Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4, 1878.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 75, 4 September 1878, Page 2

Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4, 1878.

The shipping disasters at Timaru on Sunday last were sufficiently deplorable in themselves, and we fear that they will be productive of losses to the district witli which the value of the vessels lost will be almost nothing in comparison. Timaru as a' port has many drawbacks, but we doubt whether anything has militated more against its success in the past than a not unfounded dread on the part of owners to allow their vessels to lie in a roadstead so notoriously unsafe. A long period of comparative freedom from casualty had almost obliterated this dread from their minds, but now it will be revived in full, and probably with greater force than ever. Timaru will henceforth have a double black mark placed opposite its name in owners’ lists of New Zealand ports. Can anything less unfortunate be anticipated ? Can anything more unfortunate for Timaru be imagined ? If the late disasters influence shipowners adversely, as we cannot but believe they will, and to a very great extent too, the rapid course of prosperity now run by our neighbour will suffer a severe check, if, indeed, it be not wholly arrested—a check or an arrest not to be recovered from. Sir Thomas Tancred suggested to the people of Timaru that the best thing they could do as a basis for harbour works would be to build an island off the shore. We do not know if Sir Thomas meant this as a pun. One thing, however, seems evident, that it will take more money to build a work that will stand against the force of such seas as happened on Sunday last than this young Colony can afford. When we read of a contract for a section of the preposed works being taken in hand for a sum of some £IO,OOO we could not help exclaiming pity the poor deluded Timaruites. Sir J. Coode no doubt when on the spot and seeing the exposed coast at Timaru had made up his mind that Timaru to be a harbour must only be classed as a harbour of refuge to be undertaken by the Government when the proper time comes that it can afford it. In England harbours of refuge have been made by the Government, and, at a cost of many hundreds of thousands of pounds. Only England could build such. In France only one has been built worthy the name. Much as we sympathise with, and much as we desire to see an outlet by sea for the rapidly increasing products of South Canterbury we cannot give our opinion in favor of an expenditure so enormously beyond our reach financially as a harbour of refuge at Timaru would at the present time be. The policy of England has ever been to utilise what nature lias provided for her in this respect. Every river and stream of the least importance has been made use of; harbours have been formed inland, many instances of such could be given did space permit. Are we more enlightened than them ? Are we equally rich to enable us to make harbours of refuge at a cost of millions? Would it not be wiser for us to follow the example of England in the latter instance and utilise our rivers and creeks ? Has not nature put within our reich one of such natural inland harbours ? and shall we spend perhaps half a million of money to make that which may be swept away ? While the inhabitants of Timaru may be calmly seated in their pews in church a tidal wave, a south-east storm may come, and the work of man may be scattered to the winds, and life and property a hundredfold greater than that of Sunday last may be sacrificed. It would be well if our legislators on their intended visit to Timaru would weigh the pros and cons of the case. harbour (at Timaru at best uncertain), and at an expenditure of half-a-million of money, or an inland harbour at Milford at a- fourth of that amount ? In the one case it is likely to be throwing money into the sea, in the other case taking advantage of what nature has thrown in our wayr\lf Milford has a basin of two and a-haff miles in length, eighth of a mile in breadth, and a depth of from fifteen to twenty feet at high water inside the lagoon would it not be wiser to expend a £IOO,OOO in making an opening to that natural harbour which could be done in little over a year than persist in going on with a work which will give no immediate relief to South Canterbury, We write with our eyes open to the storm that will come down upon our heads by those whose intent it is to spend the money in works at Timaru, but we will speak the truth fearlessly as a duty to our readers regardless of the consequences. Again we say we regret the loss of property and much do we regret the loss of life, but we believe all these things happen for the best and if it will be a means of arresting our friends in Timaru from doing that which may ultimately lead to greater disasters we will not have written in vain. Father Henneberry’s missions are far from being an unmixed good. It may be right and necessary for good Catholics to go to mass on (Sundays and Holy days ; it may even be right

for them to go to mass, and to receive spiritual instruction every day for a week or more during the continuance of a “ mission ” such as that of Father Henebe.ry. But it is not right for him, nor for anyone else, to hold a mission ” in which such daily attendance is demanded amongst an agricultural community in this busy season of the year. Perhaps employers ought not to be so sore about is as many of them undoubtedly are, but the “ authority of the church ” is most unwisely and unfairly applied when it is used to enforce a farm servant keeping holy day in this season when holidays are not expected. The heretic master’s temper is raffled at seeing his plough standing idle for such a reason, and it is not smoothed by the missionary’s promises of heavier crops and more abundant profits, to be realised as a reward for faithfulness in attending his missions. There is a time for all things, and the present in no time for “ missions ” in a country like ours.

