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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2686, 26 September 1871, Page 2

Thanks. We have pleasure in thanking the General Government for Parliamentary papers and copies of Han urd I’eceived by the last mail from the North. Telegraphic Money Orders.—The eharge for telegraphic money orders has been reduced to 6d for every pound or fraction thereof, aud Is for the message. Education. —The total amount expended for educational purposes throughout the Colony, in the year 1870, L1U,022 16s Gd. Towards this amount the various provinces contributed (we omit shillings and pence), as follows :—Otago, L 17,914 ; Nelson, L 7128; Canterbury, L 7351 ; Auckland, L 1595 ; Hawkeff Bay, L97G ; County of Westland, L 953 ; Wellington, L 763 ; Southland. L 345 ; Taranaki, L 243 ; Marlborough, L 62. Princess Theatre. —The Colored Opera Troupe succeeded last night in drawing a Very full house, and the performance was carried through with eclat, the instrumental and choral parts being particularly well rendered. On account of the lateness of the hour we did not wait for the opera travestie, and are therefore unable to speak of that portion of the programme. We would suggest that an abridgement of the somewhat feeble “Joe Millars,” aud not happy local references indulged in by “ Brodcr B uies,” and his compeer the tambourine would bring the entertainment to a conclusion in a reasonable time. The performance will be repeated this evening. The Napier Horsewhipping Case.— The use of strong language is not confined to Wellington journals: it has extended to Napier. Wc find the Telegraph describing the assault of Mr Mad clock on Mr Lord, editor of that journal, in the following choice language : —“ Previous to the commencement of the sports this afternoon (15th August), a most cowardly assault was committed by oue Haddock, a low attorney of this town, upon Mr Lord. Haddock’s want of brains, which it is presumed a man of his profession should possess, rendered this the only means in his power to reply to remarks made conce* uing him in the paper.” The wonder is that the writer did not get another horsewhipping ; his remarks deserved it. Bank Notes.—ln the course of the recent criminal trials p,b the sittings of the Supreme Court at Hokitika, the filthy condition iu which many of the bank notes -at present iu circulation are became the subject of comment. His Honor Mr Justice Richmond expressed his surprise that the banks, who derive so large a profit by the circulation of their paper, should re-issue their notes when they were so begrimed with dirt that it was quite with a feeling of loathing that auy persou of cleanly habits could touch them, He often shuddered to think in what strange places they had been. It was still more surprising that the; public should submit to have such paper put iu their hands for money. His practice was to refuse such notes and ask for gold, and that was the only way to obtain them. Native Affairs. An Auckland correspondent of the. Lyttelton Times, writing on Sept. 12, says :--With respect to native matters in these parts nothing especially noteworthy has occurred since I last wrote. Now, as then, the friendlies are occupying themselves with their usual pursuits, aud the kingites are almost entirely engaged in preparing for the great forthcoming meeting, which is expected to result in a final accommodation of differences hitherto existing between us and the aborigines. Lately there was a rumor that Tawhiao was “ holding back but, from all 1 hear, the report was without foundation, .and it is certain that Rewi Maniaopoto, Wi te Wheoro, Hone te One, and other influential chiefs are working heartily for a desirable consummation. The Railway Contracts and the Iron Trade. -At the last annual dinner of the Canterbury ironworkers, held at Christchurch on the 18th iust., Mr A. Duncan, in proposing the toast of the evening, ‘ ‘ The Ironworkers of Canterbury,” said “ With regard to local affairs, I think with regard to Mr Vogel’s scheme for the use of cur waste lands, that we ought to pause before we assist Mr Vogel in carrying out apian of giving into the hands of one contractor the making of ihe whole of the railways throughout the colony, because there was not the least doubt that large capitalists did not study the interests of the working man as well as small capitalists. I am quite certain that Mr Brogden will not be able to introduce sufficient capital to do the work much cheaper than it could be done here. It is a peculiar thing to say of trades that the iron trade is not a seltish institution. We only want to have a fair field and no favor to show the world that we can do that which is done elsewhere; that if we had the raw materials, we should be able to turn out an article, not only creditable to ourselves, but a credit to the colony, and tips particular section of it. Let us do our duty to ourselves and those around us, We should do all in our power to prevent money going out of the Province which could bo dealt with here. It is a fair maxim of political economy, that if you can keep capital in the country and make it float by all means do it." The Chinese, — Commenting upon the action of the authorities in admitting the last batch of Chinese to land without proper inquiries being made as to the extent and character of the disease which broke out on board tho Joshua Bates, the Dunstan Times says : —The illustrious trio now ro* presenting the Executive in Dunedin, in the absence of their chiefs at Wellington, have a duty to perform which cannot be evaded. Common duty to the public, the instinct of ; self-protection, the dictates of humanity — j all insist that these sickly Chinese, uninvited

