The Press. WEDNESDAY, AUGST29, 1866.
* Wsateyeb difference of opinion there 1 may _baa to the political,views ofthe gentlemen who comprise Mr Stafford ? s reconstructed Ministry, or as to the political integrity, of the intrigues which have brought them into one Cabinet, there can be none at all as'to their ability. Mr Stafford is well known as an able administrator;. Mr Fitzherbert has proved himself the best financier in New Zealand ; while Mr Eichardson, Mr Eichmond, and Mr Hall have in various capacities both in provincial and " "ge_eral~Gdvernments, displayed qualities which render it a matter of congratulation to the country that - they tehbuld have the management of its affairs. The last named gentleman has taken a department in which .Jhis restless activity, his love of WPtk t 7 and power of mastering details, will be of great public servicei t; Tha Postmaster-General in any young colony holds an office which, though having little to do with what \arecbmmonlytermed politics, is of great importance, and more, particularly so in New Zealand, whose insular ... skfwracter and subdivision into distinct provinces, as well as its connection with the two leading Australian colonies, has led to the establishment of mail services of great extent and dompleiity. The success of the Panama line, by which the colony is brought into communication with America, the West Indies, and England, while adding to the dignity of the office by widening the sphere of its —duties, will also contribute not a little to its labors. • The Post-office has no doubt suffered aa much as other public departments -'■ 'from th© frequent changes that have M* e a place during the last few years . inthe (Government of the colony. A little over th© twelvemonth has been the outside limit for which a Minister | has Wen allowed to occupy his seat - on Bench; leaving him time to become tolerably acquainted
with the routine and details of his office, but not enough to plan and bring into effect any considerable reform or radical change in the principles of management. Nor can such be expected from Ministers critically balancing themselves on the edges of their official stools, and fearing to hazard anything that may excite an extra grain of opposition. And during the past year the Post-office has had the peculiar ill-fortune of being placed under the control of one of Mr. Stafford's dummies. No one ever suspected Mr. Paterson of having the smallest acquaintance with what was going on in the department of which he was the nominal head, nor, to do him justice, did he ever attempt to impose upon the House by a pretence of any such knowledge. It was doubtless this serene confidence of the Minister that the business of his office would be conducted with perfect efficiency without the necessity for any interference or exertion on his part, which induced Mr. "Whitaker's exclamation, that the only place in the Government that he coveted was that of Postmaster-Q-eneral. Unfortunately, however, matters have not gone on well under Mr Paterson's calm neglect, and his successor will find work enough on his hands— some of it of a most important character. There is the Panama contract, for instance, which has never been signed, and seems in danger of coming to grief. The history of this contract gives a forcible illustration of the -practical disadvantages attending bo many changes of Ministers as New Zealand has witnessed of late. It was negotiated by Mr "Ward as Postmaster-G-eneral in one G-overnment, repudiated by the next, taken up by a third, Mr. Weld's, and carried on successfully through many difficulties, till he went out of office, and left it in the hands of Mr. Stafford, by whom it has been so neglected, that a fiifth j Government finds it still incomplete, ! and it is doubtful whether there may j not be Borne hitch in the arrangements after all. When the contract has been finally settled (and if there is any trouble with New South Wales, we hope Victoria has had sufficient experience of its advantages to be willing to join New Zealand in carrying it out) the internal services will be the better for revision. The interprovincial service in particular, with its intervals of from Beven to nine days, is most unsatisfactory, though as the contract with the steam companies has been concluded we suppose there will be no alteration, unless the House chooses to take the matter up—of which we have seen no signs. The local arrangements for the forwarding and distribution of letters may in many places be advantageously revised, in which case let us hope that Kaiapoi will no longer mourn the absence of its letter carrier; in short, the- every day routine work of the office in its numerous provincial branches will be much the better for being examined into and smartened up by so active and energetic a chief as Mr Hall is likely to prove. There are two other two very important branches of the department which we hope will receive due atten-tbn-rrthe telegraph and the post-office savings banks. The latter are to be established by way of experiment in a few of the principal towns in each island, and we hope that if the public show anything like the inclination they have shown in' England to avail themselves of the facilities offered by these banks for the deposit of money, they will be extended throughout the whole colony. To all persons in receipt of wages, who want some means of placing their money in safety till it reaches a sum sufficient to be invested in land or otherwise, they will be an invaluable boon. The telegraph, we are confident, needs nothing but a liberal system of management to make it a most profitable institution. It already pays its working expenses— which is something, considering the distance it has to be carried for the few stations opened; but if an office was opened in every village, the charges greatly reduced, and every encouragement given to the public to use the telegraph not only in special emergencies but in carrying on the ordinary intercourse of social and commercial affairs, it would come into such constant use as to yield a very large revenue to the Government. Whether the new Postmaster is prepared to take this view of the subject appears, we confess, very doubtful. But without any alteration in the present system a great improvement may be effected if he only insists that whatever the office undertakes shall be efficiently performed. As matter stand the public pay high and are badly served. If there is no reduction in the charge it will at all events be something gained if in future they get better value for their money. Working Mbs's Association.—For some weeks past the attendance at the meetings of this association has been gradually growing less, and last evening at tho usual hour there were not sufficient members present to form a meeting. We have not learnt when the next 1 meeting will probably take place.
