THE POLICE STRIKE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 228, 13 June 1872, Page 5

THE POLICE STRIKE.

The men on striko to-day received a reply to their memorial from the Commissioner of Police, wiio'statesthat ?' the government declines to accede to your request, adding thw the application is couched in such terms as to clearly indicate that you are not alive to the gravity of the offence of which you' have been guilty, and is one which, if acceded to, would be utterly subversive of all discip inc." — Star, June 4.

Court of Appeal. — We learn bytelegram that in the case of Catamore v. Murray the appeal was dismissed with costs, the Court supporting tne judgment of the Court below.

Gaol BETum—The following is the state H. M. Gaol, Dnnedin, for the week ending June B:— Awaiting trial, 2 men ; 0 women ; under remand, 0 men, 0 women, penal servitude, 34 men, 0 women ; hard labor^ 41 men, 13 women; imprisonment, 0 men, 0 women ; in default of bail, 2 men, 0 women ; debtors, 2 men, 1 woman. Total, 81 men, 14 women. Received during the week, 12 men, 4 women ; discharged, if men, 2 women. ~<i

The Benevolent Institute. — The number of inmates on June 1 was 7S ; comprising 12 adults, 40 male and 2(3 female children. During May there were 326 outdoor patients —IS men, 74 women, and 234 children, the weekly cost being L 23 7s 6d.

Immigration. — We understand that passages for equal to 53 statute adults, under the Nominated Immigration scheme, were applied for by friends in the Province. Of those applied for 114 adults are from England ; 184 from Scotland ; and 23 from Ireland. The lists were transmitted per this day's mail.

Cost op Drunkenness to the Country.— The following paragraph, taken from the Southern Cross, will serve to show that the revenue obtained from alcoholic liquors is not all profit to the country : A couple named John Shires and Mary Burke were brought before Mr Bsckham, R.M., and sent to gaol for drunkenness ; the woman for a week, the man for 43 hours. Fiftytwo sentences had been passed on the pair within two years ; while the cost they put the Government to could not be estimated at less than L2OO. So say the police authorities, and they ought to know.

Thk Richardson Scholarship. — Tt will be remembered that two of the competitors for the Kicbardson Scholarship — Park and Wilmot — were no nearly equal that the Professors hesitated to make the award to either, and that it was resolved a second competition should take place between these two. We understand that Park has since withdrawn from the contest, on the ground that it would necessitate his resigning a scholarship of superior value already held by him in the High School. Wilmot has therefore to-day been declared the successful competitor.

The Police. — In consequence of the numerous applications for the vacancies in the force, the Commissioner has determined to select only men who are 5 ft. lOin. in height. The ranks are being quickly filled np, and already the services of five special constables have been dispensed with. The detachment of the Armed Constabulary, consisting of a sergeant and twelve men, placed at the disposal of the Government by the Colonial Government, arrived by the Rangitoto this afternoon. They formed the subject of considerable attention on their way from the wharf to the depot, and the criticisms passed on them appeared to be generally favorable. They are mostly young men, present a good appearance, and have considerable military dash about them. — Star, sth

The Telegraph. — A comparative return of telegrams which have passed through the Department for the quarters ended March 31, 1871 and 1872, has been published. We glean the following figures regarding the increasing use made of the wires : —The number of telegrams forwarded in the quarter for 1871 is 84,278, which compared with the' return for the corresponding quarter of 1872 (104,020 messages) shows an increase of 19,742, representing however a comparatively small increase in cash, L 872 G3 6d. The cash returns for both quarters are: 1871— L5880 18s; 1872L 6753 4s 6d. The value of Government telegrams for the same quarter is: IS7l— L 3048 13s ; 1872— L3325 0s 6d. But there is such a close approximation in the amounts for the last month ia both quarters, as compared with previous, that one is led to the conclusion that this has been the result of restraint put upon the too indiscriminate use of the wires in the discharge of official duties. The amount for March, 1871, LllsO, and for 1572, L 1169 10s 6d.

