THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIKI MESSENGER. “Vèritè sans peur.” WANGANUI, JANUARY 21, 1864.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 378, 21 January 1864, Page 3

THE WANGANUI CHRONICLE AND RANGITIK I MESSENGER. “Vèritè sans peur. ” WANGANUI, JANUARY 21, 1864.

A case, which was tried at the Resident Magistrate’s court on Thursday last, affords a good example of the difficulty of framing a District Highways act. suited to our settlement, and of the disputes which arise where the existing law is not adhered to.

The New Zealand Co.’s surveyors, were ordered to do what ought to be done in every district before it is opened tor selection, —namely, to lay off a complete system of roads for giving access to all parts of it. Either, however, from these gentlemen finding it easier to lav off roads on paper than on the then nearly impassable surface of the land, or for some other reason, the lines which, with the sections fronting them, look so imposing on the District maps—and which would be most serviceable if the country were as level as a biliard table or bowling green—are found, when laid off on the ground, to cross swamp, ridge, and gulley in so utterly reckless a manner, that they would involve in their construction an amount of tunnelling and earthwork far beyond that of any railway of equal length in Great Britain, and when finished would be nearly useless as a means of access to the adjacent lands Had the settlement remained in the Company’s hands, the Company would of course have had to bear the expense of the injury done to the sections in alter iug the proposed lines of road so as to make them practicable ; and now, after the Company has ceased to exist, and successive Governments have neglected to effect the necessary alterations, the duty and expense of doing so devolve upon the public through the District Roacl Boards. In Hie meanwhile the owners of sections have obliged their neighbours, and the public generally, by allowing a network of sufferance tracks to be formed on their lands, and this has unquestionably .tended to prevent the adoption before now of a proper and permanent system of roads. It was < not, however, to be supposed that such tracks would remain open in perpetuity, and accordingly they, are gradually being stopped by persons enclosing their lauds ; which proceeding is sure to give rise to ill-feeling, and often to serious disputes. Several such cases have from time to time been brought before the Court, and conflicting decisions given, so that the question of the legality of these tracks still remains open.

The case of tlie Chairman of the Tirauhaere Board v. Small was of this character. The New Zealand Company being obliged, - by the terms of ,their charter, to reserve to the-Crown a width of a chain from high-water mark along both sides of the river, their surveyors seem to have taken the commonsense view that it would be well to use this reserve as a road to the sections, and accordingly they laid off no other. In some places, however, the reserve winds round low'flats liable to be flooded, and it needed no gieat exercise of reason*to prove that in such places the road ought to have been diverted from the reserve, and carried straight along the top of the high bank. No provision for its doing so was however made, though the settlers and we believe the Maories previously —found it necessary.' to use a track in that position. The first Tunuhaere Board rushed into the other extreme, and proposed to divert the road entirely, and to carry it through the middle of the sec f tions; and this without compensating the section-owners for the damage that would have resulted to their lands. The section-owmeis naturally objected, and insisted that the road should either keep on the reserve where practicable, or that the Board should pay the cost of the extra feiicing, and also any damage arising from the cutting up of the sections. After a good deal,of disputing and much obstinacy on both sides, a meeting of the ratepayers, held at Mr. Murray’s early in 1858, decided that the road should go on the reserve throughout—though nearly every one present knew that at several points it would be the height of absurdity to place it there, and in voting for the resolution merely meant to assert the general position of the road, leaving it to : be altered at the low flats afterwards. The second Board gave a general effect to this resolution as far as their works extended, but lost the confidence of the ratepayers through expenditure which the latter considered extravagant or unnecessary, and hence about August 1859 further rates were refused, and the road was for a time suspended, About No-vember-1859 however, the .Ratepayers met by arrangement among themselves

at Aramoho, and decided upon, and proceeded in a body to clear and level, a good permameut line of road, the very line in fact, or nearly so, which ought to have been laid off at the outset. To this settlement of tlie question Mr. Small appears to have been a party, and his sons contributed the main timbers for bridging the Aramoho dram on the line fixed upon. It was understood that the board was to take the neccessary steps by deposit of plans Section Arc. for rendering the road so agreed upon a permanent one; but neither they nor their successors have yet done so. Mr. Small upon whose land one of the diversions from the reserve occurs, has laterly been • annoyed by neighbours’ cattle tresspassing on his land, and by their owners disturbing his sheep in driving them off ; arid as he had erected a fence along one side of the track, he called on the Board to erect its fellow. This the Board we believe for want of funds decided to do, and Mr. Small after notice. ’amply long enough to have enabled the Board to take the neccessary steps to lay off the track as a lawful road, at length stopped it up, and was summoned by the hoard for so doing. The bench decided that - Mr. Small was to pay 5s damages for stoppling the track' and recommended the;Board at once to take the neccessaVy steps, by depositing plans »fec., to get a lawful road laid off along the line of the track : a medium course calculated to puzzle all and please no one. If the track is not a lawful road, why is Mr. Small fined for stopping it 1 If it is so why should the hoard takesteps to make it so V The first and last, clauses of the judgment are clearly contradictory of each other. Even supposing that it was given to assert the principle that tracks of this character ought not to be stopped tifl lawful roads are provided in their stead—the only reasonable simposition—it still seem an-unwise decision, and the principle asserted a very dangerous one. Even in our town there are plenty of streets at present quite impassable for carts, and foot and bridle paths, and even cart tracks, crossing the sections ; yet we think few would say that the owners of tlie sections so intersected should not be allowed to fence or build on them without the sanction of the i own Board, or till the latterjhad made the whole of the streets We believe that it would have, been far better to have adhered to the strict letter of the law, and declared that no track, unless laid off as a highway by the New Zealand Co., the Government, ora Board of Wardens, should be recognised as a lawful road ; at the same time requesting Mr. Small to leave the track in dispute open for two or three months longer, so as to a fiord time for the Board to comply with the provisions of the Highways Act in getting it laid, off as a permanent road We make the suggestion in the hope that any future case of a similar character may be decided in this manner.

