The Press. FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1867.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1376, 5 April 1867, Page 2

The Press. FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1867.

We find from the Hokitika papers received by Wednesday's mail that the Westland Commission has actually commenced its investigations, and pre-

sume therefore that the Government are satisfied with the selection they

have made, and have no intention to increase the number of the members. The Commissioners are, Colonel White, chairman, Messrs. Barff, Cassius, Hoos, and Whall—four out of the five Westland members of the Council, Mr Bright having excused himself on the ground of private engagements — Mr. Sprot, who has been for a long time resident in Hokitika, and Mr Kilgour, who, we believe, is in business at Greymouth. Itis important toobserve the proportion between the Eastland and Westland members of this Commission, because the question of all others which it was appointed to decide is the outstanding accounts between the east and west of the province. Nothing was more repeatedly referred to during the many debates on financial matters that took place last session in the Provincial Council than the heavy debt, as it was called, due from "Westland. It was represented as the sole cause of the overdraft, the despoiler of the Koad Boards, and generally had to bear the blame for all deficiencies ; and there were not wanting voices -to demand that repayment should be peremptorily required. The Executive dexterously evaded expressing any opinion on the subject by the device of a Commission —the usual resource of a weak Government when called on to grapple with a difficult question — for tho production of whose report the whole matter should be deferred The Provincial Secretary was carefu. te explain to the Council that as the Commission would have to consider a subject affecting the interests of both sides of the province it could not be composed of Westland men only, but must include a fair proportion of East Canterbury men as well. "What the Government idea of a fair proportion is may be seen from the above list, which shows six Westland men, with the offer of a place to a seventh, against one man from Eastland. We must repeat that whenever the Commission was spoken of in the Council the very first and foremost of its duties was always stated to be, to examine the accounts between the two halves of the province and decide what amount Westland fairly owed. Practically, therefore, Westland is asked to settle whether or no it shall pay its debts. It is possible that the Government mean to add some names to the Commission before it enters upon the financial question, and if so, so long as West Coast affairs only were under discussion, no one would object to its being taken entirely from that side, but wo linvß nowwhcro met vritli'"CTH3' slightest hint of such intention. We warn them then that the report, so far as relates to the allocation of the debt, will not bo worth the paper it is written on. The Council will take it at its real value —as a one-sided docu-

inent, expressing more or less accurately the feelings of the people of Westland, but of no other authority whatever. However, it will have warded off a critical question for a whole session, and gained six months time, and that we take to have been the main usefulness of the Commission and the main object of the G-overn-ment in proposing it.

We have again to complain of the shortcomings of the Telegraph-office. On Wednesday- night two telegrams forwarded from Dunedin at five minutes to seven and seven o'clock respectively", with one forwarded from Wellington at ten minutes to seven, all reached this office together at a quarter-past one —six clear hours being thus occupied in the transmission. That is an instance of the rapidity with which the operators manage to get through their work; a very fair rate, we admit, compared with some other of their performances, but scarcely realising the idea popularly entertained of the lightning speed of the electric tele-

graph

Then with regard to the shipping telegrams. We have the pleasure of being tho first to announce to the clerks at Christchurch that the Taranaki left Wellington on Wednesday afternoon, and arrived in Lyttelton yesterday morning. Thoy can get the exact dates from to-day's Press, aud can repay us by kindly putting them up on their black board for the benefit of the public, and as a specimen of tiie immense advantage afforded to merchants and others in having a telegraph to give timely notice of a steamer's arrival. It has been proposed in England lately to | place the telegraph under charge' of the Post-office, and wicked wits j have insinuated that the officials intend to save trouble and expense by sending the telegrams through the post. The telegraphic officials in New Zealand can claim the honor of having forestalled that magnificent effort of how-not-to-do-it ingenuity, for wel believe it. is the custom to forward through the post the telegrams announcing the arrivals and departures of the steamers —no doubt at a great saving to the department. Tho plan

