"Nemo me impune lacessit" TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 24, 1868.

Bruce Herald, Volume V, Issue 217, 24 June 1868, Page 4

"Nemo me impune lacessit" TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 24, 1868.

|The protracted and laborious parturition lof the Otago would-be Parliament, if it j has not resulted in passing any measures [of really practical utility, beyond a few necessary, although comparatively uniml pnrtant Ordinances, has signalised its proceedings for all time, in the history of New Zealand, by an abundance off fruitless " talk,"— -by attempts at legislation remarkable for precocious absurdity and weak vanity, and by a reckless attempt to forestall tbe resources of the Province hy another Loan of £120,000, with no corresponding effort to arrange its financial affairs on a surer basis, by the muchneeded reduction of our altogether extravagant expenditure.

It ia of little use, however, to indulge in vain regrets over what is past ; we have to deal only with the present and the future. In a few weeks: tfie General Assembly is to meet in Wellington, for tbe dispatch of business, and there cannot be a ; doubt but questions of the very greatest importance, affecting .the permanent inte-

rests of this Province and the Colony, will come under deliberation. It would be. therefore, wise and prudent on the part of the settlers of this district to consider what, or if any, steps can be taken to check or modify the effects, of the ruinous policy which actuates our Provincial Executive. For this purpose, we think it would be desirable to have a potitical meeting called, to have an opportunity to hear from our three representatives in the Council an account of their nine weeks' labour, and to have the benefit of their advice with regard to what is likely to be dealt with by the General Government, respecting our Provincial affairs. The speech of Major Richardson, to be found on another page, is worthy of earnest perusal, for although there are many of his sentiments with which we cannot agree, the general scope of his arguments is correctly true. His remarks on the ruinous tendency of the sale of lands on Hundreds at 10s. per acre, are identical wifh our often repeated statements, and we cordially agree with his conviction of the grievous error which will be made, if email blocks of land are sold within runs ourside of Hundreds. We object to an increase of our already heavily burdened condition in the payment of interest for loans, and would much&rather prefer to see a more moderate — if less captivating to the unthinking multitude — policy prevail in the expenditure of the revenues of the Province. It was a true saying of Mr. Stafford, and well would it have been for Canterbury and other Provinces, not excepcing Otago, if its truth had been realise*!, when i he said, we think in 1865 — " The limit of i debt should be carefully guarded, and that limit should be such that in a period of monetarf panic or depression, which arises in all countries in turn, the existing resources should always provide for the interest of the debt. It will not do in a crisis to trust to dormant resource", if a country would preserve its reputation for good faith. Ido not say that this limit has yet been reached in New Zealand ; but I do say, if the country goes on increasing its public debts at the same rate as for tbe last two years, it will soon be both reached and exceeded." We think an expression of public opinion on the administration of the Lands Act, if embodied in a memorial to the House of Representative-*, would probably be fruitful of good results ; and, entertaining this belief, we submit the following drafr. which might meet with the approval of many who may attend the meeting we have suggested : — '

To the Honorable Membeis of the House of Assembly ahd Legislative Council of New Zealand.

The humble memorial of the undersigned, being settlers in the Tokomairiro Districts. Humbly sheweth —

That your memorialists have reason to be dissatisfied with the administration of the Waste Lands of the Crown in Otago, as contrary to law, subversive of settlement, injurious to revenues, and opposed to the financial credit of the colony; and they pray that your honorable House will appoint a Committee to investigate the same, and that you will grant them a redress of grievances, by disallowing the sale of land within Hundreds at 10s. an acre ; by preventing the sale of small blocks of land, under the Waste Land Act. outside of Hundreds ; by directing that the accounts of the Land Fund be kept distinct from ordinary revenue ; and by granting to Road Boards a fixed proportion of the land revenues, so as to mete out equal justice to all districts alike.

And your petitioners will humbly pray.

