The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4223, 8 September 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1876.

The resolutions which Mr Macandrew proposes to move in' Committee of Supply are sufficiently eccentric to justify a suspicion that the intense political excitement which "O ha:- dunug tho kst twelve months ha 3 been just a little too much for him. It is simply impossible for the Legislature to assent to them. A pretty spectacle New Zealand would present with four-fifths of its territory enjoying the benefits of local self-government as offered by the County system, and the remaining fraction subjected to the unsatisfactory rule of Provincialism. And, notwithstanding all the assertions to the contrary, we take leave to think that, if not a majority, at least a very respectable minority of our people are averse to such a proposition. The noisy members of the community always make their voices heard, and with too many their uproar is accepted as the voice of the people. The more thinking classes refrain from getting Up j or joining in popular demonstrations, and their silence is regarded as assent. Whereas, in truth, there are greater force and power in such silence than in any number of ad cuplandum speeches and frothy resolutions such as the public have of late been treated to. It is, therefore, very far from being as certain that the Abolition Act is "repugnant to the wishes and detrimental to the interests of the people of Otago," as Mr Macandrew and his followers would have us believe. But be this as it may, sure it is that in the impending Constitutional changes no exception can be made in favor of Otago; and they are no friends of the people who encourage vain hopes of the contrary. The representatives of the people have decreed that Provincialism shall no more cumber the earth, and every effort to resuscitate it even for a brief period will be simply a waste of power; and the sooner this fact is recognised, and we set our houses in order for the new state of things the better will it be for all concerned.

The principlecontended for by MrMACANdrew and Sir George Grey—the right, namely, of any section of a community to refuse submission to the laws of the State whereof it forms a part-is virtually the same as that which led to the war of secession in America. Precisely upon the assumption of that right was it that the South raised the standard of revolt, and it was in protest thereagainst that the Northern States fought and eventually conquered. Much blood was shed, and much treasure wasted in the struggle ; but it was well that the unity of the nation was preserved, even at such fearful cost. No one in America now ventures to assert the right of any State to for itself whether it shall obey the laws of the national legislature; yet this, albeit the design is masked in casuistical language, is precisely what is being aimed at. The preamble to Mr Macandrew's resolutions sets forth that "it would be highly subversive of the first principles of good government to deprive any section of Her Majesty's subjects, against their will and without their consent, of those political institutions which were conferred upon them by the Imperial Government, and under which they have grown up and prospered." This is admirably, and no doubt studiously designed to catch the ears of the multitude. There is such a grand assumption of respect for the Imperial/Parliament, and such tender anxiety displayed for " the first principles of good government" that the casual reader cannot fail to be beguiled thereby. But what does it all mean? The " political institutions" conferred by the Imperial Parliament have not been taken from the people at all. It is absurd to talk of the Province as a "political institution." It was originally devised as a kind of extended municipality, and if it has outgrown itself owing to the encroachments of Superintendents and the laxity of the Parliament, that by no means alters its character. Now what is it that is proposed ? In lieu of nine Provinces—each with a central government and centralists in tendency —we are offered some thirty or more counties with full administrative powers and a fair share of the public revenue for carrying on public works within their boundaries. Surely there is not here any indication of a design to deprive " Her Majesty's subjects" of any political institutions. But in the angry opposition shown to the contemplated reforms, there is i abundant evidence of a desire to keep the people in the outer bondage of Provincialism.

The resolutions themselves are excessively absurd. His Excellency is to be asked to dissolve the Provincial Council and to cause afreau election, "so as to afford the people an opportunity of considering and deter minining as to the form of local self-govern-ment most suitable for their requirements." Well, suppose this outrageous request were granted, and the people were to say that they required none? Or, which is more probable, suppose half of them demanded Road Boards and +he other half Counties ? In either case what gain would tbere be ? The latter is offered by the Counties Bill, and the adoption of either form of local government being permissive, the people may dispense with both if they so please. Why then incur so large an expense—an exr pense which Otago can ill afford at the present time -for such * negative result ? As to suspending the operation of the Abolition Act in the interim it is midsummer madness to think of anything so preposterous. Nor can anything more favorable be said of the proposal that pending the decision of the newly-elected Council the affairs of the Province shall be administered as heretofore. The countiy is very tired of Provincial mismanagement, and there is no well-wisher of the Colony who docs not rejoice at the immediate prospect of its being swept away. Otago cannot afford to endure another four years of Provincial extravagance, and whatever may be thought by tho advocates of that worn-out system, the date of its termination is irrevocably fixed, and no amount ot tall talk can stave it off even for a single day.

