The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1864.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 40, 24 November 1864, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1864.

The September English Mail contains a most unmitigated catalogue of disastrous occurrences. Calcutta had- been visited by a hurricane —not one of those sudden and violent storms to which tropical countries are subject periodically at the changes of the monsoons, but one of those terrific hurricanes of which

we in temperate climes can form no conception, and which even in the tropics only recur two or three time 3 in a century. It only lasted four or five hours, and the loss of life is set down at 1300, and of property at two millions sterling! At home, also, the lifet of accidents and lamentable events is much longer than usual. One of those dreadful powder explosions which unfortunately are two familiar events, had occurred near London. This, although a more common kind of accident than even a destructive hurricane in the tropics, had been more than usually disastrous. Then we have a fire in London, a colliery explosion, two shocks of earthquake, the failure of a bank, involving a loss of one million, and producing more failures, a general strike of colliers in the vicinity of Birmingham, the cotton trade depressed, an alarming list of wrecks; and, to cap the sad category, great destruction of life in the American struggle — but " that's not much :" it has become an everyday tale. Nothing, indeed, occurs to vary the sad details of the news; we are even told what the valorous Emperor of Russia intended to have done in the way of making aggressive movements on the Australian colonies, had Britain taken up the cause of Poland—giving us not only present but retrospective calamities, which islrather too much. We dislike looking back' to what might have happened: " sufficient for the clay is the evil thereof." Still the eventuation was a Highly probable one, and similar circumstances may occur, It will thus be seen that the preparations for internal defence adopted in Australia and this

country are by no means uncalled for, and it will show the home counti'y the necessity, when any European struggle impends, for taking measures for the effectual protection of the colonies by sending a sufficient force of war vessels to their shores, for it will be a long time before they can themselves withstand the attacks of powerful naval armaments.

It is to be hoped, notwithstanding the continued reports of warlike movements in America, that the end of the war is really approaching. The fact announced by last mail, that the British Government has at length despatched an accredited ambassador to the United States, is itself significant of a relenting spirit having manifested itself. The people of the North are sickened by the oft repeated reverses experienced by their armies, and anticipate with fear and trembling the approaching crisis, occasioned by the issues from the Government Treasury. The con-

viction increases that to persist in attempting to conquer their enemy, so united and powerful, will lead to dissensions, and ultimately divisions amongst themselves, and lessen the possibility of reunion. Such reflections have at last given rise to serious commotions amongst the adherents of every political creed ; even those who supported the government of President Lincoln and so vehemently cried war to the utter destruction of the south, are to be found with the party most anxious for peace. The semi-official Commissioners from Mr Davis' Government, stationed at Niagara, arrived at a time highly significant, when the armies of the South had proved impregnable against those of General Grant, and particularly so near the approach of the Presidential nomination and election.

The political principles of the citizens of the states comprising the Confederate States have always been dcmoci atic ; and their votes, united with the democrats of the North on one platform, had, until Mr Lincoln's election, returned what they contend was a national President. Mr Davts, formerly on terras of intimacy with the leading democrats of the North, and knowing the influence they have with their political supporters, approaches them through Mr Holcombe at Niagara Falls. And what result, it may be asked, does Mr Davis anticipate from the mission he has despatched to the Canadian frontier ? Is he desirous to co-operate with the democrats of the North for the re-establishment of the Union on principles consistent with the old constitution ? Or is it only with a view to unite the democrats with the other peace men of the Noith, so as to have nominated for the Presidency a candidate opposed to the government of Mr Lincoln ? To succeed in this, Mr Lincoln could not possibly be reelected—the succeeding President's policy would be one of peace. On assuming the reins of Government he would agree to an armi&tice; the South could not but consent to a convention of states to settle, if possible, the existing difficulties. To do so would be quite consistent with the integrity of the Confederate Government, formed as it has been on the principle that each state is sovereign and independent, but having the right to delegate power to an authority composed of a federal compact.

Presuming that a convention followed an armistice, Aye are not inclined to believe the result would be the reunion of all the states. The South, consistent with her doctrine of states' rights, would claim that each state had a right to choose her own destiny, as was the case with the American colonies on achieving their independence. The Confederate States might willingly consent to a union with such of the other states whose principles and interests were identical with their own. The Western states, although their political principles are opposed to those of the South, would gladly cast in their lot with, the Confederate States, their prosperity hitherto having depended much upon commercial intercourse with the South. The free navigation of rivers running from the south-west to the extreme south, terminating at the mouth of the Mississippi, would be of great value to the agricultural community of the West. A union with the South, besides giving the West a profitable market for her products, would make her independent of Northern ports for the export of her surplus crops. The South, on the other hand, united with the West, would become more powerful, and secure that which she has always strived to maintain— political influence in the American States. Once an armistice agreed to and a convention formed, a renewal of hostilities may hardly be looked for. A Union, comprising all the American states, we think cannot be anticipated, for their interests and internal laws are antagonistic. We are not, then, of opinion that Mr Dayis desires reunion as it existed previous to the secession. The mission he has sent to Niagara, we think, is more to distract the people of the North, and increase

their desire for peace. He knows their disposition to bo sanguine and restless; and once a cessation of hostilities takes place, the war will not be renewed; and whatever the result of conventional deliberations, the independence of the South is virtually achieved, while dissension and civil strife may originate among the states hitherto fighting for what they termed national existence. We trust, however, that a new era is about to dawn on the continent of America—that civil discord will cease in all the states—that peace will be established on a lasting basis, and on principles consistent with the cause of humanity.

