The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 170, 20 September 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1866.

Novr that the fate of the men charged with the Maungatapu murders has been determined by tlie unanimous verdict of a jury of their countrymen, it cannot be said that comment on the part of the press is likely to prove prejudicial to their interests. We (loubtnotth.it the verdict of the jury will be endorsed by the community and tlie Australian colonies, aud that none but a few of the most wretchedly morbid sentimentalists will deny that they richly merited their fate. It, is said that some person, and that a woman, strewed flowers over Nero's tomb, and possibly these great criminals will leave those behind them who will shed a tear of sympathy or pity, such as will not be accorded by the mass of men aud women who are acquainted with their misdoings nnd the vast amount of misery they have inflicted on their fellow-creatures. In reference to the monomaniac Burgess, few will doubt that the jury rightly appreciated his character and deserts. Sent into the world with a. fearful mal-orga-nization. nurtured in crime, having spent his life in graduating from one excess of villany to another, it was an inevitable fact that nothing but the failure of opportunity and the absence of control, could prevent him frcm arriving sooner or later at the doom which now awaits him. Without speculating as to whut extent s.oeiety is answerable by its neglect of correct moral training for the criminal monstrosities of this most depraved of men, it is obvious that it mustbe protected from their operations, and either by perpetual imprisonment or death render it impossible so fearful a scourge should ever be. again inflicted on the social world. Many will regret tha, I; such awful depravity should exist in human form, but few will pity him who embodies and personifies it to such an extent — an exl cut scarcely paralleled in the history of the worst men the world has produced.

If Burgess was guilty ofthe crimes laid to his charge, and of which iie made uo concealment, no sane man will believe ior a moment that Kelly aud Levy were not associates either as principals or subordinates in the nefarious transaction. Nothing could have been easier than for them to have proved that they were far away from the scene of the murder had they really been away ; and had Kelly been camped on auy portion of that remarkable road on which travellers of all kinds were passing and repassing, so striking an object must have necessarily been seen. Horsemen riding leisurely, pedestrians engaged on a shooting expedition, and a vigilant hotel-keeper on tlie look out lor fresh faces, could not have failed to notice such an interesting object, had it really existed, varying as it would have done the monotony of the scene, and introducing features of life and animation into the unbroken solitude. As Kelly questioned witness after witness as to his knowledge of a man camping on the road, and obtained in eaeh case a prompt answer in the negative, it was difficult to suppress the feelings of ridicule which were entertained by the occupants of the crowded court, and the snivelling hypocrite who put the foolish questions at fength desisted from the absurd attempt. No effort was made to show that Levy was not present at the tragic scene, which could have been proved had he been really absent, and though the weak points in the case for the prosecution were made the most of by a young and rising counsel, who gave a,s much satisfaction to the public by his judicious and temperate statements, as he did to the presiding judge, by the capacity he showed for analysing conflicting evidence, aud detecting the vulnerable points in au opponent's case, no skill or effort of the advocate could shake the universal belief, that the meu.who proclaimed their innocence with eyes , upturned to heaven, were the guilty confederates of the before mentioned audacious and abandoned man to whom they had sworn fealty, and whose murderous precepts they had implicitly obeyed.

