The Daily southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4608, 31 May 1872, Page 2

The Daily southern Cross.

LTJOEO, NON TJfiO. If £ hkve been extinguished, yet there rli* A thoutnad beaaott* from tke spark I bor*.

[FRIDAY, MAY 31. 1872* j

A. subject of great practical importance I to the colonies was discussed at a meeting of the Koyal Colonial Institute in London, in March last. It was introduced by a papev read by Mr. Hyde Clarke, "On the Financial Resources " suitable for the Development of our " Colonies." "Every colonist," says the Australasian, which contains an account of the proceedings, ♦' who has " seen the difficulties which impede the " growth of. a ne# community, must, " some time or other, have reflected on " the enormous amount of work' which " has to be done by the early settlers, " which, in an old cquntry, has been " already done by the labour of past " generations. The country has to be [ " cleared, towns have to be ' built, I " bridges to be erected, roads to be I " formed, and railways to be con- * structed." The works of this kind to which Mr. Hyde Clarke principally referred in his paper are railways. He pointed out how much railway extension would in the course of the, next few years be called for in countries backward in this means of communication,and showed that to defray the cost of execution out of the savings of the. community, which is_by the very want of those advantages unfairly handicapped 1 in competition with, older and better furnished countries, must necessarily be a slow progress. There are se many demands on such populations that to meet this vast outlay out. of production is almost impossible. Therefore, there is no other resource than toborroYr, capital from the older nations, where lie large accumulations of capital seeking investment., "There- '-are/' said Mr. Clarke, "at the present .{iaie ' Colonial Legislatures, dallying with " questions )6f public w'Qrkfl, ana post- " poning the construction of railway! "in the hope of substituting cheap " tramways, aad thus living outlay and " avoiding the trammels: 6f debt7~JTif Kinany, ofltHese cases; ;they^ere ; 'n6ti ' economising capita], but retarding the " progress of the cquntry, and render- " ing it less able' io' 'encounter -the* " responsibility jbf ; borrowing:, and. ".more . .liable^''' to " be"' called! , upon' "to pay a^nigherA ratei^o^s interest."' In the diseusgfliott which- followedf Mr.W, Weatgarth adduced ;?th#r circum-. fit ajipejthat .li^^^ip^^ j^^SMf^ interest wefe'tetof pro^J portionate pricek" th^iliose floated l^ higher rates. The#iplanation,iaoawi

of this kind, appears to be that, by making tjie interest unduly high, tho colony undervalues its own security, and the capitalist takes it at its own valuation. Several insl auces of th is are given. At the meeting, where a large number of influential representatives from' the colonies -were present, the remarks of the several speakers were of a practical businesa-like character, and contained many hints of valae alike to colonies seeking loans, and to home capitalists looking for outlets for investments. The general impression among the foremost colonists in England is decidedly in favour of the principle that, in a new country, where so rauoh public work has to be undertaken by the present 'generation, in the benefits of which posterity will share, even, to a greater extent than ourselves, it is both wise and jusfc that posterity should be chargeable with a share of the expenditure. It has been by acting on this prinoiple hitherto that the most prosperous among the Australian colonies have made such rapid progress j. and, though late in the day, we in New Zealand are now at length entering on the same course. In the case of thi3 colony, however, the men who have had the foresight and courage to initiate an enlightened scheme of public improvement will have to contend from the outset against the heavy dead- weight of an unproductive liability previously contracted. It is the old j war-debt of the colony which still hangs so heavily round the necks of the colon ial ratepayers, and not the moneys j now being raised literally for the salvation of the country, and which are I being spent, or are to be spent, on purely j reproductive works. We do not say | that the war debt of the colony was absolutely unavoidable. A portion of it, we admit, was inevitable in 18G3. But since then a series of ill-advised native administration has seriously aggravated our financial position. As everyone must be aware, it is to retrieve the colony from these consequences that the present policy of progress hast been initiated. It is gratifying to find that the steps which have been taken on behalf of New Zealand have so far invariably obtained the sanction and approval of the highest colonial authorities in such matters. "We have the strongest evidence of this iv the light in which our securities are at this moment regarded in the English money market. As for the success of a policy of imini gration and public works in a country like JNew Zealand, no one, we presume, with any knowledge of practical colonisation has a doubt on the subject, provided the works are carried out with judgment and ability. We sometimes meet with local . criticisms pretending to inquire whether this or that particular line of railway will immediately pay its working expenses, but we need hardly point out that this is not the way to decide the merits of a comprehensive policy. On this point we quote again from the columns of the Australasian, in its remarks on the meeting of colonists in London referred to at the commencement of this article : ".There are indeed cases '* where although there is no imine- " diate likelihood of the work