The Southland Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 18,1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1197, 18 January 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1870.

Is" our last issue we published some extracts from Earl Gbanyille's latest despatch to the Governor of this colony io show that the Imperial Q-overnment is firm in the position which it has taken up, Mid that very little hope could exist that the policy inaugurated by the Gladstojte fldministration will he ameliorated in any respect. It is quite possible, however, that the great interest which is being manifested in the home country in colonial questions generally, and the case of New Zealand in particular, may lead to Rome relaxation of the stringent terms which have been announced. The prominence which has been given to colonial matters during the recess cannot fail to be fruitful of beneficial results. The news brought by the last mail shows that the leading organs of the Press, prominent politicians, and colonists temporarily resident in the mother Country, have all been busily engaged in the discussion of the relations between the Home Government and its colonial dependencies. The New Zealand commissioners will therefore arrive at a very opportune moment ; the British public having had a pretty fair chance of acquiring some knowledge of the question at issue ; and if the voice of public opinion is expressed in our favor, experience has proved that no Ministry, however strong, can long act in opposition to that tribunal. That there is some prospect of testing to a certain extent the feeling of the people, the following petition to the Queen, which was being signed by the workmen of London, will abundantly prove : — " God Save the Queen ! "May it please your Majesty, — We beg humbly to lay before you that a large number of men, women, and children, your Majesty's subjects, have long been, and are now, in a state of destitution, through inability to procure work ; and that their condition in this country is very miserable and hopeless. ** That they are informed, and believe, that, in other parts of your Majesty's dominions there is a great demand for labour, and also a great abundance of food, so that all who are here perishing for want of the necessaries of life might there live by their own exertions in plenty and comfort ; but they are unable to reach those distant countries without assistance. "We, therefore, humbly pray your Majesty to see that such measures be taken without delay as may enable those who are willing to work to go to those parts of your Majesty's dominions where their labour is required, and where they may prosper, and may increase the prosperity of the whole empire. "We also beg to represent to yoar Majesty that we have heard with alarm and indignation that your Majesty has been advised to consent to give up the colonies, containing millions of acres of

emploverl profitably, both to the colonies and ourselves as a field for emigration. ""We respectfully submit that your Majesty's colo'ial possessions were won for your Majesty, and settled by the vnlour aud enterprise and treasure of the English people, and that, haviner thus become a part of the national freehold and inheritance of your Majesty's subjects, they are held in tru?t by your Majesty, and ought not to be surrendered, but transmitted to your Majesty's successor whole and entire as they were received by your Majesty. "And, in. order to discourage and defeat all such projects for disunion, we humbly pray your Majesty to cause England and her colonies and dependencies, to he incorporated by name into one British Empire, and that proclamation be made that you are Sovereign thereof, in like itnnner as you have been proclaimed Queen of India. "We believe that such proclamation would be joyfully welcomed throughout your Majesty's dominions, and, if assurance of this be required, it may be found in the welcome which hns been accorded to the princes of the blood in every one of the coionies which they have visited. • "We would also submit that your Majesty miffht call to your honorable Privy Council representatives from all the colonies. "Finally, we pray your Majesty to assemble your Parliament without delay, that they may inquire into the causes of the present distress and seek a remedy. "We are your Majesty's humble subjects." It is stated that as soon as 100,000 signatures were obtained, an immense public meeting would be called at the east end of London, to which several representative men from New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Canada, and other colonies would be invited, and at which a number of working men would be appointed as a deputation to present the petition to the Queen.

