LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 55, 1 February 1884, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S WIRES.

[Per United Press Association,] Tsmaru, Jan. 31. The opening of the railway-extension from Albury to Fairlie Greek was celebrated yesterday by a public holiday in town and special excursion trains. The weather was tolerably good. The holiday was generally observed, and two trains crowded with excursionists went out. A sale of sections took place on arrival at the township. Napier, Jan. 81. The insurances on part of Wilding and Bull’s mills, destroyed by fire, are £5OO in the New Zealand and £125 in the Union. The Ram Fair yesterday (first day) was successful, but prices were not equal to last year’s. The top price for a ram was 75 guineas. Auckland, Jan. 30. The Committee appointed to examine plans for a Public Library and Art Gallery have reported in favor of the one with the motto, “ Liter®, et Arte* et Sciential,” with ” Titaria” second. The report will be considered by the City Council to-night, and they may accept or alter the recommendation, John Herbert Mason, aged eleven years, a son of Mason, the hairdresser, was drowned at Shelly Beach yesterday. He went into the water to Have a hat belonging to another bay, which had blown off.

At the inquest on the bodies of Harries and Mooney, burnt to death in the fire at the Kaipara Hotel, Helensville, the verdict was, “ Accidentally burned to death.” Harries is said to have had a large sum of money in the bank, His real name was Cooksley. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company held thia afternoon, Mr. D. B. Cruikahank, Chairman of Directors, presiding, the balance-sheet showed the company had extended its operations in all the colonies during the year. After setting aside £47,000 towards a compilation of the reserve fund account, the credit to profit and loss stands at £1,498. Out of this is a dividend at the rate of fid. per share, of which 3d. had already been paid. For the half-year ending 80th June, 188.3, the profit and loss statement showed the amount paid for compensation was £833; net premiums, £10,722; interest and transfer fees, £671; balance from last year, £4,057; total receipts, £15,451. Accidents seemed to be on the increase, for the Society had paid more claims in 1883 than during its three years’ previous existence. The report was adopted, and rhe retiring directors, Messrs. Buddle and Tonks, were re-elected.

The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company has written to the Waste Lands Board, abandoning the idea of purchasing blocks of land on the overland route from Hawke’s Bay to Waikato, which were previously applied for as cattle-driving stations. The letter proceeds to ask the Board to recommend the Minister of Lands to have these blocks set apart as permanent reserves for stock driving purposes, and requests the Government to have the said sections fenced in and sown in grass, and further applies that money paid by the company for surveys of the section be re-imbursed. The communication was read at the meeting of the Waste Lands Board to-day, and it was decided to refer it on to the Minister for Lands.

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Union Sash and Door Company was held at noon, Mr. Joseph Howard (Chairman of Directors) presiding. The report showed the amount available for appropriation was £28,214, of which was distributed in the interim dividend, declared on the 80th July last, £7,508, leaving a balance of £20,705, from which it is proposed to write off the loss through the destruction of the Mechanics’ Bay factory, £8,651 4s. Bd., giving a net balance available for dividend of £12,054. The directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 6s. per fully-paid-up share for the six months ending 31st December, 1883, £7,759, and carrying forward to the current year £4,265 : total, £12,054. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, Raid the fire at Mechanics’ Bay in July last caused the loss of £16,951, of which £865 fell on the company. The insurances were £8,300, and the amount was limited only by the inability to get it covered. The fire itself was due to no lack of means for fire prevention, or from inattention on the part of the staff, Mr, G. S. Kissling seconded. Mr, Boardman moved an amendment, “ That the dividend be at the rate of 9s. for fully-paid-up shares for the six months ending the 31st Dec., 1883 i” Major Lisdall seconded the amendment, and in doing so attributed the decline in the value of the shares to the irregularity of the dividends. The amendment was negatived. A discussion ensued, in the course of which the Chairman and Mr. Kissling gave an assurance that the directors intended to acquire no further property. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. William Ware was elected a director.

