North Otago Times THURSDAY, JUNE 4. 1885.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3972, 4 June 1885, Page 2

North Otago Times THURSDAY, JUNE 4. 1885.

Are we to regard the purchase of the district railways, during the ensuing session, as a foregone transaction ? The probability is that they will be bought. Ia fact it has lately been stated that, in compliance with the resolution passed at the end of 'asb session, the government have purchased tho lines, the bargaia being subject to the ratification of parliament. The only district railway which has not been bought in this way is that of the Waime* Plains company ; with that company, we are told, the government have declined to close on the terms stood to by the directors. With regard to the other lines, the government appear to be pleased with what they have been able to do. The terms are not yet known in detail, but information gleaned from those sources grandly called " influential quarters " leads to the belief that the lines have been obtained for some thousands less than it was proposed to give for them lasb session. The Bum then mentioned was L 600.000. 'We shall not be surpiised, however, if the government have yet agreed to give far more for the Hoes than their present matket value as interest-payiug works. It is only on that value that they should be bought, but that is not much, and as governments like to be liberal with the people's money when dealing with wealthy peisons with bad bargains to get rid of, we may expect to find that the railways are to be takea over at what are, in regard to their market value, fancy prices.

We have no desire to disguiqe the faot that there are two sidei to thi§

district railways question. There is the aide on which the main facts are, that the lines were started by trealthy persons to enhance the selling price of lands held by them or to bring those lands into closer contact with market towns; that fcbope primary purposes have been served ; that the lines do not pay as railways ; and that, in view of these facts, if the railways are to be bought by government they bbould be bought only at their present market value as interest-paying investments. Then there is the other side on which the main facts are, that the government and the ratepayers in each district are, between them, responsible to the extent of seven per cent j for the interest on the cost of the lines, should the lines fail to pay more than their working expenses. The government, in that case, should th« rates leviable on the district ratepayers and the profits from the lines nob amount to seven petcent on the cost, are responsible to the extent of two per cent for the balance. This is the side which was dwelt upon by Mr Hislop during his recent candidature for Oamaru ; and most of those who lean to that side take the vie* that, considering the obligation of the state and the hardship to the ratepayers, it mijjht be best for the government to buy these railways. JBut even on this side of the question there is a peculiarly significant fact which is never brought forwaid by those in favor of purchase. It is, that in most cases the share-holders and the ratepayers are identical. This most significant fact was well pointed out during last session by Mr Montgomery, and Mr Kolleßton, in addressing his constituents at Temnka on Tuesday night, referred to it in veiy distinct language. Speaking of these district railways, Mr Rolleßton observed that " they had been constructed for the benefit of landowners holding, in some instances, large tracts of country. Those owners £0t an increased value to their property, and having got what they wanted, they did not wish to comply with their part of the bargain which involved ratepaying. Gre'it pressure was brought to bear|on parliament to take these ra.il ways over, and to pay for them, on tbe ground that the ratepayers v ere suffering. As a matter of fact the ratepayers and shareholders were identical. . . In the case of the Waimea Plains railway, tbe rate amounted to something like L4OOO, and L3OOO of that sum was due by tbe shareholders, leaving LIOOO to be made up by others."

Whatever parliament may do, that is a view of the matter which we hope won't be overlooked by the country It shows two things very clearly. I shows that tbe owner 3of tbese unpay ing railways have a double object in view : that they wish to get rid of the lines because they are unrcrnunerative

to them as shareholders, and because they do not wish to make up for the unremunerativeness in their capacity as ratepayers. The fact also shows that the argument in favor of buyiug the lines in order to relieve the ratepayers is peculiarly feeble, and unworthy the adhesion or acceptance of any one who does not wish to further impoverish the impoverished taxpayer for the purpose of benefiting a few wealthy persons who find themselves in a pit dug by their own hands. If the district railways are to be bought, with credit to parliament or justice to tbe country, they must be bought at what is strictly their present market value as interest-paying investments. But a parliament dictated to by Sir Julius Vogel has, per., has, very little credit to lose, and jus tice to the country is a thing with which, perhaps, it need not bo expected to bother itself; and, therefore, we probably need not expect to see the government taking over tbe district railways on a basis of businesslike principles.

Mr T. Duncan, M.H.R., will address his oonatituents in the Pukeari schoolhouse, on Saturday evening, at 7.30 o'clock.

A pigeon shooting match takes place at Boundary Creek hotel to-morrow, commencing at 12 o'clock.

The Rotorua arrived at Wellington yesterday with the San Francisco mail at 2 p.m, The southern portion left by the Uaweaat 4 p.m,, and there is every probability that the Oam aru portion will arrive by this afternoon's express.

