The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5471, 9 October 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1878.

We have been requested to state that the Marchioness of Norraanbywill not hold her usual weekly reception this afternoon. , We have been shown a ticket for the lunch at the opening celebration of the I’eatherston railway. It is in the following form :—“Opening Celebration—Kailway to Featherston — Lunch ticket, 1 guinea.—J. G. Cox, Hon. Sec ” —ln consequence of the notice contained in our columns yesterday, several holders of tickets desire to know how they are to attend at the lunch if this ticket does not allow them to travel by rail. They understood from the gentleman who disposed of these tickets that only about 250 would be sold, as more than that number could not bo conveyed over the Eimutaka, Upon inquiry to-day, it appears that the Commissioner of Railways is not prepared to undertake the conveyance of all ticket-holder, by rail. In several instances the persons interested can only spare one day, , and they are ’ now inclined to regard their tickets no so much waste paper. It is only fair to add that all parties agree in exonerating the honorary secretary from any desire to miar lead the buyers. On ’ the contrary, his efforts, to make the celebration a success are generally recognised and applauded. That some misap- * prehension exists is evident, and the general impression appears to be that the Kailway Dc- ' parteent have discovered that they will be un

able to convey bo large a number of passenger* as was anticipated. In e nsequeuce, special invitations have been issued to avoid the mipending difficulty. It seem* only reasonable that ticket holders have some means of reaching the luncheon''-afforded thorn, on payment of the usual fare. . The Hum Mr. Stout returned from the South by the steamer Hawea yesterday. .. A wag, not ‘.guiltlessof beer, relieved his feelings thus in the House on Monday evening : : ; ■ ’ ' Where is’ the 1 ship wo call the State’s ? • Taken aback in Behring StraitsT •In the House of Representatives last night, when the Maori clause of the Disqualification Act was under discussion, the Hon. Mr; Sheehan stated that the late Government had £SO for. every, one which the present Government had for' native purposes. The Hon. Major Atkinson immediately rose, and said the contrary was precisely the case, and time would show it. A private conversation between the two hon, members followed, but to all appearance each failed to convince the other. Sir Robert Douglas expressed himself very frankly iu the House of Representatives last night with regard to the Maoris. He did nut think them so good as the Europeans, but he would treat them in strict accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi, and grant them equal rights, but he was opposed to their being pampered, or to the adoption of any flour-and-suga-r policy in dealing with the native race. On Monday night the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill went through committee in the House of Representatives, and was read a third time and passed. The division in favor of going into committee on the Bill showed 34 in favor of doing so against 19 who would rather have allowed the Bill to drop. This was a very decided expression of opinion, and shows that a majority of the members share iu the belief that when circumstances arise that apparently justify the action in the eyes of the individual the law need not interfere to prevent it. There appears to be no necessity for pushing the logical sequence to its full limits mid declaring all marriages legal where no bloodrelatiouship exists, as some persons declare is absolutely incumbent upon those who favor this innovation. The argument against theState is this : no physical or material injury follows its introduction, therefore the secular law need not forbid it. The religions aspect of the subject is outside the sphere of the State. The healthiness of the Jewish people as a race, among whom the practice of marrying the deceased brother’s wife or deceased wife’s sister has always been encouraged, proves that the physical evils said to follow the introduction of the practice are purely imaginary and not warranted by experience. No doubt it is very inconvenient for those who have family ties in the mother country, after having contracted a legal marriage in the colony, to find if they return to England that in the eye of the law their children are regarded as nobody’s children, incapable of in heriting property. The Bill will probably meet its usual reception in the Legislative Council. There was a short but animated “scene” iu the House of Representatives towards midnight. Captain Russell was making a statement as to his being informed of certain proceedings on the part of a - Maori named Wi Pere in connection with the Repudiation Party. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan remarked that the statement was absolutely untrue. Captain Russell waxed warm thereat, and exclaimed, “The hon. .gentleman may sit on the Ministerial bench, but .by Heavens he shall treat me properly.” Mr. O’Rorke called the hon. member to order, and stated that he would not permit any flat contra fictions to be made. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan said what he'meant was that the statement of Captain Russell’s informant was not true. He was willing to apologise frankly and fully if his words had borne any other construction than that the statement of Captain Russell’s informant was untrue. Captain Russel immediately accepted this explanation, and proceeded with his remarks on the Native Lawsurs Bill, after expressing regret for the warmth he had shown in the matter.

