THE Otago Daily times FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1873.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3597, 15 August 1873, Page 2

THE Otago Daily times FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1873.

The Shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand have no reason to complain of the support which has been afforded tx^ fchem since they started business, either by the Government or the general pub lie. Their shares were liberally subscribed for all over the Colony, and they obtained more than the lion's share of general business, besides the sole monopoly, we may say, of Government accounts for about 12 years. It comes, therefore, with a peculiarly bad grace from them, that any op T position should be shown now to any increased banking facilities commensurate with the extension of trade and commerce in our midst, and on a basis similar to their own, that of a New Zealand proprietorship. That the opposition shown in the ! General Assembly by the Bank of I New Zealand to the National Bank is of a purely selfish and dog-in-the-manger character, we think there can be hardly two opinions. That that opposition has been listened to, or rather has any chance of being successful, we cannot for one moment believe. There

are not wanting those who boldly declare tliat fche overshadowing power of the Bank of New Zealand in the counsels of the State, as well as in the departments of trade, manufactures, and Colonial industries generally, had grown to an extent which menaced the best interests of the Colony. Bank directors and shareholders are but men, and it is not well that too much power should be w rielded by them without some regulating counterpoise. Be that as it may, we are sure that the bulk of our readers hailed with delight the establishment of the National Bank on the conjoint foundation of English capital, to give security and stability, and Colonial proprietorship, to secure a competent knowledge of New Zealand affairs and clue attention to local requirements. And this from no desire |to induce a reckless spirit of rivalry, but because the trade and industries of the Colony (to say nothing of the monetary requirements of the Government) have grown to such dimensions as fco require more extended facilities. Is ifc for one moment, therefore, to be tolerated thafc this petted and spoilt institution, which has so long basked in the sole enjoyment of the sunshine of public patronage, should attempt to strangle in its birth, or at least drown in its baptism, this new aspirant for public favour, or rather, let us say, supplier of public necessities ? And what is the flimsy pretext that is put forward as the excuse for this unseemly opposition to the legalisation of the operations of the National Bank ? That the name of National Bank of New Zealand is an encroachment upon ihe distinctive appellation of the Bank of New Zealand. It is scarcely possible to conceive a more transparent sham than tliis paltry excuse. It is too transparent to deceive any but those who only desire to get a peg to hang a selfish opposition upon. Does the Bank of iV c w Zealand really think that—however much their influence with the Government, strengthened by the well-known personal animosity of Mr Bathgate to the late Bank of Otago, and supported by their numerous shareholders in the General Assembly, may succeed in inconveniencing this new and muchneeded institution—they will al«o succeed in thi-owing dust into the eyes of the public, or be in the least successful in turning the tide of popular feeling which is sure to set in in favour of the National Bank in consequence of the ill-timed and injudicious opposition to it? If so, we think they will find themselves greatly mistaken, and that the new. Bank, under whatever name it may be designated, will be all the more liberally patronized—and deservedly so. We have yet to know under what Charter, inherent or conferred, the socalled Bank of New Zealand arrogates to itself the sole claim to be the. banking institution of JVen- Zealand. Has it alone the entire monopoly of the Colony of New Zealand ? or lias New Zealand the sole control and possession of it 1 Does New Zealand belong to it, or it to New Zealand .We in Otago cannot forget how often our interests have been ruthlessly sacrificed by a Board of Directors resident in Auckland, and prejudiced against the hated South, or at least ignorant or jealous of the expansion of our trade, or the extent of our legitimate requirements. We cannot forget that this is not the first time this little game of opposition to any rival has been played by means of adroit thimblerignfflfl«i& its name- Wlien the New

