AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3689, 21 October 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day. THE PATETERE LANDS. Latest advices from Wellington state that as yet the proclamation on the Patetere lands has not been taken off. The acting governor, it is asserted is unwilling to take the responsibility of taking off the lien, fearing that a mandamus would issue against the Commissioner of Crown Lands to withhold the titles. A reference to the last published number of Hansard would show that Sir Win. Fox and Messrs Kelly and Pitt, strong Government supporters were in favour of the whole question being remitted to Parliament before any further steps towards acceding to the company were conceded. Even the Premier then only promised that the matter would receive the most favourable consideration of the Cabinet.

There is every probabi'ily, should , the Government remove the proclamation that the number of their decreasing followers will be further augmented. The Native Minister, who is expected in Wellington to-day, may decide one way or the other as to the course he intends taking. THE PROPERTY TAX. The Government has been doing a little bounce in threatening to prosecute all persons who do not send in their schedules by next Monday. Of course it is as well to comply with the law, but I cannot yet believe that the obnoxious impost will ever be paid. The Herald is likely to lead the van in denouncing the HaU Ministry over the tax, when the next election time comes round, and then with other journals following m the wake, the pressure will be so great that they may gracefully retire from an unpleasant position should such be the case—and I have every reason for believing it—Ministers will have the inward consolation of saving their friends and land rings from contributing anything towards the general purposes of revenues for a couple of years. MRG.M.BEED. Mr George McCullough Reed, is on his way from Victoria to this Colony. He brings a newspaper plant with him and is likely to start another evening journal here. THE ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY. j The verdict against the Royal Insurance Company is likely to have an effect on its Auckland business, especially as the Royal office is the only one doing business here independent of the fixed and settled tariff agreed upon amongst the representatives of the other Insurance Companies. v , JUDGE GILLIES. His Honor Judge Gillies is expected back in Auckland at the end of next month, when he will take over his judicial district, the duties of which have been ably and impartially presided over by His Honor Mr Justice Richmond. Since he left I have heard a lumber of litigants express the wish that the leave of absence granted His Honor* Judge Gillies should be further increased for another couple of years.' [ : ' :■<■

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