We are glad to learn, that while on one hand the Government proposes to compensate individual loyal natives for land which may belong to them lying in con.(iscated territory, it has also resolved not to allow individuals who have been engaged in the rebellion to escape, although the.tribes to which they belong may have shown no particular symptoms of disloyalty. A circular has been issued from the Colonial Secretary’s office to the Resident Magistrates throughout the island, giving instructions as to the treatment of disloyal natives. These are divided into three classes :—lst, those who have been in arms against the authorities : 2nd. those who may have been at the scene of Avar but have not been personally engaged in the conflict :—and 3rd, those who ha\ T e done anything to counteract the exercise of the Queen’s authority (as in raising King .flags, contributing in money or otherwise towards the King’s support, &c,) or who have refused to submit to the authority of the law. Those ■ belonging to the first class the magistrates are instructed to seize and' commit to prison for trial but they are allowed to exercise their own descretion as to the steps to be taken for this purpose. The second class are to be dealt with leniently in the meanwhile, provided they take the oath of allegiance and deliver up their arms; but at the same time they are liable to punishment either personally 7 or by the forfeiture of their lands, avlicu there is tune to make judicial enquiry’ into tin ir conduct. Those of the third class are to be warned to desist from such unruly proceedings, an*! threatened with condign punshment if they do not turn over a new leaf. Such instructions sc«u to a Magistrate 12 months ago would have been looked on as a> kind of Quixotic bravado ; but now they have some meanings, and will in many cases be at once put iu force.* They 7 give ainple room for submission on the part of natives who have not been actively,and overtly engaged in rebellion, Avhile they show that the time is past for winking at those misdemeanours, the perpetrators of which have hitherto escaped in the crowd, because they were committed at a distance from the tribal j residence and without the tribal consent. | Each man is henceforth to bear his own ! burden. The effect of these instructions j in such districts as ours,.especially at the j present moment, when the spirits of | natives are depressed and anxious, must ( be altogether and oarticularly Avholesome ; • * f and we shall Avatch with some interest j for the carrying into effect of the instruc- j tions, and for the effect produced on those j whom they concern. j

The Hon. R. G. Wood left for England by last mail for the purpose of ncgociafing the 43.000,000 loan.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. The Wanganui. Choral Society gave their first concert last night in Howe’s Assembly Rooms. The room .was crowded. with the residents in town and country, some of the musical settlers in Turakina and Rangitikei being present. The Society did not muster it sfull number which is above 80 some of the members being necessarily absent, and among them unfortunately two of the solo singers. Nevertheless only; two pieces had on this occasion to be omitted from a very lengthened and vai'ied programme, and for these were substituted others which met with much acceptance. Considering the nervous timidity usual on a first appearance, the solos were all sung remarkably well. Annie Laurie was unfortunately drowned by a heavy shower of rain and to us the effect was lost ; but a friend of ours who has heard Madame Caradini, liked the song better as sung last night ; and it must have been our unfortunate position tliat made u« think justice was not done to it. Tha,t the lady is quite equal to the song was proved by her beautiful x*endering of the solo in a Rich and Rare” in which Mr. Bridsoii’s solo was also excellent. Mr. P. Bell acquitted himself- remarkably well in the solos which fell to his share ; and we were particularly pleased with his bass singing in the anthem “ Behold how good and joyful.” The ladies who sang the duett in this and the succeeding anthem “In Jewry is God known” did their parts in a most pleasing manner. Mr. Bridsou’s rendering of “ Rule Britannia” was deeervedly admired and drew forth an enthusiastic encore. The lady who sang a verse in “Brightest and Best ” did so with much sweetness and good taste.

