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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2974, 6 January 1881, Page 2

There was no business transacted at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning.

Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. E. Reignier next Sunday at Havelook at 11 a.m.

We would remind our readers of the Bishop of Waiapu's lecture at St. John's schoolroom this evening- on Norfolk Island. Full particulars will be found in another column.

We learn from Taranaki that with reference to the words uttered by Te Whiti to the Governor's Aide-de-camp— "The potato is cooked"—the natives say Te Whiti has privately expressed his maaning to be, " The land is taken—the land is sold, and now being settled upon— and what now is the use of talking about it?''

At noon to-day the time expired for the nomination of candidates for the vacant seat in the Municipal Council. There were only two ratepayers nominated, namely, Mr Henry Hoyle Wall and Mr Edward Ashton. It is understood that Mr Wall is the nominee of the Mayor and of Mr M'Vay, and that Mr Ashton enters tlje field on the independent ticket.

We understand that the natives about Parihaka are beginning to feel the effects of their indolent and improvident habits. A gentleman who came through Parihaka two days ago states that food is very scarce at the settlement, and the Maoris are digging up half-ripe potatoes in order to supply their daily wants. Many natives have been driven back from Paiihaka to their own settlements owing to the insufficiency of food.

Three men named. Abraham Bowden, William Brown, and William Hudspeth were charged at the Auckland Police Court yesterday with practical joking on William Dawson and Philip Brady of a filthy description while the prosecutors were intoxicated. The prisoners were alleged te have shaved Dawson and dyed his body with pink on Christmas night, and to have clipped and shaved Brady. The charge against Brown was withdrawn, Bowden was acciuitted, and Hudspeth was fined 10s and costs. The prosecutor Dawson was drunk in Court, and was arrested for contempt. Brady was also drunk.

Wi Warepa was sentenced to death yesterday at the Christchurch. sessions of the Supreme Court for the murder of his wife at the Chatham Islands. He made a long and pointless statement when called upon by the Judge to say why he should not be sentenced. The burden of his complaint was that in gaol they tried to give him medicine in his food, and that he disliked the doctor who attended the gaol. He said nothing bearing on the murder. The jury at first wanted to recommend the prisoner to mercy on account of his wife's adultery, but the Judge said that no evidence had been brought to bear on that point, and the jury consequently returned a verdict of " guilty " only.

Our (Lyttelton Times) Wellington correspondent writes that, in addition to questions mentioned in his lastletter as likely to engage the attention of Parliament next session, there are abundant signs that determined attempts will be made to amend the Education Act, so as to arrive at some compromise between absolute secularism and denominational teaching. It is said that views have already been exchanged between recognised leaders of various denominations, and again between them and members known to take special interest in the Education question; and that the way has been smoothed towards a " platform " on which they can take a common stand. Another matter that is already throwing the shadow of common contention is the liquor traffic. Local Optionists are working quietly but steadily, and Licensed Victuallers are not asleep. Altogether the indications are that the big fights of the next session—with the exception of the Representation Bill—will be over fcooial questions rather than purely political ones.

Some further particulars as to the quartz sent from Palmerston to the Thames for crushing are published by the Times. The Thames Bank manager thus writes to the agent at Palmerston :—" No. 1 lot, 1131bs, gives 2 grains; and No. 2, 1421b5, 5 grains,retorted gold; equal to a return, per ton, of about two and three pennyweights respectively, but in neither case payable. Ihad the quartz orushed at the single stamper battery of the Moanatairi Company, supposed to be the most perfect here, and I fully instructed the manager in writing, to give every care, caution, and attention, towards a pure return. I might point out that small tests like the above, or chemical tests of isolated pieces, such as Dr Hector would put through, are never reliable to base a return of payable or non-payable gold upon. The quartz you forwarded, to our experience, is extremely hard and hungry looking, and not stuff, to judge from appearances, which a Thames miner would dream of testing beyond poundinjj, and jirashing in his prospeoting pan."

The first meeting of the Regatta Committee took place last night at the Criterion Hotel. Present: Messrs J. W. Carlile (chairman), W. U. Burke, T. R. Cooper, E. O'Connor, W. Bogle, J. Upchurch, 8. E. Cooper, J. Gilberd, and R. Price. Mr W. U. Burke having been elected treasurer, and Mr W. Bogle secretary, it was resolved that the regatta should be held to suit the tide sometime between February 20 and March lon the Ngaruroro rivor. The following programme was agreed upon :— Whale-boat race, open to all comers, If miles; Ist prize, £10 ; 2nd prize, £2 10s. Four-oared representative race, open to all amateurs, to be rowed in inrigged gigs over a course of about two mile 3; prize, trophies to the value of about £30. Senior fours, open to all amateurs who have not rowed as representatives; course one mile ; prize, trophy, £15. Junior fours, open to all amateurs who have not rowed as seniors ; course one mile ; prize, trophy, £10. Maori canoe race ; course one mile ; Ist prize, £10; 2nd, £2 10s. Pair-oared race ; one mile; prize, value £5. Rob Roy canoe race, J mile ; prize, value £2 10s. Greasy boom ; prize, a pig and £1. It was understood that, if the funds should permit, the value of the prizes might be increased. The following sub-committee was appointed to draw up rules, and make every arrangement for the regatta—Messrs Bogle, Upchurch, Gilberd, and Cooper, to report to the committee, which then adjourned till Wednesday evening, 19th instant.

Some notable deeds of unselfish courage were rewarded yesterday with the silver medals of that excellent institution, the Royal Humane Society. Honour is due, in the first place, to a lady, twice noble by compassion and by birth, the Hon. Blafache Colville, who, at West Cowes, on August 24, hearing that a poor girl was drowning who had already twice sunk, plunged in the sea in her yachting dress as she stood, and, notwithstanding the weight of her soaked garments, saved this all but lost life. Another brave brea3t decorated with the medal was that of Arthur Evans, a lad of 15, who, at Aberayan, Cardiganshire, seeing a man carried beyond his depth and sinking, flung off his clothes, swam to the spot 3 dived thrice and finally brought his prize up by the hair of the head, saving him, but so narrowly that the gallant boy fainted himself while still in. the water. William Chambers was the third of the trio of generous souls whose loving kindness honours nature. He descended a well at Ashford wherein two men had already been asphyxiated, and tautening a rope to one of the sufferers, brought him out alive, returning for the other, but only to obtain a dead body. We salute with deep respect the English lady, the lad and the workman. In days of cynicism and self-seeking, they teach us the impressive lesson that there are many things better than life and dearer than length of years.—London Telegraph.