New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4848, 5 October 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5.

His Hon. the Superintendent of Otago, like an old lady or a lawyer, must have the last: word. This will be seen l by his telegram to his Excellency, the Governor, which appears in another, column. But like an old lady or a lawyer, his Honor the Superintendent of Otago is apt to became oblivious of fact,, and to rely on imagination for his grounds of argument. Thus we find: him repelling with 1 horror the notion that he has had anything to do with the feeling awakened amongst a portion of the Otago people that they should refuse to accept abolition and should endeavor to have the province created a separate colony. The feeling is of course a spontaneous outburst from the “stamina!” of Otago, ’ but somehow the spontaneity can be traced to Mr. Macandrew. That gentleman is reported .as having said, at 'the recent meeting in the Princess Theatre, 1 Dunedin :—“ I dare day some people will think me heterodox. But I , have reflected oyer it a good deal, and am of opinion that the only way to Save Otago is to erect it into a separate colony. I believe that is the panacea for all our ills. Erect Otago into a separate colony, which I think can be done by constitutional means, the same as was done in the case of Victoria and Queensland. New South Wales ; would never have parted with either of those colonies, no more than New Zealand will part with Otago. If the people will go the right way about it, it can be accomplished ; that is, by having recourse to the Imperial Parliament.” After rending, the above surely no one would accuse Mr. James Macandrew of fomenting opinions in Otago. No more would any one accuse his sous-lieutenant, Mr Robert Stout, of statinganything that was not in accordance with the strictest logical sequence ahd the hardest fact. And yet we find Mr. Stout reported as having said at the before-mentioned meeting—“ The Wellington people cannot conceive that you are not ruled by cliques, because they themselves are ruled by cliques. The people of Dunedin do not require to be ruled by a select clique of gentlemen, or by' any ring at all;, They made'a lot of this; thing, as if, it would influence members’ acts, one way or another.” Well there is little need:for .arguing on this last matter. It is- a simple fact that in Dunedin and Auckland money rings are all powerful, whilst in Wellington such things are not known. /

The result of last night’s! division on Mr. Donald Reid’s proposal to establish two counties for Otago was the ■ natural outcome of provincial mismanagement.- - Messrs. Fyke and Manders thoroughly explained to the House the injustice with which their respective districts have been treated, and had hot Mr. Reid, with his accustomed foresight, previously—to be vulgar —“ squared” the Southland members by a sop in the shape of the' Mataura watershed for their new county, we should doubtless have heard more about provincial' misgovernment. Mr. Stout during the discussion made rather a boast of doing justice to Southland ; but when 1 Mr. Reid’s proposal was lost, executed a strategic change' ;of front, the votes of' his Southland friends being of no more use. The secret then leaked out,’ Mr. Lumsden in his remarks speaking of “a bribe ” to Southland, and the member for the Clutha ! proposing an amendment under which 1 the lands between the river and the watershed on the Otago side would be included in the Clutha county. The Ministry voted against the amendment; but it was carried by a large majority, and the Southland people have received the reward of the suicidal policy of their representatives during the session. The Vincent county and Lake county have got all they desired, and perhaps Southland electors may learn wisdom by experience.

A Delicate compliment was paid to Mr. Pyka last night in the House of Representatives. On a discussion as to the propriety of the name “Molyneux” for Mr. Pyke’s own county, Mr. Thomson said : that although a political opponent of Mr.* Pyke’s he had great pleasure in proposing that the name be, “ Saint Vincent .county.” On a division this was carried by 27 to 22. Mr. Stout then proposed, in order that there might be no mistake, , that the word “ Pyke” be added, and Mr. Andrew wanted to know if it was spelt with an “i” or “ y.” The second proposition was lost'on a division, 19 -voting for and 31 against it. It was intended to pay a similar honor to, Mr. Handers, but the matter was not proceeded with. At; a later period of the sitting Mr. Pitzroy complained of Otago members not settling the names, &c., of their counties outside the House, and coming down there to have a free fight on the subject. Both the Hon. Mr. Reynolds and Mr, Burns felt aggrieved at these remarks, the latter gentleman remarking with more vigor than grace that Canterbury members “ think nobody else is nothing.”

