THE PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1572.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1276, 31 August 1872, Page 2

THE PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1572.

The announcement that Sir G. Bowen, the present Governor of New Zealand, will, in all probability, be ere long removed to the Governorship of a neighboring Colony, though unconfirmed and even contradicted, could not fail to revive in the minds of the people of New Zealand that question so often, though to all appearance so fruitlessly discussed, "What practical advantage do colonists derive from the presence amongst them of an Imperial Governor, chosen for the most special require aients of the Colony to which he is appointed, and of his special aptitude for fulfilling those requirements I" Threadbare as this subject has been worn, both in the Colonies and at home, alike by Governments, press, and people, we fear that it cannot be alleged that the judgment of the first, the diatribes of the second, or the remonstrances of the third, have produced any very material or general result. Needy scions of aristucracy still exist in England who look naturally to the British Government as to their heaven-appointed dry-nurse for a livelihood, and for whom that Government still seems to regard it as a duty to make provision, even at the expense oi its less aristocratic, though possibly more well-to-do dependents. The blue blood of nobly or high-born paupers must still be permitted to circulate peacefully, withont the contamination inherent in trade pursuits, or indeed in any dallying with the every-day tasks of this great world of business. For downy beds, and the sweets rather than the dura of existence are such constitutions adapted, and how can these be more readily attained than by appointment to the Governorship of England's colonies? Here, by virtue of the Imperial fiat, many noble idlers still enjoy that luxurious ease to which they have been bred, giving, as their sole quid pro quo, reams of foolscap inscribed with elegantly turned, but long-winded, and usually pointless despatches, together with an occasional pompous' parade of loyalty in the shape of hollow but farsoiindinT; utterances of affection for their nursing mother, mingled with proclamations of her unalterable and intense love for her colonists. For all purpose? of internal Government, colonial Governors — in the Australasian colonies at least — are entirely in the hands of their Ministry, which, in its turn, is placed in power through the representatives of the colonists themselves. It is only when matters affecting tho British Empire at large are brought into question, that the Colonial Governor has any power of original action. One exception alone there is to this rule, namely, that he is empowered to give or refuse a dissolution of the Assembly upon defeat of a Ministry. In all other regpects therefore he is virtually merely an ambassador — in as far as he is not a cypher —and as such should, we contend, be presented to the colonists. For, of what service can it be to either side, Imperial, or colonial, to maintain in name that which does not exist in reality — these Governorships over self-governing cojo nies, constituting as they do one more instance of that retention of antiquated form for form's sake, which is distinctly traceable in so many parts of the British machinery of Government? While the Colonies were dependent upon the Crown for their internal administration, and while that was in consequence charged ny.n ;i British delegate, the propriety of the dependencies, which reaped the advantage, bearing the expenre of these delegates | j was unquestionable. But now that this office has become a simple remnant of a o custom originated under totally different t circumstances, and, so far as there i 3 any t Lenefit still to be derived from it, that n L enefit is wholly on the side of the Crown, o

it is, we .aver, full time that the Crown should defray what expense i3~ incurred : or failing this, should let the colonists select their own Governor, if Governor they need. At the same time, for tho protection of Imperial interests, let the Home Government appoint, if it pleases, ambassadors who shall be such in name as weU as in fact. Shams in state administration, as in all other departments of human society,carry with them their own cdndemnatloii. tend quantum .tafcant to undermine the respect, and thus the affection which a people should boar towards its Government, and without which the latter must be unstable and inefficient. For unless the heart of a nation, which is governed in all material matters through its representatives, recognises and adheres to each part, as well as to the general system under which its affairs are ordered, there is stored iip in those particulars to which it is indifferent or hostile an element of future agitation which may at any period ripen into active revolution, thus making political discussions As to the people amongst which they prevail, and to the prestige of the