Country News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 312, 13 April 1878, Page 16

Country News.

The Otago Daily Times of the 3rd instant says :—“ An additional line of rails is about to be laid down between the Dunedin station and the junction of the Ocean Beach and Clutha lines of railway. We understand that Mr. Armstrong Avill have the work commenced in the course of a few days.” The Auckland Star says: “NotAvithstanding the very lucid instructions given as to the filling up of the census papers, there are some people who Avill make mistakes. We have heard of a man who wrote as follows in the ‘ agricultural and live stock’ returns : ‘ Won kat, Avon dorg, an’ rats ad lib.

A Poverty Bay paper of a recent date narrates the circumstances of a narroAV escape Avhich Mr. C. D. Berry, of Gisborne, had from an o\ r er-dose of ehlorodyne. He had been seized Avith dysentery, and the landlord of the hotel at which he Avas staying to administer ehlorodyne, but, instead of giving some 30 drops as he intended, he gave about half a Avineglassful. In his haste he had poured out the dose in the dark.

The Wanganui Plarbor Board, says the Chronicle of the 9th inst., is considerably exercised over a grant of £6OO made to the Borough of Wanganui by the Wellington Provincial Government nearly five years ago. The money Avas voted to assist the borough in improving its Avharf accommodation. This being so, the Government declined at first to pay it over until the borough Avas prepared to contribute an equal amount for the same purpose ; but correspondence Avhich took place subsequently having satisfied the Government that Wanganui had already expended more than three times the amount of the vote on the Avharves, the money Avas forwarded. The Alexandra correspondent of the Waikato Times Avrites as follows :—“Death has been very busy amongst the old native chiefs of late. Weitui Palcukohatu, once the principal chief of the Ngatimaniopoto, died last Aveek at Hikurangi, where he Avas carried by his people at the request of the King. A large number of his tribe from Mokiu, Kuiti, and other places attended the tangi. Weitui Avas a very old and infirm man, and a short time ago, while Avarming himself at the fire, fell into it and Avas somewhat seriously burnt, the shock of Avhich no doubt accelerated bis death. Old Hakeha, of Puniu, shortly after the accident Avent to see his friend, and condole Avith him in his Avay, which he did in the following manner :— * Weitui, you are a very old man, Avhy are you staying so long on the earth waiting to see the end of the Avorld ? It is quite time you passed away ; you should have done so before, then you Avouldn’t have fallen in the fire and got burnt, and so you would have missed the pain you are noiv suffering. I cannot see Avhat use it is for you to live °any longer.’ Weitui saw the force of his logic, and determined to follow his friend’s advice. He Avas buried with all honors at Hikurangi on March 23.”

A correspondent of the New Zealand Herald sa y S ; “Few persons in Auckland seem aware of the existence of hot springs in the Awaroa district of the Lower Waikato ; yet hot springs there certainly are in that place, and of a veiy remarkable character. We had an opportunity of visiting them a short time ago, and W ere struck Avith the uumistakeablo _ signs oi their medicinal properties, and the facility Avith Avhich they could be opened up by a little enterprise. The first spring the traveller comes to is a deep pond, about ten or twelve diameter, of bubbling, boiling Avater, and giving forth a great quantity of steam in the po*nd, the Avater of which is quite clear, and so hot that potatoes may be boiled in it. Round the pond are undoubted evidences of the curative powers of the Avater, in the shape of several holes like graves communicating Avith the large pond by a very small channel. These have been dug by the Maoris, and when one of them is afflicted Avith rheumatism, he sleejis all night in one of the holes, Avith his head alone out of the water, resting on a fern pillow on the bank. We are told of one old Maori chief in the Waikato who became very rheumatic because he Avould grope for eels in swampy Avater, and Avas just on the point of death through his perverseness, when some of kjie wise women of tlie tribe recommended the spring. He Avas carried there, and by bathing frequently completely recovered.

