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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2155, 2 April 1870, Page 2

Gaol Return. —The following is the state of Her Majesty’s gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending April 2; — Awaiting trial, 2 men, 0 women; under remand, 4 men, 0 women ; penal servitude, 98 men, 0 women ; hard labor’, G2 men, 11 women; default of bail, 2 men, 1 woman ; debtors, 2 men,owomen;total, 170 men, 12women. Received'during the week, 11 men, 2 women ; discharged, io men, 2 women. |

Lancashire Bellringers.— We are informed that this company are passengers by the Gothenburg, and open at the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening next. Mayor’s Court. —At this Court this morning a man named John Tehan was fined 10s for drunkenness. Maerewhenua Reef.—We understand that a crushing of two pounds of stone from this reef yielded at the rate of seven ounces to the ton. Accident. This morning one of the walls of the old Cost office, now in course of removal, gave way, knocking down a workman named Robert Dewe, who did not receive any injury beyond a few bruises. The Hippodrome.— Considering the unpleasant state of the weather last evening, the Princess’ was well attended, and the entertainment provided by this talented company was most. favorably received. —Tills (Saturday) evening, “Dick lurpins Ride to Yoik” will be presented;” and the “Young American’' will make his second appearance as the “British Fox Hunter.” We can most cordially recommend a visit.

“ Police Gazette.” —This month’s number contains an unusually long_ list of reported robberies, mostly for robberies from dwellings. There is a notification that a warrant has been i sued by the Oamaru bench for the apprehension of a man named D. Connor, alias Bill, for fraudulently uttering a cheque, and uttering the same ; and another against James Stevens, for obtaining money under false pretences. In the list of petty robberies, we find in many of the cases the offenders managed to get clear with small sums of money, some took a liking to jewelry, and wearing apparel, chiefly unmentionables, was the fancy of others. Of the many strange articles reported to be stolen, the strangest is “a bell, with a black ebony turned handle,” which was taken from the lobby of a hotel in town. Under the heading “ miscellaneous information,” is the notification that Sergeant Mallard, Ist class, has been reduced to a second-class sergeantcy. The number of apprehensions made during the month was 100, ninety being for drunkenness and minor offences. In thirty-seven cases convictions were obtained.

The Telegraph.— The step taken by the Government in reducing the rate of telegraph charges is a wise one, and cannot fail to give satisfaction. While it has doubtless been brought about in a measure by the example of the Colony of Victoria, where the first attempt at cheap telegraphy has been made with such astonishing results, we are inclined to believe that the effect of the late tariff has on the whole been such as to encourage the Government to make the present reduction. The lialf-a-crown rate came into force on the Ist .September last. When it was brought into opc-rat.on, it was pointed out by us that it was of so unequal a character that it could not possibly prove of advantage to the public, or cause improvement in the revenue of the department. It bore so heavily on those who used the wires most frequently—viz., those who sent mes-

sages short distances, particularly to shipping ports, such as Dunedin and Port Chalmers, Christchurch and Lyttelton, that they could only afford to use it in eases of emergency or necessity. The results of the business transacted by the department for the half-year ending December last have been obligingly furnished to us by the 'Telegraph Commissioner, and from them we find that the number of telegrams that paid cash for the half-year ending June, 1869, was ofi,24(i, the value of which was L 9, 19fi 18s fid ; and for the halfyear ending December “>0,058, the value of which was J.S, .’]•’>7 los -Id, showing a decrease of—in telegrams 6,188, and in cash L/ 39 13s od. This decrease with the exception of L3O in ordinary telegrams, is said to be due to the falling off in the press and provincial government telegrams The greatest decrease in ordinary has been at the Lyttelton and Port Chalmers stations. On these two stations the half-crown tariff was found to he too heavy ; but tbe decrease was made up by a corresponding increase in long distances. This is just what we anticipated, a growing disposition to use the wires for long distances, and a corresponding disinclination to use them for short distances,✓ The objection that was made against the old tariff in regard to short distances cannot be reasonably urged now, and there is every reason to believe that in future the business transacted by these stations will be equal to, if not exceed, what it formerly was. We venture to predict that the people at a distance will appreciate the boon that is thus conferred upon thorn in having the use of the wires placed within their reach. The thanks of the Press are due to the Commissioner for the exceptional reduction he has made in their favor ; and we shall be much mistaken if they did not avail themselves of the facilities placed at their disposal for obtaining early intelligence. There is one thing in connection with the new arrangements that possibly may not give satisfaction to some. It is in regard to the discontinuance of the notification of the arrivals and departures of sailing vessels. For some time there has been a divided opinion as to whether the public actually derive any benefit from the publication of these notices. On the one band a section of the community stoutly affirm that it docs ; and on the other it is denied by the department, which has all along complained of the great loss it sustains in consequence of its being called upon to supply this information gratis. Year after year, the general manager in his report to the head of the department has urged the discontinuance of the practice. In his last report he said : —“There can he no doubt that a certain section of the community benefits to a very great extent by the publication of these telegrams. lam still of opinion that the department loses thousands of pounds yearly by the transaction, while the pubi c generally reap no commensurate advantage.” There is a great deal of truth in what Mr Lem on says, and the present change in the shipping notices will he found ample for general purposes, while it will be the means of returning a considerable sum to the revenue of the department.

