The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1868.

North Otago Times, Volume IX, Issue 279, 24 January 1868, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1868.

The news brought by the last mail from Europe contains nothing very new or startling. The Kalian difficulty appears to have been settled, for a time at least, and the Chair of St. Peter to be for the present reestablished, thanks to the in+ervention of the Eldest Son of the Church, once under Pontifical ban, but now blessed by the head of the Church, and perhaps still more to the efficacy of the Chassepot rifle. The Fenian executions which have taken place in Manchester, have probably done more towards crushing this troublesome and hopeless conspiracy than any step which has as yet been taken by the Government. Had the authorities temporised less in the first instance, and duly vindicated the majesty of the law by hanging some of the first rioters for high treason, it is exceedingly probable that more than half the anxiety which it has passed through, would have been saved to the country. The theory of punishment of the law of England is not revenge but determent, and we have little doubt that the execution of two or three of the principal offenders at the outset would have checked this mischievous organization in the bud. But somehow or other there is a good deal of maudlin sentiment talked and written about the punishment of criminals of every sort in the present day, as witness the petitions forwarded to the Home Secretary for the reprieve of some of the greatest rascals conopivjiblp We do not believe in terrorism, nor in blind and indiscriminate punishment ; but we do believe in a firm and vigorous administration of the law. We believe this to be the most humane course, inasmuch as when punishment is swift and certain, crime is greatly diminished. The resolute action of the Government in the matter of the Manchester executions will be viewed with satisfaction by the country, and will probably be the means of putting a fctop to this somewhat formidable disturbance of the Queer's peace. We, however, do not say that Ireland has no grievances to compl tin of, and trust that she will be given a fair hearing, and that those grievances will be redressed. It is satisfactory to learn, although the details of the recent terrible hurricane at the West Indies are as now given sufficiently distressing, th.it the calamity is not so great as was rejn'esented by last mail. The Island of Tortola has not been, it appears, sunk beneath the .sea, as would seem to have been the ca&o from the first report, but has been flooded by an immense storm-wave, with the loss of 100 lives. The hurricane has, according to the despatch of the ActingConsul, resulted in the loss of 500 lives, and the destruction of property has been immense. The Royal Mail Company alone have sustained losses to the amount of some £240,000 sterling. One of the most 2»ainful details of the whole affair is the statement that the natives refused to assist in burying the dead, so that the bodies had to be burned, an operation that lasted three days. The destruction among the shipping has been enormous, as will be g ithered from the following .summary, condensed from a report given by an officer of the Douro : — Total wrecks : .steamers, 2 ; barques, 5 ; brigs, 7 ; brigantine, 1 ; .schooner, 1. Sunk : ste unei-, 1 ; ships, 2 ; barques, 2 ; brigs, 3 ; schooners, 2 1 ; sloops, 2 ; tug-boats, 3. Ashore, most of them dismasted or otherwise damaged : .steamers, 9 ; ships, 2 ; barques, 4 ; brigs, 2 ; brigan tines, 4 ; schooners, 3 ; tug-boats, 3 ; — making, with 1 schooner capsized, a total of 78 sail lost or damaged more or less seriously. From Abyssinia we learn that troops were arriving daily, and Annesley Bay was rapidly assuming as busy an aspect as Bombay harbor. Colonel Merewether and pai-ty had been l'econnoitring the country southward, after a severe march of 1 30 miles, they found but little water and that in wells. In parts the thermometer ranged at 110. A landing pier 330 yards long has been constructed at Zulla, and a portion of tramway already laid down. Next mail will probably bring us news of active operations. The Imperial Parliament has voted £2,000,000 for the ex}jenses of the expedition, which sum, however, is to be charged upon the Indian Revenues, though by what process of reasoning in an affair which is entirely and solely that of tho Home Government, this decision is j\istified, it is difficult to determine. There is a wondrous inconsistency about the foreign policy of Great Britain ; a large sum like this voted in a lump for the Abyssinian expedition — we don't quarrel with that however, while any expenditure for the protection of a

Colony, as witness the case of Canada and New Zealand^ is bitterly grumbled at. The recent conference of Bishops does not seem as yet to have resulted in any effectual measures fen: the establishment of peace in the Anglican Church or for its better order and government. Ritualistic fanatics still persist in introducing their Romish millinery into English Churches, and riots have, in one instance, namely, at Lambeth, been the consequence of this attempt to corrupt the simple services of Protestantism. One of the most welcome items of intelligence is the news that trustworthy information has been received of the safety of Dr Livingston ; although we shall hardly breathe freely till a letter has either been received from the worthy Doctor himself or until some one can state that he has actually seen him in the flesh. But the bonne bouche to New Zealand, is the intelligence given of the state of the wool and share market. Wool is looking up and we advise wool-growers to make the most of it ; the rate of production evidently is increasing at a vastly greater ratio than that of the consumption of this staple commodity, and unless something unforseen occurs, such as the closing of the cotton market during the American war — prices must, unless we are wrong in our foreexsting, yet suffer a decline. It is cheering to all -New Zealand to find that our securities are in high favor, and there should now be no difficulty in obtaining the loan wanted by Otago. Seeing the difference which has been made in the value of our bonds by the recent action taken by the Assembly, in m iking the whole Colony security for the various Provincial loans, it is the more to be regretted that that difference was not secured as a saving to the Colony instead of presenting it to the bondholders.

