The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1889.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8641, 29 November 1889, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1889.

" Fifty years back "is a far off cry. Half a century is a long tune, but it is only when we look at the span of years in the light of events that we begin to realise what the words mean. It was long before the gold discoveries in California and Australia. Governor Bourke was just cogitating the plans of -the future city of Melbourne, and Governor Hobson was on his way to New Zealand to take possession of the Islands in the Queen's name. Our Queen was not then two yeais on the Throne. These reflections on the passage of time have been occasioned through looking over a statistical summary published by the Registrar-General, a table compiled showing the population of New Zealand from the years 1840 to 1852, when a Representative Constitution was granted to tho colony. Fifty years ago the European population of these Islands was put down at under 3000 persons, and the Maoris estimated at 56,400 ; at tho present day the former is stated to be 607,380, and the latter _ 41,000. Whilst the white people have increased by thousands, tho Maoris have been decreasing by the hundreds. How the import and export trade has increased, too, in forty-eight years ! Beginning with 1840, the imports wore only £85,062, but in 1888 we find they have increased to £5,941,000. The exports, which in the former year amounted only to £10,836, were last year stated to be £7,255,128. It is only by contrasting figures as wo have done in this manner that the progress this colony has made can be fully realised. Of course during those fifty years there have been many difficulties encountered by the people, many reverses contended against, but somehow the colony has been progressing not slowly either, but by "leaps and bounds." We may individually complain of the depression, but that arises more from the increasing competition, and an inclination, perhaps, on all our parts to discount the future in too sanguine a manner. Our population has increased during the last ten years by 143,551 persona, our exports by £1,751,473, and our revenue £974,910. The land under cultivation has increased in the same period by 3,163,278 acres, and we have added to our accumulations in the Post Office Savings' Bank £1,791,356. Our imports have fallen, it is true, to the extent of two million pounds, but that is owing to our being more self-reliant, and not through the adoption of a Protective policy, which has not been much more than twelve months in existence. The imports for 1879 were £8,374,585, and for 1887 (the year_ before the tariff was raised) £6,245,515; so it cannot be said that Protection had the bringing about of that result. In every other respect the colony has, during the last ten years, progressed in a most rapid manner; and we hope that the next decade will show as good, if not a better, result.

Referring to Sir Harry Atkinson's illness, the New Zealand Times says, "We are sure everyone will join with us in sincere regret about tho state of the Premier's health as announced by telegram elsewhere Sir Harry is worse, it seems, and is ordered to Tasmania at once ; but we have not yet been made aware of tho nature of his complaint. It must, we fear, be very Berious. Sir Harry haß our heartiest wishes for his recovery." There is very general sympathy expressed throughout the colony with Sir Harry Atkinson on account of his illness, and we trust that with change of scene and a few months rest he will be restored to his usual state of health.

To-morrow Mr Newton King sells by auction at his mart an almost new cottage piano, and a quantity of good second-hand furniture ; also a paddock of green oats on the Hospital Road. Although the air has been dense with smoke from bush fires during the last few days Btill no reports are heard of any serious damage being done to property. Someone in Wellington, who is guided to tho conclusion by the ways of insects, predicts that next month will be extremely wet. Tho Supreme Court sittings for next year have been fixed for April 17th and October 9th. This will 'bo much earlier than previously, and the alteration has been made in order that our sittings will not clash with the Court of Appeal at Wellington as they havo done in the past. Owing to tho low prices prevailing at Home for frozen mutton, shippers of that commodity havo conceded a portion of their cool chamber space in the direct steamer, Doric, (which will leave in the course of a couple of wcoks) to shippers of butter. This concession it is said will enable local buyers of butter, to ship alll the butter on hand by the Wanaka tomorrow, in cider to get it transferred to the Doric at Wellington. Tho friends of Mr James Pugh will regret to hear of his death, which happened at Bathurst, Now South Wales, on November 15. Mr Pugh, who was a very old settler, carried on business in this town for many years, and it was only about two months ago that he was compelled to seek a change of residence to endeavour to benefit his health. A special message to the Press Association says :—":—" It appears that there was no truth in the report which reached Stanley that Emm Bey was made prisoner in August last, when the troops of the Equatorial Province revolted, and the Madhists invaded the district. Tho rebels captured but immediately released Emm Boy, who never fell into the hands of the Mahdists."