The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBERS. 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3600, 5 September 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBERS. 1874

Were it not that it is rather too bad to be compelled to pay for contradictory telegraphic items in the same message, there would be something to be amused at in the summaries of news from Home received by the New Zealand Press. Whoever has undertaken the work of compilation does not trouble himself much. Apparently a pair of scissors and a gum brush are all that he uses. Judgment is out of the question. Day by day the news is received in Australia as it arrives from Home. The report of one day, if in error, may be contradicted the next, and all we need in New Zealand is the true version j but, instead pf that, we are treated with error and contradiction and told of all the changes of opinion regarding crops consequent upon the rainfall of one day during harvest and the sunshine of another. This has been so long the custom with telegraphists that it has almost become a matter of course, hiany times we read in one line Mr B or Lord C is ill, and not expected to recover I half-a-dozen lines further down Mr B or Lord C is better, and a few lines further Mr B or Lord C is convalescent, or dead, or worse, or has only had the toothache, as the case may have been, Jn our telegrams to-day are instances in poinf. August 21st, we are told Austria and Russia recognise the Spanish Government. Our hopes are consequently raised that a great step has been gained towards the pacification of Spain ; but we are doomed to disappointment; it was a mistake: August the 25th sets the matter right, Austria, only, recognises the autocratic government—lmperial Russia stands aloof. August 15 th, the weather was gloomy and unfavorable for the harvest. This brings before us a vision of sprouted corn and an opening for New Zealand wheat at remunerative prices; but this bright commercial prospect only lasts a moment, for on the 22nd the weather appears to have been fine and favorable for the harvest, large arrivals of wheat had taken place from abroad, and prices had fallen considerably. It is clearly desirable to have full and reliable information of the state of affairs at the date of transmission of the message j but we think it paying rather too dearly when the daily changes that precede it are thus minutely jotted down. In some respects the telegrams from Home are cheering. We are told of harvesting operations progressing, and as nothing is said of the agricultural lock-out, it is . to be bodied farm laborers and farmers have Ujrriyed at a satisfactory understanding* We in the .Colonies are much more deeply

Great Britain than we are apt to imagine. An abundant harvest is equivalent to increasing indefinitely the comfort of the working classes, and their purchasing power of manufactured articles. The brightening prospects are pointed to by two significant indications: the “ money market is easier and the Bank of England reserve stronger “at the wool sales competition continues vigorous,” and “ prices show a general advance, compared with previous sales, of £d to l£d.” In both these circumstances New Zealand is directly interested, although, they may be classed together, as, to a certain extent, the price of money regulates the price of wool. The value of money at the Bank is very intimately connected with the character of the commercial transactions of the nation. When food has to be purchased from abroad, largo sums are sent out of the country to pay for the increased cost of living, and as everybody has to pay more for what is eaten, there is less to spend on that which is worn—less work, lower wages. The Home trade is comparatively dull, and sales to foreign countries are often forced. But when the harvest is good, a Home demand springs up for articles beyond mere necessaries, as all classes have wherewith to purchase extras. These operations, it must be remembered, take place in all countries, and in those subjected to similar climatic influences, generally simultaneously. There are certain areas in England that correspond very closely in soil and climate with continental districts, and when crops are abundant in the one, they are usually equally so in the others. There is therefore a fair presumption that the attendance of foreign buyers at the wool sales points to increased material comfort on the continent, and, to a not less impoi’tant fact—confidence that no war is likely to spring up between nations. We do not suppose that Bazaine’s arrival at Cologne as a refugee is of any political importance, for beyond his being a Bonapartist, his influence in France is not likely to be great.

We •'hear that Mr Hazle t has sold his racehorse Atlas to Mr White, of Invercargill, for L2OO. Mr Edward Chetham Strode was this day admitted and enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supremo Court of New Zealand. A lad named John Sorley, son of T>r Corley, Stuart street, was thrown from his horse while riding in the Octagon yesterday, but was uninjured. The Italian Opera Company (Messrs Cagli and Lyster’s) will visit New Zealand before the end of the current year, arriving at Dunedin performing at the principal towns on the coast. The Tuapeka ‘Times’ says the weather experienced of late has infused new vigor into farming operations; The greater portion of land intended to be cultivated this season has already been ploughed and sown down. Oats will be the principal crop this year. SThe immigrants by the ship* Tweed and Parsee will be detained on board for some days to give the authorities an opportunity of transhipping tfiejp direct to the different depots in the Province Up Wednesday, a number of the single and married men ex the Tweed will be sent to Invercargill by the Wanganui. Others will be sent to Tokoraairiro and Oamaru at the earliest opportunity. No engagements were made at the 'mmigratiou liairacks, Cavereham, to-day. Several inquiries w< re ma le for ploughmen, but owing to the incompetent of those who pro fessed to belong to this class, and were entered as such at Home, no engagements were • fleeted. Mr Farney, barrack master at the town depOfc, informs us that he has more persons under his charge at the present tim than he ever had, and tb§t he finds great difficulty in accommodating them. . Meeting of the Association was held this morning in the Lower Hall of the Athenaeum. There was a large attendance of members ; Mr M‘Kay presiding. Mr Stewart read some valuah'e notes on “ How to give an Object lesson,” selecting a subject from natural hi tory. He proceeded to detail the method adopted by him in giving *uoh lemons. The plan was highly approved, anl considered well adapted for conveying instruction. Mr 'BaHlte having been appointed to read the next paper, the meeting adjourned until the first Saturday October. ‘ '

There was not a yefj lengthened sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, Thomas Phelps, Jgsnj. Coates, and George Anghton, were each fined 6s, or in default treaty-fob)* hours’ imprisenmeat with hard labor Alfred' Syndercotnbe was charged With violently assaulting and beat" ing Ihouias Poynton on Sept. 4. The evidence of Alfred Ralph, who was called to show that Poynton was baldly hurt, having been taken, the police asked for a remand till Tuesday, which was granted; prisoner to be admitted to bail, himself in tlie sum of L 25, and one surety lor the same amount Prisoner was afterwards recalled by the magistrates, and admitted to bail on his own recognifcaneg for JLSQ. This constituted the business.

