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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 384, 11 June 1866, Page 2

The New Ministry.—We extract the following from a recent number of the 4 Lyttelton Times’:— 44 Mr Johnston’s, appointment, which appears to devolve upon him the special duty of leading the Upper House, is an exceedingly good one. Ha has not been a groat speaker, but he has proved that ho possesses—in political matters, as •w.dljis in the business of the mercantile world — a quick perception and a sound judgment. He has the reputation of possessing unusual ability and experience in finance; and the colony may therefore be reassured by the mere fact of his pro■ence in the Cabinet that no rash or dangerous financial policy is in contemplation by the Government. In party politics, though Mr Johnston must be described as a 44 Wellington man,” and a strong supporter of the rights of his province, still he has not scrupled to differ with and oppose Dr Featherston when theoccasion justified a difference oi opinion. We may therefore look upon Mr Joiinston’s accession to the Government as adding weight of character and steadiness of judgment, much to the advantage of the colony ; but from a Middle Island point of view we have to put him down as an honorable opponent. —Of Mr Jollie’s entrance into the Ministry, the first remark which will generally be made is one of astonishment that the Anti-Stafford cry, so vigorously indulged in by Mr W eld s friends, should so soon be forgotten by one of their number. But Mr Jollie is an old personal friend and ally of Mr Stafford. After ail the changes which have taken place among the leaders of the party, we have no ri<dxt to complain that a new turn of the wheel brings up Mr Jollie as a colleague of Mr Stafford, of whom he was for many years a supporter. As regards Canterbury interests, there is something to be said in favor of the appointment. It is in some sort a guarantee that this province will not be trampled upon by the present administration, as some people seem to have expected; that justice will at least be done to Canterbury equally with the other provinces. We wish we could go further. Mr Jollie is said to bo the coming Colonial Treasurer, in whose department will be the preparation of the financial policy. We wish we could think that in his hands Northern expenditure will be limited by a thorough regard to the rights of the South Island. We fear, on the contrary, that whatever policy will be adopted for the North will find in the new Treasurer an exponent who will not hesitate to throw burdens upon the community. Mr Jollie has always been a strong partizan of the war policy, and has constantly maintained the duty of the South to lend all its resources to accomplish the repression ®f rebellion in the other island. He has also been a determined anti-provinoialist, and would not be deterred from, but rather impelled towards, anr policy of finance which would cripple the Provincial Governments. Not only in finance, but in the working out of every part of the constitution, Mr Jollie may be expected to use his influence in the direction of abolishing or degrading provincial institutions. It is hard to understand how Mr Paterson, who spoke*at Dunedin of provincial expansion, and Mr Jollie, holding strong views in the opposite direction, can be colleagues in the Ministry of the colony. That the post of Treasurer should he designed for Mr Jollie will be a surprise to the public, who have not credited that genlleman with any power or experience in finance. Can it be that some recent correspondence about surplus revenues, between Mr Jollie and the Press newspaper, has had the double effect of dividing him from the present ostensible leader of bis party, and of recommending Lira to the head of the Government as a financier? Be this as it may, Mr Jollia’s adhesion to the Stafford Government is significant of the total disruption of the old Weld party. Bishop Monbad. —Bishop Monrad, the exPrime Minister of Denmark, returned to Wellington by the Phoebe, on the Ist June, and took up his abode at Government House, as a guest of His Excellency the Governor.

