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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2105, 3 February 1870, Page 2

Telegraphic.—A station was opened at Mar ton, in the Province of Wellington, to-day. Resident Magistrate’s Court.— There was only one case at this Court today. Dr Currie was brought up lor assaulting A. Whitworth on the 29th of January. Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment.

Cricket. Two matches will he played on Saturday next. On the Citizens’ Club’s ground the first eleven of that club will meet the first eleven of the North Dunedin Club ; and on the other ground the second eleven of the Dunedin Club will meet an eleven of the Albion Club.

The Mayor’s Court. —There were only three cases in this Court to-day. J. Bauman, for being drunk and disorderly, was lined 5s and costs, or 24 hours’ imprisonment. Mrs Price, charged with having on her premises more than ten gallons of kerosene oil, not being a licensed dealer, was dismissed with a caution. A. Covvie, for using abusive and profane language in a public place, was lined L2 and costs. The Road Board.—A meeting of the General Road Board was hold at the Land Office this day, at noon. Present: — His Honor the Superintendent (in the chair), Messrs Reid and Duncan. The only business of interest was the confirmation of appointments by District Boards, and the reading of applications for the closing or deviation of roads, the latter of which was held over till the next meeting of the Board.

The Waikouaiti Election.—The number of names that have been mentioned as likely candidates for the seat in the Provincial Conned, vacated by Mr Geo. M'Lean, have been, as the advertiser would say, “too numerous to mention.” Many have retired from the field, but still a smart contest may be expected. Mr Murray, who formerly represented the district, has been again brought forward; and Mr Thompson, also a local man, is in the field. Another “Richard” has appeared. Mr A. R. Ure, we are informed, has consented to stand, and intends to contest the election with spirit.

Mr John Gillies, Sen.—This gentleman after a long period of service has resigned the various offices he has long held with great credit to himself. Almost from the .foundation of the Province, Mr Gillies has been prominent in the promotion of institutions of a social and progressive character, and we doubt not that now he has ceased to have the cares of officialism on his shoulders hewil be enabled to give oven more care to the various institutions which he assisted to ei tablish and support. The offices of Registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, Returning officer for the city, &c., have we understand been conferred upon Mr Burnside, who has for several years acted as clerk to Mr Gillies.

Auriferous Quartz in WellingThe Wellington evening paper of Jan. 22nd, says: —“A short time ago a crushing machine was erected at Terawiti, for the purpose of testing the quartz in that locality. Crushing has been going on since, and we hear to-day that satisfactory results have been lately obtained. It is stated that gold in payable quantity has actually been got from the quartz; but these rumours have been so often floated that little dependence is to be placed upon them.

Oamaru Races. — These races are announced to ho hold on the 17th of March next, St. Patrick’s Day. It is expected that from L2OO to L3OO will be run for.

Sugar Growing.—The Sydney Mornin j Herald. Sth ult., says : —“The ‘ Statistic d Register,’ recently published, shows that sugar-growing, though one of our youngest industries, is one of the most thriving. Five years ago the Colony produced only 2Solbs of sugar—a mere sample. Last year it produced over three millions and a quarter pounds weight, of the value of over L 50,000.

Depreciation. —Property must have slightly depreciated in Hokitika, if we may judge by the following advertisement, which we extract from the evening paper : —“For sale.—Four-room Cottage on Railway Reserve, Fitzherbert street, with right to section oidy LG.” Some little time ago a fourroomed cottage on the same reserve was sold for Ll5O. Now, wo are told, people, instead of paying for firewood drawn from the forest, buy a house, and cart it away as they want it. This is done as a matter of strict economy.

