The Evening Herald.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2696, 3 February 1876, Page 2

The Evening Herald.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARYS, 1876.

Dissatisfaction has been expressed by the settlers at the way in which justice has been for some time administered in the districts of Rangitikei and Manawatu. New townships have sprung up very rapidly, but official netice has not been taken of the fact, and as a consequence the settlers feel that tlieir interests have been neglected. There is a conservatism displayed by Governments in such matters greatly out of place in a young country, and which is liable to be mistaken for indifference. A Resident Magistrate's jurisdiction is viewed very much like that of an Indian Rajah, not to be disturbed unless from the direst necessity, hallowed and venerable beyond all other dispositions of Government. Might not a more rational policy be pursued in bringing this high judicial office into harmony with the wants of population ? Major Willis, R.M;, holds a Court at Bulls once in two months, when there is nothing j to prevent him holding one fortnightly. Sandon, Feilding 1 , and Foxton require more frequent visits of the stipendary. Foxton has good claims to a Resident Magistrate resident, and if urged there we believe would be supported by every member on this Coast. A Magistrate who would combine the native as well as the European jurisdiction is a want which is beginuing to be rather seriously felt. The townships which are growing with such rapidity into importance in that district, would naturally come within his jurisdiction, and would be satisfied with any arrangement which would give them proper facilities for having their litigation disposed of, The appointment of Mr Woon as Native Magistrate was a judicious arrangement, and has done not a little to bring the up-river natives back permanently to their allegiance. The same reason exactly exists at Manawatu, for the appointment of a Magistrate would combine both jurisdictions, and administer justice promptly, as well as the different departments generally associated with the office of Resident Magistrate. If this reform were carried it would leave the Resident Magistrate located at Marton to make frequent ■visits to the townships at a reasonable distance. Nor need the charge on the Treasury be greater than at present. The R.J\[. at Marton has two clerks, when, if the District were divided, one would do to perform all the work in Rang-itiicei ; and there are allowances which would be discontinued. The growth of population and the general prosperity of the West Coast have a strong claim to be heard in this matter, the settlers having for some time perceived the inconvenience and demoralising tendencies of the present arrangements, faintly hoping at the same time that some good genius would interfere in their behalf. The time is certainly ripe for a change.

We learn from Nelson papeis that Mr D. F. Mcßeth, for some time in charge of Messrs Wymond &Co's shop here.has been drowned in the Maitai, where ho had gone to bathe, lie was accompanied by a boy, his sou, who was, howovor, unable to give any assistance. Mr Mcßeth appears to have been attacked by cramp, the water being very cold. Ho wont under, and strange to say, the body was found standing on the feet,with the head about four feet under \vn ter. Wo are pleased lo see that his wife and family of small children are provided for, he having some time "ago insured his life for the sum of £500. There is a vacancy for St. John's Ward in the Municipal Council, Mr Euward Howe having sent in his resignation, induced, it is commonly reported, by an article in one of our recent issues criticising the poliiy of the Council. " Killed (like poor John Keats) by an article ! " We sympathise with Mr Howe as one who vainly attempted to keep the Council in a true course, and failing, took upon himself its sins and voluntarily became a martyr. But though Mr Howe may think our remarks about the financial condition of the Borough too severe, we are quite aware that he himself is ready to admit that all has not not been going right. Look at the last meeting. Could anything be more absurd than the open condemnation of the overseer of Harrison Street drain, while his services are still retained ? The Council constituted itself a partisan, and really placed the contractor in a position to say that the person appointed to see that he did his work properly was disqualified from reporting on it. Let any of our readers look at the report of the last meeting and say if that is not the position. We reiterate our complaint that the true financial state of the Borough has not been placed before the ratepayers for several months. We did not blame any particular Councillor, but rightly attached the censure to the whole Council. We pointed out that the Council had most improperly persisted in keeping the prisoneis working where the Mayor is nearly the only person receiving the benefit, while the state of Nixon Street has been a disgrace to the Borough and its guardians. We have justly complained of the action of the Council in these and many other things, which have been transparent to every ratepayer. Imagine,f or instance, a Councillor writing and sneering at the inhabitants of a certain street as being troubled with " ophthalmia." But if we went into all the misdeeds of the Council we should not soon have done. With respect to Mr Howe's action, we regret it, for we have always considered him as being thoroughly independent and desirous of advancing the true interests of the Borough. We have not supposed that one man or a minority could make the Council conform to sound principles, and Mr Howe's extreme sensitiveness is hardly justified, though it will be more appreciated than the thick-skinned quality which largely pervades that body, and which causes it to be indifferent to public opinion, however clearly expressed. In reply to enquiries by the Provincial Government of Westland, the General Government stated that it was intended to pay the grant toßoad Boards in two instalments, one on the Ist February, and the second on the Ist March. Mr R. W. Woon received three live Kiwis from up the river to-day (Thursday), and will forward them to Wellington per Manawatu to-morrow. The men who caught them say that they had ten of them, but dogs got among them, which destroyed the seven. A shut few have been seen in Wellington we would suggest that in exchange they should send us some small birds of such kinds as we have not yet acclimatized. Both places would gain by such an exchange. The motion of Cr Nathan to the effect that I the water be turned on as soon as possible with a \iew of testing the pipes, and thus gaining time, was well timed for other reasons than those brought forward in support. In all streets where waterpipes have been laid, but especially in the Avenue, the earth and gravel have not set so evenly as might have been desired. There are patches . where the ridge that was formed at the time has given outwards, the centre afterwards settling to below the level of the sides. During the heavy rain puddles were formed in such places. The formation shows unmistakable signs of breaking up, and the sooner the proposed supply of gnivel is put on the better will it be. Of course, this cannot be carried out until the pipes have been tested, as some of them are sure to give way. The sooner therefore the proper test is applied the earlier will the Council he enabled to proceed with metalling. A part of the township laid off by Mr Henry Churton, adjoining the Kail way Station on the left bank of the river, is to be sold by Mr F. R. Jackson to-morrow (Friday.) Fifty building sections, some of them facing the river, will be put up to auction, thus affording the opportunity of procuring a site for a private residence, incomparably situated,aud possessing every natural advantage. The streets are very wide,and are named after the different Native Chiefs who were residing in Wanganui upon Mr Churton's arrival. So mucli for this important sale. We have now the pleasure of informing our readers that one of the great wants of Wan-, ganui is about to be supplied . It is Mr Churtou's intention to set aside 60 acres of land immediately behind the township as a public park for the benefit of the people of Wanganui for ever. This magnificent gift will be placed in the hands of Trustees, and will be inalienable, forming a beautiful and healthful resort for the people at all times We trust that some provision will be mado for improvements, such as planting, walks,

