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Evening Star, Issue 3841, 16 June 1875, Page 2

No one should know better than Mr Torn boll to what extent writing instructions can be given to editors of newspapers. His statement that when editors are not writing their own opinions they are writing to order, may, so far as the last part of it is concerned, be taken to be spoken with authority. Indirect evidence m support of so sweeping an assertion is not wanting this morning in the leading columns of our High street contemporary. There are newspapers the opinions of which are in the mam guided by one brain, and yet remain independent of even latent pressure from directors. The truth seems to be that a paper with any large circulation is not acceptable to its constituentsunlesj it is, to a great extent, a mirror reflecting their own opinions. The Britisher is a slave to his newspaper; not on account of the original ideas it presents to him, but for the public support it gives to his own predetermined individual opinions. He loves nothing so dearly as to be told he was right in his ideas*

while all the rest of the world were wrong. This is well known to conductors of successful papers, who make a point when introducing original ideas to do so with great caution, and, if possible, in such a way as to make it appear that they are merely presenting the natural outcome of the public thought of the time. In public life statesmen possessed of tact carry their most original schemes, not by dogmatic assertion of their own views, but by inducing their opponents to believe that they themselves have advocated and are in favor of the very measures proposed to be introduced. A wellconducted newspaper management acts much in the same way. It leads public opinion to this|eztent: —that the deductions which that opinion would inevitably arrive at by slow evolutionary process are pointed out beforehand and claimed as original ideas. The ordinary intelligent reader at once perceives that the result presented to him is in accordance with his own latent notions, and believes in _ his paper mainly because it believes in him. It proof of this were wanting,, it could easily be found in the failure of all newspaper enterprises which have been projected in support of theories in advance of theii age, or in which the general public of the day have had no sympathy. On the other hand, the newspapers that have followed public opinion to the extreme of almost humoring it, and in consequence are constantly presenting colors of opinion so chameleon-like as to appear marvels of inconsistency, are often found to be the most popular. Nothing can be more fallacious than to suppose that the opinions of the Press are merely the crotchets of individual men.

The Government intend to ask the Provincial Council to vote a bonus for the encouragement of the manufacture of paper within the Province.

At the Temperance Hall last evening another exhibition was given of Bachelder’s Lest,” and it appeared to afford satisfaction to the audience.

The only case at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, before Mr T. A. Mansford, R. M , was a charge of drunkenness preferred against Morton Graham Mansfield, for which offence he was ordered to pay a fine of ss, or be imprisoned for twenty-fours.

“The Red Pocket Book ” was repeated at ihe Princess’s last night to a good house, and was enthusiastically received. This capital drama, which is excellently put on the stage, is to be given again this evening, and should draw well for some time. The scenery, dresses, and mechanical effects are of a superior description, and all the members of the company play with spirit. The sitting of the City Police to-day lasted for nearly an hour j but most of the time was occupied in the disposal of charges of infringements of the bye-laws. Robert Crawford and David Jones, charged with drunkenness, were each fined ss, with the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment. Samuel Burke, alias Brooks, 20s, or three days’. His Worship the Mayor and Mr Larnach were the presiding justices. A meeting of clergymen and others was held last evening to take into consideration the advisability of inviting Messrs Moody and Sankey to visit Dunedin in the event of their coming to Australia. Among those present were the Revs. Dr Stuart, Dr Copland, Messrs J. U. Davis, Rigg, Blake, and Russell. The utmost unanimity prevailed; and, on the motion of Mr Davis, it was agreed that a letter should be written to Messrs Moody and Sankey, to be signed by Captain Thomson, as chairman of the meetiug, and the Rev. Mr Blake, as secretary of the Ministers’ Association, inviting them to come over and help in Dunedin. It is evident that Mr Justice Johnston will maintain the dignity of the Court over which he presides. At Timaru, when the jury in the arson case of Regina v. Margaret Dods returned a verdict of not guilty, the crowd that thronged the Court indulged in what the ‘Herald’ describes as a “disgraceful and vociferous demonstration of applause,” which induced his Honor to observe that he desired to teach the community at Timaru that the administration of justice was only one degree leas solemn than the exercise of the services of religion, and that he would not have a Court of Justice made a place for the display of feeling, whether in the favor or disfavor of the prisoner at the bar. ©n several occasions during his long career as a judge he had been compelled to commit persons to prison for breaches of decorum in a Court of Justice. On Monday Thomas C. Hardy, who was charged with the manslaughter of his wife, was acquitted, the medical evidence breaking down.

At a, meeting of the Atbenseum Committee last night, Mr J. Worthington was appointed assistant librarian.

In detailing yesterday the plant proposed to be handed over to the Harbor Board, Mr Green intended to have enumerated two small steamers, while he is reported as only having mentioned one.

Last night the usual fortnightly meeting of the Kensington Band of Hope was held in the School-house. The attendance was very good considering the bad weather, between sixty and seventy persons being present. The usual programme was gone through, there being a large number of competitors for the three prizes offered. After the meeting nine persons signed the pledge.

A very serious typographical blunder crept into that part of the “Correspondence with the Harbor Board,” from which we yesterday quoted the proposed tariff on wharf dues. In the paper presented to the Council the Board is made to ask for power to levy a rate of Is 4d per ton gross per day, or any part of a day, for any sailing vessel or steamer berthing at any wharf. The amount shoul 1 be one farthing in the case of sailing vessels and one halfpenny in the case of steamers.