The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1285, 29 July 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1870.

The passing of the Otago and Southland Beunion Bill through the Lower House, with expanded limits to the latter-named district, would indicate that the Government are quite prepared to disturb existing provincial boundaries, on good cause being shown/ Indeed it is evident, -from a number of symptoms, that the Fox-Yogel Ministry is quite prepared, should the necessity ariße, to swallow the Stapfoed policy in globo. We do not quarrel with this disposition to yield to the force of public opinion, but it would be much more satisfactory could we place this change of policy to the account of honest change of political principles, instead of to the credit of mere timeserving compromises. It requires an effort to believe that men hitherto 11110^-- I^^ i jffr < i >y in <^ a Vpredi~. lections, will be proof against the provincial influences which will be brought to play upon them, should they ever have the disbursement of the large- sums they intend to borrow. It is, however, to some extent reassuring, that, in . apparent anticipation of rival clamors for a share of the expenditure, ministers have already spoken out distinctly on the point, asserting unequivocally that small attention will be paid to absurd applications. It is to be hoped they will adhere to that resolution, for it is quite certain that the utmost firmness will be required. Over all the colony little settlements will be pushing their pretentions, and demanding the prosecution of public works in localities where such works could not possibly benefit the colony, and even their utility to the -immediate district concerned might be questioned. The number of insignificant sea>side*places which severally claim to be " the natural outlet of a large and fertile district," and on these slender grounds . demand the construction of extensive anicostly harbors, is something startling. Were a tithe even of such requests granted, the whole proposed loan could be buried in the sea without the slightest benefit to the country. The experience of older maritime countries shows that as trade increases it concentrates itself in a few of the best natural harbors, from whence cargoes have to be distributed, both with regard to interior, and less fayor^blr_BiJknAteA^Qag^Lj^gak"By land transport \£Ttne Government proposals embrace a complete railway system, the creation of numerous, ports of entry becomes unnecessary. The main harbors only should have Government assistance, and from them should radiate the lines of railway intended to open up the country. As a matter of course the Bluff harbor must be regarded as the most important in the southern island. It requires nothing to render it safe, and nothing to keep it accessible at all hours to the largest vessels. With deep water close in-shore, very little money would extend the present wharf sufficiently to accommodate the entire shipping of the Middle Island, while its position in relation to the other colonies mark it as the natural entrepot of the Australian trade. With the offer of Messrs Fox and Sons, mentioned in our telegrams, for the construction of railways, there is nothing to prevent the Bluff becoming the harbor for Dunedin itself. Writing upon this subject the other day, the "Evening Star remarks:— " So far as railways are concerned, if they are made as they are needed, a vast extent of country can be opened up at the rate mentioned by Messrs Fox and Sons, of London, in their letter to Mr VoGEt— namely, £3,000 to' £4,000 per mile. And this is not an actual outlay by the Colony, but merely guarantee. We have often heard railways objected to on the ground of their positive cost ; but here is a proposal by which they can bo £■»»■■« n« .4 — »lvw)ii<ir^w af-.. ]paa tvni/»« +T»n~ — common roadr Now when .this and the facilities afforded to commerce and intercommunication through their agency are considered, what greater folly can there be than wasting money on the formation of docks and harbors where nature has not provided shelter ? * * * Mr Yogel spoke specifically and wisely on the subject when he said the Government did not approve of making new harbors. We think it high time these matters were fairly looked into. In every way the multiplication of ports is a loss to the Colony. They are a loss to the revenue, because of the facilities they, afford for a contraband trade; they increase unduly the cost of collecting the Customs revenue, for they require an establishment to be kept up within them that could do fifty times the work that can ever be required of them. In fact, in many instances the cost of collection nearly equals the revenue received. They divide capital that, concentrated in one place, would add to the facilities for trade at the principal port, and thus by weakening the distributing power of the community they add to the cost of living ; and by holding but inducements to owners of vessels to undertake risks, they lead to enormous losses. The losses already sustained through disasters at Oamaru would have made a railway to Moeraki three times over ; or, better still, would have gone far to connect that district

with Port Chalmers, and thus have given to a wide extent of country far greater advantages than a navigable river one hundred mile 3 long would afford. It is strange how slow men are at learning lessons from tne pa*t. The sea lias spoken, and protested against the waste of money at Oainaru ; engineers have spoken, and told of the doubtful success/^ of the works "proposed ; the experience of other nations speaks, and tells how much more profitably the money can be expended, and. yet the few who hold property, and are perhaps looking forward to selling it and leaving the district „ when it has increased in value' through ' the fictitious prosperity induced by constructing useless works, are permitted to waste that; which, wisely laid out, would be of incalculable advantage to the Province."