empire under whose protectorate such errors are maintained. To many it may seem that the matter is one of no great importance, inasmuch as the expense to the Colony — £6000 per annum — is small, and the material evil arising from the existing status of Colonial Governors is, just now at least, almost nil. Such, however, is not the view which sound or patriotic politicians should take of the case. "Let well alone " is without question a very good motto, as long as the " well " can be demonstrated, and the "better" is still to seek. But we contend that in this case the "well" is insusceptible of demonstration, iv that no mere pretence can, under any circumstances, ever become well. Though a people may not be inimically disposed to the perpetuators of an empty form, may even from reverence to them, be inclined to submit to that form, such is no excuse for its retention, even though it be not at the moment a fountain of evil. If it is useless, or bears the appearance of being that which it is not, either is an amply sufficient reason for its abolition. The engine of Government in j every part, as well as in the whole, is meant for other purposes than mere abstinence from cvil — it should lead to positive good by contributing to the actual welfare uf the governed ; it soould not be regarded as a system to be tolerated on account of its innocuousness, but as a material agent in advancing the people upon the paths of prosperity ?nd civilisation. And who will have the hardihood to assert that the bulk of | Colonial Governors appointed by the British Crown further these great ends in the most remote degree ? Passive contempt is, we rngret to say, the feeling which the colonists bear to the majority of their Governors, as they would to any other wire-driven puppet which might be robed with the semblance of power, no matter how brilliant and gaudy those robes might be. The British Crown they do respect and love, and it is principally on account of their loyalty thereto that they offer no opposition to this, its amiable weakness of appointing well-born idlers to those posts which in the Colonies arc necessarily highest in name, although

A sitting of the District Court was held yesterday before Judge Harvey. The following business was transacted : — James Grant appeared ts show cause why he should not be lined for non-attendance as a juryman •it a late sitting of the Court. It appeared that the defendant had come from Westport to answer the charge, and the fine was remitted. The application regarding the contributaries in liquidation of the Moonlight Quartz-Crushing Company, was further adjourned to the 12th October, as the brficial liquidator did not appear, and he was not represented by counsel. Ba F. J. Elmer, this was an adjourned application for a final order of discharge, which was granted. James Bergin's application for discharge was further adjourned to the 12th October. The application in the case of Patrick Warren to render process available was withdrawn. A final order of discharge was granted to Daniel Gilmonr. In the cases of James O'Brien, William Leach, George Cooper, and Donald C. Cameron, the 12th of October was named as the day for these insolvents to pass their last examination aud apply for their discharge. The entertainment at the Theatre last evening considerably excelled anything that has been pie3ented to the people of Greymouth for several weeks past, and, according to some tastes, it excelled anything that has been produced during the current season of performances at the "Volunteer Hall. Li quantity and variety itjwas an entertainment worthy of being preaented.in a house capable of accommodating thousands. It was presented in a house which is capable of accommodating only a few hundreds, yet the accommodation provided was utilised only by a few scores — a circumstance which is much more owing to the absence of population than to the absence of attractiveness on the part of the peiformeis. In the first piece Miss Stephenson and Mr Burford went through a sparkling dialogue with all tbe sparkle which the most sensitive author could have desired, and, if the audience was not numerous, it at any rate appreciated the efforts of the actors. A scene from the play of " King John" followed the comedy, and the part taken by Amy Thornton was. sustained with a propriety of action and of diction altogether astonishing for a girl of her age. Amy is, in fact, a treasure of a girl who has only one fault— her ability as an actress is apt to encourage her too early and frequent appearance on the stage, at the cost of her health and her future reputntior. Mr Joe Small sang some of his character songs, and took the part of Dr O'Toole in the "Irish Tutor," a part in which, to use a common phrase, he nas few equals, and certainly no superior. Mr Thornton and Miss Folland acted in the same play, and, like Miss Stephenson, affected much the sentimental young men who "affect" a retire! and modest position in the back seats instead of paying an extra shilling and sitting in front. For