The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4408, 30 September 1871, Page 2

The Daily So uthern Cross.

LUCEO, NON UUO. If I have been extinguished, yet there rlso A thousand beacons from the spark I bore.

SA TURD AY, SEPTEMBER 3U, 1871.

Oke of the most interesting reports submitted to the Assembly since the commencement of the session is that made by the Inspector of the Militia and Volunteers. The colony being now left to organise its own military defence, the question of the efficiency of that organisation must assume great importance, and though in this respect the colony falls ,far short of that position which it ought to attain, the report on the whole is satisfactory. The total 'number of Ihose enrolled in tho two 'branches of ''the 'service we observe amounts to 11,890, which, being exclusive of the Armed CoufelabuLiry, constitutes no mean armywhen ue consider the extent of the population. Of these, Militia numbers' 4.263, nn-1 is confined exclusively to the North 'Island. The Volunteers number 7,633, of which 4,sS3' are in' the North Island, aud 2J7'SQ belong to the Middle Island. The total number therefore of citizen -soldiers in the North Island is OJ4G, or almost one in tea of! the European population, which ia 96,870. In the ' Middle Islaud the proportion of citizen soldiers to the population is as 1 in 58, so that, whatever charges may bo laid against the North 'Island, lack of patriotism/ or of preparatien for the defence of the country, is not one of them. In some respects, indeed, the Worth Island may no,t (( .occupy so creditable a position as the Middle Island, aVid notably' m class firing, in the practice of which the province of Otago stands pre-eminent, and the 1 results' of which' appeared very conspicuously -.during the last prize firing. But f in the number of Volunteers, exclusive of the Militia, the-Norih Island, presents an example which ye L may fairly^ call' upon jOiir,* Southern feltaw-coloijjgta taeriivfo^ \ ; , In his report-on our power for. defeh'ce, 'Colpne^'^ati^tbn^bea 1 not devote ;inucn< v space to the Militia, and "addresses hiinaelf mainly %g'tss state, of 'the Vdluhtl&%The arms"of tWform'er he' describes iasrMnferior, , difficulties Jin ■jtki way of aud frequeni reference is made to the tendency on^the nart^of the 1 besjynem'ber?;of th 6 Militia to'fattkch' themselves to >the yolunteer ' coT^,;:t%Voi\ be

