The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 37, 3 November 1864, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 18GJ

Import ant news from the North was received by the s 9 Wellington on 27th ultimo. The decision of the GVmmissioneis for determining the new Seat of Government has at length been given in favor of Wellington, which, is piobably a right one. The Middle Island will now have the advantage of a closer communication Avith the Executive, and its representatives less expenditure of time, money and fatigue in attending to their duties. Still the Governor does not appear to be convinced of the propriety of promptly leaving Auckland, or carrying the fiat of the Commissioners into efftct, for he has since fixed the sitting of the General Assembly there. A Gazette was issued on the 18th ult., in which it was notified that the Assembly would meet at Auckland (now the late capital) on the 21st inst. The conclusion of the report i eferred to is as follows: — Having made themselves acquainted, so far as was practicable, with the chaiacter and capabilities of both shoies of Cook's Stiiiits, the Commissioners have ai lived at the unanimous conclusion that Wellington, in Port Nicholbon, is the site upon the shores of Cook's Stiaits which presents the greatest advantages for the administration of the Government of the Colony. The Conmikhioneis cannot conclude tho impoit.int misoion which has been intiusted to thom without lecordmg their high sense of the valuable assistance affoided to them in pui suing their investigation, by the authorities of the various Piovinces, and ilso of the spii it of candour aud impartiality which has been displayed by tlio gentlemen furnishing the information they required. They aro desirous also of placing on recoid their acknowledgment of the courtesy and personal kindness received by thorn in every district which they visited. It is said that the expense of this Commission will be some £2000. It is stated that the people of the Matakana district, who have become much alarmed at the proximity of the escaped Maoris and the force which has joined them, are preparing to leave their homes. The prisoners still refuse to surrender, and deny all the accusations made against them of stealing cattle, &c. They are, however, likely to be kept in check by the loyal natives. William Thompson haB returned to Tauranga— one of his first acts being to mako his presence known, and warning Mr Heal, the

Government surveyor and party, not to extend their survey to Tawhitinui, or they would be killed. This loaks very unlike the reported submission of the natives. Typhus fever is reported to be raging among the natives at Opotiki and other places in the Bay of Plenty; no less than sixty Maories having died recently at the first-named place. The Ngatiwahias and another tribe resident in the Poverty Bay district, are quarrelling about the title to a piece of land, and a battle is shortly expected to come off between them. The contemplated campaign in the Taranaki and Wanganui districts has now been rendered unnecessary by a movement lately made by the small force stationed there under Colonel Warre, aided by native scouts. By this judicious attack the various strongholds of the natives, which have hitherto been a constant source of danger, auxiety and menace to the settlers, have fallen into our hands without bloodshed, the natives having fled after firing only a few shots. Our forces will now hold the range of foitificd positions, covering a great extent of country, and in fact, commanding the di&tiict; and the peace and security of Tarauaki will thus be greatly impioved. The account of this expedition is given in another column. In Wanganui and Hangatiki the separation movement is now at a discount, and so many have withdrawn from it that it is said the number for it is now about 50 below that required to authorise the measure.

