THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri TUESDAY, 22nd DECEMBER, 1874.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1639, 22 December 1874, Page 470

THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri TUESDAY, 22nd DECEMBER, 1874.

The state of our currency is still exceedingly unsatisfactory. The great scarcity of small coin in comparison with the quantities imported is not to be accounted for by the ordinary operations of business. Some time ago an imaginative contemporary professed to account for it, and related a story of a clergyman obtaining £BO or £9O in gold from an Australian sea captain, in exchange for a like amount in silver coins of 6d and lower values, his soul having become disgusted at the presence of such small amounts in the contribution plate. This solution, however, was not given seriously, nor was it so accepted. The Wanganui Chronicle, however, complains that several people in that town have formed the habit of collecting sixpences, and that some of these have confessed to a hoard exceeding £2O in value. A practice like this is productive of extreme inconvenience where the supply is limited. Another unsatisfactory feature in our currency is the number of worn and defaced coins in circulation —a state of things which always excites the surprise of new-comers. Some of these are bored, clipped, and otherwise disfigured to a disgraceful extent, while others from long service are worn perfectly smooth. This is a defect which no private effort could remedy ; but which it is quite time for the Government to attend to. They would find no difficulty in procuring from the Mint a sufficient quantity of new coin to take the place of the old and defaced, which could then bo called in without causing inconvenience. The third and most serious evil is that of the copper tokens —an evil which appears to be on the increase. If we mistake not, this nuisance has long since been put down in the Australian colonies, which will account for the great number of Australian counters in circulation in New Zealand. We lately drew attention to the large importation of spurious copper coin by the Auckland licensed victuallers' association, and their example has been followed by a Wellington firm, so that tokens to the nominal value of nearly £3OO have been placed in the market within about six months. In Auckland there is a strong feeling against them, and many of the tradesmen decline to accept them for more than half their nominal value. On the other hand, it is stated that in order to force their use, a number of interested

parties are retaining all the genuine copper coinage which conies 'into their possession. The remedy for this abuse rests in a great measure with the public themselves ; yet legislative interference would not, we think, be out of place. '

In another portion of this issue we publish the essay-read before the Agricultural and Pastoral Society by Mr G. Peacock, on the adaptability of grasses to the various soils of the Province. The subject is an exceedingly wide one, and Mr Peacock, while making some very valuable suggestions, does not in any way dogmatize or affect superior knowledge. He has forcibly pointed out some of the defects oi the haphazard style too often adopted hitherto, and we have no doubt that his paper will be the means of leading to the adoption of an improved system by the local sheepfarmers. This is the second valuable essay which has been given forth by the Agricultural Society, and we look upon the publication of practical papers of this kind as one of the most useful results of the labors of the institution.

From English papers received by the late mail we learn that there is a probability of a re-organization of the Liberal party, and that a primary plank in its platform will be the principle of local option in the matter of the liquor traffic. It has become evident to the leaders of that party that their refusal to adopt that principle at the late election was one cause of their lamentable failure, the whole of the temperance party holding aloof from them in consequence. The liquor interest has now become disgusted with the party which it chiefly helped to place in power, owing to the small return it has received for its Herculean efforts in their behalf. Should, therefore, the Liberals come again before the public with a truly popular policy and a good programme, the prospects of the Conservatives would be of a somewhat doubtful character.

It is intended to dispose of the whole of Messrs Carlyon's choice herd of short-horn cattle by auctiou early in February next. Operations on the artesian well at tho Spit—which has now attained the extraordinary depth of nearly 400 feet, have been suspended until after Christmas, the supply of rods having run short. We direct the attention of our readers to the fact that the annual congregational soiree of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church takes place this evening. A most attractive programme of music has been provided. Among the holiday projects is one of an excursion round the Bay in the new steamer Result. Should the weather be propitious, the expedition will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday next, and various spots of interest on the coast will be visited and explored. We direct attention to the sale, by Messrs Eoutledge, Kennedy, and Co., to-morrow, of the furniture and effects of the late E. Catchpool, Esq. The extensive library, previously advertized for sale on this occasion, has been withdrawn, to be offered for sale on a future occasion.

Corporal Greer, of the Artillery Volunteers, goes to the Thames to represent this district at the annual competition. Corporal H. Renouf is also going, and if not placed for one of those districts where the full number of representatives have not qualified, his company undertake to bear the expense of his journey. Our evening contemporary announces that a penny daily morning paper is talked of, to be started in Napier with the New Year. The Herald, as though not to be outdone, announces another penny evening paper, to appear contemporaneously. We have our doubts as to the authenticity of the information. " Locals" are rather scarce just at present.

Mr Ah Och and his wife had a very narrow escape on Sunday. As they were driving past the Superintendent's property, their vehicle was overturned down the embankment. A third person, who was with them, jumped out, and alighted without injury ; but the Chinaman and his newly-married wife were considerably shaken. Dr Dale, who was sent for, was soon in attendance, but discovered no injury beyond the shock and a few bruises. We would call attention to the sale of choice sheep by Mr M. R. Miller, at the Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Yards, Hastings, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. These animals were personally selected by Mr Miller as the best at the late Canterbury Show, where several of them took prizes. They are considered the choicest lot ever brought into Hawke's Bay, and we have no doubt they will be appreciated by the local shcepfarmers. An exciting scene took place at the Spit yesterday afternoon, on the occasion of the shipping of a number of the recalcitrant sailors of the Bebington. Half-a-dozen of them were marched to the Spit, but upon sight of the boat which was to convey them to the ship, they became refractory, declaring that no one should induce them to go on board. They were handcuffed in pairs, but still continued to resist. Finally, they were given live minutes to make up their minds, and at the end of that time, finding that discretion was the better part of valor, they surrendered, and allowed themselves to be taken on board in peace,

The Hon. the Defence Minister has notified that the Napier Artillery Volunteers and Cadets are to be taken out on a railway excursion to Pakipaki at an early date. It is probable that the Superintendent will by proclamation .appoint a holiday for the formal opening of the line to Pakipaki, when the contemplated excursion will doubtless take place. A shark, upwards of eight feet in length, and four feet in circumference, was captured off the Quarantine Island yesterday by the Messrs Stuart, fishermen. The animal was very obstreporous, and did a good deal of damage to the net in which he had become entangled. He was towed into shallow water, and afterwards lifted into the boat and lashed down. Another shark, somewhat larger, was caught by the same parties last week.

