The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2363, 28 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1870.

Wk should like to Know what Stockbroker pays for tlie ai’ticles in. the columns of our contemporary, the Daily Times; and how much he pays for being allowed to “ bear” the market

through its columns. Never was there any journal so industrious in its efforts to parade the incapacity of its public men before the world. Were it not that there is so much method in its proceedings, we should imagine that this disease was merely YoGEL-phobia ; and that there was no other object in view than to bring the efforts of the Treasurer into disrepute. Were that so, an able writer might have played one man against another, and shewed by comparison how much more able, for instance, Mr Stafford is than Mr Vogel. But then, unfortunately, this would not have done. Mr Stafford has been tried, and found wanting. He sailed into office on the plea of reducing expenditure, and he kept his word; but in doing so lie left everything to chance. He cut down the Armed Constabulary until they ceased to be efficient, and invited that long and expensive war which has cost the Colony so much, and which, but for the intervention of the present Administration, would almost to a certainty have been raging yet. Besides, Mr Stafford would not suit the detractive purposes of the Daily Times. Instead of condemning the proposals of the Treasurer, lie supported them ; and thus it became necessary to find some other authority to shew that those plans for promoting the development of the Colony, which were adopted last session, are impracticable and visionary. No matter who, so long as it suits the argument —anybody will do —so the Times, after searching through Hansard, finds a few words uttered by Mr J. C. Richmond, a very worthy gentleman, but not by any means celebrated for having the soundest judgment or most impartial mind ; and upon that text he writes a Stock Exchange sermon. Now the misfortune of the affair is, that owing to the reputation that our contemporary had some few years ago of being the leading journal of Otago, or of New Zealand, it is still looked upon at Home as possessing that authority and influence which have long since departed from it ] and it is impossible to say what damage may be done by articles reaching Great Britain in which the talents and objects of our leading statesmen are so undeservedly assailed. We can hardly imagine a period in the world’s history when more circumspection is necessary in writing of public men and public acts. Surely there is financial difficulty enough consequent upon every war, without attempting to add to it by shewing that we are unworthy of credit. Yet such is the tendency of many of the articles that have appeared in the columns of our contemporary lately. If the Acts that have been passed were still under discussion —if the writers who condemn what it is too late to alter were endeavoring to prevent Parliament from doing what : might be injurious to the prosperity of the Colony—the case would be very different. But even had there been no war in Europe, it would have been highly reprehensible to have put forth representations calculated to damage the Colony in the mind of the Stock Exchange at Home, after Parliament, having exhaustively discussed the question, had decided upon borrowing for reproductive purposes. Opinions expressed beforehand are always valuable, because they tend to place a subject in ; every variety of light. But opinions expressed after an Act is passed, and when its operation has been thwarted by circumstances that could neither be ! foretold nor averted, are of little worth. Those conversant with the Stock Exchange in England know well the folly of such a course as our contemporary has latterly pursued. They know the folly of such a sentence as—“ There is “no reason why a war in Europe “ should depreciate the value of Colo- “ niai stock.”’ No reason ! Why New Zealand is a defenceless Colony, liable to have its towns pillaged, bombarded, or burnt by any dashing cruiser that chooses to try the range of its guns upon them, because it is part of the British Empire, with which some European power may be at war. No reason ! Why should the security of the Colonics stand higher than those of the country to which they arc attached ! No reason ! Why, the writer must be a schoolboy not to know that as the value of money is enhanced, and the risks of an investment are increased, so will the principal fall until the rate of interest bears some proportion to those combined elements of value. These elementary commercial principles are so plain and self-evident, that we are justified in concluding that the article in the Daily Times this morning has been written for the purpose of “bearing” the market. We suppose next mail orders will be sent out to invest in New Zealand Stock.

Judicial. —Mr Coleman Burke has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Colony, and was to-day sworn in before Mr Justice Chapman. Mr J. Hughes, M.P.C., has also been oppointed a J. P.

Piiilantuophic. —We are glad to learn that his Worship the Mayor and several gentlemen have interested themselves ill - the case of Mrs Aherncthy, and that measures will be taken to assist her. Auckland Glass Works. These works are meeting with a large amount of public support, the native manufactured article being preferred to the imported. Fish globes can be sold for 7s, which would cost 40s if imported.

The Volunteers.—The movement has taken root at Tuapoka, Some sixty persons have given in their names as prepared to join it, and a meeting for the purpose of establishing a corps is to be held in Lawrence this evening. Somnambulism.—A case of somnambulism is reported to have occurred at Weatbevstoncs the other week, when a certain gentleman got out of bed at midnight, yoked his horses, and commenced rolling a paddock. After working with a will for a short time, and giving his horses a good sweat, he stabled them and retired quietly to bed. The Lamerlaw Bush. The accounts from the new rush at the foot of the Lamerlaw Ranges are very conflicting. A Lawrence resident informs the local paper that he visited the scene of the rush on Thursday last, ami saw a party of two diggers wash up two days’ working, which yielded about an ounce of g Id. Other accounts state that the ground is very patchy. Cricket. —An eleven of the Citizens Cricket Club, viz,, Wills, Clark, Avis, Morrison, Russell, Cole, A. Josling, Nchoc, F. M. Coxhcad, C. W. Geddies, and Woodilickl will play all coiners from the following— Cole, Swire, Whetham, Fagan, Watson, Larking, Marsden, Harris, Dueducy, Kingston, Pledger, Thompson, Youngman, A. W. Gecldes, Fish, Dickson, Gardner, and Scott, ou their ground to-morrow. Wickets are to be pitched at two o’clock.

