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Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 539, 13 August 1866, Page 2

During the time of political excitement the most violent party animosities are created, and very often the vituperation bestowed upon individuals raises the ire of the offended, and leads to the most intense feeling of bitterness. It not (infrequently occurs thatthe general publicbeing unacquainted with the motives that actuate those possessed of the spirit of rancour, are liable to arrive at false conclusions, and are led away by that class of politicians, who catch you at the street corner, and whisper mysteriously the dire results that are likely to arise if so and so obtains the reins of power. By such a train of argument the unthinking become the dupes of the designing few. How many instances has not every one who has watched the progress of events, had in a lifetime of observing the mfluence ; which can be exercised by persons who, through a freak of fortune, are placed, in a position that gains for them public attention — when their position is prostituted and made subservient to the creation of the lowest description of party passions. When instead of endeavoring, in a straightforward course to point out error, with a view to its correction ; to lead public opinion into those channels that are most likely to accomplish the desired end — they seek to arouse the worst feelings of suspicion in man — feelings that the immortal Shakespeare has so truly depicted as " haunting the o-uilty mmd," the power that miirht have been wielded for the benefit of the community is thus transformed into an instrument of evil. "We have been led into making these remarks from the recent unjustifiable attacks which have been made upon Mr Pearson during the late political excitement. Anonymous communications have been published, imputing to that gentleman the worst motives for his public actions during the time he has been amongst us. The most unjustifiable means were resorted to in order to " heap filth upon his head;" nothing was too bad for him to do. To such a pitch was this carried that tender infants were hushed to sleep with the warning cry that " Pearson was coming." Extreme politicians scowled upon him, and after the delivery of a well-remembered speech in the Council on Southland's difliculties, the indignation of the supporters of Dr Menzies— that class of gentry who, when excited, generally grasp each other's hands enthusiastically, and darkly intimate, with bated breath, that they wall eternally " stick to each other," became affected with political hysteria; indeed to such an extent did the "true Heiland chiel" become exasperated, that the choicest venison would have been loathingly refused in favor of a slice of " roast Pearson." But, to be serious. Let us carefully examine tho political career of this gentleman, and can we fairly impute wrongdoing in any one act of his as a public man ? Can we point to any case in which he has belied his trust — any case where he acted unfairly, and merited the abuse that has been heaped upon him — any case which should have called forth the indignation of the public, and merit severe rebuke ? "We think not. To speak with all candor and fairness, we affirm a conviction that the insinuations of lax politicamorality, as imputed to Mr Pearson, are calumnies of the worst description—inventions of an intolerant and degrading party spirit. It is lamentable to observe, that when a man devotes his attention to furthering the prosperity of his adopted home, to find that narrow-minded prejudice meets him at every step ; that instead of co-operation, he experiences envy, malice, and bitterness. But Mr Pearson may, rest assured that he has " lived down" the angry feelings of his detractors, and when he returns from Australia, where we understand he is at present for the benefit of his health, he will have the" crnfidence and good wishes of all impartial persons.