has the slight drawback that the telegram of a steamer having left for Lyttelton generally comes to hand the day after she has arrived and sailed again—but of course that does not signify. Lastly, wo think tho clerks really ought to send the messages as they receive them, and moreover should possess some ordinary information about colonial affairs. Wo don t mind " literal " errors ; and correct spelling, we allow, is a thiug rather to be desired than expected ; but the name of Major M'Donnell ought to bo familiar to every one in New Zealand, and certainly in the telegraph offices, which have so often been engaged in recounting his exploits, and they ought to know better than to call him, as they did in our yesterday's telegram, " M'Donold." It is quite impossible that the blunder was made by a Wellington correspondent; the name must have been altered by some careless or ignorant operator. ' We pass over such mistakes as Moulmoney, for the name of the vessel burnt at Napier, and Botoua for 1 Kotorua, as too common to attract ' notice. A trifle of examination before appointment to these offices would not be without advantage.

Volunteer General Committee. — A meeting of this committee was to have been held last evening, but there beiug no quorum no meeting was held.

Land Sales.—The following is the return of waste lands disposed of yesterday at the L\nds office:—Banks Peninsula, 60 acres; Mandeville, 80 acres ; Malvern, 100 acres ; Oxford, 120 acres ; Waitangi, 25 acres ; total, 385 acres, yielding £770.

Presentatiox at Kaiatoi. —On Wednesday evening last the members of the Rev. G. S. Harper's society class presented him with an elegant plated tea service. Mr Hull, acting as the deputy of the ladies, in suitable terms presented tho service. Mr Harper acknowledged the present, remarking that the ladies must be good secret keepers.

Halswell Volunteers. — The Halswell Contingent of No. 6 C.R.V. met for their first parade on Wednesday eveninff, in a room kindly lent for a diill-shed by Mr Craythorne. [t is expected now that a commencement has been made that this contingent will be rather a strong one, as there are many young men in the district. No officer has as yet been elected.

Chamber of Commerce. — The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was to have taken place yesterday afternoon in the. rooms, His;h street, but at the appointed hour tho following gentlemen only were present: — Messrs Montgomery, Fletcher, and Murray-Aynsley, and theso not forming a quorum the meeting was postponed.

Electoral News.— We learn from an advertisement in the "Timaru Herald" of Wednesday, that Mr Leslie Thomson intends to resign his seat for Timaru, and has invited the electors to meet him to-morrow. From the same paper we learn that Mr A. K. Matson has not, up to the present time, met with any opposition to his candidature for Seadown.

New Zealand Presbyterian.—Wo have received the April number of this periodical. Its contents are as follows :—" The Education. p£ * Jl£ »-*T*-«** ~"rspera oh Practical iveligion " —'" Rejoico in tho Lord," " Tho Home Churches and their Missionary Work," " The New Hebrides Mission," " Synod of Otago and Southland," " Church Extension in Ceylon," Poetry—" Lines addressed to a Scotch Minister on his arrival in the colony."

Entertainment at Kaiapoi.— The members of the company recently performing at the Theatre Royal are at present on a visit to this place. On Wednesday evening last, the company, consisting of Messrs Fawoett, Pollock, Massey, Thorpe, and Misses Holt and Herberte, gave their first entertainment in the Kaikainui concert room. The attendance was not a very numerous one, but the performance was carried cut to the satisfaction of those present. " Charles IT, or the Merry Monarch " and" Who Speaks First" were the pieces performed.

Hillsborough.—Owing to some misunderstanding the firing off of the ties made at the late meeting did not take place yesterday afternoon as previously annouueed. In their place a sweepstakes was, however, shot by the following members of '.different companies, five shots each at 400, 500, and 600 yards. The following aro the scores made: —Private Rowley, No. 2, 35; Gunner Craigie, No. 2 Battery, 30 ; Private Barnes, No. 1, 31 ; Corporal Frew, No. 6, 30; Sergeant-Major Morgan, Staff, 30 ; Sergeant Pavitt, Engineers, 28 ; and Sapper E. Cuff, 21.

