THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1875.

A more complete refutation of the sneer made by the Opposition that the New Zealand Government was Vogel, and Vogel the Government, could not have been imagined than that given byMinisters within the last few clays. They have met Parliament boldly, and have as boldly submitted proposals, which, we venture to say, few last session expected that the House would be asked to consider- Whether Sir Julius Vogel's motion regarding the abolition of Provincialism in the North Island was or was not the result of anger or indigestion, his successors have not only accepted the responsibility of giving shape and substance to it, but they have staked their ministerial existence on a far more comprehensive scheme than was mooted twelve months ago. And we believe that the feai'less and thorough character of the proposals they have brought down will ensure their safety. Ministers have not only brought down a policy, but they have done so in plain forcible language, evidently intended to convey and not conceal the truth. The Financial Statement, it has been said, took the Assembly and the country by surprise. It was not such a graceful composition as Sir Julius "Vogel has delivered, neither was it a mass of figures tending to confuse the hearer, as others have been ; it was plain, simple — at times even eloquent — and, above all, convincing. There was no attempt at concealment, and there was as little desire apparent to paint everything couleur de rose. No one anxious respecting the welfare of the Colony, but must have risen from the perusal of it with a sigh of relief. Those who have been industriously circulating statements ruinous to the credit of the Colony, have been so far successful, as to imbue many with the belief that the loans were being squandered, that interest on them was being paid out of loan, and that when the money was all spent we would have nothing but stagnation staring us in the face. That this is nob the case, the Hon. Mr Atkinson has conclusively shown. One feature in the statement is particularly worth notice, namely, the provision made for the requirements of the Colony when Provincialism shall be a matter of history only ; and Ministers evidently calculate on the country, if not the House, supporting the abolition measure. So closely connected with this statement as almost to be a part of it, is the Local Government Bill. The verdict of the Colony upon this will be one of which Ministers* need not be afraid. Simple, and at the same time comprehensive, one is almost struck, on reading its provisions, with wonder that our present complicated system of provincial powers — acting as a buffer and a hindrance between our local governing bodies and the General Government — should have been endured so long. The Hon. Mr Stafford has applied the term " revolutionary" to the proposals of the Government, but we venture to think that the term is no more applicable than it would be to the state of a man emerging from minority to the possession of his estate. . The Provinces, while young, might have required swaddling by Provincial officers, but they have outgrown such nursing now. The Bill of the Government may doubtless require modification or alteration, but it sketches out a very good plan, with the main features of which the settlers have already become familiar. As regards Oamaru, and other similarly situated towns, the proposed change cannot but be beneficial. Instead of having no extra revenue beyond what the cupidity of Dunedin permitted us to snatch, we are promised a regular subsidy that will far surpass anything we have yet had to thank the Provincial Government for. Following close upon the Financial Statement has come the Public Works Statement, a summary of which we publish in another column. Like other utterances of the present Government, it is plain, easily understood, and appears intended to conceal nothing. Though from time to time Ministers have been blamed for not pushing on railways faster, and though as regards our local wants matters have not been as we might wish, it is evident that, in the aggregate, very much has been accomplished. And this seems to have been done at a cost, on an average, that may be said to be very fairly economical, particularly when it is remembered that an entire department had to be organised, and got into good working order, before works could be carried out with satisfaction either to the public or the department. The construction of roads and bridges has also been carried on apparently with vigor. The remarks regarding our coal fields, and the efforts being made to open up com- j ,munieation with them, , will be -read with interest. The expendituie under this head, as well as that for railways, will not be a clog on the energies of the Colony. Mr. Eighabdsok has shown that the millions spent have been in reality invested, that ■ the returns, both directly and indirectly, may be expected to increase steadily, and that in time, instead of being referred to in parliament in connection with appropriations, they will be found contributing largely to our revenue.

On tlie, subject of direct immigration to Oaraaru, we have received the following telegram from the Press Agency, Wellington :— " Mr. W. J. Steward]

on Wednesday asked the Minister for Immigration whether instructions had been forwarded to the Agent-General to cause a certain portion of the immigrants shipped to Otago to be sent to Oamaru, without being first landed at Port Chalmers or Dunedin ; and if so, when such instructions had been forwarded? The Hon. Mr. Atkinson said instructions had been sent, but only by the last mail, the matter having escaped his memory till then."

IIaebob Boaiid. — The usual monthly meeting will be held in the Boavd Eoom, Tyno street, cm Saturday, tlie 7th August, at 3 p.m.

