Oamaru Times Office,

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 344, 8 September 1868, Page 2

Oamaru Times Office,

AND WAITAKI REPORTER,

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1868.

The usual Quarterly Returns of the Impoi'ts and Exports and of the number and tonnage of the vessels entered inwards and outwards at the vai-ious ports of the Colony, are given in the " New Zealand Gazette," of the 25th instant. Although statistical information is usually looked tipon as dry reading, it is none the less valuable ; aud we, therefore, offer no apology for drawing attention to the more salient points of the information thus afforded as to the commercial transactions of the Colony for the quarter ended 30th June last. The imports for the quarter are stated at £917,20-1, against £1,225,727, the amount for the corresponding quarfcerof 1867, showing a falling-off of £308,523, which argues either a greatly diminished consumption, resulting from the stagnant condition of the Colony or a previous \mhealthy activity, and throws a good deal of light upon the large falling off in the Customs revenue from the estimated amount as reported by Mr Hall when bringing down his financial statement. The imports at the various ports for the quarter were as follows : — Auckland, £68,861 ; Russell, £531 ; Hokianga, £157 ; New Plymouth, £4141 ; Wanganui, £17,542; Wellington, £117,504; Napier, £12,179; Wairau, £2959; Picton, £533; Nelson, £84,752; Westport, £19,186; Greymouth, £24,165; Hokitika, £105,307; Lyttelton, £116,206 ; Akaroa, £1106 ; Timaru, £3727; Oamaru, £2429 ; Dunedin, £300,401 ; Invercavgill, £29,970; Bluff Harbor, £3815; Biverton, £1703. The total is thus divided ;

—From United Kingdom, £404,733; British Colonies, £481,382 ; Foreign Countries, £31,089. It will be seen, by comparing these figures with those of the .gorresijonding quarter of 1867, that the principal falling off has been ab the ports of Auckland, Lyttelton, Hokitika, Greymouth and Nelson — the deficiency at those ports respectively being £143,220, £54,250, £49,310 ; £26,135, and £20,965. The falling off at Greymouth is partly compensated for by the imports at Westport, which are set down at £19,186 ; but, on the whole, the figures given for the West Coast show a marked retrogression. Other ports exhibit a proportionately large falling off, as compared with the amount of their imports, Timaru heading the list with £8102; and the following ports contributing to the deficiency the sums given, viz., New Plymouth, £6S39; Invercargill, £5640; and Riverton, £2371. The differences shown at the other ports of the Colony, among which are notably Dunedin and Wellington, is only trifling. Turning to the export returns, we have the following figures : — Auckland, £75,332 ; Russell, £625 ; Mongonui, £26 ; Hokianga, £749 ; New Plymouth, £14 ; Wanganui, £4686; Wellington, £37,613; Napier, £20,872 ; Waii-au, £8740 ; Picton, £225 ; Nelson, £16,650; Westport, £149,287; Brighton, £25,982 ; Greymouth, £97,790 ; Hokitika, £163,831; Okarita, £4836; Lyttelton, £184,056 ; Timaru, £3327 ; Oamaru, £2355 ; Dunedin, £376,208 ; Invercargill, £107,694; Bluff Harbor, £1496; — Total, £1,282,394. Do., corresponding quarter, 1867, £1,263,863 — increase, 1868, £18,531. Of the total export, the following are the principal items : — Flax, £2214 ; flour-, £1969; gold, £628,300 ; grain, £46,980 ; gum (kauri), £28,950 ; liides, horns, and hoofs, £1183; leather, £1558; seeds, £2153; skins, £1230; tallow, £1786; timber, £3025 ; wool, £533,802; of the whole total £1,261,101 being produce of the Colony. Comparing the figures for 1867-8, we note that there is a falling off in the value of the gold exported of £76,738, while the export of wool shows an increase of £92,934 ; that of grain an increase of £32,639, and of kauri gum £18,951. It is satisfactory to note that although not figuring prominently in the returns as yet, the item "flax" shows a steady increase. The following are the tonnage returns — Inwards : Total for the quarter, 56,212 ; corresponding quarter, 1867, 70,265. Auckland, 3164; Russell, 1864; New Plymouth, 160; Wanganui, 129; Wellington, 12,045 ; Napier, 191 ; Nelson, 6507; Westport, 547; Greymotith, 1882 ; Hokitika, 5181 ; Lyttelton, 5398 ; Timaru, 180 ; Oamaru, 216 ; Dunedin, 9577; Invercargill, 177; Bluff Harbor, 8994. Outwards: Total for the quarter, 73,993 ; corresponding quarter, 1867, 81,236. Auckland, 5586; Russell, 2345 ; Mongonui, 305 ; Hokianga, 216 ; Onehunga, 131 ; New Plymouth, 160 ; Wanganui, 562 ; Wellington, 12,637 ; Napier, 686 ; Wairau, 344 ; Nelson, 4726 ; Westport, 475 ; Greymouth, 6829 ; Hokitika, 9608 ; Lyttelton, 8482 ; Akaroa, 637 ; Timaru, 360 ; Oamaru, 390 ; Dunedin, 14,370 ; Invercargill, 177 ; Bluff Harbor, 4967.

