THE Thames Advertiser WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1880.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3529, 4 February 1880, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1880.

We ate now fairly embarked on native b trouble in tlie vicinity of the Wainf gongoro and' Waitara, and we trust we shall come out of it successfully., It is , a plucky venture—although some would call it fool-hardy-and we trust the Government have fairly counted the < cost of the . undertaking. It is true they have had it m contemplation some time. • Our special correspondent in Wellington was the first to inform us of the intenr tion early in December,'when other newspapers hesitated to believe the - announcement made through these t columns. The only difficulty then ap. 'i parent was the contradictory nature of the Commission to adjust disputes i when viewed in the light of active military preparations. The same difficulty' still exists. We have the fact that active defensive measures are > on foot, whilst the Commission is still in embryo. The Native Commissioner, Mohi Tawhai, has thought proper to throw up his appointment, fearing some stringent restrictions in the. ' inquiry, and no stepshave yetbeen taken to appoint a successor to him. It may ' be that the Government proposal is a e wiser one than we have yet been given i to understand, but at present it looks J. very like putting the cart before the j horse. The plan of the Government - is, if wo are to believe the inspired , Wellington Tost,' exactly as we repre- ' seated it at the end of December. . When writing upon information sup. £ plied by our Wellington correspondent, i we said that the troops would cross * the border first fully armed, and that 9 they would set to" work making the j road authorised' by Parliament, ready 5 at anry moment to throw down the ' working tools'and to assume the rifle. ! Should there be no obstruction, the surveyors would follow, we went' on to observe, and in the -wake of the surveyors would . come settlement. The statement was ' pooh-]; loohed at the time by the Govern- . ment organs. A month later one of these—the ' Post '—discovered that things were precisely as we had announced'. On January 23, that journal told its readers that the soldiers were e about to cross the boundary river, t ( By the time the road is made,' this inspired authority continued, 'the ' Commission will have reported, an^ Government will then be in a position i to proceed with the survey and peaceful '' settlement of the plains, after making dueprovision forall valid nativeclaims."' The fact is the confiscation of the land e has never been really challenged by the ■ natives, and the Commission may bo ' able to settle matters without armed . intevvention, and in spite of the challenge thrown out by the establishment _. of a miliary camp near the boundary _ line. All this may be mere experiment, perhaps injudicious, but the |" sequel will tell. The Commission has e been instructed to "to take every oph portunity of explaining matters to the natives, including Te Whiti himself, lV who will be kept officially informed of I all that is done, and to 'circulate Maori 'i translations of the Act and Proclama- '' "tion." It is true Te Whiti asked the ofnc er in command of the defencelorce, o when he presented a copy of the proh clamatiou, to take it back to the man who printed it, but a little firmness and prudence may accomplish a great, deal, ' and wo' may yet have tlio satisfaction I of recording the complete success of

tho Government scheme of settling the native difficulty on the West Coast. We hope so. It is no doubt part of the intention of the Government to impress them with the idea that while we are strong enough to do as we please, we yet desire only to do what is right. At tho same time we are not satisfied with the resignation of Molii Tawhai. He may see difficulties in the way of his sitting on the Commission hampered by certain restrictions. We arc unwilling to beliovc that he is actuated by other than the purest motives, because he is wellknown amongst his own people for justice and fair dealing. At present the attitude of the natives is not assuring—nor, indeed, can we expect it to be when we send an armed force to clear their territory. We trust Government have good-grounds for the intimation, and are warranted in expecting that the natives will " quietly accept the situation."

We are requested to intimate that a working , bee, to provide clothing for the children at the Orphan Borne, will be held at St. George's Parsonage on Tuesday next. The ladies of the committee, and others willing to assist, will please accept the intimation.

A meeting of the Ensor Fund Committee will be held in the Borough Chambers at 8 o'clock this evening,

At the first meeting of the newly-elected Parawai School Committee, Mr Bepry Vernon was elected Chairman o! the Committee for the ensuing year,

Ike Bank of New Zeahnd shipped to Auckland yesterday, per Eotomahana, 43310zs 15ilwts 12grs gold.

A fracas occurred at the Queen of Beauty battery yesterday morning, the actors being Mr Samuel Gribble, who has been put in charge of the Golden Crown mine and battery, a portion of the unsold County Council securities, and Mr Sobers Workman, one of the directors of the company; Prom the information given us, it appears that the tributers (Messrs Cameron and Dunlop) had just finished retorting a parcel of amalgam obtained from stuff from their tribute section, Mr Gribble was about to bear it away when Mr Workman, who olaimed the gold on the company's behalf, attempted to take it from him, and the cake fell to the ground. It was picked up by one of the tributers, and placed in the battery safe, after, which another attempt was made to obtain possession, and a small scuffle ensued. The door was ultimately locked, aud the key handed over to Mr Ronald McDonald, the battery manager,

