The Press. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1868.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1711, 18 July 1868, Page 2

The Press. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1868.

We hardly expect any support from the Engineers in advocating cheap and light railways. Few meu, who have been brought up with particular views, range very much outsido them, and tb.e old world form of a railway and railway carriages is stereotyped in the minds of most of the profession. Nevertheless, we maintain that it is in opposition to tb.e rules of all true science, as well as of all true finance, to create more power than you require to do your work, or to spend more moncv than is necessatv to do it But

when we apply the machinery required by 4 country possessing thirty milj iious of people, and almost every acre 'of that couutry Reducing portable merchandise, to a country possessing ie«ss jjia-n one hundredth part of the oopulatioii ;ind not one hundredth part of whoso suitatiw ;* .producing, we are committing precisely tfeg error above indicated—an unplulosopbicai sraste of• ■'jjoesirei* and means. It is very amusing to read the reports of Engineers on this matter of broad and narrow gauges. It is often argued that narrow gauges are very little cheaper than broad ones, and the wear

and tear is greater. But the writer does not see that he is clothing his narrow gauge with all the conditions of a broad one. He does not understand what it is which he has to do that he has to reduce not only his gauge but all the parts of the machine to a corresponding lightness. ITor example, what does a first-class carriage weigh on the Lyttelton and Christchurch line?— Not less than 6000 lbs. we imagine. "What are the average number of passengers it carries?— Not more then six probably. Well, an Irish car, weighing about 300 lbs., carries six passengers very comfortably over a rough road. Over the smooth rail the car could be lightened by one-third with perfect safety. Here then is the weight of one carriage reduced to one twentieth part of that now in use, requiring of course a proportionally less power to draw it. The tractive power required is in proportion to the friction on the rails, and the friction varies as the weight; but besides this the distribution of the weightovera greater space on the rails does not increase the friction, or not materially, whilst it greatly relieves the rails, and j lessens the wear and tear. Even on a common road four wheels will often carry a weight much more easily than two, because although there is friction of four wheels instead of two the friction of each on the ground is much less because it bears less weight. A load of twenty tons distributed over say three carriages, would require carriages weighing three tons each to carry it, and rails aud all parts of the machinery of the strongest form. But the same load distributed over ten or fifteen waggons could be carried on trucks weighing a quarter of a ton each. The difference is not so great as with the passenger traffic, but it is enormously great even with goods.

.Now, the simple question for us in New Zealand is, Are we to have a cheap and tolerably rapid communication between the towns or not ? Railways costing from £5000 to £10,000 a mile will not pay for many a year to come, "We cannot dream of making them at present. We have used the credit which might have enabled us to do so in other wayß. But suppose we can get a railway at a cost of £SOO to £1000 a mile, would that pay ? This is I the real question which will decide JN"ew fate for the next twenty years. Is the country to be opened up so as to bring all the inland country in communication with the port or not ? What condition would Canterbury be in now if a net way of light railways were spread over the whole surface of the province bearing tlie produce to the port, not very rapidly, but certainly and cheaply ? And all this might have been done easily with the money borrowed. We might have at: this moment been enjoying four or five hundred miles of railway, perfectly good for all practical purposes, and carrying our merchandize quite as certainly and much more cheaply than by the existing line. We preferred adopting old world ideas to adapting new ones to our circumstances. We made -public "works, not because they were wanted, but for an advertisement. About one thousand miles of railway would connect all the principal towns in the two Islands, and would traverse the largest portion of the populated and agricultural districtsof the colony. Such a railway aa we contemplate could be made for something over a million of money. Say for one-sixth part of the present debt. But before we shall get such a public work, our whole ideas as to railways must be changed. It has been said that great strength is necessary in railway carriages, to protect the passengers from accidents, and strength implies weight. We will not argiie the question as regards high speeds, but for ten or twelve miles an hour which is all we want. Any strength bey ondwhat is entirely necessary causes danger not safety. Momentum is weight multiplied by velocity and when a check occurs in a train, the crushing power which always breaks up the front carriages arrises from the momentum of the last carriages rushing into them. The lighter the train the less danger of the carriages being crushed up. If we have been engaged for half a century past in lightening all the carriage for common roads, until we have come down at last to the Yankee spider which a crack trotter will draw from his bit, why not give the same attention to railway carriages. With car-

riages such as those on tup festiniog line, with a 2i"L (Jia. guage, made lilje jaunting cars, with the feet outwards and outside tho wheels, and not more thau a few inches from the ground, the chance of accident is reduced to no-, thjng; for the passengers could be thrown orf jj'ij.houfc inju ry if the speed did not exceed ten q*» twelve miles an hour. Most earnestly we wjsb : t'uat some Eugineer would take this matter; in hand, and devote himself thoroughly to the subject. It is the subject for these sparsely peopled countries. In New Zealand it would change thewhole features of the colony iv a very few years.

