The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2259, 17 October 1864, Page 4

The Daily Southern Cross.

XUCEO NOtf UKO. " If I hive been re tnigmsheil, jet there rise A thousand beacons fiom tho spark I boro "

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17.

It has been said that the war in Auckland was begun by us, and if we pass over the slight inaccuracy which attributes to the colonists that which was the work of the Governor alone, many may be inclined without further question to admit this. It is not even true that we struck the first blow. The step taken by the Governor was a, simple and a natural one. He was aware from evidence of the most complete kind that the principal chiefs of the villages situated close lo Auckland, and in the very heart of the most populous country districts of this province, were not only disaffected, but really amongst the very leaders of thsaffection amongst the natives. Sundry very notable plots with which they and many of theiv people were mixed up had come to the ears of the Governor, and the only safe means of avoiding the most imminent danger of massacre and murder to the scattered, and (at the time) unarmed settlers, seemed to be either the disarming or the banishment for a time of these ill-dis-posed natives. Nothing could well have exceeded the gentleness of the manner in which this necessary but unpleasaut proceeding was gone about. The lives of numbers of innocent settlers and their families were known to be in danger — Trove known to liavo been plotted against by these very men, but no violent proceedings were instituted. A magistrate was sent to each village, without auy force to overawe the natives, or to protect the emissary, to make an offer which for liberality (we had almost said/ " insane liberality") must bo held to stand quite alone in hiatory. The native3 — whose temper and whoso plots were well known, be ltremembcred — were required cither to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen and surrender their arms into the tempoi'ary safe custody of the Government, or else to remove at once with bag and baggage beyond the limits of our densely settled distiicts, to some place where they could not insidiously plot our destruction. Not only was this clement enough, it was infinitely too clement towards these men. Had these men been in Ireland for instance, the course would have been more simple and infinitely more effective. The choice would then have been restricted, as it should have been here, to surrendering their arms and taking the oath, or surrendering the arms and going to prison. Their plots had proved how dangerous they were : their treatment did not prove how acute and far-seeing our rulers were, but rather that they were neither one nor other. As it was, some four or live took the oath, and surrendered their arms, which the rest refused to do, professing their willingness to banish themselves beyond Waikato in preference. That they did not do so, however, ia a well-known fact. That, on the contrary, they took to the wooded ranges, threatening our settlements, and there made preparations to entrench themselves, was not more, indeed, than might have been expected ; but it was, certainly, more than could be permitted in a body of men professedly hostilo and rebellious. The bad management which seems invariably to attend the commencement of our proceedings in times of emergency attended us here. The natives were to have been surrounded and disarmed — they were only half surrounded and scattered, although without any bloodshed or act of war, properly so called. These wei'e the steps preliminary to war ; and in all these, it should be observed, the colonists had little or no power to act. *It was the Governor who acted throughout, with the consent, and perhaps the approbation, of bis. Ministers, but not -^ith any

authority derived ' from them, as they had not been invested with such authority by the Parliament of the colony. The first act of war in this province, as in Taranaki, was a murder, and that of course was committed by the natives. It has never been ascertained fully who the perpetrators of this murder really were, but the evidence all goes to prove that the Merediths fell by the tomahawks, not of the dispossessed natives of the neighbourhood of Auckland, but of some band of Maori warriors detached from the force gathering about Koheroa and around Meremore. Such an act hud been anticipated, as was shown by the anxiety of the Governor lo get the natives removed from the settled districts before they should have an opportunity of beginning the war in their own characteristic way. Had this not been dono — even in the imperfect, because feeble and lenient way in which it was done — the fato of the Merediths, father and son, would, we cannot doubt, have been the fate of many more, who would have been entirely at the mercy of every armed native who had made up his mind to leave his village and betake himself to the army of his tribe in tho "Waiknlo. What the fnlc of tho Merediths was it is, however, necessary to state, in vindication of the colonists, however distasteful to ourselves. An old man and a little boy — the one too old, the other much too young to act as combatants in any war — were engaged in the task of putting up a few rods of fencing ou their own farm. They were wholly unsuspicious of danger, and therefore wholly unprowded with all means of resisting it. A party of Maoris — not a very small party either, as the numerous footprints round the place testified — chose those two inoffensive and defenceless Europeans as a fitting prey to celebrate the beginning of a war in which they were to be lauded as magnanimous heroes. The old man and child were surprised and barbarously murdered with the tomahawk. No resistance was made, and of couise, old and unarmed, no resistance of the man could have availed, while doubtless the child fell an easy prey to some lofty-minded savage. This was the beginning of the war in Auckland — a beginning, it may be observed, much more horrible than wonderful, the murder of an old man and child being a perfectly correct and meritorious mode of beginning a war according to native custom and tradition. Nor has the attempt made by some M.iori advocates any solid foundation. It is possible that all tho rebellious natives did not approve the commission of such deeds, but this is a mere assertion. None can say that Thompson was of the more bloodthirsty sort, yet ho did not scruple moat clearly to state that lie would not spare thu unarmed or their property.

