NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY POR THE MONTH

MAY-JCNE,

For transmission by the P.M.S.C. ZeaUmdia from Auckland on the 25th June , to Europe, via San Francisco .

POLITICAL. Our Colonial Parliament stands pn rogued by proclamation until the It July next. It has been usual, for th convenience of members, to give four c live weeks’ notice of the meeting for cl< spatoh of business, and unless this cours is departed from this year, the Assembl will not moot before the end of nex month or tho beginning of August. In fervor of administrative purism imme diatoly after taking office the presen Government denounced the financial irre gularity of spending money without ap propriation after the 30th June, when th financial year expires, and the Colonia Treasurer, Mr. Larnaoh, promised that in future, tho General Assembly wouh bo required to meet early in tho month o June. Tins promise, like a groat man; other promises of tho Government, hai not been honored by obse-vance, and i not likely to be. We have a somi-officia gazette here, by moans of which Minister, communicate with their own friends leaving all the rest of the human race ir these islands in a state of compara tive darkness. Through it they are ad vised that all tho important measures which the Government intend to propose are already prepared, that these measures are few in number, but of wide grasp, and that unless tho Opposition, with the malevolence and want of apppreoiatiou of merit and industry which appear to be regarded by all Cabinets as the hereditary vices of those who go into the wrong lobby—should persist in asking impertinent questions, or in seeking information on public affairs with which they have no right to interfere, thesession will be got over in a few weeks. Ministers will then be at liberty again to go yachting and travelling by special trains, as they have been doing without ceasing for tho last seven months. It will be necessary next year to have two steam yachts, one being found quite insufficient to meet the wants of Ministers and their, friends, and occassionally to enable her Majesty’s representative in this colony to visit one or other of the provincial districts. As a proof of the insufficiency of the accommodation at present provided, we had occasion lately, in calling attention to this subject, to collate two “locals” from the daily papers,—the one announcing the arrival at Manukau, in the yacht Hinemoa, of Messrs. Sheehan and Bunny, and their intention to continue their cruise northwards ; the other notifying that “ amongst the passengers” from Lyttelton by the Wakatipu coasting steamer were his Excellency the OovekNOKaudLordHEEVEYPHiPPS. This, weare subsequently officially informed, in quite right, and exactly as it should be in a democratic community ; the “ popular will” being clearly that Messrs. Sheehan and Bunny should have exclusive use of the Government yatch, while her Majesty’s Representative is allowed to turn up “promiscuous” at the seat of Government “ amongst the passengers ” by a coasting steamer. Probably a difference of opinion on this point and upon others of greater magnitude may find expression in the Assembly when it meets, and may unreasonably delay the coming of the holidays. Promises having been solemnly made that in fulfilment of a great duty to the people all the important Bills intended to be introduced by Government should be printed and circulated before the session, not a , single Bill, if any are ready, has yet been seen out of tho Cabinet ; all that is allowed to be publicly known is that upon cardinal points of policy such as the character of the electoral franchise and tho provision for the representation of the people, tho views of the Premier and the views of his colleagues are wide as the poles asunder. As Sir George Grey is not yet strong enough prudently to attempt to setup his old form of personal government, he will be foi’ced to sacrifice to the GamBetta goddess “ Opportunity,” and postpone the building up of “ such a nation “as has never been seen ” until the market for the necessary material is easier.