Will the gentlemen who voted against the Hon. Mr. Bowen’s efforts to establish a uniform prison system in the!colony read this from the London Standard of July 7th:—The Lord Chief Justice, charging the Grand Jury at the Sussex Assizes at Lewes yesterday, said there was a subject on which he should like to say a few words, and that, was in reference to the 1 management of prisons. He knew it would be considered quite out of place fora Judge, in charging a Grand Jury, to criticise in any manner a subject now under legislation; but after the very great! experience he had had of criminal jurisprudence, he thought it would not.be . out . of place for him to give ■ his opinion on such, a matter. As regarded the political aspect of the question he had not one word to say. It was only with regard to one of the purposes of the Bill he wished to speak, viz., as to the uniformity of prison discipline. Ho had long thought eminently! desirable that for the due administration of criminal justice there should be uniformity of punisluuent. It is notorious that there is very great’ difference in the administration in many gaols, and that'the r sentence givbn in one county assumes a very different; character in another, from the fact that a scar fence of twelve .months’ hard labor given at one ‘place may bo compared, to, one. of eighteen months given-at another. , With regard to labor and, diet, this is a matter attended with considerable perplexity to those who have to

'I pass sentence. If a. Judge is not thoroughly ! cognizant of the method of administration at the assize.in which Tie is engaged, he may pass a much more severe sentence than, he intended. He could not but think that the Bill would remedy the difficulties, and he had taken this, the first public opportunity he had of stating his opinion, which he was justified " iu doing by upwards of twenty years experience of the administration of, criminal law.

