The Evening Star. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 259, 7 November 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDA Y, NOVEMBER 7, 1870.

We are not fond of raking up the " wretched pa*t;" still it is often the means of preventing a " wretched future." The settlement of the "Busby claim" was not the settlement of the " Busby question;" and though this subject has been scotched in the Provincial Council, it has, in all probability, not been killed, but will be brought, up in the forthcoming election for City West. It is not believed by anyone that Mr. Gillies se vedany ends of personal profit by the transaction, and the worst really believed regarding him is that he was precipitate in settling a claim, that greiter profit might accrue to tLe province, JBut ■we cannot help placing beside it the wellknown history of the trip of the C'omerang steamer to the northern porls. twelve months . ago. It was known to every one at tho time, but as it may have faded from recollection, we defrir- to refresh the memory by reference to th» Bluo books on the subject. It was a singular coincidence that the pnyment of a sum of £614 2s to the Natives of Monsronui ntid Wangarei for land, should have fallen due so immediately before the election of Superintendent. In fact, the coincidence whs generally remarked ; and the chartering of the Comerang by Mr. Williamson and hia semi vice-rega* tour in those districts, expressive though they were, could only be attributed to a laudable desire that the repi'esentative 6f a civilised (Government should appear to the best advantage in dealing with the aborigines. The total amount of money paid to the Natives at the two settlements wns £614 2s. For the payment of this it required a total expenditure of £384 which was made up of the items :—Charter of Cootnerang, £275; and two accounts amounting to £109, described thus in tho evidence of the Treasurer. "One of them vfas an account by the Steward of tho Coomerangfor Provider's account, the other was in Mr. O'Jfeill s- name for expenses incurred by him far Superintendent and party at hotels daring the trips" or 2 8 ie is aornmonly called the " Gh-og score." These items of " unauthorised expenditure,1' were charged to tha department of " Native Land Purchase." With fhi3 little arrangement the Audit Committee of the Council took (he liberty of differing, and in thoir report 6o the Provincial Council speak thus : " They desire to qualify this statement by inviting attention to the transfer of items of expen dif.ure from one account to another, in such manner as to he manifestly not; in accordance with the intensions of Council, though still with sach ft snow of legality that, the Auditor seems to hate considered himself as notafc libery to refuse to pass the warrants. The expenses of the Comerang steamer ia yisiting the North

em ports, charged to the Native Land Pur"« chase, maybe cited as ati instance in point. The Coniimtteo recommend that mean's should be taken for more effectually eon.lining the expenditure to the■ specific piirp"69es for which the- money i& Vrbfad.* And further On, referrijsjj's'fcd unexpected contingencies, the Oemuutt-e- say that they -rare of opinion that a vote so llible )o be diverted from its legitimate pdrpo'se should be watched by the Council With especial jealousy." We ■would recul the cd vjsideratiou of" this item of contingencies in all its bearings to the recollec* tion of those interested in such thinsfSi

In a pause in tho proceedings of the Police Court to-day, Mr. Hcndsr§on, tho magistrate providing explained his absence from Court on SaU'fdoy, his riama having appared iv the Police Court rrAn foi' tiiut day. ITe stated (hat

Saturday would havo been n-ucli more convenient for liim than to-day, but in point of fact lie had not b 'en summoned by tlio c'oik of tlie Court for lliat day-, h\\% for Monday. He said he had *?en his m;me published in the EvEXfMi T.vit ;i3 one of the magistrates to sit on the bench on that day, but not being summoned, he Had n.t a'tended. In explanation) we may slate that wo publish tho rota as furnished to us by the clerk of the Court, aud keep it stand during erery issue for the convenience of im.gistrute-. Of course wo cannot hold ourselves responsible for any errors that may occur ia-summoning. We may add that Mp. Henderson is not a gentleman who neglects his duty to the country, and on that account his absence was tha moro romarkable

It will be seen on rof. ning to our advertising columns, tout- Mr. Miilnr, Late of City Baths; Qneen-st"eet, and now proprietor of the Kmpiro Ho1 el, Victoria-street* has-, ftfc the request of his numerous frtends-, added a first class billiard bagafceii* table. For further, particulars v/e refer our readers lo our advertising col;unns.

Wo understand that Wednesday nest, the Prince of Wales Sir'.hday, will be observed as a general holidny.

The usual monthly meeting of Lodge Ara, 348, 1.C., will be held this evening at the Masonic Hotel.