The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 110, 29 March 1866, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1866.

Wjs believe that no disbursements by our Provincial Government will ever have been made with a worse grace than those miserable pittances about to be doled out to hapless district townships such as our own. The Municipalities Amendment Ordinance of last session was a * perfect sample of government tooth-extracting ; it was squeezed out of the Dunedin centralization clique as a guinea from the clutches of a miser. It would never have been obtained had it not been politic to smooth down the opposition of country members to the princely endowment of the shamefully pampered capital, and this was the cost of it. They gave us a mite from the cheese which they with too strong a hand retained for themselves. Ill-favored, however, as was the grace with which the crumb was laid aside for us, it was a mere bagatelle compared to the recent stratagems resorted to by the Government for averting, as long as possible, the evil day for handing it over. The three months' delay — ostensibly to await the Governor's assent — was a transparent dodge ; no one believed in its necessity. The Superintendent had assented to the measure on his Excellency's behalf, and the necessary steps for the creation of the various municipalities should have been taken at once. Now, after the required assent is ascertained, it is found that nothing in the interval has been done towards facilitating the speedy proclamation of the municipalities. The over-worked (?) officials in Dunediu are now only making enquiries into various matters, regarding which they might have been informed as well three months since as now. When the time for action has come, nothing is prepared ; a very old story indeed. Without giving further vent to our grumbling proclivities on this question, tit present, we trust that the citizens may be preparing themselves for the coming change in the administration of the affairs of the town. This will be entrusted to a Mayor, and px-obably eight councillors (being two each for four wards), together with other officials, whose duties are defined by the Ordinance. Let the selection of those individuals be carefully and judiciously made, and there can be no question that the formation of Oamaru into a municipality will be a circumstance which no one will have occasion to regret. When the time of the Council elections approaches, we shall have more to say on this subject.

The Oamaru election is over, and the unusual excitement and warmth of feeling displayed during the contest are now gradually subsiding, and doubtless will soon die away altogether. And well that it should be so. There could be nothing more hurtful to our interests as a community than perpetual strife. It should now be the earnest desire and endeavor of all so to conduct themselves that the hands of the gentleman who has been returned as our representative should be strengthened as far as it lies in their power to do so. The defeated party, as well as his own supporters, should join in this. They have no cause to be dispirited at the result of the contest, for they made a strong stand in Oamaru on behalf of their candidate, and only in the country districts — at Otepopo and Hampden — were the effects of a well-con-certed and well-executed canvas, in opposition to theirs, less energetically managed, made to tell unfavorably for the unsuccessful candidate. Had Mr Ingram' s supporters been more zealous there, there is little doubt but that they would have secured for him a greater number of votes. Mr Campbell's supporters, on the other hand, never relaxed a single effort in any district, and to this may be attributed in no slight measure the considerable majority of votes by which he has been elected. Now that all is over, however, there is one thing we desire to say, and that is this — that Mr Campbell having been returned as our

member in the House of Representatives, it behoves us, one and all, to tender him that support without which he cannot hope to effect much good for his constituency. Let all whilom differences be effaced from our memories ; let us strengthen his hands to the uttermost in our power ; and unity of purpose is the only way by which this may be accomplished. It will be in this way alone, also, that Oamaru will really be enabled to exercise a potent voice in the Assembly. But we feel assured that such advice is almost uncalled for, for during the recent contest it was patent to every one that the candidates agreed on all the most important points now uppermost in the public mind, and we of course infer that their respective supporters were actuated by a like similarity of opinion. What the one was prepared to advocate, therefore, the other will advocate ; and from the evidence of the past few weeks, we feel confident that he will do so well, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He may prepare himself, however, for a strict scrutiny into all his sayings and doings in the Assembly ; and we think we can promise him that none will be more ready to applaud his endeavors to promote the prosperity of this district, and of all other outlying districts similarly circumstanced, than those who who thought fit to oppose him in his canvas. While writing upon this subject, we would also desire to direct the attention of our readers, and the public in this and surrounding districts generally, to a public meeting to be held on the evening of Wednesday next, for the purpose of taking steps for drawing up a Petition for presentation at the forthcoming session of the Assembly. The object of this petition will doubtless be similar to that had in view by the promoters of the one presented at last session, and it should accordingly receive universal support. It may be urged that it will not effect more than the last ; but we are not prepared to admit that that was trifling. Till then, Oamaru may be said to have been a name unknown in the councils of the Colony ; and to Oamaru, in consequence of the terms of that Petition, we are firmly persuaded, belongs the credit of having dealt the first decisive blow for the downfall of pi'ovincialism, and all its attendant evils and disadvantages. That the scheme proposed was not pooh-poohed, may easily be gathered from the increasing disposition on the part of the General Government to secure for outlying districts a certain proportion of their land funds. This disposition, therefore, must be fostered ; and to this end we trust the inhabitants of this district will again set themselves to work with a will. Let this Petition the Second be energetically gone about. Our sincere desire is, that our example may be copied far and wide. We know that Oamaru will be cordially seconded by Timaru and Gladstone, Wauganui, Westland, and many other districts similarly situated in other Provinces ; but we should wish to see all the outlying districts of Otago, which have suffered from our provincial misgovernment, joining issue with us. It is acknowledged by every thinking person, that a radical change in the administration of our affairs is absolutely imperative, if we would preserve the prosperity of tha Colony. Such a change, sooner or later, must come. We are well aware of the difficulties everywhere surrounding the sweeping away o£ existing institutions, but not a day passes wliich does not demonstrate its necessity, and the great call there is for the (substitution bf some system which will less insatiably prey upon the very vitals of the colony. We hope there will be a large attendance at the Assembly Room next Wednesday evening.