was got up, and so successfully manipulated that that institution had to bow to its all-powerful dictation, and content itself with the name of the Commercial Bank of JNew Zealand. Tliere was some little shadow of reason in that opposition, and though an injury was inflicted on that young institution by easting a certain air of doubt and uncertainty about its operations, the public did not very much sympathise with it. Bufc it now appears as if the infliction of injury wrre really the only thing tliis powerful Corporation cared about, and not the preserving inviolate its title " of New Zealand" ; else why insist on and compel the New Zealand Banking Corporation to adopt the name of "The Commercial Bank of New Zealand " — permit them to trade for some years in that name—and now turn round and object to the name of " The National Bank of New Zealand," in tlie teeth ofthe precedent they themselves established. For the life of us we, cannot see any difference in principle between the two names the " Commercial Bank of New Zealand" and the " National Bank of New Zealand." It is not in tlie name but in the fact that the one is a wealthier and much more formidable rival than the othei-, and that the banking public are much more favourably disposed towards tlie new undertaking. Hinc Mac lachrymae. We trust the B ink ot New Zealand will be wise in time and withdraw this groundless opposition. They will gain nothing by it except raising public feeling against themselves ; and above all, we trust the Assembly will show its entire independence of all outside influences by paying no further attention to such carping objections, and by granting the National Bank of New Zealand what it asks and is entitled to—"a fair field and no favour."

It is a pity that the law of libel could not be amended so that punishment could be awarded in the case of a person libelling a community. Were such the law, we are inclined to think that a Mrs Colclough, an Auckland lady, who is better known to newspaper readers in that Province as "Polly Plum," would have something very unpleasant in store for her. Mrs Colclough has lately published a letter in the London Times in which she points to Neiv Zealand as anything but a desirable place for the single women of Great Britain to migrate to. We pass over her allusion to the case of the "hundreds of half-educated, semi-genteel girls, who prefer' earning a mere pittance by their needle, or in some so-called genteel occupation to getting' good wages as servants." Her picture of the life which the average domestic servant has to encounter in this Colony is absolutely

untruthful. Admitting that the wages are higher here, Mrs Colclough tells the single - woman that it will be a much harder place thaji she would have in England,' because fewer servants are kept in Colonial households. This certainly is news. For years we had shared the impression, which w£ know prevails in this part of the Colony^that Mary Ann fell on her feet when she landed in New Zea.land. That not only did she get double wages, but that her food | was better, and above all things that her ! hours of labour were shorter. Moreover, that she was allowed—or perhaps " dej manded "is a better word—a number of " irghts out," which she never dreamt of receiving at home. Mrs Colclough follows Mary Ann into her married life, and in doing so tries to make her double exiscence appear in as dismal an aspect as possible. With Mrs Colclough the rule is, " a drunken husband," and a comfortless abode full of chinks, through which the cold wind comes in winter. In summer, " the mosquitoes penetrate through the cracks of the wretched dwelling, and render night hideous." As regards Auckland—of whichplace only, wepresume, Mrs Colclough has been writing, we do not for one moment believe that she has given anything like a fair idea of the state of things which are in store for the female immigrant in that Province. As regards this part of the Colony, we know thafc her account is of a kind that people would feel inclined to laugh at, were it not that they know that its publication in the Times might injure the Colony as a field for this class of immigrants. The mere refutation in an official manner of a libel of this nature through the same channel cannot possibly undo the mischief which this silly scribbler has perpetrated ; and, as we said before, it is to be regretted that some wholesome chastening could not be provided by law to meet such caßes.

Referring to our yesterday's notice of the Public Libraries Act, 1869, it has been represented to us as a consideration likely to stand in the way of its general utility, that the maximum of the rate authorised to be raised is so very small as to be of but little use for the purpose, more especially when further reduced by the cost of striking and collecting it. A similar objection may suggest itself to others also. But it should be borne in mind that the rate—if insufficient in itself to meefc the entire charge—is neither intended nor adapted to supersede or stand in the way of other and more ordinary aid, in the shape of voluntary subscriptions, gifts of books, or permanent endowments, from individuals or public bodies, in money, land, &c. As to the expense of striking and collecting the rate, it must not be overlooked that in the working machinery for striking and collecting the ordinary rates already possessed by the various governing bodies, there is ready to hand a very easy and inexpensive means of getting iv the amount authorised to be raised, as the adding the amount of the "Library Rate," and giving notice of it, and collecting it also concurrently with the others, would reduce the expense to the lowest possible minimum. And, besides, the incidental advantages of the rate upon the community itself are well worthy of being taken into account, ?*s the whole local population could not fail to derive more or less benefit from the establishment and maintenance of such an institution in their midst. All should be educated up to the required standard of a recognised duty to support ifc ; and the very lightness of fche burden laid upon them by the Acfc would serve as a gentle reminder of duty in that respect. Again, the very fact of having contributed of their substance towards the support of the institution would impart and l;eap alive a more general interest in its prosperity, and a greater determination to participate individually in its various advantages. As a further inducement to put the provisions of the Act into operation, where they may be supposed to be applicable or required, we may just add that all such institutions established within this Pro-

participate in the land endowment so liberally voted by the Provincial Council during its late session.