The name of the person charged with drunkenness in our last Police Rcpoit, should have been Peter, not Roderick M'lveuzie. We offer our apologies to the latter gentleman for an unintentional aspersion of his fair fame. A scratch match at Cricket will be played on Saturday (to-monow), at 3 p.m. A Committee meeting for the transaction of important business will be held immediately after the match. We remind the members of the Oamaru Jockey Club that a meeting is called for this day, at 3 p.m., at the Star and Garter Hotel. By an advertisement iu another column it is notified that the Oamaru Rifle Rangoia will, iu future fall in at the flagstaff, on the Esplanade, in consequence of the room which has previously been used for drill being no longer available. An Instruction of the Waitaki Lodge, No. 1111 is appointed for this day at 8 p.m. A meeting of the Committee appointod at the roccnt public meeting with ref ei ence to the Fire Brigado took place on Satuiday evening, at th« Northern Hotel. Present — Messis Mackay, Reid, Bee, aud Stewaid, the foimer gentleman occupying the chair. It was resolved that S. Gibbs, Esq., be appoiuted permanent ch.iinnan of the Committee. Diaft letters to the agents of the diffeient insmance companies wero adoj>ted, and it was resolved that Mr Reid bo requested to forwaid these to Mr Gibbs for his signature, m ordei that they might be dispatched forthwith. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. The meeting of the Oamaru Jockey Club called for Wednesday afternoon hist, foi the transaction of business of impoitance, did not take pl.ico owing to the veiy limited attendance. In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the case of Peter M'Nabb, remandeded for medical treatment on a chaige of buing of unsound mind, was called on. The police stated that the prisoner was in an unfit state to be brought through the streots, that Iiq was under the medical treatment of Dr Wait, who stated that he was suffeiing fiom "delirium tremens" and that it was pi obably the second or third attack. He had recommended that if the prisoner were not better to-day he should be sent to an asylum. The magistrate directed that the case stand over uutil Dr Wait had again visited the prisoner. John Hamilton was brought up on a similar charge. The police stated that he also had been suffering fiom "deluium tremens." Ho had been omployed upon Mr Atkinson's station as a slieai er, but had run away in the middle of the night. Dr Webster had given prisoner in charge. Prisoner, after leaving Atkinson's, had stripped himself and swum the Kakanui. Wheu the constable anestcd him he was the subject of strange delusions, ho fancied that some one wab going to shoot him, and Dr Webster had stated that it would piobab'.y be some time before he recoveied. The priboner, who appeared to be now in his right mind, was asked by the magistrate a few questions. Ho had no idea how oi when ho left Atkin&on's. He had been " on the spiee'' up-country, had never had the " hoi rois" before. Remanded till this day. Michael M'Caithy was charged with having been drunk aud disorde ly on the 20th iust. The police having stated the caso, prisoner .said Ii3 had just come down couutiy and met some friends in town, aud had taken a glass or two. He was soiry if ho had said or done anything wrong, it was his fiist offence, and he hoped he would not commit himself again. lie could not drink much, two glasses weie too many for him. The Magistiate remarked that his fault was in taking more than was good for him, whether that be twenty glasses or only two, if he knew that ho could not bear two glasses he ought not to take that quantity. As it was his fiist appoaiance, lie would only fiua him in the costs — 5a. Gd. Samuel Sluimski was summoned for lightiug a fire in the open air within the town, contrary to the municipal bye-laws. Constable Smith stated that he did not wish to pie&s for a fine, but meiely to .show that peisons could not light fires in the open air with impuuity. Mr Shiimski seemed to be under that impression. The Magistiato said that he hoped defendant would take this as a cautio i. The police were quite right in bringing the mattei forward. He would dismiss the piebent case, as it was the first, but in futuie should go by the strict letter of the bye-law, which, indeed, gavo him no discretion. James Johnson w.is fined 5s. 6d. for diiving across the footpath on the 10th instant. The " Daily Times" says '• — " It is announced that Mr W. Hitchen is to play a series of matches at billiards, at the Empire Hotel, on the evenings of Thursday, J?"iiday, Saturday, and Monday ; hi& firit opponent being Mr J. Beahan, to whom he is to give 300 out of 1O0O." Wo learn also that Mr Hitchen has been appointed to act as agent for Messrs Alcock and Co., bilh.ird table Manufacturers, Melbourne, and will take orders for that firm on his visit to the several towns. An advertisement iu the " Now Zealand Gazette" informs the Public that an extra yearly subscription of ten shillings to the " Gazette" will entitle each subscriber to the Acts of the Assembly, aa published fn each year. We have seen the prospectus of a new journal proposed to be established at Lawrence, under the title of the "Tuapeka Times." The " General Government Gazette 1 ' of the 8th inst. is almost entirely taken up with the Standing Orders and forms of proceedings of the General Assembly relative topnvate Bills. The Standing Oideis, 160 in number, aud the- appendices occupy 14 pages of letter press.