The subject of District Schools, on which we offered a few remarks last week, is so important as to claim farther attention. The present School Committee have very properly resolved to subject the system to a thorough revision, and to adopt such alterations as I hey think it requues. For this purpose they have already held several lengthened meetings, and have had conferences with the teacher ; and a Sub-Committee of their number have vi&ited the school and given in a full report, which is published in extern**) in another column, and which we commend to the serious consideration of all interested. By this report a number of judicious changes are recommended, which aie now to be carried out. These have the full approval of the Committee and the teacher, and only want the cooperation of the parents of children to ensure their being- effectual. They relate to greater strictness in the attendance of scholars, and a generally improved mode of discipline, which will draw the reins somewhat tighter, but arc calculated greatly to enhance the efficiency of the school. These recommendations, aided by the services of a female teacher, will, we feel confident, remove mauy deficiencies at present existing in the Oamaru School. We must repeat, however, that parents of children have much in their power by way either of aiding or marring the efforts of the Committee and the school teachers. If they are caieless in regard to their children attending school or strictly adheiing to their hours, or as to their cleanliness and tidiness, or their manners and behaviour, the labors of Committee and teachers will be neutralized, and the best devisable system rendered nugatory. But if they give attention to the rules laid down, and truly act the part of parents, by aiding in the practice of these, they will thus strengthen the hands of the teachers and materially aid in the advancement of the scholars. On the subject of " ways and mean*," an excellent suggestion was thrown out by Mr Treasuier Locke, at the public school meeting lately held, that it would be much better to make an endeavor to raise the sum necessary for the animal expenses by voluntary contributions rather than enforced assessment. This plan is being carried out in other places with success. At a public meeting at Hawke&bury, reported in our last issue, a resolution was carried to make the attempt there, and the subscription, commenced on the spot, will no doubt soon be sufficient for the purpose. Port Chalmers is another examplo in point. The School Committee here, acting on this principle, have already carried a resolution to attempt the same method of raising the annual sum required. It only remains for the people of the district to pronounce whether they wi&h still to remain tinder a compulsory rate, which is not only odious because compulsory, but also expensive,°or will come forward voluntarily and raise the moderate amount. We think that the improved mode of obtaining the money should be hailed with acclamation, and that the sum should be forthcoming when required. Let our readers refer to the proceedings of the School Committee, and they will find that they have resolved to make an early appeal to the public on this question, and let that appeal be responded to as it deserves. In no case will it be required that any one should contribute more than his assessment would amount to, unless voluntarily; on the contrary, a smaller sum than the former assess-

ment will be sufficient, because the heavy expense of collecting it will be avoided. The appeal, therefore, is to the philanthropy of those who are not bound to contribute, and to the pecuniary interests besides of those who are. A few weeks hence, when the appeal is made to the public, we hope to see it heartily responded to. Rates have never been popular, and school rates in particular have given rise to much bickering and strife in this Province, short as the existence of the present educational system has been. But of one thing all are convinced, that schools must be supported, either by Government or the public. Supposing for a moment that they were io be made State institutions, and their support to come from the public revenue, still the public, having to raise the revenue, would have to find the money in some shape: and it is much better to laise it voluntarily. At pi esont much of the control of the schools is left with the parents, on whom is laid the burden of providing the larger part of the cost ; but, if the Stale were to icfeolve to take the whole expense upon them, it cannot be doubted that taey would also assume the exclusive management of the schools. What we must do in some shape or other, should therefore be done cheerfully and v,ith a good grace, especially as the mode suggested is the most pleasant, and the least costly that could be devised.

We have this week the pleasure of publishing a communication from his Honor the Superintendent addressed to Mr Ashcuoft, for the infoimation of the subscribers to the memorial lately transmitted. His Honor's reply, our readers will be glad to find, is both prompt and satisfactory, and there is every reason to hope that the sums placed on the Estimates will be voted and applied to the purposes indicated. The proposed loan of £4000 to the Town Board is the only item open to objection. Whatever sum is voted ought to be by way of gi\mt, unless the Government is prepared to hand over the municipal reserves to the town. The conditions attached will however be ascertained in due time. To the Editor of the Oauakd Times. Sir, — I have the pleasiuo to foiwatd foi publication a leUet leceived by me this morning fioin his Honoi the iSupuinLeiident, giving ,i vuy Livoi.ible leply to the nienioii.il addiessed to him by le^ideuts m tho town and dibti ict. You will giiMtly oblige mo by allowing this to appear in your next ibbiio. Youis respectfully, James Ashckoi'T. Oamaru, October 27, 18G1.