It seems (says the New Zealand Herald of April 3rd) that there is a second Miss Mite {vide “ Bleak House), and that she is in Auckland. At the rising of the Supreme Court on Monday, this lady, who appears to be a regular came and demanded to know, from a medical man and his friend, if it was right that the “ crier of the Court ” —thus she phrased it—should be a Roman Catholic, declaring emphatically that this was “ against the laws of Queen 'Victoria,” and she would continue to ask the question until it was answered. The energy of her speech was such that it was evident she considered a Roman Catholic crier a crying sin. The Christchurch Press of April 3rd says : —After the business connected with the Wesleyan quarterly meeting at Rangiora had been transacted on Monday'last, Mr. Thomas Wilson of Waikuku rose and said, that as that was the last meeting at which the Rev. J. A. Luxford would be present as their junior minister, he bad great pleasure, on behalf of his circuit friends, in presenting him with a purse of 20 guineas, as a mark of the esteem in which he was held, and wishing him every happiness in Christchurch circuit. Mr. Luxford replied feelingly, and said he would gladly have remained another year had the Conference so directed him, and so long as he lived he would have very sunny memories of Rangiora circuit and friends. Speaking of the late accident on the South line the North Otago Times says :—“ The cab of the engine is smashed, and a number of the pipes and cocks are twisted and broken, but it otherwise, at a first glance, did not appear to be seriously injured. The truck next the engine is badly smashed, and about half a chain of the road is torn up, a dozen or so of the sleepers being smashed into pieces. The escape of the passengers is marvellous, and is due largely to the fact of there being five heavily-laden trucks and the engine, and also in some degree to the circumstance that at the time the train was on an ascending grade, and was travelling slowly ; and doubtless also to the promptitude with which steam was shut off and the brakes applied.”

The merchants of Southland have resolved upon establishing a shipping company of their own. The prospectus states :—“ The object of this company is the ’establishment of a line of sailing vessels to carry on a direct trade between the ports of Bluff Harbor and London. The trade of the district has now reached dimensions of such importance, and its prospective development gives promise of such expansion (particularly in the shape of gram productions) that the promoters consider themselves fully warranted in taking advantage of the present exceptionally favorable positions of their shipbuilding trades for projecting this company. It is the intention of the company to commence operations by the purchase or building of a vessel of about 600 tons register, and to make additions as the trade of the port warrants.”

The Nelson Colonist of the 6th instant says: —“ Notwithstanding that there has been a Jewish place of worship in Nelson for many years, there have been but two marriages celebrated in it, and the second—and perhaps last, inasmuch as we hear that in consequence of the limited number of that people here, it is proposed to close the synagogue—took place on Wednesday last, the happy couple being Mr. Solomon Abrahams, of Palmerston, Wellington, and Miss Rebecca Levy, eldest daughter of Captain Levy. It having become known that the ceremony was to take place at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, some time earlier and before the synagogue was opened, a very large number of people assembled on Church Hill, and on the doors being opened, the small but handsome little building was at once filled. The bridal party, consisting of the bride and bridegroom, three bridesmaids, and relatives and friends, having arrived, the former took their places beneath the canopy, as is customary, and the Rev. D. M. Isaacs performed the ceremony, reading portions of the service in Hebrew and the remainder in English. At its conclusion, they returned to the residence of the bride’s father, where an ample breakfast had been prepared. We understand that a very large number of handsome and valuable presents, in addition to a great many congratulatory messages, were received, and that the happy couple set out for Wellington by the steamer Wellington this morning.” The Lyttelton Times thus refers to the present position of the Christchurch Medical School :—“ There is a sufficient staff of lecturers, and sufficient inducement in the way of students. Ten students actually did give in their names, and the Faculty anticipated that students to the number of twenty would begin the course. However, so much obstruction was thrown in the way of the establishment of the school, at the last meeting in Auckland, by some members of the Senate of the University of New Zealand, that no curriculum was framed, and no steps taken to establish the school. Unless the school were formally established, the time of the students could not of course count, and they naturally could not be induced to study for the profession unless they have some definite plan arranged for them, and their labor recognised. There is everything here for the making of a medical school equal to any provincial school in England—large population, varied practice, and lecturers able to turn out students as good as any in Sydney or Melbourne. The Premier on his visit here, we understand, was exceedingly anxious to further the objects of the school. The action of the majority in the Senate has, however, put a stop to everything for this year. The Faculty is quite independent of the New Zealand University, however, and is taking steps on its own account. It is sending to England for recognition, which if obtained will override the small jealousies which prevent the granting of recognition in the colony. The Chairman of the Canterbury College (Mr Montgomery) is working determinedly towards the establishment of a medical school as soon as possible, and assisting the Faculty in bringing the project to an issue,”

