Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 788, 19 May 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1870.

The sixteenth session of the Provincial Council was opened yesterday at the usual hour. We have not space this morning for the opening address, which was of unusual length. We will, however, give a brief abstract of die most prominent points. His Honor said that in accordance with the general wish of the Council, as expressed by it last session, it had been called together in time for the full consideration of business before the end of the financial year, The subjeccs of principal interest this session would be the amendment of the present Education Act, the amend-

merit and consolidation of the Acts relating to sheep and their diseases; and the consolidation of the Licensing Acts. The first of these subjects he would have left to the consideration of the new Council had it not been that the present Act had given general dissatisfaction. The main object of the bill which -would be introduced was the localization of the management of schools. .Regarding the second subject he considered the spread of scab towards our southern frontier, and the presence of foot-rot ill our own Province, rendered legislative action necessary. The solidation of the different licensing ordinances was also urgently called for. Steps had been taken by the Provincial Government to introduce female immigrants from Great Britain, some of whom might be expected to arrive vety shortly. It would be for the Council to consider whether it would be desirable to make provisions for the periodical bringing out of female and other im migrants. It would be for the Council to consider the present position, and arrange for the future disposal, of those runs, the licenses for which would terminate at the close of the present year. Regarding finance, he was glad to say that the estimated revenue for the coming year would provide for theotdinary expenditure, and leave a larger sum available for public purposes than had been the case this year. The estimates would be laid before the Council without delay. The receipts lor the past year had exceeded the estimate, and there would be a considerable balance to the credit of the Province on the 30th June. He congratulated .the Council on the steadily-increasing ordinary revenue of the Province, quoting the Customs returns at some length in support of his remarks. A #rea f disadvantage to the Province was the fact that a large proportion of the articles consumed by the in habitants paid duty elsewhere. He estimated the amount of this duty at £20,000, which was equivalent to 410,000 per annum off our ordinary revenue. He trusted that the Council would appeal to the General Assembly to make such an alteration in this department as would give Hawke's Bay its fair share of Customs Uevenue. The values of imports for the last three years, according to customs yeturns, were as follows : 1868, £52,000 ; 1869, £75,000; 1 £7O, £83,000. This only represented goods of which the dutywas paid in this Province ; to these he would add those goods which paid duty elsewhere. Estimating the value at ten times the amount of the estimated duty, or .£200,000, the total val u e of imports for th e past year would be £283,000. The exports for the three years were as follows :—IB6B, £45,000; 1869, £48,000; 1870, £104,000. The large inci-ease shown in the last figures was partly to be accounted for by increase of direct trade. The value of coastwise exports this year he estimated at about £68,000, which, added to the sum already given, made £172,000, —an incontestable sign of progress. The improved position of the Province and Colony in reference to the native question was very gratifying. The general feeling of. deep depression existing at this time last year had disappeared; no disasters like those of Poverty Bay and Mohaka had occurred; the ravages of v ar had been- confined to the enemy's territory, instead of Q-ur own; we

had occupied Taupo—in which fact we had the best guarantee for peace, and all this was matter for thanktul congratulation. In accordance with the clearlyexpressed wish of the Council, he met them this time without an Executive, He believed the experiment of rendering the Superintendent directly responsible to tho Council would be successful, and that the example set by this Province would be followed by others. A. simplification of the mode of government was generally desired by the public, and he believed that, in the Superintendent being relieved from his former false position, one of the most fertile causes of dissatisfaction in the working of provincial governments would be dispensed with. "We will publish the address in full in our next issue. From the notices of motion on the order paper for to-day, it will appear that there -will be no delay in entering on the business of the session, but that the Council will plunge at once in medias res. Several bills are to be introduced, the Estimates are to be laid before the Council, and the House is to resolve itself into Committee of Supply and Committee of Ways and Means, Sundry matters of minor importance will also come under consideration, so that rather a heavy day's business lies before the members. Fatal Accident at the Big Bush.—A sad accident occurred at Mr Cashmore's saw-mills, Big Bush, on Monday last, the 16th inst. Two men, named James Donnelly and Luke Maddigan, weie engaged in cross cutting a log, and a few yards from them another man named Thomas "Wheat, felling a tree. The tree fell somewhat unexpectedly, and in its descent struck another tree at some little distance, breaking off in the middle, and overwhelming the three men with a shower of branches. Haddington and Wheat, having extricated themselves, looked around for their comrade, whom they found stooping under a large bough. They raised him, but found him to be quite dead, with blood issuing from his mouth and ears. An inquest was held next; day (a report of which appears elsewhere), and a verdict of " Accidental death " was returned. No blame appears to have attached to either of the workmen. Deceased, who was pretty well known in this Province, was formerly in the 57th Regiment, and latterly in the Armed Constabulary, from which he had recently obtained his discharge. His discharge, dated 16th March, was found in his pocket after his death. Suicide by a Native at Takawera.—A lingular case of suicide by a native named Hori te Rori occurred at Tarawera on the 14th inst. The particulars of the inquest have been kindly supplied to us, and appear in another part of to-day's paper. It appears that the deceased, who was suffering from low fever, had been recently discharged from the Arined Constabulary, a fact which seems to have preyed upon his mind, as he was noticed to be gloomy, and to wander in his con-, versation. On the clay in after taking some suitable medicine, he laid down in a tent ? where he was seen by a man named Henry Pol man, who also entered and laid down, The native took a loaded revolver from its case, which was lying in the tent, saying, " I am going to blow my brains out." Dolman, thinking he was joking, replied, " You have no brains." Hori then pointed the revolver to his breast, and saying, '<Good bye, Jlarry," tired, the shot proving almost immediately fatal. On the 16th instant a jury was summoned x and an inquest held before Dr. J. M.. Gibbes. The facts above described were testified to by several witnesses, but the jury, by some mysterious process, arrived at a verdict of "/ela* d<? se / m>