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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2730, 16 November 1871, Page 2

Concert. —A public concert was on Tuesday evening given in the Masonic Hall, Port Chalmers. The hall was well filled, and the proceeds, estimated at L2O, are to be devoted to the relief of the widow and children of the late Mr John Deane. City Police Court.— At this Court to-day Ellen Moubray was fined 20s, with the alternative of a week’s imprisonment, for drunkenness. A couple of cases, involving breaches of the Town and Country Police Ordinance, were summarily dealt with. The Battalion Band. —An arrangement has been made for the Battalion Band to play at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday at 3 o’clock. We trust the weather will prove fine so that a goodly number of the citizens may enjoy the treat thus provided for them. Criminal.—Judging by present appearances there will be a nice calendar by the time the criminal sessions begin in January. Tnc list already comprises fourteen cases the latest being that of John Clyma, who was committed by the Waikouaiti magistrates on Monday for cattle stealing. The Coming Concert.— The Dunedin Choral Society announce that their second concert will come off next Tuesday at the University Hall, when it is intended to give Sterndale Bennett’s ‘ * May Queen. ” We believe that great pains have been taken by the conductor and the members to secure efficiency in this elegant but somewhat difficult composition, and as it will be the first time it has been attempted in Dunedin, a treat may be anticipated. The second part will comprise miscellaneous selections. The Coming Rifle Match.— Now that the conditions of the challenge rifle match and the place where it is to come off are settled, public interest in the event is increasing. Most of our readers are perhaps aware that the challenge was given by Mr Walker, and taken up by Mr Kennedy on behalf of the Otago Volunteers. Mr Lhristie, the late champion, then came forward and accepted the challenge. The stakes are L3oo—that is, LI 50 aside ; distances—2oo, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 yards; ten shots each. We believe the short distances will be fired off on Monday, and the long ones on the following day. The Telegraph Enquiry. The following extract is from the report of the select committee on the telegraph : and the paragraph appears to have been carefully and purposely excised from the Daily Times telegram. ‘‘ The committee desire to record their opionion that the evidence of one of the witnesses (Mr Hart) is an example of the most reckless and wicked conduct, and : that unfounded reports, such as those spread by that witness, have caused great uneasiness in the public mind as to the integrity of the Telegraph Department, and entailed unnecessary expense on the public.” The Law op Libel.—lt is a matter for regret to those connected with the Press that the Assembly, duriag the late session, did not see its way to alter the law of libel, so as to cleiine more clearly what may be termed the bounds of legitimate criticism, and the liability for publishing faithful reports of meetings, &c. To show the absurdity of the law as it now stands, according to the dictum of Mr Harvey, Crown Prosecutor for Westland, who is also a member of the Hokitika Hospital Committee, which has entered an action for libel against the West Coast Times, the whole of the people connected with that paper proprietor, editor, compositors, printers, and even the boys who run the paper - are liable. Poetical. — The Wellington correspondent of the Bruce Herald, writing of the debate on the Otago Land Rill uses some very high down language. The following extract being a fair specimen of his styie “ When the members dispersed after their protracted sitting, the eastern ranges and the bay were becoming bright with the morning light. The dawn was typical of the birth of a new party, uniting all soundthinking and liberal minds on the lasting platform, not of a personal feeling towards an individual, but of the speedy settlement of the people on the land, and the advancement of the principles of an enlightened and cultivated democracy.” We should very much like to know what this jargon means. Abstainers’ Union.—A concert in connexion with the Total Abstainers’ Union, ■was held at the Oddfellows Hall last evening. The attendance tvas good, and we are confident that as these concerts, which will be continued fortnightly, are more publicly known they will be still better patronised.