The meeting of the general committee of the Caledonian Gathering, convened for the evening of Friday last, was postponed till this evening on account of the sudden deatfj of Mr James Dundas, who was one of the members. In the Besident Magistrate's Court yesterday, 17th, the following cases were disposed of: — Clarke v. White, for goods sold and delivered, £11 Is. Judgment for amount with costs. Kingsland v. Gibson, goods sold and delivered, £1 15s. Judgment for amount with costs. Several other suite on the list had been settled out of court. "We omitted to mention in our notice of the Supreme Court sittings in Banco that Mr F. W. "Wade was admitted a barrister, Mr T. M. Macdonald having made the formal application on his behalf. A meeting of the Southland Prospecting Association is summoned for this evening, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, at 8 o'clock. We learn by the arrival of the s.s. Tararua at the WestCoastyesterday morning that the steamer | ■Rangitoto was to be laid up for an overhaul of hull and machinery, and that her berth would be j filled by the s.s. Omeo, leaving Melbourne on the 19th. The latter vessel may therefore be expected to arrive here on the morning of the 24th inst. with the English mail. "Our readers at the Mataura will be glad to hear that the annual soiree of the Wyndham Public School .will be held on. Friday next, 21st inst., at five p.m. We understand that the Hon. Br Menzifis has been reqaested to preside, and that the Revs. C. Connor, John Waters, and A. H. Stobo have promised their attendance. The sue« cess which attended this reunion last year will, we hope, help. to ensure a large gathering of those who, at this festive season, are ready to embrace the double attraction of a soiree and a ball combined. We learn per telegram that the Flying Squadron i passed Otago Heads at 4 a.m. yesterday morning j en route, we presume, for Lyttelton. A painful rumor reached town on the afteTioon of Friday last, to the effect that the dead body of Mr James Dundas, Surveyor, w^o was well-known and respected by the community at large, had bpen found by the roadside in the Waianiwa district. Unfortunately the rumor proved to be too true, and as the evening advanced, cironms'antial accounts were current, and a general feeling of gloom was apparent, to think that a young man who had been seen by many but a day or two previously, apparently in the fall flush of health and vigor, should be thus suddenly removed from our midst. Much sympathy was also expressed for Mr Dundas's parents in their heavy and unexpected bereavement in the loss of their eldest son, who had attained his 31st year. An express wagon was immediately despatched to bring the remains to town, the return journey being accomplished some time after midnight. An inquest on the body was held yesterday, the particulars of which will be found detailed in another column. On the forenoon of Saturday last, 15th, the report of another startlingly sudden death having occurred reached town from the Oteramika. As | far as we have been able to gather, it appears that a man, known as " old Jack," who had for some time been engaged as cook to the men working the steam plough on Morton Mains station, bad been spending the Christmas and New Tear holidays, perhaps rather freely, at the Long Bush. He had, however, got so far over the dangers of the occasion, and Vas on his way back j to his work. On the morning in question, j he left Hunter's Bush, where he had been for a dav or two, and proceeded across the fields towards Morton Mains. No more was seen or heard of the poor old man until about 11 o'clock of the same day, when he was found lying dead about half-way between the two places, by Mr Hamilton. He is supposed to have succumbed to disease of the heart. An inquest was to take place on the body last evening, but no further ■ particulars had reached town at the time of our going to press. The William Davy, now loading wool at Port Chalmers, i 3 just ready to sail, and will take to the home market 4141 bales. The James Nicol Fleming will follow with 4750 bales. The May , Queen is also fil!in<j-np, and will take 3600 bales. The Asterope and Timaru have also commenced