Meantime wo are bound in justice to say that the Government have not been wholly idle. In the North the Hon. Mr. Sheehan is reported to have secured, by a clever coup d'etat, the future return of an eligible “companion” for Sir George Grey in the electoral district of the Bay of Islands and Mangonui. This appears to have been effected by one of those simple devices which are the inspiration of genius in emergency. The Registration and Returning Officer of the district had given the usual official notice of his intention to object to the claims of four hundred Maoris to be placed on the electoral roll. On the day before the sitting of the Revision Court the Registration Officer was discharged or removed from his office by the Hon. Minister of Justice,and as he could not then appear officially in support of his objections the bogus voters are said to have been placed on the roll without further question. Greyism having broken out epidemically in Hokitika, the member for that district, Mr. Buxton, not feeling himself in accord with the color of his constituents, resigned his seat in the House of Representatives. Some of the electors, oblivious of the commandment prohibiting covetousness, turned their eyes to Sir George Grey, begging to be represented by anything that “ was his he graciously sent them his—nephew. In urging the claims of Mr. George to the confidence of the electors the West Coast Times said that what was wanted was roads and bridges, and that in this view, “if Mr. George “ will only manage to pull the strings," “ whether they dangle from the apron of “ the Premier or tlmMinisterial purse, the “ constituency will have no cause to regret “ his return as their representative.” This is practical and sensible atleast,if not very elevated in tone. The “Nephew of my uncle” has undertaken to pull tho apron strings, but it is not yet certain whether that is all that tho majority of the electors desire in a candidate for their suffrages. It was a successor of Tiberius, we believe, who proposed to confer a high office upon his horse Incitatus, tho galloper. The uncle of my nephew is not Caius, neither is tho nephew of my uncle intellectually much of a gallopper : the gentle persuasive of carrots might perhaps induce him to “go” a little, if the certain alternative were a “walloping.” Otherwise he is an amiable and harmless young gentleman who does not see the use of “ going” at all, and who would much rather stay at home with his Uncle. Unreasonable demands upon valuable time, and tho excessive violence of Parliamentary faction, have induced many valuable members of tho House of Representatives to retire from public life. Thera is no lack of candidates to succeed them. Almost all think or find it necessary to make a confession of faith in “Greyism,” but to reserve to themselves independence of action. Those only who have enjoyed tho advantages of “independent” support can value the worth of that political party treasure, or understand what it means in practice. It is a source of unmixed satisfaction to find that the Native policy of tho past ten years is now bearing fruit, in the roconediation with that section of the native people who have under tho name of Kingitos been so long estranged from us. Manga, or Rkvvi tho name by which ho is bctcer known, has long since separated himself and his tribe Ngathuaniopoto

