Colonial Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 50, 5 April 1889, Page 2

Colonial Notes.

Gcod repoits continue to be given about the Nenthorne Beefs. Some of the stone tested is extremely rich, and tbu gold-bearing tract of country is extensive. Among the improved prospects of the times, the discovery of the gold-field is to be reckoned, and if, as Mr. Gordon, tbe Inspector of Mines, is said to predict, it proves a second Thames, the place taken by it in advancing the prosperity of the colony must be very important.

Tbe report of Mr. A. McKay, assistant-geologist, touching the deposits m the vicinity of Port Pegasm, Stewart'* Island, is more favourable as to what the future may possibly bring forth, than as to what has actually been discovered. Tbe deposits as yet come to light he hardly regards as payable, but he advises further careful scirch, as he believes success is likely to be the ultimate result

It may be remembered that rome few months ago a fine was infiict3d on Mr. Thomas Lloyd, of Wanganui, for the terrible offence of caning a larrikin who had given him some annoyance. The feeling of the community at the time wag in favour of Mr. Lloyd, who was considered to have acted in the interests of the public. Practical proof of this feeling has now been given in the presentation to the gentleman in question of the amount of the fine and expenses, raised for the purpose in subscriptions of Is each. A determination baa also been expreasad by the subscribers to put down lareikinism.

A far-seeing and large-souled gentleman must Councillor Mackenzie of the Clutha be. The worthy Councillor the other day refused to form one of a committee appointed to look after the interests of the Clutha district, in connection with tbe New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. His objection was that when Government bad voted £10.000 towards the undertaking tbe country districts wculd contribute pretty well towards the Exhibition, which would mostly benefit the people of Dunedin. A neighbourly person is the Councillor, and wide-reaohiog in his sympathies. He might, however, find that in refusing to aid lowards the success of such an undertaking, he was. as the old saying has it, biting his nose to vex his face. It is, meautime, of much interest to learn that there is some chance of a number of the fine pictures exhibited at Melbourne finding their way to Duuedin. Sir Dillon Bell, at least, has obtained the consent of several cf the owners — though conditions somewhat difficult of fulfilment are imposed. Ir, nevertheless, is only rational that the saiety oi' property that could not possibly be replaced should be considered by its owners. Amoni; those who have given their consent arcs Her Majisty the Q icen, trie I'nncc nnd Princess of Wales, tne Dukv < I N rtoik, the Karl c 1 Abeiileen, and others,. The more notable oi those who have refused tnen consent are the Duchess of Montrose and the Duke of Wesiirnn-,tei — ihe former on old lady of sporting picjclmtius, famous on the tut f, ami «hj lately took unto herself a ihiui husband, young enough to be her grandsou, an arrangement by purchase, in all probability, so far as the yomh referred to was concerned. The Duke of Westinini-ter, if he follows in the footsteps of r is hte father, is necessarily remarkable for an extreme frugality — not to say a beggarly meanness— aad tbe wonder in such a case would be that he uad lent his pictuies even to Melbourne. He is, at all events, a man of a selfish, ovei bearing disposition, with a profuund continue for tne prufantim vulgus. The condition, meantime, on which Government will ask Pailiament for that £10,000 wbich vexes the generous and brotherly soul of Couuciller Mackin/ie of the Clutha is that guarantee shares are taken up to the extent of £15,000, and &~,500 of that amount paid up.

The Masonic confraternity are at present in a state of all-agog-i9hness lor the formation ci' a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand, As the cratt is rmstic it might savour too much of the profane to inquire partic darly into the benefits likely to accrue. But if the6tep tenus, for example, to promote the Pagan worship of a " Grand Architect " through toe mediation of Brother This or BrotLcr That, rather than the Christian worship of a Creator through a Uivine Reedetmtr ike advantage must be very apparent— at least to those whr> have eyes to see round a very awkward corner indeed.

Tbe people of the Clyde district evidently do not share in the alarm that is felt in some places at tbe mtroductun of Btoats and weat-els for the destruction of rabbits. At a meeting held by them the other day it was resolve i that the turning out of a sufficient number ol these vermin should exempt settleis from undertaking any other destiuctive measures.

The Maori, Hairi Tc Teri, convicted at Gisb rneon circumstantial evidi nte, of the muider of a Mr. and Mis. Pook and their child at Wrti| in last December, has conftssal his guilt. Pook was a storekeeper, aud it was while he was engaged in making up a bill of some purchases made by the Maori that the latter killed him with a blow of ..n 11 on bar. The murderer then took up an axe and killed Mrs. Pook with it, mutilating her boiy frightfully, and afterwards attacking the child, who was found sti 1 1 alive, but uuconscioug. Tbe object of the crime was plunder, the Maori having lost all his money in gambling. Although the evidence was quite sufficient, and left no rooru lor reason t!)le I'oubt, the c infebbion of the [murderer is satisfactory, as making assurance doubly sure.

