The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3891, 10 February 1870, Page 3

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUOEO, NON URO. If I imre bam sxtlngulihed, yet thera riio JL thotiiimd beacon* from the ip»rk I bor«.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1870,

Tbe vote of the Provincial Council on the item, "£4Bl 135., school-teachers/ on Tuesday night, is of rather more significance than may appear at first sight. It lets in a ray of light upon the " working of Provincial institutions "in Auckland," and may be said to supply a key to the somewhat dubious conducb of our Provincial legislators'. The Council, by a majority of seven- i teen to ten, appropriated a considerable sum of money, as it would appear from the tenor of the discussion, not because the mouey was fairly and justly due by the province to the school-teachers, but because the school-teachers are a " poll- " tical power/ which has made itself felt in the past, and might do so again unless its demands were complied with. Of the truth of this reading of the vote there can be no doubt whatever. The Government apparently does not attempt to conceal the fact ; and several members of the Council openly admitted as much. Perhaps the most outspoken of the school-team was Mr. John Sheehan, a "son of the soil," and a young gentleman of much promise and ability. He made a clean bi-east of the whole affair. Like all youthful politicians, he was very candid ; but it was that kind of candour, in support of. questionable principles, which we would rather not Bee so prominent in the' Council. "We hope much from Mr. Sheehan, and the other young members • of the Council ; but they must be guided in their conduct, more by sound principles of public policy thau by motives of political expediency, if they expect to carry any great weight in the councils of the colony. Bvit we think the Government is as much to blame in the matter as the Council. It is quite plain that the service was recommended simply to redeem an electioneering pledge ; and the Government, to judge from what Dr. Nicholson and Mr. Brookfield said, fully anticipated that the Council would reject it. But the Council depend upon a popular vote for their seats as well as the Executive ; and honourable members had electioneering pledges of their own to redeem ; so the item, after the strangest of all possible debates, was agreed to, There is this plausible excuse, however, that the Council may be said to have done tardy justice to the school-teachers, and members may attempt to salve their political conscience by looking at the vote in that light. But it is our duty to remove this flimsy pretext for redeeming hustings pledges at the public expense. What would be said if £500 were appropriated to pay for political services during the election? "We can imagine the outcry ; and yet, unless the members of the Council were satibfied that the province was legally and morally bound to pay the mouey in question to the claimants, they might as well appropriate a specific amount to pay for votes at the election as do it indirectly by appropriating this money. Indeed, that the vote must be regarded in this light was plainly shown during the debate, because there can be no reason to doubt that such candidates as refused to give the required pledge to the school teachers, lost the " votes and "interests" of the teachers. The flimsy excuse that the appropriation was recommended, in deference to an address by the last Council, adopted towards the olose of the last session of its existence, was torn to tatters by Messrs. Carleton, Swanson, and O'Rorke ; and notwithstanding the vote itself, the feeling of the majority appeared to be that, to quote Mr. Brookßeld'a words, the teachers "had " no legal or moral claim." We should not have referred to this subject at all if it had not been for the lesson which the vote in question is calculated to teach. It proves that our political system, is by no means perfect ; and that a new Council, elected on " reform principles," is quite as likely to need reformation as an expiring Council. In the one case we find the Council unanimously adopt an address to the Superintendent, recommending an appropriation of £481 13s. for school teachers, because it was a popular thing to do, and might influence votes, but with the fullest knowledge also that the Government would not act on the recommendation. Thus, the last Council purchased popularity at the expense of the Executive. In the present case, we find the Government recommending this vote to the new Council, in the hope that the Counoil would reject it. This ia manifest from the votes and speeches of the Executive. Dr. ISichol^on said he was not satisfied of the justice of tbe claim, and Mr. Brookfield said the teachers had no legal or moral olaira ; therefore, the Government, whilst recommending the Counoil to make the appropriation, unmistakably condemned the vote. But the nevr Council, with a long life before it, declined to bestow popularity on the Executive by making itself unpopular.^ It manifested no greater virtue in its youthful vigour than, its predecessor displayed in. its deathgasp; and so the vote passed, with a verbal and indefinite promise attached, which Mr. Gordon innocently expects to be " religiously" kept. The moral is, thai; the tree of popular institutions always bears the same kind of fruit ', and that however much candidates may talk of "reform," before an election, they cease to think of "re"form'\when they become members.' "Wo think, however; that the^most" sensible thing th* "ProTinciai Counoii

'cottld do ■would be not. »to xaaEe this truth too apparent. Eetthem pass the Appropriation Act, and the Payment of -Members Bill, and retire forthwith to their domestic circles. A prolonged session will only provoke comments from an observant public ; and although actuated by the most friendly and tolerant spirit towards the Council ourselves, it may be \ impossible for us even to refrain from occasional censure, or to shield members from the attacks of less friendly critics.

