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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 238, 8 October 1870, Page 3

A Paragraph recently appeared in [the TVairarapa Mercury stating that the Maori view of the great financial scheme of the Colonial Treasurer is that Dr. Featherston has mortgaged to the Queen the whole of New Zealand for the sum of six millions, and that in. three years' time her Majesty will foreclose and deprive the Maoris of thier land. Commenting upon a speech which Sir Henry Durand, and new LieutenantGovernor of the Punjaub, made at Simla, the Broad Arrow says: — "No sneaking of humility there, as if the British Liou, with his teeth drawn and his claws cut, were only skulking about to rob a butcher's shop ! With his fore-feet firmly planted, and his eyes like fire, he looks round, proudly confident of his strength, and as proud of his name as the old Plantagenets." The officers and crews of the shipa in commission at Plymouth have been informed that all leave is stopped. Ireland and French Reverses, — Dublin was in a state of high excitement on August 8, on account of the French reverses. Popular sympathy seemed entirely with France. Several bodies of people, from 500 to 1,500 each, marched in military order, preceded by bands of music, playing the "Marseillaise" and Fenian airs. The Archbishop of Paris has issued a pastoral calling upon the faithful to offer up prayers for the success of the French arms on the 15th of August, although, as he naively but patriotically observes, the French generals are so skilful, the French soldiers so brave, and the French Chasse* pots are so good, that the issue of the campaign caunot be doubtful. The Battle of Hagenau. — A letter from Hagenau says :— " The 50th of the Line were about to make their morning soup when the Prussian bullets broke into the camp. General Douay at once ordered an advance. Our troops cast aside everything, and took their guns; they had but three cannon, whilst the enemy had a formidable artillery, which poured shot and shell amidst our ranks. Our troops took shelter in the farms around Weissenburg, but they were dislodged by the enemy's cannon, and by the number of Germans who were augmenting every moment. The Turcos fought like lions, but were mitrailles. Our officers and men have experienced cruel loss. General Douay was killed, and General Montmarie wounded. A railway train filled with troops arrived in the midst of the battle, and immediately took part in it. Hagenau was full of people, with bedding and furniture, who fled from before the enemy. Several of the wounded also arrived at Hagenau. The scene was a very sad one." " What makes you spend your time so freely, Jack?" "Because it's the only thing I have to spend." When the wolf turns moralist, always look well to your lambs. Eeason can tell when love affects us, but cannot tell what love is.

We (Post) are informed that the Governmeut, with characteristic ingenuity, have hit on a dodge by which the unpardonable neglect shewn in drafting the Gold Duties Act may be got over, and ihe loss of a quarter's revenue avoided. The plan to be adopted is the issue of a proclamation under some almost forgotten clause of the Gold Fields Act, forbidding the exportation of gold from the Colony from the Ist October to the 31st December, except with the permission of the Customs' authorities, which permission will, of course only be given on payment of the duty, which is not authorised by law. The Pariaka Meeting, and Titoko Waru. — The correspondent of the Taranaki Herald writing from Opunake under date September 27, says : — The most interesting event of the month has been the slartiug of the flax mills. The Opuuake Company commenced operations a fortnight siuiie, and the Cape Egmout Company this week. When the mills get into full working order, a large number of hands will be employed, and the services of the shipping department called into existence. Titoko Waru and his followers arrived here yesterday afternoon. They are all well armed, with double-barrelled guns, breech-loading carbines, and revolvers. They presented a very imposing appearance with their well polished arms slung on their shoulders. Their dress — a coat, waistcoat, and bright shawl, gave them a picturesque and martial look ; a style well suited to their mode of warfare, aud very convenient lor crossing uubridged rivers. They have shown themselves well skilled in picking up trifles lying about ; articles of clothing, cooking utensils, or tools, are very apt to make a mysterious disappearance in their vicinity. Considering they were masters of the situation, and could make mincemeat of the unaimed settlers if so inclined, it is a matter for cougratution that so little is lost. They swarmed into the mills, dwelling-houses, and stores in overpowering numbers, practising their manual dexterity when occasion offered. Work had to be for the time suspended, to pay marked attention to the visitors. Titoko Waru wrote a polite note to Mr. Kelly requesting a few articles of which he was in want. The request was to a certain extent complied with, his letter acknowledged, and an intimation conveyed in language of the mildest possible form that his warriors did not quite comprehend the fact that property was not held in common at Opuuake. He replied that his following was large, and therefore he could not see them all ; if they had been small he could look after them. He begged to return the article of the greatest value he could find — ihe key of the mill, which one of his men had inadvertantly become possessed of. The other things were small matters, of ■which he was to take no notice. No other reference was made to sundry articles of clothingbelonging to workmen takeualmost before their eyes, but withoutbeing detected till too late. It will be a relief when these light-fingered gentry depart homewards. The present result of the late gathering at Pariaka is, as might have been anticipated, of little practical utility. The tendency of the majority of the natives is in favor of peace, but there are several questions of great importance which are still in abeyance, such as the condition of the confiscated lands, and the status of Tito and his followers. These are very serious questions for the Governmeut and the ■country to calmly consider — they will not improve by delay. They are not of the nature of those where a procrastinating policy tends to solve the difficulty. It is a difficulty which must be faced, and the sooner the better for the palace of the country. There is abundance of good grazing country on the west coast, and it could easily be beneficially occupied if this question of ownership ot the land was only decided between the native occupier, and the Government as the nominal owner. I thi k the best plan would be for the Government to allow the natives to lease certain portions of it, in the S'ime manner as has been dove by the Opunake Datives, with such gooi results it is to be hoped to both races. A Melbourne contemporary, in commenting on the probable results to these colonies of the outbreak of the European war, remarks : — The want of a telegraphic cable to New Zealand ■will now be felt, and the possible ineon■venience that may arise should have the effect of calling so much attention to the •want as will lead to steps being taken for its supply.

The Wairarapa Mercury says that both cattle and sheep are rising in price in that district owing to the scarcity. Fat wethers in fact are almost uuobtainable and those of the heavy breed are worth 18s a-head. Five Nuggets were lately brought into Ingle wood (Victoria) weighing respectively — 1770z5. ; 161ozs. lOdwts.; 102ozs. 7dwts.; 8Oozs.; and sozs. In Russia vacciualion is not compulsory. According to official returns, 10,350,000 persons have died of Email pox in that country during the last 70 years.