The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2151, 29 March 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1870.

Our readers will see by the advertisement that the publication of the record of the debates in the Provincial Council on the Hundreds Regulation Act and Railsvays is now completed. It is the first authorised report of proceedings published in Otago, and deserves more than a passing notice, apart from tlic subject matter. So accustomed are

the public to full reports of proceedings in courts of justice and at public meetings, that they will hardly credit the statement that there was any difficulty to overcome in such an undertaking. It seems a very simple matter for a professional reporter to take down a man’s speech and to reproduce it in print. It will therefore appear strange for the public to be told that it was only because the Evening Star happened to have two competent shorthand writers on its staff, that it was possible to do the work. There aie nowadays, numbers who can give fair reports, numbers who can write shorthand—imt out of the tens of thousands who within the last twenty years have studied that art, it is very difficult to find one really competent man when he is needed. Wo, therefore, have much pleasure in acknowledging the valuable assistance given by MiMark Cohen, of this paper, who contributed so much to rendering the report of the debates, what wc unhesitatingly pronounce them to be, reliable. In order to insure this as far as possible, the two shorthand writers connected with the btav took notes in different parts of the Council Hall-—one being seated at the table, the other in the reporters’ gallery. They had, therefore, opportunity of comparing their reports with each other, with results which some of the speakers will hardly bo prepared to accept. Of this hereafter; as there are some amusing circumstances connected with it. Notwithstanding the competence of the two shorthand writers, during the time the debate lasted their powers were put to a severe test. In Wellington, five reporters are employed to report the debates, who relieve each other. In the same manner, on the Melbourne Argus perhaps the most perfectly organised reporting staff in the Colonies—five arc, or were, employed in the Legislative Assembly, None of these gentlemen attend to anything else ; but in the Provincial Council last session the two reporters of the Star had other duties to perform ; for, simultaneously with note-taking, the work of the paper, in itself by no means 'trifling, had to be carried on. Miff. J. Ham, assisted efficiently in this department, and aided by his exertions, the Evening Star suffered no diminution in interest. The physical endurance of the reporters was, however, severely tried. It is no slight matter to follow a rapid speaker for an hour or two ; but when speaker after speaker rises, some of them remarkably fluent, and a debate is continued through six or novon bourn, even the lllhest Angers become cramped, and the body wearied through the necessity for retaining nearly one position. The last night of the debate on the Hundreds Regulations AcC was in fact most exhausting—one of the reporters being in the House (with the exception of adjourning lor refreshment) from two o'clock in the afternoon to four o’clock the next morning. At that hour he was luckily relieved by his colleague in the gallery ; for, although the debate was not going on during all that time, it lasted long enough to bring bone and muscle to a standstill. But this was not the only difficulty. It is customary in Parliamentary reporting to submit the record of the speeches to the speakers, so that any trifling alteration may he made that is necessary, in order to render his meaning clear. This fact explains how it is that the report was not published more than two months ago. In the Government Printing Office at Wellington the corrected speeches are returned within a week, and consequently the quantity of type required is much less than it would be were a longer time allowed. But during last session, as soon as the debate was over, the members of the Provincial Council dispersed to their homes ; and it is illustrative of the difficulty of communicating with the interior that some of the proofs sent never reached them, and that in some instances a delay of ten to fifteen days took place before they were returned. The labor of transcription of the notes was therefore done long before it was possible to get the matter set in type. So large a quantity of one description of type was in consequence rendered necessary, that on one occasion, afterretainingsufficient to print the Evening Star, there was not one capital H in the office of the proper fount unused, and some proof sheets had to be sent out with blanks in consequence. The table of errata appended to the report is the result of this difficulty. After a more than reasonable time had been allowed, when the proofs were not received, it was accepted as a sign that no alteration was desired, and the sheets were printed oft. Those who are curious in such matters will find some amusement in comparing what was reported with the corrections proposed. They arc inserted at the desire of the speakers whose amendments arrived too late for alteration. We have somewhat more to say on this subject, which we take leave to think is not without public interest, and will revert to it again.

Cricket.— ln a match played recently at Auckland, between the Auckland and Howick elevens, tho last-mentioned team only scored 5 runs in thc ; r second innings ! Telegraphic.— 1 “Anglo-Australiau,” in the European Mail, writes:—“ln the va’inus telegraphic projects on Hie tapis, New Zealand is not forgot cn. Two companies propose extension fro n i, asmania to the south of tho Middle Island.”

