SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 89, 20 September 1873, Page 2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1873.

During the discussion in the House of Representatives on the Native Lands Bill, Mr. Sheehan is reported, according to the very imperfect information to hand, to have stated that it was desirable to repeal the “ East Coast Titles Investigation Acts,” with a view to dealing with the complicated state of our land question the more effectively under the new Act. ‘ Whenua,’ in Wednesday’s issue, very naturally expresses surprise at this gratuitous display of ignorance on Mr. Sheehan’s part —a surprise which must be shared in by many others when it is remembered that on the subject of Native affairs of the Colony, Mr. Sheehan professes to be well posted ; and, unfortunately, the reply made by the Hon. the Native Minister, does not leadus to understand that the fact of the “ East Coast Titles Investigation Act, 1866,” and the “ East Coast Titles Investigation Amendment Act, 1867 ” being repealed by the “ East Coast Act, 1868,” (or, if this were not so, that those Acts held no authority over the ceded lands in this district) was runuing in his mind while addressing the House on the subject. Situated as this district is, so far from the Seat of Government, with no advantage of telegraphic communication, and

being practically unrepresented in Parliament, we cannot hope for any timely influence being brought to bear on the questions affecting us which are discussed and settled for good, and aye, of t’times before we hear of their promulgation. But, holding to the opinion as we do, that it is a sheer waste of time to keep up this annual farce of legislating upon matters that are not thoroughly thought out, and believing that a very extended ignorance prevails as to the exact position of the lands known as the “ Ceded Block,” we purpose, in continuation of our correspondent’s remarks, to shew as how the Native Lands Court holds no jurisdiction over the blocks vested in the Government, under the Deed of Cession. After the massacre of 1868, Mr. J. C. Richmond, then Native Minister, made an arrangement with the loyal natives, whereby in consideration of their executing to the Government a Deed of Cession of the whole of the lands within the boundaries of what is now called the “ Ceded Block,” the Government would, after having taken the Muhunga and Patutahi blocks as the shares of the rebel Native owners, return the remainder of the lands to such of the loyal natives as could prove their titles to them before two Commissioners, being Judges of the Native Lands Court. Immediately after the execution of the Deed of Cession, the Native title was gazetted as extinguished ; therefore, seeing that by Section 10 of the Native Lands Act, 1867, such lands ceased to be Native Land, within the meaning of the Native Lands Acts —the Native Lands Courts had no further jurisdiction, and the lands within the ceded block became, and are still, liable to all the incidents and rules of the English Real Property laws as they exist in New Zealand ; neither does the “ East Coast Titles Act, 1868 ” apply to these lands for the reasons already given. Mr. M'Lean was evidently aware that the Native Lands Bill could not deal with the exceptional position of the ceded territory, and therefore expressed himself to the effect that it would be better to introduce an Act with special prolusions and defined powers, so as to deal effectively with these lands without impinging against the functions and duties of the Native Lands Court proper indeed it is understood to have been the desire of the Government to pass some measure of this kind, by which the lands under the Cession Deed could be effectively disposed of, that induced the adjournment of the Cession Court for a period of two months ; and in the interim it is to be hoped that such specific powers will be given to the Commissioners under a now Act as will enable them to fully carry out the object and intention of both the native and the Government at the time of the Cession being made. But, as “ When U a ” justly observes, we shall “be out of the frying pan into “the fire” if it is intended to pile up further agonies of legislative enactment, unless “ the exact position of affairs with “ regard to these ceded blocks be understood and, accepting Mr. Sheehan’s remarks as a sample of the general obscurity which pervades tha minds of honorable members as to the true character of the bete noir of the East Coast, we think it is high time that they applied themselves to a study of this portion of native politics, which might result in profit to the country, if it failed to give pleasure to the students.