The attention ot members ot the Oddfellows' order is directed to a notice in our advertising columns, calling upon them to follow the remains of the late Mrs "Preston to their last resti ng place. Brethren are to meet at the Lo3ge-room this afternoon at half-past one o'clock. ' f •The following private telegram was received in "lUWIi on-^Wadnesday last:— ;" The ,Ota<*o anfl Southland Be-un jonfiill has gone thrpugTF com* mittee. Extended boundaries * provided for as agreed by commissioners." , "Waggoners complain loudly of the st»te of the roads, and, to put' the matter, beyond cbubfc, occasionally point significantly to their bemred teams. Indeed, so completely are the poor brute* plastered by the time they make the return journey, that, luntil after a rigorous application of Vrash-and-water.it is frequently impossible to tell where horse leaves off and harness begins, or to guess the color of the different animals, is a general rule, the whole turn-out — from the leaders' noses "to the tailboard, including the drivsr— is' of one uniform slimy drab. The men say that the. first twenty miles from town are the worst — that once Winton is reached it is comparatively easy work, and they cannot understand— nor does any oneelse, for that matter — how it comas that the railway has not been made available, for the traffic during the winter. When the roads were tolerably, passable goods were carried on the line, much to, the convenience of the public, Ijat latterly, jus£ when most required, this mode of conveyance, ha% been interdicted. Could .not our. patriotic Go-, vernment contrive to get the railway— now that it is all bat finished— opened for the carriage of goods ? A slow train would suit that trade well enough, and if the public weal is to be considered, it should not be impossible to arrange matters with the contractors. Were it known in Dunedin that loading could be run forty miles up by rail,, there can be no doubt that a large proportion of the Lake traffic would at once, be transferred to this route. Members of the volunteer corps are reminded of the order — appearing elsewhere — for the delivery of all arms at the Orderly Boom, not later than ,30th inst. Non-compliance with the request lays defaulters open to "legalproceedings" it appears. The object of the " muster, of -aeooiMirtJiiiwrer^-isTmiplyT" we are "mTdnned^fo? what is known in mercantile parlance as " stock- 1 taking." j The police have, we are informed, diligently j searched. the shores of the estuary during the past day or two, in the hope that the remains of the late Mr Beid, master of the Brothers — with the circumstances of whose death our readers are familiar — might have been cast up by the tide. As no signs of the deceased hare been found, it is supposed the body must have gone out to sea, the time haring elapsed at which it might be expected to float. The lUttstrated New Zealand Herald for this month is rather a superior publication. Besides a larger number of illustrations, it coi*tains a colored engraving from an original picture, by B. O. Campbell, entitled, " Prospect ing." ">J The public meeting bJeld in the Oounpit Chamber on. Wednesday evening, 27tb, on,t^ ; question of the formation of a public library and reading-room, was numerously attended. His Honor the Deputy Superintendent occupied the chair. The interim committee — appointed at a former meeting — brought up a report as to the cost of starting the institution, the support likely to be received, &c. Oa the Btrength of the report, it was decided to form an association, and, the report itself was then adopted, as was a code of rules for the working of the society. T. M. Macdonald, Esq., was elected president; Mr B. A. Dickenson, treasurer, Mr W. Henderson, secretary, and six others, to complete a committee of nine. ' We were shown the other day by Mr Hamilton, an artist who baa travelled through the greater part of the colony, sketching its scenfery, several of his pictures, and so far as our acquaintance with the localities portrayed entitles us to express an opinion, thtry — t fm'f-Tifnl t" :?r' < iv!'i ,mA n~" /.r-^^i-Jt-a masterly manner. Several pencil sketches, taken in the vicinity of Invercargill, are exceedingly truthful ; and as Mr Hamilton intends to dispose of a few oa the art- union principle, they will no doubt attract a number of competitors. The drawing will take place at the Southland Club Hotel, on Monday evening next, at 8 o'clock. . ■ . The first half-yearly meeting of the Invercargill District Branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, took place at theOddfellows' Hall, Tay-street, on Thursday, the 21st insfc Messrs