The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 453, 23 June 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1871.

Oke of the most grotesque exhibitions of the straits to which Provincialism may be driveD, appears in a controversy that has arisen in tho province of Marlborough. It appears that on the,night on which the census was taken the Eangitoto steamer was ashore, in Pic ton harbour. The presence of the passengers and crew was a real &od-se'rid to the little province, which' became quite jubilant. In fact such has been the jubilation, that a re-action has set in, and the people are in dismay at the possibility of the | Grenenal Government becoming aware of £fi th§ occurrence, and deducting the amount of capitation for the voyagers. We are not aware of the actual number on-board, but we have no doubt that 'at '"£2 per head, the sum wpuy represent an itedi of great importance relatively to the total revenue of the province,' say a hundred: or a hundred and fifty pounds, and the contingency of the General Government retaining this amount naturally has excited considerable anxiety. On the action of the Government in this matter may depend the making of a piece of road of great- convenience, or the retention of a cleric of unblemished reputation and having a large family of small children dependent. It would certainly be an act of meanness on the part of the Government for which we should ieel ashamed, if advantage is thus taken of the province of Marlborough. lhe vessel was not even afloat at . the time, so we understand, as it is emphasised by our Southern contemporary, and herein is contained a point of great importance, which should not be ignored. Had the Bangitoto been actually afloat, then the poßjß^ofthe crew and passengers

the Marlhorough Express is distinct | on the subject; that the steamer j was aground, «iud consequently restin;;- on the soil of the province. Tt I seems to us that this determines the question, ;ind auy attempt on the part of tho Central Groverumeut to deprive the province of Marl borough of this portion of capitation would be wrongful and tyrannous. It is melancholy to think that but for the ill-timed jubilation of the leading journal of that province the matter might have lain dormant, and, as has been well said by the exponent of tho excited and indignant feelings of tho popula tion, should the Oovernment perpetrate this wrong, "the province will have to thank the Express for the loss of a considerable annuity."

There was a most beautiful collection of young trees to-day disposed of, by Mr. Sibbiu. They were grown by Mr. Goldie, at the Rosebank Nursery, North Shore, and gave quite a sylvan appearance to the establishment of our respected neighbour. Some of the young trees were fully eight feet high, and every plant had an exceedingly healthy appearance, and spoke well for the care bestowed in the selection' and cultivation.

We perceive that the Civic authorities have taken to repair Mechanics' Bay Road. We certainly think that they ought to have some credit aiven to them for the long continuauee of-neglect shown to this road, consideringthat two ol' the members afleasfc reside at Pariiell, anl have to cross the b:iy. Nevertheless, the benighted inhabitants of Parnell should feel thankful for the benefit of balf-a-dozen loads of scoria, just given of the bounty of the City Council, and; perhaps, now that attention has bec:i given to the place, it will not be Ions; before they take steps to 'uild the sea wall, the state of which is both discreditable and dangerous.

The road to the Drill-shed still remains in holes and ruts. The path to duty ought to be m-uio as easy as possible to the Volunteers, but our City Councillors must think differently, or else they would certainly take step 3 to have this road repaired.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a sample of " chutney," prepared by Mr. K. Neal, and for which Mr. Tonks is agent. It looks tempting. We have not dined since receiving it, so cannot state its qualities, but its appearance has had the effect of producing, in tho language of the Yankee reporter, " tho gushing wntera of delightful anticipation." We shall take the earliest opportunity of proving the sample, and making our friends and patrons acquainted with the result.

We would direct the attention of all thoso who relish a pleasant evening, to the fact that to-night, at the City Hall, a musical and 'dramatic melange of rare excellence will bo given. The names of the performers are not given to the public in advance, but we may say that gentlemen known to all our citizens have kindly lent their aid, and a programme ha 3 been produced, which will be regarded as exceedingly promising of good things. We do not hesitate to express the belief that the entertainment to-night will be, as it deserves to be, from its sacred object, an immense success.

" Atticus" writes in the Leader •. —I see that our old friend G-eneral Sir Trevor Chute was presented to the Prince of Wales at a levee held on the 23rd March, by the Duke of Cambridge. I.wonclrr how the General gets on in England, and whether he sacrifices more to the graces there than he did when in Melbourne After an absence of nearly a quartor of a century London must look very strange.

John Lockwood, L. D. Habtoad, and J. G. Freer give notice of their intention to apply to have the licences standing in their names transferred to George Miller, Martin Conway, and William Mill, respectively, for the Bobert Burns, the Charlemont, and tho Q. O. E. hotels.