The following is the principal provision of the Foxon Reserves Bill, introduced by Mr. Walter Johnston, member for Manawatu “ It shall bo lawful for the Governor to convey to the Board of Commissioners for the said district of Foxton all that piece of land set forth in the schedule hereto, to be held in trust for a public park and recreation ground and rifle range for the inhabitants of Foxton and its vicinity : Provided always that all rents and profits derived from the land shall be expended in the improvement of the said land and for no other purpose. Schedule ; All that parcel of land estimated to contain 392 acres, being the section No. 477 on the plan of the township of oxton, in the Manawatu district. Bounded towards the north by section No. 332, 4840 links ; towards the east by a public road, 9020 links ; towards the south by section No. 537, 3968 links ; and towards the west by section No. 476, 8900 links : be all the aforesaid linkages more or less.” The Hon. Mr. Chamberlin in the Council last night described various ffirmer Governments under amusing nicknames. Among others there was the “Government of the squatters, or the rule of sheep then came the “ great Public Works Policy Government," and lastly there was the present one, which he designated as the “ Disqualification of Property Government." At the beginning of bis speech he had said “he could not support the measure,” but he must now add the words “as heartily as be could desire " —an addition that completely upset the impression previously created.

The committee of the House ''of Representatives appointed to consider the matter of police pay have taken a great deal of evidence, having examined Colonel Whitmore and the heads of the police in various parts of the colony.' Yesterday the following report was brought up by the committee :—The committee appointed September 20th to enquire into the questions of the rates of pay, the position, pensions, and allowances of the police force of the colony, report as follows ; —lst. That in the opinion of this committee the present pay of the police force is insufficient, and should be increased. 2nd. That long.service pay should be given to members of the police force on a graduated scale, according to the number of years of service. (Signed) Alfred Saunders. A new definition of universal suffrage was given by the Hon. Captain Fraser in. the Council the other night. Ho said he thought this was really a knife-andfork question. If asked what he meant by, the expression, he. would reply that he understood manhood suffrage to mean a good coat and a good hat, a good dinner, and enough wages to keep a working man in plenty, at any rate to supply, those necessaries of life that an active man requires. If this definition of universal suffrage be correct, no wonder, many people desire it. Wo should have expected such an enthusiastic view from a more youthful politician than Captain Fraser.

At the Supremo Court yesterday Alfred William Thompson was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. William Naylor Arnold was indicted for shooting at James Ward. At the suggestion of the Crown Prosecutor a jury was empanelled to decide whether or not the prisoner was of sound mind. After medical evidence had been given the jury decided that the prisoner was insane, and his Honor ordered him to be kept in custody at the gaol. George Lorimer was found guilty of stealing a diamond ring and gold pin, tho property of Mr. Schwabe. Sentence will be passed upon him to-day. Joseph Higginson pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing £47, the properly of Richard Kelly, at the Wairarapa. He will also bo sentenced this morning.

The ship Rakaia arrived in port yesterday. She brings 201 adult immigrants to: the colony, who hopo to be lauded about noon today, na soon as they have passed the usual inspection. There ia no sickness on board, and there have been no deaths on the passage out. Three births took place during the voyage, and the little natives of the ocean are all alive and well. We understand that the ship is beautifully clean, and that her condition' reflects great credit upon the officers in charge. Wellington ladies will be glad to hear that there are a good many single girls' on board. Those who are open to engagement as domestic servants may be consulted to-morrow. At theßesident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before T. A. Manaford, Esq., H.M., William Green, was fined 20s. or in default seven days’ imprisonment. The case against Laurence Salmon, for alleged larceny of sundry builders’ materials, occupied the greater part of the time of the Court. A number of witnesses were examined for tlio defence. After bearing the evidence, bis Worship discharged the accused, and observed ,tbat ,bo considered the proper: course would have been to have treated,the matter civilly. : i , •, Wo are informed that Mr, Thomas Bracken, of Dunedin, will in tho course of a fortnight visit Wellington: for the purpose of delivering a series of lectures on Odd Fellowship, in con- ; ncclion -with the Amciicr.n Order. .•

