The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1865.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 68, 8 June 1865, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1865.

The Census of New Zealand, taken at the end of last year, is now detailed, to a certain extent, in the General Government Gazette, in a return by the Registrar-General. A number of tables is given, exhibiting certain principal results of the census taken on the night of the first of December last, containing the whole information in the returns, in anticipation of the detailed results, which the Enumerators for the several Provinces were instructed to make up and transmit. These figui'es, it is stated, may be relied on for practical purposes, but it is in contemplation to prepare additional tables, designed to present olher results of the late census. The results obtained from a carefully collected and compiled mass of facts such as is here presented, is not to be overlooked. Until census returns are obtained, there can be nothing but guesswork as to th3 condition of the couutry ; and the information which is now preseut will be appreciated by all. In regard to the Native population, it is quite apparent that any attempt to enumerate them, in the unsettled state of affairs in the North, would have been simply impossible — although such a census, at any time interesting, would have been peculiaily so at present. On this subject, therefore, the return merely specifies that, after the European Census of 1861, an estimate was prepared, based on the Maori Census of 1857-58, which showed the total number of Maoris in the Colony as .05,336— viz., 31,329 male*, and 23,928 females. Of these the Middle Island contained only 2280. It is stated now that : — " There " cannot be a doubt that the numbers (at * c least in the Northern Island, which has " been the scene of war, in addition to the " other influences believed to be working a " diminution more or less rapid in the Native " population), if they could now be made up " correctly, would be found to show a great " decrease." The table of European population shows the following results. It amounts, exclusive of military, to 171,931 souls, or 106,479 males and 65,452 females, thus distributed : — In Auckland, 42,132 ; Taranaki, 4374 ; Wellington, 14,987; Hawke'sBay, 3770 ; Nelson, 11,910; Marlborough, 5519; Canterbury, 32,247; Otago, 48,907; Southland, 8085. It will be observed that the three principal Provinces, as regards population at least, are Otago, Auckland, and Canterbury ; and during the last three years they have increased respectively as follows : — Otago, 25,000 ; Canterbury, 16,C0O; and Auckland, 17.000. The Northern Island (comprising Auckland. Taranaki, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay) contains in all 65,263, or 37.96 per cent, of the whole ; and the Middle Island (comprising Nelson, Marlborough, Otago, and Southland) 106,668, or 62.04 per cent, of the whole. The Colonial Defence Force and Military Settlers are included in the population ; they amount to 5139 males and 1243 females. The numbers of military, or British soldiers and their families (not so included), are : — Officers and men, 9136 ; women, 1024 ; children, 1813. Going back six years, we find that the lotal population of the Colony in 1858 was 59,328; and thirteen years, in 1851, only 26,707. We will now glance at the land, crops, and live stock. In 1861, the quantity of land fenced was 409,473, and is now 1,070,203 acres. The total under crop, which in that year was 226,500, was last year 381,526 acres. The aggregate number of live stock of all kinds, excepting poultry, in 1861, was 3,036,972, and had increased last year to 5,317,145. The total nuuraber of sheep in the Colony is now 4,945,473. Auckland and Wellington have "each upwards of 13,000 pigs; Canterbury, 18,000; Otago, 6368. Auckland has 105,000 head of poultry; Otago, $5,490 ; Canterbury, 73,745. We have thus gone over the principal figures of this census. Probably more minute particulars may yet be published; but we may remind our readers that, as regards this particular district, we have already given the numbers- of population, stock, and acres

enclosed and in cultivation. The details regarding religious denominations, places of birth, occupations, &c, have yet to be made

out. It is worthy of remavk that the rate of increase of populatiou in three years has been 73.71 per cent. ; but the census-of 1858, as compared with 1851, showed an increase of 121.86 per cenr. ; so that, although the population is undoubtedly increasing, it is not keeping up to the old standard, notwithstanding the large number of children who have been born in the Colony. In fact, the increase of population by immigration is flagging ; and the great good of such information as this is at once evident. New Zealand has suffered from, various Causes, many of them incidental to a new plane of settlement, and from a war with the Natives, but most of all from a paucity of immigrants ; and while these returns will no doubt suggest many reforms and improvements, they can suggest no more important subject for the consideration of the Government than measures for increased immigration. It may be remarked that so little is known in the home country of important facts in regard to this Colony, that the present Colonial Secretary, Mr Card well, in a late debate in regard to New Zealand affairs, stated that the Colony contained about 100,000 inhabitants, nearly equally divided between the European and Native populations ! whereas that was about their relative proportions six years ago, while three years back the Europeans we're two to one, and are now probably fully four to one. Even official knowledge of such facts as these, therefore, is taken from very old blue books indeed. It could easily be supposed that the last census had not reached London, but what had become of the census of 1861, that it was necessary to refer to information six years old ?

