The Invercargill Times. Monday, March 7, 1864.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 52, 7 March 1864, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. Monday, March 7, 1864.

That it is the duty of the Provincial Council to inquire into the conduct of every department under Government no one will deny, more particularly when large sums are being expended £under contract. The manner in which the Select Committee on the Bluff Har-

bour anil Invercargill Railway conducted their j inquiry is open to< objection, as much for their own sake as , others, [if only because it has laid the Committee open to misrepresentation. We do not' believe that any member of the Committee was aware that Mr Elliott had been discharged, as alleged, from incompetency, or that Mr Cameron had been in the employ of Mr Davies, the'principaFcontractor, on; the Bluff Railway line ; he was merely known to them as an applicant for the Engineer ship of the Town Board ; so that the charge of employing two "informers" knowingly falls to the ground. We are given to understand that the Committee did wish to examine the Consulting Engineer; that Mr Dundas actually was waiting outside to; be sent for, but the Committee being engaged, he could wait no longer, appointing another day to give his evir dence, but the Committee, not knowing at what moment the Council would be dissolved, were anxious that the report should be brought up, and the Superintendent be requested to appoint a Commission as soon as possible. It would have been better undoubtedly had Mr Marchant been present at the examination of Messrs Elliott and Cameron, but he never intimated such a desire. Directly he wrote for the evidence of these two gentlemen he obtained it, and he i will have an opportunity of rebutting their ' testimony when the Commission is appointed. But we conceive the object of the inquiry of the Select Committee has been misunderstood. It was not to try Mr Marchant, nor to have his ability or professional knowledge called in question ; it was simply to ascertain whether the terms of the specification had been strictly adhered to — if not, why had they been broken ? if it was deemed advisable that they should be so broken ? if the Government had reaped a corresponding benefit ? We have invariably heard the original plans and specifications of the Railway spoken of in the highest terms by the members comprising the Committee ; all they wanted to know was, whether the works were being carried out in accordance with them. We think it would have been far better had the Committee accepted Mr Marchant's offer to accompany them down the line; it would have saved both time and trouble, and they could have satisfied themselves on*the spot, whether slush was being improperly used — and, if so, why '? We do not, under the circumstances, attach much importance to the evidence of Messrs Elliott and Cameron, or to their assertion that the works are of an unsatisfactory character, nor do we think Mr Marchant's professional reputation will be much injured by such an assertion. We would prefer the opinion of an impartial aud really efficient professional man, such as the Consulting Engineer, Mr Dundas. We think the strongest evidence against Mr Mai chant is his own. The specification provides for the embankments being made out of the cuttings, so far as they went. Mr Marchant says that in all cases this has not been done, assigning as a reason his desire to expedite the work. This there could be no' objection to. But, then, he continues to say that the material so substituted is not always equal to that obtained from the cuttings ; and next, that he considers no deduction is due to the Government by the contractor. Why is this ? In fairness, however, we must take the following question and answer : — " Would it be cheaper to use stuff from the side of the line than to lead from the cuttings? 1 ' "In the case alluded to, certainly not ; quite the contrary, because in this case the contractor has to excavate two cubic 3 7 ards for every one cubic yard he is paid for. It is a question of time to effect a saving, in which the contractor goes to an additional expense." If this is so. then it is clear why no deduction is due to the Government. All this will, doubtless, be set right by the Commission. It is to be j regretted that the Committee did not take more time before coming to the conclusion that there was something wrong in the conduct of the railway works ; they should have consulted Mr Dundas, and re-heard Mr Marchant. But the truth is, that believing something to be wrong, they were afraid to delay, in case the Council was suddenly prorogued, and the whole investigation shelved. There is no denying the fact that the majority of the Council have lost all confidence in His Honour the Superintendent as a politician They have been informed that "our own Superintendent is known to hold and exercise an authority independent of, and superior to tjiat of his Ministers ;" and they are afraid that, should the estimates be passed, " our natural Chief" would come down in full war costume, paint and feathers, and dissolve them. If there is any blame .to be attached, it is to the autocratic manner in which the Government has hitherto been conducted. The experience of the [neighboring colonies bas shown us the jealousy with which the local Legislatures should watch the manner in which large contracts for Government works are carried out. It is a pity the inquiry in particular should have been so hurried ; but we do not conceive for one moment that improper motives can be attributed to any member of the Committee for its conduct. From the report, it does not appear that the Committee desired solely to get "up a case against the contractor and Railway Engineer." Indeed so far as we can learn, the contractor of the largest portion of the line, Mr Davies, is not blamed at all ; nor can we conceive that any blame can be attached to him. If he is allowed tb take earth from the side of the line, instead of leading from the cuttings, \and it is wrong, he has nothing to do with it. The question has been asked in the Council why the contracts on the railway were* let to one man instead of several; the answer is simple enough— they were put up in pieces, and Mr Davies being

