The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2549, 19 April 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1871.

Mr Bathgate, one of onr representatives in tlie Provincial Council and House of Representatives, has written to the Daily Times in explanation of the conversation that took place at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. We have no doubt his version is cor-

rect, and quite agree with him that it was never intended to be reported, and was merely a conversation between certain members. There are, however, some points in Mr Bathgate’s letter which open up subjects of nioie than passing interest, and on which ho asks information. We are glad to see this, as we had reason to condemn his views on fiscal policy during his canvass, and have frequently commented on the very absurdities which he so unhesitatingly There cannot be any doubt that our Customs Regulations operate prejudicially to the interests of our own merchants, when contrasted with those of Victoria. In that Colony every facility has been given to the export trade, in order to render Melbourne the emporium for Australasia. Whether it has been more to the profit or Joss of the Colony, as a Colony, we arc not prepared to say—wo should imagine a large profit 5 but that the facilities given afford moans of successfully competing with our own merchants in the different ports of New Zealand, every soft goods merchant, especially, can bear witness to : and it is in this branch of business that these facilities are chiefly afforded. We have frequently drawn attention to the point during the last two years, so that wc presume Mr Bathgate must have forgotten, or perhaps not thought the subject worth notice. The case stands thus: Our merchants import certain classes of valuable goods in packages containing quantities too large for most of the retailers to purchase. In order to suit their wants, these packages have to be opened and the requisite quantity forwarded. Every one of our readers will at once say, “Of | “ course everybody knows that.” True, but that is not all. Were there no Customs duties, Victoria and Now Zealand would be on equal terms : it is in the mode of dealing with those I imposts by winch we are placed at a disadvantage. In both Colonies the goods on arrival are allowed to be placed “in bond”—that is, in a warehouse, the key of which is kept by the Customs authorities—where they arc allowed to remain, without payment of duty, until they arc wanted for consumption. The advantage to the merchant is, that he need not lay out his capital in payment of Customs revenue until he sells the goods, or until they arc actually wanted for home consumption ; and further, if he sells them in any port where there is a Custom House, they can be sent thither, on bond being given that the duty shall be paid before they are used in New Zealand : thus the sea risk is saved to that extent. If they are not wanted in this Colony, and are sent to any other part of the world, as a matter of course no duty is claimable upon them .here, or if any has been paid, it ought to be returned—or, in other words, a drawback should be allowed. It is in the management of this bonding and drawback process that Victoria fosters its commerce, and in which New Zealand, in comparison, throws impediments in the way. In Melbourne, if a merchant receives an order, of which one item is for a portion of a bale of valuable silks, for instance, he is allowed to open the bale “in bond,” and export, without payment of duty, any portion of it. In New Zealand no such privilege is allowed. If a Dunedin merchant has to “ break a package,” he must first pay the duty on the whole, then remove it to his own warehouse, then open it, select the necessary quantity, and keep the remainder on hand, duty paid, until it is wanted. He has then to apply by a roundabout process for a drawback on the amount of duty paid on the quantity exported ; and unless it amounts to a certain sum, he cannot get it—the Customs won’t be bothered with it. It follows, as a matter of course, that the merchants here must charge higher prices in order to cover these extra expenses ; and the difference is sometimes sufficient to turn the scale between an order going to Melbourne or being executed here. For these unwise restrictions the officers in Dunedin arc not responsible. They only follow their instructions ; and if vexatious impediments are thrown in the way of trade, they are to bo removed only by convincing the Chief Commissioner of their folly. Mr Bathgate refers to our “ infant “ manufactures ” being “ subjected to “ a strangling process, owing to duties “ having been increased on the raw “ material imported—accompanied, in “ one instance, by a reduction in the “ duty on the foreign manufactured “ article.” Why does he not speak out, and say he alludes to cornsacks 1 There need be no mystery about these things. We pointed it out nearly twelve mouths ago, and tell him now, that the tariff of New Zealand is full of such anomalies ; and that if ho looks at it with an intelligent eye, he will soon see that it is as impossible to develop tlie resources of a country V>y a system of fiscal restrictions, as Dr Johnson’s philosopher Imlac found it to regulate the weather to suit all classes of men. If you tax all for the benefit of one class, you c’o injustice to all.

Lunatic Asylum.— The Hon. Capt. Fraser has been appointed inspector of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, vjee Mr Strode, resigned.

Educational. —We understand that Miss Stevens, mistress of the Middle District School, has been appointed assmtant teacher at the High School for girls in the room of Miss M'Dmigall, resigned. Princess Theatre. —Mr and Mrs Courlay will appear this evening in “ Cramond Brig,” after which Mr Com lay will [day Jock Muir in the favorite Scotch drama ‘•Gildcroy.” Should the weather prove fine, this attractive bill will no doubt draw a full house.

Yesterday’s Storm.— Mv Ilaggitfc’s yacht the Dauntless, during the storm yesterdav, parted from her moorings in Peliebet Bay. * and drove upon the rocks at Black Jack’s Point. Her"bow was stove in, and she lost her false keel, wth other damage. An effort will be made to float her oft at high water this afternoon.

