Intercolonial News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 220, 27 November 1875, Page 17

Intercolonial News.

AUSTRALIAN CLIPPINGS

Compulsory elementary education has been brought into operation in Perth, with good effect.

Whales are veryplentiful off Enderby Island, Western Australia. One vessel secured 22 tuns of oil in a month.

The only exhibits sent to Melbourne from Western Australia were a number of different kinds of leather. A Miss Baker is about to erect a school at Moaralta, S.A., at a cost of £1)000. She will also endow it with £SO per annum. An Amateur Turf Club lias been started in Ballarat for the encouragement of amateur steeplechasing on an extensive scale.

The Melbourne police authorities have initiated conversational lectures on police duty for the benefit of the younger members of the force.

< -M a- recent inquiry it transpired that a night attendant at the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum had 150 patients in charge at one time.

The people of Cuudagui have subscribed •£•100 towards a fund for rewarding the discoverer of the incendiary who fired buildings in that town.

At Albury recently, the mechanics employed in the erection of a church were invited to a dinner on the completion of the building, and each of them was presented with a Bible. A certain Clerk of Petty Sessions in the neighborhood of Yass, who was also acting agent for the sale of Crown lands, is said to have absconded with the entire proceeds of a recent land sale.

A systematic theft and destruction of sheep for the sake of their skins has been discovered near Sebastopol, Victoria. A number of the carcases were discovered in a disused shaft, 200 f eet deep. A telegram in the South Australian Advertiser states that there are no hopes of recovering the box containing the 23200z5. of gold, which was lost at Port Darwin when being placed on board the Claud Hamilton.

A number of boys, between 16 and 18 years of age, are to be sent from the Madras Asylum for the Orphans of British Soldiers, to Albany, Western Australia, at the expense of the Madras Government.

Ten thousand pounds’ worth of work is said to be going a-begging in Tamworth and the surrounding districts. The Tamworth Times could name one person alone who lias under offer £25,000 worth of contracts.

Two members of the Bistori Company are engaged to Mr. Bennett, of the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, and are studying English with a view to appear in Shakesperian characters.

Sir Charles Cowper was a good man in all the relations of life (say the Evening News.) His private character was without a stain. He is known to have been a dutiful son, a kind father, a good husband, and a faithful friend.

An offer has been made by a pilot at Port Adelaide to take the Stephen lifeboat from Melbourne to Sydney in any weather. The inventor is not likely to accept the offer, as he considers that his boat has already been fully tested.

It has been resolved by the committee of the Melbourne Boys’ Trading Brigade to abandon the efforts which they have been making to reform the city Arabs, and teach them self-dependence. They complain that many of the lads are incorrigibly dishonest, and all are very dirty. The S. M. Ilcrald speaks hopefully of a plan for dealing with the sewerage of the city by means of fire. It is mentioned also that a freezing room at the mouth of every drain, to convert the sewage into blocks of ice, has been suggested by Mr. Mort ; but this, it is thought, would prove too costly. Eleven navvies employed on the ?-ailway near Deniliquin challenged eleven townsmen to a match at cricket. The navvies lost by 29 to 79. They have since challenged any eleven men in Deniliquin to cut and pitch twenty-two cubic yards of earth on the railway works. The challenge is respectfully declined. The horse attached to an omnibus travelling between Lambton and Waratali, N.S.Avf, refused to go forward or backward, just when he had the ’bus directly over the railway line at a level crossing. At this time a train of twenty loaded waggons was seen approaching, at less than a hundred yards distant. The engine-driver made every effort to stop the train, but only succeeded in reducing the speed sufficiently to give the passengers time to alight and drag the vehicle over the line, in spite of the horse.

A very smart trick of dishonesty, perpetrated under the cloak of innocency, with a Chinaman in the “title r61e. ,” happened a few days since at a railway station not a hundred miles from Newcastle. The Pilot says that a number of Chinamen (sixteen in all) were going by rail to Murrurundi, and one of their number, acting as head man, applied for the requisite number of second-class tickets. The ticket clerk took the correct amount for sixteen tickets, but, in the hurry of business, issued twenty-two. Before the train started, a Chinaman presumably the man to whom the twenty-two tickets had been given—returned to the ticketoffice, and, holding up six tickets, said, “Friends no go ; me want money back.” The clerk, unconscious of having issued more tickets than had been paid for, simply objected on commercial grounds to return the money ; but the Chinaman was dull of comprehension except on one point—“Me want money back,” and it was “ no savoy” to anything else ; so at last the clerk gave way, and" returned (as he thought) some £6 odd, tho price of six tickets. .Tust as the time was up, and the train about starting, the swindle was discovered, and the clerk attempted to find tho culprit, lout in vaiß,

for the train was full of passengers, and the Chinamen were spread about in different carriages ; besides, tho faces of tho Chinamen were so much alike that the rogue could not be identified, and of course it was “ no savey” all round. The train had to leave at last, and one Chinaman at least must have felt jubilant. The Port Denison Times, of the 25th October, states that Mr. Bede’s chestnut entire horse Emperor was, while drinking at a lagoon a short time ago, caught by the head by an alligator, and received injuries from which lie died.

