OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1267, 11 June 1896, Page 42

OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Mail Office, Wellington, Juno 0

Tho sensation of tho month has been tho arrest of a detective named Kirby and his subsequent breaking of bis bail, flight to Sydney and capture in that city. Kirby was charged with having, so far back as 1885, “blackmailed”a man named Herman at Timaru, charging him with having committed a very grave offence and then obtaining from him, by threats of exposure and prosecution, the sum of A7OO, together with a valuable gold watch. At tho time of his arrest Kirby was acting as defective in the Hawke’s Bay district, and the news of his arrest caused widespread astonishment, as tho man had previously held a very good character, was a married man with a family, and in every way one of tho last people in the Colony whom people had expected to see in trouble, Being brought down to Wellington for trial, Kirby appeared before tho local police magistrate and was admitted to bail in two sureties of JllOO each, tho surety-holders being both citizens of excellent repute. When the day came for tho alleged offender to appear on remand, it was found that he had disappeared. Considerable sensation was caused in the city, and indeed throughout the Colony. When the news became known, tho one topic of conversation was where tho missing man bad got to.

Many held that Kirby bad committed suicide, others that he had succeeded in getting away to Sydney or elsewhere, and others again, and those wore in tho majority, that lie was concealed somewhere in the city. After a few days uncertainty, the Government having offered in tho meanwhile a reward of .£250 for his recapture, the missing man turned up in Sydney, where he was arrested just as ho was about to go on board the steamer Tarawora which was to sail for Auckland the same day. A large case was found on the steamer Taluno in which it is thought Kirby had managed to stow himself away, and which was taken on board the vessel shortly beforo she left the Wellington wharf for Sydney. In the case were two empty bottles and the remains of some food. Shortly after tho man had been arrested by the Sydney police, another man named Bassett, ji relation of Kirby’s who bad been living in Wellington for somo time past and who bad left for Sydney by tho same boat on which it is now held Kirby made his escape out of the Colony, was also arrested in Sydney on a charge of aiding and abetting Kirby to escape.

The two men aro to ho brought back to New Zealand as soon as a detective and two constables of tho local force can reach Sydney, and the Kirby trial promises to bo one of the most sensational the Colony lias known for some time past.

It is understood that tlm information upon which Kirby was first arrested was not given by the man whom it is alleged he bad blackmailed, but by a third person, a friend of the latter. The reason why so many years have elapsed since the affair took place without its being brought to light is that the two men had been out of tho Colony for some years, onl_\ returning from South Africa quite recently. The Hood of pre-session, l l ehiquitiee to which wo alluded in our last letter has continued throughout the month, nearly every part of the Colony being visited either by prominent members of the Opposition or by Ministers. The <-,e.v,ioii, however, begins this week, and the eloquence will now run in more regular channel;.. It is tho opinion of tho political quidnuncs that the coming general election, which in the ordinary course of events is due in November next, will be one of the most bitterly and determinedly-fought, cmitcsls ever known in Now Zealand. Both parties expie.%; t heni.ielvcs highly coiilident a.> to the r. suit. I'p to tho time of writing tho vacant Atlornoy-Gvneral.-Jiip has id yet been tilled up. The Brunwr Fund has now closed, the total amount subscribed within the Colony being a little over .23(,(./(m. The contribution of tho i.Hicers of the post and Telegraph Department does great credit to that branch of the public service, amounting as it does to over J29<n>.

The silver jubilee of a much-respected Anglican dignitary, Bishop Nevill, of Dunedin, was celebrated on the 4th inst. Ail address congratulating the bishop on tho occesion of his silver jubilee lias been numerously signed hero by former residents of Otago. Apart from churchmen the the Bishop is als > respected by a largo number of people who aro not of tho Anglican communion, on account of tho practical sympathy ho has always shown in connection with scientific, philanthropic and various other social organisation, and tho Catholic Church is worthily represented by a number of gentlemen who

belong to the Presbyterian, Wesleyan and other branches. Among these aro tho signatures of Mr Justice Denniston and Rev. W. Baumber (president of the New Zealand Wesleyan Conference), while among those who claim memboiship with the English Church are tho signatures of Fir James Prendergast and tho Bev* Richard Coffey. It was from the house of the latter gentleman that Bishop Nevill was consecrated to fill tho Dunedin see twenty-five years ago on the 4th. Those who have held office as Ministers of tho Crown are represented by Sir Robert Stout and the Hon. G. F. Richardson, and prominent members of the legal profession, bankers, Civil servants, and a number connected with the mercantile and trading community have also contributed to and signed tho address.