PALMERSTON NORTH. (I<’ROJI AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT). April 8

Mr. C. J. Wildbore, well known in the Rangitilcei Distinct as a blacksmith, had the misfortune on Saturday morning to have his shop at Awahuri totally consumed by fire. The origin is unknown; and as Wildbore is quite uninsured, his loss is considerable, he only having saved two chests of clothes. All his tools, besides a quantity of stores, were destroyed; but I trust that such a deserving tradsman will soon be set on his legs again. During the raging of the conflagration Mr. Menzies’ house was in considerable danger, and indeed the whole of his effects were removed from the house ; but by the exertions of his neighbors the house was saved. Mr. Menzies and family were in Palmerston at the time, and pleasant must have been his feelings on hearing As he did that his house was in flames. Blacksmiths seem determined to come before the public, as in addition to the above accident another local disciple of Vulcan, Mr. Williams, being a comparatively new arrival amongst us, I presume wishing to test the hardness of the metal used by the Borough Council, succeeded in demonstrating the fact that his own arm was more easily broken than a Palmerston road. I bear he has obtained the services of another blacksmith to carry on his business. It is unfortunate for him to have met with an accident just now, as there is so much competition in the trade, and he was about to move nearer the Square. We have now three firms of blacksmiths in the place, and yet there is full employment for them all. Miss Leaf, assisted by Mr. Reed, gave us an entertainment on Thursday last, but it did not prove very attractive to the Palmerston public, and very few attended. This is a pity, as Miss Leaf (who, by-the-by, has lately developed from a Leaf into a full-blown Reed) sang most beautifully, and I think it will be long before we have the opportunity of enjoying such a treat again. Incredible as it may seem, I hear it rumored that our schoolis tobeatlastsuppliedwithahead master, but after the numerous appointments we have had which have fallen through, I hardly like to say that I believe a Mr. Loclcie has really accepted the position. Rumor first gave us Mr. Holmes, of Te Aro, then twice Mr. Thorne was appointed, and finally Mr. Major came to see how he .would like the place ; since which nothing has been heard till this morning, when Mr. Loclcie made his appearance. I suppose Palmerston, beingsituated between Wanganui and Wellington, may be considered as between two stools, but we, in school matters, have not come to the ground yet quite. Foxton races (if such they may be called) took place on Friday, and although the sport was mediocre, —the townspeople and visitors being out for a day’s pleasure, and having determined, as the Yankees have it, to go in “ big licks,” —the whole passed off most successfully. Feikling did not show up considerable, as when the train passed me there was only a big crowd of one bound thence. I was not there, but I understand the Borough Council have brought under the notice of Government the advantages of the Hutt-Waikanae line, and also the desirability of a platform on the railway at the terrace end of this town. The two are not of equal importance, but no doubt both works should be carried out. I see the Palmerston Hotel is advertised for sale.

MR. BROOMHALL’S LAND PURCHASE. (From the N. Z. Herald.)

