The Evening Star MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA, Per s.s 'Australia.'

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4436, 24 March 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Evening Star MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA, Per s.s 'Australia.'

DuitiNd the month one or two most important occurrences have taken place. The approach of the session has been heralded by the. Colonial Treasurer starting to address the people in the various cities of the colony. He opened at Christchurch, and was accorded a fair reception. He avoided any reference to party questions, and merely addressed himself to taxation, land tenure, pauperism, and promised a new scheme in connection with the Annuities and Insurance Department. The Native Minister has visited the Northern portion of the colony, and arranged •with, various chiefs that a survey should be made with a view of continuing the main trunk line of railway; however, upon the Government Surveyor proceeding in his exploration for a route, he and his party were stopped by the Maories, stripped of their clothes, and imprisoned in native houses. They were ultimately released by other natives, amongst whom was Te Kooti, the lately pardoned chief to whose credit is placed the horrible Poverty Bay massacre of 1868. The Native Minister has taken the matter in hand, and will doubtless put an end' to the obstruction. Arrangements are in course of completion between the Government and the Thames Valley Railway Company for the construction of a line from here to Te Aroha. Delegates have left the Thames for Wellington armed with the necessary information and authority to enter into an agreement with the Government regarding lands to be set aside for the company's purposes. The month has been prolific in sporting. The Te Aroha Races took place on the 15th, Ohinemuri had a meeting on the 17th, and the Thames Club opens on the 26th • (Barter Monday). The Roman Cathdlic portion of the community have just concluded a week's mission, wiuch was conducted by the Rev. lie Menant dcs Chesnais. The services held every evening were crowded to excess.