The intelligence brought to hand per last mail steamer is in some respects the most melancholy which has ever reached our shores. The founderin<j of the steamship London, a few days on her . voyage to Melbourne, and with two hundred and thirtynine souls on board — two hundred and twenty of whom perished with the noble vessel — is one of the most heartrending stories that has ever been told of the perils of the deep. Thousands of homes have been plunged into deepest mourning ; hundreds mourn the untimely fate of those near and dear to them. Many respected members of our colonial society are amongst the lost, and not a few of those were rejoicing in the heyday of life and worldly prosperity. Full particulars of the terrible disaster will be found in the supplement to this day's issue ; and it will there be seen that due inquiry is being made into all the circumstances connected with the sad affair. A perusal of the narrative will, we should think, induce many to believe that had the vessel not been made to face the gale in her " fearfully overladen" condition, she might yet have been riding the waters in safety. From the large cargo she carried, and especially from its " dead" description — railway iron — it is thought that great blame rests upon the owners for having shipped such ft largo number of pia*crsgoro on konrd of Ixor. It has been rumored also — but ifhfortunately such rumors invariably see the light when the damage is done — that the London was from her build considered most unseaworthy, everything like safety having been sacrificed in her construction to sailing capacity. If such a rumor can be substantiated, we hope for the sake of humanity that a strict investigation will be instituted, not only in this case, but into the construction and condition of all vessels employed in the conveyance of passengers beyond seas. Many in this colony, and especially in Australia, now mourn the loss of dear friends in the ill-fated London.

We would again remind the parishioners of St. Luke's Church, and the public generally, that the Offertory collections on Sunday next (Easter Sunday) will be devoted to an Easter offering to the Clergyman, in conformity with a, rule passed by the Rural Deanery Board. Messrs R. Campbell and W. F. Ingram have each addressed letters of thanks to the electors for the sup* port accorded them during the recent contest. These will be found in our advertising columns. A meeting of the Oamaru District School Committee will take place on Saturday afternoon, when the question of the appointment of the female teacher will be taken into consideration. The annual quarterly meeting of the Loyal Oamaru Lodge M.U.I.O.O.P., will be held this (Thursday) evening, in the Lodgo Room. The Hau-Hau murderers of the Rev Mr Volckner and of Mr Fulloon have been convicted.

