THE HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1874.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1613, 22 September 1874, Page 366

THE HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1874.

If there is one officer more than another who has afflicted the Governmentwith mental disquietude and sore perturbation of spirit that man is the AgentGeneral. We are of course speaking in the past tense. The Agent-General has grievously irritated the whole Colony, alike by sins of omission and commission ; but it is extremely doubtful whether, after an impartial examination of the facts of the case, any candid mind would hold him responsible for a third of that for which he has been censured, and that in no forbearing spirit. It is now difficult to say which were the most severe on the Doctor—the Government dispatches or the comments of the Press. All went as far as the proprieties of language would permit, and were Jncisive enough to pierce the most hide-bound pachydermata. The only thing we marvel at is the imperturbable composure with which the Agent-General sits down under it all. But we cannot help thinking that this bland equanimity will soon be disturbed. The telegraph informed us a few days ago that Mr Walter Kennaway, formerly Provincial Secretary of Canterbury, is going home as a kind of assistant Agent-General. To all outward appearance this appointment is one of those pieces of official routine to which no particular importance can be attached, but knowing something of the two men, we should as soon expect to see oil and water show a chemical affinity as Dr Featherston and Mr Kennaway work harmoniously. We have no means of knowing whether Mr Kennaway goes home delegated to exercise any particular powers, or whether he is sent with no other directions than merely to report himself as the nflwly-appointed secretary of the Agent-General. Scarce as information upon the point is in the Colony, we incline to think it is equally scarce at home. If the Agent-General had been informed beforehand that such an appointment was to be made, it is certain the Colony would have long since known all about it. Had it been desirable or necessary to suppress the fact for a time, it would have been impossible to prevent leakage from one or more of the many channels by which such an item would find its way out. Believing then that this appointment has been made over the Doctor's head, and without his cognizance, it is just probable that Mr Kennaway may not meet with that cordial reception which he may expect. Besides, if our memory serves us, this new appointment is not blessed with a conciliatory nature. In a dispute he had with the Press in Canterbury, he displayed a temper that bodes ill for the peace and quietness of the Agent-General if he were of a yielding nature. But as that is just what he is not, we should not be surprised to learn soon after the arrival of Mr Kennaway at home of some new development of affairs in the office of the Agent-General. Of course it must not be forgotten that the Premier will be at hand to make things pleasant—if that way inclined—or to act as AgentGeneral should the Doctor resign in disgust, a not at all unlikely contingency. Bearing in mind the rumors circulated in connexion with the Agent-Generalship and Mr Vogel at the commencement of the session, we must say that his departure and the appointment of Mr Kennaway have a most peculiar look, taken together. ■» In journalism, no less than in politics, does the " whirligig of time bring its revenges." Nine or ten months ago Mr Vincent Pyke started the Southern Meicury in Dunedin—a weekly paper, in which he strongly advocated the principle that the Government should resume the freehold of land disposed of, and substitute a system of state leases, for the present plan of disposing of the fee simple. The Otago Guardian, managed and edited by Mr Creighton, denounced the proposal in unmeasured terms, applying to the Editor of the Guardian the term " political posturemaker," and a number of similar choice epithets. Soon afterwards, the weekly Mercury was combined with the daily Guardian, and enlarged, still retaining an independent editorship. Now we read that Mr Crcighton leaves the Guardian at the end of tbe month to assume the editorship of the New Zealand Times. As manager of the Guardian he is to be succeeded by Mr It. 11. Leary, and as editor by—Mr Vincent Pyke ! #■ Me Paksons, the manager of the Poverty Bay Kerosine and Petroleum Company, lias sent in his preliminary report. He is rather guarded in his statements, but considers there is every indication, of payable oil, and that it is likely to be extremely plentiful. The crude oil obtained he considers equal to that of Pennsylvania, and likely to yield 70 to 80 per cent of kerosine, He considers that the refined oil may be sold in Gisborne as cheaply as in the United States. He thinks the work of finding the oil may occupy some considerable time; but from the favorable indications, he has no doubt of the ultimate result. The plant he considers in every respect suited to the work. A late New Zealand Gazette notifies thatt])eEuataniwbaposl>-office,HawJco's Bay, is henceforth to be known as " Ongw Onga,"

