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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3857, 27 November 1883, Page 2

We have lately received a return, ordered by the House of Representatives," showing the locality, acreage, and estimated value of the native reserves in New Zealand, including those over which the native title has not been extinguished. Considering that this return docs not give the area of the country held by tho King natives, nor the immense blocks of land still in the occupation of tho Maoris, we think the most rabid member of the Aborigines Protection Society may rest assured that the New Zealand race has not yet been despoiled of the whole of its ancestral estate. The total acreage of the reserves amounts to over a million and a half of acres, of the estimated value of £2,650,906. Without any other provision tho 80,000 natives m this island might rest perfectly satisfied. The following gives the area reserved m each district: — A. R. I. Auckland 58-1,723 1 31 Hawke's Bay .. .. 58 G, 1/4 3 2 Wellington 108,013 2 0 Patea and West Coast 49,470 125 Tamuaki .. .. '.. 53.60? 0 0 Nelson 58,06» 3 30 Marlborough .. ~ 26,926 222 Westlaud ",687 2 1Q Canterbury... .... 1.3,017 030 Otago 17,133 2 21 Southland /,8/3 0 0 Totul ________________ 85 ° U

The annual meeting of the Hawke's Bay County Council will be held to-morrow at noon, for tho election of a chairman, and other business. We arc i-equ____ £o state that tho special train engaged by the Nftpier Amateur Dramatic Club to run to Hastings on the occasion of their playing there on Thursday will stop at Tomoana for the benefitof persons wishing to attend the entertainment. In tho Supreme Court this morning, on tho names of the jury in the case of Miss Mary Followes against Dr Hamilton, of Hastings, being called, no less than eight jurymen were challenged by counsel on cither side, and the ease was in consequence heard before a jury of four. _ The remaining common jurors in waiting were then discharged.

An attempt is being mado to get up an agitation in favor of restricting promotion in the railway service to employes within the district iv which vacancies may ai-jsc. A moment's consideration will show how ill-advised such an agitation must be, The railway service is a colonial and not a local institution, and being so tho chances of promotion arc greater than if they were limited :to the locality in which a .vacancy occurred.

Mr John Harding, of Mount Vernon, on the conclusion of the Horticultural Society's show, instructed the secretary, Mr iff. Lascelles, to present the hospital with Jiia (Mr Harding's) exhibit of a beautiful varioty of fuchsia called the Earl of Beaconsfield. We aro always glad to record a gift of this kind, as it shows on the part of tho donor so thoughtful a regard for the sick.

Mr Thomas rarkcr, of the Commercial Hotel, Port Ahuriri, made application to His Honor the Chief Justice at tbe Supremo Court this morning to bo excused from attendance on the jury, on the ground of illhealth. In reply to His Honor Mr Parker stated that he had been suffering severely from rheumatic gout, and felt too unwell to servo on the jury. His Honor granted tbe application.

An absurd story is afloat to the effect that all the trouble about the Corporation offices had its origin in the desire of the Freemasons to sell their building in Tennysonstreet to the Municipal Council. Some years ago Mr R, Stuart, thon Mayor, mooted the idea of acquiring tho Masonic Hall for Corporation offices, but as soon a* it was suggested to tho fraternity of Masons that body would not listen to it, the most prominent objectors being Messrs Swan and Tuxford, who wore both at that time in the Council.

Tho criminal sitting of the Supreme Court opened and concluded yesterday without adding to the population of tho gaol, Boyle being found not guilty of the charge of stealing. Tho district may fairly be congratulated on tho fact that the calendar only contained this one charge. Many years ago, if we remember rightly, Judge Johnston was presented here with a pair of white kid gloves, the criminal calendar being blank.

The rabbits in the County of Lake (Otago), it is reported, have contracted a disease that has carried off numbers of them. The disease is said to bo tuberculosis. Whatever it is, it comes as a boon and a blessing to man, though probably it is not comfortable for bunny. In some parts of the country between Wakatipu and Wanaka Lakes a pedestrian can lack a rabbit almost every step he takes. No wonder tho little beasts have become unhealthy when living together in such swarms, but we rather think tuberculosis must have been introduced.

The civil sittings of the Supremo Court commenced this morning, the first caso being that of the Northern Investment Company against Smith and Walker. There was no appearance of the defendants, and the case lasted but a very short time. Tho action against Dr. Hamilton for £300 damages for alleged bad treatment then commenced, and occupied the rest of the day. It was still proceeding when we went to press.

