THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 158, 15 March 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1872.

"Tips telegraphic news from Homo by 'the;last mail is sufficiently appalling to strike the most careless and the most apathetic with fear and trembling. We allude to the present complications and unsatisfactory diplomatic relations be<tween Great Britain and America, in respect to the claims preferred against the lormer by the latter country, on account of the Alabama and other matters. It is not our intention to enter into the merits of a question which has too evidently puzzled the heads and perplexed the brains of the most able and astute politicians, on both sides of the Atlantic. Neither do we, while admitting in general terms the wealth, importance, and expansive power of the Great Jtfepublie, desire it to be believed that, should war unfortunately ensue, the Old Country would be found less powerful, less wealthy, less true to her early traditions, or her sons and daughters less willing'to spend—the former their blood, the latter their treasure — in her defence than they were in the days of old. We cannot, however, through having, as we have said, no fear as to the result of so unnatural a war, look upon such an event in any other light than a stoppage to progress, a barrier to the cause of civilisation, an absolute insult to humanity. What, ask we, were the late wars between the Northern and Southern States of America and between France and Prussia compared to what a war between Great Britain and America would be ? Why the whole commerce of the civilised world would be paralysed, and a state of fear, depression, and stagnation would ensue, such as the world has never before witnessed. The result of such a catastrophe a» a war between the two countries would be as extensive in its ramifications and as boundless in its strength and power as an earthquake, to which no human bein«can suggest a limit. Even in New Zealand, far as it would be from the immediate scene of strife, its effects would be directly and severely felt. The Californian mail service, which has [already cost the Colony so much trouble, so much pains, and so vast an amount of treasure to initiate and sub-

sidise would be virtually at an end, and the healthy and prosperous trade which has lately sprung up and become so successfully established between the two countries would necessarily cease, to the manifest injury of both. Such an event would be an actual reversion from civilisation to barbarism, for while, on the one hand, the gentle arts of peace elevate the senses, the feelings, and the taste—the tone of society in all its diversity of grade and circumstance —" grim-visaged war" brings in its train horrors too terrible, and sends the world back to absolute Vandalism. Witness the deeds in Paris—the maddened mob, the destruction of the works of art, the result of the combined talent of ages, and then contemplate whether or not as great if not greater catastrophes might result to our dear Fatherland should such an unnatural and suicidal war between the two great sections of the Anglo-Saxon race take place.

We have no great faith in the correctness of the Home telegrams via San Francisco. As a rule they appear to be got up with regard more to sensationalism than to truth. Still, there is something in the late news—a circumstantiality—a tinge, as it were, of possibility, or even of probability, which I strikes us with apprehension, if not with alarm, If the Goths of Paris, unsatiated with the devastation comTnitted by the Prussian guns upon their beautiful city, added to the necessary horrors of war the still greater horrors of incendiarism, who can say whether or not, in the event of a war between Great Britain and America, the great magnetic link which connects the Old with the New World might not be severed by Goths equally savage as those of Paris, and the result of brain immeasurable and treasure almost fabulous become as though it had never been. Moist sincerely do we trust that so fearful a scourge, so dreadful a cui'eie, so dire as that' to which we have allixdgd may be obviated, and that better, wiser-and more moderate counsels may> prevail, and that the two great nations, fully recognising the edge of the precipice on which the standi may yet pause before they plunge into the fgre4,t abyss, out of which there can be no retreat or escape except through fire, bloodshed, and perhaps ruin. It has been beautifully said that there is no cloud without a " silver lining,'! and we earnestly trust that that beautiful saying, which has become almost a proverb, may be fully verified in the present instance and on the present momentous occasion.

Thkee hare been no cases for hearing in the Warden's Court here smce our last issue. The Star Gomique Troupe gave entertainments in the Masonic Hall on the evenings of Friday and Saturday last, on which occasion, though they ably sustained their well-earned reputation, the attendance was less than we could have desired to hare seen and the performances themselves deserved. This, however, was to be expected from the bad times and consequent scarcity of money which have so long prevailed in this part of the district. We understand that Mr. H. A. Stratford has been appointed to perform the duties of Receiver at St. Bathans, in addition to his other offices.

In connection with the bridle track between this place and the Maerewhenua, payment for which is to be made in land, we hear that more than one contractor of standing have visited the proposed line with the intention, if possible, of tendering for the work. We may mention that Mr. G-. R. Taylor, of Oamaru, with his usual spirit, has offered to take the land orders off the contractors, he paying cash. Men of the means of Mr. lor, and possessing his enterprising and go-a-head spirit, are not often to be met with, and it would be will were Naseby able to number one or more in her community. We again call attention to the fact that all persons duly qualified to vote for the Superintendent, General Assembly, and Provincial Council, whose names are not already on the Roll, must send in their claims to the Returning Officer, Mr. H. W. Robinson, on or before the 3lst of the present month, otherwise they will find themselves disfranchised for the next twelve months. In times such as the present when matters of policy are under discussion* and when an election may take-place any day' no duly qualified person should allow himself to be found unregistered and unprepared to exercise the highest privilege conceded to a freeman in a free country. Ax a meeting of the Hospital Committee which took place on the evening of our last issue, the Furnishing Committee were authorised to purchase supplies (as necessary) according to scale of prices submitted. And it was further resolved that voluntary labor should be called for to remove the earth which at present encircles the building and incommodes the approach thereto. On the follow-

