The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2286, 3 September 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1870.

The subject of baths and wash-houses, lately introduced before the City Council by Mr Walter, was met by the introduction of a proposition entirely foreign to it, but equally worthy of consideration. No one can look at the state of the streets and footpaths of Dunedin, without feeling that great improvements require to be made. And while we are noticing this sub ject, we may conveniently draw attention to one or two facts that appear to have escaped the notice of our purblind Council. It is, we suppose, generally known that the Provincial Government undertakes keeping the main road through the City in repair. Over their doings unfortunately the Corporation have no control ; and when they sent specimens to the Executive horse-lamel's pitched into the street

at random, instead of two-inch metal, they did not receive an answer until the discourtesy had become matter of observation. Like most of the roadmaking in Otago, that main road is re-metalled in the most rough-and-ready style. In London not long since, a lecture was given on the means taken to lame horses. We forget its title, but it was something like “ Cru- “ elty to Animals in the Nineteenth <i Century.” Were we called upon to give a special lecture on cruelty to animals as practised in Dunedin, we should add, “ and robbery of the ratcpayers.” "We have more than once been called to account for our strictures upon the road making and bridge building in the Province. No matter : it might be more pleasing to the powers that be, to praise where blame only is deserved —

When fiction rises pleasing to the eye, Men will believe, because they love the he ; But truth herself, if clouded with a frown, Must have some solemn proof to pass her down. It is not difficult to present the proof of both our propositions. In the first place, the metal put on the main road is unequally and badly broken. The general guage, founded we suppose on experience, is what is termed two-inch j but although it would be easy to pick out pieces of rock in abundance, as large as the specimens forwarded to the City Council by Mr Rattray, it would be difficult to make out that the average was two-inch metal. One consequence of such unequally-sized stones being thrown on, is that the road consolidates unevenly ; that the friction is consequently increased, thus throwing heavy labor upon animals engaged in drawing wheeled carriages, damaging their feet, and causing increased wear and tear both of the vehicles and the road. These effects, though true, like many other economic truths, are deemed of little importance, because they cannot be reduced to immediate individual monetary estimates, like a broken wheel or a broken spring. A horse goes over the road many times probably without exhibiting signs of lameness, but it comes at last, in some cases after the proximate cause has ceased to exist. The extra friction on the tires of wheels or upon the axles cannot be estimated at the time, but the carriages do not last so long, and require repairing or renewing months, or perhaps years, sooner than would have been necessary, had the road been more carefully and scientifically maintained. In addition to this, the road itself is ground away sooner, because of increased friction and unevenness of surface. Tims the loss is not the less real because it is not immediately perceived. It is, however, so much capital destroyed. But in addition to care-fully-broken metal, two other saving processes might have been adopted which would have tended to consolidate the ro id, and proved an immense saving. Throwing on a little blinding, and passing over the new metal a heavy roller, would have greatly tended to facilitate the consolidation of the road, to reduce the draught, to prevent damage to the feet of horses, to have prevented the sinking in of wet, to have reduced the grinding of the wheels, and thus to a great extent to have prevented the formation of mud in wet weather and dust in dry. We suppose these advantages are too obvious to be adopted by an Executive, who, if there be two ways of going about a given work, generally choose the least advanced and most primitive. And now a word about the ratepayers’ pockets. If anyone will take the trouble to walk up George street, he will have an opportunity of seeing the effect of the Government road mending in King street. These two slreets, everybod3 r knows, are parallel to each other, near the Water of Leith, and when the Provincial Government set about what they call mending King street, the metal was tumbled on in long lengths and in such abundance, that with heavy loads an extra horse was almost necessary to pull through it. At that time George street happened to be in good condition. Now although the engineers of the Provincial Government have no mercy upon horses, nor consideration for their feet and shoulders, owners and drivers usually have bowels of compassion for them ; so to avoid this Government grinding, they turned down a cross street into George street. The consequence is easily told. George street, maintained by the ratepayers, is cut to pieces, because King street, maintained by the Government, was made almost impassable. We have then this problem to solve—What do we gain by the Government maintaining King street, if by their clumsy workmanship George street is destroyed 1 This is a nice little arithmetical question for the City Council, which, answered correctly, may lead them to seek a remedy. It is really amazing how obvious economic truths are overlooked. As King street has been conserved by George street being cut up, the Government cannot be losers by supplying the necessary metal for the repair of George street.