The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court commenced on the 1st instant, and the calendar contains on the present occasion not only more and heavier crimes than at the sessions three months since, although the calendar then was thought a heavy one, hut many of the cases are of a very aggravated nature, so that no other conclusion can be drawn but that crimes of a serious kind are increasing in this part of the Colony. There are 26 indictments on this occasion. On former occasions there have been as many as 30 cases ; but at that period, while the number was greater, the description of offences was of a more trivial kind. At the sessions in March, it was remarked that the number then on the calendar was a small one, but that the amount of crime involved was large. Now we have both a large number of cases, and the majority of offences of a very serious kind ; in all there are 26 persons on the list. There are no fewer than three cases of wilful murder (including W. A. Jarvey's) ; there is a case of cutting and wounding wj.h intent to kill, the accused and the party injured being both Maoris, in consequence of which the case will be tried before a jury of Natives ; and there are two charges against Europeans of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm — the latter three cases, be it remembered, being almost equivalent to murder in intention. Then there are two indictments for burglary, one of which contains two charges ; two of perjury ; one of setting fire to premises ; one of housebreaking and theft ; horse-stealing, embezzlement, st3aling from the person, obtaining money by false pretences, &c. " This" the Judge remarked, " makes such a calendar " as it has not fallen to my lot as yet to try, " " nor has there before been such a one in this " Province." To show in what condition Dunediu is at present, a fresh case may be referred to, which occurred on the 30th ult., just a day before the Court met, and which, if the criminal is apprehended, may yet come before the present sessions — that of Mr Clifford, who was knocked down and robbed while entering the gate leading to his house. Considering the limited number of the population, and that Southland has nbw separate sessions, there is indeed a lamentable amount of crime, as well as an extraordinary number of crimes by violence; and the supposition that the previous calendar was an exceptional one, turns out to be entirely unfounded. These cases will probably occupy the Court for a considerable time, and be the means again of detaining witnesses and jurors in Dunedin. For the detail of the proceedings, we refer our readers to another column. On the present occasion there is , no allusion to the necessity for increased Court-house accommodation, which would enable the second Judge to proceed with the trial of civil causes simultaneously with the sitting of the Criminal Court. We observe, however, that tenders have been called for by Government for additions and alterations to the Court-house ; and when, these have been completed they will be a great accommodation, which will benefit the whole community — parties, witnesses, and jurymen.

The "Daily Times" of the 7th says:— "The only additional item received in town with reference to the steamship City of Dunedin, since the arrival of the Queen, is contained in a telej»ram forwarded by the agents of the vessel at Lyttelton to Messrs John Jones and Co., the owners, to the effect that a part of the figurehead of the City of Dunedin had heen washed ashore. No bodies had heen found. The Government steamer Sandfly was searching for ti aces of the wreck in the locality of the supposed disaster." The Annual General Meeting of Subscribers to the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association (adjourned from 6th May), is to he held in the Northern Hotel here, on Saturday first, 10th inst. The Quarterly Meeting of Justices for the consideration of applications for licenses and transfers, &c , will be held m the Court House here, on Tuesday next, 13th inst., at noon. The Sacrament was dispensed for the first time in the new Presbyterian Church here on Sabbath last, when the Eev Charles Connor conducted the whole services of the day. A preparation sermon was preached in the Church, on the evening of the Friday previous, and a thanksgiving sermon on the Monday following, by Mr JRiley, of Otspopo. An inquest was held on the 30th May by Dr Hocken, the Coroner, at the Anld Scotland Hotel, on the body of a sawyer, named Frederick Agustus Allan, who was killed at the Planet Saw Mills. The Jury re* turned a verdict "that the deceased met with his death by an accident resulting from his own inexperience of the use of the circular saw, and that no blame could he attached to any one."

