North Otago Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1882.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3028, 6 April 1882, Page 2

North Otago Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1882.

It is amusing to see what little things set us agog in our impressionable young communities. If a pleasing speaker comes among us lecturing on the merest rudiments of any science, and interspersing his truisms with plausible theories us old as Noah, though perhaps not generally borne in mind by the populace, he cicutos as great a stir amongst the oldest and gravest of us as the advent of a circus or menagerie does amongst our servant girls and school children. This i& amply illustrated by the passage of Mr William Denton through New Zealand, with a series of lectures on geology. Mr Denton is not without an impressive individuality. In the preface to a book which he and his wife published twenty years ago, named Natures Secrets, and now exceedingly rare, he is described as a graduate of an English University, and in Hepwortii Dixon's New America he and his wife and his wife's sister are classed with a group of maniacal religionists such as abound in the United Sfcatos. Jn the extravagant and scarce book to which we have referred, Mr asd Mrs Denton promulgate the theory that all matter bears the image and impress of every object that has ever been brought into contiguity with it, and that by means of olairvoyance or adequate spiritualistic insight a man or woman oan perceive and analyse the images impressed upon any given piece of matter, and 60 unravel its history and tho secrets and processes of innumerable ages. To this intangible theory concerning things intangible aud probably useless to tho mind of man in its present stage of development, Mr Denton very likely long ago bade adieu. At least he never mentions it in his lectures, though were it worth while it might be shown that it tinges the pantheistic portions of these discourses. So Mr Denton comes amongst us. He proves himself a most pleasing speaker. He formulates the familiar truths of geology in an agreeable manner ; mixes them with pantheistic theories about nature not less familiar ; bears testimony both by example nnd precept in favor of leading a simple, temperate, and moral life ; laughs heartily in tho face of the official theology of past and present times ; aud, 10, this well-meaning, ordinary, unoriginal man is hailed by mauy amongst us as a new prophet, and by others as the enemy of all that is solacing to the earth and sacred to heaveu. On the whole we think that leoturen like Mr Denton do good, we think a succession of men such as he would quicken the public intelligence ; but we also think that ijt is extremely babyish for the country to get into the fuss and ferment it has done over his commonplace though still oreditable discourses. But while — if he is a deeply diaoriminatlng man— Mr Din. ton muib have

ratliPi <i poor opinion of the discrimination of oar people in geuorai, lie chu (scarcely, if he has even a little vanity in bin composition, help increasing in conscious self-importance, in view of the tremendous interest which hia ordinary conjectures about the origin, the ago, and the destiny of the world and its iuhabitantshavecreatedamongst certain sections of the clergy, By many clergymen he has been treated with unmerited distinction as the promulgator of utterly new and entirely false things, though all he says is veneiably old, and it is the first degree of childishness to characterise anything as false simply bccituso it does not tally with current or official conceptions. It is gratifying, though, to obseive, and inspiring of trust in the cause of rational religion, that every clergyman who has spoken prominently against Mr Denton has not taken up tho attitude of tho mere execrator. This was unfortunately done in Dunedin by the Roy. A C. Gillies, but in Canterbury a far different course bus been pursued by the Rev. W. Simmonds. Mr Gillies in dealing with his so-called adversary did littlo save shriok and foam at the mouth, and load Mr Dknton and all independent thinkers with the foulest of epithets. Like the representative priest men. tioned by Diderot Mr Gillies acted, as though to the manner born, the part of " one who forgets that a man is his follow, and treats him liko a ravening brute (or holding a different opiniou." Mr Simmonds, to the credit of his cloth, takes a very different stand. While characterising some of the miraculous things believed in by Mr Denton us utterly senseless, and pointing to the apparent unreasonableness of some of liis assumptions, Mr Simmonds, in a sermon which he delivered on a recent Sunday in his church at Kainpoi, also romarked " that it was useless and foolish to fight against Mr Denton's facts. Christians should hail with gladness every effort to make known the truths ot science, and to free tho world from superstition. No ono could deny the great antiquity of tho planet ; no one could deny that life and death had existed here side by side for countless ages. It must be •vident to any one who looked at the facts that life hud been developed progressively j and there were reasons, ever growing stronger, for believing that tho various species hud been produced by evolution from lower forms. Man belonged to the life system of the world ; and it soomod probable that he had sprung from the lower animals, though the exact conditons under which this had taken place might never be known, Science seemed to teach further, that human beings had tenantod this plauet for many thousands of years, and that they were at first in a low and barbarous state. This was not in accordance with tho conceptions they had borrowed from Milton's Paradise Lost, and from their older theological books ; but if they wore to take the Bible and read it sido by side with the geologic scriptures, without the influence of piejudico, they might ultimately see their way to believe that man wan first an innocent animal, and then a moral agent capabla of knowing the difference between good and ovil. All this was not proved, but if it wore it need not alarm them. The Bible was not really committed to any thoory of the origin of man beyond that which nearly all admitted — namely, that he had been produced by Divine force intelligently exerted. It was the notions of their older theologians and poets that were iv jeopardy, not the great truths embodied in their sacred documents." It is, we think, to be regretted that Mr Simmonds utterances on this subject are for a olergyman so peculiar as to deserve boing prominently quoted in this connection. Such moderate and rational reniaiks as his, however, are certain to do more for the cause of religion than vehement diatribes like those lately uttered by Mr Gillies. Besides, Mr Simmonds is assuredly right in showing that Christianity has nothing to fear from tho advances of Science. Indeed, for clergymen to fulminate, a la Mr Gillies, against the deliverances of scientific men appears to us to be as idle as it would be for the keepers of Eddystone Lighthouse to waste their time in railing at tho waves which cannot harm their indestructible dwelling place, while they should be devoting their undivided attention to their lamps and reflectors. The waves will pass on in spite of such ravings and tho lighthouse will stand firm in spite of tho waves, to render in their respective ways incalculable services to humanity.

