THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, SEPT. 7, 1874,

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1851, 7 September 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, SEPT. 7, 1874,

Tiie terrible indignation which was got up in Auckland against those members who voted for the resolutions declaring that the system of provincial government in the North Island should be abolished, is now seen to have been a mockery, a delusion, and a snare. The'newspapers now speak in milder language, while Mr Reader Wood, the most prominent of the Auckland members who voted for the resolutions (with the exception of Mr Vogel), and the one against whom the Supevintea-

clent and the other proviucialiats were the . most fierce aiid bitter, gets an. almost unanimous vote of confidence from liis constituegfafo. Mr Reader Wood has acted coSfgeously. He was threatened with all manner of veugeanco, but instead of waiting till any irritated feeling which might be supposed to exist had subsided, he takes the first opportunity of calling his constituents together. What substance there is in the opposition of the people of Auckland city to the famous resolutions lies solely in the declaration that along with the abolition of the provincial form of government shall be included enactments confirming the seat of Government at Wellington and the Southern provinces in their possession of the land fund. The seat of Government is not now at Auckland, and whether Mr Vogel's bill is carried or not, that city has no chance of being again the capital of the colony. Canterbury and Ofcago are also enjoying their land fund without stint, aud if all the provinces of New Zealand continue as they are at present, the Southern land fund is quite secure from the hands of Auckland. It is rather illogical that the people of Auckland should not accept what they believe would be an improvement in their system of government, because that is coupled with a declaration that tbey shall not have what they do not possess, and have no chance of possessing. On the point as to the seat of Government the Auckland people should by this time be ready to listen to reason, Wellington, with all its drawbacks, 13 unquestionably far better suited for the seat of Government than Auckland, It is at the centre of the colony, where the inter-provincial steamers call twice for every visit paid to Auckland, and it has frequent steam communication with Australia by the Southern provinces and by the West Coast ports. More than that, it will certainly be the port for the best part of the North Island. If the seat of Government were to be removed from Wellington, the claims of Dunedin or Christchurch would certainly be stronger than those of Auckland, or at least would be more strongly supported, which comes to much the same thing. We cannot understand therefore how the people of Auckland should decline to receive an improvement in their system of government because of the declaration on the subject of the seat of Government. 'As to the land fund of Otago and Canterbury, that is a very grievous question, but this much is certain, that so long as the North Island continues as it is, so long will these provinces enjoy their land revenue themselves. It can only be made available by the necessities of the colony, and Auckland can have little influence in the matter. For the people of Auckland, therefore, the only question is, will the proposed system of government be an improvement on provincial administration ? Throughout the province generally there is something like an unanimous desire that some system of local government should be substituted for Superintendent, Provincial Executive, and Provincial • Council, and the • same opinion, we believe, would have a majority in the city itself. Mr Wood displays a little casuistry in his account of what passed at the Government caucus held after the resolutions were passed in the House. He states that he informed the Premier that although.he had voted for the resolutions, as being the first step to the abolition of provincial institutions, still he could not support any bill which confirmed the seat of Government at Wellington and the compact of 1856. He states that this declaration was received with cheers by those present at the caucus, and that Mr Vogel declared that these two points need not be in the Act. But it seems to us that these two points were put in to catch votes, which they unquestionably did, and if Mr Yogel attempted to leave them out of the bill he proposes to bring down, he would lay himself open to a charge of something like breach of faith. The land revenue will probably be dealt with by making it, or the greater part of it, local revenue in the new 'districts throughout the colony, while the question as to the seat of Government may be easily omitted without danger of losing votes. In oar Southern telegrams we have the notification of the arrival of two emigrant ships at Port Chalmers, bringing 1,083 immigrants. In both vessels there seems to have been a great deal of disease during the voyage, and as this has been the case with moat vessels arriving lately, we are almost driven to the conclusion that it arises from the bad selection of emigrants lately sent out. Indeed there seems to have been no selection at all, but that every one who offered was packed off. There was a very large muster of the members of the Hibernian Society at their hall in Shortland yesterday morning, and from thence they marched in processioa to St. Francis's Church, headed by their brass band. The members were, of course, decorated with their handsome regalia, and the procession and music attracted a large number of people. A request had been sent to the Rev. Father Londergan to preach a special Sermon on the occasion, and he complied with the request in a manner which was not, we presume, very pleasing to the members. At all events the address was by no means a flattering one._ He condemned these sensational displays in strong terms, and soundly rated the members for their inattention as a body to their religious duties, stating his belief that for years some of their members had not attended mass, and that he refused to recognise them as a Catholic society. Yesterday was the anniversary of the society, and they took this means of celebrating the event. To-night, however, the real celebration will take place in the shape of an evening party and dance, at the Academy of Music. Every provision has been made for a good night's enjoyment, and, from the success which has attended the balls previously given by this Bociety, and the popularity which they have acquired, we have no doubt there will be a very large gathering of the votaries of Terpsichore on the s occasion. The society's brass baud will contribute the requisite music, and we are assured that the committee have left nothing undone which can contribute to the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. The Native Lands Court was engaged on • Saturday in taking evidence in cases of no general interest The Court will sit agan i to-day.

