North Otago Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1879.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2267, 4 August 1879, Page 2

North Otago Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1879.

Mk Siirimski, one of tho mombora fo; 1 this district, has givon notico in tho Houso of a noteworthy motion, and ono which woro it not for tho passing excitement arising out of tho recent rapid ohangos ;r; r tho positions of parties and tho approac'iing dissolution and general election, would beyond doubt bo canvassod considerably throughout the colony. It will bo re momberod that about three months ajc<" whon tho policy which somo banking i istitutions were then putting into vigorous practico, to the inconvenience of almost nil porsons in business, and certainly o tho d raid of all gentlemon with hea^y overdrafts, amongst the causes assigned as being produotivo of tho great troub'o of tho hour was tho manner in which tl o Government account was disposed of. Many persons in business and bovoiml journalists, wo amongst others, maintained that as tho Government account was confined to tho Bank of Nou Zealand only it becamo necessary for thpt bank, whon, as was thon the caao, it was called upon unexpectedly to supply Government with largo sums of money to purauo a drawing in or recalling policy, which tried to the uttermost many men of business. Tho point sought to be established was that wero tho account distributed amongst all the banks in tho colony tho strain, evon in times of groat and sudden demands by tho Government, would not appreciably affect the business of tho country, inasmuch as in such a case tho operations of all tho banks would of nccossity bo spread over a widor surface, amongst a greater number of peoplo, thau could possibly bo while tho account was confined to ono bank duly. It was, therefore, hold that as a matter of public policy, prompted by considerations for tho welfare of tho commonwealth, tha Government account should no longer bo oontinocl to tho .Bank of Now Zoulund, but given on somo principle of judicious division to all tho banks in tho colony. Of courso no ono for a moment thought that tho giving of the Government account to only one bank was tho ohiof causo of commercial depression, but it was recognised aa being in a considerable dogree contributory to it, and honce tho suggestion that the account Bhould bo distributed in tho manner and on tho grounds net forth in thisjparagraph. It now appoars that somo such ohango i as this has come to bo considered in Parliament as a subject for at least sorioun consideration. At tho beginning of thin ai'ticlo wo referred to a notico of motion givon in tho Houso by Mr Sukimski. It rotates to this subject of distributing tho Government account, and is to the purport " that the timo haa arrivod when better arrangements should bo mado in reference to tho banking account of tho colony, so as to socuro tho largest amount of financial safety, with tho least possible amount of financial disturbance ; that with this view it is dosirublo to ascertain whether or not tho banking account of the colony should bo divided amongst the various bfliiks in tho colony { that a select committee of eighteen member* be appointed to consider tho question with power to call persons and papers, and to report within four weeks." It is probable that, seeing that tho House will probably be dissolved within the present »oek, nothing further will bo done in lite matter

until tho return of a new Parliament, but no wo fool convinced that tho subject in ono of sterling importance) wo sincerely trust that it may be kept in view, and bo again brought on for doliborato dißCuasion at tho earliest opportunity. Apart from tho beneficial offeot which this BUggcstod ohango would in nil probability produce in tho local commercial affairs of the colony, it is oxpoctod that tho distribution, of tho Govornrcent account would tend to take away the political influence which it is freoly said is possosaed and oxorcisod by tho bank of New Zealand, and which naturally attaches to any institution with which i any Government does all its monetary business. This in itself Avould be a boon worth striving for on tho country's bohalf, for it cannot bo to tho intorost of tho commonwealth to allow a largo banking institution, in a young country especially whoro monoy has much greater power for all things than it haa in older communities, to acquire largo political, mfluonco and to support it in its retention of it by allowing it to remain tho solo custodian of the Stato's funds.

