IL. Uw ><< • J .' • PHOTO-SORTIE. — A remarkable invention, intimately connected with photography, is now engrossing the attention of French artists. The method followed by the inventor, M. Willeme, is this: — A number of simultaneous photographs of a person is taken, and the outlines thus obtained are enlarged or reduced at will by the pantograph. With these data, M. Willeme produces a statue, the exact likeness of the original, to any size, and in such a short time as it hardly to be credited. Anyone wanting a statue in photograph may follow the given directions; and two days after he may call for his statuette in plaster. Features and drapery are represented with the greatest exactness, and, as a natural consequence of the method, the price is moderate. A cast of the figure being made in plaster may be produced by any sculptor of renown, undisturbed by the original. To the Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sir, — It is with surprise I read in today's Daily Southern Cross Mr. Haylo's reply to Mr. Eastwood, in which he admits his never mentioning that gentleman's offer to the Committee. Indeed Mr. E's letter in the Daily Southern Cross, of the 18th instant, was the first intimation the Committee had on the subject, and I saw several members thereof on that day, who each stated they knew nothing about the matter, and I cannot but consider it was Mr. Boyle's duty to have mentioned the circumstance, leaving it to them to decide upon. I would suggest that Mr. Eastwood see either the president, F. Whitaker, Esq., or the vice president, G. P. Pierce, Esq., on the subject, and I will rely upon it that either of these gentlemen will take more trouble in the affair than appears to have been taken by the Secretary. I have no doubt the Committee will most thankfully accept Mr. Eastwood's kind donation, of which the Secretary was pleased to keep them in such ignorance. — I am, &c, A 'Old Member of the Mechanics' Institute, Auckland, April 21st, 1863. POLICE NEWS.— Tuesday. (Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Margaret Limb, of Victoria street, was charged with this offence. Thomas McCormack sworn, said: I am a constable in the Armed Police Force. I apprehended the prisoner yesterday about twelve o'clock at noon for being drunken in Mr. Hayes's shop in Victoria Street. She was conducting herself very violently, and broke several articles. Cross-examined by Prisoner: It was in Mr. Hayes's shop I apprehended you. Edward Leary sworn, said: I am the lock-up keeper. I saw the prisoner on Monday in the lock-up. She was brought in by the police. She was drunk and very noisy. I received her at twelve o'clock at noon. Cross-examined by Prisoner: You were drunk when you were brought in. For the defense, the prisoner called Hugh Ritchie, who deposed: I know the prisoner. She is my landlady. I did not see her at twelve o'clock yesterday. I saw her at one o'clock in the lock-up. I did not think she was drunk. She was excited, but not drunk. William Smith deposed: I am sergeant-major of the Armed Police Force. I know the prisoner. I saw her at four o'clock yesterday. She was then sober, but she had been drinking. The prisoner was found guilty, and fined £1 and costs 11s. 6d.; in default to be imprisoned 24 hours with hard labour. The following persons were also convicted of being drunk, and were each fined 5s. and costs or twenty-four hours' imprisonment: — Caspar Vassalfold, Thomas Williams, Patrick McGannon, Patrick Kelly, Henry Toby. Hr. Honor the Superintendent entertained the members of the Provincial Council to dinner, in the Auckland Club house, last evening. According to the last accounts from British Columbia, a gold region, as rich as Cariboo, had been discovered at James Lake, out of which the Peace River flows. Queensland Acclimatisation Society.— The Queensland papers mention that the Government "have consented to grant a reserve of 20 acres in the neighbourhood of York's Hollow for the use of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society. Thatcher is performing at Queenstown, and is represented by a correspondent to a Wellington paper as "funning the worthies of that town with his usual success, drawing crowded houses nightly. He has bandied Mr. Rees, and, I believe, treated our Inspector, Mr. Woldon, to honorable mention in song." Mr. Bennett Clay, the mysterious archivist, who lately visited Auckland, is at present performing at Wanganui. The "Wanganui Chronicle" says: — "The weather has interfered with Mr. Clay's performances, which, so far as they have been held, have given great satisfaction. It will be observed that he gives an entertainment this evening, April 9th." Cricket. — The Scratch Match announced to take place yesterday at the Albert Barracks between the officers of the garrison and an eleven of the 40th Regiment did not come off, owing to the unpropitious nature of the weather; the grass also being too wet to render running at any great speed a safe proceeding. Pounds Reward." — We beg to direct attention to an advertisement under this heading, in today's paper, detailing an act of wanton cruelty on a terrier dog, belonging to Mr. B. Newell, High Street. We hope the ruffian who did this act will be detected, and made to experience the wholesome chastisement of the law. A Horse was thrown down yesterday morning in High Street, nearly opposite the Resident Magistrate's Court whilst drawing a heavy load of scoria intended to be used in the construction of the store in course of erection for Messrs. Cruickshank, Smart and Co. The harness having been quickly unfastened, and the cart tipped up, the horse soon righted himself and appeared little injured from the mishap. Tonic Sol-fa Society. — Members of the Tonic Sol-fa Vocal Society, already in existence, or who have been connected therewith, are informed by an advertisement inserted in another portion of this day's paper that