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Evening Star, Issue 3057, 5 December 1872, Page 2

Rich as Otago is in soil ami minerals, it is, over a groat portion of its surface, treeless. So far as its past material progress lias been concerned, this has perhaps been no great disadvantage. Had the surface been covered with heavy forest trees and dense scrub, such as prevail in the timber districts of New Zealand, the impediments to prospecting would have been such that in all probability many of our richest goldfields would have been undeveloped to this day. Nor would the country have been so readily available for pasture and .agriculture had heavy preliminarv outlay been necessary to clear it. Those hills, scantly clothed with tussocks that now contribute so richly to Otago’s prosperity through affording nutrition to tens of thousands of sheep and cattle, would have yet been waiting the woodman’s axe and the slow growth of commerce before they could have contributed to the country’s wealth ; and generations must have passed away before their fastnesses could have been penetrated and the ground devoted to the investment and reproduction of capital. When, therefore, Otago is described as treeless and desolate looking : when tourists complain of the barren prospects, and miners of the want of good timber for their drives ; while admitting the truth of their remarks, it must not be forgotten that the development of Otago’s resources has been hastened by the ease with which its treeless slopes and naked banks of rivers have been examined and utilised. But while acknowledging the benefit of being able to traverse the land through its length and breadth without interruption, or with very little serious impediment, we are not insensible to the value of forest trees. Their iuliueuce on climate is now a

known fact. Observation and experience have shewn that districts once arid and barren have been rendered fertile and productive through artificial introduction of torest trees; water, once scarce, became abundant, and dry and sandy deserts were clothed with verdure. To some extent—in fact, to a much greater extent than is usually supposed—the climate of Otago is in the hands of its inhabitants. Although abounding in beautiful streams, it cannot be deemed a well wateied country. There are vast districts that can only be supplied with water at great cost of labor and capital ; and where there is no prospect of immediate and profitable return, men will not invest therein. Even purchasers of land will not incur the expense of cultivating forest trees, because of the conviction that the slow growth of timber renders its production profitable to a coming, rather than to the present generation. We believe this to be a mistaken idea. Although s0 bttle is thought about limber by purchasers of land, that in many instances it is recklessly and wastefnlly destroyed to subordinate the land' to the use of the farmer or sc|natter, the time is not far distant when a well-timbered estate will realise a price proportioned to the value of the plantation. But where are well-timbered estates likely to be met with? Notwithstanding the liberal provision made by the Provincial Council for encouraging the planting of forest trees, very little advantage has been taken of it; and although in many cases trees have been planted irrespective of such provision, a singular mistake has been made, probably through ignorance of the temperature necessary to the vitality of the Blue Gum, Tempted by its rapid growth under favorable circumstances, plantations for shelter have been made ; but the experience of the past winter has proved that they are not able successfully to withstand the cold, and very few" gums in the up-country districts remain uninjured while thousands of trees have perished. This is much to lie regretted, but it is a lesson that should not he forgotten. The southern part of the Middle Island affords a peculiar field for intelligent choice of flora and fauna. Neither useful animals nor plants are indigenous. The Acclimatisation Society have undertaken to supply the one : they have introduced a variety of animals, and stocked some of the rivers with choice fishes. It remains for others to choose what the forest of the future shall be. Just as climatic influence on animal life requires to be studied, will it have to be considered in the planting of trees. Just as the food needful to the support of animal life has to be secured, will soil necessary for the flourish of certain descriptions of timber have to be selected. Those truths arc very selfevident ; nobody will dispute them, provided anyone will undertake to plant. But herein is the difficulty : Who will undertake to 'plant? Men usually do not buy more land than they can bring into immediate and certain profit; and although a tree grows while men are sleeping, as we have already said, many yeais must elapse before it becomes available for profit. It has been suggested that in America, notwithstanding the abundance of timber, each surveyor of land for sale is supplied with seeds for planting on some portion of his survey, and that he is required to plant them lest the timber supply should fail. The idea seems a good one, and we commend it to the Executive in the absence of some better plan.

Messrs IT, M‘Dermil, Thomas Taylor, and Wm. Thomson have been ap]>ointed Trustees of the Port Chalmers Municipal Sinking Fund.

What promises to bo the rifle match of the season will take place at the Anderson’s Bay range, on Friday, when tin non-commis-sioned officers will fire against any other ten men in the Dunedin battalion. The rifle match between ten petty officers of H.M.S. Dido, and ten of the Port Chalmers Naval Volunteers, was fired this morning. and r suited in a victory for the Port Volunteers, the Dido’s making 211, and Port Chalmers 4-17 points.

