The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3225, 21 June 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1873.

In our issue of the 16th instant we reprinted from the Arrow Observer a translation of the Chinese Petition against Mr Warden Beetham, which was presented to the Provincial Council last year by Mr James Macassey, then a member of the Council. We reprint it to-day, and with it the so-called translation appended to the petition when presented, which appendix is signed, as a guarantee for its genuine character, by the presenter. The two are worth comparing. It may be useful to recall the circumstances under which this pretended petition was concocted. Most of us remember when Mr Macassey, after three defeats, endeavoured for the fourth time to secure a seat in the General Assembly, and selected Queenstown as the place for effort. Of course he attacked the Press, and the Press gently replied, whereupon he laid an information against _the Wuikatip Mail lor libel. This information Mr Beetham most properly dismissed, and from that time Mr Macassey appears to have become aware of Mr Beetham’s shortcomings, both as Resident Magistrate and as Returning Officer. In the latter capacity he attacked Mr Beetham on the hustings, and, failing to make an impression there, wrote to the Colonial Secretary, stating that he had sundry charges to bring against him—charges, we may remark, which he never even attempted to substantiate. The Chinese Petition represents the results of his labors against Mr Beetham as Resident Magistrate, and to this we must now briefly refer. In the first place, the document in question appears not to be a petition at all, according to the true translation. It is simply a statement that the Chinese have grievances against the Warden ; that “ a clever lawyer from Dunedin” has offered to get him removed for L2OO, said L2OO only to be paid in the event of his removal; that the Chinese approve of this proposal, and that each individual who signs undertakes to pay a certain subscription towards the amount required. This statement, in the translation signed by Mr Macassey and presented by him to the Council, is transformed into a petition, and all mention of “ the clever lawyer from Dunedin” and of the guarantee of the L2OO is judiciously omitted. The case would be sufficiently shady, even were this the whole of it, but there are further facts to come— First, the Commissioners appointed by the Council entirely exonerated Mr Beetham from the charges brought against him ; secondly, the evidence of an expert proved that the greater number of signatures attached to the petition were written by the same hand : evidence which accounts for the fact that sundry Chinese whose signatures purported to be attached to the petition declared to the Commissioners their total ignorance of the matter; and lastly, Mr Macassey’s statement to the Council that he had no hand in getting up this petition has been most distinctly contradicted. Taken altogether, the affair was as discreditable a matter as ever came before the Council. We have dealt somewhat tenderly with Mr Macassey in this case on account of his absence. We have “ come unto him delicately,” as Agag came unto Samuel, but no doubt he will desire to serve us even as that A malekite was treated by the pitiless seer of Gilgal. Let him, however, receive

heedfully the warning contained in the following American anecdote:—A certain Yankee, in the early days of penny postage, was so pertinacious in his lingual applications to a stamp as entirely to divest it of adhesiveness. Being a man of resource, however, he straightway pinned the stamp to his epistle, and wrote beneath it “ Paid, if the darned thing will only stick.” Now, we have affixed our stamp to Mr Macassey’s shoulders as lightly as the case admits of. We should not again have referred to this matter, had not this Chinese petition again cropped up, for we had much rather bury the remembrance of such things than keep them continually paraded before the public mind. But it is a bad thing for a country when such transactions are allowed to fade away from public memory altogether. They are the only tests by which a true estimate can be formed of public men. Were it to be overlooked or forgotten, the highminded and generous would be liable to be classed with those who have dismayed those noble

qualifications, and thus lose that reputation which all who serve the public should seek to enjoy. TRANSLATIONS. Please your favor.— The five Chinese You are the men we characters written on trust. We are honest, red paper on the cover and wish the English of the book mean —“A and Chinese to be oro- book for the_ collection there. Our country- of money issued bjr men come from a far many who deliberated.’ distance to this coun- It has always been try to try to make a heard that the man of benefit to themselves, all virtue, the Princely and wish the English man, is benevolent and and Chinese to be on righteous. This is bathe same footing. They lieved by alb under get very vexed with Heaven. Therefore this Warden. In is it necessary for all to Queenstown the War- walk in the great pith den does not give of reason, which injustice to the China- duces love to all creamen. Every time tures and compassionthe cases of the ate tenderness. When Chinamen are not de- a nation or family is cided by the regnla- about to flourish, there tions. He looks down are sure to be happy on the Chinamen, omens; when either The English jump the are about to perish, Chinese claims, and there are sure to be some of the Europeans unlucky omens. Prosassault the Chinese, perity and adversity, besides suing them, it is the business of The Warden does not nations and families to give justice to the Chi- regard as indicative nese, but fines them, of the mind of Heaven. The Warden is no good We, the Flowed peofor the Chinamen, pie, have not counted They do not know it far to come a thouwhere to go and com- sand ley miles, plain of this Warden, and having arrived in One lawyer just come a strange country in lup from Dunedin. The search of wealth, exCninamen complain of pected that Chinese