The Dunedin Presbytery. Since the Presbytery seems determined to keep the Press' of Dunedin thoroughly in the dark as to the date of its meetings or what transpires there, wc are obliged to go outside of it for information on the subject. As some interest appears to be taken in the ease of Ah’ Serymgeour, which w'as considered at the last meeting, we give the version of the Dunedin correspondent of the Bruce Standard, who writing under date, the 31st, says; —Yesterday the Presbytery cf Dunedin met in the First Church, to receive the report of

the Committee appointed at last meeting to consider the fresh charges made against the Rev. Robert Scrymgcour. The report now given in was to the effect that parties had been examined, but that the evidence did not warrant the Presbytery inf libelling Mr Serymgeour. The Committee therefore recommended that the charges be not further dealt with, that Mr Serymgeour be not reappointed to officiate as a probationer in St. Andrew’s Church, and that the Church Extension Committee be requested to endeavor to find work for him in or other of the vacant charges within its jurisdiction. Under all the circumstances, this is unquestionably the wisest course the Presbytery could take, but that the matter is thereby once and for ever settled can scarcely be expected; at all events there are indications of coming trouble, which, however, may, as it is to be hoped they will, prove to be a mere flash in the pan. Ago d deal of misconception prevails respecting this disagreeable affair ; and certainly the opinion generally entertained, but entertained in ignorance of the facts, is in itself perfectly sound, —that if Mr Serymgeour is lit to occupy any other pulpit, he is fit to occupy St. Andrew’s pulpit, and if he is not lit to preach there, then he is not tit to preach elsewhere. But, as I understand it. the Presbytery dots not declare that Mr Serymgeour is unfit to occupy any pulpit, but merely that, under all the circumstances of the ease, his re-appointment as probationer to St. Andrew’s pulpit would not further, but be adverse to, the interests of the congregation. At the request of the majority of the congregation, at the expiry of the sentence of suspension, they obtained the services of Mr Serymgeour for three mouths, and it is certainly understood that the request was made with the view of enabling them to decide as to whether they would give him a call at the close of the period. At the end of the three months, however, they asked that he be re-appointed as probationer for an indefinite period. Then came the fresh charges, and {lending an enquiry into them, lie was re-appointed for one month. Once more the request is made that he he reappointed as probationer for an indefinite period. Now, the question occurs, and is asked, and no satisfactory answer is given to it, if the hearts of the majority of the emigre-

gation are set upon Mr Scrymgeour, why oo they not, in accordance with the rules of the church, call him to be pastor? It seems to me that that course would be much more likely to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion than having him laboring Oil aild on simply as a probationer. Besides, if lam not in error, it is the prerogative of the Church Extension Committee to send probationers where it pleases. As matters are, dark hints are thrown out as to a projected rupture, which is dignified by the term “disruption.” That would be an evil course, and could only, and very speedly, end in disappointment to all parties.

Inspectorship in Bankruptcy.— The Bruce Standard is responsible for the statement that it is reported that George Brodie, Inspector of Bankrupt Estates, has suddenly been called upon to proceed to Auckland, and that a persevering “ hangeron” of the Provincial Government Offices, famous for drawing out a Provincial balance sheet worthy of a French financier, is to step into his shoes pro km.