The news which we publish elsewhere from the interior is very important. The position of Te Kooti is now ascertained beyond a doubt ; and there is every reason to hope that the pursuing force, headed by Colonel McDonnell, will overtake and finally crush him. The result of the action at Rotorna, between Te Kooti's force and a small party under Major Mair, was a decided victory over Te Kooti. He was defeated, with a loss of ten killed and fifteen wounded. Amongst the wounded, it is said, is Kereopa, perhaps the most bloodthirsty miscreant in the country, i It would almost be a pity to " rob the " gallowß of its due," in the case of Kereopa, who has so much innocent blood to answer for. Te Kooti, also, would appear to be reserved for a legal death, inasmuch as he seems to be ballproof; and it certainly would have a much better effect on the native race, and be more satisfactory to the public at large, if Te Kooti and Kereopa, and the other Maori ringleaders during the last two or three years' disturbances, were captured, and brought to trial and condemned in the Supreme Court. The law would be vindicated best by such a termination to their career ; and their fate would act as a warning to all other natives not to imitate their conduct. Whilst noticing this news, we may also say a word or two upon the attacks which certain newspapers, North and South, have made upon the Government in connection with the recent operations against Te Kooti. It really seemed as if the writers in question were delighted at the escape of Te Kooti from the Upper Waikato district : and the uneasy feeling recently manifested by the natives at the King's head-quarters appeared to be regarded by them rather as a subject of congratulation than of anxiety. When the spirit of party carries men to such an extreme that it would appear almost to welcome devastation and ruin if by these it could gam a political victory, then, we say, party government, animated by such a spirit, is not conducive to the best interests of the _ Commonweal. That such a spirit has recently been displayed there is no room to doubt; but we trust the colonists of New Zealand will refuse to place confidence in any party or in any set of men who could build their hopes of political success upon such a foundation. It is time all such would-be leaders were put under political ban. In conclusion, we have no hesitation in saying that, if the Government be only left free to act and to judge for itself the time and mode of action, there need be no alarm for the spread of hostilities. Of course it would be very easy to complicate affairs, and vender the maintenance of peace impossible ; but there is little fear of this, for we feel certain that the Government will receive loyal support and assistance from the great bulk of the European population of this province, where the crisis is most imminent.

