The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1868.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 351, 2 October 1868, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1868.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Parliament is still in session and has been principally occupied with a want of confidence motion tabled by Mr Fox, and a motion of " alarm" at the native policy of the Government, tabled by Mr M'Lean. After an immense amount of talking, the want of confidence debate resulted in a majority of seven for Ministers ; the " alaraa" debate which was of comparatively brief duration, resulting, as might almost have been expected in the present unsatisfactory position of native affairs, in a:i even division, the Ministry gaining only the casting vote of the Speaker. Mr Stafford has since intimated that the Ministry will not resign, and was we think, quite justified in so determining, seeing that upon their general policy the Ministry have a clear working majority. No legislation of any great importance has taken place since our last Monthly Summary. A

resolution has passed the House for the introduction of a measure enabling the Superintendent and Provincial Council of any Prbvibee to set apart permanently a portion of the land revenue or of the land within such. Province forthe purposes of immigration. Th e Westland Rep resentation A ct Amendment Bill has passed the House, as also the Provincial Audit Act Amendment Bill, the Weight and Measures Bill, the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Railway Bill, the Jointstock Companies Bill, the Printers and Newspapers Registration Bill, the Distress and Replevin Bill, a Bill to empower the closing of Public Houses in disturbed districts, the Canterbury Rivers Bill, and the Marriage Act Amendment Bill. A Bill is to bo brought in, conferring powers of administration of the local revenue upon a local body in the cases of Wanganui, Timaru, and Oamaru, and its fate is anxiously looked for. The Government party will give it no half-hearted support, and there is good reason to hope that it will puss. The budget for the year is on the whole satisfactory ; although a considerable falling-off" in the Customs revenue appears, yet the position of the Colony is shown to be sound, and while there appears to be at present no hope of a reduction in taxation, there is some comfort in knowing that there is no necessity for an increase of our fiscal burdens, and that the Government have shown a desire to reduce those burdens as soon as may be .practicable. Native matters are in a far more unsatisfactory position even than they were at the date of our last rcpoi't. Within a few days of the receipt of the news that the pah of the enemy at a place called, Te Ngutu o te Maim, had been burnt to the ground, intelligence arrived that a second engagement had taken place at or near the .same spot. On Monday, September 7th, the Colonial forces left Waihi at i a.m., and at 2 p.m. encountered the enemy again at Te Ngutu o te Mann, but tluU Lime they wore thoroughly prepared to give us a warm reception. Not only were the rifle-pits manned, but also the"' tops of the trees, and deadly volleys were poured in upon our men, who bravely pushed forward, cheered on by their officers, and returned the lire with murderous effect. The Hau-haus unquestionably got the best of the affair, and did deadly execution amongst our officers ; the gallant Von Tempsky was shot, and the brave Captain Buck, and his equally brave fellowofficers, Captain Palmer, and Lieuts. Hastings and Hunter, were also amongst the killed. Lieut. Rowan was dangerously wounded, and a good many of the rank and file left hors da combat. Most of our officers and men were killed by the Hau-haus perched in the tops of the trees. This victory — for it was a victory for the lebels — has greatly emboldened them, and on the receipt of the news the Hau-hau King issued an edict to all his chiefs, ordering them to rise during the present month. The rebels have since burnt every house and wharo in the country evacuated by the Colonial troops and have been guilty of several outrages. The first-class oT the militia in the North Island Iias been called out, and necessity will compel the Government to resort to very strong measures in dealing with this really formidable rebellion. Volunteers have been called for in the Southern Provinces, but we think that it will be found necubsaary eveufcxiallj- to make a compulsory draft of a per-centage of the ablebodied population, in order to raise a sufficient force successfully to cope with the Natives. There can be no doubt that the rebellion will eventually be crushed, but the doing of this, will, we fear, involve a considerable expenditure of blood and money. The loss of Major Von Tempsky is a very serious blow, and great sympathy is expressed for the widow and family of this gallant officer. Subscription lists have been opened in nearly every town in the Colony for the purpose of raising a fund for their benefit, which should, and we believe will result in the raising of a very considerable sum. At the engagement at Te Ngutu o te Manu, the officers and those men who had been befora under fire, showed great pluck, but it is stated that the raw levies bolted without fmng a shot. The conduct of the friendly Natives was most admirable, they covered the retreat of the Colonial forces with great pluck and .skill, and but for them our lo&s must have been much more severe. The Auckland Goldfield& still continue to ■ give remarkable 3 7 ielcls of the