THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 163, 24 May 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam."

DUNEDIJNT, SATURDAY AIAY 24. 18(12.

The cry for Separation raised by the people of Otago, is already echoed by the other Provinces of the Middle Island. Like the note of the huntsman's horn, sounded on the hills, the reverberation varies in intensity with the conformation of the surrounding country. Thus we find the staid and dignified Canterbury, with all its solid respectability, and aristocratic associations, half frightened from its propriety, and not quite sure whether, in the scheme of Separation that Otago is first moulding into shape, there does not lurk some deeply devised and hidden element of personal ambition. Still, like a woman first hearkening to the words of passion, uncertain if she ought not to close her ears, —Canterbury listens,. coyly at first, it is j true, but nevertheless, it drinks in the sound, and the magic cry of Separation is already pleasant to its senses. One of the Christchurch papers, the Press, perhaps the most conservative journal in the Colony, has an article on Separation which bears out the force of our remaiks. The Press is afraid to commit itself, and from a fear of consequences, hesitates to express any definite opinion, until the nature of the movement initiated in Otago is thoroughly known. So far, however, does it go, that it admits that the agitation is likely to extend, and that the idea of a separate Government for the Middle Island possesses warm advocates in Canterbury. Still the Press is shy ; it wants to know what are the grievances to be remedied, and what are the subjects of complaint on the part of the Separationists, and, not least—and here puss jumps out of the sack—" when Otago talks of Separation, " how is the question of the seat of Govern- " ment to be settled ?" And then the Press slyly puts into the mouths of Nelson and Marlborough, that these Provinces, "at all " events, would violently oppose a separation " which placed the seat of Government farther " south than Christchurch " —not that there is any itching of Canterbury's palm on this matter! The Press, however, cannot avoid the opportunity that is presented of having a shy. at the system of Provincial Government, the malformation and maladministration of which has been such a pet subject with its writers. With—to use a colonial vulgarism— a " down" upon Superintendents in general, and that of Canterbury in particular, the Iress thus delivers itself:—"The desire of " getting rid of the elected Superintendence " and of the whole of the Provincial Govern- " ments, will be one of the most powerful " motives which will induce many to vote for " Separation." Auckland is quoted as an instance of this kind, where a majority of the' Provincial Council have petitioned the Governor to remove the Superintendent from office. There can be no analogy drawn between Auckland and the Middle Island. The Superinteudency of Auckland was objectionable because Mr. Williamson was personally obnoxious to many of the members of the Provincial Government, and had Mr. Busby, the prime mover of the political disturbances, and who, with a strange inconsistency, was not long ago a candidate for the very office he now so much decries,—had this gentleman been in power, we should have heard nothing ofanycryior Separation in Auckland • and to institute any comparison between the movement of that name there, with the demand now being made by the Middle Island, would only tend,to weaken the cause itself. Comparisons are odious proverbially, and in this case would unquestionably be so. We quite agree with the writer in The Press that the question of Separation is a mixed one, and. that modifications of existing institutions, might, although not necessarily, follow the change proposed. At the same time, however, these considerations do not affect the grand question itself, and the attainment of the chief object aimed at, will clear the way and provide the means of ad-' justing whatever modifications might be re-uiredol'loMl->f Provincial ir^stitutions. The