this evening there is a fresh piogramme, in which Mr Small figures largely. A meeting of the Paroa Road Board took plape on Thursday last. Present : M casrs Q'Connor (in the chair), Colston, Barnhill, Dowling, and Symons. The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed, the following correspondence was laid upon the table :— Two letters from the County Chairman, relating to the appointment by the Douncil of a toll-collector on the Marsdon *o.ad at a salary of Ll per week ; letter from ;be Totara Road Board, stat'-^that it would idopt the first suggestion offered by the Paroa Board in reference to the memorial to ihe General Government on Road Board jrievances, but the suggestion No. 2 was not houghfc to be practicable, the first sngges- \ i ,ii n being that, instead of praying to exempt , c nninj pr perty from, being rated, power j >ugh to be given to each Board to determin ; c

whether such property should be rated or not ; and the second suggestion being that the County Chairman's sanction for works, to be paid for out of Government grants, should not be necessary. A letter from the contractor for the first portion of the Greymouth road, asking for an extension of time to complete his contract was also read, ami it wis resolved that an extension of working days be granted him. On the letter of the Totara l?oad Board, some considerable discussion ensued, and it was fiually resolved, on the motion of Mr O'Connor, that owing to the non-insertion of the suggestions of the Paroa Road Boj.rd, the memorial in question be not signed. There were only two members against this motion, viz, Messrs Col ton and Dowling, who expressed themselves in favor of signing it. The Secretary here reported that the audit of the books by, the County Auditor, Mr E. P.itten, had taken place during the previous week, aud produced certificate of audit. He also handed iv a statement showing the total amount of rates uncollected to be L 95 7s 6d, and the total amount received on account of rates, L23t 11s 6d. The Chairman, who had undertaken the survey of the remaining portion of the Greymoutb. road, reported to have finished the survey and accompanied his report with a rough plot of the road. It was resolved to call ;for tenders for the construction of it, and to hold a special meeting on Monday, the 9th September, for the purpose of receiving the tenders, and the Court adjourned. The annual elections for the Borougb Couucil occur in a few days, and as there has been no movement up to the pveaeut time iv the direction cf securing candidates for the vacant seats, it is to be hoped that the ratepayers will bestir themselves. The nomination-papers must be lodged with the Town Clerk before four o'clock on Monday. The nominations are officially made at the Town Hall at noon on Tuesday, and the poll, if required, will take place on the 12th September. Mr Charles Broad, Warden of the Inangihua district, arrived in Greymoutb. yesterday by steamer Murray. Mr Broad has lately been on a 1 v^siß to the Lyell, which is becoming a place of considerable promise, and thence he made the journey to Westport, where he shipped to Greymonth. He returns te Reef ton overland, and will thus have an opportunity of acquainting himself with the character of the district through which the new road has been formed. Professor Louis Hazelmayer, the great conjuror, who has been so well received throughout New *Z .-aland, arrived here yesterday morning per s. s. Murray. After making inquiries, he found that he could not obtain the use of the Volunteer Hall for fourteen nights, and as he did not wish to play iv opposition to the Stephenson-Burford Company, he has determined first to visit Hokitika and Ross, and will be back here in about a fortnight, when he will appear for a few evenings. The Marlborough Repress, of the 17th, has the following : — Oiii Tuesday last a fire occurred at the flax-mill belonging to Messrs O'Dwyer, at Spring Creek, by which the shed, the scutching machinery, and two valuable horses were destroyed ; a third horse was also sererely injured. The cause of the fire is said to be tbe heating by friction of a spindle in connection with the scutcher. Mr Arthur Bumford, who was formerly resident at Spring Grove, but who has lately been working at the Sherry River, met with an accident on Wednesday la3t, which unfortunately terminated fatally. We have not yet received any details, but believe that it was caused through a fall of earth. The Judges sitting in Appeal have decided second wife had married his first wife's niece, was rightly convicted of bigamy, notwithstanding the legal invalidity of the last marriage. The following extract is from the Fiji Time* of the 27th ult :— An awfully sudden death occurred last Tuesday at half -past ll' o'clock, near the Globe Hotel, South Levuka. The unfortunate man. Edward Trott, of about 40 years of age, dropped down dead from apoplexy. The next morning a. magisterial inquiry was held before Mr P. Brougham and a jury of twelve, when a verdict of " death from natural