THE Daily southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5113, 12 January 1874, Page 2

THE Daily southern Cross.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 1S74.

It is only a few days more than six montlis siuco there was hold in Auckland one of tho largest, us it was piobably tho most cordial and united of meetings that ever assembled in tho city, supporting tho movement in favour of the immediate construction of a lailway in the central part of tho Northern Island. Tho unanimity of that meeting and of the persons who addressed it was romaikablc. The theme of the meeting was tho necessity of appealing to the General Government, and pointing out the imperative dut) of Ministers to proceed as rapidly as possible with this woik, in order to secure the peace of the colony, and thereby avoid tho expenditure of our taxes in war ; at the same time to f ecuiv the safe extension of our population, the due ob&eivance of law and Justice, and the development of the large resources of the Noith Wand Men of all classes and politicians of all shades of opinion expressed but one sentiment ; and the newspaper press was no less united in opinion Our duty, it was argued in these columns at the time, was and is, to " carry our modern powets and appliances into tho wilderness of the savage ; to diive the irou roadway to the boundary line of the confiscated teriitory, and then kuock <it the door of barbarism and enter in and possess the land and establish, peace for ever." These opinions we expressed six mouths ago ; and th°y were the opinions prevailing all over tho province. They found their way to thobur>nuK of tho M-nistry ard ob turned distinct uttomnce in tho Paili.i ment of tho colony. Both Ministers and P.uli.wnent on their rejwwkitio'i, ie-p»nded lib"rally to tho apj lictti n '■o unanimously made from Auckland ; and when the close of the session nu'ivcd, wo were enabled tc announce that among the benefits which that session had produced for this pivt of tho colony, was tho Parliamentaiy authority to extend the line of railway from Mercer to Newcastle (Ngaruawahia), and that not only were funds provided for this work, but also that the liuo from Ngaruawahia on to Taranaki and Wellington would ultimately be carried on as speedily as circumstances would allow. The first part of this important work i.s actually bo^un, Saturday last witnessed the formal oih'cial commencement of the work. On tho banks of the "Waikato at tho spot whore the waters of that " full and flowing " liver mingle with and absorb those of the "Wai pa, the ceremony of cutting the nist sod of the line was performed by his Honor the Superintendent of tho province. Tho work is a colonial one, and that being so one of tho colonial Ministers Dr. Pollen took a loading part in the ceremony. The cordial co-operation of the Superintendent and his Executive with the General Government of the colony, in carrying out the woiks of a peaceful and colouial policy of railways, road?, and immigration, was coitified to by the Superintendent, and his verbal explosion of that co-operation was attested by the part ho took in the ceremony of Saturday. It was, wo believe, intended from the fust to begin the lino at Ngaruawahia, and proceed downwaids, meeting the extended linefiom Mercer. And it appears it has since been determined by the Government, to try tho experiment of perfoiming the woik of construction of this line, direct by their own employees on day wages, instead of letting it out to contractors. Aud in ouler to do this effectively it was resolved to enrol a few hundred Volunteer Militiamen under orders to do tho work, and at the same time maintain the occasional drill and practice which promotes efficiency and also secures obedience. This the Hon. Dr. Pollen assured the public assembled at Newcastle on Saturday was the sole object of this arrangement, and his Honor tho Superintendent followed in a like strain, pointing out that this movement for tho establishment of good agreement and for the advantage alike of the native aud the European settler, for i ail ways give additional value to the lands and possessions of both. " Wisdom," he said, in addressing the Maoris present, " was now devising ways of plcisautness and paths of peace" for both parties ; and that the tracks of war must now bo forsaken, and those of peace, commerce, and usefulness substituted. And tho preparation for preserving tho peace, the leadiness and means at hand to main'aiu order while the spado and shovel are at work, the quiet determination to carry on the line by men who, while doing eight hours' work per diem, shall also bo drilled to arms an hour or two hours on two days of the week, will with tho various Volunteer forces and other citizen soldiers in the Waikato, prove at once a certain sicurity to the settlers, a guarantee of the progress of the line, and a proof to the natives that we recognise no obstacles in our vray, but that wo mean to complete the work which their good and the good of the country in geueral require. Wo havo largo confidence in tho wisdom of tho arrangement. Under judicious and careful supervision, tho cost of tho work by the tentativo system now inaugurated

11 <•<! not b<> much <n<>akT. if md -ed if is not lcs*, than iimiii 1 tliu oidmau s} ->toin of onii.ut Hut it, ictjuiii'^ nu tiiod and supen mou ; and it it is pru,lently accomplished, any didou-nco can If but slight ; wliil' ho li.uo the advantage of commanding a h«>t of men \n ho, to m-psoivi' the pciuo, can, it nocessivy, at a moment's notico lay down tlu* shovel and the pick, and shoulder the i i fie and the bt^onet. The mere laet of this prompt transformation being a] w aj s practicable, is of itself a great means of efi\jcli\oly maintaining peace. To that end, and to thespeely development of a rich and highly promising country, no more satisfactory woik could have boon uncle i taken than that inaugurated on Saturdiy under the combined action of the General aiid 1'iovuicial tiovern incuts.