Narrow Escape from Fire.—Several improvements aro at present being made at tho Al hotel, and amongst others a new kitchen has been erected adjoining but at the back of tho premises. This kitchen was yesterday morning discovered to be on fire by the constable on duty. The debris would lead to the supposition that some one had gone into the building and had lighted a fire in -the unfinished premises on the floor in the fireplace, and which at the time of the entrance of the police was in a blaze. Tbe promptitude of the man on duty prevented what might have been a very serious accident.

Complimentary Dinner. — A farewell dinner was given last night at the Town Hall to Mr FitzGerald, previous to his departure for Wellington. Tho dinner, to which about eighty gentlemen sat down, and which was of the most recherche description, was provided by Mr Oram, of the Clarendon hotel. The toast of the evening, "The Health of Mr FitzGerald," proposed by the chairman, Mr C. C. Bowen, was received with loud applause, and Mr FitzGerald replied at some length. The proceedings were enlivened with songs from several gentlemen present, and the evening wai spent in the most pleasant manner. We are compelled to holdover a more lengthened report until our next issue.

New Zealand Gazette —A New Zealand Gazette, published March 25, contains the appointment of Mr I'rendergast to be AttorneyGeneral ; the official inquiry on the wreck of iho Star of the Evening ; the establishment of Post-office Savings Banks in the different towns of New Zealand, with regulations for their working ; a notice 0:1 the change of lights at tha entrance to Port Phillip ; the registration of Hokitika and Hau-hau Tramway <Joir.pa.ny (Limited), aud of the Ross and Hokitika Tramway Cornptiny (Limited,) ; full statements of tiie liabilities and assets of the following banks : Bank of New Zealand, Union Bank of Australia, Bank of New South Wales. Bank of Australrt'ii, Bankjof Otago, and Bank of Auckland for the. quarter ending December 31, 1860

Orphan Asylum. — The Committee of Management of tho Orphan Asylum met at half-past four o'clock. Present—The Lord Bishop of Christchurch (chairman), Messrs. W. H. Lane, R. Walton, G. Gordon ; Revs. G. O'Brien Hoare, antl G. Cotterill. The Secretary (Mr Stanley) read tho minutes of tho last meeting, which were confirmed. The quarter's accounts were submitted, amounting to about £300, which were ordered to be paid. Seven application* were received for the appointment of matron to the Asylum, and Mrs VVasher was duly elected to tho office. Tha lady visitors recommended another servaut to bo procured. She would be much occupied with hor needle, and teach the girls

to «*w, besides agisting in other ways. Tho Committee of Management thought HmM,,»' arrangements had better be deferred until the matron was installed in her oilieo. After someother routine matters were attended to, tne Committee ol* Management a Ijourned.

Di.vsekosUoabdtiibMekmaid.- C.iptain Ko-e gave a, complimentary dinner to the ..entlemen, merchants, &c , connected with Hie Port, Invitations were issued to about liftv vi-irors, of whom thirty-six accepted. After the usual loyal toast-, Mr Wilkin pro nosed the health of Captain Rose in flatterine; terms. The health of Mr McQua le (.purser), was next proposed by Mr Aynsley, who safe 1 tint Mr MeQuade was one of the oldest ollieers of regular trailing ships of the old ; country to this port. He concluded by complimenting Captain Rose and his officers generally for the great courtesy and kindness experienced at their hands by tho passengers. Mr McQuade, in rising, returned his thanks for the gratifying manner in which his health had been proposed, and expressed his thanks that his endeavors to oblige were appreciated. The health of Mr Howes, chief officer, was then proposed by Mr E. A. Hargreaves, M.P.C., who said that be was glad to find that such an important post was so ably occupied. Mr Howes replied in a pithy speech. Doctor Donald next proposed the health ot tho owners of the Mermaid and tho White Siar Lino generally, and trusted that vessels of the Mermaid's class would bo sout to this port for many years. He had great pleasure instating that "as Resident Magistrate of tho port of Lyttelton he considered that the province was greatly benefited by the introduction of such ships, commanded by such officers. Captain Rose briefly responded, aud begged to propose the health oT the members for't'he province, coupled with the name of Mr Avnsley, who was present. Mr Aynsley replied, in a very able speech, on tho part of himself and his colleagues. Several other toasts were proposed, and on tho whole a most convivial evening was spent On separating all wished bon voyage to the good ship Mermaid. District Phizes.—On Monday, April 1, No. 3 Company C.R.V. fired for the district prizes at tho Saltwater Creek range. The scoring was as follows : —

