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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1664, 18 June 1875, Page 2

The air of self complacency with which the Thames appears to regard the recent settlement of the TairUa disputes is something to wonder at. The attempt, as our readers are aware, was to take away the whole of the ground, a lease of which was promised by the General Government to the discoverers, and the formal document in connection with which had not been made out when the field was opened to an indiscriminate rush. The plunderers have succeeded to this extent that they have obtained nearly one half of the ground, which is held seemingly in trust for a number, probably the whole of the sharpers at the Thames. Of course when the discoverers consented to it, that is an end of the matter, and no wonder the courb is only too happy to wash its hands of a mo3t disagreeable business by allowing the litigants to settle it among themselves. But it is simply the triumph of unscrupulous daring; and the success which has attended this rush of the idle rascaldom of the Thames will have anything but a good effect on the moral tone of the community. But what amazes us is the attitude which the press has assumed in the transaction. In yesterdays issue,the Thames Advertiser, usually one of the fairest and honestest of papers, actually continues to defend the propriety of what, has taken place. It refers to two of the Auckland papers as having stigmatised all the objectors in thi s case as jumpers, and -urged that the Government should interfere to protect the interests of those who were termed prospectors. They waxed strong upon the injustice that might be done by advantages taken of legal quibbles." And then our contemporary delivers a homily on the evil of the Government stepping in to protect equitable rights, instead of leaving the.matter to the ordinary courts of law. Of coufse this journal is chiefly referred to, and the attitude we have taken respecting this attempted robbery. But what we demanded was not the Government stepping in to arrest the operations of the courts of law, but simply to carry out its own deliberate engagement. It had bargained with the Grahams, and engaged to give a lease of thirty acres of ground as payment for the discovery and handing over of'a goldfield. The Grahams fulfilled their part. The Government did not fulfil its part. We merely urged that the Government should dd what it had promised to do, and which it could still have done, although the bungling ,of its own officers, in not completing formally the lease before proclamation made it difficult. The morality which makes a man stand by his bargain, no matter at what cost to himself, is the morality which we have defended. No matter what the cost, the Government should have given that lease of thirty acres to the Company ; even though it required an Act of Parliament to enable it, and twenty, thousand pounds for compensation to the jumpers. This is the language of morality, not of the expediency, or the desire to humour which appear in this, case unfortunately to have guided and misled our contemporary at the Thames. The General Government endeavoured to shirk the responsibility of its own bungling,

and tried to roll over the difficulty on the Superintendent, who is too wary a politician to be readily trapped* Our contemporary, knowing nothing at all of what he ia talking about, refers to the " determined position taken up by the Superintendent that the law should not be interfered with." His Honor simply declined pulling nuts out of the fire for Wellington monkeys, and so far from taking any "determined position" in favour of the jumpers, we feel confident that their conduct gave disgust to him as to every other honest man. The matter is over now ; " virtue " has been rewarded, and the Thames is happy. It has been one of the most successful though meanest swindles which have fouled the history of the Auckland goldfields. But those who have succeeded, and their advocates, should be sileDt now ; and no longer blatantly glory in their shame.

It is not often that- the existence of one law for the rich and another for the poor is admitted from the Bench, but such has been the distinct and unequivocal deliverance of the President Magistrate of Christchurch. It appears that a man, with the rather uneuphonious, and we might venture to add in the circumstances, the somewhat plebeian name of "David Jobson," conceived the whim of riding on the step of a railway carriage at full speed, in direct violation of the bye-laws for such cases made and provided. But David Jobson is a man of importance, and to his other dignities adds the high honor of being a member of the Provincial Council. For such as he, it will be admitted that laws and bye-laws are not framed, but only for common people. However, will it be believed, the railway £»uard not having before his eyes the fear of Davie Jobson and his position as a Provincial Councillor, had actually the audacity to pive in charge the great Jobson to a constable, a mere policeman—in 'act a common bobby. In due course, the Provincial Councillor and "well-known resident" appeared before the Bench, and his counsel admitted the offence, and of course the case was dismissed. Butthemeredismissal of a case confessed, was not sufficient homage for the priest of Justice to render to bhe offended dignity of David Jobson, and we find the fifquel thus reported :—"The Bench considered it a most unwarrantable !>iece of arbitrafy authority on the part of the railway authorities to give a man into 'inatcdy who was so well known. The constable who hod taken the man into custody should have shown more discretion. Roth constables and railway servants should n member that they are the. jervants of the public, and ho trusted the. Inspector would inquire into the matter A constable should not take a man so well known as defendant into custody, merely because a guard wished him to. It was a m^st arbitrary proceeding, and more ought to be heard of it. " We presume this style of thing does for Christchurch, and constables find railway guards will profit by tho Magistrate's homily on respect for superiors?; but wo do not think that for simple snobbery we have ever known an incident in the colony to exceed the conduct of this Capt. Mellish. Became a man occupies a position of a lawmaker, and is well-known, lie ia to be permitted to deliberately break the law, and confessing the offence, to have hia case dismissed ! and the guardians of the public interests are to be insulted from tho bench and lectured in this hectoring style because they had treated the lawmaker as they would have treated <i " common person !" What respect aro the people to have for law as so interpreted ? Tho magistrate says " more ought to be heard of it," and we think so too. We wish wo had Captain Mellish here in Auckland. We would let him hear more of it.