Supeiintendcut's Office, Dunedm, October 24, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yom letter of the 14th inst., togethei with a memorial fiom the inhabitants of Oamaru and the distiict adj.icen t thei eto. The vauous subjects to which the memorial lefeis have leceivod the favorable coiiudeialion of the Governnient, and I have now to leque^t that jou will bo good enough to iufoim the memomlibts that the following bunib will appe.u m the Supplemental y Estimates when biought befoie the Piovincial Council : — Ififc — Pour thousand pouiuls as a Loan to the Town Boaul of Oamaiu. . . £4,000 2nd— Three thousand five hmnhed pounds as a fiist moiety of the .supposed cost of haibor improvements ... £3,300 Sid— Two hundied pounds as a giant in aid foi hospital lequiicmeuts ... ... £200 4th— Six hundied pound'- foi a biidgo acioss tho Whaie Kun £000 I have, <.lc, (Signed) J. Hyde Harris, Supenuteudent. James Aiiheioft, Esq., Oamaiu. We arc indebted to James M. Balfouk, Esq., Government Maiine Engineer, for an extract fiom his report relating to Oamaru Harbour, now before the Government. Our leaders v ill obsenc that Mi UALrouu'srccommendations are highly judicious and practical, and embrace a small harbor light, which beyond doubt will be an exceedingly useful one and highly acceptable to us :-— " Luring last month I was at last enabled to overtake the survey of this important roadstead, and was surprised to find that there was much less constant sw ell under the shelter of the south head than I had anticipated. Availing myself of the local knowledge and expeiience of the landing-master, Captain Ben-ell, and others, I have been enabled to design a small wharf or jetty to extend fiom the rocks on the south side of the bay into a depth of about ten to twelve feet at low water, which would probably be very fiequently available for coasting vessels, and even for steam vessels as large as the Geelong. I do not propose at present to attempt works on such a scale as to enable even small vessels to come alongside in all weathers, but a comparatively short breakwater may be advantageously constructed at some future time in such a manner as thoroughly to protect the proposed works from all but northerly swells, which are I understand seldom heavy enough to be a source of annoyance. The whole of the bottom of the bay is apparently rock, bare in places, and elsewhere covered by but a few inches of sand, and this will necessitate the use of screw-piles of a peculiar construction, thus unfortunately greatly enhancing

the cost of the work, which I estimated at about £7000. The importance of the district however, and the great annual value of its imports and exports, appear well to justify even this considerable expenditure ; and I have no doubt that wharfage dues would be gladly paid, which would prove a source of considerable revenue. I have already recommended the establishment of a small harbour light at Oamaru, at a cost of about £500 ; this, I believe, would be an exceedingly useful light."

Wo regret to be obliged to omit our Hawkesbury Conespondent's letter, which did not reach us in time foi publication this week. / King Cobb ! "Wo have much pleasuie in announcing to our reodeis that the through route per coach from Dunediii to ChrLtehiuvh is now complete. • A coach cany ing the mail lea's esCobb and Co. 's booking-office, [ Staff old-street, Uuuedin, eveiy Monday, Wednesday, and Fnday morning, at 5 a m., stoppmg at the following way -places, viz : — Blueskin, Wtukoiuuti, Palmeiston, 1 Ilampdeu, Otopopo, Oam VRU, W.utaki, W.umnte, Peieora, TlMAUU, Arcwlicnua, Oama, Waugatati, Hinds, Ashbuiton, ltak.ua, Selwin, Weedens, and CHRl^iCHURtH. Tins accommodation was veiy much desaed, and will, we hope, be duly appieciated. We hope in our next issue to be able to give the table of distances, faies, and the houis of ai rival at every place, kc Tho arrangements for the Amateur Conceit and Bazaar in aid of theCluuchof England building fund aie now settled. The Concert is to be given in tho Afe&emblj ltoom, at the Noithein Hotel, which has been very kindly lent for the occasion by tho piopiietor. It will be on Wednesday the 9th inst , to commence punctually at 7.30 p m., the loom being open at seven. The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly volunteeied then seiviees upon the occasion : — Mis Filleul, Mis Lemon, Mis Fenwiek, aud Messis Joseph Lees, Nugent Wade, J, Slupton, L. G. Fenwick. F. Every, J. Evei y, and W. H. Teschmaker. Mr Shi iniski has kindly lent a veiy fine tnchoid cottage piano. Theie will be reseived and open seats, and tickets will be it-sued at the office of the Oamakc Times on and after this day (Thuisday). The piogiamme for the evening is a full one, being an excellent and varied selection of choice music, which will be obtainable in the conceit loom. The Bazaar, as befoie announced, is to take place on tho following day in the newly elected wool stoie of Messis Tiaill, Koxby and Co. Mi 1 J. Barnard, storekeeper, has