FRIDA.Y, NOVEMBER 5, 1880. JOE, THE FIJIAN.

Manawatu Herald, 5 November 1880, Page 2

FRIDA.Y, NOVEMBER 5, 1880. JOE, THE FIJIAN.

» Tho intimation that has been made that the Government have commuted the sentence of death passed upon Joe the Fijian murderer to penal servitude for life will not, we believe, give general satisfaction throughout the country. Unfortunately, we rarely have the opportunity of ascertaining the reasons upon which Miuistries decide such questions, except in so far as they are disclosed by their organs. Just a hint, is given, frequently with the view of putting the public on the wrong track, rather than of stating the real grounds of the decision. The circumstances of the affair are quite fresh in the memory of our readers. The native was brought to Auckland as a servant by a gentleman who formerly resided upon one of the Fiji islauds and as tho result of a murderous instinct he struck one of hia master's sons with an axe, and having tasted blood pursued his homicidal course, murdering a man named Eeece, and finally attacking a charwoman. He was tried lor murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The Cabinet have now intervened, as already stated, and commuted the sentence to imprisonment for life, on the ground that on two previous occasions Joo had fits of insanity. Doubtless the Ministry have carefully inquired into the truth of this statement, and are satisfied of its correctness. Yet even that does net warrant, we think, the action they have taken. If it were demonstrated that Joe was actually mad when he first assaulted young Woolcott, there would be grounds for believing that he was at tho time the victim of a homicidal mania. That, however, was not shown. He belongs to a very low race, and between his mind and that of a ferocious bulldog there is little difference. <ur opinion is that he was determined to revenge himself upon the boy for some slight provocation, and that having tasted blood the impulse to run a muck overmastered him. We are firm believers in the stern rectitude of capital punishment, and also in its deterrent influence. Experience has abundantly proved that the dread of death is the only certain preventive, of wholesale murder and as-

sassination. Therefore, great care Should bo displayed in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, lost sentiment towards the guilty should increase the destruction of human life. The glaring nature of the crimes perpetrated by the Fijian may perhaps favour tho idea that he was insane when ho committed them, but there is another view to take, that the downward motion of the human mind is extremely rapid. Possibly the Fijian at first intended merely to revenge himself upon his master's son for some injury or provocation he had received from either tho boy or his father. The blow given, the man fled. His mind took the next step downwards and he determined to slay every person he could. We are convinced that he was responsible for thejird blow, and consequently for the acts he committed when in the state of mind which resulted, for one evil act assists the mind still further downward. His mind leaped from a single outrage to wholesale murder, aud the act followed. Possibly, in dealing with the question, the Ministry have been actuated by charitable motives, but we hold that in such matters as this Charity should be supplanted by stern Justice, not only as a punishment for the offence, but also to show other persons with a homicidal tendency that the destruction of human life is not thought lightly of. And that, it appears to us, is a strong reason why this Fijian should have boon hung. We have in our mind's tye an instance that occurrod some years ago in another part of this colony. A man was mad with rage at a person who had wronged him. He armed himself with a bludgeon, and walked tho streets of a town for several hours, desiring to meet his enemy. Providentially they did not meet, and the fit passed off. But that man afterwards, to the writer of this article, expressed his thankfulness that no meeting took place, as he believed he would have seriously wounded, or perhaps lul'ed, his adversary. Our laws should be so administered, as to deter persons from working themselves up into this frenzied frame of mind, from which murder too often results. The commutation of the Fijian's sentence will, we fear, weaken the bonds that have held back persons from getting into the frenzy in which he was when he attacked young Woolcott, murdered Recce, and attempted to kill the charwoman. We may be told that the sentence of imprisonment for life passed upon him will prevent a recurrence of his crimes. To this we reply, it would have the same effect in the case of every murderer. But regarding cap- - ital punishment as a deterrent power, and remembering the numbers of violent, passionate men who in a moment of frenzy would for revenge murder their fellow men if the ignominy and unutterable terror of execution did not deter them, we think those who lay charity and sentiment on one side, and consider that the crimes referred to were committed by a man who gave way to a frenzy similar to that which affects wild beasts, and that the same frenzied state of mind is occasionally seen in men of our own race (though happily not with such dire results), will think with us that in this instance the Ministry have erred in commuting the Fijian's sentence.

