The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2024, 30 June 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1875.

It has been reserved for Sir George Grey to develope to an abnormal extent the uses to which the telegraph can be applied in carrying on a correspondence between officers of state. One advantage has resulted from this mode of carrying on official correspondence : the general public have been permitted to participate in the secrets of statecraft to an extent which they could not otherwise have done unless through the medium of quarter margin official letters or the blue books annually published for. the information of Members of Parliament. The telegraph has its advantages, no doubt, but if the resources of an impecunious Provincial chest are to be drawn upon to pay wire charges—and the telegrams have to be paid; for by somebody—the expense of this- mode of transacting public business is an objectionable feature. In this issue we reproduce from the Southern Cross a number of telegrams which have recently passed between His Honor the Superintendent, Sir George Grey, and Dr Pollen, Colonial Secretary,, regarding the, Tairua portion of the goldfield. We are not disposed to offer any comments on the telegrams as they appear—they speak for themselves,'and the Cross remarks that it is probable we shall hear more of the subject. Sir George Grey "appears to think he is in the right; and the Hon. the Colonial Secretary would seem to be equally confident that the position he has taken up is not to be impugned. If nothing more be heard of these telegrams before, it is; probable that tho subject matter will be approached in the coming session of Parliament. The telegrams are unique as specimens of the art of polite telegram writing.

In the matter of assistance from the General Government Sir George Grey is firm: he will not , accept anything but "legal rights." During his visit to the Thames last week several telegrams passed between His Honor and Dr Pollen. One message,, from the latter, dated WellirigtonV June 22, regrets that Sir George will not see that the General Government is disposed to do air that it can, consistently with its duty to the Colony, to, assist the the Provincial Government of Auckland in its present financial embarrassment; to which Sir George replies from Grahamstown that he is satisfied an advance of six thousand pounds, to which the Province is lawfully entitled, was stopped; that nothing is or has been asked, or will be accepted, but legal rights; and further entreats that Ministers adhere to and obey the law. These telegrams appear to refer to the stoppage of grants to the Province of Auckland through some difficulty created by the Comptroller, the bulk of the telegrams regarding which were published in a Provincial Gazette of a recent date. The right or wrong of the question appears to be simply a matter of opinion. Dr Pollen is firm in his views of the case; Sir. George in his. Hence the difliculty. No.onewill blame Sir George Grey for refusing to accept as a boon what he con ceives the Province to be entitled to as a right... He has taken advice, and plainly states that he believes Dr Pollen to be wrong. Dr Pollen.no doubt has taken advice too, and adheres to his position. It is possible that both parties have been advised in error of the circumstances or from error in stating the case. How will the affair end ? Perhapg the Assembly will have to decide the question ultimately ; but if Dr Pollen has been acting all through under advice from the colonial law officers, the Parliament will certainly acquit him of blame, and in the end it may be found that both parties arc right. In the meantime the Province suffers.

Caution's^ the word just now. An excitement has been engendered over Tairua scrip, and a great deal of business has been done during the last few days. No doubt everything has been legitimate and above criticism, but we deem it a duty to warn people against being led away by the glowing accounts of untold wealth now being developed at Tairua. We are informed by persons whose opinion we can rely upon.that the accounts which have been published of the richness of the Tairua claim are in no respect exaggerated, but in times of excitement there is always a fear that over speculation may be indulged in. We are warranted by experience in writing as we do. We want to see the mines fairly developed, and a healthy spirit of emulation displayed in working the areas in the new field; and if investors are careful in" their judgment they may come out right, as we trust they may. But as soon a3 legitimate investment is superseded by a speculative spirit akin to gambling, then will arise the danger. Without wishing to be considered alarmists, we say that due caution ought to be exercised by; everyone before tempting fortune by investing in scrip.