the lowest tenderer, got them. No complaint has been made against him by the Superintending Engineers, which cannot be said of another contractor on the same line. . To do every justice to the energy with which' Mr Davies has pushed both his contracts W the Northern and Southern Railways would preclude the possibility of such.

The nomination of candidates to fill the vacant seats in the TownJßoard,, caused by the retirement of Messrs Clark, "Oilier and Loekhart took place 'at' the Mechanics' Institute on Satrufday, at twelve o'clock. ', The proceedings evoked little or no public interest, barely half a dozen ' persons being present. ; ; Mr G. M. K. Clarke was proposed by Mr Seandrett, and seconded by Mr, Mr Mpffatt. by Mr Moffatt, seconded by -.Mr Smith., Mr. , Websterj by Mr ; Scandrett, seconded by Mr Geisow, .and Mr Broad by' Mr ; Moffatt, ',' seconded by :Mr .Smith. On a -show of hands being called for ;by the Returning pfficer, there appeared. for Clarke, 5, Geis6\r 4, and Broad and Webster 3 each. A poll was demanded; it was stated it would take place at the office of .the Town Board on Monday, the 7th instant, (to-day) from 10 to 4 o'clock.* „ The Theatre Royal, on Saturday night, was, more especially in the pit, crowded to overflowing. "The pieces for the evening were the Ticket of Leave Man, and the old farce of State Secrets. The former was throughout, acted admirably, each of the characters appearing to be better acquainted with their parts than on the first representation. The interesting incidents of the drama, and the " startling sensational pictures" with which it is interspersed, were greatly relished by the audience, who were "vehemently appreciative in their.^pplause. ' "We [see that to-night Mr George Fawcett appears in the character of Micawber. We may say from having seen Mr Fawcett in this part, that'itis, as ; the play-bills announce, "one of Mr Fawcett's great impersonations." With the readers of Dickens' work, on which the drama is founded, the character will at once be recognised from the life like portrait by the actor. We understand the piece has been, in most of its details, well got up and frequently rehearsed within the last day or two, so that an excellent representation may be anticipated . The Riverton Races, which took place on Thursday and Friday last, were not such a success as was anticipated. We have been informed that the racing was very indifferent, and the arrangements faulty and imperfect. On the first day, Thursday, the Maiden Plate was won by The Stanger, four horses starting for this race. The Ladies' Purse was also won by the Stranger, thi-ee horses starting. The Trotting Match, for which four started, was won by George Smith's Daddy, ridden by the owner. On the following day, Friday, the Town Plate was won by the Riverton horse, Bob Apples, beating Melton and the Gift. The Publicans' Parse was won by Melton, beating Bob Apples. The official investigation into the circumstances connected with the origin of the late disastrous fire in Tay-street, will be held before the Coroner and a jury at the Police Camp. The enquiry will commence at 10 o'clock, aud as there will be a great number of witnesses to examine, the enquiry will likely last the greater part of the day. The Wakatq) Mail of March 2, states:— "A rumour^was prevalent in town at a late hour yesterday that a gold discovery of some importance had been made at Moke Creek, but we have been unable to ascertain any facts connected with it. It was reported that the discoverers had gone to the camp for a prospecting claim, but, as the court closed at a very early hour, it is possible the prospectors (if any) might have been disappointed in obtaining an interview with the Warden. We have, ourselves, no belief in the rumor, and only mention it because it was generally spoken of." A small panic appears to have arisen in Dunedin