Timber is so largely used in New Zealand in the construction of bridges, culverts, harbor, and other works which, in more settled countries, are commonly formed of brick or stone, that any information regarding the durability of particular kinds of timber, or the means of preserving it from the attacks of worms and insects, and the kindred ills to which timber is exposed, i 3 highly valuable. For want of reliable information upon these topics an immense amount of public money has been wasted. After much discussion and numerous experiments, it was decided that, among all tho timbers, whether of native growth or imported, available in the Colony, jarrahis the best fitted for piles of wharves or bridges, since, properly treated, it ig invulnerable to the attacks of marine worms for a very long period ; and this opinion became a kii;d of article of faith among contractors and marine engineers, This notion was, however, coirijletely exploded by ths djguovery that the jarrah piles of a bridge &t Auckland, after being sunk in the water for two or three years only, had become worm-eaten to a serious extent; 80 that while experience

in other quarters proved that jarrah was a highly valuable timber for marine works, the desideratum of a timber indestructible in sea water remained yet to be supplied. Tue Public Works Department has paid a good deal of attention to this matter and collate subjects ; and the Assembly has likewise, for several years past, either by formal discussions in the Houce or by inquiries through Select Committees, devoted considerable time to similar investigations. Recently the Hon. Mr ! Waterhouse, in the Legislative Council, read a letter which he had received from Mr J Watson, a Hobart Town shipbuilder, detaUmg a method of protecting timber piles from the ravages of sea worms, which has been tried m Tasmania with success. It consists simply of charring the piles. Mr Watson seized the idea by observing that a charred mast of an old whaler, which had been used in the construction of a raft, was taken out of the raft four years afterwards as fresh as the day on which it was put in, while other spars in the raft, which were originally twice the diameter of the mast, had been eaten away to a less size than it, although they were well coated with hot tar before the raft was made. Mr Watson found a difficulty at first in getting the engineers to adopt his plan, whose simplicity told against it; but ultimately he succeeded, and during the la3t seventeen years all the wharves built at Hobart Town have had their piles treated in this fashion. As a proof of its efficacy, he instances a new steamboat pier that was built about ten years ago, the piles of which were all' charred, and are as perfect now to all appearances as on the day they were driven. The expense in all these cases is of the first importance. Chemical solntions which would prevent the ravages of worms are easily enough [devised, but their eost makes them prohibitive. What is needed is a preservative that will be at once effective in its operation and sufficiently cheap to make it practically useful. Mr Watson's plan seems to meet these requirements. The charring appears to cost about 10s a pile, and although labor is dearer in New Zealand than in Tasmania, the expense of the process could not vary much in the two Colonies. That, howsever, is a question which experts must be left to decide. If Mr Watson's process tuni3 out, on closer inquiry, to be as represented by him, it will prove of immense value to this Colony, seeing what extensive harbor works are contemplated in various places.

The name of Mr A. J. Burns, M.H.R., has been added to the Commission of the Peace. The. offices of the Registrars of Births and. Deaths at Dunedin and Invercargill are appointed as head-quarters for register books of other registrars within their respective Provincial districts.

Dunedin Orchestral Association cave their first concert at St. Paul's schoolhouse last evening. There was a very large and appreciative audence, and the concert, which was an invitation one, proved highlv successful. 6 J

In the last number of the ' Gazette' it is notified that Professor Coughtrey has been licensed to practice anatomy at, and Commissioner Weldon appointed Inspector of the bchool of Anatomy in connection with the University of Otago. There was another short sitting at the City Police Court to-day. David Christie, tor drunkenness, was fined in the minimum penalty -Neil M'Pherson, arrested by warrant at Balclutha, charged with disobeying an order for wife maintenance made at Cnnstchurch on July 8, was remanded to that City, to appear there on the 22nd inst., bail being allowed in his own recognisance of L2O. Messrs Reeves and Biroh, JP 's presided. '

