THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3817, 23 March 1881, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1881.

We Have before us the speech of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Major Atkinson,; to, his constituents —generally the most important of the inevitable pre-sessional utterances of Ministers, as foreshadowing the financial proposals of the party in power during- the forthcoming meeting of Parliament. The speech, from the somewhat curtailed synopsis supplied us by the Press Association, and published in our yesterday's issue, is a remarkably bald one., relating little that.is not already known of the past proceedings .of the Government, and giving but a faint idea of the proposals he and his colleagues intend 1 submitting to the Council of the nation. Major Atkinson, with something of | egotism we consider, prefaces his remarks by taking "credit for the retrenchment policy, whereby, as he says, the public service of the colony is carried on at one hundred per cent, less cost than hitherto. Even if it is so, and j we feel inclined to doubt the accuracy of the statement, Major Atkinson pays himself a somewhat questionable compliment, when it is remembered that he himself, with several of his present colleagues, when forming the famous — or rather infamous — " continuous Ministry," raised the cost of the Civil > Service to the exorbitant pitch it had ; reached. The glory of the retrenchment feat is robbed of any brilliancy from the fact that the gallant Major did perform it a decade since: But to return to the address. Major Atkinson proceeds to defend the taxation levied by the Government, and is said to have pointed out reasons for preferring the Property Tax to imposts on income or land. These reasons are. not given, which is a matter for regret. He believes that in future the Property I Tax will cost less for collections than hitherto, and reverting to his opening subject states that the revenue will cover the expenditure. . Regarding public works, a sore point with the people of this district, the hon. gentleman with something of Picksniffianism states the Ministry, have endeavored to act fairly to all. Their policy in the future would be the construction only of -lines—%kat will pay, which we may remark, willsnow "wuuilovful^egßrreration on the part of a man. who kept in office by bribing constituencies with expensive but unprofitable public works. After defending the Government from the charge of breaking faith with the local bodies in withdrawing the subsidies, the Major mentions that as soon as ,Sir*W. Eox has divided the disputed West Coast lands amongst the various Hapus, the Government will enact regulations to enable the natives to deal with their land, either by selling or leasing. Heretofore we have had nothing to cavil at regarding the native policy of the Ministry—if there is anything below the surface, it may possibly come out, when Parliament meets. The Treasurer then praises the Land Administration of Mr Rolleston and leads to the belief that nominated immigration will be revived. The principal ministerial ■ measures of the session would affect Representation, and Charitable Aid, while a Licensing Bill had likewise been drafted. There is a fine subtile vein of egotism in one of the hon. gentleman's succeeding remarks, viz., that the country wants careful administration and very little legislation. The application is obvious, and shows that the Major believes the colony feels it cannot do without him. The concluding portion of the address is however the most remarkable. Major Atkinson is reported to have said -—" Regarding education, he declared it would be unwise in any to alter the present act until after the general election enabled the people to express opinions on the subject; personally he had always favored a limited denominationalism, and he thought the Catholics had a claim to a-special concession."

The diorama of the American War opens ab the Theatre - Boye! to-night. It has heen highly spoken of by the Auckland papers, and has been well patronised throughout the Colony. The gift distribution system is the largest yet introduced into New Zealand, and some very valuable articldPare given away nightly. This evening a suite of drawing furniture will be given to some lucky ticket holder, and a largo number, over 110, of other valuable articles are to be disposed of in the same manner. Lieut. Herman is a most accomplished ventriloquist, and the lecture with the diorama is both entertaining and instructive. *«* The shareholders of the Dulcibel mine at 1 Waihi are at present in town taking steps to have a battery erected on their own account. The capitalists who have made arrangements with the prospectors are completing arrangements for the battery and water race. . Messbs PfiiCE Bros, despatched a number of workmen by the Te Aroha this rooming to complete the erection of the battery at Morgantown. It is expected to have it in working order within the contract time. ! "Wb understand that a rather complicated case will come before the Warden at> the Court to be held on the 4th of April arising out of disputes ovor ground at the new goldneld at Waihi. It appears one person pegged out ground and upon the representations of some ot* ers agraed to relinquish his right upon condition of receiving a number of shares in a piece of ground including that originally pegged out by bim. From this'

relinquishment some informality aroae, and another person pegged out a portion of the ground in question, and now seeks to have his interest admitted. The Warden will be called upon to decide between the parties.