Mr W. F. Ingram has announced his intention of delivering a Lecture at the Mechanics' Institute this (Thursday) evening, at half-past seven. The proceeds of the lecture will bo handed over to the Managers of the Institute, and we hope therefore to see a large attendance on the occasion. The subject selected is a veryinteresting one, being on " The Dignity and Triumphs of Labor," and we feel confident that Mr Ingram will treat it in a popular and entertaining, as well as, at the same time, in an edifying style. To-morrow (Good Friday) evening Mr Thomas Forens will deliver a Lecture in the Wesleyan Chapel, at halfpast six o'clock. The subject chosen is " the final scene of the Gentile Dispensation." We anticipate a good attendance, and an interesting lecture, r We understand that a project is on foot for the erection of a Masonic Hall on a rather imposing scale, in Oamaru, by tbe members of the Lodge of "Waitaki. The capital to be employed, we believe will bo about L2000, being, say, L1500 for the building, and L500 for the site. It will be subscribed for in shares ou joint stock company principles. At a meeting of the " brethren of the mystic tie," held on Monday evening last, a Committee of five members of the Lodge was appointed to select a suitable site, and to report the result of their investi- / gations atjtbe next General Meeting. The edifice, it is determined, will be built of Oamaru stone, and if the present ideas of the projectors be carried out, there can be no doubt that its style and architectural pretensions will lead to its being reckoned one of the finest buildings in the place. "We believe it is contemplated to have the Hall made of a size and character suitable for public meetings, concerts, &c. If it be centrally situated, wdl are certain that this boon to the public will be well appreciated ; and in the meantime we have to hope that the project will receive every encouragement. We would Again intimate that the Wesleyan Church Anniversary Services will take place on Sunday first (Easter Sunday), and the usual Tea Meeting on the Mon day following. We refer to the advertisement for fuller particulars. We are requested to intimate that intending subscribers in aid of the funds of the District School Committee are desired to send in their promissory notes before the end of this month to the Secretary. It is necessary that the Committee should be in a position soon to ascertain what amount really will be at their disposal this year, as, over tnd above the assistance from Government, there will be a considerable sum of money to raise voluntarily. "We hope the friends of education in the district will see it to be their duty to strengthen the hands of the Committee in this respect, so that they may be in a position to maintain the efficiency of the school, and meet their current expenditure. In our last number, we mentioned that a pressure on our space necessitated our withholding several communications addressed to the Editor. Amongst those were two referring to the contest for the representation of the Oamaru Electoral District in tte Assembly, signed respectively " W. F. Ingram," and " Common Sense v. Clap Trap." That morning, Mr Ingram, feeling displeased at the non-appearance of his letter, posted copies of it in the Hotels in town, heading it ominously with the words "Bead! Mark! Digest!" and finding fault with us for not having kept our promise to insert. To Mr Ingram, who is practically acquainted with the getting up of a newspaper, the crowded state of our columns would be a sufficient explanation j but to those not possessing his advantages, the circumstance as recited in the language of the posters referred to, we believe, gave rise to the opinion that in withholding Mr Ingrain's letter we were favoring his rival. It is almost unnecessary to state that this is totally untrue. We withheld the letter of " Common Sense y. Clap Trap" from precisely the same reasons ; and this communication advocated the claims of Mr Campbell. We are glad, however, to state that Mr Ingram has since requested us not to insert the angry letter he wrote, and has further assured us to the effect that he at the time felt bound to take every advantage of the cii cumstanco, for reasons which are doubtless obvious to all. The '* tempest in a teapot" is therefore easily ended. Tho usual monthly meeting of tho Oamaru Land and Building Investment Society will be held in the U orthern ' Hotel Assembly Room on Tuesday evening next, 3rd April, at 7 o'clock. The sale of cash will take place, as usual, at eight o'clock precisely. In consequence of a change in the names -of the Registration Officers for the various Electoral Districts, we beg to acquaint all those who have not yet sent in their claims to vote, that Mr T. W. Parker, R.M., is now the proper party for receiving such claims for the Oamaru Electoral District. The late Registration Officer, Mr J. W. Murdoch, R.M., Hawksbury, still acts in that capacity for the Waikouaiti District. Mr Lowther Broad is Registration Officer for Hampden District ; and Mr H. W. Robinson for Manuherikia and the Goldfields Towns. Of course, our readers will distinctly bear in mind that the List day for sending in claims to vote is the 31st of the present month of March. * A two-mile race was run on the Oamaru Race Course on Saturday last, between Mr D. Brown's ch g Bendigo, and Mr WaddeU's b g Jimmy the Needle. The match, which was arranged at tho late race meeting, was for L30 a side, each horse carrying lOst. After one false start, the pair went off abreast of each other, a position which was unaltered till within half-a-mile of the winning post. Thorns then called on Bendigo, who left his opponent with ease. M'Kay applied whip and spur to Jimmy, which had tho effect seemingly of diminishing rather than increasing his speed, as he swerved from one side of the course to the other, In the straight run home, where according to instructions he ought to have been pushed, he drew closer to Bendigo, whose advantage, however, was already too great to be imperilled by any pace. One or two impromptu races were run at same time, for sweepstakes of trifling amount. Wo might mention that in the principal event, Bendigo was the favorite at 2 to 1, although Jimmy the Needle found not a few backers, who iu some cases even gave considerable odds. Our Northern files contain later American intelligence. We find that a canard has been put forth by a sensation American journal to the effect that an organisation of the " Sons of Liberty" had been got up in Canada, comprised of French Canadians, who desire to rid their country of the English power and are represented to be 240,000 strong, and to muster 188,000 fighting men. This paper pretends that this movement is approved of by the Federal authorities. We recommend the attention of all owners of unregistered dogs to a notice, in our advertising columns, emanating from the district Registering Officer, Sergeant Bullen. Three of the late Ministry will be missing in the next Parliament. Mr Sewell, late {Attorney-General, has sailed in the " Wild Duck " for London ; Major Atkinson has declined to stand for re-election, and Mr Russell, the minister for Colonial Defence has left for England by the overland route. Col. Warre, who- has been in command of the 57th regiment ever since their arrival in this country, also sailed in the '* Wild Duck." The anniversary of the settlement of the Province, as we have elsewhere stated, was entirely eclipsed here by the excitement of the polling for the election of our representative on Friday last. It is reported that Mr G. Donne, the Lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dunedin, is about to mtake a tour through the Province, accompanied by the Stevens Troupe. The now notorious Mrs Kinder, accompanied by a matron and brother, have arrived at Hokitika. The late fortnightly escort brought into Duoediu 7965 ozs 9 dwts of gold.