’I he glees were sung with precision and aecaracy, “ Hail, smiling morn” being perhaps among the best. Tim qimrcett ‘ I“»y .*» Celia’s-Arbour” was no doubt uppreoialed by lhe audience, although one of ihe voices was rather weak Indeed, if any defect could be hinted at in the whole of the performance, it was a want of balanee in some of ti e piecos : —a ‘defect which a little time and care will no doubt, remedy. Messrs. P. Beil and Bridson’s “ Hume ! fare thee well,” left nothing to he desired, and was deservedly encored! But the piece which elicited most applause was “ Dame Durden,” sung with infinite spirit and good effect by .Messrs. Alien and D. and P. Bell. The choruses, to any one,not aware of what can be done with young singers taught on Cilnven’s system, must have appeared the most, extraordinary part of the evening’s entertainment. They went with remarkable precision and good taste. -We have but to in- - stance the madrigal “0, who will o’er the Downs,” and “ See our oars,” both given with a correctness of time and expression extraordinary considering the short time the society has been practising. All the choruses were remarkably good, and our space will, not allow us to go further into detail. The evening’s entertainment was fitly closed with -the National Anthem, ■ the whole company taking up the chorus. Mr. Davis played accompaniments on the harmoniu.n and piano;with his well known good taste ; and Mr. Allen wielded the conductor’s baton as only a musical enthusiast and genu is could do. To this, gentleman and Mr. Bridson, we believe, the Choral Society owes.its origin ; and we are sure the public are deeply grateful to them for tlie efforts they are making to spread the taste for music in the community, and for such a musical treat as was enjoyed last night. Gratitude, they should remember, has also reference to favours to come. The Presbyterian Church Bazaar was opened yesterday and the proceeds of the day’s sales amounted to above £l5O. ibe band of the 57th under the charge of. Serjeant Hevwood was by the kind permission of Colonel Logan allowed to entertain the frequenters of the bazaar with their spirit stirring music, much to the gratification of those present- '! he Sale will open to day again at 10 o’clock, and we reserve our account of it, till it is broilgh tto a close. At a public meeting held at the Com-’ mercial Hotel or the 13th inst., -1. Alexander Esq. in tlie chair, i‘t was unanimously resolved to re-establish the Wanganui races ; and, to better suit the convenience of the settlers and sheep farmers in the district the 3rd and 4th March next were fixed for the meeting. We learn with pleasure thac the subscription , list progresses vey satisfactorily, and J. :o doubt the prize; offered this year will be equal to those of former years In another column will be found the programme of the Races which, shews that the Stewards are inclined tp do their utmost to afford* the public amusement. If possible we should much like to see the 3rd day set apart for Rural and aquatic sports. The following appointments have been gazetted: In the Wanganui Militia Geo. Fisk to be Lieutenant. Date of Commission 17th December,* 1863. In tlie “ Prince of Wales’ Company"’ Wanganui Rifle Volunteers Charles Hulke to he Lieutenant. Date of Commission 18th December. Jn the “Rangitikei” Cavalry Volunteers Henry Hammond to. he Gurnet, Date of Cumin «sion 3rd December* 18 >3.

The cereal.crops are I oking very well, and ii is only to be regretted that so small a breadth has i een sown this year. The harvest will shortly l>e<; in and • the result bid fair amply te repay the labour of those' avlio have rim the hazard not only of the seasou hut ofpo teal embarrassments. Tavo \\ augaelm natives, were brought before the Resilient Mnghtrate • his week charged with stealing a foil, belonging to a settler on the left hank. They 7 were sentenced to pay a fine of £4O, or- in default thereof to f> months imprisoiun nt, with haul labour. Their friends are collecting, the motley. ' 11 is Honor the Superintendent arrived here on Sunday evening, baling come up

overland.- By the wayhe.had.ihterviews with the Mauawatu and Rangitike'i natives, and we Relieve- there is some prospect of his Honour being able,-ere he departs, to- come to some arrangement as to the prirchase of the :\'ana%vatu block. There is also a likelihood of his being successful vin 'settliug the Rangitikei native land dispute. ..is Honor left on Tuesday evening for Waitota ra. Review of the Cavalry VqlhhTEEits. —The Cavalry corps of Wanganui, Turukina, and Rangitikei paraded for the first time in the form of a brigade on Saturday last at, Turakina, a centralmeeting ground, with the view of being inspected by Colonel Logan. The day was everything that could be desired, and consequently. there was a considerable number o£ spectators present, both Pakeha. and Maori, from the neighbourhood and from a distance. Major Rookes, having taken command of the brigade, formed it in lii\e in one of Mr. Wilson’s paddocks, aryl ’marched past at a walk, trot, and canter. A column of troops was then formed, and marched past ut„ihe same paces. The troops then reversed, flanks, arid, having formed a Column of squadrons, galloped past. The brigade being again formed in lino, and having taken order, Lt.-Colon.ei Logan and Staff approached, and, accompanied ’by Major Rookes and Staff, rode down the front and up the rear rank. Colonel

Logan and Staff having returned to their former position, the brigade charged past jn line, retiring by threes from the right of squadrons, and forming a column of squadrons in, the rear,‘the right (or Wan-

ganui). squadron in front. The order was then given for the brigade fo chai’ge jn succession by. squadrons, which was well executed, each squadron retiring by threes from hath flanks and- forming in rear. These charges were repeated at the earnest request of the men. A close column of squadrons was. then formed, to give Colonel Logan, an opportunity of addressing the men, which, he did to the following effect, —“ He had come out from .'Wanganui—he did not mean to flatter- them—expecting to. see good drill; but he must say he was surprised —very much surprised —to see the state of real efficiency to . which they had attained. They had'not attained to. that state of