Waikato.—The Taranaki Herald sajs —“ We notice that the 3rd and 4th Regiments of the Waikato Militia have been called out for training end exercise. What the reason for this may be, we are not aware ; but it is reported that a letter is in circulation among the Waikato tribes, telling them that ‘ they have only to wait until the tide shall have ebbed, and then they will be able to walk without wetting their feet on land now covered by the water.’ The ebbing of the tide of course means the withdrawal of the troops. The refusal of Eewi to see the Governor tends to confirm this report, but it appears not quite certain yet that the troops are to be withdrawn Mr Cardwell is peremptory, but Sir George Grey, can be stubborn when he likes, and it is said that General Chute returns from Wellington, without getting a satisfactory answer from his Excellency on the subject. The question is one for these two officers to settle between themselves, and we hope they may settle it to the satisfaction of their Imperial masters." Patea Races.—The Patea autumn race meeting took place on the 14th and 15th ultimo, and passed off most successfully. The Maiden Plate was won by Mr Thacker’s Dottrell; Loot Stakes by Major Rooke’s Dutchman; Patea Cup by Mr Dawson’s Sunrise ; Merchant’s Cup by Mr Dawson’s Sunrise; Grand Military Steeplechase by Mr Marsland’s Echo; Scurry Steeplechase, Capt. Slone s Sir George ; Hack Scurry by Dr Jobsen’s Old Clo’; Porced Hadicap by Mr Maraland’sEcho; Saddle Race by Dr Jobson’s Old Clo’ ; Surplus Stakes by Mr Marsland’s Echo. Majob M'Donnell.—This gallant officer returned to Wanganui by the s.s. Ahuriri on Saturday last, and, wo believe, proceeded to Pipiriki yesterday. The bullet wound which be received in the left leg at the attack upon, and capture of Pmahi, on the 7th January is so far healed as to enable him to again lake command of the Native Contingent, but the ball has been extracted. We i vjoice to find that the services of so able an officer nre again available should circumstances require them. His place was ably supplied by his brother, Captain. M'Donnell, during his temporary absence. —Wanganui Times, 29th May. Ceimikax Sittings.—The sittings of the Supreme Court at Wellington were adjourned from fl'.e 7th to the 11th (this day) owing to the absence his Honor the Judge at Nelson.

The Royal Engineers in New Zealand.— Farewell I— The 4 New Zealand Herald,’ 30th May, has the following:— 44 As we shall shortly have to say 44 Farewell” to the Royal Engineers, who have been represented in the province since 1847, a short notice of the history of the detachment hero will be interesting to our readers; the more so because, although the detachment has been a small one, the benefits it has conferred upon the province has been of a most important and permanent kind. The first detachment of the 6th company of Royal Engineers arrived in New Zealand in 1847, under command of Lieut. Lugard. Subsequently the force received accessions, and in 1855 it consisted of 2 sergeants and 32 rank and file. In 1860 it was increased to 4 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 82 rank and file. During the Waikato war the company was filled up to its war strength of 120 of all ranks, who have been engaged, under the officers of the corps, at the different stations and outposts, in engineering works in the field, and in the construction and maintenance of barracks, stabling, magazines, &o. In 1860-61, a portion of the corps was in the field at Taranaki during the campaign there. In 1862-63 the Engineers were actively engaged in constructing roads in Taranaki, and in a wort for which the inhabitants of this province have much to be grateful—the Great South Road. Another work of great benefit to the province has been the erection and working of the military electric telegraph, which was done by the non-commissioned officers of the corps, under the Deputy-Quartermaster-General. On all occasions of a force being actively employed in the field, the Royal Engineers efficiently superintended the construction of bridges, roads, redoubts, &c., in addition to the occasional exercise of their sapping and mining knowledge. During their various employments, military and civil, the engineers have had about the average number of casualties in their ranks, the principal being the death of Lieutenant Masterson, who was drowned in crossing the Wheuuakau river, Wanganui, during the recent campaign. There are now in the colony 6 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 109 rank and file, under the command of Major Brooke. That officer was wounded at Rangiriri, at the storming of which he distinguished himself, gaining his promotion to a brevet majority. Colonel Mould, lately commanding the Royal Engineers in this colony, was engaged in all the campaigns, and was comspicuous for his gallantry. He obtained the rank of Commander of the Ba(h. The Royal Engineers that embark for England leave many of their late comrades filling respectable positions in society here as business men and mechanics. The Commanding Royal Engineer or chief of the department is Colonel Beatson, who recently succeeded Colonel Mould, C.B. Detachments of the company are now stationed at Taranaki and Wanganui, under the command of Lieutenants Ferguson and Mulloy. The civil officers of the department are Mr George Single, stationed at Taranaki, and Mr Frederick L. Jones, stationed at Auckland. Both these gentlemen were engaged during the hostilities in hutting the troops. Mr Jones was also employed by the Colonial Government to hut the local forces in the Waikato district, and is well known and generally esteemed here.” Waiuabapa. —The Wairarapa correspondent of the 4 New Zealand Advertiser,’ under date 30th May, writes as follows : — 44 Information has reached us this morning that the rebel chief Wi Tako (who we hoped some months ago would be located in the Chathama), has given us another proof of his determination to set our 4 laws and forces’ at defiance by shooting two cows, the property of Mr McLauchan, a settler in Masterton ; and on the owner going to expostulate with him for doing so, he ordered him away from the pa with a threat that if ho did not immediately do so, he (Wi Tako) would discharge the contents of a very handsome double-barrelled gun (which he held in his hand) at his precious person. Mr McLauchan has stated the case to Captain Smith, J.P., and I understand it is the intention of that gentleman to make an official report of the particulars to the Defence Minister, who, the settlers hope, will not allow that sort of thing to be done with impunity. It was very annoying some months ago to have to submit to this sort of thing, when we had no means of bringing the perpetrator to justice; but how much more so now we have the means, yet still have to allow ourselves to ho ridden over, rough-shod, by these rebels, without the slightest hope of redress. With the bold efficient Defence Force and their gallant commander (that we have never had the opportunity of giving a smell of gunpowder to) we could secure this Hau-hau cure, even though ho had ten times as many kai tiha’s at his command, and we trust that the Government will take determined measures to do so, and should they, we hope they’ll give him the benefit of the act as a 4 rebel,’ and confiscate the thousand acres of valuable land that he holds, the Crown Grant for it and any other bona fide property ho may possess. I hope the Government will act in this matter in a way that will enable me to send you a full account of the capturing of this arch-rebel, and of the distinguished bravery of the W.C.D.F. in the engagement.” General' Chute’s Ball. —The gallant old gencr.il gave a ball at Auckland on the 24th ult., in commemoration of the nativity of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, which came off with great eclat.

