The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1692, 21 July 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

T»r the cause that lacks assistance, For the wronf that needs resistance, far the future In the distance, __a_4 tilt i»od that we can da,

The foreshadowings in the Governor's speech are few, and the only important indications of the Ministerial policy may be summed up in a few words—total abolition and increased voting power to the South, for that, we learn, is what is meant by amended representation. The Government have gathered from the post-sessional utterances that total abolition will secure the centralist vote, and is less likely to arouse the popular indignation of the North than the partial proposal of last session ; and it would seem from early indications that Mr. Stafford, as head of the Centralist party, is likely to give them his support on that measure at least. That he will greatly strengthen the position of the Government' is unquestionable, but it is too early in the session to ' pronounce any opinion on the relative strength of parties. The mere question of the abolition of the provincial machinery is, we think, of little import-, ance so far as the North Island is concerned, compared with the mode of allocating the land-fund under the new form of Government. It is idle to suppose that the General Government will have surplus funds to carry on local works after the provinces are abolished any more than they have now, and if participation in the land revenue which for so long a period has been unjustly absorbed by two provinces, is still to be witheld from Auckland, the people of this part of the colony may depend upon it that they will find the exchange of their present representative and local self-government for a system of officialism controlled from Wellington an unqualified and fatal loss without any compensatory advantage. The pill may be augar-ooated as offered in the Bill which will shortly be laid before the House, but its after effects in bitter, grinding taxation, will not |

be long in making themselves manifest. The Government programme is evidently to submit as few measures as possible, and get through the session without introducing any debatable matter _ but we think the House and the people were entitled to expect some more satisfactory indication in the speech of the provision the Government propose to make for education and other important public services, now dependent on Provincialism.

Since the appearance of adverse newspaper comment upon the conduct of Constable Axam, in using his baton without any reasonable excuse, a gentleman, whose word is beyond question, has informed us of two parallel case3.which came under his own observation. One of these arose in Edwardesstreet, where he saw two constables conducting a man to the station at night, and observed them give their prisoner repeated blows on the head after he was handcuffed. The other case occurred in Queen-street, where a policeman was seen dragging a man by the hair of the head, and, when remonstrated with by a respectable by-stander, threatened to take him into custody on the serious charge of obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. We are sorry that the names of those constables are not known, because it is unjust to the force that charges reflecting on the whole body should be brought while the offenders may in reality be confined to one or two subordinate members, who would doubtless beseveiely dealt with by the Inspector if their conduct were brought under his notice. Indeed, we regret vt-ry much both for the sake of the police force and the public, that the stupidity of Constable Allen and the recklessness of Constable Axam should have raised a controversy of this character, knowing as we do, the difficulties which the Inspector and the small force at hia disposal have in repressing the rowdyism whifih is rampant in the city. " Fair Play," in a letter published la_t night, very fairly stated the case on behalf of the police ; constables ara often subjected to very rough usage at tho hands of drunken vagabonds, and it is not surprising that they should sometimes lose their tempers, but the Auckland Bench has very properly treated with the utmost severity any case of assault or obstruct, veness established by the police, ao that they are not without remedy, and exhibitions of vindictive brutality will not be tolerated in the casn of a policeman any more than in that of a civilian. As.we have already said, undeserved odium has been cast upon the whole force through the conduct of raw hands, whose experience of the past few days will not, we hope, be lost upon them. The public are ieally under an obligation to those experienced officers who have constituted the permanent staff for a long period. A more intelligent, vigilant, and energetic body of men could not be found in any public department, and it is but an act of scant justice to them to mako individual offenders responsible for their own misconduct. The tendency of occurrences and strictures like those of the past few dajs, is, unfortunately, to embolden ruffianism, and for this reason public sympathy and the moral support of the wellbehaved portion of the community should, as far as possible, go with the police ; and ie would be an actual misfortune if their influence were weakened, or that the deseivedrespect in which the Auckland force has been held should be militated against by what has occurred. At the same time, officers of Constable Axam's temperament must remember that their position will not protect them in doing an unjustifiable act, even when the victim has no very great claim to sympathy on the ground of his own good behaviour.