AcoxisfATiSATiON SocrETr. — A special general meeting of the subscribers to this Society was held in the Literary Institute, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of ratifying the new rules framed by the committee. There were present— C. C. Bowen, Esq, R.M., Dr. Haas*, Dr. Powell, Messrs Nottidge, Johnston, W. D. Carruthers, J. C. Boys, R. W. Fereday, P. Harman, J. C. Brooks, L. Besley, W. Williams, C R. Blakiston, and W. Wilson. The chair was taken at three o'clock by Mr Bowen. The minutes of the last general meeting having been read and confirmed, the meeting proceeded to consider the rules, which were discussed seriatim, and approved of after being slightly amended. A meeting of the Council was afterwards held. Dr. Haast, Messrs Carruthers and Nottidge, and the Secretary were appointed a committee to superintend tho printing and publication of the annualreportof the Society. Mr Carruthers stated that Mr Gould had received a letter from Mr T. R. Hill, announcing that the writer was forwarding for the Society by the John Knox, three curlews, which would prove most valuable in picking up night grubs, and were perfectly tame; and also.that he had been unable to get any crevecour fowls, as they propagate badly, and appear to die out from excess of fat. On the motion of Dr. Haast, seconded by Mr Carruthers, Mr Bowen was elected chairman of the society., On the motion of Dr Haast, seconded by Mr Nottidge, Mr Beoley was appointed a vice-chairman, in the place of Mr Bowen. On the motion of Mr Nottidge, seconded by Mr Hanmer, Mr. Carruthers was appointed treasurer of the society. Some conversation took place respecting the necessity for the Protection of Animals Act being amended, more especially with the view of making it more comprehensive, and Mr Boys moved, " That the attention of the Government be drawn to the inefficiency of the Protection of Animals Act, 1867, clauses 5 and 7." The motion was carried. Mr Johnston reported that the committee appointed to wait upon the Government for the purpose of getting the society put into legal possession of' its grounds, had seen Mr Rolleston and some members of the Executive, who had expressed a wish to givo the society as long a lease of the ground ss they possibly could. The deputation suggested a term of twenty-one years, and the Executive approved of the suggestion. Mr Rolleston stated that, after looking over the Ordinances bearing on the subject, he had come to the conclusion that the lease could be granted to the society by means of a Bill which could be passed in the next session of the Council. Mr Rolleston, however, stipulated that the rules of the society should be subject to revision by the Provincial Government, in order that the society's grounds should not be used for other than a definite purpose. He (Mr Johnston) said he could not assent to the rules of the society being supervised by any other body. The Government then suggested that the Provincial Solicitor should draft a Bill, and the full purposes of the association could be set forth in it. The Bill could then be introduced into the Council next session. The subject of the Society imposing a small charge as admittance fee to the grounds was also mentioned. He thought that the limited funds of the society might be benefited if flower and Other shows were held on the. grounds occasionally. The Government at first objected to a charge being made for admission at any time, but afterwards gave in to the deputation's

arguments ; and the deputation left upon the

understanding that a draft bill should be prepared. Mr W. Williams said Mr Johnston must have misunderstood Mr Rolleston. What that gentleman meant was that the Government must havo the right to supervise, hot the rules of the society, but the rules and regulations concerning the grounds themselves. Dr. Haast moved that the report of the committee be adopted, and that the Secretary be requested to communicate with the Provincial Solicitor on the matter. Mr Nottidge seconded the motion, which was carried. Some conversation took place relative to the best means of recruiting the funds Of the society, and upon the motion of Mr Williams it was resolved "That the secretary be requested to communicate with the chairman of the several road boards and others, requesting them in their several localities to col-

lect . what contributions they can for the society." Dr Haast suggested that the Government 'should' be applied to for assistance, [and it was resolved upon the motion of Mr Williams,,seconded by Dr Haast, "That the .secretary be instructed to forward a copy of

the report and rules of the society to the Government, drawing attention to the urgent necessity of the Society receiving assistance, in order to enable it to carry out its objects, arid requesting that a sum be placed on the estimates for the ensuing year for that purpose." On the motion of Mr Wilson it was resolved "That the society do take steps tor the purpose of securing a supply of the eggs of the ailanthus silkworm for distribution amongst members of the association." The Council then adjourned.

