The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4380, 29 August 1871, Page 2

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUCEO, NON URO. If I have been extinguished, yet there rise A thousand beieonb troin the spark I bore.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1871. In our issue of Friday we referred to some of the reasous why "farming " does n«t pay," as elicited by the " inquiiy into the present state of " agriculture in. the province of Auck- " land." Tiie fifth cause assigned by the report of the inquiry is " the " large co^t of getting land into ctilti- " vation, in contradistinction to the " natural gra^y nature of other pro- " vinces." It is difficult to see how the natural character of the land in other provinces can affecl, the payable character of farming in Auckland, but we are five to admit that the expenses of reducing the land from a state of nature to one tit for cultivation constitute a serious drain on the resources of our settlers. This is an evil incident to early settlement in every colony, and must enter into the calculations of every intending colonist. Ifc is true that portions of the province of Auckland — and we may add, the greater portion — may present this difficulty in an aggravated form, as compared with the most favoured portions of the Southern provinces ; but it cannot be maintained that the character of the Auckland province is in this respect worse than that of the average lands of the colonies. It is a known fact that some of the most successful farming operations in the various Australian colonies, in Canada, and in the United States, have been prosecuted on lands which have been literally carved out of the bush or the forest, the expense of the clearing being such as to make the average expense of preparing virgin soil in oar province for cultivation to appear inconsiderable. It is even known that in many cases the most heavily timbered lands, and, consequently, the most expensive to clear, are preferred ; the original outlay being counterbalanced by subsequent results. But in these caaea the conditions of success are known and duly estimated, and men do not andertake farming without being prepared to apply the requisite amount of capital, or of patient plodding personal industry. It is to be feared that in too many 1 cases farming in our province has been undertaken without due regard to these conditions. "Whatever capital is available, and ,it is often none too much, is too often devoted to the erection of residtneeg and the promotion of domestic comfort rather than to, the grappling with .the v jp»tural difficulties in the way of cultivation. And enjoyments which prpparly should come as the reward a6cL frdit *<Jf successful" operations ' are too'qften. anticipated, l^ 'the, utter. IparalyMng^o^theiCpdwerH, p£ ; properly "carj^ong^b n fameultiirai piir-*

dences and domestic comforts as any other class of her Majesty's subjects ; and if they can procure such -without curtailing that capital which is their " tools of trade," well. But if not, they should unquestionably either eschew the comforts and enjoyments of life, or abjure farming and betake themselves to some other pursuit. We do not say that this error is found in the action of every settler, but it is to be feared that in too many cases it has been the cause why farmers have so often had reason to complain of " the " large cost of getting land into cultiva- " tion." The sixth reason adduced by tbe compilers of the report, why " farming " does not pay," is the " comparative " high rate of skilled agricultural " labour." This we admit is a real obstacle to the successful and profitable prosecution of farming. It is the grand difficulty in all the colonies ; ;t is the difficulty in the United States of America, and has been the cause of the invention and general use among that enterprising people of such a surprising number of labour-saving machines. High-priced labouris incident to colonial life, and can hardly be dissevered from it. The cost to himself or others at which a labourer is introduced must make him sell his labour at a higher price than in old and settled populations ; and, however immigration may modify it, this can never be equalised except in a morbid state of the labour market. All colonial enterprises must calculate on this ; and neither the province nor the occupation of farming is unique in this respect. In point of fact, the cost of labour is not greater in the proviuce than is the average over the Australasian colonies and in the United States ; and yet it is known that in Australia, in the United States, and in other portions of New Zealand farming is made to pay. The high price of labour in the Auckland province is a difficulty which our farmers have to encounter in common with all other colonial communities ; but when it is advanced as a reason " why farming does not pay" in Auckland province as distinguished from other portions of the colony, the position taken up by the compilers of this report is manifestly untenable.

The discontinuance of the trans-Pacific mail service vi& Fiji is evidently at hand. This is as we anticipated. We do not feel gratification in the failure of any enterprise, but the feasibility of this opposition to such a service as that conducted by Mr. Webbs boats was so questionable, that nothing could be seen in it but the postponement of the settlement of the Australian and American mail service on a satisfactory basis. It appears from the Sydney Mail, an extract from which we published in our issue of yesterday, that Mr. Hall himself sees the imprudence of prolonging the struggle. The indifference shown to the project b} the Governments of the sister colonies, and the hesitancy even of the Government of New South Wales to become committed to a continuance of the subsidy, have convinced them of this ; and accordingly he has written to the Chamber of Commerce in Sydney, "stating that contrary to u anticipation no Government aid had " been given to the line, and intimating " that it would be worse than folly for " any person, however ample his means, " to attempt to sustain it on his own " resources. He urges that, if the " Government has no intention to aid " the line, it is better that an in.tima- " tion to that effect be made public" This is unquestionably a sensible conclusion, though it sounds strangely after our having been so often assured of the various Government subsidies virtually secured. Next to New South Wales, perhaps there was none of the colonies on which. Mr. Hall so much relied as Queensland. £10,000 hud been voted by the Legislature of that colony for the San Francisco service ; but the last telegraphic intelligence from Queensland states that the Colonial Secretary has " declined to subsi- " disc the temporary mail service l,y " Mr. Hall's line to San Francisco." The way is now apparently open for further negotiation's between the Government of New Zealand and the Australian colonies. Opportunely our Parliament is in session; and it is sincerely to be desired that, by timely and judicious concession and modification, our service may become an Australasian service.