causes" was returned. The poor fellow was subject to fits, and leaves, we learn, a widow and six children in New Zealand. James Smith, engineer of the Kuranui battery at tbe Thames lately, bad one of his legs torn off from below the knee, by the machinery . A general improvement is reported in the Caledonian mine at the Thame3. In the Cure mine 3cwt of splendid specimens have been obtained . A small quantity of the Tokatea reef, from the Margaretta claim, on being tested yielded over an ounce of gold to the ton stone. Apropos of Mr Anthony Trollope's visit to Adelaide, a correspondent relates the following:—"lt appears that at a quiet supper party thd Chief Secretary, Mr Ayers, expatiated on the merits of the neglected Colony of South Australia. ' What was there,' said he, 'that South Australia vould not produce better than England ? Her corn was unrivalled, her wool w«as famous throughout the world, so were her mines, and in process of time she was likely to be as much noted for being a wine-producing country as Fiance.' Said the Chief Secretary, turning to Mr Trollope, 'Can you say in what production England can excel South Australia ?' 'How about Prime Ministers?' was Mr Trollope's quiet remark— causing a roar of laughter round the table." We (Otago Daily Times) have been shown a number of very fine pearls, obtained at tbe pearl fisheries off the coast of Western Australia, and sent from a neighboring Province to a gentleman in Dunedin. They vary in size, from the dimensions of small shot to those of a good-si?ed pea, the largest of the collection being a truly beautiful specimen, and, to all appearance, quite worth the value put upon it— between L3O and L^O. The fisheries are at present carried on by means of native divers, but we believe that this clumsy mode is to be superseded by obtaining a European diver with complete diving apparatus. The native divers are in considerable danger from the attacks of the tiger sharks, who, we suppose, will be somewhat astonished at the outre apparition of a European diving dress iv their dominions. About a year ago Professor Nagel, of Tubingen, published reports of cases where patients suffering from decay of sight, or from blindness, had been restored by thause ' of strychnine. The quantity used is, of ' course, exceedingly small— one fortieth part of a grain mixed with water, not swallowed, but injected under the skin of one of the arms. Amongst recent experiments, that of , a naval captain, aged 52, whose sight was so ] impaired that he required to be led about, is mentioned. A few minutes after the first ' injection the fog which darkened his eyesight . became less dense, and, after three days' use \ pf the remedy (an injection night and morn- | ill"), ho could make out the furniture of the < ward to guide himself without feeling his . way, nd ou the fourth day f treatment he \ suce .led in talking aloi 3 through the c Btre.^f ■> to his ho lse, a'mile .i.vay. „ The followiug note from a gentleman, well ( acquainted with this Province, to a friend ( in Nelson, has been given to the Examiner j t For pul'licathn, in the hope that it may ] iirect ;ibt"i>tion to the: highly important sub- ( ject id refers to :■--]. semi you a sample of. tin :i are, a3 tl.ere i 3 certainly r- jJOisibility of Jind- 1

itiK it in the granite in Nelson Province. 1 expect to see them export a million pouncU' worth from here in the year. It is a most important discovery, hardly second to the gold. The rock is granite, with very little mica, but plenty of felspar, very hard, white, or pale pink. The country is rather fl.iit, with isolated bosses of granite. The creeks are all swampy, so much so that I saw a bridge for sheep to crosa ; no>v, they are dry. As far as I recollect, the rock in Motueka Valley, under the range, is just similar (I do not mean the Upper Motueka, Oliver's I place), although there are no swampy gullies. Our tin country is a* an elevation of 1500 ft to ISOOft above the sea. The Commissioner, in a report not yet published, estimates 170 miles of creek and river-bed, say 13,600 claims, at ten tons tin per chain (worth, say, L 13 ,000,000 ); so you see it is important, as this sum is without the lodes." The Independent remarks on Mr Brown's Disqualification Bill, that another motion likely to lead to discussion has been given notice of. The hon. member for Ashley, Mr J. E. Brown, has tabled a notice of motion that he will introduce a bill which will have the effect of disqualifying Superintendents and other Provincial officers from holding seats in the House. Whatever may be the fate of the motion, it is well to remind readers that there is nothing new in it. Some years ago Mr Stafford endeavored to induce the House to consent to such a Disqualification Act as would exclude from the House all persons holding offices, the salaries of Avhich were paid out of the public funds ; Imfc of course it was a failure. The House theri contained- as it contains now— so many members personally and directly interested in the perpetuation of Provincial