A mooting of the members of tho Firo Brigade is called for this evening, at seven o'clock. Business important. Tho body of tho unfortunato man Fitzpatrick, who was killed in tho twonty-oight chain tunnel on Thursday last, was not recovered until 5 a.m. on Saturday. It was convoyed to tho White Hart Ilotol to await tho inquest. Tho remains of tho two men who wero killed by tho recont accidont at tho Waterworks tunnels woro followod to their last resting place yesterday by ono of the largest fuiural assemblages over witnessed in Oamaru . Wo nro informed that several attempts have bocn made to launch tho schooner Pelican, recently stranded at Timaru. Tho operations woro' not successful. We understand that hopes nro yet entertained of the sohooner boing successfully iloatcd. At tho Residont Magistrate's Court on Saturday, boforo Mr Parker, R.M., Jamos Blair, charged with drunkenness, was fined r>i, with the usual alternative, and Maiy Wil3ou, convicted of a similar ofbnco, was cautioned and discharged. Thoso intoreatcd aro requested to attend a mooting to bo held at Pirio's Papakaio Hotel, to take into consideration mattors connected with tho annual Papakaio ploughing match, Wo hopo that somo interest will be manifested, so that these annual ovents on tho I'lain will lack none of tho success which has made thorn so attractive in tho past. It is said that L 120,000,000 sterling are lying idle in England owing to tho impossibility of employing it to advantage. With this fact before them, and with tho firat-clasa investment thoy havo to offer, colonial borrowers should havo no hesitation in fjoing to tho English money market, nor should thoy havo much difficulty in meeting with willing investors. Just now when tho country is on the ovo of a general election numerous rumors arc in circulation as to probiiblo candidates for political honors. With regard to our own district it is confidently expected that tho present members Mossu Hislopaud Shrimbki will stand for ro-elcction, but "tho man in the street" has also other names upon his lips. This authority spoaks of Mv J. M'Lcan, of Rcdcastlo, and Mr W. J. Steward, late Mayor of Oamaru, as probablo candidates, but for aught wo know to tho contrary his ground for saying so may bo nothing but his own vagrant fancy. We givo the rumor for what if, is worth, mid noi^tf nowa but moroly a picoo of political gos3ip. Tho tightness of monoy is making itself folt boyond tho sphero of trade. Wo notico that a "roverend" has sought tho protection of tho Dunodin Court in tho matter of an arrangement with his croditors. It cannot bo wondered at that tho Fivo Million Loan Bill ia a topic which has engagod a good deal of attention. Tho probabilities of its pissing or not passing has acted on peoplo hko tho weather on a sensitive baromotcr, and in this respect numbers havo boon as sensitive as tho most easily agitated weather glass. But that tho Opposition havo arranged to consider and pasa all necessary measures beforo tho ponding dissolution takes placo, tho " planks" at tho coming general olection would havo resolved themselves into tho one cry of " Vote for tho Loan Bill." On Wednesday thoro will bo offered for salo ono of tho largest blocks of freehold land over offered in this part of tho colony. Mr Maude will submit to public competition tho estato x>f Bnlruddory, situate on the Kakauui River. Tho improvements on tho estato are said to bo of tho most complete description. Tho property is situate twolvo jnilos from Oamaru, and is about equal distances from tho main South railway lino and tho Waiaroka lino. No doubt thoso who dosiro to purchaso largo freeholds will not ovorlook this opportunity, as tho chance seldom ooour3 of being nblo to acqniro a slice of country suitablo for both agricultural and pastoral purposes. Tho sale will take placo on August Cth, at the stores of tho auctioneer, Tho Government Railway Bridg) over tho Maorowhonua River is now completed. Tho contractors — Messrs Allan and Stumble? — having finished thoir task on Thursday last. It is 740 feet in longth, with Btono piers, built upon solid concrete foundations ; the timbor work on top of tho piers is of tho description known as truss. Tlicro is ono span of 13 feet at tho east end. Tho tolal cost of construction was L 2.300. Tho samo contractors havo also finished for tho Duutroon and Hakateramoa Railway Company a viaduct over a oroek between Duntroon and the Otokaiko River ; it is 120 feet long, having 6 Bpai)3 of 20 foot each. Tho bridgo over tho Otokaiko Rivor is also finished j it is 7SO feet long, and haa 39 20ft spans. Another one of CSO foot in length, in spans of 20ffc over tho Oteak Crook is now in courso of construction, and is oxpected to bo completed this week. Tho contractors purpose starting tho bridgo ovor tho Kurow lliver in a fortnight's time, It is to bo GBO feet in longth, also in 20 foot spans. They expect to havo tlio last of tho bridgos finished within two mouth! 1 ) ; tho remaining portiou of tho timber having arrived by tho uarquo W. C, Wontworth, which arrived in tho'lmrbdV from Nowcagfclo on Friday last, and which will bo sent on to its dostinatian a3 quickly as possible Tho Melbourne Argus has been shown by Mr J. S. Butters a spcoimon of tho formidablo Zulu weapon, tho assegai, which ho received from Captain Powell, of tho Lusitania. It is a much lighter weapon than one would havo expected to see aftor looking at tho pictorial descriptions of Zulu warfare in the illustrated papora. It consists of a steel bl.ulo and wooden shaft, and is altogother 5 feet 9 inches in length. Tho bl.vlo, which is shaped, hko a lance, with a (;>.o<jvo on ono sido similar to that of a bayonet, is 16 inches long. At tho broadest part it is l^in. wide, but it is only blado shaped for about half its length, taking afterwards a cylindrical form like that of tho shaft, which is of tough, light wood, rosembling hickory, 4ft 6 inchos in length. In this form tho assegai is nsccl as a spoar, and can. bo thrown with acourato aim and deadly effect a tlistanco of 40 or 50 yards. At close quartan! tho shaft is broken in two, and tho assegai is then used by tho Zulu to stab his uutagonist. In the Sydnoy Evoning Newn, of Juno 30, we find ttio following : " Many yca'ra ayo William Greonacro and Sarah Gale, hia paramour, woro tried in England for tho murder of the wife of the male prisoner named. The went created intense oxcitomont at tho time, the aot of which tho pair were accused oeing ono of the foulest cloeds recorded in .ho annals of crime. The man was hanged, but the woman, though oonvioted of murder and scntouced to death, escaped her