It is rumored in certain circles that the highest legal authority has declared that the sale of the Te Aroha Block to Mr. John Broomhall by the Waste Lands Board of Auckland is illegal, and cannot be carried out, because the contract is in excess of the power placed in the Governor’s hands by the Waste Lands Act of 1876. It is well known that one or two members of the Ministry are opposed to Mr. Broomhall getting the land, that feeling having been strengthened by the news recently received from England as to the arrangements made by Mr. Broomhall. It is probable, therefore, that Ministers will be compelled to say “ non joossumus —we cannot disregard the law.” What the precise nature of the legal opinion is we are not aware, but no doubt it will soon be made public. The clauses which bear upon the question in the Waste Lands Act of 1876 are as follows :—Clause 29 states : “ It shall be lawful for the Governor to sell by private contract, to John Broomhall, Esq., now in the colony of New Zealand, any block of land which he may select in any part of the colony, at such price, and upon such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Waste Lands Board of the district in which the land selected is situated, but subject to approval by the Governor of the price, terms, and conditions so fixed. Provided always that the price at which such land shall be sold shall not be less than that at which waste lands of the Crown are sold in the land district in which such lands may be situated.” But it appears that the Waste Lands Board were premature in making a sale of the land, and forgot a special proviso which limited their action. The first sub-section of clause 19 seems to place an insuperable obstacle in their way. It says : —“ 1. The Governor, on behalf of the Queen, may transfer the said lands to the Waste Lands Board of the land district wherein they are situated, who may sub-let the same in accordance with the provisions of any Waste Lands Act in force in such district. Provided that no land shall be dealt with until they have been brought under the control of the Waste Lauds Board of the district in which they are situated.” At the time the land was dealt with by the Waste Lands Board it had not been handed over to that body, nor had the native title been extinguished. Indeed, the native' title is not. extinguished yet, and no one can say when it

will be extinguished. The subject was referred to on the 10th of March, when a deputation from the Thames waited on the Native Minister on the subject. Mr. Sheehan then said : —“ Upon the representations now made to me, it does appear that the Waste Lands Board had no right to sell until the land was proclaimed waste lands of the Grown.” In such cases as those of Mr. Ne sey Stewart and Mr. Broomhall there is always a strong disposition not to do anything which may look at home like a breach of faith on the part of the colony, but the Ministry will probably in this case take the position that they cannot acknowledge themselves to be committed by a nominated Board, who had done what it is now alleged they were expressly prohibited from doing.

A SCENE IN THE ROXBURGH BOROUGH COUNCIL. A Roxburgh correspondent supplies the following to the Tuapdca Times: —At the ordinary meeting of the Borough Council, held on Monday evening, 4th March, " a very interesting scene " took place between the Mayor and Councillor Higgs anent the neAV Court House. In order that you may form an idea of how the business was conducted, I append a report of the conversation that ensued: — Councillor Higgs : I wish to ask if there has been any correspondence between your Worship, on behalf of the Council, and the Colonial Secretary ? The Mayok : What do you mean ? Councillor Higgs : I want to know if there has been any correspondence about the new Court House ? The Mayor : Who told you to ask that question ? Councillor Higgs : Never mind ; I want to know. The Mayor (in an excited manner): I demand who told you to ask that question ? Councillor Higgs : Has there been any such correspondence ? The Mayor : No. Councillor Higgs : You say there has not ? The Mayor : I did write on behalf of the Council. I know who told you to ask, and I'll see you and the party that told you d first. In concluding, our correspondent adds:— " So the correspondence was not produced, the Council kept in ignorance of what is being done in their name, and the ratepayers no wiser. Little pleasantries like the above are not rare, and tend to enliven the otherwise tedious monotony of municipal business."

