The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 631, 13 February 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1867.

Whateveb difference of opinion may exist as to the nature of the Separation that is required, there is one point on which all are agreed, that is the necessity for an immediate reconstruction of the constitution of New Zealand. Most of the leading colonial politicians have come to confess that the provincial system has been prolific of evil, that it has tended to warp men's minds, make men with fair capacity for legislation, mere village politicians, wrangling advocates of local interests, and destroyers of that broad grasp of intellect that ever characterises the statesman. The privilege of representation possessed by the people is neglected or lightly valued, because they have watched the doings, the provincial jugglery, and political self-seeking that appear to cluster round all who breathe the atmosphere of the General Assembly for even a single session. But few representatives have ever gone there who, on return, were able to give a satisfactory account of their stewardship. The strong-minded delegate of a class or interest makes a tool of the weak-minded but well-intentioned representative, the declaiming stump orator is silenced by a government appointment. The nine provincial cliques are pitted against each other, the representatives of the stronger ones are bought over, while by "logrolling" manipulations the representatives of the smaller ones are frowned or flattered into a pliable frame of mind ; thus year after year the colony is plunged deeper and deeper into a state of perplexity and confusion. That this is a true picture all will acknowledge, still this state of things has been so long permitted to exist, that it has become chronic, and now when the colony has reached the pinnacle of Governmental blundering and public indifference, whining lamentations are heard in every quarter, while no active steps are taken to destroy the evils over which the public mourn. We have again been induced to revert to this subject, from a perusal of the recently received Canterbury and Otago papers. The Separation agitation that a few months since was almost rampant in Otago and strong in Canterbury, has faded away. An article in the Lyttleton Times supplies much matter for serious thought. It starts out with stating that " tw o vacancies inthe representation of that Province have arisen." These have occurred by the retirement of two gentlemen who have long played conspicuous parts on the political stage of New Zealand. "We allude to Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Ceosbee Wabd. The former has received a permanent appointment, and the latter who not long since appeared as the Canterbury apostle of Separation, has been lulled into silence by roving commissions on Postal business. It would be amusing if it was not destructive to reform to note the amiability with which our contemporary can change its tone now the Canterbury magnets are well provided for. In the article before us the future is painted as tlark and ominous, but not a single word is uttered in favor of the only operation by which the leaden cloud may be rent, and sunshine made visible — Separation. In another column will be found an extract from the article in question, and we think its reasoning will be voted weak and dangerous. With an attempt at consistency it mildly intimates that political changes are required, but to obtain them more than one session will have to pass, and intimates that as the wants of the North are as great as ever, the South must be prepared to make further sacrifices. (That notwithstanding the Stamp Duties, the increased Tariff, it is probable that the moiety of the customs may not be forthcoming, and that even part of the Provincial Land funds may be

