The Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3672, 28 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

Sir James Fergusson has left us iu his characteristic way. “ There was little ceremony,” and we believe the absence of such nonsense would be the more pleasing to him. He has not made himself popular as a Governor, partly because of his evident distaste for that ceremonious clap-trap usually resorted to to give eclat to gubernatorial receptions and departures. The result of this contempt for hollow ceremonies has been that many little men have lost the opportunity of distinguishing themselves by oratorical displays, and many innkeepers have been disappointed in the harvest which usually follows ostentatious ceremonies connected with Governors’ visits. Undeniably in the minds of both these classes Sir James is held in low esteem. With them his manly straightforwardness goes for nothing ; his strict notions of duty and unostentatious attention to business are no recommendation. He did not care to listen to the one or lavish money on the other, and therefore he was not the man for their money. With thinking men, however, the feeling is somewhat different. He has been so short a time* amongst us, that his public acts have hardly been sufficiently numerous to enable those not intimately associated with him to form a correct judgment of his talent and opinions. Judgin" however, by the general tenor of his conduct, he appears gifted with more than ordinary clearness of perception and decision. Wherever he has spoken, his opinions have been expressed with clearness and simplicity, and have been remarkable for their good sound sense, and the absence of all diplomatic pretensions. On finance, on trade, on education, and in reply to Sir George Grey’s inane petitions and remonstrances, he has proved himself a clear and comprehensive thinker. His successor may be equally able, for there is truth in the old adage, There are as good fish iu the sea as ever came out of it”; but yet we regret that Sir James Fergusson has left us so soon, for we think he would have proved a valuable aid to his Ministers in correcting the departmental abuses that have grown up under former administrations, and in reorganising our Civil Service so as to render it more economical, more efficient, and less under party influence. Sir James Fergusson is not a man to say what he does not mean, and therefore it cannot be considered a mere empty compliment to the public men of the Colony when he characterised their efforts for its good as “disinterested.” British-born colonists are so accustomed to party tactics that they seldom give credit to men in office for “ disinterestednessyet we hardly know any class who have more to put up with for so little advantage to themselves. Just as no man can effectually serve two masters, can no man be at the same a good administrator where his whole attention is required, and a successful merchant or manufacturer. The world’s work will not bear division : a man must be either the one or the other. All history proves this to be true. Whoever truly serves the public politically, sacrifices self ; he may acquire fame, but ho gets neither riches nor thanks. The most celebrated of England’s statesmen, instead of becoming rich, neglected their private affairs for the sake of the public. Neither Pitt nor Fox, nor Burke, nor Sheridan was a good private financier; and Richard Cobden’s circumstances were such, that only about a month before Lord John R-ussell’s celebrated letter, which precipitated Sir Robert Peel’s measure for the abolition of the Corn Laws, some of the leaders of the League became security in a heavy amount to prevent his abandoning the agitation. It by no means followsthateveryone who is prepared to make sacrifice of himself is entitled to confidence. His desire for public usefulness may be far iu excess of his ability, and therefore while his motive is entitled to respect, he may have mistaken his vocation. We have evidence of such mistakes every day, I especially in religious matters. One has ! only to go into the majority of our i churches to be convinced of the wide difference between the desire and ability to do good, . There are 1 plenty of earnest men to be heard ! whose reading is worse than a schoolboy’s, and whoso eloquence cannot roua? the slightest emotion. When,

