The Southland Times. MONDAY, JULY 13, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 985, 13 July 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JULY 13, 1868.

The opening of a session of the General Assembly is at all times a matter of public interest, that of the present one is of more than ordinary importance. For years there has been at the commencement of each session great expectations of animated debates on | necessary reforms, but until now nothing bat vague suggestions as to the" complexion these reforms should assume, have been presented — there has been no denned political programme, and no distinct party organisation. We have now, however, something like a determined opposition to the perpetuation of ProTlncialism on the one hand, and an equally determined opposition to the expansion of Colonialism on the other. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the present session will be chiefly remarkable for the discussion of the all important question of a reform in the constitution. The Vice-regal speech of His Excellency Sir Geobge Bowsn, has been looked for with more than ordinary interest, in another column we publish a telegraphic report of it, which, 'although not literal, contains all its most important features. Such speeches are proverbially remarkable for vagueness of expression and a paucity of information. The one before us is no exception to the rule. Telegraphic summaries are of necessity meagre, but sufficient information to form the basis of comment is in this instance supplied. But few important questions are alluded too, and those wj£h great caution. "We are fiformed that the long and tenaciously disputed account between the Imperial Md Colonial Governments has been ally settled in favor of the Colony. Ihis is a matter for congratulation, but at i-!i3 same time it brings to mind the events •!li tp'd ', to the dispute — it recalls the ?*$ *• t'^t, i%®-oi m P er i a l Government $?/t??s* ftu^'fifes >?$ on y about a million jL?i°£BXij£?£ ??Sfo» expenditure, more .rtiifu ■ .

than the Colouial Government ac\c- 1" nowledged. This cansed a lone? a ad j irritating discussion, which led, toa certain j extent, to the assunptiou of antagonistic positions by both Governments. It luis not, however, been injurious to J;o colony. Out of waat appeared for a t'tne agruat evil, some good has come. It h*3 brought Co light; sad revelations of r jc'rless waste of f uuds in the war department, during the period Downiog-streej reigned supreme, and reflected as ?n a mirror, the indifferent manner in which the public accounts were then kept, This dispute, it is satisfactory to learn, has bee i settled wiih credit to the colony, tbe Imperial Government having at length acknowledged the justice of the counterclaims of this country, and consented to a squaring of accounts — to make no further demands for the disputed Million. His Excellency congratulates the colony upon the hope " that if no further loans aye required there will be no need to impose additional burdens on the people, in order to maintain the public credit, and an efficient government." This is certainly a consolation, but a very small one — a poor result of the financial reforms we have been persistently told were being carried out by the Government during the late long recess. There are, however, two more important subjects alluded to in His Excellency's speech, viz : — " the uneasiness felt by the Government " about native affairs, and the Westland County Act. Upon the first but little is said, but that little, from past experience, means a great deal — it justifies the belief that it is the prelude to the House beino 1 asked to vote a large sum for war purposes. This is an important question. That money must be provided to suppress Maori rebellion no one will dispute, but if the Southern Members are true to their trust they will not vote a single shilling until some guarantee is given that a determined policy of suppression will be adopted, and prompt action ensured— rthat the rebels will be told in plain and positive language that crime will meet with swift, severe, and certain punishment. Let this be done so emphatically as to deeply stamp upon the Maori mind, that'punishment follows close on the heels of crime, and that the confiscation of rebel land will be strictly and faithfully enforced, and the colony will not . object to once more sanction even a considerable vote for thi, pur .. :■.■_. .. r. '•■ w^til the Government is. ple4^> a poKcgr^he Hfourfe shtu. . ri.^its sanc£irajgi , to^s any ■■' fur i; j. i -f. : .. : ;„, propriations undeiH%ha, head -; :u expenditure." Wi •> ii;ferenvje to the second subject of import — tho Westland County Act. This Act we are told has proved defective i -. i'-a working, and that ah amended Bill w""l be introduced, and we also learn that the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Duke of Buckingham) has advised His Excellency that the General Assembly has no power t? separate one part of a Province from the rest. Consequently the Westland County Council has no legal existance. It is intimated, however, that a Bill will be introduced into the linparial Parliament to validate thb Westland Act, and also give the Assembly increased power to legislate for the future. It would be premature to foreshadow what will be the nature of the promised Bill, but recollecting the tone of the despatches from the Colonial office some two years ago, is reply to the Auckland Separation Petition, it is more than prooable that it is intended to remove all Imperial restrictions upon the recasting of the constitution of the colony that have hitherto