paying, I" it is yet highly desirable to " execute it, on account of the great ' u assistance it would afford to the " general development of the country, *' by which means it would become, " though not directly,yet indirectly and " quite as distinctly, reproductive." The j course now being pursued in New Zealand is the only one open to the colony. Burdened with a heavy debt contracted for objects which yield no immediate money return, we are unable from current income to initiate a scheme of settlement, and therefore must be content either to stagnate where we are, or resort to a borrowing policy for purposes of reproductive improvement as others are doing around us. We have only to cask our eyes towards the neighbouring colonies of Australia to see the efforts whic^i .have been put forward there within the last ten years, and that are still in active operation, for the carrying out of large public improvements, more especially in the matter "of railways. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia have each expended large sums of money on railways and,immigration, and they do not in the least regret the course they have pursued. On the contrary, they contemplate yet greater things. Victoria boasts that in a few years no town or settlement in that colouy will be ten miles distant from a railway; and, at the present moment, it is in course of projection to carry a *grand trans-continental double railway line across the whole of New Holland, connecting the Australian colonies with one another,frotn Queensland to South Australia. Why should we in New Zealand lag behind ? Let it be remembered there is no such thing, as standing still in these dj*ys of active colonisation. .(Elfeheitfwe must push ah^ad as others are doing, or we must be oontent to fall a long way astern of our;neighbours, and be pointed at in deri&ion, as the Eip Van" Winkles .and Sleepy Hollow denizens of a bygone age. The people of New Zealand, we ,are purBuaded,have no intention to occupy such a position. With a magnificent climate, and an area ' of territory yet barely entered on by the^ advance of colonisation, wo believe it is the destiny of this fine country/to progress at least with equal strides with the rest of her neighbours in. the march of improvement toward 1 widespread, permanent, and substantial prosperity.

While so great an.outcry is being Made by on<rortw@ppositaon journals ' with, Te|pe^:ip. ths e^ost of '.the Californiftn mail service, it ' may. not be amiss to call attention to the actual payments • winch have beeir made .foe the .postal service of the colony in^ years gone by, going ~so} : fe|back W 4he palmy l&iyi* of3h|^s4^ ma contract, when £lpQ t QQO tpeftftnniftm -was not con/a4ere£toi guo^.m^yjo^nd on •icb'an obieetewe h»v§|only t to tefer to HWl |fetb, J find^t do less ft sum than £59,456 was pajd away in tft^owi jdur contriM

tion to the Suez lino, while for the same service the year before it cost the colony £65,300. The Suez route at that time at least, us most people will remember, proved most uncertain aud unsatisfactory. Tho irregularity in the delivery of the mail had passed into a proverb, while no collateral advantages whatever accrued to the colony in consideration, of its heavy expenditure. While we wore paying some £17,000 a year for the service between Melbourne and New Zealand, there was scarcely a mouth in which demurrage to the extent of between £200 and £600 per month had not to be paid on account of the non-arrival of the mail, and not infrequently the steamer after waiting for several days would come on without it. Bub especially was it true of the Suez service that it held out no commercial advantage to New Zealand such as ought to be derived from a connection of this kind. It is one of the prominent peculiarities of the Californian service, that in addition to its being a good postal route, which unquestionably it is, notwithstanding its preliminary drawbacks through accidental shortcomings, which are bound to give way before the energy and perseverance of the contractors, it is pre-eminently a commercial line, calculated to prove a powerful auxiliary to the trade of the colony. This consideration must weigh with us in determining the real vahif of the Oalifornian service. Even if the whole subsidy had to bo paid by New Zealand, the colony, we contend, would yet be the gainer in maintaining the line single-handed ; but we have no idea that New Zealand will be loft to bear the whole of the burden. Whatever may be the fate of tho proposed subsidy from the American Government this year, we are satisfied that the commercial interests at stake on all sides will not permit the matter to drop before the point is carried. As for the Australian colonies, they are as deeply interested as we are in maintaining the Californian service, and we have no apprehension at present on that head, llowever far petty jealousies and party conflict may interpose for a time, the question now impending must ultimately receive a satisfactory solution. We have now the indisputable fact established that first class boats, like the ' Nebraska,' running all the way through, can do the distance between Auckland aud San Francisco in about 21> daj'.s, or 39 to 40 days to England from New Zealand and 4<5 to 46 days from Australia, for mails and passengers. No other route can excel this, even if it should come up to it. The Australian colonies, in spite of any prejudice they might have had heretofore against joining New Zealand in the Californian Mail .^ervice, cannot any longer shut their eyes to the many advantages this service holds out to them as well as to us, both with respect to its absolute efficiency, when properly organised, and the terms offered them by this colony.