A meeting of the residents in Tees-strret took place on Tuesday evening last, at the Royal Hotel— Mr White in the chair. The chairman stated that some months ago the Municipal Council had promised to kerb and channel Tees-street, but nothing had been done, although it was, he might say, the principal street of the town, and contained a number of valuable buildings. Mr Ogilvie referred to the disgiaceful state of the street during the recent heavy rains, stating that he had been a loser by the want of propor means for carrying off the surface water, to the extent of fully L20 during the previous week, his workshops boing flooded, and the men having consequently to knock off work. Several other gentlemen also took part in the proceedings, and the injustice done to the residents in this part of the town, by neglecting to put the street in proper order, was strongly urged, the more especially that it was stated that the street had been formed at tho expenso of tho inhabitants themselves. The following resolution, proposod by Mr Laing, was carried, viz. : — " That beai ing in mind the unperformed promise made by the Council six months ago to a petition from the inhabitants of this street, this meeting views with considerable dissatisfaction the completely useless works being carried on in the various parts of this town, when its most important streets are being neglected." On the motion of Mr Watson, the meeting further resolved, — " That a Committee, consisting of Messrs Proctor, White, Everett, and the mover, be appointed to draw up a petition, and wait upon the Council, asking them at least to keib and channel Tees-street, so as to carry off the surface water, and to give the residents an opportunity of keeping their doorways dry, and forming their own footpaths. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chair, and tho meeting broke up. The "Daily Times" has been favored" by the Solicitor General with tho inspection of a telegram received fiom the Colonial Secretary, in which it is stated, that the Duke of Edinburgh has announced he will positively visit Otago. He hab signified his willingness to open the Christchuich Tannel, and also desires it to be intimated, in response to the invitation sent him by the Caledonian Society of Dunedin, that he will have pleasure in being present at its gathering." We may add that it is almost certain that His Royal Highness will pass thiough Gamaru. Notice appears in a " General Government Gazette" of the 11th iiist., that telegraph stations have been opened at Featherston, Province of Wellington, and Selwyn, Province of Canterbury. Referring to the shipment of birds expoited per Warrior Queen, a coi rospondont of " The Field" says, " Mr Bills, the experienced and well-known bird fancier invited a friend and myself to hit store-rooms in Brighton, to see the birds, which were ranged around two large rooms in their travelling cages, containing from two to twenty birds in each, according to the different species. The cages contained blackbirds, 100 ; missel thrushes, 4 ; song thrushes, 100 ; starlings, 150 ; hedge accentors, 100 ; larks, 150 ; linnets, 1 50 ; robins, 50 ; house sparrows, 150 ; gold finches, 100 ; yellow-hammers, 12 ; and black . caps, 2 ; partridges, pheasants, swans, &c, to be added in London, making up a complement of 1500 birds. The quantity of seed, paste, corn, &c, laid in will cost upwards of L135. Special accommodation has been provided for this caigo on board the Warrior Queen. I consider it only due to Mr Bills to add that a better choice could not have been made to carry out the spirited and liberal order of the Society." In a lotter from Mr W. Carr Young to his Honor the Superintendent, published in the " Daily Times" the following passage occurs. Mr Young is writing of the an an elements in contemplation for the shipment of the salmon ova for this Pioviuce : — "The Celestial Queen, Al for 13 years, and only three years old, I am assuied, is suitable m cveiy w.iy, and is an exceedingly fast clipper. As Mr Savill accompanied us on tho the inspection of the England, and knows exactly what space and othoi jtqm&ites are necessary for the ice-house, I havo no doubt his selection of the Celestial Queen is a judicious one. and will meet our approval on the visit of inspection which is to take place on Thursday next. Subject, of*courso to that approv.il, the fi eight is to be 50s. per ton payable here, or payable in the Colony 55s. ; and the vessel is to sail on a given day, about the 5th of January. This day being the anniversary of the birth of the Poet Bums, will be colebi.itod iu Poit Chalmers by a public dinner. It is too late for Oamnru to do anything of the kind this year, but we tiust that another anniversary will not be allowed to come without provision being duly made to do honor to the memory of Scotland's chiof poet. The " Daily Times" gives the following from the Commercial article of the " Times," " in relation to the negotiation of L47O,OOO Six per Cent. New Zealand Debentures. In the following day's " Times" a lise of one and a-half per cent, is mentioned in the puce. Mr Young, in a letter to the Superintendent, btates that Rothschild's investment in New Zealand securities had improved the favor in which they were held. He also mentions that lie had henid, on good authority, that L5000 of Otago Six per Cent. Deboutures had sold for 99A ; and that more were sought after at that pi ice. The following is tho paiagrnph from the " Times" of the 20fch November : — ' New Zealand Government Six per Cent. Debentuies for 1470,000 were disposed of this morning by piiblic tender, at the offices of the Crown agents for the Colonies. The minimum was fixed at 102,| . The total amount applied for was L2,659,700, viz., L2, 433, 200 at and above the minimum. A few small tenders above 104$ were alloted in full ; the balance was taken by Messrs Rothschild at 104,}.' '"