efficiency without much drill, and it

reflected credit on the Major in command, . on the drill instructors, and.on the officers, but most of all on the men them- . selves. He felt sure that if. st disturbance should arise in this district, the soldiers, militia, and volunteers, acting (as he knew they - would) cordially together, would give a good account of the Maories who. might be opposed to them. He congratulated Major Rco.kes on having such a flue body of cavalry under his command ; the horses were good, and the*men excellent .riders, and he would feel much pleasure and real satisfaction in reporting them to the General, and they would he entitled to that which British soldiers always looked forward to and desired—the praise of their General.” Three cheers were then- given for Colonel Log an, and three more for General Cameron, upon which the brigade marched to the Turakina inn, and formed-line on the highway. Major Rookes having di-re.-ted the Officers to fall, out, announced that, a proper drill instructor having uow been appointed, he would not again have the pleasure of acting as. drill instructor of the Wanganui troop, Capt Cameron expressed the regret of the troop that they should be deprived of the Major’s . valuable and efficient instruction, and asked his men to. give the gallant Major three cheers in testimony of their sense of his■ attention —a request which was promptly and with great animation responded to. An attack* was then made by the brigade o.n the excellent, dinner provided by host Gleeson, which to his. credit be it said, resisted their utmost efforts, and, although dispersed and broken to some extent, still retained pos-session-of the field when the brigade retired with considerable loss—of appetite. Thus terminated an affair which appeared to give the highest satisfaction to every one concerned.

AUCKLAND, TAE WAIt. The following extracts from the - Southern Cross Correspoqdent’s letter, dated Ngarnawghia, January 6, contain all the ■war news -up to the departure of the 11 a/H/ci IVoriya : This afternoon, about half-past three o’clock, the steamer Pioneer arrived here with a force of about 4UO men, consisting of detachments from the 12th, 40th, and (noth, under the command of Colonel 'Murray. The}’ left Rahuipo.keta about 1 o’clock, leaving about 100 soldiers encamped there, and also a number of blue jackets. The force now assembled at Ngaruawahia is estimated to be about 700 at the present moment, but it is believed that in a fdw days a considerable proportion will be inarched Onwards to the front to form another encampment in communication with the one lately taken up by the General at Tuitui Kavamea, but on another side of the enemy’s position. ‘ The General has a force at present with him of about 1300 men, and is said to be within seven miles of the position taken up by the Raglan force, and seven miles from the enemy's pew position near Rnngiawbia. Their force is variously estimated, at. from 700 to 2000. They are said to have erected pas on the tops of five hills closely situated together, and the base of the •hills has been rifle-pitted to such an extent as to render the assault a matter of the greatest difficulty, and, if wcU.-mauned, must result in very, groat loss of life. No action ou the part of our forces, it is believed, will take place for a week or so, until a ranch larger force can be aoiemblod. Communication

has been had with the Raglan force from Tuitiii Karamea. It is supposed the General . will return from Ngaruawahia to arrange about the departure of the troops before mentioned, to strengthen his hands at the front. It is not expected the Avon will leave here for that place before Friday, ns the troops have been supplied with four days’ provisions, and all requisites.

The camp at Whata Whata has been entirely abandoned, the small flagstaff erected there alone remaining standing, as a memento .of the first forward movement after the investment of Ngaruawahia.

The Chariot of Fame arrived on the Btli Mnst. from Queenstown, with 51 O' rank and file and 18 officers belonging to the following regiments : ISfch—ls4 men, captains J. D. Baker and Hall* 40tli—70 men,@Capt. Mansergh, Ensign T. H. Ring. 50th—19 raei, Ensign T. Waring. 57th—71 men, Capt. T. W. J. Lloyd. 6,5 th —36 men, Lieut.-Col. W Young, Capts. C. Blewitt and W. Higgin, Ensigns Bysim, Thompson, Toul- ■ min, Ohayten. 70. th —136 men, Lieut. Menteigh and Ensign Martin Royal Engineers—ls men, Lt. Carre.

Corps of Armourers- —2 men. Army Hospital Corps—27 men ; together with Staff Surgeon Bawtree and Staff Assistant Surgeon Chandler ; 64 Wpmen and 67 children.

On the same day the ss. 'vstralian, a vessel of 850 tons burthen, belonging to the British India Steam Navigation Co., arrived from Rangoon with the headquarters of the 68th regt., consisting of 299 rank and file, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Morant.

The Provincial Gazette of the 11th, contains a circular from the General Government respecting the. Patriotic Fund for the widows and orphans of soldiers losing’their lives in the present war, and requesting the Superintendent to. forward the cause in Auckland..

Cattle may now be imported into Auckland from Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. I 1 he Adelaide had arrived from Sydney with 82 cattle, having lost 62 on the voyage. A Provincial Engineer 'is to be engaged at £BOO a year. On the 11th inst the paddle steamer Bine, Nose was launched at Oneliunga. The New Zealander says,—“ The Blue -Nose has been built by Messrs. McLeod Bigelow it Co., for the purpose of navigating the Waikato river, for which she appears to be admirably adapted. Her dimensions are 83 feet in length, 14 it. 9- i,n. breadth of beam,' 6 ft. 9 in. depth of hold, is flat-bottomed, and propelled by paddles. Slip is estimated at about .60 tons register, and her carrying capacity is about 75 tons. Her engine is American built ; she has a cylinder of 3 ft. 6 In. stroke, and 37 horse power, and it is fully anticipated that she will give a speed of Bto 10 knots.” We presume her buildors intend her for trading purposes. A guard is kept day and night over the grave of King Potatau I, to prevent his bones being carried away stealthily some night.—that is,'if the Ngatimaniapotos did not walkaway with them, as reported, just on the eve of the General’s approach. A box, said to be filled with bones, lies on the ground outside the tomb : but grave doubts have' been .raised that its ..contents are not the remains of'his Majesty, but'those of a young horse. The New Zealander s correspondent at Ngaruawahia, in a letter elated Bth Jan, flatly contradicts some statements of the Southern Cross, about the troops in front a«d the horses being in a state of semistarvation train a deficient transport service. On the contrary, .men and horses are well fed and look like their meat. There are 1500 horses employed in the transport service, the expence of which is 1000/ per day, The same correspondent mentions the* site dor the inland capital of this island as at Ngaruawahia, at the confluence of the Horatiu and Waipa rivers. Capt. Heapliy is making a preliminary survey of the ground for the township, and also of’ the banks-of the Waikato for a line of road.

