The Southland Times MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 645, 18 March 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1867.

The Separation agitation, despite the various influences that have been used to crush it, is steadily and surely increasing. In Otago, the attempt to organise an Association to extend and perpetuate Provincialism has proved abortive, and it is daily becoming more evident, that notwithstanding that the most demonstrative advocates of such a reform, have, of late, given but uncertain sounds, the necessity for Separation is more seriously acknowledged than it ever has been before. Need we cite as evidence of this the Separation Petition, presented to "His Excellency during his recent visit to Otago. The advocates of centralisation may make light of the event, denounce the action as in " very bad taste," and the ai'guments used as specimens of " forcible feebleness,'' but it still remains on record that by petition upwards of Jive thousand residents of Otago have publicly declared in favor of Separation. A large majority of the inhabitants of Southland are strong Separationists ; and in Canterbury, although the press ha 3 changed its tone simultaneously with the Stafford purchase of two of its leading politicians, the seed has been sown, in no K'u» nn fri«nitrtiijailiLjlUlfltJmng-ijQgth_fjuitl.

The Auckland Separation "flag-bearer" has deserted his post, still the banner is floating and many flocking to its standard. Whatever may be said or written to the contrary, it is a patent fact that the Separation cause is steadily advancing. The elections that are now taking place for members of the Otago Provincial Council display a marked public feeling* on this question. Many new men are rising to the surface, and in most instances the Separation candidate is the victor. The "Daily Times," Bth March," in a leading article, gives indications of a return to its first l oye — Separation. Speaking of the election of new men, it says : — " They show, in fact, how public opinion has been formed, and to what the form has attained. Of all the passing public actions and public events, we learn which have left lasting impressions behind, and what has been the tendency of the deductions they have supplied. Thus we may trust to the judgment or the instinct of the first section of the new men for proof that amongst the measures which have taken firm hold on the popular mind, are those in favor of Sepa % ration, financial and territorial, of the construction of Kailways. of assisting Immigration, of Dredging the Harbor, of working the new Land Act liberally, of perfecting to the utmost the Educational system, of extending the Municipal system, including the largely subsidising by Government local rates for local works, of reducing the taxation, of borrowing money for large public works, and of re-organising the civil service. Such we may conclude are amongst the leading measures which enjoy public favor, since they are the recommendations put forward by the candidates who have more to learn than to -teach, and who are content to follow rather than to lead." The centralisers do not relish this fresh indication of a settled resolve on the part of the Southern colonists to be satisfied with no half measure of reform. For some time the press of Wellington and Nelson has quietly slept under the delusion that the Staffobd tactics of silencing refractory members with a " plum " would stamp out the Separation movement, but it is awakening from its dream, and beginning to realise that a political movement established upon a firm foundation cannot be crushed — that for every leader who is illegitimately silenced, a score will arise. The " Wellington Independent," moans over the rtsvivaj. uj. me reparation agnation, in an article published in its issue of the 23rd ult., it makes a clumsy attempt to become facetious on the Ofcago Separation Petition, but throughout the article there is evidence that it is a pill difficult to swallow. In the attempt it makes to bolster up the exploded idea of a New Zealand nationality, it supplies the Separationists with the most pungent arguments in its favor they could. possibly desire. It says : — " The petition acknowledges that the Middle Island does not understand the Maori question — which no one need be told — and further, that it cannot govern the Maoris which as far as we know, it was never asked to do. Then it alleges that further Maori wars -will be costly, and that the Middle Island does not like to pay for them." Are not these . powerful arguments in favor of Separation? This is all the Separationists seek, and the very pivot upon which the necessity for Separation rests. The South is not prepared or qualified to legislate for the European-cK«z-Maori difficulty, and therefore desires to award