English Mau,.— The English mail via Snn Francisco closes at Foxton this evening. Released — Charles Arisfci, who whs committed t.) prison for six months in default of findiug sureties for hid fT&otl behaviour, has been released, Messrs Gillet, -surveyor, of Palmerst'>n, and Newman, farmer, of Awahuri, going 1 as bondsmen for him. We glean tlio above from our Pal•nerston contemporary. Arises name will be remembered in o >nnection with the Pearse aid Oaborne sjuabb'o. School Ex\mixati>>x. — Mr Inspec'or F- ul is is at present "(1 'ing" Mauiwttu. He has finished his wrrk nt Pulmerston, untl wi 1 b gin Fox* on tod iy, taking M- uto* ichool tomorrow, nnA finishing Foxton on Munilpy. Wn nv' p.Ud lo son Mr Konli* is tltis year doing Ins work morn leisurely thnn on previous <<cc<tsiQi)9, and the result should be a fleci'lud improvement in bin knowledge* of the attainments of the scholars. We hope tiler-; will be a large muster of children, and that tho<e .vho arij entered for the different standards will do their very best «o answer the questions correctly, for their own credit sake, as well as for tint of their teachers. The Rimutaka. accident.— The dreadful accident on the Rimutaka Incline in September last, has been miido the subject of two very amusing cartoons. First, the New Zealand Times, the morning pajier of Wellington, came out with an illustration of it which was provocative of more laughter and mirth than it would have gained if the artist had really tried to be funny. The latest to hand is in tho Australusian Sketcher for October 9, and that journal publishes upon its title puge an illustration of the accident which is both fearful and wonderful. Tho gradient is about 1 iv 4, which will certainly give the world an idea that in New Zealand we can " licit into a cocked hat " Mont Ceuis, or any other such prodigy of engineering, while the attitudes of tho passengers are of a singularly absuiil character. A little while auo the Sketeher published a carioon representing 1 the deserted port of Hokitika as crowded with barques, briaantiuts, &c, and however truthful it might have been j fifteen years ago, no one who knows what HokitiKa n<>w is could connect the reality with the picture. Unless the yketcher alters its manner ~, and keeps nearer to the truth, it will earn the name of " Tho Australian Stretcher." Discharged. — Mr John Tompkins, of Sandon, storekeeper, has received his discharge fronr tho Wellington Bankruptcy Court. Tkndeb— -We understand tho tender of Mr Ewiug, of Paltaeraton, uaj been w-

copted foi tho oiection of Mr Jas. Oliver's new hoiuo at Okaua, Moutoi. Tlie building, when finisher!, will be a hnndsome structure. Mr Ewing recently Imill the Masonic Hull at l'ulmerston.

