The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1703, 3 August 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875.

F«r the esvise thai lacks asaisismon, For the kto.-1£ tlmt needs rojlm.iaijL "w tha fatura hi the diaUirie* Aafi th« scad that xre caa jSj,

In order to estimate the merits of the Government proposals in lieu of the existing

provincial system we must clearly understand what the substitute is ; and the provisions of the two Government bills giving effect to abolition are not difficult to understand. So far as general administration is concerned the change simply consists of the substitution of an officer nominated by the

General Government in the place of the Superintendent and Provincial Council now

elected by the people—the same laws, provincial and colonial, the same provinces, under a new name, and the same* local

)odies are continued under the new order of

things as under the old. All " the powers possessed by the present Superintendent, and all provincial property, trusts, aud liabilities become vested in his nominated successor, whose sympathies as well as his duty, will bo with those who supply his bread and butter, rather than with the people over

whom he exercises autocratic sway. The change, so far then as the "Piovincial Districts" are concerned, does not develop any of those features of popular local selfgovernment which will be requisite to reconcile colonists to an administration directed from Wellington. It is unreasonable to suppose, and experience utterly refutes any such idea, that a General Government officer, completely independent of the people—a subordinate answerable to the central administration in which Southern influence must always preponderate—will be as readily accessible to the people, as one who depends for his position entirely upon his efforts to satisfy the wants of the Province atad his readiness to enter into popular sympathies ; nor can such an officer by any possibility be so perfectly acquainted with the real requirements of the scattered settlements of the Province as the delegates who constitute the Provincial Council. Moreover, it is provided that all the Superintendents' powers and functions may be exercised without even residence in the district—in short, from Wellington. On these grounds we think it will be admitted that the "Provincial Districts" must prove infinitely less efficient than provincialism in its present form. Indeed one of the reasons rendering abolition imperative was plainly stated by Major Atkinson in his financial statement to be the irrresistible clamouring by Superintendents for grants from the colonial chest towr.rds works in their respective provinces—demands which, the Treasurer told the House, were likely to land the Colonial Government in serious financial difficulties. And the only superiority which he really claimed for the proposed system was such economy as would enable the Government to deal more liberally with the local bodies than hitherto. We have now to enquire whether this will actually be the case ?

The foregoing remarks bring us to what has been characterised as the "ridiculous finance of the abolition proposals," and a few plain facts will shew the least skilled in Government accounts the reason why M.ijor Atkinson's glowing promises have become the laughing-stock of members familiar with the subject. Clause 33 of the Abolition of the Provinces Bill provides—"Thecoats, charges, and expenses of the police, gaols, harbour, hospitals, lunatic asylum, charitable institutions, and of education, throughout the colony shall be borne by the consolidated funds as far as such costs, charges, and expenses are not otherwise by law provided for." Such, the Colonial Treasurer tells us, will be the economy of General Government management, that all these charges will be met without any strain on the revenue of the colony. Looking to the expenditure of the province of Auckland for the year ending 30fch of June last, we find that the total cost of Superintendent, Executive, aud the whole official staff of the Superintendent's office, ! was £2075, and tho legislative expenses of the province, that gigantic and costly machine which we hear so much about, £1,320 — so that if the General Government are able to save the whole expense of these two administrative departments of provincialism, they will gain in the year exactly £3,395. During the same year in this province, dwarfed as our institutions are by chronic impecuniosity, the expenditure on the services mentioned in the 33rd schedule was :-Education. £20,000; police, £7,524; relief of sick and destitute, £3.395 ; hospitals, £3,905 ; lunatic asylum, £3,775 ; gaols and reformatory, £(>,5;j!S, making a total on these live heads of £45.138. Most excellent Major Atkinson, shew the public thy art of finance, and a thousand blessings shall be poured upon thee by the thousands who hive hitherto failed in the attempt to make a shilling do the work of a pound ! The enormous educational, police, and charitable systems of Otago and Canterbury would be sufficient to cripple tho Government without any other charge. We have merely taken the services mentioned in the 33rd clause of the Abolition Act alone to illustrate the utter fallacy of the Treasurer's calculations, but we might adduce other items of the provincial estimates, and ask how they are to be provided for. Glancing over the appropriations for the years 1874-75, we notice : " Provincial harbours, £3,634; goldlields departments, £3,475 ; ferries, £100 ; provincial steam services, £4000 ; main roads, North and South, extension, repairs and maintenance, £10,500 ; inspection of sheep, including Landing Inspectors, £800." It is true that the Government will have the capitation allowance of 15s per headasanassetagainst these expenses, but the amount actually accruing to the province from this source, after interest on Provincial loans had been deducted, was very small; and, as we have no land revenue to meet this liability, if the Government give over the licenses and other fees, upon which the province has been living to a very large extent, it is quite clear that the amount to be borrowed on Treasury Bills, and piled up as an accumulated debt against the Province, will be so large as to leave no prospect of its continuance for any great length of time, and the municipal revenues and road-board grants must fall a sacrifice to the more pressing liabilities.

