The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1892.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 92, 2 February 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1892.

From a Parliamentary return we have made a compilation as follows : — From the summary showing tribal lands which have not passed through the Native Land Court, and have not been leased to Europeans, we gather the following particulars : — Land used for pastoral and agricultural purposes — Auckland, 48,362 acres; Hawkes Bay, 32,714 acres; Wellington, 1500 acres ; total, 82,576 acres. Land lying unproductive — Auckland, 1,849,205 acres ; Taranaki, 31,000 acres j Hawkes Bay, 486,967 acres ; Wellington, 327,461 acres ; Total, 2,694,633 acres. The lands which have passed through the Native Land Court and have been leased to Europeans are as follows : — acres Auckland ... 392,374 Taranaki ... 64,718 Hawkes Bay ... 1,285,556 Wellington ... 679,820 Total ... 2,422,468 j The annual Property Tax valuations amount to — Lessors' Interest .£1,979,857 Lessees' Interest £473,559 The lands which have passed through the NativeLandCourtand are still held by the Maoris for personal occupation, and now used for pastoral and agricultural purposesacres Auckland , rt ... 827,413 Taranaki 16,049 Hawkes Bay 57,177 Wellington 330,295 Total, 730,934 The area lying unproductive is—* Auckland 8,059,694 Taranaki ... ... 478,249 Hawkes Bay ... 717,745 Wellington 643 ; 186 - Total .- ... 4,898,874 The Property Tax valuation on the whole of the latter amounts to £1,867,841. The United States Divorce Laws have long been a scandal to a free and enlightened people, and a disgrace to civilsation ; and at last it is promised that in the forthcoming session of Congress an effort »vill be made to secure some sort of unity of procedure on the part of the various States in dealing with matrimonial differences. An American correspondent of the Manchester Examiner, says public opinion is thoroughly aroused about the subject, and has come to the conclusion that it is about time that American divorces should cease to be regarded with ridicule and reproach by the whole of the civilised world. The nation having outgrown its tempestuous youth, and attained the years of discretion, has at length commenced to realise that the sansity of the marriage law. constitutes one of principal pillars upon which rests the entire fabric of civilised society, and that anything calculated to bring it into contempt is destined to result in permanent and lasting injury to the community. It is anticipated that there will be considerable opposition to this intended reform, but the very fact that definite action is about to be taken may be accepted as, an indication of a most beneficial charge in public opinion \ among Americans. We have often had the pleasure of congratulating Father Patterson on the success which has attended his indefatigable efforts in this district, and another instance has been brought under our notice to-day. Recognising the necessity of having more teachers for the Catholic children in this district, he enlisted the services of three Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart from Sydney, New South Wales. These arrived in Palmerston North about ten days ago. They commenced their labors at once, and have succeeded so well that the influx of children from all denominations to the scbool has made it necessary for Father Patterson to make arrangements for tbe immediate enlargement of the school building.