to the North Island the fullest possible amount of self-government. It says in plain terms, the legislation required for the -North Island is incompatible with the good G-overnment of the South, and therefore we desire a dissolution of partnership ; your branch of the firm has impoverished ours, and you claim as an | excuse that the connection has been the cause of all the losses — that if it had not been for Southern interference the Northern wars would have long since been at an end. The South, in seeking Separation, desires to destroy this argument. It is willing to take even more than its fair share of existing liabilities, but it cannot consent to be pauperised for no better reason than to supply funds for " sugar and flour" sentimental experiments, and commercial trading on a war expenditure, squeezed out of the settlers of the Middle Island. It has long been an expanding feeling in Southland that the Provincial system should be abolished, and a radical reform in the constitution of the colqny made. There is a deep-rooted feeling in this Province that nothing less than Financial Separation will be satisfactory. The annexation and expansion of Provincialism is unanimously condemned, and Financial Separation with a Federal Council, earnestly desired. This has ever been the reform we have demanded, and there are hopeful indications of it being speedily obtained if the people will but make this question the chief in all future eleotiouß for the G-eneral Aasembly,

Her Majesty's screw steamship, Brisk, 18 guns, having His Excellency the G-Overnor and suite on board, left Port Chalmers at half-past four yesterday afternoon. She will probably arrive abou t 10 o'clock at the Bluff this day.. The train 'fill., leave at 9 o'clock this afternoon. The programme will be found in another column. The nomination of candidates to represent the District of Waianawa in the Provincial Council, took place last Saturday, 'the 16th, at the School House, Waianawa. About 20 electors were present. Mr James Wilson proposed, and Mr J. H. Menzies seconded, Mr William Boyd, of Waimatuka; Mr S. Daniels proposed, and Mr J. B. Sutton seconded, Mr B. H. Eeinecker. The show of hands was in favor of Mr Boyd, and a poll demanded on the part of Mr Keinecker, to take place on Tuesday, the 19th. The usual rote of thanks to the Returning Officer . closed the proceedings. On Friday night last Miss Eloise Juno took her farewell benefit at the Theatre Royal. Considering the attractions existent in other parts of the town on the same evening, the house was well filled, and, but for that, would, no doubt, have been crowded. The acting of Miss Juno and Mr Searle was, as usual, well deserving of the applause awarded. As we expected, however, the feature of the evening was Miss Juno's reading of " Mary Queen of Scots " and the " Gtentle Shepherd." So perfectly did she seem to catch the inspiration of the authors that, although so dissimilar in character, we can scarcely say which piece was best rendered. We were also agreeablysurprised by Mr Searle's reading of the " Bridge of Sighs." We scarcely expected such pathos and solemnity from a gentleman whose face seems purposely contrived for the expression of every variety of comicality. The songs by the Lady Amateur were also very well given ; her voice in itself is good ; the tone clear and full, yet soft, with plenty of volume, but just requires a little niord training and spirit to render her a vocalist of more than ordinary ability. It will be seen from our other columns that a most attractive programme is offered for Monday night, being the last (but one) of the engagement of Miss Eloi9e Juno and Mr Charles Searle. The Church of England bazaar was better at. tended on last Saturday evening than on any previous occasion. The rooms were tastefully decorated with evergreens; the attendance was most numerous, and judging from the spirit with which the proceedings was conducted, a very handsome sum must have been realised. At the close of the evening dancing commenced and was kept up with spirit during a couple of hours. The music was excellent, under the leadership of Mr Lloyd. The bazaar will be open this eveningWe notice the following items of news from the West Coast papers :— On the 24th ult., a party of men (either three or four) numbers uncertain, were returning in a boat from Saltwater rush to Gladstone, when the boat was capsized and they were all drowned, only one body recovered. Sickness prevails at Greymouth, and the hospital is full of patients, and no accommodation for daily applications. An excellent company ai*e performing at the Union Theatre, Greymouth. On Friday last, a number of gentlemen amateurs were to play for Mr Lionel Harding's benefit, and an Hospital Funds. Near Saltwater, about the 24th, two men were proceeding in