The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 634, 20 February 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1867.

The recent meeting of the friends of the Ladies' Benevolent Society gives rise to considerations relative to the Province which it is worth while to discuss. It will, we hope, be distinctly understood that in any remarks we may make in reference to the necessities or otherwise of the laboring class of this community, nothing is further from our design than to disparage the efforts, or to throw cold water upon the legitimate objects and design of a society which has for its aim the alleviation of human distress and wretchedness. Prom whatever cause arising — the presence in our midst of institutions of a kindred character to that of which the third anniversary has just been celebrated, (we mean of course the Ladies' Benevolent Society) amounts not merely to a confirmation of a fact well known to exist, that in every community legitimate objects exist for the exercise of the philanthropic principle imparted to us by the teachings of Christanity, but is also a proof that these teachings which direct us to sympathise with the distressed have not been unheeded by us. The highest authority has declared " Te have the poor always with you," and also that they shall " never cease out of the land." The vices and follies of one portion of the human family will often

seriously affect and distress the remainder, while accidental circumstances, or such as spring out of causes beyond our own control, will frequently render temporary assistance a matter of absolute necessity. The cases which we have in view at the present will be readily apprehended, and the necessity for help as readily acknowledged. "We honor the philanthropy whicn searches out human distress with the benevolent purpose of rendering relief, but at the same time we take exception to any view of the subject which would argue from the establishment and operation of a Benevolent Society among us the existence of deeply seated and wide spread distress. On the contrary, the facilities for obtaining employment by those able and willing to labor were never at any time in the history of Southland greater than at present, while the scale of wages, everything being taken consideration, was never more remunerative, and thus (excepting of course the operation of accidental | causes) our laboring population is as a whole beyond the need of elemosynary aid. In respect to the position of her" working class, Southland contrasts very favorably, not merely with the other provinces of New Zealand but with most, if not all, of the adjoining colonies. Employers of labor at the present moment are seriously inconvenienced by the difficulty of obtaining it, and contemplated undertakings of magnitude are on this very ground compelled to be deferred. The scale of wages for harvesting and sheep-shearing operations is this seaso n so high as most materially to affect the balance sheet, and but for the continuance of the fine weather we have so long been favored with, the want of hands in the harvest field would amount really to a calamity. In. town, the operatives of all classes, such as bricklayers, carpenters, wheelrights and smiths, are so fully employed as to leave no room whatever for complaint; while for domestic servants the demand is so much in excess of the supply as to necessitate the payment of an extravagantly high rate of wages, and render the importation of a large number of this class a very desirable matter. Looking to whatever quarter we may, careful investigation leads to the conclusion that the deficiency of Southland is not want of ememployment for her population, but rather the want of hands that she may turn to account the sources of prosperity and advancement which are already opened up, and engage in new enterprises tending to develope the resources of the Province. Any effort in the latter direction must necessarily be deferred until the labor at our command is more in proportion to the work we have to do than is now the case. By the tide of emigration flowing from the old country, and from the colonies further advanced than ourselves, Southland has been as yet but little benefitted ; and this is owing chiefly to the fact that she possessess within her own bounds no attractive goldfield. The charm which the wild hazard of a digger's life presents, is, to the laboring population, generally a greater inducement than the steady gains of patient industry : although the result of investigation proves that in the long run the pecuniary position of the settled laborer is, in addition to his other advantages, much better than that of his sometimes lucky but more frequently unfor.tunate gold-mining brother. The commercial cloud, arismg out of over speculation in our early days, casting, as it did, a gloom over our prospects, and occasioning the temporary cessation of our public works, had, doubtless, some effect. This has, however, passed away ; and the certainty of a fair day's wages for a fair day's work, with the additional inducement of the permanent character of the employment offered, and the prospect afforded of advancement as the results of care and painstaking, should induce those whose capital is in their labor to avail themselves of the advantages which we have to offer. Attempts have been* recently made to direct the attention of the home public to the advantages of Southland as a field for emigrants possessing capital. In an equal if not in a greater degree do we need the introduction of labor, that the capital we already possess may not remain unproductive ; that works tending to the prosperity of the community may be commenced and carried on with a reasonable prospect of benefiting those who may undertake them. The natural capabilities of the Province are sufficient for the accommodation, and employment of many thousands. Comfortable homes