Chuisty Minsthels. — Owing to the heavy mm on Wednesday night, only n small audience assembled *»t the Christ y entertainment, in aid ot" the Rowing Club, nnd in consequence the performance wua postponed until this (Friday) evening, when it will positively eomo off l'"ull publicity has been givren to the programme, sidd as the bad weather appeals to hnvo expended itself, a good house may beexpecteJ. The Kairanga Block. — Our Palmerston contemporary hears^ipou the very best authority that the Kairanga Block is now ready for sate, and that the Government contemplate putting it into the market between this and Christmas. Whenever the land in question is sold, it is certain to be eagerly taken up. A party of gentlemen in Palmerston intend to lake up sections averaging in size about 200 acres, and havo banded themselves together to improve the property directly possession is gained. It is also probable some sections will bo taken up by rfisidents of Foxton. Tho Government may be quite uertaiu of the block being eagerly taken up by bonafide settlers. An Honest Maori. — The aboriginal inhabitants of this country are not credited with retentive memories where the payment of money is involved, but an instance has como under our notice which deserves to be recorded. Some twelve years ugu a native named Apia ran up a scoro at Aberdeen House, amounting in all to iiboat five pounds, and shortly afterwards was leaviug this district for Waikanae. He went to tho store and candidly elated ho had not the money to pay his accouut, but promised to settlo it in time, accompanying his promise by a request that he might have " tiok " ! ! f-u- a pnir of pants. The person who was svrving in the store acceded to the request, bu* by some mistake the sale of the article, which was valued at 2ys, was not entered in the books. Apia went away, and for twelve yenrs was not, scon by .\\e Gray. A few days ago, however, he walked into th»> store, and paid the account in full. After glancing over it, he noticed the pants were not entered, and CHlled attention to the fact. As Mr Gray had not served him with them, he did not of course know anything of the matter. Nevertheless. Apia explained to him the whole of the circumstances, and piid the extra 255. The honesty of tb<juative in the matter was highly creditable, and would put to shamo the conduct of many an enlightened pakeha. Railway Accident.— A railway nccideiv np.)n a sin ill scale occured at Foxton yesterday, in conncctio ■> with tho reclamation works. About 10.150 a.m. ihu ballast engine Skunk ran d-nvn from the cutting wiih six trucks of Situd, but when opposite Mr Liddell's store the formation gave way, and the wh'>:o ofthu trucks toppled over, the enjine being lifted up to >\ very precarious angle, ami being in imminent danger of following the trucks. The driver and his assistant speedily nude their way out of the engine, and the workmen at once dug ft way the formation under the rails on the high side, for the purposo of easing down the Skunk. Ihe nffair was soon reported 10 Mr Jay, mmaijer for Mr Saunders, who proceeded with all the available men at h>B disposal to assist in replacing the engine nnd trucks on the line. Their priucipal care was to prevent any further accident occurring to the Skunk, as, had she fallen into the water, her boiler would in all probability have exploded. Heavy lines were ar once fastened to the engine and she was thm"moorpd" to the main land. A full head of steam was turned on. but it was found impossible to move her. Then a couple of horses were attached, but they proved unsuitable, and hsily three blocks and tackle were attached, and with their holp and the strong a^ms of .1 dozen stal watt nu>n, the Skunk speedily was restored to her natur 1 position. In the course of a few hours the trucks were aatnin placed on the lines, and work was proceeded with. The acsident m:iy be attributed to the exceptionally high tide and strong westerly wind having" undermined the bank, the consequence bein^ th.it. the weight of the liaded trucks and engine pressed the sand formation out into the water, and tho rails therefore sank: down on tho outside. Piobably, also, the r.iils had been placed rather too near tho edsje of thf bank, to secure a good " tip." The men all workpd with real hourtiue.ss to restore the engine and trucks to their proper position. Local Boaud. — The iJ'oxton Local Board will meet at the Fuxton Athenaeum this evening, at 5 p.m., to transact general business, and to consider applications for the position of Ringer, A Monstkh Traix.-Oii WtdncMl iy after noon a very large trnin was brought into Foxton, cninp'iaing no 1 -xs than U0 loaded t-ueks, 1 carriage, 1 brake van, and tho r-u---»ino Nine of the iruekt were loaded with sawn timber, lriviiig upon the n 18,800 fret : while 8 more trucks wore loa'Je.l with 1,045 railway sleepers, and allowing 15 of these to represent. 100 feet of ti'nb.r, the sleepers show 20,900 feet of timber, or a toiul quan'ity of 3!),7i>() fc-t, which at 8s \er hundr. d feet nroul I s'ioiv v v.i'uu of £158 16i. 'Ihe remaining three trick* wen-, loaded with sundry packages fur ahipjiin.: nnd local purposes. RECovrfiUNO. — Mr Kind's chill, wh-» was lately Ul:Kod by a wuuderin.- horse, is, we ar.- glad to learn, improving rapidly. Mi King is placed in an uufortuu ito Dudition. us he has been put to great expense by this a.ioident, but has no means of ascertaining who was the owner of tho beast that did the damage. New Firm. — Ii another column appear n business notice, stating ihat Messrs. Kii.g nml Hill intend to open b :-<ine->s at Fuxton atnl Feilding as authorised an 1 lietnse i surveyor*, civil eiigi ceis, &o. As regards the new firm, it may bo state.l that MrHili has bean for nine years past engaged undoi the Pnb'io Works I>.>|)artiii'nt as :m engineer and surveyor in Connection with Vai ions, railwiy lines in the colony, while his paitner, Mr King, in addition to a leug thenod Australian experience, has been for some time past engaged on survey woik iv tho colony, and holla a cc' f t.ficale ol authorisation und license from tho SurreyorGeucral, authorising him to curry out surveys under the Land Transfer Act. Ho is at present engaged in laying oft' a township at Oastlepoint. The new firm will in time extend their business, iv it warrants them, and from tho explanations aheidy given, it will be seen that their constituents cm vch upon their ability to carry nut work entrusted to them. The Bar — Captain Doilo reports finding eleven feet of water on the .Mauawatu bar yesterday morning, although ho crossed two hours before lughw.itur. Pahihaka.— lt is stated tho Government intend to sell the Parihaka blook shortly, simply reserving those portions recommended by lha Commissioners. Railway Timetable.— ln another column Mr Botharam announced certain changes in the railway timetable fur the 9th of November. So that there may be no misapprehension this time, we havo hunted up one of thi postern issued by tho authorities, ndfiad that the only alteration to the