Alteration of the Date of Arrival and Departure of the Suez Mail. —The New Zealand Herald says:—“We learn that the Home Government, on the application of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, have consented to an alteration in the dates of arrival at, and departures from Australia, of the steamer running between those colonies and point de Galle. Henceforth the Suez English Mail will arrive two days later in Australia, and be despatched homeward two days later also. Thus, instead of arriving in Melbourne on the lltb, and in Sydney on the 14th, it will arrive in the former port on the 13th, and in Sydney on the 17th of the month. The return mail will leave Sydney on the 24th, and Melbourne on the 28th of the month.” Bank of New South Wales. —The new Bank of New South Wales has just been completed in Princess-street, Dunedin. It is built of Otago stone, and is regarded &s the most handsome building in Dunedin, It# estimated cost is £5,037.

Damn a Bubglaey at Auckland. —A serious burglary was yesterday morning discovered to have taken place at Messrs Fraser and Tinne’s Phsenix Foundry Stanley-street. The premises are surrounded by a fence, and near the entrance gate are the offices of the establishment. The burglars, after getting over the fence, broke into the offices by raising a -window. Here they came upon the object which they evidently had in view from the first, for the burglars must have been in some degree acquainted with the premises. In the office was kept the safe ; and being locked, the burglars commenced operations to break it open. A number of files were taken from a drawer, and with these it was attempted to “ wedge ” the safe. It would have required, however, a far better set of tools than these men possessed to enable them to succeed. After apparently spending a long time in the effort, during which they broke several of the files and some implements which they brought with them, they gave up the attempt to open the safe iu this way. A heavy bar of iron was then used apparently in the effort to knock the hinges from the safe, hut this attempt was also fruitless. The safe had then been turned over, and tried to be broken open at another place. Evidently the burglars “ tried all they knew,” but were utterly foiled ; the safe stood every test. It contain’d the books of the establishment, and a small sum in each —between £5 and £lO. The burglars must have been engaged at their nefarious and useless labor about half-past twelve, at that time Miss Fraser heard, from the house at the rear of the yard, a pretty loud noise, caused, it is conjectured, by the safe being hurled over, but which she believed was occasioned by some person working in Mr Kiiflfcwood’s brewery. However, the burglars had to decamp without getting the slightest reward for their labor,—Southern Cross, 2nd June.

