The Press. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1868.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1712, 21 July 1868, Page 2

The Press. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1868.

The news from the General Assembly is of the very tamest. Never within our recollection has a session commenced in such perfect calm, not only as to present action, but even as to any expectations for the future. If the proverb that " after a calm comes a storm " is to be realised, the session will not be wanting in turbulence before it concludes. The most active and hostile spirits have not yet appeared. Mr. Yogel, whose powers of disturbing the equanimity of the Premier are historical, has not yet arrived. Mr. Fox, the coming man, has not come. And so Parliament is at present a happy family.

The Boyal speech preserved the total absence of all indicated policy which has characterised the .ministerial policy throughout the recess. Indeed where a Cabinet confines its consultations to the facilities afforded by tbe telegraph wires, anything like a bold or united policy can hardly be expected. If one sentence in the Royal speech means anything, it would point to the abandonment of the Income-tax scheme of Mr. Stafford. The Premier is not likely to knock his head against a wall if he can through a gate, and he must be pret.y well persuaded that the colony will not have an In-come-tax. S It is gratifying to find that in the midst of their arduous and peripatetic labours, the Ministers have time and | spirits to consult the lighter literature ot the mother country, aud so the Royal speech contains an elegant paraphrase, almost a verbal quotation, from the notes of " the Editor" iv that very funy novel of Chicken Hazard, now appearing in " Punch." " The Editor takes the preseut opportunity of expressing a strong hope that the good feeling and forbearance and gentlemanly tone of all concerned will-, &c, &c." See Editor's notes in Chicken Hazard passim and Governor's speech to the Assembly, IS6B.

Onlj one Bill of any considerable importance has made its appearance. —The Local Government Bill of last session—the same and yet very different. The present Bill is iv every

respect a very vaet improvement on its predecessor. It is a long Bill, but very much shorter and simpler, and better drawn than the last. In fact, it may be said to be a good measure. The scheme is similar to that which was adopted as regards Municipal Corporations, that is to say, the whole constitution and machinery of the new districts is elaborately defined, and provisions added for the fusion of existing Eoad Districts into the new Districts under this Act. The plan has been successful asregardsthe municipal towns, and the organization under the Act of last session has been accepted, instead of that formerly existing under Provincial laws. "We may anticipate that the operation of the present law, if passed, will be similar. There is, however, one marked difference between the present measure and that of last session. That Bill proposed to endow the districts with contributions out of the Consolidated Fund ; and it may be said that the loss of the Bill was mainly due to that provision. It was indeed not easy to see where the money was to come from to provide such contributions without increasing the general revenue by fresh taxation ; and there were many who would not consent to the principle in any shape that the local works of the country should be paid for out of general taxation. The present Bill avoids this rock, and, following the precedent afforded by the Timaru and Q-ladstone Bill, endows the districts with a percentage of the Land Eund. This will no doubt be acceptable. What that per centage should be will be a matter for debate, and it ought not to be precipitated. If the Provincial loans are to be borne on the General Consolidated Fund, without being "surcharged on the Provinces —in other words, if the Land Pund is to be relieved from contributing towards the Provincial debts, of course there will be a much larger amount of Land Fund left for distribution among the districts, and the percentage so divisible may be increased. For example, if the Canterbury land fund has to be diminished by the annual charge for our debt, 25 per cent, would be the utmost which the districts could expect. But if the charge for debt is to be removed to the Consolidated Fund, the districts could readily receive 30 or 40 per cent. The boon thus obtained by the districts will operate as a strong inducement to road districts at present constituted to come under the new law.

The papers laid before Parliament, from which we ehall give extracts from time to time, are somewhat interesting. j The principal feature is the correspondence between the G-overnor and the Secretary of State. And we cannot but remark the pleasant change in style and tone of the despatches with a change of Governors. The injured whine of the late G-overnor* which pervaded all the writings of Sir Gr. Grey, had become very distressing, and we could never sympathise with it. Sir Gγ. B owens despatches are written somewhat with a view to dramatic effect— they are a little showy. But there is a cheerful, straightforward manly tone about them which is wltolesome; and they are unquestionably able, as we had every right to expect that they would be. It is an excellent sign; that the Governor brings experience and history to bear upen the Maori i question, viewing it from a wider basis than has been the case with our local politicians. The Maori doctors will find that it is possible to understand a subject and a people, without possessing technical, or local knowledge either of the people or their language. Lastly, the "Westland Act is condemned by the law officers at home as beyond the powers of the Assembly, but an Act is to be passed through the British Parliament afc once to validate it, and to empower the Assembly to pass similar Acts in future.

