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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4370, 23 March 1875, Page 2

Qua telegrams inform us that gold has been found in the Prospectors’ claim at Ohinemuri, that a manager has been appointed, and mining set about systematically. Another find is reported at Kotokuhu. We are glad to know that these reports axe verified by telegrams to the Government." Mr. Mackay telegraphed on Saturday that “ the news from the Ohinemuri diggings was encouraging. Every one seemed in good spirits. A gold-bearing reef, three feet .wide, was' discovered yester.day between Karaugahape and Kotokuhu.” Mr. Warden Fraser also telegraphed a day later to the, same effect. He states—“ Things are quiet -at Ohinemuri, but more cheerful. Ke- • ports of gold being found in several quarters. That at Kotokuhu is undoubted, and very promising.” We may also add that coal, quicksilver, and silver ore have been discovered within the Ohinemuri block, which has not been in any sense prospected as yet. There are ; immense deposits of kauri gum, valuable forests, and a very large extent of fertile laud abutting on a navigable river. With such natural resources this interesting district should friake great progress under the steady application of, capital ;and. labor.;

The proceedings in the Resident Magistrates’ Court yesterday were-of an unusual character. Captain Campbell, master of the Dallam Tower, brought several of his crew into court dri a'Hariety' of tohai-ges of - disobedience of ordfers. He failed in every case except one, and in it the punishment awarded was merely nominal. Mr. Crawford, 8.M., took a very proper view of ihC transactions; and we trust his remarks will be of use to Captain Campbell in r‘egulatiiig"Ki3 l '<iouduct hereafter. It is quite evident, from the report of the case, that th'e raaster of tlie'-Dallam Tower was as much to blame as the crew for the discord and want of discipline that unhappily prevailed.' 'He has apparently faults of temper that render him unfit to control men Who have a tendency to insubordination. Irascible himself, he was the cause of irascibility in others ; for it should never be lost sight of that the captain of a ship iu:fluonoes directly the conduct of the crew. He possesses arbitrary powers at sea, and for the 'safety of the ship, and the welfare of those on board, it is essential that he should he clothed with such powers. But the law supposes that every shipmaster is fitted, by education and character, to exercise them with judgment-and moderation. The evidence led in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, makes it matter of the grayest doubt whether Captain .Campbell does so, at least-so far as temper and disposition are concerned. • We trust that a similar case may not come before the public again. It must create a painful feeling in the public mind. The- safety of life and property ! must not be imperilled by the petulance or ’ tyrfumy of any man.

jWe regret to learn, from the Brisbane Telegraph, that the scheme proposed by Messrs. Collier and Cain, for the construction of a railway from Dalby to the Gulf of Carpentaria, has fallen through. This appears to have arisen from Messrs. Collier and Cain, after going over the ground, withdrawing their proposal to construct the 1 line between Dalby and Roma on a system of land grants, though they 1 Were perfectly prepared to do so between Roma and the. Gulf. Their second proposal was that they would undertake the construction of aline from Roma to the Gulf on condition that the Government gave them a contract, without competition, to construct a line from Dalby to Roma at £SOOO per mile, half the money to be paid in cash, and the other half Jn Government /four per cent debentures, 1 at their market price at the time they were taken. To this the Government of Queensland would not agree. It is admitted by .the Queensland Press that the land between Dalby and Roma —a distance of two hundred miles—is about the worst 'laud in that colony. . Though the late project has failed, it is not impropable that it will yet 1 result in the construction of a railway to connect the capital of Queensland. with the Gulf of Carpentaria, oh a system of land grants.

In Melbourne there has been in existence, for two or three years an associai ion which provides a retreat for fallen and friendless young women. The report for 187-1 reads encouragingly. The secretary (Dr. Singleton) says ;—“ Two substantially-built houses in a central position - have been purchased during the year, and through the generosity of subscribers a, portion op the purchase money has been paid off, leaving a balance of £350 on mortgage Qf eighty-four ■ females admitted (luring 1874, with six remaining from 1873, ten have been restored to their friends or fami-: lies, fifty-five have been provided for by service or other employment, fifteen, left. of. their own accord, and there were ten remaining at the end of tlm year.;- On several occasions friendless and destitute women were admitted for: a night or two, and assisted in getting otherwise provided for. Two or three marriages of inmates took .place; during, the year, and five other couples were legally united in the Homo, who had been discovered living together in an unmarried condition.”