The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 155, 3 September 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1866.

There is reason to fear that the electric telegraph will never be the source of revenue to the Government it was intended to be, nor the boon to the public it ought to be, so long as the present high charges are maintained by the Government. The attempt to make the public pay the first cost of the telegraph by levying high rates is a great mistake, and is quite at variance with the system which is gaining favor in England, and some of the continental States, Iu England the penny postage system, with its multiplication of branch offices, has so iucreased the revenue, and is so likely to increase it, that some statesmen begin to look forward to the postal revenue as a substitute for the present income tax. We Jiud that the electric telegraph is worked in such a way in some countries on the continent, as to place its advantages within reach of the poorest of the people. The effect of the penny postage system in England has been to stimulate correspondeuce on a scale that can scarcely be imagined, and the low charge for telegraphic communication on the continent has had a similar effect in increasing the efficiency of that department. Thousands write letters and send messages to their friends under a rate of charges, where hundreds only employed the same agencies when the charge was below their means. Not only are the people educated almost unconsciously but a great amount of social happiness is produced, and the revenue is iucreased on an unprecedented scaie.

The principle is beginning to be acted on in the old country, that a greater revenue accrues to the state when small sums are levied on a great number of person, than when large sums are exacted from a few individuals. Railway companies, book publishers, and mercantile meu generally find the advantage of iufusing into their business transactions a more liberal spirit than formerly obtained. The rate of telegraphic charges in New Zealaud puts it out of the power of the bulk of the people to avail themselvos of the advantages of the institution. We have heard of several instances in winch persons have been desirous of communicating with their friends in the South and the West Coast, on matters of the greatest importance, but have been compelled to forego the luxury of telegraphic communication because the cost was too great for their slender means. If Sir Rowland Hill's principle of deriving a revenue from small charges were resolutely adopted by the Colonial Government, the telegraph would be used by hundreds instead of tens, as it is at present. The great advantages of rapid intercommunication would be felt by the poor as well as the rich, and the Colonial Exchequer would be proportionately replenished. We lay no particular stress on the complaints made by the Press of this island, as to the frequent interruptions to the communication, and the imperfect manner in which the messages are delivered. Some difficulties are inseparable from a department like the electric telegraph till it get into good working order, and whatever may be the deficiencies of other offices, we think the management at Nelson intend to merit if they cannot command success. In some colonies the Government evince a more liberal spirit in the management of the electric telegraph, than is the custom in New Zealand, and the consequence is the institution is a great favorite with the people. A notice of the arrivals and ' departures of ships, the arrival of the English mail, and events of great national interest, are posted outside^ the offices in. the interior. Here the Government are so particular in reference to', press telegrams as to almost prohibit the 1 communication the office was intended to promote. In communicating with the press, it

is sometimes difficult to avoid adding a word of explanation. Nowhere but in New Zealand that we are aware of would a correspondent be compelled to pay for a private message if lie ventured a word of explanation in reference to the matter of the telegram. It strikes us that a more liberal mode of management must be adopted if the electric telegraph is ever to become a popular and remunerative institution. The Government must make it worth the while of the people to send messages instead of appearing; to wish to screw the uttermost farthing from every correspondent. Nothing is better understood in commercial life than that every bargain has two aspects, and that the most enlightened . and remunerative mode of procedure is that which makes it the interest of the person who pays the money to be a party to thecontract. If the Government wish the electric telegraph to be a success they will adapt it to popular requirements. If they wish it to become a source of revenue, they must hold out inducements for thousands to use it instead of relying on the select few to whom money is no object, who grumble and pay. Let them multiply customers by offering low prices and they will increase profits a hundred fold. The electric telegraph will never become a great national boon or a remunerative undertaking until the sympathies of the multitude are enlisted in its favor. In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, John Murray and Eobert Durrant were each fined 10s. and costs for drunkenness. The Government offer a free pardon to any persou implicated in the robbery of gold from the Brnucli Bank of New Zealand, at Hokitika, who shall give such information as shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of ,iny other person or persons who committed the robbery. At the anniversary meeting of 'the Wesleyan Missionary Society held in London, Joseph Fernley, Esq., of Southport, filled the chair. It appeared from the report which was read by Dr. Hoole, that the increase in funds on lust year in the home contribution alone, was £6000. The contributions to the jubilee fund were £137,000. Among distinguished contributions were that of the late Miss Heald, £5000 ; J. E. E., £2070 ; and £1000 for Italy by au unknown donor. Since the previous anniversary 26 missionaries had been sent out, and seven, including the Rev. Mr. Draper, had died. The following summary of the society's labors and agency may be given : — Central and principal stations, 661; chapels, 4800; ministers and assistant missionaries, 981; other paid agents and catechists, 1383 ; unpaid agents as Sunday school teachers, 17,854; accredited church members, 145,081; on trial for church membership, 13,227 ; scholars in day and sabbath schools, 152,284; printing establishments, 8. The N. Z. Advertiser, the paper which supports Mr. Stafford most powerfully, seems, from the following remarks, to entertain a doubt of the permanence of the new Ministry. Mr. Stafford claims on behalf of himself and his colleagues that the Legislature shall grant tlio necessary supplies for the conduct of public business, and for that allocation out of the Customs revenue which is so vitally essential to the performance of those duties which are undertaken by the provinces. The public revenue affords sufficient for the former, and he has a right to ask that provision be made by which he may meet the latter. We trust that no time may be lost in. ascertaining the mind of the Legislature on this point' If the necessary means are forthcoming, then, doubtless, he will continue to administer the government of the country ; if not, then we are much deceived if his resignation will not at once be placed in the hands of his Excellency. Several exciting boat races took place in the harbor on Saturday afternoon, and afforded amusement to nearly 200 persons. The first race was for £5, between the Flirt, W. Davis,' and the Rose,- J.Taylor ; distance from the Wharf, 3 times round the nearest buoy, or about four miles run. A fair start, was effected at ten minutes past two o'clock,