they can obtain their books of music by applying on Thursday evening between the hours of six and eight o'clock, at the Newton School rooms. Thursday, the 14th May, will be the last day on which applications can be received. Sales This Day. — Mr. Alfred Buckland announces a sale of store-sheep at Newmarket today. — Hughes, Jones and Co. will sell at 2 o'clock today, in the Brunswick Buildings, the Lion and Lamb hotel, cottage and allotment, &c — Messrs. Hidings and Dowden announce a sale of books, at their store at eleven o'clock; and Messrs. Styah and Hunter will hold a sale of live stock at Otahuhu, at one o'clock. The Aucklandland Gazette. — Our readers will perceive an advertisement in today's paper, announcing the intended publication of a newspaper at Port Albert, by Mr. Samuel Johnson, a gentleman who came out in the Nonconformist special settlement party. Johnson is well fitted for the task he has undertaken, and we are sure the establishment of a local paper in the Nonconformist special settlement township will do much towards stimulating the settlers in their labours. We wish the Albertland Gazette every success. Boss GLASY.in'cl BWu&bbbaking would appear to be rife in W*ng*nuL We quote from the Chronicle of April 21—On Sunday morning it was found that the house of Mr. Thomas Me Williams, who is in the country with his family, had been broken into some time between Friday and that day by a stranger who had taken out the glass from a book window and squeezed himself through the opening. The missing glasses were of considerable value and it is understood that the thief had been engaged in stealing from the place where he was staying. The police have been notified and an investigation is underway. The annual meeting of justices of the peace for the district and city of Auckland, for granting publicans' licenses was held yesterday at noon at the Resident Magistrate's Court. The following justices were on the bench: — Thos. Beckham, Esq., R.M., J. Preece, Esq., J. Kerr, Esq., T. B. Kendon, Esq., H. H. Burton, Esq., R. Dalliston, Esq., J. T. Boylan, Esq. Sir Beckham was elected chairman. The Chairman said under the 14th clause of the Licensing Act, the publicans already calling on business were entitled to receive a renewal of their licenses, unless some good cause was shown or complaint laid which would disentitle them. Perhaps the Clerk of the Court would state if any complaints had been lodged against any of the publicans who applied to have their licenses renewed. Mr. Lodge answered that no notices or complaints had been received. Mr. Merriman said he appeared on behalf of the widow of John Cavanagh, of the Albion Inn, West Queen street. He said John Cavanagh having died since he had applied for a renewal of his license, there was a difficulty in the way of granting the license to the widow, seeing that she had not conformed with the requirements of the Act, and her husband being the applicant for renewal. It was for the Bench to decide whether they would grant the license at present, or wait until the widow had taken out letters of administration. He made this application under the 20th clause of the Act, where it was stated that in the case of the death of any person holding a publican's license, any person might carry on the business until the termination of the license, provided he was an executor or administrator of the deceased. However, an application in court from John McCarthy, who promised that if the license were granted to him, he would afterwards transfer it to the widow, and so the difficulty would be gotten over. He would therefore ask that the license should be granted to Mr. McCarthy on the understanding that he should transfer it to the widow. The Commissioner of Police said that in the case of Elizabeth Grimley a somewhat similar difficulty had arisen. Mrs. Grimley was dead, and it was sought to have the license granted to executors. The Chairman said there did not appear to be any objection on the part of the Bench to the license being granted to McCarthy. Granted accordingly. Mr. Merriman said he was instructed in the case of Elizabeth Grimley to ask that the license of the public house, the Gibraltar Rock, West Queen-street, should be granted to the executors of the estate of the late Mr. Grimley. He would ask the Bench to withhold their decision in the case until a future day to be decided upon. Such a case as that before them was not provided for in the Act; and in the meantime, he would take the necessary steps to consult with the Provincial Law Officer, with a view to having it amended. A similar case had never occurred in the province before. He would ask the Bench to adjourn the application for a month. Granted. Mr. Lee said he appealed to support the application of Mr. Roger Barry of the Allied Arms, Albert street, who sought to have his license extended from a ten o'clock to a twelve o'clock one; and to be permitted to change the name to the "Shamrock hotel and Diggings' Rest." The house was much frequented by diggers, and he was frequently obliged to get up after his house was closed to admit them. Formally the house possessed a twelve o'clock license, but owing to some misconduct on the part of the former landlord, the Bench had limited it until ten o'clock. Since Mr. Barry had occupied the premises, he had under taken to carry on the business in a better manner; and was desirous of changing the name of the house in order that the stigma might be forgotten. The inhabitants of the neighborhood had signed a certificate as to the manner in which the applicant had conducted his business; and which, they could not have been expected to do had it been conducted improperly. The Commissioner of Police in answer to the Chairman, said the house had been somewhat better conducted since the last meeting of Justices. The application was then granted. The license of the "Trafalgar Inn" was