<s. —~ - Although the movements of the military have been suspended owing to the present Ministerial crisis, our naval forces are not idle. Her Majesty's ships of war, the ' Falcon,' ' Miranda/ and 'Eclipse,' and the colonial gunboat ' Sandfty,' have all been cruising about the coast during the past week ; but the object of their movements is not known, but simply conjectured. One thingjhowever, is very certain — that his Excellency is Lord High Admiral in the affair, and that it is his instructions that .are being followed. The 'Eclipse' came into harbour yesterday morning, and sailed again immediately, under sealed orders. Each of the men-of-war has been seen on the coast between thisandCapcColvillc,and the smallcoastingcraft arriving here report that they had been stopped and se.trch.ed, and that the men-of-war keeping a sharp look-out, but whether for escaped Maoris or contraband goods, or to i - epcl some expected invasion, was not known. The only inference that we can draw from his action is, that his Excellency has reason to p believe that the, Northern rebels will cither attempt to escape by way of the East Coast, or may probably derive assistance in the shape of arms or stores by that route. That their escape, however, is thus to be effectually barred, seems prctly cle.ir, but we do not see any signs of steps being taken to arrest these firebrands ; in fact, the Mahurangi deputation are put oft" from day to day with no reply to the prayer of their petition ■whatever. If the rebels are not to be allowed to escape, the sooner they are recaptured the better, for every day they will become stronger, and better prepared to resist capture. Really the whole affair is, beyond all question, the most ludicrous that could have happened, if it wero even planned, although to the settlers in the Worth it, of course, has its serious aspect, As no news, however, is good news, it is satisfactory to know, or we should certainly have heard of it, that no recent outrages have been committed bj'thc rebels. We understand, too, that some ot tho principal tribes in the North are quite staunch in support of the Queen's authority, and do not feel in the least inclined to exchange their present peaceful and prosperous condition for one of war and bloodshed to gratify tho propensities of a few disaffected natives, who from some imaginary grievance have shown so much sympathy for their tmexpected guests. The principal Kaipara natives are well known to bo quite loyal, and their resolution is to resist any attempt to foment a disturbance in their district. This is satisfactory enough, and his Excellency may feel very thankful that by fortune, and not by good management, the escape of his prisoners has nitlierlo not been attended by more serious results. But this should not prevent action being taken in the matter at once, as no one can foretell what may, or may not, take place so long as the rebels are allowed their freedom in a thickly populated and peaceful district. The news from Tivuranga, or rather from tho Upper Thames, that William Thompson was determined to resist the extension of Mr. Heal's surveying operations, does not say much for the pacific intentions of this obstinate rebel. He has recently been laying the responsibility of the continuance of tho war upon his people, and has represented himself as inclined for peace ; but this last threat of his proves the insincerity of his intentions. Mr. Heal is surveying land abutting upon territory claimed by Thompson, who sends a threat that if Mr. Heal advances a stop beyond a cer tain limit lie will suffer the penalty by forfeiting his life. Thompson evidently does not believe in the confiscation principle, and probably thinks, like the escaped rebels in tho North think, that tho Queen is very angry with her unruly pakehas, andwillshortlyput matters right by restoriug to the unoffending natives the whole of their possessions, if not indeed by giving them compensation in addition for the injuries they have sustained! Such, however, is the belief of the Northern rebels, and it is easy to be seen what admirable übo they can make of the false (sympathy shown for tfiem, at Jiom.e.

That the rebels must be well aware of the present crisis in the prosecution of the war is prettycertain 5 and the effect it must have in prolonging the unhappy conflict, and dn^ leading them to vainly look for escape from the consequences of their rebellious acts, must be apparent. It may be well said that the colonists have two enemies to deal with, first the rebels themselves, and secondly, those, both here and at homo, who aid and abet them by their false declamation, and who are certainly not the least to be feared.