Volunteer Concert.—A grand vocal and instrumental concert was a rather pretentious announcement for the entertainment last evening, the programme being somewhat of the thinnest. A very enthusiastic and numerous audience however rewarded the efforts of the performers, and freely gave their approbation at every opportunity. Mr Reed's pianoforte pieces, the only attempts at instrumental classical music, hardly commanded attention Mr Reed had evidently bestowed much prac-, ticeon thepieces set down to him—two"Songs without words," followed in the cecond part by a"Thema," with variations, of Beethoven; and could he but infuse some more animation —some light and shade, without which the most careful rendering fails in effect —we might fairly congratulate our musical world on a very valuable acquisition in the services of this gentleman. Bishop's " Bid mc discourse," afforded Miss Little an opportunity for proving her possession of a voice of considerable power and flexibility, and one which would repay its possessor a systematic cultivation. Mr H. Thompson may also be congratulated on having the same advantages on which to improve, and he must allow us to say with wider scope for imrovement. His talents would, we are persuaded, rppay a musical education, by which we do not mean the singing of songs, but of scales — and it is certain no natural gift can supersede the necessity of school preparation. Mr Crosbie gave a Scotch B ong—we may be allowed to wish his voice had been bestowed on something more worthy of it. A. Scotchman is a necessity for a Scotch song. A duet from the " Trovatore," by Mr StanseU and Mrs Beechey, was a great success; Mrs Beechey also giving a very creditable rendering of the trying scena M Robert toi que j'aime." Miss Hamilton won an encore in Glover's ballad " The blind girl to her harp." Some part singing was a valuable contribution to the programme We may suggest that Bishop's "Tramp" chorus has fairly done duty, and may now be shelved for a while. The National Anthem very well done brought things to a satisfactory close. As another concert is, we believe, on the tapis, we would impress upon the managers the desirability of giving more prominence to part singing and instrumental music of a better class, at the expense of dispensing with some ballads. The musical taste of our young artists is not to be formed, let us hope, on the ballad school. Orphan Asylum. — A meeting of the Managing Committee of the Orphan Asylum was held on Monday evening, at half-past four o'clock, in the City Council office. The following members were present —Tlie Bishop of Christchuroh (chairman), Messrs. J. Anderson, H. S. Brown, and Or. Gordon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary, Mr Stanley, reported that the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, assisted by two of the lady visitors, had examined the children, and from the report made thereon the Managing Committee were much pleased. In one or two subjects the report suggested a little more attention, and recommended some large maps for the school-room. The ladies' visitor-book states the house is iv a state of great cleanliness, that the food supplied is good and sufficient, and the clothing satisfactory. The following presents were recently received from Mr Gould, some books for the children and a case of apples ; from Mr Hughes, a map of New Zealand. As the season for planting potatoes and other vegetables is now at hand, tlie committee thought if the public knew such things were required in all probability many presents would be forwarded, the same as was done last year. The Secretary stated the supply of vegetables was short. The dining and bathrooms were ordered to be whitewashed. Tlio contract with Mr Vine, for making and repairing fthe ebildrens' boots, was agreed to be renewed, as he, the contractor, had given every satisfaction. The Secretary was directed to opll on many of the subscribers who had not paid their subscriptions for the present year. Some accounts were then ordered to be paid, and the committee adjourned. Christohurch Vestry.