The Provincial Council in Court. — The publication which, in the country districts, has' earned 1 for itself the strange title' of 'the " forty thieves," was the subject of an action in the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. Messrs Mills, Dick, and Lyster sought to recover from Mr T. L. Shepherd^ M.P.C, the sum of qrie guinea as his contribution towards the expense of producing tie' lithographed "roll of Provincial Councillors for 1871"," published by that firm. It was admitted on ' behalf of the plaintiffs that' Mr Shepherd had refused to pay one shilling towards the affair; put tfiey considered that, in honor,' Ije should" pay the sum, 'fil^ime'd, *£' otherii hid done so. It transpired, "however, that fen other hon. members had declined to !' stump '-' up ; but the magistrate was left to form his own conclusions as to the reason. Th.c defence was that the plaintiffs had, been, distinctly given to, understand that Mr Shepherd would not pay for the "honor" had been dime him, as hp qqnsideyed the thing a pu?e commercial speculation} and that he merely qongented to allow his Jikeness to appear in the publication in their interests. Mr Shepherd, in his evidence, criticised the publication in rather uncomplimentary terms ; and said that instead of members being called on to subscribe, he thought they had a right to bring actions against the publishers for having caricatured them. Mr Strode held that it was dear the plaintifls had full notice of the defendant's refusal to subscribe to the publication, and save judgment in his favor. — Star sth.

The Education Question. — On last Sunday evening, at St Joseph's Church, the Most Beverend Dr Moran delivered an address to his congregation en this subject. His Lordship premised by stating that those Mho lived according to the rules of the Church were despised ; that the members of the Order of the Society of Jesus, who had done so much for the cause of education, were reprobated and maligned, and that the consequent result was tbe spread of infidelity. Speaking in reference to this Province, Dr Moran stated that the Press was altogether one-sided, and utterly incapable of telling the truth : in fact, he considered it was discreditable that the Catholic body did not have an organ of their own, if it were only for the sake of refuting the blasphemous assertions that appeared in the public prints. The most rev. gentleman then said that on the great question of education, the members of the Catholic Church must be as one : there could be no compromise, even at the cost of life. He then pointed out that the idea of a purely secular system of education was simply absurd, as in many cases parents are not capable of imparting religious education, and in some instances they have not the time ; and summed up by stating that the adoption of a secular system would have the effect of pandering to the growth of infidelity, Asa case in point, his Lordship referred to the fact that under the regime of Louis Phillippe in France, secular education was fostered, and the result, had been that as education was not combined with religious instruction, the action that the Comunists and other unenlightened men took, might be very easily accounted for. With regard to the movements of the International Society, the Bishop stated that it was probable some of their agents might be sent to New Zealand, and he solemnly cautioned his congregation against countenancing their, operations in any way. His' Lordahip regretted that he was compelled to speak, on this subject so often ; but at this particular juncture he" offered no apology. , In the absence of the advocacy of a public journal he was obliged to express his opinion, and those of the Church, with regard to this most important queetion of education.—^or, 4th,

Literary. — " London Heart " is the title of the new tale by Mr Farjeon, which appears in " Tinsley." It is now in course of re-publicatiou by the Sydney Mail.

Political. — Mr Calder, M.H.R. for Invercargill, met his constituents on Monday last. At the conclusion of his address the following resolution was carried :- -" That the meeting having heard Mr Calder's explanation of the course pursued by him during the late session of Assembly, desires to express its approval of the same. "

Novel Phizes for Volunteers. — Mr Robert Graham, of the Thames, has given a somewhat novel prize to be competed for by members of the Thames Rifle Association. It is a freehold section of land at Tararu, and it has to be won three times before it becomes the property of any individual. AMr Roberts has given a child's feeding bottle, and some teething powders ; while the proprietors of the local papers offer prizes in the shape of a half-year's subscription to their journals.

The Birds of New Zealand. — The first part of Dr W. L. Buller's history of the birds of New Zealand has been received in the Colony. It is said by the Lyttelton Times, which has received a copy, to be in every respect highly creditable to the author. The plates, by Kenlemans, exhibit most spirited and skilful drawing, and the coloi ing is in the main excellent — in some instances exquisitely true to nature The works arc to be published in five parts, each containing not less thau seven illustrative plates, comprising altogether about seventy figures of New Zealanabirds.

