The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2244, 16 July 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1870.

Ip we may trust to the indications we receive from time to time of the progress of the debate on Mr Von el's financial proposals, there is every likelihood that they will be adopted without any necessity to appeal to the country. Not one of those who were looked upon as opponents has raised any serious objection to the principles of the measures proposed. Mr Stafford, as in duty bound, marked out a programme that looked very attractive when drawn cn paper and in print; but as its success, oven if adopted, would depend upon the prior carrying into effect of the Treasurer’s railway scheme, he must be looked upon as a supporter of the Government. It is time enough to discuss the value of his propositions when they come before the country. Specious as they arc, we believe them to be as unsuited to the

circumstances of New Zealand as are all that gentleman’s theories. They may do in Switzerland and some other countries of Europe, where populations have grown up, and century after century followed established rules adapted to small vineyards of thice to twelve acres each. I3ut in a country like New Zealand, the inhabitants of which have corue with other views and other habits than those calculated for such limited spheres of action, to parcel out the land in cabbage gardens is merely to raise up a pauper population —to reproduce, in fact, all the miseries of Ireland. _ Mr Stafford is not likely to be again in power for some time. It is scarcely possible to imagine a more complete disruption of party than has taken place in the House this session. Last year there were two distinct sets of opinions respecting the Native cpiestion—the advocates of aggressive and of defensive warfare. It would seem that this session but little allusion'*is made to the Native question. Sometimes, with not a very good _ grace, the present Government is twitted with proposing a loan for paying off back reckonings. Some people there are, too, who persist in perceiving no difference between the two Ministries in the conduct of Native affairs, and wish us to fancy that Mr Fox has followed Mr Stafford’s lead. For our own parte, we are of that sceptical class that believe results are but consequents of antecedents, and that, carefully studied, they will lead to a knowledge of their causes. Viewed in this light, the debt for which the Treasurer proposes to provide is a legacy left by the Stafford Government, for which the Fox Administration is no more blameable than is the Stafford Ministry to be praised for the comparative peace that followed immediately upon their expulsion from office. This debt is an expense incurred in the prosecution of a series of fitful expeditions, undertaken nearly at random, with no well-founded expectation of success. The whole Native mind was in a torment. Every tribe seemed more or less alarmed, and there was every prospect of a war of extermination becoming a necessity for Colonial safety. The wildest schemes wore hatched for the suppression of the insurrection, British regiments, Ghoorka regiments, Imperial protection—or, in need, American protection —floated before men’s imaginations. Sober thought was at a discount, and timidity was driving us to desperation. From this vice of timidity the Fox Government was not free, but fortunately it did not deprive them of sound judgment. They have had the good sense to steer clear of the difficulties into which their more reckless predecessors fell, and the coarse now marked out bv the Treasurer seems likely to enable ns to utilise Maori labor, and thus to give them other employment than plotting against the welfare of the white population. Experience has shewn that the Maoris are capable of working well at certain classes of labor. The prisoners in Dunedin Gaol have displayed remarkable skill in all the works executed by them. They have always evinced ingenuity in the construction of their pahs and other defensive works. This mechanical dexterity should be made available for the execution of the reproductive works contemplated. More rapid advances would then be made in cirlisation, and instead of being a burden and a drag upon the white population, the Natives would aid in the development of the resources of the North Island, The difference between their being engaged in waste and destruction and in production would soon be felt. Settled industrial habits would be induced, and perchance a remnant of the race may be preserved— a standing monument that it is possible to reclaim savage man, and to teach him arts of humanity and peace.

