AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

A Maori’s Fortune.

An important decision has been given at Gisborne regarding the valuable estate of Heni Willoughby, the Maori woman who was burned to death some months ago, leaving property valued at £40,000. She died intestate, and the Court decided that the native custom was applicable, and deceased’s brother (not her European husband) is entitled to succeed. Notice of appeal has been given. Willoughby is now at Pakatoa Island, having been committed for a year as an habitual drunkard.

A Big Project.

Regarding the new Canadian-Austra-lasian steamship service, the general

manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company states that the subsidy is to be £24,000 per annum, and the contract is for three years. The Canadian port of departure in the summer months will be Montreal, and in winter St. John. The ports of call will be Melbourne, Sydney, and the four principal New Zealand porta. The service will be carried on by the company’s steamers, but if necessary suitable vessels will be chartered. The New Zealand Shipping Company are the sole contractors.

The Prophet Raa.

In conversation with a representative of the “Auckland Star” last week, Hon. J. Carroll referred to the reports regarding the Maori prophet Rua, and said, "I am awaiting reports as to Rih’s doings. I refer to the recent reports, that have been published regarding his having committed himself. If the facts are as have been reported, 1 shall have no hesitation in making an example of him. Care is, however, requisite, as any failure in an attempt to deal with him would merely increase his prestige with his followers. That is the reason why I am awaiting definite reports as to what occurred, before taking any steps.

The Famous Terraces.

Interviewed by the ' Taranaki Herald” with respect to Guide Warbrick’s theory about the pink and white terraces, Mr. W. Percy Smith, ex-Surveyor-General, whose opinion must carry great weight, says he has no doubt that the terraces were completely blown into the air on the occasion of the Tarawera eruption. He made a topographical survey of the site of the eruption two months af:<tr the event, and established beyond doubt in his own mind that they were destroyed.

For Empire.

Earl Meath, originator of the Empire Day movement, who is visiting Australia, on arrival at Perth on February 24, gave the following message to the boys and girls of Australia:— May you realise more fully as you grow older your great indebtedness to the British Empire, a majestic community of free nations, freely governing themselves, owing its being to the vast sacrifices, enterprise, and valour on the part of your fathers and predecessors: bound together by one King, one flag, one navy; comprising more than a fifth part of the human race, and occupying more than a fifth part of the earth’s surface, a federation the like of which the world has never known before. May you bear in mind that among the allied peoples of this Empire each one looks to the others for practical sympathy, protection, and co-operation, and not only the State to which you belong, but the Empire itself, looks on you to be ready in time of need to think, labour, and bear hardships in its behalf. May you excel in faith, courage, duty, self-discipline, fair dealing, justice, good citizenship, loyalty, patriotism, and sympathy, and by your own individual action aid the elevation of the British character, strengthening the British Empire and the consolidation of the British race.

The movement. Lord Meath added, was now officially recognised in 19,081 schools at Home, exclusive of the colonies. He was delighted When the ■Premiers’ Conference in Hobart embraced the idea. He had found it enthusiastically celebrated in India and China, and on the coast from Ceylon to Hongkong. The Ministering Children’s League was making great progress abroad, especially in Russia and Egypt.