The Kev. Father Williams will officiate at the Court House, on Sunday next, at the usual hours. The Kev. J. A. Taylor purposes preaching next Sabbath in the morning, at 11 o'clock, in the Schoolhouse. Awamoko, and in the evening at Oamaru. Mr Bmnton delivers his second lecture on Thursday evening, at the Meeting-house, Tees-street. Subject — The Jew. At a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, held on tho 2nd in at., a request from the congregation of Oainaru, foi the moderation of a call was received, and was granted, and "Wednesday, 16th instant, fixed for that purpose" It was arranged that the Rev. Mr' "Watt preach and preside, tho edict to be served on Sabbath first by the Hev. Mr Hyley. A farwell dinner was given on Friday evening last at the Empire Hotel by a number of friends to Mr W. H. Davidson, late of the Bank of Ottigo, in this town, on the occasion of his removal from Oamaru. Mr Davidson, who was very deservedly respected, was, at the dinner, presented with a ring asa" souvenir" of his friends in Oamaiu. The annual general meeting of members of the Oamaru Ci icket Club took place on Saturday afternoon, at the Star and Garter Hotel, Mr R. L. Livingston, in the chai<\ The following businoss was transacted : — Mr J. Fotheringham was elected Treasurer, vice Mr W. H. Davidson, and Mr Sumpter le-elected Secretary for the ensuing year. The following were elected members of Committee, viz., Messis Rowlatt, Ht. Honor, M'Nicoll, J. Allan, and J". K. Andorson, with the Treasurer and Secretary "ex officio." Resolved — That the annual subscription for the ensuing year be LI. Resolved — That tho opening game of the season be played on Saturday next; sides to be chosen on the ground. Wickets pitched at 2 p.m. A person named Thos. Goldstone was ridinsr furiously along Tees-street last night, and rode over one Hector Munro, who sustained some very nasty cuts about the head. He was promptly attended to by Dr Wait, and from him we learn that no serious consequences are anticipated. Goldstone was taken into custody on the charge of furious riding. The " Daily Times," of the 7th instant, states : — "A case of stabbing, of a serious nature, occurred on board the barque Bengal, at Port Chalmeis on Saturday last. During the afternoon, thiee of the seamen, named M'Carthy, Muriay, and Brett, had some woids — M'Carthy challenging tho otheis to 6ght ; Brett declined until after tea, and the men continued their work. Tea over, a squabble ensued, and Brett pushed M'Carthy down the hold. M'Carthy, on coming on deck, squared at Murray, and using bad language to him, Murray closed with him, drew a sheath knife, and stabbed M'Carthy over the back— the knife entering between the ribs below the right shoulder, and penetrating tho right lung. Medical aid was sent for, and Dr Drysdale went on board, and sewed and bandaged the wound. At night M'Carthy wa«j considered in danger, and it wa* considered advisable to tako his dying declaration j but yesterday the bleeding had stopped, and the only danger was that of inflammation setting in. Information having been given to the police. Sergeant Mallard arrested Murray and conveyed him to the lock. up. On being taken into custody, Murray admitted having stabbed M'Carthy in a quarrel, and that he had thrown the knife overboard. Murray will be brought up at the R.M. Court to-day, when, no doubt, the case will be remanded. M 'Carthy and Murray were previously good friends." Notice is given in a "Gazette" of the 18th ult.,that an extraordinary general meeting of the Peoples' Petroleum Company (Limited), New Plymouth, will be held on the 19th inst., to take into consideration a resolution for a voluntary windmg-up of the Company.

