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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1666, 21 June 1875, Page 2

We have received a very long letter from "Amphion" on the subject of Sir George Grey's letter to the Wairarapa Standard. We are sorry that our able and esteemed correspondent falls into the error so common ■with newspaper correspondents of making his communication of undue length. Not only is there not space available in an evening paper for so long letters, but we believe that we correctly state the habits of readers when we say that a long letter in a newspaper bearing an anonymous signature, however able —as " Amphion's" letters always are—is not read by one in fifty of the readers of the paper. A glance at its length repels, and its arguments are accordingly thrown away. We would far prefer such a letter broken up into half a dozen, for we believe that short pithy letters are among the most interesting portions of the columns of a newspaper. The great bulk of " Amphion's" letter consists of very severe comments on Sir Julius Vogel and the Southern Cross, and we think we know enough of the disposition of our correspondent to say that he would himself be pained if he read them in print. We have much pleasure in giving a prominent placie to the concluding portion of the letter which bears directly on the now famous communication to the Standard : —

But to return, after this long digression, to Sir George Grey's letter. All the constrained Vogelian writers in the colony' are endeavouring to appear merry over the contents of this document; but as they are equally as rendy to rat and bolt, as they are to bark and bite, if Fir George would choose to retaliate through the independent portion of the public press, the repercupsions of his skilful flail would soon impel these scalawogp to make very rapid "tracks," laughing on the wrong side of their mouth. Fir George Grey 13 not an ordinary, man ; I have never bad the pleasure of making his personal ac; quaintance ; but I have often, with much pleasure and instruction, perused his writings and heard his addresses. He can, with little effort, embrace within his ample range of thought, the whole field of our colonial politics, without, at the same time, diverting his attention from considering the sort of influence which class legislation exerts on the moral and social conditions of the people. His keen perspicacity enables him to follow the results of present legislation down to future times. He knows that mortgaging the public estate has the same general effect as if every individnal in the country mortgaged his private estate. Neither of the mortgagors can, with impunity, escape tly payment of interest, and if the principal ie squandered upon vjeionaTy objects, and unprofitable undertakings, the consequenceswill be rqually as disastrous in the one case as in the other. Every important event in the course of human affairs will always find out, and call to the front, men whose capacity for action is commensurate with the importance of the duty which they are called upon to perform. Sir George Grey sees the Vogelian system of Government workinp with almost invincible energy for the pur pose of raising up and perpetuating in thiF country an unproductive or governing class who are in due time to be legally armed with ample powers to keep the productive or working class in perpetual subjection. It has already succeeded in billetting nearly one-half of the population upon the othe» half. In commercial affairs the influence of its blighting protection is felt to hamper individual enterprise by imposing restrictions on the exchange of commodities. _ Yon cannot now embark in any undertaking without firstaskingand obtsiningthepermission of the Government crimp, whose supercilious insolence has already become proverbial. AY the laws passed and exacted under the auspices of the present Governmental administration, tend to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a certain class—the favoured governing class. In New Zealand, as in every other country, wealth produces power, while poverty provokes contempt. Unequal distribution of wealth will cause unequal distribution of power, and as there is no instance on record of any clas9 possessing power without abming it, we may reasonably assume that, unless the course of events takes a more favourable direction, those who are intended for rule, and those who are doomed to subjection, will be eventually found arrayed against one another id a state of chronic antagonism. Sir George Grey finds all the evils which I have herein marshalled together existing around him in a state of luxurious growth. His keen previsive powers ©f observation tell him that they are likely to assume colossal proportions in the future ; and, if I mistake not, the " drift" purport, scope and aim of his letter is to arrest,' if possible, their prominent progress.—l am, etc., Amphioct.

