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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4231, 12 October 1874, Page 2

We have no faith whatever in intercolonial conferences. They have not been attended by any good results hitherto ; but the irregular gathering of Colonial delegates in Sydney at the present time may prove an exception to the rule. We find, from our telegrams, that the Premier and Postmaster-General of Queensland have arrived at Sydney to confer with Messrs. Parkea and Vogel with reference to the Singapore Telegraph Service, and the mail service by way of Torres' Strait. The first is a necessity ; of the sedpnd we cannot speak with so much certainty. The interest of New Zealand in the Eastern mail route is rather remote, and we suspect it will tax all our resources to carry out an efficient service by way of California. However, as there is an intercolonial palaver, it is quite as well that Mr. Vogel should hear what the Queensland delegates have got to say for themselves. It is not likely that either Mr. Vogel or Mr. Parkes will lend themselves to any scheme that would not be directly beneficial to their respective Colonies. Questions of postal reciprocity, we are told, whatever that may mean, and registration of debentures on the London Stock Exchange, are to be discussed.

The New Zealand Herald , of the Bth inst., has a leading article on the pressing wants of Auckland, anent the Hon. Mr. Reynolds’ visit to that city, in which it says, after eulogising the Commissioner of Customs for his devotion to his constituents:—“We should like, therefore, to see Mr. Reynolds well deputationised while among us. If half: we have, from time to time, heard of him be correct, the operation would be borne by him with good-humored equanimity, and he would, only be too glad if it could be shown to him how he could bo of service.” Doubtless Mr. Reynolds is very good-natured, but he is not likely to be caught by the salt which our contemporary would lay on his tail. The design is far too transparent, and the writer betrays his knowledge of Otago politics too openly for Mr. Reynolds to be influenced by him. Amongst the subjects to be placed before the Commissioner of Customs is the necessity for opening the railway to Drury before it ia finished; a

revision of the rates of fare on the line between Auckland and Newmarket, three-quarter’s of a mile; and a central passenger terminus—matters with which Mi'. Reynolds has officially nothing to do; also a time ball for shipping, which should be provided by the well-endowed Harbor Board. Next he is to be invited to provide, out of Colonial funds, a new mechanics’ institute, a museum equal to that in Dunedin, a Provincial hospital, lunatic asylum, and high school, not to speak of a university building. In point of fact, the Hon. Commissioner of Customs is to be asked to provide for every local institution that Auckland requires, because Otago has a land fund and Auckland has not. Our Northern contemporary may think his article is very funny, but we suspect the Colony will look upon it in quite another light. Auckland does not need such advocacy. Its friends are not those who hold such language, and trade upon its necessities. The visit- of Mr. Reynolds to Auckland is of an official character, connected with his own department -J- and it is in exceeding bad taste to make it ah ; excuse for ventilating the crude political ideas which appear in the Hew Zealand Herald. ' u

The Tasmanian Tribune is in'tribulation over what it to be an attempt’, to enforce class legislation fer.' the benefit of a minimum of the population. It would appear!'that kangaroos, although so numerous in Australia as to be regarded a perfect nuisance by the sheep fanners, and their destruction to be paid for at a certain rate per head or tail, have been supposed to require legal protection in Tasmania. A Bill has been brought forward whereby it has been proposed that “if any person in any manner hunts, kills, takes, or captures, or is found in possession, either on his own land or elsewhere, of any kangaroo, whether alive or dead, or any skin thereof, at any time between the first day of June and the thirtieth day of November following in any year, which interval is herein referred to as ‘ the close season,’ he shall, for every head or skin so hunted, killed, taken, or captured, or found in his possession, forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding forty shillings.” In the House of Assembly this clause found favor, but the Tribune has pointed out that it was accepted because of the exception contained in clause 3, as follows:—“Nothing herein contained shall be held to prevent any person from hunting kangaroo during the ‘ close season’ with a pack of hounds kept by any person duly licensed to keep the same for the purpose of hunting kangaroo and other game for the purpose of recreation.” Then the explanation followed. There is only one master of hounds, and only one duly licensed pack of hounds in the Colony. Therefore plebeian hunters are to be restricted from hunting or shooting the great Australian marsupial, in order that the privileged class may enjoy a monopoly during six months of the year. Such a Bill would be scouted in Australia. In Tasmania, the desirability that it should he passed simply depends upon the number in which kangaroos are to be found. But a Tribune enjoys a right to object to exceptional legislation !