Accidents. —The up-country papers furnish quite a chapter of accidents At Balelutha, on Thursday last, as Mr Rohe t Barr was driving a couple of ponies and buggy, they tripped up the loose gear and bolted. Mr Barr was thrown violently on to a heap of ready-broken metal and sustained a fracture of the collar bone.— On Tuesday, at German’s Gully, a miner named Thomas Kenlay, had his leg so frightfully shattered below the knee that amputation was rendered necessary. Ho is now progressing favorably. Political. —Mr D. H. Mcrvyu, M. H.R., addreeses his constituents at Roxburgh on Saturday last. About sixty persons were present, and Mr R. A. Low, of Dunedin, presided. A. motion of conliden e was proposed and seconded, but was not put to the meeting. From Christchurch we learn that Colonel Brett intends contesting the seat for Selwyn in the Assembly against Mr Stevens, but it is supposed he stands no chance. It is rumored that Mr W. Reeves, proprietor of the Lyttelton Times , intend < standing for one of the Christchurch seats. He is a strong supporter of the Ministry. There is likely to be a keen contest for the City seats.

Wellington Provincial Council. —ln connection with the meeting of the Wellington Council, which, as is known, must meet by the 28th proximo, the year’s recess expiring on that date, a London correspondent of the Wellington Independent says :—Counsel’s opinion was asked whether the Superintendent could issue a proclamation in London for insertion in the Provincial Government Gazette, and the opinion was, “ Decidedly so.” So Dr Fcatherston has signed a proclamation calling the Council together a few days prior to the 29th prox. The convening of a legislative body in New Zealand by a person resident in London is certainly a novel proceeding. Princess Theatre. —Frou-Frou and Caste, two of the most brilliant pieces yet presented by the new company, were repeated last evening to a crowded house. We have already referred to the excellent manner in which'both pieces were originally produced, and we do not hesitate to state that their previous representation was excelled in the performances last night. Frou-Frou is unquestionably one of Miss Carry George’s best impersonations, in which wc see picturesqueness and feeling, blended with force and naturalness. But perhaps it is hardly fair- to refer especially to the performance of any one artist when all played their parts with admirable skill and effect. Frou-Frou is to be repeated this evening, and to-morrow an entirely new programme will be presented.

Among the Icebergs,—We (Auckland Herald) have been favored with the following graphic account of the passage of the Counters of Kintore, from England to Auckland, through a stream of ice during her voyage to this port :—On September 13, at about 1 p.m., in lat 4deg. S., and long. 118 deg. E., almost abreast of Cape Lcuwin, whilst under all plain sail, with a line 11 knot breeze on the port beam, an iceberg was descried on the port bow. On proceeding to the deck, Capt. Petherbridge ordered a hand aloft on the look-out, and he at once reported several others around the horizon. Owing to the speed at which the vessel was proceeding, these soon became visible from the deck, and the order was at once given to shorten sail with all possible despatch. Perceiving that the bergs were fast increase ing in number, Captain Petherbridge decided upon wearing ship with a view of standing away from them. So speedily, however, had we come upon them, in consequence of the hazy state of the weather, that before the order could be carried out, not only was the vessel found to be too close to them to permit of its being executed with safety, but large blocks of ice just awash, forming of themselves alone a most dangerous impediment to navigation, began to surround the ship on all sides. No alternative was now left but to run through the belt of bergs, and the vessel having been placed under snug sail, and her speed being reduced to a minimum of 2 or 3 knots, Capt. Petberbridge commenced his anxious and dangerous task ; one, however, to which, as on all other occasions of emergency during the voyage, bo proved himself fully equal. During the whole of the day and succeeding night, the vessel was passing amongst these magnificent but dangerous frozen monsters of the deep, and from the fact that some of the smaller ones -were only just discernible above water, it required the greatest possible care to keep clear of them. The sight, however, was grand in the extreme, aud one which few

who travel this routefhave an opportunity of witnessing in such perfection. Whilst just abreast of one of the bergs which had evibcen melting, it suddenly broke into three pieces, obliging us to alter our course so as to steer clear of the huge surging masses. As night came on, the dinger of our position and consequent responsibility of our commander increased, and as the moon rose and occasionally shone through the dark heavy clouds, it was found we were still beset by these formidable opponents to our progress. Our captain, however, remained the whole night at his post on dock, and by seven the next clay wc had the satisfaction of seeing the last of the bergs, having m a l passed about seventy, besides numerous small pieces or blocks. Not a little satisfaction and relief was felt by all on board in being once more clear of them ; for on the following day a hard galo overtook us and continued with unabated force during the night. I may mention that the whole of the passengers entertain the highest opinion of Captain Pctherhridge for the calm ami seamanlike manner in which he handled his ship. A. A. Bkowx.

The attention of Volunteers is requested to be drawn to the general orders issued to day in another column. The Committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution acknowledge, by advertisement, receipt of various sums in aid of the charity. We notice by advertisement that Mr Bathgate will address the electors in the Mission House, Russell street, this evening, at 7.30.

We would remind our readers that Mr Henry’s benefit takes place tonight. The programme in itself is of a sufficiently attractive character to draw a numerous audience, but Mr Henry, who on all occasions has given his services for charitable purposes, is on that account entitled to some consideration at the hands of the public.