The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3851, 24 December 1869, Page 3

The Daily Southern Cross .

LUCEO, NOW URO. If I have been extinguished, yet there rbe A thousand beacons from the ipatlc I boro.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24.

Statistics of agriculture are of value in proportion to their accuracy, scope, and time of jmblication. Heretofore we Lave failed in tins colony to produce anything like reliable statistics of agriculture. This is the more to be regretted, inasmuch as the means of obtaining reliable returns, from every district in the I colony, are at the command of the Government. Instead, however, of applying its machinery to this end, the Government of the day threw upon the Registrar-General the full responsibility of compiling an " Annual Account of " Land in Cultivation and of Agricul"tural Produce," as required by the Census Act of 1867, with an inadequate appropriation. Under the circumstances, the \f onder is that the work was so well done. At the same time, we take leave to say that the statistics in question, for all practical purposes, are valueless. They may serve very well for reference, and may be used by members of the Legislature to illustrate their arguments ; but as a guide to the agricultural and commercial classes, which is, or ought to be, the primary object in the collection and classification of facts showing the progress of agriculture in the countiy, the returns before us are utterly worthless. There is another matter, in relation to these returns, to which we wish to direct public attention. It is to be found in the third sub-section of Dr. Bennetts report, in which he says, " Considerable difficulty in obtaining "full information was experienced in " several parts of the colony, in conse- " quence of an idea that the Government " required it forthe purpose of some new " taxation ;" and then lie goes on to show that "this notion had no evidence to "support it," because the idea of compiling statistics of agriculture had originated with the Hon. Mr. Holmes in the\ Upper, andVMr. R. H. Campbell in the I Lower Houfee, and not with the Government. We may be permitted to remark, parenthetically, that the idea did not originate with those gentlemen. Our files will prove that for eight years past we pressed continuously upon the Legislature the necessity for having the fullest infoi'mation bearing on •agriculture collected by the Government, and published in the Gazette; and wo had the satisfaction of seeing other public journals adopting our opinion. By slow degrees the idea gained ground, and the two gentlemen already named sought to apply it to some practical use j but either they did not thoroughly understand the question, or the Legislature failed to master it, for the result has been that, beyond initiating the system of collecting annual returns, leaving it to be improved by experience, no practical good has been done. We do not, howevei*, mean to detract from the credit which is due to Messrs. Holmes and Campbell. Our intention, in adverting to this branch of the subject at all, was to show how much permanent injury may be inflicted upon themselves by the agricultural classes, through an ignorant impatience of taxation. The same feeling amongst the farmers of ' England and Scotland has placed the agriculturists themaelves and merchants j engaged in the corn trade, or having transactions with, corn-growing countries, at a great disadvantage j and we deeply regret to find it in operation here. We are well aware that a popular notion prevails that, by migrating to new countries, men run away from the taxgatherer. This is a serious mistake. It is impossible to carry on the functions ! i of any Government without taxation f the only open question in regard to it is how taxation oxight to be borne— in what way are taxes to be raised ? This point settled, there is nothing left for discussion. We have already expressed a decided opinion in regard to the incidence of taxation in New Zealand, and it is needless to repeat it here ; suffice it that we by no means approve of the existing system. But the fact that country settlers were reluctant to supply information to the Government enumerators, on the ground that it might become the basis of fresh taxation, cannot be too deeply deplored. They forget that they elect members to the General Assembly, who have the control of the pui-se, and without whose consent no new tax can be imposed. The check is in their own hands ; therefore, that reason cannot be urged. It is an evidence that our settlex's are impatient under their fiscal burdens, and prefer to labour on, in ignorance of the general condition of the colony, if so be they may escape further contributions to the State. As we remarked at the outset, the Government may obtain the fullest and most reliable infoi*mation from all parts of the colony, afc a comparatively trifHng outlay, itjhe right method be