ÜBW Insolvent.—On Saturday last, Wm Turton, butcher and storekeeper, of the Ash' burton, filed a declaration of insolvency.

Kaiapoi Ibstitxttb —To-morrow (Wednesday) evening a mngic lantern enteriainment takes place at this institute

Volunteer Abtillbby.—The Lyttelton Battery of Artillery mustered yesterday afternoon, and proceeded to Battery Point for ball practice. St. John's Cadet Cobfs.—The Gazette of the 11th contains a notification that the services of this corps hare been accepted by the Defence Master. Charles Treratt has been appointed honorary captain, and Alfred Gee honorary lieutenant. Voltjjtebb Fitse BRIGADE.—The members of the Christchurch Volunteer Fire Brigade will mert at dinner at the Clarendon Hot. I on the 30th instant. The Mayor of > hri.-tchurch will occupy ihe chair, and Captain Wilson the rice. The Deputy-Super-intendent wi!l be present, and a very pleasant evening is anticipated. j

Abt Union.—The Melbourne "Herald" contains an advertisement of a " Grand distribution of freehold properties " on the Art tnion principle, in 9300 shares of two guineas each. A Mr Hugh Peck has determined to dispose of his freeholds, divided into 270 prizes ; each prize consisting of either a hotel, a dwelling-house, a building allotment, site for a gentleman's villa, or a market garden. The total value is stated at £19,523 2a sd. The Weatheb.—ln the northern districts the ivealhar for some weeke hus been exceedingly changeable, and much more severe than previously known. From the almost continual wet of the last fortnight, the roads are in a deplorable condition away from the maia line, *n<l even it is very little better in places. All

the rivers, with the rain and nor-wester together, were high on Saturday, the Ashley lor eomo time being impassable.

AcciiIHATiZA.TIOK.—A valuable collection of native plants have been received from Mr George Bishop, including a large assortment of that useful and ornamental evergreen, the karaka, a native laurel, and that most beautiful of all the native palms, the nikau.

Theatbb Pbbaching.—Mr Habens , announcement of his intention to preach in the Theatre on Sunday afternoon last attracted some attention, from the circumstance of its never having been used for such a purpose, and at the time appointed for the commencement of the service (three o'clock), the building was about two-thirds filled with a respectable audience. After the 100 th Psalm had been sung, the reverend gentleman read the 55th chapter of Isaiah, and then proceeded to deliver a religious discourse. Having stated that his remarks were not intended for church goers, of whom he saw many present, but for those who were not in the habit of attending a place of worship, he said his discourse would be on "Turning over a new leaf." He himself intended to turn over a new leaf, and for the future to preach not only to the likely but to the unlikely. In doing so, he would be following the example of his Master, who had no church of his own, and preached not only in the synagogues, but also on the hill sides, the sea shore, and even from a boat Ito those on the sea shore ; and who announces that He had come to seek as well as to save those who were lost. The "new leaf" he i (the preacher) wished his hearers to turn over, ! concerned the feelings and tie heart; he wished them to abandon sin and lead a life of holiness. Thii could not be effected by mere church going, for many regular church goers were Dot Christians, but only by gaming a knowledge of Christ. The reverend gentleman spoke for over half-an-hour and concluded with prayer. The Waimaxabibi. — A report reached town on Saturday that the Waimakariri had broken out afresh, and was making its way towards the Avon. Immediately on tht receipt of the news, the Government despatched Mr Lockyer to examine and report. On proceeding up the Harewood road, he found that the river had overflown at & point much lower than hitherto. He found it coming over near McLean's house, filling the gullies, and flowing through Curtis and Philpot's land and coming into the old river bed near the Harewood church, and from that point making its way into the Styx; The Styx was considerably flooded in consequence, so much so that it was flowing over the North road. On proceeding to the old place of overflow he found that it had just reached the top of the lower embankment, but was prevented from overflowing by the timely assistance of the men employed there, who kept mending any parts which had a tendency to wash away. Some water escaped by the way of the upper embankment, but not sufficient to reach the Avon in any quantity. Gbeat Fibe w Dunbdin.—A fire of considerable magnitude occurred in Dunedin on Friday evening last. It commenced in a loft in the Commercial saleyard situated in Eattray