English telegrams via Australia to 9th December were received in Napier on Saturday. The item of chief importance to Hawke's Bay is the decline in the price of wool. The English press is unanimous in its approval of the annexation of Fiji. Dr. Kenealy is likely to get into trouble with "The Englishman" newspaper, which is not to be wondered at when the reckless manner in which it has been conducted is considered. A true bill has been found against him on a charge of libelling one of the witnesses Pittendreigh—whom he had broadly accused of knowingly putting forged documents in evidence. Strong public feeling is finding expression against the spread of Ritualism in the English Church. A tremendous gale has swept over the British Isles, and caused enormous loss and devastation—especially on the north-western coast of Scotland. The iron strikes are at an end, the men having mostly yielded. Stanley has arrived at Zanzibar. The Carlist atrocities in Spain continue without abatement. Garibaldi has been invited by the Romans to come forward as a candidate at the next elections, and has been returned. A union between Russia and France on the Eastern question is contemplated. China and Japan are preparing for war. " Internationalists" have been arrested in Florence with large stores of arms. Russia has despatched three expeditions against the Turkomans. In Germany the gulf between the State and the Roman Catholic church is widening. Altogether the European prospects for 1875 are not promising.

It is worthy of note that not the slightest confirmation has ever been given to the report, first set afloat by the Evening Post, that the Governorship of Fiji had been offered to Sir D. M'Lean. Wo explained at the time how the rumor originated, having no more substantial foundation than the joke of a gentleman connected with the press, who was suspected to have some special information. A second rumor has since been floated, to the effect that Sir Donald " declined the proffered honor." The gentleman chosen by the English Government for the responsible post is Sir Arthur Gordon, late Governor of Mauritius. The appointment appears to give much satisfaction—except to those journals who prematurely nominated and congratulated the wrong gentleman. Tho Auckland Evening Star narrates, we believe correctly, the circumstances attending the gift of Knighthood to Sir Donald, which, it will be remembered, that gentleman said was not conferred on account of any recommendation from the Colony. It appears that Sir T. Gore Browne, between whom and our Native Minister there exists a warm friendship, made repeated application to Mr Gladstone's Government on the subject, but without success. On the advent of his own party to power, he lost no time in again urging his application, and the boon was granted.

We doubt whether the murderer Sullivan by this time considers liberty an unmixed boon. In prison he was well provided for, and had an acknowledged status ; abroad he finds no rest for the sole of his foot. He was recognized through his disguise before he had been a week on his homeward voyage, and his presence nearly caused an insurrection on board, spoiling his own comfort and that of his fellowvoyagers. At home the detectives were so unremitting in their attentions that his life became a burden, and ho disappeared only to be identified as he landed on Sydney Quay, from the Parramatta. He brought with him a stock-in-trade of dogs and canaries ; but his identity becoming known, he removed his business to Melbourne, where again he was recognized, and where he has since been arrested, under the "Criminal Influx Act." The authorities are thinking of sending him back to the colony in which he gaiued his renown. If they do, what will our N e w Zealand Government do with their black elephant ?

Wc arc glad to note from the following telegram, dated Melbourne, 13th December, that most of the observations of tho transit of Venus in the Australian colonies have proved very successful: "Accounts received from all districts as to the transit of Venus arc generally satisfactory. A very large number of valuable photographs have been taken at nearly all the stations at New South Wales ; the weather was remarkably fine, and the transit was observed under the most favorable circumstances. In Victoria, after the early morning, the weather cleared up and tho transit was observed to advantage, but, in Tasmania, it rained nearly all day, and the observations taken are but few."

Should the " alleged discovery " of the Rev. Tresham D. Greig, of Dublin, be verified, insurance companies will find their occupation gone. That gentleman requests an Irish newspaper to state that " on Tuesday, 3rd July, 1874, in the House

of Lords, Lord Neil presented a petition from the Eev. Tresham D. Greig, of Dublin, praying that steps may be taken to have an enquiry made into the arguments by which he supports his alleged discovery that immunity from death and disease, and all their concomitant evils, have been available to Christians since 1866,. if they would only recognize it, and use certain forms of devotion, amounting to a restoration of the ' continual sacrifice ' spoken of by the prophet Daniel, a copy of which form he presents to the House along with his petition."—" Immunity from death and disease, and all their concomitant evils," to be attained by so simple a means as "certain forms of devotion," is so attractive an idea that the Rev. gentleman will probably find a good many willing to give his new specific a trial. It is one of the strangest characteristics of the present era of widely-diffused knowledge that so many mediaeval superstitions are being revived and openly advocated.

The murderous assault upon a girl named Mary Hall by a sailor named John Brennan, which occurred some months ago at Invercargill, will not have been forgotten by our readers. On Saturday Brennan was charged with the offence before the Supreme Court, Invercargill, and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to penal servitude for life.