Foxton service will be that the morning down train will arrive one hour later than usual. The first train into Foxton from the upper district on the day in qntstion will therefore arrive at the early hour of 30 miuutes past 2. Persons who desire to do business at Fox ton and return (• their homos in iho upper district on that day should therefore start the night before ! Police Force.— The people of Dunedin aro getting up a testimonial to Inspector Mallard. Not to be Caught.-— The Bis-hop of Wellington is known to be an astute man, and evidently has been taking a few lessons from Sir George Grey in the art of answering awkward questions. A Sunday School demonstration has been going on at Wellington during the past few weeks, but for somo unexplained reason, the Church of England schools have held aloof. On Friday last, in the Synod, Mr Didsbury, a lay member, evideutly desiring to get an explanation, asked the Bishop whether he hid received any iuvitation to co operate with other religious bodies in the celebration of the centenary of the 5-unday-sohool movement ; and, if so, whether he will state the reason why the Church of England stood aloof on that occasion ? to which the Bishop made tho followiug reply : — " In declining to answer the question which has just been asked, I do so because I wish tho •Synod to understand, once for all, that while I shall always be most happy to give any information that the Synod may require for its guidance, I decline to answer: questions which nmy appear to have no | direct bearing on its proceedings.' 1 This reminds us of Mr Johnston's celebrated question to Sir George Urey : What Couuty is the island of Kuwau in, and what rates were collected there during last year ?" to which Sir George replied : " 1 will send the hon. gentleman a map that will convey the information ho wishes, and a great deal more of which ho appeara to be ignorant." Who is He ? — We have often wondered who " Councillor Dungan " was iv the Borough Ciunoil of "nlmerston. His published speeches have invariably stamped him as a gentleman of wide views, and excellently fit ed for tho position of a Councillor ; in fact, we have al»vays ro-giird'-d him as the best man in the Calmerstou Council. Som« little time ago th^ gentleman in question mentioned in his position iv the Council certain turnouts as to the conduct of the local bailiff, and in last issuo of the local paper a Mi Jurgeusen ''went for" the editor of our Palmerston contemporary under the impression that he wus the- Mr Dungan who belonyra to the Council. As a footnote, the editor priuts the following rich paragraph at the end of \i r Jorgensen's letter : — lf M r Carl Jorgenson is labouring under some extraordinary delusion. The editor of this paper made no remarks whatever about Mr Graff, and certainly did not set ' tho ball of malicious back-biting roiling ' He merely published statements which wero made at tnc Council meeting by Councillor Dungan, and endors&d by two other Councillors. If Mr Jorg-:nsen is under the impression that the editor is accountable for the conduct of Councillor Dungan, lie is very much mistaken. They arc two very diffjreut und first inct persons, and certainly the abovo attack hud better been levelled at ihe re-il culprit. We have, however, published Mr Jorgenseu's letter us it was forwarded to us, leaving t to Councillor Duugan to reply to the dtrictuivs up-oi his c induct, should he think fit ; aud from our slight knowledge of that gentleinnu, we imayinohe will have a few remarks to make in reply. — Ed M. T." The question now arises, Who is this Councillor Dungan f and it is to be hoped he will settln tho question of his identity, when he polishes olf Mr Jorgensen in the way his published speeches lead us to expect. [Since tho above wiv-s in type, "Councillor" Dunarau has published his reply, which mystifies one more than ever. Ho starts off thus : -" I must congratulate you upon the very ingenious miuner in which you have dissected the individual personalties of tho editor of tho Times and Councillor Dunyan, coolly appropriating to the former the credit of being the chanipiou of openness aud fair play, aud shelung the charge of 'malicious baclibiin^r' on to the latter! However, I suppose it is one of tho tricks of the profession, and I must ' grin and bear it.' "] A Waste of Money. —The Governors of cha Wellington Tollege are ju'tilaut. I'hey aie uctiiiilly out of debt, aud have v creditbalance <<f £19(3. This happy stuteof things, however, is nor to be credited to their good management, but to tho fact that the Go verumeiit have recently paid over £12 ,000 voted for this wretched iustitiuioa last s. J.ssion The people who use this college urv mostly of that class called ii bitter irony ihe •' upper ten, " and the college itself is but 'i kiud of ■' swell " State school. Iniumd of voting -£12,000 for it, Parliament should have shut it up, and Ifft parents \rhi> wish thrir hoys to learn to mumble a few Frcmih or Latin words to ob;uin private tutors or support private sohjols. ScnouL Accimxi hutiox. — The Auckl iud liUucatioti Board havo reduo d th ) limit of ■<pace per child iv the city schools from te;i to vino square feet, thus giviug additional accommodation to 2<)o chil Ireu Mr B-.-e---thum, upoa the Wellington Board,has given no ice of inoti >v, that no children be admitted lo the publij i-cluoU who are under the ago of fivo years. Immigkation'. —At a recent meeting of the Wa-te Lauds lio ud the chairman said he had received a telegram from the Hon Mr ltollestou on the question of introducing immigrants. The proposition was that 'he passages of agricultural laborers for thj Lincolnshire farmers should be subsidised by the Gov^rnn ent, but that ihe Go vernmeut could not agree to sunh a propos il Mr Firth said uo application of that nature had been made to the Board, and tho cha<r man s.iid the question had never be-n raised, urn' wus there any obligation oil the Government to aid in the introduction ot these people. We should think not. Con sidoring the number of men who are now walking about with their hands iv their pockets, tho Government would hardly dare to sub>idiso labourers coming out from England. Scab.— Mr W. Rutherford, of Montrose, A muri, reports the appearance of scab in hid flock. This outbreak will cause much uncu.-tiucss to flockowuei'S between the Wai i v and Huruuui rivers, for should it nuforlunate y spread across the llurunui, by way of the buck country runs, its eradication will bo most difficult. It h stated on good authority that .Mr Rutherford purl>Osus to dostroy the whole flock, about 7000, running On the un fenced country. Tub Waimate Plains. — The result of the first sulo of land on the Waimate Plains must be eminently gratifying to the Government. A block of 7500 acres has been sold partly on immediate and partly on deferred puymeuts, and the former, according to » telegram received, realised nearly A' 31,000, at an average of £0 per I acre, while the laud offered on deferied payments averaged £7 per acre, — a very convincing proof of the demand for agricultural land favorably situated. The scheduled quantities of land offered for sale ou deferred payments amount to about 2273 acriß, which at £7 per acre, the average price said to be obt hied, represents ne trly £IB,O<)U. Iv all, say £46,000 for 7500 ucres of land, well-wulered, intersected by a well.

