THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, OCTOBEE 6, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3366, 6 October 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, OCTOBEE 6, 1879.

In the House on Friday last, in stating his reasons for giving an adverse rote to the Government, Mr Tomoana, one of the native members said that Mr Hall had promised to abolish the land purchase operations of the Government. Whether this statement is true or false remains to be Been; but, accepting the fact that a Government formed by the Hall party would adopt this course with respect to native lands, the situation appears to us to be serious. Past experience teaches us that abuses and complications are the inevitable results of wholesale dealiDg in native lands by speculators and land sharks. Neither is it fair or just to the general public. The lands of this colony are the unalienable birthright of the people of the colony, and beingr such, no one man, because he possesses a little ready money, has a right to appropriate immense tracts of country in which all have a vested interest. We trust that, whatever Government is in power, the people of the colony and the Parliament trill oppose any attempt to renew the old style of dealing with Native lands.

The following telegram was sent to Sir George Grey oa Satnrday by a gentleman on tho Thames :—" Sorry for defeat—it involves time, but defeat envelopes your victory."—To which Sir George sent the following answer:—" To —-—. It was very good of you to send me so kind a telegram. We are confident oj success, at least in all our measures. —G. Guey."

The Star's Wellington correspondent gives the following verbatim report of a part of Mr Sheehan's speech before the division :—" When Maori are promised by the Opposition that they shall have a minister of their own, shall have a cessation of Native Lands Courts; that there shall be no more leases or sales of land. (Mr Hall: no.) Does the hon. gentleman deny it ? (Mr Hall: Yes.) Well, then, my authority is Tomoana, who stated in his speech to day that these promises were made. (Mr Hall: I never said so.) Well,^ we shall have a proof of Tomoana'B speech, and then the leader of the Opposition will gee whether he can deny it. When* the Maori members aro told that all Maori prisoners shall be released. (Mr Hall: No.) These promises were not made I presume. (Mr Hall: Does the hon. member suggest that I made such promise). Do you deny it ? I have heard these things freely stated in the lobbies, and I have copies of important documents containing these statements, which will be produced at the right moment. I am not making those statements without foundation. (Mr Hall: There is no truth in it whatever.) Then if the Maoris are being promised these things by the Opposition, they are being hoodwinked in order to secure the Maori votes. Though the promises are not to be fulfilled, I say we will be no party to any such promise, aud tho Opposition must select their own members for the Ministry; a co&litioa oa such a basis is impossible.

The anniversary services in connection with Iho Gnihaiusanvn Wesleytm Sunday School, were hcl-i yeatercby, the morning and evening services being conducted by the .llov Mr Watkin, am! the chi!clr<M>'.-! afternoon service by the l»cv G. Smith. The collections produced £11 >te "M.

Time anyplace, Brown street 10 a.m., Dramatis Persona, two carters: —JNo. 1: "1 sent my account to So-and-so, and he say a he'll liquidate it with his other liabilities.' 1 No. 2: "Did he? Oh, the seoondrel! Uf he'd a' tsuid thut ta me, I'd hae knocked him doon."

The Scottish Battalion fired for prizes on Saturday. Hinges—3oo (8 inch bull's eye), 400, 500 aud (300 yards ; five shots each. The weather was very unfavorable —the wind strong aud unsteady. The chief prizes were the champion belts of Nos. 1 and 2 Compames, and the last aggregate oE Mr John Brown's prizes, and the handsome picture and frame presented by Mrs Richards to the young shots. 3No. 1 belt was taken by Vol. Price with a score of 53 points; No. 2 belt by Vol. Grey, 56. Tho non-winners prize (Mr Richards') was won by Vol. Vangerinert, No. 3 Company. The aggregates for Mr Brown's prizes were won as follows :—Grey, McLeod and Price.

A iabt correspondent of the Herald writing upon the Sydney Exhibition speaks of Foy Bros', photos:—A few photographs of New Zealand natives are shewn by Foy Brothers, of the Thames. The aboriginal women of New Zealand, unlike these of Australia, appear to have magnificent hair. The photos, in question shew two or three women with hair hanging down their backs in massive waves —very different from our woolypated squaws. Whilst on the subject of New Zealand natives, mention may as well be made of a charming picture of a Maori girl. This cannot fail to excite the admiration of those who give it attention. The picture referrred to is probably the one painted by the Rev. Mr Laishley, of this town.

