New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, 'OCTOBER 21.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4862, 21 October 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, 'OCTOBER 21.

A point of considerable importance was raised by the Opposition,, in' the HoUso of Representatives last evening, in reference to the Public Works Bill. This Bill was introduced into the House’ of r Representatives early in the session, blit for weeks it; remained on ,tho Order, Paper, and owing to the continuous,,debates,, oh bogus motions,; .like i many other Bills, had no chance of being advanced. Meanwhile, the - Legislative Council was com--plaining of 'nb business' bein'g 'brought before it by the Government, and the Public Works Bill, with others, .jjjras sent, up for ■ consideration. In ‘ 'dub course it was passed with amendments, .and transmitted , to,-, the ’ .H0u5e..’.‘.0f.,,, Re.-; presontatives, and was • called ; , on.. forsecond .reading , last evcning,/. , ;Sir George Grey. at ; onoo rose-to a point ed

privilege, and objected .that the Bill should have been originated in the House of Representatives, as ; clauses ,112- and ■ll3 were taxing clauses, providing for the levying of tolls. The Speaker overruled the objection; but it-was revived, by Mr. Rees and Mr. Sheehan, --who argued that the 31st clause was an appropriation clause,- .-This.clause runs-as-fol-lows—“ The purchase money of lands so sold shall be paid into the public account,: or the county fund, 1 or "the district fund, as the- case - maybe,and ahall-fotm part of the fund appropriated to the execution ; of the works in respect of which the said lands were taken under 1 this Act.” A number of other clauses were cited, but the principle is the same with regard • to. ; all ; v and- , the , question is whether tliey ido hot involve a breach of the,, privileges, of the . Lower House; If the relations existing between the two branches of the; Legislaturo of New Zealand are in this respect similar to those which existWhetweeh the two* branches of the British Legislature, there can be no doubt whatever that the breach of privilege complained of .really .occurred; and that the Bill should have been thrown out as infotmaL i But. xt' is'not so clear that the conditions are analagpus, for,, as was pointed- out by Mr; Whitaker, s by the Privileges Act, 1865, the wjiole complexion of affairs J: is One section of that Act provides—“ The Legislative Council and House of Representatives of New Zealand respectively, and the committees and'members thereof respectively, shall hold, enjoy, and exercise such .and the like privileges, immunities and powers, as on the Ist day of January, 1865i' were held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Commons House of Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland, and by the committees and members thereof, so far as the same are not inconsistent with or repugnant to such, and so many of the sections and provisions of the said Constitution Act-as at the time of the coming into operation of this Act are unrepealed, whether such privileges, immunities, or powers were so held, possessed, or enjoyed by custom, statute, or otherwise, and such privileges, immimi.

tiesj itM shall be dieemed to bej. and. shall be, part of the general arid public law of the colony.” The Constitution Act' contains: nothing repugnant to this provision, and, if we remember rightly, : sbriie three or four ; years ago the Council, by virtue of the Privileges Act, claimed to have a, right to deal with monetary matters. Manifestly the principle ds exceedingly inconvenient, and the sooner the rights of. both Houses are properly defined, in accordance with the cu'sfcorris of the British Legislature, and kept within their respective limits, the better. . ■ ? ' [Since the foregoing was written, the Speaker ruled that the Bill could not be proceeded with.]

The Intestate Native Succession Bill has just been circulated. The preamble runs—‘‘Whereas it is expedient that provision should be made for determining the succession to lands and hereditaments not held under the provisions, of the Native Land Acts, and .which have been 'granted to persons of the native race as hereinafter mentioned : and whereas, it .may be necessary in ' certain, cases to ascertain the persons to whom,;, according to Maori custom or usage, 1 the personal property of any intestate native ought to descend,” &c. [the- second, clause ‘.'makes :<the' provisions; of the Native Land Act to apply to all native'' grantees. The third clausewruus—“Where any person of the native’race has died intestate possessed :of a -personal ■ estate? Within 1 New Zealand, any person or -persons claiming to be interested or entitled to such • personal estate' may apply .tb a'Judge of the : Native Land Court for a ' fcertificate > setting forth what, person or persons oughtp according ! to native custom, ;or most nearly yin accordance with native'-custom, to succeed to ’ such “ personal - estate; and,to whom, in hU opinion, administration of. the estate and .effects' of' such deceased person could best be Committed,” By clause 4 it is provided the certificate of a Judge shall entitle to administration.'' Clause 6. says —“Whenever In.any action-in. the Supreme Court, whether already commenced or hereby after to be commenced,, any question of fact ojr of Maori‘custom or usage relating, tq any land held under Crown grant howsoever , issued,, shall arise, arid shall for the, purposes of such action require to be ascertained and determined, the-said Court,, or a Judge thereof, .shall have the like power and authority to refer such question of fact, .custom, or usage for. hearing and determining by the Native Land Court as the said Court or. Judge has under the provisions of the Native Bights Act, 1865, in respect to'native,land.”,, . ....

