THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri TUESDAY, 31st MARCH, 1874.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1563, 31 March 1874, Page 166

THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri TUESDAY, 31st MARCH, 1874.

Recent information from Wellington has disclosed the fact that the late financial deadlock has come to an end, matters having been amicably arranged between the contending Governments ; the new auditdr having consented to fulfil his duties, and the contemplated public works being suspended pending the action of the next meeting of the General Assembly. All this is so far satisfactory, and will remain so until some other subject shall arise to serve as a bone of contention between the two Governments having their common seat in the Empire City. . If it be conceded, as we believe it must be, that the Colony as a whole is a sufferer from being over-governed, such seems to be peculiarly the case as regards Wellington city, which is not only the locale of the General Government of the Colony, and that of the province of which it is the chief city, but has also its own special governing bodies in the shape of a corporation and harbor and other boards ; so that a great proportion of the occupation of its principa l inhabitants must consist in the pleasant task of governing. This however makes it not remarkable that collisions should occur at times between the machinery employed by the various governing bodies. It is rather matter of surprise that obstructions to one or other do not more frequently occur, and that affairs should go on as smoothly as they do. One of our contemporaries, the Otago Guardian, has suggested that the city of Wellington should be relieved of a portion of its rather cumberous governing machinery, by the removal of the seat of the Provincial Government to some other centre and the constituting Wellington itself a federal city. We believe the idea has not met with much favor, but yet think it worthy of consideration. Wellington, as the head city of the province, is at present the object of considerable jealousy to the other principal cities of the Colony on account of the advantages it enjoys in being the seat of Government. Much of this jealousy would cease to exist if it were apparent that its peculiar interests were not identified with those of a province merely, but were independent of them, and as a consequence less likely to be in antagonism with those of the rest of the Colony. It would become more a centre of interest to the whole Colony than is the case at present, as its advancement would be commensurate with that of the whole. Such a change would also confer considerable benefit upon the place itself. Its importance would be materially increased, and its purely local governing bodies would of necessity have increased powers of legislature and scope of action, while it could hardly be of detriment to the interests of the province to. have its Government removed to a place free from- influences adverse to its more independent action. Mails close for Poverty Bay this day at 9 a.m., per s,s, Rangatira.

Those who have hitherto neglected to enrol their names as electors have now .'jiotimeto lose. This-is the last day. 4ur'ng which such applications are ivceived. The necessary forms may be obtained gratis at the office ot this paper. The New Zealand Herald reports that Miss De la Rama, the novelist, better known as " Ouida," is coming to this colony at an early date, to be married to a gentleman in Canterbury. In the New Zealand Gazette of the 19-th March, appears a notice altering the intervals of sitting of the District Court for the East Coast District. Those' sittings, we are informed by his Honor; the District Judge, will be as follows for 1874 :—Criminal sittings, Napier, on the 16th of May, July, September, and November, at' 10 a.m. Civil sittings, Napier, on the 2nd and 17th of each month. Waipawa—Civil Sittings, on the 6th May, Bth July, 9th September, and 11th November Gisborne, at the Court-house, Civil Sittings on the 13th May, 19th August, and 25th November. On Saturday, in the Resident MagisMagistrates Court, George SSmith was charged by Constable Campbell with drunkenness. Offence denied. Case dismissed. George Sweeney *vascharged with a similar offence, which he admitted. Fined ys.—Yesterday Donald Cameron, for being drunk and creating a disturbance on Sunday as people were on their way to church, was fined £l, or in default, forty-eight hours imprisonment. Robert drunk and asleep in the streets on Saturday night, did not appear, and forfeited his bail of £l, William M'Ewon was brought up as temporarily insane from the effects of liquor. Mr Inspector Scully said that the man had been sent in by Mr Peddie, and lie was strongly of opinion that it was at Mr Peddie's house that he had obtained the liquor.—The Magistrate said that' the present was the time for the police and the public who had any complaint against the manner in which any house was conducted, to bring it forward. Such an opportunity would only occur once a year. As be understood the Act, it was clearly intended that badly-conducted houses should be shut up; and for bis own part, as Chairman of the Licensing Board he would give due consideration to any substantial complaint against any house which might be brought before him. He would not insist upon strict legal proof of misconduct—if it was only shown on respectable testimony that any house had a bad repute, be would feel bound to refuse the licence. The police were required under the new Act, to report upon every application ; and it would he their duly, if they had any complaint, to bring it forward then, when proper action could be taken ; as, after a licence had been granted, it would only be in gross cases of misconduct that' the Bench would feel called upon to take it away.