Our Auckland Letter

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3752, 6 January 1881, Page 2

Our Auckland Letter

(PEOM OTTB OWN COBEESPONDENT.)

Auckland, Yesterday.

Colonel Lyon, who has returned to his (Waikato) district, was one of a Board of Officers who investigated the alleged charges which have been made by some of the superior officers of our locai-forces against several of iheir colleagues, and vice versa. It is, of course, unnecessary to enter into the details, which are pretty well known to your "special." Suffice it to say that the Board sat in accordance with instructions from the Defence Office in Wellington, and to which branch of the public service the finding has been for-; warded. The enquiry connected with any breaches of discipline by our local Volunteers will not tend to popularise the movement. MR SHEATH AND THE GOVEBNMEKT. Mr Alfred Sheath, the late able District Inspector of Telegraphs at Auckland, must be well known to your readers. His services were dispensed with not long since, and it was generally understood that he would only get compensation. The nature of his duties were such that during his connection with the department he was exposed to all kinds of weather, and as may naturally be supposed his health was very much impaired. Doctor Goldsbro, who has bon Mr Sheath's medical attendant, has, I am glad to learn, so forcibly brought his case under the consideration of the Commissioner of Telegraphs that the Cabinet decided to reconsider the case with the gratifying result that the late District Inspector has 1 been awarded a well-earned, pension. I congratulate Mr Sheath at so satisfactory a termination, at the hands of a very unpopular and unsatisfactory Government. " ;'

The gallant Captain Casey, who now commands his own steamer to some of our provincial ports, has had to compromisei a case in which one of his passengers were likely to take proceedings inconsequence of an accident which - befelVher. The matter was amicably arranged, and in addition to the sum paid the old salt sent the sufferer a'case of champagne.' The accident, however, did not occur since the owner took charge of the helm. Like a prudent man the Captain did not care for landing himself in a law suit where " the chapter of accidents " might result in the Court giving him a clean acquittal, but at the same time making him to contribute numerous retainers, refreshers and sundries for members of the legal profession. If numerous persons who are fond of law were only to follow a similar course, what an amount of litigation and unpleasantness might be avoided, and more good fellowship and amicable dealings follow.

The enormous expenditure connected with defence on the West Coast still continues with no prospect of reductions.' In a private letter which I have received from Whanganui, the wri|er states that it is generally understood that after the censuses taken in April next, the work of retrenchment will then commence. The gentlemaa who sends me this item is perfectly serious in his statement, although one cannot believe. that~*such a thing is likely. Governments have resorted to strange things in its days, but let me hope that this is not so as regards the estimated population in view of the general elections taking place this year on the basis of population. "Very unfavorable comment is being made here amongst all shades of political parlies, at the newspapers not "going for " the present Ministry for their neglect of Auckland interests. The provincial district has not a single representative amongst its members in the councils of the colony, and how long this will continue no one can tell, unless, indeed a united public opinion insists upon a compliance. The justice Auckland was to get by the bill of'sale, for which it was bartered by four of its members, still bears no fruit, and I think it will be a lasting disgrace to those four if they do not at once insist upon one of the conditions —that Auckland was to have a representative in the Cabinet—to be forthwith adhered to. The other conditions by which "justice" was to be dealt to our residents may be heard of, and that ia all in the sweet by and bye.; * THE FA2PA *SEAT. There is a rumpus in Waikato over the prospect of Messrs Whitakerj Edgecumbe, and Jackson, contesting tho seatatthe next general election. Of course the matter so far is onlj^a gentlo rouiiudei', Mr Edgecumbe, Mr Whitakor's purtnoi# in the Waikato Times, it is stated has started a canvass amongst tho doctors, and no doubt in case of a contost between these gentlemen it would bo a question of who was to retire after nomination day, include Major Jackson and no doubt the same thing would follow by mutual arrangement. Speaking of Mnjor, Jackson, I believe it would be a retry nice thing for him to return to tho House. Ho'has plenty of time, very little interest in the Waikato, and if elected would still fui'thov MQiu&te certain interests. Wo all kuow now the Vogel Government put tt salary oa tU«

Estimates for the gallant officer to superintend .the local forces in Waikato, and how, when it was fotfhd who the position was intended for, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Sheehan, it got quickly struck out. That was a case where the continuous Ministry promised and where the House acted independently.- Speaking of this-electorate, I am somewhat surprised that the sitting member has not yet thought it prudent or politic to address even the Hamilton portion of his consti tuents. The people of Dunedin are howling for the Hon. Mr Oliver to address his constituents. He, it appears, won't be drawn out, and, as great things from little spring, possibly Mb F. A. Whitaker has taken the wrinkle from the Minister of Public Works, and will bide a-wee. I

There is an immense amount of gossip over the alleged report that one of the valuers under the Property Assessment Act got a* young pig from one of his constituents during the progress of his valuations. I suppose it would be outside the sphere of a newspaper correspondent to even hint at the reasons which actuated the donor in making such a •present, but very likely there"#is something " piggy " in it apd a little more. Speaking of the tax I am reminded that the third instant was the lasffday for sending in objections to the valuations, and if only the four deserters of their party had heard half, or even a third of the '• compliments " paid them for aiding in making it law, they would be in fear and trembling from ever after appearing either in "public or before their" constituents.