THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1872.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 187, 4 October 1872, Page 4

THE Mount Ida Chronicle FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1872.

The great question of the day is at present whether the Government of the country shall be carried on by a Stafford or a Fox-Vogel Ministrv, and tlie majority which recently expelled the late Ministers from power was so extremely small, so remarkably meagre, and. made up of- such heterogeneous constituent -parts, that the question seems one the solution of which is, to say the least of it, extremely difficult. It cannot be forgotten that, not over two years since, Mr. Stafford was ousted from office by those whom he has recently succeeded in casting from their high places. Nor can it, we imagine, cease to be remembered that Mr. Stafford expressed himself dazzled by the grandeur of the great sdheme of Mr. Vogeli and intimated bis intention of giving the. policy and its originators and promoters a full, fair, and impartial trial, in order that the public might, fully and clearly know what the policy of the Vogel. Government was likely to be,; and how far the general country endorsed that policy. Upon this question a general election occurred, which placed th« Fox-Yogel - Government o in power with a very large if not, a stupendous majority. The public fielt that if these schemes were carefully and ably carried through,- and/ the affairs of the country economically administered, and public works of a'"permanent and reproductive character initiated and proceeded with, the loans for the purpose were well answered, and would have been a blessing to the whole Colony. Yet, at the end of two years, we find not only Mr. Stafford,, but a large majority of Mr. Yogel's former supporters -in arms against himself and his Government —not because they doubt his ability or the correctness of his calculations, but because he has, in their opinion,, shown less administrative power and ability than was expected of him in the carrying out of his own important scheme. The public have become alarmed that the increased and ever-ineieasing staff of officials—a staff now so numerous,as to give to the Government an unfair and an undue influence both outside and inside the House. It must not, however, be denied that by the inauguration of a novel and comprehensive policy such as that of Mr. Vo*el, many new offices had necessarily. to be created to put the machine in full working order, and it was not unfair to expect that, as the machinery began to work smoothly, the number of officers would have been reduced.

There inight have been, and no doubt has been, much apparent useless frit- : tering away of public funds sir.ce the \ogel Government has been in power.; still, during the period they held the reins of office the credit of the Colony has improved, while its native policy has been one of perfect success. This fact even Mr. Stafford cannot attempt to deny. Money was, during his Go- • vernment, spent by millions, and blood shed in rivers, to serve his own will. Nothing would daunt him—an idea once conceived must be carried outsat the expense alike of money, of life, and of justice. What money has been expended by the Vogel party—and we are willing to admit that there has been alike mismanagement and extravagance—has been expended on the gentle arts of peace, and with the view of developing the resources of the lony. But it would appear that Mr. Vogel. does not intend to succumb quietly and allow himself to be beaten without _an effort by the haughty Stafford Already is there a. want of cenfidepc©

motion tabled by the former gentleman, which, if carried, will send the new Native Minister (virtually Premier) back into Opposition. There is no doubt that, in ordinary cases, gentlemen whose consciences tell them that they have not acted in terms of their election pledges and promises, would vote with any Grovernment rather than again face their constituents; but since it is generally given out that, except on a Constitutional point, his Excellency will decline to grant a. dissolution, the Stafford ranks may, on the occasion of the ensuing want of confidence debate, be found much thinner than is expected. Of one thing there is no doubt, that, in the present position of parties in the House, no Government is safe for a week let alone a session, and it is, therefore, to be regretted that the heads of parties will not coalesce and form a strong Government. The houesty, and untiring perseverance aud carefulness of a Stafford would perhaps tend to curb the over go-aheadedness of a Vogel, while Vogel's admitted ability and progressive notions would assist in bringing Stafford out of his shell, to see things and matters in a more comprehensive view than he does at present. We trust that a coalition -such as that to which we have ventured to allude will be speedily accomplished, and that the rival statesmen ■will be yet found to make mutual concessions which cannot fail to tend to the public good.

The Court advertised to be held at Hamilton on the 24th ultimo was, we understand, adjourned to October 22nd. A NoriFiCATiox in the ' Provincial Gazette' of the 25th ultimo announces the establishment of a pound at Macraes, and that Kerein Claffy has been appointed to the office of poundkeeper. . Scxixvan, who lately ma p .e an attempt to commit suicide, was brought up before the Court on Monday last, and remanded till Monday next, 7th Oc'.ober inst. Thk annual race meeting of the Cromwell Jockey Club is advertised to take place on December 26th and 27th.

Thk 1-unstan Jockey Club's annual race meeting is appointed to take place on Thursday ai;d Friday, the 6th and 7th February, is 73. ;:.