coaie Tax.—** Are we to have an Income I.ax > or not? is a question ashed Just now, with a good deal of emphasis. We answer the question at once in the negative, and we do so for a number of reasons, which we will proceed to state. We ought not to have an Income Tax, because it would bear heavily upon those publicspirited classes who buy land cheap to sell it dear; who lend money that they have borrowed from our public-spirited banka; who, having made their pile, go comfortably home to spend it. vVhy should those men, who have bought largo blocks ef our best land at a penny an acre, and have re-let them at £1 to £2 per acre per annum, be taxed ? If a thirty-three per cent, tax upon articles that we can produce (but which we make it a crime to produce), will not do, why not try a forty or fifty per cent, tax? Mr Weld had a self-reliant policy, and he showed how, if the working classes only would do it, they might pay all the taxation of the country. It must be selfevident that self-reliance will be greatly damaged if wo tax income. We have never taxed wool, because it is the produce of the equal ter ; but we do tax gold, and properly so too, because it is the produce of the labor of the poor man. And while wo are discussing the subject of an Income Tax, wo may also allude to another tax that ought not to be imposed—a Land Tax. Anything that would discourage people who hold land for speculative purposes, or who draw a very large income from this country, whilo they leave a couple of clerks to manage their business, ought to be discouraged. So long as people are willing to import nearly every article of daily consumption; so long as they are willing to be prohibited from distillation and manufacture of every kind, so that a Customs revenue may bo squeezed out of them—so long ought no Income Tax or Land Tax, or tax on wool to be imposed.—Auckland Penny Journal.

The Panama Route.—The following letter appeas in the Otago Daily Times :—“ Sir, in reading through the interesting and elaborate prospectus of the P., N.Z., and A.R.M. Co., contained in your paper of to day, I was struck by several points, which, though they may perhaps admit of explanation, are certainly anomalous at first sight. It would appear, for instance, that it is just as expeditious, even under the present arrangements, to return to England via New York, as it is by the 11.M.5.P. Co. via St. Thomas, and that the expense by the former route is somewhat less than by the latter. Let me, for the sake of clearness, put the two routes in a tabular form, premising that my information is entirely derived from the prospectus I have mentioned : Route I.—Wellington to Southampton. First cabin, £loo.—Leave Wellington, Bth ; arrive at Panama, sth; leave Colon, 7th ; arrive at Southampton, 28th or 29th. Total, 51 days. Route 2.—Wellington to Liverpool.—Arrive at Panama* sth; leave Colon (Aspinwall), 12th; arrive at New York, 19th. First Cabin.—From Wellington to Panama, £55: across the Isthmus, £5 ; from Aspinwall to New York, £l6; from New York to Liverpool, by Cunard Line, £22. Total, £9B; or by Inman Line, £9l 15. From New York to Liverpool is a voyage of about ten days, and the distance is often done in less ; so that, supposing that there is no delay at New York (and in no case need there be more than three days’ delay), a passenger will arrive in Liverpool on the 29tb or 30th; or if he travel by the Inman Line, two or three days later. It will be observed, however, that there is a delay of seven days at Aspinwall; if, therefore, the American Co. run a steamer from Aspinwall to New York at once, so as to avoid this unnecessary detention, passengers will arrive in England at least five days earlier by this route than by the Southampton Line, and at somewhat less cost. From this it is only natural to infer that the scale of charges of the R.M.S.P. Co. is disproportionately high, and that this Company will, as many persons anticipated, reap all the benefit without ar.y of the risk of the P, and N.Z. Company’s trade. However, with the increased conveniences which the Americana are sure to afford, and with the additional attraction of a visit to Now York, with little or no loss of time, it is pretty certain that by far the greater number of those returning to England will prefer the route via New York to Liverpool, to that via St. Thomas to Southampton. —I am, &c., A. P. Q-.”

General Chute. -Major-General Chuto ar rived at Auckland in the fimbe on the 3itb.