pawn ticket, which represents a col nial gold ring (now in the possession of the po'ice), with harp engraved on it, under which are the initials “W. M.” The articles are believed to have keen stolen, and tile Commissioner of Police would like to find an

owner. • We am glad to see that the Carandinis are doing well in A nekland. The Gourlays have also been meeting with success. Thatcher has left for Honolulu. Thu Ciiristys arc making amends in Nelson for their indifferent success in Wellington. The rumour has been revived that the. Christchurch company are about to return to Dunedin, Miss Bose Evans is now there. Gaol .Return.—The following is the state of H.M. Caol, Dun-din, for the week ending the Kith July, 1870: —Awaiting trial, (5 men, 0 women ; under remand, 1 man, 1 woman ; penal servitude, 98 men, 0 women ; hard labor, 44 men, 24 women ; in default of hail, ‘2 men, 0 women ; debtors, 1 man total, 14fi men, 25 women. Beceived during the week, 7 men, 9 women ; discharged, 12 men, o women; died, 1 man. "* Exports and Imports.—According to the returns recently published the exports and imports stand thus Total value of exports from the Colony for the quarter ending March 31st, 1870 (including L 45.000 specie). L 1,989,182; for the corresponding quarter of 1860 the exports were L 1,628,193 ; showing an increase in the last quarter over that of 18(50 of 1.301,981. The imports were—for flic quarter of 1870 ending March 31st, L 1,377,621 for the corresponding quarter of 1809, LI. 185,004, or an increase of the imports in the quarter of 1809 of L 192.017. Like Insurance. —The General Government seem determined to offer every facility to those who may take advantage of their life assurance scheme. The various postmasters have received instructions to intimate tliat jtayinent of premiums on life policies may bo made through any money order office in Great Britain or the Australian co'onics on the days denoted in tho policies, the Government reserving the right of requiring payment to he made in Great Britain throe months, and in the colonies one month in advance. „Tiie Financial Policy.—At a public meeting at Greytown, Wellington Province, on the 9th instant, the following resolution was carried : That the financial statement, recently made by the pres-mt Ministry to the House of Representatives of New Zealand, yields abundant proof unpractical siatesmenslrp, and whilst evincing a thorough knowledge of the wants of all sections of this country, provides suitable means for relieving the people from the evils of the present sta-.matiou, laying at the same time the basis of steady progress, and is worthy of the most effectual support of all electors of this Colony. ” Flax.—At a meeting of the Welingtou Philosophical Society on Saturday evening last, in discussing the preparation of flax in connection with the Commissioners, Dr. Hector said the samples of machinedressed flax were far inferior to the Maori dressed or that dressed by chemical means. At a recent trial, nea-ly every sample of machine-dressed equalled the Manilla in strength, while the Maori dressed was nearly double. Mr Macfarlane said the Commissianeia thought machine dressed flax, without a chemical process, would not prove marketable, The Maoris have a particular time of the year for cutting for dressing. The — The following telegram from the Premier has beep published in the Christchurch papers ; —“ The moment Commodore Lambert received the request of the Government at Sydney, he, with his usual alacrity and zeal for tho interests of the Colony, sent the Bosario to the Bounty Islands, and the Blanche to the Auckland Islands. The former arrived here this morning, and Captain Palmer reports that Bounty Islands are mere rocks. There were no indications of wrecks. He took formal possession of them in tho name of her Majesty. I will report tho result of the Blanche’s visit to the Auckland Isles as soon as I know it. Please to publish tlda for the information of the friends of the passengers per the Matoaka.” -Military Training for Boys.—On Friday evening last in the House of representatives, Mr Charles O’Neill called the attention of tho Government to the importance and necessity of giving a military training to boys attached and felt, sure that the House would readily grant a reasonable sum for the employment of drill instructors. The Hon. tho Defence Minister highly approved of the suggestions of Mr O’Neill, and the Government <fnlly recognised the imporancc of having youths in school trained to the use of fire-arms, and considered that it would he well if drill instructors were employed for the purpose, as trained cadets would bo most valuable in tho future. Mornington.—A very pleasing entertainment was given lart evening at the Mornington school house, for tho benefit of the Sunday School library fund. There was a very good attendance, and Mr A. B. Crc occupied the chair. Mr T. Mitchell pleased the audience with his comic songs of the “Comet of the West ” and “ Walking in tho Zoo,” receiving encores for both. Mr Farrow gave “ Jessie’s Dream,” and being encored, rendered “The Ship on Fire ” in a very creditable manner. Several readings and recitations were given rmongst them being tho trial scene from “ Shyloek ” by Mr 0. White; extracts from “Tho Old Curiosity Shop” by Mr Kainford,and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin ” by M r Lakcman, all of which were listened to very attentively, A local song on “Spiritualism ” was sung by a gentleman and loudly applauded. A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded the entertainment. Strange, if true. A singular dream story is being told just now in Melbourne, which more than rivals the oftquoted narrative of Sir Walter Scott regarding the recovery through a dream of the lost discharge in the repositories of Mr Stuart, W.S., of Edinburgh, long after that gentleman had died. The respectability and truthfulness of the parties connected with the strung l ' affair are mi mubted and vouched for by the Dmhj Tclpt/ru/ih, and the statement is as follows : >mi nicht last month a gentle man was aroused b ; hi ; wife, who had started from he sleep in a state of great exeitom-nt and tcror. She sai I that she was snro there was something the matter with her mother, then in England, for she had seen her in tho room. Her exgifeipent continued for some time, and the nex. day the impression still remain Oil that she would heard had news. Her husband was so struck with the circumstantial way in which she narrated the