j l TfATAPoi Ploughing Match.—Entries for : this match are to be sent in by Wednesday, July 29, not Tuesday, July 29. Two gold medals have since been offered for competition, and there are two champion classes for swing and wheel ploughs respectively. In each a gold medal will be awarded. The supporters of the match have come forward most handsomely this year. CANTBBBr/BTRailways.—We are informed that the Government have appointed Mr. Henry Thompson, traffic manager of the Canterbury railways. Mr Thompson has had considerable experience of such duties, having been for seven or eight years employed on the London and North Western ; he had also the management of the Hobson's Bay railway in Victoria, for some time after it was opened. We think therefore that the publio will be pleased to learn that the Government hare secured this gentleman's services.

Body.Found.—We aro informed that the body df James Ross, farmer, Eyreton, drowned on the 12th June, in the Waimakariri, at Cherry's ford, above-the Girder Bridge, near Kaiapoi, was discovered on a spit about a mile and a half below the scene of the accident. The body was much It will be removed to Kaiapoi for the purpose of holding an inquest, which will take place to-day before Dr Dudley.

Kaiaboi Bobough "Coitkoili.—A special meeting of the members of this Council was held at the usual hour and place on Thursday last. Present—The Mayor, Councillor Kerr, Oram, Suddle, and Nevraham. On the motion of Councillor Kerr the standing orders were suspended. Councillor Buddie moved, and Councillor Newnham seconded a resolution, to the effect that the Government be commtifecafcd with, 1 informing them thit the Borough Council have resolved to erect a nw bridge alongside the present one, and asking if they would allow the Council to use the available timber, &c, of the present bridge to be worked into th* new one; also what part of the grant of £600 they would contiibute towards the work.—Curried unanimously. The Council then adjourned.

Cheistian Knowledge Society.—A circular has been issued by the secretary, the Rev. E. A. Lingurd, soliciting the cooperation ami support of his own parishioners. The useful operations of the committee are seriously impeded by the fact that the Society is working on borrowed capital, and it ia to get tht* repaid by means of a sinking fund obtained from increased subscriptions that the secretary is making this etfort. We commend the support of the institution to all who have tho true iuterests of the Church at heart.

-Aicakoa Ltd :•»art.—At the annual meeting of the subscribers to this library, which took 'place on Tuesday evenirp, the 14th. iust-., Mr Watkius in the chair, ilr..f\ Watkins was elected presidi-nt ami treasurer, Mr Garwood vice-president, and tlie following gentlemen members of committee: — Messrs Latter, Murray, Bridge, Wiggins, Siais, and Chadwick. Mr McDonald was elected secretary and librarian. The accounts showed a balance in hand of £30 163 Bd, and £12 8s as due from subscribers. It was resolved that a sum of £20 be expended in the purchase of books. The meeting then adjourned.

Tbauspbr of License.—Yesterday morning the license for the Harp tavern, High street, wus trnnjferred from Ann and James O'Hara to Harriett Maddinga.

Kbsidbht Maoistbatb's Cot/bt, Kmroi. —On Thursday, 16th instant, J. Millar was brought up charged with drunkenness and incapacity, and fined £1, or in default fortyeight hours' imprisonment. On Friday, Joseph Smith was brought up, charged with the same offence, but being a new offender, was dismissed.

Bills op Sale.—While the caso of J. B. Drake was before the Supreme Court, sitting in bankruptcy, on Thursday, Mr Justice Gresson severely reprehended the practice of tradesmen giving bills of sale over their property. In any ot the large commercial cities of England, as Liverpool or London, he said, such an act on the part of a man of business would be regarded as most disreputable; because by giving a bill of sale, he was leading people to suppose that he was possessed of certain property, whereas all he had might be seized at any moment.