On Thursday last, Mark Sheehy was released from Mount Eden Gaol. He wa s sentenced in October, 1871, to four years' penal servitude for larceny of specimens in connection with the Green Harp Bwindle # He has thus served two years and nine months of his term, a third of the sentence being remitted, the usual thing with prisoners who behave themselves properly during their incarceration. It will be reoollected that last year agitation waa set afoot for the purpose of obtaining a remission of punishment in this case, and there can hardly be a doubt that the penalty was laid on the wrong shoulders. Sheehy was simply the victim of the cunning villainy of his employers, who were too clever to be caught, and we do not hesitate to say that he is deserving of sympathy for his sufferings. At the time of his trial the feelings of the whole people were excited by the wrongs perpetrated by j[the directors in this infamous swindle. We were the first to explode the bubble, and the chief instrument in exciting that thirst for punishment, and sorry were we that it turned almost solely against Sheehy. The real culprits, after having sent us lawyers' letters and private threats of personal vengeance, had riot the bravery to face enquiry, and through scandalous negligence somewhere, fled, leaving their helpless victim to his doom. Now that Sheehy has paid the full penalty imposed by law on an offence which simply consisted in an uneducated and unsophisticated man rendering obedience to his employers, we do trust that not only will he be accepted by society as having no stigma attaching to him, but that he will be treated with kindness for the sufferings he has borne in the room of others.

lisr our reference in a local in Saturday's issue to the despatch of the Earl of Carnarvon relative to Sir George Grey'a petition, an inaccuracy occurs of considerable moment. Our local stated that the Earl of Carnarvon says that he considers " the Colonial Legislature is quite able to deal with the quention" of provincial abolition, &r jfcT^** **»•

British Minister actually stated was, "These are subjects which the General Assembly of New Zealand is, in my opinion, quite competent to discuss," which is a widely different thing. In will be observed that the Minister's voids are well-chosen and guarded, and s ignificfoitiy steer clear of giving any countenance- to the idea advanced by those who would ride rough-shod over the people, namely, that the Assembly has inherent power in itself to abolish the provincial element in the Constitution. That the Assembly has power to discuss this or atay other subject is unquestionable ; and that the deliberate and determined action of the Parliament of the colony with reference to any amendment in the Constitution, compatible with justice to all parts of the colony, would have effect given to it by the approval of the Home Government is also certain to be true. But that the Assembly has power in itself to absolutely "deal with this question," and to abolish the provincial system —that one legislative power in the Constitution has power to gobble up a co-ordinate and'equally fundamental one—is not admitted in the Constitution, and is certainly not implied in the Earl of Carnarvon's words.

The members of the Junction and other lodges of Good Templais are informed that Rev. G. H. Turner will deliver a lecture this evening in the Junction Lodge.

A kind father living in Newton was surprised a few evenings ago, at the shrewd answer of his little daughter. "My sweet Emilie" eaid he, "you are getting as plump as a partridge." Whereupon the child made answer, "Oh, papa, don't try to m&kegume of me."

Professor Brace's entertainment on Saturday evening in the City Hall was quite up to expectations, and his illustration on mesmerism and phrenology were both instructive and amusirjg. The professor possesses a good flow of language, and is very happy in his mode of treating subjects with which he is evidently well acquainted. The entertainment will be repeated this eveniug to the satisfaction of those who may be present.

An assault, though not of a serious nature, was committed last evening on the wharf, and which we understand will shortly come before Mr Beckham, as the police are on the track of the offender. It appears from information received that a young woman of prepossessing appearance was looking Bteadily from the wharf-side into the water, when Thomas , a waterman, asked her if she would like a boat. She replied, "No ; I Bhould like a smack." The rough boatman took the hint, and gave the young person a kiss. She immediately made a complaint at the police-station. The boatman has decamped.

The members of the Wheeler and De Glorion Comedy and Athletic Troupe will appear in the City Hall for a few nights only, commencing on Wednesday evening next. The entertainment is varied, and includes vocal, musical, and sensational parts. The flying fairy, Lo-Lo, designated the London Peerless will make a terrible dash through numerous paper balloons; the brothers Glorion will perform wonderful feats in mid-air ; Miss Elsie De Courcy, the protean actress, will sing her favourite melodies ; Master Bennie, the unrivalled change artiste ; Mies Anne Fisher, the serio-comic vocalist ; and Ben Wheeler, the Irish comedian,- will severally appear in tho new entertainment at the City Hall on the above

evening.

