THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1871.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 99, 6 January 1871, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1871.

The New Tear 1871 would seem- to. be destined to be one of doubt, difficulty, and complication as.welL in the Colonies as. in Europe. The news received by the last mail was such as to leave little doubt that Great Britain, would be drawn into war with Russia on the Eastern question while the contest between Erance and Prussia appears in no: way to have abated either in violence or extent. Paris, it is true,, still holds out. Indeed, there had been no bombardment, the astute Bismarck preferring to fight the gallant defenders with famine rather than-lead and iron. Still; though some small successes are reported on the side of the Erench, it seems almost impossible- that they should be able to recover the reverses received by them from the Germans at the first commencement of v the campaign. Should both belligerants hold to their present determination* the war would necessarily become one of extermination, as the French are resolved to give up no portion of territory as the price of peace; the Germans are as fully determined to conclude no peace which does not provide for the cession of Alsace and Lorraine. There is no, doubt that the Erench have behaved like heroes in the defence of their country againet greatly superior numbers,, vastly superior military organisation,, and against more competent generals. What the nrxt mail, may bring we tremble to think. In 1853X5. the the combined fleets and armies of Erance and Great.Britain in the Crimea made little or no impression—at least of a: lasting character —upon the hordes of Russia, and inflicted no injury which lias not since been repaired. Indeed, botL as regards army and fleet, Russia is as well, if not better, able to enter the field to carry out her designs against Turkey and the East than she was at the commencement of the last war. Should', therefore, England be brought into collision with her,, we feel that the reputed coalition of Austria and Italy as her allies will ill compensate for- the loss of the gallant fleet and the gallant legions of France, by which she was then so ably and faithfully supported. Notwithstanding this unsatisfactory news from the Old Country,-we have a greater calamity at our own doors, in the prospect of another Maori- war.. We all know how horrible, how distressing, these wars are,.not only to the poor families who will lose their all, and many of them their lives j. but also to-all parts and portions of the Colony.. The latest telegrams from the North Island are sufficient to fill any bosom wibh fear and alarm. There is little reason to doubt that there still remainsamong a large number of the Native tribes an innate and inherent hostility to the Europeans, and that the tranquility which has existed for some months,, and out of which so much political capital has been made by the present Government,, has not been a true peace, but simply a lull until it suited the Maories once again to dig up the 1 hatchet. This it would appear they have now done. Indeed, the previous telegram of the murder of Mr.. Todd left no- doubt in the minds of persons conversant with Maori nature that a crisis wa& at hand. The storm has now broken! out again in all its former force and bitterness,, and who shall venture to predict when and how it will end. Meagro as are the accounts to hand, we

gather that some sixty more colonists have been, sacrificed l to Maori vengeance and barbarity. Even the locality of the massacre is not given, neither do we know whether the perpetrator is the renegade Tito Kowaru, or the formerly übiquitous Te Kooti, or some other arch-fiend in human shape who is bent on getting up a new difficulty on his own aeeount, lor the sake of murder and the love of rapine and booty. What steps the Government will take in the matter it is difficult to imagine. We must all remember during the Waikato. campaign. thafc,.backed with 10,000 British troops, General Cameron was enabled to inflict but little injury upon the Maories, while his own losses were very severe.. Neither the country nor. the mode of warfare is suited to regular troops,, as experience should have taught us by this time. In fact, the untrained savage of New Zear land looks down- upon and despises soldiers—not from their want of pluck,, but front tlieir inability to follow him through the bush, or-compete with him in his mountain fastnesses. What the constabulary may. be able to do in punishing these new murderers, and |in. bringing them to justice remains to-be seen. The policy of the present Government in employing Native against Native appears to have been, if not as successful as could have been desired, more successful than any military effort which had preceded it. No doubt the chiefs Kemp and Rbpata are still true to- their allegiance,. and faithful to. the Europeans. No .time should be lost by the Government in taking good and well considered action—crushing out the rising ere it spread to other tribes and other parts of the Island. Nothing will tend to lessen the value of New Zealand securities in the Home market more than the receipt of the news of the more than, probability of another Mportwar or "difficulty!'" Indeed, under such circumstances, so impossible would it be for New Zealand, to borrow in the English market upon anything like fair and equitable terms, that the Colonial Treasurer will in all. probability, we should imagine, abandon the attempt and reinaimat home, assisting by his presence and ability in restoring peace to the Colony. The prospects for ■ 181-1 arecertainly not so bright as might be desired,, still th&re is hope thatthe clouds which at present obscure the horizon may each and, all. of them possess, a silver, lining..

A deputatiom. last week waited upon.the Superintendent, Jas. Macandrew, and presented, him with a requisition signed by. up-wards-of 1000 city electors, requesting him to offer himself for re-election. In thanking the deputation, he said he would respond.to itat-once, and wou'd do his utmost to succeed. He was not going into* the contest to Jose it if he could help it; although he- must say, on personal grounds there was no great inducement to enter upon.it, but on* public grounds he was bound to do.the best he could to secure election.