question df,Provincial Government is an open one, and the people ofthe Middle Island, when invested with the absolute power of regulating their, own .affairs, may be safely trusted to adjust it when the time arrives. But the great principle, involved in tbe demand for Separation, should not be encumbered by the petty ambition, or foolish jealousy of this or that Province ; the movement itself is based upon every principle of right and justice, it is demanded alike by the requirements of the people, and the conditions of good and successful government, and in the struggle to accomplish the end desired, that same principle ought to actuate, and guide all desirous of seeing the Middle Island placed in the position it demands to occupy. Whatever other considerations affect the question of Separation, the paramount one is found unquestionably in the native question, and the events of every day furnish still stronger arguments for the necessity of a fresh state of tilings, and render it impossible that the Middle Island should bear the chief onus of the cost attendant on a scheme, of which its knows nothing-, and the workings of which can in no other way affect it than by draining its resources. The Nelson Examiner, in a well written article, aptly puts this view of the matter —"There is no abstract necessity at all " for any difference either in the laws made, " the mode of making them, or the mode of " administering them, for the natives or the " Europeans." " But," says the writer, " there is one tremendous difference between " the two races, namely, that the European " race knows and acknowledges the power of " the law, and therefore obeys it. The " Maories do not know the power of the law, " do not acknowledge, and will not obey it." So it is, and .all the intricate plans of the various lines of that " policy " which has alternately petted and punished the native race have been utterly futile, the law exists to the natives but in letter, and however jubilant the advocates of the present native policy may ;be, tliere is not the slightest security against future disturbances. Even now there are "shadows before," and the "coming events" may not be so far distant. The natives of the extreme north, the Ngapuhis, our fiercest antagonists iv bygone times, and our firmest allies in later j-ears, are manifesting symptoms of uneasiness. Emissaries from the King party are busy amongst them, and Pahs are being erected where for years the only buildings have been the peacful huts of the natives. —Immense quantities of powder and arms are known to be in the hidden possesion of the various tribes, and although the surface of the water is yet calm and placid, the first breath of the gale of sedition has already been wafted from the shores of the Waikato, and none can tell how soon the waves of rebellion may inundate the land. Suppose we even grant, that so long as Sir George Grey remains to work out his ideas, his policy may prove to a certain extent successful, in other words, he may cover up the embers of rebellion, and here and there he may extinguish a brand. But the latent fire still remains, and when the master hand is once paralysed or removed, the flame will again burst forth, to be extinguished only by blood. At best, Sir George Grey's plan is but to tire out the hostility ofthe Natives by a persevering and long continued succession of jrood offices. He proposes to tame them with kindness, he will treat them like children as far as aiding them when they are wanting in self-helpful-ness, but he will forget the maxim of the wisest of men—" Spare the rod, spoil the child." Like the infant prodigies that Showmen delight in, Sir George Grey's policy is not calculated to encourage the growth of the Maories, but to keep them petted and dependent. They are always to be kept in the nursery, and an immense army of attendants is to be maintained to provide against the consequences of their breaking- loose. Such we take to be the only issue which is likely to spring from the distinctive and distinguishing institutions, Sir George Grey proposes to perpetuate, such have been the effect of similar institutions, devised by the same master hand in the Cape Colony. But, suppose they succeed, where is the money to come from to pay for them. Their annual cost is computed at £50,000, and the Military assistance, which it is thought necessary to keep at hand, in case it should be required, costs annually something like twenty times that sum. Under present conditions, the burden of this expense will be principally cast on the Middle Island, —expense devoted to purposes in which only the Northern Island has an interest. If England, with all its wealth, and guided by the Conservative principles which would make it shrink from perpetrating au injustice on its dependencies, finds it necessary to force on the unhappy Northern Island of New Zealand the necessity of self helpfulness the Middle Island should not be behind hand in enforcing the lesson. As long as England or the Middle Island continues to supply the funds, there is no gainsaying that the most expensive way of disposing-of the native question is likely to find most favor with those amongst whom the money is expended. When the Northern Island has to provide the means, we doubt whether native affairs will be allowed to continue such a costly burden. There may be one or two sharp encounters, but the European Northern Islanders would soon learn to manage so that their Maori fellow colonists should not continue a chronic drain upon tlieir funds. They would learn in fact, that as a war of extermination is out of the question, they would have to make the best they could of their bargain, and, with firmness on the one huud, and reasonable concession on the other, live as peaceably as they could with the race that preceded them. Only whilst others find the funds, will they be content to sec native affairs in a chronically unsettled state. <*, We understand that the Government have decided on obtaining without delay a Chief Commissioner for the Gold Fields Department; his ofiice will be in Dunedin. The salary, we believe, will be about £700 a-ycar, with allowances for travelling expenses. The Government will probably wait to receive applications from Melbourne for the position of head of this Department, unless some gentleman thoroughly competent from and experience to fill the office could he " heard of here, when he might receive the appointment, or be placed in "some other position in the Department.

. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a tolerably good house at the theatre las. evening, to witness the performance of " Esmeralda!" This piece, which is founded on Victor Hugo's well-known tale of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, was well put upon the stage, and was played with great spirit. The part of Esmeralda, was sustained by Miss Harriet Gordon with great effect/ Quasimodo, the Hunchback, was well represented by Air. Wolfe, who displayed considerable tragic power, and the priest was played by Air. Tern Fawcett with much force and feeling. The other characters were also well filled. The farce of a " Kiss in tbe Dark" concluded the evening's entertainment.

