THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 17, 13 May 1867, Page 111

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(Hawke’s Bay Times, May 9.)

To-day the newly-elected Provincial Council ( are called Jtgether by advler tisement under the hand of the Returning Officer, according to the terms ol the ordinance; but we Believe that beyond theelectioh of a speaker, little qi no business will be transacted, flit honor the Superintendent, elected bj the late council, is, at present, absent from the province, and there is besides a vacancy of one of the seats for {the Napier district, ocasioned by the recent departure of Mr. Newton. The absence of these gentlemen from the Council does not, however,, .necessitate a sus : pension of public business, but there is sufficient reason for believing that the Council, will desire the presence ol its late chief, and will tlierefofe adjourn to await his return.

The approaching session of the Provincial Council promises’ to be a busy one, though not perhaps so much so as several of its predecessors-have been. There are several very important matters which demand the immediate and seriousattention of our local legislature, amongst which 'we may indicate a subect to which we have often had occasion to allude, and which, we believe, has already had a little (ineffectual) discussion in a former Council, but which does not now admit of furthei procrastination. We allude to the offensive and health-destroying malaria continuously evolved from decay - ing organic matters exposed to atmospheric action in the swamps at either extremity of the town. During the past summer it has proved a prolific source of disease to the residents both of the Spit and the Town proper, and most unpleasant in its offensiveness to the.nostrils when it has had, to appear? ance, no worse results. The filling in of these places would,, besides, afford employment to a number of poor fellows who would be only too glad of the work. We conceive that there could be no more difficulty in adapting a measure to the circumstances, which should compel the owners of the land, after due notice, to abate the nuisance, or otherwise to do it at their expense, than in the case of the Fencing Act, and other measures of a kindred nature.

Another subject that will demand the attention of the Council,- is the preservation of the Spit from such damage and threatened destruction as was experienced and appeared imminentTluring the heavy storm of a few weeks ago. Another such storm, if it should find us unprepared for it, might do incalculable damage. A breakwater, constructed from the Bluff at its east 1 era. extremity, would, we believe, be calculated to remove all apprehension for the safety of the Spit, and at the same' time a work of great importance and advantage to the Port.

Again there is the Thistle nuisance to be dealt with, and a host of other matters, too numerous for detail here, but which our readers will be able to imagine, will demand attention.

The new Council, however, will have'serious difficulties to contend with, more than has been experienced by any of their predecessors, in the state of the finances of the Province, The business of the Port and district is

in a state of depression unparalleled here, and the Government shares in tiie ; prevailing embarrassment. This after all, is must prove the most necessary subject of deliberation “The ways and means.” We have almost a hope that evil may- be -productive of good, that as prosperity effected ■ an system - of- government, 1 so adversity may bring about A RefW

-Loyal.Napier 1.0.0. F, M.U. —Those of-, our. -Traders who are fond of tripping tlio ‘Tight fantastic toe,” are reminded that the tenth anniversary of the Loyal Napier Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., will be celebrated by a ball, to take place at the Masonic Hall, Tennyson-street, on Friday evening next, 17th May. Dancing to commence at eight o’clock.

Temperance ‘Tea Meeting.— A tem porance tea meeting will take place on the evening of the 24th May, in the rooms occuoied by Mr Robottora in the ihakespearekrbatL Tt is'to Mrl J..Kehdle, eating house keeper, that the publio will; be indebted 'for tikis “ social’ gathering,” and from ;whatj: we know we may confidently assept,tb.pt;the:manogerncnt could not be in better, hands.; It. will:be'seen, from the advertisement which.appears in bur first page 1 hat the prices of admission are merely uominaL

