The Evening Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3666, 21 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1874.

British subjects pride themselves upon their law-abiding and law-supporting conduct, and in the main there is good reason for their self-complacency. If a bushranger tries his hand at Jack Sheppard tricks, his career, even in Colonies with convict blood in them, is soon cut short. The Australian desert, with its trackless wastes, is not so secure a retreat as the purlieus of London used to be when Hounslow was the field of operations of foot-pads or mounted highwaymen ; while in New Zealand, and especially in Otago, one who attempts to imitate their raids is hunted down as if he were a wolf. It, however, becomes questionable, in view of several transactions in connection with our licensing system, whether this ready support of the law is the result of principle or is merely a development of our organs of combativeness. We, of course, should prefer to think that our high principles are the motive power ; and that we are above being actuated in our support of the efforts of the police to arrest criminals, by su'ch feelings as lead to the enjoyment of a fox chase, a bull-fight, or the excitement of a field of battle. Still less can the idea be tolerated that there may be a little self at the bottom of it; and energy and decision in assisting in repressing the first tendencies to the disorganisation of society, are at any rate strengthened, if not aroused, by the feeling that our turn of loss or suffering may come, should such desperadoes be allowed to go at large. Either principle or fear is a sufficiently potent lever to set us in motion, and, very unwillingly, we have arrived at the conclusion that there is more of cowardice than principle in our mode of dealing with great or daring criminals. For so heterodox an expression we feel bound to give our reasons, and sorry we are to say they are not far to seek. We defy anyone to read the record of the proceedings in the Resident Magistrate’s Court respecting sly grog-selling without arriving at a like conclusion. If principle were the guiding star of our population, they would support the revenue officer in his efforts to suppress so dishonest a practice ; but since there is no personal danger to be feared, it is found that plenty of people are ready to make use of, aid, and abet the law breakers in every conceivable way. We find no fault with the lawyers for the defence, for they only stand for the time being in the shoes of the accused, and say on their behalf what they themselves would say if they knew as much as their advocates. Lawyers, under those circumstances, are instructed mediums, imbued with the spirit of their clients. It is a pity that occasionally they identify themselves so completely with those spirits as to try to bring contempt upon public officers for fulfilling the duties to which they are appointed, and for which they really ought to be praised. But they are paid for doing and saying nasty things; and one of our leading counsel is said, before a high tribunal, to have defended himself regarding a very method of acquiring information, by saying he considered he had a right to it by any means in his power, if it tended to the success of his cause. So if this be a right principle in law, we suppose we must forgive them if they do occasionally throw dirt at a meritorious officer. As one of the public, however, we cannot have the same excuse of mediumship, and it is for us to respect the laws our representatives have adopted. In regard to the sale of intoxicating liquors, those laws are plain enough and sufficiently well known. Two sets of retail licenses have been adopted, under which men are permitted to trade. One requires that, prior to being allowed to supply customers, a costly house shall be constructed, fitted with specified conveniences, and subjected to police supervision; and in that house liquor in any quantity, however small, may be obtained. The other only allows the sale in specified vessels, which are required to be original packages and taken away from the store unopened. Whether the law is good or bad is no part of the present question. It is very plain that, whether one or the other, it was made by the people themselves through their representatives, and, having made the law for themselves, they have bound themselves to submit to and support it. Being, however, in no personal peril, nor in danger of losing either goods or chattels, they do not hesitate to break this law, whenever it suits their convenience. It never seems to be considered that this law of their own making has led many persons, trusting in its protection, to invest large sums of money in building houses according to the prescribed conditions, and that to buy of others liquor in quantities that they are only allowed to sell, but which the others are prohibited by that law from retailing, is to rob them of the profit to which they are clearly entitled. Yet it is so, and every one who encourages sly grog-selling, even if he reaps no advantages himself, is helping to rob the publican for the sake of the store or shanty-keeper. We dare say the storekeeper or shanty-holder, if charged with being guilty of a practice mote Cowardly than highway robbery,

would feel very indignant; and if big enough and strong enough, would, “jealous in honor,” be “sudden and quick in quarrel,” and very likely kick his accuser until he knew —whether