BISHOP MORAN’S DEFENCE OF FATHER lIENNEBERY. (From the Otago Witness, April 6.) The Most Rev. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, on March 30tli, during the course of some remarks on education, referred to Press criticisms on Father Hennebery. He said it was a matter of great congratulation to see their schools flourishing as they were. Better schools did not exist in this or any other country, and he hoped soon to have a Catholic college. Looking back for the last seven years they must acknowledge that a great deal had been done for their spiritual and temporal interests. Were they poorer to-day notwithstanding all they had done for the honor and glory of God and the promotion of Catholic education ? Was not the congregation far raised above the position it held seven years ago ? Instead of losing anything they had been recipients of great temporal favors. His Lordship referred to the churches at South Dunedin and Port Chalmers, which he said would soon be finished. During his absence a considerable amount of excitement was carried on in the town by a portion of the Press. He was very sorry for this, and thought that it was not wise in not having confined itself to its legitimate sjihere. Excitement had also been caused in other places where Father Hennebery had visited, and they were aware by the statements of the congregation and clergy there that he had been grossly belied and calumniated by the Press. He (the speaker) was also misrepresented by a Press telegram, statements were put into his mouth which he never made, and the reason he did not contradict was, because if a man were to give a contradiction to every separate misrepresentation he would not have time for anything else. Father Hennebery made statements regarding the state of morality in the United States of America as a warning to the congregation, in order that they might be able to see how necessary it was to bring up the rising generation in the knowledge, fear, and love of God, and to show how important it was not to alloAV their children to be subjected to the influence of secular education. The Press took up the matter and made a row about it. He, out of feelings of gratitude for all the missionary had done, wrote a short letter to the Press, and it was said that there was a difference of one million between the figures of Father Hennebery and his with reference to the number of infanticides. If they did happen to differ it must have been a slip of the memory or of the pen. It was quite clear that he intended to give Father Ilennebery’s statements as the missionary himself had given them. He also used the word “ infanticide.” Father Hennebery used other language, but as he wished to be concise he fixed upon one word to convey the idea substantially that Father Hennebery had in view. The word was used in its literal, though not in its legal signification. It Avas endeavored to be proved by figures purporting to be a true statement of the state of things in France, with the intention of disproving the. truthfulness of Father Henne-bei-y’s statements, but those figures as to France and other countries were not to the purpose. They no more disproved Father Hennebery’s statements than they proA r ed the altitude of the mountains in the moon. From the statements in certain neivspapers no argument could be drawn and no syllogism could be formed. There was no minor proposition, and the validity of the argument could not be tested. It should be shown that the state

of morality in France in reference to this subject Avas satisfactory, Avhereas the Avhole world kneAV that the contrary Avas the fact. Reading for many years prepared him to accept the statement of Father Hennebery, and he had read again and again in the Avritings of even Protestant clergyman, that the state of morality in the great Republic was appalling, that a hindrance Avas put to the increase of population, and that the only hope for the future of America Avas the Catholic element and the other element brought up under Catholic influences. For years he had been aAvare that systematic efforts were being made to teach the rising generation modes of preventing the increase of population, and Avith horror he had read the statement of a certain popular female lecturer that, “ if people imagine American Avomen would consent to be the mothers of future Americans, they labored under a grievous mistake.” It was with extreme sorroAV and feelings of utter disgust that he felt himself called upon to touch upon this subject at all, and if he Avere placed in the dilemma to choose between lying under the imputation of a story-teller, or of entering into the details of this matter, he Arould accept the former position in preference to the latter. It AA r as a remarkable thing that at first the Press ridiculed all Father Hennebery’s statements, but with his letter it confined itself to the question of infanticide, and spoke no more of the other three statements. It was impossible to eA'ade the conclusion that this Avas done because it Avas easy to procure evidence on the first three statements, but not so easy as to the last, OAving to the peculiarity of its nature. Father Hennebery’s statement was made on the authority of competent Avitnesses, and it had not yet been disproved. It Avas a matter in Avhich they could not make a mathematical calculation as on other subjects. It could only be estimated from the authority of experienced men. His Lordship said, in conclusion that he still believed Father Hennebery’s statement not to be exaggerated. It could be said no doubt that it was a terrible charge—almost incredible, and opposed te common sense. He admitted all this ; but terrible as it Avas, incredible as it was, and opposed as it Avas to common sense, it was nevertheless, he believed, true, and it existed because it Avas the natural outcome of a system of education, in a Christian community, opposed to reason and common sense. It Avas not a subject upon which he wished to dAvell, and it caused him very great pain to lay it before the congregation. He concluded by asking the congregation to persevere with the system of education they had commenced, and to let their success in the past be an encouragement for the future.