existed. At that time the prayer of the petitioners was refused, but it was intimated that no objection would be offered to render it, within ths •' four corners of the constitution," competent for the Assembly to recast and re • form it so as to meet the object contemplated. If our surmises are correct a great boon will be conferred upon the colony. As the law now stands no radical change in the constitution can be made without an Imperial enactment. The nature of the suggestions sent by the Colonial Government to the Duke of Buckingham have not been stated, but it is to be hoped they are comprehensive, and will lead to the passing of a Bill, giving to the Assembly power to reform, alter, and reconstruct its Government to any extent not repugnant to British Institutions. It is not improbable that the Victorian "dearUock" has led the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Imperial Ministry to seriously consider the desirability of giving the Colonial Legislatures the full power of making such alterations in their respective constitutions as experience may show to be required, without reference Home. It must sooner or latter come to this, and we think it more than probable that it is the intention of the Imperial authorities to adopt this course with regard to the whole of the colonies. The session, it is certain, will be an eventful one, and it is the duty of everyone interested in the c progress of the colony to watch proceed- ] ings with careful attention. ... | j

A review of social matters during the past month is just now particularly difficult. The even tenor of our way has been unvaried, and in no respect does the present exhibit any different aspect to lust month, excepting in the growth of those improvements, which though small in themselves, nevertheless mark progress ancl' indicate permanency sid stability. During the whole period of. her separate existence as a Province Southland has fortunately enjoyed an almost perfect immunity from crime of a serious chaiacter. Being without many of the temptations existing in more popolous localities to commit crime, the result has been that the criminal department of our Magistrate's Court has been rarely appealed to as a terror to evil doers. The abundance of employment, J which for many months" past has j beei the order of things, has doubtless i "d its influence in this respect, the connection between idleness — whether voluntary or otherwise — and crime, being^easily traceable. The chapter of accidents presents no case of fatality to life or limb, and disaster, by flood or fire, cannot be chronicled. The number of patients in the Hospital having been for the past few weeks above the average may be accounted for in a variety of ways utterly apart from the supposi fcion that sickness has been in any way prevalent among us. The fine and clear bracing weather of the early part of the month has been succeeded by wintry rain and storm, preventing the influx of visitors to the town, and giving a rather sombre and gloomy character to the streets. Since the departure of the Nathan Troupe, at the commencement of the month, with the exception of a Drawing Boom entertainment, originated and carried out for the benefit of the Hospital, the town has been dependent for its evenings amusement on the efforts of the " Penny Headings Society, holding their weekly meetings ; n. the Theatre. It is but fair to the gentlemen originating this movemer-t to record— what the public has already fully testified — that with the kind assistance which our lady friends have rendered to the success, the implied promise in the establishment of these evenings entertainments has been amply redeemed. There is -every reason to believe that these social gatherings will exercise m important influence^ in elevating the ' literary tastes of the community, and in addiiig to the general fund of rational enjoyment. It is contemplated, in connection with this undertaking, to make the meetings-the vehicle of disseminating useful information by the delivery of a series of short lectures on scientific and popular subjects. The 'first of the series — on Elementary Chemistry — has already been delivered. A project has been — and is — under discussion, to supply* a long felt want in the community, the establishment of an Athenaeum, and now that the necessity for an institution of this character is admitted it is to be hoped that its accomplishment will not be long delayed. Leaving for a time the intellectual and turning to the "utilities," there is matter of present congratulation in the report of the nalysis furnished by Da. Hectob as to the quality of the samples of coal recently submitted to him. The geological prospectings carried out have established the fact that coal exists in many places- in the Province. Ou the principle of " nothing venture, nothing win," the development of the resources, of which there: are so abundant mdi-, cations, must form the work of capital and enterprise, "and the feasibility of a project having this development for its object, applied to the coal deposits of the Province, is vastly superior to that "of many enterprises which have been commenced, carried out, and yielded profitable returns. The result, of the experiment as to the value of the coal for engine purposes, although not realizing all that was expected, is sufficient to warrant an outlay to obtain such a sample as shall fairly test the question. The influence- which the settlement of such a question will have on the commercial and social future of Southland, can scarcely be over estimated. It will be a matter of surprise if its solution be long left in abeyance.

