Interprovincial News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 385, 28 June 1879, Page 22

Interprovincial News.

The Lake County Council is calling for tenders for the erection of a suspension bridge over the Kawarua River in Otago,

Mr. If. Bastings, M.H.R., has protested against the resolution of the Tuapeka County Council excluding Chinese from employment on county works, and which was endorsed by the Vincent County Council at its last meeting.

“ I will pour out my blood on tho land,” said a native at Gisborne to Captain Gudgeon on a recent occasion during a dispute as to the ownership of part of a run. “ I don’t care a straw whether you do or not,” coolly replied the captain, aud the native went elsewhere to seek sympathy. The Borough Council of Invercargill have decided to* borrow £7 500 for drainage and the making of streets within that borough. The decision was ratified by the ratepayers by a vote of 44 for the loan t>. 13 against rt. The necessary notification appears in the supplementary Gazette published on Monday. It seems probable that the contract for tlie formation of the Wingatui section of the Otago Central railway will be vigorously prosecuted. There are about 200 men now engaged at the work, and the cuttings have been commenced as far as the first tunnel, which is more than five miles from the "Wingatui station. Mr. .T. S. Mollison is the engineer in charge of the work, and INLr. Alex. Fraser the inspector. The Napier Harbor Board has decided to continue the experiments which have been made with dynamite at the entrance to tho harbor, but on a larger scale than hitherto. The cost, however, has been limited to £2O. Some slight damage was reported to have taken place at the harbor works recently constructed, through the force of the strong winds aud currents lately prevailing. Those of our readers who know much about Dunedin affairs will relish the following clipping from the Dunedin Star :—“ Hear it ye citizens, and give credence if you can 1 Mr. Fish has made public confession that there is something which he does uot understand. On the occasion of the trial trip of the Kakanui, and the neat luncheon on board that trim little craft, Mr. Fish, in proposing the health of Messrs. Sparrow and Co., gratuitously stated that ‘he did not know much about steamships.’ ”

In reference to the unprotected state of the magazine at WAiroa, a correspondent of the Napier Daily Telegraph furnishes a list of arms and ammunition that were in store at r le Kapu on the Ist January last. We are assured that none of the ammunition has since been removed, and that the number of arms remains the same. On the date mentioned there were 200 rifles, 200,000 rouuds of Enfield, and 8000 rounds of Snider ammunition. The quantity of war munition is pretty accurately known by both Europeans and native-s at Wairoa, and its unprotected condition is a subject of general remark.

Speaking of the Californian salmon, the Lyttelton Times says :—“A large number of these fish are still at the Opawa fish-breeding establishment. Their greatest enemy has proved to be the kingfisher, which is attracted by the fish leaping out of the water after flies. Losses have also been occasioned to the various fish by ducks. Recently some of these birds, belonging to a neighbor, killed 15 salmon, which were remarkably fat and well grown. Some measured 7h inches; the smallest 4J. Although not possessing the flavor of salmon, the fish proved very good eating. One of the largest wa3 found full of milt, a fact which would lead to the conclusion that the American variety come to maturity for reproductive purposes much earlier than the English.” The N. Z. Herald says ;—“ The destructive fire at Wellington on Sunday night was the source of much uneasiness early yesterday among the various shareholders of the New Zealand and South British Insurance Companies, as each company were known to have heavy risks in the Empire City. It was with fear and trembling that the managers of these two institutions met, and New Zealand said to South British, 4 £IO,OOO each,’ and both fully believed that they were in for that amount. Shareholders looked as disappointed as possible, but shortly before noon something like definite information was received, and it was then found that the agents in Wellington had ‘ hedged,’ according to instructions, more rapidly than anticipated, and the loss to local companies is consequently small in comparison to what it would have been had the conflagration happened a month ago. This news was spread about very rapidly, in fact one ageuev was so elated over its comparatively small'lossfthat it posted the telegram conveying the news on the front of its office, a most unprecedented manner of proclaiming a loss. For once in the history of these institutions, they have been as eager to make their -small losses known through the medium of the Press, as tiie Press was to receive tlie information. Consequently, we believe that if ever con ect tables of losses were made public those we published to-day are such.” Circumstances of a startling nature (says the Otago Daily Times) have come to light regarding the recent fire at the Athemeum and the manner in which that instit-ition has been managed. It is known that the assistantlibrarian, Mr. Cummock, has been guilty of misconduct and irregularities of the grossest nature—in fact, he lias confessed to defalcations amounting to about £lO7. The fact <-f the books having been burnt by the fire on Monday night of course destroyed part of the evidence of the crime that had been com-ndti-ed, but certain facts which came to the kn'-wledge of the committee induced them t*> make inquiries. The result was that the <-e----ftious were discovered. Due of the worst features of the case is that the culprit endeavored at first to throw suspicion on an inno-