Then, again, we really believe that it is high time we, as a Province, were striking off our apathy with respect to its financial affairs. The Finance Reform Leagues of Canterbury and Nelson have effected a large amount of good, and we cannot doubt but a like result would attend the establishment of one or more in Otago : certainly there is none other Province so much requiring reform in this particular ; and we shall hail with satisfaction the organization of such a society. This might well be entertained and discussed at our first meeting with our members of Council— a meeting which we trust they will call at no distant date, knowing that the Assembly meets oa the 9th July. We append the rules adopted by the Canterbury Association : —

1. — The object of the association shall be to collect and diffuse accurate information respecting the finances of the colony, and of this province in particular ; to promote all well-considered improvements in the mode of raising the public revenue, and to enforce by all constitutional means the practice of economy in the public service without detriment to its efficiency.

2. — In the event of similar associations being instituted in other parts of the colony for the attainment of the same objects, the committee shall be empowered to effect a union with such associations in any manner that may be agreed upon, and to adapt the means of this association to such alleviation of circumstances in any way that may be expedient. 3. — Every subscriber of one shilling or upwards shall be admitted as a member for the current yean 4 — The business of the association shall be conducted by a committee, consisting of a president^ vice-president* treasurer*, and not \ . \

less than ten or more than seventeen other members, all of whom shall be elected annually by the subscribers ; but vacancies occurring during the year may be filled up by the committee ; the committee shall have power to appoint a secretary and to make bye-laws.

5. — Besides an annual meeting, the subscribers shall be called together from time to time by the committee as occasions may arise, and upon presentation to the president of a requisition signed by twenty members requiring a meeting of the association, and stating the objects of such meeting, the president shall convene a meeting accordingly within a week.

6. — In order to secure the adherence of the public at large for the common object of efFecti g a reform in the financial system of New Zealand and the province of Canterbury, all proceedings partaking of a merely party character shall be avoided.

7. — That all epecfal meetings required by the above resolutions shall be advertised in one or more of the local newspapers.

Wb have the pleasing duty of intimating that the fifth of the series of Sixpenuy Readings will take place on Monday first, 29th instant, at 7 p.m. Mr Alfred Jones has consented to take the chair. The programme is an excellent' one, the readings selected being both of an amusing and instructive character. We are also given to understand that several ladies are to enliven the meeting with songs, &c We trust therefore to see a full attendance.

We understand that Constable McMahon left Tokomairiro on Friday last for Switzers, to which large and rising district he has been transferred, owing to its increasing importance which has rendered it necessary to have the services of another constable. We believe that it is shortly intended to open a Police Camp at Tapanui, and it is probable that Constable McMahon may be appointed to take charge of it.

A meeting of the Committee of, the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club was held in the Commercial Hotel, on the evening of Wednesday last. B. Hibbard, Esq., President, occupied the chair. We have to compliment the men? bers on their punctuality of attendance, as they were nearlyall present, ana business commenced a few minutes after the advertised hour. Mr J. L. Gillies proposed and Mr J. Hislop seconded, "Thafc there should be a Ploughing Match this season, at an early date." This was adopted after some observations from Messrs White, Church, and others with respect to the utility of Ploughing Matches. It was arranged that the Match, should be held on the second Friday of July, (10th), and a special committee consisting of Messrs Hislop, Macfarlane and Drinnan, was appointed to select suitable ground for the purpose. Several other resolutions regarding details were passed, when the Judges were elected, by ballot, resulting in Messrs J. Bryce, Green. Island, — Todd, Springbank, East Taieri, ani R. Mnir, West Taieri, being chosen.- An alteration from last year's prizes was made, inasmuch as the first three prizes for the senior class are to be silver medals, of the respective values of £5 ss, £4, and £3. For the juniors, silver medals, valued at £4 anil £3. An honoiary certificate to be awarded to best ploughman with double furrow plough Othsr resolutions were passed, when it was resolved to have a public dinner after the Match, the same to be tendered for. A. vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the business. We trust that this match: will not prove an exception to previous ones ; it ought not, for besides the Society's prizes, there are the Champion Belt to be competed for, now held by Alexander Simpson, who also gaoheil the silver medal lately executed by Mr Salomon, Dunedin, and which is really a very handsome medal. A similar medal is to be offered this season, and we can assure our crack ploughmen that it is worthy of spirited competition. Othe r special prizes the gift of individuals will be offered. Entries will be received up to the morning of the Match, but to facilitate the work of the Secretary, Mr Church, we would recommend that they Bhould be made as early as possible. Any farmer who may be willing t« give the use of ground for the match will please communicate with the above-named Committee.

