The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1887.

Evening Star, Issue 7401, 22 December 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1887.

The striking out of the sbhedufo of the Loan Bill the specific allocation The f°r the purposes of immigration Loan Bill, is not a matter of such moment as on the first consideration appears. The attempt to reduce the total amount of the money to be borrowed having failed, this £70,000 simply remains unallotted, and is available to be dealt with at some future time. The Premier has indeed intimated that the whole question of immigration will be opened up next session, when the Government bring down the scheme of which indication was given in the Financial Statement. In respect to the £13,072 expenditure from the 31st March to September 30,1887, and liabilities and engagements to date, this will have to be provided for, and must either be charged on loan account or voted out of the consolidated revenue in the Supplementary Estimates. A certain amount of mischief will nevertheless be done in the cessation for a time of any assistance whatever to the introduction of persons nominated by their relatives and friends in the Colony, who in the main form a very desirable addition to the population, and are not at all likely to 6well the ranks of the unemployed. We hardly understand a man of some intelligence lik the member for Mount Ida taking the overt action he did to stop immigration altogether; possibly ho may be able to offer some reasonable explanation, but it certainly appears inconsistent with his generally sound views on political economy. Immigration during the last few years has been brought down to rather a fine point. In the period between May 1, 1886, and the 30th November, 1887, 1,460 nominated immigrants arrived in the Colony; towards the cost of whose passages £12)162 15s was contributed by their friends here. Eighty farmers have taken advantage of the scheme suggested by Sir Dill6n Bell in 1885, which was given efiect to.by regulations at the close of that year. The AgentGeneral Was authorised to provide passages for & limited number of persons, who might be desirous of taking up land in New Zealand, at the same rates as are required to be paid by persons nominating their friends in the Colony—namely, £lO for each adult, and £5 for each child between the ages of one and twelve years. Before passages arc granted, each head of a family was required to prove to the satisfaction of the AgentGeneral that ho was possessed of at least £IOO in cash, and also of cash equal to the sum of £SO for each member of his family over twelve years of age. Arrangements were made whereby this desirable class of immigrants could come out second-class on the above terms by an additional payment equal to the difference between the cost of steerage and second-class passages. The very moderate success which has attended the working out of the scheme is entirely to be attributed to the practical ignoring by the late Government of the earnest recommendations of the Agent-General in the matter. Sir Dillon again and again impressed on the Minister of Immigration that success in such a policy would require a great deal of organisation and some expense. The object to be gained, he said, was one of such importance to the Colony that if it was to be attempted at all it ought only to be carried out in a thorough way, with complete and most caieful preparation, " with a methodical organisation in the agricultural counties of "England, Scotland, and Ireland; and, "above all, with sustained and persistent efforts, steadily continued over "a reasonable time among the special "classes to whom the offer is made." It need hardly bo said that very little, if anything, was done beyond giving roving commissions to certain individuals who undertook to go to England and deliver lectures. What a trouble these amateur emigration agents were to Sir Dillon, and how infinitesimal was the effect of their peregrinations may be read by those interested in the Parliamentary papers of 1886. It is, however, to this class of immigration that the Colony has to look if it is to be lifted out of the present difficulties. We are, indeed, somewhat surprised that the Government should not have made at least an effort to 'give effect to what is declared as a main principle of their policy without the delay which is now rendered imperative by the vote of yesterday evening. It was hardly sufficient merely to propose the allocation of a portion of the loan; the purposes, we think, have been very definitely stated. There are so many different kinds of immigration, and the country has had more than enough of the unsuitable kinds. What is required is, as the Treasurer said in almost so many words, the introduction of considerable numbers of persons possessed of sufficient means and knowledge to cultivate the land profitably, not only as ordinary farmers, but as fruit-growers and growers of plants suitable for manufacture or for the supply of other industries. " Our efforts at retrench"ment will be comparatively unavailing to "restore prosperity unless we can ob"tain a considerable accession to our "population of persons in a position to "employ labor. ' f The Treasurer further declared in the Financial Statement that the Government thought the time for this very favorable, and if the House should approve the course which would be proposed to it on this subject, they hoped to see at no distant fieriod a considerable accession to the popuation of the class above referred to. We repeat that it is much to be regretted that these proposals were not brought down. It is, we conceive, a very serious matter that immigration (even on the recent very limited scale) should be altogether suspended for months; whilst the delay in taking proper measures to introduce desirable classes of immigrants is practically postponing the application of an almost certain remedy to the existing depression. There is certainly every allowance to made for Ministers, who have been during the whole session so badgered from pillar to post, and met by such factious opposition and unprincipled obstruction, that it has been with the greatest difficulty they have been able to pass the measures immediately required in order to carry on the government of the coantry.