Sir G. M. O’Rorke, Speaker of the House of Representatives, returned from a trip to the Old Country by tho Gothic on the 2nd inst. It was 41 years since Sir Maurice had paid a visit to his native land, and naturally ho found many changes, one of tho principal being the decrease in population in Ireland. “Half the population has gone since f was a youngster,” ho says with a touch of sadness, and further remarks on the evident signs of depression that were observable wherever he went. W’hilo in London, Sir Maurice was several times in the House of Commons, and heard speeches by Mr Morley and Mr Joseph Chamberlain. Mr Gully, the now Speaker of tho House of Commons, received him very cordially, and showed him personally all over tho House, and provided him with a seat sometimes on tho floor of tho House and at others in the gallery where ambassadors aro accommodated. Sir Maurice heard several debates in the House, and is of opinion that tho manner in which business is conducted in tho Now Zealand House of Representatives compares very favourably with that of tho English House. A visit to his brother in Norfolk and brief stays at Hastings, Brighton and Cambridge, interspersed with a return to London to witness tho Oxford and Cambridge boat race, completed a very pleasant visit.

At tho third annual meeting of tho Prohibition Council for Wellington, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, hold on May 25th, resolutions were carried (1) requesting tho Government to amend the Licensing Act so that tho issuo of Prohibition bo decided by a baro majority of tho votes polled; (2) nowing tho demand for a Stato poll on tho question of colonial option nt tho next licensing election, a majority to decide; (3) demanding that clubs bo placed on tho same footing in regard to Sunday observance, limitation of hours, polico supervision and popular control as public-houses, and that no new charters bo issued; (4) that public-houso licenco fees should bo paid to the Public Treasury, instead of the local bodies; (5) that conditional licenses and packet licenses to steamers trading on rivers and within harbours bo abolished.

A number of fires have occured during tho monts, somo of them being of a somewhat serious nature. The worst was at Napier where a largo portion of tho Masonic Hotel, ono of tho finest hotels in the colony, was destroyed, tho owner, Mr F. Moeller, sustaining a heavy loss. Tho U’liangarala Creamery, in the Auckland district, lias also been destroyed by tiro, and by a conflagration which broke out at I,yell, two hotels and three or four stores and dwelling-houses were totally destroyed. A tiro at Auckland destroyed a big brick block known as llewin’s Buildings. Tho exports for tho colony continue to show a good increase, tho figures for tho North Island being specially satisfactory. The following extract from tho Near Zealand Trii'h's Hrrinr will lie read with interest: The. difference in tlie respective progress of I no two islands as.shown in I,lie first of t he above tallies, is so si l iking t hat v.e think it worth while to reproduce the

18!>5-li 1,1)27,298 4,(550,8(15 Beginning with a difference of over jRJ, g()( i,i HJC), the figures lor tho two islands novr approximate very closely. We aro pleased to see those for tho South Island beginning to show some improvement, and quite expect to son a still more marked advance lay the end of tho current year.

Tlioro is jubilation in AVestport at tho departure of the pioneer of the coal trade, with a cargo to Valparaiso. As the bar at ■Westport is fit for ships drawing 20ft of water, there is no reason why tho export trade should not flourish. There is much need, for the trade which ought to bo the first in these seas, adding largely to tho wealth of tho Colony, lias boon terribly delayed, though vast sums lias been spent on the two W r est Coast harbours to inaugurate it. After ten years wo have tho first ship. We hope there will be many more.

Tho question as to whether Justices of tho Peace are legally entitled to charge fees for attesting signatures to deeds, etc., has been settled in the negative at Napier, where Fred Sutton, J.P., and an ex-mem-ber of the House of Representatives, sued Grindoll, Native interpreter, for ,£3 3s for attesting the signatures of the Natives to

deeds, and fortlieuso of time and office. He mentioned a number of names of lawyers as charging such fees, contending that ho was equally entitled to do so. Mr Cornford, for tho defence, quoted Johnstone’s oath for Justices, under which they are bound to accept no payment for services as Justices. Sutton denied that be bad never takon any such oath. Tho magistrate, after hearing argument, nonsuited him. As a consequence of the above case, Mr Sutton’s name lias been omitted from the new Commission of the Peace, published a few days ago.