A resident of Clutha writing on behalf of himself and others says, we hear that the Rev. Mr Battersby, who labored for some time at Balclutha with so much general acceptance, has. again returned from Australia, and is resident ia Dunedin. A very strong desire continues to be manifested here in favor of Mr Battersby's becoming our settled minister, and hut for the opposition of the Presbytery a unanimous call in his favor would long ere this have been piesented. We do not for a moment question the propriety of the action of the Presbytery- in the matter, which we believe arose from the circumstance that upon arrival in this, colony, Mr Battersby did not present his credentials to the Presbyterian Church Courts, with a : view to be enroled as an associate member of Presbytery. He has, however, now brought with him from Australia* the necessary credentials, testifying to his previous connection with the Free Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian Church of Australia.. We sincerely trust that he will at once place himself in connection with the Clutha Presbytery, and thus give us an opportunity of choosing him as our future Pastor, as among the numerous ministers who have officiated front time to time, no one has endeared himself to the affections of his hearers, and we have good reason to believe that his ministrations have been blessed to the welfare of the district. We sincerely trust that this reverend gentleman will ere long be Among the roll of ministers officiating in the Clntha Presbytery, as we are convinced his services would prove very valuable.

We observe from the ' Oamaru Times,' of the 19th instant, that a most successful entertainment in aid of the Otago Seaman's . Mission had been held in that town, which consisted of Readings, Recitations, and Songs. The sum realised was over £42, We are .inclined to ask if something of the kind c uld not he got up in Milton ; tbe cause is one worthy of earnest support. In the present financial position of the Readings Committee, it would be perhaps unwise to devote the proceeds of one of their regular meetings to the object, but we can perceive nothing to hinder them from having an extra evening specially set aside for this purpose, when we cannot doubt there would be an overflowing house, evea although tiie rate of admission was doubled.

Referring to the notice in our last issue re-

garding the accidental administration of a poiN sonous draught to Dr. Halley, of Lawrence, we' stated in error, that 60 drachams of Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid had been swallowed, instead of 6 drachams. We are glad to learn that the Doctor continues to improve satisfactorily.

No cases of importance have been heard before the Resident Magistrate this week. On Wednesday last, Messrs Capstick and Waters were each fined 2s 6d, and 6s 6d costs, for allowing cattle to stray in the towiiship, andyesterpay, the claim of Chisholm v. Dickson for £20 was decided in favor of Plaintiff, with costs.

Wb are informed by Sergeant Weidner that he overtook and stopped from proceeding towards the Mataurau, a mob of cattls numbering 32, which he has good reason to suspect had beett stolen, the greater portion consisting of motherless calves and young heifers. We are requested to intimate that any one who may have lost such a description of cattlo, may inspect the lot now grazing in the Police Paddock, Tokomairiro. It is with very great satisfaction and pleasure that we have learnt from an old settler who has just returned from a visit to Mr Mansford's Flax Mill and Rope Manufactory at Coal Point, that the utilization of the native flax r into valuable mercantile products is progressing most satisfactorily. Mr Mansford has at present em. ployed three ropemakers and one heckler, which indicates a power of producing the prepared material of no inconsiderable degree. Our informant unfortunately was not able to see the mill in operation, as some repairs were being made on the funnel ; however, he saw six coils of | inch rope, which had every characteristic of excellence. It is purposed shortly to commence the manufacture of two inch rope, and with the finest of the material, the smaller sorts of rope used as clothes lines and plough reins, will soon be produced in ample quantities to supply local demands. We understand that the refuse can he readily sold for •stuffing mat'resses and chairs at 4d per lb. Such facts as these go far to establish the hope that a native industry of native products is 3n progress =of heeoming au fait accompli.

We have been informed that a meeting of the Green Island Ploughing Match Committee was held on the evenhv; of Wednesday last, at the drill-shed. Mr Andrews occupied the chair. The Secretary read a most satisfactory report of the proceedings of the Committee, which was unanimously adopted. It waa proposed' that as the Committee had so well carried out all the -arrangements, they should be again appointed ; however, it was judged better to iucrease the members of the Committee. A larger committee was then chosen, consisting of the members for the district, and Mr Sibbald, M.P.C. The qnestion whether the Match was to be open to the Province or not, was left to be decided by the new Committee.

