The Press. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1865.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 930, 31 October 1865, Page 2

The Press. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1865.

W_ are glad to find that the Acclimatisation Society of Canterbury, which we had feared was sharing the fate of i too many of the societies that have from time to time been started in this province and passing from the first vigor of its early existence to the decrepitude of a premature dissolution, is not only still flourishing, but I is continuing active exertions towards the accomplishment of one of its most important the introduction of trout and salmon. A letter from jprwiOflScer, of Tasmania, read at their last meeting and published in our [report given in Saturday's issue, encourages us to hope that this will at mo very distant date be successfully effected. Br. Officer gives some interesting details respecting the result of the importation of trout and salmon to Tasmania, which, notwithstanding a few mistakes, promises to turn out as favorably as its most! sanguine promoters had ventured to expect. The experiment of bringing l over the ova packed in .moss and covered in ice was, as our readers are aware, a signal success, and though there has been a considerable mortality among the young fish from some cause not precisely ascertained, a sufficient stock was left to form a very satisfactory beginning. Of these, as Dr. Officer tells us, the Tasmanian Society, wisely resolving not to trust too much to a single chance, have turned some out into the river to make their way 'to the sea, while tbe remainder have

been retained in the ponds. The former, if they escape the perils of the deep and the encounter with monsters of the main such aa salmon never yet beheld, will find their way back to the parent stream in either four or sixteen mouths, announcing by their arrival the welcome fact that the work of acclimatisation is complete. Their less adventurous companions who have passed the winter in the safe seclusion of the breeding ponds, have not suffered either in health or spirits by their forced departure from the vagrant habits of their race, and as it has been discovered that salmon will live and propagate their kind without paying the usual annual visit to the sea, it is intended to keep them prisoners till they are in condition to produce a further supply of ova, and thus give their ultimate acclimatisation a second chance of success. As for the trout all difficulty appears to be over with them. They have thriven admirably—better than the salmon, and are expected soon to begin spawning. The Society purposes to keep them also in the ponds till they get ova enough to stock the rivers of Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Officer promises, on behalf of the Tasmanian Society, to send a supply to Canterbury at the earliest opportunity, and states what he thinks the best method of doing so. There cannot be the slightest doubt, he says, that any attempt to' bring over young fish alive in tanks must be a failure, while it would involve great additional expense for freight and attendance on board ship. On the other hand, the ova packed up in small boxes between layers of wet moss, just as they were sent from England to Australia, would occupy little room, the cost would be comparatively trifling, and, which is most important of all, they would be certain to arrive safely. The practicability of bringing the ova in that manner has been demonstrated, not only by the success of the last experiment on board the Norfolk, but by several previous attempts in which, though they ended unfavorably owing chiefly to a deficiency of ice when crossing the tropics, the ova were preserved alive for a longer time than would be necessary for the voyage from Hobart Town to Lyttelton.

There is at last then every reason to hope that the long discussed project of introducing salmon into the rivers of New Zealand is likely to be realised. Great interest has been taken in the matter in Canterbury, and the Provincial Council last session voted a sum of money to assist in defraying the expenses incurred in Tasmania. J The Acclimatisation Society are about to set to work to provide suitable oonds for the reception of the ova, and the experience gained in experiments carried on elsewhere will no doubt enable them to avoid a,ny mistakes in the prosecution of their enterprise. As to the general suitability of the Canterbury rivers for salmon, we must leave that question to the decision of those better acquainted than ourselves with the haunts and habits of the noble fish, though in some respects they resemble streams in Great Britain which have long been famous for their salmon fisheries. The main difficulty, we apprehend will be found in the frequent heavy freshes of snow water. But whether we look at the matter with the eye of a sportsman or a gastronome, there can be no doubt that the salmon will be a most desirable acquisition, and that tlie gentlemen of the Acclimatisation Society, if they succeed in this tho last and greatest of their undertakings, will deservedly take high rank among the benefactors of the province.