and High streets, resulting in the total destruction of the following premises:—The Commercial saleyard, and nearly all the stabling ; Mr Gk Duncan, flour and corn store ; Messrs Webb, Kussell and Co., vine and spirit merchants; Mr William Paton, -watchmaker and jeweller; Mr M'Laren, tailor ; Mr Levy, pawnbroker ; Mr Hatch, bootmaker. The chop lately occupied by Messrs Gardner and Dale, butchers, was a good deal burned at at the back; and so were some of the other premises between that shop and the Crown Hotel, at the corner of Rtittray street. The " Daily Times " of Saturday states :— The only statement; wo heard reliably as to insurance was, that Messrs Webb, Russell and Co. hold a policy for £650 or £750; and that Mr Finch, who. owned the premises which that firm occupied, is insured for £1000. TTppeb Heathcote School—On Friday, July 17, the Rev. Mr Bowen, accompanied by the Chairman of the School Committee, after examining the various classes of this school, awarded the prizes provided by the committee as follows : —lst class — Arthur Dixon j 2nd class—William Hubbard ; 3rd class—Jane Blake ; 4th class—Charlee Seager, John Smith ; Arithmetic and Map Drawing— John Low ; Regular Attendance — Gilbert

Dixon, Elizabeth Low. It 'was intimated that a lady in the neighbourhood intends giring a prize to the girl who should bring the neatest piece of needlework to the school. The Chairman, at the some time, will give a prize to the boy who shall have the least number of marks against him. In this school it is usual for the committee to award a prize to the girl and boy who are elected by the vote of the children for cleanliness, good behaviour, and general attendance, &c. This prize has been found to hare a good effect on the whole school. On this occasion Arthur Dixon and Fanny Seager were the winners. At the close, Mr Bowen, in a few appropriate remarks, addressed the children and expressed himself highly satisfied with the general appearance of the school. Cehsus ob Nbw Zealand.—From a Parliamentary paper forwarded to us by the Registrar-General,"we take the following particulars of the population of the colony :— Males. Females. Total. Auckland ... 27,063 ... 21,258 ... 48,321 Taranaki ... 2528 ... 1831 ... 4359 Wellington ... 12,401 ... 9549 ... 21,950 Hawkesßay... 3197 ... 2086 ... 5283 Nelson ... 16,425 ... 7389 ... 23,814 Marlborough... 2736 ... 1635 ... 4371 Canterbury ... 33,075 ... 20,786 ... 53,843 Otago ... 29,861 ... 18,708 ... 48.569 Southland ... 4600 ... 3343 ... 7943 Chatham Islds. 123 ... 61 ... 184 Total (exclusive of the military, their !

familiee, and the natives) ... 218,637 The military and their families numbered, officers and men, 918; male children, 175 ;

women aud female children, 362; total, 1455. This number added to the number already given gives a total of white population of 220,092. The Native population cannot be accurately ascertained, but the following is near the mark :—North Island (including Nelson) .—Males, 14,897 ; females, 12,353 } children, 9857 ; total, 37,107. Canterbury, Otago, and Southland had a Native population of 1433. The total Native population of colony therefore amounts to 38,540. This added to the population shown by the census, and the military and their families, would make the aggregate number of the inhabitant* of Now Zealand, 258,632. The population of the City of Auckland was 11,153 ; Now Plymouth, 2180; Wellington, 7460 ; Napier, 1827 ; Nelson, 5,652 ; Picton, 465 ; Christchurch, 6647; Lyttelton, 2510; Dunedin, 12,776; Invercargill, 2006. Tbadb Pbotectiox.—The following is thq report of the Select Committee, of which Mr Cracroft Wilson is the Chairman, on the petition of the tradesmen of the City of Christchurch:—The petitioners, merchants and tradesmen of the City of Christchurcb, in the Province of Canterbury, 179 in number, pray for tbe amendment of Clause 74 in the Resident Magistrates Act, 1867, which provides that no person shall be imprisoned on account of.-my judgment debt of lees than ten pounds in nmount, and that the sum of forty shillings mny be substituted for the words ten pounds. There cannot bo a doubt that the petition is a genuine and honu fide petition, and that it emanates from the parties whose signatures it bears; but in sereral instances among the signatures it violates standing orders of the House of Repre^enta-

tires JTos. 256 and 262—and consequently I am directed by fhe committee to report that tliey»eannot recommend the House to entertain the prayer of the petitioners as contained in the present petition. The committee cannot refrain from observing 'hut in the "New Zealand Gazette" of 13th February, 1808, the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives caused to be published for the information of " Persons who may wi«h to approach the Housp by way of petition" the standing orders of the House relative to the preparation of petitions, and consequently the petitioners cannot plead ignorance as the cause of the error which hae been committed.