The sitting of tliB Provincial Council yesterday was mainly occapied with items under the head "Miscellaneous/ in the Estimates, several of which were discussed at very great length, and were then agreed to. The consideration of the Message as to public buildings at the Thames was proposed ; and, after some discussion, was adjourned. So was the second reading of the Saltwater Bath Company Lease Bill; and so also was Mr. Dyer's motion for an address to the Superintendent for an amendment in the Members Remuneration Bill. Meaara. Brown, Huvat, and William Probert waited upon his Honor the Superintendent yesterday, as a deputation from ratepayers in the Mount Eden Highway District. The grievance complained of appeared to be that a road which ran through the districts of Mount Albert and Mount Roskell, as well as Mount Eden, was in a most dangerous condition at a poinfc within the Mount Eden district, the inconvenience and danger being greatly felt by ratepayers there, but the bad condition of the road being mainly due to traffic from the Mount Albert district. The deputation asked that prison labour should be given to repair the dangerous place ; or that a portion of the road should be taken out of the Mount Eden district, and included in the Mount Albert district. The Superintendent consented to ride round and see the spot complained of ; but he said it appeared to him that those interested had not made any proper appeal to the trustees of the Mount Albert district foxassistance. If an application was made for the suggested change of-boundaries, it should be submitted to the two Boards interested, and should, be carried out if there was no valid objection urged. The shareholders of the City of Dunedin Claim, Tararu, have occupied ten head of stampers at Russell battery for the last four weeks. The clearing-up showed 1,5000z. amalgam on hand to be retorted, and whioh will yield about 3Oooz. of gold. Since the claim began crushing about three months ago, 684 tons quartz have been passed through the batteries, and 700oz. of smelted gold produced, of the value of £3 3s. per ounce. With the dividend just accrued there will have been paid the sum of £200 to eaoli full shareholder in the claim, after defraying expenses and making provision for further development of the mine, which, is in good working order. Crushing has been suspended, but will be resumed next week, and continued with little intermission for six months. The inaugural meeting of the Band of Hope in connection with the Thames Total Abstinence Society was held at the Presby- I tenaa Church on Tuesday evening, and was very numerously attended. Mr. James Joneß occupied the chair. The Rev. Mr. Wilson spoke in strong terms against the use of intoxicating drinks. Mr. Mason next spoke. Nearly all present took the pledge, and received the cards of the Band of Hope. On Sunday night last, at 9 o'clock, Captain Machell'a stuck of hay at the Three Kinga Farm was burnt down. As the stack was first seen burning on the windward corner, there is a strong suspicion that it is the work of an incendiary. A deputation waited on His Honor the Superintendent yesterday, relative'to Tararu tramway, askingfor a guarantee of interest for $fteen years, or a grant of- £500; but tie projowl tw* not 'viewed, f*YQur»bly by his Honor, .

The Auckland Presbytery held its ushal monthly meeting yesterday in St. Andrew's Churoh, at 11 o'clock. The following members were[pre3ent : — Rev. Mesara. It, F. Macuicol, Moderator; D. Bruce, WaDae©, Macky, and Brown, Ministers.;- W. Graham, Elder. After the usual devotional exercises, and the minute* had been read, explanations were afforded as to the absence of members. Cominisaiona were read, and the Rev. J. Campbell, from Canterbury province, took part in the proceedings, by invitation of the Moderator. The Court resumed consideration of the call from Whangarei to the Rev. J. Wallace. After much deliberation, on the matter being referred by Mr. Wallace to the decision of the Court, it was resolved, on the motion of Rev. Mr. Macky, that the pastoral tie between theßev. J. Wallaceand thecharge atthe North Shore be now dissolved ; that the requisite steps be taken to translate the Bey. J. Wallace to the charge at Whangarei; that the Court instruct the Rev. J. Wallace to remain at his present charge until the time of his induction into the new charge j and that the clerk be instructed to communicate this decision to the] parties interested. A report from the College Committee was adopted ; and a memorial from residents in • the districts of Ramarama, Queen's , Redoubt, Ac, requesting the appointment of John C. Ecclea to the charge of the district, was ordered to lie on the table till next meeting. Sessional records were submitted, and the Presbytery adjourned. Still another case of a runaway horse — this time ending in such injury to the poor animal that he had to be shot, and in considerable