Of course actions for libel are not nice, and having one hanging over one's head may be excuse enough for a man descending to many little dodges in order to avert the consequences of a Supreme Couvfc case. We scarcely think, however, the dearest of friends should require any unfortunate man, threatened with such an action, to dance about from one public house to another, and to be in readiness to take advantage of the presence of the person threatening the ac! ion in order that a reconciliation might take place, aud over a glass of-beer the injury done be condoned. Yet it appears the friends of a worthy newspaper proprietor, at th« present time threatened with a libel action by a limb of the law, kepb the poor eoribe in leading strings yesterday afternoon for ttfo mortal hours, while others used their - soft allurements to get the lawyer to join them over a Booial glass. The man of law, howevSr, thought there was something in the wind, and being adverse to being made a tool of, ana affording material for a joke afterwards, for his softness, refused the kind "offers to enter one wall-known public. The friends, however, were willing to go anywhere with him, and when he mentioned another hostelry at once accompanied him there, one of the number going to fetch up the paper man. By *he time this came off the lawyer found he was suddenly wanted at the Oou _-t and made his exit by a back door, and so the game was lost again. A third time the matter was tried, this time in Brown street—the foizner attempts being in Queen street—but again the "scribe and his friends were doomed to disappointment. We are sorry for the little man and think he should resent fbis apparent kindness of bis friends. It he has done an injury, why not pjlmifc it through the column* of his paper. He may be able to say there was no malice aforethought, bufc to be trotted round, and made to feel bis unfortunate position, we consider it the refinement of cruelty^ and a humiliating and an uncalled for indignity. Surely there are thorns enough in his path (be it understood we mean officially) without a few would-be-friends adding to the pains and pen&Hies of greatness by their ill-advised and foolish suggestions. He is well able to manage his own affairs, and as we know he possesses firmness enough to follow any course he has taken up, he should show it, and to his friends that although he may occasionally do a foolish thing himself, he is not to be made a fool of by others.

The Rev. Mr Neill Btated on last Sundayevening that probably on the next Sunday he would preach » sermon, the subject being the " Immortality of the Soul." Otra Presbyterian friends intend to hold a conoerfc in the Volunteer Hall on the first of next month, the proceeds to go towards the Sunday School funds. ""^BBs^-raas^JL^ good attendance at Mr McGregor's sale 6f~Mr Lee's houeo and furniture on the beach, Shortland, to-day, and very fair prices were generally rep'isedCaptain Douglas was the purchaser of the house for the sum of of £85. A qemleman who has seen the lode recently discovered in Butler's tribute at Waitekauri informs us it is without doubt the richest yet seen at Ohinemuri. The specimens are reported to be really splendid. In our local in last evening's issue regarding the Harbor Board tenders a misprint occurred, whereby Mr Horn's tender waj made to read £13 instead of £83. In the window of Mr Patterson's shop appears a very neatly executed address to Captain Farrell, late of the Thames Rifle Rangers. . CoMMtri.zCATiON with Te Aroha by the river is not very frequent now, as the Vivid is the only steamer at present laid on for the trade, and she only makes two trip? per week. Negotiations are also we believe pending for her purchase by a number of Wairoa gentlemen, to run between that place and the Thames. Mb G-. T. Wilkinson as Native Agent here will make the census of the native population. Tke Government manage to keep him pretty well employed. One of the tenants of the Elderslie estate, near Oamaru, bns threshed 1658 bags of wheat from 120 acres. This is equal to 60 bushels per acre. At three and sixpence per bushel, this yield gives the handsome return of £1260. We learn that the shop known as Waller's, at present occupied by Mr T. Lawless, tobacconist, was sold by auction at Auckland to-day for £400, Mr T. Wood being the purchaser. We undesband that the Borough collector is at present engaged in the compilation of the statutory defaulters list containing the names of burgesses who have not paid their rates. We may mention that all who do not pay up before the last day of the current month will lose their privilege of voting at the Municipal elections. We were surprised to find the name of Mr ]?. C. Dean, the townclerk, on the list, but on making enquiries we found that his appearance on the roster is in the capacity of secretary to the Harbor Board, which body is too impecuaious to pay its rates. We understand that the last has not been heard of the Chinese assault case heard the other day at the TJ.M. Court. It appear i thafc an action for penury is to be laid, one of the parties feeling Bore at the plain statements of the Chinese. The threatened law proceedings might be settled by a payment of rent, not very much, only £50 per year, for a small strip of ground running through the garden, and an apology, but neither alternative is likely to be accepted. It is unfortunate that even the threat of an action for perjury is of little effect, for it appears that as the Magistrates ruled they had no jurisdiction, any statements made in the investigation are immaterial. This is to be regretted, as from the. published evidence, someone ha 3 told lies, end the heathens say they neither rage, nor do they imagine a vain thing. Although the Post calls us a bucolic paper we know very little about scab in sheep. We understand all about scab in the church, in the State, and in the Press, but scab in sheep is out of our line. What Mr Phillips wants is, very plain. How many thousands of years