The infant Fitzsimmons, or Spiers, is not to be removed from the Home where it is so comfortably provided for by its foster mother, the respected matron of the institution. The order to hand the child over to the persons willing to adopt it was countermanded . by the Mayor when he found a cheque for its maintenance in the Home forthcoming, and the Committee yesterday endorsed the action of the Mayor in the matter, For the next twelvemonths, therefore, the public will most probably hear no more of the infant wonder, which will be left to prosper on the lacteal fluid the Home supplies it with, under the motherly care of Mrs Fulljaincs. Of course the poor thing will be brought up in tho Catholic faith pure and simple,

A meeting of the Orphanage Committee was held yesterday afternoon at the Council Chambers, Albert-street. His Worship the Mayor presided. There were also present—Mesdames Ekrenfried, Wilkinson, Mcl'aul, Kilgour, and Hume, and Crs Osborne and McHowan, The minutes having been read and confirmed, Mrs Kilgour brought up draft of rules for management of the Institution, which wre referred back to the Committee, MrsWilkinson's name being added thereto An application from Mrs Keelaher for the admission of four children into the Orphanage, the mother paying part of the cost, was defined. .A discussion ensued on an application for one of the children, but as the father was resident here the Comroiitee declined taking responsibility of parting with the child.—The Secretary reported that he had no reply from the Borough as to supply of funds, and read the outgoing corrrspondence,—MrEbrenfried explained that after the resolution passed at last meeting with respect to the infant Spiers be had received a letter from Eev P. O'Reilly _ stating that a serious mistake had been made in delay of for' warding cash required, and enclosing cheque for £10. He thereupon asked Mrs Andorson to delay her application for the child, He had seen her and she declined taking the child unless.at liberty to bring it up aa a Protestant, and it was now for the Committee lo decide what coarse should be adopted;—On the motion of Mr McGowan the action of the Chairman was approved, the Eev P. O'Reilly's offer was accepted, and the child will remain.— Receipt was acknowledged of letter from Dr Campbell enclosing £1 Is, and from Messrs Mcarlhur, and Co, of £2 2s, and promising that amount annually.—The report of Mr Fulljames was read and accounts amounting to £26 6a 7d passed for payment.

The Rev. ,T, LI. Davies, of Brisbane, who has accepted .the pastorate of the Baptist Church here, arrived per Eotomahana on Monday evening, and was received at the wharf by a number of members of the Church. Mr Davies being a Welshman, it must have been gratifying to him to he addressed by two of the party in his native tongue, which we learn was Jhecase.

fl'fc.o first competition by the Hauraki Engineers for the choicejof men to represent the company at the approaching Nelson meeting, took place yesterday. Only five members competed, 1 The day was not altogether favourable for brilliant shDoting, the wind being gusty, The ranges were 200,300, 400, and 500 yards; seven shots at each, and the following scores were made i—Sapper Cloutt, 88; Sapper Keller, 86: Sapper 0. Clarke, 80; Bandsman T. fifrabam, 75; Bandsman Henderson, 72,

Efforts are, we are glad to learn, being made to get up an outrigger nee between the Thames and Mercury Bay crews, the stakes to be £100 a-side and the distance three miles, Previous to the return of Messrs Gavin, Goldsworthy, and Newdick to the Thames they were waited upon by a friend of the Whitejßrothers and asked whether they would be willing to row a match with them for £100 aside. They expressed themselves willing to meet the strangers'in Thames waters, and in a few days expect to receive a reply as to whether the Mercury Bay crew will row them. It is to be hoped that the match will be arranged, as a great many people were disappointed that the Mercury Bay men did not take part in the outrigger race at the late regatta, and thereby prove whether they are superior or not to our local oarsmen. Should it be decided to try conclusions, we understand the Thames crew will engage the services of a well-known "coach" in Auckland, lately from Henley-on-Thames, England. We have been assured that under his tuition they would soon become fit to row any club in the colonies.

Tse High School Board met yesterday and cancelled the appointment of Mr Wilson K. W. Morrison as head master, and elected J. A. Adams, 8.A., head m'astcr of Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, in his stead. Mr Adams possesses the highest credentials, and (ihe Board have made a judicious selection. Mr jlorrison appears to have accepted the head mastership of the Napier Grammar f-'chool. The Bcv Mr Adams has intimated that he will 1» at the Shames about the end of March, and we believe it if intended to make arrangements to open the school on the Ist of April.

A person signing himself William Thomas writes recommei.ding investigation into the charges preferred by Mrs Power against Hospital employees. The letter should have Jbeen addressed to the Hospital Committee;

The Ron V. will visit the Thames on Fridiiy, in order to hold a Grand Lo.lge meeting in his capacity as ItW.P.G.M. of the Scotch Constituti-n. The lodge will he held in the Freemason's Hall, Owen-street, and after the installation of officers a banquet will be given in the Governor Boweu Hotel, at which the lion, gentleman will preside.