The business premiiei of the drapers and olothiera in town will be oloaed on East r Monday. The monthly mooting of the committee of the Mechanics Institute will be held to-night at 8 o'olook. On aooount of the Eaitor holidays the usual monthly meeting of the Waitaki Branch of the Educational Institute of Otug i has been postponed till Saturday, 15th current. It will be observed from the Melbourne commercial report, which appears in another column, that 10a per ton is the price that ahipn have offered to take freights to the United Kingdom at. Even at this figure there is a difficulty in doing business, and many vessels, like the Looh Ken, will have to try San Francisoo or some other port. Another staok (ire ocourred yesterday morning. At about 6 o'clock three stacks of wheat belonging to Mr Donald Inne«, of Pukeuri, which were standing ia a large paddock close to the Waitaki Bridge Hotel, were burnt down. Two of the stacks were close together, and the third wa« about 600 yards away. The value of the wheat burned (whioh wa» uninsured) is estimated by the owner at about L 390. A bale of 250 baga was burnt at tho same time. The Premier hai of late been in such bad health that he meditates retiring from the Ministry. To this Btep his colleagues are naturally very muoh opposed, for Mr Hall is a competent and oonoiliatory leader. The latest news represents his health as improving, and it is hoped that hia retirement may not yet beoome a necessity from any cause, and least of all possible causes from failing health. * A meeting of the oommittee of the Horticultural Sooiety was held last evening in Mr Collis's offioe. Present Messrs Ansted (in the chair), Earle, Forsyth, Collis, Maloney, Campbell, Glen, and the hou. seceetary. A matter in connection with exhibita at the last show was discussed, and thereafter it was resolved that the exhibitor in question ba diiqualifled from exhibiting at any future show of the society. The prize moneys »nd aooou&ti w«r« pamd for paymant, and with