Parliamentary Papers.—We have received late numbers of Hansard and a batch of parliamentary papers. Pedesteianism. —About 400 persons assembled at the Caledonian Grounds to-day to witness the running matches. The first match—the mile race, for a cup valued at 10 guineas—was Avon easily by T. Fairly, Pollock being second. Time, 4min. 44secs. The steeplechase Avas Avon by Snell. Mayor’s Court. —At the Court to-day, before his Worship the Mayor and Mr j. Gillies, R M., Patrick Brown Avas committed for trial for assaulting James O’Grady. Kate M‘Donnell, Elizabeth Johnson, and Donald M'Kxchnie, Avere each deed L 5 or 14 days, for drunkenness. Colonial Rifle Shooting . In the course of the debate on the Militia Bill, Mr Vogel said that as good shooting Avas the aim to be attained by volunteers, he avouUl like to see the annual Colonial meeting largely extended, which could bo done by the Government continuing to pay the passages of the successful competitors in each dis trie, bub alloAving any volunteer Avho liked to pay his OAvn expenses to compete at the meeting. The amount of this year on the Estimates fur Colonial prizes has been increased from LIOOO to L 2500.

Gaol Return. —The following is the state of H.M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the aveek ending the 3rd September, 1870 : Awaiting tra 1 , 9 men, 0 avomcn ; under remand, ijinan, 0 avomen ; penal servitude, 93 men, 0 avomen; hard labor, 33 men, 12 avomcn ; in default of bail, 2 men, 0 avomen ; debtors, 3 men ; total, 141 men, 12 avomcn. Received during the aveek, 9 men, 2 woman ; discharged, 13 men, 3 women.

Honesty. —A pleasing circumstance, avorthy of being recorded, occurred this aveek. Mr Thomas Birch, our late mayor, some months ago avas applied to by a avorking man for a loan of money, avhich he, in his usual liberal avay, advanced, not even knowing the name or address of the applicant. He thought no more of the matter, but on his arrival last night had the satisfaction of receiving a post office order for the amount.

Flax. —The Taranald HemkJ says —“A fcav days ago, at the monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute, the Secretary exhibited Dr Murray’s account of New Z-aland Flax, printed on a paper made from its fibre.—A Mr Noil Lloyd, a rop-maker in Auckland, states he has found already, a difference in the marked superiority of the flax fibre that he now receives for manufacture, and is confident that as the old flax is cleared off the country, and the young plants come into manufacturing use, the New Zealand flax will take the acknowledged position of the finest fibre in the world.”

Msyterious Disappearance.—Mr Barclay, formerly of the firm of Moubray and Barclay, of Nelson, left Taranaki for Auckland in the Phoebe, on the 16th June last, with a quantity of flax which lie had with him for sale. Mr Barclay arrived in Auckland on the 17th, and on the 21st he sold his flax to Mr Buckland, and received payment, and stated that he was about to return to Taranaki immediately. From that day all trace of him has been lost. No intelligence can be obtained of his having left Manakau by steamer, nor of his departure from Auckland in any other way.

The Gazette.—The following notifications appear iathe New Zealand —Mr Daniel Rolfe to be Clerk of the Resident Magistrates Court, Port Chalmers, vice Mr Hincholili'e resigned. Mr J. T. Thomson to bo a Commissioner of Crown Lands. Letters of naturalisation have been issued in favor of .B.mjamiii New mapOiunani, merchant ; W. T. Sontng, Rroekvillo, near Dunedin, gardener ; John I apatzo, Queenstown, agent; F. Emcbardt, Queenstown, settler; J. Wenkhenn, Queenstown, merchant ; L. C. Christensen Llenore, farmer ; J, W. Sachtler, Port Chalmers, stevedore. Messrs if, Bastings and \V. Smitham have been appointed justices of the peace. Princess Theatre,—There was a well attended house lait evening, when the members of the Dunedin Cricket Club, assisted by several lady and gentlemen amateurs gave a performance. The first piece, “ All that glitters is not gold,” appeared to give satisfaction, the principal performers being twice called before tho curtain. It would be invidious to mention the whole of the characters, but we cannot help mentioning that the gentleman who played Toby Twinkle was unusually good. The afterpiece was “As cool as a cucumber,” which went off well, and in the interval between the pieces Mr Muir performed on the skates. The orchestra was occupied by M. Fleurj’s band.

Art Union. —Mr O’Br en and Mrs W, E. Brunton have, by their joint contributions, brought together a number of pictures in water colors, which will bo drawn for at an early date. They are to be seen at Mr West’s music saloon, and many of them are very beautiful iv presentations of scenery round Dunedin. With such splendid peeps as abound everywhere around us, landscape painters cannot fail to become enthusiasts in their profession. We have seen many of Mr O’Brien’s pictures, but we do not consider that he has ever before equalled some of those which arc to bo seen at Mr West’s. Mr O’Brien’s drawing is always admirable, and bis foregrounds are especially well executed. Some of bis earlier pictures we used to think too monotonous in coloring, but po such defect can be charged upon those now exhibited. There is not only truthfulness of outline, but a boldness and faithfulness in the management of the pictures which place tb- m amongst works of high art. The Beach at Green Island, two views of portions of the Town Belt, are beautiful glimpses of romantic scenery, poetically depicted. They would form studies for the geologist and the botanist. Then there is a view of Saddle Hill and Lake Waihola, which is very effective, and the foreground of a peep at Dunedin from the Junction is a beautiful production of art. Mrs W. H. Brunton succeeds the best in what wc may term a medkeval style. She is a careful painter, apd in such subjects as “The light of the world,” ecclesiastical or old time interiors, with warm lights and colors, or in a moonlight or snow scene, she is at home. Some of these are very beautiful, and add much to the value of the collection. Perhaps after all the gem is one not included in this class, “The Shrimp Girl," a well-con-ceived and be autifully-colored little picture. It is seldom that works of local artists of such genuine merit are offered in Dunedin, and we trust they will meet with the encouragement they deserve.