Operations on, the Ahuriri Port bridge have at length been commenced, the first pile having been driven on Saturday. On Tuesday in the Resident Magistrate's Court, some unimportant disputed debt cases were disposed of. Christiansen v. Lee.—Claim of £2 10s. The parties were seamen on board the Queen of the North; plaintiff being a Dane. t He stated that defendant, who had to clean the water closets and fill the cisterns during the voyage, had engaged him to assist in the work, on a promise of giving him half the payment, and that, having fulfilled his share of the agreement, he sued for the amount to which he was entitled.-—Mr Lascelles, for the, defendant, said he entirely denied the existence of any such arrangement. He would, however, plead infancyj the defendant being only nineteen years of age. The magistrate considered this plea a sufficient bar to the action, and dismissed the-case. A case of threatening language-Nairn v. Davis—came before the Resident Magistrate on Wednesday. Plaintiff keeps a boarding-house, and defendant has an interest in the proceeds. Some dispute about financial matters occurred between the parties on Saturday, when defendant seized plaintiff by the coatcollar and said, "If you weren't such an old man, I'd give you something that: you'd neither trouble me or any one else again," or words to that effect. Complainant alleged that he had since been in bodily fear of defendant. On the other hand it was alleged that the words were idle threats, and so understood, and that the parties had since been on good terms.—-Case dismissed; defendant cautioned, each side to bear its own costs. Yesterday, in the Eesident Magistrate's Court, T. M'Cabe, an old and infirm man, was charged with being at large without visible means of support. From the evidence of the police, it appeared that he had been for a time in the hospital, and had afterwards been provided with rations and lodging at the lock-up, in return for the performance of certain light duties, but that he had made himself so disagreeable that they had to gut rid of him. In answer to the Court, the accused stated that he could find the money to take him from here, and that he had friends in Melbourne who would look after him. Discharged. A drunkard, arrested at the Spit on Sunday while sleeping off the effect of a debauch on the beach, was dismissed with a caution. Another, named Woods, a bushman from Pohui, could not appear, as he was lying at the lock-up in delirium tremens. Mr Inspector Scully stated that it was a matter of extreme difficulty for bushmen to obtain accommodation at the hotels in town. They could obtain liquors ad lib., but neither board nor lodging. He himself had had to accompany respectably-dressed men to hotels, and insist upon accommodation being found for them. The farewell performance of the English Opera Company was given on Friday evening. The first portion ot the programme was a ballad concert, and opened with the trio, " Wine, wine!" from "The Rose of Castile," by Messrs Vernon, Templeton, and Rainford. To this succeeded " Love's Request," by Reichardt, charmingly given by Miss Lambert. Mr Hallam gave "My Pretty Jane " in his best style, and in response to a pressing encore, substituted "You'll remember me," from "The Bohemian Girl." Miss Howe followed with Glover's " Maid of Athens," very sweetly sung. Mr Rainford then sung "The Wolf" in grand style. Miss Alice May followed with the favorite air " Roberto tu che adoro," which was a perfect gem, Mr Vernon followed with " The Death of Nelson " which was sung with great effect, eliciting hearty applause. Mr Templeton gave " I never can forget," with equal success'; and Miss May and Mr Hallam followed with the beautiful Scottish melody, "Ye banks and braes" very effectively arranged as a duett. The beauties of this ever-favorite piece were strikingly brought out, the singing being fautless. Miss Lambert gave " I come from mountains bright and free," with great taste; and Mr Rainford followed with one of his happiest piecos, " The heart bowed down," from " The Bohemian Girl." Miss May" then sang " The last rose of summer,"—the old Irish melody which, with Moore's beautiful words, has contributed so greatly to the success of the opera of " Martha," into which it is introduced. Miss May throws her whole soul into this pieco, and twice was she encored on this occasion. The audience Were, wo must say, exacting, but sho obligingly responded, substituting " Oomiu' through the rye," and " Within a mile o' Edinburgh town." Mr Templeton followed, with " Di Provenza il Mar," ono of the beautiful airs from "La Traviata," to which ho rendorod full justice. Miss Howe then sang with groat expression and taste, " There is no homo like my own," and in response to an encore, repeated tho last verso, The last piece on the programme was " The anchor's weighed," by Mr Hallam, which was admirably sung, The second part of tho entertainment consisted of ono of Offenbach's comic operettas—"Thoßoso of Auvergiio." Miss May took tho part of Flourottc, tho Rose ; Mr Vernon played tho cobbler, and Mr Rainford tho blacksmith. The pieco was most amusingly given, and the performance ended with tho National Anthmn, in which thoaudienco took part. Thus closed the brilliant and successful series of performances given by this talented and industrious company, who have performed nightly since their arrival, changing the pieco each evening, and in that time have performed sixteen operas, bosides giving a ballad concert and sapred festival. The success they have mot with shows that talent is appreciated and well supported in Napier. Tho company loft per Rangatira on Saturday for Wellington, where their soason was to begin last evening. Wo wish them every buqcoss,