The troops at Waipa are supplied with bread baked ip holes two feet in diameter run horizontally three feet bapk into the ground from the face of a bank. This is a novelty in bakiiig and answers capi tally.

320 milit’a and volunteers were marched from Auckland to, Otahuhu ou the 7th and returned on the 12th, with the exception of 50 militia and 50 volunteers, half of whom came in on the following rtay. ' . The troops are making a road from Tpikavamea (22 miles above,* Ngaruawaiiia) to Raglan ; only about four miles remain to be done.

The Ngatimaniapotos are reckoned at 1000 fighting men. The Kew Zealander s correspondent, writing from Tuikaramea on the 9th Jan., says there were then about IGOO men there, and. adds : .

The Waipa is here a deep stream about 50 yards broad, and with but little current ; there is a magnificent extent of phftn country here —not less than 50 miles north and south by 30 east and west, with probably as much move behind the Haugawei'a mountains, that bound the view towards the Thames, and the Mangatautari and Kakepuku, that screen the view to the southward. It is a noble cattle country.

The Ngatimaniapoto lately planned an ambush or an expedition attack Gen. Cameron. The tents of the Staff are, it appears, rather nearer to a piece of forest than the rest of the encampment, and the enemy soon became aware of the fact.

They told off 200 men to steal to within easy musket .shot, and to fire a volley into the General’s tent at night. Tin# party came,'very close to the camp, but their purpose was frustrated in some wayj *and they had to cross the Waipa, and escape'by the western country towards Raglan. The “friendly natiyes” are doing a great “ looting” business, and every day they bring in horses or bullocks for sale at one of the camps ; canoes and sheep are equally in their line of business’; in fact they assume a right to dispose of the “ chattels, tenements, aud hei’aditaments” of the retreating enemy. The telegraphic wire now reaches from Auckland to Kolieroa, and will shortly be extended to. Ngaruawahia. The Auckland Mission and Ragged School is carried on successfully, and has been much benefitted by tire interest taken in it by the Hon. Mr. and Mrs, Fox. CANTERBURY. We have papers to the 7th inst, The, railway is now in good working order, goods being conveyed to Christchurch, by a small side branch from a wharf at Heathcote Ferry near the tunnel ; and so large is the trade, that at this wharf eleven ships were lying at Christmas. On boxing day the coutrac tors (Messrs.. Holmes and Co.) allowed the public to inspect the tunnel, aud the following account .of it .is taken from the Press.

“ It was certainly-with great surprise we saw what a vast change had taken place in the appearance of the work in the last few weeks. The brickwork is almost completed through the clay to the solid rock, and, excepting for one short bit, thetunnel is completed to its full size up to the facing where the men are still at work. The form of the arch is unusual, being lofty ami narrow, and in a parabolic form. The singularity of the appearance arises in part from the width being sufficient for one line only instead of two, as in most of the. English tunnels. The whole of the tunnel throughout a distance of about 700 yards was lighted by candles along the sides of the rock, with occasional arches and chandeliers varied by Chinese lanterns, whilst from the face of the rock at the end three railway lamps, two white and one red, poured their united stream of light down the gloomy vault. The .light was sufficient to show the roof of the tunnel distinctly throughout, although not sufficient, of course, in so great a space to dispel the darkness which added , the grandeur of mystery to the impressiveness of the scene. Two thoughts occurred prominently to our minds ; one, that so small a community should have engaged in so stupendous a work, and the other, after toiling so long a distance to the extreme end, 'that as much more has been done at tlie other eud % and as much again as both together remains yet to be done. The contractors, however, are as yet within their time, and if on the one hand it may be said that the most •difficult part—the middle—is yet to be done, on the other the delay which occurs in starting a work and in getting the labor thoroughly organised aud into full swing are past. Whether any engineering difficulties may yet turn up in the middle no man can speculate. The great space traversed which has presented no difficulty is a sort of promise that none will occur, but still in 1400 yards in the interior of a great, mountain there is ample room for troubles of every description to arise.” In the evening of boxing day the . first theatre was opened in Christchurch, Sheridiin was put on tlie stage in good style, the leading part being- taken by Miss Aitken of Glasgow. The following entries have been received for the Canterbury Derby 1866 : Mr. A. Grey kefs hr. f. -Haut Ton, by the Peer, daiii Nelly ; Mr. A. R. Creyke’s Fashion, by the Peer, dam Brunette ; Mr. Redwood’s b. c.- Master Rotve, by Towton ; darn Miss Rowe, by Sir Hercules ; Mr. Wood’s ch. c. Harmony, by Towton, dam Regalia, by St. Jolm ; Mr. N. G. Norses’ ch. f. Atalauta, by Towton, dam Crescent. Major T. "W. .White’s b. f. by the Peer, dam Alice Lee.; Mr. Lance’s ch. f. Nebula, by- Pacific, dam Cloud ; Mr. R, Parkerson’s br. c. Lord Chancellor, by Prince Charlie, dam Finesse ; Mr. Lee’s b. f. Jeu d’Esprit, byPeter Flat, dam Jessy. All entries duly posted to date will be received. At a meeting held in Christchurch in the beginning of this month it was resolved to erect a second Presbyterian Church there, and to invite the Rev Geo. Grant,, of Akaroa to assume the pastoral charge of tlie congregation. A committee was appointed and £270 subscribed, ■ . •

