THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Véritè sans peur.” Wangvnui, February 23, 1860.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 179, 23 February 1860, Page 2

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. "Véritè sans peur.” Wangvnui, February 23, 1860.

We have received our usual files of papers from the north and south. "Excepting from Taranaki there is nothing remarkable to record. There seems to be a probability of a brush with then.itiycs in that quarter,

The “ African,” from London, and the “ Phoenix,” from Liverpool, have arrived at Auckland, and the “ Viscount Sandon,” from London, at Wellington. We observe, from the Taranaki Herald , that a company has been formed for running a steamer along the west coast of this island. Already 200 shares have been taken up. We may advert to this matter more fully in our next. .. ... -■

Some rumours that have been afloat for a few days, as to a general Maori outbreak impending, call for remark, chiefly with the view of reassuring any of the settlers here who may fear its effects in this neighbourhood. The origin of this anticipated conflagration is to be found in a small spark blown upon with considerable force at present by a chief in the neighbourhood of Taranaki, who has all along shown a". degree of insolence and disaffection which makes it desirable that he should really do something' which might give the Government a good reason for effectually punishing him. It appears that, instigated by him, the natives in the Waitara district, lately purchased by Government, desire to retain possession, and refuse to allow the purchased land to be surveyed. The Government has resolved to send surveyors to it protected by a military force, and it is just possible that a collision may take place Our readers: will remember what difficulty George Stephenson had in surveying the line of the Liverpool and Manchester railway, from the physical force demonstrations made against his proceedings by the proprietors through whose land the line passed. But this opposition ended in smoke. And those who know the character of the Maories, whose bark is greatly worse than their bite, may anticipate a similar conclusion, to this dispute. But at the most, should the ehief in question persist in his opposition, it is satisfactory to know that he is not popular—that his tactics are to retire to the bush, out of which he might possibly be starved during the winter—and that so far as this neighbourhood is concerned, the great majority of the natives are opposed to his proceedings, and in-favour of the Government. So that we think little alarm need be felt as to the consequences likely to arise from Wiremu King’s hostile attitude and threats.

Local Intelligence.

A most disgraceful piece of mischief was perpetrated at the JFanganui Mill on the evening of Friday last. On stopping the mill for the night Mr. Bees left the hatch open to give free vent to the water as it was raining heavily. On returning some time afterwards he found the hatch closed, and a trench cut across the dam for the evident purpose of destroying it. It is to be hoped this i 3 not the commencement in Wanganui of the tricks too commonly practised by millers to injure and annoy each other, and that the reward offered will soon lead to the detection and punishment of the offender. Besides the benefit from competition to the public generally, the Wanganui Mill is of vast service to the dwellers in Harrison street and its neighbourhood, many of whom have, during the late dry weather, been entirely dependent on the mill head for water for themselves and cattle.

The Wong a f Fong a. —This vessel met with an accident last week near Flat Point, on the east coast, having grounded upon a sunken rock and injured her rudder. She was to leave for Napier to-day, and upon her return would be despatched to Wanganui direct. Wc call the attention of the proper authorities to the dangerous state of that part of the river bank near Soleby’s Creek. The roadway has nearly been carried away, and wo fear that unless somo precaution is at once' taken serious accidents will happen. We hear that two horses have fallen over 'alreaby and been killed.

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. Sir—Having noticed by your leading article lately that you have been endeavouring to keep the road wardens and auditors enlightened as to their proper duties, and also the wholesome a lvice you have given the electors regarding the Separation movement, I am not a little surprised that you do not notice more generally my question or undertaking which, affects the welfare of the public and the advancement of our district. Now’, sir, there is a very important public work which w r as commenced apparently with.great vigour, but all at once it was brought to a dead; stand still, and there it seems to remain, and no one seems to know why or wherefore, or when it will be commenced again or anything at all about it. I am alluding to our Bridge, and I must say that it seldom happens that a contract of such magnitude is allowed to remain so long in abeyance without either the Government or the contractor taking some steps to bring any difference of opinion to an adjustment, but in this case it would seem that it is quite a matter of indfference whether, the work proceeds again or not.- Now’ for the convenience of the public is it hot possible for the government and the contractor to come to some understanding so that this undertaking of such paramount importance to the settlement may be carried on and completed., The contractor it is said has instituted legal proceedings against the government on account of some breach with part ot the contract, but how this can have occurred the public cannot comprehend, neither can it understand why if the government is not in some wa) r to blame it does not tako measures either to enforce a continuance of the work or a forfeiture on the part of the sureties of (jy poralties contained in the bond. If, as

