The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2526, 22 March 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1871.

Now that the elections are nearly over, and the meetings of the Provincial Council and General Assembly arc in view, it cannot be amiss to consider calmly the questions that must come under discussion. The main question remitted to the constituencies by the Provincial election was the construction of railways. During the wordy discussions that took place for party purposes, the ground was often changed as suited the pressure of the moment. First the opposition was to public works generally ; but as railways were acknowledged to be necessary even by the least instructed, the comparative claims between the North and the South Islands was chosen as the casus belli, and the scheme of the General Government was opposed, because it was affirmed that Northern railways are to be made with South Island money. It is not at all improbable that this cry may be again raised. The North has, without doubt, absorbed the revenues of the Middle Island in times past; and had Mr Stafford's old svstem continued ot endeavoring to conquer a peace, the drain would have gone on increasing until the war of races that must have ensued led to the utter extermination of the Maoris. But there is a wide difference between money invested in reproductive works and money expended in war. He who would apprehend it clearly must conceive in his mind even more than is implied in the words construction and destruction, because the terms are not applied to the same objects. It is the difference between the construction of a labor-saving machine of the most extended applicability, and destruction in the appliances of war; in the de\otion of a part of the population to a wasteful occupation ; in barren fields, and the premature death of numbers on both sides ; of the capital and means of reproductive industry. Even the absolute money loss in war can never be calculated. It is possible to say what the cost of an expedition is, but that is the least part of it. To that must be added the loss of the enemy, and of that produce that would have resulted from the employment of all those engaged directly or indirectly in destruction of each other had they been profitably engaged. Just in the same way the gain oi a railway cm hardly be estimated. It adds to the value of every acre of property for several square miles on each side of it, cheapens the cost of production, carriage of goods and passengers, and through rendering industries nearly equally profitable throughout the whole length of the line, equalises the rate of wattes, and diffuses the comforts and O 7 _ conveniences of life. Hallways save time, and as a commercial equivalent, time is money. But there is another important difference as between North and South in the matter of railway construction. It is not true that Southern revenues will be required for the construction of Northern lines. It is true that for Northern wars Southern revenue was wanted ; but in the North as well as in the Middle island, each line of railway will in the course of a very short time after its construction directly repay the interest on the money invested ] but even should it not, ibhe indirect advantages will bo such that as each district through which it passes will offer temptations to a large population to settle in it, the gain to fhe revenue will be such in the course of a very few years as to justify very considerable reductions of taxation. If there is one thing in which the South is placed at a disadvantage as compared with the North, it is in the fact that the Northern lines can be constructed at a much less price, on account of the numbers of Maoris who may be induced to work upon the lines. When once they find that they can earn wages, they do not let the prejudices of race interfere with their own interest. They have been made useful in the construction of roads, and have done their work well, and no question that they will be found equally useful wherever unskilled labor is available. If these considerations are clearly apprehended, it will be acknowledged that the cry of Northern appropriation is not true, in the sense in which it was true as applied to the Maori wars. If there is room for jealousy, it is lest they should, through a clearer apprehension of the advantages to be derived, obtain a larger share of the loan. Of this wo have no fear, if we in the South clearly apprehend our own interests. The greatest triumph in New Zealand would be to induce the Maoris to help us to conquer nature for our mutual benefit. They would by this means be led indirectly to repay some little of the cost we have been at in self-defence, and they would be learning the arts of peace. This consummation may bo achieved through public works.

Political. —We believe the first Executive Council of the General Government, ever held in Dunedin, took place to-d ay.

The Waitaki.—We hear that the site of the railway bridge over the Waitaki Biver, has been decided upon, and that a very easy line is projected Avith Oamaru. Princess Theatre. The theatre Avas well attended last evening, his Excellency the Governor and party being in the Royal Box. Tne performance went oil with great eclat, to the full satisfaction of the audience. “The party by the name of Johnson” gains in public favor, and there seems a probability of the expression becoming a proverb.

Elect ho-P)Iology.—Captain Wilson, gives his first seance at the Ala-sonic flail, this evening. This entertainment, Avhi sfc it promises to be no loss interesting, is, avc are informed, free from those objectionable practices such as sticking pins into his patients, to which Hr Carr had recourse to give effect to his seances. AVe expect to see the hall croAvdcd. Sudden Death. —A private telegram, received in town yesterday from QuccnstoAvn, mentions the sudden deaTi at ArrowtoAvn of Mr Robert Bcdborough, agent for the Bank of New Zealand at that place. The deceased was connected with the bank for many years, and was Avell knoAvn and respected throughout the Province. Lhe cause of death was heart disease.