Fire at Auckland.—Mr E. Jeffcote, of Auckland, who was a passenger by the cutter Grayling oil Friday last, has informed us that on the night the cutter, left Auckland (Thursday, 2nd instant) they observed off Rangitoto (a large island in the Auckland harbor), the glare of a fire ip the town, and from the direction of the smokoand flames it wa9 supposed to be in the vicinity of St. Paul’s church, in Shortland Crescent. We shall doubtless have particulars on tlie arrival of the Lord Ashley, due on Wednesday next. Native Meetings in the Thames Distbict.—The . Taranaki News, 11th April, says:—Mr Mackay had arrived ,at Taupo on Ihe 25th .ult., »nd was intending to proceed at once to Taraia’ settlement when in crossing the Gulf, he found ihe Moananui and the assessor Taniwlia had returned to their kaingas. The chief Te Uira was spoken with, but he appeared greutly disconcerted at the reported threat of the Arawas to invade the Thames, and ■stated that the god Manaoki had ordered him and four others not to look upon the face of any European engaged in Govern ment service. On the 27th ult., Mr Mackay and party arrived at Kanaeranga, and received a cordial welcome from the natives. It was apparent, however, after the usual greetings had subsided, that there was a reserve and unusual diffidence manifested in speaking about recent events which had transpired—evidencing, as our informant states, that the seeds of distrust in the pa keha had been widely sown, and that Mr Mackay did not arrive on tlie ground a moment to soon. Owing to his exertions a large native meeting was promplly called of residents of the district, exclusive of Waikato refugees. The grounds of mistrust in the pakeha then became known, namely, the threat of the Arawa9, and the reports which had been industriouslyspread that soldiers had been enlisted for invasion of the Thames, and that steamers were to be sent up as far as Piako The particulars of operations to be undertaken by the troops troops against the Hanhaus and friendly natives alike were all circumstantially narrated, and appeared to be generally believed in. In order to quiet their alarm, Mr Mackay thought it necessary to explain what had taken place atTauranga and Waikato, and wound up with a Maori episode which he knew would strongly appeal to their feelings. He stated that some short time before his death William Thompson had casually heard that the Ngatipoa of Piako meant mischief; lie therefore sent to them five war-mats, which he had worn on one or two great occasions in the war. It was his desire that thev should keep tlie peace; and to show that he had no further use for them, as he had niade peace with the pa keha, he had sent the mats to the .Ngati paoa. They were well aware of the old custom —that, when a chief sent away his warmat, it was a sure sign of making peace In due course the mats came in the possession of. Paori Tipa and Tarnati Otatu of Taupo, and, upon his (Mr Mackay’s) arrival there, they were handed to him. it was his intention, he said, to take the mats, and ascertain whether 1 e Hira would carryout his threats to kill him (Mr Mackay) or any other. Government officer. He would clothe himself in them; and if Te Hira killed him it would be well that he should die wearing the peace offering of Thompson. Mr Mackay then proceeded to his tent, and taking off his coat enveloped himself in the five mats, and placed a few feathers in his hair upon his re-appearance, the natives seemed for some minutes unable to recognise their vi*itor. Mr Mackay then askeu whether he was to continue to wear the clothes of peace; whether he should send them back, or throw them away ? the whole proceeding had a most magical effect upon the natives, and appeurtd quite to settle the question of peace or war. The natives agreed that what Mr Mackay had said was correct, and those who had been most strongly opposed to his appearance amongst them confessed that they had been in error. Several of the older men and women were observed to weep, over what they termed the remembrance of old times, on the production of Thompson’s wrr* mats.

It is proved that bachelorhood is more destructive to life thau tlio most .unwholesome trades, or than residence in an unhealthyhouse or district where tiiere 'has never . been, .the .most .distant attempt at sanitary improvement of any kind.—scotch Registrar; General.

On Monday, an Admiralty order was received at Chatham; announcing -that it iias_been.decided -to furnish the whole of the. Royal Marines./Light Infantry with the .Snjder, breechjpadiqg rifle, ip -lieu ot tllgjgdjpary muzzle-loading rifle at present in use in that branch of the service.—Alliance Newß,FebV23. <