with the following results. Flirt, Ist round, 32 minutes ; Rose, 42 minutes ; Flirt, 2nd rouud, 28 minutes ; 3rd round, 31 minutes. Rose only sailed one round, the wind being too light, and the sails unequal to such a heavy boat. Flirt consequently won easily. The second race was between Star, T. Scott; Postboy, W. Gibbons ; and Eclipse, manned by a stranger. Sura, £1 ; distance, two rounds, three-quarters of a mile each. A start was effected at 4'4. Postboy accomplished the first round in seven minutes, and Star in seven minutes two seconds. Star went the second rouud in seven minutes eight seconds, and Postboy in seven minutes 22 secouds. Eclipse was distanced. Star was the victor in a well contested race. The third race was a pair-oared race between Postboy and Eclipse, Scott and Gibbons manning Postboy, and Morrison and a stranger Eclipse. Distance three rounds, three-quarters of a mile each. Sum, £1. A fair start was effected a 4*46. Postboy accomplished the first round in eight minutes, and Eclipse in eight minutes 15 seconds. The second round was effected by Postboy in six minutes ten seconds, aad by Eclipse in six minutes and 40 seconds. Postboy went the third round in seven min. 20 seconds, afeat which was not attempted by Eclipse. The race of the afternoon was between Eclipse and Postboy. The names of the men : Eclipse — W. Davis, S. — ; coxswain, Calder; Postboy — Thos. Friend, Wm. Morrison ; coxswain, Westrop. Sum £1. A start was effected, afc 5*20 with the following results : Eclipse, Ist round, six minutes, 15 seconds; Postboy, six minutes 45 seconds; 2nd round, Eclipse, six minutes five secouds, Postboy, six minutes, 15 seconds; 3rd round, Eclipse, seven minutes, ten seconds ; Postboy, seven minutes, five seconds. The distance the same as in the last race. The prizes were furnished by subscriptions amongst the spectators ; and Mr. Garrard acted as starter, umpire, stake holder, and referee. As the fine weather has set in, we may hope to be able to record a repetition of these manly sports. A slight shock of an earthquake was felt in Nelson, about 20 minutes past five o'clock yesterday afternoon. It lasted about two seconds. The Gothenburg has arrived at Hokitika, with several hundred passengers from Victoria. In the course of the trial of the case Hamilton v. Osgood which took place at Wellington last week, the following scene occurred. Mr. Borlase, counsel for defendant, to Mr. Hamilton : Were you ever in West Maitland? I was, sir. — Were you ever tried for felony there ? Mr. Brandon : I object to that question. — Mr. Hamilton : Excase me, Mr. Brandon, I should prefer answering that question. You think you are going to catch me, Mr. Borlase, but you'll find out you're not to your cost. We know something. We know a little more than that. I'm looking at you. Well, I hope you consider me good looking ? I don't know much about that. — Well, what were you tried in West Maitland for ? I was tried at Maitland for inciting to the commission of a felony. — Mr. Borlase : Do you know a person there of the name of the Rev. A. G. Greaves ? I know him. Yes, I know him. — Did he prosecute you for stealing the skull of a blackfellow named Jimmy ? I do not think he did, but the felony you speak of, was obtaining the skull of black Jim Crow — you may as well give him his full name. I had taken his cast in prison after he was hung, and I wanted the skull. That was the felony ! I'll have your head yet ; it's worth more than the money (laughter). — Now, do you remember that you stated to several people that you did not care for the loss of anything so much as your correspondence ? Yes ; there were among it letters from my mother for the last 13 years, and other letters from my family, the loss of which I feel very much. — This concluded the cross-examina-tion. Mr. Brandon said that several aspersions had been eudeavored to be thrown upon the character of his client, but he would wish just to ask one question to show the position and status of his client, and that he was not the sort of person that Mr. Borlase wished to