A Census Episode.— The Census enumerators have, no doubt, bad many opportunities of indulging in a quiet chuckle while accomplishing their dedicate missions of eii'iuiry. We have already given an instance, in the person of a Avell-known policeman, of how excess! \ r c outward gentility may be associated Avith mental vulgarity and downright stupidity. Another instance comes from Southland, where a Ccnsin collector called for the household form at the residence of a genteel cockatoo, avlio Avith his “ lady ” ami family, vegetates in state in a farm, remarkable chiefly for weeds and broken fences. On receiving the paper, the collector remarked that the “occupation column opposite the lady’s name was left vacant.” In accordance with his instructions he mildly suggested that the words “domestic duties” should ho inserted—this being the form of showing that a man’s wife folloAvs no calling outside the nianagment of her own house. His astonishment Avns groat when he found the door slammed in his face by the evidently enraged husband, who 1 flustered out “ D n you, sir, do you wish to imult me? Aly wife perform dome die duties, indeed 1” Dear Advertising.—Xu the Taranaki Provincial Council the other day, Mr Synies asked the representatives of tee Go vernment if any claim for 1.90 had been sent in for inserting in t e Loin lon Times an advertisement on three occasions. He would like to see a copy of the advertisement; also the account.—Mr Whitcombe said an account had been received by the Government from their London agents for inserting in three issues of The Times the unclaimed Exchanges—each insertion occupied a column of that journal and cost 1.30 10s '1 he charge seemed exorbitant, but they Avcrc compelled by the Act to advertise in The Times. ■ Gaol Life at Auckland.—A rather ludicrous attempt to get clear of the irksome duties of Alt. Eden Gaol was made on the 22nd inst. by a long-sentenced prisoner named AVilson, and doubtless, but for the breach of faith of his .comrade, the plan would have succeeded, ft appears that another inmate of ifie stockade, by name Jerry O’Shane, Avas accvisGmied towards the close of the day to clear up and empty the sack filled with chips and pilier swccpbiga at a place on side the walls, Wilson conceived a “ happy th'night,” and immediately proceeded to action. He persuaded Jeny to place him in the rack alluded t<), and Avhen his instructions had been obey id, lie quietly subsided into dust, and consoled himself with the pica that Jerry was of the same opinion, &ud wosdd accordingly “empty him out ” amongst tire rubbish on the “ freedom side.” But alas for human pilaus! Jerry thought better of it, and did not care to undertake such a huge respoiisibiity as to let a criminal lie at hvge amongst honest folks ; so he hatched a counter pilau. Instead of emptying the rubbish in his usual corner, he marched straight Avith his load to the authorities of the gaol, placing it at the feet of the chief warder. Captain Eyre, governor of the stockade, Avas shortly afterwards called in, and in front of both of them, Jerry emptied his sack. The f-.eliugs of the man who Avas enacting the “ low part /? of mere rubbish may perhaps ho imagined, certainly not described. Thus suddenly made aware of his peculiar, not to say laughable position, Wilson made a push for the door, in his impetuosity, knocking over a warder, avlio happioned to be stationed outside. But in this last daring effort lie was once more Unvaried, being pulled up and brought to book for Lis surprising and irregular conduct. He whiningly pleaded the excuse that it Avas all meant for a “ lark,” but the authorities could not see the point of the poke, ami the gaol bird that so much desired to he like a “lark” Avas put under stricter surveillance, orders being issued to the sab-warders to keep an eye on him, and so prevent such propensities to sly amusement.— Southern Cross. The attention of Volunteer* is directed to an important general order which appears in our dvertising columns. The ordinary meeting of the Star of Otago Lodge, A.1.0.0.F., is piostpioned until Thursday, the 30th inst. Mr Ure will address the elector* of Cavcrsham at the yehoolhouse, Reslyu, this evening, at 7.30. Air Bain ford will also address the electors at the DriilshexJ, Waikayi, to-morroAV (Thursday) evening, at 8 o’clock.