That the annual meeting in connection with the Caledonian Goldmining Company should have excited an. interest far beyond that which usually falls to the lot of shareholders' meetings waa to be expected. The mine of this company is of general concern, and on its success depends much of the prosperity, present or prospective, of the city and province. Irrespective of this somewhat selfish feeling, there is an interest wider still attaching to the mine ; for never, in the history of goldmining, has the Caledonian had a parallel. As will be seen from the Report in another column, the yield of gold for the half-year ending July 31st has been 154,828 ounces, which has afforded the amount of £411,840 for distribution among shareholders, or at the rate of £14:4: per bhare. It is impossible to note such a return without being impressed with the prodigious capabilities of the mine ; and, though the report of the directors aud that of the mining manager have the appearance of being over-sangine, a careful examination of those reports leads to the belief that I tho development of the mine is but in its infancy, aDd that, as stated, " the " mine will continue to- give good re- " turns for years to come." It is hardly possible to imagine a more convincing proof of the value of perseverance and capital, when both are applied to the^ development of our goldfields, $mu that afforded .'by the' Caledonian, \ and, 5 itough Ihereiare those' who ; must have flopt heayily^in. the varibtis panics thai hare chequered the short history of, this king of mineß, the penalty hts been paid loaly %f she iamowH&aifd :Ajuab4uey^ whrtßfrttiiYiKi ihftvnnd the niffhfist'Drica J

those shares have yet attained is unquestionable ; and after such proved results, and so confirmed prospects, we are warranted in hoping that we ma j see no more of those foolish panics that have too much characterised a mine that is evidently not to bejndged by the history and results of any other of the great claims hitherto developed on the Thames goldfield.