Pbdestrianism. —A foot-race between W. H. Money, the man who computed against Boag on Saturday, and the latter, for L2OO. is to be run on the Southern Ro-e-cation ground on Apr l 2'h'd. Wi hj reference to the race on S iturday, we have to state that Money was the winner, and not Bo.ag, as stated by mistake last evening. The Cynod romeo — Wo notice that Barlow’s interesting troupe hive gone ao the Water of Lei«.)i, pit. lung their tent on a reserve nmr the Calodi.n'an ItiouiuD. Toe clever nerfonnaiices of the does and monkeys will assuredly meet tho approbation of families in that 'locality, and we trust they will Mso meet with the success they deserve. The last mid-day performance is announced for to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon. The Hippodrome. The Princess Theatre enjoys an increasing share of public support. It is well attended nightly, and the splendid riding of the \ ouug American and the acrobatic feats of Herr Christoff bring down deserved applause. _ Wo notice ft ohtiiigo of programme to-night, "which will create increased interest in tho performance. To-morrow a complimo! tary benefit to Miss Annie No. man is also announced to ho given. The Atiien.kum.—The invoice of several works of inter, st has been received by the Athenaeum Committee ns having been sent per mail, but the packet has not yet been delivered. For the information of our readers, we may enumerate tho hooks : Adderley on Colonial Policy--Hosack’s Mary Queen of Scots—Vi da—Rob Roy on the Jordan Pmichot’s Umworso Dickson’s Japan Alien’s Queensland Samnolson’s Working Man. Most of the works have been favorably criticised by tho loading reviews, and tlieir perusal will no doubt be pleasing t» those who are in quest of “ every new thing.” Hew Mail Service.— Mr Verdon, Agent-General for Victoria, writes, with re(r;md to the proposed service via Milford Haven A deputation from tho promoters has just left me, and they made the following statements - -That a company will be formed ip about a week ; that Sir George Grey has accepted the chairmanship ; that it is intended to make the service an alternate one with that of the P. and 0. Company; that letters will he delivered in Melbourne in forty days ; that Captain Vine Hall will be tho marine superint-. ndent ; and that arraigemcju pave been made for building new ships, hut that the company will commence miming with ship already built.

Meat Preserving.—The success of our meat-preserving companies still continues to attract attention in England. The Nc\v Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, established some time ago in London for the purpose of making advances in the Colony on produce, and. receiving consignments for sale in London, anxious for the success of Profes-or Gamgce’s process of proeot’vlng moni, atnfo in a supplement to their monthly circular, that they “have personally inspect d Professor Gamg. c’s plant, and have witnessed the process above described, and can confirm the statements made, as far as the color, appearance, and flavor of the meat and the cheapness of manipulation are concerned. The only points which now require solving are, in our opinion, as to the period ,f n - which the meat will remain of good quality, and the-kind of packing most suitable to protect the surface from decay or mildew. The matter is of such importance to the Colony that wo have thought it advisable to apply a practical test to the process, and wo have therefore requested Professor Gamgcje to prepare three carcases of sheep, and to pack them on the most approved plan, These we propose to forward by ordinary ships to three of the principal ports of the Colony, apd should they stand this test satisfactorily (of which our fri mis will have tl e opportunity of judging), the process will he removed from die region of theory to that of fact. Dastardly- Outrage at Moonlight (W.VKATir). -A conespondent of the fromveil Ary us furnishes an account of this affair. He says that the European miners at the Moonlight Greek, Lake Wakatip, have been doing a very foolish thing. Some five weeks ago, a number of Chinese (11) proceeded to that mountainous region, and asked.some ol the Europeans where they might “ catch him gold.” 'they were pointed out the bed of the old worked crock. So well satisfied were they wjth the results of their washingsup that they built 5, comfortable hut, and thatched it with straw. They were building a similar residence about three miles higher up the creek. The lower house is situated under a high bluff or precipice of rocks ; .and on Friday night the Chinese were awakened up by finding large masses of rock being rolled down upon their roof from above. Terror-stricken they escaped, asking the European miners why they wanted to kill Chinamen ? One Chinaman was severely hurt, and oilers more or less so. Their appearance was also the signal for yells of derision. When they reached La-vton ai d Gardiner’s station, they were given the wool - sbed to pm the night in. On Monday the police mot ived notice, and Sergeant Fox and Constable M‘Garni immediately started for the locality. They returned yesterday, and report that the Chinese’ statement was quite correct; that an attempt was made to barn the roof of the low r hut. but failed, owing to the grass being damp ; that the upper hut (in course of erection) was completely burnt ; and that the offenders could not be identified by the Chinese, which is no wonder, under tin- circumstances. It would be only honorable and would tell much in their favor if iho other section of European miners would denounce the savages who were so capable of so cowardly and fiendish an attack upon sleeping .and helpless inpn. The Chinese will re-oecupy the position under the protection of the police. The latter deserve every praise for their prompt action. Return oi-’ the Kennedy from MArtin's Hay.— The s.s. Kennedy which had been despatched to Martin’s Bay for the purpose of bringing up the passengers from the wreck of the Charles Edward, returned to port on Saturday. The Kennedy did not enter the Kaduca river, owing to there being a heavy sea on the bar, but the bouts were enabled to land and bring off the

passengers and their effects. Since the Charles Edward was wrecked, and while the passengers were encamped on the beach a birth took place, the first, we presume, that has ever taken place, as far as white people are concerned at Martin’s Bay, Maori children may have been borne there, but v c bel eve the birth which took place on Saturday week, when the wile of the Rev. Mr M'lntoah was safely d< livored of a son, is the first instance of a white child being born in that wilderness. We were glad to notice notwithstanding the difficulties that she must have met with, that the good lady looked exceedingly well, as also did the rest of this interesting family, and the oilier passengers. Captain Holmes, and the crew of the Charles Edward (with the ex 'option of three men) returned with the Kennedy, and we understand will proceed to Nelson. The cargo could not be brought off on tiiis trip, owing to the heavy sea on the bar, which rendered it dangerous for the steamer to ross. We, however, understand that the Kennedy will reman no longer at Nelson than to make arrangements for guar to raise the sunken vessel. When she again returns to the coast, and having run down the ports, sh > proceeds to Marlin’s Bay, and will there remain until a favorable opportunity offeis of getting inside. Wo arc given to understand that the passengers are perfectly satisfied with the arrangements made for their comfort by Captain Holmes ore ho left for HolCtika in tho small boat, and now that they are landed, seem to have forgot the perils and inconvenience which they have passed through.— Heat Cociat 1 hnea, 21st inst.