The Evening Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2458, 2 January 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1871.

Writing on New Year’s Eve, Charles Lamb observes that “ the most solemn and touching ” pealing of the church bells is that “ which rings out the Old “ Year. I never hear it,” he continues, “ without a gathering up of my mind "to a concentration of all the images t{ that have been diffused over the past u twelvemonth; all I have done or “ suffered, performed or neglected—in et that regretted time.” With us there ■were no bells to#mark the moment ■when the earth arrived at its yearly starting point; and before the smoke of the gun that announced the New Year had faded into blue air, our planet home had rushed some thousands of miles on its annual journey. Perhaps seme, like Elia, were at that moment rapidly glancing over the memory of the past, and asking whether it was possible that the being trying to recall the changes wrought in mind and circumstance daring twelve short months, was the same, now so much poorer or richer, happier, sadder, or wiser than the year before last. But if strange changes take place in the man, how muck wore strange in the world of men

and women ! How intel'wovett and complex are the threads that make up the web of destiny. 1870 to New Zealand was at its beginning a year of hope. The war in Europe, that gave such a sudden check to the world’s prosperity, was over, and distress in England was beginning to disappear : the looms of the old world were beginning once more to absorb the fleeces of the Colonies, and confidence in tratte was giving hope in the future. The troubled land was Spain; but nobody thought much of Spain. That country had never been out of trouble since the beginning of the century. Discontent and revolution were chronic. So we in the Colonies looked at the story of her troubles, pitied those who suffered from them, but hardly speculated whether the new form of government was likely to be monarchical or democratic. But it was from those Spanish troubles that the most strange and fatal war that has ever broken out in Europe was to have its rise. So strange, so sudden, so destructive, that history presents no parallel to it. The largest standing army in the world was crushed in a few weeks by citizen soldiers —the strength of Eiance, then deemed the most powerful military empire in the world, was broken. The dawning prosperity of the world of work was quenched, and tens of thousands of men and women willing to work are now pining in want and misery, through no fault of their own, but just because the time has not arrived when men have learnt that—

War is a game at which, if men were wise, Kings could not play. Distant as we are from those scenes of carnage, which are a disgrace to man of 1870, we have thus far been secure so far as life and property are concerned. But so mixed up now-a-days are the interests of trading and manufacturing peoples, that we, who supply the old world with raw material, sutler from every decline of prices. So much was trade depressed during the earlier months of last year, and so long did that depression continue, that in all parts of New Zealand there was scarcity of work and much distress. Sad to say, instead of our relations with Europe presenting a brighter aspect than in January, 1870, they look more gloomy. But there is a silver lining even to this dark cloud. Little as many have dreamt of benefit from the San Francisco Service, it looks like the beginning of a trade whose expansion seems limitless. When the May Flower sailed with one hundred and two men and women "250 years ago for America, there seemed little likelihood of the Atlantic being the highway between two great continents that were to grow rich by interchange of goods. There were not, as with us, hundreds of millions of human beings living on fertile continents and islands within easy sail; but the Pacific Ocean is bordered by populous countries gradually acquiring habits that -will lead to international trade. Sparse as the population of New Zealand is, it is impossible that a country so rich in every requisite for manufacturing industry can long remain with its mines unworked, and its vegetable and animal products converted into useful articles elsewhere. If Great Britain does not know its value, America will find it out, and nothing will keep it back but the shortsightedness of its first settlers. 7<lven this must give way .at last. We can say little of the possible consequences of a Russian war. If we suffer materially from it, it can only be through the most culpable carelessness of Great Britain or most unaccountable apathy in ourselves.

Tho political condition of New Zealand at the beginning of last year was more favorable than it had been for years past. The Native wav that had been so disastrous in the North Island was at an end. There were two insurgent chiefs at large, each with a few followers, but their powers were broken. The policy of Mr Fox’s administration seemed calculated to bring about a better understanding between the Maoris and tho Colonists, and the Government, taking advantage of the leisure of peace, devised schemes for immigration and public works. Wc need not more fully allude to these. Bitter as have been the contests of opinion about Native wars, those respecting how to go about works of peace are likely to be more so. There seemed to Jdo comparatively little difference when a danger was to be met; but when the question raised is what is to be done, how to do it, and where to begin, all sorts of objections are made. Practically during the past year, the Fox Ministry have had no opposition. Their native policy, until the last month of tho year, seemed to have conciliated enemies and retained friends. The news on Saturday, the lust day of the year, broke the spell, and, told that savagery had not yet been thoroughly subdued. Who the fifty or sixty men are who have been its victims, how and why they were killed, was not told ns. The sad affair seems to be connected

