A NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTIC FUND.

New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1974, 16 September 1863, Page 2

A NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTIC FUND.

Reverting to this subject, so truthfully and touchingly advocated by a kind-hearted correspondent in our yesterday’s issue, we would take occasion to make a few observations illustrative of the great necessity of such an Institution, and the propriety of the leaders of public opinion taking prompt and earnest action in the benevolent cause. When the war with Russia was desolating the hearths and blighting the happiness of our English homes, we, in Auckland, as in other off-shoots of the British Empire, wei’e invited to contribute to a fund that was being raised in aid of the widows and fatherless of the fallen brave. As a community, we were then weak in numbers, and weaker still in purse. But did we slight that invitation ? . Did our sympathies or our pursestrings continue unrelaxed? Did we not, on the contrary, acknowledge it as an honourable privilege to be permitted to aid in augmenting that truly noble and national fund ? Did we not congregate together in public meeting; and did not the most eloquent and gifted of our orators, “in thoughts that breathe and words that burn,” point to us the path into which we cheerfully and liberally entered ? What we could we ungrudgingly gave ; and we may safely say that our contribution might compare favourably with those of older and wealthier states.

Whatever case ‘of genuine distress has called for sympathy or succour, the ear of Auckland has never been deaf to the appeal. Without application—without the smallest claim for service rendered —with nothing but the pure instinct that prompts to deeds of benevolence and good-will—-no sooner did the calamitous wreck of H.M.S. Orpheus become known than a public relief meeting was extemporised, and a public relief fund, to the amount of nearly £7OO, was raised in less than a couple of hours. It may, at the first blush, appear somewhat ungracious of an Auckland journalist thus to rehearse the past benevolences of an Auckland public. We disclaim doing so from any desire of selfeulogy, but simply to demonstrate if we could be so conspicuously philanthropic in matters of external interest, that it behoves us in tenfold greater degree to combine our energies, and club together our offerings in relief of the daily increasing calls that cannot fail to be made upon us in aid of those who have already been, and will continue to be, made widows and orphans by the loss of husbands, fathers, and natural protectors, who have fallen or may yet fall in our defence. And in what more fitting manner can such a provision be made than by the early institution of a Patriotic Fund, to which all classes and conditions may contribute, from time to time, according to their ability ? This is, or ought to be, the cause of every man, woman, and child in Auckland. It should be regarded in the light of one of the highest and holiest of “Mutual Provident Societies.” It were well that the General Assembly, compelled now to disburse so largely in prosecution of the war, should take the initiative in this matter, by placing a munificent sum at the head of the contribution fund commensurate with the great and growing exigency of the occasion.

That the colonists will come forward in a liberal and sympathetic spirit we cannot entertain a doubt; and not the colonists of Auckland alone, but those of every Province and settlement of New Zealand. Nay, we incline to the belief that the colonies of Australia, always of an “ open hand ” where the wants and woes of the human family appeal to them for succour, will not keep back on such an occasion as this. We feel confident that a “New Zealand Patriotic Fund” only requires to be instituted to count every colony of Australasia among its hearty and liberal promoters.

The soldiers of our Queen —the citizen troops of Auckland —the volunteer contingents of our sister colonies—are all perilling life and limb, battling in a cause that has not been courted by us, but thrust upon us—warring against an insidious foe, it is impossible to deal with in open conflict; but who “weeds” our best and bravest in Parthian ambuscades; and by fugitive vollies dealt from forest fastnesses.

How many once happy homes have been desolated since the Auckland war commenced, who can tell ? How many more are yet to be so, Goi> only knows. We do know that where there were lately heads of families to provide, there now are none. We do know that where there was recently content, there is now desolation and despair. No efforts of a Patriotic Fund can countervail these ; but they could alleviate distress, and succour penury. Are these not objects worthy of accomplishment ? We have had public gatherings upon all possible subjects ; —will our leading men fail txi bestir themselves in agitation of one so imperative as this ?

