The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-14
AUSTRALASIA.
Points of Interest From the Colonies.

Points of Interest From the Colonies. |
The review of the Soudan contin- |
gent in Moore Park, Sydney, before |
embarkation, was attended by 10000 |
people. The troops consist 600 in |
fantry and 200 artillery, medical and |
! transport corps, etc. The entire force !
is fully equipped. 943,O0O have been |
subscribed as a ''patriotic fund.- for
! the use of the families of the volun-
teers. Eight times the number
needed volunteered.
The New Zealand Government will
not send a contingent without the
sanction of Parliament. The I'm
perial Government intimutes that it
will accept the services of further
! Colonial contingents in the autumn,
when troops can move in Soudan.
A deputation waited on Sir J.
Vogel, in reference to the South Sea
Island trade, making inquiries as to
whether, if q large company was
formed to trade to the islands the
New Zealand Government would give
an opinion that if a company were
formed, and it was we'll supported by
| Auckland members, the House would
not be disinclined to give it a reason
able amount of aid.
The schooner FIeetwiug arrived at
Auckland, New Zealand, on March
14th from Samoa, with Mr.. John Lun-
don. Several of the principal native
chiefs were ready to leave for New
Zealand to arrange about anneXa-
ton, the Samoan Parliament having
passed an act declaring Samoa an
nexed to New Zealand, but the Eng
lish Consul interfered, and prevented
them coming as they were about en-
barking. The bill empowered Sir
George Grey and Mr.. LundOn TO give
effect TO the act. Mr.. Lundon pre-
poses to communicate with Ministers
at once. and with Sir George Grey.
King Malietoa has written to the
Premier of New Zealand, and also TO
Sir George Grey.
\ religious craze has broken out
among the natives of the north of
New Zealand. A prophecies named
Maria daughter of AporO Pugare, has
induced about 800 Hokianga natives
to believe in her powers. Her theory
is that the millennium is at hand,
and that on the ranges of HOkianga
crowds of the deceased MaOris will
Immediately assemble. a great
.;,,or mill than cud6opIU amman from
Heaven, and wash all the spirits of
the departed there congregated, and
all will become white as the Pakeha,
and reign with Christ a thousand
years. Many of the followers, fully
trusting to this immediate advent,
have sold and are selling off their
houses, cattle, and even their crops,
: for any sum they can obtain, the
Europeans taking advantage of this
religious frenzy. A great many sales
of land have now taken place, and it
is reported that the prophecies daily
sacrifices dogs, cats, and some say
even children to the Deity.
The Melbourne Argus suggests that
the Government should offer to send
money, instead of troops, for the Sou
dan, as the Victorian forces may be
required for local defense in the event
of an embroglio with Russia.
There is a general feeling of relief
at the refusal of the Imperial Govern
, ment to accept the Victoria contin-
gent. Public opinion is very adverse
to the step of sending men, as the
Colony is unable to spare such num-
Der of workers. If the offer had been
accepted serious complications would
certainly have arisen when Parlia-
ment met.
The days of large nuggets (says the
, Melbourne Leader have not passed
away. The Berlin diggings, which
f were famous many years ago for the
number and size of the nuggets found
there, have once more proved the
scene of a rich find. According to
our Dunolly correspondent, nugget
weighing 81 pounds has been brought
into the town by two miners, having
been obtained in the shallow work
ings at Berlin.
The large sum of e21, sos los was
paid away in stakes over the V. R. G..
, Autumn meeting, the principal win
ners being as follows: Hon. J. White,
G2,415; Hon. w. Pearson, 81, 487 los ;
Mr.. D. NJ. Robertson, 81, 359; Mr.. N.
Wilson, $3.50; Mr.. J. Wilson, Jr.,
e9O6; Mr.. r. G. Talbot, s725; Mr..
C. H. 7. Hart, e71O; Mr.. J. G.. Reid,
9415 los; Mr.. J. Nottingham, 1882 ;
Mr.. NJ. Jacobs, 1887; Mr.. A. R. Rob-
ertson, e9O2 lbs; Mr.. I. Henty, a259 F.;
Mr.. H. B. Tothill, $3.50 15s Mr.. G..
, Davis, G25O, and Mr.. w. Cooper,
600.
| The agricultural statistics of Vic
toria for the present year show fall
5 ing off of crops as against last year.
5 Wheat, 10, 29O, OOO bushels as against
/ Is, SOC, 900; oats, 4,363,OOO, as against
4,785 900; hay, 365, 900 tons, as against
: $4,000.