We observe that the. Kev. Mr. Twogood has authorised a -Martini paper tdstate that, our condensed report of that gentlemari’s speech at the Church of England Synod did not reproduce what he intended to convey! It ia ! quite impossible for reporters to reproduce what gentlemen intend to convey, all that can be done, and what was done in this case, was to reproduce what the; speaker actually said. As a matter of fact, Mr. ‘TWogood’s injudicious remarks were put in the most favorable light possible, because it was'necessary"to condense them. If the Bev, Mr. Twogood plainly disavowed the sentiments he on that occasion gave utterance to, it would be more manly. than attempting to slip away from his responsibility by indirectly iinpuguing the accuracy, of the reporter.

The total' Customs revenue in the colony for the quarter ended September 30th, 1876, was £3o3,43o.as.against £312,-172 for the corresponding quarter -of last year. The sums collected in the four ( principal ports were as follows; —Auckland, £54,734, as against £63,869 last year,; . Wellington, £44,951, • as'/against £42,505 last year ; (Lyttelton, £49,111, as against £43,962 Dunedin, £84,006, os against £85,364.,-. . u ?? ■ ?.i ■

During, the past .quartey, the,number of .vessels; .eqtfered inwards' at theprincipal,,ports of the cdlony was ifofiows:—^-Auckland, 49 vessels, representing23,l 92 tons ; Wellington, 30 vessels, 17,251 ton! [.Lyttelton, 30 vessels, 13,755 tons ; Dunedin,'29 vessels; <14;156 toils.' -Number of; vessels cleared outwards i—Auckland, 53 ves- 1 . sels, 25,577t0n5; Wellington;2B vessels, 16,486 tons ;; Lyttelton, 34:. vessels; 14,113 tons ;’ -Dunedin, 25 vessels; 14;723'.tqns. ‘

The value of; 1 , the--exports :from: the prin-. oipalf', ports',,/of ~.jthe ■ colony .duringthe past quarter is set /down as follows;—r Ahckland, , ,£110,571-; ,]Wellington, £2332 ; /Lyttelton, ' £215,002 ; Dunedin, ~£117,479..' ; Total. exports -for the. quarter,- £581,997, as against £767,891 for the corresponding period, of last year. The /imports, ayej,stated as fol/ 10w5.,: Auckland, £371,752;; !.Wellington,a £358,982 Lyttelton, ; .£322,084 ;■’ Dunedin; £436,437. - Total; imports for Vi the quarter* /£!,767,207,; as against £2,Q41,237 for.the cor- , responding period of last year.

The Public Works Appropriation,Bill,w4s circulated yesterday. ' The 'estimated total expenditure for the year ending 30th'June, 1877, is ; £2,032,286; thus ■ divided -Immigration, £136,266 ;• advances for immigration purposes (repayable), £69,410 ; public works,,,(depart;, mental),- £17,817''; * raUwaysj' £1;3()0,($00 ; including ’ the' iS'apier-Manawatu Jine £57,000,. • the' WcUington/Mditerton ‘line* “£l 37,000, the’ Waitara-Patea line 1 £57,000, the Patea-Maina-watu and Poxton' line ’ £1X4,000 ; roads, £52,007 land purchases, £125,817 ; water-' works on goldfieldaj•'£l47,46o-;'coal mines,. £IB6O / telegraph extension; £46,040'; public' buildings, £65,968 lighthouses,-<£49,700 ; and expenses of raising loans;£6o,oo ; Otago. provincial f ‘public • works : '' advances,' £13,341. The-appropriation for the purchase of landiid Wellington province is £28,091.