and appliances'are within the reach of all who choose to labor energetically for their acquisition — and a moderate competence may be reasonably looked forward to as the reward of patient industry and prudence. As a further consideration the honest and industrious workman may fall back on the assurance that Bhould calamity or accident overtake him he will find in Southland kind hearts and gentle hands to minister to his own need or to that of his family, meeting his distress without conveying the sense of humiliating obligation,

The precise date when His Excellency the 0-overnor may be expected ha 9 not yet been ascertained. It is, however, expected that it will be known to-day. The Central Committee has not been slothful ; it has held four meetings, and elected the following Sub-Committees :— Ball and Dejeuner: Messrs F. H. Moore, J. H. Baker, Wade, Dr. Grigor, and MTherson. Decorations : Messrs Simpson, Webster, C. Eoss, J. Mitchell, and JPratt.- Address : Messrs H. M'Culloch, M' Arthur, Lumsden, Harvey, T. M: Macdonald, .and f.'ltqss. "Fin^ice: Messrs Wood, J. Mitchell, J. Eoss, and Kingsland. Eeports from the Ball,Decorations, and Finance Committees have been brought" before the Central Committee. The Ball) Committee's report points out that there does Inot appear to be any room sufficiently large for a popular ball, and suggest the conversion of the Sailway Station as the best adapted for the purpose. The members of the Central Committee are divided upon this point, some maintaining the Theatre Eoyal will afford sufficient accommodation, and this subject is still under discussion. The Decoration report is suggestive of plans, but until it is known if His Excellency is to come by land or sea, it is impossible to sketch out a design. The Finance report is to tho effect that the amount positively promised by the Gt-overnment is quite inadequate for the purposes of the Committee, and have urged the necessity of its being largely increased. The uncertainty as to the way in which the Gf-overnor will enter the town, the duration of his stay, and the number of gentlemen that will accompany him, prohibits this question being at once settled. There can be no doubt that both the Government and the Committee are most anxious to give Sir G-eorge Grey a genuine loyal reception, and make the affair as popular and attractive as possible. It may be considered certain that the town will be fairly decorated ; thataballandtZe/ewwerwillbegiven, the school children entertained, and a popular concert and dramatic entertainment got up if possible.

We learn that it is intended to make the ball to be given to his Excellency the feature of the visit. It is proposed to call it the Provincial Ball, thus inducing all the settlers to participate instead of confining it solely to Invercargill. It is to be hoped that the railway station will be set apart for the general use of His Excellency's visit. It is the best adapted for all the purposes required, viz., levee, dejeuner, and ball, and we hope that all narrow-minded feeling will be set aside on this occasion. It is not a question whether the Theatre is large, commodious, and roomy, but the view to be taken is the desirability of compressing into one building the whole of the loyal demonstrations to be observed while His Excellency the Governor is amongst us. No more appropriate building could be fixed upon than the railway station, because, beyond its capacious accommodation, it is suggestive of the enterprise and energy of the inhabitants of the Province, in erecting an edifice that might be favorably contrasted with the best stations in Victoria, with some in England, and for extent, &c, surpassing any building of the kind in the whole of New Zealand. Every consideration of Provincial unanimity ought to point to the railway station being set apart for the ensuing public festivities.

We have to acknowledge receipt of a little volume, from Mr K. Rose, which, is certainly a wonder in its own way ; it ia a complete edition" of the "Pilgrim's Progress," published by Cameron and Ferguson of Glasgow, at the extraordinary low price of two-pence. The book is neatly and carefully printed on very good paper, and bears a well executed woodcut on the cover ; on the whole it must be looked upon as an aceievement of the cheap press. No one need now want a copy of Bunyan's beautiful allegory.