(The) Shoe was Spanish or neat’s leather

But it is not the less true that the sly grog-seller breaks the law and swindles the publican, and every man who buys of him participates and aids him in his guilt. One would have thought this so obvious that the sympathy of all men would be with the revenue officer, who has been appointed to see that the law is obeyed. His task is difficult enough, and very unpleasant. Instead of being helped in his work he is thwarted, insulted, has been personally injured, is vilified by counsel, and those who have helped him are branded as informers. In one instance, so far has this unrighteous sympathy with wrongdoing been carried, that a man was dismissed from his employ because he gave evidence on the subject. In the face then of these facts we are compelled reluctantly to believe that cowardice, not principle, is at the bottom of our law-abiding character, and the sooner we gain the courage to do right and to support those who conscientiously and courageously do their duty, the better, happier, and more prosperous we shall be. If the law be bad let it be altered; but it is not to be tolerated that the law should induce the investment of capital in certain undertakings, and not fulfil its part ot the contract by giving publicans proper protection.

Owing to an alteration of the machinery of the Evening Stab, which necessitated an early issue, we are obliged to hold over our report of the inquiry into the origin of the tire in Dowling street on Wednesday week, oar share and labor market reports, and other local matter, which will appear on Monday. Our morning contemporaries have been misinformed by telegraph as to the result of crushing at the Caledonian claim, luangahua. They state seventy-three ounces of gold were obtained from 103 tons of stone • it should have been 478 ounces of retorted gold from' 103 tons of stone. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Messrs E. ff. Ward and T. Birch, J.Fs., a charge preferred by J, T. Thomson against W. J. Williams of cutting bush on his property, was withdrawn by the prosecutor, after accused Lad pleaded guilty and expre sed regret for cutting the bush. A charge of d unkennesa preferred against Thomas Cotton was dismissed, and Susan Phillips was fined ss, with the option of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, for a like offence.

To be convinced of the increasing value of land about Dunedin, one only needs to take a walk along the Forbury and St, Kilda roads to see the large number of houses being erected in those districts. Nearly a’l the laud near St. KBda, which, at the last race meeting was a swamp or next to it, has now been covered by ;a number of fine cottages, and others are still in course of erection, as are two buildings intended for public-houses, and for which licenses will be applied for at the next licensing meeting. How is this for high ? The * Coromandel Mail ’ thus begins a leader on Mr Reea’s absurd pamphlet“ There is, perhaps, no part of her Britannic Majesty’s dominions where custom has ploughed such ekep ruts into the brains of men, causing the channels and currents of thought to bo so circumscribed and defined, if not to say limited, as in this in many respects the fairest land the sun e’er shone upon ; and it is, perhaps, equally true that no other place is to be stamped with old identity Idylism—the cherishing of little forms or images—as this same fair country.”

The Napier ‘ Telegraph ’ is responsible for the following A tale is related of a sharp little boy in one of our local schools, A playful stranger the other day visited one of the many schoolrooms, and, in the course of his observations, asked a very small child whether he could solve a Biblical problem. The infant confessed his inability to do this, but said that he could “ draw an inference.” “ Well,” said the stranger, “what would you infer from the passage which tells of the ass snuffing up the east wind.” “ Why,” was the confident reply, “ that he would snuff a longwhile before he would get a belly-full.” The stranger turned his attention to the teacher.