During’the past week there have not been wanting (indications , that the end of the . session ■is'not far distant ; f and . yesterday afternoon the Order. Paper was crowded with Government business of a soliddbokiijg character. Unfortunately, however; some time Was wasted by ( factious opposition to l ,a motion by Mr. Seymour which hadfor itsobjeot the facilitation of progress. A weary discussion arose as to ’whether the’-House'should sit to-day, the result being that it was decided to do so, but not before several _ members pf the Opposition had expended a good deal of breath in explanation of-■the -fatigue they had undergohe for their country’s good, and how it .was necessary that they should have rest on Saturday. We cannot help thinking that Mr. Rees’—a gentleman who possesses great claims to esteem as a cricketer, to say nothing of his acquaintance with lawn tennis—seemed to regard Saturday still as a member of the - first ion some’'other form. He wanted his weekly holiday, and was strongly, in support of it; 1 - . WKat is the ’gobd,' said -he, of depriving us of this day ? It was perhaps natural ithat.thifi gentleman-should feel-re-pugnant to an extra day’s repose in'Ris seat there, particularly as his mind may have been itroubled; by \ the:.:recplleotipn, of atC appointment not far from the Basin Reserve. Visions of .willows* stumps, a:grassy plain,, and cheerful company, no doubt haunted him. Howbeit, Mr, Rees got very cross once, when, ha ving made seine ' ridiculous as well as unkind, chargesiagainst the:Government ini respect to the motion before the House, the Hon. Major Atkinson resented the attack. The Government .took up .an independent 1 position,' and .(lid not,, vote, on the question, the Hon; Mr. Whitaker explaining that the Government had as pouch desire for rest as any menibe'r of the House, and did not wish to sit pu Saturday, but bowed to the wish‘of a lnajority of who had expressed their desire tto -continue the sitting . over the usual time in the week, in order to shorten the session, as they naturally wished to get-away to their homes. . The, House will meet to-day at half-past two o’clock, and will not sit later than 11 at night,, The afternoon will be devoted to private members, and the evening to Government business. Sir George ;Grey, whose mind was very much exercised on the matter, gave notice of a motion for to-day, to ask leave, to introduce, a.Rill regulating the time during which the House shall sit each day for the remainder of the session. The following peculiar proclamation, interpreted and pvr.lnlr.pfl Hv Mr .T O Yuunsj,

has been issued by King Tawhlat) I'd M 9 people :—“Te Kuiti, Waikato, 7th August, X876.—(1.) My friends, —Greeting, who are within the house of your ancestor Apakura, within the shadow of the Supreme Power. The greetings end and the words begin [i.e., Apakura, an ancestor of the Waikato tribes, and all who are adherents of. the king, are called descendants of that ’ancestor]. (2.) I am holy, be ye holy; lam clean,be ye also clean [i.e., the king adheres to .native customs strictly, and suggests progress' of European customs be checked], i (3.) It was erroneously named to this water that they were called men [i.e., it was thought in electing Tawhiao king the native . tribes were toiling to no purpose, but' consequent on his election the natives are able to call themselves a nation]. (4.) Wanderers and adventurers! return again to the tattoo on my nose [i.e., those that have deserted me can still come like the lost sheep to the fold]. ■ (6.) On the seventh Rehua stood [or was visible], and Aunuau deacerided and planted tlie people [i.e,, on the seventh month of the year Jupiter is visible, meaning that the Government of the' colony exercising authority over the island, and that the dew descended during their tenure of office and caused the growth of theming to refresh the tribes,'and thereby causing the amelioration Of both races—in fact, the dawn of a new era]. (6.) The year is sealed, the numbness is sealed, and the fighting is benumbed, and the men are benumbed, and so is everything [i.e., the sealing of this year, signifies the existence qfi a covenant that there shall be i ho ‘ more ‘ fighting' between Europeans and Maoris, Halcyon days]. .(7.) Should the current rest before your face let it not be dammed by these two things [i.e., if the Government policy iS nbticed by'you let it not fie interfered with or disturbed by either race]. (8.) The Lord and I have joined together ; (9) the heavens and I have joined together ; (10) the world and I have joined together; (11) bukmen have not joined together [r.'c., there is no unanimity among the Maori people].—Erom . Tawhiao",

; There was a in the precincts of the House of Representatives last night. The local evening papers have ' been rather uncivil of late.,,. One has been unpardonably coarse in its references to Sir Julius Vogel, and the other made in retaliation a very gross personal attack upon one of the proprietors of its contemporary. , The, editor and ■ reputed proprietor ,of the paper in which the personal attack appeared, met the proprietor whom he had attacked in the precincts of the House of Representatives last night. The editor is a big man, the proprietor a little one. .The proprietor called the editor an ugly name, for .which the editor threatened to take summary personal vengeance. .Nothing daunted, the proprietor ' took off his coat., and at once accepted the- appeal to the ordeal of personal combat. . This, made the editor pause, and he concluded finally, to go for a policeman; but the policeman on arriving declined to interfere. Then the editor said he would thrash the proprietor, so soon as he got him outside. The fiery little" proprietor replied, “Oh don’t have ,to wait, I’ll go outside and give you a chance at once,” and suited the action to the word.. But the editor would not follow, and"..as,a'result the proprietor was persuaded by his* friends ‘to resume his • coat, and cool his wrath in refreshment. .