Inquest. — An inquest wits held yesterday, before J. Dewe. Esq., Coroner, at the Commercial Hotel, Milton, on the body of the man found droavned in the Tokomairiro river on Wednesday. The evidence of Mr John M'lntosh and Mr R. Fe prison, both settlers near Tokomairiro, avas to the effect that the deceased AA r as seen hy them on the afternoon of Saturday to approach the river, a mile or two below Milton, and was then lost sight of. Apprehensions began to be entertained towards evening. as be avas not .again seen in the neighborhood. Upon proceeding to examine the spot where he had been last seen, a swag and pair of hoots avere found on the bank, and the appearances on the ground led to Hie conclusion that he had slipped or fallen into the river. The police were immediately informed, and steps avere taken to search the river. After long, patient avork, the body avas found, and in a pocket a letter was discovered addressed to D. Miller, Wangaloa, from Mr Hume, keeper of the Lunatic Asylum, Dunedin. Sergeant Mallard telegraphed to Mr Hume, and received a reply by letter to the effect that the name of deceased avas William Aitken, aged 35, a native of G’asgow, seven years in the Colony, and had been engaged by him to proceed to Wangaloa. He left Dunedin on Saturday last, by Tokomairiro coach, and David Miller, to whom he avas going, avas to meet him at the White Horse Hotel on arrival of the coach. This, it appears, had not taken place, the deceased had gone on in the supposed direction of Wangaloa, and hence the fatal accident or occurrence. The jury returned a verdict of “ found droavned.”

Art Union of Pictures in Oil.— We have on former occasions drawn attention to the more than ordinary talent of Captain Kemp as a portrait painter, and really considering the faithfulness of the portraits as liknesscs, and their merit as works of art, we are surprised that ho has found time to devote to any other branch of painting. Whether or not he is not sufficiently known as a portrait painter, ave cannot tell, but in his leisure hours he has contrived to paint some views in Otago, principally of lake scenery, and of striking features of country on the route between Lake Wakatipu and Martin’s Bay. The extreme and middle distances are very beautiful. There is a purity in his style and simplicity in his coloring, that render it brilliant and effective. There arc snoav clad mountains in the distance, avell avooded slopes in the centre, and brilliant lake or river scenery in the foreground. _ The sunlit gloav on the peaks, depicted in “ Whitworth’s mistake,” the shingle beach, the solitude around the figure alone in the avilderness, watching his fire as the smoke curls in wreaths in the air, tell of preparation for passing the long lone night. As pictures, they are worth possessing. As historic records, their value is enhanced. In time to come, though our matter of fact details deprive incident of the halo of tradition, there avi 1 still bo associated a coloring of romance avith the calm daring of the early settlers of these colonies, who, not knowing what impediments aavaited them, braved perils of mountain and flood, and alone tracked the desert betaveen the unknoavn and the settled land.

An Exciting Adventure. —On Wednesday, July 20, Dr Schomburgk (the Director of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens), with his foreman and two men named Tyre and Leonard, formed an expedition to the hills in the neighborhood of Mount Barker, for the purpose of obtaining grass-trees, and other native productions. When about a quarter of a mile past Fordhnm’s (says the Register), they descended from the righthand side of the road in order to get some of the trees growing in the creek. The Doctor and his foreman were in front, and the two men about 50 yards behind, not in a direct line. When the two former had gone a considerable distance, Tyre slipped on a stone, and, losing his balance, commenced rolling down the hill towards a precipice about 25 feet deep, perpendicularly overhanging the creek. Seeing his companion’s danger, Leonard, who is a very powerful man, with great courage and promptitude attempted to stop him, but was knocked down, and they then both rolled on at a terrific pace. At about twelve or sixteen feet from the precipice Leonard grasped a shrub, thus arresting the progress of himself apd Tyre, and saving them from imminent death. Dr Schomburgk estimated that Tyre rolled about 150 feet, and the rate which he passed over the ground was very great, his body making bounds of three and four feet at a time. Fortunately no bones were broken, but the unfortunate man’s face and hands were badly scratched, and he was not in a (it condition to be moved for several hours, after which time he was conveyed to town. Leonard was pnlpirt, and the Doctor avers that he never saw quoh pappow escapes from death in his life.

The Rev. Robert Scrimgeour will preach in St. Andrew’s Church, Melville Street, to-morrow at the usual hours.