Judge Smith gave judgment to-day in the case of the Rotorua leases, Tole v. Cozens, claim £97 10s. Mr. Button for the plaintiff, Messrs, E. Heaketh and Cotter for the defendant. His Henor said this action was brought to recover rent alleged to be due on a lease made between an aboriginal tribe (the Ngatiwhakane) as lessors, and the defendant as lessee, of certain land devised to defendant for ninety-nine years. The defendant contended that the lease was void. In support of that contention he raised four objections to the lease, two of which were as to its form and two as to its substance. The first of the former was that the lease was not properly attested in accordance with the Conveyancing Ordinance, and the second that it had not been duly executed by the plaintiff in pursuance of “ The Thermal Springs Act, 1881.” The objection as to the substance were—(l) That the lessors were not a corporate body as a tribe, such as that named in the lease ; (2) that the lease did not comply with the provisions of “ The Thermal Springs Act, 1881,” and that these defects were not cured by the amending Act of 1883. The first objection was overruled, the second being left in abeyance. His Honor held this alone to be fatal. It was quite clear that a tribe was neither a corporate or quasicorporate body. If the Legislature had intended it to be either, the intention would not have been left to inference, but would have been expressly stated. The use of the words ‘‘Native proprietors” in the Act fortified the opinion that there was no intention to incorporate a tribe. He, therefore, held that the deed was a bad one. There was no need to decide the fourth objection, therefore, seeing that the defendant was entitled to succeed upon the third one. Mr. Cutton said he had been instructed to give notice of appeal, but he doubted whether it would be continued. Judgment was also given for the defendant’s costs, which were assessed at £3 17s. As this was a test case, Mr. Hesketh, on behalf of the defendants in other cases, asked that they should be struck out. Mr. Cutton consented, and the cases were accordingly struck out. Wellington, Jan. 31. At Woodville, Mr. W. C. Smith, M.H.R. for Waipawa, addressed a meeting of constituents last evening, and received a vote of thanks. The following are the acceptances for the first day’s events of the Summer meeting (tomorrow) :—Flying Stakes Handicap, 60 sovs*, f mile : Mischief, 9st 71bs ; Sir George, 7st 12lbs ; Minerva, 7st 61bs ; Witiora, 6st 61bs; Consul, 6st 51bs ; Orlando, 6st. Hurdle Handicap, 60 sovs., 1 j miles : Clarence, 12st 41bs ;

Loch Lomond, lOst 81b ; Orient, Ost 71b ; Scrutineer, 9st 51b. Stewards* Handicap, 150 sovs,, miles: Salvage, fist lOlbs ; Vanguard, Bst Ribs ; Sir George, 7at 121 b ; Minerva, 7st 61b Normanby, 7st ; and, Administrator, 6st 71b. Miss Juan was scratched at 1.45 p.m. today for the Cup. It is considered doubtful if Welcome Jack will start, Mischief was scratched for the Cup at five minutes past nine last night. The weather still continues fine, and there is every probability of its being fine for tomorrow. Tim Whiffier is not here, and there can be little doubt but that he will be an absentee. The following may be depended on as going to the post:—Salvage, Bst 131 b ; Vanguard, Bst 7lb ; Leon ata, Bst 11b; The Poet, 7st 11b; Normanby, 6st 81b; Refrigerator, 6st 51b. The following are the latest quotations for the Cup -Vanguard, 6 to 4; Salvage and Leonata, 4to 1; The Poet, 6to 1; Normanby, 7 to 1 j against the rest 10 to 1 is laid.

Writing in to-night’s Evening Past, Soukar gives the following tips for the first day’s racing:—Flying Stakes—Mischief, with Waihora and Minerva in the order named. Hurdles—Loch Lomond and Scrutineer. Wellington Cup—Vanguard, with Salvage and Normanby in the order named. Stewards’ Handicap—Vanguard or Salvage. The Controller and Auditor-General has been appointed Auditor of all accounts under the Bankruptcy Act of 1888. F. J. B. Waldergrave has been appointed Deputy Patent Officer. Dunedin, Jan. 81.

The Land Board resumed the dummyism enquiry to-day, taking the Silver Peak cases first. There was a scene during Borthwick’s examination, a witness having refused to produce his will or say to whom he willed his land. Mr. Stout moved two motions to sue for penalties for not answering the Board’s questions, but both motions were lost on the casting-vote of the Chief Commissioner. The witness swore positively that it had not been willed to Orbell; but, though advised by his counsel to answer, he flatly refused to do so. The Mayor has proclaimed a half-holiday for to-morrow's cricket-match between Tasmania and Otago. However, there has been almost steady rain, and there is very little prospect of a good day for the match. The Forbury Race-course will be connected with the Dunedin Telephone Exchange before the Gup meeting, so that messages can then be sent for the first time from the course.