There was 110 business at the Police Court 011 ■ Saturday, The Variety Troupe performed again at the Theatre lioyal on Saturday night before a large audience, and the entertainment was in several respects much more successful than that of the preceding night, 'ihe gymnastic portion was particularly well executed, and the gymnasts fairly earned the applause which greeted them. There was an improvement iu the singiug and dancing portion of the entertainment which was particularly noticeable. Probably the amateurs had acquired greater confidence. But on the whole the performance was sufficiently sensational and amusing to satisfy the audience, who were by no means sparing of applause.

It will he seen that Mr Kowe and Mr Carpenter notify that they will address the electors of the BoroyfiU of Thames at the Academy of Music on Tuesday evening. We have no doubt that the most prominent municipal questions will then be dealt with, and as this community will be deeply affected by impending political changes, the addresses may assume a wider scope than is usual at borough elections.

A Provincial Government Gazette, published on Friday, contains the following among other notifications:—lt is declared that for the purposes of the Auckland Municipal Police Act "the limits of the Borough of Thames, shall comprise the Borough of Thames,'' and the Council of the Borough of Thames is appointed the "local authoritj' 1 under the Act- Mi' H. Crick is appointed auditor of the Parawai Highway Board vice Eeury Vernon, Notice is given by Mr T. Kissling, Eegistrar of the Supreme Court for the district of Aucklaud, that Mr F. A. White, Secretary of the North Devon Gold Mining Company (Limited), has lodged an affidavit stating that the company has ceased to carry on operations, and applying for a declaration of dissolution. The Registrar gives notice that unless n tice of objection is lodged within sixty days, he shall proceed to declare tie said company dissolved.

Mr Header Wooil met the electors of Parnell on Friday evening, and gave some account of the proceedings of the Assembly during the session, ■with an explanation of bis vote on Mr Yogel's abolition resolutions. At the close a very cordial vote of confidence was passed in him. ( urine the course of a very telling speech Mr Wood said:—" Immediately after the resolution, the Premier sent a circular to every member who voted for it to meet him in consultation. They met, there being forty-five or forty-six present. Mr Vogel stated that he wanted to confer with them as to the future action to be taken in reference to this resolution. He (Mr Yoge ) said that he understood that some members had voted for it on one ground, and some on another, and he wanted to know whether those whom he liad invited to confer with him weie unanimous in" their views on the general principle of the resolution in order that the Government might be able, to judge as to its future course. He (Mr Wood) spoke amongst the first of them, and he would tell the meeting what he did say. He told Mr Vogel and the members present that it was well known the interest he had taken in the question, and had done all in his power towards the abolition of provincial institutions. He stated to them, at the same time, that this seemed to be the first step on the part of the Government in that direction, but it seemed to him it would be equally clear to everyone there that there were two subjects in the resolution which must go against the grain. One was the confirmation of the seat of government at Wellington, and the other was 'the proposal to confirm the compact of 1856. He absolutely refused to be a party to any other portions of the resolution, (Cheers ) The moment he said this it wa3 welcomed by every person assembled with cheers. (Cheers from the audience.) They cheered him as the meeting had just done. Mr Fox then rose and sai I he fully concurred with every word he (Mr Wood) had spoken. Messrs Stafford, Buckland, and Jackson followed, and every one who had been burned in effigy in Auckland said the same, and they carried the whole feeling of the meeting with them. Mr Vogel then said that these two last portions of the resolution formed no integral part of it, aud that there would be no necessity to put them in the Act-(laughter)—and he (Mr Wood) interjected they would not be in the Act, but if they were there he would not support it. He was thus instrumental in extracting from Mr Vogel those views of the Government, on the same Saturday on which he was burned in effigy in Auckland. This showed how unjust the treatment he had received here. After some remarks about Mr Fitzherbert, he said that provincial institutions were so effete that he only accepted his position in order to give them decent bnrial, but now seemed to be trying his best to resuscitate them."

"Trader"' writing in an Auckland contemporary says:—"ln the face of high dividends and additions to reserve funds it appears thai 'all the insurance campanies doing business here have agreed to* raise fire premiums to the tnne of SO per cent ! Of course such an imposition will not long be permitted by the public. Meanwhile it might not be amiss to suggest that in lieu of charging prohibitive rates the companies should pay more attention to the character of their risks, both as regards the insurers themselves and the property they seek to cover."

