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Hawke's Bay Times, 31 January 1867, Page 3

The Otago Association. — The New Zealand Advertiser, of the 28rd inst., has the following remarks in reference to the above body;— “ Our readers will remember that, not long ago, we announced the formation of an association in Otago, to be called the Otago Association par excellence, and having for its object the total subversion of matters political, with a new order of things,inwhichProvinces were to have their rights, and Otago was to comeparticularly well out of tbe struggle. We foretold at the same time a very short career to this inflammable body—something similar to the career of its prototype in Auckland, the Northern Association. Will it be believed that already our words are coming true, and the local journals of the Southern Province are demanding, “ What has become of the Otago As sociation ? ” Perhaps it is working in secret, as the Auckland body did, giving forth only now and then a mysterious bint that it was doing something that would in good time set all the ri vers in the Colony on fire. Perhaps it is dying a natural death, as the Auckland body did, without making any sign, and that in tbe future its name will be beard no more. Let our readers judge.”

The N.Z.S.N, Co, and the Suez Mail.—The Nelson Colonist, of the 11th instant, says: —“We are glad to lind that the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company is prepared to do its best to check the monopoly of the Panama Company whose interest it is to choke of all communication by way of Suez. But for tbe efforts of the New Zealand Company there would have been no boat hence later than yesterday, the 10th, to catch the mail on to Melbourne, which leaves Otago about the 19th. The following extracts from a letter from Mr Duncan, the manager of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, to Messrs. Curtis Brothers, agents at Nelson, have been handed to us, and they show that an unsubsidised colonial company is more attentive to the interests of the colony than themonopolist Panza Co. forwhose especial benefit the colony had jto suffer further taxes, and new and heavy postal rates, Mr Duncan writes: — ‘ Instructions have been issued that the s.s. Wellington should be despatched from Port Chalmers on the 11th inst., for the Bluff, Hokitika, Nelson, and Wellington; and her dates have been so arranged that she should arrive in Wellington in time to tranship tbe mails to the steamers going southward with the mails to England vid Suez. This arrangement gives her rather less time than might be desirable at some of the ports, but it was conceived it would be an advantage of some importance to the community of Nelson, and that it would not be overlooked or forgotten by them. Captain Benner has distinct instructions to be at Nelson by the 16th, and to leave again the same day, and not to enter the harbor if their is any fear that by so doing, he would jeopardise the attainment of this object. Passengers may be booked through for Southern Ports, hat boats for the North do not leave Wellington Uil the 2£ad and 23rd respectively.' ::

Tauranga and Auckland.— The New Zealand Steam Navigation Company's s.s. Wellington, Captain Benner, is due here to-morrow (Friday) from the above ports. Doubtless we will hear something more about the recent case of “ alarm at Tauranga.” Caution to Slaughter Men.—lnhuman Practice. —The New Zealand Horaid, of the 23rd inst., says:—At the Police Court yesterday, during Mr Inspector Lewis* evident in e rasa r l-~ U il.. Ol ,k <X uicaoii vx tut? xaviiod ACt, that gentleman stated that it was often tbs practice for slaughter men to skin the beasts whilst alive and kicking. He had cautioned, stopped, and done all in his power to prevent it, so as not to be forced to bring such a disgusting notice before his Worship. His Worship said he hoped Mr Lewis would bring the very next case before the Court, and the offender, he could assure them, would receive no mercy for such a monstrous offence, but be fined in the heaviest possible amount that could be inflicted.

Protectionist Duties in Victoria. —It would seem by the following paragraph from the Border Post, of the 26th December, that the Government of Victoria consider that colony quite capable of doing without any imports of cattle, &c., from any of the adjacent colonies. The following is the paragraph referred to:—“It has oozed out that, at the next session ol the Victorian Parliament, the Ministry intend introducing a tax upon cattle and wool coming into Victoria from other colonies This step forms a portion of the protectionist programme, but, Ministers did not take action iu the matter before, because it was believed that owing to the drought the tax would fall on the Victorian consumers. It is expected that the present fine season will render Victoria independent of “ foreign ” meat, and that the Vic torian squatter can therefore have that “protection” which has been extended to other branches of industry.” 14th Regiment. —The Wanganui Chronicle, says;—The institutions of a body of men are often carried with them. It will be in the recollection of of some of our readers that a Total Abstinence Society in connection with the 14th Regiment was formed while in Wanganui, and that more than once soirees and re-unions were held. It will be seen by the following extract, from a late issue of the Melbourne Herald, that the work still goes on:— “A tea-meeting was held in the Temperance Hall, Russell-street, by the Military Total Abstinence Society of the 14th Regiment, established in New Zealand in 1862. The affair was very successful, about three hundred persons being present, of whom Sergeant J. R. Gibson, President of the Society, was elected chairman. A number of recitations, songs, &c., were given by the members of the Melbourne Temperance Choir; and several of the soldiers addressed the meeting, from whose speeches it appeared that the society was formed at Wanganui by a detachment of 300 men, two-thirds of whom signed the pledge. The detachment went through the various campaigns, nearly all those who joined the society remaining firm to their pledges, and finding themselves better than if they had not done so. The society has branches also at Hobart Town and Adelaide, where detachments of the regiment are stationed.” The Caterpillar Plague in Otago. —The Oamaru Times, of the 11th inst., says:—We regret to learn that on a large number of farms in this district the ravages of the caterpillar will be severely felt this season. Some farmers are cutting their crops in an unripe state to prevent a more serious loss, while others are endeavoring to protect their wheat crops by digging trenches round the fields. In this manner, enormous numbers of caterpillars have been prevented from further molesting the crops; but the losses will still be severe. We consider this a fitting subject for acclimatisation societies to take up. The introduction of small birds, and the planting of trees as cover for them, would prove a great boon to our agriculturists. A Hard Case, —Printing paper is so scarce in Hobart Town that the Tasmanian Morning Herald, after appearing for some days on colored paper, is now printed on single sheets, each containing two pages. Paper of the. proper size, it is stated* is not to be had at present in Tasmania ** for love or money.”