Mosgiel,— The township of Mosgiel is going ahead, and keeps pace with the requirements of the surrounding district. Its proportions are gradually assuming those which fairly warrant the term “ con-ider-able.” Various private residences are now in progress, varying in accommodation of from four to six rooms. A new general store and bakery is about to be opened. A new blacksmith and machine shop has hem opened, and otherwise the town presents all the appearance of increasing prosperity. Colonel Whitmore and Mr Branican.—“ ’Tis an ill wind that blows nobody good;” and although the Earnin'/ Pod, Mr Biamgan’s bitterest enemy, never neglects an opportunity to run bini down, the effect of this continued abuse has been that Mr Bram’gau has found more apologists or admirers than he would otherwise have don?. Aillong the former class, and the latest to speak on the subject, is Colonel Whitmore, who has been forced to break silence, In consequence of having been charged with being the author of the articles in the Pod. It is almost needless to say that Colonel Whitmore denies the authorship of them, and with a manly feeling which must he admired, he writes to the Lylklton Times:— “ lam an open dissentient from this ludicrous demilitarisation which has so utterly broken down. 1 lament that all our military force is gone or going, and the detective police is still unable, after nine mouths, to take the field. I feel sure the rifle not the rattle is wanted to bring the war to an end, and that nothing prevented this result last July except the retreat of our troops to the coast when Mr Fox came into office. That error enabled Te Kooti to recruit his men and recover his prestige when he was a fugitive on the Taupo plains without cither food or ammunition. There is no doubt about this ; every man of the force I lately commanded knows it well. No military man of experience will deny that the course pursued, bv which Te Euoti was left alone till October, was certain to prolong the struggle. But, sir, though 1 hold these opinions, and believe that the want of concentrated command, and the multiplicity of independent authorities must lead to bungles like Patetere, 1 utterly repudiate all thought of ill against poor Mr Branigan, He was not responsible for the reversal of all that might have been learned from the experience of every country in times of disturbance, even radical America. He came at the invitation of Government, throwing up an excellent appointment;, and has done his best; and I dare say, done it well. His police is doubtless exactly what he promised, and is certainly what 1 expected it would prove,. He has been only the instrument, and possibly may be made the victim of a theory for whieh others are responsible. He himself should be sacred. You will remember when every engine that could be used was employed to villify, to thwart, and to insult me for doing my best in former days. It was then yon said a generous word for me, Sir, and appealed to the sense of fair-play which you felt had been outraged in some instances by this unremitting persecution. I am glad to be able to thank you for your chivalrous defence at that time, and I ask you to be so kind as to do me the same justice now, by recording my contradiction of a report circulated entirely from political motives, without a shadow of truth, and utterly opposed to those principles upon which people should always act towards subordinate officers in the service of the Government.”

The New Mail Service. —The Californian, New Zealand, and Australian mail line commences the service on the 26th inst. Mr 11, H. Hall has. fortunately, succeeded in chartering two of the finest lioats in the colonies, viz., the Wonga Wonga and City of Melbourne, and, judging from the extraordinary demand for passeges, the public appear to have entered most heartily into the scheme. The first boat to leave will be the Wonga Wonga, under the command of Capt. T. S.' Beal, late of the P.N.Z. Company. She is now in port, and will be slipped, cleaned, and the necessary alterations made to meet the requirements consequent on the number of passengers proceeding by her. The number of passages booked up to this time are 52 in the saloon, 33 in the cabin, and 65 in the steerage, independent of an allowance for twenty steerage passengers in Auckland. Of this number two-thirds , are booked through for Mug)and. The providing of the steamer with the necessary adjuncts of stewards and attendants will be carried out by Messrs Barron and Austen, and will be on a most liberal scale, and it is understood that nothing will be wanting in this department that cau in any way conduce to the comfort of all on board. Mr Hall also gives the inducement to passengers proceeding on this route to remain in any port on the line for two months, their through tickets being available for the succeeding boats. Mr Hall’s arrangements have been so far completed that no great detention will be experienced by passengers at the ports of transhipment, so that passengers requiring speedy transit will be landed in England within the specified time. We may also state that in addition to the large number of passengers leaving by the Wonga-Wouga, 23 have taken their pa-sages by the City of Melbourne, which will leave on the 27th of April, under the command of Captain Granger-, of the A.S.N. Co. Subjoined are the dates of departure, arrivals, and return of the colonial steamers: From Sydney, Wonga Wonga March, 26th; City of Melbourne, April 27th; Wonga Wonga, May 28th ; City of Melbourne, June 3(Jth; and afterwards the steamers will leave on the 30th of each succeeding mouth. The departures from Auckland will take place oir 2nd April, 4th May, 4th June, 7th July, and on the 7th of each succeeding mouth. The steamers will arrive at Honolulu in fifteen days, by contract time, from Auckland meeting the San Francisco steamers, which proceed direct, and generally make tire passage in ten clays. The outward mail leaves San Francisco on the 10th of the month, reaches Honolulu on or about the 20th, on which date the colonial steamer’s leave, reaching Auckland in fifteen days and Sydney in twenty-one days, landing passengers in about forty-seven clays, and telegraphic intelligence in thirty days from England.— S. 21, Herald.

The monthly meeting of shareholders iu the Otago Freehold Land, .Building, and Investment Society, will be held at the office, Princes street, on Monday evening at seven o’clock.

The fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society is announced to be held at the offices of the Society, Princes street, on Monday evening, from 6to S o’clock. Mr W. Elder, the Society’s agent at Port Chalmers, will receive subscriptions, &c , for that district on Monday evening, between (J and S.