W. Eraser and G. Goodwillie acted as deputies for the Shamrock, Bose, and Thistle Lodge; W. P. Porter and M. Hyams for the St. George Lodge, and J. B. Stuck and G-. Bowles for the Sons of Perseverance Lodge, Birerton. The chair was occupied by the Prov. G.M., D. Webster, Deputy Prov. G.M. Wilkinson being present. During the evening the resigna-. ■tion of Mr Wilkinson was received. Messrs. W. JPraser and G. Goodwillie were nominated to the office , and the ballot haring been taken, W. Eraser was declared elected. . Mr H. S. Fish, junr., has been elected Mayor of Dunedin, the result of the polling being as follows :— .Fish, 789 ; Griffon, 724; Millar, 54, ; .Reynolds, 28. Mr Beynolds retired from the contest on the morning of the poll. Mr W. H. Harrison has presented a petition to the House of Representatives, signed by 2070 inhabitants of the . Grey district, praying for annexation to Nelson. Advices received from London of a shipment of butter per Halcione from Wellington show a considerable loss.

A correspondent of an Auckland paper sonds the following from Wiiangarei, as an instance of the rapid advance in civilisation ravde by the Maoris in that district :— " A few weeks ago one •of our young rangatiras p*id a visit to Auckland, when be made the acquaintance of a young woman of the same race. Report says the pair managed to get rid of the belt* half o f a hundred pounds during his short visit; It appears that ho became so enamoured of her as to induce her to accompany him homo. IJg seemed disposed ,to surround her with simuarsßomfqrts and conveniences of a domeatic kinl^-o what it maybe supposed she had enjoyed in town. He therefore made another trip to Auckland, from whence he | arrived the other day with furniture sufficient for j a house of several apartments. A day or. two after t"he arrival of the goods, they came down to j the wharf for the purpose of taking their furniture home. While it was being packed the lady quite suddenly became rather obstreporous, and begun pummelling her partner, striking him repeatedly on the face with her closed fist. To ! this he submitted with the moat' exemplary patience, never onctf attempting to retaliate or even to remonstrate against such extraordinary | treatment. Not content with venting her fury in this quarter, she then seized a chair, and dashed it repeatedly on the ground,, shivering it into a score of pieces. The friends of the rangatira stooi quietly looking on while this episode was taking place, and never attempted to interfere between them, one of them simply remarking ' Too much the waipirau.' It would; thus appear that Maoris are, like Europeans,,- quite alive ; to the danger of meddling with domestic quarrels; Captain Cook, and most voyagers who narrate their experiences of the habits 'r- of /uncivilised . races, invariably represent the women as slaves to the men, but the above would indicate that the tables are now j being turned." ' A company is being formed in Melbourne to explore the Auckland Islands, and, if possible, recover the gold lost in the ship General Grant. Another new journal is announced to appear | shortly in Melbourne, under the title of the I " Clipper." It is to be a small political stieet. The steamship Alhambra, once more under the command of Captain John M'Lean, is about to make a trip to the Fiji Islands. She was to sail from Melbourne about the 20th instant, and will be absent for four weeks. Kilmore seems to.be a lively place. The local newspaper, speaking of the Borough Council of the place, remarks: — " The Council- chamber, on nights of meeting seems to be the rallying point fer all the low fellows of the town, who appear to come there for the express purpose of showing .off their wit and cleverness at the expense of their most unoffending fellow- townsmen. At almost every meeting of the council the business is interrupted by these half-joking- whole-earnest -vagabonds -who continually infest -it, and the Mayor has again and again threatened to have them expelled the room. Practical jokes of every description, ventriloquism exhibitions, and sotto voee remarks, is the general character of their amusements, but they very often descend to obscene language and insulting behaviour." A private letter received in Dunedin from San Francisco Bays : — " Business is very depressed ; such dull times were never known in California as at this moment. "We had things pretty bad last year, although up to that time there was not much to complain of, but 1870 seems to have come in quite demoralised, failures occur frequently, and a general distrust pervades the whole of the mercantile community. We should not recommend people