An excellent custom has been adopted in Canterbury of holding what the " Times" calls Extra Parliamentary utterances ; that is, that the members of the House of Representatives should shortly after the conclusion of each session call their constituents together, and give them some account of the pro • ceedings of the session and of the part they had themselves taken. The custom is an excellent one, because from the distance at which the sittings of the Assembly are held, or rather from the absence of that rapid and complete communication which iv England enables every person in the country to keep himself day by day acquainted with the current proceedings of Parliament, there is apt to prevail a want of interest in general as opposed to provincial politics, and a want of information as to what is really being done; and no better means could be devised than- these frequent face-to-face meetings between the electors and their representatives, both to afford the public an opportunity of acquiring a useful knowledge of facts, and to diffuse a healthy feeling of interest in political affairs. Two of these meetings are advertised to be held this week; one by Mr. C. Ward, at Lyttelton, where he will meet his own constituents, and another at Christchurch by Mr. EitzGjprald, who invites the attendance of the electors of Canterbury". The session just at an end has been unusually interesting to the

people of this province from the prominent part taken iv it by their own members, two Canterbury men having been in tlie Government and another a leading member of the Opposition ; and from this cause alone both Meetings will no doubt be well attended. But considering that we are on the eve of a general election, in which the country will be called on to choose between Mr. Weld and Mr. Stafford— to declare whether it will accept a selfreliant policy, even at some temporary sacrifice, or whether, throwing itself into the hands of an Auckland Min- | istry, it will again crave the Imperial ! assistance and submit to Imperial dictation in its affairs —it becomes of the last importance that every voter should clearly understand the political history of the last few months and the critical nature of the position in which the colony now stands. We shall hope to see these and any other subsequent public meetings attended by a large earnest-minded audience. j Battalion Obder.—The following order lias been issued by the Captain and Adjutant. " The Christchurch Companies will parade in Latimer square, on Wednesday, November Ist (weather permitting), at two p.m., to be presented with a silver bugle, by the Ladies of Christchurch." No. 2 Company.—This company will parade in future on Wednesday, instead of Tuesday, as heretofore. Miss Edith Palmbbston. —This artiste gave her fourth entertainment last evening to a full house. She sustained without flagging, throughout the evening, a change of entertainment which we should deem even more exhaustive than her previous performances " Peggy Paring " was a very happy illustration in caricature of a personage known to almost any bachelor in London. The allusions to the modest amount of spirits which she considered " necessary for her time of life," and the connection between " serving in a gentleman's family and the rheumatics" were ridiculous enough to send the house into extreme merriment. The repetition of "Kitty Brushit" was a desirable feature in the evening's entertainment. "Do deah" was encored, find Miss Palmerston substituted the favorite old song of " Where are you «oing my pretty maid," in reply. This song was very pleasantly sung and cleverly altered to suit her previous piece. " Major Jonathan Stiggins" and " Meg Mavis" were well executed, particularly the hitter. The scenic effects in " Lady Audley'a Secret" were very artistic, and the glare of the red fire upon her , I'idyship's figure in crimson skirt, and the crimson hangings of the stage,produced a particularly sensational appearance. The get-up of Mr. Alexander as "Monsieur Adolphe Voltaire Vermont" was exceedingly good, but we do not think his personation was so successful as his previous one, " Abon Bon Hassan."

Mb. Habding's Benefit. —The attendance at the theatre last evening on the occasion of Mr. Harding's benefit, although very good, was not so large as we could have wished to have seen. The performance commenced with a very pretty little piece entitled " Love in Humble Life," in which Mr. B- N. Janes, as the soldier Rouslaus.and Miss Cooper, as Gertrude, sustained the part of tho hero and heroine with considerable spirit; after this followed Camp bell's " Lochiel's. Warning," recited in a most creditable manner by Mr. A. T. Bradwell, after which the third act of Hamlet was produced, and the entertainment concluded with the happy farce "Louisa's Lovers." The acting throughout was very good, and those present seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves.

The West Coast Road.— The following telegram was yesterday received from Mr. Blake, the contractor .—" The West Coast road is open to Teramakau. Loaded drays have passed through." We understand that wagons conveying stores to the different contractors' camps have passed through the Otira gorge, and that for the future stores will be conveyed by waggons as far as Mr.- Blake's camp.