We notice an error which passed the reader in our leading article of last issue— the name "Sir Georga Grey" appearing instead of " Sir George Bowen." Mr Long informs us that lie was not the person to blame in the recent accident to Mr Reeves, reported in our last issue. Mr Long states that he was present at the time, but was some yards ahead when Reeves fell. We have great pleasure in drawing attention to tho fact that Mr John Hislop has kindly consented to give a lecture on "Railroads," on behalf of the Mechanics' Institute, at an early date. We believe the date fixed upon is the 15th instant. We draw tho attention of the cricket-loving members of the commnnity that the Oamaru Club will play their opening match of the season on Saturday next. Wicket* to bo pitched at 2 p.m. Mr Samuel Shriniski deserves the thanks of the mechanics for the energy which he has shown in collecting subscriptions in aid of the funds of their Institute, he having already obtained donations and subscription* to the amount of L57 5s. We are requested to inform the parents and friends of the scholars and others interested, that the Public Examination of the Oamaru District School, will take place on Thursday next at 10 a. m., instead of Friday, as previously announced. We notice that an endeavor is being made in Dunedin to arrange for the holding of a Fine Arts Exhibition in that city in the month of January next. A hen has taken a fancy to lay her eggs behind the door upon our office stairs, and the other morning while going to our editorial sanctum, we noticed a rat endeavoring to carry off an egg in its mouth. Master rat, however, on being surprised, was glad to relinquish his prize in order to make good his retreat. At Thursday's sitting of the Supreme Court the following sentences were recorded : — Thomas lid wards, stealing money from the person — Two years' hard labor. Alfred Horley, forging and uttering a cheque, with intent to defraud — One year's imprisonment, with hard labor, on the first count, and six months' on the second. Benjamin H. Bartlett and Paul Brown, for obtaining goods by a false pretence— Bartlett, twelvemonths' hard labor : Brown, nine months'. John Morison, forging and uttering cheques — The Judge said that the prisoner was sentenced in this Court, on the 1st March, 1865 although for an offence very different from the present. Now, upon the fir&t indictment, the sentence was — Three years' penal servitude ; on the second indictment — One year's hai d labor, to commence at the expiration of the former sentence. Alfred Champness, forging and utterivg a cheque — The Judge said that on the 1st September, 1866, the prisoner was seutenced to hard labor for 12 months, for stealing a horse. The present sentence was Two years' imprisonment, with hard labor. Gilbert Hughes, alias Mahon, was convicted of sheepstealing at Wailahuna. Sentence deferred. Andrew Jasper, James Lennon, John Hammill, and John Henry, alias Saxby, alias Stephens, were indicted for stealing a sheep, and were acquitted. The Crown Prosecutor said that he should proceed against Jasper and Henry on another indictment. Lennon, Hammill, and M'lvor were discharged. On Friday, Gilbert Hughes, alias Mahon, found guilty of sheepstealing, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Andrew Jasper and John Henry, alias Saxby, alias Stephens were charged with a similar offence. Henry was acquitted and Jasper convicted and sentenced to five years penal servitude. Thomas Shaw was convicted of housebreaking at Tapanui. He was sentenced to three years' penal servitude. We learn by a telegram in the " Daily Times" that on the 4th instant, at the Opposition Rooms, the following resolutions were agreed to, and tabled by Mr Fox for Wednesday ; — "That this House has no confidence iu the policy of the Government, because (1st) while approving the dissolution of partnership between the Colonial and Piovincial Governments, tho House is of opinion that the arrangements for carrying out such dissolution are eminently unfair; (2nd) because