" A most reliable and excellent man except in money matters,'' was the criticism of Mr Disgusting Rich Ebden upon a well-known public man who flourished in the pre-auriferou3 days, Mr Parke3 appears to have a reputation of somewhat the same kind amongst his New South Wales subjects. One thing he has done with great success. He lias made insolvency quite respectable. A witness in a perjury case at Mudgee was asked if she had ever been insolvent. "Of course I have,'' was the reply, "but tliere'd nothing in that, the head of the country has been." I am not quite sure tint treating insolvency as though it were one of the fine arts is calculated to improve the morality of a country.—"Atticus" in the Melbourne Leader.

The Dunedin Times, of August 3, says :— Some time agoa correspondent suggested through our columns the idea of inviting a Victorian team of cricketers to visit New Zealand to play various matches in the priucipal provinces. The suggestion was warmly taken up by an Auckland contemporary, in which province, we might observe, the idea was first promulgated and thought to be highly desirable. Since the letter referred to appeared we understand that communications were forwarded to Melbourne, •where the idea was very warmly entertained. The opinion is expressed by a gentleman who has considerable experience in these matters that there would not be the slightest difficulty in obtaining a very good team, including playera Allan, Conway, and possibly Gibson and Cooper, but everything depended upon the despatch used, as many of the gentlemen who could come would require some previous notice. Our informant states that it would be advisable that communication should be entered into with the provinces which are chiefly to subscribe towards the end in view, with the idea of carrying out the same, and the result with full particulars as to number «f matches, where to be played, and when, to be transmitted to the South Melbourne Club—gentlemen who have been long recognised in Melbourne as an authority in everything pertaining to cricket. We trust that some influential gentlemen will take this matter up and endeavour to carry out the . suggestion, for there can be no doubt that it would be a treat to all interested in any way in the noble game, and also toothers, to see Allan, who is acknowledged by Grace himself to be the bowler of the age, scattering the timbers. Since our Victorian friends have taken the suggestion bo well we trust no effort will be Jost 'on theflpart of the provinces to carry it into execution. We also understand that by the •Alhambra' further particulars will be obtained.

James bricklayers labourer, Melbourne, hanged himself on August 14: h to a tree, because his two daughters had turned out prostitutes while he was sick in hospital. Next day Alex, Caircs cut his throat with a knife aud afterwards fell in the Yarn. Anne Jane Cain poisoned herself with strychnine on August 10th at Wangaratta because she had been turned awy by the man with whomshe had Jjeca living, on his wife's arrival from England,

At a miners' ring meeting held at Adelaide, it was resolved that Mr Prisk, the president of the union, should proceed to Western Australia to seek employment for the unemployed; also that each unionist employed should contribute a shilling weekly towards the unemployed. The 15 troopers sent down have been withdrawn,

I should like to know the real truth about New Zealand, Mr Vogel's policy is variously described. His admirers regard him as a benevolent fairy, who is doing as much by a firm and vigorous policy in one year as would take under ordinary circumstances at least tweuty, and who by his boldness and courage is converting a colony into a nation. The detractors of the New Zealand Premier regard him as a fiuancial conjuror who has played his last trick and is now utterly helpless. His immigration scheme is working wonderfully well for Victoria, The number of really useful men who are gradually finding their way to this colony is alreidy tolerably large, and is becoming larger. Where the honey is there the bees will flock, and where the wages are the highest thither the men will resort.—'' Atticus"' in the Melbourne Leader.

His Honor Judge Rogers has given, great offence to the people of the Corner at Ballarat by some remarks he made in a case which recently came before him. Mr Wm. Nixon, the chairman of the Ballarat Stock Exchange, has forwarded a letter to the Solicitor-General, in which he encloses a report of the judge's remarks from the Ballarat Star, which represents his Honor to have said that " .ill the brokers at the Corner should be in gaol, in consequence of their villainous practices,'' Mr Nixon considers it his duty to assure the Solicitor-General that a grosser or more dangerous calumny was never uttered by a public man, and expresses a hope that "as Judge Sogers has so unwarrantably traduced and probably injured us in the eyes of the whole colony, you will be pleased to require from him that he shall publicly withdraw the calumny A iistmhshm.