By the ' Tauranga,' from Tauranga, we learn that William Thompson, in the Upper Thames, had warned Mr. Heal, the surveyor, and his companions not to go to Tawhitinui or they would be killed. This speaks very little for the peaceful iv" tentions of this leader of rebellion. The Kov. Mr, Volkncr is a passenger by the ' Tauranga, ' from the eastern side of the Bay of Plenty, and that gentleman reports tliat all was quiet there, but that the natives were dying off very fast from typhus fever. Ho says that no less than GO died at Opatild fiom this disease. lI. M. s. ' Eclipie' and the 'Sandfly left Tauranga last Tuesday to cuiise about the coast, and the several coasting vessels which have arrived heie during the last day or two report that they have been boarded by their officers, which is a proof that they are * keeping a " sharp look-out ; " but what their precise object is does not clearly appear. H.M. s. 'Miranda' was at the Thames on Saturday night, and the master of the ' Kiwi, which arrived yesterday morning, leports that, in obedience to the usual signal of a gun being fired aci oss the bows of his vessel, ho hove to, and was boarded by the ciew of one of the 'MnandaN boats, who made a strict search, and, seeing that her clearance was correct, allowed her to proceed. The ' Eclipse ' arrived in port yesterday morning, and left again with bealed ordeis, it is supposed on an another cruize. The 'Falcon' is supposed to be cruising off Cape Colville. By the 'Tawera,' fiom Poverty Bay, which arrived in haibour yesterday morning, we learn that a feud had sprung up there between the Ngatiniahas and another tribe with respect to their light to ceit.viu tcrntoiy; the former havii.g taken possession of a quantity of land held by the latter, and driven them away. Ifc ia reported m on o quaitor that n. battle w.as to ensue, while in another that there was only to be aruuanga over it, and that some of the dispossessed natives were to come np to Auckland to see Mr. Fox on the subject. It is said that two and a half acres belonging tt Captain Eeid has also boen taken by the Ngatimahas. A settler who anived from Matakaua last night reports to us that nothing further had transphed wit' 1 respect to the conduct of the escaped Maoris, but that the settlers were in much suspense as to what protection was to be affoided them, and were expecting to iieur of some decisive steps having been taken. They will be rather disappointed to find that, tip to this time, his Excellency the Governor has done nothing,, except to give evasive replies to the deputation that has waited on him. The long expected ship ' Eagle Speed ' arrived in haibour yesterday morning, after a passage of 125 days. Shortly after leaving London, she sustained some damage to her rudder, which prevented her cuiyiug much sail exsept iv line weather, and which necessarily delayed her. The ' Eagle Speed' is a fine vessel of 1,227 tons, and she brings 191 passengei3 and 1,500 tons of eaigo. She is commanded by C.ij>t.un Biiusden. who was in this port last year, in command of the ' William Miles.' We have been permitted to make the following oxtiact from a letter leceived from the Cape by Mr. Petichler, the agent of tho ' Steiuwaidei,'aml having lofcience to the immigiants by that vessel and otheis who were to follow: — "All these people, having experience of colonial life, will be far superior settleis to new airivals from England. The secoud vessel, with 250 adults, will be the barque ' Alfied,' to follow in about fortnight ; after which the baiquc ' Reilieiscteig,' and the famous ship ' Csciar Godeffioy,' will be despatched. This will complete the 1,000 immigiants oidcied by the General Government. A good many people think it is the Provincial Government that ha\e sent for them; but it is the Gencial Government, and they are all fiee passongcis." We may add that, although there is likely to be an extensive immigration here from the Cape i£ encouraged, we have not heard of anything to wan ant the belief that it will take place without encouiagement in the shape of free passages and giants of land. We informed our readers in our issue of Saturday last of the choice of Wellington by the Commissioners, as the most suitable place in Cook's Sfciaits, for the seat of Government. Tim report will doubtless be made public before long, but in the meantime wemay say that the purport of it is as follows : — The Conxmiseioneis say that, befoie entoiing upon their task, they laid down ceitain principles to guide them in their choice, and upon ■which they have acted. They state the names cf the places which they visited — viz., Wellington, Wanganui, Picton, and Nelson— and that they examined them with rcfcicnco to the depth of water iv their harbouis, their facilities for defence, approach for vesseli entering, &c, and that they had come to the conclusion that Wellington possessed these iv a greater degree than any other town in the Straits. Thoie is no