Our New Zealand representatives at tho Intercolonial Rowing Contests, hold at Sydney during the month, secured second place in tho Intercolonial Four-Oared Championship, the winning crew being the Victorians. Tho result would probably have been tho reverse had not tho Victorians fouled the New Zealanders. Tho latter entered a protest at the conclusion of the race, but it was dismissed by tho umpire, who hold that both crews were in fault. Tho Now Zealanders claim that the foul caused them t* take in a largo quantity of water, and that when they finished tho race tho boat was nearly full. They challenged the Victorians to row the race over again, and this was agreed. Unfortunately it was found that time was lacking for tho contest, as tho Victorian crow had to return to Melbourne earlier than bad been expected.

At tho Intercolonial Tennis Championship Meeting, also hold at Sydney dining tho past month, tho Now Zealand lady representative, Miss Nuuneley, of 'Wellington, won tho Ladies’ Championship prize. New Zealand also beat New South Wales in tho Teams Match, and our “ reps ” also showed up very well in tho Men’s Singles.

Tho obituary for the month includes tho names of two old and well-known colonists, tho Hon. Dr Pollen, M.L.C., and Sir Patrick Buckley, K.C.M.G., formerly Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General in the Ballanco Sodden Administrations, and moro recently a Judge of tho Supremo Court, Dr Pollen, who was born so far back as ISI2, was ono of tho landmarks of tho Legislative Council as well as of the history of tho colony. Ho arrived in the colony in 1839, after which ho spent about two years in Sydney and tho Islands, returning to Now Zealand in 1,8 43. Ho first of all settled in tho Bay of Islands, after which ho took up his residence in Auckland, where lie lias lived (ver since, and, with Dr Campbell, enjoyed the distinction of being ono of tho earliest remaining settlers of tho Auckland Provincial district. Dr Pollen was a member of tho Legislative Couucil for upwards of 40 years. On tho creation of tho Provincial Councils under tho Constitution Act of 2852, Dr Pollen became a member of tho Auckland Council, and continued to hold a seat for very many years. Ho was first called to tho Legislative Council on tho 20th July, IS'sl. At this time all appointments to the Upper Chamber were subject to confirmation by Her Majesty, and the appointment was duly made under the Queen’s sign manual, and was announced in tho London Gazelle of April, 1802. In December, 1807, Dr Pollen resigned his seat, and was recalled in January, ISOS. In 1871 lie was disqualified, but in May, 1873, ho was appointed for the third time. The hon gentleman has been a Minister of tho Crown in no less than five Ministries. Ho first joined the Stafford Government in June, 18(58, and held office as a member of the Executive Council for over a. year. In .1873 he joined the Vogel Ministry as a member of the Fxeculive Council, and shortly afterwards took tho portbJio of Colonial Secretary. Two years later the Pollen Administrat ion came intooliieo, and Dr Pollen became Premier and Colonial Treasurer, the dual position being'- tilled by him till February, 137(5. In tho Vogel Government which succeeded, Dr Pollen continued to hold tho Colonial-Secretary-ship until the Ist September in that year, when tho Atkinson Ministry came into power. Ho was then invited to take tho same portfolio in tho new Administration, and Continued Colonial Secretary in that aud tho reconsituted Ministry till the resignation of that Government in 1877. Ho lias thus hold tho same portfolio during five consecutive Administrations —a circumstance in itself unique in tho annals of Government in Now Zealand. In tho reconstituted Atkinson Ministry, Dr Pollen took the duties of Nati vo Minister, which ho performed from December, 1870, to October 1877. The lion, gentleman lias proved himself’ a skilful administrator in difficult times. A clover writer and speaker and possessed of sound coinmon-senso, lie was ever a sound political adviser. By profession ho was a physician and surgeon, but

it is many years since lie retired from practice. Ho leaves ono son, Mr Hugh Pollen, Under-Secretary for the Colony, and Dr Pollen and Mr Stuart Poilou, of Wellington, are his nephews.