The subjoined paragraph is extracted from a London paper:—"ln tho mouth of detractors 'commercial speculation' Lis been a phrase freely applied to the revival movement in Scotland, but the confidence of those who advance or accept this charge must be somewhat dashed by what happened wheu Mr Moody received a chequa from the Baroness Burdetfc Coutts for ,£l,ooo—a liberal gift from a great giver. The Baroness was sojourning in Edinburgh duriug the whole of the time when Messrs Moody and Sankey were at work in that city, and her offering shows the nature of the estimate she had formed from personal observation of their labours. The recipient no doubt had all his previous good opinions of her ladyship eonfirmed by this fresh proof of her munificence, and saw new cause for admiring the Lady Bountiful, and no doubt he told her so ' iu the note wherein he courteously returned the cheque,'"

"Venus" writes as follows on the management of companies in the Ballant S'av.—'°[n the present depressed state of mining, it is daily becoming more necessary that shareholders should look well into the management of companies in _ which they have invested capital, That at times dark deeds are concocted in equally dark corners, there cannot be the slightest doubt; and with your permission, Sir I propose to point out a few of the evils which in ray opinion give opportunities to unscrupulous men to carry out their designs. The great evil is proxies. Shareholders residing at a distance from places where meetings are held, frequently send their proxies to the manager) not knowing whether he will use them for his own or their benefit; and, in fact, supplying him with the means of .selec-tiag his own directors and auditors, The managers may, if he choose to do so,_ give these proxies to some one interested in an adjoining; claim, who may possibly use them to the i?jury of the shareholders by whom they were given I submit, f-ir, that it is, with but very few exceptions, unwise 'and impolitic to give proxies to any man interested in an adjoiuiog claim. There is also a system of log-rolling amongst directors, which is very reprehensible. In several companies the boards are composed of nearly the same men—A votes for B, aud B votes for A in return. There are men, too, who actually live, get fat, and save money out of board fee?, who hive nothing to recommend them but their passiveneas and docility, and are generally known *s dummies, and who of course always vote with their chief, There are also two very objectionable classes of managers. Men of low caste who tamely submit to* the taunts of the merest tyro in mining; and high caste men whom few dare to criticise, and who by the proxy system referred to virtually become masters instead of servants of their respective companies. The latter class occasionally take a trip to town and honor confiding shareholders with a visit; one elderly lady remarking to me the day after her spouse had been visited by one of these gentry, that he was ' such a nice man, Mr always gives him our proxy.' It may be said that meeting* would sometimes lapse were it not for the proxies sent to the manager, But if shareholders absenting themselves are not acquainted with others who attend and are trustworthy, a little enquiry would soon put them right in this matter; a d if all are not honourab'e men, the world is not so bad but there are s>me.

At a recent meeting of the Bungareesliire Council something like a scene occurred, when the matter of Alclnernoy's affiirs were uuder consideration. It will be remembered that when Mcluerney, a contractor for the formation of a portion of the State forest road, made himself scarce some time ago, the council undertook to carry on the contract and arrange his affairs so far as the contract was concrned, *ince then bills have come in from all quarters for work and labour, horse-hire, horse-feed, &c., until the liabilities have been found to exceed the amount at the disposal of the council, and on Tuesday there was a general meeting of creditors at the Sliire Hall, all clamoring for their money. While the subject was being discussed by the council, frequent interrupt tions were indulged in by the audience, such as "pay the workmsn first," "Hive me my money," the councillors coming in for a large share of uncomplimentary epithets. At last the doors had to be closed, but this had not the effect of keeping the indignant creditors out, some of whom obtained iugress at the back door, and again the scene After some debate, one of those in the room was sent out to ask the workmen if they would accept 7s 6d h the pound on their back wages, but this met with an indignant refusal, the messenger having his hat pushed over his eyes. The creditors were then asked if they would accept 10s m the pound, but this they refused, the answer being "pay the workmen first, iu full." This was all very well, but there was a bill for £11 21,1rh. r,° h ? oa coutraot ' which •i f P ai d> then if horse hire were paid for, there was a bill for £17 for fee I for these horses, which entitled that creditor to some consideration. At last the whole state of things got somewhat mixed, and after the pre* dent several times threatening to adjourn the council if order were not observed, the matter was further postponed or consideration at next meetiug.—Bcdhral Miner.

Although a ring is absolutely nec „ ia a Church of England marriage, it may be of any metal and of any size. Some years since ariuK of brass was used at Worcester at a wedding before the registrar, who was threatened with proceedings for not compelling a gold one to be employed. A story is told of the wedding of two paupers who came to the church and requested to be married with the church key, as the parochial authorities had not provided them with a ling. The clerk, feeling some delicacy about using the key, fetched an old curtain ring from his own house, and with that article the marriage was celebrated. The churoh •key was used in lieu of a wedding ring at a church neu' Colchester early in tte present century, and that was not a solitary instance within the past one hundred years in this country. Tlic Duke of Hainiltou was married at May Fair with a bed-curtaiu ring. Notes and Queries for October, 18 30, relate that a ring of leather, cut transversely from a finger of the bridegroom's glove, was used as a substitute for the wedding-ring on one occasion, A clergyman unjustifiably stopped a wedding in India became the bridegroom offered a diamond ring instead of one generally in use. In Ireland, the use of a gold ring is superstitious!? required,