THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1880.

Thames Star, Issue 3540, 30 April 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1880.

The excellent natural advantages of the colony of New Zealand have been expatiated upon by many high authorities, and the adaptability of the land to agricultural pursuits is recognised by all. Ii appears strange, therefore, that the energies of our legislators should hare been allowed to wax feeble in the direction of the settlement of the land. We must presume that that question becoming use, and a bore to the controllers of our fate, they looked around for some new idea on which to spend their time and brains. This result may be attributed to the one evil, which ruining many, still fascinates man, and leads Mm to forego all higher and better thoughts—the acquirement of a heap' of sordid gold. The money-making fever has a hold on all, great and small, and it is not to be wondered at therefore that the same desire should have taken a firm hold on our legislators. They began to find that nothing was to be made by the settlement of the land, and they therefore pursued a policy of Public Works, which although temporarily increasing the prosperity of the colony, has resulted in our being indebted to the extent of some miilioins sterling. But' although the public as a whole do not derive any great advantage from this wholesale*expenditure of public funds, our bondholders' money has served the purpose of enriching those who initiated the wholesale Public Works policy of the colony. By getting railways through their lands the territory of the land-sharks has increased in value, -and the poor New Zealand public have to pay interest on money, borrowed for the purpose of benefiting the colony, but which in reality has been used to gratify selfish wants. It may be said that this is a harsh view tatake of the existing state of things, but if a portion of the vast sums had been spent in settling the open lands, the country would have shown something for the expenditure, in extra produce and a greater cultivated area. We hare borrowed millions, and stand pledged not to ask for further loans for three yeaVs' time. The money so borrowed has in many instances been thrown into the sea, as several of the so-called reclamation works bear witness, notably Auckland. Tons of earth have been removed at the expense of the public, for the purpose of reclaiming land,

but through the carelessness of some of our civil engineers, the result has not been as satisfactory us might have been desired. So much for the efficacy of Government engineers, and imbecile public bodies. There are thousands and thousands of acres of rich land in the province of Auckland, which with slight encouragement from Government would become owned, tilled, and cultivated by settlers. The Te Aroba lands are an example. This fertile tract of land has been shut out from settlers for years past, and has been permitted to remain an unproductive waste. Such is the manner in which our representatives allow the gifts of Providence to lie unproductive. Had the lands been opened up some few years back, how valuable would they have now becomo ! Those men who have capital and who buy large areas here and there do not buy these for the purpose of settlement, but as so much merchandise to be kept in stock until wanted, and sold to the highest bidder. Such men we do not want for the proper settlement and cultivation of the soil, but honest, hardworking men who will devote all their energies in making their land fruitful. But here again the biassed Public Works policy of the Government is a barrier to their success. In many unproductive districts there is "plenty of inter communication and means of taking produce to a central market, but in this district where the fertility of the soil is so great, there is little or no accommodation for the benighted agriculturalists. The North by virtue of its natural advantages and increasing population deserves a larger share in public works loans—not for the purpose of'unprofitable rail ways, but for the necessary convenience of settlers— and the cool manner in which, her representatives pass over the marked injustice done her almost warrants us in the belief that they have some private ends in view, and are all interested in not giving Auckland her due. When speaking ou the subject in the House, they utter such 'namby-pamby speeches in support of our claims, when not allied £o their own interests, as to cause little or no attention to be paid to our legitimate wants. However, it may be said that the Southern worthies are too strong for us, one thing remains certain— that, without our servants in the House are more resolute,' we shall continue to be " chiselled " out" of our rights, and the land to be cultivated in Auckland will be waste through the negligence of the very men whose duty it should be to look after our interests, but who, apparently, are more anxious for self aggrandizement than for the universal well being of New Zealand.

By a Reuters cablegram we learn that it was Mr Jdseph Chamberlain, M.P. for Birmingham,; who has been appointed to the porfolio of President of the Board of Trade. The same message also states that Mr Grant Duff is appointed Undersecretary of State for the colonies, and not Gavin Duffy as previously stated. Mr Joseph Chamberlain, it will be remembered, is only a member of short standing

—he having only entered the House during last session, but his energy and undaunted adherence to the Liberal party have raised him beyond the expectation of his warmest supporters. It will be also remembered that at the time of Gladstone's visit to (he metropolis of the Midlands he was the guest of " Joe." Probably when he extended his hospitality to Mr Gladstone he had an eye to a position above that of au ordinary member. As a successor in the firm of Nettlefold and Chamberlain he is associated with great commercial interests, and has not failed to screw a reputation and large fortune from his business.

A short time ago we remarked on the grave charges brought against certain gentlemen of tampering with and endeavoring to bias the minds of tho jury in Hughs' case. A charge of embracery was made against Mr Samuel Coombes of Queen street, Auckland, and as will be seen from our telegrams that gentlemen was committed at the Police Court to-day to take his trial at the next criminal sessions held at the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, but it required £600 to satisfy the worthy Magistrate before whom the case was heard. This will be a warning to those who like Mr Coombes act with the good intention of helping a friend, "but in so doing thrust themselves into the reach of the law.