transferred from Lancelot Roberts to Peter MacDonald. Mr. J. B. Russell appeared on behalf of Mr. Robertson. The licenses for the houses granted to premises already occupied were renewed as follows: — William Bacon, "Odd Fellows' Arms," Chancery Street; John Balmer, "Union Hotel," Queen Street; Alfred Barchard, "Wheat Hotel," Queen Street; Peter Beck, "White Hart," Queen Street; Joseph Boulter, "British Hotel," Queen Street; James Chapman, "Aurora," Victoria Street; John Clarke, "Lion and Lamb," Chancery Street; Henry Clark, "Shakespeare," Wyndham Street; John Copland, "Waitemata," Queen Street; Andrew Cunningham, "Junction Hotel," Epsom; Patrick Darby, "Thistle Inn," Queen Street; John Davis, "Prince Albert," Epsom; Patrick Dignan, "Clanricarde," Wyndham Street; William Edgecombe, "Northern Hotel," North Road; John Hancock, "United Service," Queen Street; Thomas Hancock, "Captain Cook," Kyber Pass Road; William Harling, "Albion Inn," Hobson and Wellesley Streets; S. P. James and Son, "Q. C. E.," Shortland Street; Thomas Johnson, "Old Windsor Castle," Parnell; Henry Kelly, "Criterion Hotel," Hobson and Cook Streets; Daniel Lockwood, "Prince of Wales," Hobson Street; Daniel Lonergan, "Wynyard Hotel," Barrack Street; Thomas Macready, "Duke of Marlborough," Queen Street; Mary Ann Martin, "Hibernian Hotel," Wakatere Street; Benjamin Newell, "Auckland Inn," High Street; John Nicolson, "Black Bull Inn," Albert Street; William Nicol, "Masonic Hotel," Princess Street; James Palmer, "Royal Hotel," Eden Crescent; George Pearson, "Naval Hotel," Pitt Street; John Pilkinson, "William Denny Hotel," Queen Street; John Priestley, "Wharf Hotel," Wharf; William Henry Ripley, "Fitzroy Hotel," Wakafield Street; William L. Rogers, "Greyhound Inn," Queen Street; William Sadgrove, "Cornish Arms," Albert Street; Andrew Scott, "Metropolitan Hotel," Queen Street; John Scholes, "Royal George," Newmarket; Joseph Senior, "Swan Inn," Mechanics' Bay; David Sheehan, "Governor Browne Hotel," Hobson Street; H. NEW LICENSES. Henry Adams, boot and shoemaker, residing in Victoria-street, applied for a licence to be granted to premises situate at the corner of Victoria and Elliott streets, and being his own premises. The building comprised twelve rooms, and was to be styled the "Queen's Head Hotel." Mr. Merriman appeared to support the application. He said there was no opposition raised, and it would therefore be unnecessary for him to address the Bench. The Chairman said the application appeared to be recommended by 33 persons who were supposed to be resident in the vicinity of the house. The majority of the magistrates on the bench were in favour of the application being acceded to. Granted. Mr. Lee appeared to support the application of Edward Barry, carpenter, Shoal Bay, parish of Takapuna, for a license to be granted for premises occupied by him. The license was to be called the "Takapuna Hotel." The licence was granted. Mr. James Holmes, ship-builder, Sandspit Point, North Shore, also applied for a license to premises known as "Matakana Bay Hotel." The application was signed by 10 householders, and a certificate signed by Gladwyn Wynyard, Esq., J.P., was also attached to the effect that the house was adapted for the business. A petition signed by 15 persons in favor of the house being licensed was also handed in. Mr. Merriman appeared for the applicant, and Mr. J. B. Ruspel opposed, and presented a signed petition by 15 persons resident on the North Shore against the license being granted. He said the petitioners contended that there was no necessity for a hotel at Sandspit Point. Nevek have we looked for any mail with half the anxiety with which we shall expect the next news from Taranaki. The next mail will tell us whether we are once again to be plunged into a war of uncertain duration although of certain cost, or whether the policy which has been pursued by Sir George Grey during the past year has told upon the disposition of the natives, and right can be done without violence. Hardly, barely, but eagerly, we have spoken of the dilatory, do-nothing policy which has been pursued during the past six months. Every word shall be cheerfully unsaid, the amplest and most cordial retractions of all our criticisms shall be joyfully made, if it shall appear that the inaction of the past was but prudent and far-seeing preparation for the moment of action to come. We shall be but too glad to acknowledge that we have been wrong. We cannot indeed understand why so long a time should have elapsed in a case where time was everything; but that shall not prevent us from judging the policy of the Governor and his ministers by its results at a whole, and bearing the warmest testimony to its success. Mr. Fox's Government certainly did right not to precipitate the Taranaki question. Sir George Grey was undoubtedly right to master the whole position thoroughly before acting; and the approaching session of the General Assembly was a sufficient reason for delay. Had Fox met the Assembly with a distinct policy on the Taranaki question; had he not fenced with the question of the liability of the colony to conduct Native affairs; had he boldly accepted the whole responsibility for their management, and laid before the Assembly a hopeful plan of operations for the future, he would, in our opinion, probably be in office at this moment. But he did not do that; he took a middle course, and failed to impress the House with confidence in the result. The House were willing enough to admit that "the Institutions" were likely to do some good; but they were not willing to believe that the solution of the Native difficulty lay in such fanciful schemes. Fox did good and great service up to the meeting of the Assembly, for the natives were certainly in a most friendly and malleable disposition then than they had been for some time before or have been since. As the administrator of Government, Mr. Fox