precious metal ; machinery has been largely introduced, and there appears every probability that for a long time to come enormous returns may be anticipated. There has been a long discussion in the Provincial press fis to the alleged existence of Hau-hauism at Waikouaiti, a township between Oamaru and Dunedin. It has been alleged that the evil organization has taken root among the Maories there, but the local paper indignantly denies the statement. So far as the discussion has gone, the public verdict is "Not proven." The Quarterly Session of the Supreme Conrb is just over. The criminal calendar was light, being principally confined to offences again&t property. The sentences passed are given in another place. During the month almost simultaneous importations of trout ova from Tasmania have been made by Otago, Canterbury, and Southland ; in ever}'- case the transportation of the valuable freight was most successfully made, and there are good hopes of ultimate success in each instance. The young fish have begun to hatch out, and we have every confidence that during the present year we shall have the trout disporting themselves in our waters. The Acclimatisation Society have not neglected other equally valuable importations, and have recently forwarded to this neighborhood a number of China partiidges and Californian teal, which have been turned out near Otepopo, and which, if care is taken to keep down the hawks, will piobably do well. The General Synod of the Episcopalian Church of New Zealand is now in session in Auckland. The Rev A. Gifford of this town, and R. B. Lusk, Esq., of Auckland, have been returned as the clerical and lay representatives of this district. Bishop Selwyn's removal to the see of Lichfield has resulted in the preparation of a testimonial, signed by colonists of all classes and

creeds throughout the Islands where he has so long and faithfully labored for many years, and which will be presented to him, handsomely illuminated and enclosed in a suitable casket of New Zealand woods, on the occasion of his leaving the Colony for his new diocese. "Recently the number of whales which have been seen off various portions of the coast of Mew Zealand Avould seem to indicate, that the fish, are retivrningto their oki 'haunts, <ind affords ilie prospect of a successful re-establish-ment of our whale-fisheries, -*the more especially that Port Chalmers has recently been made a free port for whalers, and is now provided with floating dock accommodation, so that repairs to vessels can be effected without the necessity of a cruise to Australian ports. It is very satisfactory, too, to find that the enormous quantity of iron-sand on the coast of Taranaki, which it has hitherto been found impracticable to utilise, is likely ere long to be put into a marketable shape, and to become a considerable item in oxir exports, a process having, it is said, been recently discovered for smelting it, and converting it into a shape which will command a ready sale. It has also been recently discovered that a cement, fully equal, if not superior, to the celebrated Poi*tland, can be cheaply manufacturoil from the Muuictki Loulclor« ; which exist in immense number, and have hitherto been only valuable as an attraction to the • sight-seer or tourist. The capital of the Province has now another daily morning paper, which has been established by the enterprising proprietor of the " Dunedin Evening Mail," under the title of the " Otago Daily Mail." With this exception we arc aware of no further addition to our local literature. The annual examination of public schools has just taken place in this district, and everywhere the state of the schools has called forth the warm enconiums of the Government Inspector. Perhaps the most important local topic just now is the question of how to provide better hai'bor accommodation at this port. Various projects for opening a direct channel for the creek, and turning the lagoon into a dock have been brought forward, and their respective merits have been closely canvassed. The question is of the most vital importance to Oamaru, and we trust that ere long we shall be able to report that steps have been taken to carry out one or other of the plans suggested. A very successful ploughing match has taken place at Papakaio during the month, and in the town lectures have been the order of the day. Four lectures upon Prophecy, by Mr Brunton, and a most able lecture on George Stcphcnson and Railroads, by Mr J. Hislop, having been delivered. There has also been a most successful concert in aid of the funds of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, a dinner to Mr F. Robertson, one of our citizens, who has proceeded to the old country, and a very numerously attended annual dinner, which passed off with extraordinary eclat, given by the local company of Volunteers. The Horticultural Society recently established has gone to work energetically, considerable funds have been already raised, and it is anticipated that the first show, to be held in about three months' time, will be a groat success. The weather during the month has been changeable, but on the whole favorable to vegetation, and so far our harvest prospects are good. We are also in receipt of satisfactory accounts as to the lambing. Commercially there is nothing to report beyond continued dulness. Two local houses have had to succumb to the pressure of circumstances, and times generally are undoubtedly hard ; yet there is some comfort in the reflection that there are many other places in the Colony in a far worse position.