A public meeting for the purpose of creating in this Province an increased interest in the cause of temperance will be held ia the Bchoolroom, Dee- street, on Tuesday evening next, 14th August, having for its object the establishment of a New Zealand Temperance League. The meeting will commence at half -past seven o'clock. Prom our advertising columns it will be seen that the business of the Invercargill Savings'^ Bank will in future be transacted at the office of Mr Thomas Brodrick, Esk-street — that gentleman having been appointed manager of the bank. We clip the following from the "Weekly A.ge " : — " The Cape mail brings intelligence that the "Rev. Mr Fredoux, a missionary, son-in-law of the Rev. Mr Moffat, sen., had met with a tragic death in the far interior. A trader, named Nelson, had committed a crime for which he was a fugitive from justice, and followed the track of Mr Fredoux, who was on a pastoral journey to Morokwain. Mr Fredoux had instructions sent him to arrest Nelson, and compel his return to Motito to receive judgment for hi 3 crime. When called upon to surrender, Nelson at first tried the effect of an apology ; but, finding that of no avail, he shut himself up in his waggon, threatening to shoot anyone who should come near him. Mr Fredoux approached the waggon to remonstrate with him and point out the hopelessness of resistance, when waggon and bystanders were blown into the air, and six blackened corpses, including those of Mr Fredoux and Nelson, were Btreiched on the ground. There were 175 lb of gunpowder in Nelson's waggon, and this he had fired." The "Hokitika Chronicle," of the 28th ultimo, aa y S : — " A wise step has been taken towards en- ! oouraging the exploration of the Westland auriferous districts, as yet scarce Jtirodden by the goldseeker. At the late visit of his Honor the Super-* intendent, an application vas made on behalf of a proposed expedition under Mr M'Crea ; G-o---vernment help was promised, snd has been received to the extent of some £200 ; this has been supplemented by private subscriptions, and a party of explorers has been dispatched up the Hokitika river, with tents, rations, and tools, but depending mostly on their own pluck and success in seeking for and discovering gold as a remuneration for their labors. This system of prospecting is an advantageous one. It is cheap, as pressing hardly upon no one, and advantageous, as not being open to any great abuse. Mr M'Crae is, we understand, a veteran aaiplorer, and has strong faith in the resources of i™ country into which ho intends to penetrate." Jf* A correspondent at the Orepuki, writes: — There is scarcely any change in the population on* this field, during the last week or ten days, the number of miners being 250. Several parties who have worked out their claims on the beach, have left for the Bushy Point workings, where it is stated, all can make good wages, that is to say, from four to six pounds per week per man. Several parties are out prospecting in the bush." In consequence of a communication sent by telegraph on the the arrival of the last English mail, in which it was stated that the Bank of New Zealand had failed, instead of the New Zealand" Banking Corporation, the following scene took place at vanous points on the West Coast. The " Westland Observer," July 28, says :— In consequence of the receipt of English news, and ot information as to the it had produced in Dunedin, there was a rush in Okarita on Monday, not equal in dimensions, but quite equal in extravagance to the recent rush to Bruce Bay. Fortunately, the locality which wa3 rushed was capable of sustainiug a much larger population than that by which it was visited, and in every instance claimholders had their expectations satisfied. Nor is there, up to the time we write, any piospect of the ground being wrought out, or of any claim proving a " duffer" — the locality being none other than the teller's room in the office of the Bank of New Zealand, in the Strand. It happened that the English news, with the news of its effects, reached here on Monday morning by private hands, the post-office only giving us the benefit of communication every Saturday. On its receipt it was reprinted by us, as it was by- every paper in New Zealand, our authorities being the telegraph office and the ' ' West Coast Times." The news of a rush on the banks in Dunedin was, of course, conveyed to the Five Mile by ready tongues, fond of a practical joke, or a little sensation in these dull times. Exaggerated to no small degree, the story had its effect, and an hour or two proved that there are more monied men at the Five Mile than one would suspect Without waiting to undergo the process where usually done, the bank-manager's back room, they did their own "sweating," by walking into town at top speed, and for several hours the officers of the Bank of New Zealand had enoguh to do to hold their own against the pressure of people demanding their deposits, either in one form. of payment or another. Fortunately, though only a remote agency, the bank was supplied with sufficient specie or notes, the latter bsing accepted by the Bank of New South Wales, and tho doors of both banks were kept open for several hours beyond the usual time of closing, so that no one might go away disappointed. These circumstances, and the issue of some later news a3 to the absence of any rush on the same bank in. Dunedin, moderated the excitement, and, although it continued partially next day, and some thousands of pounds were altogether withdrawn, the rush gradually subsided, and confidenco was restored. Among the rrore initiated an air of mystery attached to the news, because it ■was stated that the failures included the Oriental Bank (the colonial agents of the Bank of New Zealand) and another called the Commercial. It was only ascertained on Wednesday evening, by the arrival of a gentleman from Hokitika, that some mistake had been made in the telegrams received there. Instead of the " Oriental and Commercial Banks," it should have read the " Oriental Commercial Bank " — some company very different from the Oriental, but whose name it was found at Hokitika does exist in the list of banking companies, of course in no way connected with the Bank of New Zealand. The same news had a similar effect at the Totara and some other outlying places, but it was shortlived, and we are glad to see, by latest telegrams from Dunedin, that " the banking excitement has subsided," though there it was mainly directed to the bank which represents the Province,, and the Commercial. The rush occurred in the absence of Mr Allen, the usaal agent. Mr Kirton having charge of the office in his stead, its occurrence causing more work at both banks than h&% been compressed.in the same numbar of hours for a considerable time patt. :

From a telegram published in the "Daily Times " Bth August, we learn that a destructive fire took place in Nelson that morning, in Upper Bridge street. Three hotels — the Nelson, Eoyal, and Mitre — were burnt, as well as the Temperance Hall, the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, a largo store, and twelve buildings. The fife broke out in a bed- room at the Nelson Hotel, and spread with frightful rapidity, the wind blowing strongly from the south-west. The loss is estimated at £10,000 to £12,000. -The proDerty is principally insured. This is the first great fire that has occurred in Nelson." The " Tasmania Morning Herald," 16th July, sa y S : — « Mr J. M. Stanley has informed us that there exists a seam of the mineral, similar to the Hartley mineral of New South Wales, from which the kerosene oil is extracted. The locale is on a tributary of the Derwent. The seam crops out in places showing a seam of eight feet in thickness ;• specimens of the rock has been roughly tested by ignition, and found to contain a large proportion of mineral oil. 3fr Stanley Btates he is quite willing to point out the spot where the discovery has been made to Lieut- Colonel Chesney, if that gentleman should desire it. The "Southland " steamer, it is probable, will soon be profitably employed. From an official report that has been furnished to the Government as to the probable success of the next effort to lay the Cook's Straits Telegraph Cable, this vessel is recommended as being well qulified for the work. The report says : — " We are, hdwevar, of opinion that it would be well to have a more powerful steamer than the Stuart, which latter vessel would be of better service if free, as she could make fast to either the towing or the checking steamer if required — could carry messages—^ assist to land the other shoro-end — and be available for any unforeseen contingencies. If the Southland can be borrowed for the tiW from the G-overnment of Southland, vre " know of no other vessel in this colony which so wellposslßses the neaessary requirements, by combining considerable power and a small weight." " • *■ . We extract the subjoined from the "Daily Times," Bth August, having reference to the case of Connor v. Davis and another. It says: — "Dissolution of an Injunction. — Davis, jun. v. * Davis, sen. and Connor ; Connor ». Davis, sen. 3 and Another; Connor v. Davis. — Applications ipere made by Mr James Smith and Mr Cook, for the Davis?s ; and Mr Barton was heard for Connor, from whom, however, he had not received any instructions in the particular matters. The net result of the applications was, that an injunction restraining Davis, «en., from dealing with certain securities from the Southland Government, was dissolved j on the ground of a release from all causes of action, given by Connor — a release which Mr Barton said was the result of an arrangement made behind the. backs of the solicitors for the parties. Applications to dismiss the actions were withdrawn ; after the Court had expresseflfeus opinion that they could not be granted, Tfec^use no such application was granted, without leav^ag, to the party against whom it was, the locus penitenticee of taking the next step, which was not possible here, becaute the applications were on behalf of the Davises, as defendants, and the next step, if taken, must be taken by them, at they had not yet pleaded."