The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1015, 4 September 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1868.

The farewell dinner given to Mr Gh Lumsden, M.P.C, on Tuesday last, on the occasion of his departure on a visit to Scotland, was a great success. Between fifty and sixty gentlemen assembled, and all classes of the community were represented. The chair was occupied by the Hon. Dr Monzies, and the vice-chair by H. Armstrong, Esq., Deputy-Superinteniont. The Chairman, after proposing the Queen and tha Eoyal Family, which was suitably acknowledged, next gave the toast of the evening — Mr G-. Lumsden. He remarked that the gentleman they had met to do honor, though not properly speaking a pioneer settler, was an old and worthy colonist, one of the earliest arrivals after Southland became a province. During the time that had elapsed since he arrived amongst us there had been a period of prosperity and adversity, and under each of these circumstances he had proved himself possessed of sterling qualities. Adversity has the merit of bringing out the best instincts of an earnest man, and leads those who are associated with him to appreciate fully the estimable features of his character. When Mr Lumsden came among us the days of pioneership had pasted, and the Province was on the verge of a prosperous career that was carried onward with a high pressure speed, which unfortunately was but the precursor of a collapse. It was when the eoilapse came, when adversity overtook us, that the special qualities of our guest beeaino canspicuous. In his capacity as a member of the Municipal Council — the Town Board — he evinced an earnestness in the discharge of his duties which could not fail to be remarked, and from all we know of his career as a member of the Provincial Conneil, of the Educational Board, President of the Hospital Committee, or other public capacities, no one could have failed to recognise in him qualities deserving of respect. We have met this evening to publicly testify our recognition of his sincscity, ability and eai'nestness in the discharge of his onerous duties, with that modesty which is inseparable from all true worth. (Great applause.) The speaker con tinued — your applause endorses what I have said and your presence here should be a source of lasting pride to any man. He would propose the toaat, viz : — George Lumsden, Esq., and he hoped might with renewed health and vigor return to occupy the position he had so honorable maintained. He has well acted up to the venerated maxim, " what thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." He had now great pleasure in preaenting him with tho engrossed testimonial prepared by the Committee. It was as follows : — " To G-eorge Lumsden, Esq., M.P.C. — '* Dear Sir, — Your fellow-citizens now assembled on the eve of your departure for Scotland, impressed with a deep sense of the valuable public services you have rendered, and anxious to testify their esteem for your sterling qualities as a private citizen, request your acceptance of this address. They desire, however inadequately to express their grateful appreciation of your untiring excrtious to promote the welfare of this community, and the interests of the country at large. Wishing you a pleasant and prosperous voyage and speedy return, with renewed health and vigor, to resume your wonted place among us, we beg to subscribe ourselves on their behalf. (Signed) "H. AEMSTEON^