A meeting of thoße who subscribed to the young men's meeting room at Herbert is called for Saturday evening, at 7.30 o'clock, in the Good Templars' hall, The business of the meeting is to elect trustees. £?! A telegram in a Sydney paper announces the death of Mr Hugh Conway, author of •' Called Back." We notice from the papem by the last mail that he was reported to be seriously ill of typhoid fever at Monte Carlo.

This evening the " Merry Makers" appear at the Public Hall in ai entertainment that our contemporaries describe as extremely mirth provoking, The company appear only onco here, and those who wish to indulge in a hearty laugh should embrace this opportunity.

A meeting of the rcmanent members of the Oamaru mutual improvement association was held last night in the chess room of the Athenpcam, ]M r Peattie, president, in the chair. On the motion cf Mr Cormack, it was resolved to hand over all the boobp, boxes, and balance in bank, amounting to L 2 14i lOd, to S;; Paul's mutual improvement association, on condition of the latter association payiog the advertisement! calling the meeting. The Oamaru mutual improvement association was then declared diisolved, and the president vacated the chair.

The Otepopo rifles met last niphfc for instruction parade. There was a large muster, Captain Cossgrove in command After the umal inspection the company was h*nded over to the drill instructor, who put the corps through a variety of movements', the officers, non-commissionad officers, and mm having go perform their respective parts individually as well as collectively. Tfiis company is now about 70 strong, and the drill hall has not capacity to accommodate them in line. We hear it is proposed to have the hall enlarged, so that the dri.l will not be incommoded through want of room.

A telegram received from Auckland last night Bays : At the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery the following reßolutiou was carried unanimously: "The Presbytery have reason to believe that the Rev. T. VV Dunn has not availed himself of the leave granted by the Presbytery on the Ist February lor six months, to visit Scotland, but that ha is in New Zealand. It was r«.-olvfld to adjourn till the first Wednesday in July, and that in the event of the clerk Hading that Mr Dunn is still in Isew Zealand, he be instructed to cite him to appear at the ■aid meeting in July."

The monthly meeting of the horticultural society waß hold last evening. There ware present— Mr Butt (in th<j chair), Messrs DawsoD, Robertson, Webster, Wateon, and Spratt (honorary secretary). The secretary submitted the balance-sheet for the past year, from which it appeared that after paying all claims, the society had a credit balance to carry forward to next year. Ie w*b decided that the annual meeting take pace ou the evening of Wednesday, the 24th instant.

At the meeting of the laud board yesterday, the board considered the report < f R*nser Valpy on the advisability of dealing; with aectioua 3 and 17, block 14, 36 and 43, block 11. and 2 block 9, Mceraki, rfcommending that they be offered for aale by auction, ea no timber Hcenßeß have been <ak«n out for years —It was iesolved (says the Star, not to Bell, but the chief commi*sioner was recommended to grant Mr Kitchener a graz'ng right on condition that he deasr«y tin rabbits. It was intimated that the government could not agree to the recommendation of the board xh at the procUmation setting apart section 7, block 2, Kurow, should ba revoked with a view of offering it for oalo at LI la pur acre. Mr J. A Counell applied for W. B Cairn 3 for a renewal of license over twenty acres held l.y him in the Kurow district.— lt was resolved to renew the licenae for one year, at a fee of LI.

The land board was a good deal agitated yesterday over Mt M'KenzVs motion with reference to the alleged dummying of the BeDmore run. The board's Rolioitor Mr B. O. Haggitt) gave it as hi- opinion that the board had no power to hold an enquiry, but Mr M'Kenzie eaid, bb Mr Haggitt was solicitor to the Robert Campbell and Sons, hia evidence should be received with a con-fide-able amount of — Mr M'Kenz'e did not finißh the sentence. Mr M'Kenz c moved th»t tbe motion be referred to a Judge of tho Supreme Court for his opinion. A long discussion took place, during which all the members of tho board, with th a exception of Mr M'Keuzie, gaye it as their opinion that Mr Haggitt would not forfeit his reputation by giving an opinion contrary to law, even if he were solicitor for R. Campbell and