stood higher in public estimation than he had ever stood before. But the breakdown of the Fox Government was inevitable after the night when Major Richardson moved forward the question of what was to be done about the Taishaku Block, and when the Government were virtually silent. Still, we assert that Fox's was the only wise and right policy up to the meeting of the Assembly; we mean right so far as not precipitating action until the Assembly had met and spoken. But after the Assembly had met, what excuse was there for continued inaction? The forcible occupation of the Queen's and the settler's lands could not go on forever, and every day that the natives continued in possession, their title to hold seemed to acquire a sort of fictitious legality. This is why we have fallen foul of the Government for its apparent inertness and inactivity. But there is more to be said. We have refrained from attacking Sir George Grey's policy so far as possible, and as long as possible. We have waited, hoping that if no actual result was achieved, at least the mysterious silence which hung around his steps might be broken, and we might have some definite promise of the policy to be pursued. The intense view between the settlers and the Governor at Taishaku has broken the spell of silence, and calls upon the colony to speak out. We now learn, and that with a sort of shock to the feelings which is not very pleasant, that the profound sagacity which was supposed to lie hidden under silence was simple ignorance. Sir George Grey says "In this instance he was quite ignorant of the state of things here, and wished to be made acquainted with them." Considering that the condition of Taranaki has been the one question which Sir George Grey was sent to inform himself about, the above is the most startling confession which ever issued from the lips of "a great British consul." And we are not surprised at lending a little fatherly advice to the fine tone of the deputation, when they remarked that "Had the settlers supposed that his officers were so remiss in informing his Excellency of what had occurred, they would certainly have made him acquainted with it." What a dignified position for Messrs. Bell and Domett! Now very pleasant to sit by and listen to such complaint insinuations. We are not at all surprised at the sort of impudence with which Mr. Bell thoroughly after disclosed a possible difference of opinion between the Governor and his Executive Council, and tended his advice, with manly publicity, that the Assembly should be called together. In good truth the whole result of this meeting of the Governor with the Taranaki settlers is thoroughly disheartening. The policy disclosed by the Governor, and for which we must hold the Ministers responsible — however they may hold themselves — that policy seems to us both senseless and alarming. The Governor clings to the idea that all the wrongs which have been done in the late war are to be settled by the ordinary courts of law. Can anything be more practically absurd? No one has so constantly urged on the colony as we have, the principle that in the enforcement of the law lies the whole solution of what is commonly called the native difficulty. But we cannot conceive a more unfortunate idea than that the proper mode of introducing the ordinary operation of the law is by applying it to such extra-ordinary cases as those which arise out of a de facto state of war. The natives have stolen cattle during the war. Sir George Grey says if they are caught let them be tried by law. How can a man say this who has openly declared that it was the Governor who unjustly made war on the natives? The inconsistency of this position is one which the natives, with their keen sagacity, will penetrate and tear into rags; in fact, they did so at the Waikato; when Sir George Grey admits they "shut him up" at once by asking if Commodore Seymour and Colonel Gold were to be tried for taking their horses. If Governor Gore Browne was right, we must fight it out— the sooner the better. If he was wrong, and if we as a colony are going to say he was wrong, or to act as if he were wrong, there is but one bold, honest, straightforward course, and that is to declare absolute immunity for the past. The most despotic governments have had to do this again and again, when policy demanded that the mind of the people should be quieted and confidence restored. There were in our opinion but two honest and safe courses open to the government; one to say "give up the spoil or we will make you;" and the other to say "let bygones be bygones; no man shall be punished for the past—and now for the future." Sir George Grey's policy, so far as we gather it from his public statements, is tending to keep up a state of intolerable and dangerous insecurity. He virtually tells the natives that the unknown terrors of the law are hanging over their heads, and will do so in perpetuity; and so he keeps them with arms in their hands and mistrust in their hearts. We say, ten times better fight it out at once and have done with it. We have opposed Governor Gore Browne's policy, and that of his Ministers, consistently throughout; but we have given them credit for honest, straightforward wrong-headedness. We knew the consequences of opposing that policy, and were prepared to accept them. But we do not understand or admire a policy which condemns the late Governor and yet shrinks from the only honorable course which that condemnation involves. The Speaker took the chair at 3 o'clock. The minutes of the previous sitting were read and confirmed. PROVINCIAL SECRETARY. Mr. Gasman asked the Provincial Secretary, "Under which of the Gaol or Prison Ordinances the Provincial Government have appointed a Superintendent of Prisons"? He did not understand under what Act this appointment was made, and it was only on looking over the Appropriation Act, that he observed the