—Mr Peddie said the man had been staying at his house, but had not bad more than half-a-dozen glasses during the week. He had been threatening to make away with himself.—As the man was still in a somewhat strange condition of mind, he was remanded till Thursday, to be examined, meanwhile, by the Provincial Surgeon. On Saturday evening the ClnusRekel Company gave another of their admired performances. The back seats were well filled ; but the attendance in the reserved seats was less than on previous occasions—a fact to be accounted for by the ball on the previous night. " The Pilgrim of Love" by Mr Winter, was the first piece; one of Mons. Rekel's fine descriptive piano solos—- " The Sailor's Song," followed, and was marked by the perfect execution and great taste which mark that gentleman's performance. Signor Cecchi, followed with a melody from Campana, " Si e ver," in his usual admirable style. Mdlle. Rekel followed, with the old and favorite song of " Annie Laurie." Mdlle. Clans next made her appearance, and was warmly received. She played Ernst's celebrated Elegie with an eloquence of expression such as we have never heard equalled, and was ably seconded by Mons. Rekel in the pianoforte accompaniment. Being encored, she gave the ever-welcome " Last Rose of Summer." Mr Winter followed, with the song of "The Village Blacksmith," admirably rendered, and fully appreciated by the audience; and the duett, "Dimmi che M'ami," from Campana, closed the first part. The second part opened with " Un Bacio Solo," by Signor Cecchi; Ketterer's grand Caprice on airs from " Lucia di Lammermoor," by Mons. Rekel on the pianoforte; after which came Henry Russell's descriptive song " Man the Life Boat," by Mr Winter. Being encored, he substituted " When we were Boys together.'' Mdlle. Jenny Claiis followed with the lively air " Tarantella," on the violin. Encored, she substituted a short, but exceedingly beautiful solo, full of the richest harmonies. Signor Cecchi then gave the air " Libiaino" from "Traviata," and Mdlle Rekel followed with Balfe's song " I Dreamt that I dwelt in Marble Halls." Being encored, she substituted a short piece, very sweetly and expressively sung. The last piece was a grand fantasia on the violin by Mdile. Clause-airs from " 111 Trovatore." This was a worthy conclusion to the evening's entertainment. The beautiful melodies of this opera are well-known ; but it is rare indeed that they are performed as they were on Saturday even,nig Hearty applause, and bouquets of flowers rewarded the fair performer. —Last night we were gratified to note, notwithstanding counter attractions, a well-filled hall. We have not space to mention the pieces in detail; but only need add that the programme was fully equal to that of preceding evenings. It will be seen that owing to the delay in the time of the Rangatira's departure, two more performances will be given. Mdlle. Claus takes her benefit to-night, when we may anticipate another good house,

A complimentary luncheon was given on Friday last in the Oddfellows' Hall, to the representatives in the late riflle contest. The arrangements, by Mr J. T. Johnson, were in first-class style, and the whole affair was very successful. The chair was occupied by Mr J. N. Wilson, supported on his right and left by the two champions, Capt. Hamlin and Lieut. Barriball. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr A. Kennedy. The Napier Baud occupied the stage, and performed appropriate airs in first-class s ylc. The Chairman then 'proposed in succession tho following toasls.—"The Queen," " the Prince and Princess of Wales," " The Governor," " The Army and Navy," and what as he described as the toast of the evening:—"The Champions." An eloquent orator of last century had said that chivalry was the defence of nations, buch was not the case now—the real defence of nations in the present day was the martial spirit among the people—the fact that they were the guardians of their own liberties. As for the Infantry Champion, Capt. Hamlin, though he came from Auckland, we claim him for Hawke's Bay, he having been born in the Province. —Capt. Hamlin thanked the meeting for the handsome manner in which they had received the toast. For his own part, though he had carried off the belt, it was, to use an old expression, " by the skin of his teeth." On behalf of himself and comrades, he acknowledged the kindness which they had received from the people of Napier. He must also bear testimony to the competetence and thorough impartiality of Major Gordon.—Lieut. Barriball, in responding, said he could only echo the sentiments of the last speaker.—Judge Weston then proposed a toast which he said would speak for itself—the militia and volunteers of the Colony, whose reputation extended to the old country, and even the continent of Europe—coupled with the name of a gallant and respected officer who had fought with them and assisted them in gaining that great reputation —Major Withers.