Wr learn from Messrs. Henderson and Macfarl me, tlie agents of tlio Austr.ilasiiin and American Steamship Company, that they li,i\e been adw->ed by telegram from tlie Dunciliii agency, tlnifc tho s.s. 'Mikado' armed at Port Chalmers on Friday night with oM Chinese pas»seni;ors and JUO tons of cargo, alter ducharge ot which she would, having taken in 300 or '100 tons of coal, proceed direct to Sydney (o marrow, the 13th. It is tlitrefoio certain that she- cannot lo.ivo that port with tho January mails on her advertised dale, especially as the captain says that she must be docked and refit before proceeding on her trans-Pacific voyage. It now remains to bo seen what action will bo taken by tho agents in Sydney. It is possible that they have been advised by wiro from China that the ' Mikado would proceed hither via Port Chalmers, and in that case no step-* would be taken to supply her place, though her mails might be somewhat behind tune ; but if no advice has been received there to that eiTect, it is probable that some other steamer may hive been chartered there for tho round trip to San 1'rancHco and back. In any case there ih no doubt that advices will bu received per ' Hero ' tomorrow as to what action lias been taken in Sydney ; and this information will at once be communicated to the Postal authorities here, who will then bo able to decide as to the despatching of the ' Governor 131 ickall ' lroin hcio to Kan duvuu to meet the mam boat.

Tha attendance of visitor* to the Mechanics' Institute Exhibition on Sitnrd.iy was reimrkalily good, m spite of tlio threatening aspect of tho akieh ; a-.d the lutcu'st evince I in tho various exhibits, sliowt d m appi edition by tho public of the pains taken by the coonniit o t> prov do wliat had proved to Uo net only a, well .uringed exposition of uiti y^s'jnj aitie'.e*, but .x 'chool af ai I tin oiis^ li wl'i.h in) me oau j'.isu v. iti.e \t' li^riuny bumx-Hung 'lie uocmuttoo havo b( o.» really h w oi kit {» on*, ml tlitir inde>Lli.jaUo stcietaiy aoo:ns t'i bo iniquitous mil oui-h • uiunt, A leoturo was to havo lo n ijivun in tlio BVi'iimi; by Mr, Humph- c} a on tin; vinous beautiful m ntcla and spee.i mens in tlio machine d» pmtmoi.t, I ut, <n M-i'iuuit of the v\a'cry a«p ct <.f tho hea\u a, it was cousidorod i.dvsib'o to p >stp no it. Ill) principal additions since Friday hn/'o hocii an dvnry, which has been lent by Mr. Porfrr, vul whoao teiuuts now add considerably to tho liveliness of tho place by pouring forth their songs from their prison behind the fountain, and a remarkably excellent specimen of Mexican needlework, contributed by Mra Quick. Tho Exhibition appeai'3 to bo attracting greater attention eveiy day, and beyond question is doing a vast amount of good in a didactic way, besides elevatiug tho tastes of visitors by placing before them specimens of high art. It is to bo hoped that tho committee will be enabled to defer the closing of it till long after the timo originally contemplated. Mr. Bpckham presided at the Police Court on Saturday. Six druukards were fined for their oiF'Mices. Two men of unsound mind were committed to the Lunatic Asylum. John Luonaul was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for being an habitual drunkard and an incorrigible logue. George William Skipper, an oidiuaiy seaman of the ship 'Hindostan,' was ordered to be imprisoned for three weeks, he having deserted hoin his vessel. The master and two of tlio crew of tho schooner ' Herald' worn chirked with smuggling. The master dented any intention of defrauding the Custom", but pleaded guilty to the possession of th A tobacco, and was fined £30 and costs. The amount was at once paid. The charge against tho other two was withdrawn. Tho Coromaudel Beach Gold Mining Company having been wound up, the directors advertise that tho shareholders can obtain three half penco per share on application to Mr. T. Douglas, Coromandel or to Messr?. Mowbiay, of 42, Queen ytieet, Auckland, between tho loth and 30th of tho present month, and not after tho lattor date. T here was