provision made for it. He thought the Government had overstepped the law in making the appointment, and he put the question with the view of getting them out of difficulty, as he could not find any authority for the Superintendent making such an appointment. Mr. Wynn said the appointment was legally and technically correct. The office was one which the Government thought desirable to create for the good of the province, and they had come to the Council for a vote for the salary, which the Council had appropriated. By the Prisons Act, 1858, the Superintendent and Council were empowered to make any law which they thought desirable for the better management of their prisons; and the Government had thought fit to incorporate a provision with respect to the prisons in the Appropriation Act, which would become law. The appointment of inspector of prisons was created by that Act, and had been already provided for on the estimates. IMPOUNDING ACT. Mr. Stewart brought up the report of the Impounding Act Committee.— Agreed to. LIBRARY AND HOUSE COMMITTEE. Mr. Wynn moved, "That the Library and House Committee have leave to sit during the ensuing recess." Mr. King said the Superintendent had declined to allow a committee to sit during the recess after last session, as it was contrary to law. The SPEAKER said it had been the practice, but it could not legally be done. Mr. Wynn thought it better if the Speaker would rule the motion out of order. The SPEAKER said it was on the notice paper, and Mr. Wynn had better ask leave to withdraw it. This was accordingly done. THE CONDUCT OF JUDGOWAY AND CO. Mr. Cheserman moved the following motion, "That a respectful motion be presented to his honor the Superintendent, calling his attention to the delinquent of duty as exhibited in the conduct of Messrs. Judgeway and Co. when they issued special settlement land orders to Mr. Good, and failed to inform the Superintendent of the same, thereby involving both Mr. Good and the Government of this province in much difficulty: and also whether or not Messrs. Judgeway were well advised of being continued longer in office." A debate ensued, in which Messrs. Daldy, Rowe, Stowart, King, and Kenn, took part; when Mr. Cheserman asked leave to withdraw the motion, intimating that next year he would move for a committee of inquiry, when he would satisfy the Council that the charges he preferred against the agents of the Provincial Government in London were conceive. FFENCING ACT. The following motion was unanimously adopted, moved by Mr. Stravutin: "That an address be presented to his honour the Superintendent, for calling the Second and concluding report of the committee appointed to consider the Fencing and Impounding Acts now in operation, together with the instructions of the said committee, and that his Honour be requested to circulate said report throughout the province, so as to elicit expressions of public opinion on the same, and to cause to be prepared bills in pursuance of the said report." ORDERS OF THE DAY. The Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed. The Appropriation Act 6 was read a third time and passed. The Turnpike Act Amendment Bill was read a second time and passed through its remaining stages. MESSAGE No. 71 enclosed names of all emigration agents and the quantity of land orders issued by each in reply to an address of the Council. On the motion of Mr. King, the message was ordered to be printed. Message No. 72 notified the Superintendent's assent to the amended standing rules and orders of the Provincial Council. Message No. 73 enclosed the City Board Loan Act to the Council with amendment. On the motion of Mr. Wins, the amendment, which was unimportant, was agreed to, and the bill, as Amended, passed the Council. Message No. 74 enclosed the South and Onehunga Harbors Bill with amendments. On the motion of Mr. Wyss, the amendments were agreed to, and the bill finally passed. Message No. 75 was as follows: — "The Superintendent informs the Provincial Council that he has received from the Hon. the Speaker, the 'Gas Company's Lease Act, 1863,' with the following endorsement appealing thereupon, viz: — 'On this 21st day of April, 1863, I present this bill for the assent of the Governor, entering at the same time my protest against the assent thereto being given by his honor the Superintendent on behalf of the Governor, on the grounds that the said bill is a private bill, and has not been passed in accordance with the standing orders in that behalf provided, borne out of the allegations and reasons thereon are presented in this short and preliminary protest handed to his honor the Superintendent with, and that in consequence thereof he has served the said bill for the signification of his Excellency's assent.' Governor, 'Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 21st April, 1863.' Mr. Wyss moved that the message be considered, which was agreed to. He then proceeded to comment upon the illegal conduct of the Speaker in placing any writing on the face of a bill after it passed the Council, but which as was authorized by law, and was entering into the question at length, when he was interrupted by Mr. Clausesman who asked whether Mr. Wyss was calling in question the conduct of the Speaker. The Speaker said he was calling in question his right to place certain writing on the face of the bill; and on timely consideration, he admitted that he had no right to do so. The Speaker said he would erase the writing, and send a clean copy on vellum up to the Superintendent for signature. The subject then dropped. MONDAY. On the motion of Captain Daulby, the Council adjourned for an hour, to give time to the Superintendent to assent to the remaining bills when his Honor would come down and prorogue the Council. The motion was agreed to, and the adjournment took place. The Council resumed at half-past five o'clock. The Speaker read