everything to lawyer and foreigners would about Warden. This dwell together in harlawycr very clever: he mony; but at Queenslikes the Chinese, and town there is a : great tells them to tell him feeling of anger, indigeverything. The law- nation, and resentment yer says he will help against the Magistrate the Chinese to put of that place, _ who is matter right. He pro- wicked and vicious, a mised to do everything violator of decorum for the Chinese. He and moral propriety, wants the Warden to and introducing confugo by the law. Law- sion and anarchy into yer promised to move the relations of life, the Warden. Suppose He often, in dealing he moves the War- with the cases of us, den (Beetham) it will the Flowery people, benefit the Chinese, takes them, but does Every Chinaman not take and use the wishes the Warden to Royal laws. He inbe moved. Lawyer suits us as though we says, suppose he moves are persons of no Warden he wants £2OO ability. Perhaps a foes his fee. Lawyer reigner takes our peoguarantees the re- pie’s mining claims; moval of Warden; but perhaps a foreigner. Warden must be re- strong, violent, and moved before the £2OO bad, strikes and injures is paid. Suppose War- us. If we go to law, den Beetham is not this dog magistrate moved, no charge is to does not distinguish be made, and money and separate clearly, (subscription) to be but at once takes and given back to sub- inflicts fines on us, the scribers. We think the Flowery people. Thus lawyer is honest and it may be seen that wishes the Chinamen this dog-magistrate apto do what he says, propriates the fines in The meeting for this the dark. _ Therefore book (petition) wishes oppression, injury, and e/ery Chinaman to pay false accusation, have 3s 6d at least; they no place where they can pay more if they can give information, like. We shall bo very and make complaint, glad if this Warden be or state anything in removed. The man defence. At this time taking charge is to try a blessed means of supand do the thing pro- port is in the large perly. town (this may mean “Security for the the capital of New ZeaL2OO. land, perhaps Queens(Private name) town, I think the for“OnWah, alias mer). A great lawyer (Firm’s name) (this may also mean a “ Wong Kino Mum barrister), who is just (Firm’s name) and upright, respects “ Kum Yin Tie, dUas us the Flowery people, (Private name) as people of original “Low Pine.” ability, and our bellies filled with talent. (The Chinese place the seat of wisdom in the belly.) We have therefore taken this affrighting subject, which is causing repining and indignation, and put it in words to the great lawyer, whose mouth was full of promises that he would, according to the just laws, remove (or have him removed) from office, for the sake of the people. Immediately we, the Flowery people in this place, seeking wealth, rejoiced as though we had received ten thousand blessednesses (blessings). With him was spoken clearly about the payment of money. If the lawyer explains clearly and manages ably this business, so that this magistrate shall not in Queenstown perform his functions, then he will receive the money. But if he explains clearly, and the magistrate is not removed from office in Queenstown, he will not touch the smallest amount, but it will be returned to the subscribers. Seeing him thus upright and just, we expect our Flowery people with the same hearts and minds to unite their efforts. We, many, deliberated and resolved to send collectinging books amongst men from every district (in China), and fixed the smallest amount of subscription receivable at 3s 6d; but those who desire to give more have permission to do so according to their hearts. Certainly, if this dog-magistrate is sent away, truly we shall deeply rejoice (or have cause of rejoicing). Let all with sincere hearts make strenuous efforts, and it will advance. (February 20th.) —Chinese (time), first month, twelfth day commenced. Those who are the treasurers, and will see that the money is disposed of as stated, are— Ye Goon (store name) Kwan Hat (man’s name) Oun Woa (store name) Wong Kang Moon (man’s name). (Here follow Subscription List of names and subscriptions of from 3s fid to L 5.) The existing Canterbury lines—only about forty-two miles in extent—in March and April last brought in a gross revenue to the Province of very nearly L 9,000 per month, or at the rate of LIOO,OOO a-year, nearly one-fourth of which was for passenger traffic alone. “ Richard the Third” was repeated at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, and will constitute the bill for to-night. On Monday evening, when Mdlle. Legrand takes her benefit, the “Taming of the Shrew” and Marston’s drama of “ The Iron Chest ” will be played. A correspondent informs ns that, in Milton, it was currently reported that Mr J. Mackay, ike proprietor of the Bruce Herald, had. hanged himself in front of the Herald office on Wednesday morning, it was supposed through disappointment that Mr Gillies was defeated. We are glad to say that this proved a mistake, the only foundation for jt being that some wags had hanged him in effigy during the night. The Southern Cross says :—“ The fact that Auckland is already overstocked with clerks and young men desirous of so-called ‘ genteel’ employment, cannot be too widely circulated or too loudly proclaimed. Men of this description must go elsewhere if they would stand a fair chance of getting what they desire; and if they come here they must be prepared to make use of their muscles and