We have said that the cost of Executive and legislative departments in the Auckland provincial administration last year amounted to £3,395. Would the General Government be able to administer the affairs of the "Provincial District" for less ? Iv this connection, a few comparisons between General and Pi'ovincial economy are instructive. The Superintendent of the Province of Auckland receives £800 a-year ; the Secretary to the Cabinet has the same ; the Secretary to the Treasury receives £700 ; the Assistant Law officer £700 ; the District Land Registrars of Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, £700; and of Christchureh £900; the Examiner of Titlps in Dunedin £650; the Manager of the Telegraph Department £600, and other salaries in proportion. On the same scale, what will the Government save off the salaries of the chief officers of the "Provincial Districts ;" and will they secure men of the same ability and zeal as the present Superintendents? There is a clerk to the Executive here, —his salary is £150 ; the private secretaries of the Premier and Native Minister each receive £400. Practically there is no limit to comparisons of this kind between the economy of provincial and general administration, but enough has been said to shew that it is exceedingly doubtful whether even that three thousand odd pounds will become an available sum towards the £2 for every pound, and the pound for pound which have been held out so seductively before the longing gaze of hungry Road Boards and Municipalities.

The one question which Auckland must never lose sight of in any proposals to alter the Colonial Constitution is the disposal of the land fund. It is idle to suppose that revenues can be conjured up by the General Government any more than by the Provincial Government. There is one act of tardy justice which, if made by the Government, would secure for them the ardent support of nearly every resident in this part of the colony. Bat how do they propose to deal with it ? We must not lose sight of the fact that the infamous compact of 1856 is once more brought down to the House for confirmation; once more the representatives of this province are asked to pronounce aye, or no, shall the revenue derived from the* Crown lands of the colony be localised? Shall those parts of the colony which have had to carry on the work of settlement against the obstructiveness of an aboriginal race be still deprived of all participation in the revenues derived from that landed estate which the Colonial Government became peacefully possessed of. This question comes up again now, when Auckland influence is on

the wane; when the Northern part of the colony is to be still further out-numbered by the representatives of the marauding provinces ; and let our representatives see to it how they act.

In the event of the Government being compelled to discontinue grants to Road Boards and Municipalities—as discontinue they most inevitably will—what then will be the position of the country districts under the central administration. The " Local Government Bill," while conferring no endowments on the boards other than those dependent on the caprice or the necessities of the General Government, yet charges them with the cost of main roads, ferries, and bridges. The powers of the Boards are much the same as those exercised by the Highway Boards now existing in this Province, unless it be increased power to rate themselves for special as well as general purposes ; they have no land revenue to secure to them the payment of even one pound of the money endowments promised, let alone to carry on public works and immigration ; and they will have lost the fatherly Provincial Government which, if it had no large patrimony to give, generally contrived that Peter should not be living in opulence while his brother Paul was starving. They will have no appeal to their representative legislature, and their grievances must go to the representative and servant of the Government, against the action of which they may be protesting. Meanwhile those " Provincial districts " that possess land revenue, will have their public works and immigration secured, come what may of the o her subsidies and licences. We believe Provincialism is doomed, but more because it was poor than because it was wicked. It has been starved and kicked until it has become an object of contempt to the people. But we cannot believe that the people of this Province will, without one word of protest, allow the chain that has fettered them to the chariot wheels of the South be still further riveted. If Provincialism, in the estimation of the people, is effete and worthless, let it go ; but let us have something equally good, if no better, in its place. In the Government proposals we see nob one real element of local self government : the substance we have is taken away, and an unsubstantial shadow is offered in its stead. We see in them the perpetuation of an injustice, against which the people of this province would be warranted in actual revolution. We see in them enormously increased Government patronage, and the removal of the Colonial Ministry still further from the influence of the people. We see-in them measures for the cultivation, protection, and perpetuation of Frank Passmores.