The entertainment consisted of songs and recitations given by members of the society and others, to whom much credit is due for the manner in which they acquitted themselves ; the singing of Messrs Mitchell and Leydon being especially commendable. Several members of the Sous ind Daughters of Temperance Mutual Improvement Society attended and sang the “Canadian Boat Song, ” amid much applause. The concert was an entire success, and the audience separated at 10 o’clock, well pleased with what they heard for the small amount of sixpence. Yachting.— The Sailing Committee of the Otago Yacht Club held a meeting last evening, to decide upon the sailing matches to be held on the 30th instant (St. Andrew’s Day). It was decided that two matches should be held, the prizes to be competed for being four iu number, amounting in the aggregate to twenty-three guineas. The yachts are to bo divided into two classes — the prizes for the first-class yachts being LlO 10s aud L 5 5s ; for seeond-class yachts, i 5 5s aud L 3 3s. The course is the tame as ou former occasions, the start being from Pelichet Bay, and the distance for the large yachts three miles round the course, about eighteen miles, for the small yachts twice round, about twelve miles. The entries are 10s for the first class, and 5s for the second. It is expected that a large number of yachts will compete. Acclimatisation. —At the last meeting of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, a letter was read from his Honor the Superintendent of Otago, intimating that a vote of LSOO had passed the General Assembly for the introduction of salmon through the Southland Society. The purport of this letter being in opposition to telegrams previously received, representing the vote as lost, Mrßutts at once telegraphed to his Honor, mentioning the discrepancy, and obtained in reply, “ My letter is correct. ” It was resolved to communicate at once with the kindred societies of Canterbury and Nelson, referring to the passing of the vote, and intimating that a sum of L3UO in addition would be required, aud asking their co operation by guarantee of a portion of the sum. It was further resolved that his Honor should be advised by telegram that the Southland Society was prepared to supplement the vote to the extent of L3OO, relying upon the assistance of other societies for the repayment of a portion of the sum. It was arranged that a shipment of ova from Great Britain should be written for the next outgoing mail. Tu Quoque.— There are three orators in the House who have each a spasmodic manner of gesture, an ejaculatory method of speech, and a happy knack of hitting the nail on the head in a few words into the bargain. Two of them “ clashed ” during the discussion on the Payment to Provinces Act. In the course of a few pertinent remarks made by Mr White, which went to prove that the striking out of a certain portion of one of the clauses would deprive Westland of any share of the road board grant, Mr M'Leod interjected, “A good job, too.” “ A good job, too,” said Mr White, “well, the hon. member might think it a good job but I dout think it would suit his own district.” “ Hear, hear ” (from Mr M‘Leod). “Thehon. member says ‘Hear, hearl dont think he knows where he is. ” (Laughter.) “ This gentlemen who always speaks from the floor of the House (Mr M‘Leod addresses the House from the floor for the purpose of obtaining the support of his desk to prevent his making a motion) says hear, hear ; this springing gentleman, this elastic gentleman, wants to see the money spent in the outlying districts. During the early part of the session it was the habit to speak of the ‘poor man.’ Well, the ‘poor man’is worn out; he’s gone thread bare ; he’s got no stump, aud the outlying districts are niouutad on the stump in his place. I only want to point out that the striking out of the clause is an injustice to Westland, and I shall vote against it,"—lndependent. A Dispute between two Australian Premiers. —The Intercolonial Conference lately held in Melbourne has given birth to a pretty difficulty. With reference to the reply to a despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of intercolonial duties, Sir James Martin, the New South Wales Premier (according to the Sydney Mail) drew up a reply iu the first instance, and as that hon. gentleman’s feeling of loyalty to Britain has always been of the warmest kind, his reply naturally embodied the expression of his sentiments ou the subject. The reply was agreed to by all the delegates except those of Victoria. The Premier of that colony, Mr Duffy, put forward the excuse that one or two passages in the reply might be considered by Mr Gladstone as offensive, andiu that view he brought up another reply from his own pen, from which not only the possibly offensive passage but every loyal sentiment was carefully eliminated. For the sake of concord, the delegates agreed to the amended reply ; but, not content with this, Mr Duffy refused to have published on the minutes of the conference the reply as originally proposed by Sir James Martin. The matter has been canvassed in the Victorian Parliament, and has been seriously commented upon by the Melbourne Press, whilst a speech from Mr Gavan Duffy has brought out a letter from Sir James Martin. Mr Duffy was angry because the Argus published a copy of Sir James’ reply; aud in reply Sir James, in so many words, says that he published the reply in Melbourne, just to let the Victorian people sec the kind of Premier they had. ” Banking Reform. —lt will be remembered that about a month ago a select committee of the House of Representatives was appointed to consider the above subject. They have reported, recommending the adoption by Parliament of the following resolutions : 1. That foreign companies carrying on the business of banking in the Colony should be required to set aside a defined portion of their capital for use in the Colony, and to come under regulations found necessary in the case of local banks. 2. That it is expedient, in order to ensure the growth of capital within the Co'ony, as well as the local development of trade and commerce by the proper use of the deposits belonging to the people, encouragement should be given towards the establishment of local banks, to be called “ national banks,” throughout the Colony ; and with that view a general Act, founded on the principles of Hie American National Banking Act of 1864, in bo far as practicable, authorising the organisation of such banks, should be passed, specially including provisions, of which the following are the principal—minimum capital of such banks, L 25,000, to be regulated by the population