In the leading article, in the" Southland Tim: of Friday, an error in the figures appears. The sentence commencing, " the gold produced during tlm period &c, should hare been, " the gold exported during the -whole period, &c." The Executive Committee of the Penny Headings Society held a meeting on Saturday eveninj, j>i which Mr Macrorie was appo'ited their per« manent Secretary. The appointment of thia. i o Ticer had become necessary in consequence o .' . o Managing D' -ector having found it impossible i to overtake all the work ' lvolved in arranging 1 /or the successive entertainments. Mr Macrprie's ! experience in aim'ar positions should render him ' thoroughly competent for the duties entrusted to i s care. The Committee also recorded ;i uhani- ! ious vote of thanks to Mr Hatch, forlii» cjurtesy ] i providing the chemicals and n...p..mtus re- 1 ( quired for the experiments exhibit jd by Mr i Irvine in illustration of his acijn; ' lc lecture on ( Friday even' ag last. . ' . <

We observe that the work of grabbing and levelling the ground, lately granted by the Government to the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for a Show Yard, has been commenced. The site selected is centrally situated, being a block of five aoras, adjacent to the Cricket Ground reserve. Wo believe it is contemplated to close fence about one half of the section, erect a permanent building, and enclose the remaining portion :o£the ground substantially with post and rails. The entertainment given by the Penny reading! Society at the Theatre Eoyal, on Friday evening, was, if possible, st^'l more successful than .any.' of, the preceding one?. The crowded state -of the house showed that these social weekly gather igs are increas'ng in popularity, and more than maintaining the prestige which they early secured. The evening opened with Mr Irvine's second lecti>-*e, on " The Chemistry of the Elementary Bodies," the element selected for exposition being that o? Oxygen. The lecturer explained most lucidly the important part performed by Oxygen :'i the economy of nature, and in the course of Ivs remarks illustrated the subject by a number of experiments, (in which he was assisted by AT" J. Hatch, who, we understand, kindly furnished the material and apparatus) which had a very interresting and pleasing effect, the most striking being that with the magnesium light, before. Jthe dazzling bri"'aney of which the Jamps of the Theatre became actually obscure and dim. The lecture lasted for fully half-an-hour, the audience paying the most marked attention to its progress, and frequently expressing their pleasure ; 1 warm applause. The readings, of which, there were four, were, as a whole, the best which have yet been given, and, with one exception, were all by gentlemen from the Bluff. The first was by Mr James Waddell, who read most corvectly and distinctly, loud enough to be heard iv every corner of the house, and yet with perfect ease. The story read, under the title of '' A Great • Sea Monster," described the effects produced upon different persons in different places on their first beholding a steam-ship. Some of the incidents depicted were very ludicrous, and being made the most of by the reader, gave much amusement to the assemblage. The second reading, also by a gentlema 1 from the Bluff, Mr Tucker, was entitled "The Tale he told the Marineß." The reader, although apparently laboring -under a little trepidation, seemed fully to comprehend the mearmg of his author, and consequently succeeding in pleasing the audience and sustaining the* interest to the end. The following reading was Jjicken's •^'mitable portraiture of that contemptible, hen-packed individual, of whom his superior half speaks as "Only my Husband." The selection was an excellent one and was read with remarkable clearness, fluency, and dramatic effect by Mr Samuel Nicho\ Mr Dickens Ir.mself couid scarcely have wished to have placed the story :" i other hands, so admirably did the reader succeed in pourtraying the various characters introduced, and in making the spirit of the author to be thoroughly appreciated by the hearers. In the ■ ' last reading, " Cousin Sally Dilliard," Mi Wotton as usual, kept the house :'i roars rof laughter. The musical portion of the programme was also admirably performed, both vocal and ' lstrumental. The opening piece, a series of Scottish aira arranged by Sir Henry Bishop as an overture to " Otuy Mannering," was really first-class, and > deserving :of ; the iiearty applause tendered at its conclusion. The song and chorus which followed, " Just before the Battle, Mother," was admirably rendered by the vocalists, A-iThad a very fine efrect. The song next • i ;;r (ramme, '" Do not mingle," was very (i*^..y sa^- by a young lady who is always fa> :.