is alledged on behalf of..the contractor such orders were given by the engineer as lirul they been carried out would have - made the work so much greater as to involve.a loss to the contractor; why could not a compromise or understanding have been come to and not the whole thing be put a dead stop to, as has been the case to the immediate loss caused to the . labouring community by its stoppage, and to 'the much greater loss and serious inconvenience of the whole district for want of such a means of uniting the .trunk road as this bridge would have; afforded to the greatly increasing passenger and produce traffic of the neighbourhood. The. public is anxious to find out. wbo is or are to blame, the contractor or tlie government—-if the former, the government ought to relieve itself of the impression which is fast gaining ground of laxity on their part, in the matter, by taking such steps as should prevent one man from stand* ing in the way of the completion of what would be an immense convenience to hundreds and a great saving of their time and their money. If the government, then the contractor should at once appeal to the law to enforce liis rights in the matter whatever they may he. It is generally understood that the contractor refused to go on until some higher price than the £SOOO should bo agreed to he paid to him in respect of the deviation from the contract required by the engineer. But it is also said that the government proposed to the contractor to arbitrate on this point with a view to getting over the difficuty, which proposition was rejected by the contractor. The bridge might almost have been finished during this fine summer now rapidly passing, and there stand in lieu of the useful structure a few unsightly piles and a pile-driving machine, greatly to the disgust and annoyance of the bulk of the inhabitants, hut much to the delectation of a few amongst us, who, living upon us, yet sympathise with our worst enemies, the Wellington Rowdy prognosticators of our attempt at a bridge proving a failure. I trust, sir, you will endeavour to sift out who is to blame, and aid in getting the matter cither gone on with at once, or so completely squashed, that, a contract denovo maybe entertained, for a bridge is getting indispensable with our increasing wants and intercourse, and the miserable ferry arrangements are every day more badly than the previous-one, suggesting its necessity for * Pro Bono Publico.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle , r Feb. 20, 1860.

Sir,-— The non appearance of the report of the public meeting of the rate-payers in theMataongaonga road district in your last issue induces me to forward for your insertion a few of the principal items. The meeting was held at the house of H. Churton, Esq., on the 13th instant, but the very thin attendance of the rate-payers indicated either a lack of interest in such matters, otherwise the public were not properly advertised of the importance of such a meeting, there being but four rate-payers in addition to the three wardens present. •The .chairman of the Board, at the. hour appointed, proposed deferring business for half an hour to allow parties from a distance to arrive. The chair was then assumed by Mr. Sims,* who, having read over the notice for the meeting, sat down, when some desultory conversation arose respecting the legality of the calling of the meeting. Mr. Francis Williamson, addressing the chair, inquired if the road which had been the subject of the calling of the meeting was the most direct and practicable to JTanganui? The chairman (Mr Sims) declined reply, such question being irrelevant to the calling of the meeting. He then asked the chairman to be informed if the river bank road \va3 confined to the chain of river frontage ? To which lie gave an evasive answer. Mr. IV., again, wished to know who were the parties that were to be rated for the advertised road? The chairman replied, that was a matter entirely resting with themselves (the wardens). The chairman at this time becoming rather excited, Mr. W. inquired, if no plan or specification of the proposed road was to he laid before the meeting? The chairman’s reply was, that the wardens were perfectly aware of their movements. Mr. Williamson said, he thought that the calling of the meeting did not convey to the rate-payers the full sen so of its importance. Mr. Churton stated, as his opinion, that it was an Illegal meeting, being improperly called, and would not stand good, especially as the wardens had deviated from the line of which they (the wardens) had already apprised the rate-payers, and bad shown plans and specifications. It was stated by wardens, that the direct line to Wanganui bad been abandoned, from Mr. Nixon having protested against it, and they had taken, as an alternative, to the river bank to avoid the opposition of Mr. Nixon. Mr. Churton observed, that the wardens were compromising public interest with Mr. Nixon for his convenience. Mr. Duncan stated, that Mr. Nixon had promised £lO from his private pocket for the wardens to build a bridge ( ornate ) over his creek, and thought he could prevail upon the Suuerintendent to give as much more, if they would adopt tho river bank line. Mr. Sims made a similar observation. Mr. McNally observed, how unthankful an office it was to be a warden, that they had tried to please every one, but the more they tried they were the farther from giving satisfaction. Exactly so, replied Mr. Churton; you began riding the donkey, and now the donkey was riding you. Mr. Sims deuied they, had ever been on the donkey, but was overruled by one of two present, who assured him that ho bad uow the donkey on his hack. Mi*. Duncan arose and said. lie was not particular v/iiut road was adopted ■ any

