The Press. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1866.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1169, 6 August 1866, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1866.

The Lyttelton Times endeavors to keep up its spirits under the total defeat of its party, firstly, by the assurance that, though the representatives of the Middle Island and Canterbury in particular have decided by a majority of five to one against separation, the great mass of the population is strongly in favor of it; and secondly, by consoling reflections on the miserable fate that is in store for the Island through not following its advice. The former proposition is supported by a characteristic piece of reasoning. Our contemporary admits that the great majority of members from this province were returned pledged to oppose separation in any shape, and mentions this pledge further on as having been exacted from them by the constituencies ; from which premises is drawn the singular conclusion that the members do not on this particular point represent the wishes of the people. The fact that their constituents have pledged the members to maintain the unity of the colony proves, according to the logic of the Lyttelton Times, that they intended them to vote for dividing it. Surely we must be under a great mistake as to the state of public opinion in Auckland. The people of that province have returned members pledged to separation, and, by the above reasoning, the correct inference is that the bulk of the people are enthusiastic unionists. The truth is that the question of separation has nowhere been more fully considered and more decidedly condemned by the public than in this province. It was the subject brought most prominently forward at the elections, and the result was that with one exception (and Mr Ward's eminent abilities and public services ensured his return independently of his views on separation— failing which his opponent would scarcely have had a vote), no declared separationist stood a chance of being elected. Even Mr Moorhouse himself, popular as he is, was compelled to bend to the times, and dissemble his opinions for fear of losing a seat. Another conclusive proof of the state of public feeling in Canterbury is the ignominioiis failure of the so-called

Middle Island Association. The efforts of that body, founded with a loud flourish of trumpets for the express purpose of promoting the cause of separation, could not elicit the faintest spark of interest, and it expired of absolute inanition after holding onlytwo meetings. There is not the slightest reason to suppose that public opinion has at all altered. The result of the recent debate was received with unqualified satisfaction; and when the members return to give an account to their constituents of the part they have taken during the session, in ten constituencies no part will be more certain to be hailed with applause than the vote which assisted to dispose, finally, we hope, of the Auckland-Otago scheme for separation.

"With regard to the other topic on which the Lyttelton Times enlarges— the sufferings that a misguided love of union is about to bring on the colony— why, we must give the losers leave to chide. Prognostications of all sorts of evil soothe the lacerated feelings, and have moreover this great advantage, that they are unanswerable. "We may disbelieve a prophecy, but we cannot disprove it. As to all the talk about the "native troubles and expenses that will go on accumulating as long as southern members insist upon legislating about matters on which they are totally ignorant," that is nothing better than a thousandth repetition of a long exploded fallacy. What, we should like to know, are the particular instances in which Southern members, as opposed to Northern, have legislated so injuriously, or what " costly experiments have they tried? The whole of the troubles under which the colony is laboring arise from the policy of 1863. That was the most " costly experiment " ever tried in New Zealand; an experiment which cost three millions of money. And by whom was that policy conceived and carried out, and who were the devisers of that experiment ? "Was that the work of Southern members ? No : it was the work of an Auckland Ministry, with Mr. Whitaker himself at its head—the man who now proposes that Auckland should take the sole management of Native affairs, the rest of the colony paying the expenses. It is not a fact that the Southern members have ever insisted upon legislating about Native matters; but were they to do so, they could not possibly make a greater mess of it than was done when the management of those affairs was entrusted exclusively to Northern hands. The inevitable break-down of that policy and its calamitous results, especially to this Island, were predicted at the time in this journal and by one or two of the Southern members, but their warnings were unheeded. We maybe excused then if, as our contemporary has shown such inability to discern coming disasters even when carefully pointed out, we do not pay much attention to his dismal forebodings at the moment when to other eyeß the horizon has begun to clear.