Messrs. Baker ami Farron’s combination troupe drew another crowded house at tin Theatre lb»yal. last night.’; T)ih programme of the previous* everting was repeated, aud ausual highly appreciated by the audience. , The Colonial Bank of New Zealand has removed to their temporary offices, corner of Brandon and Feathernton streets, near the Cor portion offices, pending the erection of their new premises next to the Athenaeum. The Maori Nepia Tokitahi, who stood his trial yesterday for perjury, was acquitted. He challenged twelve jurymen, and in all probability would have challenged still more if ho had not been told to the contrary. A petition was yesterday presented to the House of Representatives by Mr. Hunter from Mr. J. .C. Crawford, late . Resident Magistrate, praying the House to take into consideration his case, and grant him such relief as . the House might think fit, in consequence of the treatment .he had receive-' from the Government in regard to a pension. The Bishop iu hia address yesterday ,congratulated the Synod on the success of tho Synod system, in which the three orders of the Church were able to devise plaus acceptable to all Church members. Twenty years ago all, whether at home or abroad, were afraid to try such a scheme, aud the Church was at last obliged to use her own inherenfpowers, and with the above manifest advantages. This was done under especially the wise foresight aud wisdom of the late Bishop Selwyn. No one was more worthy of the praise he had received. He hoped that suitable memorials would be erected to hia memory both in England and New Zealand. He bore witness to the excessive courtesy ho had received, and enumerated the different posts entrusted to him by the Bishop. He had endeavored, it. accepting them, to follow one so earnest. He noticed the results of tho Conference of Bishops that had lately met at Lambeth, and the favorable results that had been secured. He supposed that it was impossible to look fora supply of clergy from Home. The work offered required much self-denial, from the scattered nature of the population in country districts. Men were wanted who would act upon the Lord’s command, and be ready to go where they should bo sent. We must be prepared to help ourselves in the erection of a central theological college. The Synod might consider the subject, and so prepare the way for action in the General Synod. New Zealand could supply its own wants if such a college offered a suitable education. Tho inadequate salaries of the clergy, especially in the country districts, should be raised. He still felt that the country would not long be satisfied with a system of education to which the Roman Catholics objected as much as ourselves, rfe referred to the late conference at Munich, where Professor Hoeckel proposed that open infidelity should be taught in the national schools. He urged an increased attention to Sunday-schools. Tho work among the Mauris was still very encouraging. The Rev. S, Williams proposed to raise an endowment fund for the Maori Church, offering himself to give £SOO. The Hon. W. B. Rhodes had left- a large sum for Church purposes. The President desired that God’s blessing might rest on their deliberations. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Cricketers’ Association was held last night at the Athenaeum. Mr. Kelly was in the chair, aud a large number of, delegates put in an appearance. The report of the committee was read and adopted, aud it was agreed to print aud circulate it amongst members of the association and the public. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Patron: Sir Geo. Grey ; president : E. Pearce, Esq. ; vice-presidents : His Worship the Mayor, Hon. Randall Johnson, George Hunter, Ksq., T. Buchanan, Esq., J. S. M. Thomson, Eaq., G. Crawford, Esq.; match committee ; Messrs. Blaeklock, Hamilton, Kennedy, Kelly, Rohinsou ; general corn mitten : Messrs. Blaeklock (Star), Kelly (United), R, Leckie (Wanderers), Heuery (Telegraph), Tustiu (Rising Star), Dauks (Royal Oak), S. Kennedy (Excelsior), 0. Daly, (Thermion), J. P. Kennedy (Wellington), Backhand (College) ; hon. treasurer : J. J. M. Hamilton ; huu. secretary: Duncan Cameron. It was resolved, on the motion of the chairman, that a deputation should wait on the trustees of the Basin Reserve with a view to secure a space for ‘cricketers exclusively; aud it was unanimously carried that the footballers should be called on for their promised subscription. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought an enthusiastic meeting to a close.