THE Otago Daily Times "Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 129, 15 April 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times " Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1862.

The temporary failure of the negotiation for arranging a mail service between Melbourne and Duuedin appears to besomewbatmisunderstood. .Amongst some the impression seems to be that the matter is at an end, and a few (very few we are glad to say) who endorse the doubtful view expressed by Mr. Cargill, of the propriety of relieving the General Government ofthe control ofthe service, are not displeased at the turn the affair has taken. . But tlTe majority, the great majority, including the members of the Chamber of Commerce, (excepting Mr. Cargill aforesaid) adhere to the opinion previously expressed, and would be unfeigneclly sorry should anything occur to prevent the carrying out of the arrangement previously agreed upon. It is as well to arrive at the state ill which the matter now stands, as the subject must shortly come before the Provincial Council for discussion. By the last trip of the Aldinga, Mr. Blackwood, of the fiim of M'Meckan & Blackwood, came, down to Dunedin for the express purpose | of entering into an arrangement with the j Provincial Government fcr the carrying of, the mails both ways. Prior to this, however, j in obedience to an intimation which had ap-, peared some time in the paper, he put in a ten- ( der for the carriage of the mails on the 18th of the month, to Melbourne. He was the only tenderer, and his tender was found by the - Provincial Government to he higher than) they had anticipated. Judging that he would also ask a high figure forthe carriage of the mails both ways, the Government thought they hadbetter.postpone the matter till the meeting of the Council, and Mr. Blackwood acquiesced iv this proposal so far as to leave instructions with his agents as to the terms on which they could' undertake the entire service on his behalf. It will be for the Council now to decide the matter. The members we presume will have brought under their notice the grounds on which the previous action was taken. They will be told that an influentially-signed memorial was first jjre- '< sented to the Superintendent, in which the necessity of an efficient twice a-month service * between Melbourne and Dunedin was strongly urged. Following this, they will be informed of the strong and ail-but unanimous opinion expressed by the Chamber of Commerce in • favor of the service. They will then be told of Mr. Ward's visit, and of the decided manner in which his proposition to make the arrangement on behalf of the General Go-'1 vernnient was declined, and the responsibility undertaken by the Provincial Government to negotiate the service, having due regard to the interests. of the other Provinces. Acting ■ on the assurance received, Mr. Ward went to; Melbourne and chartered two steamers to run i up and down the New Zealand coast, in con-1 nection with the Melbourne boats. It |

is not quite known whether these arrangements were entered into on the -strength of the responsibility undertaken by the Provincial Government, and whether Mr. Ward would now be willing to take the arrangement of the Dunedin Mail Service into his own hands.. But whether he would or not makes no difference to our view of the matter; we would be as disinclined now to see ' him assume control over the Dunedin and Melbourne Service' as we were on a former occasion. If Mr. Crosbie Ward entered into the arrangement, a very con-1 siderable portion of the expense would have toi be borne by Otago out of Class A in the Gene- i ralßevenue. On the other hand if Otago enter - into a good arrangement, the'other Provinces, 1 throngh Mr. Ward, will not,be disinclined to 1 liberally subscribe, towards it.. In the firsts case the expense would fall on Otago in i

about the proportion of 10s in the pound ; in the second" ease the other pitivhiccs! i\oukl at least contribute iv aid of the cxtia expence ofthe service—7s. 6d. in the poundso that in point of expense Otngo would save tut little by falling Laik on the Geneial Lo\cn ment, "whilst tLe contiol ol the seivic.i would 1 c lost to it.

It may le iairly claimed that, without stipulation as to the cost, Otago ur.eleitcoU to uilangc the service between Dunedin and Melbourne, anel on tht> strength ofthe pledge Mr. Ward chartered the two steamers to run along the coast. As long, therefore, as the service is to'be procured at no greater cost than what 'it is worth, we hold that, neither iii policy nor in fairness, should Otago withdraw from*the pledge, even although the cost proveto be heavier than was anticipated. But one reservation has to be made ; as no one would have dcsiied the General Government to pa) a higher value for the service than it was. worth, — estimated at the cost to the contractors with a fair profit added,—so no oneshould expect Utago to pay any figure that might be asked of it, supposing the sum to be in excess oi the price at which the contractors could afford to do it. In fact, Otago is pledged to give a fair price, whatever that may be, tor the service, but not to allow itself to be taken advantage of because tliere is only one linn able to enter into the contrnct. If the proposition we have laid down be considered a lair oue, the deduction is very ck-ur. The real cost, to the tenderers, ofthe proposed service should be calculated, a fair profit should be added, and the offer should be made to tbem to enter into the contract on the terms arrived at. Supposing them to be too extravagant in their views, the plan will be open of subsidising another line, or of encouraging one by a guarantee of minimum profits. This course,-however, is an extreme one, and should not be thought of until the owners of the present line evinced their determination not to accede to reasonable terms. .