The Zealamlia, with immigrants for New Zealand, is commanded by Capt, Curry, late of the City of Dunedin. The summary of the number of emigrants now afloat for this port is as follows : --Palmerston, 228 statute adults; Christian MC\ uslaud, 281,| do; Zealamlia, do ; Charlotte Gladstone, 3oU do ; total, II.TIL Starlings are now very numerous throughout the Taieri district. During the day they are to he found along the river banks, to which they apparently are attracted by the flax blossom. At night a 'cry large number roost in Air .)ohn Kirkland’s bush. 8o numerous are they that, when flushed, the sky was almost darkened as if by a cloud. Early on Monday morning a fire broke out in a small stable on Mr Cumine’s property, Horse Shoe Bush, whereby the building, two valuable saddle horses, saddles, bridles, Ac., were tota'ly consumed. Fortunately, the building being detached from premises, no further damage was done. 'llm time of its occurrence being about throe o’clock in the morning, and every one in bed, nothing could be done to save the animals. No clue as to its origin has been obtained. A despatch from Lord Kimberley has been received at Adelaide by the Governor expressing her Majesty’s satisfaction at the action taken by the House concerning the precedency' question, and stating that no bishop or ecclesiastical dignitary shall be in future entitled to precedence ; but there was no wish to deprive those of rights which they had hitherto enjoyed. The despatch also expresses satisfaction at liisliop Short resigning his rights. This forenoon a deputation of gentlemen from the Town Council of Waikouaiti, consisting of Mr T. S. Pratt (Mayor), Councillors Bates, Price, and Mr John Smith, M P.C,, waited upon His Honor the Superintendent in reference to certain matters affecting the municipality. Mr Horace Basting, Secretary of Laud and Works, introduced the deputation. The Mayor of Waikouaiti (Mr Pratt) stated the object of the deputation, and His Honor promised to lay the different matters brought under consideration before the Executive Council.

The annual examination of the Waarik District School was held yesterday, the 4th inst., in the presence of several members ot committee and a largo number of parents. The school committee departed from the usual system of giving the whole of tho prizes in books, instead of which there were provided small writing-desks, ladies’ companions, paiut-boxca, woffc-basketty &0.,

which were much appreciated by the children. Mr M‘Lachlan, the former teacher of the schorl, having received the appointment of schoolmaster of Linden school, theWakari School will be opened on Monday, the (ith January, by the recently appointed teachers, viz., Mr Win. Johnson, late of Morton School, and Mrs Price, late of North Taieri, both of whom are highly recommended.

Mr *trant has written a letter in reply to the criticisin'? that have appeared in the L'e'io respecting bis opinions on grammar. We no not undervalue discussions tending to accurate forms of expression, but as they are subjects that only need to be mention’d in order to direct attention to the best usage, sufficient has already appeared. It is really of very little public interest whether Disk, Don, Hurry, or even Mr Grant understands grammar better than other people. AV c must also decline to insert “ Onlooker’s ” letter.

A fatal accident occurred at West Taieri on the 20th ult.. It appears that on that day, while some Maoris were on their way from Waikouaiti to Mr Holmes’, iaieri Station, one of them attempted to force his horse to leap the Lees stream ; the horse fell, and in rising trampled upon the rider, named Skipper. Ho was at once conveyed to the station, and Mr Holmes despatched a messenger for Dr M'Brearty. Before the arrival oi the doctor skipper died, An inquest was held in Tynan’s Hotel, West lawn, on the 21st but nothing further was elicited, ami the jury returned a verdict of “ Accidentally killed.’’