kindly uttered to take chaige of any contributions to the auction dopaitment which may come id, and will be letemd by him till 9 a.m. of the 10th iust. Fi lends will leinembei that one of the l.idj piomoteis has kindly pi ounsed to add to her &t ill a lefiebhment table, ninth no doubt will bo much appieciated. The Kl'v. D. M. Stuait, oi some othei Dunedin Minister, is expected to pi each on Sabbath fiist, ui the District School house, in aid of the building of the Piesbytenan 01um.li. It is hoped that the collection at both diets of woiship foi this impoitant object, will be veiy hbcial. The oIKce-beaieis of theOamaiu Pieabjteii.ui Chinch have also pleasiue in announcing that it has been nuanged that a social mectiug will be held on Tuesday, the 8th mst., in the sthoohoom, at 7 o'clock. Seveial mmisteis and friends fiom a distance are expected to address the meeting. Tickets, 3s each ; to be had at the office of the Oamaru Times, at any of the stoics in tho place, oi from any of the officebeaieis. Also, at a meeting of the officebeaieis held on Tuesday night, it was decided that the coins of the lealm, a communion token of the Oamam Church, two copies of the Oamamj Times —the fust issue and the Litest— an "Otago Witness," the Canterbury " Pi ess," containing an account of tho meeting of the Geneial Assembly of the Pietbyteiian Chuich and the basis of the contemplated union ; a brief historical statement of the origin and pi o^i ess of the Church inOamatu ; the communion loll of the Chinch ; and a loll containing the names of contributor to the buildingof the Chiueh — bo deposited 1 in the foundation stone, to be laid on Thuisday, 10th | iust. Any peisons willing to become contnbutois to i the building of the Chuich, but -who have not yet been called upon by any of tho collectors, and who may wish their names, Avith any of the names of their family to be nisei ted in the i oil of contributor to be deposited, ■will be kind enough to foi waid then names to any of the officebeaieis of tho Church onoi befoie Thui«day, 10th iust. Next week will bo a stilling one in Oamam, on account of the Show and concomitant attiactioi.s. On ( Sunday fhst, anticipatoiy bei vices on the occasion of 1 laying the foundation stone of the PieOijterian Chuich. aie to be deliveied in the Distnet School-house, and a collection made foi the building fund. On Tuesday evening tho same congregation holds a «oiiee. On Wednesday, 9th inst., theie will be a Concert in aid of the building fund of the English Clnu ch ; and on the 10th a Ladies' Bazaar aud Auction Sale foi the same desuable object. Ou same day, at half- past 4, the foundation stone of the Pi esbytei lan Chinch will be laid. The piepatations foi the Show itself aie iu a foiwaid state, ami a exhibition may bo expected. The public dmiici theieaflei is to be held in the Hall at B ikei's Hotel, it (j o'clock. On Ilth and 12th instant, the laces come oft, and in the evening of Friday, a ball and supper at the Not thei n Hotel We must not omit to mention that Wednesday, 9lh instant, is the biithday of the Punce of Wales. " /We aie infomied that Mr Hunter, Aidgowan, who obtained the fiibt pme in Leicesteisat the last Oamaru Show, has just nnpoited fiom Iuveicaigill, by the Tiiama, a veiy fine two-toothed puie Leicester lam. This animal, which is said to he an unusually fine specimen of the biced, weighs 1451b , though only eleven months old and in oidinaiy condition, and has a fleece of extiaoidinaiy length and fineness of te\ture. He was bied l>-\ yii Thomas Hamilton, at LongbuJi, from a puie she and dam imported by Me^sis Douglas, Alderson and Co. The animal was lauded fiom the Geolong yeslerdiy and will probably be shown on 10th inst. We have received the ■first number of the " Waikouaiti Herald." It piesents a ci editable appearance. It is announced that it will not be published again before tho 9th instant^ Cio'wn Giants for the aftermentioned persons are stated by tho " Gazette" to be now leady for issue : — OAMAEU : Allan, James section 6, block XIII; Armstiong, C. C, section 11, block XIV; Denton. A. J., section 7, block XIII ; Douglas, Donald, section 20, block XII ; Edwai ds, Charles, section 31 , block XI ; Godfrey, J. B,, section 27, block IV j Hancock, James, section 22, block XII ; Jones, W. G. C, sections 1, 21, and 22, block I ; Lawson, Eobeit, section 7, block LX; Moodie, G. H., section 17, block XLl ; Moodie, Thos., section 19, block XIII ; Moodie, Thomas, section 19, block XII ; Pinkerton, Fiank, section 31, block XII ; Koxbuigh, Daniel, section 9, block X ; Rule, William, section 1, block XIII; Sewell, William, section 3, block XIII; (Thompson, John, section 22, block XXIII; Wait, J. S., sections 15, 16, and 22, block XI; Wilson, Henry, section 1, block XIV. The "Gazette" of the 2Gth tilt, contains a notice that applications for auctioneers' licences or for renewal of licences for 1863, must be lodged at the office of the Superintendent, oa or before the first Tuesdaj in the month of December.

