The Evening Star MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2839, 25 March 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1872.

On Saturday, we published a short account bf the proceedings at a complimentary dinner to Mr. W. H. Webb, the promoter of the present San Francisco Mail Service. What he said deserves more than a passing notice,; for it tends to show how justified the present administration were -in arranging for that■-service, and the immense advantage it has already been to the Australasian Colonies. To the inhabitants of Otago it is especially worthy of consideration, for with a bitterness and perseverance quite incompiehensible, our Morning Contemporary continues by covert insinuations and distortion of facts, to endeavour to bring discredit on the exertions of the Ministry and the Colonial Treasurer to extend the commerce of the country. From the first mooting of the scheme to its leader of Saturday last there has been an endeavor to thwart the service in every possible way. We need not adduce quotations from its articles in proof of this—in fact, we would not willingly incur the labor of wading through such a mass of nonsense as has been published on the subject during the last two or three years. At one time the scheme was pronounced chimerical, anti the Colonial Treasurer a wild visionary ; then, when unexpected difficulties arose, there was a jubilant tone, something like the “ I have told you so,” of some prophet of evil, rejoicing over meritorious but unsuccessful effort. When at length negotiations were' successful the details were faulty. His Honor the Superintendent and the Otago members wished to make Port Chalmers the terminus, and thus far have succeeded: even that did not please; the vessels wore said to be too large for the port, and those who ventured to think that such a plan, if it,

could bo carried out. would be of immense service to 64ie Province, were sne'ered at for their ■ presumption m supposing 'that the.-jport of Otngo could be honored:-; wffth tlio presence of fourteen feet ofi-Water. and above all other considerations, i the subsidy ot sixty pounds per annum was found fault with,. It was said to be a ruinous Amount: the other colonies would never contribute j a farthing, and the Ministry who could enter into so extravagant a scheme were unfit to manage the affairs of the country. One by one these shortsighted prognostications have been proved ill-founded, and the D'dly Times a false prophet. But ever persistent in its personal antagonism to the Honorable the Treasurer, when one shot fails to hit him. another is tired. On Saturday, ignoring all that has been written in its columns in favor of adopting a route more advantageous to. Melbourne, although the Government of Victoria previous to Mr Vogel’s going thither took very high ground, and openly opposed any subsidy to the line at all, it is gravely hinted, in the prospect of such a concession, that all the concessions must have been on one side. We suppose it is no concession to contribute a subsidy! What Mr Vogel really has doue Mr Webb stated in Victoria. He pointed out in a few words the obligation the Colonies were under to the' Treasurer for his persistence in endeavoring to establish a line which even in its infancy has conferred such immense benefit bn them. Mr Webb explained that having entered into a contract with the Government of New Zealand, he found it necessary to institute measures to make it pay as a commercial venture. Our readers should carefully consider what is implied in the following quotation from the report we published on Saturday : Although a few passengers patronised the line, little or no freight offered. Findi inw it, therefore, necessary to set in motion trade in leading commodities of pro- ! duce, especially in wool and Wax, he offered to parties who would purchase in the colonies at the appi caching wool and flax sales, not only to freight their purchases to .San Francisco, but deliver them on through bills of lading at the railroad stations in the cities and towns where their mills and warehouses were situated at a low rate, thus relieving them and the shippers from all trouble and responsibility fro n the time of shipment until delivery. His offers, with still more onerous conditions attached, were accepted by some, and large purchases by American buyers were made, competing with European buyers, and causing a great advance of price in all the markets of the Colonies.