The Governor, accompanied by Major Campbell and Captain Machell, A.D.C., will leave town tlii3 morning (the 31st) for the Waikato. His Excellency will travel Toy short stages, visiting all the townships, settlements, and native k3ingas, and will be in constant communication with Mr. McLean, who is at Alexandra, making arrangements with the Kingites for the expected meeting with the Governor. It is to be hoped that no insuperable difficulty will arise to prevent a final settlement of our all our difficulties. During the hearing of the gieat "dock" , case in the District Court yesterday, it was shown upon the dicta of legal authorities whose opinions are not to be doubted that a man is legally bound to perform an impossibility, or stand the consequences. In law it appears thero is no such an ingredient known las' an "impossibility." I What a man undertakes to do, that he must do or abide by the consequences. Instances were given in illustration. If a man should undertake to bring every member of the City Council to one opinion on the matter of asphalte pavements, or as to what measure of justice should be dealt out to the dwellers in private streets, or whence the water supply was to come from, or who was to be Mayor at the close of the municipal year, he would be bound by his covenant, fco also, if a man undertook to make a wash-basin hold the waters of the Waitemata, he must do it. It was upon this legal doctrine that the jury yesterday gave damages because the defendant failed to (ill an impossibility. He had agreed to keep certain lands free from dock weeds. There were witnesses who deposed that to do so would be an impossibility. The responsibility was not permitted to weigh, and the jury gave damages for the plaintiff. We regret to learn of the death of Lieutenant - Colonel the Hon. Ponsonby Peacooke, who oxpircd at his residence, Howick, on Wednesday. The deceased gentleman came to this colony, as a settler, about ten qr twelve years ago. During the Maori disturbance of 1864 he mts appointed to the command of the militia of the Howick and Otahuhu districts. He took "an active part in the politics of the colony, and at the time of his death was a member of tbe Legislative Council ; and he had rendered service to the province as a member of the Provincial Council. The deceased was 58 years of age. Our Mauku correspondent writes :— "The late U. Mellsop, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Papakura, whose sa'd'femalnd we, aad some 150 other mourners followed to the grave on Tuesday last, came out to New Zealand in the year, 1850, many of his relative's and kinsmen having preceded him byr j several years. He was ' appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1360, an'd at* the commencement' of the war he was appointed Resident Magistrate for Papakura,Drury, and Pokend ; and during the war he held the appointment of Lieutepant of the Militia, paymaster of the colonel forces for the district, and Resident Magistrate. Mr. Mellsop not long since purohased the valuable estate of Mr. Cobley, at Papakura, and his energies were untiringly at work to improve the valuable property he had acquired. But his multitudinous duties, having to preside over the Bench at Onehanga, Howiok, Papakara, Drury, Pokeno, Jftaiuku, and Port Waikato, gave him very little time to devote to his private duties on his ground; Since the lamented death of Mr. Naugbton, Mr. Mellsop had undertaken, at the request of the Government, the Magisterial duties of Onehunga, Otahuhu, and Eowick, This last year his duties were so heavy that he. decided, not to take out a license for shooting, his favourite sport. N«ver vraa thdre a mor« painstaking or conscientious magistrate appointed to the Bench, or. one who gave more universal satisfaction. That hU'duties, ranging aver so extensive a district, were far too onerous few cau doubt ; but h« never flinched work while be. felt he could, perform, it. Alth ugh bis emolument'vfas by no means commensurate with Mb heavy duties, his purse was ever ready at the oallof need.thijoaghoat his large distriot, and* his loss will be deplored by ai very large" circle of friendi,"

