AND WAITAKI REPORTER. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 166, 25 December 1866, Page 2

AND WAITAKI REPORTER. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1866.

CkristmJlS has come agaia. As this is the season when it is customary to cast a retrospective glance at the events of the year, it is fitting that we, in obedience to the good old fashion, should make some brief reference to those with which we, as New Zealand Colonists, are all more or less intimately associated. In the first place, the evidences of continued prosperity throughout the Colony during the past twelvemonths, when the prejudicial influences which have been so actively at work are taken into account, must be considered eminently suggestive of a bright future. True, we have not yet got rid of our Native difficulty, as it is not inaptly termed, but slowly and surely the apprehensions of an almost interminable struggle with the Maoris are becoming dissipated, the public mind now reposes in comparative quiet, and the most recent intelligence from the North induces the hope that disaffection, on any wide or serious scale, need scarcely be anticipated. This burden once off the shoulders of the Colony will bring about a new era of prosperity. Then, we have a wide-spread agitation concerning a change in the administration of public affairs. Provinces are ranked against the General Government; outlying districts are pitted against the Provinces. From what has transpired, there is every reason to hope for a speedy adjustment of the question, for matters have been pushed so far, and so much light has been thrown on the anomalous working of some Provincial Governments, that the country longs for a radical change. Outlying districts took the initiative in seeking redress from Provincial mismanagement ; the Provincial Governments are attempting to frustrate their efforts by themselves seeking for increased powers, which it is very unlikely the General Legislative will grant. Indeed, there is a plain hint that the claims of outlying districts are recognised, and that they will for the future receive more consideration at the hands of the General Government. It was only a few days ago that we had a repetition of the old game of throwing dust in the eyes of districts yearning for a participation in provincial revenue. One of the chief stand-points of the VogbIi Ministry was justice to the various portions of the Province, for which purpose a District Boards Bill was proposed, but it was dropped without apology or explanation, and without affording the requisite time for remonstrance. It was a ni&e, and it was successful ; but it only shows how little consideration districts may expect from those in charge of our public affairs. In that quarter it is in vain to look for relief. One of the legacies, we are sorry to say, which 1866 will leave to its successor, is increased taxation. To meet the expenditure of the Colonial Government and repay liabilities outstanding, it has been necessary, to allow the Provinces to keep faith with the engagements into which they have entered, to impose Stamp Duties, which will come into force on the 1st of January. The reading public will likewise be called upon to contribute additional revenue from the imposition of postage on newspapers. These are changes for 1867 which no one will relish, but we incline to the hope that the latter will not be longlived, and that the former, which will doubtless be a permanent impost, will pave the way for an important reduction in the import duties at next session. The year just closing has seen inaugurated two most important enterprises ; we allude to the Panama Mail Service, and the extension of the Electric Telegraph across Cook's Straits by means of a submarine cable. Both have been for some time in successful operation, and the benefits they are calculated to confer on the Colony are already beginning to be recognized. Although the population of the Colony has

not been greatly increased by direct immigration from Britain, the opening up of a vast extent of auriferous territory on. the West Coast of this Island has induced the presence of many thousands from the Australian Colonies, and many of whom will doubtless make New Zealand their permanent home. The settlement of this large mining population there, and the investment of a large amount of capital in mining undertakings in this Province, while maintaining the industry in its hitherto prominent position, also gives it a stability which it otherwise could not boast. Notwithstanding the depression so generally complained of in commercial circles, the Customs revenue still exhibits a satisfactory increase — a pretty accurate index of the progress of the country. Again, it is satisfactory to note the increasing attention now being devoted to the development of the country's resources. On every hand may be seen the result of industrial enterprise. Large areas of ground have been purchased, occupied and improved, to in due time repay the husbandman for all his toil. Manufactures from native products have also been prosecuted with a gratifying measure of success, pointing to the fact that we have in our midst the heads to design and the hands to frame many of the articles indispensable to civilized communities; and that therefore we are becoming less and less dependent on other countries for their production. The advantage of progression in this direction needs no further recommendation. On the whole, then, if the year 1866 cannot be said to have been one of unclouded brilliance, events have occurred deserving a prominent place in the annals of the Colony, and with a wise administration of public affairs, and a determination to overcome all temporary difficulties, it is not too much to expect not only a continuance of the prosperity with which the Colony has been blessed, but even a progress more marked than before. But the Christmas season — a season dear to all by reason of its sacred character and its many endearing associations and reminiscences, is one in which we all may well forget for a time the cares and worry of every-day life. The season is one of merrymaking and festivity, but it is also one when the powers of the reflecting mind may and should be brought into full play. Without desiring to preach a homily to our readers, we may hope that, in reviewing the actions of the year, they can look back upon them without regret or pain; in contemplating their present condition, that they may do so with satisfaction and with gratitude; in glancing forward to the future, that their prospects may be bright and in every way encouraging. Let the cares of the past past not follow us into the new year, and old grievances and " old scores" be " written off" and not carried forward to next year's account. We conclude by cordially wishing all a Happy Christmas.