the Government do not propose to give effect to one advantage which would be gained from the dissolution, namely, a reduction of taxation ; (3rd) because no adequate provision is made for setting a limit in respect to future native and defence expenditure ; and (4th) because the Government propose to leave the country in uncertainty as to the f uture|modo of government, and the territorial division of the country." Phe" Otago Witness" states that, " Information ha» been received by the Panama mail that the Colonial Committee of the Free Church has appointed the Rev D. Ross, of Lismore United Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. J. W. Thomson, of the English Presbyterian Church, to officiate in connection with tho Synod of Otago and Southland." The " Bruce Herald" writes as follows of the flaxworks at Tokomairiro : — " We lately had occasion to notice the progress of the Tokomairiro Flax-works, and we then stated it was proposed to remove the engine and plant to a more suitable site. This ha? been effected — and we are glad to hear that the capabilities of the mill have been increased, 6o that a greater quantity of prepared flax can now be made at a reduced expense. The enterprising company are now engaged in making preliminary arrangements for the manufacture of rope of all kinds, and matting suitable for rooms, lobbies, &c. An experienced rope-spinner from Sydney has been engaged to conduct the former, and a loom is now being made in Milton for the manufacture of the latter, on the same principle as the cocoa-nut matting now sold in the stores. We trust that the importation and use of the foreign production will be superseded by the locally manufactured article, which the company intend selling at from 2s. 6d. to 4s. per yard, of various colors and patterns, whereas the cocoa-nut matting sells at 6s. 6d. per yard. Those who can afford to carpet their rooms with tho genuine Kidderminster and Brussels, must for a time be content with what is impoited and sold by the upholsterers of tho place, as it is perhaps premature to expect such a local manufacture at present." The " Daily Times" " learns from the Hon. Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, that Mr G. P, Clifford, the Society's Manager, when last heard of, was in Hobart Town. It appeal s that he has received every attention from the Tasmanians, who evince a disposition to make the object of his visit, which consists principally in the procuring of a supply of trout ova, a successful one. It was Mr Clifford's intention to leave Hobait Town about the 28£h August, in the barque Southern Cross, which was loading for Lyttelton, and whose Captain takes charge of a supply of ova for the Canterbury Society. If it can be arranged, the vessel will call at Otago Heads and drop Mr Clifford with his precious freight. The Southland Aclirnatisation Society has aheady received a quantity of trout ova from Tasmania, under the charge of Mr Howard. The ova have been deposited in the hatching boxes, and a letter from Invercaigill was received yesterday, stating that the proportion of dead eggs was very trifling." The following letter from an inmate of Lyttelton debtors' prison is published in the " Canterbury Times : '• Sir, — i think you have taken the rong steps with mo to get your money since you have put me in gail i shall never be able to pay you thought that my intention was not to pay you but you ear mistaken but this is a greate mis stake of yours keeping me here at the same i am happy i have nothing to do and plenty to eate we have the best of every, thing both eating and drinking a bottle of porter every day plom podding and rost bef plenty of bookes to reade and newspapers every day i don't know what ena one wish for mor in this woild If you so me you say this is fine plase i my self fat a» bullick." The Hobait Town " Evening Mail" states that a, sov belonging to Mr Woods, near Bridgewater, lately gave birth to 23 young pigs, all in a healthy condition, and they were all thriving well.