$ gratifying to many to learn that " Our " Province" is honourably di»tingiysbed in Volunteering. The total number of ..Volunteers in the province of Auckland, oxclusiveW)f #lilitia', on the '3 1st' 1 of May last, _was .2,600, or within 150 men oj .the total number of, ail- the Volunteers ;in the South Island taken together. If i we compare with our province the lead'ihg province of the Middle Island, ' Otago,. i we' find- that' that' proivincp, including Southland, now * absorbed, has a population of 69,49,1, pf whioh },303 are Volunteers, or almost exactly the one-half of the number of Volunteers in the Auckland j province, where there is a much smaller | population, But turning from the (province of Otago, the representatives of which acquitted themselves so ■honourably at the prize-firing in Auckland, we fitid in Canterbury ,with a population of 46,801, that there are , but !710 Volunteers, or one in $6 of the population. , The same remarkable neglect of volunteering, appears 'to (Characterise every [ province in the Middle Island ; Nelson province bsiving f but' 295 .Volunteers, among, a population of 22,501 ; Marlborough, some- , thing less' discreditably, having 230 Volunteers in 'a ' population of 5,23 d ; and the County of Westland having 207 Volunteers in a population of 15,359. Altogether a comparison between the North and Middle Islands, or between Auckland and the various provinces in' the' South, shows most remarkable results. But it is not alone ; with . reference to numbers i that the report of 'the Inspector is unfavourable to- the Southern Volunteers. Class firing seems to receive far more attent ion in the South than among ourselves,' and with reference to the skill in shooting the remarks of Colonel liarington regarding our Southern fellowcolonists are almost uniformly oornmondatory. But, with some honourable exceptions, neglect of attendance on drill seems to characterise the habits of the Southern soldier; and, in the case of the, various corps iti the province of Nelson, Colonel Harington makes the following remarkable statement :—" On the whole T " regret to say that my inspection of " this district was anything but satis- " factory, and, unless some marked im- " improvement takes place during the " ensuing year, I should feel it ineura- " bent on me to recommend the dis- " bandment of all the corps." With reference to our own immediate district praise and blame are impartially administered. There wore at the date of the report thirteen corps io the Auckland district— four cavalry, one artillery, one naval, one engineer, and six rifle companies. The cavalry corps are not favourably reported on. "The " Auckland and Prince Alfred Troops " have been declining in numbers " and attendance at parades since " last inspection, barely one-half "of them having qualified for " capitation money this year." The Auckland Artillery are praised in no ordinary terms. The Inspector states of them : — "The Auckland Artillery, " which I found in good order last year, " have increased in number aud effi- " ciency. They are a well-droased, " smart-looking body of men, and pay u great attention to all their duties. " Their practice was good, and of 5o " enrolled members there was only one u not qualified for capitation." The Engineers the Inspector had not seen at the time of writing, but the Navals come in for a share of censure. " I " regret," says Colonel Tlaringtou, " that I a-n unable to notice improve(t ment in the Naval Corps, who appear " to have almost neglected all drill, " except the exerpise of the battery " guns at Fort Britoraarr, in which " they showed some activity. They " labour under some disadvantage "in being composed principally "of sailors, who are unable to at- " tend except at irregular intervals " when they avo in port." In the various rifle corps the Inspector has found a " very groat improvement," which he attributes " in a great measure lt to the appointment of Major Gordon." The remarks generally respecting our pi'ovincial corp3 are complimentary and satisfactory ; and it is to be hoped that where censure has been bestowed it will have an effect equally Avith commendation in the increase of efficiency.

In another column will be found a report of the proceedings of a deputation which yesterday waited on the Deputy-Superintendent, with reference to the water supply of Auckland. There will bo few in tho city to gains.iy ihr» statement that this is one of tho most important subjects that can enosu-o the attention of citizens, as very intimately affecting the health as well as the comfort of the people. It is greatly to be regretted that the City Council is not in a position to undertake this work on behalf of citizens. Water I is such au absolute necessary of life that great evil will i-esult if the utmost caution is not observed in dealing with the question ; and wo trust that the great urgency of the want will not prompt the authorities to any precipitate action in connection with it Certain concessions nuist necessarily be made to the contractors, as an inducement tp the enterprise, arid a valid security for the capital invested, but c<*re should be taken that a heavy aud irremovable* burden is not laid upon the neck of citizens. As is seen in another column, the' scheme* for bringing water from the AY r ailakero river is one eminently calculated to attain., the desired ends, and ' we truft that ' erery encouragement which it is in the power of the provincial authorities to liestow consistent with the interests of the .public wjll Jt>p freely accorded to the" projectors of • a Bcneme'of water supply. But there seems a/ species of reserve respecting the intentions of those engaged- in» agitating on, the subject, .which ,'natrirally, suggests caution in return. * Thccompany will doubtless require important concessions/ both in respect of lands and rights, and will be under the necessity of having an Act to regulate their relations with citizen?.

In such case tlie utmost publicity should be given to everything relating to the project, f so that neither prej idice nor want of knowledge may wise difficulties needlessly in the way of a project of so deep interest bo eveiy resident in the city.

