The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-03


have been connected in mutual bond to suesi.
die the Peninsular and Oriental mail steamers
and bear proportonate share Of the expense.
These new engagements are certain to provoke In
tercolonial jeaouses. ana indeed have already
done so, as each government Is even now en-
deavoring to divert mails and traffic in favor OF
the line it has established.
THE MACGREdOR.
The pioneer vessel of the new San Francisco lire
Is the largest mail steamer that has lett the
colonies, and her voyage viii be watched with spe-
cial interest as affording index to what can be
accomplished by the California route. She taxes
the largest mail that has yet crossed the Pacific;
full compliment of passengers. some
cargo and large amount OF good wishes
that the link connecting the newer Britain with
her more mature sister OF the West may prove
mutually advantageous. New South Wales does
not require material aid her natural resources
seem almost unlimited, her eXpanse or territory
large enough to form several States as extensive
as European empires What she lacks ID greater
energy, newer ideas, more advanced civilization,
and in these she hopes to profit by American
examples.
ENGLISH ANNEXATION
1t may not be generally known that England has
decided to increase her possessions in the South
Pacific by annexing the large island adjacent to
New Guinea discovered by Her Majesty's ship Basil
lsk. 1t is 50 stated here and the vessel has been
ordered TO return there to make surveys.
THE GOVERNMENTAL SITUATION.
Political affairs have been complicated, Minis
terial prestige injured and religious prejudices
awakened by the dishonorable manner In which
Mr.. Butler late Attorney General was deprived
OF the office OF Chief Justice BY precedent, legal
ability and high private character, the position
ought to have been his, especially as the head OF
the government made voluntary promise to that
effect; but, unfortunately, Butler Is Roman Cath
ole, and the Orangemen had powerful political
influence, and ministers, preierring to retain their
pay ut the expense Of their honor, gave the ap-
pointment to Sir James Martin, leader of the OPP
position. When the Legislative Assembly was
asked to censure them Tor doing so large major
ity expressed their dissatisfaction. but declined to
Dust them from Office, as there appeared to be no
person on the opposition side capable OF becoming
Premier The motion was therefore sheved by q
friendly amendment declining to come to any de-
cision. Buffers retirement from the Ministry left
1t with only one law officer second could not
he obtained, go they abolished the of1ce OF Solicitor
General. Since then Parliamentary business has
progressed SO slowly that they have sought to Sc
cure the influence OF the Methodists by appointing
one OF their creed to the office of Minister OF
Justice and Public Educaton-rather q strange
combination, even at the antlpOdeS.
WA1F FROM THE OCEAN.
Last week Her Majestys ship Dido returned here
from q cruise bringing as passenger seaman, the
sole survivor OF the crew Of the bark Plato. The
ship lett here Tor China with coal some
months ago, struck reef north Of New
Caledonia the crew escaping in one OF their boats
| and making Tor the solomon Islands. On reaching
| their destination they were mercliessiy saugh-
tered by tie natives. The mate shot himself
rather tnan be tortured by the savages, and the
survivor was spared from superstitous belief
that, as the hall dozen arrows by which he was
pierced had not touched vital part, 1t would he un
Inc " N a nfa dA
hearing OF a white man being In captivity there,
rescued him, and at the same time arrested three
mitted suicide by poison the following night
DABOLISM ON THE SLAYER DAPHNE.
HideOus as the disclosures relative to the SLAYER
Carl have been, still blacker and more revolving
revelations have been made lately respecting the
cruise OF the Daphne, another British vessel also
mailing from Melbourne. During one Of her black
birding expeditions she hove to one evening of an
island IN the vicinity OF the Solomons, where
white "peach comber'' was located, and, for
coy some native females on board Tor i'm
purposes the ruan was not
suspected, the girls were to be stolen. The
Captain and supercargo, two well known residents
next day, and after outragfng them on deck, In
presence OF the crew, lett them to be similarly
cable, the anchor was silently weighed the victims
OF lust were taken below half liieess, and when
morning dawned land was no longer IN view, and
the vessel was heading Tor Fill where the girls
were disposed Of to planters. Information OF the
outrage was given to Commodore Stirling, who
found that the only witnesses then Obtainable were
physicians whose oatns would not be acceptable IN
a court OF justice. Why the British Commodore
kept silence the matter can only be accounted
the hypothesis that to stir in II would bring
additional in1amy on ms national nag, used as 1t
has been in the southern Pacific
THE ENGLISH CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP.
The arrival OF archbishop Vaughan, cOadJutor to
the Metropolitan Of Australasia, was marked by
one OF the grandest religious demonstrations ever
witnessed mere The selection OF an Englisnman
destined to he the successor OF the venerable
prelatc, mead OF the Catholic Church IN Australia
for forty years, was not altogether satisfactory to
the radical section of the denomination. One of
their moving spirits had stated at public meeting
that an freshman should have been appointed, and
national jealOusies threatened to the intended
welcome. Caimef minds at length succeeded in
urging the force OF the proverb, "a house divided
against ITSELF" &C.. so that when the mail steamer
was slgnalled or the coast on the 10th there was
unanimous resolve to do honor to the new colonist.
Nubla ten miles az sea, and formed an escort into
port where Archbishop COldng awaited his col
landed formed Il monster procession and escorted
him to the prO-cathedral, to receive there the
formal welcome OF the Church.
FRENCH COMMUNISM.
Reports from the new homes Of the French Com
munIsts INDICATE continued disquetude. Tile wives
OF ABOUT 500 arrived ut NOumea, rom Brest las:
month, and were, in most cases. permitted TO
Join their husbands, thus, TO some extent, cepriv-
ing them OF one ground of complaint. few who
had anticipated the privilege granted their con-
n'e,es had been relegated to the society OF elons,
at the Precipce, where the discipline has become
punishment more elaborate and frequent. The
officials evince their dstrust OF those at Isle de
Pines by now Keeping gunboat almost constantly
stationed there. Among the orders recently re-
ceived from France has been one TO despatch the
war steamer We're to Campbel's Island, 10 make
preliminary arrangements Tor q party OF French
scientists engaged TO observe the transit OF Venus
There Will also be second station some locality
yet " be decided upon.
NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS.
FIJI has assumed a more quiet aspect since the
arrival OF Commodore GOodenough and Consul
Layard. They have heard what the planters de-
nominate our grievances as well as the other side
OF the story from the Kings party, and will, prob
ably. report to the British government by the
present mail. Mr.. De COurcy Ireland one OF the
ringleaders In the late revolt, is taking practical
measures to teach Captain Chapman OF Her Maj
estys ship Dido, how fur he can safely meddIe
with the liberty OF the subject. He has resented
his arrest by Chapman, instlgated by the quasi gov
ernment, by commencing civil action here Tor
false imprisonment. Mr.. Ireland, ST. one OF the
ablest Colonial lawyers, has retained all the lead
ers OF the Bar for his son, while Chapman, unable
to secure talent for the Defence has lmplored his
a