It may be interesting to note in connection with the subject of this article that the total number ■of immigrants introduced under the Imrnfcation and Public Works policy to the 30th April last was 113,547, of whom 30,272 were nominated.

Mr H. Gourley has been appointed to a seat on the Benevolent Trustees vice, Mr Callonder resigned. the Eev. J. M. Fraser, through illhealth, has resigned the pastorate of the Lawrence Presbyterian Church. On Monday last Bishop NeVill Confirmed four male and seven female candidates at St. Barnabas' Church, Warrington. Mr John Douglas distinctly denies the truth of the announcement that Baron Gordinstone has been appointed Governor of New Guinea.

It transpires that the bodies found at Martin's Bafc and interred with the remains of Captain Brebner were those of Perry and Woolff. Richardson's body has not yet been found.

Aocording to the 'New York Tribune' the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon is credited with having declined an offer of OO.OOOdoI for 100 lectures to bo delivered in the United States.

The Premier of Victoria states that as soon as the New Zealand Parliament passes the Naval Defences Bill he will communicate with the Admiralty asking them immediately to commence building ships for the Australian squadron.

A Northern paper says that three Auckland boys, ambitious perhaps to shine in the Legislative arena, have set out to walk from Auckland to Wellington. It is to be hoped they will abandon their rash enterprise before they go far. The Dunedin Horticultural Society met last night and passed the accounts in crnnection with the late show for payment. The prize-money amounted to L 46, and will belaid over on Friday. There were seventytwo prizetakers against fifty at last December show.

The 'Hawera Star' says that a capital haul of English mackerel is reported to have been made lately in Ohariu Bay. A shoal about a quarter of a mile in length was sighted, and of these about 1,000 fish were taken, which varied in weight from 9oz to 51b.

The Ravensbourne Presbyterian Church has issued a call to Mr Hugh rtelly, who has labored for the last twd years in the district, The call was Bigned by seventy-six of the oighfcyeight members on the roll and thirty-five adherents. The Presbytery has sustained the call, and Mr Kelly's ordination is fixed for the 4th January. The following attendance returns are supplied in eonnectloh with the Arthur street School:—Number Oh. the register for the past quarter: Boys, 401; girls, 342. The average attendance has been : Boys, 370 ; girls, 303 ;-total, 673. The highest attendance for any single half-day during the quarter was: Boys, 388 ; girls, 320 ; total, 708. The French Government have taken measures to suppress the importation of manufactured cripples into the country from Spain. The scoundrels who deal in these things take feeble young children and bind their lower limbs under them so as to destroy the use of them, and then turn them out to beg in little carts. The Government.have .ordered the Prefects in the Southern Department to prevent their entrance Into France.

Mayor Devore, of Auckland, said at the installation yesterday that the actual decrease in the civic expenditure during the year as compared with the previous twelve months amounted to L 10.548. The charitable aid charges pressed heavily on the city and interfered,with them in their efforts to reduce the overdraft, and he thought it would be to the interest of the ratepayers if some means were taken to bring them into more direct contact with the question of charitable aid contributions.

Writing to the ' New Zealand Mail' the other day on the subject of the depression of British trade arid industry, Mr J. Drarjsfield said that he had calculated that the produce of five acres of wheat could bo brought from Chicago to Liverpool at less than the cost of manuring one acre of wheat in England. The acreage laid down in wheat in the Old Country has fallen from four millions in 1569 to two millions and a half. British farming capital is estimated to have depreciated by 200 millions since 1880.

Costume concert at Princess's Theatio to morrow evening.

Taieri Agricultural Society's annual show at Mo?giel on Tuesday.

Received for tho Hay ward fund: From Mr Andrew Melville, 21?. The s s. Takapuna makes a moonlight excursion trip outbide the Heads to-morrow evening "Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners meet at Branch House on Friday evening.