therefore, Sir James Fergusson tells us ought to be proud of our statesmen, it is no faint praise of them ; and although such an estimate would not, and should not bind us to adopt their views, for even those of whom we may be “ proud,” are liable to err, it should at least lead us to treat them with more consideration than many have hitherto been inclined to accord. It seems probable that Sir James Fergusson will occupy an influential position at Home, where there are some few Master Humphreys, who, like many other little men, make a great noise in the world. The accurate knowledge he has acquired of our resources and prospects may therefore be of some service in correcting the wrong impressions that diseased minds like Master Humphrey’s think it their duty to diffuse. The repairs to the Provincial Council Hall not being completed, the quarterly licensing meeting, fixed for noon of Tuesday first, will be held in the Supreme Court. As is usual on Saturdays there was not a lengthened sitting at the Resident Magistrates Court to-doiy. Millicent Russell and Robert- If. Austin, for being drunk, were each fined 4Da with the option of fourteen days’ imprisonment. A charge of vagrancy, preferred against Jauge \ Ison, was ad j jurned till i hursday. The Court then adjourned till nine o’clock on Monday. A child named Robert Hall, aged two and a-half years, was drowned at Creeii Island yesterday. The little fellow and a brother a couple of years older were playing at the rear of their parents’ dwelling,{and thejformer fell into a mill race. The elder boy at once told his mother that his brother had fallen into the water, but all the efforts made to restore life on taking him out weie unavailing. hrom the ‘Tablet’ we take the following items :-By the Albion Bishop Voran received a communication from Bather Coleman stating that he would sail from Gravesend for Port Chalmms on October 5, and be accompanied by two clergymen—the Rev John Carol n and the Rev'” Thomas Keogh, and three nuns. The members of the diocese purpose to mark their appreciation of Bather Co'eman’s efforts in a substantial manner on the rev gentleman’s return to the Colony. Bbhop Redwood intends to re-visit Dunedin shortly. The following cases are set* down for hearing before Mr Bathgate at the District Court on Welnesday next:—Joseph Win. Hutchison v. John ‘ -rimsbaw Procter, claim LCOO, as damages for injuries sustained to plaintiff’s racing mare tipritsad by the Clutlia Railway engine at Anderson’s Bay Crossing, and for neg igeuce on defendant’s part in not having gates at the crossing; Mary Blissibeth Best v. Albert Larnach, claim Ll5O for injuries sustained b dogbib ng ; Robert Garrick v. Vincent Pylro, claim Ll5O, for moneys lent, hr ach of agreemen% Slc , on the part cf defendant as proprietor of the ‘ Southern Mercury.’ Neither the Pauline D.cschappks of Mrs Bates nnr the Melnotto of s her bus‘■•ami com s up to the exalted standard by which Dunedin audienc s are wont to judge the efforts of those who ts-uiy theie characters; but the impersonation of Mrs Bates is certainly a more than averagely good one We cannoc say the same of Mr Bates, who is not equal to his part, though he is conaciem ions enough and dresses it remarkably well. We need hardly say that Mr Musgrave, as Colone Damns, was all that could be desired, and Mr Keogh a fitting representative of Beauseant. The ports of Madame Desehapples and Widow Melnotbe were entrusted to Misses Vivian and Willis respectively, but neither was able to do more than speak her lines, which they did very correctly Miss Willis, in particular, was much too juvenile. To-night a big bill is announced, “Our American Cousin” and “Toodies,” which ought to draw a large attendance. Last evening we heard Madame Goddard for the last time, and decidedly at her best, in Beethoven’s anpaskmata sonata (andante and finale) which she played in a manner that is entirely beyond praise, and which was ist ened to by the audience with wrapt attention. Quite a storm of applause followed the conclusion of the sonata; and similar demonstrations of gratification attended her playing of the Don Pasquale serenade, and the final piece, “ Rule Britania,” and the bational Anthem. After playing the serenade, the audience would not be content with Madame bowing her acknowledgments, but loudly demanded Home, sweet home,” which she played ,to everyone’s delight. Mr Kainford and Mrs Smyihe came in for encores and pienty of applause for their singing, as did heir Doehler for his violin solos. At the conclusion of the concert there were C *Jl B . for “Goddard”; and the greatest pianist the Colonies have seen took her farewell of the Dunedin stage amidst loud and continued applause.

We regret to say that the attendance at the Temperance Hall last evening was hot at all commensurate with the excellence of the entertainment; for although the front seats were well filled, the other portions of the house were poorly patronised. The first part opened w th the glee “ Oheron,” which was given with precision and effect by the full choir We are only able to mention the principal items of the concert. First in order, “ Nil Htsperaudum ” was spirited y sung by a gentleman whose name did not appear on the programme. Miss He-ford, who was warmly received, gave “ Como back to Etin” in capital style, and upon being encored, substituted “ i he Shamrock of Ireland”; and her rendering of “Kathleen Mavourmen,” in the second part, secured for her deserved applause. The pathetic song, “ She wore a wreath of roses, suited Mrs Carson’s voice admirably and was very effectively rendered, but the same remark does not apply to her singing of “Love’s Request,” which proved rather too much for her. The duet, “Homo to our mountains,” by Miss Hesford and Mr Carroll, was re-demanded, and deservedly so. The Misses Connell and Collins, whom we do not recollect having heard in public before, but who are decided acquisitions to our musical ranks, sang two duets—“ Wind and the Harp,” and “ List to the Convent Bcdla with great taste. “Sweet Spirit Hear my Prayer,” as given by .Viiss Connell, was a prominent feature of tho concert. Mr Uenovau s Scotch songs were uproariously applauded, and his Irish comic song, “Paddy Carey,” took the house by storm. Mr Sykes, who acted as accompanyisb throughout with his usual ability, played 13 '.ethoven’s sonata in A flat in the first part in a manner worthy of him. In the second part, he gave bis everwelcome “ Home, sweet home,” and in response to an unanimous call, substituted “ fho Last Rose of Summer.” The concert concluded with tho National Authem, as a solo and chorus. Taken as a whole, the entertainment was musically one of the most successful ever given in this City.

