The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4409, 2 October 1871, Page 2

The Daily Southern Cross.

l r f ' LUCteO, NON TJftdl ?| V ''• I ' , JII h»V6 b»en extinaiiiihed, y*k'thor»irliB < , , A thouund beacons from tbelipark Ibort. ' '

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1871,

i The corrept .Returns of New /Zealand, so far as population, is concerned, have been recently laid before Parliament, and disclose some interesting particulars as indicative of the progress and present state of the colony and of its several parts relatively to one I another. One of the most striking results arising from the enumeration is I the proportionate inorease of females shown to have taken place since the periods of the last two enumerations.Jt appears that, since 1864, while the males of the population have increased by 37'7'i per cent., females Jbave increased in number by 54'50 per cent., or a centesimal increase of about half as much more. This is an item in statistics that if deservedly regarded as significant aud important ; a rapid increase of males by immigration mai'king 1 frequently but a rush of no great importance iu the permanent settlement of the country, while a large increase of females in the population generally indicates that nomadic habits are giving placo to settlement aud permanent homes. Yet, notwithstanding this increase of females, the disparity between the sexes which seems characteristic of colonial life is still 1 apparent ; for, of 256,393 colonists, the males number 150,356 and the females 106,037 3 so that of every three men in the colony one must remain unmated until immigration equalises the sexes. The present disparity appears to be owing largely to the state of the goldfields, Westland especially shoeing a great excess of males over females in the population. So that outside the goldfielda the sexes approach more nearly to an equality. Tlie province of Auckland still retains the pre-eminence im numbers, if Otago is viewed in its original boundaries and as not including Southland, which is now conjoiued. The principal provinces stand iu the following order : — Auckland, 62, '335 ; Otago (without Southland), 60,722 j Canterbury, 46,801 ; Wellington, 24,001 ; and Nelson, 22,501 ; the capital cities of the provinces following the same order. The city of Auckland, with its suburbs Newton and Parnell, numbers 20,457 ; Dunedin, 14,857 ; Ohristchurch, 12,466; Wellington, 7,908; and Nelson, 5,53 1. A further comparison of the provinces reveals some curious facts respecting tho ages of the people. Comparing the two principal provinces, Auckland and Otago, wo find that the former province contains a far larger proportion of aged persons than the latter ; while of persons of the " working" ages Otago possesses a number beyond what from its relative population might be expected. While the population of the two provinces does not materially differ, Auckland province has almost twice the number of persons aged 65 and upwards as compared with Otago ; while of persons between the ages of 21 and 40 Otiigo Ims in round numbers 17,000, to 13,000 possessed by Auckland. The contrast is even more remarkable in the case of Westland as compared with Auckland, there being in the county, in a population of 15,000, but 10 persons who have attained the age of Qo and upwards ; while the proportion of those, who are of the " working" age, as compared with all other ages, is excessive. Those circumstances cannot !>'.' regarded as depending on climatic influences, although the milder climate of the Northern province might be expected to conduce to longevity, but must be rather attributed to the period aud manner of settlement. The column in the Census returns that treats of the residences of the people reveals some singular facts. The province of Otago is distinguished in possessing moic stone or brick buildings by fifty per cent than all the rest of tho colony — whether this is to be attributed to the rigours of the climate, the scarcity of timber, or the more solid and substantial tastes of the people. With a smaller population, Otago has over three times tho number of such such permanent buildings as compared with Auckland ; while for wooden buildings, from the excellence and abundance- of our timber, and the mildness of the climate, "our pro-: " viuce" surpasses all the rest. In fact, the residents of this province may be regarded as a people dwelling in wooden buildings, for, of 13,667 residences in the province, no less than 12,321 are formed of this material. The province of Hawke's Cay and the province of Marl borough have each but two houses of brick or stone. In Taranaki one building in solitary loneliness redeems the district from the absolute abandonment of these materials ; while the county of Westland, with 15,000 inhabitants, has not even one. Of the larger provinces, Wellington for obvious reasons has to a large extent avoided brick and stone walls, but eighteen people Ime had sufficient courage to brave the " shakes" ; aud iu the province of Nelson ,thirty-one residences have been erected of these more substantial materials. The dwellers in tents are chiefly in Otago, which contains almost one half of the tents of the <jolony. ftaupo, which is almost unknown in tHe formation of residences dowii South, constitutes an important material in the formation of the -homes in Auckland, there being 598 residences of this material, or twice as many as the brick and stone buildings of the province,* and three times as many as I fclb^tent*, .But though- a Jarge number iof the' people 'of New Zealand are thus 'shown to .Be" I ''Housed in unsubstantial residences, statistics show a vast im1 provement in this element of comfort-