—A meeting of the Veßtry was held -jrcr_trcrr_i»y «*t> half-past four o'clock, in the City Council office. The following members were present : —The Very Rev. the De.n of Christchurch (chairman), the Rev. Ot. Carpenter, and Messrs. C. R. and A. F. N. Blakiston, Hobden, March, Captain Wilson, and G. Gordon (churchwarden). The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, a letter was read fron? the Secretary of the Church Property Trustees, informing the Vestry that the trustees had passed a certain resolution, to the effect that as it would be necessary before long to have a parsonage for St. John's parish, as well as for St. Luke's, the trustees would only contribute £500 to each, on the condition also that a sum of half that amount be contributed in both cases ; and further stating that the allowance of £75 for rent, for a parsonage-house at St. Luke's, would be discontinued at tlie end of the year. It was resolved—"That a committee, consisting of the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, the Rev. G. Carpenter, Mr. March, and Mr. Gordon, be appointed to draw up a memorial to the Church Property Trustees, in disapproval of the grant of £75 from St. Luke's parish, the grant being only made this year." The Rev. G. Carpenter handed in £_», towards paying the debts on tlie parish. After some routine business, the Vestry adjourned. Gale at Lyttelton.—The schooner Alert last evening broke away from Peacock's wharf, owing to therseverity of the south-west gale. After drifting towards t_te harbor works she fouled and sunk the ballast boat Venture. At the time of our express leaving Lyttelton the Alert was in a very perilous position, being only a few yards distant from the new works at the harbor, and the gale having every appearance of increasing. Steam Cultivator.—The first steam cultivator imported into this province has, we are happy to learn, reached its destination, at the farm of A. L. Powy's, Esq., at the Waikari flat The frail structure of the bridges between the port and Mr Poy w's farm was such as to necessitate its being removed in pieces, thus debarring many of the anticipated pleasure of seeing its action without the trouble of visiting the Waikari flat. The cost of its conveyance up country has, we believe, exceeded £200. Messrs Belcher and Fairweather, of Kaiapoi, drayed the main portions of this immense machine to the Weka paeswithout its sustaining any accident. Puhts for the Rakaia Ferry.—Two punts, constructed on a novel principle, were yesterday despatched to the Rakaia ferry to take the place of the old flat-bottomed barges hitherto used. The novelty in the construction of these boat, is, that they are built with elliptical bottoms, so as to afford the least possible resistance to the stream. The largest punt is of the following dimensions.: thirty feet in length with a ten foot beam. The draft of water, when launched, was only six inches, and it is considered that when loaded with a heavy vehicle containing three tons of goods, the draft mny be about a foot. The second punt is similar in construction with the first, j but of a smaller size. The builder is Mr ' Dixon, of the Heatheote, who has completed his work to tlio entire satisfaction of the Government inspector. The timber used was all grown in the province. We have j on several occasions had to notice favorably the vessels built by Mr Dixon, amongst which we may mention the yawl Quiver, launched something more than a year ago, and which j vessel has proved herself admirably adapted j for the purpose for which she was designed ; the steamer built to trade upon the Avon, and which it is expected will make her first trip, comiug up to the Bricks wharf, within a month ; and several well modelled boats. We understand that the workmanship of the punts has given very general satisfaction to those who have had an opportunity of seeing them. Theatre Royat..—Last evening " Camille " was repeated to bu': an indifferent house. The smallnees of the attendance may be accounted for by the counter attraction in the Town If all. The piece was none the worse for repetition, but it is not of a description to gain any great amount of applause. The farce which followed "Camille" created a considerable amouut of amusement.
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Press, Volume X, Issue 1189, 29 August 1866, Page 2
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2,569The Press. WEDNESDAY, AUGST29, 1866. Press, Volume X, Issue 1189, 29 August 1866, Page 2
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