In regard to arriving at the conclusion as to what are reasonable terms, the matter is one on.whichthe Chamber of Commerce should be able to advise the Provincial authorities. Some of the members should understand the details of a steam postal service, and should be able to arrive at au ap^ proximation of its cost and value. The most prominent elements to be taken into consideration, are the enforced engagement of the vessels in the line, even although superior inducements offered in another trade, and the'delays which would be occasioned to the vessels by undertaking the voyages at the stated times. The first explains itself; in regard to the second, if we are to suppose that a steam vessel could average a voyage there and back between Otago and Melbourne once in every twenty-three days, when not subjected to delays for the mail, and if, as is the case with a mail service, the vessels could only do one voyage there and back a month, there is obviously a delaj' of 7 days per month for each vessel, or for the two in the course of the year of 168 days, equal to seven voyages lost in the year. We do . not o-uarantee the correctness of this estimate we only adduce it as an example of one ofthe considerations to he taken into account in es-i timating the value of the service. On the other hand, seeing that no expense will be occasioned to the contractors in bringing down and returning the mails fbr the other provinces, a stand should be taken against paying extra for this imaginary service. Whatever the contractors can afford to convey the Otago mails for, they can afford, to add to them the mails for or irom the other provinces.

We trust that the matter will he fairly set before the Council, and that this body will not hesitate to appropriate the funds sufficient to pay for the service which the province has already almost pledged itself to curry out. With the Provincial Executive the details of the arrangement might be left, as also the onus of seeing that the price paid is not iv excess of that which the service was worth. Subject to what we have here said, all that has previously heen written regarding the desii ability of seeing an efficient and permanent service between Melbourne and Otago is capable of being intensified rather than modified. It is ofthe last importance to the interests of Otago to secure a mail service, independent ofthe caprice, the malice, or the political action of the General Government It is equally to its interest to secure regular steamers to trade to and from the Province, and bound to continue no matter what inducements might olfer elsewhere. And lastly it is impossible to over-estimate the advantage of making Dunedin the terminal point of arrival and departure for all the colony of Kew Zealand, of the European Mails. Following on this Dunedin must become the commercial depot of the Colony— the port from which will radiate communication to all other parts of ISlew Zealand, —the point to which the stream of immigration irom England will inevitably direct itself, afterwards to disperse itself over the Colony, accordingly as circumstances prompt.

;It has long been to us a subject of astonishi ment that no attempt should have been made tto establish an Acclimatisation Society in s Otago. In most of the principal countries ol .Europe and in many of their colonial depene dencies these societies are in full operation , with the- best possible prospects of success; - but Otago has, as yet, made no sign. It is s true that a society of the kind has lately been 1 established iv Auckland, but that can be no excuse for the apathy ofthe people of Otago, - for however beneficial to New Zealand may - be any experiments made in the north, it must r be borne in mind that the first advantage will s naturally be reaped in the Province in which i the trouble and expense have been incurred, ' . and that Otago and the other southern i provinces can only expect to benefit 5 after Auckland has been supplied. Moref over, "although Auckland and Otago are 1 both in New Zealand there are decided diffei rences in the climate of the two Provinces, i and any animals brought from Auckland 1 would require to be acclimatised here before - they could be profitably bred. Everything, c therefore, concurs to point to the advisability . of an effort being mads at once to organise an t - Acclimatisation Society in. Otago. 3 It is a mistake to suppose than an Acclima--3 tisation Society is . merely an association of r dilletanti, who amuse themselves with experil ments of ho particular value. On the conj trary the objects of such a society are of the . most thoroughly practical character, and it is t gratifying to note that in many instances their i labors have already been crowned with prac- > tical results, which promise to be ofthe highest 'importance. The Melbourne Society, under the presidency of that indefatigable and enthusiastic [ man, Mr. Edward Wilson, ofthe Argus, has' • already done much for Victoria, and from the '• •arrangements that have been made, is likely ' [ soon to be in a position to operate on a far : larger scale than has hitherto been possible. ( From a report of a late meeting of the society, ] we learn that they are about making arrange- j ments for the breeding of a regular herd of s camels. ;We learn also that they are in cor- - respondence.with similar societies all over the J world, and that they are exchanging Australian animals for those of almost every other land. Nor are they confining their efforts to " any particular class of-animals, or even to the I animal creation solely. The introduction tojtl