It was painful to the observer of the proceedings at this trial to reflect that.the fate of the accused men depeuded to any extent on the testimony of their associate Sullivan. This was particularly the case when Kelly pleaded for his life to the Judge, begged in vain to be heard, and rested his arguments in favor of delay on the fact that the principal evidence against him was that, of a companion, who admitted his perjury 'on a former occasion, and who was equally guilty with the men he now betrayed. We are aware that public opinion is divided as to the truthfulness of SuUivan,s confession, aud that a great number of persons believe that it is not, more worthy of credence than that of Burgess. Facts are opposed to this theory, however, aud it is impossible to examine the evidence carefully without concluding that Sullivan's statement had probability and truth to recommend it. Admitting that he is the greatest liar in creation, a liar makes his false statements only when he has a motive to do so. In giving his testimony Sullivan had overy motive to be truthful, well knowing that his life depended on the truth of his statements, which would be confronted with those of numerous observers; and it is remarkable how his statements were verified in numerous important particulars which proved that his statement was reliable as a whole. But the proof of the guilt of the prisoners did not depend on Sullivan's statement alone. Strong independent testimony was adduced whicli rendered their guilt almost, if not quite, certain, which taken in connection will! Sullivan's evidence, with all its'drawbacks, left not a doubt on tlie minds of the jury ofthe authors of the crimes. If it was painful to see the lives of men hanging on the statements of a mendacious and perjured mau, it was a choice of evils such as often occurs iu life, the refusal to accept which would have been fraught with infinitely 'crcater evils than that sought to be avoided. We do not say that without Sullivans evidence guilt would not have been brought home to the actual murderers, but his coufessiou corroborated as it has been in uumerous particulars, removes all doubt and responsibility from the jury who'convieted the prisoners.

A word in reference to Sullivan aud we have done. We think he richly deserved .the condemnation pronounced ou him by the jury. His plea that he acted under coercion is utterly baseless. Loug before and after the murders he had opportunities to escape from the criminal thraldom had he been so disposed. Heaven helps them who help themselves, and to a mau resolved to abandon a wrong and pursue a right course, a thousand portals are open, a thousand means placed at his disposal to protect him from assailants. Sullivan admits that he was a London thief!, a prisoner of the crown, an associate of pugilists, gamesters, and thieves, and it is impossible to deny that his antecedents and habits rendered him too easy a prey to the practised murderer, assuming his previous innocence of murder. His letters to his wife and her replies prove that bad man as he is, he is not a monster redeemed by no solitary virtue, and his conduct on the wholewill probably present him as an object on whom the clemency ofthe crown may be properly exercised. We doubt not that the judire will recommend that the sentence of Sullivan be commuted, and if he does not, no Government of a colony abounding in the dangerous classes, will dare to ignore the distinction which really does exist between Sullivan and his atrocious compeers.

Recently, says the W. E. Post, a whale has been seen. in the harbor, aud being of late years a very unusual visitor, it has attracted much attention. As the welcome the illustrious stranger has received has been _of rather a warm character, consisting of rifle bullets from the Hutt Volunteers, he must be considerably inconvenienced. , A correspondent ofthe Independent writing from the Wairarapa says:—A discovery has been made here which .may turn but of great importance.- From a hill ou Mr. Cameron's ruu, Wharehama, a small Btream'bubbles up, which has a strong smell of kerosine. The kerosine can be lighted with a match, and burns freely.