Mr Vogel doubtless thought he had hit upon the rcdudio ad absurdum of the objections to his new tariff, when he stated on Tuesday night, on the strength of telegrams from a boot manufacturer and a boot importer in Dunedin, that the tariff would compel people in the Colony to do without boots altogether. No doubt the prospect of being reduced to one's bare feet in streets where Corporation metal is laid is a very dreadful one, but it has its bright side. If the wearing of boots should be given up, owing to their prohibitory price, there is still balm in Gilead in the thought that it will be possible to educate even the humbler members of society without being haunted by the fear (originated by Mr Haughton) that their education will render them too proud to clean the boots of those who claim to be their superiors. In this way, I even, prohibitory duties may be rendered powerful agents in the cause of education.

A novel and ingenious idea of punishment for prisoners has been evolved out of the inner consciousness of Colonel Angus Croll, late Sheriff of London and Middlesex. It is quite evident that to sequester a law breaker from society without giving him work—and hard work —is no sufficient punishment for the idle and lazy. To get food and comforts far beyond what he has been used to as a free man, is in nine cases out of ten almost sufficient to compensate an average sinner for the loss of his civil and social rights. If a certain fixed qnantity of work of a certain value were demanded from the prisoner as the price of his; liberty, the State would be at no cost in maintaining him, and the individual he: had injured, in robbery for instance, might be recouped in a pari of his loss. No. doubt in the Dunedin Gaol the first part of the proposed advantage is already reaped, since the Gaol is self supporting. The idea of making the prisoner's liberty, dependent upon his accomplishing so much work, to be fixed by the sentencing judge, has peculiar advantages of its own in its probably reforming effect upon the worker's character. His period of detention would be a period of atonement both to society and the individual he has wronged. Uo doubt there are very serious difficulties in the way of estimating the amount of labour performed, but a little ingenuity might get over that. The idea is eminently a useful one, and only requires working out in detail to revolutionise our prison system. We commend it to the attention of prison reformers.

At a meeting of the First Church congre. gation, held in the church last night, it was agreed, after discussion, to send home a commission giving full power to Dr Oswald Dykes, of London, to select a suitable minister to supply the vacancy in the pulpifc. This waa nai-riorl Ku 3. nnnaidnrahln maioritv

—93 to 61 ; and it was also very sensibly re-scvs-.i tiy vug uxiriwrioy wiar tliey act in every way harmoniously with the majority in the course now adopted. In order that no time may be lost, instructions were to be telegraphed from Dunedin, via Hokitika and Melbourne, so that in about six months afc the furthest, xhe congregation of First Church may be again in possession of a stated ministry.

How money was made, and candidates disposed of, at the recent elections in Dunedin, has been frequently related with great gusto by the favoured few who witnessed what took place from time to time. According, also, to one correspondent, not only was the betting sometimes very brisk, but the abilities and chances of several of the candidates were eagerly canvassed; and finally, amid great merriment, the ambitious aspirants, like racehorses, were sold on the fall of the hammer to the highest bidder. At first the matter might present itself as nothing more than a good joke, and as a means of wiling a few hours pleasantly away ; but if, as asserted, persons banded themselves together and voted for a particular candidate merely because his return would benefit them pecuniarily, the practice assumes a serious aspect; for, if common, it might deter many desirable persons from seeking the suffrages of the electors, aud affect detrimentally the system of vote by ballot..

Severe frosts have caused many people to pull wry faces, and move with unusual alacrity during the last few weeks, but they have also opened up a new source of amusement which is welcomed by many who liko to pedestrianise before breakfast. Recently some twenty or thirty early "birds" have banished indigestion, and otherwise benefited themselves by skating on a swamp of good circumference in the vicinity of Ross Creek, Flagstaff Hill. There theice has beenfound to be more than a foot in thickness, and not a few have tested its strength, aud drawn down upon themselves hearty peals of laughter, by suddenly measuring their length ou its unyielding surface.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Rifle Club, held at the Drill Shed last evening, it was decided, on account of the delay in getting off the July match, to hold the 20th Match of the Club on Saturday, the 23rd instant, entries to close on the 21st; the ranges and -jonditi ns beiug 5 shots each at 400, 500, and 600 yards ; Hythe position at the former, and any afc the two latter distances. '« ■..

