The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2354, 18 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1870.

Two elections are iu prospect for members of the Provincial Council—one for Dunedin and one for Waikouaitij and we shall have a short session prior to the dissolution of the Council by effluxion of time. There is at present no leading subject foreshadowed that is likely to come under discussion during the meeting of the Council. A Commission certainly has been sitting taking evidence as to tho possibility of a reduction of Civil Service expenditure. Of its doings we have no notion at present; and if we had, we should not feel at liberty to comment iu anticipation of its report. We see Mr Bathgate puts forward economy as one of his leading points, and no doubt he is right so far as prevention of wasteful expenditure is concerned. But it is always a convenient theme for one who seeks legislative honors. Nothing is S3 readily swallowed by taxpayers as aa oratorical denunciation of the extravagant pay for little work enjoyed by officers under Government. Beside, it

is a safe game for a candidate to play. He singles out nobody, and attacks the Government in genei-al terms. It is a very safe battle. The Executive are not there to deny the statement that they are wasteful in their expenditure —extravagant in their employment of labor compared with the result. Every shot must tell. Proclaim to a number of electors that the Government employ two- men to strike one blow, whereas they ought to require that one man should strike two blows for the pay he receives—and who can deny it ? It must be true when a candidate says it j and since he is disposed to make every man strike as many blows in the public service as they are paid for doing at a given rate per blow, he must be the right man in the right place. Put a scourge into his hand, and let him drive the slaves ! It is not very long since that Mr Stafford boasted of the light cost of collecting the Customs revenue as compared with other Colonies. Taking into consideration the number of ports of import in New Zealand, and the necessarily larger number of revenue officers employed as compared with other Colo nies, we do not know whether to consider it as a good or an evil. Not very long ago a well-to-do farmer said, “ Only let us have a good market for “ our produce, and the farmers do not “grudge workmen’s wages.” We believe that feeling to be general; and we look upon it as an index of scarcity of employment for a certain class of men when they are found willing to undertake clerical and financial responsibilities for inadequate remuneration. It is quite possible, however, that Mr Bathgate may have other views in his mind than extravagant expenditure in the Civil Service. He may admit that “ the laborer is worthy of his hire,” and give chief attention to other items. For our own parts, we are very much more inclined to attribute great part of the present Provincial stagnation to over-caution, absence of business tact, or perhaps a little obstinacy on the part of the Executive, than to extravagance. This over-caution and opposition to the legislation of the General Assembly has thrown the Province back full twelve months. We are not greatly concerned as to whether those who forced upon us the extraordinary session a year ago were sincere in their opposition. The result has proved the same, whether sincere or assumed : they have had but little revenue to prosecute public works with. Tliey might have known they were fighting a hopeless battle, and were in a position to have understood the consequences. They preferred stagnation to progress, and the years 18G9 and 1870 will be memorable in the annals of Otago as standing protests ogaijjst clodocratic standstillism. This short session will give us new blood in the Council, Not only shall avc have new representatives for Pypedin and Waikouaiti, but there wiU be members from Southland. The importance of Otago as a Province is increasing, apd will require increased intelligence and acumen in the administration of its affairs. The range of subjects that inquire to be considered is widening. It is not merely the question of who shall occupy the soil for pasture or agriculture that requires consideration. Whether for good or ill, that is settled for us. The elodocrats handed the matter over to the General Assembly, avlio have decided it beyond reversal. Wc are too apt to look exclusively ko the plough and the crook for employment for our population. The favorite theory is, that men leave Home to purchase “a bit of land to call their “ own,” and that obtained, the dream of their youth is realised. But it is quite possible .that “ the bit of land ” may not improve a man’s position. It is not a pauper population that Ave Avant in Otago, but a thriving, well-to-do people, Avho are engaged in developing to the utmost the vast resources on the surface and in the mine that lie Avaiting to ho utilised. We are continually hearing about .co-operation and its advantages. Wfi have lectures upon it, and most men have some faint notion of it, although the Avord lias ‘ been used so restrictivoly latterly, that the fact of its being the principle on Avhich every great human Avovk is accomplished is lost sight of. Science, capital and labor co-operate in the construction of every building, ship, canal, or railroad. Science and labor co-ope-rate in Avorking a ship, Science, art, capital, daring, and the spirit iff’ destruction co-operato in battle. Wo have yet to learn to look upon society united under one go\ r ernment in co-operation. It may not be that eacli man is appointed to do a certain avoiTc — that is left to his choice ; but it is high /time avc studied the art of co-opcratioii Avith the Government as our directors for the purpose at least of prospecting our resources— of learning Avhat there is to ; do, and being shewn the best way to do it. If we import labor, we must try to make our immigrants comfort-; able, or our social organisation is imperfect.

Parliamentary. We beg to acknowledge the receipt from Mr Smith, Clerk of Council, of the votes and pro ;cediugs of the Provincial Council for session 27.

The Coming Election.—There are already two candidates in tke field for the representation of flic City in the place of Mr Dillon Bell. Mr Bathgate and Mr Fish have both declared themselves, and other names are mentioned. We believe Mr Birch has been invited, and will contest the seat. Supreme Court. The case of Anderson and another v. Burke and another drags its slow length along. The c ise for tho defence concluded this afternoon, but there is very little probability of the trial concluding before Thins 1 ay. . The Evergreen.—The exhibition of this picture in High street was visited by a good many persons last week, and as we believe this is the last week of tbs proprietor’s stay here we would advise those who have not yet seen the picture not to neglect this opportunity of doing so.