Principal Articles of New Zealaxd Produce Imported and Exported Coastwise,- at the Port of Nelson, for the Quarter ended June 30. , IMPORTS. Ale (in wood), 8 hhds. ... ... ... £48 Bacon. 139 cwt. ... ... ... 973 Butter, 52,804 lbs. ... ... ... 3960 Carrots, 17 tons ... ... ... 136 Cattle, H) head ... ... ... 100 Casks, empty, 97 .. ... ... 36 Cheese, 164 cwt. ... ... ... 1148 Confectionery, 5 packages ... ... 8 Coals, 360 tons ... ... ... 900 Doors, 15 packages ... ... ... 45 Eggs, 47 „ . .. ... 47 Firewood, 99 cords ... ... ... !49 Fish, 6 packages ... ... ... 6 Fruit (green), 341 packages ... ... 341 Flour, 52$ tons ... ... ... 1365 Grain— Wheat, 18.526 bushels ... ... 5337 Barley, 8540 „ .. ... 2989 Oats,. ISBB „ ... ... 472 Maize, 192 „ ... ... 72 Gold, 591 ozs. .. ... ... 2290 Hay. J ton ... ... ... ... 6 Hides, 45 ... ... ... ... 34 Horses, 5 ... ... ... ... 150 Limestone, S 7 tons ... ... .. 87 Onions, 208 ewt. ... ... ... 312 Oysters, 5 packages ... ... ... 5 Palings, 600 ... ... ... 5 Pigs, 359 ... ... ... ... SOS Pease, 126 bushels ... ... ... 63 Poultry, IS ... ... ... ... 2 Potatoes, 325 tons ... ... ... 1950 Posts and Rails, 100 ... ... ... 3 Seed — grass, clover, &c, 164 bushels ... 82 Sheep. 721 ... ... ... ... 1082 Sheeskins, 329 ... .. ... 41 Timber, 294,600 feet ... ... ... 2062 Turnips, 57 tons ... .;. ... 285 Vegetables, 157 packages ... ... 157 Wool, 26,300 lbs. ... ... ... 1479 Articles not described ... ... ... 85 Total ... £32,209 EXPORTS. Ale (in wood), SIG hhds ... ... £3096 Bacon. 127 cwt. ... ... ... BS9 Biscuit, 136 cwt. ... ... ... 238 Bran, SlO bushels ... ... ... 71 Bricks, 10,500 ... ... ... ... 42 Uutter, 63,910 lbs. .. ... ... 4793 Carrots, 4 -J- tons ... ... .. 36 Coals, 42 tons ... ... ... ... 105 Casks (empty), 19 ... ... ... 6 Cattle, 66 head... ... ... ... 660 Calfskins, 40 ... ■ ... ... ... 5 Chaff, 11 tons ... ... ... .. 110 Cheese, 100 cwt. ... ... ... 700 Confectionery, 12 packages ... .. 18 Cordials, 6 gallons ... ... ... 3 Cloth (Nelson), 7 packages ... ... 105 Doors, 24 packages ... ... ... 72 Egg., 88 „ ... ... ... 88 Flour, 44 tons ... ... ... ... 1144 Flax, 8 cwt. ... ... ... ... S Fruit (green), 550 packages ... ... 580 Grain — Wheat, 52 bushels ... ... 23 Oats, 592 „ ... ... 223 Maize, 44 „ ... ... 17 Hides. 260 ... ... ... .. 195 Horses, 9 ... ... ... ... 270 .Jam, 5 packages ... ... ... 10 Lime, 350 bushels ... ... ... 57 Onions, 510 cwt. ... ... ... 765 Oysters, 17 packages ... ... ... 17 Peas, 44 bushels ... ... ... 22 Pigs, 311 ... ... ... ... 77S Plants and trees, 37 pkgs ... ... 259 Potatoes, 78 tons ... ... ... 46S Poultry, 227 ... ... ... ... 23 Pollard, 8 bushels ... .. ... 2 Sharps, 16S „ ... ... ... 31 Seeds — grass, clover, &c, 105 bushels ... 53 Sheep, 2923 ... ... ... ... 4385 Timber, 44, 450 feet ... ... ... 311 Tinware, 4 packages ... ... ... 20 Turnips, 12 tons ... ... ... 60 Vegetables, 3 1 7 pkgs ... ... ... 317 Wine, 28 gallons ... ... ... 14 Articles uot described, 36 packages ... 180 Total ... £21,272 Total Value of Imports. British and Foreign Produce ... ... £8,599 New Zealand Produce ... ... ... 32,209 £40,808 Total Value of Exports. British and Foreign Produce ... ... £31,785 New Zealand Produce ... ... ... 21,272 £53,057

At last it has been decided that we are to have stamp duties. After a debate which has lasted for more than a week, the House of Representatives, by a majority of 20, supported a motion for their imposition, and the tax will shortly come iuto force. A number of English birds, the property of Mr. Robinson, have just arrived in Canterbury. They consist of partridges, golden pheasants", Japanese pheasants, thirty common male aud female pheasants, ringdoves, blackbirds, hawfinches, and' bramblefiuckes. The Japanese pheasants are magnificent birds, and are valued at -£30 per pair.