A special general meeting of the members of the Mechanics' Institute ia to bo held tins evening in the hall of that Institution. Tt has been called in accordance with an understanding come to at the annual meeting of members in February. Several notices of motion have beou posted up in the lobby of the Reading Room during the past fortnight, iv accordance with the rules, from which it appears that various modifications of the rules and of the Institute itself of an important character are contemplated. It is proposed that the subscribers to the news room should be admitted to equal rights with the subscribers to the library, and that both should be considered equally members of the Institute, and entitled to a share in its management. Heretofore the greater part of the funds, amounting it is said to twothirds, has been paid by the news room, and tho justice of the alteration can hardly be questioned. A motion for the conversion of the Mechanics' Institute into a free public library will also be submitted ; and, judging from the general feeling in favour of such an institution, the subject will excite considerable intorest. It is al"o proposed to elect a new committee and other officers, in accordance with the understanding agreed to at tho annual meeting, and to instruct the committee to prepare a new code of rules for the conduct of the Institute. A large addition of new members has been made since tho annual meeting, and altogether if tumour is correct the meeting to-night is likely to be of a lively character. An accident, through careless driving, occurred yesterday afternoon, opposite the Inaurauce Company's Buildings in Queenstreet. A butcher's mau was driving a spring-cart, tilled with siieep, in the direction of the wharf. He was seated on the sideboard, with his legs testing on one of the aniniuls, which, suddenly slanting up ou its logs, caused the driver to be thrown back, when he fell heavily ou to the road, wheie lie lay insensible until picked up. Tho assistance of Dr. Nicholson was ab hand, and the man, ib was soon ascertained, beyond ieceiving a Vv>ry severe shakin <, ami a rather deep cub 011 the forehead, had not sustained auy tierious injuiies. The Resident Magistrate's Comb opens this morning 29 causes down on the cause Hat, a very large proportion of which are defended. The jury that was empanelled to inquire into tho cause i>y which Mr. Robert Pollock came- by his death on the 29tb instant, returned yesterday a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony of Dr. Hooper, that the cause of death was serous apoplexy. A report of the evidence taken appeal's else- | where in this issue. Having a desire to know the class of people who were applicants at this season for charitable aid administered by the Relieving Officer, from funds voted by the Provincial Government, we yesterday inquired of that official, who informed us that he was glad to say nob a man or a woman who was able to work was on his books. Happily there was employment for all who were able and willing to work. Upon this information wo ventured to surmise that the Relieving Officet's .situation partook somewhat of the nature of a sinecure. But wo were speedily undeceived. Turning to a book of immense dimensions, and opening up certain folios, we were referred to whole columns of cases of poisons who were recipients of tho Provincial Government bounty. Then it was we came to see how much of utter money, wretchedness, and destitution was hidden from tho general gaze. These were some of the classes receiving relief : — Widows with large families of young children. Wives with families whose husbands had deserted them. Sick widows. Infirm widows. Women with children, whose husbands were criminals undergoing their sentences in the Stockade. Women who were paralytic. One in consumption and unable to work. One very old, sick and asthmatic. Several of the men and women under the head of "infirm" were over seventy, some over eighty, and a a few getting well on to their ninetieth year. Infirmity and disease are almost always fell twins. One is only too often in