CußisTCHrrscH Chobal Society.—The anniversary of the Christchurch Choral Society was commemorated on Thursday evening by a soiree in the Foresters' Hall. Over eighty persons sat down to tea, and after the tables had been cleared, several musical pieces were sung by a choir consisting of about twenty voices. The following was the programme : — Part song—" Skylark's Song ;" " Tho Bonnie Hills of Scotland," Mr A. Clark ; part song— "See our Oars;" "The Englishman," Mr Long; part song—"The Alpine Wooer;" song—Mr Clark ;" By the Sad Sea Waves," Mrs Long; glee—"Now is the Month

of Maying ;" " Jessie's Dream," Mr Petrie ; "Maggie's Secret," Miss Smithson ; "The Fairies Glee ;" song and chorus—" Sebastopol has Fallen, my Boys," Messrs Long, Petrie, and Clark ; glee—" From Oberon;" " National Anthem." Mrs E. Long, assisted by Mr Milner, presided at the piano The audience, whose numbers were increased during the evening to 160 or 170 persons, were very hearty in their expressions of approval. At the close of the performance Mr E. Long, the conductor, was presented with a testimonial from the members of the society in the Bhape of a box of seolian pipes and a roll of musicJ Dancing was then commenced, and was spiritedly kept up till a late or rather early hour. Fibe.—About two o'clock yesterday- morning tho inhabitants of Christchurch were roused from their beds by the ringing of the fire-bell—a sound with which their ears have fortunately not been greeted for Bomo time past. A large number of people were soon running about the streets looking for. tho j supposed conflagration, but no flames were visible, and it was some time before it was discovered that a Bmall semidetached cottage at the back of Olifton cottage, Armagh street, near the Government buildings, wos on fire. The engines had gone to Cranmer square, on tho supposition that the fire was in that locality, and by the time they had arrived at Clifton Cottage, the flames had been put out by buckets of water. The fire was first discovered by a young man living at Mr Hales's, a few doors from Clifton cottage, who saw flames coming out of the roof of the cottage. He awoke Mr Hales, who at once alarmed the inmates of Clifton cottage, and then went to

ring the fire-bell. Mrs Unwin, the occupier ol

Clifton cottage, with the aid of the neighbours succeeded in putting out the fire in a very short time, but not until the roof of the

cottage in which the fire broke out, and that o\

the cottage adjoining, had been badly damaged, while the partition walla were also destroyed. No doubt the flames would havo done still more damage had not the roofs been of zinc, which somewhat retarded their progress. Both cottages, each of which consists of two rooms, were unoccupied. It is not known how the fire originated ; but late the previous evening, some articles of clothing were left hanging to dry before a fire in the cottage where the flames broke out, and the fire may have either arisen

in this way, or, as there seems reason to sua' pect, by lighted coals getting under the par-

tition from the fireplace. Besides the damage done to the houses, some outbuildings were also, partly pulled down by those who assisted to extinguish the fire, with the. object of preventing it spreading. The two cottages were insured for £100 in the Northern Insurance Company. The Fire Brigade turned out with commendable alacrity upon the alarm ; being given. The Bankbuptcy Act, 1867.—The following petition to the General Assembly has been signed by all the influential Loan Companies, bankers, solicitors, merchants, and stockowners of Christchurch :—" That by section 145 of an Act of tho General Assembly'of New Zealand, intituled "The Bankruptcy Act, ■1867," it is enacted that, " If the bankrupt at the time when he becomes bankrupt has in his possession, order or disposition by the consent and permission of the true owner thereof, any goods or chattels whereof he waß reputed owner, or whereof he had taken upon him the sale, alteration, or as owner, the Court may order the same to be sold, disposed-fcf, or applied for the benefit •of the creditors under- the bankruptcy, but nothing ' herein shall affect any transfer or assignment of any ship or share thereof, made as a security for any debt by way of mortgage, duly registered according to the enactments relative to the registration of ships for the time being in force."' That the said section is practically a transcript of the English Bankruptcy Act, and acts most prejudicially upon the squatting and pastoral interests of this colony. That it is desirable that the exception contained in the said section in favour of mortgagees of ships should be extended to mortgagees of live stock belonging to farmers and stockowners. That it is absolutely necessary for the development of the pastoral interests that every, facility shonld be afforded to the farmers and stockowners to raise money upon their live' stock, and that a large amount has hitherto been advanced upon such securities which; has been expended in the occupation and; settlement of the country. That since the passing of tho said Act capitalists havo manifested great anxiety as to the insecurity of the advances made by them upon such property, and have in several cases called in their securities. That your petitioners are informed and believe that in other colonies such securi-; ties are exempted from the operation of the, law as enacted in said section 145.