The following is the state of H. M. Gaol for the week ending Tuesday, the 19th inst. : — Sentenced to penal servitude — 5 males ; to hard labor — 5 males, 3 females. Debtors — 1 male. Committed for trial, 1 male. Total, 12 males and 3 females. ' Received during the week — 1 male ; discharged during the week — 2 males. Decrease for' the week — 1 male.

We have been requested to correct an error which appeared in our report of the exports per Water Nymph in our last issue. For Dalgety, Eattray and Co., 474 balea w001— 83,736 lbs— Value £10,378, read, 474 ba1e5— 166,285 lbs— value £10,378.

We are in receipt of several items of mining news from correspondents at .Eiverton and Stewart's Island. From the former place we learn about 40 ozs. was brought into town for sale, by a party who had been working in the Jjongwood Ranges for some time. They speak highly of the locality where they had been working, and expected to make a " pile." The sinking is 30 feet, and water was struck at 20 feet. Accounts from the Orepuki are encouraging, but it is expected that there will be a rush in the direction of the Longwood if the accounts continue favorable. From Stewart's Island, we are informed that the auriferous ground at present known is limited ; but that in those places where gold exists, as much as 303 per day can be made. No encouragement, however, is held out to new comers, as the ground is all taken up.

It will be seen from our advertising columns that that indefatigable caterer for the public amusement, Mr A. H. Puettelkow, has succeeded in making a fresh engagement with Miss Juno and* Mr Searle. We admire Mr Puettelkow's pluck in securing talent of a class which must cost him no trifling sum, especially as we understand the season just completed has not been so successful in a pecuniary point of view as the enterprise merited. Miss Juno is a host of performers in herself, and Mr Searle, who is really a clever and versatile actor, will, no doubt, still fnrther ingratiate himself with the public. The other members of the company are sjlso favorably known to the public. We think Mr Puettelkow highly descries commendation for contributing so materially to the " available talent " foe the anticipated carnival in honor of His Excellency's visit. .

j . We wouldvcalTthe attention of .intending passengers to an advertisement in another column,' intimating that the magnificent screw steamer Phoebe will sail direct for Hokitika, Greymouth, &c, on the 27th inst., and will afford opportunity for those desirous of proceeding to the new rush a the Haast River.

The New Zealand Herald states :— " We have been informed, on reliable authority, that some five or six chiefs have caused the body of William Thompson to be exhumed. The body was conveyed some twenty miles from Waiho and deposited in a cave, on the ranges, on the left of the track leading to Tauranga.. This is according to Maori usage."

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It was recently stated that the black Band of the shores of New Zealand contained a quantity of platinum. The Melbourne Argus has received the following interesting communication on the subject from Mr Severn, aasayer of the Union Bank there . — " A few days back a digger, on his way to New South Wales, left for my examina-. tion a sample of metallic sand from the New Zealand coast (Southland). He stated 'that there was any quantity of the same material where it came from.' The sample, on examination, proves to be a valuable platinum ore, of a highly magnetic character, and containing some sixty or seventy per cent, of platinum. Throughout the sampl6 ware to be seen minute pieces of rough gold. Specific gravity of ore, 14.2. It may be interesting to state, that while - experimenting with the microscope I soon found that many of the individual flakes possessed polarity. I carried- the experiment further, by floating some fine pieces on a drop of water placed on a glass slide, around which was placed a fine insulated copper wire. On transmitting a galvanic current through this impromptu coil, the major axis of many of these little flakes at once took up a position at right angles to the currant and as rapidly reversed themselves on the poles of the battery being changed. Should there really be plenty of this ore,? as stated, it will prove of much commercial value, and add greatly to the already varied mineral products of New Zealand."