Letters appear in the Lytteltou Times on the Education question, which has leaders reiterating its views in favour “ undenominational system of education.’’

Mr. Fitzgerald has had a .meeting with his constituents to give £m account of the proceedings in the Assembly. In his speech we find the following remarks He was surprised, and indeed, indignant, to think that measures of very great 1 importance had been passed in a hurried manner, and without due consideration and discussion. He would confine' himself to four measures which he would style “war bills.” They were Ist, the Suppression of the Rebellion Rill; 2nd, the Settlements Bill ; 3rd, the Loan Bill, and 4.-th, the .Loan Appropriation Bill. The first of these placed extraordinary powers in the hands of the Governor for the suppression of the rebellion, greater powers than had even beeh gra n ced in England' in the times of her greatest danger. Although profound peace reigned over three fourths of the North Island,

and over all the Middle Islaiul, the bill was extended to the whole provinces. It was a monstrous thing to think that the Governor could, if he chose hold any one under arrest without 'trial. Should an appeal be made to the -Habeas Corpus Apt, the answer .returned would be, that the prisoner was arrested under warrant from the Governor. He had opposed the bill as it now stood, and had moved an amendment to confine its action to districts declared by the Governor to be in a state of rebellion. He went on to speak of the'Settlements Bill. It had been framed on arrangements entered into by Messrs. Domett and Bell for bringing over military settlers from Australia. He was of opinion that the measure was perfectly useless. It would entail a great financial disaster, and would inti'oduce a class of settlers of the worst kind in the worst manner. 11l speaking of the Loan Bill, Mr. Fitzgerald said he did not*think Mr. Wilson had stated quite clearly the bearing it had on the Middle Island. £-3,000,000 was to be borrowed, and of this, £1,700,000 was fixed on the revenue of the whole colony. The proportion in which the burden would be borne by the North and Middle Islands, taking into account the fact that the debt must be .paid in proportion to the revenue, would be greatly to the disadvantage of the. latter. The Middle Island, in fact, would have to pay three-fourths of the sum. Mr. Fitzgerald then went on to speak of a measure, the Nomination of Superin-. tendents Bill, which he had brought in during the session, and which he intended ..to bring in again. He also spoke of a bill for the election of Superintendents brought in by Mr. Wilson who had, he thought, exercised a wise discretion in not speaking of it to them. The real object of Mr. A ilsou WBill was to place more power in the hands of Superintendents*. It would also put the election of Superintendents in the hands of a class •a—those who happened to have property irf'tlie various electoral districts. Mr. Fitzgerald alluded to the old chief Habukah, spoken of by Mr. Wilson, and characterised him as .an “old reprobate,” and the most miserable cur of a native who exists. He passed a high eulogium on the energy and activity displayed by Major Whitmore, and cited Hawke’s Bay as an example of how the natives ought to be dealt with. Mr. Fitzgerald concluded his speech by eloquently imploring the meeting not to think of separation. The meeting seemed to take ’a more favorable view of the- acts objected to by Mr. Fitzgerald ; but a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald was passed. There are two shipbuilders at Akaroa, having a considerable number of men in their employment® There are at present three vessels on the .stocks, one of which, a schooner, will be launched immediately

OTAGO. - The inhabitants are on the q iv've as to the Panama route and the scat of Government questions. Statistics were forwarded by the last mail to England in proof of the superiority of Dunedin as tlie port of call for the Panama-steamers. A renewal of the separation agitation is threatened if Wellington be chosen as the seat of Government.’ Mr. Skinner, Manager of the Dunstan branch of the Bank of New Zealand, on his way to the .Nevis, on the 12th nib., was .robbed of about £BOO in notes aud a quantity of silver.

The two men who committed the robber)' were secured by the Duustan police -in about an hour after they received information of it.

The escort of the 15th, brought down 19,635 ozs. and that of the 29th 16,561 ozs.

The Times gives an account of the raising of 2 .gallons of water per minute 200 ft. for the use of a settler whose house stands at that distance above a small stream. A. hydraulic ram is used winch is driven by the stream, and the whole expense has not exceeded over £IOO.

