The Evening Star THURSDAY JANUARY 2, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3080, 2 January 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY JANUARY 2, 1873

Tin; arrival oi' tin* OnUofa lias sot at ivst two juvuiediniis »i Uic o[)})onent ot (ih‘ San Francisco Ylail Service, ami has silenced those who were sure she would never he placed on (he line, and (hose who prophesied she would not keep her eontrael time. However desirous (hat r . the relations between I his Coloiry and] America should he extended, every one connected with that service, as well as ■ the public, felt dissatisfied with the manner in which it was carried out during the past year. There seemed to he a combination of circumstances lending to its condemnation. Snow blocked (lie Pacific .Railroad, the conneetinii vessels between San Francisco and Honolulu broke down, small-pox was said to have been introduced by one ot them, the Nevada became worn out with work. Melbourne threw cold wat-ron the service, Neil sou libelled it by publishing a false report, and the Daily Tunes persisted in treating it its true. One of tue malignant spirits seemed to have escaped from Pandora’s loosely-guarded box. ami to be amusing himself with endeavours to spoil the reputation of Messrs V\ ebb and Hollidav. the San Francisco Mail Service, and (lie Fox-A ogel (tovernmeul. Never had mail contract to struggle against such dillieulties. it was high jubilee for the detractors of ii. and every friend to it was compelled to keep silence ; lor (here was enough to find fault with, and excuse seemed imiressible. The arrival of the Dakota proves what is possible to be done. She has made the voyage through from San Francisco nearly a day within her contract time. This is really a great feat iu steam navigation, when It is considered that to fulfil the engagements requires a continuous speed of ten and a half knots an hour, making no allowance for stoppages. We hope that this splendid run is the precursor of a system that will prove as regular as (In' last year’s trips have been irregular, and that I all the advantages derivable from Ibis vvcll-eoneeived connection with America and Ivurope will be realised. The details to hand of the fearful storm that has devastated northern Europe and America, lead to anxious desire for fuller particulars. There is something so uncommon and so terrible in the little we are told of it. that it seems diilleult for the mind to realise the description given as true. A storm raging for four (lays and nights is something beyond human experience, even in the uneasy latitudes near t lie Arctic- circle; and when tilt* violence with which winds blow is remembered, it is impossible (hat continuance of them for so long a time could be otherwise than disastrous. The war between labor and capital now raging at Home appears to have forced its consequences somewhat unpleasantly upon the people of London. The towncrier of Hull, some fifty years ago. announced the appalling tidings that, “in consequence of a fire at the Gas Works, (here would he no light for three days.” London lias not been doomed to such a dark visitation as that, iu consequence of the strike of the employes at the gas factories, but persons living in certain sections of the City are represented as being "filled with consternation and dread” through their customary luxury of gas-light being withheld. We iu (he Colonies are not apt to he much terrified under such circumstances. We growl a hit when in the dark we stumble over a mound of mud or dust, rush through orover it, and. with a malediction ou the City Council or Mr Larnaeh, pass on our way. it seems, therefore, a trifle (o be alarmed about, and requires some elucidation before we can sympathise with our Loudon brethren. We cannot (brow a clearer light on the reason why. than by quoting Lord Macaulay’s description of London before gaslights wen' known : for precisely the same reasons, barring the filth and police, exist now as at that time; with the addition (hat people are not so much accustomed to take care of themselves. When the (welling closed hi, the difficulty and danger of walking about London became serious indeed. The garret windows were opened and pails were emptied, with little regard to those who were passing below. Falls, bruises, and broken bones were of constant occurrence. For, till the last year of the reign of Charles the Second, most of the streets were left in profound daikness. Thieves and robbers plied their trade with impunity : yet they were hardly so terrible to peaceable citizens as another class of rutHans. it was a favorite amusement of dissolute young gentlemen to swagger by night about the town, breaking windows, upsetting sedans, beating quiet men, and offering rude caresses to pretty women. Several dynasties of these tyrants had, since the Restoration, domineered over the streets. The Mims and Tityrc Ins had given place to the Hectors, and the Hectors had been recently succeeded hy the Scourers. At a later period arose the Nicker, the Hawcnhitc, and the yet more dreaded name of Mohawk. The machinery for keeping the peace was utterly contemptible. There was an Act of Common Council which prouded that more than a thousand watchmen should he constantly alert in the city, from sunset, to sunrise, and that every inhabitant should lake his turn of duty. But this Act was 1 negligently executed. Few of (hose who were j summoned left their homes ; and those few : generally found it more agreeable to tipple in alehouses than to pace the streets. Tin* remaining news consists of the chronic stale of civil warfare of the Spanish races, ami the consequent local disorganisation of Spain, Mexico, and Cuba. The people of those lands are passing through dark days under leaders who are not competent to (lie task of organisation.

would advise that the players should put in au early appearance, in order that a two innings match may be played.

Thu arrangements for the ball to come off on Monday evening, promise to render it a ino-t successful ati’iir. Mr' Job Wain has undertaken to pro"ide the refreshment department. To Messrs Begg and Martin is temitted the musical arrangements, and Mr Ward will provide and superintend the decorations. Volunteers are expected to appear in uniform. We hear that, in consequence of the ball to His Excellency, the M-til'erv < ompany will not give their usual annual ball.

The difficulty of keeping in proper working order (sa\s the ,I njns) the long !in of telegraph wire stre elsing from Adelaide to Port Darwin is now being felt by the South Australian Government. Sca’cely a wo-, k passes without some interruption of the c .mmitmcation being rep rt-.d, and apparently always in or near the samo place, viz., between the Peake and Charlotte Water station'-. As to the precise nature of these frequent interrupt! ns no information has been afforded, a most mysterious reticence being at all times observed by the telegraph officials in Adelaide as to everything that concerns this line. i o such a length ha this been car. ied, that on the two grievous occasions of a break having occurred, the first intimation reached the. Melbourne office through tie telegrams furnished by the corn spondeut of the Associated Press in Adelaide Vester lay. however, it was received officially in the first instance. We are still without any clue as to the cause of the disaster which has deprived us of our European news, and whether it is to be vacua!v attributed to “atmospheric iullm necs,” the ravages of the white ants, or the playfulness of the natives, is matter for conjecture. A temporary station with the necessary repairing appliances e ected at the erne of these “ breaks” seems to be required.

Volant x-rs attending the Citizens’ Bail on Monday evening next are rujnested lo appear in uni'orni.

The following are the names of the representatives for Nos. 1 and 2 Companies, Northern Battalion, viz., No. 1 (Oamaru Bargers) Privates !’. L. Pule, and W. Selby, and Serge mt king; No *2 (Hampden biites), Corporals Donald, Munro, and Alexander Young. No. .‘1 sends no representatives this year, no having received a supply of ammunition.