—Major Withers said he rose with difficulty to respond ; and he did not know why he had been so honored as to have his name coupled with the militia and volunteers. He had often been a witness of their deeds. In Taranaki, at the first outbreak of war, he had seen every settler, from fourteen years of age upwards, beamg arms —and nobly they bore them. Ho confessed he was astonished to see how well t!.e raw material then turned out did its work. He had gone from Taranaki to Auckland, and there had vSeen the same thing. He had seen the same in Napier. He well remembered when the local forces turned out in the middle of the night to attack a pa, and went without a murmur. And it was not in Taranaki, Auckland, or Napier alone—he believed the same spirit prevailed in every part of the Colony.—Mr Kennedy in proposing " Our Guests," expressed the cordial fee ing of welcome with which the people of Napier had regarded them. He was glad they had come, and glad their annual meeting had proved so successful. —Major Gordon, in response, said he could only very inadequately express his feelings. He hoped their entertainers would accept their thanks. They had already met and enjoyed the hospitality of the brave men of this city ; and they were yet to have the pleasure of meeting its fair women at the ball, which would be a fitting close to the annual meeting. On behalf of the representatives he tendered his best thanks for their reception and hoped they would soon meet again.—The Chairman said the meeting was not political; but it was only fitting before they separated that they should drink the health of the Defence Minister, which was accordingly done. —Major Gordon having announced that the volunteers would parade at 3 p.m. in Clive Square, for the distribution of prizes, the proceedings closed. Immediately after the complimentary luncheon to the prize-firing representatives, the well-earned prizes were distributed to the winners, by Mrs Ormond, who accompanied the presentations with a few suitable remarks. The Napier Cavalry, Artillery, Rifles, and Rifle Cadets were drawn up in square in front of the table on which the prizes were displayed. A large number of ladies surrounded the table as the prizes were given. The winners of the belts, and Volunteer Greer of the Napier Rifles, who took the Silver Challenge Cup as well as many other prizes, were received with hearty cheers. Capt. Hamlin then called for three cheers for Mrs Ormond, which were heartily given. The annual inspection of the Napier Artillery "Volunteers and Napier Rifles took place on Friday last, in the evening, after the presentation of prizes to the successful competitors in the late contest. Major Gordon, the inspecting officer, expressed himself as far from pleased with either corps so far as efficiency in drill was concerned. Although the local volunteers included some of the best shots in the Colony, he said, they were far behind in general drill and discipline, and many of them showed signs of being very irregular at parade. He would not report upon them now ; but would again inspect them on his return to the Province, in about six weeks' time; thus giving them an opportunity, of improvement before he made out his annual report. On the evening of Friday a ball was given to the representatives in the Oddfellows' Hall. The large room was crowded, and dancing was kept up until after '6 a.m. The ball concluded the festivities, and was, wo believe, one of the most successful ever held in Napier. The prize firing representatives fcook their departure for their respective homes per s.s. Wellington on Saturday morning. Public readings, we observe, are about to be given bv the Good Templars of Olive,

A Tauranga correspondent telegraphs under date 26th March:—The Governor arrived yesterday, and was received with great honors, everybody turning out. The Maoris predominated. Captain Morris read an address of welcome, to which his Excellency replied in an eloquent speech. r ihe Maoris are complaining bitterly of the arrangements of the committee, which excluded them from the programme; and as they expressed a strong desire to address the Governor, he agreed to meet them today. This morning the natives met and addressed his Excellency. He leaves for Auckland this afternoon. Particulars have reached us from Waipukurau of a very painful accident to Mr R. Harding, of Mount Vernon. On the 24th inst, he was four miles from home, mustering some cattle. One of them, a cow, was by herself in a swamp. He rode to the spot, and dismounted to turn her out, when she rushed at him. He retreated behind the horse, which received a shocking gash in the hind leg. The cow made a second rush at Mr Harding, who seized her by the horns, and remembered nothing more until he recovered consciousness about an hour afterwards, when he found himself very weak and faint from loss of blood. He was unable to re-mount his horse, but managed to reach home, arriving there in an almost exhausted condition. Medical assistance was soon obtained, when it was found that though he had received severe bruises, no bones were broken. He had, however, sustained a severe gash in one cheek, and part of one ear was a. good deal torn. He is, we are happy to report, progressing as well as can be expected. His escape with his life, under the circumstances, is little short of miraculous. Iu the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, Te Hapuku was charged by Mr A. R. W. Lascelles with an assault upon Hokomata, a native woman, the wife of William Cannon. The prosecution was conducted by Mr Lascdles, and Mr Cornford appeared for the defence. Mr Cornford applied for an adjournment of the case. Mr Lascelles objected, on the ground that the woman was now forcibly detained from her husband. Her case, he considered, was one of the most serious outrages ever committed in the district. Ample time had been given—the sammons was served on Monday, and five witnesses for the prosecution were in attendance.