the watvrs of Australia of the salmon and tht "varaniier ha-\eoecupit'd asmuch ol tlieiratten- i tion as the importation and breeding of mam- , malia or Lirds, and the subject of the hatu- , talisation of useful vegetable productions, a> yet only known to the - botanical gardener, i: liv many, of them looked upon as ol stil. importance: and there can be no doubi ihat there is gocd reason to believe that in thi: ' latter respect they are in the tight. ' ' The introduction and complete naturalisa- ' tion'of a new vegetable may work a gieatei : revolution in a people tban the invasion of a conquering hoide. We have only to point to , the wonderful effects of the introduction ol the potato to Europe, of the sugar cane to tht East indies, of tbe cotton plant to th< ■■ Southern States of America. We pass by the numerous minor instances that might be adduced for we have said enough, to establish our position. Should a Society of the kind be formed ;in Otago, mc do not, expect that its • members would at once set to work to revolutionize industry. But we d<. . expect that by . making the subject of the capabilities of the country their study, and by employing' themselves in the con- • siderat'ion of what animals or vegetables would be most likely to thrive and to prove remune . rative to the farmer, they would be in the way of acquiring a fund of information, that could not fail to be ofthe highest value and importance to the progress of the Province. Moreover, they would place themselves in communication with societies of a similar kind in . other -parts of the world, and, by the system of exchanging which has now , been so happily established, they,would soon find themselves in possession of many valuable and interesting animals or vegetables upon i which to make those preliminary experiments .in naturalization, -which are essential before . incurring the risk of importing on anything like a large scale. In Otago, in the first instance, it might perhaps be advisable for the i society'to restrict itself iii some measure to , the animal kingdom, or rather, as it would not be either gracious or politic to refuse contributions, it might be well to make the naturalization of animals the principal object. Otago is as yet more of a pastoral than an agricultural country, and a society, if formed, might perhaps find a more encouraging field for its efforts in introducing the alpaca, the llama, or the vicuna, than in seeking to induce the agriculturists to undertake the cultivation of any vegetable production with which they were unacquainted. We have alluded thus pointedly to the alpaca and its congenors because we have good reason to believe that any effoits made for their naturalisation would be eagerly seconded by many of the run-holders, and that they would be crowned with a success so speedy and so brilliant as to encourage the Society to more extended exertions! But while recommending that the society should give its first attention to the. introduction of the alpaca, we cannot refrain from directing attention fo one vegetable production which we believe to be admirably adapted to succeed in Otago, and for which there would be a splendid market in Australia, iv addition to the large consumption that might be anticipated in New Zealand. With a climate so nearly resembling that of Great Britain, it appears to us that New Zealand ought to be able to produce in perfection the hop and the barley, which form the staple of the national drink of John. Bull. In Otago the processes of malting and brewing should also be as easy as in England, , and it might thus happen that, owing to the successful introduction of a few hop plants, a stimulus might be given that would result in the establishment of a regular trade; with hop gardens, .barley fields, malt kilns, and brew- , cries, on a scale suitable i'or the maintenance of a large export trade. y We have only instanced the hop as the first example that occurred to us, but many others might be mentioned.. It is really to be hoped that the apathy with which this subject has hitherto been regarded will at length give way to abetter spirit, and we would uige upon the runholders, as being the parties most immediately , be benefited, the advisability of trying whether they cannot form at least the nucleus of a society. For their encouragement in any efforts they may make, we may mention thatashorttimeagoagentleniah,(Mr.Dufiield,) was in Melbourne, as agent lor an influential commercial firm in Peru, which has obtained concessions from the Peruvian and Bolivian governments for-the exportation of 1500 alpacas which it is intended to introduce into the Australian colonies. If therefore it is desired that Otago should participate in the benefits of this opportunity ot acquiring a new and most prolific source of wealth, it is necessary that some organisation should at once bt formed.