We acknowledge, with thanks, the* receipt of the report of Millar, F.S.A., C.E , 6n the Otago Central Grand Trunk Railway. The line would, no doubt, if constructed, prove one of immense value in developing the lesources of the Province, and the sooner we see it commenced and hear of its completion the better shall we be pleased. We are not, however, sufficiently sanguine to hope that the "loop line through the Mount Ida District, via Kaseby, ultimately connecting with the Great Northern Railway at Palnierston," will have existence for many years to come ; still, Mr. Millar is deserving of credit for his conception, even if a little wild, and we are very thankful for having been favored with a copy of the report The * Provincial Government Gazette' notifies the appointment of Mr. George Turnbull to the office of Deputy Superintendent of the Province of Otago. The absence in Wellington of the Superintendent himself and ihe two late Deputies rendered such a course one of absolute necessity. OiN'E of the peculiarities of the climate of Mount Ida is doubtlessly its extreme variableness. Little did we think, when we wrote late on the evening of Thursday last of the extreme beauty of the weather, and the balminess and salubrity of the incoming Spring, that the very next morning would find the place many inches deep in snow. The enow has almost disappeared, still, since the time to which we refer, we have had abundance and to spare of sleet, hail, and frost — in fact, we might almost say that Winter lias once more paid us a visit, aud paid it at anything but a sesponable time. At the present, time colds and coughs are prevalent among us, and few thvre are who have been sufficiently fortunate to escape an attack of one or other of these troublesome pests. The dangerous nature cf the Taieri River crossings h»s become as "familiar as household words," and in times of flood, whether from an excess of rain or from the melting of snow on the high lands, it is seldom that a ■week elapses without the report cf some contretemps coming to hand. Last week we had occasion to report the almost miraculous escape of Mr. London when attempting to cross the Hamilton ford. A few days afterwards Mr Daniel, when attempting the liyde crossing, the river being high, met with an accident which, by good luck and good management combined, turned out to be innocuous in its results. When in the middle of the river—the river, as we have said, being high —the hook which attaches the leaders to the polers gave way, placing the leaders almost, if not entirely, beyond the command and control of the driver. After some slight delay, and a little careful manipulation of the ribbons, the coach and contents reached terra firma without injury or damage of any kind. A of the water race companies took place on the evening of Tuesday last, the object being to decide upon the advisability or

otherwise of reducing the present extravagant charge for water. The meeting wa9 far from unanimous ; there was, however, one company represented who were inclined to reduce the charge from £2 to 30s. per head. We trust that this example may be followed by all the companies, who, knowing th« hardness of the times, cannot fail to see that such reduction is absolutely necessary if the miners are to be retained in the district and make an honest and, at the same time, an admittedly hard and difficult livelihood.

A hespectful petition to the Hon. MrDonald Reid has been pot up under the auspices of the Mount Ida Trade Association, calling that gentleman's attention to the necessity of the construction of the works sanctioned by the late Government, unless it be the desire of the present Government that the place should suffer a collapse. The memorial was, on Monday last, forwarded to Mr. Mervyn for presentation to Mr. Reid. We can only sny we hope that the memorial, which is moderate in tone and firm in attitude, may have the effect of causing the Government to proceed at once with these works —works whtch are known to be essential, and which have been demonstrated to be in the nost eminent manner reproductive in character. We have it upon good authority that ■■Mi'. Taylor, of Oamaru, who is very largely interested in mining mutters at the iVlaerewhenua, intends to celebrate the christening of the AIo.--q.tito Race by giring a ball and supper oh the ground on the 15th'inst. Carriages and six are spoken of as being about to be brought into requisition to take the people to the scene of operations, and trom what is known of Mr. Taylor and his enterprise in &11 matters connected with the district in which lie holds interests, whatever he does will be well done, and there can exist no fear or doubt of the whole affair being a complete success. We understand that the Committee of the Presbyterian Church intend holding a bazaar some time in the month of December, in aid of the building funds of that body. Adver-. tisements as to exnct time and place will appear in future issues. The motion for £IOOO compensation to Mr. Smythi swas carried, after a debate, by 23 to 10. The 'Bruce Herald' understands that Mr J. P. Armstrong, M.P.C., has received a request from his Mount Ida constituents to proceed to Wellington, to urge upon the Governor the ex; rcise of his right and power to remit the sentence of Ewing in the case of shooting the Chinaman at St. Bathans. A strong feeling exists throughout the Province that the release of Ewing would only be an act of justice, it being generally looked upon that the judge, in not recommending the petitions sent in favor of Ewing, was only doing the finessing of an experienced campaigner. So unanimous aa expression in favor of Ewing could hardly fail to influence the Governor, under all the circumstances, to an act of clemency, while the judge, by his action, could claim a title to a Spartan virtue in holding the reins of justice. We understand that while in Wellington, in addition to urging upon the Governor to remit the sentence passed upon Ewing, it is the intention of our indefatigable member, J. P. Armstrong, Esq., also to urge upon the Government the absolute necessity that exists for the immediate construction of the Sludge Channel at Naseby. The Wellington * Independent* of Monday gave the following as the list of new Ministers: —Mr. White, Premier; Mr. Bradshaw, Treasurer ; Mr. Karaitiana, Defence ; Hon. H. Russell, Native Lands ; Hon. W. Robinson, leader in the Upper House ; Mr. Mervyn, Colonial Secretary ; Mr. Wakefield, Customs and Distilleries