a largo and fashionable audience at tho Prince of Wales Theatre on Saturday night. Mis. McGregoi's Levee again elicited great applause, each frebh character by Mr. Gourlay being greeted with roars of laughter. Mis. and Miss Minnie Gourlay, by their admit able acting and singing, contributed greatly to the success of the performanco. The entertainment was concluded by tho Scotch Dwarf nai rating bis adventures, and dancing tho Highland Fling. In consequence of the success of the ontortainment, Mr. Gourlay has decided to continue for three nights longer. To-night, Miss Minnie Gourlay will take a benefit, and there will be an entire change of performance. A correspondent Bends us the following : — "A match to swim, which had been made between a gentleman named Steele *nd a son of Dr. Uovell, c.nne ofF in the Waiau Creek, Tiki, on Tuesday morning latt, at 7 o'clock. The competitors, accompanied by about a dozen friends, dro\e out in a 'bus. Thoy were to swim from a given point to a, log some GO yards up the creek, touch tho lo,', and swiin bask to the staitiug point. At the word "oiT," they got away well together, but Mr. Steelo, who is a Tory fast and strong swimmer for a short distauce, soon took the lead, and gradually drew so far ahead that he was some five or six yards on his return jnnney when his opponent touched the log. When the youngster (he is between 1G and 17 years old) turned and saw what he had to do he evidently made up his mind "to do or die," and settled himself to work in downright eainest, giadually diminishing tho gap between them ; when within about eight yards of tho goal ho was one >ard behind. Tho young 'un pulled himself togcthei, put on a splendid spurt, collared and passed his man, winning by one and a half or two j .u la. Mr. Dobsou acted as starter and Mr. Stanier as judgo." Iu the Provincial Gvrcrnmeut G'autle published on Saturday last are a series of importaut pioclamations by his Excellency the Governor delegating to the Superintendent the powers of tho Governor uudor the Prisoners Removal Act, 1S03 : all the powers voati'd in tho Governor by sections ."{, 4, and 5 of tho Waste Lands Act, 185S ; and also all the powers of tho Governor under the 9th section of tho Sccondaiy Punishment Act, IS." t, so far as they aie exercisable by tho Superintendent. A meeting of farmers and settlers in tho Waikato district is called for tj-morrow at Hamilton, the obj-ct being combination for tho purpose of piocuring sue-h agruultutal implements and machine! y as would be bryoml tho meaiiB ot any individual to pnichasi'. Tho uio\ uncut is in tho right direction, and it is to be hoped that tho nuatois will meet with the cordial co- operation of their bi other aottlers,

When Lady Bjiven was about to leave New Zealand, the ladies cf Auckland desired to pies^nt hoi with seme souvenir, in token <>t then usjitc; and esteem, as well as of L'iui appreciation of the unrarjing kindness and hospitality shown to them by h( r Hdyship winle in Auckland. Having consulted Lady Bowen as to the form in which it would be most agieeuble for her to receive the mtei'ded gift, an order was sent to London, aud by last mad the result was received here to be shown to the biibscribeis before being transmitted to Lady Bowen, and, as has been notified in our advei Using columns, will be exhibited to-day at Mr. Upton's. Wo shall have eom<3 remarks to make upon it in to-moirow's lbsuo. A vi ly iutei eating ''open night" was held on the niirht of Friday last by the Excelsior Lodge, I O.G.T , in their lodge-room, Wb.AU Public Ilall. Bro. Buchanan was in the chair. A number of songs, recitations, readings, &o., were given in a creditable iinniui by members of the Order. A magic lantern was exhibited during the course of the evening by ono of the members, and portions of a Rpecch delivered by Mr. P. 13. Haunafori'/'f the Pioneer Lodge of GoodTemplars, and published at the Ckoss office in a pamphlet form, were read. A number of the residents in the district wore present, ami all seemed highly pleased with the evening's entertainment. tSoseral gentlemen present gsvo m their names as intending candidates. They will in .