The Evening Star MONDAY, JULY 18, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2245, 18 July 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, JULY 18, 1870.

Frequent enquiries have been made as to the nature of the difference between the Corporation and the Evening Star; but previously to the decision in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday, we did not feel at liberty to make any statement respecting it. We consider it now a duty which we owe to ourselves and the public to do so, as some misapprehension prevails with rerrard to it. The plain facts of the case are as follow The Corporation having some City property to dispose of, employed Mr Evans as auctioneer, and that gentleman, in order to give the widest publicity to the sale, advertised both in the Evening Sta/r and the Daily Times. * On Mr Evans rendering his account, as a matter of course the cost of advertising was included, and the charge of the Evening Star amounted to £l3 17s. 6d. As this was rigidly calculated according to the known and established scale of the paper, no difficulty was anticipated by the proprietor

in obtaining a satisfactory settlement. However, this well-founded expectation proved illusory. It appeared that the Daily Times had charged less than the Star by some two or three pounds—it matters not whether in error or in accordance with agreement —and that with commendable vigilance the Town Clerk objected to the higher charge of the Star. Had the matter stopped there, we should not have complained ; but having nothing to do with the business arrangements of the Daily Times, we did not feel ourselves bound to abide by their charges on two grounds : —First, because at the extra j price charged, it was cheaper to advertise town sales in the Evening Star, as three people or more read the Star to one who sees the Times ; and secondly, every newspaper has a right to tix its own scale of charges—and therefore whatever the* Times chose to do, had nothing whatever to do with the Star. Mr Evans was however instructed by ' the Town Clerk, not that he would not pay the Star more than the Times, but that he would only pay the Evening Star eight pounds for what by a legal and moral right was charged £l3 17s. 6d. It was quite out of the question to submit to such dictation, and the Town Clerk was remonstrated with, first by the manager of the Evening Star, and secondly by the proprietor. Now we do not wish to say one word adverse to that gentleman. He had nothing personally to gain by the course he took; and although it was one that, in our opinion, no public officer ought to adopt, he is so liable to captious interference by the members of the Corporation, that every excuse should in justice be made for him. He was shewn repeatedly that no undue charge had been made ; but he did not even say he would take the opinion of the Finance Committee. Instead of that, ho adopted the extraordinary plan of saying that unless the specified sum, eight pounds, was accepted in satisfaction of the account, no more advertisements should be given to the Evening Star. It was impossible honorably to submit to such conditions. The Evening Star is not reduced to such a humiliating position. Its large circulation renders it decidedly the most desirable advertising medium in Dunedin for every matter connected with the town itself, and it is the duty of a public officer to avail himself of its columns for everything that concerns the inhabitants. The Provincial and General Governments invariably act on this principle; and the public have good reason to complain that the City Corporation does not adopt the same course. As therefore the Town Clerk constituted himself the sole arbiter in the matter, it became necessary to appeal to the Corporation, and the” case was kid before that body in a letter addressed to the Mayor, and published in both papers. The consideration of this letter was referred to the Finance Committee, who in general terms approved of the action of the Town Clerk, on the ground that the advertising charge of the Evening Star was “ extravagant.” Under these circumstances there remained only one alternative, that of carrying the case into Court. This was necessary to justify ourselves, for we could not allow such an imputation as making an extravagant charge to pass unrepelled. The decision of the Resident Magistrate has justified the account, and a verdict was returned in favor of the Evening Star for the full amount, notwithstanding a rather extraordinary course adopted by the Town Cleric, who appeared to give evidence against it on the most frivolous and untenable grounds. The public is now in possession of the facts of the case, very much toned down so far as the treatment which the Evening Star has received is concerned. The Finance Committee having approved the Town Clerk’s business tactics, have of course relieved him from responsibility. Now a Finance Committee, “ like a Corpora- “ tion, has neither a soul to be saved “ nor a body to be kicked.” It would therefore be useless to waste pens and ink in attacking them. They have the same faults as all other combinations of men in authority, and dare to do collectively what not a man amongst them would feel justified in doing individually. Not a member of that Committee would have acted otherwise than we have been compelled to act: not one, if appealed to, but would have said—- “ The case must rest on its merits—if “it is an overcharge, it must be re- “ duced; but the public must not be “ deprived of that wide-spread informa- “ tion that is to be attained only by “ advertising in the Evening Star.” Collectively they have approved a system which is actually a sort of modern thumb-screwing. We wonder what they would say were every citizen to offer to compound his rates by paying GO per cent, of them.

The English Mail.—The Phoebe is to leave Lyttelton this evening, and is due at Port Chalmeas to-morrow at noon. The unusual promptitude of despatch with which her present trip has so far been characterised, is sufficient to show what can be done if the screw is only put on. Narrow Escape.—At Cardrona lust week a man named Adams had a very narrow escape. He fell into a shaft twelve feet deep on the Ist instant. It was S p.m. when lie fell in, and there he remained until 3 a.m., when he managed to got out, in a very exhausted condition.