A letter from our Wellington Correspondent, under date 25th ult., is unavoidably hold over. Mr Wilson Gray holds his next Com t here on Tuesday next, the Gth inst. We are requested to intimate to the parishioners of St. Luke's that the Rev Mr Grainger, of All Saint's, Dnncdin, will officiate on Sunday next, when there will be tho usual monthly administration of the Lord's Supper. The Dunedin Presbytery met ycsteiday to consider tho call mode by the congregation of Oamn.ru. We leain from a piivato telegiam thas the call was not sustained. The usual monthly meeting of the Oamaru Land and Building Society takes place on Tuesday next, at tho u^,ual place and hour. Tho usual fortnightly meeting of tho Municipal Council took place last evening. We will report the pioceeding3 in Tuesday's issue. Tho meeting announced for Wednesday last, for the election of officeis of tho A I.O O.F , was adjourned until Monday next, thoie not being a quorum. Tho recout rains havo caused a fresL. in tho Creek, which has washed awav tho budge at tho Lauding-placo and made for itself a neiv mouth. The loading of tho Eleanor lias been thcieby considerably delayed, and great inconvenience has been caused to m pi chants and shippeis. A photogiaph of the position of affairs has, we understand, been forwarded to the Government, who wo trust will at onco do somothiug towards putting matteis in a more satisfactory state ; it would not cost a very heavy sum to fill up tho present channel of tho cicek and open a channel thiough tho shingle-bank in a direct line with tho lagoon. Tho interests of tho place demand immediato action in this matter. The Kakanui has also been flooded, and we learn that the eutianco has been le-opened. Tho following Wellington telegrams aro from tho " Daily Times :" — '* "Von Tempsk^'s Company havo mutinied, desiring to return to the Waikato. Some have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, some have teen dischaiged, and the remainder will piobably be sent back. By dischaigeo, expiiations of service, &c, tho force at tho front has been reduced by about 300 men. Colonel M'Donnell is on leave of absence, owing to tho illness of his wife. Major Prazer is in chief command, and Captain St. George returns to the East Coast, there being no prcseut pi ospect of active service at Patea, tho rebels having, it is " officially" said, retired to their cultivations to plant potatoes. From fifteen to twenty recruits for the Napier Constabulary leftheio to-day. Increasing uneasiness is felt in reference to the Panama MaiL Thero being plenty of coal there has probably been only a temporary break-down, either in going or returning." The " Daily Times" of the 29th instant reports : — " We are informed that the first of the trout ova was hatched out yesterday morning, at the hatching boxes under tho caro of Mr Clifford, at Captain Boyd's crook. This is the first trout hatched out in the Province."