An Invercargillitc, who visited Dunedin yey recently, has been endeavoring to enlighten the people there on the way immigration matters are conducted in Dunedin, lut he has maiulj drawn upon his imagiuat on. Indeed, the false extract bristles with misstatements “ A batch of immigrants in one of the recently arrived vessels at Port Chalmers, Jiving heard, of the current

wares and demand for labor in Southland, desired to proceed th-ther at once without going up to Dunedin They accordingly sent up a request to that effect, but were informed. that they must go to the Dunedin barracks. There, of course, they would pass through the sieve most effectually, even if any of them were subsequently forwarded * o other districts. Our informant adds that the system :s to clear the barracks of immigrants on the arrival of each succeeding vessel, giving those who desire it ’he option of proceeding free to the outlying districts. In a few cases only have selections for transhipment been made direct from the ship’s side.” Mr Allan, the chief Immigration officer, in forms us that no such desire as is stated in the extract was evinced, or any request made to him, while on boa*d the ship or a'ter the immigrants a rived in Dunedin. Had these been a steamer sailing for the Bluff at the time, he would have sent a portion of the immigrants by her to Invercargill, but he could nob keen the imrn'granlson board aft; r the forty-eight hours allowed by the Act, and lender the Government liable to the heavy demurrage of 4id par ton per day on 1,250 tons (ihe tonnage of the ship apparently referred to). Instructions have been given to Mr Duke, the barra k-rnastcr at the Caversham depot, that suitable immigrants should be sent to Invercargill, if they are willing to go by the Wanganui on Wednesday. * Ths Volunteer Artillery Band will meet for practice on Tuesday at 8 o’clock. The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, S.C., will be held in the Masonic Hall, on Monday, 30th November, at 7 p. in. ’ On account of Monday being a holiday, the usual meeting of the Loyal Leith Lodge is postponed by advertisement until Tuesday evening, at seven o’clock, when the brethren are requested to atted for the transaction of important business. V e would direct attention to the announcement in another column of the third annual art union of Messrs Hay and Co. The prizes, which consist of a variety of framed pictures, are on exhibition at the rco.ns in the Octagon, and will be found well worthy of a visit. The Harbor Company have made provision for holiday seekers on Monday. The Samson is advertised for Purakanui. This is a beautiful hay just to the north of the Heads, and if the weather is fine, the trip there will bo very enjoyable. The Golden Age goes to Port Chalmers via Macandrcw’s, Broad Bay, and Portobcllo. Smith's English and Combination Troupe will open at the Queen’s Theatre for a short soasr.n, commencing to-night. The company consists of Airec, whose performances in his special line have been favorably commented on »y the Press of this City ; Mr and Mis St. A lucent, the well-known duetiists ; Joan Verletti, the celebrated gymnast; Miss Nellie L' orrester ; Mr George Turner, the doublevoiced vocalist; and Belinda, of the “Arabian box mystery ” notoriety. ~_^ r e have received from Messrs Reith and Wilkie a copy of a work on Political Economy, by J. E. Cannes, M.A, of which we purpose giving an extended notice when we have had opportunity of examining its contents. Professor Cairnes having had the means of collating the theories of Smith, Malthas, Ricardo, Mill, and others, with the results of experience, possesses advantages that those eminent men were debarred from. He tells us in his preface his mam difference from them is in “Those intermediate principles by means of which the detailed results are connected with t'.te higher causes which produce them.” He also devotes a chapter to “ Trades’ Unions,” the third part deals with “ International lice Irade.” As the latest contribution to the abused science of Political Economy we shall examine its pages with interest.