peamiement settlement, |$ds tsdr v qu'teN|u s ft«^sdanc3 w^*^% goncral progress of the colony. <^.4tj^. gether the Census, as cjmpleted End submitted to Parliament, presents the : aclvanc'otnent. of tlie cql^o^ in^ u^j:favbiirfebie light. \Arid,^when''W sfeej that, the .population .has. been sosteadily. increasing4f within the nast six years to the extent of fifty per <jent,— we have 1 in this' one^drcams^np^pre* sented/not dnlj-a Satisfactory thfe past f b'ut strong, grounds lor 'taking iin encouraging nriew of the future. ' 1 ■ ' ' ;

It sh,ould be earnestly hoped that the Agricultural League, swbich. has, been recently organised, will not meet the fate that too often befalls popular! organisations in the province of Auckland, There appears something in the atmosphere uncongenial, and the history of similar organisations prompts us to fear that this aUo may fall by an untimely end. We do not say so from any indications of mortality discorerable in the society so far as it has gone. On the contrary, the League shows great promise of success and of usefulness, and it is for this that we desire that it may not feel the blighting influence of our constitutional apathy. Judging from the scope of its operations, as already seen from its proceedings, the League is calculated to be of great value, and, if rightly conducted, may be yet felt as a power. We cannot avoid reiterating thab the designation by which tho organisation is known is an unfortunate selection, and we are glad to seo that a notice of motion has been tabled with the view of altering the name. The term " League" has associations from which it cannot be dissevered ; and, although it is said that there is nothing in a name, yet as a great many people will go no farther than a name, and from it form impressions which nothing can dispel, wo think it will be conducive to the usefulness of the organisation if it abandons a title so violently political. Its mere mention creates antagonism, from representing the society as belligerent. There can be no doubt that the organisation may make its influence felt on legislation, but we venture to say that this influence will be more effective for good if exercised by a society professedly alLanding to the special interests of farmers and settlers rather than a political organisation appearing obtrusively on the arena of party politics. The excellent programme of business transacted at tho meeting of Saturday shows that the main objects of the League are not political ; and even the memorial to the Assembly, pronounced as it is in favour of a protective tariff, would have far more respect shown to it in the House if emanating from a Farmers' Society than if conveying the views of a political " League." Moving the City Council in respect of the Market-place ; exercising a surveillance over the importation of stock, so as to protect settlers from contagious disease ; remonstrating with the banks on what may bo regarded by settlers as an iucouvenionce; seeking to obtain facilities for improving fanning lands, tire all in their way legitimate duties for such a society ; and we do not doubt that as time advances the society will undertake more extended operations of a kindred class, and in such opciations there will be found enough to keep the hands of members full without fheh 1 taking part in political strife. The " Flax Associations" of the South, which hav« been productive of so much good, afford an example of one department of usefulness -which this new organisation .should occupy ; and, whether by appointing committees or originating special associations', ifc ap. pears to us that this League may confer a boon ou the proviuce by acting as ;i parent or guardian to various organisations, fostering and encouraging them, and at the same time taking a general oversight of the farming interests of the Avhole province. The League, so far as we can yet judge of it, is deserving of the best wishes of all who desire the settlement and prospeiity of tho province, and we trust that everything will be eliminated that would tend to create prejudice against it as a political organisation.