Bad News foe Prize Fighters. —The Daily Telegraph , says The Derbyshire magistrates, have just sentenced Jetp Maco, Joe Goss, and,, three other (ess. illustrious pugilists,, to a. month’s imprisonment .with labour, for taking, part ,in. ji. p.rize* fight. The solicitor for the defendants that they might be - allowed to go at largo, upon their.recognisances to ap pear for judgment when, required.. ,The bench, dull fellows, apparently, without a d P P oetr J 9 P tew. their..souls—did not properly appreciate, this excellent suggestion. On the .contrary, they stated that the plan had been tried with gentle- “®. n the. Ring before, and had beer, found not. to answer. And so some of the most renowned supporters of. the system wrnph, is said to be the. antidote to the knife will have to. expend their energies during the next thirty days on the,work "of producing rotary motion, in, a big hori, zontal wheel. As a muscular exercise this has some advantage over sparring, but it is far inferior, aesthetically considered. The champion of England on tlietread i mill! . The illustrious Gos 9 habited in gaol livery! Alas! how are the mighty, tallen ! Clearly the Fancy has received a heavy blow ana great discouragement. So long as “the beaks” regarded'a friendlv set-to as a peccadillo to be expiated by a fine, the matter was one of pecuniary calculation, and the profits of the “ benefit” or “excursion” could generally .afford this slight tribute to-offended justice. .But when, it comes to the treadmill, oakumpicking, and oatmeal gruel, it is possible that professors of the noble art may be led to consider that its inconveniences prepon derato over its advantages.” Death oe Me. F. H. Watts, cf Wanganui.—The Wanganui Times, of the 19th April, contains th 9 following obituary notice of Mr. F. Watls, who started the first newspaper in Wanganui:—“lt is with feelings of great regret that we are obliged to hold over a leading article to make room for an obituary notice which will cast a gloom over tlie entire community. The editor and proprietor of the first newspaper ever published in Wanganui breathed bis last at 5 o’clock yesterday moraine. Francis Henry Watts launched the first number of the Wanganui Record on Wed nesday, the 16th of November, 1853. He had previously been connected wilh tin London Gazette, and was in every wav well qualified to occupy the editorial chair. It was his lot, however, when he started the Record to have neither a reading nor paying community to e-courage or support him in his labours. His object, however, in starting a local paper at Wanganui was not with the expectation that it would pay as a monetary speculation, but that himight by that means be enabled to promote, the best interests of the settlement which, fourteen years' ago were by no means such as to encourage any man to hope that Wanganui would ever rise to what it is now. Mr Watts laboured on at the Record, and. did good service to the straggling settlers up to 1856, when Mr Henry Stoke 9 issued a prospectus for the establishment of a larger paper. For some time past Mr Watts has been in very delicate health, suffering from disease of the hearty Dr. Gibson, his medical adviser, saw him on Wednesday, but did not theu apprehend any immediate danger. At 5 o’clock yesterday morning, his father-in-law, Mr Charles Small, was by his bed side, Mr Waits was sitting on the side of the bed, and in the act-of reaching his hand for a cup of chocolate, when he sprang up into tlie bed, rolled over, and expired. Thus, from month to month, pass away one and another of our, oldest and most respected settlers, impressing upon our minds the simple admonition—- ‘ Bo ye also ready.’ ” . The Labanski Natives. —The Taranaki Herald, 13th April, has the following : We hear from the south that Taikomako (the successor of Te Ua), on hearing that the troops were about to be withdrawn from Opuriake and Warae, expressed his satisfaction, saying “ that in that case they (t.lie Taranakis) should cease doing anything more to the Pakelias; ” but it is probable that by the withdrawal of the troops they understand the giving back to them of all their land south of the Stony River, and when they find themselves mistaken in this, their good behaviour may. bo of short duration. Moreover, we hear that the friendly natives at Te Taihua and Opunake are a little uneasy because More, (the leading man of the party of Waikatos who have been here for some months) has gone back to Waikato to try and raisr a fighting brigade, in which, if he succeeds, the friendlies are to have the choice given them of joining the rebels or of being thrashed. Whether they will go to this length is doubtful, but the presence hereof any more of the Waikatos would be a great misfortune, unless their incursion be promptly and effectually mgt. • A Raid on Whisky Shops by Ohio Women.—Some time in July, 1865, the women of this place took it into their heads that there should be no more whisky sold in Greenfield. . The question ,of abating the nuisancehad been .discussed , frequently, when an accident occurred that brought things to a crisis. A young, man named Blackburn, highly esteemed,, only twenty-one years of age, was the victim of a whisky brawL A. party of drunken men got into a quarrel and a shot was fired, and this young man, who was passing the house,., received .liis. .death , .wound. Shortly alter this the ladies, with a secresj unparalleled-hrthe: history of woman, met aud resolved on the destruction of the spirit. So in broad daylight, about noon, a posse of about seventy started pii the cleansing expedition, armed with, hatclicfs, axes,' and isroman’s determination. Som.e three or four stores were entered,; an 4 ithe bottle* msJde to' dhiice jigs/'and the.vrliis-