An Omission. — Wo are requested to state that tbo namo of Colin Campbell should have appeared in the list of subscribers to the N. A. and P. Association, being accidentally omitted from tbo lisb per Mr Church.

Imprisonment fob Debt Abolition Act. —The •' New Zealand Gazette" of July 22nd, contains rules for district and Resident Magistrates' Courts, under the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act, 1874.

N. A. and P. Association. — We remind members of this Association that the annual general meeting for the election of officers for the ensuing rear and other general business, will be held in the Mechanics' Institute at 2 p.m. on Saturday next, the 7th August.

Oxepopo Voi/CTNTEEES. — This Company was inspected on Saturday last by Adjutant Hay-Mackenzie, when eighteen of all ranks fell in. After the inspection, Captain Falconer took command and put them through a variety of ninncouTers which were executed in a very creditable manner — particularly considering that the men have had no parade since March last.

Accident on the Waiabeka Railway. — By a fall of eai ill which took place on noon on Tuesday, in a cutting on this railway, a man named John Dougherty was severely crushed. He was brought into the Hospital the same afternoon, and we understand that although there are no bones broken, yet he is very much bruised.

Licensing Cotjets. — The quarterly Bitting of the different Licensing Courts of the district is appointed to be hold on Tuesday, tho 7th of September, for the purpose of taking into consideration applications for licenses for old houses, and for removals and transfer of licenses. Applications in due form/ must be lodged, in duplicate, with Mr W. Gh Filleul, clerk of the Courts, on or before Monday, the 16th inst.

Pias. — It is generally believed that the Municipal bye-laws forbid persona keeping pigs within certain limits of the town, and yet it has come to our knowledge that several residents are annoyed by the inodorous effluvium arising from the pigstyes of their neighbors. People usually do not like to turn informers on those about them, arid so the nuisance continues. But if they could summon courage to give the Inspector of Nuisances a hint, he would soon have matters altered.

Eaeth Ciosets. — We understand that a petition, both numerously and influentially signed, will be presented to the Municipal Council this evening, praying the Council to obtain the City Solicitor's opinion as to the workability of the Public Health Act, 1872, particularly with regard to the clause or clauses referring to earth closets ; and asking that the Council, in the event of the opinion being adrerse, would represent the matter to Mr W. J. Steward, M.H.K. for the district, and request him to use his best endeavors to hare an amended act passed this session, that will enable the Council to enforce the adoption of the earth closet system in Uamaru.

Maheno School. — The building for this school is being erected on an acre of ground, given for the purpose by Mr P. Williams. It will be in the Italian style, similar in arrangements to the Oamaru Grammar School,30 feet long by 20 feet wide, and the rooms will be 15 feet high. It will accommodate from 60 to 80 scholars. The contract price for the building is L430. Of the money required L150 has been subscribed by the public, and L25O granted by the Government. The school will be opened on the 1st October. Mr Thos. Forrester is the architect.

Oamarit Aetiliebt volxtnteebs. — This fine company fell in in the Volunteer Hall on Thursday ereniug for drill, under Lieutenant Greenfield, officer commanding. The men were put through their facings in a highly creditable manner. Six new members that were proposed at the former parade were ballotted in, and two more members were proposed. We understand that the alteration of the erening for drill will be considered by the committee Tuesday evening being found to be an inconvenient time for several of the members. It is also under consideration getting up three Christy minstrel concerts, among the numbers of the company, the proceeds to be devoted to the purchase of the full-dreis uniform.

Fbeax op Nature. — Says the " Lyttelton Times" of the 31st ulfc. : — Mr S. Boyd, of Leithfield, who has lately been pig hunting on the Waikari Flat, captured, on Thursday, a sow with fourteen young pigs running by her side, one of which attracted his special attention. On examination of this one, it was found that it could only travel on its fore feet, the hind ones growing upwards orer its loins. It is about six weeks old, perfectly strong and healthy, taking its food as pigs usually do. All that hare seen the little animal pronounce it to be a most curious specimen of the pig breed, and the capturev intends to give the little animal more care and attention than that usually bestowed upon the same race.

GOVBBNMBNI LlPE AsSUBANCE. — Mr M'Donough, the trarelling agent for the GoTernment Life Assurance Department is in Oamavu, and, we beliere, be intends to visit the surrounding districts. We have receired a letter from this gentleman on the subject of life assurance which will appear in our next, pressure on our ■pace rendering its insertion to-day impossible. It will repay perusal, and will supply to those careless, on the subject ample reasons for deeply considering one of the most important questions which men with others' dependent on them, can attend to. From the success which Mr M'Donough liai met in other placet we hare little doubt that he will not regret the time he may spend here.