cent person, by asserting that he haa paid into the hank money belonging to the Athenieum which he. had himself appropriated. It will, no doubt, surprise our readers to learn that the matter lias not been placed in the hands of tlie police. An inquiry into the origin of the fire will now probably be held. About a month ago operations were commenced for the erection of a light suspension bridge across that part of tho Lindis River known as “ Cameron’s flat,” about four miles below Morven Hill Station in Otago. Owing to the state of the roads great difficulty was experienced in getting the necessary materials to the site ; but, notwithstanding the various obstacles encountered, the work (with the exception of tho approaches) is now successfully completed, pending tlie inspection of the county engineer. The Tuapeka Countv (says the Cromwell Argus) is in a bad way financially, but it may take heart of grace that it will not be alone in this respect, according to appearances. Wo read that, on the 12th instant, vouchers for over £4OOO were lodged with the Council for payment, but in the course of the day a communication was received from the Council s banker to the effect that lie could not allow any further overdraft. Hitherto the Council has been allowed £SOOO, and of that sum only about £2500 is at present operated on. The continued prosperity of tlie Cromwell Company’s mine must be vei’3 r gratifying to shareholders. The result <>f the month’s crushing (says the Cromwell Argus) was brought down on Saturday and lodged in the Colonial Bank. The cake weighed 9<>9ozs., the stone put through the machine bulking 480. tons. 'Phis splendid outcome of the crushing is the more satisfactory from the fact that the stuff put through had no special feature, but 'a as taken out on a face. Our Bendigo correspondent truly states that the mine is only m its infancy, so to speak, so that owners may look forward to continued dividends. Already this year Bs. (id. per share has been paid, the total yield being 40860z5. The effects of the Land Tax are more widely felt than is generally supposed. Quite recently (says the Timarn Herald) we saw a letter from a man of capital at Home, who has for years had extensive connections in New Zealand, and who had made arrangements for putting out a great deal of money here this year, partly by loan, and partly in the purchase of land with a view to settlement. In that letter he explained to bis friends here his reason for changing bis plans. It simply was that the land tax had completely altered the character of New Zealand investments. Ho added that, though the present rate of the tax might not be sufficient in itself to deter investors, there was no guarantee that it would not be raised to a ruinous exteut; and ho concluded by saying that though he thought as well of New Zealand as ever, he should wait and see how tilings went on before he ventured any more money here. The person who wrote thus is a good friend to the colony, and would have made an invaluable settler. His feeling about the colony, though, is as we have seen ; aud we know that his opinions will be accepted implicitly by a great many more of his class. The great cry at working men’s meetings just now is, “ Why do not the Government bring out men of capital . Wby do they only bring out laborers, or men who have no money for the employment of labor. We can answer those questions very easily. The Government are a Liberal Government, a working men’s Government, a land-for-the-people Government ; and they are doing all m their power to prevent meu of capital from coming to the country, or being in a position to employ labor if they come.. _ In connection with the information, telegraphed with respect to the natives ploughing Mr. Livingstone’s land, near Haw«ra, the following extract from “ Holiday Rambles, in the Manawatu. Times, will doubtless prove interesting;—“ From Carlyle to Hawera the distance is about twenty miles further, and on tlie wav tlie traveller will get a fine view of Mount Egrnont, with its cloudy mantle spread over it, and which rears its head some 3200 and odd feet above the level of tlie sea. As I looked at this giant production of nature, 1. could not help wondering what an influence it must have had on a man of the character ascribed to Te Wliiti, who perhaps believes that his race has been unjustly treated by the pakehn, and who imagines that he, and he alone, can rectify the misdeeds of tlie past. Hawera looks a prosperous and busy inland town. There appears to be a good healthy rivalry between it and Caryle, and for the present the two places seem to he on allfours. The respected Chairman of the Patea County Council, Mr. McGuire resides in Hawera, aud not far distant one of the oldest settlers in the district, Mr. Livingstone, who lost his all iu the last war, an I had to■ begin life over again. it was lie who, after the lull of the gallant Von iempsky. led. the colonial troops out of a very perilous position, his kuow-led-m of the country being of invaluable, assist■mev ! ike a good many brave meu, Mr. Livingstone is not at all over anxious lor anoth-r war. In a conversation which L had with him he said that it was very well tor newspaper editors in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and other pianos to talk big, but if they were in a similar position to a lot of tho out settlers, they would perhaps he inclined to think and speak differently. Neither does he and a number of other set,tiers around imagine that, we have all the i ighu on oa r side. The feeling is pretty general that had ample provision, in the shape of reserves, been made, and had the surveyors not acted so childish and foolhardily as to have surveyed ri-dit through the potato gardens of the natives, the present feeling of disquiet and discontent mi'dit have been averted. There are others, however, who hold a contrary opinion. They state that, no matter how liberal the Government would have been, nothing short of a fight would satisfy the natives, and that light be sooner or latei', even it the late bir Donald McL-an or tlie Hon. Dr. Pollen had been Native Minister, in 4e;v.l of the colonial i*Jolm the Baptist.”