company with the other. And theso are the people iv attending to whose wants our Relieving Officer devotes a great part of his time. He issues orders for bread, tea, sugar, fuel.someetimea little luxuries, occasionally clothes, according to tho exigencies of particular cases. But the Relieving Officer has other duties of which for the credit of human nature wo should like to have remained ignorant. Mr. Graham tells us that there are scores of men and wonien who attempt to defraud this provincial charity by the grossest and most fraudulent misrepresentations — people who have money iv tho Savings Bank, or who hold property or valuable household chattels, who are in receipt of annuities, or who have wealthy relatives from whom they obtain assistance. These are they who with piteous appeals and lamentations plead bitter poverty, and try to deceive the administrator of a charitable fund. The law, Mr. Graham says, metes out no punishment to these offenders ; and knowing this there is no amount of scheming and lying they will not be guilty of in accomplishing their aim. We would recommend Mr. Graham, who we believe is a man eminently filled for his responsible duties, to glance over the clauses of the Vagrant Act, where, if we are not mistaken, he will find, one to fit some of the applicants who come before him. The number whom the Relieving Officer assisted during the last year was 1,599 adults male and female, and 2,466 children. Yesterday evening the District Court was lit up with three tallow candles It was just " darkness visible."' The people standing about, awaiting the verdict of a jury who were locked up in another room, had quite a spectral appearance. They moved about in a kind of impalpable mist. There was a halo, assuming the form of a luminous circle, round each f>tander's head. Not one sound was heard, and the gloom which reigned was most profound. The dock case had exhausted every one connected with it, mentally and physically. When the jury had returned a verdict, people began to breathe. But when the jurymen received each the paltry sum of 10s. for a four days' sitting, being at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day, they breathed indignation. His Honor the District Judge said he was very sorry the remuneration was so small ; but it was all the law allowed, and therefore all the Court could award. He thanked them for their attendance, which was all the return besides the 103. he had to make them. The now celebrated Norman case has assumed a new phase by the appearance on the scene of a person who claims to be the eldest son of Mr. Norman, and as such the heir to the bulk of deceased's property. We are informed that inquiries' had been made regarding the whereabouts of this gentleman aome time ago, but no trace of him could be found, and he had not been heard of for several years. His attention was drawn to the death of his father and subsequent proceedings by a paragraph in the Sydney Morning Herald, and he at once placed himself in 1 communication with Mr. Bennett, solicitor, of Auckland, who was instructed to watch his interests until he should arrive in Auckland, which we believe will be very shortly. With the view of carrying out these instructions Mr. Bennett advertises in our columns cautioning - any person from negotiating for the purchase of any portion of the estate of the deceased. The 1 new claimants is connected with the railway department of New South Wales. A meeting of promoters was held at the office of Mr. John Mowbray on Wednesday last, when it was decided to atart a company, to be called the Last Resort Qoldmining Company. The ground is at Kapanga, Coromandel. Mr. John Calder was tgo^ed to the chair. The deeds of the, 'association and the rules, having been read and approved of, were adopted. Messrs. J. Hunt, Thomas Craig, John Calder, Edward Frazer^and John Griffiths were appointed as a,bo»rd of director*, with Mr. John Mowbray as legal manager. The capital of' the company is £10,000, in 10,000 shares of £1 each j 10s. per share to be held to be paid up.. The prospects of the mine were spoken of as being moat encouraging.