The adjourned meeting of the Oamaru Build Society for the purpose of paying iu entrance fees shares, and other important business, was held Tuesday last, when £57 were paid in as entrance fees 465 shares ; 530 shares in all were applied for, and is expected that the number originally fixed will increased. The meeting was a mo3t enthusiastic o upwards of 200 people attending. The report of t proceedings will be found in another column. The fi meeting of the comn ittee will be held at Mr Sumpt? office on Tuesday next, the 8th instant, at 7 p m. f Five fine Rambouillet rams, (pure merinos) re(vn: imported from Victoria, and lately from France, t propei ty of Messrs Julius of the Rugged Ridges, w> landed from the Geelong yesterday. These animals s no doubt appear at the show on Thursday next. Messrs M'Kewn and Blackwood have favored us w; two remarkable specimens of fossil remains imbed, in the freestone, taken the other day from the "Wl Rock Quan y Reserve near this town. They cornet bones, the form, outline, and coloi of which is per'ec preserved— so much so that it is not easy to say wLeli the petrescent process is fully complete. They are v* raie, and will be foi warded in due time to the E\iJ tion^ I An advertisement by M'Landress, Hepburn and cS appearing- in our columns, announces that theii wecj auction sales of wool &c. will be lesumed during tl piesent season. Last year these salts gave much sal faction, and were found a gi eat convenience to I uy| and sellers. g /< Mr Gleeson, M P. for Moeraki, having stated ati public meeting that he could undeitaketo supp.yij tiade with mutton for twelvemonths at five penc-3 [§ pound— the " Ot.igo Mail" says: — 'The trade t* him at his woid on Wednesday, and the representatni of all the le.ubng fii ms waited on him to state tha' til would accept the offei he had made on behalf of h m« | and othei fequatteis, .it the last meeting held on the fc | hade in meat question. He (Mr Gleeson) then -ta'l that he was pi epared to supply the trade for a tnejl! month at that pi ice, and the object of their intervj was absolutely to accept tin* offer, and reduce tt j prices forthw ith. The woithy and veiacious m m ( l was taken very ccnsideiably aback at the piopo-Jj particulaily as he knew from those constitutes; j deputation that they were in serious earnest, and taat| had no back door in the shape of terms to fall ha* k 1 He hummed and hawed, made one excuse and an )tkl wondered if the skins would be given back ; said 1 would consult his brother squatters, and even hi j ' skedaddled ' in the most ignominious way out :>f I the ' convincing ' ■speeches ho had made and all J pledges he had given when he supposed no one woj put him to the test." j I In the Re&ident Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, on j 25th ult , the notorious James Duke was bi ought upi two seveial chaises of cattle stealing at West "xM and committed for trial ; then on a charge of hoj stealing, from F. Cornish, at Palmerston, on whichfi was committed ; and, fourthly, on a charge of havit stolen a saddle and bridle, which having been proved! was sentenced to three months' imprisonment witn lisf labor, i An interesting enteitainment was given hero i the evenings of Thuisday, Friday, and Saturday ill by Mi- Everest, consisting of a Diorama of Buike j Wills' unfortunate expedition in Australia, with exjl natory remaiks, and a general history of the proceedij of the vaiious explorers in that country. The di.wdj aie leniaikably truthful and life-like, and the con nvi a)ipro])riate and instructive. The room was modmt j well filled each evening. The exhibitor, while travel!: [ through the country, employs himself in r lafc \ sketches of the different places which he visits, -'or Jf IUustiated London News, and has taken one oi tS views of Oamaiu, which will probably appear a t[ months hence. | The Southland "Daily News" gives a lengthen [ account of the formal opening of the Oreti R.ittef which took place at the terminus, Esk street, Jnvenjf gill, on 18th October. A large number of the inhsj tants travelled aloug the line, and on their return § down to a sumptuous repast, at which a niutberl toasts were given, not forgetting "Success to the Ori Railway," by Mr Justice Chapman. This was follow! by a ball held on the enclosed platform of the raihffj A densely crowded public meeting was held in th 3 m Jj mg ; after which the band, accompanied by 1 hM t crowd, gave a serenade to Mr Davies, the contiactl Mr Davies gave the public a trip on the line on 2I| October. The opening of this short line, the firsts the Pioviuce, is looked upon as a. most important e^ in Southland, and deservedly so. S AVe are requested to state that Mrs Godfrey aekn<t ledges with thanks the receipt of the foilowiug si bscrg tious to the Englis-h Church Building Fund : — M« Jl R. M. and Co, £1 Is ; Messrs H. Hoyt and Co, £1 Is I ./During the meeting held in connection yi->h t( Budding Society, on Tuesday evening, a subsnipt^ list was sent lound asking for contributions to defef the expenses of gettiag up the petitions transmitted I the Government, arid upwards of £2 subscribed in if loom. Some £7 or £8 have yet to be raised, for xrh [ the Committee appointed by the public meeting s responsible. We understand that the subscript ion ; j will now be chcukted foi the purpose of obtain ug t \ small amount. The object has been so fully attui \ that it is not doubted that the public will chieifcg meet the expenbe, / § Oui readers will see by an advertisement in f piesent issne, that Mr Newey, of the Star and Gafi Hotel of this place, is about to open the Clyde Hot; Haaipden, at piesent occupied by Mr Prosser. /The fiist public sales of land in the P.ipakaio listri took place on 20th October, continued on 24 h, i about 4,400 acies were sold at a price aveiagmjafc 24s an acre. Further sales were to come off od sut quent days. By this time many thousands cf a'J have been disposed of, so that in the next retirnsl 1 ural land sales, Papakaio will figure conspicuously,? I Tlieie appears after all to be a probability of S poits bemg opened for the importation of cattlo M modified form. The Superintendent received a te deputation on Monday last, and the meeting was s journed till to-day. A monster petition has been got! and subscribed by some 4Q00 or 5000. His Hon appears inclmed to yield tho point. He conduced t interview by saymg :— " After what had been KiidJ would not give a decided opinion till Thursday, by wM time he hoped to have further information affonled him. If, howevei , it could be shown to him tha , by t importation of other stock the prices of meat we uld '< reduced, he would run a good many risks to do it." 1 beg the attention of our readers to the comments on ti important subject in our Dunedin Corresponded letter. About 200 emigrants, including men, wore en £ children, have arrived at Auckland from the Cape Good Hope by the barque Steinwarder. The vessel I had a fine passage throughout ; the passengers are all good health, and will no doubt prove a valuable iddib to the population of the colony, the greater proports of them being used to colonization. The barqu-a Aifr a vessel of about 500 tons, was to follow the S'^einff dcr, with about 400 moie emigrants. The " Mad " says :— " In order to keep up t interest felt in the forthcoming Exhibition, tha Co: missioners havepieparedanumber of photographs oft building for distribution by the district com nitte and throughout the various towns of New Zealand. 1 photograph is by the London Photographic C<jmpa: and is one of the best wo have seen in New Zealand, is well worthy of being framed and kept as a mem« of the greatest effort yet made by New Zealand for t display of her boundless resources."