in consequence of the continued exodus of people from there to Victoria, occasioned by the low rates of fares — 30s. in the steerage— by the Melbourne steamers. The Daily Times states — "Considerable excitement has been occasioned by the agents of Messrs M'Meckan and Blackwood's steamers having advertised the low rate of thirty shillings for steerage passengers to Melbourne. Some time ago we drew attention to the fact that from some* hidden cause the steamboat owners were then charging only fifty shillings for steerage passengers, and ■ hinted at the complicity of the Government of Victoria in this glaring and unwarranted attempt to draw population from Ofcago." From the Wakatip Mail of the 2nd instant, we take the following : — "Now that the Shotover is at a lower level than it has been for some time, the miners are taking adrantage of it by working night, and day ; and yet the outcry is great for assistance in the shape of hired labour. Men, we understand, are wanted up and down the river, and none of the "right sort" are obtainable — everyone going for himself now. Those who are on wages are receiving from LI to LI 10s per diem. We have been informed on reliable authority that a considerable number of able-bodied miners could find employment at the present moment at the above quotations." The Hamilton correspondent of the Otago Daily \ Telegraph, speaking of some amateur performances 1 which were given there on the Bth of last month, | thus very sapiently criticises the acting of one of the amateurs : — "Mr Dobson had nothing to do and did it well, his general make-up being very effective." The Wakatlj) Mail of March 2, has the following : — "For the purpose of enabling our readers to judge of the exceeding richness of Maori Point, we subjoin, in a tabular form, a list of some of the quantities obtained by different parties during the last week : — Low and party ... '... 141 b. weight Gallery and party ... ... 37 „ Scott and party 30 „ Anderson and party ... 15 „ Milne and party ... ... 20 „ Stuart and party 30 „ Total .1461 b. „ ■■" - "On the visit of his Honor the Superintendent to this place," says the Wakatip Mail, / "hepromised the miners of the district that he would send to this goldfield a duly-qualified officer for the purpose of receiving suggestions from them or their delegates with respect to the working of the Mining Regulations. Mr Warden-- Wortbington has been appointed to this important duty, and is expected to arrive here on the 10th. We would urge upon the miners at the various places to meet him themselves, or through their delegates, for the purpose of bringing under his notice the unworkable portions, if any, of the Regulations, as: affecting more particularly the peculiar workings of this district,"

- We "take the following paragraph from the Rivtrton Times, of the sth instant :—" At the con- ; elusion of the sports on Thursday last, a narrow escaperwas^made by a party being driven home in a" spring carK'"'*. It appears that the horse took fright, and bolted 'throwing the driver, -who alighted on his., head on the ground. The other occupants of the vehicle were a party of ladies and children, whose screams so frightened the horse thaS it dashed furiously across the flat in. the. direction "'of a steep embankment leading down to the river; ■ Over this embankment- the"-machme arid'its' living freight would undoubtedly have; been carried, had it not been for. the promptness and ...courage displayed iby mounted ' constable 7 Dunn;, Cpi' the \ Invercargili force, who at considerable risk to himself rushed forward, caught the animal by the head, 'arid suceeededin. checking^ its/4urther-;pro-gress ; not, Lone moment; too ; spon, as the cart was brought up within fifty yards of the precipice. What renders the conduct of the constable more 'commendable, is that at the jtime he waa mounted on his own horse."