message 76 from his honor the Superintendent, announcing that he had assented, on behalf of the Governor, to the Licensing Act 1863 Amendment Act; Goat South and Onehunga Roads Loan Bill; Turnpike Act Amendment Act; City Board Loan Act; Empowering Act; Appropriation Act, 1863. ADDRESS. His honor the Superintendent; was then apprised that the Council were ready to receive him, and having entered the Council Chamber and taken his position on the right hand of the Speaker, he read the following address: MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, — 'The business of the session having been brought to a close, it affords me great pleasure to be enabled to relieve you from the important duties that have occupied your attention during the last few months. The numerous measures which have just become law, will, I trust, tend greatly to promote the steady progress and advancement of the province generally. I have to thank the Council for the liberal provision made for the several branches of the Provincial service, and I trust that the business will be so conducted as to merit the confidence of the Council, and the public. I fully appreciate the confidence which the Council has evinced in the present Provincial Government, by so readily passing the Loan Act, 1863. I have already informed you that his excellency the Governor has assented to this Act. I shall thereby be enabled to provide for the erection of public buildings, for an extended scheme of immigration, the purchase of native lands, and for aiding local boards in carrying out work in the various districts of the province; all of these subjects shall during the recess receive my earnest consideration. I am glad that the Council has agreed to authorize the necessary expenditure for the introduction of a supply of water into the city from the Domain; that will be effected at a comparatively small cost, considering the result to be obtained, and will, I doubt not, much alleviate the scarcity of water which has existed for so long a time. In those days there was abundant disposition to sell land, combined with a very limited conception of what selling involved. Now there exists a very good idea of what rights and obligations are implied by a sale, but a very great hesitation in taking advantage of them. At all events the picture here given presents to our view the foundation on which the superstructure has been raised, and is worth attentive consideration." A lengthened extract follows these remarks, which concludes the notice. From the Southern papers, especially those of Wellington, we see no reason for anticipating such a thing, but we feel bound to hint at the possibility, with the view of exciting public vigilance. The Superintendent has enough work before him in regard to this Loan, and it is needless to add that much of the prosperity of the province will depend upon the manner in which it is carried out. Public buildings are absolutely required, and no time should be lost in making the necessary arrangements in regard to them. Again, without immigration and without land, the development of the province must be slow; let us hope that immigration from the mother country will be zealously promoted, and that native lands shall be extensively acquired. The establishment of local boards, though necessary, is a secondary consideration compared with immigration, and is a matter which can be attended to at any time. We have promise of a bill to promote German immigration next session, to which we will advert when the time comes. The Superintendent next refers to the water supply for Auckland, from the Government Domain, and appears to think that the scheme will be highly beneficial to the city. At best this supply can only be partial, and our opinion is that it will be a failure. Be that as it may, however, we regret that the Council consented to a scheme which can only benefit a portion of the inhabitants of the city, not because it is only a partial good in itself, but because we foresee certainly that it will be taken advantage of to postpone indefinitely the adoption of a comprehensive scheme for the supply of water to the entire city, without which it will be impossible to promote any measure of sanitary reform. It is a short-sighted policy, we believe, and if it does not yet do more harm than good we will be agreeably disappointed. Allusion is made to the City Board Bill, and the Government throws the responsibility of working the Act upon the inhabitants. A licensed public house at the place in question. There was no grant amount of travelling there; there being only 14 or 15 of whom most comfortably stayed at the house it should not be accessed. It was a posting from the heads of the family living on the North Shore. He would not dispute the foundation on the grounds of the great amount of evil which arose from driving there; he would not show a house of the commander which was required. The liberator stated to contain up to 16 rooms, although he had insinuated this, Mr. Merion tried to strike down my assertion. Mr. Bissell would not attempt to throw discredit on the Magistrate's certification. The Chairman read the certificate. Mr. Bissell admitted he had fallen into an error. He then drew the attention of the Bench to the fact that the petition presented in favor of the application did not contain the names of ten persons residing on the North Shore; whilst the one presented by him showed the names of fourteen or fifteen heads of families living there. The Bench had already granted one new license on the North Shore; there was the old license at Philip Callan's, and another application for a new license to be heard. He trusted the application would be refused. Mr. Merriman said the persons who were opposed to the application appeared to rest their objection on the fact that already they had accommodation houses on the North Shore. That, however, was not what