>)! likelihood bo admitted members on a future evening. ) he proceedings terminated witu a vote of thauks to tho chanman. It will bci neen by an aunouncement in our adverting columns that tho St. Matthew's lines' School is now open. It is not dithcult to undti stand how b"js who cannot get into the country find the timo hanging heavily on then hands dm ing excessively hot weather, and indeed would rather be, and are better, in school. In addition to this, day bojs are at home tho whole year, with tho exception of a few houis for live days in the week, aud this in tho heat of tin day ; but in holiday tmio they persist in being in the house during this time, and becfimo a nuisance +o their paients, who gladly send them back to school. A good deal might be written ab.uit tho stieet associates thpy make, and loss of time, iic Wo would fcuggeat aorae hoc temperate j-eason of tho year as more app'Opna-to for lengthy holidays. A man named Reginald Fitzpatiiok wa3 arr 'slid yesteiday aticruoon at Mount Eden Ga~>l, having been co-ugut in tho act of passing tobacco into the female ward of tho gaol. A letter was fouud ou him addressed to one of tho prisoners, lie will be charged with the olFence this morning at the Polieo ( curt. Wo h in o received from the publish6ra, Mi i ,iM Uptou and Co , a copy of the liar. IVtL-r \i i^ou'si n< w school book, "Outline of cm (!« igrap'iy ot Oceania " It is arranged in i -.uni .-I- manner to his " Geography of Nia Z fthiii I " The several groups of islands 11 named, and as muvh information respecting thfcin git en a? the compass of the book will pcumt. In the hands of a competent toijher it is caia')le of being very useful in mipaitiiQ an elementary kno-vledje of the VirHiinj;ioi][s of lblauila tu the va3t Pacific, The s,)iejh which Mr. T. B Uanuaford, of the Auokland Pi"iuer Lodge, No, 5, < f Good Tomplam, on the evoi.ing of the 12th Decernb V l-'S-t. hue been punted ui painphl t f'jna. In foi vvurdi'ig u=< a copy tht; following letU r ooj( mpamed it, v/Lich spoakt for itself • — " To tlit) E litor c'iJir, —In forwarding tue o iCinsed for youi fa\our.ible notice, 1 am not HtMmtcd by a dcaire for merely jultiy gain; hut knn winy tt'nt throughout the kr.gth and breadth of tho province I was uoturious for my drinking habits, I have now naturally a debire that equally might bo extended the knowdtdge of my foinicr oiuises being abandoned, and, so to speak, ro-euter society a respectable memb&r. This desire on my part will be greatly aided by tho largo distribution of my pamphlet, and the largeness of that distribution will be ruled to a very great extent by the character of the review you make of it. — I am, &o. T. B IIannavord. High-street, January 10, 1874." The speech is, upon the whole, temperate but earnest, as may bo judged of by tho following extract, respecting the publicans of Auckland: — "Many of the Auckland hotel keepers are man of high piobity ; men of li st-claas> abdities ; meu of education : men, whose talents if d rooted into any other channel but trafficking in btiong watcr-f, would be positive blessings to tho community at large. Where can you tind, Mr. Chairman, a more pitiable sight than a highly cultivated, well-educated landloul, emphatically a gentleman, tied by the leg as it were, behind his bar listening (or picteneling to listen) with a forced smile upon las countenance, to the seustless gabble of a poor besotted wretch on the other side, while he is swallowing pint after pint of beer, or gobbling down glass after glasa of spirits ? I ask you where will you seo a more pitiable sight than that ? And yet, sir, that sight can be seen any day in somo of tho principal hotels of Auckland." The Superintendent has written to Mr. John D. Wickham, of the Thames, in respect to his request for a certificate to authouso him to prospect for gold in the Obmcmuri district, and hia Honor said :— " Without referring to the sufficiency or otherwise of the written consent [of tho natives], I canuot, grant tho permission defied ; but I will forward a copy of your application (and its enclosure) to the Hon. tho N.itivo Miuister." — Referring to this answer the ThuiiK 9 Advertiser says : — "We think we can foretell very easily what the Native Minister's leply will be. He has interfered with all the despotic power he has to prevent liiki Paka getting a Crown grant for his land, and it is qu to certain that ho will adYise that, 'for political reasons,' the Superintendent should not grant tho permission, to prospect." Our Wairoa correspondent writes : — " The annual treat given to the children in the district by Messrs. Hyde and Couldrey, «torakeepeis, took placo in Mr. Hyde'* paddock, on tho banks of the river, on Monday the 5th liutant. A new attraction this y«ar was the Baud of tho Wairoa Rifle Volunteers, which has been formed since the last annual meeting, and arnvod on tho groued under | Bandmaster Chilmau about 12 o'clock with fifes playing and drums beating. On arriving ou tLo ground they wero received with three checi8 by the large concourso of youngsters aud about 200 grown-up people. All were burpnsed at tho rapid progress the Band had made since its formation. Races were got up for boys and girls, tho w inners being giyen pr.zea of toys very liberally— generally four prizes in each race. About 3 o'clock all the children present— numbering over 200 -sat down to tea and cakes in Mr. Hyde's barn, aud, after the youngsters had feasted on the good things to their hearts' content, all the grown-up people were invited and partook of the same treat. After tea racing was lesumed, and after the lacea toys of every description were handed round, and even tho children in arms were supplied with rattlep. At the close throe cheers wero giveu for Messrs. Hjdc and Couldrey, the young ladies who assisted them in distributing the tea and cake, and the Bind aud bandmaster A ve« v pleasant day was bi ought to a close by the Band playing the National Anthem, After the children dispersed a ball took place in tho evening in Mr. Hyde's barn, where dancing was kept up to a late hour." The hairless horse Caoutchouc wu exhibited for the last time in Auckland on Saturday . There was a very large number of visitors during the day, and in the oveuuifr, although tho weather was wet, the people Continued to visit him until long past 11 o'clock. We have been desired to correot a printer's error in the A.S.P. Company's 'Golden Ciown' advertisement. Th« advertisement was maJo to read that the Company would "not bo responsible for accidents m shipping, cai lying, or discharging cargo." It should havo read " live stock." Certified eopiet of tho assessment Hits of tho Pukeatua, Hangitopuui, and Poverty Bay Highway Districts have beon received at tho Supenu tendon t's Office,

Mr. W.luam Jieury Grorge has been gazetted Kicpt r (if the public ferry at Te lion, in t!\e pl.v c of Mr. George Harper. Tho following collectors of highway rates have been ga/Utcd •— Alljertlantl Xoith, \V. B. Farrand ; Te Aral, u . Wells, Auckland ; Ruatangata, Kobut Barton; Wauiui, Williain Tcmpleman. It will bo seen by advertisement that Messr9 Collier and McGowan'a theatricil compiny will open for a fehort season on Mon lay ueU, oti which occasion a grand CbrisMnas pantomime, entitled " I he House that Jack JJuilt," will be produced Tbi\ no doubt, w ill be a grtat treat for the children. 1 he pantomime has been pronounced by the Thames press to be a great success, ltistobe hoped that Messrs. Collier and MeGowan will receive the support they de« sei \ e. The following are the dimensions of the steamship Mikado : — Registered tonnage, 1,092 tons ; gros-> tonnagp, 3,034 tons ; length of keel, 370 toot ; over all, 330 feet ; bnadth, 30 fe<t; diaught loaded, 20 feet; lightest draught foi docking, 13 feet Refening to the Scandinavians recently imported, a Wairarapa correspondent of the Iiuhpciub nt 313s : — "I am soiry to say these people aie revelling 111 tint, and Building fiom its dire efteots -disease, while some of them