Therb cannot be a doubt but that good ploughing is essentially necessary for the production of good crops, therefore, all honor to the promoters of ploughing matches ; . but when crops are grown, we think it is also as essential to take measures to prevent their destruction by rain when in tho s&ack. Last year we know that in this Plain, there were several thousand bushels of oats destroyed and injured, b/ reason of ill built and unthatched stacks, and again this year we are informed the" same sad story can be told. We apprehend, . therefore, that if the Farmer's Club were to offer premiums for the "beat built and best thatched stacks, it would be promoting a branch of farming too much neglected. It is om* opinion that the agriculturists ■of Otago are not so deficient aa any one of the siugle operations connected with farming, such as ploughing; as in ithe general management of the land. We would venture to suggest that if good prizes were offered for' the best managed farms of various sizes, it would tend to stimulate a better attention to the innumerable details •which all go to make up a really " gooi farmer.'j

It had been intended to take advantage of the meeting at Balclutha on Wednesday last, ter the Hon. Major Richardson had addressed the electors of the Clutha District, to pass certain resolutions on the Hundreds Question, but on the motion of Mr J. H. Jenkinson, seconded by Mr Mosley, M.P.C.", a ;vote of thanks was passed to She Hon. Major for the Address with -which he had favored them, and if was agreed that an early meeting would be called to allow; the members of Council for l&e Clutha District an opportunity of addressing the electors upon the proceedings of the Session just terminated. Previous to this, Mr Thomson, M.P.C., had been called upon to address ATie meeting, wh* stated that he was not exactly prepared to address them, having come to the meeting cold and weary, being just oa his way from the Provincial Coaacil, while .he felt thankful for the interesting speech they had just heard, he could not say he approved of many sentiments expressed by the gallant Major. Se was aware that a feeling existed throughout the Province against Provincialism, owing to the maladministration of the . past 18 months. He thought they should not do anything rash, they were apt to say - rashly, "as' Provincialism lias beea proved unsatisfactory, ye -wiU place ourselves under the wing of the General Government." He thought -we should act wifh^great prudence, and: allow the present ferment to die away. If we could improve our position by placing ourselves under the General Government, lie thought we should •do so. ' -If we were convinced that it would be for our good to declare the Clutha a County, let us do so ; still at the same time let us do nothing rashly. He believed the present Government were quite opposed_to the system of Hundreds. Mr Yogel (a voice, turn him out) was opposed to Hundreds, and consequently during tbe recess no steps had been taken to promote the ends the Council had in view. Since the Waste Land Act of 1866 came into operation, 260,000 acres of the old Hundreds had been sold, and still the Government proposed selling land. This did not, he thought give the poor man a chance, as no grazing rights were attached to land bought in blocks. A person buying 100 acres, required to spend the money on fencing which would otherwise he expended in the purchase of stock. Mr J. H. Jenkinson said he had come here to hear the Major's remarks oh i tiie political aspect of New Zealand ; let them therefore before proceeding to other business, in the first place get rid of the Major. Were they satisfied with what the Major had stated ? i he had been very particular not to enter into ' into provincial matters. He (Mr Jenkinson) would like to hear some expressions regarding opinions held by the Major. He acknowledged

his indebtednsss by moving a vote of thanks. Mr Mosley, M.P.<&, m steouding the vote of thanks, said, his colleagues and himself had arranged to meet the electors as soon as possible after their return, and due notice of the meeting would be given in the 'Bruce Herald.' He would hke to say a little to them on the Hundreds Question and th* Pasturage system and their history. Mr Shaw said he was glad'to see the Major back among them again after being set aside by them in a corner for so long ; the Major had shown himself all along to be above insult, and he for one, would support the motion. The vote of thanks having been earned by acclamation, the Hon. Major said, he returned his most grateful thauks for the attention with which they had listened to his remarks, he had simply given them his own opinions which he left for their own consideration. Mr Jenkinson proposed tha* they should now resolve themselves into a. political meeting, but Mr Thomson, M. P.C, suggested that as Mr Henderson, M.P.C., and MrM'Kenzie, M.P.0., were absent, an opportunity should be given to them also^of addressing the electors, aud another meeting would be called at an early date.