the protective extension works for the river, for which a sum of £IO,OOO was voted by last Assembly.

A new weekly publication of a somevhat peculiar character is announced as about to be commenced in Melbourne. It is to be named The. Gossip. A spice of satire is to pervade the journal, but it is to possess a gossipping character, and a peculiar feature is to be the attention that will be given to matters more particularly interesting to the ladies, and it will contain fuller accounts of fashionable marriages, balls, and other public gatherings than are given by the daily journals.

The present price of both fat and store cattle is very high in this district, says the Wa irarapa, Standard. As much as 355. per hundred has been offered for prime fat cattle, and there is a good demand for store cattle. One or two buyers from Napier are endeavoring to purchase the latter. One wants as many as 2000 head. Two months ago a small mob were driven from the Lower Valley to Hawke’s Bay, which cost from £3 to £4 per head in this district, and realised £7 when they got to the end of them journey. .

The following produce telegram has been recived from the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., dated London, 12th November :—“ The wool sales will close on the 4th proximo. Up to date 80,000 bales have arrived. Por lamb’s wool the market is easier. Tallow, less trade demand ; market quiet. Preserved Meats.—Boiled beef, without bone, in 21b. tins, worth 7ri~d. per lb., and in fair trade demand. The wheat market is flat. New Zealand hemp continues dull Sales of kauri gum ; stock according to last return, 1000 tons.”

A native woman named Herena died a few days since at Waerenga-a-hika, says the Poverty Bay Standard of the 18th inst., under circumstances which have excited grave suspicions as to death being the result of natural causes. Herena was the wife of one Ebenezer Tipuna, who had been in the habit of ill-treating her ; but pending the inquest which, we believe, will be held, we withhold any further remark. The natives are reported to be greatly excited over the affair, and purpose holding a runanga, it is said, to see if they will shoot Tipuna or hand him over to the civil authorities.

The Grey River Aryus gives as an on dit, that Mr. Eugene O’Conor had a practical but rather unpleasant illustration last week of the necessity of spending at least some portion of the famous £50,000 at a place where it is badly required. The Dictator was travelling between the Lyell and Christy’s, and by reason of his horse stumbling or shying, Mr. O’Conor, although he is an excellent equestrian—and is, in fact, provincially renowned as an accomplished equestrian—was unseated, and landed in a hole nearly a fathom deep in the middle of the “main road.” It is stated at the Ahaura that the Provincial Secretary on extricating himself from his perilous position, “shook the dirt from his feet” as energetically as he did on a former celebrated occasion in the Grey Valley, and expressed an opinion to his travelling companion that they must have unaccountably wandered on to the track between Sandy McHardy’s and Squaretown.

Onr readers will recollect that we recently commented on the glaring contrast which Nelson presents to the rest of the colony, and attributed its all but hopeless stagnation to the systematic mismanagement of its provincial rulers. The Colonist attempts to justify the past. It says, in an apologetic kind of way, after quoting from our article : —“We do not deny that our ‘ mountains are filled with minerals and covered by timber,’ but we certainly do say that the ‘ large tracts of arable land ’ exist only in the imagination of the Times writer. It is true that we have tracts of arable land, but not large tracts. From the first mooting of the question in the Provincial Council of bringing immigrants to this pro-, vince, we have contended that, until the General Government or capitalists took some steps to develop our vast coal and iron deposits, a continuous stream of one hundred and fifty immigrants per month was too many to bring into the province. Heavily timbered land and mineral deposits require capital for their development, which most of the immigrants do not possess.” Now, we should like to ask our contemporary, what has become of the fine tracts of alluvial land in Nelson province? Are they available for settlement, or are they locked up against beneficial occupation by a pernicious system of land monopoly, under color of law ? If they are so locked up, who is responsible ? The colony cannot be expected to find capital and labor to create wealth in Nelson for the exclusive benefit of the large territorial proprietors and pastoral tenants, who neither employ labor nor till the soiL Marlborough is in a precisely similar condition, and it is a positive injustice to the rest of the colony that things should be permitted to remain for long as they are at present.