We observe that it is not.in Auckland and Wellington alone that the return of Sir Julius Vogel to the scene of his triumphs is despaired of. Thus quietly discourseth the Otago Daily Times on the probabilities and the fitness of the retirement from the stage of the great Wizard of the South :—"lt is singularly unfortunate (for the country) that the" malady that afflicts Mr Vogel should have taken so serious a turn just at the present juncture. We cannot but be glad indeed that his retirement from the conduct of public affairs should take place just when things were at their best. Those whom the gods love die young, but they do sometimes spare their pets to maturer years, and sequestrate them by gout, etc., etc., from public affairs, just when they have all to lose and nothing more to gain. Our national regrets for the causes of Mr Vogel's absence are mitigated by the knowledge that, had he returned to us, it would have been to discharge an office that would grow more unpleasant every day, and to lose some of that lustre which now sparkles upon each minute detail of a brief but illustrious career. When Caractacus comes in first by a head for the blue ribbon of the turf, or when a Buckstone manages a good third, when the favourite Marquis passes the winning-post with a place at least, we do not like to contemplate the day when, amid the jeers and blows of the costermonger or- hackney coachman, he drags the carfc or cab. Ifc is always a satisfaction to noble minds to see great men retiring from public life with a career uncheqnered by reverses, culminating in one bright achievement, upon which men may comment without having to make this deduction, and allow for that drawback. We are speaking of our (late?) Premier as though New Zealand were to know him no more. _ We cannot help being afraid that, even if his illness is of such a character as to allow him to undertake the supervision of some commercial or financial concern at home, it will finally oblige him to retire from the onerous charge of the affairs of this Colony.

It is an extraordinary but nevertheless well authenticated fact that whenever a vessel calls at the Chatham Islands the inhabitants always expect illness and generally experience it within the next few days. It is even said that on occasions not a single person on the islands has escaped indisposition of some sort.

At the half-yearly meeting of the H. A.0.8. Society on Wednesday, the following officers were elected :—President, Mr J. Little; vice-president, Mr M. Gallagher ; secretary, Mr B. Hamil ; treasurer, Mr J. Flynn ; ■warden, Mr J. L. Lonnergan ; guardian, Mr J. O'Donnell. After the officers had been duly installed, Mr J. Clark took the Past President's chair. Owing to the prevailing sickness, a considerable number of claims for sick allowance were passed for payment. It was resolved to give the Society's patronage for the benefit in aid of Mrs Sextie. A,letter from the Melbourne corresponding secretary and a parcel of regalia were received. . '

A very old gentleman named Kelly was summoned to-day for haying an unlicensed dog. The case was called, and defendant did not appear. The constable proved the charge, and a fine of 108 and costs, amounting altogether to 19s 6d, imposed. After the magistrates had retired from the Bench, which they had occupied only a few minutes, Kelly, who had it seems been waiting about the precincts of the Court since half-past nine looked in to see if his case was coming on. To his surprise he found that it was al] over. Had he been in Court it is likely that the fine, as it was only an ordinary charge, would have been Is. and costs or about Bs. altogether. According to the old man's statement, he informed some of the constables what he was there for and they told him to wait outside and he would be called in when he was wanted. Of course the police cannot be expected to provide against the stupidity of people who are required to attend at the court, but happily it ia not everybody who understands the procedure at such places, and if the old gentleman's story is correct, it was too bad of the officers not to put him in the right way. The- fine might, with great propriety, be partially remitted.