vrith the attempts at progress made in the North Island, and to bo a barbarian evolution of the same spirit that is now working to prevent necessary public works in Otago. It is the foulest blot in the annals of the year. What its consequences may be cannot be told. It has happened, like all other events of that sort, just at the wrong time. One of the worst Maori outrages of the last war took place just about the time of the departure of Sir George Grey. The disaster, of which we were apprised on Saturday, has taken place on the eve of an election. Are wo to suppose these coincidences accidental or designed? Is there any connection be- ■ tween political changes and Maori troubles ? Are we to suppose that events that tend so much to strengthen or weaken a Ministry are merely chance affairs, arising out of a chain of causes that lead up to their development at the most inopportune moment: or are we not justified in thinking that some malign agency may have been at work, that for personal or political ends may have wrought this mischief? All that can be said is that it is strange such things should happen when there is a purpose to be served. It depends upon how the trouble is met whether it will bring condemnation or triumph to the Ministry.* Provincially, Otago has suffered greater depression than needed to have been during 1870. In the year 18G8 a few Clutha farmers, discontented with the sale of land at 10s an acre under the Act of 1866, petitioned the General Assembly to interfere to prevent what they called the mal-administration of the land laws. The Government as in duty bound examined into the cause of the complaint, and in the interests of the Province passed a law to make easy the throwing of land into the market. Not satisfied with this law, the Provincial Ministry, in spite of the wishes of the Superintendent, refused to sell land under its provisions. Last session of the Assembly some few alterations were made that did not interfere with the principle of the Act, and which would have been as readily granted had it been brought into operation; and now after having lost the advantage of settlement, of land revenue, and of public works ; after having driven men away from the Province, because they could not find profitable employment in it; after having induced stagnation in trade and distress amongst the poor, measures have been taken to bring the Act into operation. Strangest of all, the men who did and helped to do all this damage, and who have opposed public works, want their conduct to be approved and ratified at the next election. We were unprepared to find so many men, socially and politically blind, as affirmed the policy in the Provincial Council; but when such men are elected, it points to a degree of gullibility in the electors that renders it probable they may re-elect them : than which we cannot imagine a greater misfortune. The present position of the Province requires the help of the most able men that can be chosen. The first months of 1871 will be occupied with the elections. Amongst the blessings of the past year must be counted the ballot, which will enable men for the first time to vote for whom they choose without fear of offence. Let them use it wisely, and whether they believe it or not, let the electors remember that such men as Messrs Brown, Thompson, Mosely, and that class, have shown that, however conscientious, they neither know their own nor their country’s interest, and that men better qualified to judge of right and wrong should fill their places. Although much more might have been done, we have not altogether been idle. Amongst the works finished during the year is the Athenamm, which has been removed from High street to the Octagon. The Graving Dock; at Port Chalmers is advancing rapidly to completion, but will in all probability have to be lengthened a few feet in order to admit the splendid vessels of the San Francisco Service, This could be done at light expense, and is worth the serious consideration of the Provincial Government. The High School buildings have also undergone alterations which not only tit them bettor for the education of boys, but have provided means for the establishment of a High School for Girls. This wo believe to be the crowning feature in the educational system of Otago. We do not undervalue the University. It is a necessary addition to our schools, and provides the means of completing that mental training which the District and High Schools are designed to foster. But these do not begin soon enough. It is at home, under a mother’s eye, that habits are formed, and only when mothers know what education should be, and can estimate its value, will the foundation be laid in childhood of that high mental culture which will place New Zealand amongst the foremost of intellectual nations. The opening of the * Since the .above was in type, a telegram was received casting doubt upon the news,

Girls’ High School will form one of the most pleasing events of 1871. The lady principal, Mrs Barn, is here, and her work begins after the holidays. The Port Chalmers Kailway, after long delay, has also been begun, and the cuttings and embankments are formed for a considerable length. The promoters are pushing it with energy, and are bound to have it completed in about ten or twelve mouths. It is doubtful whether it will be finished in the specified time, but at any rate they will not be much beyond it. The opposition of Mr Keid and bis party to the Superintendent lias prevented a contrast being taken for the formation of the Clutha or Southern Trunk Railway. As this is included in the General Government scheme, they have, on a petition from a number of inhabitants of the Province, advertised for tenders, and there is a probability that the work will now be done, if this vile Maori trouble does not interfere to prevent it. The year 1871 has opened somewhat gloomily, but we see no reason for despondency. If the Maoris are in rebellion, we believe the means in the hands of the Government are equal to suppressing it. If there is a prospect of a Russian war, our port can be defended at trilling expense, and Great Britain’s fleet is equal to protecting our trade. If the political position of the Province or the Colony has been unsatisfactory, we have now opportunity of setting it to rights. These are matters within our power; and as for those beyond our control, let us meet them as they arise with courage, firmness, and knowledge, and we do not fear but 1871 will prove a more prosperous year than the last. In the hope that this will be the case, we wish each of our readers “ A “ Happy New Year.”