&;r -bojived, it was scarcely, however, equal ! :• « her previous efforts, the effect, no doubt, of a slight hoarseness. A flute trio followed, was well done, and warmly applauded. The glee, "WiJUe brewed a peck o' maut," was sung with great force, though rather stifly, by three gentlemen whom we trust to see on the boards again, as they are well able to render effective assistance to the society. A slight error in taking the pitch put a i;.,vere strain on the leading voice and partly marred the effect of the glee, but on the whole it was deserving of the applause which it elicited. Being encored, a very sweet little song and chorus, "Annie on the Banks of Dee," was judiciously substituted. The duet "I've Wandered in Dreams," came next, and was rendered with taste by Mr C. B. Marten, and «* youug lady. A cornet duet from "II Trovatore" was next performed, and when we mention that the players were Messrs Hare and Hume, or- readers will understand that it was something worth going a I good way to hear, it was deservedly encored. "Tom Bowling," sung by Mr Marten, who played his own accompaniment, was an excellent song, an encore was insisted on and the singer then gave a couple of verses of " The Bay of Biscay." Kruetzer's fine chorus, "JBells of Eve," given by the full company of vocalists, was rea'"y delightful — the best concerted piece of the evening. "Myhneer Van Dunck," glea and chorus, very well sung, completed the musical part of the programme, after which came Mr Watton's reading, and then the whole company joined, with fine effect, in the Queen's Anthem, which brought the proceedings to an appropriate close. A Melbourne paper says: — "That the true, oriental ruby exists, and has been found in our Victorian mines, is now beyond doubt. Some years ago Dr BleasdaV mentioned that one had been found by- Mr TJlrich, the able ir'neralogist of the G-eological Su 'vey, not far from Mount Eliza. Some people were scop ljoa 1 . on this point, and thought Mr tflrich had mistaken some other hard substance for the ruby. Curiously enough the unmistakeable evidences of its existence among us have come from that. <? : strict, and a couple of dozen of these interesting c../stab, picked out of a very miscellaneous jumble of matters generally found .about our primitive formations, have been shown to us. .Among the allied substances was a new color of sapphire — the oriental aquamarine — and the green sapphire." The following somewhat interesting letter from v miner in Shortland to a friend here has been handed us ("Wesport Star") for publication The letter is dated the 11th instant, and says : — " I have been here eight days, and find things in an unsettled state. Living here is very cheap. The greatest part of the ground ii held by Auckland men, who know-nothing about digging, but get quite excited when they pick out a small specimen. There is no regular definei lead of juartz reef, but the ground is full of small uniefind leads, some of which are very rich. There

A meeting of the Waste Land Board was held at the Government BuilJinga, on Friday the 10th July. 556 acres were sold, ohiefly in the W* ltoftdisti'ct. „ are from eight to a dozen "West Coast men who have got very good shows, and who expect from £500 |to £600 for their interests. The commissioner's report of Kennedy Bay was falae. There was no alluvial diggings there and the people have pH returned here. There are from six to seven thousand people here, and w'th tho exception of a few quartz reefers, Hunt's party and a few more, there are none getting gold. I intend remaining for some sinie to see how things ■«ill turn up, as living is so cheap. Beef, pork, and mutton we can buy frjm sd"to 7d per lb, and the 41b loaf for Is r and other things in proportion. The wages for miners or labourers are from £1 15s to £2 per week. There is a large town here, and it is daily increasing. Some capitalist* from Victoria are expected over to enter into the quartz reef speculations. But this I think is only talk, as my opinion is the richness of the quartz reefs, here is blov.n up far above the value." The " Daily Times," Bth July, Bays :— w Afc ft ; Singoftha