Flag BaiflADB.— One result of the late fire has befp, ,U«6 the necesnty for a Fire Brigade, with, a idfyxrfc * n <* Ladder Company, for OamarU) lias been made painfully apparent. We underhand that a gentlemau, bettering in striking , the iron while hot, has already commenced a cairras for members for a brigade, and has mtft with such success as to remore all doubt,, 'regarding the formation of an effectire force. The eipenia at the fir<t ■tart will be>«emeth.ing, but wo hure no doubt that the different insurance agents will follow the example of their co-agents in other towns, and ' contribute liberal annual sub* i icriptions. tThe public also will doubtless •ubicribe towards what any day they might be glad to tee helping in the salration of their property.

The Fieb in Thames Stheet. — So fat- as we hare jet been able to learn the following are the particulars of the damage* sustained at the Into fire in Thames street : — Mr Spencer, three shops, uninsured, about L300 ; •tock in two of these, L250 ; Me Draper, seedsman, a little over L100 in stock ; Messrs Lark ins and Boxhall'i shop, and the old Butchery belonging to the Bank of Now Zealand for LlOO, "and Messrs Larkin and Boxhall's stock was insured in the eame office for L200.' Only one accident^happened, and that, we are glad to lay, was not a serious one. Mr Gh Suaipter was running round

from the Btreet to the back of the premises, and when passing through the yard of Messrt Jack and Co*6 premises he stumbled and fell over a corn screen. He received a wound over the left temple and a deop cut above the right eyo. Yesterday he was getting on all right, and to day he will, it is expected, be able to attend at the first meeting of the new Council, to take his seat for the first time as Mayor o£ Oamaru. Mr M'Laren, bootmaker, has had a quantity of his furniture aud stock damaged, and estimates his loss at L100. Ho was insured in tho New Zealand for L700 — L35O on the building, and tha remainder on his stook.

Whbeeeband De Giorian's Teoitpe. — This Company drew crowded houses in the Masonic Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, and from the repeated applause with which the performers were greeted, the audience must have been highly amused. Lo-Lo, the Flying Fairy, want through her performances. Miss Do Coureey sang several songs, and was encored again and again. The brothers De GHoriau are really good on the trapeze, performing with ease and precision. Master Bennio also obtained encores for his changes. This evening a change of programme is promised, and we have no doubt that another bumper house will be the reward j of the efforts of the troupe. They also appear to-morrow night, by special request, when a bumper house is expected in compliment to Miss Elsie De Courey.

Sooiai, Meeting- and Presentation. — The Tonic Sol-fa Singing Class, conducted by Mr George Brownlee, held the last meeting of the present session, in the Oddfellows' Hall, on the eveuing of Friday last. There was a good attendauce of the friends and-acquaint-ances of the members (present by invitation), who listened with marked satisfaction to the various sacred and secular pieces rendered by the class. Among the sacred part songs were the gems " Heaven," " Sweet land of re3t," and " Beautiful land of rest." A few difficult modulator voluntaries, which the teacher pointed, were creditably executed by the pupils. Some difficult " time" exercises were sung to the teacher's beating ; and a hymn tune, composed by Mr W. Peters of Auckland (an old pupil of Mr Brownlee) , and circulated amongst the singers, was first solfah'd then lah'd, and sung to words correctly, although it had not been previously seen by anyone except the composer, thus demon- | Btrating the possibility of every ono learning to read music by the " easy, cheap, and true," Tonic Sol-fa Notation. A few secular part songs, rounds, &c, were also well rendered, evidencing the undoubted talent and efficiency of Mr Brownlee as a teacher of the science of music (of which he holds an A.C., or advanced certificate), granted by the Tonic Sol-fa College, London. A very pleasant part of the business, not in the programme, was the presentation of a very handsome writing desk and silver pencil case, which Mr D. Hay, on behalf of the class, handed over to Mr Brownlee, as a token of their high esteem for him as a gentleman, and their appreciation of his enthusiastic services during the time they had been under his tuition. Mr Brownlee replied in suitable terms. This brought a pleasant evening's entertainment to a close, and a wish was expressed that the class would soon be resumed. — Coiemttnicated.