Country Municipalities. Mr Horace Bastings has been re-elected Mayor of Lawrence for the fifth time, and Mr James 1 iazlett Mayor of Clyde for the third time. The Chinese. —Thu Dunstan Times is informed by Mr John Alloo, Chinese interpreter for the district, that six hundred of his countrymen arc on their way to Otago, anil may be expected shortly. The majority of them are “ now chums ” just arrived in Melbourne, and they have re-chartered the vessel to bring them here. Theatrical.— We have authority for staling that Batchelder’s troupe, which left Auckland for Queensland on the 2nd instant, will return to the Colony in about two months. Mr Batchelder is expected lack in about the same time, and will bring with him from America a diorama of the “Overland route to England via Sail Francisco.” ' Sudden Death at Queenstown.— Last week we mentioned the sudden demise of Mr Charles Lorimer, a chemist residing at Queenstown, who was found dead in his bed. The evidence adduced at the coroner’s inquest went to show that the deceased had been addicted to intemperate habits, and that death resulted from exhaustion, accelerated by the state of congestion in which the vital organs wore. The Police. —A circular Ims been issued by the Commissioner of Police, giving notice of a reduction of pay throughout the department, to commence on the Ist September next. First and second-class sergeants and first ami second-class constables will each be mulcted of Is per day from that date. The country press complain that the reductions arc arbitrary, and suggest that the higher officers should be treated in like manner.

Masonic Hall. —Mr and Mrs Hilton made their rc-appcarancc on Saturday evenniug at this place of .amusement, an 1 were well received by a very numerous audience. Judging by the portion of the entertainment wc heard, tha audience were greatly pleased. Mrs Hilton was in capital voice, and an amateur lent considerable assistance, he being tolerably successful in his songs. The same entertainment is to he repeated on Saturday evening.

Commission. —The Government have resolved to appoint a Commission to enquire into and report upon the tailing grievance at Mount Ida; and the appointment of M r Warden Pyke as a member of it has given dissatisfaction in the district. It is objected to mainly because Mr Pykc is not in a position to give an unbiassed opinion, he having, when to the Goldfields Department, suggested the condition which at present deprives the miners of the privilege of depositing their tailings iu the Dead Level, Naseby,

AtheX/KUM. —The following books have been received by the Suez mail by the Institution : “ Lothair,” Disraeli’s now novel, “ Free Russia,” by Hcpwortb Dixon ; “ Modem Russia,” by Dr. Julius Eckliarclt; Sketch Boole of California ; Four Lectures by Keshlet Cbunder, sen., which our readers will remember were so well received by almost all the leading liberal clergymen of London, including Canon Kingslev, Miss Martineau’s works, &c. It will be olrserved that three of > these Avorks are of great interest, and have been most favorably revieAved by the press. Sudden Death.—On the Bth inst., at Skipper’s Creek, a piiner naragd William Penburty died very suddenly He had been at work as usual, Avhcn he complained of being ill, and retired to rest in his tent. An hour afterA\ T arcs he AA-as found dead by one of his mates. The deceased Avas a native of CornAVall, 40 years of age, and of very sober and industrious habits. For some time past he had been complaining of pains in the head and chest. • At the coroner’s inquest a verdict of ’‘Died by the visitation of God” Avas returned.

A Curious Accident. —Ohc often hears of plaited hair, hnt last week saucered hair came under the notice of the Auckland folk, and in this Avise—A lady proceeding down Queen street Avas observed to come to grief suddenly in the matter of a very elaborate chignon. This artistic arrangement suddenly collapsed, and at the same moment a saucer, Avhich had formed the basis of the superstructure of the fair one’s tresses, fell on the pavement Avith a crash, and Avas shivered. The consternation of the oAvner at the unexpected revelation of the intimate relation between locks and crocks Avas only equalled in intensity by the amusement of the observers of the incident.

New Publications. — At Auckland a new comic paper entitled the Tomahawk Las been produced, with Mr 'Frank Varley as artist; and The Laulrm is the name of a serio-comic paper just published at Hokitika. 'the first number of the latter contains a rather good cartoon, representing the Hon. Mr Vogel being addressed by a good specimen of the genuine digger in the following terms: Yount/ Westland —“I’ve come for that money of mine in your hands.” General Dealer —“The monish, s’help me, I’ve kept it to pay your bill. We’ve raised our charges lately.” Yount/ Westland —“ Von confounded old Shylock, don’t you believe I’m to be done that way.”