from the King’s side, and, under many '• difficulties, has been .working steadily ■ towards that settlement for the accomplishment of which he has beenlong recognised as, the best and most active instrument. A meeting of natives, convened by him, at which the Native Minister and the Premier are invited to be present, is now being got together at Waitara, in Taranaki. That being the place where the native war broke out in 1860, it is regarded as the fitting site for the final discussion of grievances and efforts at arrangement. It is to be hoped that the result will be favorable and satisfactory; for although no practical incont venionce, except the closing of the district B be tween the con tisoated boundary and Tarar naki to roads or railways, has of late re- . suited from the isolation of the King and 3 his people, all will rejoice to see the last ” r trace of our unhappy differences in past t times effaced and forgotten by both sides. t The floating of our loan in London has . relieved the public mind of much anxiety, t and the Colonial Treasurer of some em- . barrassmont. If the conditions of sale, . and prices obtained, are known to the , Government, they have been carefully [ concealed. All that has been vouchsafed in the way of information, oven to the [ true believers, is the fact that < three mil- : lion and a-half of New Zealand debentures . have been sold; and all are invited to , believe devoutly that the name of Sir \ George Grey, and the bodily presence of [ Mr. Larnacix, have exorcised an occult , but eminently, favorable influence upon the money market of the world. It is a subject of very general regret ' that the resources of the Colony of New Zealand haye not been represented at the Paris Exhibition. Liko the care of the defence of the colony ; liko the caro of our interests at the late Cable Con- j ferenco at Victoria, the opportunity of proving to the world by the exhibition of the rich natural products of our soil and the artificial products of our labor and capital has been sacrificed to the egoism of the Prime Minister. He has employed the time and wasted money which should have been devoted to this work in slumping the country, in setting class against class, the poor against the rich, — dividing in order that ho might rule, —and in fooling shouting crowds with promises which ho had neither the power nor the desire to fulfil. GENERAL. The anniversary of her Majesty’s birthday was observed here with the usual demonstrations of loyalty common to the occasion throughout these colonies, and with the usual sports and festivities enjoyed here on this annual holiday. The movement lately made to establish popular concerts at the Athenaeum, at which a really good musical entertainment is given at such a price as to bring it practically within the reach of everybody, has been most successful. The room has been well filled on each occasion, and it is proved to demonstration that these concerts have hit the popular taste. Great credit is due to the promoters of the undertaking, and to the committee of management, for the manner in [which these entertainments have been carried out, and it speaks well for the community generally that their good taste leads them to patronise and appreciate such intellectual amusement. The question of establishing a public library here has been for some time under discussion, and it is probable that before long the movement will assume a definite shape. At present, however, the matter remains in much the same state as it has been in for some time past, except that a deputation of the Athenasum Committee waited a few days ago upon the Premier in reference to the handing over of the books in the Provincial Library (now the property of the General Government) to the Athenraum. On this occasion Sir George Grey expressed himself very much in favor of public libraries, and intimated that the subject would receive early attention at the hands of his colleagues and himself. It has been frequently remarked, and with great truth, that the city of Wellington, notwithstanding its raanyadvantages, is wanting in one direction, viz,, in public gardens and recreation grounds. The value of such places is so patent and so generally acknowledged that it is needless to enlarge upon it. The matter has been prominently brought forward at the recent 1 meetings of the City Council, who have resolved to set apart forty acres of the Town Belt at South Newtown, about two miles from the Post Office, and approached by a good road, along which it is expected 1 that the tramway, now completed for a great part of the distance, will be carried. The piece of ground selected is in every way well adapted to the purpose for which it is now intended. It is pleasantly situated, and commands some charming views of the city, the harbor, and the surrounding country. When fenced in, planted with trees, and laid out as an ornamental garden, with plenty of good gravel walks, it will bo a very delightful spot, and both from a sanatory and sasthetio point of view, will bo a valuable boon to the inhabitants of Wellington. In our last summary wo referred to a possibility of Lucl lam’s gardens—a delightful domain of thirty-five acres at the Lower Hutt—being acquired as a public estate. Since then nothing further, that we are aware of, has been done in the matter; and as it is understood that if no private offer for its purchase be made, the property will shortly be brought into the market and sold by auction, the probabilities seem to be that the estate will fall into the hands of some private speculator, who will cut it up into small; lots, much to his own profit no doubt, but to its utter destruction as a recreation ground. There is another direction in which something might be done to provide additional pleasure grounds for the health and recreation of the people. Around the Waterworks’ reservoir on the Kaiwarra Creek is some land, belonging, we believe, to the Corporation, which might be planted and laid out ornamentally, add if arrangements could bo effected with owners of private property to have even a well made footpath from the reservoir to the distributing basin near Pollhill Gully, a very pleasant walk would be provided. Ultimately, no doubt, a carriage road [ will be made from the south end of the town to Karori, which will add another drive to the rather scanty number of them in the neighborhood. Something is being done in the improvement of the Botanical Gardens, and if thoso in whom their management rests had more funds at their disposal this might bo made quite a model garden, with smooth lawns, sparkling water, and all the accessories of flowers, shrubs, and trees, with which, in such a climate as this, it can be supplied with little difficulty. Nature, indeed, has already done much for these gardens, and art has done something more, but scarcity of money has hitherto prevented the most being made of this reserve. It is also practically cut off from the To Aro portion of the town -by the want of a direct road. The question of the Te Aro foreshore reclamation (a work which would haye been commenced ere this had not the Bill affecting it been thrown out in the Upper House last session) and the rights and privileges of those landholders who have water frontages, have been discussed at some length both at the meetings of the City Council and in the columns of the public Press. A motion is now before the Council to the effect that in the Bill which the City Solicitor is now preparing on the subject, to be laid before Parliament next session, a clause shalh be inserted providing for tho ascertaining definitely the rights of all persons whoso lands abut on the harbor, in order that they may bo dealt with as provided by the Public Works Act, and that if any parlies aro found to be entitled to compensation the amount due to them shall bo paid by tho Council, either in reclaimed land adjacent to their properties or in

cash, as the ..Council .may elect. . The question now stands adjourned until next Monday, when it will probably bo carried. The reclamation of the Te Aro foreshore is a work; much required. There is very little flat land near the harbor available for building purposes, and although the Thorndpn reclamation will to some extent meet the want which is felt, it will not fully do so. Indeed, when the quantity of land to be laid out for streets, railway station, and other reserves is taken into account, there will not bo much left for the public to compete for. From the water at the Te Aro end of the harbor being much shallower than at Thorndon, the proposed work of reclamation will bo much less costly than the other; and that the undertaking will be a highly reproductive one cannot be doubted, considering the rapid increase in the population and the continued demand for city lands.

A Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition in connection with the Wellington Working Mens’ Club is to bo opened in a few days. A largo number of pictures and curiosities have been lent tor the occasion, and the exhibition appears likely to bo a successful affair. The Working Men’s Club, in connection with which it is hold, is progressing most, satisfactorily. Its numbers have increased, indeed, so much lately that the premises it has occupied since the start have been found too small, and the club has taken possession of a new and commodious building adjoining the new Opera House, by which action it is confidently anticipated that an extended and increased sphere of usefulness is before the institution. The club appears to be remarkably well managed, and has been growing in public favor ever since it was started.