It will be observed from an announcement in our advertising columns that a number of our citizens have requested a public meeting to be held in the Northern Hotel Assembly Room, on Wednesday evening next, the 4th proximo, for the purpose of taking steps to prepare a petition for presentation at the forthcoming session of the General Assembly. We hope the meeting will be numerously attended. d A case containing two paradise ducks and several Maori hens will be sent this week to the Victorian Acclimatisation Society from our local Association, in charge of Mr Fenwick. In reference to the operations of our Society, we are requested to correct an erroneous impreuion which has gone abroad, to the effect that the two emu* recently imported have been handed over to Mr Fenwick. The fact is, that gentleman, at the inauguration of the Society, kindly promised to take charge of any birds or animals which might be forwarded for acclimatisation purposes, and moreover agreed to bear all the expenses of their removal from the landingplace to Otepopo, as well as the other necessary outlays, until the Society was in a position to relieve him of the burden. A meeting will shortly be held for the purpoia of considering the question of funds. first two loads of stone for the Dunediu Post Office, for shipment at Oamaru, were brought to the wharf yesterdjiy. The process of unloading the heavy blocks was accomplished with ease by the aid of the powerful crane recently erected there. The wharfage accommodation at the end of the Jetty, according to present appearances, will be totally inadequate for the traffic that may be expected, and we should impress 'upon the Executive the desirability of at once attending to this matter. It is with difficulty that a dray can be turned, so scanty is the accommodation afforded by the space reclaimed from the sea. The erection of sheds or warehouses in that case is out of the question. There has beon an animated debate in the Southland Provincial Council on the claims of Mr Marchant, the Government Railway Engineer, and the Ministerial side has been defeated by a majority of five votes. There was an immediate resignation. Mr Cuthbertson, one of Southland's rising politicians, was "sent for," and it was understood that the new Executive would consist of Messrs Blacklock, Wood, Armstrong, and himself. The Provincial Government Gazette of Wednesday last contains a proclamation, by His Honor the Superintendent, of additional regulations for the destruction of diseased cattle, and for preventing the spread of pleuro-pneumonia. These regulations do not refer to the district north of the Horse Ranges. Another proclamation appears appointing Section 1, Block X, North Harbor and Blueskin district, a quarantine ground under the Diseased Cattle Act 1861. Major Richardson, who consented to stand for the representation of New Plymouth, has been elected without opposition. Messrs Vogel and A. Burns have been asked to become candidates to represent the Taieri in the Provincial Council. The prospects of the Riverton Goldfields are brightening, the precious metal being found in considerable quantities. A tramway from Hokitika to Greymouth is mooted. A company is forming, and government will be petitioned for land. The contest for the i epresentation of Westland terminated in favor of Mr Moorhouse by a majority of 40 votes. The polling was as follows : — Moorhouse, 202 ; Shaw, 162. A bi-weekly paper has been started at Okarita, under the title of the "Okarita Times." Confidence is expressed in the future of that township, not only from the discovery of gold there, but also in consequence of its contiguity to a pastoral district. The population of the district is estimated at 4,400 j not including Bruce or Jacksons Bay 5 !, the united population of which may be set down at from 300 to 400. A terrific explosion has occurred in Bridge street, Sydney, by which some stores were literally blown to pieces, and a great amount of damage caused in the neighborhood, fortunately without loss of life. It is supposed that the explosion was caused in some way by some cases of nitro-glycerine oil, a combustible fluid intended to supersede the use of gunpowder, which had been recently imported.