comparison made between th c several places mentioned that can be taken exception to. The document will, if not withheld for presentation to the Assembly, be piobably made public shortly, when those who take any interest in it, and we believe there are few here who do, will have an opportunity of pei using it. The proclamation for calling the Assembly together has not yet been issued by his Excellency the Govcinot. but, as tie mail for the South will leave toinoriow, we presume that if certain conditions are fulfilled it cannot be delayed beyond to clay. Untij the proclamation appeals we must leinain in the daik ns to the place where the Assembly will meet. On the one hand, there is the petition piaying the Go. vernor to appoint the meeting in Auckland ; and on the other, the consideiation of the convenience of the Southern members, and the piobabiliby that very many of them will not attend in their places if the Asd«nibly is held iv Auckland. There is also the fact that Wellington has been chosen as the seat of Government, and, although that choice has not been ratified, taken in connection with the pievious resolution of the Assembly, it may probably influence his Excellency in his decision. The usual piactice of the United Cricket Club took place on the Domain cricket-giound on Saturday last. Theie was a large muster of tlie members, and a .sciatch match was played. Considering what little practice the members have had, the batting and bowling was very good. The ground was not in such good condition as might be wished, but considering that* few months since it was covered with tea- tree and scrub, it speaks well for the onergy of those to whom the care of it has been entrusted. The committee of the ground have expended a sum of over £200 in its formation, aud we have no hesitation in saying it can and will be made a really splendid cricket field, second to none in the colonies. Nature baa contributed amply towards lendeiing it not only a fine field for ciicket, but also a pleasaut retreat forspectntois, who, from the hills which partly rise on either side, can obtain a good view of tho game. After the match was concluded, the meinbeis assembled to take into consideration a challenge which the Secretary had received from the Auckland Club (formeily the Newroaiket). It was, after a short discussion, unanimously resolved to accept the challenge, aud play next Saturday, with the proviso that if the match was not concluded on that day it was to be played out at some future time. The ground on which the. match will bo played is that just referred to. The Treasurer then announced that ho had come to the meeting ex ofiftoio,

Mid would be happy to receive from any gentlemen present the amount of their subscriptions. , Several new members weie proposed, and elected, and the^ meeting then broke up. The Mahurangi deputation again waited upon the Executive on Saturday morning, in order to receive an answer to the memorial of the settlers, but were told that no decision had yet been airived at.in the matter. "The call will be repeated at ten o'clock this morning. By the arrival, yesterday, of the ' Eagle Speed,' from London, we have an addition to the number of ' special settlement immigrants, introduced under the Mispices of the Church of England Emigiation Society, to the number of seventy. These settlers are located on the Pakiri block, in the North ; and. we trust some arraugement has been made by the Superintendent whereby those who have now arrived may have immediate shelter, and so facilitate and cncouiage their settlement on their land. A meeting of the City B«aid will take place today (Monday), when the deferred repoit of the City Engineer, and the correspondence on a variety of subjects, will be taken mto consideration. A large fore-and-aft schooner, built for Captain Sullivan, of Dunedin, will' be launched from the stocks of Messis. Mclunis, Brothers, of Freeman's Bay, about the middle of next month. She will measmo 7S feet keel, 20 feet beam, an<l 8 feet depth ot hold ; built of kauri and pohutnkawa wood, and is a handsome craft. The keel of a new yacht for Mr. Bonar, of Kaipara, i* also on the stocks, at Messis. Mclnnis's boat-building yards. It will measure 29 feet keel, 9 feet beam, and 3{ feet depth of hold. Several sites for suburban residence"!, at Epsom, about three miles from Auckland, weie offered for sale by auction on Saturday last, by Mr. Alfred Buckland. There was a very large attendance, and fair prices were obtained for the greater portion of those sold. A corner allotment, nearly opposite Epsom Church, sold for £80 per acre ; lot 2, containing sa. ?3r. 29p., and adjoining the first allotment, brought £60 per acre ; and lot 3, containing 4a. 3r. 32p., £51 per acre ; twenty acres of rich land, securely fenced and subdivided, being lot 4, weie sold_at £50 per acre; lot 6, containing 4a. 2s. 39p., and having a large barn aad stable, with hay-loft, built on it, fetched £65 per