An entertainment for a good purpose was given last night in the* Masonic Half. A fad named'i homas Jones arrived in Dunedin a few months ago, by the ship Surat, in the wreck of which he lost all h>a things, and he is also an orphan. Ip addition to these misfortunes, while employed in the saw-mills of Messrs Guthrie and Larnach, he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of his right hand. A concert and dance was arranged by some friends for the boy’s benefit, and this took place last night. The performance consisted of songs, recitations, «c., and were all most successful, the Artillery string-band rendering valuable assistance. In the unavoidable absence of Mr I homas Birch, Mr H. S. Fish, M.P.0., presided. The hall was crowded.

There was an excellent attendance in all parts of the Princess's Theatre last evening, the lower portion of the house being crowded, while in the dress-circle there was a much larger attendance than 01 any previous occasion during the week. We were glad to see a good attendance upstairs, and hope that this will continue, as Mr Smith is known throughout the Colonies as the greatest speculating manager who has ever thctfe parts, anti the. troupe now with him Is a most expensive cue The entertainment was similar to that of the previous evening. Val Vose and Aireo securing the largest share of applause. The after” noon performance, given for the benefit of schools and families to-day, was largely attended. The audience, which was composed almost entirely of juveniles, seemed to

thorougly relish the treat provided for them; the feats of the Da Castro family being eapec ally enjoyed. For to-night the first entire change of programme is announced. Mr Small, Government Engineer, paid a visit to Roxburgh last week and selected sites for the bridges to be placed over the Molyneux and Teviot rivers, A correspondent of the Tnapeka ‘ Times,’ commenting on the fact, says:—“ The site or sites are considered to be very objectionable, and in anything hut a good position, and some think have been fixed upon in order to benefit one of our local business men, who is supposed to have very considerably influence in high places, who owns a considerable amount of lan I just where the approach to the bridge will be made on the west side of tu6 river, Bo trtiis as it omy 4 xt is a mistake, for such a structure should be built in the most convenient and mss’, accessible position. There is an excellent site a little higher up, and a large rock in the centre, which would make a good foundation for the central pillar."

Ihe folio viug is a revised list of the trades and occupations of the immigrants ex ship Tweed, from Glasgow (June 16); Mamed couples General laborers, 28: gardeners, 5; navvies, 4; firm laborers. 14; ploughmen, 2; fitter, 1; carpenter, 1 ; millwright, 1 ; joiner, 1 ; blacksmiths, 0|; platelayers, 3 ; shoeingsmiths, 1 ; mason, 1; bookmakers, 2; plasterers, 2 ; bricklayers, 5 ; stoker, 1 ; ropemaker, 1 ; bootm-ikei s, 4; miner, i ; painters, 3; sheepshearer. 1 ; tailor, I ; shepherds, 2—toal, 21. The single men general laborers, 46 ; farm do, 46 ; navvies, 5 ; miners, 2 ; ploughmen. 5 ; gardeners, I ; turner, I ; carpenters, 4; joiners, 2; ship carpenters, 1; wheelwrights, I; blacksmiths, 3; engineer, I; butchers, 2 ; masons, 2 ; coachman, 1 ; shoemakers, 5 ; mechanics, 3; pi inter, 1 ; plasterer, I ; shepherds, 5 ; platelayer, 1 ; bricklayers, 2 ; signwriter, I ; miller, 1 ; ropemakers, 2; agent, I ; painter, 1 ; groom, 1 - total, 148, Single women—Uooks, 4 ; seamstress, 1 ; general servants, 60.; machinists, I ; housemaids, 7; housekeepers, 2 ; laundresses, 2; dairymaids, 2; mall on, I—Bo Total, 228 Nationality—English, 367 ; Scotch, 59 ; Irish, 206; French. 2 ; Germans, 4—total, 638.

The twelfth monthly meeting of the National Building Society will be held on Monday evening at six o’clock.

The annual meeting of the Third New Zealand Bnilding Society will be held on Tuesday evening at eight o’clock.

In another column appears a notice from Mr 6. D. Barraud, of Wellington, of his intention to publish, in a collected form, views of the principal mountains, lakes, harbors, and objects of interest in New Zealand. We shall look forward with much pleasure to the appearance of this work, upon the production of which we hear Mr Barraud intends to spare no expense. The book will contain a large number of chromolithographs and woodcuts, and the literary matter will, we understand, be under the charge of Mr W. L. Travers. We observe in the windows of our leading booksellers the original sketches from which the illustrations for the work are to be taken. These we propose to specially notice on a future occasion. Meanwhile we commend the book to our numerous readers.