Some enemy of the canine race is carrying on a secret and destructive raid against the dogs of Parnell. During the last three or

four nights about a dozen animals, some of

them valuable, have been poisoned and found quite dead in the morning. The Union Sash and Door Company have lost their watchdog ; Mr. John Brown and Mr. Lacon have lost good animals, while many other names could be mentioned. This morning a line dog was lying on one of the side-paths on Parnell rise with his limbs stiff, and other indie itions of poisoning. Yelping curs are a nuisance there is no doubt, and we might add that some perspns in Parnell are apparently rather fond of keeping yelping curs, to the annoyance of their neighbours. At the destruction of such disturbers of " nights holy quiet " wo should rejoice ; but it is evident that a more malignant object is

being followed up in the present dog-slayiny epidemic. It is significant that watch-clogs comprise the larger portion of the destroyed, and we know whose enemies watch-dogs arc Meanwhile Constable Jackson is on the alert, and several Tirivate traps are laid to catch the cowardly perpetrators of the cruel acts?. For the present it would be advisable for owners of valuable do^s to keep them chained up..

Some people imagine, and it was so stated at the City Council meeting yesterday, that typhoid fever is not infectious. This is a mistake which, if allowed to go forth uncorrected, might prove most mischievous. All continued fevers are infectious, and typhoid, although less infectious than typhus, from which it has only of late years been distinguished, is a disease which propagates itself in the human frame in a manner much more dangerous to the health of the community outside the sick room than most other infectious, diseases. To show how typhoid fever may be propogated we make the following extract from a brief treatise on the subject :—•'From the investigations of various physicians, amongst whom Dr. William Budd deserves especial notice, it appears that the living human body is the soil in which the specific poison of typhoid fever breeds and multiplies. The origin of the disease is unknown, but the poison is communicated or contained in the diarrheal discharges which issue from the deceased intestine. These discharges, as they dry up, preserve the germs of the disease; and if, through atmospheric or other agencies, these germs enter the living body, they communicate the disease, and diarrhoea soon commences. As the evacuations contain the specific virus of typhoid fever, the disease may be propagated amongst healthy persons (1) by percolation through the soil into the wells which supply drinking-water; (2) or by issuing, through defects in the sewers, into the air which is inspired ; or (3) by exhalation through the apertures of small illtrapped water-closets or privies, which are at once the receptacles of the discharges from the sick, and the daily resort of the healthy. The atmosphere thus infected with the poison is far more dangerous than that immediately surrounding a fever patient."

A correspondent informs us of a singular system of letter delivery he witnessed this morning, and which may account for some of the letters that go astray. A carrier entered Messrs. Gibbons store, Wellesley-street, and after delivering a registered letter laid down a handful of letters on the counter, remarking that he would leave them there until he went up to the Rev. Mr. Macnicol's. He went out and returned several minutes afterwards. Meanwhile a number of customers had been in and out of the store who were attended to by Mr. Gibbons, and to whom the letters, including some registered ones, were easily accessible. Mr. Gibbons remonstrated with the carrier on his carelessness, and was told, "Oh that it didn't matter to him, if any letters were stolen he would swear he had delivered them." These are the facts related by our correspondent and they should be looked into. The carrier seemed to be a new hand.