For the injury to the Middle Island has not been caused by the necessity of a heavy expenditure in Native affairs, of which we have heard so much, but by the violent spirit which was so rife three or four years ago under the plausible names of vigour and vindication of the law. It was this spirit that led Middle Island members to sanction the three million loan and the war policy propounded by Auckland. But that spirit has now passed away. The Middle Island will insist for the future that Native affairs, however they are managed, shall not be managed at an unreasonable cost ; and will draw its purse-strings tightly at the most tempting proposal for the conquest and colonisation of Maori lands. The difficulties under which the colony is now suffering have their origin in the past, and this Island even if separated would still have to endure its share. But the future is in our own hands; and looking to the increasing revenue and population of the colony, with its manifold and yot undeveloped resources, there is every reason to hope that a few years will Bee New Zealand rising again above its difficulties, and justifying by its prosperity the confidence of those who under adverse circumstances refused to despair of the future. The Late Accedrnts at Kaiapoi.—We are glad to hear that Mr Birch, who was injured in the fall from his buggy, is able to get about, though still suffering from a bad fracture of his collar bone. Mr F. Hepworth, who was also seriously injured from a fall from his horse at the steeplechase, is also recovering from the effects of the injuries. Wr_i> Cattib. —It is high time that something was done towards remedying an evil which is becoming every day of a more serious nature. We allude to the seeming apathy of the authorities in making a law to prevent the driving of wild cattle, or in fact cattle of any sort, through the city and along the roads in its immediate neighborhood, except at prescribed hours. Those who were going to the Papanui church or travelling along the Papanui road on the forenoon of Sunday last havereason to be thankful that the various post i and rail fences on either side afforded them shelter from a mad bullock belonging, we hear, to Mr Ladbrook It appears that the animal was found trespassing near Scotstoun, und was driven into tho road, whence an attempt was made to drive it home. The attempt proved futilo, and the consequence was that two men were knocked over by it,

and had it not been for one or two present who saw tho danger, and warned tlie different passers by, there is no saying what damage tho brute might have done. E very one was bailed no on the road—foot passengers, horsemen, and drivers ; but at last, after threo hours' exertion, tlie animal was driven into the open section opposite Mr Rhodes's residence. We have heard of various cases in which there has been the greatest danger to people walking in tho city and its environs from the reckless driving of cattle during the day, and we think it is the duty of the City Council to see to the matter at once, and prescribe certain hours during which cattle can and may bo driven through tho city and its immediate neighborhood, and to havo a law passed by which such regulations may be enforced, inilieting a very severe penally on any one who infringes such law. We understand that Mr Ladbrook has since taken the bullock home.

Football. —The best contested match of the season took place on Saturday afternoon, in Latimer square, between the College and the Club, aud ended in a draw. The College turned out a very numerous team of youngsters to compete, as one of themselves said, with the " big men " ; and it was very amusing to see the pluck exhibited in dealing with their compeers, one little chap in knickerbockers being especially noticeable, both for his diminutive size, and his zeal in the game.

Theatbe Royal.—ln addition to the usual nightly entertainment, there was on Saturday a mid-day one by Pablo Fanquo and his troupe. In the afternoon there were a great many children present, who all seemed highly delighted. Pablo Fanque introduced his trained dogs, Nelson and Punch, for the first time in Christchurch. The animals went through some very amusing feats with great precision, and obtained their full share of applause. In the evening tho sensational piece, " The Black Doctor," was repeated to a very good house ; after which Pablo Fanquo went through his performances on the tightrope, &c. To-night young Fanque will take his benefit; he is a very daring little fellow, and deserves to have a good house.

Mrß. N. Jones's Benefit.—The Licensed Victuallers have tendered their services to Mr B. N. Jones for a benefit on Tuesday next. The bill will be the same as that produced at the last very successful performance given in aid of the Orphan Fund of the society. Mr Jones ha 3 always been most willing to give his assistance for the benefit of others, and much of the success of the late performance is due to his able management. We hope to see a good house.

Hbathcote Steeplechases. — The next cross-country event is intended to be in the Valley, and from the facility of reaching the projected course by railway, this, the probable wind-up of a season's most excellently contested steeplechases, will assuredly be a success Messrs Holmes and Richardson, we hear, have promised their former liberal support.