ky. to gurgle down the gutters, before- the other whiskey fiends were made aware of wliafc was going on. When they did become cognisant of >the situation of thing* they barred,. bolted,, and. barricaded their doors; but, .nothing; daunted, the, wo men quietly demanded the liquor, and if not admitted; into the house, they quickly battered ; down the doors and- shutters. This waa carried on fill nearly-.every respectable whisky shop ; was demolished. , Suits were brought, but the verdict of equity said •’Served ’tin right.”—American paper.On -Strike and on Spree.— To go' on. ■•trike is often demoralizing enough, unless with very exceptional natures, bufc ta .go.on. spree i* always so. It does,not ; mean sim* ply getting intoxicated; it means continuous drinking for several days together. A mari will leave his homo 1 with the best part..cf,a..week’s -wages in his pocket, and wander about ..from one public house to another, spending it a.s long as it lasts, and then going on credit, if ifc be furnished to him; sometimes lie -will send out and pawn his tools, or-a portion of-his clothes, in case .any diffiaulty arises- on. that score. He drinks ale- or gin. changing from one vile compound to another, and passing through all the stages of drunkenness. He gets quarrelsome, stupid, surly,'helpless ; then he tumbles off his seat; and 1 crawl* or is bustled into a shed or loft, where, in his dirt ( and degradation, he in some degree sleeps off his debauch. As soon as he awakes he commences again, and so on for several days -Often there is a fight, in which he gets the worst- of it, or he gives some one else the worst of it, and he is taken to prison and fined or locked up.— Meliora.

Scalded to Death in a Breweey.— On Friday evening, an inquest wa9 held at the Royal South Hants Infirmary, Southampton, on the body of John Painter, aged 25 years, who met with his death in the following horrible manner:—William Barnes, a foreman in the brewery of Messrs. Cooper and Kent, of Southampton, deposed that the. deceased had, charge of the brewery steam-engine. On Wednesday morning witness was in the brewery, attending to the wort, and heard deceased call out “ William.” Witness looked round, and saw deceased lying across.the tank, which contained very hot liquor, his body partly out, and immediately went tohis assistance, and with the aid of another man got him out. Deceased must have attempted to cross this hot water tank, in order to turn off a tap, and witnesseslieved that the cover of the tank, "which was nearly hew, must have tipped in some wav, and so he fell in. The cover was perfectly secure, and was strong enough to support twenty men. He imagined that it must have become shifted, and so tilted when the deceased stepped on to it. Witness did not believe blame was attached to any one. The resident surgeon at r tho infirmary stated that-, ..when the deceased was admitted, he was in a very exhausted state, and was suffering from extensive scalds. ;Tlie.case was quite hopeless, from the first, and the deceased became gradually weaker, and expired at an early hour the following morning. Deceased told witness that he had accidentally fallen into tlie hot liquor, and that it was entirely his own.fault. . The jury returned a verdict of accidental reath.—Alliance biews.

Pitt and Fox.—Pitt was ready with those retorts in conversation wliioh are tha marks of a quick and lively wit. Every one has heard of the colonel of volunteer* who repeatedly insisted,, as a condition of his offer of service, “ Mind, we are not to go out of the country, Mr Pitt? we are not to go out of the country ? ” “ Except, I suppose,” said the minister, coldly. “ia the case of actual invasion.” The Duches* of Gordon, upon her return to London, said to the minister, “Have you been talking as much nonsence as usual, -Mr. Hitt?” “I am not sure about that,/ ho replied, “ but I think that since I last-saw your grace I have not heard so much.” A translation which Lord Harrowby repeated to me . . . shows his command of the English language. Some one mentioned a sentence in the essay “De Oratore,” attributed to Tacitus: “ Magna eloquentia, sicut flamma, materra alitur et motibus exoitatur, et urendo clareaets,” me of the company said it was untranslatable. “By no means,” said Pitt, and at once proceeded : “Itis of eloquence as of a flame ; it requires matter to feed it, motion to excite it, and it brightens as it burns.” The best way to test the merits of this translation is to compare it-with that of Murphy, “The true spirit of eloquence, like an intense fire, is kept alive by fresh .materials; every new commotion gives it vigour, and in proportion as it burns it expands and brightens to a purer flame.” Here, indeed, is a flame which is quite buried under the heavy materials which Mr. Murphy has heaped upon it. In the mouth of Pitt the English language Attained all the force and precision of which it is capable. It is said that Fox, in speaking of his oratory, observed 7 “ X never want a word, hut Mr. Pitt always has at command the right word. An instance may be given of this curiasctfelictas. When Replying to a motion of Fox, which hud been weakly seconded by. Erskiue, Pitt said, “The honourable and learned gentleman who seconded the honourable !>entieman, attenuating the thread of liis discourse,” &c. In eloquence, as an orator, lie was probably suporior to hii father, Lord Chatham ; in wisdom as a statesman, far inferior.—Earl Russell’s Life of Fox. ' Napiee Land and Building Society, No. I—This evening, at half-past 8 o’clock, a further draw of siiares will take place at the Society’s office. Members arc requested ;o attend,at 8 o’clock, and members intending to; draw shbiild^Aignify.their’ intention to the Secretary ‘ (Mr Webb) ia-wriHhg,