i .Tho Supreme Court, sat yesterday, -wh,en the case of Sauerbier v. Dilwortb was con- ' eluded, the jury finding on all the issues for ' the plaintiff. The Court adjourned at five • o'clock until ten o'clock on Monday morning, ! when the first of the special jury cases will be 'called on, The jury sworn' in' for the* case Marshall v., the Italian GoldminiiJg ! Company were discharged until Tuesday, ; October 9. i Yesterday at the Police Court four young men were brought up charged with causing a , disturbance at two o'clock yesterday morning ! in Albert- and Hobspn-streets; by knocking at doors, and in other ways misbehaving them-, pelves. The Bench, after giving them a' severe caution, ordered them to pay a fine of £5 each, or in default to be imprisoned for ( one month. During the course of the .day ( the fines were paid. A man named Edward Lewis was committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court on two charges of forging and uttering. Messrs. J. Ritchie and A. Beetham were the-presiding magistrates. l j Mr. E. Wayte has now on view, and for sale, the beat collection of water-colout t pictures and steel-plates that has ever been t offered in Auckland. Some of the landscapes 'are especially beautiful, itnd well executed. 'The views comprise almost every class of land and water scenery, and are almost sufficient in number and variety to stock an art gallery. They are, we believe, a consignment received from England some time ago, but never before offered for sale, and they are marked at 'the invoice price. To the Editor : Sir,— Will you oblige me by inserting in your next issue, for the information of the subscribers to Mrs. Wynns, Relief Fund, the following statement of receipts and disbursements in connection therewith :— Cash collected in Auckland, £428 4s. 6d. ; cash collected by Mr. Izard, of Wellington, £21 lls. ; cash collected by Mr. J. E. Macdonald, of Grahamstown, £19 18s. ; cash collected by Messrs. J. E. Macdonald, D. J. O'Keeffe, W. Rowe, and J. L. Tole, at Graharastown, £59 175. : total, £529 10s. 6d. Paid Brown and Campbell for cabin passage on board 'Excelsior' to England for Mrs. V» ynn and six cHldren, £175 ; paid expanse of fitting out cabin, stores, and medical comforts, for Mrs. Wynns use during the voyage, a3 per vouchers handed to Mrs. Wynn, £18 4s. 7d.; paid cash to Mrs. Wynn, £20 ; paid Bank of New Zealaud draft in Lonion in favour of Mrs. Wynn and premium, handed to Mrs. Wynn on September 28th, 1871, £316 53. lid.: t0ta1,£529 10s. Gd. —lam, &c, Thomas S. Wesiw. We have to acknowledge tho receipt of oue pound from Dr. Kenderdine, for the poor widow at Pamnure who was burnt out. The Maketa Highway District Board, as constituted under the 49fch section of the Act, held their first meeting on the 28th instant, at the Schoolhouse, Maketu. There were present : Messrs. Kerr, Wilson, Parr, Shaughnessy, and Stewart. Mr. William Kerr, Springfield, Maketu, was appointed chairman of the Board ; Mr. Nathan Stewart, to be treasurer ; and Mr, R. Worthington, of Drury, to bo secretary and collector. Mr. Beckham, Resident Magistrate, held a sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday forenoon. There were 3S cases set down for hearing. Only tl.e undefended caii3es were, however, taken, in consequence of the Chief Justice being engaged in the regular Court-room hearing the civil causes in the quarterly Circuit Court. All the defended causes were adjourned until the 30th October, by which time it was hoped that the Circuit Court causes would be all disposed of. Tho Newton East Band of Hope held its usual fortnightly meeting on Thursday evening in St. David's School. The evening being line and moonlight, a large company of children and adnlts assembled, A\lrick mnst encourage the promoters of these instiuetive and innocent amusements. Mr. Sturtevant occupied the chair. Several children connected Avith the society read and recited pieces appropriate to the occasion. Koncjs ami speeches retideiud by Mc^rs. Reid, Pa^e, Doull, Rood, Roberto ison, Ha nnlton, and several l.ulies a\ h ) have coma forward to nssia', the c«ius>g of temperance in this locality, c attributed much to the evening's entertainment. Mr. R J. Mooro, secretary and collector of rates for tho Highway Boaid of Waiuku, advertises a long list of property-owners in that district who have not paid their rates. The amount due by each party is advertised, and an intimation given that, unless the several amounts are paid within 14 days, le nl proceedings will be taken to enforce payment. > A general meeting of the membors of the , Auckland Rowing Club is announced to be , held at the Thames Hotel, on Monday evening, at 8 o'clock, for tho purpose of electing • officers for the season 1871-2, and to arrange matters for the opening of the season. We have been roquested to draw attention • to the terms charged at the scholastic [ establishment of Mr. Lysnar, the Lyceum, as I advertised in another column. i A man named William Williams, alias George |W. Bull, was yesterday taken into custody on a chaige of forging and uttering a cheque for i 75 17s. Gd. The cheque was tendered to Mr. Sheeny, of the Alexandra Hotel, and purported to l>o drawn by R. , Walker and Co. There is a second chaige against the prisoner of a similar character, liaatrweek he is said to have uttered a cheque for on Mr. J. C. Morrin, purporting to be signed by the same firm. In this instance the money was paid befoie the forgery was discovered. Thomas Hemy Pearson, as bailee, was taken into custody yesterday on a charge of stealing £17, tho "property of Chailos Madden. Both pnsoners will be brought up at the Police Court to-day. The Thames Advertiser has the following : — " A very great feature in the industry of the llape creek has been the opening of a freestone quarry, in which a large number of men are now employed breaking out stone for the foundation of the Pumping Association's machinery. The stone is, we learn, of excellent quality, and well adapted for the pui poses for which it ia to be uaed." ' One of those admirable entertainments which have from time to time been given for the benefit of the unfortunate patients in the Lunatic Asylum took place on Thursday last. There was a moderate attendance of visitors, but only one conveyance had been put on from Auckland, and some persons who would otherwise have been present were 'consequently prevented from attending. Mr. Browne exhibited- his admirable magic lantern views, which served to amuse, the patients, and he was ably assisted by Mr. Graham. A concert by amateurs followed, and the Band, under the leadership of Mr. McComish, was present, and discoursed excellent music. After the concert a dance, in which both visitors and the more rational of the patients joined, was entered into with much spirit. The entertainment waa a very great success. We were requested to thank all those who assisted at the affair, for their kindness in giving up their time and talents for this praiseworthy object. Celin McDonald, iettler, Shortland, has beon adjudged a bankrupt, and the first meeting of his creditors appointed to be held on the' stK October 'at noon, in the office of the Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy. Mr. Chapman, the pnblisher, is preparing a»directory for Axickland, to be published as a supplement to the New Zealand Almanac for 1872. A new Thames Battery and Crushing Company is about to be started at the Thames. Ihe prospectus is published in our advertising columni.