adopted. ip|* /public will thus be informed on Matters of the utmost importance, and all classes benefit thereby. Touching the returns, they are of the most meagre description. When -we see vritU -vniat care the returns of revenue and of imports and exports are elaborated, we turn from the statistics of agriculture with a feeling of disappointment. We have the number of | " holdings" in each province, which is again shown under the heading of elec toral districts ; but th,e of the holdings is not givj^^^^Ht we have an acreage return .pr^^^^Kclev various heads, the ceatesim^^BKti of land under each,^sorip'tion^n&t*bp, and a return showings the number of horses, cattle, sheep, afid - pigs, in the various provinces. Much more tU«n this is wanted to make the returns of value. The statistics of agriculture ought to show the arerage yield jier acre, the average price of home produce, and the quantity as compared wifch the average price and quantity of imports. By this means, we should beaite^tC^be at a glance the relatiyy^Sme of home and foreign pro&ucv^heextent to which we fell short, in/any season, of supplying home consumption, and the most suitable soii'and climate for the growth of parfcjeular cropd. And the public at layge would derive great benefit from this kind of information. It would indicate the districts where wheat, for instance, might be grown with a certainty of success, and other districts in which it would be a risky crop. Agriculture would thus be reduced to a system, which it is not at the present time in New Zealand. And the l'eason is simply this — thai the results of the I various experiments, in all parts of the colony, to promote agriculture, have not been collected and preserved. If this had been done from the foundation of the colony, as it might have been done, how many failures might have been avoided, and ho*r much suffering and distress averted ? But nothing was done that could assist the new-comer j for the older colonists, who had tried to cultivate their holdings and failed (we speak particularly of Auckland), fell back upon the safer and less costly system of depasturing stock, and their experience was lost. "We might indicate other matters bearing on this subject, wortli con,sidei*ation by the compilers of the statistics of agriculture, as for instance, the proportion of agriculturists to the whole population of any particular district ; their sex and age; the average rates of wages, and number and sex of hired farm servants; number and description of agricultural implements; average cost of clearing, fencing, and breaking up new land in each electoral district. We assume, however, that the necessity for supplying reliable information on, all matters affecting the progress of agriculture will be apparent to those who may have the charge of compiling the statistics for next February,, and we therefore refrain from doing more than merely indicating the direction in which improvements might be made.

We give in another column a report of the proceedings of a deputation which waited uponhishonortheSuperintendentonThursday on the subject of the recent accident on the Karaka tramway, and which terminated in the death of Alexander McConnell. The deputation desired his Honor to grant a sum of money from the Provincial Treasury forthe maintenance of the widow and childien of the deceased. His Honor promised that, as soon as an Executive has been formed, he will lecommend to their notice the desirability of granting a sum of money for the purpose required. It would be cruel to wish that a bishop, or some other dignitary, should be run over and killed in our streets, but we fear that until some such sacrifice is made efficient steps will not be taken to prevent the daily recurrence of accidents from runaway vehicles. Yesterday afternoon, as an express van wasbeing driven through Hobson-street, it came into contact with a large stone, and flung the driver, named Doyle, on the street. The horses, freed from restraint, bolted down Wyndham-street at a tremendous pace. Several person made a vain attempt to stop the runaways ; one very sensible man flinging his hat, for this purpose, among the horses' feet. Keeping the same pace, the horses made direct for the entrance of the passage to the Auckland Hotel, and were diverted from their purpose of entei'ing in time to barely avoid taking with them the supports of the verandah. A considerable number of persons — women and others — had here a very narrow escape, and the activity with which f the side path waa cleared was something to j be admired. Turning up Queen-street the horses made a clear passage for themselves through the crowd, said were at last arrested in their progress on, turning up Victoriastreet East, and taken quietly into Hardington's yard. "We believe no blame for the accident itself attaches to the driver, who is rather severely hurt, but it should be mentioned that it was contrary to the orders of the owner that ho had taken charge of the horses. The members of the Church of England are looking out with anxiety for the arrival of their new Bishop, who may be expected early next month. It is the intention of the Standing Committee of the diocese to present him with a congratulatory address, in the Cathedral Library, soon after his arrival. A choral service will be held at St. Paul's ! Church the same evening, on which occasion the Anglican Bishop of Auckland will address the congregation. The Bishopric Endowment Fund is progressing favourably ; the balance required, about £200, will no doubt be subscribd at once, when the members of the Church residing at the Thamasare canvassed. We hear it ia the intention of Archdeacon Lloyd to call a meeting there early in January for the purpose of initiating the movement. We are glad to observe from an account given in the local paper* that education has notbeenneglected at the Thames. It appears that the Thames school, established at the commencement of the present year, has an attendance of over 100 boys, and, judging from the proceedings at the breaklng-up of this institution, the utmost satisfaction exists regarding the efficiency of the management thereof, and method of instruction carried on. A large number of prizes were awarded to deserving pupils. The school is conducted by Mr. C. A. Robertson, a gentleman formerly connected with the High School of this city, and we are very glad to know that his efforts to establish a good school in a new and important district have been so successful. The usual weekly meeting of the Resident Magistrate's Court was held yesterday. The cases were of the usnal character, and were of no very great interest. We are compelled to hold over our report. We are glad to observe, by the instructions of his Honor the Superintendent, a party of prisoners has been sent to clear the reserve near the barracks of the thistles which have for some time past been so great a nuisance to the neighbourhood. A second party has also been <*ent to, clear away the thistles which have Tseen allowed to grow so plentifully wound the Stowka&e,