ing day numerous hands, headed by Mr. A. M. Brown, were at work, and the evening of the day proved that they had not worked in vain a very large quantity of earth having been removed - and the building to some extent rescued

from its original state of oblivion. Much more would have been done had it not been for the setting in of the rain, which gave the miners an opportunity (long needed) of working in their claims. We cannot, however, disguise the fact that the miners as a rule are willing to work, and work with a will, in furtherance of the institution, and feel certain that, should there be a recurrence of the "same old drought," hands in plenty will be found willing to assist in the good work. As an illustration of the steps which this place is making in the cause of progress, we may mention that Daniels and Co., the coach proprietors, advertise to run on the occasion of the Dunedin races, through in one day at the very moderate charge of £2 each way, or £3 return ticket. So liberal an opportunity of seeing a good field will, we have no doubt, be extensively embraced by the sporting portion of the jtfaseby community whose proclivities lie in that direction. A most agreeable and seasonable change in the weather took place during the night of Monday last, when for many hours the rain fell heavily, offering, as it were, to the " dried out" miner an earnest of better things to come. As we have said and repeated over and over again, all this district requires to make it the best gold-producing district in the Province (quartz reefo to the contrary notwithstanding) is water —water in plenty and at a reasonable rate. Over the latter the Government of New Zealand may, and no doubt will, exercise a satisfactory and beneficial supervision, the former is in the hands of a power over which humanity has not, and never can have, either power or control. Information received from reliable authority induces the belief that the lock-up at Macraes is a simple absurdity, the constable in charge being compelled to take the prisoners, of whatever sort, size or description, into his house as a part of his family. This is really too bad, and forcibly reminds us of the time when the late Mr. Monson looked upon and treated all prisoners as member* of his family, giving them privileges which at the present time (except, at Macraes) it would be ridiculous to expect. We have not space to-day to enter into the subject of the Olago Gaol as it was and as it is ; on another occasion we shall probably supply a short article upon the subject. There is no doubt, however, ;that the Macraes gaol accommodation requires, reform and amendment. Mr. Robinson, R.M., must .be so well and perfectly acquain ted with the -.facts of the case that we are fairly puzzled to ascertain why no recommendations fidm him, which doubtlessly would have had attention, have been made in the proper quarter. ;It may, however, be fairly pivsuuied, taking in view the length, orendilt, and importance of Mr. Warden Robinson's district;' tliiit exceptional cases may escape him. If so; ;:we' trust that the present honest not ice will brSn«r the matter to his recollection, and inducje him to stir himself therein. V An accident which have resulted seriously, occurred to a miner named Norman on the night of Monday last It appearis from what we have been able to gather that Norman, who is an extremely steady young, man, purchased a share in a claim on Surface Hill. The approach to this notorious lull is completely cut up with deep tail races, and'to anybody but an adept the road up must, after nightfall, be extremely dangerous. On the night in question Norman was returning home to his claim with re-sharpened picks on his shoulders and renewed hope at his heart when, not seeing very well the track he was following Norman fell into a disused tail race, by which some severe internal injuries were inflicted. The patient is tying atCollelt's Ancient Briton Hotel, where he is being attended under the auspices of our respected Dr. M'Cambridge. The contusions, though severe, are, so far as we have heard, not likely to prove of a permanent diameter. The sooner the Hospital Committee come to the fore the better for the district and their own reputation as an elected body of the community. A private match took place at the racecourse on the afternoon of Tuesday last—Pilkington's True Bill and M'Master's Rattling Jack being the competitors. The stakes were £25 a-side. Bill, true to his color led from the first, and came in an easy v l mer by some hundred yards. We are glad to find, from an announcement m another column, that our Hibernian friends propose to do honor to their patron saint Saint Patrick on the 18th. Money has been subscribed for the sports in celebration of the occasion, which will be held in Joseph Creighton's paddock, Home Gully, to be followed by a ball to be held in the Masonic Hall on the

same evening, at which light refreshments are to be provided gratuitously. At a large meeting of the Hospital Committee held last night—the President; H. W. Robinson, Esq., in the chair—we were glad to notice among the members Mr. G. Purton of St. Bathans, who entered cordially into the spirit of the Institution, and moved a resolution in favor of Local Committees, which was unanimously adopted, several of the members present promising to be at St. Bathans at the first public meeting held on behalf of the Institution. Letters having reference to the appointment of surgeon, wardsman and matron, and other matters of importance were left for future consideration.