Mr Pringle's stables had a. very narrow escape from being destroyed by five on Fuday night or rather, on Saturday morning. It appears that after leaving th.e dinner given to Mr Davidson, Mr Arthur Dansey, while passing the stables, noticed fire in a heap of straw at the end of the building. He raised an alarm and went into the stable to bring out the horses standing there, very nairowly escaping without a broken limb if not worse, as one of the horses was a young and vicious animal, which kicked at him in anything but a pleasant manner. Assistance arriving, the fire was extinguished without damage being done. What was the cause of the fire is a mystery. The top of the heap was saturated with rain, and the fire was in the dry straw underneath. The " Lake Wakatip Mail" of August 27 writes :— " As an instance of what may befall the lonely worker amidst our mountain fastnesses and wooded ravines, we have just been told a remarkable case, worthy of a page in a tale of real romance. About three weeks ago a splitter, working in the Five Rivers Bush, Southland, had his thigh dislocated by the fall of a tree which he had just before been cutting down. No assistance being within several miles, the unfortunate fellow was placed in & most critical position. Nevertheless, nothing daunted, after vainly endeavoring to crawl to some place for human relief, he made a crutch, by means of which he struggled slowly on until a search party, hearing his cry came to his relief — not, however, until the poor fellow had become lean and haggard with the endurance of hunger and pain for five days and nights on snowy ranges and amidst thick forest. When found he presented a most pitiable object— his clothes nearly all , torn off him, his limbs nearly paralysed and his toes frost, bitten, while under his armpits the flesh was almost worn away to his bones from the friction of the crude crutches. Only once, the brave fellow admits, did a tear fill his eye — for hope wavered and his heart nearly failed him when, struggling through the bush, one of his crutches tripped him, and, in angry agony, he threw away a great support, which cost him many hours of fruitless search ere he found it again. We hear the young man's name is John Nolan, and there is little doubt that his youthfulness has saved him from an untimely end." A correspondent at Little Akaloa (Canterbury) writes to the " Lyttelton Times" of the 20th ultimo :— " On Saturday morning the 15th, about six o'clock, I was lying in my bed, when my attention was attracted to the noise made by the sea. I got out to look, and in the dusk I saw the sea come up to H. M'Intosh's paddock. I opened the door, and ran to wake M 'In tosh and while I was knocking at his door the sea came up as high as my knees. 1 ran back to my own house and found it full of water ; my wifo had the children under her arms ; we had only our night clothes on. When we started for the hills I secured two blankets and a counterpane to cover my wife and children. The frost was on the ground. The sea went out again as far as Green's, where there is usually sixteen feet of water at low tide. It was quite dry. I was then able to get into the house and get some clothes. In the meantime, Harry M'Intosh had got his family together when there came another rush, and it was a piteous sight to see the little children in their night clothes running for the hill. The weather was bitterly cold. Mr and Mx - s Finlay, Mr and Mrs Hunter, and the Misses Waghorn were very kind to us. We had another heavy rush at one p.m. The wator was three inches higher than at half -past six. If the water had risen a foot higher it would have swept away all the houses on the flat ; fortunately it was low water when the first rush came in, or we should all have been drowned. It is mud everywhere. The Struggler, ketch, was floating about where a dingy could never go ; the bridges are floating about in the bay ; one of them is in Finlay's garden, which is destroyed. M'Intosh's fence i* carried away." We learn from the " West Coast Times" that a fresh instance of the hardships of a diggei 's life on the West Coast has been brought to light. A number of miners for some time past have been working at Big Bay and other places south of Jackson's Bay, and received their supplies fiom Hokitikaby the subsidised steamer Waipara. The last vessel that visited them was the steamer St. Kilda, in June last. The fulfilment of the Waipara's contract, in the mean time, had been postponed, and consequently the unfortunate diggers were reduced to a desperate plight, and at last, when almost too late, deserted the place to avoid starvation, and at desperate risk reached Bruce Bay in an open boat. While at the George River, a party returning from Big Bay with provisions, in crossing the bar, had the boat capsized, and one of their number, named Peoster, a German by birth, was drowned. A very small quantity of provisions were saved. After working on for some time at Big Bay, they proceeded to the head of Jackson's Bay in the hope of obtaining provisions, but were disappointed, the only inhabitants of the place, three Frenchmen, being in a similar condition to themselves. These poor fellows had had no food for 48 hours previous, excepting one rat ! A little further up the party encountered tho Howards, whom they found in a sorry plight, their flour bags being empty, and the ammunition expended, and thus the party were reduced to a, diet consisting almost exclusively of shell-fish and fera roots. Fifteen of the party then embarked in a boat and pushed for Brucs Bay. Some of them were so fearfully reduced that they were utterly helpless, and had to be lifted about. Not a particle of food of any kind was in the boat when she put to sea, but providentially the wind favored them, and they succeeded in reaching Bruce Bay in a few hours. There they obtained supplies, which were at once forwarded to those at Jackson's Bay." The following locals are attributed to the American press:— "The man that will take a newspaper for a length of time, and then send it back ' refused * unpaid for, would swallow a blind dog's dinner, and then stone the dog for being blind. — Exchange. He would do worse than that — he would marry a girl on trial, and send her back at the end of the honeymoon with the words * Don't suit ' chalked on her back. — Tron City. Worse than that : ho would steal the chalk to write it with, and afterwards he would use it on his shirt to save the expense of washing, and then sue his wife's father for a month's board. - Standard. Worse yet : he'd chase a sick rat ten miles over a corduroy road, and institute a. post-mortem examination after he caught him, in order to recover a stolen grain of corn. — Morgantown Star. We endorse every word of the above. Ho -would steal all the rotten acorns from a blind pig, and steal all the winter meat of an editor. — Somerset Herald. He would be as mean as the man who cursed his poor old blind mother for stopping at his yard door to beg for bread, and who gave his only child a penny for going to bed supperless, and the next morning charged him a penny for his breakfast. — Torchlight. Stronger yet : he would sponge a living from his poor old father until the old gentleman became unable to work, and then let him die in the poorhouse, and afterwards sell his remains to medical students for anatomical purposes. — Blufton Banner.