A petition to the Mayor and City Council is being prepared by the residents of City West, Newton, and Pousonby, praying that the piece of land situated at the top of, and facing Hepburn - street, and adjoining the Porisonby road, and comprising lots. 1, 2, and 3, of section 50, which has for the past three years been used as a cricketing ground by various cricketing clubs, particularly the West End and the Ponsonby, may be reserved as a recreation ground. The request of the petioners is a reasonable one, and we hope it will be acceded to by the Council.

The floods on the Northern Wairoa river caused by recent heavy rains were highar than for years. Nine hundred lo^'S were washed from Te Kopura Mill alone, and many from higher up the river. Induced by a reward of £1 for every square spar and 23 6d for every log, a considerable number of Europeans and natives engaged in the work of recovering the lost property, which was worth thousand of pounds, and were successful in securing nearly all.

The liabilities in the bankrupt estate of James John Hanley, ginger beer and cordial manufacturer, are £294 lla ; assets £40 IGj

The police want an awner for a silver English lever watch with an open face. Watches, especially English levers, don't often go begging, and it; is not likely that the police, or rathar the watch, will want an owner long. An unassuming youth from the country, under the impressiou that the .same rule which holds good with regard to captured dog^—viz., that if their proper owners do not turn up anyone else can have chem by going to the Inspector and undertaking to keep them carefully—also holds good with regard to stray watches, went yesterday and offered to make himself a martyr and submit to the responsibility of taking care of the trinket. He is surprised at the result of bis application, and says the police cannot appreciate self-sacrifice.

The variety entertainment last evening by the Hobscm Baad Minstrels at the Whim Lunatic Asylum was well attended, a considerable number of ladies were also present. The programme, as referred to in last evening's Star, was faithfully performed, and the pieces as they were successively produced, elicited a hearty laugh from the inmates. " Maggie May" was fairly sung by Mr. Hull ; Mr. Fred Eice was loudly encored in " The Yaller Girl that Winked at Me," which was a very creditable performance. Mr. Ludlow aang a good comic song ; the instrumental hornpipe by Mr. Graydon was much admired, as it deserved to bo. The "Happy Jittle Nigs" went amazingly and created quifco a sensation ; Messrs. Seton and Burtie are clever lads and well up to their work. " First Round for John " (we are told by a witness) convulsed the audience. A quadrille closed the Fcenes, which were of a most agreeable

character.

Rev. 11. S; Hassard's third lecture, last evening in St, Matthew's school-room, was well attended, and was we think the moat interesting of the three. '1 he peiiod embraced was that of Henry VIII. and the Reformation. The lecture, considering its compass was well condensed, and graphically touched upon the leading events of that most remarkable age of the (Jhurch. The lecturei's portraits of Henry, Wolsey, Cranmer, and others were correctly drawn, and the intellectual outlines proportionately just. Agreatdeal has been said and written upon the Iteformatiou, and still the subjact is not exhausted. Mr Hassard's lecture lasted about half an hour, in which space of time it was impossible to do more than glance cursorily ut the leading facts of the age of Wolsey, More and others who aided in stirring the storm which divided the churches, and threatened death to superstition aud fanaticism. These lectures, however, are calculated to do much good, and the rev. gentleman is entitled to the thanks of his people for endeavouring, in the midst of other labours, to inform the young mmd upon matters which affect our lives and liberties.

There are at present fifty six boys in the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children, and the master intimates to the public that any donations in the way of clothing, such as old jackets, trousers, &c., that maybe altered to suit the boys, will be gratefully accepted.

The postponed rifle match at the dark targets, at distances of 300, 400, and 500 yards will be tired at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon ; open to all comers.

Our Waiapu correspondent writes : —" The Native Lands Court, presided over by Judge Rogan and Atea, a Native Assessor, opened here this morning at ten o'clock for the first time in this district. There were four blocks of land to go through the Court. Business commenced on Tuesday morning at ten o'clock, the 18th of May. The first block of land brought before the Court was Matakawa, Hicks' Bay, between four and five thousand acres. This was put off until the 20th of May, as all the owners had not arrived. The next block brought before the Court was the Rotokautuku block, between five and six thousand acres. This contains the oil springs that have been talked about so much. The block passed through the Court with very little trouble. There are 390 names in the grant. The next block brought before the Court was the Ahikouka, between six aud seven thousand acres. This block was adjourned by the desire of the claimants, as there are two hapus in the block, and they desire a boundary line cut between. So this block was adjourned until the next sitting of the Court. The Matekawa block, sixty-three names, and the Ahia te Atu block, four hundred names in the Crown grant, passed through. We are to be congratulated in our district officer,. Captain iPorter, who has been very successful in coming to terms with the natives for purchasing all their scabby sheep. As it is too far gone in the season to commence boiling them down, there will be nothing done until the beginning of next "year, when we hope to see this fine district cleared, of all the infected sheep. We very often have Europeans along the coast trying to lease land for sheep- runs, and some are successful."