loss to [the proprietor. About 1 o'clock, a man in the employment of Mr. Sutton, sodawater and cordial maker, and who was in charge of a horse and light spring-cart, pulled up at the Masonic Hotel, Princes-street, and went into the hotel on business. The cart was loaded with boxes filled with bottles of sodawater and gingerbeer. The man had scarcely entered the hotel when the horse bolted off down Princesstreet, single bottles of sodawater, and then boxes of them, being flung off from the rapidity of the pace. The horse turned down Eden Crescent ; but the brow of that steep hill had scarcely been passed, when the poor brute fell. The shafts of the cart were broken sharp off, and were smashed to bits : and the horse itself, partly by its own momentum, partly by the weight of the catt, was forced down the roughmetalled hill, the short stumps of the shafts ploughing deep ruts, during the descent. When the horse was liberated, its near hind foot was found to be hanging by only a few tendons. The foot must have got turned under the horse, and the broken bottles and the road metal gave it this frightful injury as well as others. No question remained save as to where and how the poor beast could be most conveniently slaughtered. The horse was a nice compact little annual ; and the loss, consequent upon the " bolt," must altogether be a considerable one for Mr. Sutton. Mr. Blackett is talked of as Warden pro tern, for Wangapeka until the return of Mr. Kynner&ley. The cost of makmg a road to the diggings is eEtimated at £2,000. The lovers of music will be glad to learn that Madame Carandmi, her two gifted daughters, and Mr. Sherwm, are again on a visit to New Zealand, having arrived at Dimedin by the ' Omeo on her late trip from Melbourne. Tenders are invited by the Commissioner of Police, until noon on Saturday next, tor the supply of about 1,000 dozen of tickets and stiaps for the yeai IS7O. dimples maybe seen at the office. The Auckland Puile Volunteers aie to j>arade on Monday next, at G. 30 a.m., for drill. A general meeting of the Auckland Rowing Club is convened to be held on Saturday next at 7.30 o'clock p.m., at the Royal Hotel. A notice appears m our advertising columns to the eJFect that it is in contemplation to form a new trunk road between Rivevbead and Maliurangi; and certain owners of land at Komokoriki, Aluivoa, and Kouvowhero are requested to send either their addresses or their written consent to the proposed road to Mr. Chaplin, at this office. It is announced that John Jackson has been adjudged a bankrupt, and the first meeting of his creditors is appointed to be held on Thursday, Febiuary 1 7th, at noon, at the office of the Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy. Notice is given tliat William Percival has filed a declaration of insolvency. A building intended to be used as a fish maiket, to sup2>ly the place of that now in existence at the corner end of the jetty,i3 now in course of construction on the Queen-street Wharf in front of the Watermen's hut. We have been informed that on the recent occasion when a luncheon was given to his Excellency the Governor on board H.M.a. ' Liverpool,' tha plate chest of the ' Phoebe ' was accidentally dropped overboard, but, after considerable trouble, was recovered by I means of diving. The Thames Hospital Committee were to meet yesterday at 4 o'clock to appoint a surgeon. Mr. H. Stafford's mare Nebula has been sold to Mr. Watt, with her engagements at Auckland, for £250. The mare won in stakes about £240. We cannot find room for the letter headed "Monstrous" by "W.E.S." Communications to newspapers ought, at least, to have the merit of containing something worth publishing; but of this merit the "Monstrous" effusion in question as deficient. One of the sailors of H. M. s. Scylla made an attempt to desert yesterday. He succeeded in reaching the steps at the wharf, and in his eagerness to land fell into the water, and, being closely pursued, he pluckily swam under the wharf, and there, sitting on'the piles, defied his baffled pursuers. The waterjtolice endeavoured to get the deserter from his position, and the would-be runaway at last succeeded in landing safely on the wharf, when he commenced to run ala Deerfoot, but unfortunately into the arms of a coloured individual, who kindly handed him over to the officer in charge of the boat, after which he was taken back to his vessel and is no doubt now again reconciled to his fate. We learn that this same individual has on more than one occasion attempted to make New Zealand his home. Nothing so rapidly restores a worker, either man or beast, exhausted by heavy toil under a blazing sun, as to lie flat in a cool dark place. The Newhaven Lever sounds this note of warning: "Bewaie, youug man ! The pearl powder now used by her is poison ! One touch of those eager lips to that enamelled cheek may result in death moat horrible. Bewar-r-r-e."