Mr John H. Shaw, late of Dunedin, writing to the ‘ New Zealand Times ’ a long communication on the subject of Sir George Grey’s memorandum, concludes with the following paragraph “ The question for the Colony is this; Are we to continue a miserable little aggregation of political circumscriptions, hotbeds of unreasonable and unmeaning jealousies and prejudice, centres of political disintegration tearing out the bowels of the land ; or are we, under the influence of our increasing internal communication and growing intelligence, giving full scope to the healthful instincts of our race, to coalesce into one organic whole, interpenetrated with the sentiments of national unity, and pervaded with the consciousness of national identity ? Which is it to be ?”

“Camille,” with an excellent cast, was produced at the Princess Theatre last evening. Mrs Bates, in the principal character, played with great force and effect, and the applause that greeted her efforts was well deserved. The natural and unaffected manner in which she performed throughout the drama shows what this lady can do when she has a congenial part; in fact, with the exception of Miss Mary Provost—who we believe was the first actress that played Camille in the Colonies—we do not think any other artiste has succeeded in making so much of this difficult character. Mr Bates, as Artnand, acquitted himself admirably; Mr Musgrave’s M. Duval wpsl worthy of him {■’Mr Clinton made a respectable Count de Varville j and Mr Hooper a good Gustave. Nichette, in Miss May’s hands, was prominently brought out, and her efforts were rewarded by the approbation of the audience, which was a numerous one. Taken as a whole, the piece was a decided success, and those present evidently aopreciated the performance. “Madelaine” and “ The Dumb Man of Manchester ” are announced for tonight. The following items are from yesterday’s * Tuapeka Times :—There is still a great outcry for laud at Waikaka, although the Government do not seem inclined to accede to the request of the people. In the neighborhood of Waikaka—especially towards the Mataura—there is splendid agricultural land, and if a large block was thrown open under the leasing regulations, it would be eagerly taken up.—Mr Wood, the Resident Magistrate at Switzers, met with an accident last Thursday. He was riding along the road near to his residence and leading a horse, Which hung back and dragged him put of the Saddle* He was considerably bruised and

shaken, although not seriously hurt.—lt is I to be hoped the Government will m.t delny ' throwing open the Heriot Hundred in Feb- j ruary next as promised, as a largo number of people are anxiously looking out for the laud for settlement.—There has been no abatement of the measles in the Tuapeka district during the past week—if anyth ng the cases are more numerous now than ever. Our local physicians have not had suck a busy time of it for many a day. A fuller explanation of the manner in which John Morton, late engineer of the Wallahi, met his death by drowning in the Molyneux, was given at the Coroner’s inquiry by Pyrke, the steward of the st;amer, who said : “ Deceased and I remained at a public-house on shore from about Opm till 1130 p.m. During that time we had five ‘nips’ of grog each. It was moonlight. When wo left, deceased was very little the worse of drink not such as a stranger would notice it, but after leaving he got very tipsy. When opposite Macdonald’s store, deceased fell upon the road, and dragged me down with him. We both got up and proceeded to the vessel, I went ou board first and laid down a pirccl I was carrying. 1 then wont on shore to assist Morton on board, i stood on the stage with my back to the vessel, and took hold of his hand to guide him, but he had only made one step when he fell off the stage and dragged me with him on to the bank of the river. We got up, and [ again tried to assist him on board in the same manner. He made a step or two, and then went over the gangway, dragging me with him into the river. We both went undr-r water, he having a tight hold of me We both came to the surface together, he still having bol lof me. I can’t swim, but I made one effort, and got hold of a bush on the bank and pulled myself up. When 1 was getting up the bank, deceased let go his hold, and I thought he too had caught a bush. I rushed on board and called the men. and ran back to the stage. I then saw Norton about six yards down the river, but he at once sank, and I saw him no more All the hands were up at once ; some were on deck, and some on the river bank trying to see Morton. There were two boats on board, but none of them were lowered. It would have taken six or eight minutes to do this, and it would have been of no service in attempting to save deceased. There was room for a boat between the bank and the steamer. No attempts were made to save deceased by means of a boat.”

The Friendly Societies’ F6te Committee will meet on. Monday evening.