AUCKLAND NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 17

AUCKLAND NEWS NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, June 19. MAORIS IN THE WITNESS BOX. DuriDg the progress of defence in the Maori obstruction cases now before the Supreme Court, the Native prisoners, who number nine, have been allowed to give evidence on their own behalf. With moat of them however, some little difficulty arose as they were being sworn in the witness box. One buxom Maori woman, who entered the box with the tread of a grenadier, evinced some alarm at the court Bible, and said she was afraid of it, asking what would be done with her if she did not kiss it. The answer by the court bein^ apparently unsatisfactory the coloured lady was allowed to reti'e to h«r place in the dock. Another prisoner, a man named Te Keepa, said he was a Hauhau, and after hesitation he took the oath with a display of much reverence. Ruehina, another of the Native accused, ou being placed in tho box this morning kissed the book with great caution and then pressed it to his forehead. He said he wished to say something, and on beiDg permitted pronounced a sort of benediction on judge, jury, and spectators in tbe form of "May God bless and protecb us all." His religious feelings thus being vented, he proceeded to givo his version of the " Battle of Mercer." THE KING COUNTXtY. The Herald 6ays : — "For jears paßt the great anxiety in Auckland has bson to have the King country opened and settled. We have lately been making some inquiries as to how the matter stands, and we are sorry to find that it is in a very wretched plight indeed, much worse than we expected to fiud it. The Government claim to have a complete title to 200,000 acres in the King country. This would be a great extent of country aud would give room far a largo amount of fetblement, but we find on examination that the land is for the most part in fuch a situation and is of such infp.rior quality that very little can be done with it. It has been supposed that the Government have been purchasing land suitable for settlement elope to the railway. This is no doubt the land that should first be looked to. The result of our inquiries is to show that there is just about 5 per cent, of the Government purchases, or 10 000 acres, within 10 miles of the railway. We are quite sure fchab this will surprise the public. We should say also that it would make them determined to have a reform in the whole system, if Parliament or the public have sufficient spirit left to reform any matter which the Government have in hand. Daring all these years the Government have had a complete mcnopoly of land purchase operations, aud have had large sums of money at their command, and this is the outcome — only a small proportion of land which they have bought is available for settlement. The statement we have made can be verified by any person who chooses to examine the plans in the Survey Office. Wo hay« stated the facts so far I as we can ascertain them, and they are discouraging enough. The best plan would be for our members to move for a committee at the

beginning of the session to take evidence as to what has been done, and as to the best; method of proceeding in the future." TUB CALLIOPE DOCK. The enterprising members of the Harbour Board who. looking to the future, decided to build the Calliope dock, could surely never have anticipated the various uses to which it would be put. Already it has proved valuable as a place wherein to hold swimming carnivals, but even this has been surpassed by a more original suggestion. At a meeting of the Harbour Board a letter was read from Messrs Koss and Ansenne asking upon what terms the dock might be hired for two weeks. The object for which it was required was stated to be to exhibit a live whale which has yet to be caught. The worthy members of the board were ab a loss to know under which by-law dock dues would ba charged under such peculiar circumstances, but it was ultimately decided to defer consideration of the letter until the whale was caught. F.VRMEItS V. TEACHERS. A country school committee (Wairoa South), animated by ignorant impatience of taxation, sent the following sultry resolution to the i Board of Education, which had been carried I unanimously :—": — " That this committee has great pleasure in placing on record its satisfaction with the majority of the members of the Board of Education who passed at a meeting oh the sth inst. the reductions recommended by the Finance Committee, and believe that a large majority of taxpayers will heartily support that decision. It is noted, particularly, that the minority voting on that occasion are not tillers of the soil, from whom the taxes principally are raised to pay teachers' salaries ; that the cost of living is at present from 25 to 50 per cent, less than it was for years past, which fact we tillers of the soil have ample proof by the miserable returns received for our products, giving us a bare existence for 72 to 90 hours' work per week in mire and slush, and no holidays, against teachers' 25 hours per week in ease and comfort with nearly one-third part of the year holidays and, in comparison, good living, with no risk of capital, having none invested ; that to emphasise this resolution the committee, from past experience, is prepared to do with one-half the stationery grant formerly allowed." June SIB GEORGE GREY. In conversation with a New Zealander in London the other day Sir George Grey stated he intended presenting to the Free Public Library a rare and valuable edition of the works of Shakespeare. He mentioned at the same time that there were only three copies of the edition south of the equator. A NEW BOOK. Mrs J. M'Cosh Clarke (wife of the ex-mayor), in a private letter to a friend in Auckland by the mail, gives some particulars of a book she is aboub to publish in London. It is entitled " Persephone and others Poems," and has been dedicated by permission to the Duchess of York (Princess May). The book was to be published on the 28th of May, the birthday of her Royal Highness. THE DEATH OP HEWI. The death of Rewi is in itself a matter of no political importance either to the Natives or Europeans. His power in the colony was long since past, and his influence even amongst the Maoris has of late years been very small. He was the la3t of the great chiefs of the old school, and he had really long outlived the state of things which made the old Maori chiefs great and powerful. Rewi was a member of the most illustrious families of the Ngatimauiapoto and Ngatiraukawa, the great tribes which ruled in old time in the interior of the North Island. June 25. A LIBEL ACTION. A peculiar libel action has been going on for some days, in which Miss Ann Wrigley, late teacher of the Fairburn road School, Mongonui, sues Mr Fisher, the chairman of the school committee of that district, to recover £200 damages. The alleged libel was contained in certain letters sent by the defendant to the board, which he claimed were privileged. Plaintiff, a young lady about 25, was in the box on Saturday for fully six hours, the greater part of which was occupied in her crossexamination by Mr Cotter. During the whole time she evidenced perfect self-possession. At the conclusion of the case for plaintiff to-day Mr Cotter moved for a nonsuit on the ground that (he committee, being a quasi - judicial body, its communications to the board were privileged. Mr Cotter quoted a number of authorities in support of his contention. Mr Campbell' replied at some length. His Honor said he would be obliged to tell the jury there was evidence of malice and evidence upon which the jury would have to say whether or not the statements were bona fide. He therefore refused to nonsuit the plaintiff. Mr Cotter then opened the case for the defence? The case is likely to last some June 26. ItESIGNATION OF THE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION'S FBESIDENT At a meeting of the Auckland Liberal Association on Tuesday the president, Mr W. Leys, expressed his disagreement with the resolution passed at the previous meeting of the association, which was to the effect that any measure or bill having been twice passed in the House of Representatives, and having been rejected twice by the Legislative Council, shall become law as though passed by both Houses. Dlr Leys said this resolution had been carried in spite of the most determined opposition, and despite the fact that he had pointed out it was not only too revolutionary in its character, but quite out of iho region of practical politics. It was, he considered, a resolution that would not be supported by a majority of the Liberal party. lie had decided to resign his position as president of the association ; and notwithstanding that he was strongly urged to refrain from taking this step, he declined to reconsider his decision, j and stated it must be considered as final.