road would do for him ; if he could not get the right road, he would -have any he could get; he would prefer any foad to'no road let us get any road we can now, and let our children fight for roads for themselves. Mr. F. Williamson could not agree with Mr. Duncan ; that now was the time to have the roads in their proper places ; that he (F. B’’.) would much sooner have no roads, than see the country cut up in such a bungling manner as had been done by Mr. Roy through Bell’s flat from Shakspeare cliff to No. 3 line. He thought Mr. Roy had ridden the donkey too much; that he had used the influence of his office iu sacrificing public interest in laying off that line, and that Mr. Nixon had certainly a claim for large compensation for the injury done to his valuable property. Mr. Sims, chairman of the wardens, then proposed, and Mr. Holland seconded a reso* lution, that a rate of 3d an acre should be levied upon all lands in the.-district for the construction of river bank road.

F. W. stated, that he thought the wardens were betraying public interest, and would move an amendment—That the wardens should suspend all active operations until the act should be amended to enable them to take roads in their proper place. This not being seconded, he (Mr. W.) gave in his protest against the river bank road, which being refused by the chairman, he read over to the meeting, promising to puhlish it through the medium of the Wanganui Chronicle. The rate was declared carried, by two wardens and two rate-payers against one ratepayer ; one rate-payer and one warden being neutrals.

Volya.,

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle

Feb. 15, 1860.

Sir, —Allow me, through the medium of your paper, to ask a few questions of the chairman of the Mataongaonga board of wardens, relative to the proceedings at the late meeting held at the house of H. Churton, Esq., on Monday last, to which no satisfactory reply could then be elicited, and to which I now request straightforward answers. If the road which was the subject'for the calling of that meeting was the most direct and practicable to Wanganui ? If the road is to be confined to the chain of frontage reserved by government for public purposes ? Who are the parties to be rated, all, or part of tne rate-payers ? If there was a plan of the proposed road for the inspection of the rate-payers in the district ? And, at the same time I beg to hand you, for insertion, my Protest against carrying into effect the object of the meeting, which I tendered then and there, and which the chairman refused to accept.

PROTEST. Wanganui, Feb. 15, 1860.

To the Wardens of the Mataongaonga District.

Being called upon by the public notice to protest against the levying of a rate for the construction of the river bank road, I do it on tlite following grounds:—

Ist. By the 10th section of the District Highways Act, which declares that it is the duty of the board of wardens to make, maintain, and repair all roads, other than main roads, within the district —the said road being a main road.

2ndly. That it is not the most direct road to Wanganui. 3rdly. That the expense of constructing it would require more than double the omount of the more direct line.

4thly. That it would be an act of injustice to the landowners possessing a river frontage, by cutting them off from the meaus of watering their stock.

Francis Williamson, Rate payer.

We decline publishing any more communications on tkis subject.

