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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 206, 27 August 1873, Page 4

In noticing the large increase in tha Customs revenue collected in Dunedin, as shown in the tables appended tq Mr Vogel's financial statement, the Lyttelton Times says : — .The large increase at Danedin indicates wi,th what energy the merchants of that city are poshing 'their business in all parts of the colony, 1 and the success -which is attending their efforts. It has been sarcastically observed that a great part of the business of Canterbury is transacted at Dunedin, and tbe figure we have quoted giveß some color to the observation. There can, at aoy rate, be no doubt that Dunedin bagmen are to be met in all parts of tbe Province, seeking trade and finding customers. There are within the colony, at tbe present date, 4932 miles of water-races, carrying 6776 sluice-heads, constructed at an estimated cost of £763,899. Last year the return was 3595 miles, carrying 7056 sluice-heads, valued at £711,386. This increased supply over last year is "not nearly sufficient, however, to meet the pressing demands of the present workings, either alluvial or quartz. The various Wardens' reports appearing in the Goldfields Report laid upon the table of the House, show that operations have been suspended for many months, owing to the season being dry. The following are the water supplies upon the goldfields undertaken by the (Government: — Thames: Estimated cost, £48,180 4s lOd ; money expended, £1042 4s lOd ; survey finished and plant ordered. Nelson Creek (Nelson) ; Estimated cost, £30,446 ; money expended, £446 78 ; survey nearly finished. Waimea (Westland) : Estimated cost, £61,235 10s 2d j money expended, £1235 10s 2d ; survey and plans finished. Mount Ida (Otago) : Estimated cost, £42,138 8s ; money expended, £2138 Bb j; survey and plans finished ; contracts in hand. Total estimated cost of these four works, £182,010 10s. Cruelty to Aboriginals in Queensland.—The South Australian Register says.'— The poor natives in that district are subjected to worse treatment than if they were slaves. The station people compel them to work without remuneration except a little tobacco, which no white man could use, and the pickings of the bones of cattle slaughtered for station use. After all the best meat has been cut off, the residue is left for the blacks, and haß to serve them till another beast is killed. The natives pressed into service ore not allowed the shelter of huts, but are compelled to camp out at about a mile from tbe Btution. If any clothes are given them, they do not exceed a couple of shirts and two pairs of trousers during the year. In i the majority of cases, however, the blacks have to go about their work naked. When any of them run away, the police trooper and a black tracker are sent after them, and wben brought back they are tied up, aud then thrashed with a stock whip. This naturally acts as a salutary warning against any further attempts at absconding. One person on the Wilson, in order to prevent his blacks escaping, has adopted the ingenious plan of hobbling them at nightt This is done at the station, and the poor creatures have to make their way to tbe camp as best they can. Two of the blacks made ofi, despite tbis cruel precaution, and one of them was found who had managed to crawl upon his hands and knees to a distance of about thirteen miles. When discovered he was in a deplorable state, the hobbles having cut right into the bone of bis leg. The young man who found him broke the hobbles with a stone, and set him free, j When fresh hands are wanted, some of the settlers send for a policeman, who, with one or two bl ackers, lead them to where the blacks are congregated. They capture those! who look most suitable for their purpose and drive them into the station. The poor prisoners are then made to understand that they bave to stop and work, and that upon attempting to escape they will be brought back and thrashed. The labor extracted from tbem comprises tailing horses and cattle, looking after milch cows, cutting firewood, carrying water, and other menial service. About five months ago the grass between two runs caught fire, and the natives were suspected of causing it. The station white people went to the camp where they found two strange blacks, who had come in the night to see their friends. Tbey wanted to make the men turn to and put the fire out, but were met by a stolid refusal. Tbey then threatened to shoot them if tbey did not obey. One of the blacks in self-defence picked up a waddy and threw it, striking a white rider's horse on the chest. The settlers immediately fired at him two or three times, but be managed by jumping into a creek, to get away. One wbite man in the district, enticed a black woman to come and live with him. The husband was naturally incensed, and came stealthily about the hut with the intention of getting her away, or killing the stockman. He was seen and chased, but succeeded in , eluding his pursuers. Tbe policeman and black trackers were sent for, and it was openly stated that the native would be shot down like a dog if they came across him. These troopers are appointed to proteot tbe settlers, but it is their duty equally to protect the natives. Instead of following the latter course, they abet the abominable atrocities of the worse than Legre treatment to which tbe defenceless natives are subjected.