A laigely-atluided a ud thoroughly successful meeting in aid of this Tarutll Defence Fund was held at VVanganui on the evening of

March 25. The Mayor occupied the chair, and the Hon. John Ballance, M.H.R., who was the principal speaker, made an able and eloquent speech, in which he dealt at length with the question of Home Rule. The Rev. Father Kirk, in seconding the motion, proposed by Mr. Ballance, referred to the generosity of the inhabitants of Wanganui, who had put in his hands alone since he had been among them £7000 for religious purposes, all the other Churches also being liberally supported. The rev. gentleman added that, beginning with the Famine Fund of 188 C, over £400 bed been ecnt to the aid of the Irish peopie.

The celebration of St Patrick's Day in the Australian colonies, was, as usual, general. At Sydney a great demonstration took place, a procession being formed by the various Irish Societies, who marched to Botany, where a festival was held in Sir Joaeph Banks' ground?. It had been expected that Mr. Deasy would be present on the occasion, but it was explained *md icceived as satisfactory that the delegate considered himself bound to refrain from any appearance in pubic until the arrival of Mr. Dillon as arranged. It was calculated that about 12,000 people were present, and the proceeds, amounting to Borne £1500 were to be devoted to the Parnell Defence Fund. At Melbourne and the other capital cities the day was also duly observed.

On Sunday, March 17th, the Feast of St. Patrick, a panegyric on the Saint wbb delivered in St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, by the Cardinal Archbishop. By the appointment of his Eminence, special ceremonies took place at i p.m., at which the religious societies, entering the church in procession, were present. His Eminence took for his subject the mission of St. Patrick, and the history of (be early Irish Church, and delivered an addre«9 remarkable alike for erudition and eloquence. Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament was afterwards given by the Cardinal.

By a hurricane which has occurred at Apia in Samoa, six of the war ships present there, three Americin ?nd three German, have been wrecked. The British cruiser Calliope has alone escaped, owing to the splendid seamanship of her commander, Captain Kane, who took her out into safety at sea ia the very teeth of the gale, the American sailors on board one ef the ve6gc's lott, notwithstanding their own sad plight, cheering the captain heartily as his ship passed by. All the other ships in the harbour were driven ashore and lost — the total loss of life amounting to 130. The natives, attheccmmand of Mataafa and Malietoa, gave geDtrous help, ranking no distinction between uationalities, and giving their aid indifferently to German or American. It is, however, stated that the event is likely to complicate the political situation, the Germanß being now completely at the mercy of the Samoans. To add to the gravity of the matter, the chief food supplies of the island being destroyed, the officers and crews so involuntarily thrown o i the hospitality of the place are in danger of being starved, and. besides this, many of them are suffering from injuries received during the storm, or from the effects of the climate. Relief, therefore, cinnot be too quickly afforded them. The whole occurrence, meantime, is a strange cne, and might almost aeem to point to the warning hand of Heaven signifying that foreign interference with the island ia forbidden. Hat in that case, perhaps, the successful battle oi the Calliope with the elements might be taken to speak of England as an exception. Captain Kane, however, declares that, for his part, he has had quite enough ot Samja.

At a meeting of the Natives, held at Orakoi, Aickland, a good deal of dmcontent h.'is been exprest-ed at the fiction of the Government, The Maories prcfess h dcfire lor the union of the two iaces, but so that some shaie of seli -govern merit may be conceded to then own peop'e. The Hon. Mr. Mitchclson and Sir Fiedenck Whitaker who were present, defended the government and referred to the opposition given last sessun to the Bill dealing with native lands by some of the Maori i biefs. One of the complaints made had reference tothe rating of native lands ; on which Mr. Mitchelson, nevertnelehs, insisted as necessary to fair dealing towards boh racts. It is easy, however, to understand the fear of the Maones, lest facilities being given to the membeis cf the tribes for parting with their lands, and an additional mo ive being added in a tax which native owners might find it difficult to p/ovide for, an easy way might be found for the landsharks to make their piey of them. The Maories strippc lof their lands would be effectively helped forward on the path towards inevitable extinction, and the reirnant of their days would be passed in hopeless misery. No one, meantime, would benefit by the matter but the class of men to whom already ,i good deal of the delay made by the colony in progress and prosperity h due. It w-8 certainly in the interests of such men that the Maori legislation (.1 last session was carried out. The complaints of th? Natives at Oraku, therefore, have been far from groundless.