E. F. Tizabd Esq., has subscribed £1 IS towards the Orphanage fund.

The following are the office bearers of the new Working Men's Political Aasociatioa recently organised in Auckland :—- Mr Thomas Thwaites President; Vice-Presi-dent, Mr James Kelly; Treasurer, Mr Itule ; Secretary, Mr j. Fats-cuss- Committee : Messrs Hunter (bricklayer), Neylon (laborer), Campbell (moulder), Bruce (pattern-maker), Carr (boat-builder), ley (watch-maker), Wilkins (shoe-maker), Martin (printer), Heslop (engineer), Morrison (outside interests), Hampton (tailor), Bach (boiler-maker), JDa-wson (iron-foun-der), and Fox (ship-carpenter). In the formation of the committee the desirability of having a thorough representation was recognised, and iv order that no branch of industry might be left unrepresented, the committee were conceded the power of adding to their number.

The Maori troupe en route to Sydney gave an entertainment on Saturday afternoon iv the Theatre Royal, Auckland, consisting of Maori hakas and. dances.

■Foe the past racing season, Mr Eay figures as the luckiest owner, his share of the prize money amounting to £3,875; Messrs Mason atid Vallance coming nest with 13,039. Of the winniug horses Mavitaua is at the top of the tree with £2,415; Pinfire, The Agent, and Mata each being ovev .-£'looo. The largest number of wins bus been scored by The Agent, who has started 27 times, and has got to his credit 15 first places, 5 second places, 4 third places, and 3 times no place-at all. Old Templeton only has one win out of 10 starts, and Ariel one win out of 2 starts.

The printer of the Wairarapa Daily utilised bis job wood cuts in announcing the political virtues o! Messrs Beetbam and Bunny, and produced an illustrated advertisement which ran thus :—Vote for Bunny and Beetbam who (cvt —clasped hands), always work together. Every small farmer (cvt —ploughman and team), should vote for Bunny. For the sake of your bairns (cut—two musical cupids), vote for Bunny. Two to one against (cut pawnbroker's sign), Pharazyu. Buuny and Beethaui! Won iv a canter (cvt — three race-horses and jockeys;.—Exchange.

A writ claiming £ICOO damages for alleged libel, contained in a letter recently published, has been served on the proprietor of- the Express, BUnheim, at the instance of Griffiths, a Blenheim auctioneer. The iuuendos which the plaintiff relies on, are the following constructions which may be put on the letter —Ist. That the plaintiff caused the firo by which the Government Buildirgs were burnt down —2nd. That the sum of £3700 stolen from the Bant of New Zeahind in 1861 is still the subject matter of a reward and that D. C. Murdoch was accused ot stealing the same, and was a scapegoat for the plaintiff.—3rd. That the plaintiff stole the £3700, and—4th. That sufficient evidence to convict the plaintiff of both offences is known to exist, aud is obtainable. Mr Stout ha 3 been rotained for the defence.

The New Zealander which supports the Government has the following in Saturday's issue speaking upou- the measures that, were taken to secure thomajority :—"The Mori. John J-lull went into the lobbies, sneaked about .holes and corners, threw his conscience to tho wind, forgot for the time being his dignity, and ail gentlemanly instincts and training, hobnobbing and rubbing noses with the native representatives and making reckless promises—sacrificing figuratively his own political soul for a passing present gain. 'J hus was one vote recorded. The other that turned the trembling balauce was — and we say it in exceeding sorrow—the vote of one who professes to be a conscientious prayerful man —one who thinks much, but whose thinking befools himself. He has been over-mastered, aud we leave In in lor the present to the tliroes of his own conscience, if that commodity, as one member of tho Mouse has averred, is not a mere elastic: ;;hum, and to the tribunal of his constituents, whom he has deceived. This is in reality the triumphant majority the' Opposition has to boasfc of. Two bastard votes, the pa'ernity of which they aro ashamed to acknowledge.

A good story is told of Professor Biackie. On the door of the Greek class room ia Edinburgh University Professor Biackie had occasion a few weeks ago to put up this notice :—" Professor Biackie regrets he is unable to-day to meet his classes." A waggiKh student, spying this, scraped out the initial letter oi the last word of the sentence, and made it appear asj if tho Professor was regretful at his inability to meet those fair specimens of humanity familiarly known outside the college quadrangle as the " lasses." But who can joke with Biackie? Tbo keen*

eyed old man, noticing tho prank that hud been played on him, quietly erased another letter, and left the following to be read by whom ifc might concern: " Pro fesaor Bh'.ckio regrets he is unable to day to lTicct Ms asses." The following appears as an advertisemerit in the Free Press, and in order to do a good turn to some of our lady frit-mis who nsuy be willing and able to (ill tin.' conditions, we givo it an insertion :— Wanted a Wifk : Must be over 50; of Christian clmructcr; having small means preferred. Tho applicant is aged, but hearty and active, and will satisfy any honorablo enquiry. Please address " Matrimonial," Free Press Office, Auckland. Photographs exchanged is desirable.