OTAGO

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 364, 19 April 1861, Page 3

OTAGO

(From the Witness.)

The political aspect of our own Province presents considerable alternation. The anticipated removal by the Governor of Mr. Macandrew from the office of Superintendaut, took place on tho 6th of the month ; and tho *ame Gazette notified his removal from the Commission of the Peace. The news reached Otago on the 17th of the month, and the proclamation of Mr. Macandrew's private residence as a public gaol having been nullified, he was removed to the common gaol. The Speaker of the Provincial Council assumed tbe duties of Acting Superintendant and the public business has been carried on without interruption. The late Superintendent protests against this proceeding as illegal, and contrary to the provisions of the Constitution Act, which provides that every Superiutendent shall hold office until the election of his successor. This protest is not of any moment, there not being auy ground for the position assumed, that the Constitution Act. interferes with the due disoharge of the duties of Superintendent by the Speaker of the. Council — thQ

legal portion of the latter being settled by the " Superintendant's Deputy Act, 1858." The friends of the late Superintendant still pursue the insane course of holding out hopes of his reelection, even in the face of all that has taken place; and it is possible —unless they become wiser—that we may have a contest for the office, which will only teud the more widely to disseminate the facts connected with the disgraceful political position in which the Province has been placed, and to bring prominently forward the name of a gentleman whose misfortunes—to use no stronger expression—render it desirable that he should avoid attracting public attention; —and this, too, iv the face of facts, which are daily coming to light, which by no means palliate the conduct of the late Superintendent.

Another most important political change— which, if it has not already taken place, may be said to be as good as accomplished—is the dismemberment of the Province, by the erection of 3,000,000 acres of tha southern portion iuto a separate Province. The effect of this chango it is not easy to predict; we believe it will have less effect upon the Province of Otago than is generally supposed—that is to say, as far as regards the prosperity of its inhabitants: but, viewed in a political light, as a blow to Provincialism generally, it will certainly be one of the most successful moves of a centralizing Ministry. ,It will destroy the political power which the. Province would have in a few years attained had it remained united: and, should the two Provinces be unable to work harmoniously in matters of steam communication and immigration, the two Provinces are by nature so essentially one, that great damage to both may arise. We trust, however, that a good feeling will be maintained, and ali progress well. This proposed division of the Province has been the cause of the non-arrival of the Writ for tbe election of a Superintendent; it may, however, be looked for by the middle of the ensuing month, and it is to be hoped that it will not be further delayed, as of course it is not to be expected that a gentleman acting only during an interregnum will deem it advisable to initiate measures, or do otherwise than carry on the routine business or such work as must necessarily be performed, and yet it is important that the subject of immigration should be attended to, aud provision be made for iis continuance.

The importation of stock still continues. Sheep and horses being most in demand ; of the former, 40,000 have been imported into the Northern districts alone duriug the past three months, and 40,000 more have beeu ordered. Several thousands are also expected from Wellington and the northern Provinces. The season is, however, advancing, and we presume many of the importations must bo postponed to the spriug. Sheep and runs are still the favorrite investments for capitalists. Capital, bowever, to a small extent is finding an investment in mining. The Tokomairiro Coal field is in full operation, and the company is supplying coal at the pit's mouth at 7s. 6d. per ton, and although it is not of a quality to be compared with imported coal it must be a great saving to the adjoining settlers. So satisfied are the company with the result of their operations, that they propose to open another mine in the reserve near Lovel's creek.

Rumours of the discovery of a new Gold field in the neighbourhood of the Lindis Pass have reached us, and we understand that a considerable uumber of the labouring population of Oamaru have gone to try their fortune at the diggings. No account of their success or failure has yet reached us.

