The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 127, 26 July 1866, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1866.

As the resumption of Government Immigration to this Province musf at no distant date form a chief topic of discussion in Council, we offer no apology for again introducing the subject to the notice of our readers. It is one in which all are more or less interested, and therefore one on which their minds should be fully made up, and their opinions made known. Believing that the Province is really suffering from a scarcity of labor, then, the first question which presents itself for our consideration is, "How shall the want be supplied?" It is well-known that Government Immigration is a costly undertaking; and as the expense must be met out of the public coffers, it behoves all who contribute thereto to express their opinion as to the most expedient or best method of carrying out the work. Every one indeed is entitled to be heard as to the mode to be adopted in expending the money voted. It is, of course, conceded that it cannot be said to be wisely laid out unless in the judicious selection of immigrants : we would, therefore, regard the appointment of an efficient Agent in Britain as a sine qua non. But, as we have previously stated, this Agent must, to do his work satisfactorily to all, be a person who thoroughly understands his business. He must be one who has been a resident in the Province for years, who is intimately acquainted with the pi'ecise descriptions of labor required, and who knows where to go to find such labor. So far as we have ascertained, the classes of immigrants most urgently in demand are good farm servants, shepherds, and domestic servants. If we can procure these of the right stamp, and in sufficient numbers, all other interests would be benefited. Tradesmen are not wanted, as the skilled labor market is reported to be

already glutted. Regarding, then, the appointment of a competent Agent-General in Britain as a most important step for the amelioration of the Province's position, we would now desire, briefly, to express our opinion that the country districts through their Representatives should be prepared with some definite plan of action against next session of Council, and, if possible, that some one should be fixed upon who could proceed to Britain at a moment's notice, and who at same time is known to be an fait in the work of selecting the desired classes. His task will by no means be an easy one. Were it possible to secure the services of such an one, we should prefer seeing appointed a man who has had opportunities of supplying labor, of mixing with employers and employed; and who is therefore well qualified to judge of the descriptions of labor of which we stand in need. He should be competent to impart correct information regai'ding the state and prospects of the Province, and be prepared to prove what he asserts to ba true. la our opinion, no one would be more qualfied for this work than one who has had such experience in the Province. We do not mean a mere Port Officer, or one who has had to do with the clearing of immigrant vessels only— that would be no qualification at all — but one who has had charge of the distribution of the immigrants over the country ; wiio has watched their progress; and who, in short, is, from this sort of experience, enabled to say who are and who are not wanted. On thinking over the matter, we have come to the conclusion that if our present Immigration Agent could be prevailed upon to transfer his operations for a time from the Province to the Home country, a more suitable person could not be found to initiate the work. Perhaps, however, it is not aa appointment which he he would be inclined or prepared to accept ; but, from his intimate acquaintance with the requirements of the settlers, and the fate of thousands who have arrived and settled in the Province under his immediate supervision, we should consider him eminently qualified to satisfactorily fulfil the duties required. If he cannot be secured, certainly some one similarly experienced should be despatched to Britain. The present is a very favorable time for introducing the advantages of emigration to Otago before the proper classes at Home ; as, from Queensland journals lately to hand, we gather that the system hitherto adopted there is likely to be discontinued. That Colony ha9 in a measure monopolised emigration from Britain under its land order system ; but as Mr Jordan's latest shipments have given rise to great dissatisfaction, it is actually proposed to abolish his office. We Lope the entu-e question will meet with serious and careful consideration on all hands ; and believing in the importance of securing an efficient Agent in the Home country, we trust that this point will be well weighed before action is taken. A mistake in the selection will prove a fatal one to the Province.

We need scarcely remind our readers that the nomination of Councillors and Auditors for this town will take place to-morrow (Friday), the 27th instant, at the Court House, at noon. We trust that before that hour all the nomination papers will have been lodged with Mr Suinpter, the person appointed to receive them, so that there may be no after regret that any one, whom it was desirable to have in office, should not have been asked to come forward. Until the envelopes be opened on Friday, it will not be accurately known who are or who are not candidates for office, which is only an additional reason why every activity should in the meantime be manifested. At present we are in a position merely to mention the names of gentlemen whom rumour says have been asked to stand, or who have consented to do so. The pi'obable candidates we refer to are these . — For High Ward — Messrs E. W. Roxby and Dr. Wait. For Jetty Ward — Messrs M. R. Miller, J. Lemon, W. Luke, R. M Payne, and R. Mackay. For Thames Ward — Messrs France, Waddell, and Shrimski. For Severn Ward — Messrs Procter, T. Meek, and W. Baudinet. It is quite possible that in this list we have not exhausted the names currently spoken of, but they comprise all those we ourselves have heard mentioned. There are, we understand, several candidates in the field for the Auditorship. We trust that the citizens will do their utmost to procure fit men for this most important appointment. A great deal depends on the integrity and ability of an auditor, and we would therefore call upon the citizens to select two gentlemen (the number required) who from acknowledged experience are known to be capable of ably undertaking the duties which will devolve upon them. We have learnt that Messrs Ashcroft and Locke have consented to be nominated, and we believe they will be well supported. We are not aware whether any others are likely to contest the election, but the names of Messrs J. Fotheringham, T. Webb and J. T. Evans hove been reported to us. As both nomination and election of Councillors and Auditors will take place before our next issue, we can only urge on every effort being made to return the best men — men of active business habits, combined with, if possible, a knowledge of the affairs of the Town. We are glad to observe the interest which is being manifested on all sides, which we accept as a good omen that the citizens will not be unmindful of their duty, and of the important trust reposed in their hands. Next week, therefore, we hope to be able to congratulate them on the result of the elections.