The teachers ! of , St. John’s Presbyterian Sabbath-schools held their usual quarterly tea meeting last; in the Willis-street schoolroom. : There were about forty teachers present, the Rev. James Paterson presiding. The opportunity , was taken of presenting Mrs. Ballinger, formerly a teacher in St. John’s Sabbath-school, and also a member of the choir, with a family Bible, as well as with a handsome plated; tea service, as a mark of affection and esteem on . her leaving the school. ■.The Rev. Mr. Paterson, in presenting the testimonial, made some'most appropriate remarks, alluding to the .lengthened time Mrs. Ballinger ’had assisted ■ both in the Sabbath-school and choir, toi the praiseworthy zeal and devotion she had displayed in the cause, and to the universal; respect in .which she was hold by all with whom she had come in contact. Mx\ ,Ballinger made a suitable reply. A nice selection of vocal and instrumentals music contx-ibuted not a little to-the enjoyment* of, the evening, which parsed off in i .the moat . agreeable manner possible,; li m •: .< jin the House of .Representatives last night there was a- little difficulty ll about 'getting a chairman. Mr. O’Rorke has not resumed his .duties owing to illness,- and Mr, Seymour; who • faqs acted !as his locum teneris,' waS not present; and when 1 the* House was ■ moved into committee on the Financial -Arrangements Bills a resolution was hurriedly passed appointing Mr. Reynolds acting-chairman: The lion, member, however,* would “not l take the chair because,’ as ha said, he wished td move amendments iir the Bill- Meantime the' Hottae was in committee and a chairman appointed. No other chairman could be proposed.' ’ There were loud ones ,of| “ chair,” and -Mr. Rees generously offered toi take charge of Mr. Reynolds’ amendments, (although the offer was not very tempting considering the source from which it came), but Mr. Reynolds was and the difficulty was, got irid of ;by sending for the i Speaker.” The Speaker, haying taken the chair; said the s House '.could proceed to the election .of a" chairman. Mr,; Sheehan proposed that Mr. Bryce ,do take the chair, which! was agreed to, 1 and the business proceeded. From,ia . telegram .received by the police yesterday, it'appears that an accident occurred ‘ihithe Ruamahunga. river, Opaki; bn Thurs- 1 day afternoon, a;man named Anders Jansen, a - Scandinavian, being drowned. The result of the inquest heldi ; on .the body i will bo communicated. - ■ f i v.lpr.‘; ■■ ( The following new postmasters have been appointed "in the p'roTuipc ,of ..[Wellington :—> Gustave Benson,.' Eketabuna ; Henry Anlin, Mauriceyille ; James,Harvey, Opaki ; Daniel. Crofl3, Tahera ; .W- J-Willdn, .‘JjVutotara T. F. Fountainj Woddvflle. " "

In another column will be found Jan advertisement giving the hours at which Mr. Hastwell’s coaches will run from andtoPakuraratahi in time to meet the trains which run to the Upper Hutt in the course of the week. Weather permitting, the Wellington Athletic Club purpose having another hare and hounds chase this afternoon, the start to take place at half-past two o’clock from the Caledonian Hotel.

I The steamer*Arawata is announced to leave here this afternoon for Nelson, taking excursionists at ' single fares,' and-returning with them on Sunday afternoon. -Doubtless a large number of people, provided the weather is fine, will avail themselves of this opportunity of travelling in one of- the finest and fleetest of crafts in Australasia^-and of also admiring the beauties of Sleepy Hollowi 'The Thorhdon public baths, which have been recently opened uhdef the same regulations as last year, are * being patronised to a ; considerable,- extent already, as the warm weather is how'setting in. These,baths are a, great convenience, the area is large, and a good ! deal of attention l has "been paid, to provide requisite accommodation for bathers. , In fact, the baths would compare favorably with those in any part of the colony. / ; ‘ ‘ ; ,Ithas been< hinted that* in viewj of .the . ap- : preaching i Canterbury races; and (agricultural I show, it would pay the owners of coastal and intercolonial steamers to issue ■ return’tickets !at what are understood to be' > excursion rates. [The races take place on the 7th, Bth,‘and 10th ■November.next, the agricultural show being j heldon the Prince: of Wales’ birthday. (9tn November):;; This is generally regarded <as a carnival week with our Southern neighbors. The business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court’ yesterday was unimportant.', A man, named Edward Hughes was convicted of the double offence of being drunk , and disorderly iand assaulting Constable Waglaud. . He was fined £5, and bound over to keep the peace for three months. Thomas Riel, on a charge of Vagrancy, was remanded. John Traynor, who had been ' twice remanded on’a charge of stealing money from the Cafe de Paris, was committed for trial. , The first match of the season between the Artillery and Lex Cricket Clubs -will be played on the Basin Reserve this afternoon ; play will commence at 1.30 p.m. The following is the Lex team : —Messrs. H. D. Bell (captain), W. L. Rees. M'H.R w ■ '