A telegraph station was opened at the Kumara rush yesterday, and our special correspondent sent the first message oyer the wires at 9 p.m., announcing the fact to us. In tomorrow’s issue we hope to give a lengthened description of the Kumara, telegraphed to us by our “ special.” Mr. Pyke, during last night’s sitting of the House of Representatives, had occasion to express his views on provincial cockneys, whom he considers to be the worst class of that species of animal. The hon. member wound up a witty and humorous speech by stating that the hon. r member for Dunedin, Mr, Stout, was a fair specimen of the class. An important discussion took place during the afternoon sitting of the House of Representatives yesterday. The Hon. Mr. Stafford spoke of. the shifting character of river beds, and suggested that what is technically known to geographers as “the proper left banks” should be taken as the boundary line of counties, instead of the: Government proposal to take the centres of rivers for the purpose of division. The Hon. Mr. Whitaker’s reply to the hon. members objection quite disposed of the matter, his reference to the rule of law as between riparian proprietors satisfying the House that the principle Of the Government proposal was right. ; An animated, at times acrimonious, discussion took place in the Legislative Council yesterday. It would be almost impossible to say Exactly how the subject matter on which the discussion was founded arose. It would appear, however, that Mr. Waterhouse considered that he had been misled—entrapped— into an arrangement as to the conduct of Government business." He stated as much the other day, and more than once since the matter has been referred to. The affair culminated yesterday, when Mr. Waterhouse gave his view of the matter. He was followed by Dr. Menzies, in defence of Mr. Hall. The hon. doctor spoke in a quiet manner, but there was' sufficient point in his remarks to call forth a sharp reply from. Colonel Whitmore, who spoke with considerable warmth. Dr. Grace gave his view of the subject, speaking on the side of Mr. Hall. Messrs. Acland, Fraser, and Bouar then, endeavored to throw oil on the troubled waters, and succeeded to some extent, when Mr. Robinson revived the sharp tone of the discussion by replying to some remarks of Dr. Menzies in a style; which was hardly complimentary to that gentleman. Mr. Hall and Dr. Pollen then spoke, both in effect hoping that the subject would drop, and the Council return to its ordinary quiet feeling. The debate, which lasted over two hours, terminated with a reply from Mr. Waterhouse, in which he retorted sharply to the speech of Dr. Menzies. The matter then dropped. The adjourned meeting of the Board of Governors of the Wellington College was held yesterday. Present—Mr. Brandon (in the chair), the Mayor, Messrs. Bunny, W. W. Taylor, Jackson, Travers, and the Rev. J. Paterson. Before proceeding to the special business of the meeting, namely, the adjourned consideration of the proposed exchange of reserves, a statement of the financial position of the Board was made, showing that if all accounts due were immediately paid there would be a deficiency of £2l. The sum of £2oo,’due from the Provincial Government at the end of the month just expired, had been paid over. Mr. Bunny stated that he thought it probable, if application were made to the Provincial Government, an advance of £250 might be made, to be covered of course by the sum due at the end of December, and the secretary was instructed to make such application. The Board then proceeded to consider the question raised by Mr. Travers, who stated his objections to the proposed changes of the Terrace, reserves, and said ■he did not see what advantage the College would obtain by making such an exchange. He further pointed out that the Hospital Trustees should have adhered to the conditions of the arrangement made at a conference with the College Governors and the Corporation. He proposed, after some discussion, that an exchange be authorised as proposed , in the Bill before Parliament, provided , that the , exchange be carried out only on condition that trie terms .under which the reserve was leased to tenants should be respected. The Rev. Mr. Paterson seconded the motion. Trie Mayor said the introduction of a Bill such i as'that before Parliament had not been sanctioned by the Government. His impression had been that their object was to have a Bill giving general power to exchange reserves, and not to specify any particular sections. The resolution was then agreed to.—With regard to: the prospective vacancies on the Board a brief discussion took place, the. Mayor objecting to the present ex officio governors, Messrs. Taylor and Bunny, retaining their seats after their offices in the Provincial Council should cease to exist, and stated that he had not knowingly given his consent to the resolution which recommended their continuance f in. office as governors. He thought it would be better that the chairmen of two adjacent county councils should have seats on the Board, as they would stand in the place of Superintendents.—The question of college examiners, was then brought, on by the Rev. Mr. Paterson, who stated that he and Mr. Jackson had been giving the matter consideration, and had arrived at the conclusion that it might be advisable to retain the services of some professional examiner, whose decisions would probably have more weight. No , result was arrived at as, in the face of a committee having been appointed to consider the matter, action at present would be premature. This concluded the, business, and the Board then adjourned. ■ Mr. J. H. Bennett, agent for the All England Cricket Eleven, which, visits the. colony during this season, arrived in Wellington by the s.s. Ladybird yesterday. Mr Bennett has been in communication With several of our leading cricketers, and we are happy to sav that.it is,pretty certain the Eleven, should they come: to New Zealand, will play at Wellington on the Basin Reserve,, which is the only suitable ground for a match in or in the neighborhood of the city. The matter now rests altogether with the lovers of the great old game here, as the visit of the Eleven, to Dunedin and Christchurch will be dependent upon their also coming to Welling-, ton and Auckland. It is needless to state that the public of this city have only to be appealed to in order that the funds necessary to secure the Eleven’s coming here may be raised. We learn that, the committee appointed recently to make local arrangements will hold a meeting: on Saturday evening next, in order that they may be prepared to give Mr. Bennett a definite answer.

Again there wag a crowded and enthusiastic audience at the Theatre Royal last night to witness Mr. Darrell’s play of “ Transported for Life.” The universal verdict on : the piece was that it was one of the best of ■ the dramas of the present ’day which has" been placed on the; Wellington stage; and the acting was quite in keeping .with the drama, the vociferous plaudits of the audience testifying to this; The same piece is to be repeated to-night We notice that Mr. and Mrs. Darrell are an-, pounced to appear for only three nights more. This is to; he regretted, as it would take, in our!opinion, a much longer period to play out “ Transported for Life ’’in this city.

There are some excellent game birds, says the* Mastcrton Nema, knocking about’ the outskirts of the RangitumaU bush just how— turkeys, and even peacocks being amongst the number. Any good sportsman visiting the locality would bo likely to do a very fair stroke! Mr Gibson, of the.Wairarapa, recently learned from a Wellington'paper that rhe had been lost in the Alfredton (bush.,, He read the news with satisfaction as being the first be had heard of it.

