THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2888, 18 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1878.

The success which has attended the efforts of the Thames County Council in opening roads o and ther means of communication through what was previously regarded as purely Native territory, has suggested an enlargement of the powers of County Councils in dealing with Natives, and it is extremely probable that proposals of a practical nature will be laid before Parliament at next session—if not by some member of the Government, then by a private member. We are not permitted to disclose all that we have heard on this matter, but the matter has been carefully considered by several gentlemen well qualified to judge of the temper of the natives, as well as the uniform success of the Thames County. The proposals will be in the direction of enlarging the powers already delegated to the Thames County Council under the Immigration and Public Works Act, and a consequent lessening of the influence exercised by the Native department, the setting in motion of which is sometimes very difficult and frequently injurious in results. Probably before Parliament meets the proposals we have hinted at will be matured, and placed before the public. From what we have heard of them we feel sure that under careful administration they might be made^ to materially advance the best interests of the Colony and people of both races.

Mb Donald Reid, the member for the Taieri and an ex-Minister of the Crown, has addressed his constituents. From the precis of his speech reported by telegram we can fully understand that he sustained his previous reputation as a politician. He received a vote of confidence; and an expression of regret at his resignation. Mr Beid will be a positive loss to Otago and to the Colony. Both in the Colonial Parliament and the administration of provincial affairs in Otago he has had years of experience. He is a thoroughly practical business man, and has brought to bear upon the consideration of public matters a business capacity and integrity of character which have secured for him material prosperity and general respect among:-.;, those with whom he has been associated for a quarter of a century. We should be glad to hear Mr , Beid had abandoned the intention of resigning.

Since Thursday last the following gentlemen have taken out licenses to kill game at the Custom-house here. E. M. Corbett, Waitekauri; John H. Andrew, Karaka Creek ; E. Simpson, Moanatairi Creek ; G. S. Clark, Waiotahi; W.Bea; Tararu lload; H. Gordon, Moanatairi Creek; John Woods, Tararu road; S. Montgomery, Waidtahi Creek; John Bull, Parawai; F. A. Pulleine, Shortland ; A. Price, Thames; Captain W. Fraser, Tararu; J. E. Macdonald, Shortland; and J. A. Gordon, Thames. In all 18 licenses have been taken out.

The Eevising Officer intimates that he will hold ,a Court at the Borough Council Chambers on the 12th day of June to revise the list of electors for the electoral district of the Thames, by the admission of new claims, hearing objections,. and striking out the names of persons proved to be dead and of persons whose qualifications as stated in the list shall be insufficient in law to entitle them to vote.

The usual monthly inspection of the St. George's Naval Cadets took place at the Volunteer Hall last evening, there being some 45 of all ranks present, including Captain Bennett and five Petty Officers. Major Cooper was inspecting officer, and Captain Wildman, T.N.8., was also in attendance. After the company had been proved and the arms inspected, they were merched out oh to the beach, and went through some skirmishing drill very satisfactorily.

We are desired to intimate that the Ecv. J. T. Hinton will preach at the Primitive Methodist Church, Mackay street, to-morrow evening.

Two crews of the Naval Brigade mustered at the Hall this afternoon; and engaged in some big gun firing practice. Lieuis. Gavin and Bennett commanded the respective crews. *

Special services are announced at tho Wesley an Churches to-morrow, when tJ\i Eev. E. Hazleton, a distinguised visitor and representative of the Irish Methodist Society, will preach twice—in the morning at the Shortland church, eleven o'clock service, and in the evening at Grahamstown at half-past six. The Bey. B. S. Bunn will conduct the morning service at Grshamstown. We believe the Eev. Mr Hazleton will lecture on some evening next week.

A MEBTrNG is called to take place at the Governor Bowen Hotel this evening, of volunteers whose interests may have be en injuriously affected by the repeal of " The Volunteers Land Act, 1505," with a view to devise means to provide a remedy. We believe that what is desired to be obtained is recognition of the claims to land orders of men who have served the required term, but whose services have not been given in one uninterrupted period. The meeting will take place at 8 o'clock.