We are pleased to be able to inform our readers that, on and after Monday, the through train to and from Christchurch to Dunedin will stop at Temuka for five minutes each way. It will leave Christchurch at 8.45 a.m., arriving at 12.45. On return will arrive from Dunedin at 2.45 p.m., arriving at Christchurch at 7 pm. We will be able to publish the whole time-table in our next issue. The Rev Father Heneberry brought his mission at Temuka to a close on Sunday. The day being beautifully fine, there was a large attendance at the services. After mass in the morning the missionary gave a short address on the duties of parents as to educating their children, urging that as the chief business of this life is to prepare for a future one, religion is the most important subject to be taught to children. Patents, he said, can not, for various reasons, teach this subject sufficiently, therefore it must be taught in school. The State .cannot teach religion, therefore the church should control the schools. Secular teaching produced infidels, had ruined France and America, and would doubtless eventually ruin New Zealand. He urged bis congregation to oppose the election of every man who was not in favour of religious teaching in schools. In a second address he proposed the building of a new church in Temuka, estimating its cost at L3OOO. The present church should then be used as a school. At the close of the address subscriptions were canvassed for, and nearly L2OOO were promised, to be paid in in three instalments at three, six, and nine months. In the afternoon those who had pledged themselves to temperance were arranged two and two, into a long procession, and marched around the town, There were about 400 persons, young and old, in the procession, 60 or so on horseback, and with their bright green sashes gay banners made a show that will not soon be forgotten by the crowds who assembled at advantageous corners to see them file past. - Last night we had the pleasure of being present at one of the best entertainments that has yet taken place in Temuka. The occasion' was that of welcoming the Rev Mr Clinton, who lias just now come amongst ns to take charge of the English Church in Temuka, The entertainment was opened by an anthem “ How Beautiful up on the Mountains,” rendered as we could not have believed it could have been by so small a community. The parts were well balanced, and the harmony goood. This was followed by “Treasures from the Deep,” by a lady, who was in most excellent voice, and at the conclusion, the hall rang with rapturous applause. Arch-Deacon Harper next delivered the first half of a lecture on the late Bishop Selwyn, beginning at his childhood, and leading up from his school boy days to his engaging in his most arduous labours in New Zealand. The Arch-Deacon has a most happy knack of keeping his audience in good humour by interspersing his lecture with most amusing, yet truthful anecdotes. We regret that the committee chose a night that prevents us giving a full account of the whole entertainment. We also regret that we had not a copy of the programme, as we would have liked to do our musical friends that justice which so good a choir deserves. The Volunteer Hall was filled to the very door by a most respectable audience, who conducted themselves in a most orderly way. The lateness of the hour at which the meeting commenced, prevents us going further into the matter in our present issue. In the District Court at Timaru on Monday, before his Honor Judge Ward, Norman Macey pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing from a dwelling, and also to a previous conviction, and was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude. James Tucker was found guilty of stealing a bridle, and a previous conviction for horse stealing having been proved against him, lie was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude. Charles Clark alias James Allan, was also sentenced to four years for stealing wearing apparel. Charles Frederick Sheridan pleaded guilty to having made a false declaration for the purpose of obtaining a marriage certificate, was ordered to pay a fine of L3O to cover the coat of prosecution. In the case of Walter Wright, charged with false pretences, the Crown Prosecutor said he did not intend to present any in-