Reuben Venne, the young’ native artist, whose pictures have been very favorably noticed lately, di-.d at Putiki on Friday. Just before his death (says the Wanganui Herald) he requested that his easel, together with his pictures, should be buried with him. Considering the circumstances under which the little fellow picked up his knowledge of colors, he certainly showed remarkable talent.

It is with much satisfaction, which, we are sure, will be shared by a large number of citizens (says the Christchurch Globe), that wo notice an attempt ah last mads to stein Untide <>f larrikinisin which is rampant in the streets of the city, especially on Saturday and Sunday evenings. This nuisance has now become so pronounced that strictly repressive measures are a necessity. Gangs of half ami wholly grown larrikins patrol the side walks, elbowing the ladies into the road without the slightest ceremony. Not only so, but the most prominent corners of the streets are, particularly on Sunday evening, occupied by gangs of the kind spoken of. If they condescend to give wav in order to allow persons to pass, they form a kind of lane and make all sorts of ribald remarks on the ladies who are thus compelled to run the gauntlet or seek refuge in the miry road. That this is no exaggerated or fancy picture, every one who has occasion to walk in the localities mentioned will testify to. The only wonder is, and it speaks volumes for the law-abiding nature of the Christchurch citizens, that soma relatives of the ladies thus insulted have not taken the law into their own hands, and give these gentry what they richly deserve. It it is only by making examples of one or two of the most prominent larrikins that wo can hope to put down the nuisance. The police, too, might do good service by preventing their assemblage.

THE DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (PER press agency.) Dunedin, June 21. At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, Mr. McNeil expressed disappointment at the small muster of members, and said that the Chamber, unlike other similar bodies in the colony, seemed to be half dead and alive. There was a weakness, though he could not account for it. He suggested that the present meeting should be adjourned until there was a larger representation of the mercantile community, when the matter of effecting an improvement would be considered. The Chairman said : I quite agree with you. I think it disgraceful to the merchants of Dunedin the apathy they show in all matters connected with the Chamber of Commerce. I have been very much disgusted during the last twelve months with the apathy shown by the members in attending the meetings. I think you have only to look at other places in the colony, such as Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, to find that the members of the Chamber of Commerce have always taken part in matters connected with the Chambers in their cities, but here it is just the reverse. The whole of the business is left in the hands of a committee. If anything goes wrong, the gentlemen who do not attend these meetings do nothing but chide the committee instead of assisting them in anything for the welfare of the place. I am very much jileased that Mr. McNeil has brought the matter up, and am sorry that our Chamber is not in a position to explain matters. I think it would be as well to adjourn the meeting for a fortnight, and to let it be understood that we want a full meeting. If merchants don’t attend, then I for one will retire. The Hon. Mr. Reynolds referred to the apathy shown by the members, and said that the only remedy was for the merchants to be more liberal in their contributions, and to appoint a secretary who could devote his whole time to the business of the Chamber. Mr. Gillies thought that, while Dunedin merchants were divided amongst themselves the efforts of the Chamber would not be attended with success.