The Hon. Defence Minister, D. McLean, Esq., left yesterday in the p.s. 'Sturt'for the Bay of Islands. A Provincial Government Gazette published yesterday contains the official notification of the appointment of P. A. Philips, M.P.C., as Chairman of the Cijty Board ; the renewal of tenders for the Provincial Council printing ; notice of a sale of tolls by Mr. Cochrane the proclamation denning the boundaries of the Pokeno highway district, aud the notice conI vening the first meeting of ratepayers for I January 15th ; the names of the Komokoriki | trustees ; the official notification of the appointment of Mr. Donald Maclean, of Ruatangata,as Inspector under the Thistle Act ; of Mr. Thomas Allen as collector for the Papakura district ; a notice that Messrs. John Fisher and Walter Paul have applied for slaughter-house licenses at Ellerslie and Panmure Road ; a notice that claimants for compensation in the Samuels case are requested to meet at the District Court on

February Bth, to Ax a day for rehearing. The Gazette also contains applications te register the following companies : — Colleen Bawn, Great Atlantic, Grahanistown Consols, Pride of the Ranges, Princetown, and Golden Block. The assessment lists of the following districts are published for general information : — Raglan, Riiarangi, Hunua, Matakana, Wairoa, and list of arrears of rates in the Pukekohe district. Our Hamilton correspondent writes : — "A native named Hori Paka te Mono, alias George, of Whatawhata, through the in. strumentality of Police-constable McGovern, has been apprehended for horse-stealing. The victim was no less a person than the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Searancke. In November Mr. Searancke turned bis horseout to graze in Mr. Hume's paddock at Ngaruawahia, from which place it suddenly disappeared. It appears that the animal was taken to Te Awamutu, and exchanged with Mr. Cunningham of that place for a black pony. For some time no trace of the horse could be discovered, until Monday last, when McGovern observed it in possession of a native going to the Land Court, at Cambridge. The mane, tail, and brands had been disfigured. McGovern further learned that the accused had been staying in the neighbourhood of Raglan, but was then in Whatawhata; and although the river and creeks were almost impassable, he [succeeded, after an exciting chase, in running him to earth."