A defeated candidate for municipal honora at Hokitika, smarting under the mortification of defeat, forgot after the declaration of the poll to thank those of his friends and supporters who interested themselves in his f ave f• r~. After the omission in the local 'Times,' he says "That had not falsehood and treachery deprived me of half of my promised support the result would have been a triumph in my favor. I wish the Council joy of their new acquisition." For some time back (says the 'Southland Times') there have been sanguine anticipations that the dull routine of life would be enlivened by an action of breach of promise of marriage, the parties to the suit having moved in fashionable society in Southland? Further progress in the matter has been arrested in the meantime by the somewhat sudden departure from the Colony of the chief actor in the drama; but Dame Rumor says there is still a probability of the case being proceeded with.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, before Mr Mansford, 11. M., Alfred Perry was charged with permitting cattle to wander through the streets, and fined 20s and costs; J. Cochrane, for suffering a horse to be a large, was ordered to pay 7s 6d and costs; and J. Martin, charged with suffering his cows to wander on the streets, was fined 2s 6d and costs. In the adjourned case—Henry v M'Allister—the Magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff for 30s and costs. An amended schedule of regulations for for the New Zealand Volunteers has been issued, according to which the following antuul proportions of ammunition are allowed to the Volunteer corps without pay. ment, provided they are fired off under supervision of commissioned or non-com-missioned officers:—Five rounds of shot, five of shell, and ten of blank to each gun detachment of Artillery and Naval Volunteers ; one hundred of ball and twenty blank, small arms ammunition, to every enrolled member; and half the blank of either kind to Cadet corps.

At the regular meeting of the Green Island municipality oh Wednesday evening, a notification by Mr Prain of his acceptance of the position of valuator was received. The Works Committee reported re crossings being put into proper repair. Cr. Gray's motion re borrowing lapsed for want of a seconder, wherefore Cr. Irvine did not deem it necessary to move the one of which he had given notice. Cr. Eae gave notice that he would move at the next meeting " That the side of the main road from the bridge to the district road be put in good order."

The following items are from to-day's 'Clutha Leader":—"An action for defamation of character will be heard at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, the parties being residents in the Catlin's River district. Damages are said to be laid at Ll,ooo. Andrew and Dickson's saw-mill, Catlin's River, has been nearly at a standstill for the last few days, the cause being a threatened reduction of wages to the extent of Is per day. The men have received a few days to consider whether they will accept the reduc-tion.-Mr Thomas Pollock has purchased the racehorse Kuriwao, and it is his intention to apply to the proper quarter to have his disqualification removed.—The roads to, and the district roads in the Catlin's River. distriot are in a deplorable state. All traffic is stopped for tho present.—Scarlatina has broken out in the Manuka Creek district, where many children are suffering under the malady, and one has died, —Amongst the mill bauds and tho ovews of the two crafts lying in the Catlln River Ll6 was made up on behalf of the master and crew of the Dagniar.

It is admitted that the Attorney-General takes precedence of the Premier, and the Hon. John Hall in hia place in the Council the other day said the proceeding, which had the support of the best legal advice, was in no way irregular.

"No Name" again attracted avery/ull house to the Queen s Theatre last evening, and will be played for the last time tonight. The Company betake themselves to the Princess's to-morrow night, when " The Little Detective " will be performed. The 'Tablet' informs us that steps are being taken for the enlargement of St. Joseph's Church, Dunedin. The organ is to be removed to the side porch, and the space thus obtained will be fitted up tfo as to serve for the accommodation of about 300 persons. It was decided at a meeting last evening of those interested to form in Dunedin a Rechabite Lodge under the Central District. The Lodge is to be called the Hope of Dunedin, and the following were elected as office-bearers :—C.R., Mr Clark; D.R., Mr Bennet; treasurer, Mr Hayes; and secretary, Mr Stohr. About forty signed the dispensation, and twenty names of parties desirous to join have since been handed in.

A public meeting of the inhibitanta of Morninston will be held in the L-istrict Hall on Tuesday next, at 8 p.m., to consider toe Political Situation.

The hockey match to be played to-morrow at Mont°oillo will be an alphabetical one, the Scotch and English being postponed on account of the unavoidable absence of some of the members of the Club.

The Mornineton Wesleyan Church will be opened on Sunday next, when opening services will be conducted by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett in the morning at 11; Rev. Dr. Stuart at 3 p.m.; and by Mr Lees at 630 p.m A tea and public meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12, commencing at 6.30 p.m.