Mr. Richards Griffiths, formerly chief engineer of H.M.V. a. 'Victoria,' died suddenly at hia residence, B»nk-dtreet West, Emerald- hill, on May 2. Ho was, during tho New Zj.il.uul War, on one occasion the mean? of saving Captain Norraan'B life, when that officer was beset l>y the Maoris. He also accompanied tlio ' Victoria' when sho was sent to the Gulf of Carpentaria, with the view of affording relief to tho Burke and Wills exploration expedition. Private letters from England state that the Rev. John Selwyn, son of the Bishop of Lichfield, is likely to join the Melanesian Mission. Wo have to thank tho Rev. P. H. Cornford for a copy of a pamphlet on the Polynesian Slave Trade by T. Harvey, and a number of tho Anti-Slavery Reporter. We shall take an early opportunity of noticing their contents. At a committee meeting of the Coromandel Hospital Committee held yesterday evening at tho Royal Rotel, Mr. Woollama was elected treasurer, and a hearty vote of thanks passed to Mrs. Allen for her exertions in. collecting subscriptions. Mr. Robert Kelly and Mr. Crump were appointed a subcommittee to inspect a building kindly offered by the treasurer for temporary use free of charge. — [Correspondent.] Another quarry has been opened up in the Hape Valley by a company called the Mount Soirel Gran'to Company. The stone is some little distance above where Mr. Briton obtained that used in the foundations of the United Pumping Association Works. Great preparations are being made to work the stone iv a proper and energetic manner. The stone is harder than "what we have seen before, and is of a dark grey, looking something like granite, but it is in l&ility trachyte. The Mount Sorrel Company have obtaiued the cimtiact from the City Council of Auckland, for tho supply of alone for flagging the streets!, and they fully expect to get large orders from tho Ilaibour Board when they commence their works, — Quardian. The District Court was adjourned at 6 p m. on Thursday until Monday rext, when the following defended cases will be called on in the order they stand on the list : — Nolan v. Blucher, Boyb v. Temahau (the Bank of New Zealand ovcr-payment-of-notes case), Clarksou v. B.iilhe. Besides these there are a number of contributoiy cases to be heard, and to which numerous objections have been lodged. The "dock" case was brought to a conclusion last night. The remainder of the evidence- produced for the defendant, the addresses of counsel, the summing up of his Honor the Judge, and the finding of the jury, occupied the Court until G o'clock. During last summer the City Council were at the expense of having a considerable portion of High- and Chancery-streets," adjoin' ing the Police Court-house, covered with spent bark from the tan-yard. It served ita purpose effectually for some time in deadening the sound caused by passing drays. Latterly, however, tho bark has been so grourd up to an almost impalpable powder that the deadening effect produced by it waa very small, and during wet weather it was a pet feet quagmire. It was almost impossible to cross tho street during rain without completely spoiling the legs of trousers, or the skirts of ladies' dresses. The City Council have at last taken pity on pedestriaus, and removed the rubbish olf the street, so that it now presents a cleaner appearance than if; has done for some time past. We (Wellington Independent) are afraid that there is not much probability of the Education Bill passing during the coming session. The battle-ground will no doubt be the aided clauses, although there appears also to be a general objection to the business of education being taken out of tho hands of the Provincial Governments, In Otago the greatest amount of feeling has been evinced, and no spirit of compromise appears to exist. The Catholics, headed by Bishop Moran, insist that in any system of public education they are entitled to a fair s-hare of the public money for schools conducted after their own fashion j and although they do not consider the provisions of the new bill as fair to them as they ought to be, they are willing to accept the compromise offered by the aided clauses. In these views the Catholics are not alone, both the Anglican and Methodist Churches holding opinions of a similar eharteter. But the Presbyterians, who form the greater part of the Otago population, will have nothing to do with a denominational system, although strange to say they insist upon Bible reading and tracking in their public schools, thus destroying their absolutely secularjoharacter. The Council of Education for Tasmania has framed rules for the examination of female candidates who may desire to have the degree of Associate of Arts conferred upon them. The Patea correspondent of a Whanganui paper, writing upon the subject of the Tuhua goldfield, says : — "Tho nearest point apparently accessible from tho coast lino is tho Mokau river, in tho province of Taranaki. This river is said to be navigable for a distance of 20 milos (by the river course) ; it ia said that here the sides of the river arc composed of high precipitous cliffs of solid rock, and that it is almost impossible to effect ft landing, and that even if that were effected the fearfully broken nature of the country botween that point and the Tuhua would prove an effectual bar to further progress inland. Tho next nearest path is Alexandra on the Waipa (Waikato). The distance from Alexandra to Tuhua in direct line is 50 miles, and which, in consequence of the broken nature of the country that would have to be traversed, would probably increase the distance about 97 miles. Alexandra is a lone; way from Auckland, the port from