aero ; lot 5, being a leasehold property, of 20 acres, with four years to run, was let for £61 for the remainder of the term : au allotment, at Mongonui, being one of the beijt business lota in the settlement, brought £34. The following is a list of the trades aud occupations of the passengers on boaul the ' Eagle Speed ': — 18 farmers, 1 surveyor, 2 ene;ineeis, 1 chemist, 1 jeweller, 1 miller, 1 cabinetmaker, 2 clerks, 2 ploughmen, 7 cat penters, 1 wheelwright, S labourers, 1 cuirier, 2 builders, 1 provision dealer, 1 veteriimry burgeon, 1 leather diesser, 1 malster, 3 butchers, 1 lithographer, 1 mariner, 16 miners, 1 bricklayer, 1 blacksmith, 1 joiner, 5 f.irm laboureis, 1 female servant, 1 grocer, 1 mould maker, 1 governess, 1 surgeon In an article on the now approaching New Zealand exhibition, tho Sydney Morning Herald of the lstsiiys:— " We understand that up to this time no articles have been sent from Sydney thiongh Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, aud Co., for the New Zealaud Exhibition, uor has any advantage been taken of the offer of the International Steam Company to convey goods to and fiom Otago at the single freight ; but as the commissioneis will be prepared to receive goods up to the 12th of December, there is still an oppoitunity to send them, aud possibly some of the producers or manufacturers iv this colony may, upon a further consideration of the matter, find that it will be to their interest to become exhibitois." The anniversary set vices ot the Baptist Chapel, Wcllesley-street, weie held yesterday, by the Rev. P. U. Cornford, and collections made at the close, for the j^urpose of liquidating the debt on the chapel, arising from its receut enlargement. A public soiiee will be held in the same place ou Tuesday evening, and addresses delivered by various ministers and friends. A meeting of the New Zealaud Exhibition Committee was adveitised to be held at the office* of the committee, next the Masonic Hotel, Princes-street, on Saturday af tei noon last, at half-past thrue o'clock, but did not taKo place owing to the unavoidable absence of Mr. King, the hou. tecretary. A meeting of the Auckland Jockey Club took place at the club room (Mr. Hardingtou'i) on Saturday last, at 2 o'clock, Major Walmsley being iv the chair. Mr. Taylor pioposed that Mr. Fatmer, Lieutenant St. Hill, and Major Walmsley, be members of Committee, vice Messrs. Hargreaves, Howard, aud Wai bin ton, which was carried unanimously. It was moved, aud carried unanimously, that a racecourse, within six miles from Auckland, be advertised for. It was moved by Lieutenant St. Hill that Captain Fraser, Ist Wailtatos, be cliosen president, seconded by Major Walmsley, and carried uuauimously. Fiom a private letter \re learn that, as two of the Defence Force stationed at Cambridge w«ie out looking for two strayed horses recently, they wer« fired on by a party of Maoris. The writer *ay», "Perhaps this will piove to the authorities the very fricudly feeling of the natives iv this locality." In the list of passengers by the ' Stein wserder,' published in our issue of Satuiday last, an inaccuracy occurred. Urder the head of those arriving at their own expense appears "A. F. Simmons," it should be Mrs A. F. Simmonds aud infant. Wo make the correction as, we understand, Mrs. Simmonds is anxious that her husband, who is resident heie, should be rnnde aware of her arrival. We are requested to draw the attention of our leaders to the fact that the share list of the Manukau Steam Company will close to day. We understand that a good many shares have been taken up ; aud as the advantages that will ensue to the public will be great We hope soon to hear that the Hat is completed, and the company iv working order. Two men of the 14th llegiment, under Captain Strange, stationed at the Manukau Heads, have deseited. The 'Lady B.irkly,' Captain Hunt, cama up to Onehunga with Captain Strange yesterday, to give information to the police. Mr. Fisher, the house surgeon of the Provincial Hospital, acknowledges a donation of two parcels of waste linen from his Honor the Superintendent and lady, for the use of the above establishment, and will be happy to receive further donations of a like kind, as such are much required at present, in consequence of the very numerous wounds and sore» under treatment. The general annual meeting of the West End Ciicitet Club will be held in the Presbyterian Schoolroom, to-morrow evening. It will be seen that Mr. Samuel Cochrane announces that he will sell the Supremo Court buildings and grounds on the 10th November next, and that plans and full paiticular* will be ready this week. The ground abutting on the Grafton "Road, between Symonds-street and the bowling green known as the military reserve, has been pegged off for the last few days, aud i», we understand, shortly to be submitted to public sale. A peison known as "Crazy Williams," discharged from the Wailcato Militia becaute of his eccentricities and supposed insanity, was taken into custody la*t evening on a chaige of exposiug himself in a public thoioughfarc. It appears the man was parading Chancery-street, Bacon's lane, and the neighbourhood, in a state of nudity, and wai consequently apprehended by the police. The same man has only just completed a month's term of imprisonment for throwing a bone at a boy employed in our printing-office, and by which a very severe wound was inflicted on ms fa.cc,