The distress among the Poles in Turkey, and especially in Constantinople, is reported to be terrible. A recent letter from Leinberg says:—"They have no pecuniary means whatever, as they have for some time not received any pay or pension. It is, therefore, not possible for them to escape; and if they remain till the [Russians come, a certain death on the gallows awaits them. Many have already perished this way ; among them are not only such as have served in a militaiy capacity in the Turkish army, but also surgeons, who, being attached to the hospitals, have trusted to the Geneva Convention to protect them. According to our latest information, five polish surgeons have already been hanged by the Eussians —two in Asia and three in Europe— besides several Polish officers and soldiers who were taken prisoners. Could not our friends in London induce the British Government to take our unfortunate countrymen under their protection, and enable them to leave Turkey in English ships?" '.

The Evangelist, referring to the death of Bishop Selwyn, says :—" Speaking to the-writer of this note of the value of good parish ministers, Bishop Selwyn said— ♦ The Eev. Mr Norrie, of your Church, in the Forth Island, embodies my ideal of such a minister' In the course of a conversation about Eton and the masters of many years ago, we drew his attention to a Hebrew Psalter in our libr-ry. Taking, it into his hands, and turning over its pages, his eyes gradually filled as memory recalled the distant past, and the occasion when he gave the volume as a parting gift to the friend (long since dead) through whom it came into our possession. As Presbyterians, we can ""never forget the deep interest he took in Dr Geddie and Mr Inglis, the Presbyterian missionaries in the New Hebrides. Once and again he intimated to the late Dr Burns that he would gladly convey any gifts or collections that might be made for their benefit. Mr Inglis has often made mention of the great bishop's kindness, especially in little things. He would take the watch of the missionary when out of repair, giving him the use of his own till his return next year. The translation of Bishop Selwyn to the see of Lichfield was intended as a merited honour: but we have never, ceased to deplore his removal from his loved New Zedand, for whose evangelisation he gave himself with all his heart. . With the earlier chapters of our Colonial history his name is closely intertwined, and. will be held in grateful remembrance not only by the members of his own communion but also by those of the sister Churches."

A somewhat amusing case (says the Lyttelton Times) is likely soon to occupy the attention of Mr Mellish, in the shape of a prosecution against the Canterbury Club for haying game out of season. For some little time past it has been rumoured in the city that any one with a penchant for game, though it might be the close season, could have it satisfied by lunching or dining with Che.members of the Canterbury Club. Indeed, so far as they were concerned, no secret was made of it, as roast pheasant and bare appeared on the daily bills of fare with great regularity. The strangest part of the affair is, that it is said some of the leading members of the Acclimatisation Society, who have been most Tenement in their denunciations of poachers, have eaten game, well knowing that it was not in season, and therefore could only be obtained unlawfully. This state of things came to the knowledge of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society, and at their meeting yesterday it was re* solved to instruct the solicitor of the Society to make enquiries into the matter, and to proceed as he may deem advisable.

The Poverty Bay Herald states :— " Te Kooti has of late gained a large number of adherents, quite an exodus of natives we believe having taken place from the Wairoa with the object of interviewing the High Priest. We also learn that a Maori minister of the Church of England has embraced the new religion. With regard to his loag unfulfilled promise to return to Poverty Bay, Te Kooti states that within the next three years, through God's grace, he will come back. In politics he is favorable to the present Government.

The Keform Association, lately formed at Invercargill, has issued a statement of its objects. It states: —The object of the association is to support the progressive policy now before the country, which is mainly comprised in the following propositions :— Ist. Manhood suffrage — all citizen's of the age of 21 years, who fcave resided in the colony for oae year, and against whom no legal disqualifications exist, to have a vote. 2nd. Electoral districts, as a rule, to be based on population, but due allowance to bemade for the different character of tae town and country districts. All voting shall be by ballot, and no person shall have more than one vote in the colony. 3rd. Beducl'on of indirect taxation, and an imposition of an income and property tax. 4th. Triennial Parliament—both Houses to be made elective, and no property qualification for members. sth. Members of Parliament to be paid. 6th. Abolition of'the Grand Jury. 7th. To uphold and support the present law of free, secular, and compulsory education. Bth. Reform of the land laws, special attention to be given to the promotion of agricultural and pastoral settlement under the deferred payment system. The ballot to decide between applicants instead of auction. On expira-

. ■—■ —— 7- Wt:~ tion of present pastoral leases, runs to be subdivided into smaller blocks and put to lease by public auction, except such as may be set apart for sale on deferred payment. 9th. Eural land to be taxed by the acre, and not by the annual value to let.