Tho forthcoming performance by tho Napier Amateur Dramatic Club, which will take place in tho Town Hall, Hastings, on Thursday evening next should not fail to draw a large audience, as wo understand that numerous promises of support havo been received, and wo aro certain that the entertainment will meet with approbation. It is pleasing to noto the determination with which tho members of tho club aro endeavoring to increase tho amount of their charitable fund. Their efforts deserve every encour-

agement, and we trust that tho public of Hastings and the adjacent districts will accord them a large share of support. Tho Hon. Mr Rolleston seems to have but an imperfect acquaintance with the Government buildings in Najiier. He says in his letter to the Mayor, which wo published yesterday, that "the departments of tho

General Government arc cramped for room,"

and " it became evident that the Government must either build new offices, or finally call upon the municipality to give up tho premises which they hold from the Government." Now, it so happens that there are at this present moment six unoccupied rooms in tho building ; it is also tho fact that the Education Board is in occupation of four apartments where one would be amply sufficient. With these facts staring us in the face tho excuse offered by tho Government for turning the Corporation out of its offices is " a little too thin." It is a revised odition of the story of Naboth's vineyard, and nothing more.

After we went to press yesterdajr the caso against Johnston Boylo of stealing from the person was continued in tho Supremo Court, and several other witnesses were examined. No material evidence wua elicited beyond a statement by Robert Cargill that prisoner had no money on tho 23rd August, and that on the 25th, the day on which the larceny was alleged to havo been committed, ho wanted to givo ehango for a cheque for £8. His Honor having summed up, the jury retired, and brought in a verdict of not guilty. Tho prisoner •was then discharged.

A pleasing ceremony took place in Wanganui on Tuesday last in the shape of a presentation to Mr A. Foster, of the Bank of New South Wales (late of Napier), on his leaving to take charge of the branch at Lawrence, Otago. The presentation, says the Herald, which was made by Mr E. N. Ward, on behalf of tho many friends who regret his departure, a number of whom were present, took the form of an address and a purse of sovereigns. The address expressed in brief terms high appreciation of Mr Foster's genial and business qualities displayed during liis short residence here, and a hope that he might find happiness and prosperity in his new sphere of labor. The purse of sovereigns, also, which was a heavy one. was a substantial recognition of the esteem in which ho is held in Wanganui. Mr Foster replied to the presentation briefly, stating that ho was somewhat taken by surprise at the unexpected mark of friendship, but he thanked them heartily, and hoped that if any of his friends ever go South they will visit him at Lawrence. There were twenty-seven civil cases "set down for hearing in tho Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, but of thianum* her only six were adjudicatod on. Tho sitting magistrates' were E. Patten, Esq., J.P., and J. S. Caro, Esq., J.P. Of tho remaining twenty-one cases, in three judgment was confessed, five were adjourned, and tho items were cither withdrawn or settled. The six eases that were disposed of were summonses all for small amounts, in which judgments were given for plaintiffs.

The performances of the "Polk" Comedy Company in Auckland continue to attract very large audiences to the Opera House. Of the piece now running there, and which is to follow the " Strategist" during tho season of the company in Napier, the Auck; land Herald has the following notice:•—Tho amusing comedy of " An Arabian Night, or Harouu-al-RaschidaudhisMothcr-in-law,'? was repeated last • evening at tho Opera House, to an excellent house. It went even better than on tho first night of performance, : and the audience were in a state of continuous merriment throughout the piece. The acting of Mr Polk (Mr Spinklc) aud Mrs Polk (Rose Mayblooin, "The Wild Rose of Yucatan?')' throughout tho play was distinguished by a high degree of excellence ; while Mrs Bryer, as Mrs Beetles* the mother-in-law, was immense. The other members of tho company played their respective roles with credit. '.' An Arabian Night" bids fair to have as successful a run as the ever popular "Strategist.'' Those who desire to on joy a night's innocent fun and amusement should not fail to ' sco the performance 'of this clever society comedy.- > Mr Alfred Saunders, ex-M.H.R. for Cheviot, in an extremely characteristic letter to tho Christchurch Press on Mr Mitchelson's appointment to a seat in the Cabinet, thus refers to tho Colonial Secretary:-— "You say that Mr Dick is feeble enough in all conscience. How did you find that out, or what proofs havo you of it ? In what has ho failed? Was his department ever better conducted, except undor tho exceptionally ablo Stafford r Has any Minister of late years shown more knowledge of the details of his department when taking his estimates through Committee P Was a long, hardly-fought Bill ever taken through the House with more temper and tact than that with which ho took the pro. sent licensing Bill? Did any Minister ever show such power to decide promptly when to give way and whon to put down liis foot ? lie has ten times tho temper and judgment of the Premier, and is a better debater than the otherwise able Bryco. 'Tis true that for forty years amongst us he has never borne anything but a mono • tonously respectable character. He docs not get drunk nor swear, nor spend largo miscellaneous votes on himself, nor cook his accounts, nor exhibit airs and graces, k Ho wjll not even go to a Cabinet meeting on a Sunday,.unless he thinks tho occasion important enough to justify its being hold on that day. But neither wwuld Cromwell nor Gladstone, so that that does not proy.a him to bo quite a simpleton," ■'_'.;_,

MrT. Bracken, M.H.R., is having printed in London a book of pooms, entitled " Lays of tho Land of the Maori and Moa."