Eventually it was decided to adjourn the meeting until Friday next, at 3 p.m.

PHRENOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

OF TE WHITI.

Mr. Fraser, the phrenologist, has paid a visit to Te Whiti, and in a lecture delivered at New Plymouth he gave the result of his examination in the following words, which we extract from the Taranaki Herald : “ I found the Parihaka prophet to be a man of medium size, about forty-five years of age, of fine organisation, compact, dense fibre fine hands, neat compact ears placed close to the head, having no pendant, portion, all indicating firmness and activity rather than oreat personal strength or prowess. He wears his heard full ; it has been very dark or black, it is now well mixed with grey. His eyes arcclear, bright, and intelligent ; his lips thin and closing firmly ; his nose rises well from the face, the nostails opening well. The cheeks are thin, and eyebrows prominent. The features in repose have rather a Spanish type —are most decidedly European—so much so that I think there is something more than mere Maori in his composition. He has a bright, amiable, pleasing look, such as I have never seen on any other Maori face. The features are very mobile ; his forehead will wrinkle with little provocation, and his eyes scintilate and flash. The head is not above the average size, and the facial angle is a crood one, not being more than 28 degrees. The height of the head as compared with its width is great, and it is especially full in the middle lobe between the forehead and the crown. He is not a sensual character, nor will he win much of his power by the influence of the social faculties alone. He will not distin-o-uiah himself either in strategy or business management. He is not a destructive character—if the shedding of blood is to be done by his orders it is not likely to be done. He knows little of personal danger ; he fears no one, and would die the death of a hero or martyr, and rejoice in the prospect of it

He has ton much self-esteem to care for pomp and display. He has a strong will : the harder you drive the more he will jib. To commence to force him will be to rouse all that there is of courage and zeal in his nature. The organs of memory are full, and the eye indicates plenty of language. He can se-- clearly, and ga'her up knowledge oa-dly. He has not much logical power—will not know how to oonst"Uct an argument ; he will understand comparisons the best, and naturally will reason by analogy. He can observe, remember, compare, and draw deductions as well and as quickly as tha majority of trained Englishmen. His" strong point, and the one most likely to influence the class of minds lie does influence, is his combination of spirituality, veneration, and hope. He firmly believes all that he utters, as during the time he speaks, the strong faculties carry him away. If he was an Englishman he would be laughed at fora fool era fanatic; heard by unreasoning minds he is believed, and his utterances looked upon as supernatural. The portion of brain iu which these organs are located is not only large but active. He has read the more mystic portions of the Old Testament, and hi-’ barge comparison has sought for parallels in the history of his own people. He lias dreamt himself a second Moses, and his people are to him the Children of Israel. A little more of scientific teaching a bit of knocking about in our larger cities would perhaps cure him. He has stayed at Parihaka until ho knows but little of the outside world. If his own people can be taught a lesson or two they will deem him mad and treat him accordingly. He will glory in storms, and will enjoy reading of cataclysms and revolutions. He also believes in special interpositions of Providence —will far rather believe in such than in law. He will prav with great fervor, and will believe that all his wild askings will he granted. He has thorough faifh in himself, and would gladly protect those who believe in what lie teaches. In his calm moments he will be a kindly, well-disposed man ; but if bis advisers watch their opportunity (and here is the principal danger) they may manage to lead him into acts quite as rasli as his statements, as he is short of cautiousness, is a rash man, caring little for consequences when under the influence of these ruling faculties.”