A Japanese troupe of jugglers and acrobats arrived in Auckland by. the last San Francisco mail.-steamer, and are at. present performing there.-

A mineb. named G-eorge Patenande was. stabbed to the heart last week at Noble's Diggings,. G-rey River. The murderer iB a girl named Margaret Quigley, a shanty keeper. The jury at. the inquest returned a verdict of " wilful murder."

The sale of the Queenstown Jockey Club Booths for the forthcoming races took place last week. The several booths were knocked down to Mr. Eichardt for £77.

The last English telegrams announce the death of Lord Avonmore. The successor to this title is the celebrated Major Yelverton. Tenders are called ■ for the construction of section 1, from.Dunedin to Caversham, of the Clutha railway. The 'Star-' understands that instructions have been given for the immediate preparation of: drawings-, for, further portions and believes this immediate action lias been taken-, in consequence- of tho numerously signed petition presented for the immediate prosecur tion of the work.

A deputation of the supporters- of Mr. Donald. Beid.for Superintendent, consisting of Messrs. Bathgate, Si'evwright, Prosser,- Jago, Hawkins, Calder,. H. S. Fish, junr.,. and several others, waited on him. on Saturday last,, and. presented a requisition, asking; him-to, allow himself to be put. in.nomination : afc the forthcoming electiom Mr. Bathr gate assured him (Mr..Keid) that upwards of 1000 signatures to the requisition, had been already, obtained in Dunedin alone.

Latjj telegraphic news in the ' Times,' via Patea, December 31st,. announce an. outbreak and massacre in one of the outlying settlements in the Waikato, as-follows:—" A mounted orderly has just arriyed in Waitai Camp with despatches announcing that four Natives had arrived there from Mokau, bringing intelligence that another outbreak had taken place in the Waikato, and that sixty persons had: been slaughtered. Among those murdered was the telegraphist of the station. It is rumored that Mr. C. O'Neill will resign the Chief Engineership of the Province of Auckland, and that he will endeavor to get a seat in the Assembly for the Thames Goldfield.

In reply to » deputation which waited upon

Mr. Donald Reid, requesting him to allow himself to be nominated as a> candidate for the office of Superintendent,. that gentleman is reported, in the ' Daily Times,', to hav* made use of the following words : —" What he desired to/see was the lands occupied with thriving homesteadb, and every other consideration in regard to them should be secondary to, that." We should imagine, after the expression of such vi'.jws, Mr. J). Reid can neither desire nor expect the support of the mining districts. A texegbajh from Wellington states that Mr. leaves for England, via San Francisco, byi the January steamer. The new Parliament of New Zealand will meet on ,25th February next: The celebrated racehorse Bobby Burns, and the hurdle racen Star of the. South arrived in Dunedim by the Phoebe, from Cbristchurch, last week. They will take a part in the various local meetings throughout the Province. List of letters received at the post-office, Naseby, during the month's cf 1 August and. September, and remaining, unclaimed on 31st December 1870: —John Avary> John Baily, Tim Browjn, John Collins, Alexander Dickey, Isaac G-riggg, Richd Johns, T Lauhan, Miss L Laurden (2), Sarah Lyndsay, James Moron,. Lachlan Oliver, Patrick O'Neill, F Reid, Robert Shaw, F Smith (2), P Steel. Monday and Tuesday being holidays, the local banks were not opened for businean. The usual monthly meeting of the brethren of'the Mount Ida Lodge of Freemasons will be ■ held, in the Masonic Hall, on Wednesday evening next. The monthly meeting of the Mount Ida Cricket Club was held, in Collett's Ancient Briton Hotel, on Wednesday evtniug last.. The principal business was taking steps to , arrange a match between the married and single. A meeting to discuss the final arrangements will take place on Monday evening next (see advertisement). The northern escort, which arrived here on , Monday afternoon last, took on to Dunedin. 14,0000z5. of gold, 3,3000z5. of which were the produce of the Mount Ida district, exclusive of St. Bathans.

If the Ghristmas Day rejoicings were this year below the average, the public of Nascby seemed determined to make amends on Saturday (New Year's Eve) for any omission of which ■ they might have been guilty, wittingly or unwittingly, on the Saturday.or Monday previous. The streets .were as full as we ever remember to have se an them, and all the hotels, stores,, and shops appeared to be doing a thriving business. Though raevryness evidently prevailed to a great extent, .there wus nothing but good onder end good temper displayed., Tho advent of the new year was ushered in by the strains of the Naseby Brass Band, who for a considerable time pi'omenaded the. Btreets, playing livaly and appropriate airs. Surface -Hill, appears determined to keep up its old jjinracter for treachery and insecure- - ness. On Tuesday last a portion of the face of the claim in which Alexander Macfarlane and matee. were working gave way, inflicting some severe contusions on Macfarlane. We are, however, glad to hear that no injuries of a, serious nature were sustained.

Mb.- E. W. Stafford, late Premier, of New Zealand, :ind one of thie, oldest, settlers and ablest statesmen, passed through this-place on Tuesday last, proceeding, we believe, .up-coun-try wise to some station in which that gentleman has an interest. Wa.understand that the Mount Ida Water Race lias been leased by', the shareholders for one year to John Farmer, more familiarly known, as "Navvy Jack," for the sum of,' £250.