A joint meeting of the Governors of the High School and the Works Committee of the Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers this morning, for the purpose of considering the best course to adopt in order to utilise the endowments of land in the Upper Thames District which have been, or rather are to be, -handfidjoie? to the respective corporations. After considerable discusgioti it was resolved that a committee of three gentlemen from each body visit the land and report to a future meeting. The members going/will probably be Mr John Brown, Mr Brodie, and Dr Kiigour as representing the Governors, and Mr Jas. Marshall, Mr Osborne, and Mr Wilson for the Borough.

An instance of the advantage of insuring in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company has been brought under our notice. Some time ago Mr John Leydon effected a policy through Mr E. T. Brassey, the company's agent here, the annual premium being 14s. "Some days ago Mr Leydoa unfortunately sprained his foot, disabling him, for which he received the sum of £2 from the company. The promptitude with which the claim was met, and the smallness of the sum required to entitle one to the benefits of the society should be an inducement to many to join. Mr Brassey will be happy to insure against accident for any jeugth of lime and for any amount. .

A TEMPJEKANCJ3 meeting will take place at the Templar. Hall this evening.

On Saturday morning at 10 o'clock the Foreihan of Works to the County Council will leave Kirikiri to show intending tenderers the contracts for the Olvnemuri road.

As will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, the prize firing of the Thames Scottish Battalion will take place to-morrow. Several valuable prizes are to be competed for, in addition to those given by Lieutenant Perry. N

These was no business of importance at the 11.M. Court this morning.

Last evening the members of the Thames Rinking Club tendered a complimentary benefit to Mr and Mrs Taylor. The affair was a great success as far as the rinking was concerned, but we regret that there was such a small attendance. The band of the Scottish, under the able conductorship of Mr Hunter, materially assisted in the accomplishing of a successful issue. The skating of the two professors was excellent;, and the figures performed by Mrs Taylor to the airs of the band were very pleasiug. There will be another performance on Saturday evening in the Academy of Music, and we trust the public will show their appreciation of the clever evolutions performed by these talented skaters, by a crowded attendance.

Strangers to a court of justice often make curious errors, it being for instance no uncommon thing for a witness to enter the prisoner's box by mistake, but one of the most curious blunders.that has come under our notice occurred in the Resident Magistrate's Court. A respectable looking man, had just been fined in a small sum for breach of a city bye law, and he gravely approached the reporters' table am preceded to hand out the cash, pre 'icing the operation by the remark " P.o you take money ? " The involuntary ejaculation " Does a duck swim ! " which escaped a luckless reporter was immediately followed by the reflection that the man had mistaken him for a Court clerk, and recovering himself from the shock to his feelings caused by the unwelcome discovery, he waved his interrogator toward the clerk of the Court.—Weekly News.

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Parliament writes :—A piece of news from Siberia furnishes a striking instance of the increasing laxity of the Russian Government. Eight years ago a wealthy merchant named Piotyzine, the leader and chief propagandist of the Skoptsi sect, was arrested by the police: Piotyzine and several of his fellow-prisoners were condemned to exile in Siberia. A despatch just published in the Nowosti now announces that M. Piotyzine has been employing his time while under detention in Siberia in building steamships at a yard which he had brought into being. A few days since the first vessel was ready, and the prisoner went on board in full view of the authorities; present, as he said, just 'to try the engines.' It is scarcely necessary to remark that, once on the open sea he made sail direct for San Francisco, instead of returning to his late quarters."

Fbom Fiji we learn that the seat of government is to be removed from Levuka to Suva. This latter settlement is on the island of Viti Levu, at the mouth of the Bewa Kiver, and is the* head-quarters of the Fiji branches of the principal Mcl« bourne trading firms. The Colonial Secretary, the Hon. J. B. Thurston, is now on a visit to Melbourne to arrange with Messrs McTSwan and Co., who own most of the land at Suva, for the purchase of building sites for the Government offices, etc.

Vanity Faie and "Richmond Gem Gigaretttes—new importation just arrived, are unequalled for their purity, delicate aroma, and rare fragrance, as is also Oronoko Curly Out and Louisiana Perique—Old Judge and Little Darlings^ New stock of Meerschaums. Smoking room unequalled.—Lawless and Co., Tobacconists, &c. '

The difference between a Gent and a Gentleman .'—The Gent turns up what he has for a nose and says, Ob, Ah. The Gentleman walks into McGowan's and says, Mac give me a pound of ;our Tea, and send for orders every week.

Vbntts the bright in ancient days, Wne Goddess of Love's fever, But now her churnis all end in smoke ' Afc the shop of C MeLiver. Her radiant fragrance (ills the air And conquests great aehieve(r), The smoke don't rile papas or mas, When purchased off McLiver.