THE WESTERN AMERICAN STATES. The following extracts are taken from the Times, OoiTespondence I came to the West, as you are aware with a hope to he enabled to solve to my own satisfaction the problem which puzzled my brain- —“ How do these farmers fare under the scourge of this civil war, and who is to pay for it ?” The answer that- is given here‘to my question is by pointing to the buildings at this moment in progress iu every quarter of the city. The town had originally been laid on a dead level along the Take shore • anything .like wholesome drainage was a material impossibility ; the people have been and are now striving against the evil by raising every house and, street seven or eight feet above the ground. The primitive settler's had no other building materials than wood or brick, but magnificent quarries of white stone have lately been discovered a few feet under the level of tljie'pi'airie, a few miles from the city ; and a miracle, such as the imperial nephews of great uncles achieved in Rome and at Paris is being reproduced here. Such glorious flags dor the side-walks, such excellent white blocks for the houses, the world hardly ever saw. Ohichago, which is only half built, is being rebuilt all over. It is at this very moment undergoing this transformation ; a proof that the war not only never stopped, but rather hastened and strengthened, its growth and prosperity. Well, as to the town ; but what about the country ?• In the country, I am told most people hare profited by the wax'. There was no country in the world where the minor landowners, farmers and labourers were more deeply; in debt than in fchesb fertile Western disericts. Over speculation in land, bad har-

vests, and the decreased demands from Europe had compelled the farmer to raise the wind on any terms. The landed pi-o-perty was heavily; mortgaged ; the rural population was on the brink of ruin. The war brought the l'emedy of all evils. Provisions found a brisk, open market near home. • The man who owifed 1,000 dollars could pay his debt ,in greenbacks to that amount; although in reality he hardly gave 500 dollars real value, he received his full acquittal for the whole sum. That what was benefit to the debtor must be dead loss to the creditor is sufficiently evident ; but somehow hardly one as yet feels inclined to complain. The spirit of enterprise, Af gambling in these countries exceeds all'belief. The State of Illinois had in 1852 only ninety-five miles of railway ; it boasts now no less than 3,003 miles. By what amount of jobbery of downright robbery, these extensive lines have been achieved it would be idle to inquire. The railways,* at any rate are there. The end is attained ; what signifies the means ; Americans seem- to be of Butler’s opiuion about the pleasure being as great in being obeated as to cheat.” Their eagerness for money-getting is equal to their recklessness about money losing. . Their fortunes«are like so many castles of cards, which they to see blown down at one breath. The unlimited issue of Mr. Chase’s greenbacks Ims been a glorious swindle in the American style. It works ’‘wonderfully well for the day ; who gives a thought to the morrow 1 The gain [Tor the millions is immense ; who would trouble his head about the few who may happen fo be losers by and bye ? The man who comes to this counti-y with Old World notions has reason to feel vory small, and to look'very foolish in his own eyes. “ There is nothing like civil war to fatten a' country-; nothing like ‘civil' war and paper money ! ” “ Before the' war,” we are informed, “ the total circulation of the whole, North and South, was 362,000,000 dols, between paper money, gold, and silver. Now, in tlie North alone, with only two thirds ofthe population, the circulation is computed at 605,000,000 dots. Ax* Chase Inis, besides, the authorization by Congress to issue 300,000,000 dols. irredeemable bank paper, besides ?350,000,000 of legal-tender money. There are now 200 new banks being organised to issue Treasury paper, and there is no limit to the amount that may he issued There is no doubt but by this prodigious shower of greenbacks the whole country has been enormously fertilised. “ The stocks have advanced on an average fully 300 per |ceut. The Erie 'Railroad which formerly sold for live is .now 120. The Galena and other roads of this State which were down to 30 and 40, are now up to 130 and 140.”

The same rule applies to every branch of commercial, agricultural, or industrial enterprise. Howe ver fictitious and illusory however ephemeral this prosperity of the country may be it behoves every man to make hay while the sun shines. -However worthless the greenbacks may be in themselves, the lands that can be bought, the houses that can be built with them, are solid goods. The stretch of private and public activity here is immfense ; the travelling on every line of railway, the crowding of all hotels, might well exceed all belief. . Indeed, the social machine is going at so stupendous a rate at this moment that people are only anxious as. to what may happen in the event of its coming to a full stop. Were the wai 1 Co come to an end, and the time for settlement to arrive, then it seems natural to anticipate “a general smash, both financial and conunercial.” The expense’" of the wav must tall upon somebody, and the “vanquished enemy” will in this cave hardly be in a condition to bear the costs. Indeed, people here evince no trilling anxiety as to what is to become of the Confederate Debt.”

TUe fact is the Americans ax'e as yetmerely playing at taxation, as they have hitherto been playing at soldiering When the game becomes earnest, when all. citizens have been made to heai‘ the burden for two or three years, they will think it h : i.gli time to get rid of it altogether, or greatly toTessen the load of interest. In. fact, they will refuse to pay it. When the greenbacks have done their utmost, when there shall arise that natural reaction in every kind of business consequent upon the cessation of the war and the rapid depreciation of the enormous amount of paper currency in circulation, which would then be without employment. then will be the time to look out for the mighty smash. America is, however, inured to such catastrophes ; the distress wi.ll be only temporary ; the, material well-being occasioned by the war and noticeable in the extension of railwavs anci the encouragement of all other branches of commercial and industrial speculation will be solid and permament. ‘ .