A meeting of those willing to assist in getting up the usual Invercara-ill rac >s for this year was held in the Prince of W>il«s Hotel on Saturday afternoon last, and was attended by about twenty eentlempn who take an interest in turf affairs. Mr J. Hare wa9 called upon to preude, and nearly all present took part in discussing the various propositions subsequently brought forward. 3?h« first resolution, which was carried unanimously, expressed the desirability of keeping up the annual meeting ; the following one amounted to the formation of a new Club, as it changed the name of the Society from the " Southland " to the " Inveroargill " Joekev Club, which was agreed to. The motion fixing unon the courae to be chosen called forth more divomtv >f opinion, but the majority were in favor of the Wsillacetown ground, both on account of its greater accessibility to the townspeople, via the railway, and the pecuniary advantage of its being a thoroughly ennlised paddock, for admission to which a considerable sum could be added to the club funds. Tlie "meet" i 3 fixe! to take plaea on. the 24th and 25th prox. J. Dalgliesh, Esq., was appointed treasurer and j-idge ; Mr D. Macrorie, secretary and collector; Mr J. IT. Cameron, clerk of the course, and Mr J. Shirley, starter. Subscription lists were at once opened, and were headed by several present with handsome contributions. For the convenience, of parties willing to subscribe, lists have been placed" in charge of the following gentlemen, vizY tlie hon. Treasurer, the Secretary, Messrs L. Hum* 1 , Gteo. Smith, V. Polling, J. A. Mitchell (Long Bush), and Mr Bell, B*nk of Otago, Riverton. The nuggets recently found in the LoDgwobd "Water Race and Ground Sluicing Company's ground, after having been successfully exhibited at Riverton for the benefit of the Hospital, have been brought to town, and are now on view at the shop of Mr Reed, chemist, on behalf of tbe same institution. The gold is no doub 1 - the produce of one locality, the whole of the pieces, with one exception, being remarkably similar in character, and there is as little doubt that they were procured in the place mentioned. Twenty-seven in number, the nuggets range in size from a mere pin-head upwards, the largest measuring in outline about the dimensions of an ordinary egg, and weighing over 14ozs — the aggregate weight is about 35ozs. What strikes an observer at onee 1 is the remarkable purity of all the specimens, they being in fact almost solid masses of gold, with mere specs of quartz thinly interspersed. The exception to whi-h allusion has been . made consists of on^ piece about the size of half a hazelnut, which bears the appearance of having passed the retort ; closer examination, however, shows that the smelting process to which it has been subjected has been carried on in other than man s laboratory. We learn that another large nugget, come lOozs., has since been picked up in the. works, and will probably be added to the case now being exhibited. A visit must convince the most sceptical of the auriferous nature of the Longwood ranges, the wonder being that with such evidences of their riches a rush has not set in before now. Our towns people should at all events avail themselves of the opportunity 6f viewingr as fine a collection of gold - specimens as could be desired,, and at the same time contributing to the funds of a deserving institution. Probably, aa a friend has suggested, it might be a good thing to send the nuggets to Dunedin for exhibition. No better argument could be used with diggers, or capitalists either, to induce them to try tjieir. luok- in. our ranges, than to show them tbe Bpecimenßi; y in question. ' • Mr D. MKenzie, of Balclutha, has .a cow which calved the other day. The calf, when dropped, was found to be ear-marked in both ears, exactly the same as its mother. The Glasgow Weekly Herald, with regard to New Zealand flax, says : — This article promises to be largely imported into this country, where, we understand, it is becoming favorably known to the trade, and the cor manufactured from it is quite equal to Manilla rope— nvuiy, indeed, preferring it. We are, therefore, glad to observe that the colonists are turning their attention seriously to its cultivation. , . . . An amusing deputation meeting is reported in the Thames Advertiser, under the heading "The Legitimate Drama, v. The Does" and .Mojikeyi." It appears that Messrs Barlow and Taylor have rented a piece of ground in the market plaoe at a sum of £7 per week, where they exhibit a dog and monkey show, which seems to be more attractive to the miners than the theatres, the lessees of which waited upon Mr Gillies, the Superintendent, to get the monkey-show rnmoved to the suburbs of the town. Tbey advocated their cause as well nsauy bad cause could be advocated. His Honor replied by saying that he did not believe in the protective system, but believed most thoroughly and completely in free trade, and held that every profession and business should stani or fall upon its own merits aad abilities. The Wellington correspondent of an upcountry journal says : — " Mr Fitzherbert it is said is about to leave the Colony. Since repre - sentative institutions were established, he has managed without the slightest intermission to secure monthly a large share of- the public loaves - and fishes. He is a man of education, of intelligence, and ability, and it will .be with difficulty a fitting successor will be secured. He is