An English mail (overland vid Wellington) closes this evening at 7.30. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday/John Catenach was charged with neglecting to keep his chimney clean, whereby it took fire.—He said he had it cleaned not ten weeks ago. The police described the fire from the chimney as being something out of the common.—The magistrate offered defendant an opportunity of bringing proof that the chimney was recently swept, but he said it was not worth while.—E ind 10s, the minimum plenty, and 6s 6d costs. Two civil cases came before tiie Resident Magistrate on Friday. Scanlan v. Brighouse; Claim of £5. damages to a fence. The claim being admitted, judgment was given for plaintiff with costs. The parties are neighbors, and the trouble appeared to have arisen out of a boundary dispute of long standing. Mr E.'H. Grigg, having resigned the position of manager of the Daily Telegraph, was presented on Saturday night by the staff of that paper with a gold signet ring, accompanied by the following address, which was signed by all the employees :—" Dear Sir, —The staff of the Daily Telegraph newspaper, of which you have been manager and publisher for more than twelve months, cannot permit you to leave the office without carrying with you some small token of the esteem in which you are held by every one who has had the pleasure of working with yon. Your willingness ever to impart to others the knowledge gained by a long experience ; your uniform kindness and consideration, and your able and ready assistance to all engaged in every department of the office, will never be forgotten. As something more than a mere expression of our esteem and friendship we trust you will accept the accompanying ring, with our united wishes for your future happiness aud welr'are." In the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, Mr Dunbar, as general manager for Messrs Brogden & Sons, sued one W. H. Stevens for £45 13s 3d, amount of expenses and outfit as an immigrant per Chile, for which amount defendant had given promissory note, and of which £lO 13s lOd had been already deducted from his wages. The defendant did not dispute having entered into the bond, but had the effrontery to urge that he was an infant (between 20 and 21 years of age) when the contract was entered into! He stated that having read in one of the daily papers that the plea had proved successful in a case heard last week, he had determined to avail himself of the, same defence 1 The Magistrate said the case was not the same ; and the fact of his having since coming of age allowed a portion of the amount to be deducted from his wages tended to show that he had acknowledged the debt, in which case he would be liable. Defendant said he had never acknowledged it. The Magistrate asked if he had ever disputed it. After much hesitation, defendant [replied in 'the affirmative—he had said it was a shame he should have to pay it. The Magistrate asked if he had ever objected on the ground of infancy. Defendant replied he had not—he had not been aware of the law on the subject till he read the case last week—if he had, he would have raised the objection at first. Mr Sealy said that the publication of reports of the Court proceedings was evidently not always productive only of good. The Court could have no sympathy with such a defence as the one set up ; but it was his duty to give effect to the strict letter of the law, whatever the result in the present instance might be. A very nice point had arisen in this case—whether defendant, by allowing snms of money to be deducted on aconnt of this claim after coming of age, had acknowledged his liability. He was not prepared to answer this question off-hand, and would require time to consult authorities on the subject.—Decision reserved till Tuesday (this day) at 11 a.m. " Food," says a lale telegram in a contemporary, " is very scarce at To Kuiti," To which the correspondent appends tho interesting fact—" Potatoes done" A rumor having gained currency in Wellington that his Excellency before leaving would exercise his prerogative of morcy in tho case of M'Donald, at present undergoing penal servitudo for shooting Young's coaoh-horso) the New Zealand Times states tho report requires confirucation. John Oartan, an East Const trader, who runs his vessel, the Sarah, between Opotiki, Auckland, and Coromandel, reports the discovery of plumbago and other useful minerals some thirty-fivo miles from Tauranga. He is also convincod that he has discovered auriferous deposits in tho same region, and is making preparations to thoroughly prospect the neighborhood. A Reehabito Tout was opened in Wnnganui on tho 2nd inst. Tho Chronicle snys :—" Strangers coining to Wnnganui havo often asked whether thoro was a Eoohabito Society hero, and Boomed surprised when told thoro was not. Wo ai'o pleased to sou that such stops havo already boon taken, nnd thoro is ovory prospect of the Order bocoming a sucoossful undertaking." Tho Groymouth Star thus refers to a recent matrimonial venture :—-" In another placo wo nnnounco tho marriage of Mr Sale, formerly Commissioner at Hokitikn, to a lady named Fortune, It is not surprising that a lady with such an attractive title should sooure a ready Sale in the matrimonial market, nndVweslnooroly congrnlulnto tho gentleman in having huccoodod in roduoing tho number of Miss Fortunes that alas are too numerous in this world."