Danger op Provincialism.—— I The Lyttelton Times, writing on the ’expense of governing the Canterbury Province, says “ The one great danger of provincialism is that it is apt to develops each province in a minature England. The dear old mother country, on turning her affectionate regards to her young colony of New Zealand, and expecting to see her own comely visago reflected as in a mirror, finds instead eight or nine diminutive images, reproduced as in the facets of a decanter-stopper, all very like bat very insignificant. This is specially seen in the aping of constitutional forms, and in their multiplication to a degree far beyond the wants of the settlements. We do not for a moment wish lo object to. this, so long as it is confined merely to the manifestation of that fitness for official life which lies latent in so many colonial minds. We by no means object to it. ft has its uses. Let us repeat, if we choose, the proportions of the German Prince’s grand army—three privates, a corporal, a sergeant, a captain, and a colonel, with general officers ad libitum. Let everyone have his place and his title, down to Mr Commissioner Lamplighter. But there is one limitation on which wa must insist: —we object to the salaries. The cost per head for governing the 30,000 inhabitants of Canterbury (we omit the West Coast) is something which would make the tax-ridden population of Europe stand aghast.” Fatal Accident at Wellington. —The ‘ Independent,’ sth June, says: —“ On Friday night an accident causing instantaneous death befel Mr Darnel Aiken Biass, an old settler residing at Earori. The manner of his death will be found fully recorded below in the evidence of those who last saw the poor old man alive. Such being the case it is needless to enter into the particulars of this melancholy occurrence, but we cannot but express a hope that the accident will have the effect of causing that very dangerous part of the Earori Road, known as the ‘ Devil’s Bridge,’ to be made passable by the Provincial Government. The melancholy and fatal accident which occurred on Friday evening is the second of the kind that has taken place within the last three years, and we hope that the sacrifice of two lives will be the means of saving those of many. Mr Biass was the father-in-law of Mr Bichard Barry, of this city, and his sudden death has thrown a gloom over a large circle of friends,” Military Settlers. —The p.s. Sturt arrived here this morning, bringing upwards of seventy of our colonial troops, made up in about equal proportions of Wanganui Yeomanry Cavalry and Taranaki Bush Bangers. They come from Opitiki and are intended ultimately for settlement at Waingongoro. They are the first arrivals of three hundred who are to be located in the Patea district. After a stay of two or three days, they will march to their destination, and it is very likelv, we presume, as these settlers take up their several positions, that the British troops stationed in that quarter will be brought into Wanganui.— Wanganui Chronicle, 2nd June. The House op Repesentatite3.— Several alterations are in course of being made in the House of Representatives, situate in the Government Buildings. The reporters’ gallery lias been made the sanctum sanctomm for the fair sex, and members of the fourth estate will now be accommadaled with a more convenient row of scats in a gallery in course of erection immediately behind the Speaker’s chair, and immediately opposite the strangers’gallery.—Wellington Independent. stu June.

The Waihau Gold Mining Company.—A prospectus has been issued by the shareholdes of the above company, by -which it will ba seen that it is intended to increase the present capital of the company, and issue 793 shares, which will bo open for allotment to the public. The mine gives every promise of being as lucrative a source of wealth as that of the Kapanga Company, which latter, during the last nineteen months has turned out over £20,000 worth of gold.—New Zealand Herald, Ist June.

Queen's Birthday at Norfolk Island.—The 24th of May, the anniversary of her Majesty’s Birthday, was duly honored and kept up by the inhabitants of this Island. The officers of H.M. •s.s. Esk, which was lying at anchor off the islands, gave a ball in the evening, which was opened by Lady Wiseman, and Captain and Mrs Green, Military Train, whilst the day was spent in sports, games, and every other amusement. About 300 of the islanders sat down to sumptuous supper, provided by the officers of the Esk, in a shed erected upon one of the most influential settler's farms. The inhabitants were all enjoying good health, and everything was peaceable and prosperous when the Esk sailed on the 26th ult.— Ibid.

Cattle Plague.—A day of fasting has been ordered in connection with the cattle plague, and a great deal of discussion has ensued thereon. A Mr Crauford, rector of Old Suruford, a populous parish in Worcestershire, takes up a peculiar position. This reverend gentleman declines to yield obedience to the direction of his Bishop, and, according to the report, states the reason of his refusal with much directness and perspicuity : —“ Humble himself before God he would, and more especially at this season of Lent; but ho would not humble himself, he would not bow down his head, nor should the expression of his countenance be sad, because the cows had got the rinderpest, and it seemed likely that beefsteaks would bo scarce. He would pray earnestly for the pardon of his sins, and for those high matters of religion; and, though with far inferior earnestness, he would pray for those things which were requisite and necessary for the body. He would, as the law had taught him, pray to their Father in Heaven to give them day by day their daily bread; but, except in obedience to the law ful commands of his Sovereign, he would not pray for beef. Coromandel.—The cutter Petrel arrived in harbor yesterday, from Coromandel, bringing 250 ounces of gold for the Kapanga Company, and 130 ounces for the Coromandel Company j more gold is expected from the Kapanga next week. This shipment goes to Sydney to day by the s.s. Beautiful Star.—lbid. Barlow (duboed by some of the press ‘‘the inimitable,”) is at present at Wanganui, aud ii drawing crowded houses.