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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 447, 17 December 1866, Page 3

Choxeea and Dsxtnkenness. —A correspondent of the Morning Herald, a London paper, points out what may appear to some people a singular circumstance, viz., that the'cholera returns for the first two days of the week are always heavier than on any other days. He explains the fact by the greater drunkenness which prevails on Saturday nights, often extending over Sunday mornings. The Native Lands Act and its Wobkino-. An influential contemporary, says the Home News, supplies the following:—“History repeats itself. Under the Native Lands Act the same process is going on in New Zealand which in the Ireland of Henry the Eighth and Queen Elizabeth turned so many heads of septs into earls and barons. Land is passing out from the old tribal tenure, and tending more and more to become individual property. ‘Native owners’ (there could, of course, be no such thing as an * owner ’ according to old Maori system) sending in long notices of claims to have their titles investigated, wishing to hold their land henceforth under a Crown grant. The most remarkable thing is, that William Thompson (the redoubtable Wiremu Kingi) is applying to have the title to his land in the Thames Yalley thus placed under the guardianship of English law. The fact is significant, when we consider what William Thompson has been doing for the last three or four years; it shows that at any rate, the more clear-headed natives are giving in. Of course, the settlers are delighted; for individual ownership means free trade in land.’’

Native Aefaies. —ln alluding to the present state of native affairs, the Wanganui Times remarks :—The colonists are masters of the position. Throughout the entire province life and property are as safe as in any part of Grrat Britain. Beyond our borders, in the Patea district within the province of Taranaki, the natives are yet a little troublesome, but a military settlement will shortly be established there and the recusant Hau-hau compelled to resort to more profitable, or at least more peaceful employment than wielding the tomahawk and rifle.”

Auckland Annual Races. —The annual races are appointed to take place at EUersie on the Ist and 2nd of J unuary next. Gcod sport is expected.