Sustentation Fund ComWtte of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland}, held yesterday, the following contributions from the various congregations were reported:— Anderson's Bay, £85 16 6d; First Church, £167 17s 6d; Knox Chu-ch, £168? Green Island and Saddle Hill, £91 17s 6d ;St Andrew's £105; Oamaru, £79; Otepopo and Hairpden, £105; Port Chalmers, £67 7s; North East Harbor, £4,0 ; Eatit Taieri, £149 14s 6d; West Taieri, £120 ; North Taieri, £78 10s ; Waikouaiti, and Pahnerston, £97 11s 6d ; Clutha, £65 { Inch Clutha, £98 9a 6d ; Lawrence £106 ; Pomahaka, £80 ; Popotnnoa, £L 0; Tokomairiro, £141 17s; Waihola, £73 5s 6d; Warep*, £92 4s6d; Invercarg"!, £115; Biverton, £60 j Wallacetown, £87 lls 6d ; Teriot, £25; making a total of £2314 2s 6J; cont.'buted during the half-year ending June 30th. Tr's allowed ft <?Vidend of £101 14s to each inir-'ster, for the half-year. The amount reported, though somewhat less than usual, must be considered as very satisfactory, ; i the present c : "cumstances of the country, and highly creditable to the liberrlitj of the members of tr's Church." Tne " Da-ly Times," 2nd Ji''y, says:— "The Pupils of the High School, yesterday, presented Mr Simmons with a Testimonial, on the occasion of his- retirement f.om the Rectorship. The articles presented were an epergne and a flower* vase, both of beaut' *ul workmanship, and higb'y ornamented. Reid, 1., who made the- present** tion, said that he had been deputed by his school* fe"ows to act for them. He was conscious of his own 'lability, but he felt emboldened to speab, because he knew that he could adc" ess Mr Simmons, not merely ai a master, but * 'so as a friend* In the name of the boys, he wished to thank Mr Simmens for the many k*idnesses which they had all, at one time or another, received at his hands ; lor the interest which he had always taken in their welfare, as well as for the pains he had taken with them in their studies. . He begged Mr Simmons t » accept the present which he offered as a proof of their appreciation of his exertions on the* - behalf, and of a mark of iheir respect and esteem — Mr Simmons briefly replied. He felt too much (he said), to say much; he could do ■i-'ttle more than thank them cordially for their extreme'y : elegant present. Leaving Dunedin was of course painfc 1 to him for many reasons ; but chiefly because it severed his connection with ihe High School, and withdrew him to a distance ivom Mb pld pupils. He took this opportunity of. thanking the boys^for their behaviour towards him during the pait four months. They had shown great good taste^in conducting themselves as they bad done, under' the circumstances in which they had been placed." The "Oamaru Times," 4th July, gives the Sol* lowing resume of the proceedings of " the County Petition Committee at a meeting wl'ch took place at the Council Chambers on Thursday evening. Present— Messrs Ashcroft (convener) in the chair, ShirimsM, Allahby, and Bee. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, it was resolved,., 'That the name of Mr Steward be added to <fche Committee.' The chairman read a d'»ft letter. to the Hon. E. W. ■. ifford, containing copies of the resolutions passed at the late public meeting, and stating that further information would be forwarded to the Government, with regard to the scheme proposed by the Committse, at the earliest possible moment. bo, drains of letters to the member for Timaru, Alfred Cox, Esq., in the absence of Mr Campbell, the member for Oamaru, asking his co-operation: in endeavoring . to obtain ft general scheme of Local Government, for the whole colony of New Zealand, and intimating that the Committee would be glad to receive any suggestion he may be able to offer for their guidance. Also, to C. Graham, Esq., asking him to endeavor to ascertain the views o T the runholders in the Waitaki aistricfc as to the proposed County scheme. Resolved, " That the letters as drafted, be adopted and forwarded." ., "That the co-operation of the Moeraki and Otepopo people be sought, and that, if found advisable, the Chairman and Mr Steward be requested to meet them as a deputation from f iis Committee on the sub* ject." The Committee then proceeded to the discussion of the general basis of the proposed scheme ; but, as their final report is not yet ready, we are requested to withhold the remainder of the proceedings .ntil the result of their deliberations can be presented in a definite form.