—Th« Resident Magistrate said that, as serious interests might be affected by an adjournment, he did not feel justified in granting Mr Cornford's application ; but would take, the evidence for the prosecution at once. Mrs Cannon, the first witness, dcpised that Hapuku, accompanied, by four other natives, came to her house on the 20th inst., and that an altercation took place concerning her husband's right to cut timber on some land over which she asserted a claim; that Hapuku the nseized and forcibly placed her iu a trap and carried her to his pa, striking her over the head with when she resisted. John Finlay, Alex. Mcßain, W. A. Cannon, and John Seymour gave corroborative evidence. They stated their reason for not interfering to be that they had every reason to believe that bloodshed would have followed if resistance had been offered. These being all the witnesses for the prosecution, the case was adjourned to Tuesday. We intend to publish the evidence on both sides complete when the case is concluded. In the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, Frank Collins, overseer for Mr McHardy, Pakowhai, was charged by Mr S. Powdrell, Road Overseer, with assault on a public road. Mr Lascelles appeared for the plaintiff; Mr Cornford for the defendant. Mr McHardy is the occupier of a fenced paddock,, through which a road has been laid out, though never formed; and some time ago certain pegs were driven in by a surveyor to mark the line. Mr Mc Hardy's fence, being unprovided with gates, closed the road, and Mr Weber, the Provincial Surveyor, has been applied to repeatedly, during the two years that the obstruction has existed, to have the road properly laid off and opened. He replied that the Provincial Government had no concern with any but main roads, having handed over all the branch lines to the Road Boards, and that Mr McHardy himself, as Chairman of the Papakura, Road Board, was the right person to apply to. Mr Powdrell, as Road Overseer, next took action in the matter. He first consulted the plans in the Survey Office, noted the measurements, and then measured off on the ground to where he considered the road should pass, and cut down the wire fence. The defendant took an early opportunity of repairing the damage. When Mr Po&drell rode back, he was confronted by the defendant at the fence. He said it was a public road, and he would cut his way through. Defendant replied that he had better not. Complainant said, " If you interfere 1 shall treat it as an assault on a public road. I will cut the fence." Defendant said, .« l' m if you do." Plaintiff dismounted and taking a file from his pocket applied it to one of the wires. Defendant pushed him away with his arm without striking him. Complainant said he would treat this as an assault, and without incurring further resistance, rode away. The defence was, that the alleged assault was not committed on a public road ; the old pegs showing quite a different line from that indicated by Mr Powdrell, who had therefore no right to interfere with the fence at the place where he cut it down. Mr Powdrell, not being a surveyor, could not state, positively that he had gone to the exact spot where the road should pass, though he fully believed he had.—The Beach, considering that the assault had not been shown to be on a public road, dismissed the information ; but as Mr McHardy was shown to have closed a public thoroughfare, no costs were allowed.

The Rev. D. Sidey, in Lis discourse last Sunday evening, gave an interesting account of the success which has attended the ministration of two Americans in the city of where a revival of religion is stated to have taken place, chiefly among the upper classes, unprecedented in the history of that city. Mr Sidey announced that he would still further refer to this subject next Sunday evening. A correspondent of our evening contemporary gives an account of a meeting held at- Wairoa on the 26th instant, to call the attention of the Government to the wants of the district. Two members of the Provincial Council (Messrs Colenso and Maney) being in the township, the opportunity was considered too good to be overlooked. Some of the settlers complained bitterly of the neglect with which the district had been treated; and the members of the Council present appear to have quite sympathized with them. Mr Maney is reported to have said that " the district had been grossly neglected, and he said it to the shame of the Province. He would recommend them to ask for what they wanted not as favors, but as rights, which they had the power to demand." Mr Colenso compared the treatment Wairoa had received from Napier,to the treatment Napier had received in the early days from Wellington. He believed if the resolutions before the meeting could be carried out. a new era would commence in the welfare of the district. The following resolutions were passed : —l. " That the Government be requested to lay off and make a road via Turiroa from Napier to Wairoa." 2. " That the Govermneht be requested to erect two jetties, one on each side of the river." 3. " That the Superintendent be requested to place a sum of money on the estimates for building a bridge across the mouth of the Awatiri Creek." 4. " That Messrs Kinross, Colenso, and Maney, be appointed a deputation to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, and urge the adoption of the resolutions passed at this meeting."