of the district; one third of the capital to be deposited in colonial stock with the Colonial Treasurer ; the company to receive circulation notes registered and countersigned by a Government officer, equal in amount to 90 per cent, of the bonds deposited, such notes to be circulated as money ; and a legal tender, except for iuteiest on the public debt and redemption of national currency ; the rate of interest and discount to be regulated; each bank to have in hand gold to the amount of at least fifteen per cent, of its notes in circulation and deposits ; one-tenth of the half-yearly profits to be carried to a reserve fund until the same shall amount to twenty per cent, of the capital. 3. In order to diminish the necessity of keeping large amounts of gold at different place a central clearing house-association he established, whereby balances may be adjusted and settled throughout the Colony, and that all bankers be members of the association. Longitude op Wellington.—An interesting report has been laid before both Houses of the General Assembly, relative to the measurement of longitude between Wellington and Otago, by means of the Electric Telegraph. The observations on which this measurement is based were conducted by Mr J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., Chief Surveyor of Otago, and Mr Henry Jackson, F.R.G.S., of Wellington, through a series of months. The process followed is thus described in the report“ With the Electric Telegraph, it was in our power to compare the differences of our local times by “ Star Transits a method which had been largely employed, aud with extraordinary success, in America, at a very early period in the history of the Electric Telegraph. Since the lowest estimate of the velocity of the electric current is 16,000 miles per second, and as the distance between the Hutt and Cavershara (the sites of our respective private observatories) is about 320 miles only, the transmission of an electric signal, denoting the transit of a star across the wires of a transit telescope, from one of the observatories, is practically received by the other instantaneously. The two observatories having been placed in electric communication, the mode of proceeding may briefly be described as follows : —A list of stars was selected from the British Association Catalogue, and furnished to both observatories. Preparations having been made, the observer at the Hutt pointed the telescope of his transit instrument to one of the stars passing the meridian, and struck the signal key at the instant the star appeared to coincide with the transit wires; thus the times of the star’s transits were simultaneously recorded from the chronometers at both observatories. As the stars selected followed in succession, by about four minutes interval, generally from two to three stars were taken at the Hutt before the first star arrived at the meridian of Rockyside, which was known to be approximately 17m. 4os. distant from that of the Hutt. The observer at Rockyside now pointed the telescope of his transit instrument, aud the instants of the transits of the same stars were similarly recorded at both observatories. The time elapsing between the star’s passage from one meridian to the other, subject to certain corrections for instrumental and chronometer errors, is the difference of longitude between the two stations. In this manner the observations were repeated as often as desired. ” Perhaps in no instance on record has there been so trifling a difference between the results of two independent observers. The absolute or independent difference of longitude, as observed between the two stations, agrees to within 25 feet of the measured electric difference. The report recommends that the initial meridian for reference of all longitudes in New Zealand shall be at Wellington, where the Government Observatory is found to be llh. 39m. 15.315. east from Greenwich. Macraes. — A correspondent of the Waikouaiti Herald, writing under date the 13th inst., says : —ln mining matters I have to report that encouraging news has been received from the Stoneburn part of the district—several large parcels of gold having been sold in the township from that locality. It has been known for some time past that several parties have been doing well in that neighborhood, but they are very reticent about what they are doing, fearing an influx to that locality from the Mongolian class of miners. The large amount of correspondence carried on lately by the Chinese in this district has called forth much comment. The post-office onmail days is completely thronged with that class to the exclusion of o hers. There can be no doubt that “John” contributes largely towards the postal revenue of the Colony. A postmaster’s billet is certainly not to be envied. The extra amount of work entailed upon him from that class is something considerable. No doubt “ John” under the impression if he pays the postage for the dispatch of his letters the postmaster is in duty bound to write the English address upon them for him. On mail days he walks boldly into the office, with his letters in one hand aud his English address in the other, with an air of commanding authority wh ch at times is amusing to witness. There is no other alternative but to submit. Acclimatisation is going on apace upon several runs in this district. Along the banks of the Taieri River flocks of goats in considerable numbers are to be met with, and as for pigs they are getting so numerous that something will soon have to be done to thin their numbers ; if not the district will soon be overrun with that nuisance. Acres upon acres of land, in some parts of the district are rooted up as if by the plough; and last, though perhaps not least, is the rabbit nuisance. With reference to the great want of a block of land being thrown open for selection in this district, 1 may be pardoned for making a few remarks. Some time ago the Government took the trouble to have a block of 2?00 acres of land surveyed for agricultural purposes, in 50 acre sections, under the Goldfields Act ; but strange to say this block has not been thrown open for selection. The cause is said to be owing to the land in question being auriferous. This has been a disappointment to many who had made up their minds to take up land out of this block and settle down in the district. This is another of the many blunders committed on the part of those who are intrusted with the management of the public estate. When the Province had been put to the expense of having the block surveyed, then, aud not till then, was it discovered that the land was auriferous. I may here remark this is no excuse why another block should not be at once surveyed. There is plenty of land in the neighborhood suitable for settlement which would he taken up almost immediately by small capitalists who wish to settle down in our midst.” We have to remind our readers that

the concert on behalf of a distressed family, will be given in the Masonic Hall, this evening. The hon. Secretary of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club in our advertising columns reminds intending competitors that all entries for the forthcoming sports must be left with the Secretary, on or before 9 o’clock on Saturday evening the 18th iust. A good programme is provided for the musical entertainment to be given in aid of the North Dunedin Prize Fund at the Masonic Hall to morrow evening ; and many favorite amateurs will take part in the evening’s amusement. We must refer our readers to the advertisement for information, as the list of good things is too long for particular comment.