On Wednesday evening, at the hour fixed for the delivery of tho Rev Mr Martin's lecture at tho Mechanics' Institute, on the subject of " What constitutes a hero," there were only some half-dozen persons present, and the lecture was postponed " sine die." The community generally have paid the rer gentleman a very ill compliment, and while the circumstance that it was mail night and also the last day of the month is a very valid excuse for business men, we cannot help , sayiug that the class who might be expected to take the moat lively interest' in an Institute founded expressly for their benefit, viz., the artizans, showed a reprehensible apathy, there being not one of them present. This is not as it should be, and wo trust that on tho next similar occasion the mechanics will see to it that there is a full house. We understand that a concort, in compliment to Mrs Mitchell, will take place in tho Masonic Hall on the 30th inst. Tho programme promises to be very attiactive and will comprise an amateur dramatic performance, a Clnisty's Minstrel's entertainment, and a concert, — in all of which a good deal of new talent will bo brought forward. On Wodnesday afternoon, as Mr Walter Paterson was driving out in a buggy from tho livory stables opposite our office, one of the shaft pins got loose, and tho horse became restive, smashing in the tailboard n,nd breaking the shafts. Mr Paterson threw himself out and received some severe biuisea. He was removed to the Northern Hotel, where he was attended W T)r W=;tForfcunatoly r>° i>«> M oa «ore broken, and the pationt is progressing favorably. We are requested to call public attention to tho announcement, in another place, that the District School will bo reopened on Monday next, under the superintendence of Mr Fleming, who has kindly consented to take charge until tho arrival of tho newly-appointed master, Mr Haswoll. A meeting of the Enfiold Local Road Board was held at Mr J. Finch's houso Columolla, on tho 21&t Septoniber. Pretcnt — Dr Webster (in the chair), Messrs E. S. Lees, J. White, J. Finc'u (Secretary), and Captain G-, T. Evans. Eesolved -That tho tenders received for contiaot No. 2 (biidgo, &c ,), being far boyond tho amount mentioned to tho Surveyor, or as likely to be speut for that woik, none of them bo acooptod, but that Mr Mooro bo 1 equested to prepare plans aud estimates for a bridge of much les<j cost, say, of old ship timber or other cheap material, — the bridge not to cost moio than L40, and including oaithwoik and culvert not to exceed L100. Resolved — That in lieu of works on tho Kakanui River, agieed on at last meeting, some necessary formation be done near and through the gate on the chain road, leading from Section G, Block XV., thiough Section 4, Block XIV. (main road to Otopopo). Resolved — That tendeis be called for coveiing tho culvert and foimation of the siding by Mr Todd's fence. Resolved — To place arreais of assessment in the hands of Page and Stidolph, Oamaru, for immediato collecttion. Resolved— To request Mr Mooro to prepare plans, and estimates, and to call for tendeis for the fold at tho Waireka, not to interfere with tho present bed of the liver, but to impiove the appioaches, and pitch the soft giound on either side. Resolved — That tho rate for the year eniiiug Juno, 1S69, bo levied as eaily aa possible, valuing cultivated laud at 12s. 6d., and uncultivated land at 2s. 6d. per acre per annum. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Tuesday, the following peisons wore fined for cattle tiespass : — Peter Mackenzie, 2s. 6d. ; A. Paterson, 2s. Gd. j A. Baker, 2&. 6d. j Thomas Jones, 5s. 6d. ; George Oir, 2s. 6d. These amounts included costs. Samuel E. Shrimski was summoned for allowing a horse to wander in the public streets. Defendant submitted that no proof had been given as to where his horse was found. Case adjourned to Thursday. White v. Mitchell, — Claim LS 2s. Mr All? nby for plaintiff, MrO'Meagher for defendant. In this cabo plaintiff claimed L8 2s. for goods supplied and money lent to defendant, alleging that tho sum of L5 had been lent by him. There had been a horse transaction between the parties ; plaintiff avei red that defendant had swopped horses with him and wanted L5 to boot j this he refused to give, but afterwards advanced that sum to defendant, as a loan. Defendant on the contrary, alleged that the L5 had been given to him by plaintiff as a bonus on tho exchange. Plaintiff's books were produced in evidence, and Mr O'Meagher, as Counsel for defendant, diew tho attention of the Bench to the circumstance that three of the entries happened to be on the bottom lino of the page, remarking upon it as a singular coincidence. Judgment was given for plaintiff for the amount claimed. On Thursday George Bentley was summoned for having, on the 28th inst., been at so great a distance from his horse and waggon as not to have sufficient contiol over the same. It appeared that defendant wa3 inside the weigh-house when the hoiso started and ran up the right-of-way near Ogilvie's, throwing out the seat of the waggon. Defendant tried to stop the horse but was uuable to do so. Ho was fined 10s., including costs. Mr Shrimski, in the impounding caso, adjourned fiom Tuesday last, was finod 5s., including costs. We are glad to notice that the good citizens of Dunedin are interesting themselves in raising a sum of money for the widow of the late gallant Major Von Tompsky. Bad as times aie here, wo think Oamaiu might contiibnte a little towards this veiy praisoworthy object, and aro glad to find that steps havo already been taken to this cud.