TAHANAKI. (From the Taranaki Herald.)

Otago Daily Times, Issue 174, 6 June 1862, Page 5

TAHANAKI. (From the Taranaki Herald.)

The only definite item of intelligence concerning ourselves brought by the steamer is that work on the roads is to ba offered to the Maories at 3s. 6d. per diem; We trust that it wi!l not be long before the proposed jiew lines of bush road will be taken in hand, as we cannot but regard them as of greater importance in a military point of view than ths improvement of the Devon Hue ; and it is in a military point of view that we first need improvement. We want security for property befure we need think of means for increasing its value. Native Iktelligekce.—The well-known Wi Tako is expected to come up the coast with a large party in the course of this month, with the object »f opening the Southern Koad. It is stated that if he fails, it ls-his intention and that of his followers to renounce the King movement Several Waikato chiefs, Kewi amongst the number, have announced their intention of coming to take up their quarters in the Waitara district, and thus occupy it in the name of the Maori King. '

Something like an Auditor.—The appointment of an auditor to examine the railway accounts was brought under the attention of the Legislative Council yesterday, by a question relative to the subject addressed by Mr. Eolfetothe Commissioner of .Railways. Mr. Mitchell, in reply, stated that a gentleman (Mr. H. Selwyn Smith) 'had been appointed to that office at the salary of £100 per month. It was at first expected that the examination would be completed in six weeks, but Mr. Smith had;been called away to other business, and it was now hoped that it would be finished in two montlis. A remarkably nice arrangement! Mr., Smith may be called away again;'-' and then we suppose that another month will be needful for that gentleman to examine the accounts in question, the very satisfactory salary going on as usual. We have been informed, and on good authority, that the audit will more likely extend over twelve months that six weeks. Mr. Mitchell said that Mr. Smith had had " the highest possible recommendations" for the office to which ho had been appointed. Really, can Mr. Mitchell be ignorant of the very high "recommendation" given"to his protege by the Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates at Sydney, when he refused him his certificate? If so, we present him with the conclusion arrived at by that functionary (the whole judgment being too long for insertion in our columns), as reported in the Svdiieu Morning Herald, of the 6th April, 1857, as'follows :—•' Let it be shown that an insolvent's transactions have been fair and upright, and that he has,not preferred (on the eve of iiis failure) one creditor to another ; that he has fully and iairly disclosed the whole of his estate, so that all his creditors may obtain an equal share. Let this be shown, and then the law throws its protection around him j hi 3 former liabilities are cancelled, he is discharged from his debts, and he becomes a free man, again to begin the world, nnd by renewed exertions and steady perseverance, enabled to retrieve, perhaps, not only the los?es he has himself sustained, but to repair the injury he may have inflicted upon others. I am deeply sensible of the consequences that may re-sult-from the refusal of a certificate to a merchant in the position of Mr. Smith, but if considerations of a personal nature, or regard to, consequences, were to swerve me from a public duty, I should no longer lie fit, to fill the office 1 have the honor to hold. I laving then most carefully and anxiously considered the whole of the evidence before me ; ana having regard to the insolvent's conduct Bince his sequestration, in the suppression of evidence (which it was important to obtain, and in his power to afford), I am of opinion that it is my imperative duty to refuse granting certi-. ficate of discharge. The certificate is, therefore, refused."—Agt, '■■