A rush has set in to the Rock and Pillar Range, at a point about four miles from Hyde. A private letter from a bn-ine»s man at Macraes, on whom reliance can be placed, dated the 2nd inst., has been handed tons. The writer says “ There is great excitement here just now—a regular gold fever —a rush having set in to a place throe or four miles from Hyde. The ground is close to the Hyde Station ; there is plenty of ground, which takes the form of gullies, all of which fall into the Taieri i'liver. In three of the gabies payable gold lias been struck. From L2 to L 3 a day a man is being made. There arc about 100 on the ground, ■and I expect that by the end of the week there will be 500 men hero. All the miners have left Macraes, with the exception of one man in each claim, who is left to hold the ground. The miners have also cleared out from Fnllarton’s, Hyde, and Hamilton's. The station hands too have all left their places.” A few additional particulars regardin'.; the rush to the Rock and Pillar by the Hyde correspondent of the 1 Vaikouartl Herald, who writing under date the 2nd inst. says : “The greatest excitement prevails here, inconsequent? 1 , of the opening up of a rich gully about three miles from Hyde. 1 visited the ground last week, and icu id between twenty amid thirty men at work and several prospecting. Gold was first dise.oved there by cssrs Jackson and Caspar, of this place, about four or live weeks ago, but they had managed to keep it quiet up to last week, when some of the Hyde sluicers, who were prospccHug on Hie ranges, dropped on them. The ground is very shallow, and the gold is coarse. I saw several nuggets, weighing from 2dvvta. to .J,oz. Without doubt a rush will set in, and thus adjacent gullies (a fair trial, but, in justice to outsiders, I might state that all the available givund in Jackson’s Dully is taken up, and any neew comers will have to discover fresh ground.” A telegram has be-n received in town to-day in answer to an enquiry respecting the new rush at Hydes. The answer is that the ground is rich, but limited. Hyde and Macraes are deserted. Last evening, the “ Lady of Lyons” was played at the Princess Theatre, with some changes in the cast. This was rendered necessary by the continued indisposition of Mr HoALs, who, however, found an excellent substitute in Mr Musgrave, whose representation of Colonel Damas we quite enjoyed. An old favoritq Miss Dassy Matthews, reanpeared as Madame Deschapellcs. Wo are glad to see her back again, and looking the same kindly, cheerful Duly as of old, acting with her accustomed care, and dressing as appropriately as she was accustomed to, Madame Deschapclles was always one of Miss Matthews’ best characters, and she played it with her usual success. Of Miss Colville’s Pauline, end Mr Douglas’ Claude Meluotte, we med not repe it the commendations we have so oTen expressed. We never wish to see them better played. '• he rest of the characters were well sustained. The “Rough Diamond” followed. One point, wc think, should be attended to by the management : there is too much time lost between the acts. We have frequently heard this complained of, but we think it is becoming an increasing evil. The management will do well to check this, for people become wearied of waiting, and lose the enjoyment of the piece through its continually being interrupted.

The examination of the senior classes at the North Dunedin School was concluded to-day, and was followed by the cust miary speech day, which was as successful as any similar gatherings in the same place. The class-rooms were decorated, while on the walls were displayed the best specimens of penmanship and work done by the pupils ; and in Miss Hay’s room was exhibited a splendid collection of fancy and plain needlework, which attracted considerable attention. The whole of the speeches made by the examim ns and others spoke of the steady progress of the school under its present teachers. The prize list has been kindly furnished to us ; but believing as wedo that the prize system in vogue with us is extremely vicious, w'e must decline in any way to countenance it, as publishing prize lists undoubtedly is. At a convenient part of the proceedings, a presentation of a handsomely worked pair of slippers was made to the Rev. Dr Stuart, by a yoipig lady whose name we have forgotten, apd who made a neat little speech, which we gladly find room for; “Dp Stuart,—As ope of the senior girls of Mr Stewart’s claaq I have been asked to peform a pleasing task. From our starting with the ABC till now, we know that we have always been the objects of your kindly interest; and anticipating your presence as usual at our examination, it occurred to us that you might accept these slippers as a alight expression of our regard.”

There has been laid before the Victorian Parliament the correspondence between the various Colonial Governments re the proposed conference to consider the Suez mail question. The Victorian Government has made np its mind on two points - first, that Melbourne shall he the terminus of the Suez route ; and secondly, that, if it can help it, it will not go to Sydney. The first condition has passed ont of the sphere of argument: —As there need be no reservation regarding the intentions and views of the Government on that point,” says Mr Francis, “ I may as well inform ypn that the very much larger sum this Colony will contribute qs her proportion of the subsidy; her central position ; the approaching completion of a dry clock at Williamstown, specially constructed for the purpose of receiving the largest mail steamers ; taken in connexion with the superior magnitude of her commerce and population in comparison with those possessed by any of the other, Colonies, all combine, as her Government contends, in giving Victoria a paramount claim to have her capital selected as the terminus.” This condition conceded, Victoria is quite prepared to be generous in dealing with branch services. With regard to the question, where the Conference is to be held, Mr Francis, evidently dubious of his reception in Sydney after the somewhat acrid correspondence that has taken place between Mr Parkcs and himself, suggests Hobart Town. M lie suggestion is acquiesced in by Tasmania, of course, and South Australia ; Queensland is reserved, Sydney hostile, ami the final decision would seem to rest with New Zealand, whose opinion had not been received in Melbourne when the Claud Hamilton left.