AN APT COMPARISON. . Is there (writes the Poverty Bay Standard ) any material difference, excepting in the phraseology, between the sentiments uttered by Sir George Grey, when on the stump, and those expressed by Mr. Rogers in one of Boz’s admirable sketches :

“ You, gentlemen,” said the red-faced man, “ are the best judges on that point ; but this I Avill say, Avhen I came into this parish, and first used this room ten years ago, I don’t believe there was one man in it who knew he waa a slave—and now you all know it, and writhe under it. Inscribe that upon my tomb, and I am satisfied.”

“ Why, as to inscribing it on your tomb,” said a little greengrocer with a chubby face® “ of course you can have anything chalked hp as you likes to pay for, so far as it relates to yourself and your affairs ; but Avhen you come to talk about slaves, and that there abuse® you’d better keep it in the family, ’cos I for one don’t like to be called them names, night after night.” “ You are a slave,” said the red-faced man® .“ and the most pitiable of all slaves.” V- t “ Werry hard if I am,” interrupted the greengrocer, “for I got no good out of the tiventy million that was paid for ’mancipation, anyhow.” “ A Avilling slave,” ejaculated the red-faced man, getting more red with eloquence and contradiction—“resigning the dearest birthright of your children—neglecting the sacred call of Liberty—who, standing imploringly before you, appeals to the warmest feelings of your heart, and points to your helpless infants, but in vain.” “ Prove it,” said the greengrocer. “ Prove it !” sneered the man with the red face. “ What ! bending beneath the yoke of an insolent and factious oligarchy ; bowed doAvn by the domination of cruel laws, groaning beneath tyranny and oppression on every hand, at every side, and in every corner. Prove it !—” The red-faced man abruptly broke off, sneered melodramatically, and buried his countenance, and his indignation together, in a quart pot. We have only got to substitute the name of Grey for Rogers (leaving out the quart pot) and in Rogers’ speech Ave have one from ourPremier.

THE SOUTHERN TRUNK RAlLjgs WAY. (From the Dunedin Star, April 2,) If the Ministry are not careful they will meet the fate of Actaeon, Avho, the fable says, was devoured by his own pack. Already there are signs of trouble in the air, and people are beginning to ask Avhy this or that promise remains in the category of unredeemed pledges. The Morning Herald, generally ministerial, though occassionally someAvhat vague in principles, and the Clutha Leader , which often loses itself in admiration of the superlative qualities of the Premier and hi 3 colleagues, have lately come out Avith wholesome and vigorous articles, in which they call attention to the dilatoriness Avith which the Avork of the Balclutha and Clinton section of the Main South Railway is being carried on, and plainly hints that the Government, for reasons best knoAvn to themselves, are not keeping the contractors, up to the mark. The local papers are all up in arms, and the Clatha Leader asserts that

past experience leads to the conviction that any remonstrance on the subject will prove unavailing, and that “gross and open partiality is believed to exist.” It appears from all accounts that, if energetic action is not taken by the mercantile community, and real pressure brought to bear upon tho Government, the line will not be completed for two or three years, nor indeed then or ever at the present rate of progress. This is a matter of serious import to Dunedin, and one which admits of no delay, unless we are jjrepared to see the traffic of a large portion of the interior permanently diverted from the port. This will be probably of more immediate in terest to the citizens than all the blessings which are to flow from the development of the political theories of the Premier, and they will be inclined to agree with the poet — For forms of Government let fools contest, Whate’er is best administered is best.