represent him to be. (To witness^) Did you not put up in the election against Mr. Darvall on the Sydney side? Mr. Hamilton : Yes, he only beat me by. three. A writer in the Wellington Advertiser, states in reply to doubts that have been expressed as to the qualities of the black sand of Taranaki,l saw at the Exhibition Building in Dunediu, in 1865; very fine specimens of balance-handled table-knives, razors, pen-knives, pruning-knives, needles, etc., iu all 76" castings, including bars of steel, which must be fresh in the memory of many of the gentlemen in New Zealand, who were inspectors of the exhibition. Twentytwo years since, I took notice of the black sand, both in Victoria and at Manukau, New Zealand, and was much pleased to see that Dr. Samuel had brought this valuable metal into use, as it would be so important an article of commerce to the colony. I was given to understand that these castings and specimens were placed at the exhibition by Dr. Samuel's private agent, who had the superintendence of the whole business, for the purpose of testing the accuracy of the various reports of the aunalisation that the iron sand has undergone in the chief foundries of Europe, respecting the utility and vast commercial value of that mineral. There must be many persons in the colony that yet have iu their possession the catalogues with the description of this cutlery. Referring to the fate of Ah Huy, a Chinaman, who was found dead in his hut, at Stony Creek, from consumption and starvation, the Daylesford Express, Victorian paper says : — The case is unhappily not a rare one on the gold-fields. From the evidence at the inquest, it would seem that, having been reduced by want and disease until he was unable to leave his bed, he must have lain there, perhaps for days, slowly dying, without any other person being conscious of the fact. A European miner, living near the spot, does not appear to have known that the deceased was perishing by inches a few hundred feet off. Had the resources of our hospital been what they should be, he would at least have received all the aid- that medical skill could have afforded, instead of ending his life like one of the lower animals iu the bush. The increasing difficulties which the Chinese among us experience in obtainiug necessaries of life will bring others to the same miserable end as Ah Huy. No one, who has attentively observed the condition of our population for the last five or six years, cau have failed to notice the marked change for the worse in their condition. An idea may be formed of the enthusiasm felt at Panama, with regard to the opening of this line, when we say that Captain Machin has stated that the American and other merchants told him that, fine as his ship was, she would have to be replaced by one twice her size before twelve mouths were passed, because neither she nor auy of the fleet would be large enough for the trade that they expected with this and the neighboring colonies. Speaking on the same subject, the Panama Star and Herald says: — To merchants in the United States the opening of this line is of great importance, as it brings them within 35 days of a portion of the world which could not hitherto be reached in double that time, and places them just the width of the Atlantic nearer the British Colonies than Great Britain itself, a circumstance which Americans will be by no means slow in turning to the best advantage. We republish from the Adelaide Observer of the 28th July, the following extract from a letter to the Editor: — "Daugerous Photographs . — Allow me to caution the public through your columns against the use of a photographic toy termed drawing -room qhotography, by means of which by putting a piece of damp paper in contact with another, an image is produced. Two chemicals are used in this process — bi-chloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate) a deadly poison — and hyposulphite of soda, with which the blottingpaper is saturated. Although this is not poisonous, yet it would certainly contaminate the fingers, and should they unless cleansed by a thorough washing, although dry, touch any card picture, it will cause it to fade in a few weeks or i#onshs time.

The following remarks from the Melbourne Age in an article; referring to the result of the late English election enquiries, will be read with interest by those who advocate the ballot and an extension of the suffrage. The Age says: We may surely take comfort from these illustrations of British liberty, for such outrages would be impossible in this colony. In connection with universal suffrage there are no such villanies. The ballot shields the voting of the electors, without forcing them to encounter a gang of bravos, at the risk of their limbs and lives. Yet, there are persons amongst us who, for selfish reasons would not hesitate to introduce English usages in our elections. Fact, however, cannot be ignored. The demoralising influence of class legislation is too plain in English parliamentary history. The people are kept out of power and exposed to the debasing temptations of corruption, in order to maiutain the interest of an exclusive system. The condition of the English elector is even more humiliating than we discover through the investigations of a committee of the House of Commons. The social organisation in which he lives holds him as in a vyce. He is compelled to yield to force in many forms; the tenant dreads to incur the displeasure of his landlord, and the tradesman dares not hazard the goodwill of those who buy his goods. We see the price the governing classes pay in hope to retain for themselves political power in Great Britian. Against this form of class union there is no protection for the pnblic interests except in a wide spread suffrage and the defence of the ballot. The revelations of the English elections painfully expose the diseased condition deeply rooted in society. The deplorable immoralities exposed should be a warning to those who ignorantly or maliciously rail against free institutions.