etc., &c. This could be done by f files of which a moderate sum for admission could be charged. It is Mr Churton's intention to convoy the property without delay, the only question remaining to bo decided being as to the best kind of trusteeship. We suggest that the name be " Churton Park." A house in Wicks teed Place, which has stood for a number of years, is being rebuilt, and at the same time some large gum trees that were standing in front of it were cut down. It is almost a pity to sco them disappear, as they were an ornament to the street. The falling was a subject of considerable interest to some twenty or thirty youngsters, who were all eager for a rush at the sparrows' nests, of which there were a large number. The natives living near Mount Egmont are about to make a good thing out of the cocksfoot grass that has so readily sprung up along about twelve miles of the mountain road. We are informed by a gentleman resident here, who recently came through from New Plymouth, that they arc now busy cuttiug it, and that they are likel y to have an enormous quantity of seed. They have already concluded a bargain with Mr Southby, who gives them a very fair price for the lot. Some time ago they stopped a mob of sheep which was about being driven through, and a rumour got afloat that they intended stopping it altogether. This, however,is a mistake. They said that the ground taken for the road was still theirs, and that they had a perfect right to save the seed. Although perhaps they were not right in their assertion, it would still have been a pity to have prevented them from cutting it. We are told that the road is covered by the grass to such an extent as to leave only a narrow track, over which the grass meets. In the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day (Thursday), Eruera, a native, was brought up before Pi. W. Woon, Esq., JI.M., charged with having stolen a pair of boots from the premises of Joseph Gomez, of Turakina. It appears that Eruera, who has before this been interviewed in the same Court, told another Maori that Mr Gomez had made him a j present of the boots. Upon this the second one went to Mr Gomez and requested him to make him a similar present. This request was, of course, not acceded to, and Mr Gomez, having been put on the scent, looked out for Eruera, and eventually met him leading a horse, carrying the hoots in his hands. lie was arrested by Constable Gwynne and brought to town, where the case was clearly proved, and the offender ordered to spend a calendar month for the benefit of the Borough. There was a most discreditable scene on the beach near the Market Place about a quarter past ten o'clock last (Wednesday) night. A crowd of about fifty men had gathered around two others in a state of almost helpless intoxication, and a number of them were urging them on to fight. Stripped of almost all their clothes the two responded as well as they were able to the cries of encouragement given by their respective supporters. As generally happens,there was no policeman near, and the scene was carried on till the ring that surrounded the two had seen enough of it. One or two gentlemen who passed the crowd ascertained what was going ou, and then went in search of a constable 3 but could find none. From a return recently published in the General Government Gazette it would appear that there are in the colony, 433 clergymen registered under the Marriage Act. 176 of these belong to the United Church of Englaud and Ireland. The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand counts 51 ; but to this may be added the 40 belonging to the Church of Otago and Southland, as the distinction is merely an outward one, which will ere long be wiped out. There are further Romau Catholic, 59 ; Weshyan Methodist, 61 ; Congregational Inpependeuts, 11 ; Baptists t 9 ; Primative Methodists, 9 ; Lutheran, 4 : Hebrew, 6 ; United Methodist Free Church 7. The River Bank road, from the mouth of the Harrison Street sewer upwards, is now receiving a fair coat of gravel, which will doubtless be beneficially felt during the coming winter. The Dunedin Evening News says : — We regret to hear that there is % probability of our best shots being unable to attend the annual competition at Wanganui for the colonial prize firing, on account,, of their busines engagements. We hope that a point will be stretched by our volunteers this year, for we feel convinced that they will give a very good account of themselves, and if they keep up their present shooting they will be likely to bring the champion belt to Ofcago again. We not only 4iope to see the Government representatives present at Wanganni, but every man who. has made the minimum number of points allowed by the regulations. The Minister of Justice has written to Mr Pyke relative to the Police Court business. He says :—"I: — "I wish to take the opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Government to the Justices of the Peace at Dunedin for the assiduity with which they attend to the oi;dinary police business of the town,+hereby relieving the Resident Magistrate's Court of a large share of its burden. Mr Bo wen further promises that the Government will consider " the ad visibility of amending the Petty Sessions Act to meet such a case as that of the Justices Court at Dunedm." Our cricketers have not been lucky in their two games this season, and have just received another bearing ac the hands of tlieir Patea antagonists. They will have to be more attentive to practice othetwise we fear they will take a low stand among the cricketers of the Colony. The total scores, we learn by telegram, are ; — Patea 201 ; Wanganui 76.