Chairman of Commits. "G. S. OROtTCH, Secretary." Mr Lumsden, in rising to respond, was enthusiastically cheered. He expressed a feeling of nervousness, and almost wished that some other gentleman was in his position. The publio j services he had rendered to the Province he felt to be but lame ones compared with what he desired to do ; and from failing health he had long desired to quit political life, but bis friends persuaded him to keep in harness. He had done so as long as possible. He was now compelled to go away for a time, but the large assemblage that had met to expresLS goodwill towards him more than repaid him for any efforts he had made to promote tho advancement of the Province. He felt this mark of respect too deep for words to express. He saw around him many with whom he had but recently broken a political lance, and he was unexpectedly gratified to see them. Remembering the strong party feeling that sometime since existed, he could scarcely have antici- | [ pated that many of the gentlemen present would j have been there to honor so humble an individual as himself. All parties appeared to concede that however keenly party battles might have been fought in the past, they were actuated by a genuine desire to promote the interests of the Province, and their little differences over, they were willing to ' bury tho hatchet.' He believed that when any public work was to be done, he had never declined to nid any party in doing it, regardless of political opinion. He felt that upon a festive occasion like this, politics were out of the question, still they could not be entirely avoided. He could not but feel that the people required more political education — all the greatest minds in the home country were agreed upon that question, and if the want was felt there, it was felt still more in the colonies. The question above all others that he desired to speak upon was that of Education. In this Province^ there were 2000 children between the ages of four and fifteen years, and of these it was found that scarcely one-fourth attended school. He looked upon it as the imperative duty of both the Government and the people to make provisions for the education of the rising generation. The time must come, and would come soon, when the boys of to-day would be the men of the future, who would have to perfect the work of colonisation, which we had commenced. He felt, proud that one of his last acts as a member of the Provincial Council, had been to seek to obtain at least £1000 for educational purposes, and he hoped it would be granted. Another act of his, that he could not but mention, was that as a member of the Executive he had proposed an endowment for +he Provincial Hospital. It met with favor, and he believed that the Government would strive to carry out the proposal. In conclusion, he said it was u.3ual on occasions of this kind, to say that it would ever be borne in remembrance as a pleasant episode. He would say more — the memory of that evening would be to him one of those bright things that never die. (Applause). The Vice-chairman gave the c " Army, Navy, and Volunteers." Captain Harvey, of the Invercargill Volunteers, in a short but pithy speech, responded. The next toast was the " Colonial Legislature," also proposed by the Vice-chairman, who said the Colonial Legislature had been for some time engaged in a debate on the policy of the Government, and it was to be hoped that it would eventuate in the adoption of a more simple and less costly system of government. The hon. Dr Menzies replied, remarking that he had been ten years a member of one branch of the Legislature, and he might say that he believed the questions brought before it were discussed in an impartial spirit, and with a desire to deal fairly with every interest and class of the community. (Applause). Mr Lumsden proposed the "Provincial Council." In doing so ho remarked that between Provincialiats and Centralists there was many points of difference, but they must all agree, as long a 9 the provincial system existed, its functions should ba performed with vigor and spirit. Mr Calder, M.P.0., responded. Ho considered that the provincial system, although opposed by many, still formed part of the constitution of the colony of New Zealand. When first instituted it was looked upon as a groat boon. It formed an era in the history of the colony. The formec mode of government was unpopular, and the change was welcomed, aud it gave rise to an amount of political life that did not before exi3t. Provincial institutions had borne abundant fruit, for during the fourteen years they had been in existence, they had stimulated political activity, and trained men for political work who now hold the foremost position in the General Assembly. The New Zealand Parliament, he found was held in high esteem in Australia, and most of the leading men were trained in the Provincial Councils. He would endorse the remarks of Mr Lumsden on t'.\e question of Education. There was a great necessity for matured political activity, and adequate education, the one was dependent upon the other, aud civil liberty was ! inseparably connected with a healthy political vitality. With reference to Mr Lainsden's remarks as to the presence of political opponents, ho would assure him that his attendance on that occasion was no empty compliment, but a mark of sincere regard for a man who he had watched, and found acted up to his convictions honestly and honorably. He considered that the meeting was an example of the natural results of a conscientious and straightforward political career. Mr Lum3den had justly gained the respect which next to a clear conscience was the highest reward a public man could desire. (Applause.) The Vice-Chairman proposed tha " Hospital Committee." Mr Crouch, Hon. Secretary, responded, remarking that had it not been for the indomitable perseverance and attention of Mr Lumslen, the President, when tho management of the Hospital was first entrusted to the Committee most of tho members would have shrunk from facing the difficulties that they had to contend with, and that to that gentleman's exertions was mainly attributable the present position of that institution. Mr T: M. Macdonald proposed the "Commercial Interest," which was responded to by Mr J. Ros; The "Agricultural and Pastoral Inte-v-s-j" was proposed by Mr T. Pratt, and i-.^jsondod to by Mr Hay. The " Manufacturing L . rests," proposed by Mr Crouch, was respo:; i-.-d to by Messrs Buchanan and M'Leod. Tho chairman proposed the " Education Board," and in a long and able apeech, endorsed the views of Mr Lumsden as to the question of education, and passed a hi^h compliment upon that gentleman for the Bervice he had rendered as a member of that Board. The "Press" was proposed by Mr

Oalder, and responded to by Messrs Bain and Ham ; the " Ladies/ by Mr M'Leod, and replied to by Mr W. Coehran ; " Mrs Lumsden and family" was proposed by Mr Calder, and heartily responded to. The toaßts of the "Chairman," and the "Host," terminated one of the mo3t enjoyable gatherings thatha* ever been held in Invercargill.