THE TYBURNIA. \

The crew and passengers of this noble ship are making the best of their unfortunate position. No fresh cases of small pox have manifested themselves; their supplies are regularly forwarded, and their communications with the shore, conveyed as they are in a manner that precludes contact are, nevertheless, such as to prove gratifying to the unlucky detenus. It is to be hoped that they soon may be restored to such a safe condition of convalescence as will enable them and their good ship to make her appearance in port. Her consort, the Annie Wilson, is making a lengthened passage. Sailing at the same time os the Tyburnia, she has now been one hundred and seven days at sea. We have much pleasure in giving publicity to the following communication which has been transmitted to us:—

On Tuesday the Bth instant a very interesting afl’air occurred on board the good ship Tyburnia. Nearly the whole of the passengers assembled on the quarter-deck to present a testimonial to the Captain. The utmost unanimity and good feeling prevailed. Rev. F. Booker, the chaplain, explained the object of the gathering; and Thomas Jackson, Esq., one of the saloon passengers, read the following address; — “Dear Captain Coote, —With sincere and unfeigned pleasure we beg to convey to you our very high appreciation of your character and ability as commander of the ship Tyburnia, during her Voyage from London to Auckland.

“ From the first your kindness and prompt regard to the comfort and order of the passengers of every class as well as the management of your ship bespoke our confidence, while your indefatigable attention to your onerous duties under all circumstances, will secure, as they merit, a long continuation of our admiration and esteem. “We ardently hope that your future career may realise a rich reward for your sacrifice of rest and ease on behalf of others. That safety and prosperity may mark every future voyage, and that the choicest blessings of that Divine Providence which has hitherto been your safeguard amid the dangers incident to your profession, may rest upon you in time and in eternity is our earnest wish and prayer.” f This address was signed by the heads of families and single persons representing more than 300 of the passengers; and the reception which Capt, Coote met with from the people must have been very gratifying to his feelings. It is the intention of the passengers to do more than this; for as soon as the3 r can get to Auckland they will present the Captain with a more substantial mark of their respect and esteem in the shape of a handsome piece of plate.

Police Court. —Two cases of drunkenness were yesterday disposed of by the Resident Magistrate. There was no other business. Conveyances Plying for Hire. —A notice has been issued by the City Board of Commissioners requiring that every cart, dray, or waggon plying for hire within the city shall be registered in the office of the board. Parties so plying on and after the Ist October next, without licence, will subject themselves to a fine not exceeding 40s. for each offence. Registered Lodging-houses. —On and after the Ist October next persons who are desirous of keeping public lodging-houses are required to have them registered. Application must be made at the office of the City Board of Commissioners. Parties neglecting will render themselves liable to a penalty not exceeding 40s. Water Supply. —We observe with regret as well as surprise that the agents of the insurance companies doing business in this city have refused to bear their share in the expense of sinking two wells in Queen-street, as agreed upon a short time back between them and the City Board. The correspondence on this subject clearly exonerates the board from blame. One of the letters written by the chairman on this subject, and published last Thursday, was then erroneously stated to have been addressed to the War Minister. Copies of it were in fact sent to the agents of the Insurance Companies. A Correction. —We are requested to make one or two corrections in the “Heywood Crispe” which appeared in the Nj. ' <J o le^ygF :K of Monday. It seems that it was 30s. y u su&dK/^ a y that were offered at the time for hj% offers team; and that the stockade in no way property, being out of sight of it, and nearly two n\tfes away. Suitors Conciliation. —The Evening (London) says, Lord Brougham has laid before the House of Lords a bill declaring it lawful for the County Court judges to decide any disputes or arrange any differences which persons may be willing to refer to their amicable decision and adjustment. The submission would be in writing, and the parties would be bound by the judge’s decision.” It would be well if the provisions of the bill were extended to the colonies. The New Zealand Chiefs in England. —The New Zealand Examiner, London, makes the following pertinent remarks relative to the exhibition of the chiefs who have recently visited England :—“ There is a rumour afloat, which we at present disbelieve, that the native visitors from New Zealand are to be exhibited in very much the same manner as the almost obsolete travelling menagerie. We should deprecate such a proceeding, as much on account of the parties under whose guidance they are honouring us with their presence, as on account of the New Zealanders themselves. The degradation consequent ou an English gentleman allowing himself to assume a position scarcely inferior to that held by Messrs. Short and Codlins, for the sake of a slight pecuniary advantage, would not be less than that brought on the natives, who, members of the English Church, and holding a high rank among their own countrymen, would be looked upon more as geological curiosities than honourable guests. The aim of the English people should be to show them the grandeur and greatness of the land, and not the half-educated curiosity which unfortunately pervades a nuinerous class of our countrymen.” Emigration from South Wales. —The emigration .rqm this district instead of lessening, as expected, is steadily increasing day by day. The majority of the