formed metalled road, having a aea frontage, and as further described, being a compact area (four -by throe miles) of level, undulating laud. The price is good, and from all reports the land is of very fair average quality, ani it may be inferred that the majority of purch isers, coming as they did from long distances, came to seek land whereon to permanently settle. In such case, the advancement of the district will ba rapid, and tho enhanced value of further areas on the Plains assured when the time of aale comes. — N. '/•. Times. That Old Sebpbst. — At a station on the Billabons; Creek, not far from Urana, resides a young fellow with his mother, who is a hard lioarted old Scotchwoman. Occasionally Jock kicks over tho traces, breaking away from the wholesome restraint of maternal authority. The old lady was brought up ia the strict covenanting school of religious orthodoxy, and looks with much disfavour upon all advanced thinkers in religious matters— but . especially upon the Reverend Alb. '.Chasuble, newly inducted iDto spiritual charge of the district. A visit from the reverend geutleman was expected at the station for the first time. Now Jock had, under his mother's management, been kept in the. path of rectitude more through fear than hope — not so much by any fine principles inherent in hi* nature as by a lively dread of the powers of his diabolical maje'ty, both in the present and future state. The clergyman having ar rived, towards even'ng the old ludy became very restless, and just before the commencement of the service she said to the reverend gentleman— muoh to his astonishment—'• Mind, Mr Chasuble, and dinna tell them there's nae deil. for if our Jock hwura tint from you, there'll be nae holdin' him ava'." — iE 3 'les. A Perfect Cure.— A Milwaukie clergyman who, while preaching a sermon on a recent Sunday evening perceived a man and woman under tho gallery just kisbing each other behind a hymn book, did not lose his temper. No, he remained calm. He beamed mildly at the offenders over his speotaoles ; and when the young man kissed her the fifteenth time he merely broke his sermon short off in the middle of " thirdly," and offered a fervent prayer on behalf of the " young nun iv the pink necktie, and the young woman in a grey shawl who were profauiujj the sanctuary by kissing one another in pew 78 " Aud the congregation said " Amen." Then the woman pulled her veil dowu, and the young man does not go to church now - n much as he did.