Messrs Gillies and Street announce else, where that they have received instructions for the establishment of a Company to purchase and develop a coal and iron property iv Nelson. A prospectus will shortly be issued, but in the meantime samples of coal, iron ore, and finished iron made therefrom may be seen at their offices.

In fche course of yesterday's sitting of the Waste Lauds Board, the Chairman referred to the fees exacted from landholders for surveying as causing dissatisfaction. It was stated thafc the mileage charges for surveying large blocks were not comparatively equivalent to those on smaller portions of laud, as a sum was charged ou every section for travelling expenses. Mr Connell made an explanation to the Board, and the matter was held over until next meeting.

The four-oared boat race which was to have come oft' last Saturday between employes of Messrs A. and T. Burfc, in the Amateur, and of Messrs Kincaid and M'Queen, in the Victoria, will take place to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. The following are the names of the crews:— Amateur—T. Duckmauton, I; D. Thomson, 2 ; J, Mercer, 3 ; and —. Walker (stroke). Victoria—P. Clarke, 1; F. Davys, 2; G. Fal^ar, 3 ; J. Nasmyfch (stroke). The course is to he from the old jetty round the buoy off Black Jack's Point aud back ; and as both crews have been in active training for the past three weeks, we have no doubt contested one.

and enjoy the sea air, we would recommend them to engage their boats at once, as we are informed only two or three watermen's boats row remain open for hire.

The Rev. T. H. Bates delivered the first of a series of discourses on " The Acts of the Apostles," in the Christian Meeting House, Great King street, laat evening. A number of theChurchmemberswerepresent.andlistened wifch interest to the lecture. The next discourse will be given next Thursday evening.

The Committee of the Dunedin Canary and Poultry Association are to be congratulated on the success which has attended their effor-a to make the present show of canaries, poultry, pigeons, and dairy produce, worthy of inspection. His Honour the DeputySuperintendent opened the first Annual Show of this Association, at the Drill Shed, Octagon, yesterday afternoon, in a short speech. The number of visitors present at the time was about ninety; but during the afternoon there were about 350, and nearly double that number in the evening. The Battalion Band performed varied selections of music; and the walls of the Drill Shed were decorated with flags. A dinner in connection with the Association is to take place in about a fortnight; and no doubt the Society's Annual Show will henceforth be looked forward to with interest. The exhibi. tion will be open this afternoon and evening. The first installation of officers of the Star of Freedom Lodge, 1.0. G.T. (since the institution of the Lodge) was held in the Lodgeroom, Linden, on Wednesday evening. Bro. Robert Greig, from the Pioneer of Dunedin Lodge, who acted as D.G.W.CT. conducted the ceremony. A number of visitors from Dunedin were present, and great interest was manifested by those present. The following were the officers installed :—W.C.T., Bro. J. Cunningham, sen. ; W.V.T., Bro. Ross ; W.S., Bro. James Driscoll; W.F.S., Bro. Colin Taylor ; W.T., Bro. J. Cunningham, jun.; W.C, Bro. Davidson; W.M., Bro. Cowdery ; W.1.G., Bro. J. Berrill; W.0.G., Bro. Fleming.

Some time ago a considerable amount of newspaper correspondence was evoked by the proposed improvements to the Octagon, after the removal of the Monument, and the street cutting made through it. - The City Councillors promised much at the time, and expressed their intention of having a neat fence erected round the spot, and fche ground tilled and planted with green shrubs. These promises, however, seem to have been forgotten, and the Octagon has now become a mere receptacle for slush and rubbish of all kinds, making it an odious eyesore in the very centre of the city.

The contractors for the Oamaru breakwater are at present energetically pushiig forward the erection of their magnificent and powerful new steam crane, and it is expected it will soon be completed. The works were visited on Saturday by several gentlemen—passengers by the s.s. Taranaki en route for Wellington—amongst . .. t> - '.TO A »„,! \I„

wntmi were cub rrurmwai uwiv». v D. Reid, M.H.R. They expressed themselves as highly gratified with the progress and appearance of the breakwater, and were greatly interested in the" huge appliances for carrying out the undertaking.