emigrants are colliers and puddlers employed in the coal and iron works, and many also leave from the agricultural districts. The glowing accounts of high wages and abundance of employment.received from friends or relatives in the Northern States have been the great stimulus of this emigration movement, mid tllhee-fourths of the emigrants arc bound to the. once United States. Those who leave from agricultural localities are principally destined for the British colonies, and the costiof their passage is partly defrayed by the Colonial Governments. As instances of the extent of the emigration, w§le streets of houses have been vacated the same week atWberdare, Merthyr, &c., and no less than 40 workmen are at present working their notice out at the Cyfarthfa Iron works with the view of emigrating. This extraordinary drain has naturally excited the apprehension of large employers of labour, and if it should continue it is evident that considerable difficulty will be experienced in keeping the extensive coal and iron works of the district going.— London Eoeniny Mail. Improper Certificates of Character. —On the 27th u'timo, we reported a singular case which came on for hearing in the Bail Court, London, in May last. A man sued Willis, Gunn, and Co., the shipping agents, for having refused him a passage to Canterbury, according to contract. The plaintiff and his wife, to whom he had onlv been recently married, were coming out as assisted emigrants under the Canterbury Government, but owing to certain disclosures as to the man’s character, he was refused a passage as a Government emigrant. The Canterbury Press, referring to this case, says : —We call the attention of our readers to the report of a trifil Which Occurred in London in May last, and in which, though Messrs. Willis and Gann were the nominal defendants as

the shinpers, the Provincial Government of Canterbury was the real party concerned. Mr. Marshman had undertaken to give an assisted passage to a man and his Wife, but on discovering that the nlan was of dissolute Character he most properly refused the passage. It appears that the man was really leaving the country to escape the payment of- an allowance to an unfortunate young girl whom he >Td seduced under promise of marriage, and who the child to him. Mr. Marshman wen to Staffordshire, made personal inquiries into the A ..At Distances of the case, and with praiseworthy promptitude refused the passage, leaving the applicant to his remedy. There is one feature in the

case to which we desire especial attention, because it may serve to show us here the real difficulties with which our agents have to contend. This man’s certificates were Signed by a clergyman and a magistrate, who stated that they had known the applicant and his wife for ten years, and that they were of good character. The learned Judge, Mr. Justice Mellor, reniarked at the close of the case, that ‘ it was mile,', to be regretted that certificates were so Recklessly given.’ This is perfectly true ;we know of a ease not many years ago in which the clergyman of the

parish gave certificate of character to a man who had been convicted of felony, and on being threatened with a prosecution, confessed that he knew it at the time he signed the certificate, and apologised for his conduct — vet he merely thought lie was doing a benevolent act. The trial in question will do great good, and ought to obtain as wide publicity as possible, and Mr. Marshman deserves the thanks of the colonists for risking the chance of a verdict in such a case.”

Males. Females. Chiefs. undr 14 abve 14 total undr 14 aMc 14 total 1 s Waata Kukutai, Tc Wheoro 389 641 1030 223 476 699 1729 Matntaera i"o 213 883 139 166 305 688 559 854 1413 362 642 904 2417 Numerous hapus 66 148 214 33 48 78 292 106 239 345 82 192 275 620 Rcwi, &o. 207 237 409 639 616 876 165 184 301 443 466 627 1082 1503 Hone Papita,Hori Te Warn & Taati, Niutone Te Pakaru, Eewi, &c. 616 154 1435 364 2051 518 462 148 984 297 1446 445 3497 963 Wm. Thompson 179 563 744 177 478 655 1399 Ti Oriori 100 245 345 90 100 190 535 279 810 1089 267 578 845 1934 Wiremu Nera 35 80 67 155 102 235 16 48 58 141 74 189 166 424 Niutone Te Pakaru, Takerei Ngamotu, An'tipaTuhoro, Win. Kumete 32 109 131 221 163 330 45 73 130 id 175 !*\ esp&x >e cx p. fn*' 338 f : 570 256 574 830 182 498 678 1508 117 212 329 95 159 254 583 164 319 483 133 229 362 845 281 531 812 228 388 616 1428 121 204 325 87 179 266 591