Our Thames correspondent says that a report reached Shortland yesterday afternoon to the effect that Mr. J. Mahoneys store, situated at Thorpe's Landing, Ohinemuri, had been destroyed by fire on Friday last. The damage done is estimated at £140. The monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last night at half-past seven o'clock, in the Museum Buildings. Three papers were read on different subjects. Efforts are now being made by the members to have suitable buildings ereoted in place of the present dilapidated ones. This is a work in which the public might well aid. A Provincial Government Gazette was published yesterday, notifying the dedication of a number of reserves, under the Waste Lands Act. to public purposes. Messrs. It. F. Porter and A. K. Taylor were the presiding magistrates at the Police Court yesterday morning. The business consisted of disposing of no fewer than 13 drunkards, and sentencing John Finlay to pay a fine of 20s. v and costs for assaulting James Benstead. A second and final dividend in the bankrupt estate of W. S. Laurie will be payable by the trustee, Mr. John Mowbray, on the 4th September. The annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Caledonian Goldmining Company was held yesterday morning in the Mechanics' Institute. There was a very large attendance, and Mr. C. J. Stone occupied the chair. Most satisfactory reports and balance-sheet were submitted to the meetiug. The directors' report recommended the payment of a honorarium of £500 per annum to the directors. On this question a very warm discussion arose. Mr. Crombie, seconded by Mr. Aitken, moved that the clause recommending payment be expunged from the report. After a stormy debate, a condensed report of which appears elsewhere, the item was passed and the report adopted intact. Mr. Thomas Russell, who retired from the Board of Directors, was unanimously re-elected, after which the meeting separated. To the Editor : Sir,— The paragraph in your paper of Thursday, correcting statement in report of Waiuku Agricultural Association, and stating that the £25 from the Provincial Government had been lodged in the Bank a month ago to the credit of the Association, was quite correct ; but no notice was given to the Secretary or myself of the lodgment, and therefore the error in the report. By writing to the Bank I learned, on the 23rd instant, that the money had been there since the 2Gth ult.— A. Campbell, Treasurer W. A. A. Return of sick treated in the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday, August 2Gth, 1871 :— Remained last return, 76 ; admitted since, 7 ; discharged, 6 ; died, 0 ; remaining, 77 (males, 64 ; females, 13). Arrangement of cases : Fever (convalescent^, 1 ; cancer, 3 ; syphilis, 2 ; scrofula, 2 ; ana3arca, 1 ; phthisis pulmonalis, 9 ; rheumatism, 8 ; chorea, 2 ; lunacy, 2 ; paralysis, 6 ; epilepsy, 2 ; amaurosis, 1 ; ophthalmia, 3 ; bronchitis, 7 ; aneurism, 1 ; heart disease, 1 ; dyspepsia, 1 ; diarrhoea, 1 ; hsematuria. 1 ; albumimu'ia, 2 ; abscess and. ulcer, G ; wounds and contusions, 2 ; fistula, 1 ; fractures, 2 ; necrosis, 1 ; anchylosis, 1 ; cntaneous, 2 ; debility, 6. No death occurred during the week. Thanks are returned to Mrs. Roskruge for a parcel of old linen. The following persons were arrested yesterday by members of the Armed Constabulary, on the charges named, and will be brought before the Police Court this morning : — George Warburton, for indecent exposure in Symonds-street; Peter Beason, on a charge of obtaining by means of a certain false pretence from Daniel Stewart, at Hendersons Mill, on the 23rd instant, a coat valued at 23d. 'To the Editor: Sir,— ln looking over the Cross of yesterday I noticed a paragraph relating to the fife and drum band of the Onehunga Volunteers being entertained by the Robson Company at the Newton Hall. This, sir, to say the least of it, is playing at soldiers, and I believe without the knowledge of the captain of either company. I am aware that Captain Lundon is at present absent from home ; therefore he could not have given permission to his drummers to be:vt-up like a rectuitmg- party in the old country. I would now like to hear from Captain Burn 1 ?, of the Hobaons, whether lie gave his pei mission to his officers, noncom missioned officers, and privates, to entertain the Onehunga drummers, and if he pvesidc.l at the spread. — I am, &c, A Full Private in the Hobsons. It is notified by advertisement that all claims against the estate of R. Bach and Son must bo sent iv to the trustees on or before the lObh September. The services of the Scottish Volunteers having been accepted by his Excellency the Governor, a muster of all enrolled members and those desirous of joining is called for Wednesday evening, at 7 o'clock. , A meeting of the Total Abstinence Society takes place to-night in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, when Captain Peek and others will address the meeting. One Goldberg announces in the San Francisco papers that he has on exhibition some very ancient coins, including a Hebrew silver shekel of the time of Moses. As during the time of Moses the Hebrews were either abject slaves or homeless vagabonds we may be permittad te doubt that they minted many shekels. Another of these coins is of copper, anil dates no further back than Solomon, of whom it bears a profile. Solomon's face is said to be wonderfully indicative of a hitherto unsuspected Irish origin. This remarkable " monish," says Mr. Goldberg— whom we would rather be crucified than accuse of lying— has been handed down from father to son ever Bince it was coined, with a trifling hiatus of one or two centuries. As above intimated, wa believe Mr. Goldberg to be a man of unimpeachable veracity, and we regard it as a very distressing misfortune that we are unable to believe a word he says.— San Irandsco Newsletter, It is surprising the heavy toetting-books that have been opened on the result of the Tichborne case. The wagering has been really quite up to Derby form. The odds have veered about a good deal ; but on the whole I fancy the claimant has the call. One ingenious young friend has taken a " thou " to a "monkey " each way, so that, as the sporting writers say, ho stands on velvet, and is only anxious for tke trial to finish in time to allow him to pocket his £500 before he leaves town at the end of the season. Certainly the trial will be long remembered aa one of the most extraordinary in English jurisprudence, not least, perhaps, because the Judge so far forgot himself as to let some words drop after dinner that might be twisted into an opinion on the merits of the case. Certainly we do not believe Sir W.-Boviil meant to expresi>ny opinion, but the indignation caused by his lapsus was by no means misplaced, and is after all a pleasing testimony to the confidence reposed in our Judges by all classes, else so slight a matter would mot hare caused so much sur''priie. It is gratifying in the«e days of republican theories to reflect that, while all the hading respectable journals of the 'United ' State* Openly, accuse „ the Supreme Court of haying " sold " a recent momentous .decision, not even a. Olerkenwell Communist < has a-word to, say against our judicial bench.. —Gmail^owrnc^^ *« '\r ii : %% ' ■■> "V' '". ' **. '- A' sale by; auction, of Hobart Town jains, fruitel^«c.^fciktol(M» J»-d^3?j r* t the stores

What women in civilised countries mostly want is magnanimity. Men of high minds are constantly disappointed when they find this lack of the magnanimous revealing itself in the character of some women who other wise seem so admirable. Bat men themselves have hitherto, in Europe especially, so shaped and limited the moral training of women as to render magnanimity a virtue of almost impossible attainment. The errors of women are in their degree always the common errors of servitude. But there is something more than that. The whole training of womanhood is directed to the culture merely of one virtue. It is not indispensable or even necessary to a woman's honour and repute that she should be truthful, or generous, or beneficent, or brave. She has no need of inducement to cultivate the magnanimous qualities. Society only asks her to be chaste. If you will cultivate but one flower, you cannot have a parterre. In days not far removed from our own, a man was only called on to be brave and truthful — he might be as ferocious and voluptuous as he chose ; therefore his common vices were ferocity and profligacy. Women are commonly trained even now to believe that sd long as they are "virtuous," it is not requisite that they shall be sincere and magnanimous j therefore their aommon defects are insincerity and meanness. —McCartlmfs " Lady Judith," Widows are estimated by the square mile in New li ampshire. Twenty to the mile i 3 thought •!, good ratio. The Boston Advertiser says that, but it seems to be hardly doing justice to the widows. It has usually beeii admitted that a Miss is as good as a mile, and the widows may well object to being counted twenty for one.