a veto of thanks to the chftir the meeting oloied. The Gazette of tho 30th ulfc contains the notification that the following toAohers belonging to this distriothave passed examination! as follows : Complotod former nxamina tions for Class D— William i\ Bruu'oa. Partial succe«s recorded towards Clasi E — Mary King and Era Beatrice Cunning hame. The names of these young laiioi arc marked with an asterisk, which denote* that they are too young to hold a full oert - ficate. Farmers should give a watchful eye to their grain stacks in the open fiold. Th-> other evening a farmer discovered one of hit stacks in the inoipient stage of conflagration, and as there wai nothing near that coulii reasonably account for tho fire, he Tory naturally put it down to be tbe work o, somo one who owed him a grudge. In tin. ■urmise ho may not have been mistaken. I : only requires the capture of one or two fi oraisers to make it a warning to all who fed inolined to follow in their footsteps. The monthly meeting of tho Otepopo Ro**l Board was held on Friday last. Preiti I Messrs Morrison (chairman), Morton, Mit chell, Robeitson, and M'Kajr. The minuter of last meeting were road and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr R. Thompson ooiii plaining of the manner in which the contrac tor had erected the fences at the now road The clerk was instructed to write to the con tractor requesting him to put the matter right without delay, and put the fonees on the boundary lines, otherwise it would |bo done at his expense. A letter wai read from Mr Waddeil asking that th« Middle Kidgo road be repaired. The matter was referred to the members of the subdivision. The chairman was instructed to authorise the ranger to repair the bridge at Mr M'Lean's on the Allday Bay road. The following tenders were accepted : Contraot No. 9T> Thomas Harper, L4l 15s ; contraot, No. 9'>, Thomas Harper, L 24 17a 6d. Several accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated. The monthly meeting of the Kakanui Road Board was held yesterday in tho board's offices is Thames street. There we~« present Messrs Gilchrist (chairman), Eldei, Hedley, M 'Donald, Livingstone, Aikenhea*', M'Pherson, Fenwick, Walker, Collis, an 1 Stevenson. Tho minutos of the previous meeting were confirmed, and the outwarl correspondence read and approved. A circular was received from thePublio Worka oilice atking for certain information re the board's expenditure, &c The clerk was instructed to supply the information required. The offer of tho *\ aitaki County Council to leaio two rooms to the board was accepted. Mr E. Martin wrote complaining that cattle and horses wero allowed to wander on the district road* and destroy fences. It wai resolved that tho board, having already appointed a rangor, could take no furtbor action. Mr H Finlinson wrote stating that he had no objection to the sale of closed road on his property to tho N Z. and A. L. C» . Tho board resolved that it was advisable to retain the road and have it re-opsned, and to write to Mr Brydono asking him to givo a connecting road through allotments 43 an I 43a, Totara, Mr Stevenson having promise \ to grant a continuation of proposed roa 1 through his paddook to county road on Kakanui flat. The engineer reported ou propoacd improvement in road line through sec. 40, block VIII., Oamaru, and it wfs ordered that tenders be oalled for the worl . He also reported on road Hue from county road to Totara siding, and it was resolved <o ask the County Council \o take over the road. The voters and defaulters lists wero laid on the table for inspection ; the balancesheet was also submitted for inspection, nn>! Mr Church was re-appointed auditor. Mr Wrights tender (U 9 19s) for erection of ouivert at Mr Davis's farm, Island Stream, w»a accepted Tho engineer was instructed to prepare plans, with estimate of cost, of im proving grade on road line at Spring Ban ; : farm, lucholmo ; and also a specification for supply of maintenance gravel on Roundhi'i road. Accounti to tho amount of L 127 l.'-s 6d were passed for payment, and tho boan 1 rote. The following, from yestorday's Morning Herald, gives some information regarding the Dunedin City Corporation : "Mr J. T Goodman's salary as collcotor to the Cit\ Corporation was raised last evening to L2W a year. In conuootion with the city mt i for 1881-2, the total assessment was L 17.8' ' 10s ; the amount collected to date is L 17,80 ) 9s 3d, while the sum of L2O 19s 3d has bet i 41 allowed," tho arrears boing L 6 Is 6d. 11. i water rates amounted to L 19.971 l?i Id, and the amount outstanding yesterday wm L 80." Tht Constantinople correspondent of 7V< • Times says it is feared in official circles t!<i t war between Russia and Austria is inevitable. The Southland Times deals comprehensive 1 / with the "servant girl (jrievanco," It observes that " there may be in colonial oonr • mumties somo things exceedingly disagre* able in domestio service. There may b> wretched accommodation, quite unfit for any decent girl, want of sympathy, »nl often want of the most ordinary oonsider*tion for her feelings and self-respect. Thei's may be the ignorant mistress who cannot appreciate good service, the senseless pride of upstart people, or the selfish, exaotinc, inordinate service. In addition to the? ■■ there is almost sure to be tho trouble of il'< disciplined ohildren. Where children an allowed to get over their parents, as we r> > often see, the servants must have ft dop'o life, We can fancy that this is perhaps th i greatest deterrent of all ; and that gir'i naturally shrink from enUring a family, to bo abused, very much as the cat and tho dog ar», by ohildren who are virtually youi.q; savages. All these things put together, o* even a few of them, would make ft girl'i position no bod of roses ; and we oan quit understand parents' objections to send thei - girls into domeitio service." The Vienna correspondent of the Dai"" News telegraphs that there oan be no longer any doubt that the wholo Austrian army is being mobilised, Not a single Austrian officer, he says, has the least doubt that the insurrection in Dalmatia and Herzegovina is a mere pretext for sending the army south without too muoh alarm. He adds : " Italy is preparing for war. and Austria expeots t war within a short time." Writing from San Franoiioo to a friead in Sydney Sir Henry Parkes says : " The organisations for the extinction of fires in San FranoUco are simply marvellous. The cap tains and superintendents have given themselves muoh trouble to enable me to understand them, The Stevenson-street Firo Brigade establishment exhibits surprisin ; discipline both in horses and men. A visito enters a largo apartment with an office a one corner. Two fire engines are standing in perfeot readiness to go out, and behiu' 1 th"m the requisite number of horses are standing ready harnessed in open stall' without fasteniugs. On eaoh side of fchi apartmont there is a steep stair with ". smooth wooden slide beside it communi oating with the upper floor. The youni, men who man the engine live on thii upper floor. Besides a comfortable bodroom the} have living rooms, with books, a piano, and billiard table, When in bed each man hat* his trousers, with his boots Inside them, so plactd beside his bed that he oan as it wero jump into then. When the gong strikes tho alarm of fire the horsrs trot oat from their stalls of their own accord and place themselves ready to be fastened to thf engines, In the meantime the men are dressed, and slide down from above in eight seoonds, the operation on the lower flooi takes four seoonds, and the engines ftio out."