Bicycles. —Our friends in South Australia, says tho-dusirakmrtT?., have always been famous for their practical good sense. They have given a new proof of their skill in utilising unconsidcrcd trifles. A bagman and a bicycle is a combination of the useful and the agreeable that recalls to mind Mr Warren’s famous “ The Lily and the Bell.” The Oawler Times says About three weeks ago wc received a neat card, representing a commercial traveller riding on a tricycle, with a package of samples behind him ; below were the words, ‘ Expect mo on the instant,’ and the name of our friend. On Thursday morning another traveller on a bicycle, and having a package in front, rode up to Cawler from Adelaide before nine a.m. After breakfasting he proceeded on his journey. If commercial travellers can make this use of bicycles, and travel at such a rate, it will tend materially to reduce their expenses.” The Fijis.—The following is an extract from the letter of a merchant in Levuka, Fiji, to a friend in Melbourne, dated 16th Dec., 1869; “Our new Consul, Mr Marsh, arrived in the Virago a few weeks ago. There are important despatches from the Imperial Government touching Fiji and the labor question. The inquiries included —‘ What quantity of land is now in possession of British subjects ?’ ‘ What is the percentage of British subjects in the islands ?’ ‘ Can this lahoi traffic ho stopped, or can it be properly regulated and controlled ?’ ‘ Cannot labor be got in tho group?’ and many others. We have ourselves read part of the reply to these inquiries, and they are entirely iu favor of Fiji, and the proper regulating of imported labor. ‘lt cannot be stopped.’ writes the Consul, ‘but at great expense.’ We think these inquiries are a little significant If the British Government could stop immigration to Fiji they would, but they cannot, and they must accept the responsibility —it is forced on them.”

International Law.—An interesting point of international law, says a Melbourne contemporary, came under the notice of the city magistrates on the 17th, when Charles James Davis," who only arrived by the ship Yorkshire, from London, on Saturday afternoon, was charged with forgery. Inspector Rabat said he was unable to state the particular nature of the offence or the amount, as the prisoner had been arrested in consequence of the following telegram received from the Chief Commissioner of Police, Loudon, by the last mail23rd November, 18C9. -Arrest Charles James Davis, charged with forgery ; sailed from England in ship Yorkshire, with his wife and children, boys. Officer leaves here on (28) for Melbourne, with warrant. Take possession of all moneys (?) and goods. Signed, Colonel Henderson, Chief Commissioner of Police, London. ” Detectives O’Rourke and Forster went on board the ship as soon as she arrived, and upon informing the prisoner of the charge, he asked if they knew the specific amount, but this they were unable to tell him, as nothing more was known than what was stated in the telegram. The prisoner then remarked it was very strange, as he had only left England for debt. The only thing he knew of were some bills of exchange, but they oould not prove them to bo forgeries. Inspector Rabat applied for the remand of the prisoner for a week, as the warrant was expected by the mail. Mr Samuels, for the defence, contended that the prisoner was illegally in custody, as it was not known for certain that any warrant was in existence. The telegram might not be an official document, and even if it was, it was not sufficient to arrest a man upon. The Bench, however, overruled the objection, and considering the prisoner to be legally in custody, granted the remand asked for. It is said that the prisoner forged some bills of exchange, which fell due on the 2nd November, but on that day he went down to Plymouth and embarked the same night on board the Yorkshire just as she was sading. As the mail will arrive during the present week, the warrant will no doubt be forthcoming before his remand has expired. The Imperial Troops. —lt seems we have been wrong in imagining that the whole of the Imperial forces are to be removed from New Zealand. Fifty men of the 18th are to remain behind in (Auckland, and why such is to be the case is causing some conjecture. Half a company is too small a body to be used either for fighting or for garrison purposes, and the only reasonable solution of the difficulty appears to be that suggested by a contemporary, that the men have been left at the urgent solicitation of the Governor, as a bodyguard for himself. The spread of the idea that he can very easily bo dispensed with has, no doubt suggested to his Excellency the possibility of his being treated in the same manner as Governor Bligh was by the colonists of New South Wales ; and this small force of troops, while adding to his dignity by mounting guard, &c., will suffice to protect him from being shipped off like a bale of goods for England. —Evening Post.