have already paid the penalty of death. No one cau p.us their dwellings without being struck with tho squalor and dirt. They lo\e dirt, and no ad\)co, no efijtt i^iort of absolute force >\ill Uael them to inak^any amendment. Modical attendance they have, but what avails t'ns when bia ordt-rs <aro unheeded ? and no remonstrance, it Beeni", can bring official interference to bear upm tins plague-spot Better burn the « I ole sctthmeut and recoaipento them f>>r their loss, than that the seeds of typhoid (1 beliovo tint is the type) should be disseminated in the district." In tho Assembly of South Austril ; a tho Commission<;r of Crown lands lately moved : — "That it is debirable to extend the telegraph from F'oi t Augusta to the western boundary of this province to meet tho line of tolegiaph about to be con«tiucttd by tho Government of Western Australia." He refen ed to the correspondence Lvtwocn the G ivernn.outs of Western Australia .u< I this colony on the subjoob. Tup Inif would Lo 1,300 n lies, of winch YV"<s>tern Austialia was willing to construct 720 mile-s, leaving usoStJ mile9. The Wcteru Australian Government estimated the cost at £00 per mile, but Mr Todd estimated the cut at £05 per mile with iron poles The cat of our own portion Mr Todil calcuhtal would be £3S,0n0 with iron, and £30 iloO with wooden poles. Western Australia wa? progresaiug in population, on t erpriM» J and imports and txpoi la. All iho ,ir»i,iiMiU days ago used by the Hon. Mr Fisher in advocacy of a telegraph to C'11 0 i'orda would apply still more to that line, as it would inform thorn of the arrival of tho mail at fie Sound fhe dajs befoio it coulel arrive here. Tho revcn\ie from tho line was put down at 12,500 per annum, wh'ch it was thought would more than oover wo»kmg expends The lion W, Morgan thought otbe-r colome3 sh'iild join in tlie > xpcti-c Tlie (jominibvinotr of L'i< «n Liuds « nhdicd that h»>ii. mei.ibei^ ihoi'tht the h>i<» dis.iral-1 • b-it th it \ Ktorir. &huii!d jontrihu'e I\r'i^p< tbat exprtssion of opinion would lead to the work hent-; rairi«d out. Uiidci8t,»nd!ti» th»t hor>, ni-nohf-n npjiroved «/f tlio lue, but thought oth»r co'oirei shoi.ld oont U ute t 1 '* tho cott, he would ask It aye to withdraw th'j motion. The Vtailitu '/ inu* of Saturday a»y« : — " W«» re 6 n t t>> 'tait- tiiat the p.a. ' Waij.*' got snagged M<;r l\ ti.^inri ou her passage up from Mereer. felie had a good eleal of cargo on board fi.r the different settlements ; uuforUu'ately tlie was snub, but in very shallow water, bo that little damage to her freight is anticipated. The p a. ' Waikato' has gone down to take her cargo aud deliver it at its destination."

A meeting of shareholders in the Turkish Bath Company is to bo held on Thursday next, at 3 o'clock, in the Insuiance Company's Buildings. The Inspector of Surveys advertises for tho construction of Section No. 1 of the Wang.irei and Kawak<iwa road, full particulars of which can be obtained at Mr. Wood's store, Wangarti. We have been desired to draw attention to an adveitisement in another column »nnonncin^ the annual meeting, this evening at 7 30 o'clcok, in the Whau. Hall,, for tho election of committee men for the current year, m connection with tho Whau PuMiu Hall. As will bo seen by an advertisement in another column Mr. Humphry s will deliver his lecture in the Mechamc'a Institute this evening upon the mechanism of tho machinery m the exhibition. A meeting is announced to be held this evening, in tue BricklayerV Arms Hotel, to consider the rate of wage3 paid to tho painters. Tho aunual meeting of tho education taxpayers in Lucas' Creek distiict is advertised to be held in tho achoolhouse, on the 26th instant, at noon. Notice is given by advertisement that the steamer, ' Golden Crown ' will be laid up for cleaning on Wednesday and Thursday, 14th and 15th instant. Shareholders m the Bendigo Independent will.doubtlees, be glad to learn fiom our advertising columns that tho Direotois have declated a dividend of 15> per share, payable to-morrow at tho office, in Albert street.