Captain Elmslet. —Wo regret to havo to record the death of Captain John Elmsley, who will be remembered by many old colonists as master of the schooner Wellington, for a long time the only craft which kept up communication between Lyttelton ani Timaru, the regularity of whoso trips became almost proverbial; and afterwards as muster of tho schooner Isabella Jackson. Captain Elmsley died at his residence in Lyttelton, on the loth instant, after a lingering illness of over twelve mouths. The funeral took-place yesterday, and was attended by the Foresters of the district, of which body the deceased was a member, and a numerous assemblage of mourners.

Govbenment Gazette.—The "Gazette " of July 16 contains a proclamation appointing William Montgomery, Esq., Deputy Superin-; tendent; a notification of the resignation of W. Montgomery, Esq., of tho office of:Prp-j vineial Treasurer, and the appointment of John Marsh man, Esq , in his place; n notice of the appointment of George H. Wilson >» Chief Fire inspector of the City of Christcliurch ; and several notices under the Public house Ordinance. LectubeS. —We understand that the Rev. Matthew Baxter intends delivering two lectures in the Town Hall in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Aid Society on the subject of "The two Sams: Sam the Major, acd Said j the Minor." Arrangements are being made j for the delivery of the first lecture on Friday j evening next, 'tho 21th instant. Wm. Mont- j gomery, Esq., has consented to preside.

Stbbkt Impi«>v.em;ent3.—An ornamental lamp post hasjust been erected at the junction of Cashel and High streets. A pamielled base, five feet in height, which ia composed of granite and is of a triangular form/rests upon a foundation rising eighteen inches'above the level of the road, and is ornamented by a pediment. On one side is a lion's head, from the month of which a shower of water Talis into ft receptacle below. 'J ho whole is surmounted by a handsome iron lamppost. A was much wanted at this point of the city.

Distbessino Casb.—A few days ago a man made his appearance on Lyttelton jetty giving indications of insanity. On being removed to the hospital, it was elicited from him that ho had walked over from the West jCoaat, and had been without food or shelter for five days. then in a very weak state, hopes are entertained of his recovery.

Volitnteee News.—Tho men of No. 6 Company, C.R.V., were entertained at dinner on Thursday evening by Captain Hawkes, in celebration of the erection of a new orderly room for the company. The whole number who sat down to table was above fifty, some of the guests belonging to the Templeton contingent.

Fibe Police.—At a meeting of tho subcommittee of the Fire Police, held at Wilson and Alport's rooms on Thursday evening, it was resolved to request the City Borough Council to pass a by-law providing for the legal establishment of a Fire Police corps. It was also resolved to increase the number of members of the corps, so as to allow of the formation of a salvage corps, whose duties will be to save property, and place it under the protection of the Fire Police.

[ Winter Readings.—A series of entertain- ' ments was commenced on Thursday evening last, in the Colonists' Hall, Lyttelton, for the benefit of the Colonists' Society. The proceedings begun with the. glee, " To all you Ladies," by tho members of tho Lyttelton Choral Society, which was fairly sung. This was followed by the " Song of the Shirt," read by W. Donald, Esq., succeeded by the favorite old quartette, " Hard by a Fountain." Dr Donald then gave an extract " The Pickwick Papers," which was read with much point and spirit. Mr Carder song "Sweet Madaline " very sweetly, and gained an encore, when he gave " Her Bright Smile Haunts mo Still," which was also well received by the audience. Dr Donald followed with " The Little Cobbler," and tho Choral Society gave the chorus, "Lutzow's Wild Chase" very fairly. Again the worthy magistrate came forward with another reading ; and the Choral Society with another chorus, " The Hardy Norseman." The vice-president of the Society (Captain Gibson) thanked the ladies and gentlemen for their service, arid tho proceedings terminated with the National Anthem.

Yaxdht/bst. —A meeting was held at Taylor's Hotel, on Tuesday evening, July 14, for the purpose of making the preliminary arrangements for the annual ploughing match. Tho Chairman (Mr Stedrnm) called on tho hon. secretary (Mr Taylor), to give nn account of last year's proceedings. From the statement it appeared that a balance of £14 remained to the credit of the committee. After some discussion the meeting then proceeded to elect a fresh committee for the present year, and the following gentlemen were then chosen—Messrs Bailey, Taylor, Maddison, Rogers, Marsh, Barter; treasurer, Mr H, Gray ; hon. secretary, Mr Stedman. A piece of ground having been offered by a resident near, the committee were requested to examino it and report as to its suitability at the next meeting. The secretary was requested to write to gentlemen whose names were proposed for judges, and ascertain their willingness to serve in that capacity. Subscription lists were drawn out; and, after a vote of. thanks to the Chairman, the meeting dispersed.