We give in another column an account of the firing yesterday, by the Prince Alfred Light Horse, for the cup presented by Mr. L. It. James. It will be seen that Corporal Thomas, who scored 43, was the winner. The distribution of prize's at tile High School, Symonds-street, took place yester. day ; the Hon. D. McLean being the prizedistributor. We publish the list, &c, iv another column. The aveiage daily attendance of scholars during the last half-year has been 90 ; and admission has been refused to 50 boy 3, because they could not possibly be received in the present school building. Mr. McEae expressed, yesterday, his trust that a better building would provided before the next year had expired. It is notified that payments to aimy and navy out-pensioners in the Auckland district, for the ensuing quarter, will be made as follows, viz. : — Auckland, Tuesday, 4th January, 1870 ; Otahuhu and Drury, Thiusday, 6th January, IS7O ; Onehunga, Monday, 10th January, 1870 ; Panmure and Howick, Wednesday, 12th January, 1870. It is notified that the ' lloyal Alfi ed ' will make special trips to Lake Takapuna on Monday next, commencing at 10 o'clock in the morning, and making the last return trip at 6.30 p.m. The p.s. 'Samson' will commence i mining to Grahamstown to-day, returning on Saturday at 8 a.m. A call of os. per share has been made in the Golden Point (Kuranui) CJoldmining Company. Meetings of shareholders are convened in the following goldminmg companies : — Una, January 13, 5 p.m., at Shortland ; Mcl&aac Jaimaiy ]fi, 4 p.m., at Giahamstown. A public soiree will be held at the Dcvo port Hall, North Shore, on Monday nevt, aid of the Wesleyan Church. Tea will be c n the table from 4 o'clock till 7. An investigation is being made by Seigeant Lloyd into the conduct of two constables with reference to the affair that took place at the Junction Hotel, Thames, on Friday night last, It is s>aid that the evidence will show that these men have been senously to blame, j We are glad to find that Messrs. Henderson and Maefarlano's cheap exclusion project to the South has met with very cordial support from the inhabitants of this provinceover 90 passengers having availed themselves yesterday of the cheap rates offered for a passage to the South by the ' Lord Ashley. ' The Wellington Independent of the 16th. instant states that a resident in Whanganui, named William King, lias just brought an action against Dr. Carr, for £18 7^., for money paid and damage sustained by plaintiff through the alleged improper medical treatment of his wife by defendant. ' ' We have been informed, " says a Thames contemporary, ' ' that a native lady of high rank died yesterday at Kirikiri, near Kopu, and that the usual tangi is to be held over the remains on Friday. From the preparations making for this ceremony, in the shape of eatables, and which cannot be done without waipiro, it is going to be one seldom surpassed. All the influential chiefs in the district are sending supplies for the occasion, and Taipari, as usual, is coming out strong. A number of Europeans are invited, and those accepting the invitation may rest assured that nothing will be wanting on the part of their entertainers to render their visit agreeable. There is every probability that this occasion will be taken advantage of to discuss some of the matters relating to Ohinemuri, and other subjects interesting to the natives. " Mr. Alexander McDonald, of Whanganui, has been summoned to appear before the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday next, to answer to the charge of counselling and procuring a certain offence — to wit, the obstruction of the trigonometrical survey of the Manawatu Block. The highest penalty for this offence is a fine of £50, or three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Having frequently expressed a very decided opinion with reference to Mr. McDonalds opposition to Dr. Featherston, in the purchase of the Manawatu Block, and the obcourse which he ui'ged certain of the Ngatiraukawa to pursue, during the last two or three years, we shall offer no further remarks upon the subject until after the hearing of the case on Monday next. — Wanganxd Times,

Deoember 18. It is notified by Mr. Warden Davy that atl claims will be deemed protected during the holiday season, from December 24, 1869, to January 5, 1870. A number of gentlemen interested in the introduction of Victorian Avines met by invitation, on Wednesday, at the stores of Mr. William Lloyd, Grahamstown, to sample a choice newly-imported stock. There were a great variety of wines sampled, but the choicest, according to the taate of those connoisseurs present, were the Red Ivanlioe, "?fhite Muscatel, and Old Burgundy. A private letter received from Waiwera confirms the statement previously made that three persona had been drowned by the upsetting of a dingy on Tuesday. It is rumoured in well;informed quarters, Bays the Launceston Examiner, that Sir H. E, F. Young, formerly Governor of Tasmania, will succeed Sir Philip Wodehouse «3 Governor at the Cape.

Under the heading of " A Harvest," the Melbourne Herald of the 30fch says :—- "About 1,000 men belonging to the Flying Squadron were allowed on shore yesterday ; and, as each man had received on an average about £5, there must have been £5,000 to be distributed amongst the various places of amusement likely to be patronised by the visitors. No doubt many of our cheap taps leaped a harvest that, if- not literally filling their barns and storehouses, went a great way to swelling the contents of the tills,"

Charles Smith was last evening appre. hended on a charge of stealing sails from a boat, of the value of £2 Ids. Messrs. Porter and Turton sat at the Police Court yesterday, and disposed of the following : — Five cases of drunkenness, and one of disorderly conduct as well as drunkenness ; a case of breach of Masters and Apprentices Act, 1867 ; one of threatening language ; and several' summonses for non-payment of city rates. We understand that Dr. Tasseli, of Wynd-ham-street, has received the appointment of public vaccinator, vacant by the resignation of Dr. Day. Two boys named respectively George and Charles Gallic, the former four years and three months, and the latter two years and nine months old, have been missing from their home, at Freeman's Bay, since yesterday afternoon at about half-past 5 o'clock. They were last seen at that time in Victoriastreet. The child George wore a straw hat, with knickerbockers ; while the other had on a white pinafore and a caj). We understand the 'Lady Bowen will convey the members and friends of the Auckland Institute to Rangitoto on Monday next, and will leave the wharf at 8. 30 a.m., returning from Rangitoto at six p.m. ; thus off ea ing a capital opportunity of visiting the most recent and interesting point of volcanic eruption in the neighbourhood.