The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 3067, 17 December 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1872.

Ouu quarantine regulations, as hitherto carried out, arc not in accordance uitli the sanitary science of the day. In many points they are scarcely removed from the earliest advances beyond barbarism. There is, in fact, such inconsistency m our ideas Of what is necessary, that our regulations betray their origin to have been the union of ignorance and timidity, It is the bouuden duty of every Government to take care that persons arriving, who are suffering from infectious diseases, should not be allowed to mix with society until they have been restored to health; and to this end a quarantine ground must be maintained, and proper buildings provided for their recovery. And where numbers of people have been crowded together, as on board a ship in which there has been fever, every precaution that science dictates should be adopted to prevent the spread of the germs of disease that may have taken root in their clothes. This is a precaution equally necessary for their own safety and that of others. It is of the utmost importance, too, that the ship itself should be thoroughly purified; but there seems to us to be something very absurd iu shutting up a number of persons who exhibit no symptoms of disease, for a given number of days, iu close proximity to those afflicted, in order to see whether any one or more of them will be attacked. It looks very much like trying the experiment upon them, that we are taking so much care and spending so much money in guarding ourselves against. That they should be subjected to searching medical examination before being allowed to disperse over the country is only right. That even the whole of their wardrobes in common use should be destroyed, if necessary, is not too much to require; but when all the tests that medical science can apply have* not disclosed the presence of disease, to prevent their being allowed to land is extending caution to cowardice. That (his is not needed is evident by our everyday practice. It cauiiut he denied that

wc have infectious diseases amongst us, and that occasionally families suffer. But who objects to stop and hold conversation with one who resides in the infected house? The heads of the families go about their usual avocations without restriction, and although the kindly inquiries made after the sufferers suggest the fact to the inquirer that the disease is located in that liou.se, no one shrinks from going past or even into it. The inmates arc not required to stand at a distance, and put their hands over their mouths and cry “ Unclean, unclean. For aught we know to the contrary, there may have been sufferers in consequence of this freedom from fear of that disease which is generated amongst ourselves; that is quite possible: hut we arc not advocating bringing the afflicted amongst us- —that would be foolhardihood. What we condemn is detaining those who arc in health under the idea that they may become ill. We are glad to see that the new Board of Health have adopted the view that wc advocate, and that those passengers by the Palmerston and the Christian M‘Ausland, who are in good health will, after proper precautions with regard to their clothing, be admitted to pratique, removed at once from all danger of infection, and placed in circumstances favorable to health ; they can at once make arrangements for following a useful career, and we have no doubt the propriety of the course taken will be justified by the result. The old Board of Health displayed energy and promptitude, entitling them to the thanks of the community; and, according to the regulations laid down, and the means at their command, they acted for the best; but we think the precautions taken by the new Board ample for all sanitary purposes. and more consistent with the present state of medical and social science.

Muni Ims latterly been written on Inmiitrraliou, as conducted by J)r. 1. 1 EATUERston ; of the unset tleiuent of. old arrangements, ami the mismanagement of the new; but, strangely enough, little has been said about the recommendations of the Select Committee of last: Session on Immigration and Public Works. They reported, on the 21st October last, and one passage in that report, and the resolution they arrived at, are well worthy of earnest consideration. They say: — Your Committee beg to cull the special attention of the Government to the evidence hereto annexed, of Mr Macandrew. and accompanying documents presented to the Committee on the subject of immigration to Otago, as well as to the question of the establishment of a lino of ocean steamers, to run via the Cape of Good Hope, and to the resolution of the Committee thereon.

The evidence referred to was as follows :

Question : Do yon approve of the third clause. [Of the instructions to local agents for the selection of emigrants to New Zealand.] Answer: I approve of assisted emigration being confined to the working classes, certainly. I may say, generally, that the grand failure m the Colonial scheme arises entirely from the Agent-General not having made arrangements to bring out the emigrants by steam direct. I believe that, not until this is done, will the ocean be bridged over. I believe that the immigration now provided for would be sufficient to induce the establishment of a steam line. I, myself, have been in correspondence with a large firm in Glasgow, who were willing to negotiate the matter. They were willing to build vessels expressly adapted for the purpose, that would make the voyage out in fortyfive days. These ships were to built expressly for the trade, and cadi vessel was to be capable of accommodating 800 passengers.

After full consideration of the evidence laid before them, the Committee arrived at the following resolution; — That, in the opinion of this Committee, the most effectual means of ensuring a large stream of immigration of all classes towards the Colony, would be the establishment of a steam line, via the Cape of Good Hope, to consist of vessels capable of’carrying 800 to 1000 passengers, and of sufficient power to make the voyage within forty-five days. From evidence before the Committee, _it appears that a Glasgow firm, Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co., are prepared to start such a steam line, and that the guarantee of a certain number of passengers by each ship, for a definite period, would go far towards the subsidy requisite to undertake the starting of such a line. Resolved, therefore, that the special attention of the Government be drawn to the proposal.