Reviewing Mr Swanson’s speech at the Market-house luncheon, the Thames Advertiser says : “Mr Swanson is perfectly correct in his statement respecting the deni iralization of the ■' ssembly, but he does not go to the root of the matter, and inquire the cause of all the corruption which undoubtedly does exist. Why, the main cause is the very institution which Mr Swanson honor? —Provincialism. Had it not been for the bribery and log-rolling by the Superintendents in the House of Representatives year af;or year, and the disgraceful efforts made to keep up the costly sham of Provincial <governments, and to grasp everything for them, the House would not have degenerated into the ‘sink of iniquity and corruption ’it now is. Mr Swanson may be all that his friends believe him to be—honest, clear-headed, shrewd, and well callable of managing financial matters—but thoso qualifications are not all that is required to constitute a statesman, nor does the possession of them warrant a man in giving utterance to such ad captandum opinions on representative government as those we have quoted. The second objection to a central Government, and in favor of the Provincial form, is just such a one as we might expect from Mr Swanson. He was asked, in the House of Representatives, to legislate for Provinces he knew nothing about, and upon subjects lie could not understand. This is quite possible. Mr Swanson knows very little of the Colony, and to him the city of Auckland is possibly New Zealand, and we c m quite believe that there are many subjects brought before the Assembly every year which he cannot grasp. But that is Mr Swanson’s misfortune—not the fault of a central Government. This apostle of Provincialism dors not see that the very arguments he uses in favor of Provincialism are in reality some of the very best reason? that can be urged against the question.” What a remarkably innocent body Mr Stafford’s party must be, if we are to believe Mr Gillies. He wishes the Auckland electors to believe that there was no intention to upset the Fox Vogel Ministry ; that all the Opposition desired was to impose the usiul constitutional checks upon the Government; hut as for thinking about seizing the reins themselves, they scorned the idea! Hear him:—“He would explain the position of parties in the House when it met. There were no parties in the House. The only party apart from the Government was the small party, consisting of about twenty members, which during the preceding session had united upon the one ground of financial safety, and to endeavour to see that tl e colony was not led into expenditure which it (ould not afford. That party, he was quite sure, did not contemplate any offensive action against the Government, hut only desired to see financial safety. They were simply lying in wait and determined to act upon the principles that bad gathered them together.’’ Upon this the Independent remarks Is it not notorious that the Opposition journals, those who enjoy Mr .Stafford’s confidence—the Nelson Examiner especially - - had been, for months before Parliament met, arousing political passion by persistent misrepresentations and calumnies against the Government, and that within the first week of the session intrigues were commenced, and action agreed upon for the purpose of turning out the \ inistry. It was only the fear of defeat that kept the Opposition from active measures until the unfounded charges of mal-administration and abuse had done their work, and votes secured by their means, Mr Curtis is more candid ; he admits that his resolutions respecting giving Provinces the administration of public works paved the way for Mr Stafford’s no confidence resolutions—were in fact part of the same general plan to upset the Government.

The acceptance of office, under Mr Tolmie, by Mr Bastings has greatly disturbed the serenity of the gentleman who fills the editorial chair of the Bruce Herald , and the result is that we have in this week’s nurabcrof that joumalan ; xtraordinarycompound of abuse and splenetic writing. The new Secretary of Lauds and Goldfields is said to have crouched and fawned to the lamb and lain down to him in the green pastures of a squatter’s executive. Mr H. Bastings, the lion of Lawrence, the terror of sqnatterdom, the advocate of land for the people, and people, instead of sheep, for the laud, has taken office in Mr Macaudrew’s Executive, with Mr W. A. Tolmie as leader, and Messrs M'D-rraid. Mac<rthur. and Turnbull, as colleagues. ‘ A child shall lead them.’ Mr Tolmie is a leading runholder, but is only a newly-fledged politician, and a child in knowledge of the routine of executive business, it is sometimes said of public men that self aggrandisement is the aim of all their actions!, and certainly with some their conduct would seem to justify the assertion. Mr Bastings stood true to his leader and his party till the formation of the Executive which succeeded {the Cargill Government. Then he made no secret of his disappointment and chagrin when he found Mr Bradshaw had been selected as member for the goldfields, and he left out in the cold ; and lie shortly took an opportunity of making a bitter and personal attack on Mr Beid upon the question of the sale of the block of land to Mr Claik. From that date Mr Bastings was looked upon by the Opposition as one who was at their call so soon as they could secure an innings. The dismissal of the Keid Executive opened the door for this and immediately the bunch of carrots wore held up to his gaze. No doubt they would have been grasped before now had not Mr 13. been under some powerful dissuading influence, but it appears the temptation has proved too powerful ; the lion Avas subdued ; he now lies doAvn Avith the lamb ; has adopted his language ; and the little child leads them.” We hope the Speaker of the Provincial Council Avill survive the shock.