Whaling.—A. largo black whale was lulled on Saturday between Waikonaiti and Otago Heads, by Bradshaw's parly; hut it unfortunately soon sank m twenty fathoms of water. An .anchor was put down and the place buoyed ; but fears arc entertained lest the carcase should have came up yesterday and been driven to sea by the gale.

Princess Beatrice.— There appears to be some misconception regarding the betrothal of Princess Beatrice, her Majesty’s young daughter, who is just lourteeu years of ago. The telegrams via San Francisco state*that she is engaged to the Marquis of Ely, who has just attained his majority, while some of the Home papers mention her engagement to the Marquis of Westminster, the wealthiest nobleman in England, said to have .an income of .a guinea a minute.

Miking Conference.— The Provincial Government having been informed of the intention of the Colonial Government to introduce a B 11 during the ensuing session of Parliament to consolidate and amend the several laws relating to the administration of the goldfields, and with a v ew of affording the miners an opportunity of expressing their opinions upon the propose:! le.isladou, have appointed a commission of mining delegates to consider Idle question. Hie conference will meet in Dunedin oa ly next mouth.

Earthquake.—A smart earthquake shook took place in Dunedin this afternoon, about four minutes to four o’clock. It was felt in many of the higher | arts of the bui’dings in the town which vibrated sensibly for a few few seconds. The direction appeared to be from west to east. Cur Cromwell correspondent telegraphs the shock was experienced there at 3.53 p.m., and that it lasted two seconds. At Queenstown, the shock, which was experi need at 3.58, was more severe than in any other part of the province. No damage to buildings is reported.

New Work. —We have received from Mr Charles Smith, the Clerk of the Provincial Council, a schedule and synopsis of the Ordinances passed by the Provincial Council, from its! first session to its last in 1370, both inclusive. It is not a mere catalogue of the Ordinances, but a brief account of them, stating when th y were passed, where to find them, what became of them, and what their object and intention were It will prove a great he p to the legal profession, and to every one, in fact, who lives in the Province. The alphabetical ■ arrangement is a gre t advantage, the value of which can be estimated when it is considered that since 1853 as many as 308 Bills have been passed by oar Oourcll. Postal.—How it is that so many newspapers are known to be posted by people in England which arc never received by those to whom they are addressed is explained by the following statement of a correspondent of th q, Shipper's Monthly Cradar : —“ An old regula’ion has lately been put in force at the General Post office, in London, by which all papers for abroad must be posted within fifteen days after the date of publication, or they will ho thrown aside, and, if not bearing the address of the send-r, will ho destroyed (it is even proposed to reduce this time now to seven days, hut at present the fortnight is allowed), so that if a friend makes up a monthly file-say of four copies of any paper—for regular despatch by the Southampton mail, the whole would he lost, as, two of the dates being beyond the limit, the packet would be kept back. I had occasion to visit the Dead Letter office a few days after the despatch of the last ‘heavy’ Australian mail, and there found nine sacks of detained newspapers from that mail. Many here, in England, are unaware of this regulation, as it has only been enforced a few months ; and, therefore, colonial friends would do well to mention the fact to their correspondents in the old country in their next letters.”

Mysterious Affair.— On the night of the 14th instant the boat containing the mate and one of the crew belonging to the brigantine Ottawa went off from the shore to the Beautiful Star, steamer, for the purpose of fetching their captain, who was snppo cd to he on board. The captain, however, was on shore, and the men remained on the steamer for some time ; they began quarreling, and were ordered away by the steamer’s mate. They left (he vessel about 10 o'clock ; it was supposed they went towards their ship, and they were heard to quarrel when in the boat. It was ascertained early on Saturday morning that they had not gone on hoard daring the night, and a boat was scon shortly after daylight towards the Saltwater Creek, which the tide soon took out to sea. A boat was manned from the barque Indus to pick the boat up, and when near returning with the same in tow, Captains Mills and Patterson went off from the shore to the latter vessel. On their returning, the melancholy and mysterious tidings were soon made known, that the boat had been picked up, minus the two men, and also an oar was picked up about forty yards from the boat. Spots of fresh blood were on the after thwarts, and in the boat wore the mate’s comforter and the other man’s cap, together with a bottle of grog. It is supposed that on leaving the steamer they renewed the quarrel, aud both of them fell overboard. The mate’s name was Ncilson, a Dane, aged about 32. and that of the man, George Webb, who had lately figured in the Resident Magistrate’s Court hero, on a charge preferred against him by the captain. Everything in connection with the sad affair is at present, and, we believe, will for ever remain a mys-

tery. We understand that it is likely that an official enquiry will be mad) into the matter. T'uimrv. and Gladstone Gazette.

The regular monthly mooting of Loige Celtic, 477, S.C., will be hold in the Masonic Hall to-morrow (Thursday) evening at 7.30.