There have boon happily few fires or serious accidents to record during the month. Four small tenements in Hol-land-street, near Tory-street, have been burned down, but no lives were lost and no persons injured. On the railway works at the Rimutaka, which have from time to time contributed a comparatively large number to''the total aggregate of casualties in the district, two men were hurt whilst blasting, and.it was at one time feared that the injuries would either prove fatal, or at all events very serious. The sufferers, however, who have been in the Hospital since the occurrence, are, we believe, in a fair way of recovery. They have had a very narrow escape, and their case furnishes another instance of the great necessity of people using every care and precaution when engaged in this kind of work. A fatal accident, which occurred some time ago, by which a servant girl was burned to death through the bursting of a kerosene lamp, has had the effect of drawing public attention to the matter. The oil used in this lamp was proved to be dangerous petroleum, ■ flashing at less than llOdeg. Fahrenheit. Some indeed has been found to flash at 80dog,; and subsequent inquiries have proved that much of the kerosene imported here is of a dangerous character ; although there is also reason to believe that the tradesmen who have been selling it have done so in good faith. Arrangements are being made between the Government and the Corporation for thoroughly testing the quality of the different varieties of petroleum and kindred oils imported,before they are placed in the market; and the police have received instructions to enforce the pro? visions of the Dangerous Goods Act in all cases. By this means, combined with care on the part of the consumers, without which all such precautions are.of little avail, it is to be hoped that in future there will be an entire absence of accidents from this cause.

Within the past few weeks a good deal of rain has fallen, which is usual at this time of the year, and amongst its many good effects has been that of its filling the Waterworks reservoir on the Kaiwarra Creek. It is generally felt, however, that a city like Wellington should not depend for its water supply wholly upon this souice, Mr. Clark, C.E., who has been employed by the Corporation to inspect the several streams and watersheds in the neighborhood, in order to report upon them, is now on his way back to England, where ho will complete his report, and forward it here. This has been deemed preferable to detaining Mr. Clark any longer in the colony, which could only have been done at a great expense to the ratepayers. Although there must necessarily be some delay before the report can bo received, an able and exhaustive document will no doubt bo drawn up by Mr. Clark at Home, which will be of the greatest value in determining the future action of the City Council in this very important matter. Some time ago a company was started to work the Weal Wanganui coalfield, in the Nelson Provincial District. A trade, which promises to bo a lucrative one, has been opened up with Wellington, and the coal is highly spoken of by the consumers. The West Wanganui harbor is one of the best on the West Coast, there being at high water 16ft. on the bar, which is unchangeable, and ingress and egress can be had at all times. The consumption of coal in Wellington is necessarily large at all times, and occasionally the demand is in excess of the supply ; but with the produce of this coalfield added to other existing resources further south on the same coast, and from other Sources, there is little danger of anything like a coal famine here in future—at all events, one of. longer duration than a very few days. A public meeting of Catholics residing in the Te Aro District, and of others interested in the matter, was held on the 16th instant in the Bonlcott-street Church, to take steps for raising the necessary funds to build a new schoolhouse for the female children. There was a crowded meeting, the Right Rev. Bishop Redwood in the chair. After able addresses from the Bishop, Hon. Dr. Grace, and others had • been delivered, resolutions were passed unanimously in support of tho object in view, an influential committee was formed, and the handsome sum of £530 was subscribed in the room.

The St. Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation, who recently- sold their church on Lambton-quay for £IO,OOO, are going to erect a hew church on the Terrace, and also intend to lay out £2OOO in the erection of a suitable building for public worship in the Newtown District. The quarterly criminal sittings of the Supremo Court commence ,on Monday, July 1. It is a matter for congratulation that the calendar of prisoners for trial is light. The only very serious charge is one of attempted murder. The other cases at present on the list are one of obtaining goods by false pretences, one of larceny, one of sheepstealing, and one of fraudulent bankruptcy. On tho civil aide there aro only two actions for trial, neither of them involving any features of much public interest. Nothing is doing at the Theatre Royal or the Imperial Opera House just now, both places being closed for the present, but it is expected that before long each of them will be again in f ull operation.