A nativo woman at Aotca has given birth to a child with two faces and only one head. It is three months old, but not expected to livo.

Tho Dunedin Tablet is severely sarcastic on tho Luther celebration. It calls Knox tho ruffian of the Reformation, and Luther its buffoon.

Captain Rhodes has expressed his firm determination to swim the Niagara Rapids. Ho declines to give the date of the attempt, and states that no one except his wife and brother will know the day aud the hour.

Father Moreau, one of the oldest Catholic mission priests in New Zealand, now lies very ill at Father Kirk's Presbytery, Wanganui. The patient, who for some time past had been stationed up tho river amongst the Maoris, was brought down for medical treatment.

At Flcmington, on tho Derby Day, a favourite prima donna wore a harmony in azure-blue satin, large poke bonnet of tho same colour, huge parasol, aud blue gloves to match. As "the bearer of this dress tripped down the lawn, with the sunlight playing on her, sho looked for all tho ivorld like a floating cloud.

Tho Otago Times refers to Sir George Grey's recent address as follows :—" It scorns to have consisted rather of a glorification of Sir George's own action in the past than of any valuable suggestion for future action, and it contains ample proof that it would have been extremely unwise to send ._._im to tho Convention as was suggested."

It is admitted (says a Southern journal) that in New Zealand paternal government has been pushed to an extreme undreamed of even by Orientals. Tho New Zealander, from the hour in which his parents register his birth to that when the Life Assurance Department pays his policy to his widow or executor, is aided or impeded iv the race of life by Government assistance.

Tho latest development of bankruptcy morality in Wellington, according to the Times, 'is that a working man employed in that district has filed his schedule for £31 Bs, together with an odd twopence halfpenny. 'Die total value of his estate he estimates at .£ 15, being £10 less than tho law allows him to rotain, and his wageearning power is not reckoned as a legal asset. Having solemnly invited his creditors to meet him at the Supremo Court building they deliberately stayed away, and tho poor bankrupt was left alone lamenting. A New Plymouth paper says:—"A number of Waikato natives passed through

the town on Tuesday for Parihaka. They were evidently very 'hard up,' as they were selling their greenstones to purchase food. It appears that this visit to Parihaka is only an excuse to live on ' the cheap ;' for, hay-

ing put in their crops, they start on their pilgrimage, living during the time on the v natives through whose settlements they pass. As the local natives have nearly exhausted tho Avholo of their substance on Te Whiti, the visitors havo not fared so sumptuously as in past days.

A consignment of frozen fish from Now Zealand was, says a London paper, sold retail in tho Central Fish Market on September 29. The kinds are principally sea flounder and mullet. It is remarkable that after so long a voyago the greater proportion of the bulk was in splendid condition. Owing to want of knowledge of the conditions necessary to be observed in packing fish for a journey round three parts of the world, a few of the outside fish in the boxes wero a very little gone off, though not enough to render them unsaleable; but tho whole consignment came to hand in better condition than many parcels of fish which had travelled from English ports. Partly, perhaps, from the novelty, there was a brisk demand, several old colonists being present, many of whom expressed surpriso at the life-like appearance of the fish. Good prices wero realised, tho mullet fetching Sd end Od each, and the experiment may be pronounced an undoubted success. With very little practice in the preparation and packing, there is no doubt cargoes of fish can bo brought without tho slightest deterioration from any part of the world.

Mr G. Butterfickl Avritcs to the Sydnoy jEvening Ncavs as folloAvs regarding a comet now rapidly coming into view:—"From tho elements of M. Palisa Avhich he gives, I have computed positions of the comet at successive intervals of 30 days, from Avhich, referred to the earth's places at corresponding dates, it is manifest that avo, in this southern hemisphere, shall not bo able to sco it earlier than next February, during which month it Avill be a conspiciuousobjcctin our western evening sky. On the night of 3rd February, at Avhich date it is also nearest to tho sun, it -will bo about 90 millions of miles distant from the earth—as near an approach as tho magnificent comet of last year. When avo consider that it avus visible on 3rd September last, at a distance of 23G millions of miles from tho sun, and a little less from the earth, and moreover, is approaching us at an accelerating speed of over two millions of miles a day, avc may expect a prodigious increase of apparent size and brilliance at this comparatively small distance. At this date (3rd February), hoAVever, it Avill be aboA'c our horizon for a very short time (about an hour) after sunset, The interval betAVcen the setting of the sun and the setting of the comet will, hoAvever, rapidly increase daily, as the comot crosses tho piano of tho earth's orbit, on 12th February, at a distance of 78 millions of miles from the sun and about 95 millions of miles from tho earth, and fades from our viow in the southern regions of space." ■ Iv place of consulting the family physician, much trouble and inconvenience could be saved by taking a simple prescription Avhich is always feasible and will inY variably prove efficacious like Wolfe's SoiiNAri'S.—[Advt.]