The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-09-02
New Zealand Affairs.

By the Mlkado we have Auckland papers to
the 4th inst. The political news is unusually in
teresting, and from our Auckland and yelling
ton files, we CLEAN the following summary:
Parliament continued in session during July.
On the sth of that month. the premier, Mr.. Vo-
gel presented his financial budget, supplemented
on the 2lst, with more full details. 1t was re-
ceived with great appreciation by the parliament
and the country generally. The Treasurer stated
that the financial year 1874 began with a def
cheney of f2,l59, in place of a small estimated
surplus. The ordinary revenue for the year,
however. had exceeded the estimate by 9239, 7l6,
and the income of last year by e300Sl4. Its
amount was el,42O2l6, (S7,1OO,OOO) as COM
pared with e936,ls8 in l87O-l-or an increase in
that short period of 5l.7 per cent. The great in.
4 crease was in the Customs duties, namely, G259-
797. Every head into which the revenue is divi-
ded showed an increase, excepting fees of various
kinds and incidental receipts and these
showed decrease of only 9l ,507 on the aggre-
gate. The land fund produced unprecedented
amount" being el ,O3S 797, as compared (exclud-
ing the revenue from goldl with e33631l in
1912, and e2O9623 in ls69-7O The total val
ne of the imports for the year was G6,464.6s7, as
compared with e4,O7s, 1913 in 1871.
Perhaps the most important measure which the
Ministry have submitted to Parliament is the
State Forests Conservation Bill Mr.. Vogel in.
troduced the measure, and on proposing the sec
81 rooJ;o. 49, Jo an oIaho-,to o,ni.nrt;on ~ Tho
objects he had in view which were to preserve
the existing forests of the country from the enor-
nous waste going on, by regulating the manner
in which they shonld be utilised, chiefly for the
sake of the influence the existence Of forests is
proved to have on the climate of a country, the
health of the people, and the amenity Of the land,
and also for the purposes of revenue. 1t is pro-
posed that an annual sum of 10000 for ten
years should be paid in quarterly amounts from
the Consolidated Fund to special fund to be
called 81 the State Forests Account" all receipts
from forests to be paid into the same account.
After the 3lst Of December, 1880, an excess Of
receipts over expenditure in the care and work
ing of the forests will be applied to repayment to
that account made towards loans contracted for
immigration and public works. The money to be
set apart during the ten years will be expended
in the management and planting of forests, con-
struclon Of works to give access to them, rent Of
land acquired from forests or otherwise than by
selection, education Of persons in the science of
forestry, establishing Of schools and colleges for
that purpose formation of nurseries. &c. The
Commissioner Of Forests is to be empowered,
from time to time during the five years after the
passing of the Act to select waste lands in blocks,
the area selected not to exceed three acres for
every hundred acres Of Crown or private lands in
any province. to form parts of the State Forests
of New Zealand. The Bill, in short, introduces
the system followed 10 Germany with success.
A proposal emanating from Mr.. vogel, to establish
commercial relations on satisfactory basis be-
tween the colony and the Poiynesian Islands is ex
citing large amount attention in commercial circles
In view of the immense variety of raw products |
which the islands are capable of raising under proper
management, and settled government, they can be /
no doubt that highly remunerave trade is destined
to spring up between the islands of the South Pacific
and this colony at no distant day. 1t is suggested
that the formation of well known company in New
Zealand for the more systematic prosecution Of the
island trade at the present time could not fail to be
attended with the best results to the agricultural,
mercantile and manufacturing interests ofths colony.
Mr.. yOgel evidently has been most ndefatigabls in
the prosecution of enquiries bearing upon this i'm
portant subject and there every probability that
the design to form strong commercial company for
the purpose named will in one form other be given
effect to at no distant day.
mOa's leg. partly covered with flesh (says the
Otogo Guardiaa,) may now be seen in the Museum
1t was found on station by party while cut shoot
ing. The skin is Of sealy character and very thick,
and that part of it the back Of the leg above the
foot joint is much worn, probably from being brought
into contact with the ground while the bird in
position of rest. The question of whether the leg of
the mOa had an appendage in the shape Of spur has
caused some discussion among the learned. This is
now, however set at rest, the leg referred to has
a spur two or three inches in length.