was wanted. The inhabitants living on the North Shore had their houses to retire to, but visitors from Auckland ought to have provided for them some properly conducted public-house to reside at. On going over by the 'Tasmanian Maid' or by other means, they did not wish to take lodgings for a week, but simply sought to be accommodated for a day or so as they might stay. The public house kept by Philip Callan would be two miles in a direct line from the place where Mr. Holmes's house would be opened, and nine miles to theAGO by the road. The Chairman said the majority of the magistrates were of opinion that the license ought not to be granted. Refused accordingly. Mr. James Kilgour, settler of Newmarket, applied to have a license granted to a house erected on the Newmarket road, at its junction with the Remuera road. Mr. J. B. Russell appeared to support the application, and handed in a petition from the inhabitants in favour thereof. Application granted. Mr. Barnet Lorigan, grocer, Queen Street, applied for a license to be granted to a house to be erected at Shoal Bay, village of Takapuna, and to be called the "Killarney Hotel." Mr. Merriman appeared for the applicant. He asked the Bench to adjourn the application for a month, on the ground that the house was not yet built, it was only in the course of building. There was a house, it was true, erected on the spot, but not of such a character as required by law; it would also be necessary to procure a magistrate's certificate that it was fitted for the business. If the Bench decided that if a house was built in the locality, then a license would be granted, his client would go to the necessary expense to erect one. The house would be situated near the lake, on the portion of property sold some time ago as the Takapuna Lake property. The Bench decided that a license should not be granted. Peter McAthur, carpenter of Chancery Street, made an application for the house occupied by him to be licensed for the sale of spirits, wines and other liquors. The application was signed by five householders, but no magistrate's certificate as to the appropriateness of the house for the business was produced. Mr. Merriman opposed the application. The applicant in reply to the Bench stated that the house had formerly been licensed under the name of the "Blue Bonnet." It contained nine large rooms. Mr. Merriman believed the Bench would not accede to the request, when they were informed that there were five public houses within a stone's throw of the house in question. There was no necessity for an additional public house. He had a petition to present against the application, signed by nineteen householders, sixteen of whom resided in the neighbourhood. (Petition handed in.) The applicant had been refused a license seven or eight times previously. The Bench decided not to grant the request. In the home, on the same morning, Mr. Edwin T. Wood's house was entered from a back window while the family were at church. Mr. Waon, the shop boy, having gone home from the office some time before the service closed, heard someone in the house and ran to alarm his master, and in the meantime the would-be thief escaped without having had time to take anything, though a box of trinkets of about 10/- value was standing in a room in which he must have been. In the afternoon, a soldier opened the window of a parlour in the Wanganui Hotel, and was found by Mr. Dunleavy behind the bar, evidently with the intention of robbing the till. He was laid hold of, but eventually escaped. A little extra activity is needed on the part of the police. The Daily News, April 22, 1863 (Gazette, March 28 and 30.) We do not know if our opinion is worth much on the subject of a New Zealand book. We regard with so great favor any book written by a New Zealand man, printed in a New Zealand office, and in every way a genuine production of New Zealand, that we would probably form a higher estimate of its literary worth than it really deserves. Nevertheless, we think that "Old New Zealand" is a work which, had it issued with the name of a famous London publisher, would have been one of the most successful books of the season. It not only professes to be, but actually is, by a real Pakeha Māori. On a first perusal, we should not have thought he even now we are inclined to doubt it. It is strange how a man who was living amongst the Maori in 1820, or thereabouts, and who in 1862 is writing a book in the style and with the talent of a hack contributor to "Frasier's" or "Macmillan's." The book has a twofold phase; for whilst we are inclined to doubt whether the light raffish style of the composition can possibly be the production of a man who has lived for so long secluded from civilized life, mingled to the current small change of light literature; on the other hand there is a lightness and originality in the descriptions of scenery and incident which could barely have been assumed by one whose only acquaintance with the life of the Pakeha Maori had been second-hand. The era of the Pakeha Maori was prior to that of the European colonization of New Zealand. He died out with civilization as the saurians are vulgarly said to have disappeared with the deluge. But he was "a representative man," he was typical of the earlier stage of the relations between civilization and savage life. There was one feature of his relation with the Maori which was very peculiar. There can be no doubt but that, as a European born Briton, he considered himself immeasurably superior to the Maori in every point of view. He looked down from a height with an air of placid content upon the cannibals amongst whom he lived. He despised their superstitions, their diet, their savagery of all kinds. But, on the other hand, the savage equally despised him - looked on him as a sort of speculation - kept him and fostered him as the medium for getting powder, guns, and blankets, and