O^e of the most interesting portions of the report of the Inspector of Militia and Volunteers recently submitted to Parliament is that relating to Cadets. From this it appears that there were on the 31st of May no less than I,2GG lads who had enrolled themselves for the future defence of the country. Those who can only look afc things in the present tense may feel inclined to smile at our boy-soldiers ; but there cannot Iw a I doubt that if this country is to maintain its independence, and not be the victim of recurring panics, but become self-reliant, and safe from foi eigu insults and attack, we have herein the principle and the nucleus of any future efficient defence. Twelve hundred and sixty-six represent, indeed, but a small proportion of all the lads in the colony capable of being subjected to military drill ; and this feature in our military organisation is chiefly remarkable for its spontaneity. There iias been no compulsion, as will probably be the case in our future educational system, but this manifestation of youthful enthusiasm serves to show how strong the latent feeling in favour of military practices. In no province has that feeling so shown itself as in our own. At the time of the occurrence of the Colonial Shooting Match in March last, there was not one juvenile company of Volunteers iu the province, and at the close of May there were 400 Cadets enrolled — 300 in Auckland and' 100 at ,the Thames— a number which haa since been considerably inreased ;., while the largest number of Cadets in any other province is 227, in^he.prpviuce of Otago. , No one that has seen the enthusiasm with which our lads have taken to soldiering can doubt the facilities that are thereby afforded ibr training the whole ia&\e' population to the use. of arms ; and, it" military drill is incorpo-, ratecf into ttie educational system of the colony," we j can* rest assured that the 'coming generation wiliiihave •in their own hands the shaping of the destinies of Now Zealend, uninfluenced by pres-

urGtfroinjv \viti;oti%,^ As .stated by Jolo&ef BWington,*^Jt 19? scarcely " necessary to point out that the Cadet3 " tiro the real source from whence our 1 " best Volunteers \vill_ be recruited in " <r fature/ and that" lads who at such earl)' age derive practical proofs of '[ their training .will .enter- the ranks of "adult <jorps J with zeal aud -euthu".sjasnr." , „, t '