Such are the views taken by the persons I see most frequently with respect to the great financial question of the country. Here, in the W est,. a vast majox'ity, ■ no doubt, wish fora speedy termination of the war ; but their wishes find no-ready utterance, their vote carries but little-weight on the destinies of the country. Illinois, like the greatest number of the North-Western States, was originally colonized by New who are', even at the present moment,‘ the cream and salt o*f the community. Bankers, wealthy merchants, land speculators, school teachers,, lawyers, and doctors are for the most part Yankees, and they, naturally enough, monopolize social and political influence. Under them are the masses, chiefly aliens, Irish and Germans, at war with one' another and thus neutralizing each other, and lying at the mercy df that Yankee minority whom they detest, but dread and. obey. The New Englauders here

Holloway's Ointment and Pills —The disheartened by ill-health need net be inconsolable* till they have honestly giveiga fair trial to these trusty medicaments. One grand fact to ho noted is* that they are impotent to do mischief iu any ease, because botli Ointment and Pills are composed of the finest balsams, which purify regulate, and strengthen the animal economy. Every one';inay confidently recommend these, remedies to tlmir friends afflicted by bad health: they will free them f roimdisease, and confer.on. them the greatest good man can desire. Roth external and internal.maladies have succumbed to the preserving use. of Holloway’s Ointment aud. Pills, when the duration of some, and the. excruciating pains of others, have defied ordinary measures.

are Rupublicans, Abolitionists,'man; they insist upon the war on,, upon' no quarter beiug given, upon the extermination of the Southern race confiscation of Southern property, <tc. The war has done nothing but good to themselves. Like the New Yorkers they have been contractors, purveyors &c. Among the lowest classes a different spirit is rife, although, as I said, it makes itself nowhere audible. The mere threat of the draught, for it will never* come to a reality here, created a vast * of ill-will and falarm. Up to the 31st of December, 1862, Illinois had sent 135,000 men into the field, out* of a population of 1,711,951, outdoing all other Western States by the zeal with which it responded to the President’s proclamation. This readiness for self-sacrifice ought to spare the State the horrors of the conscription, .and it is probable that no more may be heard about it. The loss of the volunteers during those two foregoing years was not so very seriously felt in this part of the country, inasmuch as the Illinois contingent, like all others, consisted of, to a great exteut, the-riff-raff the country could well spare, and ’ lrioiy; especially of those foreign immigrants who were on their first arrival unable to. find profitable employment. It would be too much, however, to'assert, as some republicans do, that the agricultural interests of the country have not in the least suffered from the l’tsmoval 'of so many hands from tire sphere of their useful exertions. An Illinois farmer, my fellowtraveller by rail the other day, answered mv question on-that subject by saying “ Look at me, stranger. Three years ago I had ten sons, all working ■ with me at the farm ; of these seven have gone to the war, three I know will never return.” The gaps left- by these voyng volunteers-, is not easily to be filled up, nor can the three homekeepiug sons do the Work of the seven who are off to-the battle field. In the like manner, whatever may be stated to the contrary, these districts are falling out of cultivation from want of laborers. It is,tine the tide of emigration, comes in at these times more actively than ever ; but the newcomers—-Danes and Norwegians in vast- numbers—push further ; they seek their settlements in the more Northern latitudes of Wisconsin, and Miuesota ; this rich and deep soil of Illinois, which would. ha,ve such, attractions for them, is mainly m thehands of railway .proprietors and land speculators, harpies who by their absurdly high prices scare away the new'colonists,, and burn their own fingers, leaving behind vast tract s. of unbroken forest aiid unreclaimed prairie. - • The ideas of-, a European as to the streugth of Government and the sacred- . ness of the empire of the law are liable to. be as rudely upset by what here occurs, daily'as his notions-about paper money and the real arid solid foundation of financial prosperity, , When, at the outbreak of the war, the State of Illinois, anxious, abont the safety of Cairo on the Mississippi came to the resolution of occupying that, place,with 330 volunteers, it was found that neither in Chicago, nor iu Mihvaukic, nor in all Illinois and Wisconsin, wouldbe fo.und muskets enough to arm that . little squad, so that half of them departed hence with only double-barreled shot guns.. in their hands. Such was at that umethe security of these Western districts that the law and its unarmed officers had sufficed for more than six millions of - * hieu. This is only another instance- of the. fact I stated the other day about Boston iu my times—that is, a quarter of a century ago—being l-.fept in perfect order bv two old constables. But what do we hear now ? At Vandalia, Fayette County _ quite in the centre of this State, ProvostMaishall Summerville, while engaged.in arresting deserters, was attacked by a _ party of men who, swelling up to the number of 300 or 4-00, overpowered the militia, horse and foot, took possession of . Vamlaliu, and demanded the release of the father qf one of the deserters, threatening, iu case, of refusal, to burn the houses and destroy the property of the Union men in the town. The authorities, overawed by the armed mob, were compelled to deliver the person .asked for. Facts like these speak volumes. A people may well be left to take cars of-itself when Government is under no necessity to interfere with its movements, to curb its passions, or strain its resources. But *vhen it wants men or money, whafc do we see now in New York? ’ It takes 44 regiments and batteries to guard against riots, to say nothing of the sprightly little gimboats darting to and fro in the harbor and up and d.owq both rivers, with clean, tasteful, ‘ all ready ’ marines, quite prepared, for. action.”