A circular has been issued by the General Post Office of the Colony informing Postmasters that in future postage rates to the following places will be as follows :—West Coast of South America—ls 6d for £oz letter, and-ereiy additional £oz, Is 6d ; 3d on every newspaper not exceeding 4oz ; book packets'of 4oz, 9d, not exceeding Boz. Is 6d, and every additional Boz, or friction of Boz, Is 6d. British West Indies—Letters not exceeding \oz Is 4d, and every additional £oz or traction of soz Is 4d ; newspapers not exceeding 4oz each 3d ; book packer..-, not exceeding 4oz 9d, not exceeding Boz Is 6d, aud every additional Boz or fraction of Boz, Is 6d.

We are requested to call attention to the alteration in the hours of leaving by Daniel's coach. The coach now leaves here at 6 a.m. every Wednesday, arriving at Palmerston the same evening. The up-caoch leaves Dunedin every Wednesday at noon. The usual monthly meeting of the Mount Ida District Hospital Committee, called for /the 27th September ultimo, lapsed for want of a quorum. The Secretary was requested by the members present to call a meeting for the 30th, seeing that tenders had to be opened and disposed of, and other matters of importance discussed. A meeting accordingly took plate on the 30th ultimo, when a letter from Mr. Wise, with 2s. 6d. stamps enclosed, was received.—The correspondence between the Police Officer in charge and Mr. E. T George, Secretary, was read, explaining the action taken and the efforts made by Mr. George on behalf of the Committee to prevent the admission of one Sullivan—who had recently attempted suicide at Hyde—into the Institution. Approved—The reports of the Doctor, Visiting Committee, and Treasurer were read. The Treasurer's report showed a balance in favor of the Institution of £418 5s. 2d., and was adopted. —The Doctor's report was also adopted. — The report of the Visiting Committee relative to the improvement of access to the building by the construction of a bridge and the repair of road, was, after some discussion .and proposed amendments, adopted. Messrs.

Hertslet, Smith, and M'lntosh were nominted to see the works carried out.—.--Accounts to the amount of. £67 8s. 5d. were passed for payment.—The following tenders for supplies for six months were accepted : Hjorringj, draper ; Morrison, coffins and funerals ; Aitken, brea ; Lautour, meat; Bremner, groceries. —-Mr. Chapman retiring, the Visiting Committee for the ensuing month to be Messrs. Herrslet, Ross, and H. B. M'lntosh.

In addition to the memorial of the Mount Ida Trade Association, having reference to the immediate carrying out of the works sanctioned for this place by the late Government, we are informed that the merchants of Dunedin are likewise taking the matter iu hand, and that a memorial similar in tone to that lately forwarded to the Minister of Public Works, and having the same object in view, will speedily be sent to an influential M.H.R. in Wellington from the business men of Dunedin. This is as it should be. The merchants of Dunedin cannot be blind to the fact that, for a number ot years past, this place lias been one of the most important outlets for their goods, and that it. is their intfrest to support it and its progress by any legitimate means in their power. We trust'that the agitation on this subject which is springing up in ail quarters will have the effect of ca .sing the 'Government .to give immediate effect to the declared intention of the late Government upon the subject. "OxV Tuesday last," says the * Dunsfcm Times,' "a miner named" Martin Noon, from the Serpentine, was brought iito Civile in cus-t-dy of the police, on the charge of having made a determined attempt at suicide, by cut-, ting Ins throat. Being in a very weak and desponding stst.e, application was made for his admission into th«- Dunstan HospUal. On the request being granted, he was at once removed there. We are pleased to say all danger is passed, and that he is rapidly improving. We understand that a former mate of Noon's, named Sullivan, attempted the same act at Hyde on the 17th Sept." We are requested to intimate that the sale by auction of Mr. S. London's stock of drapery, &c, will be continued this (Friday) evening. Divine service will be conducted by the Eev. Mr. Dasent, in the Union Church, on Sunday morning next, at the usual hour. . Knottix&ley, the. celebrated racer, has changed owners, Mr Studholme having disposed of him to Mr Pitman. The members of the Mount Ida Jockey Club met last evening in G-eorge's Victoria Hotel. The President, J A Douglas Esq., occupied the chair. The date of the annual race meeting was fixed for the 12th and. 13th Dec. Booth, O'Beien, and Co.'s Koyal Dramatic Troupe gave their first entertainment in the Masonic Hull last evening, and. though much was expected from the component parts of-this talented 'troupe these expectations were fully satisfied —and satisfied in such a manner as cannot fail to secure them a full house for Saturday night. The late hour at which the entertainment closed prevents us from entering into personal criticism j we should, however, fail iu our duty were we to omit to mention the inimitable delineation of Irish character by Mr O'Brien, whose w;t kept the house in perfect rapture. ' We can safely promise those who attend on Saturday that neither the time nor the money will be ill-spent.