,» • - . . • „«.., . ; < • '. - - -A meeting of the executive committee of the' Auckland Agricultural 1 League was held on Saturday* last, when a considerable amount of important business was, transcted.< • From the report of the meeting, which appears in another oolumn, it "will be seen that the farmers have resolved to try and help the'nselves, and by union and perseverance thpy will doubtless succeed. The variety • and " importance of the subjects brought forward show the wide scope there is for such ah organisation 'as they have formed. The League at present shows considerable vigour, and, if energetically and skilfully worked for a short time, its influence will be felt throughout the country. To attain that end its promoters and members must not flag in their efforts because they do not attain the immediate realisation of their wishes. In the midst of difficulties and discouragements they must continue to work with as much energy as if they were encouraged with auccesa at every step, and sooner or later they will command attention. A change ia rapidly taking place in the popular mind, and this Will no doubt find vent in the formation of % number of well- managed district societies affiliated to the ceatral League. It is the want of unity amongst the farmers themselves that has hitherto prevented their influence from being felt, as, if the aggregate capital employed in agriculture be considered, it is the largest and most important interest in the colony. There was no sitting in Banco at the Supreme Court on Saturday. In Bankruptcy, the case of James Jones, of Mercer, Waikato, a dettler, was adjourned for one week. Two samples of coloured cloth for shirting, manufactured from New Zealand flax fibre, have been left at our office for exhibition. They were cub from off a piece sent out to Mr. It. Hampton, of Shortland-streot. The cloth has a silky appearance, and is soft and flexible. It appears to be well adapted for shirts, and could, wo Bhould think, be, equally well used for sheeting, &c. That flax is capable of being wove can scarcely be disputed after the proof furnished by these samples, which may be aeon at our publishing office. A meeting of the Auckland Institute will be held this evening, at half-past 7 o'clock, in the Museum Buildings. A special meeting will be held to consider the proposal to begin permanent buildings in place of the wooden ones lately removed. After the special meeting the business of the monthly meeting will be transacted, and a paper will be read on "The Defence of the Harbour of Auckland," by Dr. Stratford ; " Notes on a Thermal Spring near Helensville, " by Mr. Robert Mair ; and a paper on the New Zealand species of Pittosporum, by T. Kirk, F.L.S. We are glad to learn that the subscriptions promised by members of the Catholic Church towards the erection of a cathedral in a suitable place in the city are rapidly flowing into the hands of the committee. Wo may therefore expect soon to see the building commenced. Bishop Croko preached yesterday evening at vespers in Patrick's Cathedral. The church was crowded, and Miss Shanaghan, with her usual ability, conducted the musical part. This lady, as leader of the choir, gives univorsal satisfaction. Stato of H.M. Gaol, Auckland, for week ending September 30 : On remand, 1 male ; awaiting trial, 2 males ; sentenced to penal servitude, 35 male3 ; hard labour, 75 males, 26 females ; default of bail, 1 male, 2 females ; debtors, 3 males. Received during week, 15 males, 5 females ; discharged, 17 males, 7 females : total in gaol, 137 males, 28 females. The Thames Adoerthrr says :—" The brig 'Our Hope' discharged forty t»ns of her cargo, the uuchineiy of the United Pumping Association, yesterday, by means of lighters. The machinery is being landed under the superintendence of Mr. Knington, the com pany's engineer, and willcompnse altogether about 250 loin." We have been furnished by Mr. J. M French with the last quarterly returns of members bclon<jing to each tent, in the New Zealand Distiiot, of the Independent Order o£ llechabites, Sal ford Unity : — "' Hope of I Wellington Tent, Wellington, 5S members ; Star of Hauraki, Thames, 50 ; Hope of Napier, Napier, 50 ; Rose ot Sharon, Hawke's Bay, 31 ; Hope of Auckland, Auokhnd, 22 ; Morning Star, Hawke's Bay, 13 ; Lily of the Valley, Hawke's Bay, 11 : total number of members, 237. —Or. to the Hope of Auckland Tent, £228 7s. 9d. Tent Officers : J. Radelifife, C.R.; E. Lettoy, D.R.; J. M. Fronch, secretary. Cr. to the funeral fund of New Zealand Dist-ict, £133 5)3. 9d. District Officers: E. LuLioy, D.C.R.; P. | Crow, D.D.R. ; J. M. French, secretary.— l Duiiug the p.isb quarter the New Zealand District has granted authority and dispensation to open new tents at Blenheim, province of Wellington ; Vornon and Waipukura, Howke's Bay. The Now Zealand District has every reason to believe that our next quarterly returns will show a large increase of members. The New Zealand District will publish in future quarterly returns from each tent ; and consequently make known its number of membeis and amount of funds. " It will be seen by our advertising columns that the Official Agent ha3 issued notice of schemes of contributions in the Armstrong Claim, British Ensign, Diadem, Great Atlantic, Great Republic, Lone Star, National, Southern Cross, Scotchman's United, and St. Katharine Goldmiiunjj Companies. The assessment list in the Otahuhu Highway District has been prepared, and can now I bo stoa by the ratepayers at the Post-office. Ap,)i als will be heard by the trustees ab tlio Criteum Hotel, on the 6th October, at noon. We are glad to see that those who desire to study the art of drawing will have ample opportunities for doing so under first-class masters. In our advertising columns notices appear announcing the commencement of two distinct classes, one conducted by Mr. J. C. Hoyte, and another by Mr. Charles Palmer. Both these gentlemen are artists of acknowledged ability. Mr. Palmjr's lessons will be given in the Preparatory School, Hobson-street, in the evening, which will enable those engaged in business dm ing the day to attend. Nothing is more conducive to the development of a refined taste than the study of drawing and landscape painting, and these accomplishments now almost invariably form part ©f a superior English education. In the colonies there is a tondency to neglect" the finer branches of education, and to impart instruction only of apr ictical or rather commercial kind. This course is of course the most prudent where boys have only a few years allowed them to prepare for taking part in the world's battles, but where it is possible it is well to cultivate refined tastes in youth, as a thoroughly cultivated mind becomes any sphere. We hope that the efforts of the gentlemen named will have the effect of excitiug a more general taste in Auckland for the fine arts. The Official Agent requests the creditors in the Ballarat Star and the Mclsaac's Extended Goldmining Companies to send in and prove their claims on or before the 14th October. ■ The excellent chromolithographs, to which we drew, attention' on Saturday as beinsr exhibited at Mr. 1 Wayte's shop, will be placed oa exhibition in the shop lately occupied by Mr. Canning, in ■ Shortland-street, to-day. There are, it is seated, fulty 200 of them, and many of them are admirable specimens of art. The shop will be open from ten to four o'clock.