A young lady has devised a plan to dismiss tedious beaux who linger untii 10 o'clock. Her fan has the words, "Young man, does your mother know you're out ?" painted on one side in small letters, while the other side is blank. She adroitly turns the side with the inscription towards the young man, who, glancing at it, suddenly remembers that ho must be at home by 10.30 o'clock certain. She, of course, politely inquires why his haste, and he, murmuririg an excuse, bids her good night, and flies fiom her presence.

The ship Dunedin has been detained nearly a week in harbour in consequtnee of claims being made by consignees for missing cases of goods in her cargo from London. Tn many instances the packages claimed for have been found within the last few days at the back of the store on the western T of the wharf, surrounded by goods from the Hero. It is also stated that some of the Dunedin cases put out of the ship three weeks or a month ago, and which were known to be in the store could not be got at for delivery till the end of last week. These facts are indicative of the very deficient accommodation there is in the port for storing ships' cargo. A vessel like the Dunedin being detained a week represents the loss of a large sum of money, and if such detentions are allowed to occur the reputation of the port will suffer. We believe it is the intention of the Harbour Board at some future time to erect large storing sheds on the reclaimed ground west of the wharf. The sooner this idea is carried out the better. All that is wanted is a set of sheds sufficiently large to allow of the goods from each vessel being stacked separately. A tramway will have to be constructing connecting them with the outer T's, and then the confusion which at present too often prevails, and the attendant delays and unpleasantnesses will be prevented. The work such an important one that the Harbour Board csnnot Bet about it too promptly.

To the Editor : Sir,—ln the Star of the 17th yon say you have been informed by a settler that the present site of the Pokeno railway station was approved by a majority of settlers at a public meeting. Now that said meeting was not a public meeting, but a meeting of ratepayers only, as the Chairman of the Pokeno and Mangatawhiri Road Board would not call a public meeting as requested by the settlers. The majority for the present site of the said Btation being one, and that one not a ratepayer at all; but the Chairman of the Pokeno Road Board took it, as it was for the present site, and refused to take proxy of several ratepayers, because they were against it. Now, Mr Editor, do you call that a majority ? Moreover, the Chairman of the two Roadßoards before-mentioned most distinctly refused to let the public have anything in the matter, or the station would have been put in aplace to accommodate the public in place of the absurd place it now Btands. —lam, &c, R. McConnell, Queen's Redoubt.

A good deal has been said about the block of land owned by the Provincial Government at the mouth of the Mokau river, but from the following description furnished by a writer in the Taranaki News the land seems to be of very little value :—" The block referred to was purchased for the Government by Judge Itogan when he was Land Purchase Commissioner. It is situated some seven or eight miles from the mouth of the Mokau, and on the north of the Awakino river. We have been through it, and can say that it will be many years before it tempts any occupation of it by settlers beyond an owner or two of cattle or sheep and a few stockmen or shepherds. We do not believe that we possess in this province any land so undesirable for settlement, unless on the ranges or slopes of Mount Egmont. It is not known to conttin any mineral of value. We believe it was purchased as a matter of policy, because the natives wished to sell it, and it was thought that it would lead to the purchase of land of more value."

The Dunedin revival services are held in the Queen's Theatre. '

A Nevada paper says that owing to the incursions of the chinch bug last year the two great staples of the State at present are redhaired girls and cordwoo<?.

A Long Island man has gone to sea with his soul stirred by the story of Enoch Arden. He wants to. be wrecked and come home aud find hii wife married to another man.

His honor the Superintendent will proceed to the Thames on official business to-morrow, and will be absent from town two or three days.

There ore now 245 miles of railway working in the colony, and 220 miles more of colonial line and 69 miles of provincial railway will be added by the end of September next to the working railways of the colony.

We are glad to learn that much more produce than heretofore is likely to come into town during the eusuitig season from the districts along the Waikato railway. Mr B. C. Greenwood, the lessee of the market, has arranged for considerable consignments of fresh butter, eggs, and other produce, and is in a first-class position for receiving settlers produce and disposing of it to the best advantage. We learn that a petition to the city council is being signed by stallholders praying that such alterations may be effected as will render the stalls rat-proof. Much loss is suffered by stall-holders through the - depredations of these voracious vermin, and they are justified in appealing to the Council for protection, especially in view of the fact that the increased rent obtained for the market places the Council in a more advantageous position for improving ifc.