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner. 3

Thursday, Tan. 26, 1360. (Before the Hon. Justice Johnstone and a Special Jury.) Travers v. Saunders for libel.—-Judg-ment. —The Judge addressed the defendant to the following effect: That he, Alfred Saunders, had been found guilty, after a most patient inquiry, and on evidence the most conclusive, of having libelled a Judge in the administration of justice. Defendant was a person holding the honourable position of one of her Majesty’s justices of the peace, and, as such, was bound to uphold the law, and yet bad been found guilty of endeavouring, by the most unjustifiable means, to bring the law and one of its administrators into contempt. He bad, in his address to the Jury, spoken of something about carrying into a felon’s loathsome dungeon, the sympathy of his fellowsettlers. He (the Judge) could only say, that

if any such sympathy followed him into the confinement to which he would now be condemned, it wouhLbe most misplaced. He had made a grievously serious charge against a Judge, and had attempted to support that charge by the most contemptible rubbish. He was possessed of a glibness,of tongue, with which he endeavoured to make himself wiser than his fellow men, and .wiser than and above tho law. He (the. Judge) believed that from what little he had seen of him, that it was his practice to mislead men. even more foolish than himself. Defendant had talked in the most inflated language, but he. (the Judge) trusted that the good sense of- the community would be shown by their totally disregarding- jt, 7.Defendant had been sworn to do bis duty as. a. mnffb'tnitp. to’ unlmld tbft Taw. through which

society was maintained, niid yet now, without any cause other than that the District ludge had decided a cause against him, he had endeavoured to fix upon that Judge a crime even baser than the one of which he (Mr. Saunders) had now been found guilty. He could hardly trust himself to utter the words of contempt for such a crime which forced themselves to his tongue in reviewing the material points of the case. If it wore necessary, in the oldest countries that the law should be upheld with reverential awe. how much more necessary was it in a young community like Nelson that such should be the case, and that presumptuous ignorance, audacity, and folly, should be followed by condign punishment. Of what use were free institutions, but that justice should be done to all, and that tho popularly constituted tribunals should be upheld by the good will of all ? If the defendant had considered that the prosecutor was not a fit person to hold his present position, a course was open for him to have pursued; but. when he came to this court, and with a sort of impudent .contempt for justice, sought to enlist the sympathy of the jury and those of his friends packed behind him, he must be brought to a due sense of the perilous position in which he stood. The defendant had endeavoured to pass a hollow panegyric upon himself, and make laudable his calumny of a Judge; but ho was not to be deceived by such pretences; he had not been deceived in tho defendant’s character. The Judge of the District Court had that day appeared in the witness box, and Mr. Saunders had every opportunity of eliciting what might have told in his favour, but he had failed. He hoped that Mr. Saunders was not aware of the enormity of what he had done ; of how feeble, foolish, and wicked had been his conduct. It was because he was not a poor, foolish, ignorant man that he regarded his conduct the more strongly; and ho besought of him that, when in the retirement to which he would be consigned, he would look carefully to his inner man, and try to discover that he wn3 not so wise as ho thought he was. He had been guilty of an amount of wickedness, of-which he (the Judge) felt sure he could not be fully conscious. One of the most painful duties he had to perform was to use his discretion in the amount of punishment he awarded; and, to the best of his judgment, all he sought to do was to vindicate the law ; his sentence, therefore, would bear no vindictiveness. He would , again tell Mr. Saunders, that if he did not use well the term of his imprisonment, and materially amend his ways, that a* far different fate awaited him in the future. It was most difficult to fix tho line between leniency and the due punishment merited by an offence; ..in this case he should visit the defendant with a sentence that would mark the great crime of which he had been' found guilty; and yet he I would be as lenient as the proper punishment of the offence would permit him. The sentence of the court would, therefore be, that the defendant be imprisoned in her Majesty’3 gaol of Nelson for the period of six calendar months, that he be fined in the sum of £l5O, to be paid to her Majesty the Queen, and that he be further imprisoned until such fine be paid. At the conclusion of the Judge’s address there was some disapprobation expressed among the crowded auditory. The Judge said : Let that noise be these are some of the fruits of Mr. Saunders’ evil example. -

His Honor then intimated that he should communicate immediately with the Governor with respect to the expunging Mr. Saunders’ name from the commission of peace, for he felt sure that magistrates could no longer consort with him.

[The plaintiff is District Judge, and the defendant a Merchant, of Nelson. — Ed.)