By General Government Gazette dated 10th June, S. Worms was appointed agent and F. T. Bayntun, M.8.0.5., medical referee of the Auckland Pioneer Lodge 1.0. G.T. for the Government Industrial Insurance.

The railway road was flooded and quite impassable to-day. Now that the money has been voted by the City Council and Harbour Board for the work of draining and repairing the thoroughfare, no time should be lost in carrying out the work. The present condition of the road is disgraceful.

The Hibernicon troupe proceed to Taranaki by the Ladybird to give a short season of their admirable entertainment there.

Mr and Mrs George Darrell go South by the Ladybird on a professional tour.

The charge against Mrs. Cyrna Haley at the Dunedin Police Court is thus reported by the Star:—" Mary Haley, whose children were sent to the Industrial School on Saturday last as neglected, in consequence of the intemperate habits of the mother, pleaded guilty to the chai-ge of drunkenness. —Mr. Ward (to the Inspector) : What ought to be done with this woman ? -Inspector Mallard : I can't say what is best to be done. If some philanthropic ladies would take her in hand it might perhaps have the desired effect.— Mr. Ward (to accused) : I think you are a very fit subject for the Befage; and no doubt from the remarks which fall from the Beach some benevolent ladies will be induced to look after you for some time. I think you ought to go to the Refuge, which was established for such persons as you.—The charge was dismissed."

A Cape pigeon was seen in the harbour this morning by several gentlemen who were coming over in one of the ferry boats from the North Shore. The presence in our waters of a bird which is very seldom seen within some hundreds of miles of our coast is a remarkable proof of the severity .of the weather lately. There can be little doubt that the pigeon has been blown on to the land by the N.E. gales of last week.

The following players will represent the Ponsonby Football Club in the match, Parnell v. Ponsonby, to be played in the Domain to-morrow :—W. Jones, J. Mackay, T. Vfackay, F. Herries, Sutton Gleeson, Dignan, F. A. Jones, O'Sullivan, B. Lewis, G-. Dunneit, H. Dunnett, J. Dunnett Owen, and Ibbotson. Parnell:' Messrs. King (Captain). George Blaydes, Cobtou, Netley, Yon Tempskey, Tonks, Bobertshaw, Haultain, Wai pole, Geo. Ridings, Beale, Evens, J. Philson, Coates, Castelli, and Mitford.

The Resident Magistrate of Wellington recently gave a decision of interest, in respect of the claim of. an architect for his commission. The owner of the house refused to pay the commission, because the house was to have been built of seasoned timber, and the architect passed green timber, from which there was shrinkage, warping, &c. The architect lost the case, and had to pay the costs.

The opening of the new Court of Foresters afc Ngaruawahia (Pride of Waikato) took place in the school-room (a3 mentioned by our telcgraphiccorrespondent on Wednesday.) The Court City of Auckland acted as the opening Court, and was represented by Bro. Kimes, G.R., Bro. Fowler, S.C.R., Secretary Holland, and Brother Auger, the latter of whom was delegated by the district to fulfil the duties of the district officer. After the cerenaouy of opening had concluded twentyfive members were initiated,fofficers'elecfced, and after an address by Brother Auger on the benefits of the Society, the Court was closed in the usual form. The members, with their friends, then adjourned te the Royal Mail Hotel, where a banquet had been prepared by Host Cairns in his best style, to which ample justice was done. After the table was cleared, toasts and songs followed in quick secession, and a pleasant evening was spent. The " Pride of Waikato Court" bids fair to become as numerous a9 its Auckland parent, the only drawback being the want of a medical officer —the nearest doctor residing at Hamilton. It is believed there is a good opening for a doctor at Newcastle, aud it is to be hoped that one will soon take up his residence in that locality.