Rif__ Match. — The Kaiapoi Company (No. 5), proceeded to their butts on Saturday to fire off the match with No. 6 Company, and the following scores were made. It will be remembered that No. 6 were: not enabled to fire on Saturday, owing to some of their team being absent. The day was fine, and very favorable for the sport:—

It will be seen that an average of 34 points per man-was made, which is higher than at the two previous matches. After the match, sweepstakes were shot for, and at 400 yards Private Beswick was the winner, making 17 points in five rounds ; Scrgfc. Wright and Private Coup tying for -second place ; at 500 yards,. Private Wearing took the prize, making 17 poiuts. On next Saturday, the match, between Nos. 1 and 5 Companiep, will take place. Tlie conditions are, six men, five rounds each, at 200, 400 and 500 yards, each party firing bn its own ground. Besidsst Magistrate's J. King, of Selwyn, was brought up yesterday.. charged with a breach of the Sheep Ordinance in not herding sheep when scabby, and was fined £1 ; and for being the owner of scabby sheep, was fined £100.

A Fobttjnatk Man.-— On Saturday afternoon, a resident in the Papanui road, lost upwards of £50 whilst proceeding to town to complete a purchase he had made. The money was rolled up in a piece of canvass, .andthe loss was not ascertained until some time afterwards. The man at once returned to search for his property, and very fortunately picked it np untouched, in the middle of the road, near the Carlton hotel.

C_iXFO_Kr_s Cracus.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather on Saturday, the afternoon performance did not take place at Kaiapoi. At the evening's entertainment the pavilion was crowded, and the parfc-maace __t>ughoot was a decided aveaea*.

[ Wool.—Tlie first wool of this season's clip I from the Northern districts, was delivered at } Messrs. White and Co.'s woolshed, Saltwater Creek, on Thursday last.

Illicit Distillates.—Same persons have J lately been discovered on the West Coast engaged in illicit distillation. The Hokitika " Leader " informs us that, " notwithstanding the impenetrability of the bush on the West Coast of New Zealand, and the consequent facilities afforded to the illicit distillation of spirits, defying as it were the vigilance of the most accomplished detective, there has at last been brought to justice two parties who have been engaged in this profitable line of business, wi»h every appliance for the distilling of spirituous liquors ad infinitum. This being the first seizure made on the West Coast, great credit is due to the constabulary of Hokitika for tho capture of these persons, who were in a fair way of defrauding her Majesty of her lawful dues, and who are now paying the penalty of j their misdeeds by an imprisonment of three months duration. The distillers, who are respectively named Wm. Young and Robert Cameron, were on Wednesday brought before the Resident Magistrate, and from the evidence adduced it appeared that, from information received, Inspector Broham, accompanied by Sergeant Clements, constables Howard and Kirkpatrick, together with Mr. Lemming, Custom House officer, proceeded along the north beach for a distance of about two miles, and then struck into the bush, along an almost imperceptible track, for another mile and a-half, when a small rivulet was reached, standing in the middle of which was a hut, which the party entered, and there found the two prisoners lying asleep, surrounded, by four large barrels, each containing about 100 gallons of wash ready for working off. On being awakened, the prisoners declined to give any information respecting the whereabouts of the still, and consequently a search was instituted, which, in the rough state of the surrounding country, presented the reverse of a cheering prospect; however, after about an hour's diligent search, the head and worm were found

secreted in the bed of the creek, hidden from view by the branches of tf 3es. The prisoners, who but a few short hours before had probably calculated upon realising a rapid fortuno in their secluded retreat, were at once taken in charge, and as we have before implied, found guilty of illicit distilling."

Names. o i. S4 ai CO s 3 o Lieutenant Beswick Sergeant Wright ... " Revell ... " Hebden ... Private Coup " Beswick ... " Hassall " Wearing ... 7 13 6 15 12 15 13 12 9 11 14 9 10 12 12 10 ii 10 8 12 14 15 14 8 ! 27 34 28 36 36 42 39 30 Total 272