ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1568, 22 July 1882, Page 3

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

* It would seem that I allowed too much time for the remaining cases to be tried at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court, as they were all finished on Monday. Very general satisfaction was ielt on Saturday when it was known that Wiiiiata had been found guilty and sentenced to deatli for the murder of Edwin Packer. Of course, the evidence was purely circumstantial, and it almost invariably is iv a trial for murder, but it was as clear and connected as it could possibly be, and no one expresses a doubt as to Winiata's guilt, and I do not think that any attempt will be made to obtain a reprieve. Reference has been made to the Premier's speech at the Choral Hall, the banquet given to Tawhiao, in which he said that the Government would ignore all past offences committed by Maoris, but it is well-known that that promise of condonation referred solely to political offences, and could not by any possibility be constructed as a promise on behalf of the Government that they would not punish murder and other similar crimes. Had it been supposed that such a construction could have been put on the Premier's speech, there would have beon a howl of righteous indignation throughout the length and breadth of the land. There is one matter, in connection with the trial of Winiata, of which I think cognisance should betaken. One of the witnesses, a Maori, was staying at an hotel in Auckland while the trial was proceeding. After it was finished, he was paid his expenses and returned to his hotel. Shortly after his return the landlord saw him and asked him to "shout." He said he did not drink, as waipiro made him ill, so the landlord told him that he was no good, and that he did not want anyone who did not drink to stay in his house. This is one of the most disgraceful things of which I have heard for some time. Maoris, as a rule, are too fond of drinking, and trhen one of them has the sense to refrain he should be commended, not insulted. We are told that the licensed victuallers (publicans is a common word, not to be used in reference to them) of the colony are very respectable men. I am not going to condemn a class on account of the action of one man, but I do say that the behaviour of this man is certain to bring contumely on the class, and give their enemies a good opportunity of giving them a "dig in the ribs." I sec that an attempt has been made to get Parliament to re - imburse Major Harris the cost of the second election for North Fianklin. I should think it would be better to vote a sum to buy another gorgeous clock, to match that given to him by the rump of the Grey party. Seeing that Mr Harris wished to be elected he might very well pay his own expenses, the more especially a 9 it was mainly because he was able to read and whine over, the cost of the election petition and pose as a martyr and a poor man being ground down and put to expense by a rich one, that he succeeded in gaining the election. Another cause of his success was the fact tha.t Mr Cotter was appointed returning officer, after having held a brief on the side of his opponent, who succeeded in unseating him. I do not suppose that a better returning officer than Mr Cotter could be found in the colony (he performed a difficult task in an excellent manner during the City East election), but ignorant people could not see how he could act impartially, after having appeared as solicitor for Mr Buckland. That appointment, however, and Mr Harris's whining over his bill of costs, were the means of turning the election, so the Honorable member for Franklin North should be content to pay his own election expenses and not ask the colony to pay them for him. If I believed in the transmigration of Bouls I should be inclined to think that the soul of Judas Iscariot, after passing eighteen hundred years in the bodies of serpents, toads and other vermin, has at last regained a place in a human body, and that the man in whom that soul now is is an inhabitant of Auckland. Mr Gunnybag, who is one of our leading tradesmen, had in his employ a clerk, who might be called 1.0.G.T, if those magic Tetters meant, " I often get tight." He was a splendid clerk, knew his business thoroughly, and had only one fault, that of getting "on the spree," at longer or shorter intervals. Gunnybags forgave him time after time, but at length his patience was exhausted, and he told 1.0. G.T. that if ever he offended again, he must leave his service. The latter struggled manfully against his besetting sin, but, after a longer term of sobriety than usual, he gave way once more. Gunnybags fulfilled his threat, dismissed him, and advertised for another elfcrk to take his place. On the morning on which the advertisement appeared in the Herald, Judas Iscariot, who ia in the ystme line of business as Gunnybags, called on him, said "good mOrning," and .hejd^out his, hand. Gunnybags did not look, on Jqdasas a friend, nor did he intend that he, should become one, but he toqk"the}proffered,hand. t <4 lsee you are advertising for a clerk to take the place of 1.0.G.T," said Judas,, '; Yes," was ,the,reply,v7 l/coulcC not put up with him any longer, sol told' mm that if he gof j •pn „ the^Bpr^e^gain,lv should dismiss him."' "Yordid suite right. I did my "beit to iVfoirm^nywhei^he tyas in my would not take |tij^ip.ck;;^|ftui-'on >any; *o^uiitJH< kiiOMf^l^fd^kfl; who

will just suit you. , Jwould take him into my own place if I could make room for him, but I caunot, so I have sent one of my clerks up to tell him to call on you." Theolerk called on Gunnybags, who did not engage him, as he found another who would suit him better, and the next week he learned that Judas Iscariot had engaged 1.0. G.T. A few months ago Mr Harold Gray, ( ? Julian Thomas) better known as the "Vagabond" on account of the letters which he wrote to the Melbourne Argus over that norn de plume t passed through Auckland en route from San Francisco to Sydney by one of the mail steamers. In a recent issue of the Argus, in a letter headed " Swiftly flying South," he describes his trip from Honolulu to Sydney. Speaking of Auckland, he says that immense improvements have been made in both city and suburbs since his previous visit, six years before, and that he considers our harbour is much more beautiful than that of Sydney. This has always been my own opinion, but whenever I have ventured to express it, I have been told that I was not an impcirtial witness. Now, however, that my evidence is supported by a witness who has seen so much as '! Vagabond," I am quite sure that I am correct in my opinion. Not only is our harbour more beautiful than that of Sydney, but it is very much larger and infinitely more safe. > Whenever a ship passes Tiri Tiri — indeed whenever she passes the Great Barrier — she is in tolerably smooth water, and can obtain shelter however the " stormy winds do blow," whereas a ship going to Sydney is exposed to the full force of any gale which may be blowing until she gets within the heads of Port Jackson. With the splendid advantages bestowed by nature, with the immense dock being built by our Harbour Board, with the magnificent back country which we have, there can be no doubt that Auckland must eventually become the largest and most important port in the South Pacific. The excellence of our harbour is an additional reason why the proposals made for its protection by the Government should be speedily carried out. It would be a terrible blow for Great Britain if, at any time, tin's splendid port should fall into the hands of a hostile power, and I am quite sure that, if the Imperial Parliament were as well aware of its importance as I am, steps would immediately be taken by the Home Government for its adequate defence, even if it were necessary to keep the Nelson here until other means were adopted. How delighted the "love-sick maidens" would be if they knew that the Nelson, with the Commodore, Commander, officers and midshipmites, was to remain here for a year or so. St. Mungo.