Two splendid kauri logs were being craned , on to the wharf at the .North Shore Ferry T ■ this moi-ning. They were brought from Mr Holdship's bush, Wangaroa, by the ketch , Fanny Kelly, for Mr Watson, the builder, and measure nearly 70 feet long by 2 feet i square. They are calculated to weigh about 6 tons each. The Sisters of Mercy acknowledge, with i thanks, receipt of one sack of flour from Mr. Minetti, and four tons of firewood from Mr. C. A. Harris, Wangapoua. In our advertising columns appears a recognition of the services rendered by Dr. Wright during the time Mr. Hodgson was a sufferer from the accident which broke his leg. The serious nature of the injury sustained may be explained by stating that fifty-two pieces of bone were removed from the fractured limb. Mr. Hodgson states tbat Dr. Wright was not only a benefactor in the capacity of medical man, but also helped to mitigate his suffering and weariness by sitting for hours by his bedside and conversing with him. Mr. Hodgson is now able to 1 manage his business as of old. Mr. Watson, of Grahamstown, has been busy some days on the reclaimed land west of the wharf, making preparations for beginning his contract for renewing 200 feet of the Queen street wharf. The Harbour Board who have supplied Mr. Watson the piles to be used in the undertaking have granted the use of the reclaimed around for manipulating the pile., so as by this means to shorten the timedunngwhichthewharf will be obstructed by the progress of the work. This morning the contractor began the ta.k of removing the present old structure. The usual and necessary plan of doing half the width at a time is being pursued, and for the public safety a barrier has been erected the whole length of the part. We are informed that nearly all the piles are ready for use. From their appearance we should judge that great care has been used in selecting them. The job is expected to take about three months. To the Editor: Sir, —Your reporter certainly made a mistake as to the number.of the Ponsonby who mustered on the field at the commencement of the match. Eleven only came, and our complement was not made up till the last half hour. I counted the Parnellites and they numbered 14 to our 13, until the latter part of ther game when the others put in an appearance.—H. E. W. Sutton, Ponsonby. Some of the new Parnell lamps were lighted for the first time last night. As it was nearly full moon there was little necessity for the additional light, but we presume the illumination was a trial affair, which to all appearance was successful. The lamppost at the Union Sash and Door Company's corner has been rescued from its burial-place in the hole, and erected on a commanding position, so as to shed a broadly diffused light over this awkward part of the road. The lamp-posts are of a neat pattern, and make the farnell streets look less uncivilized than they used to look without these useful modern accessories. Friends of the Rev Dr Purchasare informed, that a' limited number of portraits of the rev. gentleman are still for sale at Pulman's photographic rooms, Shortland-street.

A pleasant hour was passed last evening in the United Methodist Free Church Sabbath School, corner of Vincent-street, by a considerable number of fiiends of the Church and school.. The entertainment consisted of a set vice of sacred song by the choir and minister, aud was given in aid of the library. The intermediate readings were audibly given by the Bey. G. H. Turner, and were illustiative of the departure of the Israelites from the land of tbe Pharaohs. The most striking events of the history were graphically shewn in sixteen distinct views. The arrangements were excellent; the efficient choir, under the leadership of Mr Tudehope, sang with much spirit, and added to the pleasantness of the hour. Mr Triag presided at the harmonium. The entertainment closed with the well-known hymn of Dr Watts, "There is a land of pure delight," and the benediction pronounced by Mr Turner.

The Ponsonby. Tonic Sol-fa class is gaining attractive proportions and bids fair to become a popular institution. Last night Mr. Bloomfield held his seventh instruction class in All Saint's school-room j when a marked progress was noticed among the members, attiibutable in a measure to the addition of a number of accomplished singers under the old system. Several ladies of Ponsonby have enrolled themselves under the Bloomfield Tonic Sol-fa banner.

The Prince of Wales Lodge of instruction will meet this evening at seven o'clock at the Masonic Hotel.

It was curious that the two applications made tc-day in the Supreme Court should both concern plaintiffs, described as Clark and wife, but having no connection with one another. The plaintiffs in the first case are settlers at Hokianga, and in the other —a master-mariner and his wife, at Auckland. Mr J. B. Bus Sell made the application in both instances, being against the Clark's in the first case, and for them in the other.

Another escape from the Training Ship was made yesterday, headed by the lad Woods, who has distinguished himself in that direction before. Bis companions were Joseph Danzez and .Alexander Anderson. The boys were recaptured to-day, and will be brought up at the Police Court to-moriO^.

An inquest was held at Howick yesterday on the body of the infant of Mr. Joseph Robinson, aged five weeks. The inquest was rendered necessary in consequence of the doctor refusing to grant a certificate, having only been called in at the last minute The evidence shewed that the child had been sickly from birth, and had had gradually wasted away till death put an end to its sufferings.

The monthly inspection of the Hobson Company took place last evening in the new Drill-shed under Major Gordon. The inspection was satisfactory, the men appeared in full trim and order. It was announced that the new rides would be given out to members as soon as the old ones were given in. The efficient Hobson Band played several splendid airs a. the compiny marched to and fro from bead-quarters io the Drill-shed, and the music attracted many listeners Their new lamps which they used for the first time added much to the attractiveness of the band as the members passed along tho street.

At the monthly inspection of the Auckland Battery of Artillery, held last evening, under command of Captain Burns, the men were complimented by Major Gordon for their attendance and efficiency. A meeting was subseouently held when Sub Lieutenant Payne was unanimously elected lieutenant; Quarter-master Sergeant Garde, sub-Leuten-ant; Gunner Long, corporal, and Guuuer Cameron, bombardier. The members then adjourned to the British Hotel, where they spent a convivial hour.

Messrs E. and H. Isaacs sell to-mori* ow, a splendid piano which came by the Foifar shire, and made by Bord, of Paris. It was put on board for the us a of the passengers, and is of excellent tone. It will bo sold for what it fetches, and may be got a bargain to those who require oae.

A select entertainment, consisting of music and song, will be given to-morrow evening, in Mr. Jeune's new Excelsior Hall, for the amusement of young and old. The entertainment, the first of a series, if successful, will consisfcof songs and recitations by ladies and gentlemen, concluding with a quadrille assembly, designed especially for the young.