dictment on the ground that the conviction should have been for forgery. Wright was subsequently arrested at Temuka, and charged before the Resident Magistrate with the graver offence. Pri soner applied for a rem ind until Friday which was granted. “ With a boy or girl, schooling is but a secondary consideration. Give them the rudiments of learning, but a thorough sense of what is just and right ; these will be sufficient for them till they have arrived at that age when they begin to think and study for themselves.”— ‘ Saturday Advertiser.’ The inmates of the Home for Old and Infirm Men at Selwyn, have been removed to the Immigration Barracks, Ashburton. Mr Matthew Holmes offers, through the North Otago A. and P. Association, a prize of ten guineas for the best essay on rotation of crops. The Northern visitors will be received in Dunedin with cheerful noises, artillery and musical salutes, and other senses will be regaled with glittering streets, sparkling wines, and glancing eyes. Some members of the Dunedin Football Team, not satisfied with their achievements in the field, scored a ‘ forcedown ’ in the streets by upsetting a coffeestall and its occupant. Acknowledging themselves ‘ off side,’ they ‘punted’out handsomely next morning. There are twenty-two females in the employ of the Telegraph Department of New Zealand. Mr Charles Bright in Dunedin continues his lectures, controversial and other, with much success. He says of himself that he is “merely a reporter of the best thoughts of the age on the most momentous subject which can occupy mens’ attention.” Opinions differ as to the bestness of the thoughts he reports. Press Agency advices from the Cape state tbatthe Kaffirs have been thoroughly beaten, and have given in, but the Griquas and Transvaalites are still giving trouble. The numbers engaged on ' each side show that it is a very small war indeed. A heavy gale from the Atlantic on July 19 to 23, w’recked five vessels lying at Cape Town. AMr Shelwall while out hunting baboons near Natal, accidentally shot himself. He was using his loaded rifle as a club, when it went off, and mortally wounded him. Eighty-eight sections in the township of Kensington, which is situated just outside the Timaru town belt, were sold on Thursday last, realising £6873, or an average of £7B each. Messrs C. Coombs and Sons, Dunedin, put 500 hides through their tannery per week. Messrs Reid ani Gray expect to have 150 binders ready tor next harvest. In principle, they are an improved Wood’s binder. Pope Leo is sending missionaries to Central Africa. Plant for steam tramways in Dunedin is on the way out, and will shortly arrive. The laying of the last rail of the Dun-edin-Christchurch Railway was performed with much ceremony. Mr Blair, the engineer for the Middle Island, assisted by Miss Macandrew and the Mayor of Dunedin, laid the rail in its place, and Mrs Blair, Miss Macandrew, and Miss McArthur screwed up the last nut. Then two engines, representing North and South, approached each other, rubbed buffers, snorted affectionately, and retired a little. The engineers and contractors took up positions on the front of the engines, doffed their hats and bowed, Tableau. Cheers. Speeches. Champagne. Dinner. Home ! —Hip ! hip ! hip ? hurrah ! London has 8918 policemen. Mr W. L. Edge has left the Lyttelton Borough School to become an inspector under the North Canterbury Board. On leaving the school he was presentad with testimonials from the teachers and pupils of the school. A movement is on foot for dividing Christchurch into wards, but the people don’t seem very anxious about it. Very few attended the' public meeting called last week to consider the matter. Mr Macandrew’s proposals give great dissatisfaction in some places. Patea, for instance, complains that it is placed on the same footing as Taranaki, receiving only 3 per cent, of its land fund for local works, while the same rea.ons for diminishing the proportion allotted does not ' apply to Patea. The Nelson province is also alarmed at its entire exclusion from all porlicipation in the benefits of the public works scheme for the next five years. The weather down South—about the 01 nth a—has for some time past been very wet and stormy, delaying farming operations very much. A Taranaki fanner recently harvested 100 sparrows per acre from a four-acre lot. He had sown it a bushel to the acre with corn dressed with gas tar and vitriol. The usual monthly fair at Winchester will be held to-day. Messrs D. and L. Maclean and Messrs Jonas, Hart, and Wildie will send representatives to conduct sales.

A telegram from New Plymouth states, in effect, that Rewi has intimated that he will advocate the individualisation of land—in other words, that he will try to substitute personal for tribal ownership of native lands. If the Maoris would themselves make this alteration —and they alone can make it—the settlement of the North Island would be greatly facilitated. f A great carnival in aid of the Benevolent Institution, will be held in Dunedin from Saturday next to Saturday, 14th. Both town and country are being actively canvissed, and the affair promises to be an immense success. An extensive exhibition, a gift auction, and concerts will form the chief attractions. The railway authorities will make liberal arrangements for the benefit of country visitors. The navigation of the Clutha river is being much improved by the use of dynamite. Snags and sunken rocks are displaced, and broken up very effectively. A train lately ran into a horse and cart standing on the line, and put them carefully, the horse to one side and the cart to the other, without much hurting either. Mr Williamson, a candidate for the Mayoralty of Ashburton, said in an address to the constituency that it was Sir Julius Vogel’s railway policy that had made Ashburton what it was. The Wellington street tramway was formally opened by the Governor on Saturday. The company have already expended £40,000, and expect to expend £60,000 more. The venture, it is anticipated, will prove a good speculation. L6OO was collected in Victoria for Pearce, the hero of the Loch Ard disaster. A deputation was informed that the New South Wales Government decline to take any action at present re the restrain - ing of Chinese immigration. Professor Huxley holds that the boy intended for an artizan should have a good English elementary education, which includes a real knowledge of physical science. The following table has been supplied to the “ Grey River Argus” by the local railway committee : APPROXIMATE DISTANCES (BY SCALE)

Grey mouth to Christchurch Altitude of Made Unmade Total Passes. Miles. Miles. Miles. 2940ft.via Carruthers’ Pass 37 140 177 2653ft via Hope pass . ...37 120 167 2452ft via Huruaui Pass 30 120 150 4052ft via Taipo Bass 40 9 135 4767ft via Browning’s Pass 30 125 155 2412ft via Whitcombe Pass 30 130 160 Greymouth to Dunedin, via Haast Pass, 460 mi’es, as follows ; ;— Miles Greymouth to mouth of Haast river 160 Haast river to Cromwell 170 Cromwell to Dunedin 130 Total ... 460