The Harbor Board to-day passed a motion confirming the by-laws to increase the harbor dues by 50 per cent. Only seven out of thirteen members were present, and the casting, vote of the Chairman carried the motion, Oamaru, Jan. 81. Hodge and Jones’ saddlers’ shop was totally destroyed by fire at noon to-day. It burned down very rapidly, little of the stock being saved. The origin is unknown. Insurances—on building, £l5O in National; stock, £9OO in North British (partly reinsured, and £35 in Victoria. Christchurch, Jan. 31, The Harbour Board Treasurer’s statement submitted at the annual meeting to-day shows the balance from 1882 to be £42,980 , the receipts for 1883, £36,318; total, £79,298. Ordinary expenditure, 1888, £23,730 ; harbor works, £23,419 ; leaving a credit balance of £32,149. The excess of revenue over expenditure for the current year is estimated at £8,037. The total assets of the board, including the estimated value of works and improvements, is £474,516: liabilities, including £200,000 loan, £227,630, leaving a credit asset of £246,886. Wharfage dues were £19,491. General merchandise shows a decrease of 550 tons; grain, an increase of 40,500 tons ; coal, 10,000 tons. In timber there is a falling off of seven million feet ; but in wool there is an increase of 5,000 bales. Pilotage, &c, shows an increase of £BO9. The Graving Dock earnings amount to £247. The balance during the seven years of its existance in the ordinary revenue of the board amounted to £214,410 ; ordinary expenditure, £55,154 ; interest and sinking fund, £58,952; showing a surplus balance of £100,304. On the other hand the loan receipts amounted to £229,884, and harbor works expenditure, £297,989, leaving a deficit of £68,155, which has been met out of the surplus from the ordinary revenue. There still remains £84,770 to meet outstanding contracts and liabilities, £2,768.

McBETH AND THE KINGITES. [Per Press Association.] Auckland, Jan. 81. Mr. J. R. Mcßeth, of Wellington, whose correspondence with the Aborigines Protection Society and negotiations with the Kingites have lately brought him before the public, sends the lieraid the following copies of letters and statement by himself :—Tne following are correct copies of letters of Tawhaio and Rewi to the Minister for Native Affairs, unanimously approved of by a meeting held at Whatiwhatihoe, composed of the whole of the Natives in the Alexandra district, many of Bewi’s people, and a large number of chiefs from Kawhia and other places Whatiwhatihoe, 26th January, 1884. To the Minister for Native Affairs. Friend, —This is my word to you about railway land and the surveys. You grant Maoris local self-government and control of their own lands and we will grant you a railway, and also throw open the greater portion of our lands under the leasing system; but if you do not consent to this, no land will be opened, and we will not allow a railway to be made.—Signed, Na Kingx, Tawhxao. Whatiwhatihoe, 26th January, 1884, To the Hon. the Minister for Public Affairs. In consequence of application made by some of us for the survey of the boundary of the King country having been misrepresented, I, Rewi Manipoto, withdraw my name therefrom. I wish also to state that, so far as I am aware, no application has been made by Maoris for the survey of inter-tribal boundaries, and it is not intended that the King country shall be be put through the Native Lands Court as stated by the newspapers. I wish further to inform you that, with the consent of the Maoris, no land will be thrown open for settlement, or a railway made, until we obtain local self-government and control of our own lands; and I know the Native population to be of this way of thinking. You want a railway, and we want local selfgovernment. You grant us the one, and we will grant you the other. If my name is attached to an application to the Court, I wish it struck out. —Signed, Na Rewi Manipoto. With reference to the statement made by the newspapers, I may say that I went to Waikato at the request of Rewi, who wrote to me on the subject, and that I fancy “ agents and speculators ’ ’ are concerned in the present Native agitation. lam not aware of it. Native affairs are getting into a much more serious state than is generally believed. At Whatiwhatihoe, I learned Tawhiao and some of the leading chiefs had exerted their authority to prevent the shooting of the surveyors at Kawhia, and indeed that the chiefs had met in council on the subject. Viewing the matter in a European light, and setting aside the question of the justice or injustice to Maoris, it is clear to me the policy of Government is a mistake. One Native Minister will never succeed in opening the King country by obtaining the signatures of a few Maoris who are not owners of the land, so long as the great body of the Maori race is opposed to him. The only way to settle the Native difficulty is to accept the terms offered by Tawhiao and Rewi and the Maori representatives in their letter to the Aborigines Protection Society. If that were done I believe the difficulty would be settled without cost at once and for ever; but, while the Government persist in its present unjust, unreasoning, and costly course, those who sympathise with the Maoris

will persist in their endeavor to bring the whole Native question before the British Parliament, with the object of ascertaining whether the power of dealing with the Native race vested in the Colonial Government by Great Britain is or is not subject to the treaty of Waitangi. Rewi sends the following telegram to the Herald :—“ What I said to Tawhaio is correct ; but I feared both the Queen and the Government ; nevertheless, I will continue to be loyal to the Queen.”