old it may be goodne3S only ktiowa. Most of the discoveries of oar ancestor were remarkable for their simplicity. Hislcure for scab is that diseased animals should pot be allowed to breed. Tbe nature of tee care should commend itself to »ll but t)ose interested. When Plato sketched his ideal republic some such an idea was plain and eiere is no reason whatever why the proposal should not be carried out in the form of lawj unless there are too many scabby sheep-owners in the House of Reprepentatires. It would be aumsiag to see who would oppose such a bill. In the next generation, say we can extand the application of the principle to oujr own race—being a free country, and, as Captain Russell says, free from hereditary honors. Of con'se the law would not answer in countries where is a hereditary aristocracy, or the breed would soon die out. In En'glcnd, however, the House of Lords looks after their class privileges very well, one of which is the entai'»ng of diseases on generation after generation. Our conviction is, with Mr Phillips, that scabby animals should- bo prevented from breeding by law. —Wj Standard.

A party of Thames miners working on a piece of ground of their own had a great surprise lately. They saw gold freely in the leader, and were offered afe the rate of an ounce per ton for their 20 lons of quartz before it wns crushed. When they crushed the parcel, it went at the rate of one dwt per ton. They believe that the quartz has been tampered with, possibly to induce them to throw up the ground. At the E.M. Court this morning, before Major Murray, J.P., the orly charge was one of vagrancy against a recent arrival from Ooromandel. He was fried 20s and costs, or 48 hours' imprisonment. Me Stoney, late clerk of the B, M. Court here, and more recently clerk to the Dunedin Police Court, bas been promoted to the office of chief clerk at the E, M Court at Auckland. ' 3k MEETIH& of Roman Catholics was held in ,i|p)lington for the purpose of arranging a hearty welcome to Bishop Redwood, who is expected to return from -England shortly. The subscription lists presented showed a satisfactory rsult, and it was decided to prsent the Bishop on his arrival with a testimonial and an address of welcome. I HEAR that a process of gradual but steady reduction in the membors of the .Armed Constabulp .y is quietly going on. All discharges are granted directly applied for, and the vace*icies thus created are not filled up. I believe also that eny caeuf^ vacancy in the regular police force is at onre filled by a transfer being made from the A^med Constabulsv/. In this way a very appreciable reduction in expense is said to be in course of operation. —Herald. By proclamation in the New Zealand Q-azette the Aroha disi 'ict, h brought under the operation of the Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits, 1870. We understand that the Government will take steps to put into the market at the earliest moment, in sms/l lots, the two blocks ~of land^ which have been assigned to them out of Patetere. Itr 1b -understood that the company will also do the sacce with some portions of the remainder of the land, as soon as they secure the title and they can get the necessary surveys completed. A meeting of the former pupils of Mr E l. Macrae at the Auckland High School and College and Grammar School was held in the large room of the Insurance Buildings last evening. A bsobnt number of Public Opinion contained a fine portrait of Bishop Cowie. I know (says a writer ii a Southern contemporary) a good sou 1, who used to be sorely troubled balancing his cash, which was invariably short. He devised an entry whioh was satisfactory to his conscience, " Fish and other incidents." This has been capped by the Government land agents in the Worth, who, when thousands are unaccounted for, have settled the matter by putting the deficit down " to Patetere." Patea and New Plymouth, the rival Pedlingtons of Taranaki, hate each other cordially. A recent traveller says, " The only thiag they agree about is the magnificence of Mount Egmont, and then the Pateana are prepared to swear it looks better from their side." Our Auckland correspondent writes:— There is very little news stirring; the only topic being discussed is the recent speech of Major Atkinson at Pacea. From the Press Association it does not appear to have beea a very happy meeting, aa the electors appointed an independent chairman, and the Honourable Colonial Treasurer got a wigging from bis hearers. It is very significant that in the centre of a district which has so largely benefitted from the Armed Constabulary expenditure that the principal member of the continuous ministry did not receive a unaai- j mous of confidence. It is almost unaccountable that the member for Egmont did not let off ste*m at New Plymouth, but perhaps he got a wrinkle which induced him to storm Patea first, and take up the running in other parts of his electorate subsequently.