Presentation to Ma. Weld. —On Wednesday evening, after tho usual service at tho Cutholic Church, there was a public presentation to Mr Weld. Father Chateigner occupied the chair, and stated the objects for which the public meeting had been called. He expressed on behalf of his congregation his appreciation of Mr Weld's constant kindness to him as a priest a 9 well as a kind friond to all. In the absence of Mr Wold tho Church would lose one of its greatest supports, and he was sorry, and thought that all would be, at that gentleman's departure. He then called upon Mr Baker to read the following addrens, which was engrossed on parchment, and subsequently presented to Mr Weld—" We, the Catholics of Christchurch and neighboring towns, desire before your departure for England to tender to yoix •»'n» eHgV.*, off t'.O fe . c* •" ,l^'" in which you havo been, and will ever continue to be, held amongst us : not so much on account of the extreme and beneficial interest which you have invariably taken in tho prosperity and success of the colony at large— whether during the time when you held the oflico of Prime Minister of tbe colony, or during many previous years,—as for the truly Christian and charitable devotion which you have continually by repeated acts of liberality and kindness shown towards the cause of Catholicism, in promoting the temporal prosperity of tbe Church in New Zealand generally aud Canterbury in particular. We owe to you' almost an invaluable debt of gratitude for your generoiiß assistance, and also for the excellent example which such generosity must ever afford us. We sincerely wish, in tendering you the slight memento of our regard and esteem which accompanies this testimonial, to express the strong attachment which we feel for you personally, both in your public and private capacity, and trust that you will always retain a lively remembrance of the Citholics of Canterbury, we on our part assuring you that whether you are far away on a distant shore, or whether in after years you again return to end your days amongst us, we shall invariably think of you and your family as some of the greatest benefactors of the Church, and will over pray for your happiness in this life and still more for your eternal happiness in tho life to come." Mr Baker wished Mr Weld a very prosperous voyage home, and presented him with a timepiece, and Mrs' Weld with a chain and locket. Mr Weld replied, and thanked those prosent on behalf of Mrs Weld and himself tor the very handsome presents given that evening, and stated his entire sense of unworthiness of the gifts. What little he had done, indeed if he had done anything, was for the sake of the Catholic Church. After three cheers for Mr and Mrs Weld, the meeting separated.

Names. O T3 O "C O u .Tj« OS OT3 5 "S ! h Private T. Bull Private Topping Corporal Curr ... Private J. Leith... Private Stewart ... Private Barnes ... Private Farisli ... Private J. Cameron Private E. Hep worth ... Private D. Cameron Corporal Aslilon ...j Private A. Cameron Private J. Pate Private T. Hood Private Barclay ... Private W. Knowles Private W. Burt Sergeant Stevens Sergeant Craig ... Private Morrison Private Karle t •_..__ i. n l i 12 4 » 14 15 5 12 16 4 4 ]3 17 5 5 5 3 4 12 12 5 9 7 0 5 12 5 7 14 14 0 0 5 13 5 3 2 7 0 j 6 2 ! o 9 11 3 0 4 4 2 0 6 4 0 I 7 I 0 0 0 2 10 9 11 27 13 3 28 37 23 12 30 34 0 4 24 33 10 I 17 ! 7 10 4 10 4 13 15 21 20 27 39 13 Lieutenant Pemberton ... m