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Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1614, 25 September 1874, Page 371

Robert R. Strang, Esq., late Registrar, a very old colonist, died at Wellington on Tuesday morning, 22nd iust., aged 79 years. At the Nicobar Islands the natives trade cocoanuts for old hats. A tall white hat with black band fetches from 55 to 65 cocoanuts, and there is great competition whilst any hats remain undisposed of. The Auckland Evening Star is of opinion that if Mr Vogel's now famous resolutions have no other good effect they will have served a useful purpose in awakening an unusual and commendable interest in public affairs among the masses of the people. Mr J. R. Cuthbertson addressed his constituents on Thursday night at Invercargill, on the question of the abolition of the provinces. He ridiculed the idea that the Middle Island land fund was in any danger. A vote of confidence was passed, with only five dissentients. A banquet was given to Mr Sheehan on Tuesday night at Grahamstown. In replying to the toast of his health, he spoke for nearly an hour. Referring to the opposition offered to the Waste Lands Act in the Upper House, he said the Upper House had given evidence of a sound commercial spirit. One question on which the members of the Legislative Council were always wrong was that in which they were so deeply interested that they were prevented from dealing with it fairly and justly—and that was the land question. So many members were large landed proprietors, who, reckoning their properties by the 100,000 acres, jealously scrutinized every measure the object of which was to enable men to acquire land easily. The Bill which he (Mr Sheehan) introduced was, in the hands of such people, in the position that persons were who, when going down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell into the hands of certain company, to which he need not more particularly refer. In reference to tho Representation Bill, he said whenever a proposal was made to give another member to the North Island constituency it was met by a cry that that the balance of power was in danger. He found the Southern Goldfiolds' members always came forward manfully and straightforwardly on goldfield questions. The House could no longer delay recognition of the right of the Thames to an additional representative. He thought the Native Department viewed with alarm every advancing wa/e of civilization as a hastening of the time when its services would no longer be required.

Mr J. L. Gillies has been elected Secretary of the Dunedin Harbor Board. A movement is on foot in Dunedin to I establish a Marine Store and Piggery 1 Company on a large scale, for the purpose of turning to money the immense quantity of refuse annually wasted. Thedecrease in the population of France is attributed to mothers not stickling their infants, as interfering with the former's appearance in society ; hence the infant is given to some mercenary nurse. The engine, battery, and plant of the once famous Shotover claim were submitted to the hammer at Grahaihstown on Tuesday. All was sold but the battery. It is expected that the claim will be amalgamated with some .neighboring mines. In the action of " contempt" against the Guardian newspaper, for certain severe comments on Judge Chapman's celebrated telegram order, judgment was given on Wednesday by Judge Chapman himself, who marie the rule absolute against the offending journal, with costs. The last educational returns of the Province of Canterbury show that there are in the province 73 school districts, and 74 schools, with 117 male and 127 female teachers, and 4957 male and 4398 female scholars. The total number of scholars is equal to one-sixth of the whole population of the province. The Ag3iit-General, under date 3rd September, reports the following number of immigrants despatched to the colony during August:- For Auckland, the Hydaspes and Assaye, with 760 ; for Nelson, the Mail, with 330; for Wellington, the Sotikar, with 415; for Taranaki, the Fourah, with 380; for Lyttelton, the Pleiades, with 320 ; for Otago, the Auckland, with 360. The New Zealand Times says that Mr Vogel anticipates being back in Wellington within five or six months from the date of his departure. The Otago Daily Times thinks his absence at the present time a grave want of judgment, and that the probabilities are against his ever coining back again. It is confident that if Mr Vogel can make arrangements at home that will please and satisfy him, he will not return. The Wanganui ratepayers f.;el melancholy about their waterworks scheme. The purchase of plant was authorized on the estimate by Mr Millar, Borough Engineer, that it would cost £9,000. Part of the plant has been shipped, but advices have been received that the cost will be £14,000, and that until that amount is guaranteed the remainder will not be forwarded. Of course half a plant is no use ; interest is going on, and, as the Chronicle remarks, " such an excess of expenditure in a small town of 2,500 inhabitants, means additional rates to a marked degree." Dates from Fiji are to the 13th September. The following are the latest items: —Great interest is taken in Sir Hercules Robinson's expected visit to Fiji. The Times says that the Polynesian scheme is too absurd to merit serious consideration. Considerable depression is experienced in consequence of the change cotton from growing to sugar planting. The Times calls attention to the serious defalcation jn the Treasury chest of the late Government, and the immense expense of the loans. A great native meeting has been held at Loma Loma, which is suppose to have important political significance. The chiefs Maafu and Cakau were present. Hostile preparations are said to be going on for punishing refractory tribes. Wa r is considerod probable unless annexation takes place.