to~vrill fcj eeeo by ftp- nftvortisemont in another coftmu that flfrpablio are cautioned against de*ltfig in scrip in Ahe Italian Goldmining Company. The first annual meeting of the shareholders in tlfe MtfatTalaiafi Union GoldraimndJ Company, was" held ' Jit the Qaeon^ferry Hotel on Friday VD.'B. Wallace, Esq., m the chair. The directors' fust annual report, the mineaospecifrt's report, and the balaucesheet — showing :■ Receipts, £828 153.; disbursements, £755 7s. 5d. ; leaving £72 ,17s. Ud. to th.9 credit of the with liabilities nominal— were read and adopted. George .Booker,- Esq., was elected a director for the. ensuing , year, in place of W. J. Vance, Esq., retired. Some discussion took place respecting the future working of the mine, and the directors stated that tenders would be immediately invited for the construction of a tunnel of 260ft. to intersect the valuable reef now being worked on in the adjoining Golden Age Company, known to run into the company's ground,, and that this work will bo vigorously pushed forward. The proceedings then terminated, with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. ! The funeral of Mr. C. Greenaway's youngest son, whose death was announced in our Thursday's issue, took place on Friday last. Tho deceased was thirteen years of age, and had only been ill a fortnight. He was suffering from an injmy to tho brain supposed to have been caused by violent exertion in gymnastic oxerciso, and had been attended to by Drs. Kenderdme and Stockwell. The funeral was a most affecting one. Up to the time of his illness tho lad had been a pupil at the Grammar School, and a member of the Cadet corps. Tho Cadets followed the remains of their former companion to their last resting-place, and the procession numbered at least 230 persons, chiefly boys, but also including a number of Mr. Greenaway's tenautry. The body was interred in the Church of England Cemetery, the Key. C. M. Nelson reading the burial service in a most impressive manner. The members of the late A.R.V. Band are invited to meet Mr. McComish on Wednesday evening at half-paat aeven o'clock, at the shop of Messrs. Gee and Potter, for practice. Three men, named A. Crombie, W, King, and G. W. Smith, were in custody last night charged with stealing a weighing machine. They will be brought up this morning for a preliminary examination at the Police Court. There were also six inebriates on the charge-sheet. ' A call of GJ. per share has been made in the Golden Lion Goldmiuing Company, payable at the company's office by the 19th mst. An accident of a somewhat peculiar character occurred at midnight on Friday at the Coronet Company's mine, Thames, the consequences of which would have been very senous but for the promptness of the manager, Mr. Dooley, and a chain of fortuuate circumstances which prevented fatal consequences. At 12 o'clock, the braceman, who 13 known as Gh.arlie,"was about to change the whim horae and harness for a fresh one. The full bucket was raised to the top of the collar, but, instead of lauding it on the brace, ho allowed it to hang iu the shaft. Having taken out the horso, the weight of tho full bucket worked the whim round, at firsc slowly, but, gathering impetus as it descended, it whirled tho whim round at a tremendous speed, and the beam, striking the man and horse, knocked both over, the former being completely stunned by the blow. The shaft 13 a double one, and as the full bucket descended in one compartment the other ascended in tho next with corresponding force, and, rising to tho top of the poppet-heads, struck the largo iron sheave, which weighs about lewt., with such force that it was thrown out of its place and fell into the shaft beneath, descending on the bucket in the shaft, which it smashed to atoms. Fortunately the men were not at work in tho shaft, a drive having recently been commenced in which they were at work at the time, and escaped all injuries, except that of being imprisoned bolow. Mr. Dooley, who resides on the claim, heard the noise of the sheave as it fell down the shaft. He at once got out of bed, and, going to the