Some curious incidents in connection with a recent fire at Grenfell, N.S.W., are related by the Mining Record'. —“ One man, who was staying at one of the hotels in town, and whose bedroom door had been locked from the outside, was awoke at the first alarm, and at once conjectured that his domicile was falling a prey to the devouring element. Finding that egress by tho door was impossible, he at once, not pausing to raise the sash, went head-fore-most through the window into a water-cask standing outside, and from which it was necessary to release him. One member of the Fire Brigade was in such haste to dress that he found himself putting his feet through the sleeve of Ids coat ; another took great trouble to don his uniform, but afterwards put his coat on over it ; another, carrying a couple of buckets, was making great haste to the scene of action, when he came to grief over a small stump, he going one way and the buckets another, and when he arose again the plenitude of mud on his person gave evidence that he had fallen in a soft place. At the fire, such was the haste to apply the water, that it was a_ common thing to see a bucketful badly aimed or passed, and the unfortunate individual who received the contents could not deny that there was considerable zeal in the misdirected application.”

Ihe freedom and ease of the poor aboriginal of Australia is well known to those who reside in the interior. The Pastoral Times says that when blacks come about a station or township they are at ease, and call their white friends, no matter how high their social standing, by their surnames, and never use the word “ Mr.” They think themselves, or seem to, by their acts, on a par with the whites. But they will have nothing to do with the Chinamen, whom the blacks despise and look down upon. The other evening, at Corban station, there was a lecture and concert given. There were about 150 men present, including shearers, washers, draymen, Chinese cooks, and blacks. After the majority had got standing room, two blacks went and took their stand before some Chinamen, disturbing their view of the performance ; so one of the Chinamen expostulated with one of the aboriginals. The blacks stood their ground, and thinking, like whites, that they must draw the line somewhere, said, “ Bale, you whitefellow ; blackfellow better than Chinaman ; what for you pigtail fellows sit down here ?” The poor snubbed Chinese stood meekly the assertion of the black’s superiority. A few years since a destitute demented Chinaman drifted into a black’s camp on the Murray, where he was made the general slave of the tribe. One of the blacks asked if he was fattening up John for a meal. The former replied, “ Bale, bale” (no, no) ; “ bv-the-bye he (Chinaman) all the same .as blackfellow” (meaning that the Celestial would, if he behaved himself, be promoted to all rights and privileges enjoyed by the blacks). The end of John was, however, never known.

“ Atticus,” in the Melbourne Leader, says : “ I cannot agree with Sir George Grey in thinking that the colonies would do well to agitate for the power of electing their own Governors. An ounce of practice is better than a pound of theory,, and the experience Victoria has had with Sir William Stawell, leads me to the conclusion that an imported Governor, who knows nothing of our parties, and has no likes or dislikes, and who only tries to administer the government of the country according to the constitution, is far more likely to behave impartially in a political crisis, and to display the hospitality which one usually associates with the position of her Majesty’s representative, than a colonially-manufactured Governor. If a judicial officer, who is temporarily vested with, vice-regal functions, merely regards his position as affordiug him an opportunity of saving, money, what could we expect from a politician who had obtained the Governorship by some dirty intrigue ? If we are to appoint our own. Governors, I should recommend the office being let by tender. If it were understood that a title went with it, some of the W.L.O.’s might offer a handsome sum for the appointment.”

The London correspondent of the Argus, writing under date October 1, says The homeward mail via Ban Francisco was delivered in London on Monday last, some letters I believe reaching their destination late on Saturday night on the 25th ult. The Cyphrenos had reached San Francisco on the 3rd September, and had brought a mail from Honolulu. Letters by this latter mail were forwarded from New York by the City of Brussels on the lltli, and were delivered in town ou Wednesday morning, the 22nd September. A few appear to have found their way by the Britannia, which also sailed from New York on tho lltli, and these were received here on the night of tho 21st. The Australian mails, however, which of course come by the same steamer from Honolulu only left New York in the Bothnia on the 15th, and came here, as I have said, on the 25th. ‘ A Banker’ has written to The Times complaining of this, and Sir Julius Vogel replies that an investigation is being made into the matter. A previous letter from Sir Julius had appeared in The Times, suggesting in such cases as the Ceylon breaking down, the heavy portion of the mails should have been forwarded to England via Brindisi, as the delay via Southampton kept people so long from getting , their letters. In reference to this, ‘ A Banker ’ pointed out that this was a matter of the smallest importance to tho mercantile community, as no business correspondence was sent

