THE SUNKEN ISLAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7992, 10 October 1887, Page 2

THE SUNKEN ISLAND.

We have had forwarded to us by the author, Mr. A. Hood, a copy of a work entitled, "The Sunken Island : A Maori Legend, occurring ere the time of Captain Cook." It is a very interesting narrative of Maori life in its primitive form, and is supposed to be a Etory related to the author by a native. The plot of tale is that after a great feast the chief's favorite daughter runs away with a slave ; and their adventureß in the bush as fugitives frum the anger of the tribe who are sent in search of them are very graphically told. The descriptive writing shows that Mr. Hood is a great observer of nature as well as o£ the Maori character, which he has delineated with truthfulness, The brochure is well worth perusing, and wo have no doubt that the edition of " The Sunken Rock " he will soon get quit of.

The only accident of any consequence that has occurred on Mr. Philps' wharf contract took place at the end of last week, when a youth of about 19, named Walter Ellis, who was using an adze, struck one of his boots wilh the instrument, with tho result that the big toe was almost severed from the foot. The sufferer was at once taken home, and the injured member medically bandaged up. He is ia no danger of losing the toe.

When the cities in England are giving up all idea of continuing to use electricity for lighting the streets, the municipalities in Auckland and Wellington are thinking of introducing it. When they have found out, like they have already done in London, .that it is not a success, besides being v very costly light, they will have to revert back again to gas.

A rumour is given currency to by the Post that Major Atkinson contemplates, if he succeeds in forming a ministry, to place several defeated candidates in the Upper House. It will be a scandalous misuse of his power if he does, and would be resented, we should think, by the House refusing to vote the honorarium for such members if he does.

We learn that at one of Mr. Kelly's late meetings, when addressing the electors, he was asked, " What was the use of the Legislative Council ?" "Itis a very useful place," Lo replied. "It is the political heaven where good members of the House of Representatives who have always voted with their party hopo to be sent to when they die."

Lord Shaftesbury arrived in Auckland last week by the Rotomahana from Sj'dney, and will remain there for a few days. He is a tall, fair, well-built youth, about 20 years of age, wilh a pleasant and easy address. He is travelling with a friend, and they have been about two months in the colonies, where they have spent tholr time very pleasantly. Their movements are not yet definitely settled, but they will probably do some coaching through diiferent parts of the colony, aCter which they will go back to Europe.

Mr. Allen, the new ftI.JI.R. for Dunedin East, had a gn ,it " ssml off " on his departure for his Parliamentary duties, being driven to the railway station in a drag with four greys, and escorted by 300 people.

" The Wellington Education Board has £2,499 to its credit in the Bank, says the Wellington Herald. This appears to bo a second concern, but suggests the query where and how did it get it ?" It suggests more (ban that to üb. li, shows that the whole educational syßtem ia muddled, and if the vote was cut down by half, the system would probably bo improved b.y the economy used. At present the money is actually being wasted in nonsenoical fuds and not in educating children.