. —, vjuivicr, o. i\x. speed, J, H, W'Uiainsoh, F. Wills, J. A. N. Salmon, H. Hall, A; B. Campbell, C. E. Major, and A. Gray ; umpire, Mr. W. Bromley; scorer, Mr. L. B. Linklater.

New regulations in respect to the levying of light dues have been issued. •. For places in this province the following rates are chargeable : Wellington—Vessels other than colonial trading vessels and coasters, fid. per ton register; colonial trading vessels, 4d.; coasting vessels, Id. Wanganui, Rangitikei, and Mahawatu— Vessels other than colonial trading vessels and coasters, 3d. per ton register; colonial trading vessels, 2d.; coasting vessels, except those arriving from ports in the North Island between Kapiti Island and Waikato River, Jd. :

i The skating rink continues to attract attention, being a cheap amusement and capital fun, while it affords to many, who stand in need of it very necessary exercise. A good feature about' it also is that the 'performances of the skaters, accomplished and otherwise, induce spectators who, to judge from the number that attend the hall during the evening, must'find a good deal of amusement in the business, which is what the proprietors of the hall no doubt desire. ’

The ManavMlu Times says :—The railway to Feilding is to be opened on October 18, and there are to be great rejoicings over the event. : As a wind up to these festivities, we notice, i the railway committee of Feilding have issued invitations for a ball in that township, and in order to secure the attendance of the Foxtoh and Palmerston belles, and. others ‘ desirous of enjoying Feilding hospitality, they have obtained the promise from the railway authorities of a free train to transport them to these halls of dazzling light, and take them back again. This is as it should be, and as we like to see it—for - there is nothing more beneficial than a strong pull together—a happy intermingling among the people of these townships. [Since the above was in type, we notice by advertisement that the day for opening the railway has been fixed for the 20th inst. This change, however, will not interfere with the ball taking place on the 19th, transit arrangements having been concluded for a train through from Foxton on that afternoon.] , So far as newspapers, are concerned, Christchurch, in about three weeks’ time, will be able to boast of no fewer than three afternoon publications. Tt is intended by the powerful company which has been formed, to start the Sun on entirely new principles ; and as it will be issued in connection with the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette, the speculation will doubtless be a profitable one to those who embark in it. It may be stated that many influential residents of Wellington have taken shares in the undertaking. Mr. Pratt has been sent to Melbourne by the, directors to purchase a newspaper and jobbing plant ; and it, is expected thf t the Christchurch Sun will in every way be a credit to the newspaper literature of the day. Married, at the English Church, Palmerston, on Monday, the 16th inst., by the Rev. Henere Herekan, Maori minister, Horomona Paro te Riria Harepeka; Akuria Rewai to Ahenota te Ea; Rariira te Awi Awi to Teripa Tere; Horimina Mutuaki to Heni te TJmumaukena; It is hardly necessary (says the Manawatu Times) to explain after reading these names (and very pretty names they are), that they all belonged to the Maori race. The day was a brilliant one, and it was really a very pleasant and gratifying sight to witness the brides and bridesmaids—for they were in that respect well attended—mustered upon the green sward, in company with their future lords. Forming into procession, they then wended their way to the church, attended by a large number of the inhabitants, and were received there by the Maori minister, Mr Henry. The dresses of the brides were, exceedingly becoming to their dark complexions. They were attired in white muslin, trimmed with pink, or a similar bright color, and with hats of the latest fashion covered with flowers, over which the white veils gracefully drooped. Nor must we fail to notice the gay, but appropriate, attire of the bridegrooms, who appeared supremely contented as they filed off in couples with their, respective financies. After the ceremony—which ,lasted nearly an hour—was oyer, ■ the afternoon was spent in promenading, and reclining upon the grass on the Square, where they formed, very picturesque groups. As soon as darkness commenced, the Foresters’ Hall was lighted up, and there the festivity was ■ kept up until the small honrs of the morning. There were a larger number of. Maoris present from all parts of the district to attend these weddings, .which were pleasant to witness as i affording a convincing proof of how much they are adopting our manners and customs. Everything was conducted with as much decorum as at one of our own weddings. We wish them all much happiness. i ; I’