The members of the Artillery and Victoria Companies will parade for monthly inspection at the Market House on Tuesday at 7.3 C p.m. in undress uniform.

No. 2 Company A.R.V. meet for .monthly inspection at the Market House on Thursday next, at 7-30, when prizes won at the late competition will be presented.

The next performance of the Auckland Choral Society will take place on Tuesday next. The rehearsal will take place this evening.

If any person doubts whether pictures are any improvement, let him contrast two houses. . Take one without any fine art decorations, and who can help observing the bare blank walls, how vacant, cold, cheerless and uninviting, almost approaching to wretchedness. Then take the other, where everyroomisa gallery of artinminiature, with the stormy sea piece, sunset on the mountain, the pleasing landscape, placid lake, or roaring waterfall; do not these tend materially to impart to the cottage or mansion an air of comfort and refinement, as well as cheer the imagination and elevafe the mind. We have been led into this train of thought, by a visit we have this day paid to Messrs Holland and Butler's new fine arts gallery, ?nd to say the least, the visitor will be somewhat surprised at the extent and excellence of the exhibition. In another column they advertise it as a pleasant hour's entertainment. We could very pleasantly spend two or even three hours in going through the collection, and would recommjendalltopayan early visit, after which, we have no doubt, we shall be well supported in our verdict for plaintiff on all the issues. We hope the efforts of Messrs ffolland and Butler to improve tbe decorations of our colonial homes will meet with the success they deserve.

To the Editor : Sir, —In your issue of the 19th inst. you state that tbe lunatic that escaped from here on the 17th inst. was captured and brought back by the detectives. I beg to iuform you that statement is incorrect. The lunatic has been captured and 1 brought back by two of tbe attendants named Molloy and Hardy, and returned to the house safely.—Yours,jJ &0., T. Cahill, clerk and attendant.

Mr. W, L. Bees will deliver his promised lectu re —on " Modern M aterialism " — tomorrow evening, in the Beresford - street Hall, before the members of the Beresfordetreet Mutual Improvement Society. Tbe subject which Mr. Ree3 has undertaken to illustrate is one of absorbing interest at the present time to tbe religious world. Speculative thought has mado great advances during the last few years, but, as the great Milton held, -truth cannot suffer in a fair aud open encounter. Scepticism now-a-days assumes a very different aspect to what it did in the days of Bolingbroke, Hobbs, Paine, and Carlisle. It is no longer in the hands of Bcoffers, but intelligently and keenly scrutinized by scholars of the higher order, such as Darwin, Newman, Tyndall, and Huxley. It is not, however, the teaching of these men that are so likely to subvert the force of the leligion of our forefathers, as that indifference which pervades the masses of the people and tends materially to their physical and moral degradation. The writings of modem times appeal rather to men of culture than to the many who seldom read anything beyond the sensational novel. We believe that Mr Kees's oration on "Modern Materialism" will be fraught with much instruction, and will receive that courteous attention which both the subject and the lecturer justly claim.

We regret to have to record the death of Mr J. P. Sweeney, a very old colonist, who died at his house in Nelson-street, on Saturday morning last, from that fatal disease, consumption. Mr Sweeney was well-known in the colony, and especially at the Thames in connection with the goldfields ; he was also well-known on the West Coast of the Middle Island, and was at one time the proprietor of an hotel at Wangarei; also, of the Crescent Hotel, Sbortlandstreet. The deceased gentleman, some time ago, t was afflicted with a paralytic stroke, which affected his right side ; he tried the healing waters of the Waiwera, Hot Springs, from which he derived some benefit, but taking cold shortly after, his old complaint returned, and he died as before mentioned.

• We observe that Mr. David Bloom has removed his old established crockery warehouse. His new aud commodious premises are opposite the Thistle Hotel.