RE3IBSST Magistrate's Cofbt.—At the Resident Magistrate , * Court, Chmtehurch, on Saturday, George Graham was convicted of having been druuk and iucapnble, but it being his first offence, he was dicharged with a caution. Testerday W. Collins, laborer, was

brought up before Mr Bowen, on a charge of having been drunk and disorderly. The charge was proved by Constable Jeffreys, but his Worship, taking into consideration tho fact of the defendant* having been confined in the lock-up since Saturday night, dismissed him with a caution.

Sttpbeme Cottet.—His Honor Mr Justice Gresson will sit in the Court Chambers thi9 morning, at eleven o'clock. The following is the business for transaction :— Be bankruptcy nnd re William Hamilton Ewins Pinching (Mr Macfarlan") ; re Law Practitioners' Act and re Edward French Buttemer Harston, for n readmission us a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand (Mr Cowlishnw) ; re bankruptcy and re William "Bowden, for adjudication and appointing a moeting of creditors (Mr J. Williams).

Pees-gxtation- to the Bobottgh Cottncil. —At the meeting of the Christchurch Borough Council held last night, the Mayor presented the Council with a framed picture, exhibiting the coloured photographs of the membors of the Corporation. The likenesses of the Councillors are arranged in the form of an ellipse, with that, of the Mayor in the centre. In the lower right and left'hand corners of the picture are the photographs of the Town Clerk and Surveyor. The likenesses are well executed, and are from the studio of Mr Wheeler.

TjNrTED Methodist Free Chttboh.—A tea meeting in connection with this church took place last evening in the church, St. Asaph street. After tea, Rev. T. R. Fisher addressed the meeting on the subject of Sunday Schools, and Mr Clarkson gave a statement of the progress the school was making. Mr Baxter and several members of the congregation followed with suitable addresses. There was a fair attendance.

Masohtc Tbowel.—Wβ have had an opportunity of inspecting a trowel which is being manufactured by Messrs Coates and Co., of Colombo street, and which is to be used at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St. Mary's Church at Timaru. The handle is made of totara, highly polished, and the trowel is composed of silver beautifully carved, of graceful design. It bears the following inscription :—" Presented by the Building Committee of the New Church of St. Mary's, Tfmaru. N.Z., to James Field Crawford, W.M. of the Lodge of St. John, on tho occasion of his laving the foundation stone, 22nd July, 1868."

Cattle Case. —In the caee of G. Bissel, a dairy farmer, living at Kaiapoi, who was last week fined £50 by the Magistrates, for allowing a beast branded with the Government brand to stray, in contravention to clause eleven of the Diseased Cattle Regulations. A month has been allowed in which the fine is to be paid. A requisition, signed among others by the Resident Magistrate, is to be presented to the Governor, to remit the fine altogether. The offence was admitted, but the Bench had no alternative but to inflict the fine. His Honor the Superintendent, who was applied to, stated he had no power in the matter.

AcciDjtUT.—An unfortunate accident happened to Mr H. Toone, builder, of Lyttelton, on Saturday evening last. He was proceeding homewards along London street, and when near the Albion hotel he fell down and broke the small bone of one of his legs. He was unable to proceed further, and was taken to the hotel, where Dr Rouse attended him, and we are glad to hear he is progressing favourably. There was a sharp frost, and the ground was rendered very slippery.

SrNGTOAB Accident.—On Friday night last, during the heavy nor-weet squalls, one of Cobb's coaches, which had been left on the upper side of the Lyttelton Colonists' Hall, wa b started by the wind, or some other ageneyi do wn a steep incline, and the poll of the coach was driven through the wall of the building, smashing the weather-boards and the inside lining.

The Steeplechase Mebtik&.—The entries for the forthcoming Provincial Steeplechase closed at Tattersall's at nine o'clock on Saturday evening. The following are the entries made:—Mr West Chamberlain's b g Okair, 4 yrs; Mr H. Prince's b g Trump (late Fool) aged ; Mr J. Evans's b g The N"ob, aged ; Mr C. Frank's b g Merrimac, aged; Mr J Steele's b g Tfative, aged; Mr W.D.Barnard's gr gDori Pedro, aged. It is expected that the number of horees will be increased to ten by entries from Wellington, Nelson, and Hokitika, and of ft horse from the stud of Mr Morten, of this province ; all entries made by letter being accepted if the letter bear the postmark of July 18. The weights will be declared on Wednesday next.