It is not pretended that the advance in the price of wool and flax is wholly attributable to the opening up of the San Francisco route. There had been an advance before the American buyers came into the market. But what is plain is, that the advance that would have taken place would have been as much less than has been realised, as the extra freights, brokerages, re-ship-ments, and laud carriage by the old roundabout way amounted to. How many different firms would have profited had our wool been shipped to England, we, cannot say ; but since by means of the San Francisco service the wool growers of Australasia and the buyers of America have been brought into immediate contact, the difference; whatever it may be, has been realised by the Colony; and, moreover, it must be remembered that this not only applies to the wool sent direct to America, but to every pound of wool sold in Great Britain. What the actual profit arising from the increase of prices is, it is impossible to say, for not only have wool and flax increased in value, but sheep too. We believe we arc justified in saying that wool and sheep arc worth nearly double the price they were some twelve months ago. But lest we should be deemed extravagant in what follows, we will estimate the averake rise to have been on wool sixpence per pound, and leave the sheep altogether out of the calculation. In 1870, the total export of wool from New Zealand was 37,000,000 lbs. This at sixpence a pound advance, represents a sum of .£925,000 in round numbers, and assuming that only one half this sum is due to the opening of the San Francisco line, the. colony, is well paid by the receipt of £102,500 for the outlay of £OO,OOO, although neither Victoria nor New South Wales has contributed a farthing. Bringing the matter home to ourselves, in 1871 the export of wool from the port of Dunedin alone was 13,477,970 lbs., which, at sixpence per lb., average advance, amounts to an extra income of L33G,950, and assuming, as before, one half that sum to be the consequence of the San Francisco line, our runholders have been benefitted by it to. at least an extra £188,475. Add to this the increased value of flax, and the additional value of sheep, and we leave the Daily Times and the public to say whether or not the Honorable the Treasurer and his Government were justified in their estimate of the probable advantages to be derived from the Pacific Mail Service.

Obituary.—The telegrams via Suez announce the death of Mr J. Allcrs Hankey, the Loudon capitalist and lessee of the Dunedin Gas Works... - Port Chalmers.—According to public announcement on Saturday last the various stores and shops at Port Chalmers have to-day been'.closed in commemoration of the Anniversary of the Province. Greymouth Floods.—On the 21st inst bis Worship the Mayor forwarded a draft of LlO3 to Greymouth. being the last instalment of the subscriptions collected here. The sum of L3OO was collected in Melbourne. The “ Bruch. , Standard.” .This journal, which has been published for the past three years, ivill cease to exist after Saturday next, Mr KeKay, the proprietor of the Bruce Herald, having purchased the plant. Wc believe it is intended to make considerable improvements in the Herald. The Opera. By private letters from Adelaide, jve leatn thdt :Cagli’sCcompany played a very successful season there till the9th inst., when the theatre had to be closed on account of the extreme beat The writ.-r adds, “We open again when the weather is moie bearable.” Representation of the Peninsula. —The nomination of the representation of the Peninsula in the Provincial Council in the place of Mr Seaton, takes place tomorrow. It will be seen by the advertisement that Mr Stephen Hutchison has announced himself a candidate.

Football. —The committee of the Dunedin Football Club held a meeting last week, when a set of ; ules was drawn up and other business tram acted. It was decided that the opening -match to bo played ou Saturday the 6th April, should be between sides chosen by the Captain and DeputyCaptain, from among the members. Gaol Return.—The following is the state of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending March 33 : —Awaiting trial, 3 men ; 1 woman ; under remaud, 1 man, 0 women, penal servitude, 25 men, 0 women ; hard labor, 44 men, 16 women; imprisonment, 0 men, 0 women ; in default of bail, 1 men, 0 women ; debtors, 0. Total, 74 men, 17 women. Received during the week, 13 men, 6 women ; discharged, 15 men, 4 women. Princess Theatre, —“ A Roland for an Oliver” was played on Saturday evening, and, as we anticipated, hot only was there an excellent house, but it was excellently played. Mr Musgrave, as Sir Mark Chase, was unmistakably good. Mr J. I’. Hydes made a decided hit as Alfred Highflyer, and Miss Flora Anstead played the part of Maria Darlington with archness and effect. This evening a very good bill of fare is provided. The Star Comique Troupe have united with the theatrical company, and will add to “ A Roland for an Oliver ” what is termed a musical and teipsichoreau melaug , in which Messrs O’Brien, Barry O’Neil, B. Clark, and Professor Saunders will appear. In addition to this there will be an Ethiopian entertainment, entitled “The Masquerade Ball.” Supreme Court. — There avrs a sitting in bankruptcy to-day, but very little business avus transacted. Jas. Walker obtained his final order of discharge; and Mr Hodgkins obtain an order for the examination of witnesses, on April 8, in re Jas. L. Scott, Re E. IS. Legge's deed of arrangement, Mr Macassey on behalf of the Bank of New Zealand and another, presented a petition for judicial opinion. It appears that Legge, on May 19, 1870, wrote to the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Tokomairiro, agreeing in consideration of a debt of L2BO, due by him to the Bank, and to secure the repayment of it to deposit with the Bank his lease of section 19 block 6, Table Hill district, and to assign the same when requested to do so. Since then he hud become bankrupt, and the present proceedings are to compel him, to make a legal assignment of the land. The Maori Prisoners in Christchurch. —The Luna, with the Otago batch of released Maori prisoners on board, called in at Lyttelton, and they availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Christchurch. Somewhat over fifty came through by rail, and their appearance in such strength in the main thoroughfares caused considerable speculation amongst the citizens until the matter was explained. The Maoris appeared to thoroughly enjoy tpeir visit, and made the most of their time in satisfying their curiosity respecting the more notable establishments in the city. More than one shopkeeper (says the Timed) was startled by a sudden influx of twenty or thirty stalwart natives into his establishment, and had it not been for the modern civilian attire worn by them, it is difficult to say what surmises might have been induced. The Maoris were, hoAvever, perfectly harmless in all tbeir actions, and curiosity being once satisfied, did not give any further trouble. The whole of them returned to port in the cveuing, and embarked on board the l ima, Avhich vessel is to take them to the North Island.