O Amaru. — We take the following items from the Oamaru Times of Ist February ; —“ It is notified in another column that the Oamaru Race-meeting will be held on the 17th March next (St. Patrick’s Day). We understand that from L2OO to L3OO will bo run for.—The Maerewhonua correspondent states There is very little doing in mining matters, most of the diggers having gone to the harvest Held, preferring the large wages now given to taking their chance here, though most of them express their intention of coming back as soon as the races are completed. Nothing but a good supply of water will make the field payable to any

groat extent, but with plenty of water there is room for the cmplo3 r mcnt of a large population for many years to come. There are now eight or ten races in various stages of completion, and as some of them are on a very large scale, we may expect to hear soon of considerable quantities of gold being obtained. —Great excitement has been occasioned by the discovery of a quartz-reef on a ridge near the Utekaike River. Gold can be got in the casing, but when the reef is further prospected we shall have a better idea of the discovery. The discoverer (Mr Robinson, Dunstan Creek), is at present in Dunedin, and when he has got the necessary tools, &c., for blasting, we may look for something good,”

The Late Gales. —On Thursday morning last one of the most violent gales it has been our lot to experience for some years back swept over this district, committing more or less damage. The wind rose about II o’clock on Wednesday evening, and continued to blow with increasing fury until daybreak, threatening to devastate everything before it. The crops, we regret to say, have suffered very severely, and where the com was nearly ripe a large quantity of the grain has been lost, the ground bciug literally strewed with it. In other places the crops where heavy have been flattened, and the rain which has since fallen will not have assisted to improve matters, but rather to make them much worse. The damage sustained varies with the position of the land and the character of the crop, but wo believe that far too many will bo considerable losers —and at a time, too, when they can ill afford it. The cheering prospects of a week ago have thus been sadly blighted, and the ardour of the farmers considerable damped.— Waikouaiti Herald.

Our Princely Ambassador.—The Duke of Edinburgh (says the London Echoes) is at present playing what must be styled an important role, so Ion" as the tragicomedy of Royalty lasts, and docs not seem to be playing it remarkably well. Doubtless it was the fault of the Government at home that the presents made by his Royal Highness in Australia were publicly charged to the national account. This was a betise. If the Duke could not afford to make presents out of his insignificant pocket money, the necessary amount might have been put down to some item of “ secret service.” This sort of thing is done every day. In New Zealand the young prince himself appears to have boon at fault. It will be remembered that at a certain Royal Academy dinner the Prince of Wales cut short the Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech because he wanted to smoke. Emulous of his big brother Prince Alfred seems to have cut short the orations and ceremonial of the native chiefs of New Zealand in a similar manner. Now the Church of England is not much injured when the heir to the Throne is impertinent to the Primate ; but when a son of England treats flippantly the native inhabitants of a great colony the results may be dangerous. And it is noticeable that while the Galatea was lying in harbour, dressed up with flags like a toy, in another part of the island the loyal colonists (unaided by England) were fighting hand to hand the rebel natives If the Duke’s ship could have landed a couple of hundred seamen to help them, it would have been a most valuable reinforcement. Of course amid those brilliant festivities which wearied Prince Alfred, there was a feeling of horror in the air. No wonder that our Anglo-Indians are in considerable doubt as to the effect upon the people of Hiudostan which the son of its Empress may produce. The great princes of the Orient, beside whose lengthened lineage our Guelphs are insignificant, are regarded by their subjects as demigods, and are prepared to regard the son of their august mistress as something high above a mere demigod. It is sheer nonsense, of course, with only this minute atom of sense in it, that the Duke of Edinburgh represents in a bodily form the intellectual might and conquering and governing force of the English nation. But the boy does not himself see that; does not comprehend the way in which one race dominates another ; is not at all unlikely to regard these superb satraps as a set of tiresome old fogies, and to treat them with no greater reverence than his eldest brother treated the Archbishop. Hence the English residents in India are in a state of unconcealed .anxiety. Let us hope for the best; but it doss not seem the wisest thing iu the world to send to all our colonies and dependencies a rather commonplace youngster as an example of the supreme Englishman. Better adhere to the maxim well followed in the East: Omne ignotum pro magnifico. A Victorian Pioneer..—The name of Mr James Maiden, formerly of Maiden’s Punt, and at one time the owner of extensive stations on the Murray, Billabong, and Lachlan, is familiar as household words with a large section of the old colonists. He came overland (says the Argus) from Goulburn about the year 1835, aud shortly afterwards commenced to form stations out of the Riverina country, then almost a term incognita, few having penetrated it. He made selections of the country, which subsequent experience showed was the very choicest of that favored pastoral distinct, aud he formed several well-known runs. At that time the natives were both numerous and hostile, and many are the stories told by old bushmen of his determined fights against almost overwhelming numbers. On more than one occasion he was left alone, his companions having fled to save their lives. Success attended his endeavours, and he rapidly acquired wealth until he was known as one of the largest holders of stock and stations in the colonies. His transactions in stock were very extensive, and it is said that on one occasion he held all the cattle which were en route from the north towards Maiden’s Punt for the Victorian markets. His speculations led to heavy reverses when the reaction came, and in a few years he was reduced from affluence to comparative poverty. In good or bad fortune his open-handed generosity was proverbial, and numerous instances are on record showing his thorough disregard of self-interest. He died at Sandhurst on the 28th ultimo, aged GO years; and in accordance with the desire of his family, the funeral was strictly private, otherwise, no doubt, there would have been a large gathering of friends aud acquaintances, amongst whom his memory will be long cherished.

