NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6863, 20 April 1883, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH. Wot iraivtmi^um hy the P.M.U. Co.'s from Awkland, on April z 4, viu .Van Fv/.iiciico to Europe ) • APRIL. The political feature of Hie month Las Leon tlio Colonial Treasurer's tour in the Southern Island, at tlio principal towns of which ho has boon delivering lectures to largo audiences on political subjects, and mainly on his great scheme lor .National Insurance, which, by tlio way, is not an original idea of Major Atkinson's, but is one only slightly altered in detail from that propounded by the Bov. Mr Binkley. -The Major’s lectures have naturally «enough drawn forth a vast amount of criticism, in the shape of speeches from members oi Parliament and others, and shoals of letters and editorials in tho journals of the colony. Xu fact there is no doubt that tlio matter linn been thoroughly sifted as far as theoretical examination of its qualities arc concerned, and the general verdict has been returned that however pleasant it would ho to establish that Arcadian state of things —a state that would know not pauperism— it is nevertheless quite impracticable to carry it out. This scheme proposed that every person should make a weekly payment either from IS years to 22 of 2m ill, or from 1G to 22 of 2s 2d, in order to provide a fund again.-t sickness, old ago, and death, and that tho burden of collecting this tax was to fall upon tho shoulders of parents and employers. All sorts of objections have cropped np—some reasonable and some outrageous; but tho general opinion undoubtedly is that tho “ details have killed the scheme.” However, Major Atkinson is uot a man to give in easily, and doubtless from bis seat in the House next session will bo propounding a new scheme —or rather this old one in a now garb—that will not present so many pegs to a captious public upou which objections may bo bung. Considerable excitement was created throughout tho colony on the 22nd March by tho nows that Mr Hursthouse, a surveyor, together with his co-laboratour, AlDNewsham, had been stopped in their work and made captives by natives, on what may bo termed tlio newly-acquired territory, that is, the King Country into which, as will have been seen, in our former issues, tho European had received tacit permission to cuter and possess. This exciting news was quickly followed by telegrams from different points in the neighborhood of tho King Country announcing that tho Armed Constabulary had received orders to hold themselves iu readiness for instant marching. For a time it was feared that a repetition of the Parihaka trouble of last autumn was immiueut, but, fortunately, a peremptory message from Air Bryce, the Native Minister, coupled with the energetic action of the friendly Ngatiraaniapotos at once put an end to the [situation, by releasing Mr Hurstbouso and bis comrades from the clutches of Te Maluikl, who, together with some twenty of his companions, was speedily captured, and himself transferred to durance vile. The Trial of tho prisoners resulted iu a sentence of twelve months with hard labor on Maliuki, and another of nine months on two others, and six months for the rest, twentytwo prisoners in all. This sentence is considered too light by many as a punishment, not only for tho outrage itself, but for tho spirit of rebellion which prompted it, and which these critics think should have been met with more severe measures. Tlio opinion, however, both of the majority and also of those whoso knowledge of native affairs and character is the most reliable, supports the view that the Judge took of the case in refraining from indicting the utmost measure that the law allows, in doing which Mr Justice Gillies probably acted in accordance with what would have been Mr Bryce’s dictum bad ho been consulted.” The story of the capture itself and his short but painful imprison ment, will be found, as related by Mr Hurathouae, in another column, and one incident in it is remarkable, namely, the part taken in it by Te Kooti,.tlie ex-robcl, whoso pardon, as proclaimed in the late general amnesty, caused so much excitement throughout tho colony. Though there is little doubt that tho Ngatimaniapofcos would without his aid have effected tho release of the Europeans, yet, nevertheless, Te .Kooti deserves a considerable meed of praiso for his prompt and energetic action in aid of tho imprisoned party. Air Bryce has now determined himself to accompany Mr Hursthouse on his trip through the King Country, and tho opinion is freely mooted that ho will bo stopped on his way. The friendly tribe of tho Ngatimaniaputos are furnishing a strong escort for the Native Minister, and ho will probably also take a detachment of tho Armed Constabulary with him. At the present time the Hooded state of tho rivers prevents any progress being made; but in all probability before mauy days Afr Bryce will have accomplished his journey. There certainly is some foundation for the rumors as to tho intention of certain tribes of tlio natives not to permit him to pass unopposed, as large bodies of men are known to be on the move, especially in tho Parihaka district, to which Te Whitihaa lately returned, and iu which his promised endeavors to maintain peace ought to have some weight. Tho Alaori King Tawhiao has been for some time engaged in what is called a royal progress from town to town in tho central parts of the Northern island. This royal progress consists of short journeys from publichouso tp publichouse, where tho dignified savage, clothed in no sort of glory except that fictitious kind bestowed by the ignorance of Exeter Hall, gets gloriously drunk, and indulges in the most bestial immorality. "When Tawhiao returns to his native Pah ho will be a considerably richer man than when he started, as in most of the places in which it iias been his royal pleasure to sojourn, the natives have, in pursuance of a time-honored custom, presented him, uot only with aheep, oxen, and food of various kinds, but their donations have in many cases taken the much more satisfactory form of Bank notes. At each village, also, the Alaori Monarch,'who .has"a keen eye for beauty, has added fair wahine to his already well-stocked