The anniversary services of the Primitive Methodist Sunday-school, Edwardes-atreet, are to be preached to-tfiorrow ; and the annual meeting is advertised to be held on Tuesday evening at half-past six o'clock, in the r school-room, when addresses will be delivered by Captain Peek atfd other gentlemen. - The London Overlantl Mail says :— "Various suggestions have been made for imposing a tax in place of the obnoxious match duty. ' A Stationer' proposes that the Pdsfc Office should charge for the stationery which they now 1 supply to the publio gratuitously in the shape of post cards. This, ms shown by the estimates, would bring in £30,000 at once Why, asks 'A J Householder,' does not Mr. Lowe put a tax upon, cats ? • .To say that one of these animals [is kept in each of half the total number of houses in the country is, I should say, a very reasonable estimate ; and if 2s. Gd, per annum were assessed upon each," it* would probably render the obnoxious tax upon matches, and the troublesome ' alteration in tiro income-tax which is now proposed, altogether unnecessary. Ikee'p & dog and pay ss. a year for doing so," though' he causes no inconvenience nor annoyance to anybody. A'fc the Same time the existence of .myself and. wife i 3 rendered almost intolerable by the ' set' made upon our flower garden by the host of cats kept by neighbours all aronmd us, who indulge' in their fancy with impunity. Surely this is not justice. I catch any mice I am troubled with in traps : let those who keep cats for the purpose pay foi; the. fancy, ;as I ,do in the case of my dog, whiou neither ' damages other people's property n«r disturbs the rest , of sleepers by the hideous cater- ' wauliugs with which most of us are familiar."