Novkl Entertainment.— Mr William Barry, of Cromwell, has been kindly looked upon by Dame Fortune, so the Cromwellian’s assembl d at the Lowburn 0.1 Monday last to do him -honor. The proceedings appear to have been unique—beef and champagne were the order of the day, aud Barry was made a perfect god of by those who rallied round him on the 17th. We give Mr Barry’s farawell address, as reported in the Dnastau Times, and what followed its deliverance This was the proudest moment of his life; when, after living so many years in Cromwell and having had many differences (public and private) with them, he was now able to say that his star was in the ascendant, and that so many of his friends would assemble there to do honor to the occas.on. He had seen bright days aud cloudy days ; but in whatever position lie had been placed, he had always met difficulties in a manly spirit, and he trusted, now that he was beyond the reach of the ghastly hand of want, he should still act the man, and, at at the same time, show himself to be a true friend. He should ever think kindly of Cromwell while he had life in his quivering frame ; and, whether the future of New Zealand was that of a great i monarchy, with the “Union Jack” floating over it, or a great republic, of the “ Star Spangled Banner” order, Ins sentiments would remain unchanged. (Immense cheering). He need hardly say that he preferred the good old British order of Government (which had been tried and proved) to all the wild notions of the unprincipled and penniless loafers who talked about a ro-

rablic. If they entertained any respect for iim, let them show it by attending to these last words. Mr Barry then resumed his seat amidst vociferous cheering, and then might be heard the cry, “ Chair him - !” No sooner had this cry been raised than the company (more particularly those from Quartz-reef: Point) rose, and carried, hot only Mr Birry, but Mr and Mrs Perriam, round the paddock on their shoulders, the company all singing “For they are jolly good fellows.” A meeting of the Sons of Temperance Antidote Division, will beheld tins evening, at 7.30 o’clock. The attention of Volunteers is directed to the general order which appears in our advertising columns this evening. A Lecture will bo delivered in the Wesleyan Church, Port Cnalmers, by the Rev J S. Smalley, to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 7.30 o’clock. We observe the Government have extended the tune for receiving tenders for. the mail steamer service b;tw. en Picton-and the Manakau till the 22nd of next mouth. A General Meeting of the Satur-! day Half Hohliday Association will be held in the Lower Hall of the Athemeum tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at Eight o’clock. The rehearsal of the Dunedin Choral Society takes place at 7.45 this, evening. Members are requested by advertisement to bring their copies of the “Creation.” The autumn sports’of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club will take place on Easter Monday, April Ift. The entries will close to morrow evening at the Occidental hotel at 9, o’clock. The programme, which is a good one, will be found in our advertising colums.