Mining Notes. —The Damian Times is not in receipt of its usual correspondence from Bendigo Gully, hut learns that principal claims on the various lines of reef are actively progressing. The Cromwell Company have nearly completed their second battery, and, as they have a largo quantity of stone on hand, will probably soon commence crushing. The Alta trial crushing lias niven great satisfaction to the shareholders, who have determined upon erecting machinery forthwith. The Aurora Company are driving in a tunnel, and expect to meet the reef at a low level very soon. The late heavy rains have done more or leas damage to the sluicing claims. —The Cromwell paper states that a party of ncw-chum Chinese—fresh from the “ Flowery Land ” set to work at Branch Creek, Cardrona, and for twelve weeks’ work netted LI 60 per man. The patch is worked out, however.

The Eruption of Tongariro.—-The subject of the extraordinary phenomena now being presented by Tongariro is exciting the greatest interest over the whole Colony. Yestcrdaj morning, the immense volumes of dense black smoke which are being emitted from Tongariro, were plainly visible from the hills at Napier, as well as from parts of the surrounding plains. The loud reports which have been distinctly board for the last fortnight—and avhich are, at times, likened to the boom of heavy artillery, at others to the noise caused by the falling of an immense body of matter —arc still hoard on the plains at intervals of live minutes or thereabouts. One of the Armed Constabulary, just down from Tapuaeharuru, on Taupo Lake, says that the reports (which are very loud in the vicinity) are sometimes accompanied by a quiver of the earth, and in each case by a great up-butsfcof flame and red hot masses like molten rock. A broad stream of red hot lava is distinctly visible ilowiug down the side of the mountain in a wavy, irregular mass; and, in the night, the Haines issuing from the crater are described as forming a highly interesting and beautiful spectacle. The natives are very superstitious about this eruption of Tongariro. They say it vis a sure forerunner of the death of Te Hen Hon and other leading chiefs of Taupo and Waika'o, including the King. They state that the explosions and the appearance of red hot lava is quite a new feature, never having been known in connection with any previous occurrence of the kind ; and their expressed belief is that the eruption will continue with great violence un f il it result in the bursting up and subsidence of the volcano, when it will leave an immense basin like Taupo, which will become filled with water. This, it may be observed, is their theory of the original formation of Lake Taupo. The Mayoralty.—Mr Millar, E.S. A., explained his views on municipal and other matters, in a speech of nearly four hours’ duration at the Theatre, on Saturday evening. There was a very large attendance, and Mr Leo. Smith presided. The candidate premised by stating, for the edification of “new chums,” his previous connection with the City ; how he found it, and what he did for it ; and explained that in asking to be elected Mayor, he did so with a full knowledge of the responsibilities of the position and with the fullest conviction that, at the present'crisis in municipal affairs, the citizens required a man who could think for himself—a man who had peculiar knowledge of a high order, and who would not require to be prompted by others from behind the scenes, to suggest and initiate the public works of the City. He considered his claims were as good as those of any of the candidates. As an old identity he had an additional claim ; ho had been instrumental in getting LIOJIOO voted by the Provincial Council for street improvements, and would pledge himself to bring forward a motion to get another Lit),ooo to fence in a piece of ground at the south-end of the City, for the establishment of a ..proper produce m .rket ; he had been the originator of the idea as to the propriety of gas works being placed in the hands of the City Corporation, having iu ISOo recommended their purchase, when they could have been obtained at a small sum. He approved of steps being taken to divert the Water of Leith by assisting nature, but to divert nature as proposed by the City Surveyor was monstrous, and the expense would be enormous. He was iu favor of applications from the citizens being at once dealt with ; and was greatly opposed to the high water rates. After the candidate had answered a number of questions to the evident satisfaction of the mceeing, a vote of confidence in him was proposed by Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Campbell, and carried unanimously. Mr Millar afterwards submitted a resolution approving of the Government financial proposals, and spoke on the subject ; but in deference to the generally expressed opinion that it was of too great importance to he dealt with at such an advanced hour, lie withdrew it, stating that if requested to so, lie would be glad to meet the citizens in the same place on Friday evening next.

We notice that a grand amateur concert will be given at the Masonic Hall on Thursday, the 28th inst., in aid of the funds of the JeAvish Philanthropic Society of Otago. Mr W. H. Hilton, Avho has kindly given his services, will render the entertainment additionally attractive. Mr Griffen will address the ratepayers at the Mission House, Russell street, this evening, at 8 o’clock ; Mr Fish at Wain’s Royal Hotc 1 , Water of Leith, at 8 o’clock, and at Macgrogor’s British Hotel, George street, at 0 o’clock ; and Mr Millar at Wain’s Hotel, Water of Leith, at 7 o’clock, and White’s Queen’s Hotel, Albany street, at half-past 8 o’clock. A meeting of Mr Millar’s supporters Avill he held at the Bull and .Mouth Hotel, at 15 o’clock. A special meeting of M r Fish’s Committee will he held at the rooms, Princes street, at 7 o’clock.