At the English Church, notice was given on Sunday last, that the administration of the Lord's Supper would be deferred till the following Lord's day, as the state of the weather prevented so many of the congregation from being present. The Bishop of Christchurch is expected to arrive here about the 19th inst., and a day or two afterwards he will lay the corner stone of the new Church. The work is already advancing in a very satisfactory way, and space is reserved at the north-east angle of the porch for the corner stone ; the walls in other parts of the building being tilready above that level. .The Bishop of Christchurch, having accompanied the Bishop of N ew Zealand to Dunndin, is now visiting Invercargill and the South, and takes Oamaru on his return. It is expected that more information on this subject will be given next week. From an intimation which appears on the door of the Mechanics' Institute, we learn that a Reading will bo given there this evening, at 7 o'clock. The " Cricket on the Heartli" will be read. This is a commencement of turning the Institute to its proper uses, and, if appreciated, will no doubt be carried still farther. The accounts of disasters to shipping on the "West Coast accumulate ; and it is to be feared that Hokitika •will turn out to be all but inaccessible in the stormy winter months. It appears from intelligence in our shipping column, that in the gale formerly noticed by us, when the Lady Darling and Omeolost each an anchor and cable, and were obliged to put out to sea, the steamer WakooL engaged in lightering the Omeo, was driven on shore and left " high and dry." Messrs Thatcher and Small were passengers by the Omeo ; and it appears that Mr Thatcher was on board the Wakool when she was beached ; but it is stated that Mr Small (not then the Unfortunate Man) had previously landed. The " Southland News" says : — " "Wo notice by the English papers that a tug steamer called the Southland, left Falmouth, on the 6th February last, for the Bluff. She may, therefore, be shortly expected. This, perhaps, will prove to be the last reminiscence we shall have of the good times pas f . She was ordered by the Southland Government, especially for the requirements of the large amount of shipping business at the Bluff; and had the trade still existed, she would have been of the highest service, but now we may well ask, what shall we ' do with it ?' We suppose she will be sold, and as small steamers of this character are just now of great value, in consequence of the opening up of the West Coast, there need be no loss sustained by the disposal of her. She has many advantages over the steamers at present in our coastal trade. Her length is 130 feet ; her breadth 12, and depth 8 feet; and she is fitted with a pair of disconnecting engines, so that she can turn upon her own eenti*e when required. She is abundantly supplied with cabin accommodation, and in her trial trip she steamed 11 knots per hour, and drew 6 feet 6 inches of water, with 60 tons dead weight." (The vessel has since arrived). We leam that on the Electric Telegraph line near Fortification, a slight accident has occuried to the wire, which, however, does not necessarily interrupt the communication. One of the arms at the top of a pole has given way, and one of the wires has fallen to the ground. Mr Lemon, Postmaster heie, has Rent information on the subject to head-quarters. The " Daily Times" reports : — " We regret to learn that Mr G. P. Clifford, Manager to the Acclimatisation Society, was knocked down and robbed while on his way home on Tuesday night, 30th ult. He had been employed that night at the Philharmonic Society's Concert taking money at the pit entrance, and it is supposed that the robber or robbers thought that he would take home with him the money which he had taken at the concert. As it happened, Mr Clifford paid over his receipts to Mr West after the concert, and was proceeding home to his house, in the Acclimatisation Reserve, at half-past 11 o'clock, when, after crossing the Water of Leith Bridge, some person whom he could not distinguish for the darkness, said " Good night, Mr Clifford." He replied, and tookno notice of the circumstance, but immediately passed in at the gate of the Acclimatisation Society's Grounds. He had not proceeded many yards when he received a stunning blow on the back of the head, and fell insensible. When he recovered consciousness he went back to the Water of Leith Hotel and informed the proprietor of what had happened. His pockets were then searched, when it was found that he had been robbed of his purse, containing four or five LI notes and several sovereigns and half-sovereigns. Information was at once conveyed to the police, and on a search being made Mr Clifford's purse was found lying empty on the road near the Reserve sate, and his hat and handkerchief lying at the spot where he had been knocked down." The directors of the Water Works Company, Dunedin, have informed the shareholders, by circular, that the following contracts r have been accepted, viz. :— 1. JFor pipes and plant, Messrs James M'Ewan and Co., of Melbourne, £9000 ; 2. Clearing site for reservoir, and fencing the same, Messrs Harkness, Draper, nnd Co., £191 ; 3. Constructing reservoir, Messrs R. Brown and Co., £13,256; Total, £22,447. The directors further state " that the above sums are within the engineer's estimate originally submitted to the shareholders ; and further, that the contractors have agreed to take payment to the extent of £4250 in shares of the company." The Provincial Council of Canterbury met on the 30th May, for special business connected with financial affairs, the ordinary annual meeting being deferred until after the next meeting of the General Assembly, which is to be held in the middle of July. One of the most important matters coming before the present meeting of Council, is the contract entered into for the construction of a railway from Christchurch to the river Rakaia, a distance of 33$ miles. The first section of 13 miles is to be constructed in twelve months, and the remainder in two years, for a sum of £201,000. The ** Southland News" states : — " A rumor has prevailed in town that whilst the Struggler was ashore at Stewart's Island, a considerable portion of her cargo was plundered by wreckers. We give the report as we have heard it, and do not vouch for its accui acy ; but if it be true, it is another proof of the necessity for the Government at once taking steps for the establishment of a police force among what appears to be a lawless community. One or two policemen stationed on the island might also be appointed revenue officers, and thus, as well as protection being afforded to life and property, smuggling, which we understand exists to a considerable extent, would in a great measure be prevented. The system of non-interference at present pursued by the Government with regard to Stewart's Island appears to be founded on 'penny-wise and pound-foolish' principles, and the sooner it 13 done away with the better." In a late Ministerial memorandum, Mr Weld expresses his opinion of the power of the Colony for self-defence. He shows that the Militia and Volunteers of the North Island number 61 65 men ; and that there are upwardsof 4000 settlers holding land on military tenure. In addition to these he proposes to raise and equip a body of armed constabulary, to number 1500 men, of whom 650 men shall be in the Province of Auckland, an equal number inTaranaki and Wellington, and 200 in Hawke's Bay. This force is to comprise 150 natives, and it is expected that the European portion (part being cavalry) will be enlisted chiefly from regiments of the line, with Her Majesty's permission. One steamer will be kept up. Taking all things into account, the colonial foices, on this footing, will cost L187,O0O a year. The state of the finances is then glanced at. Just now there is great embarrassment because the three milion loan will not sell ; and the Colony is under heavy liability— upwards of L25O,000— to its bankers. But if the loan sells, as may be hoped, more than L750,000 out of it ia still to spare, or four years' maintenance for the colonial forces, according to the scale given above. But if the present rate of war expenditure continues, the available balance will be reduced at the rate of LG0,000 a month.