instituti ins, that it is exttemely doubtful whether the Bill which the hon member has given notice of will be carried. At the same time, it is the general opinion that if Provincial officers were excluded from the House, the waste of time, and the fruitless discussions which now take place regarding the relative positions of Provincial and General Government officers would be instantaneously abolished. Possibly the sense of the colony would ejaculate, "and a blessed release too." The Mount Ida Chronicle (Otago) of Friday last reports :— " Since our last issue, snow and froso have been the predominating influences, thereby depriving the minor of his opportunity of washing-up, and suspending a'l mining operations. On all sides we hear of coaches delayed, passages lost, and hairbreadth escapes from suffocation, in consequence of the depth of the snow. Cobb aud CV.'s coach arrived here on Tuesday evening ] fifteeu hours behind time, and was unable to proceed till next day. How Nettleford manage! to plough his way through the snow we have yet to learn. In connection with the present bad weather we have full authority for stating that a miner, resident in Speck Gully, on his return home, was unable to find his ordinary domicile, the whole affair being buried in snow. A favorite dog was, as we are informed, left chained up to guard the hut, and was also buried up in his kennel. His fate we have not yet ascertained." A dervth under somewhat peculiar circumstances occurred on the 20th, in Ohristchurch. when a Mrs Ardell, better known to old colonists as Mrs Martin Birmingham, was found dead in her house by her husband. It; appears that lately Mrs Ardell has applied to the Supreme Court for the purpose of having a clerical error in the will of her first husband altered, as it interfered with her dealing with property couiprised in the said will. On Tuesday, in Chambers, his Honor the Judge delivered judgment in the case, declining to grant the application, and we are informed that this weighed upon her mind «..,■..• oiic rrna oucu in the town yesterday at noon, but was not seen again until she was found by her husband. When discovered, she was lying on a sofa in the room in her nightdress, having evidently undressed herself and covered herself over with a blanket. The alarm was given, and Dr Patrick sent for, but on his arrival he found the woman was quite dead. The House had a little relaxation again over the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill the other day. Mr Steward proposed an amendment, striking out the word "duly" before "solemnised" in reference to marriages which should be made legal, but Mr Stafford pointed out that the change plight appear to conduce to bigam}-. M"r Bunny wished the act to be further extended so as to legalise marriages with a deceased husband's brother ; Mr Stafford suggested that marriage with a deceased wife's niece might be advisable ; Mr Gisborne thought that a man's wife's mother should be eligible ; while Mr Sheehan asked for disabilities with regard to one's wife's stepmother to be removed Mr Luckie ventured to lecture Mr Stafford on his abuse of his knowledge of the forms of the House, and for so doing, he was made a laughing stock by Mr Whita, who recommended him to hold his tongue, sinoe from his funereal manner he was eminently suited to play the mute.— Pout. We (Otago Daily Times) have been shown by Mr Nuttall, a gentleman from Melbourne, the plans and specifications of a submarine boat .and apparatus, designed by Mr Villaine, for digging and sluicing under water, and intended to be used for that purpose in the gold-yielding rivers in New Zealand. Judging from the opinions of several engineers in Victotia, including Messrs A. K. Smith, H. 0. Christopherson, W. Black, and J. Aruott, we shou\d say that the principle is sound, and if properly carried out, the invention will fully answer the purpose for which it is intended. It might also be advantageously used in the removal of obstructions to navigation in other submarine work. We learn from Mr Nuttall that experiments of a very successful nature were made with this invention in the dock of the Melbourne Gas Company, on which occasion several eminent cngjneers and gentlemen interested in the enterprise descended in the boat and pronounced it a perfect success. Another experiment was also made in the Yarra Paver, below tbe Falls Bridge, iv the presence of his Excellency the Governor, and a large number of influential gentlemen. All were highly pleased with the success of the invention. The apparatus consists of an iron boat, air and water-tight, capable of being sunk aud raised when lequiied, containing compressed atmospheric air sufficient for the support of three men for six hours, fitted internally with thirty feet of sluice, and all the machinery nccessaiy for working the vessel aid conducting the mining, at any depth down to eighty feet. We certainly consider the project well worthy of the consideration of our ininers aud others interested in river miuing enterprises.