New Rush,—A correspondent writing from Clean (Port Molyneux), under date October 12, says There is a chance of a small rush to the Point, as some men digging near the mouth of the river got seven pounds weight of amalgam in a month. This they were showing in the township on Mon ’ay night, and 1 hear a great number were on the ground to-day. ffhere is, however, no ground for a number of men.

Changes in Business Sites.—The last twelve mouths have been prolific in changes. As the central sites in the main streets have been given up by one class of tradesmen, they have been taken possession of by other . Among other changes, wc notice that Mr F. Beissel, who has made great alterations to suit the requirements of his trade, now occupies an establishment in Princes street.

Criminal. —Edwd. Still, shoemaker, an old offender, and James Patterson, seaman, were received per escort, from Lawrence, yesterday afternoon, and lodged in Dunedin Gaol—the former to undergo a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor, for having on Sunday, the 9th of October, at Waitahuna, stolen four LI notes from the person of one Peter Lee ; the latter to find one surety in LSO, and himself to be bound in a similar sum, to keep the peace towards one Edwin Legge, &c., against whom he had used threatening language, or in default undergo six months’ imprisonment in Dunedin Gaol.

Presentation, A number of the friends of Captain M'Lcan, of the Alhambra, entertained that gentleman at dinner at Wain’s Hotel last evening. There was a large attendance of gentlemen, and Mr W. A. Tolmie occupied the chair. After dinner a very handsome tea and coffee service f r Mrs MM.eau and an aneroid for himself were presented to the guest of the evening, who acknowledged their receipt in a few appropriate remarks. The service bore the following inscription : —“To Mrs Captain M'i.ean, from a few of her husband’s Dunedin friends. 17th October, 1870 ” The aneroid was suitably inscribed. Both articles were supplied by Mr John Hislop, jeweller, Princes street.

y olunteers. At Auckland, Mr Vogel has caused clique ies to be made respecting the Winchester repeating rifle and carbine. It appears that IS shots can be fired from the Winchester whilst one can be loaded and fired from the Spencer, and 100 rounds of Winchester cartridges weigh 30 of the Enfield cartridge. The 18 shots can he fired without moving from the shoulder, and tlm Winchester carries a magazine of IS cartridges, which peed not be used if other single cartridges are preferred, so that the magazine may be kept as a reserve. The Winchester is guaranteed effective at 1000 yards. It is 3ft. Klin, long, i.e., six inches shorter than the medium rifle in use at present, and therefore admirably adapted for New Zealand bueli warfare. There is also a sabre attached t,o the Winchester, which is useful cither as a bayonet op a bill-hook for clearing away scrub on a bush track, The North. —We make the following extracts from our Northern files : —The General Government have commenced tire preliminary survey of the Great -Northern Railway, under the superintendence of -Mr Blackett, of Nelson.—Mr W. H. Harrison, M.H.R., -has again undertaken the editorship of the Grey River Aryan. —A farewell dinner to Mr Moorhouse, M.H.R., from the citizens of Christchurch, is on the tapis. — The Gourlay family are performing at Christchurch at present. The Rev. Dr Crokc, of Cork, has been appointed Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, —A circular has been addressed to all t)jo Government offices prohibiting the clerks from leaving their scenes of labor during office hours, except hy express permission of the heads of tlnir respective departments. A similar order was issued during the Stafford Ministry, some two years ago, when portions of the Civil Service Act were brought into force by publication in the Gazette, but wo understand the practice has in a great degree bacon)p a dead letter. — A movement is on foot to light '■ plfton wjllj gas. Webley’s cloth manufactory has been enlarged and new machinery added, and a still superior article to the cloth previously made is being turned out.—Our Christchurch exchanges state that several gentlemen in that city and its neighborhood are actively engaged in getting up a Dog Show, to take place iii Cligtstcimrch on the Ilth November, after tb,c Agricultural Sh/;w. The classes into w high it is' proposed lb djyide tj;e exhibits are a? follows -Sheep and cattle dogs, retrievers, Newfoundland?,' pointers, setters, spaniels, mastiff’, bulldog?, terriers, greyhounds, kangaroo dogs, dandle dinmonts, pugs, deerhounds, foxhounds, &a. f J he entries will close on the Sth November. Botli in England and in the neighboring Colony of Victoria dog shows have been held wifh great success, aud there is no reason why, under proper management, the Canterbury show should li? m-y execution to the rule, The actual revenue of ritintorbur«- for the past year v/ftS being LI,l)(l(f in • excess of the estimate. The working expenses were AS per cent, on the gross pe* ceipts. The railways paid alitiio more than 3 pr cent. on the gross receipts. The Canterbury Museum opened on Friday last, aud has since attracted a large number of visitors ; it is certainly a credit to the J’rovinx.e and Dr Haast. The collection is admirable. r-The Canterbury -M at Company uto busily at aud have claimed the bonus of LIfOOO offered by the Goverunjent —The races which .take place in November ape likely to prove very attractive. There are five entries already for the Canterbury Cuj), aud Mf MvqwJ b a ? y ct

entered any of liis stud. He arrived on the 4th by the Taranaki with six horses. —The Auckland Provincial Government have commenced to survey the line of the Waikato Railway. A large quantity of land has been gratuitously given by proprietors, while others demand compensation.

The annual general meeting of shareholders of tho Otago Freehold Land Building and Investment Society will be held at the office, Princes street, on Thursday next, at 7.30 p.m.