via Southampton, except in error. The New Zealand Postmaster-General’s rejoinder to this was a palpable hit. He said, ‘“A Banker ” will, I hope, forgive me for saying that though, with perhaps excusable but amusing class selfishness, he does not attach importance to other than business correspondence, the subsidies are paid out of the general revenue, and tho convenience of all classes must be considered.’ ” MDLLE. DE MURSKA AND MR. COFFIN. The following correspondence in connection with the “Dream Song” in “The Bohemian Girl, ’ which was sung by Mdllc. do Murska without a license from Mrs. Balfc’s agent, has been forwarded to us (Ary us) for publication : “ October 21, 1875 —Mdlle. lima do Murska, Menzies’ Hotel.—Madam, —As solicitors for Airs. Lina Balfe, the proprietor of the entire copyright of and in the music of the opera known as “ The Bohemian Girl,” composed by tne late Michael William Balfe, wo beg to inform you that you have infringed such copyright by having represented and performed a part of the music of that opera by singing the song known as “The Dream Song” ou tho 16th instant, at the Town Hall, Melbourne, without license, whereby Airs. Balfe has become entitled to the full amount of the benefit or advantage arising from such representation, and we are instructed to apply to you for payment of the same accordingly. In default of your compliance with our request, we shall be obliged if you will refer us to your solicitor to accept service of process on your behalf. —We are, madam, yours obediently, Malleson, England, and Stewart.

“24 William-street, Alelbourne, October 23, 1875. Dear Sirs, —We have been instructed by Signor do Vivo, agent for Aldlle. de Alurska, to accept service of any process which yon may be instructed to issue against her for alleged infringement of copyright in singing the ‘ Dream Song’ from the opera of the ‘ Bohemian Girl.’ Signor de Vivo informs ns that he has already tendered yon 405., and bearing in mind that the infringement (if any) of copyright was done in ignorance, and that no intimation was given to Mdlle. de Murska, or to Signor de Vivo, that her singing of the song would be objected to, although it was fully advertised, we trust that the matter will not be proceeded with. If proceedings are commenced, you will, of course, communicate with us as long as possible before the time of Aldlle. De Alurska’s leaving the colony. —Yours truly, Blake and Ejggall. Alessrs. Alalleson, England, and Stewart, solicitors.” “ Menzies’ Hotel, Alelbourne, Nov. 1, 1575. ~>3ir, —I beg to enclose a cheque for £lO 10s., in aid of the funds of the Australasian Dramatic and Alusical Association. I regret that the letters, which I am informed you wrote to me on the subject, but which I do not recollect receiving, escaped my attention. They appear to have been sent to me when I was just in the hurry of leaving first for Adelaide and then for Sandhurst, and as I was not then acquainted with your name, or the association on behalf of which you wrote, I must have thought that your letters were of that numerous class which I am constantly receiving, asking for pecuniary assistance to individuals with whom I am not acquainted, and have laid them aside. Had your letters been addressed to my manager, Signor D. de Vivo, they would have received immediate attention, and the object would have been explained to to me, and I should have at once contributed to so deserving an institution as this appears to be.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, Ilma de Alurska. —G. S. Coppin, Esq. “De Alurska ats. Balfe.—November 2, 1875. —Received from Alessrs. Blake and ltiggall the sum of £2 for damages, and £9 9s. for costs, being iu full settlement of this action.— Alalleson, England, and Stewart, plaintiff’s attorneys.”

Commenting on the above correspondence, the Argus says Aldlle. De Murska introduced into one of her concert programmes a wellknown air from the “ Bohemian Girl,” which has been ground on all the barrel-organs in Christendom during the last five-and-twenty years, and has survived even that ill-usage. The wished-for opportunity had come, and Mr. Coppin was equal to the emergency. Ilis solicitors—or rather, those of Airs. Balfe—were instructed to write to the lady, and to apply for payment of “the full amount of the benefit or advantage rising from ” the performance of the song. In reply to this, Mdlle. De Murska s agent tendered 405., at the same time intimating that tho alleged infringement of copyright was committed in ignorance ; and as Air. Lyster only pays three guineas as the composer’s fee for the performance of tho entire opera in which the air occurs, it was naturally concluded that this offer would he ample. Not so, Air. Coppin, as the representative of Airs. Balfe ; for ho gave her solicitors instructions to arrest Aldlle. De Alurska on a writ of ca. sa. iu tho event of her attempting to leave tho colony, and the necessary affidavits were, as we are informed, all prepared, But now comes tho most astonishing and discreditable part of the whole story. It was arranged that the extortionate claim which had been sought to lie enforced by such harsh and arbitrary measures should be compromised. And upon what term ? Airs. Balfe’s solicitors wore willing to receive 40s. ou her behalf—of which only £l, we believe, goes into that lady’s pocket—provided Aldlle. De Alurska would pay their costs, amounting to nine guineas, and contribute ten guineas to Mr. Coppin’s pet association. The composer’s widow, it will bo observed, was put forth as tho person aggrieved, in the ’ first instance, but her interests subsided into insignificance as soon as tbo end for which her name had been so improperly used was attained. She is to bo put off with a particularly small shell, while Air. Coppin and his association and Alessrs. Malleson, England, and Stewart will divide the oyster between them. These facts and the documents which sustain them may bo loft to speak for themselves, and the impression they cannot fail to produce upon the public mind will be an extremely painful and humiliat-

ing one ; although we hope that Aldlle. Do Alurska will do the people of Victoria the justice to believe that Air. Coppin is not in any sense a representative man, and that we are heartily ashamed both of him and of his conduct in this particularly shady transaction. As for Airs. Balfe s solicitors, we hope that tho lady will be gratified when she hears of the solicitude with which those gentlemen have looked after her interests.