a much superior man to Fox, but he has not the latter's eDergy and activity. In an educational sense he is superior to Featherston, but he has not the latter's tact, application, and decision of character,, which have necessarily great influence in Council. These three gentlemen were formerly known as the ' three F's,' and pulled in the same boat, but after Fitzherbert joined the Weld Ministry there has been but little cordiality between them, and I think it very probable they will never again pull together. In the session of 1865 Fitzherbert reviewed the Fox-Whitaker administration in so slashing a speech that the newspapers were requested to supress it, which they did accordingly, or otherwise Fitzherbert's estimate of Fox's character and abilities would have been on record." u3 *■' ' The Dunedin "Evening Star understands that numerous applications are being made by 'parties desirous of availing' themselves of the advantages offered by the Government to settlers going at ouce to Martin's Bay and Preservation Wet. A meeting of intending settlers was to be held on Friday, the 14th inst. * The Bruce SeraU says:— We are glad to learn that. Mr J. L. Gillies has secured Mr Waddell's young Ayrshire bulls, bred off the imported bull "Lord Cardigan." These stock have been justly admired wherever they have bpen shown, and to a district like this so much in want of pure bred stock, this new blood should _nm^LjnQsi-iirgalirable.

The area of land urrler pastoral occupation in Victoria is 27,031,784 acres, the total rent paid being £174,33 i 173, or 1.55 of a penny per acre. We have received from Mr L. Rogers, bookseller and stationer, a copy of " Maokay's Otago, Southland, and Goldfieids Almanac for 1570." It contains a large amount of* useful information of 'a general character, besides interesting facts in relation to the rise and progress of the different goldfields in the Province of Otago. The inhabitants of Riverton will, no doubt, feel flattered by the following .notice of their township : — " Riverton ia picturesquely situated on the banks of Jacob's River, near its entrance to the ocean, and promises to become an important port for the shipment of cernals grown in the extensive agricultural districts to which it forms the natural outlot. The soil has been foun 1 specially suited for the growth of barley, and a large and increasing brealth. is being yearly sown ; the new brewery and malting establishment, of Messrs Lyon and Scully having greatly encouraged its growth. In the probable event of re-union of Southland with Otaeo. the trade of this port is likely to be very materially increased ; and bnt for the separation of the two provinces, the" Wakatip trade would have in all probability flowed through this channel. The Tjongwood and Paihi dialings have contributed not a little towards the prosperity of .Riverton, as compared with her more ambitious rival, Invercargill, and the most promising future may reasonably be entertained of thi3 rising township." A correspondent thus writes to th* Tst/ffetton ' Times : — " The recent encouraging intelligence relatin? to the rising value and importance of our flax, mates thi* a fitting opportuuitv for drawing attention to the question of supply, not as regards our present wants, for the wild leaf appears unlimited, but as a prudent foresight by which the demand, if ever so great, in the distant future, might still be met by an inexhaustible supply. I pointed out last year that as it was biennial, that is continuing to produce its seed every second year, none could be obtained then, and I advised intending cultivators to get in a good supply this year. It is necessary to again draw attention to this fact, because many are not yet aware of it, and others might havn forgotten. Such certainly must be the case, or there could be no excuse for the wanton destruction of the tall and not yet matured seed -stalks which onp so often- sees dono now. .Our. Canterbury flax is the best that could be desired. It ia rather remarkable that both old and young, when matured, should all arive seed at the same time every second year, and that these second years bring the wet summers so favorable for its growth. Tarn 1 doubtful if it is annual or biennial in producing its seed in the still more splendid climate of the North Island. Perhaps the " Flax Commission " will give the necessary information. Dividing the roots is another sure way of propagation, but requires a sroat outlay of labor and capital, consequently the spwin? of small beds in different parts of the intended flax-field, will make transplanting easy when there is a largre area to be planted. Many of our farmers will find flax-growing the most paying speculation in the long run, and the great improvement in quality and quantity throueh cultivation will insure it the best market." ______________