Cameo Cutting by an Australian. —We find the following in the Art Journal: —“ A young lady, whoso early education in art may bo said to have been obtained in ‘the bush,’ in Australia, has recently produced some shell cameos of singular merit—of such excellence, indeed, as to have greatly surprised * authorities ’ among art critics. Her power has no doubt been developed since her residence of a year in England; but several

of her productions, before she could hay* had any instruction, manifest extraordinary skill and knowledge, and justify the belief that in this peculiar art she will arrive at supremacy. Miss Kelly, who is of an Irish family settled in Victoria, seems to have been guided by what is erroneously called chance —first carving heads on pieces of Australian lava, and thence proceeding to the shell ; sometimes copying from such engravings or models as came in her way, far from any ‘school,’ and occasionally designing as well as carving. Two of her cameos, produced in Australia, were purchased by the Queen. Fortunately, her abilities have been appreciated by Mr Gladstone. The great statesman, it is known, loves art. He has a rare collection of China and wood-carvings of a high order ; these he has freely placed at the disposal of the young artist ; and not this only, he has found time to sit to her for his portrait; so also have Mrs Gladstone and other members of his family. In the Duchess of Argyll, too, Miss Kelly has found another generous and appreciative patron. She is not, therefore, without the sure means by which success is attained when accompanied by desert. The examples submitted to us are such as could not fail to excite admiration ; they are portraits chiefly, excellent as likenesses, and cut with marvellous neatness—graceful, yet forcible. It is not too much to say that nothing so good, in this class of art, has been heretofore produced in England.” The Hundreds Regulation Act.— In reply to the assertion made by Mr Macandrew, in his reply to the petition of the settlers and residents in the Clutha district requesting him to withdraw from the representation of the Clutha in the General Assembly, that Messrs Henderson and Thomson, M.P.C.’sJJfor thejj' Clutha, 5 approved of the principles of this Act, for supporting which in the higher legislature he (Mr Macandrew) had forfeited their confidence, —Mr Donald Henderson, through the Bruce Herald, indignantly denies oversaving given cause for such an accusation/* He says : “ Now, sir, lifihavejnot changed my views in the slightest degree respecting the Hundreds Regulation Act; lam now of the same opinion regarding it as I was when 1 first read it. I believe that it is a most unjust Bill, and very injurious to the interest of tha whole inhabitants of the Province—except a few runbolders, for whose benefit alone it appears to have been got up, lam opposed to the whole Bill; I would have it swept entirely away from our statute beek. It might then be asked, why then did I support the amendments to the Bill ? Well, I reply that 1 did so, not that I approved of the amendments, but of all evils 1 always choose the least, and because I preferred the amendments to the whole Bill. By supporting the amendments, I assisted to prevent the whole Bill, with all its evil effects, from being put into operation until after the next meeting of the General Assembly ; and 1 feel confident that, if the views of the people of Otago were fairly represented by petitions to the General Assembly, this obnoxious and injurious Bill would be cancelled. These are the reasons why I supported the 'amendments, and I feel confident that my constituents will give me credit for having acted honestly, with the best intentions, and for the best interests of the Province.”