The entertainment last evening, by the members of Mr. Brown's singing class, was most satisfactory., Ballads were sung by Mrs. J agger. Miss Leaf, and Messrs. Ogilvie, Jagger and Burnham, also a duet jby Mr. Allen and Mrs. Burnham. A pianoforte solo was excellently rendered by a young ladypupil of Mr. Brown. Altogether the entertainment was of a most satisfactory character, and reflects great credit on the judicious teaching of Mr. Brown.

Mr. Dennes of Queen-street, will give his popular lecture entertainment this evening, on "The Castle 3 and Abbeys of Britain," in St. Mary's Sunday-school-room. The proceeds to be given to the children's library fund.

We have received the second number of the "Saturday Advertiser Time Table, and New Zealand Literary Miscellany," published in New Zealand mainly for the circulation of the steamer, coach, and railway time - tables throughout the colony. The issue is well made up, containing a portrait of Joseph Arch, the agricultural labourers' agitator, and many interesting and amusing literary selections.

We have to acknowledge 10a from "a "riend" for Jackson.

An oil painting by Mr T. L. Drummond, a young artist, who has recently come from the south, is on view in the shop window of Messrs Chamtaloup and Cooper,' of Queenstreet. The subject of the painting is the " Entrance into Auckland Harbour at Sunrise." The view was taken from the North Head, and includes a capital outline of Rangitoto. We learn that this is the first finished production of the artist, and it is not without very considerable,merit. The time is supposed to be early morn, when all nature is at rest; and the vessels in the distance, the sea-birds, lingering shadows of night on the waters, and the greenery of the silent rocks are very effective, and add much of natural beauty to the picture.

The danger to joung children from becoming heated and chilled with play during this changeable weather, receives painful illustration in the death of the little son of Mr J. W. Harrop, our respected City Receiver. The little boy, who was five years of age, was in ruddy health on Saturday last, and ran out in a thin coat to play. _He got a chill, which on Sunday developed into a savere cold, on Monday exhibited all the symptoms of acute bronchitis, and notwithstanding the attention of two medical men, the poor little fellow died at four o'clock this morning. The unlooked for and melancholy occurrence has been a heavy blow to his

parents

The little company of liveried minstrels, known 2S the Temperance Drum and Fife Band, who were wont at eventide to march along our streets and discourse sweet music, have for some months been silent. We understand that some slight disorganisation has taken place in the ranks, but that a resuscitation has taken place, and the little bird-like musicians are about to come forth again, to the delight of the lovers of sweet sounds. Mr Jeune, the enterprising owner of the new hall, has been whistling his merry men together, and towards the end of the present month a drum and fife entertainment will held in the City Hall, and the music of the minstrels will be heard again in the land.

We have been requested to publish the following statements of another distressing case : _" George Pate, of No. 33, Victoriastreet, blacksmith, (a government emigrant, who with his wife and two small children came out in the "Warwick," a N. Z. government ship) arrived in the colony on 22nd January 1875 and immediately went to work at Messrs. Couzins and Atkins for a short time and afterwards at Messrs. Gee and Potters. Pate continued to work for them till the month of March when he was taken ill and has been confined to bed and the house ever since with typhoid fever, which has left him in a weak state of health. Last week he attempted to go to work for a few days, but was compelled to give up and go to the hospital, where he had an abcess near the heart opened, and he is now incapable of working for s"me time to come. His wife who is a stay-maker has done her best to maintain her family during his illness, but from the fact of her being little known, and her present state, it was quite impossible to do more than earn 53 or 6s per week and latterly she had been unable to do this. Had Pate been able to work he would have had no difficulty in supporting nis family. But the afflicting hand of the Almighty having been laid upon him, he is compelled, for want of the necessary means to pay back rent and maintain his family, to ask assistance, which he trusts will be generously affoided him in his hour of need. I hereby cerdfy that the above statement is correct, having been a cabin passenger in the Warwick, and having known Mr Pate ever since we left England. Dr. Macdonald will also certify to the foregoing facts.— David Garrick, Aug. 2, 1875, 44, Short-land-stieet."