harem. Tt is, however, satisfactory, as a sign that tho blessings of civilisation are not entirely thrown away upon some of the Maoris, to be able to state that in most places, particularly in the Napier district, the better classes of natives have refused to have anything to do with the dusky king, and have expressed themselves in most forcible terms on the drunkenness and debauchery that have been the only feature of tho tour.

Tlio weather during this autumn has been most unusually stormy for New Zealand. Generally, fine, calm, mid settled weather is to be looked for in February, March, and April, but throughout the length and breadth of tlio land, this happy state of the climate has not occurred this year, and fanners bad to be very careful to get in their crops in good time. As we stated in our last Summary, the harvest, which would otherwise have been probably one of tho largest ever gathered iu iu New Zealand, mi Herod considerably from the uupropitious weather, but it has nevertheless boon a very good one. As an instance of what our soil is capable, of producing, without auy help from manure of any kind, no loss than S2I bushels were thrashed oil' a paddock of eight acres iu South Gamerbury, which is about 102; bushels per acre, and of this 87bushels were first-class wheat and 12 bushels of swornls, and tho rest was unfit for milling. This great yield, however, is beaten by one reported from Southland, which is stated to have produced no less than 110 bushels of oats to the acre. In the paddock in which this extraordinary crop was grown there was not room to stook the sheaves, and the machine had great difficulty in cutting the crop, the straw of which was five feet in length, tho ears being no less than one foot in length. Another of the Giant Peaks of tho Southern Alps has been ascended this autumn. Herr Leudcnfelt, accompanied by his young wife, set out frotn Christchurch with the intention of attempting Mount Cook, which, however, they found impracticable this year, but they managed to get to the top of thoHoehstetterDome,amouiitaiuabout 10,000 ft high, close to Alount Cook itself, and almost forming a lower peak of that galnt hill. There are plenty of other mountains in New Zealand that are as yet untrodden ground, and excursiouists from all parts of tho world are begining to creep around their bases, enjoying the grand scenery of the innumerable fiords, glaciers, gorges, and peaks with which our country is so liberally endowed. While threatened with a visit from that firebrand Eedmond on the one hand (who by tho way seems to have retired into comparative obscurity for a time), we have been actually invaded by the Salvation Army upou the other, some members of which have landed at Dunedin, and have commenced their usual course of vulgar profanity. Eeligious fanaticism does not appear to be a disease likely to take root iu the colony, and it is hoped that the infection now brought among us will not spread, and indeed it is not likely to, for perhaps it is only in Dunedin and Auckland —our two largest cities —that the particular class who appear to fill the ranks of this strange sect exist, and there, too, they are iu such comparatively small numbers, and nave so much work to do, and arc altogether so much better off than theirconfrcresintio Old Country, that it is not likely they will be fascinated by the new doctrine.

His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady and Miss Jervois and suite, left Wellington on the Ith April on a visit to Auckland, where their reception has been most enthusiastic, and Sir William lias fully maintained his reputation for making gonial speeches in reply to the formal addresses of corporations and other local bodies, that make him at once a favorite wherever he goes. The Viceregal party will voyage down the East Const to Napier in the Hluemoa, and from there will probably travel overland to 'Wellington on their return journey.