required foi* General Government purposes. The writer does not relish the idea of such a policy being applied to Canterbury or Otago, but suggests that the beat way out of the difficulty will be to abolish the " needy" provinces, and to take the whole administration of their affairs into the hands of the G-eneral Government." Southland and Auckland are favored by particular mention as among the "needy." This article has peculiar significance. As a straw floating on the surface ofthe water serves to indicate the direction ofthe current, so an article of this description from the ALyttleton Times at the present time serves to foreshadow the description of fetters that are being forged for us in the General Government workshop. What does our contemporary mean by " needy " provinces ? Tf he means that money has been borrowed to construct public works the term will apply equally to every province in New Zealand. If on the other hand it is intended, we believe it is, only for those provinces that have received assistance from the General Government direct, we stamp it as an unjustifiable insult to Southland. This province is in as good a financial position as any other province in New Zealand, with, the single exception that for a certain accommodation it handed over the security of the whole jof its landed estate — a security at least five times the value of the amount borrowed from the General Government. Is it possible that the large provinces of Canterbury and Otago are in league with the General Government, to induce either the foreclosing of the mortgage or the annexation of the involved provinces to their large neighbors ? It would appear that such is the case. Southland has boldly declared that the only change in the system of the Government of the colony that is calculated to prove beneficial to all is Financial Separation and Eederal union. The banner has been raised, and it must be kept afloat. The existence of the Province is in danger. Otago seeks to swallow up Southland by annexation, and, failing to do this, a pressure may be brought to bear in order to extinguish its existence by inducing the General Government to foreclose the mortgage and take the conduct of affairs into its own hands. "Will the people ! submit to this ? "We hope not. Southland condemns the provincial system ; it demands a change in the system of Government ; but we have greatly mistaken the temper of the people if either annexation to Otago or any ether Government is permitted without a struggle. Southland desires reform, but a reform no less sweeping than the destruction of provincialism. If this cannot be obtained, we believe to a man Southland will elect to keep its integrity as a Province, and manfully work to extricate it from its temporary difficulties. Financial Separation, two Governments for the two islands, and a Eederal Council is Southland's creed, and annexation of any description will be determinedly opposed. Last night the Theatre Royal was crowded to excess. The occasion was the benefit of the enterprising proprietor, Mr Puettelkow. The character of Black Eyed Susan was sastained by that gentleman, and we may safely add that a more laughable scene could scarcely be realised than that which occurred whilst this piece lasted. " Mine Host " of the Provincial, although he did not actually present the appearance of an artless, unprotected young female certainly received a great deal more applause than the legitimate " Susan " would have. The house was in one continued roar of laughter whilst Black Eyed Susan trod the boards, and we may say that Mr Puettelkow mainly contributed to the successs of the piece throughout. He ought to give another performance. The very fact of his appearance in lady's attire is sufficient to attract a full house. The remainder of the evening's performance was most successful. Owing to the length of the report of the meeting, we are obliged to hold over several terns of local interest. It will be perceived from our advertising columns that a tea meeting in connection with the Ladies' Benevolent Society is announced to take place this evening, at the Ragged Schoolrooms, Dee-street. Capt. Clare, who has been at Stewart's Island, gold prospecting, has returned for more perfect appliances. He brings a nice sample of geld With him, but recommends any one who thinks of going there, to be well prepared with a boat, gun, provisions, &c., to be able to prospect, as all the present available ground is taken up. The following petition to His Excellency the Governor is being numerously and influentially signed : — " To His Excellency Sir George Grey, E.C.8., Governor of the colony of New Zealand —The Petition of the undersigned Inhabitants of Dunedin — Humbly sheweth — I. That the North and Middle Islands of New Zealand, being separated by Cook's Straits, are essentially dis-. tinet. 2. That in consequence of the large native population on the North Island, the legislation for that Island requires to be of a different character from that which is suitable for the Middle Island. 3. That the late Maori war, which was confined entirely to the North Island, has cost the whole colony of New Zealand a large sum of money. 4. That, while willing to pay the proportion of the debt which has been incurred by the colony to carry on the war, your petitioners are of opinion that all future legislation and all further action with regard to the native population should be left entirely to the inhabitants of the North Island, and also that any liabilities arising from such action should be chargeable only against the North Island. 5' Your petitioners therefere pray that, in order to accomplish this, your Excellency will be pleased to use your endeavors to effect a separation of the two Islands as regards their Governments ; just and equitable arrangements being made as to all past liabilities. And your petitioners will ever pray." The petition was originated by Mr Wm. Hay and Mr Ure, and by their exertions fully fifteen hundred signatures were obtained during Tuesday. — " Otago Daily Times." The " Hobart Town Mercury," of the 29th ult., says: — "It will be remembered that there was recorded in this journal on s 2oth February 1860 an account of a most fearful double murder which had

I been committed in Adelaide-street on the morning ! of the 18th of that month, the victims of the almost unparalleled atrocities committed in tbe perpetration of the crimes being att old man named George Tickner and Mary Tickner his wife. Circumstances led at that time to the conclusion that these atrocious murders had not been committed for the mere purpose of plunder, or that, if tbat were so, the murderer had failed in his object, 200 English sovereigns and other property having been afterwards found in an outhouse bear the premises, in which it had been concealed by the old.nian in his life time. The dreadful nature of the crime, and the unheard oi brutality with which the murders were committed caused the greatest excitement at the time, and several parties were apprehended on suspicion of having been engaged in the bloody deed, but were discharged after magisterial inquiry, and the atrocious crimes, so far as regarded the perpetration, have since remained enveloped in mystery. Now, however, it would appear that all that related to their perpetration is about to be cleared up, information having reached Hobart Town within the last few days that a man named James Baxter, formerly a constable in the Hobart Town Police, had deI livered himself up to the police authorities at Lyttelton, New Zealand, confessing that he was the murderer of the above unfortunate pair, adding that if the authorities at Hobart Town would send Detective Vickers over to Lyttelton, he would make a full confession of the whole of the j facts connected with the dreadful crime. And acting upon this information Vickers was ordered I to proceed to Lyttelton to take charge of Baxter, i and left here for that purpose in the Witch of the Tees, barque, which sailed hence for Invercargill on Saturday last, and it may be expected, therefore, that further details will shortly arrive. The above are the whole of the particulars which it is desirable at present to make known in reference to these murders, and which for obvious reasons have been held over until the Witch of the Tees was well clear of the port." A death occurred on board the ss Omeo while !in the port. An infant daughter of Mrs W. | Lawson, a resident of Invercargill and passenger by the vessel from Melbourne, who had been suffering from severe illness fer Borne time past, l died soon after the vessel arriving at the wharf. I | j i