Although the suggestion to bring out immigrants by steam is calculated to startle many who, for the first time, have the subject brought before them, there is nothing impossible in it. Large vessels and certain freights would be necessary as inducements to ship-owners to enter into such a contract, and, were these provided, there can be little doubt of the plan succeeding. There would be economy in it too. What is now required is saving of time on the voyage. At present the shortest time that can be fairly calculated upon for making the passage by sailing vessel is about ninety days. That it is occasionally performed in less, is true, but then, on the other hand, it is frequently exceeded. Unquestionably the most unpleasant pari of the passage is after passing the latitude of the Capo, as it is usual, in order to have the advantage of westerly winds as well as to reduce the length of the meridians of longitude, to run well to the South. The transitions from tropical heat to winter’s cold, and from s\immcr breezes to winter storms, are not only the causes of much discomfort, but of occasional visitations of sickness. We have an instance in the long find tedious voyage of the Palmerston, on board wliltdi vessel, wc understand, every effort that skill, cleanliness, and discipline could command, was made to ward off disease. To make the passage by the Cape in forty-live days would be such a saving in the cost of feeding the passengers and working the vessel, that wc do not suppose a higher price per head would have to be paid than now perhaps not so high, notwithstanding the expense of steam—while the run from England to New Zealand would have all the attractions of a pleasant trip—a voyage to be enjoyed rattier than feared. What steps, if any. have been taken by the Government, in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee, we do not know; but tin* advantages to the commerce and manufacturing interests of New Zealand are so evident from the adoption of such a plan, that wc trust it will not be allowed to rest; but will be urged upon public attention, so persistently, as to lead to its adoption.

The Bay of Plenty Tima regrets to learn that four old natives have recently died at Te Rotoiki from starvation. Food Is generally very scarce amongst the Maoris in that district.

A gang of prisoners is now employed reducing the levels in Dowling street, between Princes street and the Railway station, preparatory to the metalling and opening up that portion of the street.

A new kind of mineral has been found in the Totara district, Westland. It seems to be a mixture of lead and ironstone, but there may be silver intermixed, A specimen of the ore has been forwarded to Hokitika for analysis. The Masonic Ball Committee met last evening. Resolutions were passed that the ball should he carried out as originally intended ; and that the Governor and Lady

Bowen be admitted and received with honors under the Steel Arch and the Royal Arch, &c. Those who have charge of the arrangements for the ball have no doubt that it wu prove a great success. The friends of Sir F. Dillon Bell will be pleased to learn that he is rapidly recovering from the accident which he sustained a few days ago. It seems that while out on ms run at Shag Valley he stepped into a blind hole and injured his leg and neglected treatment. Krysipilis set in, and he was obliged to seek medical advice. Tic is now progressing rapidly under the treatment ot Dr Hocken, and hopes soon to be perfectly restored to health.

There was a numerous attendance at the adjourned meeting of the Otago Jockey Club, at the Empire Hotel, lust evening; and '<lr G. Dowse presided. The Sub-committee appointed to draw up a race programme for the 1873 meeting submitted their report, which was adopted. The stakes to be run for will be upwards of Lll <l, and the meeting will take place, as usual, on March 23rd, the anniversary of the Province. v» understand that the Jockey Club intend, to institute a Derby for 1874, together with a large yearly handicap on the same principle as the Melbourne Cup. At the next meeting to be held on Monday night, the stewards, &c., for the March meeting will be elected. It has hitherto been the custom tor nominations and entries to he received when they bore the post mark of the date on which the nominations were said to close ; and last evening the Club resolved that the entries and nominations will not in future be received under any pretence whatever after the time specified in the regulations. At the close of the Anglican Diocesan Synod yesterday, while a vote of thanks was being passed to the Rev. E. H. Grainger, Incumbentof All Saints’ Church, for the many valuable services rendered to the diocese by him, the Right Rev, the Lord Bishop took occasion to remark that he had frequently heard of the zeal, energy, and judgment displayed by Mr Grainger as a clergyman, and of the many good works he had instituted and matured iu the diocese; but he had not realised the great loss both he and the diocese were about to sustain in the departure of Mr Grainger, until a closer acquaintance had shown him the many good qualities possessed bv that gentleman. He earnestly hoped that in time Mr Grainger would again return to labor in the district. If such should eventuate, he would be amongst the first to receive and welcome him. Other gentlemen likewise expressed their esteem for Mr Grainger, and their regret at his projected departure from New Zealand.

Last evening ‘ ‘ Othello ” was played at the Princess Theatre to a somewhat thin house. Mr Hoskins appeared as lago, Miss Colville as Emilia, Mrs W. Hill as Desdemona, and Mr Collier as Othello, It was Mr Collier’s first appearanc-, after an absence of eighteen or twenty months, during which time his powers appear to have matured. When last in Dunedin ho gave promise of the high position he has now attained, for, unquestionably, he is now one of the leading tragedians of the time. His representation of Othello is divested of much of what is usually termed stagineas. There is more of real life about it, aud less of conventionalism than has hitherto been the practice, and consequently, it is more in accordance with human sympathies than suited our forefathers. We hope he will throw off all staae strut, and trust to nature, and then he will attain the Inchest position in his profession. Miss Colville’s was a beautiful rendering of the faithful Emilia, and Mrs Hill, as Desdemona, was very effective, Thefiilings-in of the piece were carefully arranged and apportioned, and the audience expressed their pleasure by loud and determined calls for Mr Collier at the fall of the curtain. This evening “ The Rivals ” will be played.