and unwelcome, shall receive care and attention. If they were a cargo of brute beasts less could not be accorded to them. It may be argued that scurvy is not contagious ; that a few days run on terra. Jirma and a return to vegetable diet wiil reduce the evil ; but the doubt prevails that what is mildly termed scurvy may be something more malignant. The mere spectacle of a sick Chinaman creates, in even unprejudiced minds, most uncomfortable ideas, and the contemplation of the actual fact that a whole cargo of bazars, coming direct from the pesti cntial shores of the East, are to be let loose in Otago is horribly suggestive. We may hope that strict precautionary measures have ere this been adopted. One thing is very certain, if former warnings are disregarded, and these uncanny strangers arc permitted to wander at their own sweet will through the goldfields, the mouldering ashes of discontent will be (prickly stirred into a blaze, and the Anti-Chinese agitation, just now in some measure subsiding, will be renewed with ten-fold vigor. Survey of the Colony.— ln Ins report of the working of the Land Transfer Act, the Registrar-General of Land makes the following suggestions, and rather disheartening calculations, as to the undertaking of correcting and completing the surveys of the colony:—“ The result of anxious inquiries in all direct o.i s is a conv c im that it is my duty ro recommend the Government to promote legislation without delay, enabling them to create a system of survey which shall operate over the colony. I am aware that many difficulties surround such a proposal, but I am nervously sensible that while on the one hand I might succeed in making an approximation of the cost of correcting and completing the surveys, it would be utterly impossible for me or any one else to make even an approximation of the damage that must result from an extensive operation of the Laud Transfer system, with its accompanying assurance of title, in the absence of that principle element of safety, a reliable survey of 'the land a title to which is to be guaranteed. I hold very strong opinions as to the means by which a satisfactory survey of the country could be best arrived at, having regard to expedition, economy, and accuracy ; but as this branch of the public se vice is nob included in my department, 1 may only veutuie to suggest that it might be profitable if the question of the surveys of the colony were handed over to a competent commission for examination and report. With regard to the expense of placing the surveys of the colony on a proper footing, I would, if permitted, state my belief, notwithstanding any alarm which might follow, that a sum of at least L1U0,()00 wid be required. I trust that no apology will be necessary for my having ventured upon what I am aware must be a disconcerting and unwelcome disclosure of opinion.” The Mechanics Colony.—Some months ago we drew attention to the scheme entertained at Home of founding an “English Mechanic” Colony. Since then the idea lias not been allowed to slumber. It may perhaps have escaped the memory of our readers that the island selected by Ihe promoters is Tasmania, and it appears from the English Mechanic and World of Science of July 21st, that the Government of -that Colony has entered hartily into the idea, and the people of Hobart Town “have at once and completely realised the importance of the scheme.” The journals of Tasmania have devoted much attention to the plan, and are sanguine as to “ the probable influence ” of the proposed Colony on ‘ ‘ the future prosperity and history of the islaud.” The Hobart Town Mercury suggests several sites favorable for the contemplated purposes, aud the Governor has forwarded a schedule of about thirty books, pamphlets, aud other documents descriptive of the islaud and its resources, with maps aud every means of information. He has also promised a collection of photographs of public buildings and scenery to be deposited in one of the Glasgow institutions for the use of the intending colonists and the public. The Hobart Town Mercury says :—“ The general feeling here is that the intending immigrants should have a pretty liberal power of selection accorded them. That the Government price of land ought to be lost sight of in the direct and indirect benefits that would be conferred on the Treasury, were it only in the increased consumption of dutiable articles.” This seems to be one of the pioneer companies of a new plan of colonisation; aud wc cannot help feeling astonished that Otago, with its soil, climate, and mineral wealth, has not entered into competition with Tasmania to secure such colonists coming here. It would have ffeu better to have given forty-five thousand acres of laud to secure the advantages derivable from a colony of skilled artisans, than to have sold it to one man even at 15s Gd an acre. Unfortunately our Provincial Executive cannot see beyond the boundaries of Otago. Immigration. — lt has been asserted over and over again that the working classes are averse to the continuation of immigration on any large scale by the General Government. But iu Canterbury there appears to be a