A subscription list for widow Doble was opened by Mr Rowe at the shipping office in the Oustom-bouße this morning, and by mid-day nearly £G was collected from masters of vessels and others having business ab the office. It is very gratifying to see compassion take such a substantial shape among " the toilers of the sea," whose rough calling is evidently no bar to the growth of the Christian virtues of charity and goodness of Nature.

A correspondent calls attention to the filthy state of the closets attached to the Immigration Barracks, which are a disgrace to the locality. The smell arising therefrom actually permeates the surrounding atmosphere, as passengers in that direction, especially at eventide, sensibly feel. Our correspondent does not know with whom the responsibility rests, but thinks that immediate steps should be taken to remove what may speedily prove calamitous in these days of typhoid fever and other diseases. He further suggests that as a number of male immigrants are unemployed and loitering about, they might be serviceably employed in removing what may become a fatal pestilence. The Independent Order of Free Gardeners, Alpha Lodge, will hold their fortnightly meeting this (Tuesday) evening. Mr. Bartlett, the photographic artist of Queen-street, fell down yesterday in an epileptic fit, when near the Caledonian Hotel, Symondsstreet. Mr. Evinson at once tendered his assistance, and had the fallen artist conveyed to his residence, where he received the attention of Dr. Stockwell. We hear that Mr. Bartlett is recovering.

A meeting of the carpenters and joiners-of the city was held last evening to form a branch of the "Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners" of Great Britain. The object of the Society is the regulation of trade matters, the promotion of technical education, and the establishment of sick-pay, superannuation, unemployed, and funeral funds. The meeting last night was very umanimous, and the business of electing officers, etc., was conducted with expedition. Mr Joseph Pooley was chosen Branch President ; Mr H. Smith, secretary, and Mr Thos Tudehope, treasurer.

We acknowledge receipt of £1 from Mr Case in aid of Widow Doble.

The members of the Acclimatisation Society held a meeting yesterday afternoon, but nothing of special importance came before the meeting. A donation of ten guineas was acknowledged from Mr. Edward Wilson, of Hayes, Kent. The monthly accounts, amounting to £54 12s 5d were passed. The Society determined to send to California in conjunction with the Societies of Melbourne and Canterbury, £50 worth of salmon ova by the steamer leaving San Francisco in October. Ice houses will be specially prepared aboard for these shipments. The secretary has written to Hobart Town and the South for trout ova. The 128 Californian quail have been distributed over the province. The list of seeds to be procured was submitted and approved of.

At the City Council yesterday the Mayor stated that a petition had been received from the inhabitants of Karangahape Road in reference to the removal of the two children said to have taken typhoid fever in the Industrial Home, to a cottage in that neighbourhood. Councillor Daldy said he was happy to state that the alarm experienced was totally unfounded ; the children were convalescent and there were no more cases. Councillor Isaacs said the popular impression that typhoid fever was infectious, was erroneous. He thought the management had acted very wisely in removing the children. Councillor Brett remarked that the public had an idea the Council had exercised a want of caution in the matter. He was glad to hear from Councillor Daldy that there was no danger of the fever spreading. The subject then^dropped. A very satisfactory report of the progress of the Water-works was read. Tenders for the alterations to the Market-house*were received, and Mr Gill's | for £140 was accepted. j

The Scottish Volunteers will receive the new snider rifles at the weekly parade which takes places in the Drill-shed this evening at eight o'clock. The collection at St. Matthew's Church last Sunday for the funds of the Home Mission amounted to £2S 15s. ; and the total collected in all the churches reached £IU4 os. 2d. Messrs. Harry Levy and J. Mendelsohn have engaged to supply visitors to the Prince of Wales Theatre, during the stay ot the Fakir of Oolu, with refreshments and fruits, (no nuts) of the finest quality, and for this purpose they have fitted up a stall in the pit. The cricketers of City West, Porisonby, and Newton have succeeded in securing the reserve of the land at the top of Hepburnstreet, which was the subject of petition to the City Council, for a recreation ground. This will be a great benefit to the wide district adjacent to the ground. Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, will proceed to Wellington to-mor row to arrange verious pubhematters which have to be brought before the General Assembly during its present session.