A meeting of the Town Board was called for the evening of Friday last, to consider a communication from the Provincial Secretary's Office, respecting the offer of Mr Hassell to purchase a piece of town land as a site for a wind-mill ; but there was no quorum, and the meeting lapsed. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association Committee will meet in the .Northern Hotel on Saturday next, the 26th current, at 2 p.m. A meeting of the members of the Oamaru Jockey Club is called for the afternoon of Tuesday next, 31st inst., at three o'clock, in the Star and Garter Hotel, for the transaction of general business. Mr Gr. Harper yesterday evening gave a reading in the Mechanics' Institute, consisting of extracts from various poets, viz. :— The Ingolsby Legends, Scott, Campbell &c. The room was well-filled, and the Keader highly applauded.

f A meeting of the shareholders of the Oamaru Masonic Hall Company (Limited) was held on the evening of Monday last, when the following business was transacted. It -was agreed that the Company should be registered under the Joint Stock Company's Act, Limited Liability, 1860 ; and that the first issue of shares should be to Mavms only, they being after* wards allowed to sell to the general public. A portion of the shares will be set apart for the Lodge, and the Hall will be used only for Masonic purposes, unless with the consent of the Lodge to the contrary. It was also decided that the revenue of the Company be applied towards payment of interest at 12J per cent on amount of shares paid up, the surplus revenue to be appropriated to (1) paying off encumbrances, (2) purchasing shares and making a free Hall for Masons in Ofimaru ; and (3) the revenues then to be applied by the Grand Lodge towards Masonic charities, and such other purposes for the benefit of Masonry in general in Oamaru as may be deemed most desirableV We may state that the profits of the Company, as presently estimated, will yield about 17 per cent, on the capital outlayed ; and that it is confidently expected that in the course of six or seven years this sinking fund will have been sufficient to clear off all encumbrances, and thus leave something like L400 a-year to bo available for charitable purposes, &c, in Oamaru. The Mechanics' Institute Committee met on the evening of Friday last for the transaction of business. The members present were Messrs Rule (in the chair), Gibbs, Hunt, Mainland, W. Evans, G. Sumpter, and J. T. Evans. The Secretary intimated that Mr George Harper had accepted office as Vice-President of the Institute, and that he had consented to give a Reading on tho Wednesday evening following. The other busineM was unimportant, advantvges of the use of Peruvian guano in the growth of crops have been related to us by one of our leading agriculturists. Last season, he states, ho sowed three acre3 of turnips without guano, on ground which had been cropped once before, and at a litter period he was induced, by way of experiment, to try Peruvian enano. Accordingly, he sowed one acre of turnips, along with one cwt. of guano, with tho following results : — Firstly, the guanoed turnips, although sown later, arrived sooner at maturity ; secondly, they were much firmer and heavier than the others ; thirdly, the yield per acre was much larger ; and fourthly, whilst those sown without guano were a good deal destroyed by blight, the guanoed turnips were comparatively untouched. Our informant says ho had also sown some guano with English grass seed, with such a result as to justify him in using it extensively this season for the sowing down of grass paddocks. We clip the following from the " Wellington Independent :" — " We expect ere long to have some »tirring nows from the neighborhood of P.itea. Major M'Donnsll, who the other day so narrowly escaped being shot by the Hau-Haus, is now in Wang.inui raising a body of 300 men, with which force he will scour the country between Wanganui and Tavanaki, fighting and following up the Hau-Haus whenever they can bo found. The gallant Major, we believe, wanted 500 men and ' carte blanche' as to his method of proceeding, his idea being, if placed in such a position, ho could thrash the HauHaus into permanent submission in a few months. He hasn't got the full number of men, but the Ministry did not fetter him with many instructions, so we expect to hear a good account of himself and the plucky fellows under his command. It is clear from recent intelligence that the Hau-Haus between Taranaki and Wanganui are still in an attitude of open defiance, and it is equally clear that Major M'Donnell is the man of all others best fitted to bring them to submission. Apropos of this subject, there is a good story in circulation. When the gallant Major came down to Wellington, and related the narrow escape of himself and his friends from the Hau-Haus, some one asked ' if he was certain the natives had not fired blank cartridge ?' c I dou't know,' replied the Major, * I never w«s under fire of blank cartridge in my life.' " We havo been informed that a petition or memorial to the Houses of Legislature is in course of signature in this district, praying for an amendment of the law relating to the management of Crown Lands within Hundreds. We have not yet had an opportunity of perusing the Document, but we learn that the recent decision of Mr Wilson Gray, in regard to the Waihola Wardens' case, has induced tho action to be taken. The petition sets forth the desirability of curbing the powers of Wardens, and, doubtless, is intended for tho consideration of the Assembly at the passing or introduction of the Otago New Land Bill. The Otepopo Ploughing match is to take place tomorrow (Friday), at the Punchbowl, on Mr Mason's property. A report will appear in our next issue, y^seal, measuring eight and a-half feet in length, came ashore at the landing place yesterday afternoon, when it was quickly pounced upon by one of the boatmen and captured. An accident which might have been attended with more serious results occurred at Benmore Station a few days ago. While Mr Cowan, the manager, was superintending the threshing machine at work, ho put his right hand to a part of the machinery to ascertain if it were hot, when in an instant ho found he was minus a portion of his thumb, cleanly severed to nearly the first joint, He came at onco to Oamaru, where the proper attention has been given to the mutilated member by Dr. Wait.