The following are the names of the Eleven of the Dunedin Cricket Club Appointed to play the Eleven of the O.C.C. on Friday and Saturday this week :— Mesirs Butterworth, Chapman, A. Creagh, J. Fulton, Hendley, Miller, Morrison, Murison, Roberts, H. Turton, W. Turton. We believe Friday will be observed as a halfholiday. The Banks will cloie at noon. Saturday, as usual, will be a half •holiday. The member* of the Waitaki Lodge of Freemasons are summoned to meet on St John's Day at 7 p.m. A banquet will take place in the Star and Garter Hotel the same evening. The children attending the three Sunday Schools here are to be feted by Alexander M' Master Esq., at his residence, Waikaura, on New Year's Day. Arrangements are being made for the conveyance of them and their teachers from and back to Oaraaru. In our next U-uo, we shall publish the Schedule to the " Stamp Duties Act, 1866." Wo may state that, although it is reported in northern papers that all the necessary arrangements for bringing the Act into operation on the 1st of the New Year would be carried out in good time, it is somewhat improbable that a supply of stamps will be received in this quarter before that time, and certainly impossible that they can be made to reach the various inland districts. It will become a very nice question as to whether receipts for payment of accounts &c. will be held as binding until stamps are procurable. Ther* will doubtless be great inconvenience caused, and perhaps not a little hardihip endured. We cannot compliment the authorities on their action in this matter. Some extraordinary disclosures have been made with regard to the treatment of the children in the Auckland City Home, and the conduct of Mr B. Cunningham, the Superintendent of the Institution. The enquiry arose out of two boys having escaped from the Home and being charged by the Superintendent with having stolen the clothes they wore when they went away. The " Southern Cross " took the matter up, and has brought to light facts that are scarcely credible in this age of socalled enlightenment. The children were treated in a most cruel manner, flogged, had buckets of cold water thrown over them, were handcuffed, chained to the floor, and, worst of all, imprisoned in a box of such small dimensions* that the Spanish Inquisition itself would scarcely have sanctioned it. As the Home is not gazetted as a gaol, it is expected that a Magisterial enquiry will be held into the circumstances under which the boys were imprisoned, and both Committee and Superintendent are like to get into trouble. The dimensions of the box prison are given by the " Cross " — "Measured by our reporter on Wednesday, in presence of a police officer : 1st compartment, or divisison — Length, 2 feet 4 j inches ; breadth, 2 feet 7£ inches ; height, 4 feet 7 inches. Second division or compartment — Length, 3 feet Jths of an inch ; breadth, 2 feet 7£ inches ; height, 4 feet 7£ inch. Dimensions as measured by Sergeant Clark- -Left side (1st division), 2 feet 4£ inches, by 2 feet 7J inches ; and 4 feet 7 3-16ths in. high. Bight side (2nd division), 3 feet |ths of an inch by 2 feet 74 inches, and 4 feet 7 316ths inches high. In the first compartment there was never more than one boy chained and confined ; in the second compartment there were occasionally two] The cupboard closed with folding doors, padlocked outside ; and to prevent suffocation, about twenty small air-holes in each division. Such was the place of confinement for "naughty" bovs at the Auckland City Home, sanctioned by the committee, and approved by the conscience of Mr Ben* jamin Cunningham."

A sale of valuable steel engravings will take place next week at Mr France's Auction Room. Day and hour of sale will appear in our next. There is to be a. plethora, of sports for the inhabitants on BoxiDg Day and New Year's Day. We refer to advertisements elsewhere for particulais. The "New Zealand Gazette," of the 14th instant, contains a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the ordinary revenue of the Colony, for the quarter ending 30th September. The analysis is as follows : General revenue, L2148 16s 3d ; collected in the Province of Auckland, L4O.191 9s 9d ; Taranaki, L3813 13s 7d ; Wellington, L23.749 11s 8d ; Hawke's Bay L5681 15s 3d ; Nelson, L15.415 Is 7d; Marlborough, L1529 4s lOd ; Canterbury, L64.978 8s ; Otago, L5O.93O 2s 5d ; Southland, L7O81 17s; total revenue, L215.515 Os 4d. The expenditure during the same period was L145.298 16s 7d, in the following manner :— General expenditure, which includes the civil list and permanent charges of interest and sinking fund, appropriations for public domains and buildings, the expenses of the postal, judicial and defence departments, L116.86] 6s 9d ; expenditure in Auckland, L5609 10s 7d; Taranaki, L569 10s lOd; Wellington, 2525 13s 3d; Hawke's Bay, L1144 19s 2d; Nelson, L8O9 12s 3d ; Marlborough, L1059 18s ; Canterbury, L6894 0s 5d ; Otago, L8075 8s Id ; Southlaud, L1748 17s 3d. To which must be added three-eighths of of the Customs Duties paid to the Provinces, amounting to LG8,410 5s, unking a total expenditure for the quarter of L213.7O9 1. 7d. The "Argus" says that "Charlotte Cushman will shortly celebrate the 60th anniversary of her birth. Fanny Ktmble is in her 49th year. Kate Bateman is 24 years old. Julia Dean is 35. Madame Celeste is 64. Mrs John Wood is 36. Julia Bennett Barrow is 41. Ada Isaacs Menken, 27. Avonia Jones, 23. Kate Reignolds, 27. Mrs Vernon is nearly 79. Mrs J. H. Allen is 22. Madeline Henriques is 20, and is the youngest 'leading lady" on the stage. Parena is 38. Miss Homer is 26. Maggie Mitchell is 30. The Christchurch "Press," speaking of the tunnel works, says : — The driving at both ends of the tunnel is and has for some time been through soft rock, allowing the work to be carried on with great rapidity. Only 170 yards remain to be driven, so that, unless the hard rock is again met with, the tunnel will be open in April next. Yesterday, for the first time, the shots at the Lyttelton side were distinctly heard at the other or Heathcote face ; so distinctly indeed as to occasion some surprise that they had not been heard before. This proves that there are no cavities nor any quicksand within the intervening space.