Value of Property in Auckland.—As a proof of the many miserable shanties and dilapitated huxter’s shops which occupied a large area and frontage to the leading thoroughfare in Auckland before the fire, reference has only been made to the fact that from Darby’s to the Anchor Hotel, nearly at the head of Queen-street, a distance of some 200 or 300 yards—property of all sorts, stock, furniture, and buildings to the number of 58, destroyed, only amounts to £60,000, or an average of about £l,OOO for each house and its contents ; and this in the heart of a city, that professes to have no peer ! Such poverty may well wish to be kept respectable by a loan !

The Tariff. —It may not be generally known that the Government has decided to include the cost of packages, wrapping material, old nails, and iron hoops, in the invoice value of goods liable to the ad valorem duties. This, taken in connection with the pre-imposition of 10 per cent, on the invoice, and upon which imposition added to the prime cost, duty has to be paid, is rather too strong a dose of political economy to be swallowed without a wry face being made over it. The Treasurer evidently knows too much for our legislators. Thunder Storm.—The immunity this district has enjoyed so long from electrical dischargee, was disturbed very unpleasantly on Thursday morning last. Strong gales of wind from W. to been blowing during the previous three or four days, which were succeeded by an oppressive calm and humid heat. The rain began about 9 o’clock accompanied by vivid

lightning and crashes of thunder, reverberating far and near, which continued with very slight intermissions until noon. An Easterly wind sprang up and the rest of the day was boisterous and very cold. The gale blew hard with heavy showers all yesterday. Fire.—Early on Wednesday morning last a large portion of the township of Gisborne—that part of it known as “ Read's Block,” and which is thickly studded with buildings—narrowly escaped destruction by fire. It appears according to our informant, that heated embers, from a fire-place in the Albion Hotel, were deposited, either for convenience’ sake, or thoughtlessness—in a wooden receptacle out side of, but standing close to, the billiard room. From observation made on the discovery, it was evident that the embers had been smouldering for some considerable time, and were kept fanned by the gale blowing at the time ; consequently the cask itself caught fire and a large volume of flame was gradually wrapping itself round the weather boards and lower part of the building, which is situated in a comparatively unfrequented part of the back yard. Fortunately Mr. Stevenson had occasion to be on that particular portion of the premises just in time to prevent what must have been a most disastrous conflagration. No means that we could possibly have saved a vestige of the whole block of buildings from Mr. Mill s house to the Courthouse, including the newly-erected branch of the Bank of New Zealand ; as the high wind would have given what little assistance is wanted by the devouring element to demolish closely-packcd wooden tenements generally. “Watchmans” letter in to-day’s issue, also unfolds another source of danger, which we regret to say is rather the rule than the exception, namely, carelessness in hotels with respect to the use and carrying of lights. Publicans often complain of the way in which they are taxed, and the somewhat strict supervision to which they are subjected, but in the cases now before us, it would appear that neither the one nor the other could w-ell be dis-

pensed with, having due regard to public safety ; nor are they, in some instances, sufficiently effective. Reduction of Freight.—We perceive that the freight charges per Bangatira between Napier and Poverty Bay have been reduced to £1 per ton. Quadrille Assembly.—The usual fortnightly gathering takes place at the Music Hall on Tuesday evening next. To Subscribers. —The current quarter of the Standard expires on Saturday the 27th inst. All orders for alterations in advertisements should, if possible, be sent in not later than Wednesday the 24th inst. National Insurance Company.—We beg to remind our readers that the share lists for this Company close on Monday, after which date no applications can be received. Already about thirty persons in this district have applied for shares. The shares of the “ National ” will, in all probability, be quoted before long at a premium of thirty shillings or two pounds per share ; and with its large proprietary and ready-made business must, command public confidence. Looked upon either as an investment or a speculation the shares of this new Company are thoroughly good. The Otago Times learns, by telegram, that Messrs. Shaw, Saville and Co. have reduced their freights from London to New Zealand to 30s. tier ton.

The Napier Telegraph on the Education rate says : —Mr. Inspector Scully is round again for the Education rate. It is not the difficulty he experiences in gathering up the one pound notes from the male householders that annoys him so much, as the humiliation he suffers at the hands of the females. We understand that Mr. Scully does not intend to collect the rate again.