which it principally diaws its supplies. Napier is altogether 'out in the cold,' the direct line distance being about GO miles, which with tho various circuits that would have to be made would increase the distance to about 150 miles Tho latter portion of the route would be through an almost impregnable country round the North end of Lake Taupo. They would have to cross the Waikato at its outlet, and a number of other streams running into the Lake." The Grey River Argus says:— "lt is rumoured that an income tax will be proposed, and, however objectionable in many respects it would be, it would probably be tho fairest way of making up the deficit had all other means been exhausted. But thi3 is not yet the case, and there remains still an untouched mine of fiscal ; wealth if the Government have only tha courage to propose it. We refer ,to an export duty on wool. We can well fancy the consternation and indignation that such a proposition would create on being introduced amongst the patrea conscripti of either branch of the Legislature. There would' be quickly | protests against taxing produce, against I checking population, and oceans of interested twaddle of all kinds, poured out on the devoted heads of those wlid brought such a proposal forward. At the same time not only must it come to that, but such a mode of raising revenue is quite as equitable and just as taxing the proceeds of a miner's | labour." • Free trad© works 'wonders for Tasmania, as may be seen from the -following ':— " The I Customs returns for the quarter ending 31st | March last are published, and exhibit a i marked decline in revenue when- compared with the corresponding quarter in the preceding year. The duties collected during the first quarter of 1871 amounted to £40,656, while in the same period of the present year they only come up to < £33,061 ls^howing a falling off of £7,69& A deficiency so creat can only but increase the difficulties of the Treasurer. Nor are these Kkely-to be removed by bettor prospects, which, seemingly, are as distant as ever. The decrease in the value of the imports for the quarter under review m contrasted jwith the same quarter in the previous year, amounted to £72,205, but in ifce'same period there was an increase in the value of .the exports, amounting to £66,802.— Correspondent of Amiralasian. fifr. Tavares' is about to visit Melbourne to engage a dramatic company for New Zealand.

We have no hesitation in saying that the concurrent commencement of cay half a dozen railway lines in New Zealand would at this moment create a very serious disturbance in the labour market, without even the cornpeusation of providing the requisite quantity of labour for the railways. This condition of affairs has no doubt been fully appreciated by the Government and by Mr. Brogden, and both must have felt that a satisfactoiy solution of the difficulty must be found only in immigration. And until quite recently it was exactly with regard to this condition that the Government was the weakest. Mail after mail we were told that the Agent-General almost despaired of obtaining an adequate amount of immigrants from the j United Kingdom, and that he was compelled to seek the required population from foreign' BOurces. But we are very glad in- j deed to learn that the first impressions of the Agent-General are being overcome, and that there is a very groat probability of our receiving a large immigration from the old country. According to Dr. Featherstou's j despatches just received by the Suez mail, the applications for passages under the regulations recently issued by him are very numerous ; and the flow of population to New Zealand has fairly commenced on a soalo which holds out the best hopes for the , future. — Wellington Independent. The Sydney Mail of date May 4 give 3 an engraving with de»criptive letter-press of the magnificent new warehouses erected by Messrs. A. Me Arthur and Co., in Yoikstrcet, of that city. Uhe new warehouses have a frontage to New-street of 88ft., by a depth in all of 170 ft., extending right through to Clarence-Btreet. The elevation to Yorkstreet, which occupies the entire frontage, presents a noble and commanding appearance It is three storeys in height, and is treated in what is generally known as the Italian st\lo of street architecture. The principal catchment of Messrs. Me Arthur and Co. is in London ; they have branch establishments in Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. We have heard of soveial peisons who have been poisoned lately by eating fish, which, after being caught, lias been evitosed to the influence of the moon. In none of the cases, however, have the results been fatal. We yesterday heard of two men, lately employed on the telegraph line near K.itikMi, who came into town suffering from thiscausi\ and we understand Dr. Sam has another patient in Graharastown uuder bis caie at the present time, who is just recovering from such an attack. Care should always be taken that fish should not be kept in any place where the moon can exercise its baneful effects upon it.— Guardian.

Percy Caspa Frasi, of Newton Road, surveyor, has filed a declaration of his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. A meeting of the shareholders of th<» Auckland Ice Company is to take place this afternoon, at the office of the company. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Christchurch Goldminiug Company is to be hold on tne 18th instant. The Key. Mi . Edger is to preach in the City Hall on Sunday morning next upon "Christ's Conditions Too Hard for His Disciples ;" and in the evening upon "Living for Others, the Soul of Practical Christianity."