Sons, sb stated by Mr M'Kenzio. Mr Green

moved that Mr Ha^gitt's opinion be minuted, and that the board are of opinion that they cannot proceed to hold an enquiry. This was carried, Mr M'Kenzie alono dissenting. St, Paul's young men's association held its usual fo~tnigh"t!y meeting in *he Bession. room of the church last evening. In tha bsence of the Rev. Mr Todd, Mr Young, vice-preaident, occupied the chair. Tho question under debate was — • " Would England be justified ia going to war with Russia ?" Mr Clayton opened in the affirmative, and he was followed by Mr Wilunn ml the negative. Messrs J. H. Todd, M'Cormac I*,1 *, Gardiner. Hedley, D. Todd, aucl othero, also spoke on tho question. A vote wan taken and the nveting showed

itself in favor »>f tho nfgvtire side by one vote. Some readings followed, when a dn-

cuosion aro&ft as to whether readings and

recitations should be criticised. Afc«r the matter had been fully veatilated, Mr Wi • •on gave notice of motion th»t readings should be crilioiaed, and not the members who givo them. Ay Clayton aluo tab'ed a notice of motion to the effect that oritici<m9 be allowed on readings, suljact tf the direction of the chairman. A letter was received from the Oamaru M.I. A., hanilng over their books, eto., to St Paul's young men's society. It wat resolv«d that a vote of thanks be accorded to the old aisociition, and the secretary was instructed to see about the thinga and <he money. At the nex 1 ; meeting of the society, Mr J. D. Slevwrighfc will give a paper on phonetic shorthand, accompanied by blackboard illustrations. During the fire years ended De ember, 18S4, the number of horses imported into New South Wales from New Zea'and was 4186. Of this number 2303 were imp rted m 1884, 1492 in 1883 162 in 1382. 25 in

1881, and 4 in 18S0. In will thus be see that the numbers each year have been largely inoreased until in 1884 they wtre more than double the aggregate (f the previous tour years. What proportion of this number left the Oamiru district we do not know, becauae there are no official records of our exports, inasmuch as until lately all the stock were shipped from Port Chalmers. There is however, no doubt that our proportion of the exports will compare very favorably with any other district ofyjthe oo!ony. The value of the ho; Baa exported to New South Wales would also be difficult to arrive at. It may, however, be remembered that for Borne considerable timo the very be t of the draught stock < f the oolony were sent across to Sydney, and these brought high prices. At the present time thsre exists a disposition to ship a different class of horses, and the prices have been obtained, as a matter of coarse, much lees than previously. Theagg;regete value, however, of the total ex» ports would not be far short of Llo'),000, and of this sum t^e half at least was obtained for stock exported ti Sydney during the pa-.t year. The exports of drauyht ssock to -ydney from New Zealand during the current year will ba large, if we make the first quarter of the year a base for calculation.

Craven'a comedy of ♦" Our Nelly" was played at the Public Hall last night by Mr S. E. Brook's dramatic company. When this play and " Our Boys'' were performed some time back by Mr Brooks and hia clever young assistants, wo think we praised the company cons'derably for the manner in which they did their somewhat difficult

work We know that we said nothing which we did not believe the peiformers to be thoroughly entitled to. We remember.

too, that at their last performances, Mr Brooks and his helpers ■bowed that they had improved Individually and coliectively as actors bince the time of their preceding appearances upon the local stage. Last night's perfotmance presented proofs of still further improvement. In the work of the oompaoy as a whole there is still a good deal

that is suggestive of the un-actor-like •tiff-

ness to be Been in dialogues given at the breaking? up of public schools, There is a lack of fluency — using the word in itß primary sense— in the speaking and acting; th? performers do not sufficiently lose themnelvea in their p<.rts nor succeed sufficiently in making the parts fit harmoniously into each other. That, however, could |boarcely be expected from an amateur company still in a comparatively early stage of its development. The acting which jvc thought best last night was that of Mr F. Hope, as Augustus Ooddleson ; of Mr S E Brooks, as Giles Frecklefa^e ;of Miss A. White, as Mrs Coddleson; and of Miss A. Morton, as " Our Nelly." Altogether, and everything considered, the piece was creditably, cleverly played, and we were sorry to see so poor an attendance as there was of the public.

The Piov. Mr Byng, formerly of St. Matthew's Church Dnnedin, reoently delivered a lecture In Melbourne, entitled

"Judas on his Trial." The two leading lessons educed by the lecturer from the career of the trxitorous Judas were that opportunities do not a way* make people good, »nd that hypocrisy does no harm to Christianity. Justus had the beat of all opportunities, fn>ra aid three yoxrs' association of the gentile Naz\rene, and yet in the end he proved a traitor. Christ did not scruple to admit the hypocrite into his confidence, in order to show that the purity of tiiß doctrine had nothing to f*ar fron* the presence of au enemy in the camp. Similarly, in our own day, there were Judasea in every city, tuwr, and village, but their existence was an indirect testimony to the truth of the Gospel, just as a bad shilling proved that there must be thousands of good shilling! in circulation. Alluding to the piotorisl representations of the apostles, Mr Byng deprecated the prevailing custom of making Judas the moat repulsive of the twelve. speaking from his own experience, he B»id the worst people were nearly always to be found amongst handsome men and pretty women.

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