Mr. Inspector Scully’s cows were all impounded, and everybody laughed. Some person, or persons, feeling aggrieved at the Police Act being vigorously enforced, opened the Inspector’s paddock gate, and away went the cows on to the barrack hill, from whence they were speedily driven to the pound.— Telegraph. By no means the least remarkable effect of the Shah of Persia’s visit to this country is that whichit is reported to have had upon Mr Ayrton. The glitter of his Majesty’s jewels appears in some way or other to ha ve produced a corresponding brilliancy in the brain of the First Commissioner of Works. At any rate, the contact of barbaric pomp and the “ noble savage ” has issued, we are told, in a series of puns from the latter, two or three of which are worth recording. For instance, when it was rumoured that the Shah was to go. to Kew gardens on Sunday, Mr. Ayrton expressed a hope that the “ market gardeners would mind their peas and kews on the occasion, and further that a Hooker there would agree with the Shah better than with himself. Later in the day Mr. Ayrton was heard to deplore the Shah-ry state of the weather. These strokes of humour must be accepted as hopeful signs of awaking geniality in the First Commissioner of Works, and if sufficiently prolonged will no doubt, add to the popularity’he at present so deservedly enjoys.— Pall Mall Budget. Poverty Bay Line of Telegraph. — The

Commissioner of Telegraphs thus reports :—This line will, for the first five miles out of Napier, be run on the poles carrying the wires to Auckland, and will leave that line at Petane. From Petane, it will follow the track to Wairoa. Thence to Poverty Bay, it will be taken along the beach line to the Mahia, but far enough inland to prevent the wire being affected by salt. From the Mahia, the wire will be carried along the sandhills for about four miles; then through fourteen miles of rough bush ; and subsequently over about twenty-three miles of comparatively level ground to its termination at Gisborne. Contract* for the erection of offices at Wairoa and Gisborne have been let, and the cutting and delivery of the poles are being proceeded with as rapidly as possible. More than half the poles for the distance between Napier and Wairoa are now at Napier or Wairoa ; and the remainder for that section of the line will be ready for shipment about the beginning of August. The estimated length of the line is 110 miles, It is reported that Judge Rogan has withdrawn the libel action against Mr. Ballance, proprietor of the Wanganui Herald. •

“Plagiarism with a Vengeance.”—This 1K the way the editor of the Napier Telegraph amuses himself—we cannot say edifies, his readers. “Wo have long been aware that our moruing contemporary has day after day pirated his local information from this journal. As a test, we yesterday informed the public that Mr. Thomas Cowper, of the Empire Hotel, Waipawa, had met with nu accident, the result of which was that Mr. Cowper had broken his leg. This morning, our contemporary, not to be behind the times, reproduced the paragraph, carefully mentioning the particulars of the case. Mr. Cowper we are glad to state is in the best of health, and no accident of the kind occurred. We trust this will be a lesson to our contemporary for the future.” So, “as a test," the editor of the Telegraph pens a deliberate falsehood, (according to his own admission), “for the information of the public,” and trusts “ this will be a lesson to our contemporary for the future.” We hope it will, as, at any rate, the untruthfulness of the paragraph, shows how little the Herald enquired about the “ particulars.” But what about the Telegraph’s morality ? Has it not read a “lesson” to all other “ contcm- — poraries ” as well as t o the Herald ? Polonius parentally advised Ophelia that the vows of lovers are “ springes to catch Woodcocks but our modern ethics teach us, as per Telegraph, that the rules for public journals are “ lies to entrap editors.” A history, more ancient than either Polonius or the Napier Telegraph, has also recorded its Fiat against “doing evil that good may come.” And as to “ plagiarism ” so-dalled, there is not a journal in New Zealand, from the Mammoth to the Minnow, that docs not persistently, and without the slightest acknowledgment, transgress the rules of exchange “ clipping,” which, after all, is more veniable than gratuitous inventions for the avowed purpose of misleading-