sinews till an opening is found for employment in a higher class of labor.” The carelessness of persons in charge of drays on the main roads, when they get out of town, is proverbial; and occasionally we have to record accidents as the result. One happened yesterday from this cause on the South road, near Oaversham. A farmer, named Frank Townshend, was proceeding homewards in a dray, when he came into collision with a waggon, or some other heavy vehicle, the driver of which we believe was asleep. Townshend was thrown out, and had his leg broken. Steadman’s coach happening to pass shortly afterwards, the driver brought him into the hospital. Miss Aitken, assisted by Mr M. Winter, gave an entertainment at .the Masonic Hall last evening. The room was well filled and the programme sufficiently varied to render it interesting. The chief attraction was the readings by Miss Aitken, in the course of which she gave selections from Shakespeare, Douglas Jerrold, Tennyson, and other favorite authors. Her elocutionary' ability is so well known that it is needless to say her reading was listened to with wrapt attention, and

elicited wariol' egressions approbation. r vVinter sang popular- fongs in v<ry good style, and Mr Moss, presuled at the piano, payed some overtures in good style and taste. The evening’s entertainment was in every way most enjoyable,! In consequence of other entertainments being app tinted to be held last evening, many persons were prevented from attending, and some disappointment was expressed ; we believe it is therefore Miss Aitken’s intention to give another evening’s readings before finally leaving Dunedin. “ Rob Roy” was repeated last evening at the Princess Theatre to a fair attendance. The cast was the same in all respects as that of the previous night, and the representatives of the various characters acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of those present. The entertainment concluded with the amusing farce “Up in the World.” The popular drama “ It is never too late to mend” will be played this evening. Miss Fanny Sara and Mr Fred. Clifton are announced to make their first appearance on Monday. Miss Sara comes here with a good reputation, as being possessed of an exceedingly good voice. She has formerly appeared in conjunction with Mr and Mrs Howard Paul in their well-known entertain* ment, which in itself is a sufficient guarantee of her ability. Mr Clifton is a comic singer of no mean attainments. Their accession to the ranks of this clever company will afford an agreeable diversion to the many attractions provided for the patrons of the theatre by the management. The annual soiree of the Dunedin Band of Hope was held last night, in the Oddfellows’ Hall. There was a large attendance of the young people belonging to the Society and their mends, who did ample justice to the good things provided for them by Mr Kroon. After the tables were removed, the chair was taken by Dr Roseby, and the programme of the evening’s entertainment was opened by the company singing the melody “A glorious light hath burst around us,” succeeded by an overture by the band. The chairman then addressed the meeting in eloquent and appropriate terms, vindicating the propriety of, and urging the necessity for Bands of Hope, in which the youth of our City might be trained to habits of abstinence, the thorough establishment of which would do much to aid the development of their character in the right direction. The secretary then read the annual report, from which

it appeared the Society is now in a very satisfactory position. During the year an increase of 123 has been made to its membership, which now stands at 565. There has been an average attendance of 100, besides adults, at the ordinary meetings of the Society during the year. The books for the library have arrived, and number 25'»• volumes, about 40 being taken out each meeting night. The total receipts during the year have been L 76 16s 6d; and the balance now in the treasurer’s hands, L 4 13s Bd. The adoption of the report was moved by the Rev. J Gow, seconded by Mr C. de L. Graham, who represented the Independent Order of Good Templars, and, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr J. W. Jago, as representative of the Sons of Temperance, and Mr i ! ardie, as representing the Mornington Band ©f Hope. The other entertainments of a very enjoyable meeting were songs, recitations, and instrumental music by members of the Band of Hope and some of their friends. The N. Z. Herald points out the unsatisfactory character of the Agricultural Statistics of the Colony as at present compiled. “ They deal simply,” it remarks, “ with the heavier field crops, and . fail to represent the capital invested iu the soil in a groat variety of ways. We have no record, for instance, of garden and dairy produce, which should be included in statistics of agriculture; and when the complete returns are published there will simply be the additional numerical record of great and small cattle, horses and poultry.” The Herald makes the following suggestion, with the view of rendering the return more comprehensive, which, it seems to us, is an excellent one:— “Let the Legislature and Provincial Councils,” it says, “attach conditions to grants in aid of highway rates, requiring eaeh Highway Board to compile and furnish a full and correct return, showing the industrial progress for the year in each district. By adopting this plan, we snould be able to approximate pretty closely to the value of permanent improvements, such as fencing, planting, and the' cultivftti n of fruit trees and vegetables, which form no inconsiderable part of the fixed capital of the country. A record might likewise be obtained of the number of cattle and sheep, pigs, poultry, &c., sold for the shambles ; and these, added to the totals of imported stock* interprovincially as well as from abroad, would represent the total consumption of the Colony.” It ventures to predict that a return of this kind would present such a picture as would contrast favorably with any other country, evidencing the spending power of the people, and their domestic abundance—a record which would only require to be made known in the overcrowded labor markets of the British Isles to ensure us a large accession to our population, Miss Aitken will give one of her instructive and entertaining readings in the Drill-shed, Green Island, on Wednesday evening next.