door, sang out to know what was the matter : receiving no answer he went to the brace, and found the brace-man lying insensible and the horse thrown down. Assistance was procured at once, and a rope was lowered to the men below, who made it fast to the sheave, which was then h.uilcd up and replaced with considerable difficulty. The rope had also got foul of tho drum, but within an hour d anuses ueie repaired. Woro it not for the timely a-s>istanco loiuloicd, th' % position of the m t n below wonlil have been v. iy prec 1110113. They had no means of ascending the shaft, and the water was rapidly using around them. The abaft is about 140ft in depth. — Mall. The monthly meeting of Lodge Ara takes place tins evening at half-past seven o clock, in tho lodge-room, Masonic Hotel. To the careful and unprejudiced observer it must s>cem very clear that Republican ideas arc rapidly gaining ground in England. There can bo no doubt that tho sympathies of the English masses were decidedly with the French as against tho Germans, from the hour of the proclamation of a lepublic. Jt seems clear, beyond dispute, that the great majority of British mechanics and artisans are to-day out-and-out Republicans. It is well to understand that these same progressive artisans arc men of altogether a different stripe from tho French Communists. They ai c not enthusiasts, or dreamers, or fanatics. , They do not rave about "Liberty, equality, or fraternity," nor do they contemplate a raid against vested interests or the rights of property. "They are well-infoiined, cool, sensible, practical mnn. They are not fanatics against monarchy, or wild enthusiasts in favour of republicanism. They have come to the conclusion tlv.vfc monarchy is cumbrous and expensive, while republicanism is simple and cheap. This is all. Good sense— wo admit it is purely selfish good sense— and intelligent class interest lies at the root of the democratic movement, and the dcmociatic sympathies of tho English working men. We repeat that these mun aic not republican through ideal notions or theoretical speculations. In all their ways of thinking they arc eminontly practical and utilitarian. They object to monarchy, not on the ground that it is opposed to the eternal verities, but on the ground that it is unnecessarily expensive. They do not depreciate Itiugs and queens, and princes and princesses, because they do not harmoniso with the theories of the good, the beautiful, and the true, but because they have coolly reckoned them up on the utilitarian principle of profit and loss, and have arrived at the conclusion that they cost more than they come to. But tho English working man is widely different in principle and temperament from the French Communist. He is no believer in violent revolutions. He is patient, cool, and practical. Nevertheless, he is a firm believer in republicanism, as the fairest and cheapest system of government ; and he is none the less likely to achieve a final success because he is patient, cool, and practical. — San Franchco News-Letter.

The Chicago Pott, which, like Ben. Butler, "cannot tell a lie," says: "It is all a lie about Brigham Young having forty wives. He has only thirty-nine. The villainous scandal about his being the father of seventy children can also now be set at rest for ever. The complete census reveals only sixty-five, and two or three of these are apocryphal. He is just seventy, whereas his oldest child is only foi-ty-eigbt, and his youngest ten months. It is said that the forty-eight-year-old child was quite incensed at the recent adveat of his little brother, and made no efforts to conceal his emotions. Brigham dutifully ordered mourning for his eleven wives, but as no ordinary hat would accommodate all the funeral badges, ho hired a tin hat made -a kind ot stove-pipe with a flange at the lower end— And- he stood this cylinder up in his closet, with all the bombazine bands neatly arranged, one above another. Every time a wife dies now, the bereaved old snrviypr wipes his weeping eyes, and adds a bombazihe ferule to the seven-foot stovo-pipe hat. It is a depressing sight."