A meeting of the Sub-Committee in connection -with the Governor’s reception, was held last evening at the City Council Chambers—the Mayor presiding There was a full attendance. After discussion, a programme of the order of march was agreed to, as also the address to be presented to bis Excellency. The arrangements connected with the reception, we may mention, are now settled, and will be as follow On the Governor lauding from the Luna at the Rattray street Wharf, he will be received by his Honor the Superintendent and the Executive, who will convey him to the arch, where he will be received by the Mayor and City Councillors, who will present an address of welcome on behalf of the citizens. A procession will then be formed in the following order .-—Band ; Fire Brigade; Trades Unians ; Ancient and Independent 0.0. F. ; A.O E.; M.U.1.0.0.F,; Good Templars and Sons of Temperance : citizens on foot; the legal profession ; Mr Speaker and members of the Provincial Council; the Mayor and City Council; the Executive Government; Native chiefs; the Governor’s suite; his Excellency, Lady Bowen, and family; gentlemen on horseback. On the signal for marching, the procession will move along Princes street, up Manor place into Lees street, and upon arrival at the gates of Fern Rill will open out and line each side of the road, the Governor and suite passing through. On his Excellency’s carriage entering the grounds, a pause will be made, when the Bands of Hope and school children will sing the National Anthem. It was originally intended that the anthem should be sung by the children at the arch in Rattray street, immediately after the presentation of the address; but after consideration it was thought that they were liable to be crushed there, and the alteration, which is a wise one, was determined on. With the Governor's entry to Fern House the procession will disperse, but the children will be marched back to the drill shed, where they will be regaled with refreshments. The volunteer arrangements for the reception day are these :—< >n the Governor landing, the Artillery will tire a royal salute with their Armstrongs, and a full company, with band, will constitute the guard of honor The remainder of the volunteers, including the first battalion and as many of the country companies as can conveniently attend, will line the streets from the arch to Fern Hill, where another guard of honor will receive bis Excellency on his arrival there. On the whole, the arrangements appear to be of a most satisfactory character, and the reception promises to be highly successful.

In October we published si racily written letter by “M.W.B. ” on Victorian men and morals, which has formed the subject of an editorial in the Argus, That journal caljs our correspondent an obscure person, is otherwise abusive, and attempts to controvert his statements, which are characterised as “ gross exaggerations. ” By the Alhambra we have received our files of the Onstlemaine Representative. , in which our correspondent is defended by “An Argus Reader,” who says, inter alia, “ the Argus extract from the Victorian letter of a New Zealand paper is evidently written very calmly. It contains plain Anglo-Saxon monosyllables and dissyllables, and no rhetoric ; but as a compensation, if such were needed, a vast amount of well considered logic—namely, the inexorable logic of facts. By inference the Argus asserts that the recent letter-writer in the Dunedin Star attributes inefficiency to the Victorian police, but thoughtful readers will decide that the Victorian correspondent of the Otago paper does no such thing. Even rich Victoria could not afford to engage one constable for every hundred larrikins, and so long as each constable is efficient within his own “beat” so long will the efficiency of the Victorian constabulary exist, and their existence is not by any logical implication impugned by the Dunedin correspondent who writes from Victoria. Stabbing does take place in open day in Melbourne ; its streets do teem with fallen women ; police are “ducked” in tanks in Colling wood by larrikins. We know it, we know it,” says the 4 wbut “WttoUtbefipgUshpeopMit

The whole matter amounts to this: we are not to tell either English or New Zealanders that prostitutes are as common as English blackberries in Collins and Bourko streets. Delightful logic. The Anjm takes great trouble to publish the initials of the New Zealand correspondent. If I mistake not, the author of the initials in question is not so very obscure, as the Arif us would lead us to infer. The Argus does not usually take for its text the writings of obscure people, I think, also, I saw not very long ago, certain letters in a colonial paper signed by the initials against which Tuesday’s A /7/H.s had its bitter leader ; and the letter 1 refer to cut up the leading paper in a manner which was obviously quite justifiable. Like the Bourbons, the A rgiis writers ‘‘never learn and never forget.” their leading attribute being wilful ignorance and chronic. Is it not evident that the New Zealand writer wrote the bitter truth—so bitter as to leave a salts-and-senna taste on the editorial palate—and does this not prove that for the Argus, its motto notwithstanding, truth has no charms, except when attenuated by a large admixture of lies ? It may be safely said of the Argus that it takes falsehood allopathically, but truth in strict homeopathic globules. The leading journal “forgot” to tell its numerous consumers of its daily fables that the ictoria correspondence of the N.Z. paper included a very truthful attack ou itself (the Argvs) in the letter, purporting to describe the crimes of Melbourne. Here is another key to the riddle of the Argusian wrath. Melbourne is not Victoria. If Melbourne is a pandemouium of human beasts, it does not follow that the Colony is a hell likewise.”

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