" Devil to Catch." — A rather ludicrous incident, for the tmth of which the Southei n Cross says it can vouch, occurred recently in connection with the railway works geing on in Auckland. A son of St Patrick was instructed to go to Newmarket with a dray and bring in three "frogs," a piece of ponderous railway furniture familiar to most people who have seen trains being ahunted from line to line. Paddy was away till night, and explained his absence thus :— " Begorra, sir, shure an' wasn't I trying my best to find the bastes, and the people there all tould me that there was plenty of them, but they only came out at noightj; and shure they're the very devil to catch. "

Sudden Death. — The Dunedin police ieceivedinformationon6th of the dea'hof Patrick Coffey, who for some years, and till the strike the other day, was a member of the police force, which occurred about two o'clock on the sth. The deceased was a policeman of eleven years standing, and was one of the men specially selected from the Victorian force by Mr B -anigan, when he came over here. He h<td been only ailing a few days, and inflammation of the liver was the immediate cause of death. He leaves a wife and three very young children, who are totally unprovided for. But for his joining in the strike, we believe his family would have some claim to the consideration of the Government. The case is a very hard one.

The Navigators' Group. — The re port which comes by way of Fiji that the United States has taken possession of theae islands is not a fact ; nor is it likely that a Polynesian Agricultural Association, with Messrs Yogel and Webb as its guiding spirits, has been formed. We all know that some months ago attention was directed in Califorma to these islands j and that it was proposed to form a company to buy land there aud cultivate it ; and it is reasonable to assume that the negotiations which have taken place between some Californian citizens and the chief of Pango-pango have given rise to the rumors referred to. As to the supposed annexation of the islands, the Nebraska brought reliable intelligence that such is not the case. Captain' Meade, of the U.S. man-of-war Naragansett has only secured Pangopango Harbor as a coaling station for Webb's line of steamers, and as a naval station for the United States ships o.f war that are to cruise in these seas to, protect Am ; erica.n commerce, and look a|ter the natives, against kidnappers. Ma.uga, the chief, ha.s signed an agreement to grant the same privilege to. any ot^er nation, so that he is now safe from, the thing he feared — seizure by the Prussians. ' He does not cede an inch of territory, and the chief's laws are to lie respected. Already Mr Webb's agents h,ave bought land for. a wharf, and possibly Pango.-pango will be made a coaling station.

Grand Juries. — At the recent crim,inal sittings of th,e Supreme Court at Wanganui, hjs fionqr Mr Justice Johnston is reported to, have said, while referring to the system of Grand Jungs ;- <( The piincipal function qf the modern Grand Jury is to act as a tribunal of investigation, preliminary to the trial of persons charged with serious offences. After a long experience I have come to the conclusion that the abolition of Grand Juries in England would comparatively be a desirable objeot. WheTe there are so many able stipendiary magistrates, there can hardly occur any great acts of omission which would necessitate the functions of a Grand Jury being called for. The Grand Jury acts, as it were, as a check upon the actions of the lower tribunals, as in the case of an indictment consequent upon a committal, a variety of circumstances would tend to show that incalculable harm would ensue by placing a man upon his trial whom the jury had no moral doubt was perfectly innocent. In this respect the wholesome check of the jury "is not actually visible, except from actual experience. lam of opinion, however, that all cases of a capital or political nature should be submitted to the investigation of the Grand Jury, but in all minor cases it would be more desirable to leave them to the committal of tbe R.M., unless in special cases, in which the judge may deem it necessary or advisable to take the opinion of the Grand Jury.

Aquatic. — We have been asked to give publicity to the following circular, which explains itself :—": — " Wellington j New Zealand, May, 1872, — Sir,— lt i 3 proposed to hold an inter-colonial and inter-provin-cial regatta in the Harbor of Port Nicholson, on or about the month of February next. There will be races of various kinds, but the chief event of the meeting will be a contest between four-oared gigs, of any description, with or without coxswain, for which it it intended to offer a prize of Ll5O, in money, or in such other form as the winners may prefer. The course will be straight, or nearly so, and * ill extend over three and ahalf to four miles of water. A race for fouroared inrigged gigs is also contemplated, for which a liberal prize will be offered. It is also intended by the committee that a race for whaleboats, fitted with all necessary gear and appliances for whale-fishing, shall be included ia the programme, for which a prize of at least L will be offered. All the races will be open to all-comers, professional or otherwise, provided that they are accredited representatives of tbe Colony 1 or Province frbm which they come. I am directed by the general committee to ask you to give their intentions as much publicity as possible among the boating community of your Colony (or Province), and to enquire whether there ' is any prospect of your Colony (or Province) being represented at the proposed regatta, and, if. so. whether by one or more boats. Your ea>ly attention to tfus matter wfll be regarded by the committee as a^ great favor,~l am, sir, yours obediently, B. Kwt, Secretary."— 6W,