We have been favored by the author with a copy of a pamphlet, the title of which is " New Zealand versus the World as a long- " wool producing country," containing a table of calculations carefully compiled by a practical sheep-breeder, showing the probable results of breeding Leicester sheep on improved pasturage in New Zealand, and also touching on the relative capabilities of the British colonies in this hemisphere for the growth of cereals, &c. At a period when the merits of different kinds of sheep and different descriptions of crop are considerably canvassed, it may not be out of place to make a few extracts from this pamphlet. It is from the pen of Mr D. Bust, of Waikouaiti, who also refers to the expetience and opinions of the late Mr Rich ; and it contains much that is interesting to agriculturists and breeders of stock.

The author starts with the general remark that the choice of the class of sheep best adapted for any particular locality, whether as to herbage or climate, is of groat importance ; and although he is greatly in favor of long-wool sheep for a considerable portion of New Zealand, and is thoroughly convinced that no country in the world can beat it in the production of the best long-wools, yet he is aware that not only do short-wool sheep thrive well here, but they will yield an increase of wool in comparison wi'h more arid climates. With particular reference, however, to large areas of ground in New Zealand consisting of valleys, slopes, table lauds, and undulating country, with some extensive plains capable of yielding an immeuse weight of the most succulent European grasses, he considers that they are more than any other

suited to the constitution of the Leicester class of sheep, " which is more than any "other calculated to prosper on the rich " grasses with which a large portion of the " country will soon abound"

The pamphleteer states :~" That the de- " mand for long-wools is great at present, is " known ; but, in addition t :> these, he would " invite the reflecting breeder to consider " what countries are likely to produce the " long lustre wool, which has tal<en a decided "lead in the great worsted manufactmiug "districts of England, and he will find that " England herself has the lead at present; " that very few countries (or rather climates) " are capable of competing therewith ; that " the generality of those countiies which "pioduce long-wools can only do so of a " medium quality; and although the enter- " prising Victorians are to some extent giving " attention thereto, yet they can only do it " along the seaboard portion of their country ; "and well-assured is the author that they " cannot nearly compete with the New " Zealand &>heep farmer in length and lustre " of staple ; and he is also equally satisfied " that, when properly managed, neither " England nor any other country will be able " to compete therein." He then goes into calculations to prove his position, long-wool sheep being taken at three per acre, and onefifth more being allowed for the finer or lesser animal. He says that " he can prove that " even seven and eight sheep per acre have " been summered upon improved pastures in "New Zealand." These calculations are too long to be quoted, but one result given is that the difference in favor of long-wool on each million of acres, is upwards of half-a-million of money. The breed of sheep which he recommends so strongly is the New Leicester or improved Lincoln sheep ; and he particularly guards importers and breeders against any but a pure breed, stating that the majority of the sheep introduced are not pure Leicesters. He refers to various wool circulars to show " that the majority of wool- " growing countries are only suited for the " production of the finer woolled animals, " consequently there is every encourage- " inent to take advantage of the capabili- " ties which Providence has bestowed upon " the land of our adoption." One of the wool circulars which he quotes, says that " New Zealand is peculiarly adapted to pro- " duce the long combing wools required, from " its soil and climate; and an unlimited " market is open for such avools." Aβ to the special capabilities of New Zealand for the production of succulent pasture, he points out

that the chief cause of this is " climatic"— that " like every other country, New Zealand " varies considerably in soil and climate, and " that in certain cases it might be well to " grow a quantity of roots or green crops for " summer consumption." Mr Bust pays a high compliment to New Zealand, when he says that any description of sheep will thrive well in it. From the experience of this district, as evidenced at the late Show, it would appear that merinos answer here ; but still we have heard it said that they do not thrive upon English grasses so well as the Leicesters ; and it might not be amiss to give the latter a larger trial than has hitherto been done.

In regard to cereals, Sac, Mr Bust says .that New Zealand generally is not so well suited for growing wheat as South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, but is better suited than these are for the production of malting barley; and he thinks that ere long malt will be made here for exportation. He also considers this country well-adapted for raising hops ; for oats, peculiarly suitable; and as to pulse crops, such as beans, peas, &c, unsurpassed.

The vnws here given may not be new to some of our agricultuial and pastoral readers, but the pamphlet contains much that is worthy of perusal, and points to a field richer by far than any gold-field ever discovered, cspcciall) , if the result-* arrived at by the author on paper can be realized on sheep and wool. Those of our readers -interested in these matters, who have not seen this brochure, should seek its acquaintance,—its pi ice is only one shilling, as appears by the advertisement.