NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2700, 2 December 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[pee peess association.]

AUCKLAND, December 1. The customs duties for the port of Auckland for November were .£28,537.

The Thames Naval Cadets came up to Auckland in their launch under Captain Barlow to interview the Defence Minister on the new volunteer regulations, which threaten extinction of the corps. Mr Bryce promised to give the matter his favorable consideration.

The New (Zealand Insurance Company had reinsured .£590 of the risks on the Onehunga fire with the National Insurance Company. Mr E. W. Smith, chief of the United States transit of Venus party here, has recovered from his severe indisposition. Arrangements for observing the transit are well forward, and nearly all completed. WANGANUI, December 1.

Vital statistics for November —Births, 27; marriages, 6; deaths, 14. The deaths show an increase of six. WELLINGTON, December 1.

Suspicious circumstances have transpired in connection with the recent burning of the Cheltenham Saw Mills. The New Zealand Insurance Company offers a reward of £SO for the conviction of the perpetrator of the crime. A detective has arrived here to make enquiries into the matter. The Customs duties for the last month were £IB,OOO, showing an increase of £2500 over the corresponding month of last year. The case of Hurrey v the Bank of New South Wales still occupies the Appeal Court.

DUNEDIN, December 1

At a meeting to-day, it was agreed to entertain Mr Archibald Forbes at a public banquet on Tuesday night. Mr J. Bath*, gate, M.H.R., the lion. W. 11. Reynolds, Rev. Dr. Stuart and Mr Job Wain, President of the Caledonian Society, were the leading men present. The gross takings at the Carnival in aid of the Benevolent Institute, to which crowds flock nightly, are expected to exceed £3OOO.

At the Balelutha Police Court on Wednesday, William Wilson was committed for trial at Dunedin for indecently assaulting a Mrs Twaddell at Waitepeka. A young man namedMcNeil was also charged by a Miss Churnside with having shot at her with intent to kill. It was expected that the evidence taken would have revealed some interesting features, but the case was withdrawn without any evidence being taken at all, and what was better the respective parties, acting under their counsels’ advice, adjourned to the nearest registrar’s office, and were made man and wife before they were twenty minutes out of the Court. INVERCARGILL, December 1. Mr Forbes’ final lecture here to-night was a success.

The Borough Council to-day resolved net to come under the now Eating Act this year. The temperature is occasionally high in the district at present, and rain is much wanted in the hack country. In some parts there has boon no rain since August. BALCLUTHA, December 1.

The inquest on the girl Eliza Smith, who fell off the railway carriage, showed that death resulted from an accident, and no blame is attached to the railway officials.

[from THE “ PRESS.”!

WELLINGTON, November 30,

I find there has been a misconception in some quarters regarding the interview of Mr Fenton, late Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, with the King Natives, and his negotiations with them, which have been misunderstood as an indirect attempted renewal on Mr Bryce’s part, an idea which, if allowed to go uncorrccted, may do harm. The explanation is verisimple. The Waikato Confiscated Lands Act of 1830 sets forth the rebellion of the Natives and the confiscation of the lands of the rebels. Some subsequently returned to their allegiance, and others were desirous of doing so, therefore it was expedient to empower the Governor to provide ands for their residence and settlement out of an area still undisposed of, so the Governor is empowered to reserve the land and grant it to the Natives, and set it apart oy war-rant, such grants to ho unalienable, hut revokable, failing residence the power is not to endure beyond two years. Now Mr Fenton, while he occupied his other duties, was unable to complete the work which he had begun, and the Act expired by effluxion of time, hut a short Act was passed last session (Waikato Confiscated Lands Act, 1882), which extended the period by two years more, and now Mr Fenton, having retired on pension, is free to proceed with the settlement arrangements to completion. This, no doubt, will tend to strengthen Mr Bryce’s hands, especially coupled with the Amnesty Act and other measures of last •ession

WELLINGTON, December 3. In consequence of the recent frequency of cases of absconding by the San Francisco mail steamers from Auckland, the Government have decided to send to Auckland a detective from each of the principal cities, in order that they may attend the departure of each San Francisco boat, and keep a careful surveillance, while it is presumed, that being acquainted with the personal appearance of most persons at their present stations, they would be able promptly to recognise any defaulter or debtor or criminal attempting to bolt. It has been pretty well ascertained that one or two recent absconders might easily have been stopped at Auckland had there been available anybody who could have definitely recognised them so as to he able to depose to their identity. It is hoped, by having one Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin detective to watch each boat an efficient check may be imposed, while also the knowledge that the mail steamers will be under such strict surveillance may act as deterrent to would-be absconders. The detectives removed from Dunedin, Wellington, and Christchurch will bo replaced by members of the force at present in Auckland. As there are applications from all parts of the colony for the post of resident surgeon to the Wellington Hospital, it may be of interest if I state the course decided on by the Government. When the W ellington Corporation advertised for applications, the salary was fixed at .£350, with rations and residence. The Government have determined to reduce the money payment by £IOO, and have just issued a circilar to all applicants, informing them that the salarywill he £350, with rations and residence, and asking if they still desire to be considered candidates. The appointment will he made when sufficient time is allowed for answers to he received.