■ It will bo seen from the letter of our Alexandra correspondent that the present crisis in Ministeiiil affairs, *nd the want of a guarantee that the military settlers will have their title "to the land alicady ~ allotted to them confirmed, have itidnced a disinclination amongst them t» improve it, as they naturally do not wish to expend money and labour upon what may bo taken from them at the caprice of the Governor. We need hardly point to tho great evil that will ensne from the settlers becoming imbued with this feeling of uncertainty. We publish elsewhere the result of tho second day's racing at tho meeting of the To Awamutu Gymkhana, The ' Wonga Wonga sailed for Coromandel on Saturday, with twenty passengers and six or seven tons of cargo. If only properly managed wo shall expect to see tie traffic increase very considerably. The ' Wonga Wonga will return to-day, and will make her second trip to the North to morrow. A Wnikato Militiaman, under treatmeut at the Militia Hospital, wns taken in charge by the police last evening, for breaking the legulations of tho hospiUl and becoming unmanageable. The man exhibited every symptom of insanity, and will no doubb be confined in the Asylum. A practice match, exhibiting some good play, was got H[> on the .Albort Bairack green, on Saturday afternoon, between gentlemen of tho Auckland Garrison, tho Military Train, and militia officers. The scoies made were nearly equal. We have received the following with retpect to Mr, Grigg's son :—": — " I beg to thank you for your kindness in inserting, at so short a notice, a paragraph respecting my missing son, and to infoi in you that he «vas found at 2 p.m. this day iv Newton by one of your numerous readers." It will be seen that the sale of the Government township of Graham's Town and subuibs has beeu postponed by the Superintendent, until Monday, 19th December next, in Mr. S. Cocbrane's auction mart. Wo understand that the "United Cricket Club intend, nome time next month, sending a friendly challenge to the Eleven of tlje CSth Kegiment who lately made such a victorious cricketing tour through Auckland and Otahuhu. The L)//telto>i 2'imes publishes the following passage iv a letter from Mr. H. S. Selfe to the Superintendent of that piovinco, dated tho 22ud of June last: — "I hope the question of incorpoiating provincial loans with General Government loans will be , very carefully considered before your Honor's Go- j vermnent takes any step to bring about such a result. I doubt much whether the additional guarantee of the General Government of New Zealaud would, under piesent cireumst mcc, iociease the value or facilitate the negotiation of debentures issued by the Provincial Government of Canterbury in the English money market. But even if it did, would not such an advantage be dearly pui chased by Canterbury at the risk of the revenue which now belongs to her beiug applied by the General Government to make payment of interest on loans to other provinces ? English capitalists will look for some substantial security as involved by the fact that the Geneial Government guarantees pioviucial loans. They will not be content with a meiely nominal guarantee. The substantial secmity must be found either in the Customs revenue being applicable to pay the interest, or in the Land Fund being appropriated for the same purpose. Interest upon loans by the provinces of Auckland, Wellington, or Otago, paid out of the general Customs revenue, must pro tanto diminish the 3-Sths which now belongs to Canterbury ; or it will have to be paid or charged upon the Land Fund of Canterbury, over which the General Government must in that case resume contiol. This, I feel sure, Ciinterbmy is not prepared to consent to. I believe, especially at the present moment, her credit stands quite as high, if not higher, than that of the Geueral Government of .New Zealaud, and that it would be weakened by any legislation which made it possible that her terutorial le venue could be made applicable to make good the obligations of other less fortunate proviuces. English capitalists will never feel confidence in leuding mouey to colonial Governments, whether General or Provincial, so long as there is no tangible secmity offered for the money advanced, and so long at the money lent is to be expended as ordinary revenue, as would seem to be the case in the last financial scheme for the province of Otago." The lt Border War " which is taking place between the officers of the