I A nugget of gold weighing about 4ozs. was brought to town by a miner, who says that he fonnd it in Otago, south of Dunedin, but refuses to give any other clue to the locality. There are a few small fragments of quartz attached to it, which have the appearance of coming from near the surface. In quality, the gold appears to be similar to that which is found in the Province. The person who applied to Captain Baldwin for a reward of £3,000 on making known the locality of a new Gold Field, is in town, and has renewed his application to the Superintendent, but in a very vague form. The danger arising from vehicles, or horses being driven through the Cutting at a quick pace, is such, that it is only surprising several accidents have not occurred. It would be well if the magistrate would make known from the Bench, that he would consider anything beyond a walking iiace,as furious driving in that confined and dangeious locality. A policeman could be stationed, there the samo as in Alelbourne, where one is stationed on Princes Bridge, to prevent vehicles and horsemen travelling at more than a walking pace. The unfortunate death of Lady Hotham, was traceable to a fright she received from the horses of the carriage running away when passing over the bridge. Will it be necessary that an accident should take place in the Cutting, before any precautions are taken ? Whilst on tho subject, let us suggest that half a dozen lanterns be fixed along the Cutting pending the completion of the Town Board lamps. Our Gold Fields' correspondent reports that the rush to the Tuapeka River is turning out successful, the miners there doing well, and in some instances procuring considerable returns. He inform us that one party of four had 42 ozs. for their last weeks' share, and another party of three over 20 ozs. This speaks well for the locality,aud as our correspondent states that the gullies opening into the Tuapeka, all exhibit the same character of drift, we have no doubt that extended operations in that district would develop considerable auriferous deposits. In the Resident Alagistrate's Court, yesterday, after judgment had been delivered in the case of W. ancl S. Judor against Pope and Able, one, of the defendants entered the Court and, disputing the account said he bad been down to the Athenamm expecting that the Court would be held there, but was disappointed, and only beard of the sitting of the Resident Magistrate in the Court House about twenty minutes previously. His Worship, under these circumstances, consented to re-open the case. Yesterday morning tliere was quite a deluge in Alaclaggan-street, arising from the rush of water flowing from behind Campbell's store, past Abbeyleix House, and submerging a portion of the road. Several persons stopped to survey the inundation, ancl many of tbe vehicles traversing the road at an early hour in the day, were absolutely arrested in their progress by the running stream. A portion of the Australian Hotel was knocked in by the fall of a boulder. A person was brought up yesterday before tbe Resident Magistrate, charged with cutting timber on Crown lands. It appeared from the state, ment of Inspector Weldon that a number of trees bad lately been cut down near the Water of Leith, aud this case was brought as a warningThe charge was not pressed in tbis instance, but Air. Strode warned the defendant tliat he had laid himself open to a penalty of £50. It is to be hoped that other people will take warning by this case, and that the beautiful walks about the Town Belt will not be further despoiled of the trees which form theit principal ornament. The laying of the corner stone of the new Episcopal Church in Aloray Place litis been further postponed to Alonday, at 12 o'clock precisely. We are assured that the ceremony must then take place without fail, as owing to the intended departure of the Bishop on Tuesday, it cannot be further delayed. The heavy and continuous rains of the last few days have not been without effect upon the embankments of the earthworks and cuttings iv different parts of tlie town. Yesterday morning a landslip occurred at the back of Griffith's Hotel, in Alaclaggan-street, doing some damage to tlie back part ofthe building. Another ease occurred in Stailbrd-street, a quantity of earth falling from the bank by Alessrs. Campbell's store. Some damage was also done to the bar of the Tamora Hotel. We have heard of no really serious destruction being anywhere caused, but it is not difllculf to concGive that the perpendicular banks which have been left in so many places must be highly dangerous, and if the rain continue we sliall not be surprised to hear of some serious accidents by landslips. DUNEDIN GAS LIGHT AND COKE COAIPANY. A meeting of gentlemen took place yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, to consider the plans nnd prospectus brought before the public by Air. Stephen Hutchison, for the supply of gas to Dunedin. John Cargill, Esq., having been voted to the Chair, Air. Hutchison explained his views as to lighting the town, tlie capital required, and future prospects of tho proposed undertaking, when it was unanimously resolved, —That Mr. Hutchison's project should be adopted ; that the capital of the Company should be £15,000, in shares of £5 each ; that Messrs. Richmond and Gillies he appointed solicitors—and Air. Gillies, who was present, explained how the Company could be constituted. It was further resolved—That the Bank of New Zealand should be appointed the Company's bankers; and an influential provisional committee was then organised, the particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. Air. Alartin Sholl, who was invited to attend, explained that for some time past he had been initiating a scheme for supplying the town with gas, but finding that Air. Hutchison's project had met with so favorable a reception from members of his Committee and the public, he (Air. Sholl) expressed his willingness to co-operate with the Committee and their engineer, in bringing to a speedy and successful issue the project now adopted. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for his able conduct in tbe Chair, when the meeting separated.— Communicated. Loss op a Registered Letter.—Tliere was a minor, a few days ago, that a registered letter, containing £5000 in notes and • cheques, had been lost from the General Post-office. The foundation of it appears to have been the loss of a letter containing £(55 in half notes, and a cheque for £9 9s. \ As one set of halves reached their destination, and payment of the cheque wa3 stopped; however, nobody will lose a farthing by the disappearance of the letter. — Albion.