Thb following is very like a sermon, and was given by Te Wbiti at the Parihaka meeting : —'• In the olden times, the, line between evil and good was clearly defined, but now it had become obscured by artful reaeonr'ngs, so that evil was made to appear good. This caused a great deal of trouble ia the world, for although people tried to do good they were often led away. To Bet things right, they should listen to his words, and try to do whkt ho told them, iind they would not do amiss. G-od was not angry with the lowly minded, but tho proud, deceitful man was an abomination to Him. lighting was not the means &od adopted to settle disputes. When the world was created there was no fighting. Love was the great source of peace. They should love one another, also the pakebas.

The Hon. W. Bollesbon, Native Minister, arrived in Auckland yesterday by the Hotomahana from Wellington. The special object of Mr Rolleston's visit at the present time ii to attend the native meeting to be held at W&itangi, to commemorate the signing of the celebrated Treaty, by which we hare possession of the country. So far as we can learn, there is no direct political object in the meeting, and the Native Minister cannot expect to attain any immediate purpose by attending ic. But Native Ministers have been present at meetings of all kinds when it '•

was known that Home direct purpose was to be gained, and it may have a got J effect for the Minister in charge of Native affairs to be present simply as a courtssy aad a mark of attention to a large section of the native population, who have, since Heke's war, been always loyal to the Crown, who have kept the peace, and who have shown the most kindly disposition to the European settlers. The Ngapuhi were anxious that Mr Rolleston should be present at the meeting, and Wi Katene and others wrote to him an the subject.—Herald.

His' Hoaor Jadge Macdonald was despatched suddenly to the Taupo district on Friday night, to preside, we presume, with Judge Manning at the Native Lands Court» to be held re Murumu'u swiudle at the end of the present month. One of the Herald proprietors, who was in company with His Honor most of the day, and who is always p-mons to get good " locals," even omitted —accidentally, of course —a'lud'.ng to the Judge's leiving. It looks as if Mr James Mackay and others at Cambridge are in blissful ignorance of the move, and, in all probability, the Cambridge and Taupo Native Land Courts will be going on at the same time, and then —well, what is likely to be the consequence ? Ministers seera determined in passing all the native lands for which • their European friends are in negotiation through the Courts before the Assembly meets at a ll, hazards, and no doubt those fresh appointments of Judges were gazetted to meet these pressing emergencies. Whether the Government, and more particularly the ex' Native Minister, the present one, and His Honor tbe Chief Judge, w -1l get into trouble, remains to be seen, but, in ou' humble opinion, the ' ontinued helping of the Cabinet in putting these land jobs through the Court is nothing short of a disgrace to all concerned. When the House meets, Sir George Grey shoved rf ise the qnestion of privilege, and move an address to the Governor praying His Excellency to withhold b-"i assent to the Crown Grf nts for these wrongfully acquired native blocks, failing which, an impeachment of Ministers should quickly follow. It is a libel on the electors of the colony to say that Messrs Hell, and company represent them. Some time s?uce the New Zsaland Herald raised a feeble protest against Europeans getting such large areas of splendid country as Patetere. Latterly, however, that .organ has become entirely silent, and we, i;ke others, are at a loss to account for its recent conversion in not vigorously denouncing the wretch. 1 conduct of the Government in these gigantic native lend swindles. Two Auckland citizens—My A. G. Horton, of the New Zealand Herald, fnd Mr B. Tonka —T»i'l be passengers for Errope by next Tuesday's mail steamer. It is said that some of tbe Auckland shareholders in the Benk of New Zealand will ask at the approaching half-yearly meeting for details connected with the nature and amount of the bank advances to various colonial journds. TE.fi Civil Service question reminds me of another closely al;led to it—the travelling a Wpoces of C.S.'s. By regulations this is fix*: i at 3s 6d per day for every £ICO of sale.j per annum, but in no case less than 7s per day: earLat.jsea. 2aJ3d-per- day. This is exclusive of railway coach or sfeeamDOttirssrßßr A poor devil on £20J a year has to travel and lose 28 6d per day, as he cent do it decently tinder 10s, while the swell with £800 a year travels a good deal, and nets from £2 to £2 10s per day profifc ; a nice addition to his salary. No wonder Messrs Batkin, Seed, and other herds of deps vtments find so often such good reasons for change of scene. I would on the same terms. It should be looked into.—Liberty. The ljmes says that, at a meet ng of the executive officers of the Land League in Peris* IParnell stated the funding of £70,000 of the League's money had finally been arranged. A manifesto is bo be issued, explaining everything that has been done in regard to members of the League, and this would be published soon after h's reßdin to Ireland. Prrnell said it was a so intended, immediately after the Coercion Bill, that the Irish members of Parliament should hold a conference m Dublin. They would thuspla^e themselvesat the head of the people, and meet the blow the Government is aiming at the organiiation.