Victoiian and New South Wales Governments, with respect to the conveyance of dutiable articles, on the liver Murray, is somewhat ludicrously represented in the following, from the Deniliquin Chronicle, of September 24 : — " On Tuesday, a. number of police, under the ordeis of inspector Haie, arrived by train, aud siinultaueouply a printed notice was circulated, which announced that the Victoiian Government was piepared to protect the pvopetty of her citizens. A small quantity of dutiable ai tides was then placed on board one of the punts at j\Xoiunfl, »nd Mr. Hare took charge of the ciaft. The collector, Mr. Gordon, then made a demand for paiticulars of the cargo, and, this not being complied with, declared Li* intention of seizing the vessel ; Mr. Hare courteously but decidedly forbade this, and Mr. Goidon, having asserted the assumed light of his Government, relinquiihed the attempt to seize, and telegraphed immediately to Sydney. Mr. Hopwood has been required by the New South Wales authorities to enter into » bond for a very large sum, binding him not to permit the passage, by his punt or bridge, of contraband goods The thing is a most transparent absurdity, for neither Mr. Hopwood or any other man can have the right to inspect articles nor persons before permitting them to avail tbemielves of the licensed fer^' ; and yet, if he do not, the New South Wales Customs' , officers, finding smuggled goods on any cariiage or perion that has mossed by that fony, would of course confiscate the entire property. One of the New South Wales officers has been placed on the Victorian •ide, to inspect carriages about to crois j but a Victorian policeman has also been placed here to see that he does nothing of the kind, so the gentleman in question has a very pleasant little binecurc for the pru•eut." The Melbourne Argus thus refers to the subject in a leading article :— " The quariel between "Victoria And New South Wales has reached a point at which the intervention of tke Impeiial Government becomes neceuary to save us from the consequence, at «nee ludicrous and horrible, of bloodshed on the border. It ii perhap* fortunate for the cause of peace in Australia that we have still a superior power to control *nd watch over our bellicose impulses. There seems to be no other mode of adjusting our intercolonial differences but by an appeal to the central authoiity. Both sides claim to be in the right, and neither will concede anything, if even the day of concesiion has not passed. The diplomatist* ,have in effect retired from the tcene, and luipector Hare, with hit «ix Victorian policeman, is matter of the situation. The fimt act of violence attempted by New South Wales has been resisted by Victoria, and the next step may be war, i( New South Wales chooses. The obitinacy of one man may commit us to bloodshed befoie Another day is over." The performances at the Theatre Royal, on Safoirday, were a repetition of " Rob Hoy," for the last time, anl "Tho Toodles," and there wai a large attendance. The singing incidental to " Rob Roy" was again very effectively given, and most rapturously applauded. In "The Toodles," Mr. and Mist Dunn, as Mr. and Mis. Toodles, kept the house in a continual roar from the rising of the curtain until the fall. They were as usual encored in their charmingly executed duet, " When a little far.m we keep," and Mr. Dunn was very funny in the glove icene, when on his way home to his virtuously indignant spouse. The make-up of Mr, Towers, as

Lawyer Bluebag, was excellent, and his representation a finished piece ef aching. The remaining characters in tho caifc wore woll impeuonared - by Messrs. Mnnley, T. Fawcett, Howe, Edwards, and Mi-s Royal. "Tho Will and tho Way" was very excellently performed again at tho Prince of Wales Theatre, on Satin day evening, before a crowded house. The scenery lias been lematkably well executed, under tho skilful hands of Mr. Massey, who is undoubtedly a master of his art. Mr Barry, in " old Martin," tho principal character in the play, was much applauded. The outlaw, Will Sideleis, was well performed by Mr. West, as AVas also Joe Beans, tho viituons rustic, by Mr. Daniels. Jilias Fanny Young, in the male character of Henry Ashton, wat not so effectually disguised as to prevent her being greeted with maiked approval. Miss Julia Coicoran, as tho heroine, succeeded remarkably well in her part, and Miss M. Griffiths represented the dark-skinned Indian muse in a vei'y praise woi thy manner. The play itself was highly interesting, the interest sometimes painfully prott acted by just a shade too much pantomime, until it culminated at the end of each act in a staking tableau; and the f,ill of the curtain was instantly succeeded byabuist of cordial and unrepressed applause. Mr. Barry with Mr. Massey then came forwatd and acknowledged the complimont in a suitable manner. The dance by tho Misses Griffiths and Corcoran was very popular, and concluded the entertainment.