As a preliminary to the proceedings of the Arbitration Committee yesterday, Mr. Dillon Bell took objection io the verbatim report of the first sittings, as published in the Times of Friday morning. In answer to this we have only to say thast verbatim reports of conversational discussions are proverbially dull, and often unintelligible ; that it is on record, when a verbatim report was rendered of a speech once delivered by Sir Frederick Flood, in the old Irish House of Commons, his sentiments were published witli such literal accuracy as to excite the irascibility of that fiery member ; and "that on a subsequent occasion, in the Commons branch of the Imperial Parliament, an honorable m ember quoted the phrase' "Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato ; sed major Veritas ;•'' and the reporter for the Morning Chronicle, ill London, rendered the passage thus :

•' 1 may cuss Socrates, I may cuss Plato, said Ma-i jor Veritas." Verbatim reports arc decidedly objectionable, inasmuch as their publicity is generally inconvenient ; but we adhered faithfully to what actually trauspired at the opening sittings, and any insipidity to be detected in "the arguments must be attributed rather to the discursive nature of the proceedings than to any positive defect in their publication.

! During .the sitting of the Otago and Southland ' Debt Apportionment Committee, yesterday, enquiry was made for proceedings of Select Committee of the General Assembly, and the Superintendent remarked that the Government never [ forwarded them to his oflice. They were sent to . the printing department, but not to his. Mr. DiHon Bell observed that as he was a member ol: i the General Assembly, he should see that it was, : made a stahdiug order of the House for copies oi ' all reports of proceedings to be sent to the office of his Honor the Superintendent. Mr Howorth,' ' Provincial solicitor,-said that at one time he used to receive, copies of all the Acts, that were passed, but, for some months back, they had been discontinued.. Mr Howorth remarked that he formerly received them in his official capacity ol Crown prosecutor. About 10 o'clock on Sunday night, as mounted constable Eagcrty was riding on duty along the North East Valley Road, beyond the Water oi Leitli, his attention was attracted to a man who seemed to be in great distress of mind. The constable enquired what was the matter, and learned I that the unfortunate man had. a sick child, and| that he had received from the doctor a lotion and I a draught, but that by some mistake the lotion had been administered internally instead of the' draught, and _that the poor, child -was poisoned s

The coustablc at once went to the house, and having obtained a feather, proceeded to irritate the vjhild's throat with a view to induce vomiting. li. this he was happily successful, and while he wa> loiug this the mother, by his directions, prepared tn emetic of mustard and- warm water. This wn.ilso effective, and we arc happy to be able to add that when the Doctor, who had been fetched by a neighbour,-arrived, he at oucc pronounced the child out of danger. Great credit is due to- the L-onstablc for the humane promptitude with which lie acted on the occasion.

To-day is the last day. for the reception ol applications for the ' purchase of lots in the Hiilend District. We would remind our readers that the putting in an application involves no responsibility, it only confers theright to bid at the auction. The particulars wiii bo found in au advertisement. Applications may He made at the Land Office, where printed forms are obtainable.

It was stated, yesterday, at the meeting of the Otago and Southland Debt Committee that the local government had given a bonus of £50 to the Guiding Star to induce her to expedite her passage.

George Hawkins, late postmaster at Waitahnha, i was yesterday brought up on remaind at the Resident Magistrate's Court, and after some addi"' "•ioinil evidence had been taken, was committed to , take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme ' Court. ' We are requested to state, that the Govern- ( ment has received from the inhabitants of Tua ; peka, per Major Croker, the sum of .£267 13s. Bd.--in aid of the Hospital there. J It is notified that Block 111., Moeraki District, < and Blocks VI. and VII., Oainaru District, have' been withdrawn from sale. y AYe observe by an advertisement, that the Government intend to lease 30 acres of land for the erection of an accommodation house at Popotuna, on the Great SouthernKoad. The following is a list of the candidates for the Mining Board Election for the Gabriel's Gully Mm. ing District, Tuapeka. Thepollwill take place on the 24th April:—Job Savage, John Farrell, John Cole Chappie, Thomas "White, Denis Doyle, Bobt Clarke, James Randall Gaseoine, James McMasters, John E. Harvey, Colin Campbell Mclntyre, P. Q. Caplis, George Brodie, John Rose. The Molyneux races are announced to take place to-morrow at the Clutha ferry. The fifteenth session of the Provincial Council of Otago will commence to-morrow (Wednesday) at 12- o'clock noon. The Annual Licensing Meeting will bo held this day, at the Court House, Dunedin. There are thirty-six applicants for publicans' licenses. There was a good house at the theatre last night to see " Black-ey'd Susan," and "Nan, the : Good-for-nothing." Both pieces went off well, and the audience, by frequent applause, testified their approbation. The burlesque ofthe "Prince ' and the Peri" concluded the entertainment.