to leave your colonies for California. Some articles that we have, seen in the Sydney papers about the rates of wages are ; all rubbish, arid can only have been written to fill vessels." , It is proposed to constitute, by Act of the General Assembly, a Colonial University at Dunedin, provided the 1 Council of the Otago University agree to its reconstruction. : "^iir-rae-Jiouse~Tnrifepi«seTi^ inn*., Mr Haughton asked the Hon. the Premier whether the Government had any objection to lay upon the table all correspondence, telegraphic or otherwise, between Mr Acting Justice Ward and the Government, previous to the return to the colony of Mr Justice Chapman, relative to the reappointment of Mr Ward as Judge of the Supreme Court; also copies of all correspon r dence, telegraphic or otherwise, between the Government and any person, and also of all petitions, relating to the appointment of a second or assistant Judge of the Otago and Southland district of the Supreme Court. Mr Fox replied that no correspondence had taken place. The only papers on the subject consisted of a numerously signed petition for the appointment of a second Judge. The Australian Governments, says the Spectator, particularly that of New South Wales, are devising elaborate plans to attract immigrants, lands are to be set apart, and immigrants to be tested by their willingness to work for them, and all manner of restrictions are to be placed upon the persons assisted, so that none but the most worthy may be imported with colonial money. Surely, if the colony really wants good men, a much simpler course iB open to its rulers. Let them send over a clever agent, offer a free passage, a. week's maintenance, and thirty acres, and then pick and choose among the applicants. They would have the very flower of the agricultural laborers under thirty, just the very men they want ! Nothing will ever be done if they insist on making their immigrants begin the new life by " working the dead horse." They want to be rid of the dead-horse ; they have had enough of tugging at that at home. We (Dunedin Echo), •were present on Saturday evening at Mr Miller's meeting in the Princess Theatre, and it was the most orderly meeting, all things considered, which we ever attended. It commenced about 8, and at 9.30, on Mr Millar's suggestion, was adjourned for ten minutes for refreshments i After thiß interlude Mr Millar commenced, and. kept his audience in good humor, and pleased himself up to nearly midnight. Some of his illustrations were good. For example, he took great credit to himself for punctuality in the discharge of his duties, both professional and honorary, and stated that tun picacuL vaii»v iyuunoiilUTß were most unpunctual. He was, be said, somewhat like Mr J. T. Thomson, the Chief Surveyor. All people could know in the afternoon what time it was, for whenever Mr Thomson was seen in his saddle, it was not five minutes past four, so punctual is he in retiring from his official duties. A motion of Mr Stafford's in the House of Representatives for a return of the quantity and j value of coal imported into the colony since 1840, gave rise to a long and interesting discussion, and the resolution was, on Mr Macandrew's suggestion, amended, so as to include the names, situation, &c., of all New Zealand coalfields, .together with the price at which such coal is sold at the pits. Mr Stafford called attention to the immense quantity of money sent out of the colony for an article which we ourselves possessed in abundance, and of the best quality. Mr Travers, supporting the motion, reasoned that the neglect of the development of the mineral resources of the Colony was due to Provincial institutions, the Provinces desiring to make a revenue' out of the mineral ' lands, and only allowing them to be worked on terms which capitalists, would not enter on. This raised a perfect storm of Provincialism, and champion after champion rose to pour floods of indignation on the devoted head of the member for Christchurch. Mr Fitzherbert said the neglect of the colony in developing its mineral resources was due to a want of population to work those resources profitably, and at a rate which would pay. Mr Macfarlane said the reason the New Zealand coalfields were not worked more extensively, was in consequence of the very inferior quality of the ooal, which was only worth about half of what Newcastle coal was. This statement was challenged by Mr Fox, Mr Hall, Mr W. H. .Harrison, and many other gentlemen, who quoted incontestable proof that as good coal could be obtained to any extent in this colony as could be obtained in any part of the world. The motion was agreed to.