dream, and the evident effect it produced on h«>r, that he made a memorandum of the date and time, and tried to laugh her out of her fears. An i now comes the strain e sequel—the la t Engl Mi mail brought the iutelliicnco of the lady’s mother having died at the time of the dream.

North Dunedin.—The North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society may he fairly congratulated on the increasing popularity of the entertainments got up under their auspices, and the decided improvement in the character of the entertainments themselves. That which took place in the 1 Till Shed last evening was by far' the best yet given ; and while they .are of such a character wo may fairly expect to sec repetitions of what mirtt be considered (all thmgs taken into account) capital audiences. The room was nearly tilled, and the audience was a very appreciative one. Mr J. Hughes, M.P.C., occupied the chair. We regret that the pressure on nur space prevents our giving such a notice as we could have wished ; and must content ourselves with a reference to the chief items in the, programme presented. The selections from Hans Breitrnann’s poems, given by Mr Clayton, were undoubtedly the greatest success. He is able to give thes” quaint Engli hj German or German English ballads as they are frequently called, with surp r ising accuracy, and seems to thoroughly enjoy them. Of course a rope; ition was demanded, and even then tho audience were unsatisfied. A lady amateur, whoso appearance in public is of recent date, gave ‘Magge’s Secret’ in the first part tolerably well; and was very successful in “Jessie’s Dream,” into which she infused more feeling. Both pieces were encored. A cornet solo(selection from “Norma”) was admirably played by Capt. Atkinson, and tho same gentleman sang a song which pleased the audience greatly. ’lTae concerted pieces went very well, especially the quartette “ Sleep gentle lady.” There were two comic songs by Mr Wcstropp. In tho first ho was encored, as also in the second, which was by far tho better of the two, both as regards singing and make up. Mr Bain danced a hornpipe, which was redemanded. We had .almost omitted to mention Mr Sykes, who presided at the piano, and it is needless to observe gave valuable assistance. Ho played an overture in capital style, although excuse was made to us on account of a faulty instrument.

A lecture will be delivered in Knox Church by the Bov. Michael Watt on Monday evening, .it S o’clock. Subject : —“The Educational System cf tho Scottish Beformers,”

The Rev. Robert Scrymgeour will preach .at St. Andrew’s Church, Melville stre t, to m Trow morning and evening, at the usual hours. We notice that a new course of Sabbath evening lectures will commence to-morrow evening on “ Ihe Revelation of God,” and the series will embrace generally the “manner” and the “matter” of the revelation.