life. It could nover bo proved whether or not sho aided in tho actual commission of tho murder, Imt that fiho was distinctly an accessory after tho fact waa shown by hor having been in Greonacro's company when ho was arrested on his way to tho Regent's Canal with a bag containing pieces of tho dead woman's body, a la W . H. Scott, tho Sussox strcot murdoror. Sarah Gale, sinco her arrival in Sydney, whithor sho was transported, became omiueutly respectable, married, and (insisted hor husband in business. At least ono man who saw her in tho dock, and remembered hor remarkable face, has often gono into a coitain shop, in a leading thoroughfare, to study human nature under altered circumstancos. Tho shutters of nil tho shops in that thoroughfare were up tho othor day. Tho occasion was tho funoral of Sarah Galo." In speaking in the House tho other night of tho members of tho legal prof ession to which ho belongs Mr Barton said that thoro wore some highly honorablo men amongst them, but thoro M'cro many who wore cowards and many sneaks. Mr Barton's outspokenness is refreshingly hearty, and must endear him to the soul of ovory truo Ishmaelito. Tho ingenious parliamentary correspondent of tho Marlborough Express say a that he intends to write political sketches of tho men who " rat" in " tho time of trial," doscribing tho cause of their departuro from tho straight and narrow path of rectitude, for tho amusoment of his "readers," and tho reproof and instruction of tho "ratters." Ono of tho itoms on tho programme of a, popular cntcrtaimnont given rocontly at Ashburton was described as a " wondrous feat by tho Ashburton wizard." Tho Mail ingeniously describes tho performance thus : •'Tho wizard (W. H. Bristow) first proceeded to borrow a boll-topper, tho londor being Mr Frank Guinness, li.M. Having obtained tho hat, tho amateur professor of legcrdomain very deliberately proceeded to rip it up with his ponknifo, and, after litorally tearing it into shreds, coally informed tho astonished owner that ho was powerless to do anything more ; ho had forgotten tho rest of tho triek — tho restoration of tho hat— and was much obliged to tho gentleman who had so kindly lent it. Thanking the injured party was adding insult to injury. Moral — Don't lend your hat to amateur wizards." Professor Baldwin is still going on conquering and to conquer, as is witnessed by tho following from a Hawko's Bay paper : Twenty-sovcn year? ago a horrible murder ! was committed in Wellington, the name of tho murderer boing Wood, and that of his victim Grcon. At Professor Baldwin's seances at Wellington tho following simplo question was askod : "What was tho fato of tho young man Green?" Tho answer was as follows, and wo can vouch for its accuracy in every detail : " I sco n ship, a long way off. I see a young man on it ; I cannot see his face ; his back is towards mo. I sco three mon go on board tho ship, apparently vjsitorfi. Tho ship's name is tho Gonoral Palmer. Oh, they havo murdered the man" (and tho seer shuddered and cowered visibly). Boing commanded to go on, ho said " They are cutting him into ficces and putting him into a pork barrel, t is dreadful. Tho murderers name was Wood— ho was hanged, as ho deserved to be, on Mount Cook a long time ago, in 1850." It should bo said that tho question was asked by a well-known citizen, who was abovo tho suspicion of being in collusion with tho professor. Tho Post of July 24 says : A rather amusing sceno occurred in tho office of tho clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. Mr M. L. Browno, tho managor of tho To Aro Theatre and Public Hall Company, had summoned a largo number of tho shareholders who had not paid their calls, and as ho was Btanding in the clerk's office, engaged in ticking off tho names of those who had paid tho amounts duo by them into Court, n woll-known and highly-esteemed citizen entorcd and askod, " Whoro shall I pay this Public Hall swindle ?" Tho assistant clerk of the Court expressed his willingness to tftko money, and Mr Browno remarked to the aforesaid citizen, " Don't yon know, Mr W— — , that it's libel to designate a company as a swindle ?" Mr W repqatcd that it was a swindle, but ho soomod rather taken aback when Mr Browno, the manager, observed, " Well, I am sorry, sir, that you, as a Justico of tho Peace, should havo countenanced tho swindlo by taking shares in it." Mr W did not think it necessayy to reply.

Threo per cent, consols 98. The total reserve in notes and gold in the Bank of England is L2], 375,000. Tho arrivals of wool to date are 320,000 bales. Tho total probable quantity to bo oftorod, including that loft over from last auction, is 350,000 bales.