Indian file along the track, the hindermost carrying a loaded gun, when something caught the trigger and exploded the gun, the charge of which struck the man in advance, and shattered his forefinger, which rested on his swag. The sufferer went to the Greymouth Hospital, and Dr Morice amputated the injured limb. A sad accident happened on Sunday evening last, at Deep Creek, near to Gladstone, between 10 and 11 p.m. Two men, named Steele and Johnson, sat down to rest themselves for a ' spell,' on the terrace near the creek, and whilst resting three men passed them. Steele and Johnson, after a brief rest, proceed on, and, whilst close to Deep Creek bridge, heard cries for c help ' coming from the water below. Steele at once descended the bank, about thirty feet, to the water ; and, after great personal trouble and risk, succeeded in pulling out two of the men, named Campbell and Eeane. Whilst trying to climb up the bank these two unfortunates again slipped in, and, in spite of all Steele's exertions, and that of hi 3 mate, with supplejacks, &c, the unfortunate men, Campbell and Kcane were both drowned, Steele nearly losing his own life by slipping into the creek, oat of which he; however, fortunately scrambled. Information was given to the ■ police at once, and the bodies were recovered j strange to say, however, the third man was never seen or heard of. It is supposed he may have pushed on ahead of all. The verdict given was, " accidentally drowned." The Christchurch coach to Hokitika had been delayed 20 hours by heavy freshes and a landslip. A report of a boat, with a single man in it, afloat at sea outside, has not been confirmed. The Wellington correspondent of the " Daily Timeß "in one of his recent letters says : — " The arrangements for the postal conference at Melbourne have been somewhat loosely made, nobody knowing more about it than that it is to take place late in February. It was fortunate the last Panama steamer was not four or five days' behind time through her own fault, as it might havtended to lessen the favorable views which Victoria now entertains towards that service and materially affected the proceedings of the conference. I see in the telegrams in the Sydney papers that the Meteor has been purchased at Melbourne for the Panama service, and that she will steam twenty miles an hour. As this purchase is not made on behalf of the company, I presume it is intended for the conveyance of the mails between Melbourne and Wellington. If so, Victoria will get her mails more than a day before Sydney, and despatch them a day later. The P N.Z. Co. have unsuccessfully offered to lay on the Tararua or Otago to convey Sydney maila, Ac, within two hours after arrival here, but at present New South Wales continues to prefer that the Trunk boat should go on, notwithstanding the 24 to 4S hours' delay here, which is necessary for coaling, and is sanctioned by the contract. The P.N.Z. Co. have obtained the conI tract for conveying the European Mail between Otago and Melbourne, virtually for six months certain, i.e., for three months notice. I think I may safely say that there will be no amalgamation between the P.N.Z. and N.Z. Steam Companies. The feeling of the Auckland shareholders is de- | oidedly agaiust it : there is a strong feeling against it almost everywhere, and your Mr Jones, with, others, threatens all the teirrow of the law if it i« attempted."

" Private letters received from Auckland by the B.s. Kangatira say that a number of failures, have" taken place there, and mention as the.largesttha of Messrs Edmonds and JaHns, a firm largely interested in the coasting trade, for £63,000. Our files up to the 16 th inst. merely state that Mr Edmonds has assigned his estate over to his creditors. — "Evening Post." ; The " Sydney Morning Herald "of the 13th ult. says .. — « A rumor prevailed in town yesterday to the effect that telegraphic intelligence had been received from England stating that the appeal in the case of Bertrand had been sustained, by the Privy Council, and that the prisoner would con^ sequently revert to the position in which he stood immediately after his conviction. We have ascertained that no such intelligence has been received by the law officers of the Crown." The damage done by the recent flood in Calder Tale, from the Dewsbury side of the town ta Thornhill, is estimated at £100,000. We learn from the " Argus " that the Chinese are giving dramatic entertainments at Sandhurst, for the benefit of the local hospital. On Wednesday night a tragedy was represented, having reference to the death of the Emperor Woo Mong. Thedrasses were of the most splendid character ; there was a great deal of fighting and marching, with interludes of gymnastic performances j and the drum, gong, cymbals, fiddles, and fifes constantly going."- - . •