Sir Patrick Buckley, whoso death wo have also most regretfully to report, had been ill for somo time past with a heart trouble, but was making fair progress towards recovery when a sudden attack of cold developed in pneumonia, to which lie succumbed. Some of his old colleagues, the Premier, and other members of 4 | Ministry being around him when ho passe..p iacci idly away. Sir Patrick was born near Castle Townsend, in County Cork, in 1841, and was tho second son of the Into Mr C. Buckley. He received his early education at the Mansion House in that city, and j ha\ iug matriculated, was at college in Paris, and afterwards wont to the University of Louvain in Belgium, ono of tho most ancient and famous of European scats jof learning. While studying at this inj stit utioii, ho was, in 18(50, commissioned by I Count Carlo MacDonald, private chaplain ' tv) the Pope, to conduct recruits from Ostcnd | to Vienna for the Irish Papal Brigade to j defend tho States of tho Church against j the Piedmontese. At Vienna ho gave j them ovir to tin Papal authorities, were waiting to receive them. His efiu i 1 was General Lainoricier, under whom ho sarv somo stirring service, being twico wounded. Ho was present at tho battlo of Castle Fidardo, and was taken prisoner at the storming of Ancona. Ilis captivity, however, was of short duration, and soon after hi., release ho returned to Louvain. Quitting tho University with the degree of Licentiate, ho returned homo to Ireland, and having decided upon tempting fortune at tho Antipodes, he, towards tho end of JHIS2, wont out to Queensland. Studying colonial law under Mr Lilley, now Chief Just ice. Lilley, of Queensland, ho was soon admitted a barrister of the Supreme Court of tho colony, and commenced the practice of his profession. Mr Buckley was also admitted to the Victorian Bar. In JS(SS ho quitted Queensland and camo over to New Zealand, settling in Wellington and and entering into partnership with Mr C. E. Button and Mr W. S. Reid, tho present Solicitor-General. That linn was dissolved in 1N!57, and Mr Buckley then entered into partnership with the lion. Robert Hart, whoso death wo lately chronicled, under the title of Hart and Buckley. Mr Ilart retired from tho firm in 1880, when Mr Buckley entered into partnership with Mr Edward Stallord and Mr 11. S. F’itzhorbcrt, of Palmerston North. Ultimately, in 188(5, Mr Buckley re-entered into paruership with Mr Stafford, joining with thorn Mr C. H. Treadwell and Mr Barton, and continued to carry on business as Messrs Buckley, Stafford and Tread well (Mr Barton having retired in ISSS) until December, 1895, when Sir Patrick Buckley retired from the firm on his acceptance of tho appointment to the Supremo Court. Mr Buckley took a great interest in both local and general politics from tho very commencement of his career in this Colony From 1871 to 1873 he sat in tho City Council, and was also a member of the Wellington Provincial Council, representing the Karori-Makara district. At tho last election for tho Provincial Council ho was elected for Wellington at tho head of tho poll, defeating such well-known and popular local identities as .Messrs F. Peareo Goo. Hunter, Waring-Taylor, J. Dransfiold, and George Crawford. Ho was Provincial Solicitor for the last Administration under that reji.mc until tho abolition of tho Provinces. In 1878 ho was appointed to a scat in the Legislative Council, and in September, I NS 4, on the accession of the StoutVogol Government to office, he became Colonial Secretary. Ho retired with his colleague- in October, 1887. When, in 1891, Mr Ballanco was sent for by Lord < m.slow, be chose Mr Buckley as one of his ! Ministry, allotting to him the portfolios of j Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General | (in ( piooii’ Birthday, 1892, Her Majesty | eonL-riotl a knighthood upon him in roI cognition of his long and valuable services Jto the Colony. Sir Patrick lias always taken a great interest in Volunteering. Ho ; raised No. I Battery of Artillery (now tho j 1) Battery), which he commanded for six lor seven years, and was exceedingly p 'pular with his moil, albeit a stickler for strict discipline and smart work. Jfo married Alice, the only daughter of tho late lion Sir William Fitzherbort, K.C.M.G. Another death to bo chronicled boro is that of Mr 11. it. Aubrey, of Devonport, Auckland, a pioneer of settlement in the north, lie having landed with Mr Carrington in Taranaki in the fifties. Mr Aubrey was at one time Resident Magistrate in the Whangarci district, Mr R. Thompson, the Minister for Marsden, is a son-in-law of tho deceased. During the month there have also passed away Mr J. King, jeweller, of Wellington ; Mr Thomas, an old settler of Waimca West, Nelson ; Mrs McNab (of McNab’s Gardens at tho Lower Ilutt, near Wellington); Herr Tutsclika, an Austrian by birth, but for somo years well-known in musical circles in tho Colony; Mr F. W. Sturm, an old Hawke’s Bay resident; and Mr T. Scott of Upper Takuka, a, prominent footballer.

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