body of working men who hold no such opinions ; aud we find the secretary of the Canterbury Working Men’s Protection Society, in a letter to the Lyttelton Times, in in which he appeals to the working classes to support the General Government proposal to take immigration into its own hands, writing as follows : With a population throughout the whole of New Zealand not equal to the population of a second-rate town in England, I ask is it necessary that i such complicated and expensive machinery should be required to govern in u satisfactory manner (comparatively speaking) a mere handful of people—with ten distinct governments with their superintendents, secretaries, attorneys, and solicitors, both general and provincial, speakers, treasurers, auditors surveyors, commission; rs, inspectors, constables, clerks, &c. &c. Is it to he wondered at that our Provincial Executive should seek the perpetuation of a system of immigration, which has a tendency to reduce the great bulk of this population to a state of serfdom, and to retard the progress of colonists when such a system of Government as now prevails requires to be provided for, by the enterprise and energy of so small (comparatively speaking) a number of people ? Is it surprising that the Colonial Treasurer should have to deplore the pre? vailing depression which now exists throughout New Zealand, and in conjunction with his colit a . ues seek to provide by all constitutional means within their power, a more simple and economical mode of administration than that which at preseut exists ? Jt is to be hoped that with the contemplated assumption of the immigration department by the Colonial Execut ve, and the other administrative reforms which the Provincial

Treasurer has foreshadowed in his financial statement, that the condition of all classes iu the colon}' will be improved, and that .the prevailing depression which now exists will give place to greater prosperity than may be ever look d for under the system which now prevails. The Late Fatal Accident at Nelson.— The Colonist of the 15th gives the following particular’s of the accident by which three lives were lost on the Nelson Boulder Bank. A boat belonging to Mr Arthur Elm-lie, of the French Pass, left there at half-past six yesterday morning, bound for Nelson with passengers and cargo. The passengers were Mr Watson, Mr aud Mrs Stephen Leaver and infant child, and Miss Caroline Reynolds, the latter being a niece of Mr K1 malic, who was returning home aft r three weeks’ stay with her uncle. The boat was in charge of Mr William Webber, who was assisted by Mr Hamilton. The boat arrived at the lighthouse at about past seven in the evening. Mr Webber determined against the wishes of the passengers and his assistant, to take the passage across the Boulder Bank. The tide was at flood, and there was insufficient water, consequently the boat grounded. The four men got out and attempted to drag her through, but she got broadside on to the rollers, her lee-gun-wale being under water. Another roller turned her weather-side up. Immediately afterwards the passengers were struggling iu the sea. She then drifted into deep water, Mr Hamilton being the only one able to retain his bold of her. Mr Watson and Mrs Leaver also managed to reach the boat. Messrs Wat-on aud Hamilton p'aced themselves at the end of the boat, and contrived to keep her keel upwards, Mrs Leaver clinging to the centre, by the keel ; aud while in this p >sition lie r infant was brought within her reach by the tide, when she grasped it; but it is b*l eved that it was then dead. At that time Mr Leaver drifted past them, apparently supported by a oar. Their continuous cries for help at length attract* d the attention of Mr Kidston, the lighthousekeeper, who pulled his boat to the spot, and succeeded in rescuing all that remained of the party, Mr Webber and Miss Reynolds having disappeared from amongst them, neither having been seen after the boat capsized. Mr Leaver, when picked up by the boat, was in a very exhausted condition. The survivors were conveye I to the Ship Motel, where every assistance was afforded ; and Drs Vickormau audFarrelle were quickly in attendance, as well as l)r P. Haynes, of HALS. Basilisk, who kindly offered his services. The pilot-boat’s crew immediately proceeded to the scone of the disaster, and made every effort to discover traces of the missing persons, but without success. The Royal Horticultural Society will hold their first annual show about the loth of December next. The annual general meeting of the Dunedin Cricket Club will bo held to-mor-row (Wednesday) evening, at the Shamrock Hotel, at eight o’clock. The fourth quarter of the School of Art commences to-morrow (Wednesday), September 27. The afternoon classes will be held between the hours of one and three o’clock on Mondays, Wednesdays, aud Fridays, and the evening classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, from seven to nine o’clock. By the ship Otago the Athenaeum has received a consignment of books, which includes the following :—Trench on English and a select English glossary ; Plutarch’s Lives ; Curious Facts of Old Colonial Days, by Bonwick (a very interesting work) ; Woman and her Position, by Dr Landels ; the Comte de Paris on Trades Unions ; Martiueau’s Essays; Home Life of the late Sir David Brewster; Hume’s Philosophical Works ; Faraday’s Life ; Underground Life, by Simouin ; Mill’s Analysis of the Mind.