On Friday next Mr Douglas takes a benefit at the Princess Theatre. He has been amqng us a very short time, but we do not recollect; anyone in the profession wdjo has succeeded in making so many friends, or who has become a niorp deserved favorite with the public, We feel confident that Jiis appeal will be rewarded by a crowded house. We arc glad to see that it is intended to form a band in connection with the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Corps ; and from the known ability of the proposed leader, there can be no doubt of its success. Accidentally an error occurred in the advertisement last evening, to the corrected copy of which, in our usual column, we request the attention of persons interested, Mr Hawthornp requests us to say, in reference to tfie paragraph iq yesterday’s issue, that he has x'eceived no intimation from Mr Pope of his intention to remain in Victoria, and that he considers it very unlikely that such is the case. The information on which our paragraph was based was supplied to us from a private soqrce, which aye had reason to believe.

The Art Union by Messrs Howell & Hay, of tlie Octagon, of Works of Art, contains articles of use and elegance combined, composed entirely of the native woods of Kew Zealand, and manufactured in Dunedin, Of course it will be understood that this branch of art is professedly the prominent feature, but there are other portions of it well worthy of notice. From personal inspection we can assert that the prizes exhibited by Messrs Howell & Hay deservedly rank high as works of art; in proof of which, although perhaps not gene ally known, it may be mentioned that one originally obtained prizemedals at the 1 ondon Exhibition of 1862 and Dunedin Exhibition of 1865 for beauty of design, harmony of colours, and general workmanship in the woods of New Zealand. Amongst many beautiful articles deserving commendation may be mentioned some elegant work-boxes of a new design, which are finished specimens of excellent workmanship ; the various woods used in them arc of the choicest, which, combined with the arranging aufl harwopiaing of the varied

colors, stamp them deservedly high as works of art; and the same remark is applicable to the whole collection. Amongst other things, we were shown some ladies’ trinket or jewel boxes, the lids of which are magnificent specimens of inlaid work. There are Fans with from 8 to 10 choice varieties of woods in them. To the work-boxes, jewel cases, glove-boxes, fans, &c., we would more particularly, from the nature of the work, suggest inspection by ladies. At present we cannot speik more fully of a portion of the first prizes, comprising a lady’s work-box, and large inlaid clxess table ; the table is in an unfinished state, but from what we have seer, of it, it fudy warrants us in saying that it promises to bo worthy of special attention. There are many excellent specimens of the cbromo-liibo-graphic and photographic arts, copies from Landseer, Heron, and other great painters. Perhaps the chef d'mtvre is a beautiful picture entitled “Summer.” Messrs Howell and Hay deserve support, for they are pioneers in a new ami artistic branch of native industry ; aud not only so, but they offer about 2 00 prizes of rare and difficult workmanship ; aud most of the photographs and sketches are of high artistic merit, ■>, r Barton has called upon us, in reference to a paragraph in last night’s issue, stating that the trial of the Blue Spur lease had been postponed till the next sitting of the Court at Lawrence in June next, in consequence of his absence at Wellington, He informs us that this information is entirely untrue, ami must have been supplied to us from some malicious motive. Mr Barton tel's us that he returned from Wellington in ample time to have attended the trial on the Obh of this mouth, if it could have taken place ; but that in consequence of the defendants having to obtain evidence from Melbourne or Auckland under commissions which have only just been granted by the Judge, the case could not ho tried on the 9th —a fact of which the pkintiffs, for a considerable time past, have been fully aware; and that on the application of Mr Cook made to the Judge at the time when the commissions were granted, his Honor fixed the trial to take place at Lawrence early in February.