We woujd remind all persons interested that'. a. sitting of Judge Gray's Distinct Court will be held ati the Court House on ■ Wednesday next, the 11th hist; The cases to be henril! are, we believe, Brown-t. Hill, for loss and injury. sustained by being knocked down and ridden over at the spring meeting of the Mount-. Ida Jockey Club, and Dillon v. Edmonds, for ■ debt. It is expected also that his Honor will deliver judgment in the appeal ease, Boss v.. Roberts, bteard in September lastj A complimentary dinner was given to Mr. James Harper, at Hunter's Empire Hotel, on i Friday evening, the 30th December, on theoccasion of his leaving the district, wherein he had resided for many years. Mr. W. Gruroitt occupied the chair,- Mr, Walter Inder acting as vice. The chairman, in a neat and feeling speech,wished Mr. Harperapleasant voyageand meeting with his family and friends in the Old Country, to, which Mr, Harper responded. An agreeable evening was spent, the party, breaking up about.midnight. In recognition of, the long and valuable services rendered to the M.U.1.0.0.F. by Mr. John Petehell, P.S, to the, Loyal Naseby Lodge,, a silver.-modal was on Tuesday last presented to that gentleman, in the Lodge TCoom, by P.G.M. Joseph Bremner, in a brief and appropriate speech, which was feelingly replied to by Mr.. Petohell. The testimonial was presented in>full Lodge, nearly all.the brethren, being present upon the occasion. By telegram from Wellington we learn that the late Parliament has been dissolved by proclamation, and that the-writs for the new elections have been issued, returnable,on the25th February, when the new Parliament is to, be calleiv together. The summons, however,. is said to.be only the usual formal oneAn. advertisement in another, column notifies ■ the sale by. auction, by Messrs. Inder and George, of thoroughbred howes,. the property . of J. C. Rowley, Esq., who is leaving the , district.

The down-country mail closes to-day.at halfpast one o'clock sharp.

Aai the Resident Magistrate's-Court, yesterday, before H. W. Robinson,. Esq.,. R.M., the case Robert Cunningham v. William Edmondi was heard. This.wasa claim for £Bl Ob. sd\, for goods sold and delivered. Judgment, by consent, for amount claimed, with 225. costs. —Edward A. Withers v. Henry Oldfield. Claim, £2O 6s. Id. The defendant admitted

the debt, and asked for time,. Judgment for amount and costs, 225., to be pa'd. by monthly instalments of 10s.—Edward I\. George v. Elizabeth Golledge. This was an information,

in* hj/ ¥ aUiailt a S ainst defendant ehargwi!V,l' ? nd6r the Masters and Servants Act, Wnii a TI^ n the 2nd January instant, unthZl ■ J S? the hired service of her employer, the said Edward T. George, and in breach of f™. +u eement to serve him as a general servant tor the term, of three months. The complainant deposed that on the day mentioned in the complaint he had informed the defendant that ne would not allow her away from, his house, ane naymg expressed a wish to go to.the dance !L v.® ™ onicHal1 ' and tha <>-in spite of this sne h ™- left his house and did not return till an early hour of" the foUowing morning. He tnen told her that as she had gone to the dance to please herself, she- should now leave his aouse to please, him, and ordered her away forthwith. This was. all the evidence to supP V? t, 1 eom P laint - The defendant stated that sna had asked permission to attend the dance that evening, and that George had told her she* should not go, and she afterwards heard him Tk * he would kee P her in to spite her. About ten p.m., when th re was no business aomg, instead of going to bed she went to the ball at the Hall, and on her return the complainant abused her and ordered her out of the house. She asked to be allowed to get her and on going to her bedroom George lollowed her and threw a basin of water, part of which struck her, the rest going on the bed. George ordered her to leave the house, and discharged her. She left and. went to Mr. Hunter's, The Magistrate said that on complainant's own showing he had discharged the defendant,, and he must dismiss the complaint with costs, 15s.—Edward T. George v.. I rederick, Baxter:. This was also a complaint for leaving hired service improperly. The only witness, examined was the complainant, who deposed that on giving defendant a week's notice to qmt he- packed- up his swag and went away at once.. The Magistrate ordered that the defendant forfeit from the-wages due him the sum of £2. We have to apologise for the-very imperfect shape of our present report of the Dunstan Creek races. Our correspondent's letter should have reached us some days back,, and must by some accident have miscarried. We have, therefore, thought it better to publish the report which appeared in the ' Dunstan. Times ' of last week, rather than entirely disappoint our St. Bathans readers :—The St. Bathans races took place on Monday and Tuesday week last. The attendance of visitors was not so large as on previous occasions, but the number of attractions elsewhere will amply account j therefor. The following is a list of the winLners:—First day—Maiden Plate: Gamecock, WS- ; Charley. 2. District Handicap : Foretop, 1 ; Pretender, 2. Publicans' Purse :. Lyndon, 1 ; Little Nell, 2. Cheroot Eace-: : Billy, I. Second day —St. Bathans Cup : Foretop, 1; Pretender, 2. Ladies' Purse: Lyndon, 1; Don Pedro, 2,