The DuneJin Fire Brigade have chartered the s.s. Gerda to make a trip to Moeraki Boach on Boxing Day. North-cast Valley Band fports on Tuesday, 27th December, Schlotel's paddock, Northeast Valley. (See advertisements). "We have received a copy of tho Phoenix Fire Insurance Company's almanac. ThcKaitangata Coal Company's almanac is specially adapted for a large office, the figures being oold. Miss Jool bas on view in Wilkie'a gallery a nice collection of oil-paintings from her own brush. Wo understand that these are to bo disposed of by art union. The pictures would serve to adorn any man's house, and each of the varied subjects is treated with skill. In our advertising columns will bo found an announcement of the opening of a show, in 'vhich Unzio Khourt and Goneral Mito are tho attractions. The General, a man of twentyfive years of age, is described in tho bills as the smallest man in the world, and his associate is a Circassian whose sister is now with Barnum.

The letter-carriers of the Post Office forward us their usual and welcomo Christmas greetings in the shapo of a noatly-dovised picture on a card, the reverse of which bears a useful timetable. Residents in Dunedin and the suburbs are always well servod by the postmen, and wc aro sure that their reminder will meet with a kind reception. The usual Christmas carol service will be given at the Trinity Wesleyan Church on Christmas Eve, at nine o'clock. The choir have been practising for some time past several now carols, which they will render in addition to some of the bstter known ones. There will also be given several selections from the • Messiah' by some of our best amateurs, Mr Braithwaito would urge his customers to make their Christmas purchases early. Hundreds were not served last year owing to the great orush on Christmas Eve. Como first and secure tho choicest articles. Twelve extra hands engaged this week; parcels promptly delivered anywhere in the town or suburbs. Don't neglect to visit Braithwaite's Book Arcade; nooneaßkedto buy.—[Advt.] Millions of Christmas presents can be seen at Braithwaite's Book Aroado at prices that defy competition, consisting of books, children's Christmas annuals, Christmas cards, toyß, fancy goods, workboxes, desks, lawn tennis goods, plush and leather handbags, Japanese ware, basket ware, jewellery, purses, pocketbooks, pooket knives, albums, plush frames, leather writing cases, mantelpiece ornaments, artists' materials, etc., etc.—[Advt.] There is every prospect of the weather being favorable for the moonlight exoursion outside the Heads to-morrow evening by the steamer Takapuna, whioh has been chartered by the Port Chalmers Sohool Committee; and we tnißt it will be largely patronised, as the proceeds, after deducting expenses, will be devoted to the improvement of the school grounds—a work much needed. The steamer will be lit with the eleotric light, and the Port Chalmers Garrison Band have been engaged to accompany her.

In our report of the Mayoral installati >n in last night's issue we published a letter from Messrs Stone, Son, and Co., but without the signature of that firm. The letter aocompanied a neatly framed plate of engraved portraits of Messrs Leary (Dunedin), Roche (Invercargill), and Christie (Oamaru)—the three gentlemen who were installed as Mayors of the abovementioned towns a year ago. The portrait of Mr Leary is exceedingly truthful, and it is reasonable to suppose that the others are good likenesses. Messrs Stone have had these portraits engraved from photographs by a recentlymatured method known as the Meisenback process. The plate, which is also tastefully embellished with municipal emblems, is to form the frontispiece to ' Stone's 1888 Directory.' The yearly meeting of the Loyal Pioneer Lodge, No. 25, P.A.F.S. of A., was held in Farley's Hall, Princeß street, on Monday evening last, when there was a large attendance of members. Correspondence from the Grand Council re the appointment of delegates to Grand Council was read, and Bros. Sherlock and MoWatters were re-elected. The following were appointed to fill the various offices for the ensuing year:—W.M., Bro. W. Wilson; D.M., Bro. Wm. M'Curdy; secretary, Bro, T. Roberts; treasurer, Bro. S. Diokson: chaplain, Bro. J. Mulligan; S.E., Bro. T. Hislop; J.E., Bro. James M'George, jun.; 1.G., Bro. W. O. Keast; auditors, Bros. J. K. Henderson and R. R. Clark; Dr H. Teevan re-elected. Receipts, Ll7 8s 6d. '

The 'Chronique Industrielle' gives the following receipt for a polishing paste that will remove rust and not soratoh the finest polished BUrface:—Cyanide of potassium, lfigrams-; soaD, 15grams; chalk, 30grams; and water sufficient to make a thick paste. | Jubilee sixpences are now fetching over 2s a-piece. The other Jubilee silver coins are still very seldon found in circulation, though great quantities of shillings, florins, orowns, and half-crowns have been issued from the Mint.,