The " Argus," 26th ult, says-.— "The Sydney Government seem to be anxious to believe that the attempt on the life of the Duke of Edinburgh there— notwithstanding the facts exposed during the trial of O'Farrell — was less the act of an individual than the result of a base conspiracy. The story circulated at the time of the attack will not have been forgotten ; and now our Sydney correspondent informs us that Mr Parkes has made an extraordinary statement on the subject. He says that, in addressing his constituents on Monday, the Colonial Secretary stated that reliable information had been received by him which proved that not only had the murder of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh been deliberately planned, but also that a person who was in possession of the secret, and whose fidelity was suspected by his companions, had been secretly murdered prior to the attempt being made upon the life of His "Royal Highness. This statement, coming from such an authority, is very surprising; and most people will think should not have been made without the production of the evidence referred to."

A correspondent who has recently visited the Orepuki Goldfields writes : — " Gold is being found over a large extent of country. From the information I could collect, Borne of the claims at OrepuM will give from £3 to £10 per man, and one claim, I believe, £12 per week per man was realised. It is impossible for me to at present give a fair account of these diggings, but this I may say, that many parties are at work in the Longwood Ranges that are doing well, and express perfect satisfaction with the result of their labor. But in every direction it wwars r advanced that the limited area of ground allowed by the Government prevented the miners from going to the expense necessary for a complete prospecting of the country. There can be no question but that gold is here, and in payable quantities. The Government should offer inducements to parties to prospect, by granting leases of a larger area of ground than is now allowed, and also cutting tracks through the Longwood ranges, which undoubtedly are rich in minerals. From what; l have seen, I can state that a good field for enterprise is here presented."

The meeting of parishioners of St. Johns', which was called for Wednesday night, for the election of a Churchwarden and Vestryman, lapsed, in consequence of the smallness of the attendance — some misapprehension existing as to the place of meeting. An adjourned meeting is to take place at the Church, on Monday evening next, at half-past seven.

An accident of a serious nature occurred on board the s.s. Tararua on Thursday while she was lying at the Bluff Harbor wharf. It appears that Captain Rowcliffe, of the brigantine, Bravo, went on board the steamer with a friend, and while stopping to speak to some one, leant against some cases standing on deck, these giviug way he was precipitated down the hold, a fall of eight or nine feet, his head coming in contact with the chime of a case of galvanized iron. The unfortunate man was taken up insensible, and word was instantly sent to town for a surgeon^ Dr Grigbf accordingly went down by the midday train and attended to the sufferer. Fortunately the wound is not so severe as might havebeen anticipated, no fracture has been sustained, although the scalp is deeply cut, and there are good hopes that the patient will soon recover.

A soiree took place at the Presbyterian Church, Tay-street, on Thursday evening. Considering the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was large, about one hundred and fifty persons being present. The refreshment was served in the handsome new vestry hall, which has just been completed. The tea being over, a meeting was held in the Church. The Rev Mr Stobo opened the proceedings. He stated the object of the meeting to be two-fold, viz., to inaugurate the opening of the new vestry hall, and the nomination of additional office-bearers, it having been decided to elect three more elders, and six deacons. The nomination of gentlemen to fill these offices would be proceeded with during the evening, and the election on a future day. Several pieces of sacred music were excellently sung by the choir, and appropriate addresses delivered.

According to the 'Thames Advertiser,' 12,998 oz. had passed through the banks during the fortnight ending July 31.

By telegram from Wellington we learn that the official investigation as to the cause of the wreck of the " Taranaki," resulted in the honorable acquittal of Captain Francis. *

Tho " Melbourne Leader " of a recent date has the following : — The Panama Mail Company is rivalling the Peninsular and Oriental in punctuality, and putting to shame those ■who have persistently decried it, and who were lond in their declaration that it " never could " be of any postal value to Victoria. It is now admitted that with a better adjustment of the times of arrival and departure, it would afford not exactly a fortnightly service, but an alternate one of great value. The European newß by the mail just arrived is not of much importance, but that from California and the west coast of South America is of great commercial value, and the outgoing mail really afforded an excellent opportunity for corresponding not only with those parts but with England. It has ever been the practice of the sham free-trade party to refuse fair play to the Panama Company, and to insist on its rival the P. and O. Company having secured to it the monopoly of a fortnightly contract. It is clearlythe duty of a community to recognise every service that affords increased means of communication, and, much as we are in favor of the Cape route, we would willingly accord to the Panama Company support to the extent to which the route is found available.