A movement has been set on foot at.Hokitika for the erection of a new theatre in some central portion of South Revell-street, and it has been proposed to form a company for the purpose with a capital of £2,000, in shares of £o each.

- An Auckland paper publishes the following amusiDg advertisement from a tradesman of the town : — Notice. — The tall man, with the cloak over his head, who frightened my servant aud stole my fowls last week, may just as well chalk his name up next time he conies, aud say how many for that night. The total reckoning from first to last can be easily arrived at. Mr. Stafford must have a bad opinion of the newspapers to commit himself to the following assertions as given in the Evening Post : In answer to a question put by Mr. Bunny, as to whether Mr. Parris had been sent to Wanganui to control Major McDonnell's proceedings, Mr. Stafford said that the Government were under very great obligations to the honorable member for bringing forward the question as it enabled them to give it a most unqualified denial. While doing so he might, he trusted, be permitted to recommend his hon. friend on no account to believe anything relative to the Government he might see in the colonial press, for he himself had remarked as an extraordinary occurrence that for the last twelve months no absolutely correct statement relative to the Government or their intentions had appeared in any single newspaper in the whole country.

The Lyttelton Times of Thursday has been informed that his Excellency the Governor contemplates a visit to Canterbury, and expresses a hope that upon such an auspicious occasion the Southern Railway will be opened as it will be completed as far as the Rolleston station on the loth October.

A sitting of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, will be lield at the Supreme Court House, Wellington, ou Tuesday. 9th October The W. E. Post says: — Two more of the regiments in the colony hnve afc last got the route, and will leave New Zealand for Australia and Tasmania. The head-quarters and a wing of the second battalion 14th Regiment are ordered to Melbourne; two companies will be on detachment at Adelaide, and three at Hobart Town. The head-quar-ters and the companies of the Queen's Own (50th) are to garrison Sydney, aud a company will be quartered at Brisbane. We are sorry to have to chronicle the death of Captain Black, which occurred on the morning of the 9th instant at 3 a.m. In accordance with his last wish he was buried off Cape Palliser the same day at 12 noon ; he had been ill a long time and confined to bed. The wealthy Colony of which Adelaide is the capital, is thus spoken of b} r the Melbourne Argus, which praises the financial position of Soulh Australia : — " Although it has not yet been officially put upon record, the face has become public in a sufficiently authentic shape to be thoroughly relied on, that the surplus sum at present in tiie hands of the South Australian Treasurer has swollen to half a million. This surplus be it understood, is not a balance of borrowed money or anything of that kind, but a sum that, has quietly accumulated under the circumstance that for a loug time the South Australian revenue has been in excess of the South Australian expenditure. As to their financial position South Australia is now very exceptionably placed among the Australian group. Her taxes are light. Her national debt is small. Her regular income exceeds, and for several years past has annually exceeded, her regular wants. She has certainly been a borrower in the English market for her railways, and it has become quite clear that if she carries out her proposed policy in disposing of the railways she will encounter a loss there. But looking at her whole financial position, though her transactions are by no means so large as ours, she is in respects financially the strongest of the Australian colonies. Her credit is particularly good in the London mouey market, partly because it has been little stretched there, and partly •because she has not injured it by playing such fantastic tricks with law and constitution as we have done here."

Some ofthe rising generation of Wellington appear to have been amusing thems.eljrps; lately, by pelting the telegraph .wires. The. result of this mischievous amusement is that one of the glass cups has been broken, and great inconvenience occasioned. A seizure of au illicit still has been made by the police at Christchurch. The modus operandi appears to have been of the most systematic kind. A cellar had been sunk below a house in which two. stills wejre erected, the smoke being conducted;up -the kitchen chimney. On the premises were found tubs containing wort, and all the requisite implements for conducting a most lucrative business.