Bachelder's New American Pantasc-pe Combination opened at the Academy of Music List evening to a full house. It is a lengthened panarama of most interesting and elaborate pointings. w 'th a naturalness of effect, a biilliaiice of detail, and fiulllessness of artistic finish and perspective, these beautiful pictures have made us acquainted, with many cf the marvellous views of America, Many points of interest in the San Francisco route were vividly presented, and the pictorial exhibition closed with an unrivalled displsiy of mechanical and artistic skill in the diorama of the Arctic Expedition to the-Polar Feas, i\ view of the cold reigious was given, with sleigh-ridiug bearhunting, funeral procession of the ■ Danish interpreter, and the breaking up oi the ice-fields, 411 the figures move as if animated with life, and as the ships Alert and Discovery plough their way through the icebergs, firing cannon at intervals, the sight is so grand as to move the audience to enthusiasm. M. Chalet is decidedly the most accomplished ventriloquist and vocalist that has ever performed in New Zealand, last evening his performances fairly astonished and greatly amused the large audience, who demanded a repetition of several of his efforts. Gifts are distributed in a bounteous in fact, on such a liberal scale as to astonish even those who are not fortunate enougli to carry home a souvenir." The Court of Inquiry into the accident to the s,s, Eotomahana by striking a sunken rook at the Barriers on New Year's Day, is bp'ng held at the Auckland Police Court before the fi.M, (Barstow) and Captain Frater. Captain Underwood, in the course of his examination on Monday, said:— Wl-en coming through the Pass I observed by the chart that the course marked is about YV.N.W-, Paget Kock lying V 7. by IS', half N. I made no remark to the pilot as to Selwyn Island, but I asked him, 'Where was this rock?' He said, 'It was on the starboard bow; keep her in a little "—meaning to bring her head to port. This was done. She answered her helm readily. About that time a genman present [Mr Allora] saw* out to me that there was a rook ahead, I could not exactly make out what he said, for he ran up the ladder in a half-frantic state, hut it was something to that effect. I do not remember what reply I made, but the pilot told me the reck was on the starboard bow. "Starboard, captain; starboard," he said; and we did starboard, and immediately after we grazed the rock with the forepart of the starboard bilge. Had we not starboarded then we might have gone clear, if it was not the Paget Bock; but if it had been the Paget, amci any considerable size, we should have gone right on it had we not starboard, but if small we might have cleared it on the other side. If it had been 40 or 50 feet we might have cleared it, but if it had been as many yards, we should -have gone right on it, On the run down, Mr Allom remarked that we were not going the proper course to the Barrier —the course was on tb.9 other side of Horn Bock. We obeyed the pilot's instructions, and went safely. Tire directors made an inquiry into the accident, and I am still in command of the vessel. I believe the course marked today on the chart is the one I came out of Port Fitzroy,

A correspondent at the West Coast camp supplies the following to the Herald:— The notorious Kimble Bent, who since 1865 has been living amongst the natives, has written an account of his career since he became an outlaw, and has placed it in the hands of a European, who at one time appears to have done him a kindness, with a view to its publication. I have had it in my hands, being the only person to whom, with the exception of the European above allnded to, and who wishes his name kept secret, who has seen it. Bent, whose manuscript spells Ms first name 'Kimble,' but claims that it is Samuel Smith, and that he is an American citizen, born atEastport, Maine, This tallies with an address on an envelope, posted in Normanby some years ago, by a Maori from. that part of the country in which Kimble then was, ad'dressed, 'Mrs Smith, Boston, Mass,' and which at the same time was supposed to be from Bent alias Finith, to a sister. The manuscript of Bent's journal is in a narrative form not a diary, and although evidently the work of a very illiterate man, it contains many interesting passages, and in the hands of a skillful writer might be worked up into a book that' would take its' place beside tbe most populartales of adventure. Bent claims that he never actually fought against our troops, and Maoris to whom 1 have spoken confirm him in this, but stated that he wa3 engaged in repairing their arms during the .war. , Since his outlawry, Bent has never ventured nearer a European settlement than about'three miles,—All was quiet on the Flains last night, but this morning there are renewed rumours that the Militia will be immediately called upon. Captain Marshall is in Patea, purchasing hor,«e3 for the Government, for service on the Plains. A correspondent, under the nom. de plume of "Te 0 Whaka," sends the following item of native news:—" A confidential letter fromTe Wbiti, in reply to a deputation sent from Ohinemuri, will throw some light upon the political situation on the Waimate Plains, The letter, signed by Te Whetu Marama, stated that on no consideration would tbe natives fight. After many positive assertions that his theory of God's actions was correct, he pointed out the extraordinary volcanic action now going on, and said that a Power far above mortals would, by destroying the world, put an end to the whole affair. The letter ended by asking the natives not to treat the matter lightly, as he was thoroughly convinced that he was correct.—HtmU. At the Auckland Police Court yesterday, a single woman named Hames, keeper of a tabacconist shop in Queen-street, was charged with sly grog-selling. The esse was dismissed the evidence showing that the money was paid for the cigarettes, and the beer was given as a shout by Miss Hames, to an old friend named Reilly.

The action of the Government in granting Mr G. Vesey Stewart a large portion of the Te Puke Block, near Tauranga, for the purposes of a special settlement has naturally aroiwed the indignation of a few Auckland land-sharks (says our contemporary, ike Bay of Plenty Tim), who had long been casting covetous eyes on that fine piece of agricultural land. The Auckland HmU had a leader the other day censuring the Government's action in the matter, which was written apparently at the iustigation of some disappointed aspirant to special settlement honours, :