Mr Dargaville, one of the candidates for the Auckland Superintendency, recently addressed a meeting of electors at Jfewmarket. In the middle of his speech he came to a sudden full stop, the reason being that one of his documents had disappeared. Search.was made for the missing manuscript, which was found in the possession of a gentleman attending the meeting, who was quietly making notes on it of questions he intended to ask Mr Dargaville at the conclusion of his speech.

There is a crumb of encouragement to New Zealand in the following paragraph, taken from a recent issue of the Elgin Courier :—

"Within a week, Mr Smith, one of our.local emigration agents, has completed arrangements with 41 people, who are all leaving this quarter about the term—2o to New Zealand ; 9to Australia: and 12 to America."

Ifc would appear that leprosy is making sad' havoc among the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands. The Pacific Commercial Advertiser publishes a singular document purporting to be a "Statement on Leprosy, and Resolutions adopted by the Hawaiian Evangelical Association, Honolulu," in June last. The statement sets forth that "this loathsome, miserable, and deadly disease has fastened upon the vitals of the nation," aud thafc " unless remedial measures are used more effective than have hitherto been applied, our Hawaiian people will become in a very few years a nation of lepers.'' At the meeting of the Association it was resolved that every pastor and preacher should be instructed to preach frequently upon the duty of isolating lepers, especially as illustrated by the Mosaic law in the thirteenth chapter of Leviticus. The Advertiser, in a leadiug article, states that the physicians of the Hawaiian Islands have been familiar with leprosy in its various forms for years past, but no cure has yet been ascertained ou reliable authority. It then quotes a statement made by an Otago paper to the effect that in Jamury last a Chinese leper had been cured by Dr Stewart at Lawrence ; and recommends that enquiries should be made as to the symptoms and mode of treatment in tbat case. Ifc would perhaps be some service to the afflicted Hawaiians if particulars of the case referred to were forwarded to Honolulu, where the Commercial Advertiser is published.

The Timaru Herald throws some doubfc upon the statement made by the Minister for Public Works that the Timaru-Temnka Line will be completed in January 1874. It points out among other things that the contract for sleepers is not to be fulfilled till .May 1874.

The Wellington correspondent of the New Zealand Herald says that "the Governor does not appear much in public. He is said to be reserved ; will, however, be respected, but will nofc be popular. It is said he has refused to sign any money warrants since fche 30fch June, the end of the financial year. He insists upon haviag papers twenty-four hours before any Cabinet meetings. Each Miuister must bring forward his own papers, and be responsible for their contents. This will be found a very wholesome check to the slipshod way iv which public business has hitherto been conducted."

The second of the series of concerts in aid of the funds of the Wakari District; School was held in the Schoolroom, Halfway Bush, on Wednesday evening. Tbe Committee had evidently spared no endeavours to make this concert successful, as it certainly proved to be. Mr George Hepburn presided. The attendance was very large, many nofc being able to get scats ; but all appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The programme was madeup ofsongs, duets, &c, given by teachers and lady aud gentlemen amateurs from Dunedin. The young lady who sang "Logic

duet, " Peace to Thy Spirit," contributed ia a large degree to the enjoyment of the evening, and received hearty and well-de-served applause. Mr Mathieson sang the songs "Eily Mavourneen " and " Hard-up '' to the expressed satisfaction of the audience. The'master of the school sang " Mrs Jones's Party," and created great amusement by his mimicry of the different styles of singing. The gentleman who rendered " The Barrin.' o' our Door " agreeably surprised many. The pupils of the school also gave their services during the evening, and, by their efforts-^ reflected great credit on their instructor. The Chairman, in returning thanks to the audience, stated that the concert had realised their expectations to the extent of enabling them to clear off all debt, and ta place them on a firm footing for the future..

Those who wish fco spend a ifew hours pleasantly will have the opportunity of doing so at the Queen's Theatre this evening. The play of " Woodcock's Little Game," which, will constitute the first portion of the entertainment, is one which those of the patrons of the drama who have witnessed Mr Hoekins's performance will heartily welcome. This will be fellowed by the comedy alluded to in our previous issue, entitled "Higlk Life Below Stairs." .

An emergency meeting of the Lodge Sfc Andrew, 432, S.C, will be held in the Friendly Societies' Hall, this evenine afc 7.30. s