We have noticed the intended separation of the Proviuce. Against this evil we may on the other hand state that the General Government has received an offer from the natives to sell Stewart's Islaud, and the question has been put to the Otago Government whether it will provide the necessary funds, to which an auswer in the affiirmative has been given. There are already one or two sawmills erected or being erected on the island ; the supply of valuable timber is said to be almost inexhaustible, and the excellence of the harbours is such as at some future day to make it an important emporium of commerce. Mr. James Harrold, one of our earliest settlers who for many years had the Taieri Ferry, has made arrangement for the establishment of a fishing station on Stewart's Island; he is to be assisted iv the undertaking by several Orkney men, whose experience will be of great servioe. They are to be accompanied, by their families, who from a residence in the inclement climate of Orkney, will be the better able to test the climate of Stewart's Island, which has hitherto been considered not particularly prepossessing. Some years since, as may be in remembrance of our early settlers, au attempt was made to establish a fishing station at the Auckland Islands, some degrees further south than Stewart's Island. The attempt turned out a failure,—but had the company selected Stewart's Island, we have little doubt but that they would have been more successful. The largest ship can find shelter in its harbour; the coolness of tbe climate renders it admirably adapted for the storing of oil, and it is sufficiently near to a settled country for supplies to be obtained at a cheap rate. We observe from a paragraph in the Hobart Town papers, that the whalers, chiefly American, have been very successful this year in their fishing off the coast pf New Zealand.—March 30.

•We have not yet got our land regulations into working order, and the division of the Province will tend to delay our arrargements. The Land Revenue, however, still maintains a higher rate than, under the circumstances, was to be expected. Several new townships have been partly offered for sale, and the sum for which sections have sold, indicate the oonfidence of the public in the continued progress of Otago. Oamaru is increasing rapidly, and will shortly become au important town. At Hampden, 66 quarter-acre sections sold for £1238. Wallace Town, which will, for the future, form part of the New Province, sold well. luvercargill has made surprising progress within a short period,—property there maintaining a high value ; aud a few inferior sections in the Town of Dunedin, sold at the Government sale at an average of £45 6s. Considerable progress has been made in the survey at the South, especially in tha New River Hundred, by which a large extent of fine agricultural land has been thrown open for purchase; and several blocks at Hawkesbury and Oamaru in the North, wilt be ready for selection in the course of a few days.—lt is painful to read of the distress prevalent in the home country duriug the past winter, whilst in these fine colonies we have abundance of land, which would afford happy homes and abundance to thousands if they could ouly be induced and assisted to emigrate.

Inquest;—An inquest was held at the Taieri Ferry on Tuesday last, before Heury Howorth, Esg,, Coroner, ou tbe body of William John

Mackenzie, who fell into tbe river on the Saturday previous, and was di owned. It appeared from tho evidence that three men and the deceased were in the punt on tbe day stated, and that the latter was turning the handle of the winch which works the punt, when the handle came off, there being no pin to keep it od, and thus precipitated deceased into the river, striking his head against tbe platform in his fall. Deceased was called to to swim towards the punt. It was dark, and there was a strong current running whioh carried him away fast. There were ropes in the punt, but the men were so excited that deceased was out of reach before they thought of them. After a brief struggle in the water, the poor fellow sank before a boat, which was put off, reached him. The river was then dragged, but without success until Sunday morning when the body was found. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," to which they appended the following presentment : —" That the coroner be requested to represent to the Provincial Government the danger to which the men employed in working the punt at the Taieri Ferry are exposed, in consequence of the insufficient and unprotected state of the platform on which they have to stand, and to request that the Civil Engineer may be sent to inspect the punt, which the Jury consider in other respects very insecure, and to report thereon. And also suggests the expediency of at once providing two buoys and a drag for use at the Taieri Ferry in case of similar accidents.— lbid. [From the Colonist.) A sale of a few sections of town land was held on Wednesday, when eight sections in Dunedin realised an average of .£45 18s. 9d. five at Port Chalmers sold at £12 10s. each, and two at Tokomairiro at £12 10s. Tbe total for the 15 sections was .£440 10.—March 29. The Superintendence.—A public meeting was held on the 21st instant, at Waihola, Mr. Hardy in the chair, for the purpose of considering the claims of the candidates for the Superintendency, the report of which reached us at too late an hour for insertion this week, Major Richardson was proposed by Mr. Gillon, seconded by Mr. W. Grey, and supported by Mr. J. L. Gillies. Mr. Cutten was proposed by Mr. M'Master, and seconded by Mr. Gerrard. On the question being put, Major Richardson was carried by a large majority, only three hands being held up for Mr. Cutten. Melancholy Affair.—An inquest was held on Friday last, at tbe Provincial Hetel, before H. Howorth, jun., Esq., (who has been appointed to the office of Coroner, vacent by the resignation of Dr. Hulme), on the body of Archibald Kenneth, late surgeon of the ship " Melbourne," which had been found lying on the beach near the Government offices on that morning. Verdict, " fouDd drowned".