The Hon. Dr. Pollen/ having recovered’ sufficiently from his illness, resufued.his'iplace in the Legislative Counfcil yesterday. v \ The only case at tke Resident Magistrate’s. Court yesterday waSv.one n of" - drunkenness. Being Wednesday there were no civil cases. ' The Queensland Parliament, by a majority of four,-have voted £10;000 for immigration purposes. ) The Public Health Bill was read a second time in the House of Representatives last night, its 163 clauses being considered in committee. It was then read a third time and passed. There was no sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court at the Hutt yesterday—the usual Court day—Mr. Crawford’s attendance being required elsewhere. It is stated by the Wairarapa paper that the Kumara rush is taking a number of men away from work on the railway contracts. Wages have been raised to prevent this as much as possible. The world-renowned billiard player Mr. Jno. Roberts, junr., arrived by the Ladybird yesterday, and his first match is advertised for tb-night, at Palmer’s store, Johnston-street, a few doors below the Occidental Hotel. His opponent is to be Mr. Weston, to whom he concedes 500 points in 1000. The Skating Rink is to be opened on Saturday next, and Messrs. Bates and Howard will have made an addition to the amusements of Wellington of a class which, to the young colonials, will be of an entirely novel kind, while to the natives of the Northern latitudes it will revive pleasures of Home life. We anticipate for Messrs. Bates and Howard a success in their spirited undertaking. ; The'first picnic (which is intended to be an annual: affair) of the English High School took place yesterday. The scholars and friends to the number of 200 were conveyed to Lowry Bay by the s.s. Moa, which was found to be capitally adapted for such purposes, Every attention to the comfort of the passengers was.paid by Captain Mclntyre, and a most enjoyable day was spent, the party returning to Wellington in good time for tea. Yesterday was quite a busy day at the Lower Hutt, a large number of admirers of horseflesh having gathered there to witness the parade of entire horses, it being the opening of; the season. About a dozen horses were exhibited, of various breeds, from the racer to the Clydesdale. Most of the animals were well known, and each ha,d his admirers; but the most interest was manifested with regard to a recent importation from Tasmania, a fine staunch animal.

There were landed yesterday by the Ladybird some fine greyhounds, viz., Regalia, bk. b., by Rocketer, out of Belmontine, and Golden Lion, by George’s Glory, out of Gaudy Poll, the latter of whom is intended for stud purposes. Mr. A. P. Morris, who has returned to New Zealand, brought them out with him in the Merope to Lyttelton. Regalia is a third season bitch, and as a puppy won the Derrymacash Stakes for 64 bitch puppies, winning very easily. In fact so easily did she dispose of, her opponents that the coursing calendar said “she was never even made to gallop.” She was then put into training for the Waterloo Cup, and was made a very strong favorite for it, but unfortunately while training cut her foot so severely that her owner, Mr. H. Haywood (from whom Mr. Morris purchased her at a long figure), determined to send her to the stud for a season, in order to drive away all inflammation from her foot. She was sent to the fashionable Farrier, by Cavalier, out of Carlton ; and during the passage from England had seven pups, all of which Mr. Morris succeeded in landing in first-rate trim, and they are really a magnificent lot of" dogs, Mr. M. refusing a large offer while aboard “ for any one of the litter.” Regalia will be put in training for the next Waterloo Cup in Australia, and from her past performances and well-known, staying powers, might to defeat easily anything this side the line. Golden Lion is an exceedingly powerful dog, weight about 701b5,, and from his magnificent blood, ought to! produce some really first-class stock. His price is £8 Bs. a bitch. BdVs Life in London speaks in a very high strain concerning Regalia. Colonel (or more properly Mr.) Baker’s term of imprisonment expired oh the 6th August lasi. It is reported by the Whitehall Review that the ex-hussar will at once proceed to, join the Servian army, and will undertake the organisation of the Servian cavalry in the field.

The unreserved sale of, carriages, horses, harness, saddles, stable gear, &c., &c., will be held this day, at the New Zealander Hotel, at 2 o'clock, by Mr. G. H. Vennell. .

Mr. George Thomas’s sale of freehold property at Featherston has been postponed from Thursday, the sth inst., to Thursday, the 12th inst.