Captain Godfrey, of the Active, schooner, which arrived at Sydney from Cape York, via King G-eorge's Sound, a few days ago, says the ' Sydney Mornjng Herald,' " reports that Mr Jordan, the magistrate, informed him that all the stores, clothing, arms, and ammunition had been forcibly carried off by the nativeH, and that one man had been shot. Captain Godfrey supplied the wants of the party at Cape York to the best of hia ability, but they were anxious to obtain supplies as soon as possible."

The "Daily Times," 28th August, •ayit-* " The ship Helenslee, from the Clyde, broafkt 24 cabin and 113 steerage passengers. Thtft were included, equal to 61 statute adults, who were assisted by the Provincial Government, and eight whose passages were "aided by arrsnfd* ments madehere with Messrs CarguU and Miaani the agents for the ship. Sixteen are single women, and the remainder are made up <rf families and single men. We learn from th« Immigration Agent, that the immigrants generally are very suitable for the present requirement of the Province. The men are accustomed to farm work. A good many of the families and tingle men have already been engaged ; and all the women-servants met with ready employment im« mediately on their arrival. Married couplet, without family, receivers per annum, without rations ; single men, £52 per annum, and rations.; and single women from £30 to £35, according to | experience. — The next ship to arrive from the 1 Glyde is the Schleswig Bride, which tailed on June 24th, with 265 passengers.

The *Eiverine Herald' (New South Wales), records the demiss of King Cockey, and aborigi» nal monarch of that district, -who was a gentlemanly old fellow and a jovial old soul to boot, and was universally liked by both white fellow and black. He died very suddenly, and was buried by his tribe with many signs of mourning. On the visit of the Earl of Belmore to Moama, Zing Billy, of Torrumbary, took occasion to introduce himself to the Gtoverhor df Sew Sduiih Wales as ' King all about here-' He acknowledged His Excellency as Governor of New South, Wales, a compliment which His Excellent reciprocated by heartily shaking him by the hand.

The "Argus," 25th August, says ':—" The telegraph informs us that Messrs Brewer and Evans have returned to Sydney from Fiji, and that they will leave New South Wales for^Melbourne to-morrow. Private messages have been received, to the effect that, although Eng Thakambau did not (as reported) repudiate the first agreement entered into with him, they thought it right to make a second agreement, which -was signed on the 23rd of July last, in the presence of Commodore Lambert. "It is delcribed as being satisfactory to all parties. Before* this second engagement was entered upon King Thakambau had sent a message to his Melbourne friends, telling them to be of " good mind," a3 his chiefs were assembled, and they " were ready to act as soon as the Commodore arrived. The conference, when Commodore Lambert was present, resulted in the s«cond agreement just alluded to.

The ' Argus,' 26th insfc., says :—" Considerable interest has been excited in the import market by the almost simultaneous arrival of two te» olippers. The one is the Bertha, from Cantoi^ and the other is the Tekli, from Foo-chow-fqo* They both bring new season's tea. ' '

! A new tariff has been adopted (on very short ! notice) in Tasmania, and it does not appear to please the newspapers. The ' Mercury' says :— " The stamp duties, so odious and obnoxious, are to be doubled ; the package duties, so destnwtire to commercial progress and the interest! of trade, so unequal and oppressive in their operation, are to be doubled, and the Customs duties increased by an estimated addition of £12,000, but an actual addition of nearly double that amount, 1 With these facts present to the public mind, 1 i says the same journal, ' are the surprise and in* -dignaibion?novr-ao^-Bo£ZZ\l throughout the com.--

munity to be wondered at, or that men have come to the conclusion that no faith can be. placed in the declarations and pledges of our political leaders." -. --