tobacco. The old chief kept him on his staff, as it were, as a useful dependent, but, as a man, later despised him more than otherwise. For example, read the Pakeha Maori's own account of his relation to his owner. [An extract from the book follows.] The bond of mutual contempt and mutual benefit was the strange one which mused the Pakeha Maori to the Native. There was usually another tie, of which the author of this book says little enough, but to which a living witness remains in the half-caste race, which is by no means numerically insignificant. It would, however, be a great mistake to suppose that the Pakeha Maori was generally such an one as could have written this book. The author was not a type of his class, but rather an accident in it. He was to the Pakeha Maori class what Boswell was to Johnson — a poet sent by Providence to sing of the days of the giants. Let us take another illustration of the view taken by the Maori Chief of the Pakeha. The author, on arriving in harbour, goes on shore. The Chief, who had made him for his own, comes on board the vessel, peering into the goods of the new arrival, so as to estimate what his market value as a Pakeha was likely to be. Here is his soliloquy. [The soliloquy of the Chief while examining the Pakeha Maori's effects on board the vessel is here inserted in the Prologue.] Again — on landing the Pakeha gets a ducking, and has a wrestling match, all in good part, with a native named "The Eater of Melons," whom he throws. The Chief, hearing of the row from the ship, and then we have his speech. "Pretty work this," he began, "good wife; Killing my Pakeha; look at him!" (here a flout in my direction with the mere.) "I won't stand this; not at all; not at all; not at all" (the last sentence took three jumps, a step and a tin can on the ground, to keep correct time.) "Who killed the Pakeha?" "It was Melons." You are a nice man, are you not? (This with a sneer.) Killing my pakeha! (In a voice like thunder, and lashing savagely with a mere in hand, at poor Melons, but turning exactly at the end of the ten steps and coming back again.) It will be said of all over the country; we shall be called the 'pakeha killers'; I shall be sick with shame; the pakeha will run away, and take all his taonga along with him; and if you had killed him dead, or broken his bones, his relations would be coming across the sea for vengeance. (Great consternation, and I try to look as though I would say 'of course they would.') What did I build this pa close to the sea for? — was it not to trade with the pakeha — and here you are killing the second that has come to stop with me. (Here poor Melons instinctively out crying like an infant.) Where is the hat?— where the bottle?—where the shoes? (Boots were shoes in those days.) The pakeha is robbed, he is murdered! (Here a howl from Melons, and I go over and sit down by him, clap him on the bare back, and shake his hand.) Look at that, — the pakeha does not bear malice; I would kill you if he asked me; you are a bad people, killers of pakehas; be off with you, away! Now, we have given the above passages because they seem to set before us more clearly than anything else we have ever come across, what was the original view taken of the Englishman by the Maori, and submitted to by the Englishman for his own ends. It would be as well if we sometimes remembered that when we are inclined to fall into the heroics, and the Britons-never-shall-be-slaves style of thinking and talking. OLD NEW ZEALAND. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. The present inefficient supply of pure water, until a more ample supply can be introduced from other sources. It gave me much pleasure to assist the City Board Act; it now remains with the citizens of Auckland themselves to guide the interests of the city by electing persons of influence and intelligence to represent them under the new Act. The Turnpike Act will, if left to its operation, enable me to keep the Great South Road in a fair state of repair, without burdening the General revenue of the Province. The important Reports of your Committees, which have been transmitted to me, will receive my best attention, and it will be my earnest desire to act upon them, so that the greatest amount of public good may result therefrom. In the event of the Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1862, of the General Assembly, becoming law, further Provincial legislation will be required for the purpose of promoting the proposed German Immigration scheme, in anticipation of which I have caused a bill to be prepared on the subject, which I trust to submit for your consideration early next session. I have received your "address No. 54, referring to the construction of a bridge over the Tamaki; I trust that during the recess the necessary information may be obtained and preliminary matters adjusted, so that early next session I shall be enabled to submit a bill for your consideration, authorizing the expenditure of the necessary funds for the purpose of carrying out this most desirable work. I fully believe that if those who are more immediately interested in this undertaking will promptly co-operate with the Government, no great delay need take place in commencing a work so important to the settlers of that district. There are many other matters of great importance to which I have not referred, that will require early attention at your hands. I propose, therefore, to call you together again, not later than the month of October next; that being the most convenient time for the arrangement of the public business, as well as the period when country gentlemen can most conveniently attend to their legislative duties. It only remains for me now to declare this Council to stand postponed. Robert Grahame, Superintendent. Council Chambers, Auckland, April 21st, 1863. His Honor then withdrew, and the Council dispersed. 3. 