There has been scarcely any business before the Resident Magistrate's Court during the past week. On Friday last, in a civil suit, Croker v. Chalmers, for £20, judgment was given by default for the plaintiff. The "Southland Xevra" narrates the narrow escape of two gentlemen from drowning : — " "We have to report the providential escape from drowning of our townsmen, Mr John MHchell and his brother, on their return from Riverton. The two gentlemen, who were in a light buggy # finding it impossible to cross the "Waimaitook River at the lower ford, turned back, for the purpose of crossing by the upper and entered at the usual crossing place. Owing to the recent heavy rains, the river was much swollen, and the current unusually strong, and no sooner were they in the stream, tlian the horse, buggy, and the two gentlemen were carried away by its force. Providentially, they were able to effect a landing on a small island in the middle of the river, from which they were rescued by the exertions of Mr P. Linn and the mflmbers of the brass band, who had previously crossed, and were attracted by the loud cries for help. By the aid of a flax rope, and the vigorous efforts of all the party, some of whom were breast high in the water, happily Messrs Mitchell were brought Bafe to shore ; the horse and buggy were also safely landed." It is stated that the General Assembly is not to sit until the middle of July. A residence for the Governor is being prepared at "Wellington, where he is expected daily. It will be observed that the cases which have hitherto come before the Criminal Sessions from this district are the two charges of perjury. The case against Binge broke down ; and in the other case, Jones having failed to appear, his unfortunate sureties will have to pay the sums for which they signed, viz., L35 each.