THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 56, 20 January 1862, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1862.

With every advantage at their command, the people of Otago have only to exercise the commonest judgment to take the commercial lead of all the Provinces of New Zealand, but contented with a little passing prosperity, they neglect to adopt any measures towards making that prosperity permanent. With its own immense consumption to supply, with its proximity to the extensive markets of Melbourne, and with its geographical position pointing it out as the first port of arrival and lust of departure of all New Zealand, Dunedin has every qualification for becoming the chief commercial "entrepdt" of the Colony. Quite.apart from the question of the seat of Government, Dunedin is certainly entitled to be the commercial of the colony ; it should be the New York of the United Provinces, let the Washington be where it may. But the merchants of Dunedin cannot expect to have every good thrust down their throats. If they are not content to act up to the motto noblesse oblige, they must be pre pared to see the unquestionable advantages at their command wasted, and others take the position which they weakly or supinely allow to pass by them. There are many things required to qualify Dunedin for the commercial superiority, which, as vehave said, it is entitled to hold, but if they be not attended to, it cannot expect to continue to hold or exercise it. We pass over for the present a railroad to connect the town with the port, telegraph lines to join the whole of the Province in a net work, a and slip on which to repair ships —we pass over these and other requirements and come to a matter, the urgency of which we have already several times ineffectually endeavored to impress on the minds of the mercantile portion of the community. We allude to a contract under full and sufficient penalties for a fortnightly mail communication with Melbourne, including the bringing on of the English mails immediately on arrival in Melbourne, and the despatching the mails for England at the latest date compatible with catching the steamer that leaves Melbourne for Suez on the 2Gth. As we are addressing merchants, it will be, supererogatory to enlarge on the direct advantages the communication will afford them. They cannot fail to understand the facilities that would arise from frequent and rapid communication between themselves and their chief business connections. It ■is with the indirect advantages we hare to deal, and we contend that their importance to such that no subsidy in reason would be to large too secure them. First, there is the keeping in the trade two regular and poweri'ul Steamers, instead of being subject as they arc now, to their removal at a moment's notice, in obedience to any temporary allurements of trafic elsewhere. Let a gold field break out at Coromandel, and the Steamers which now ply to Otago would probably be put on at once to Auckland, and scarcely call in at all at Dunedin, except perhaps to carry its population away. This, we shall be told, is a selfish view, granted, but its selfishness consists in this, that Otago requires two regular Steamers, and to ensure the regularity, is content to pay for them. Next, and scarcely less important, is the making Otago the centre of the Mail communication of the Province—to have the Mails and Steamers of all the other Provinces radiating towards it. Of the trade and business this will secure to the place, we may again say, the commercial knowledge of our readers is it sufficient to assure them.

But every daylessensthe chance of seizing the opportunity which the merchants of Dnnedin are permitting to pass, unheeded, by them. In another jolumn it will be seen from the report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, that a private firm is endeavouring to monopolise for its own advantage the separate mail contracts for the several Provinces, which, consolidated under one head, could be performed for a less cost, and more efficiently. Canterbury, it appears, has already been led into making a contract, the terms of which are something like £5000 for bringing down the English mails immediately' on arrival in Melbourne, with no provision to take mails hack at latest date to catch return English steamer, and with no penalty to bind contractors to keep to their bargain. " The costly expenses we are at are a guarantee of ■our using despatch, without requiring us to enter into penalties," say the astute contractors. Sly dogs, they don't take into account that those costly expenses mcy be directed to another service at their own convenience, and without the power of objection on the part of the other party to the contract. 2vTot content with getting Canterbury to subscribe to this one-sided arrangement, the contractors next try "Wellington, and probably will afterwards attempt Nelson and Auckland. They offer Wellington similar terms, they will give it half a mail service, that is to say will carry the English mails down at the earliest moment, but will not wait to bring mails back at the latest moment, for £5000 per annum, with no penalties. The Aldinga is to be enlisted in the service if the contract be completed. Candidly we confess to the very selfish view that Otago will be injured by losing the exclusive services of the Aldinga, and other steamers that now run between it and Mcl- ] bourne, but let not other provinces suppose that because Otago suffers they benefit. On the contrary, they are being trepanned into a ridiculously disadvantageous bargain. If they would unite with Otago, for the same money, or less, they would get a really efficient service, one that would comprise two communications a month with Melbourne, —a weekly or fortnightly one between the Provinces themselves; and besides receiving the English Mails at an early date, the power of answaring their letters at the latest date. Briefly what we propose is this, that the Otago Provincial Government should at once con-

tract, for an efficient twice a month service between Otago and Melbourne, —providing for the English Mails being brought down immediately on arrival of mail in Melbourne, and for a steamer to leave with the return English Mails seven or eight days before the steamer for England leaves Melbourne. The Southland Mails might be taken off or put on board, by a small schooner as the steamer passed the Bluff, without involving any delay or danger. In respect to the other Provinces, a contract for a fortnightly service could be entered into with the steamers that already trade along the coast. The service should provide for a steamer to leave the Port as soon as the English Mails arrived, and conveying them at once to Canterbury, Wellington Nelson, and even Auckland. If the same steamer, on returning, broughtbackthe English Mails, these would be detained something like thrc;.1 weeks cither at Diraedin or Melbourne, \< , ibre the English steamer would be ready to •tiirt. Instead of sending home the latest dittos the Northern Provinces would still be a- at present, or as they would be by the contract they propose to enter into, several weeks behind hand in their communication with England. To obviate this, the second Provincial service should stipulate for a return steamer leaving Nelson or Auckland, whichever was the last port decided on, just in sufficient time to catch the steamer at Dunedin that would carry the Mails to Melbourne.

We cannot too urgently direct the attention of the merchants of Duuedin to this matter. If they have the slightest regard to their own interest, let them at once take it in hand. Let them petition the local Government to call for tenders, and at the same time by the earliest mail let them communicate with the Chambers of Commerce of Canterbury, Wellington, Nelson, and Auckland. The interests of these Provinces is as largely concerned as that of Otago, to get a service that really will give them the full advantage of the present steam communication between Melbourne and England.

We do not wonder that the miners of Waitahuna gave Mr. Hardy a good reception. A Provincial Treasurer and Secretary so prodigal of promises was sure to be heartily greeted on the stump. Perhaps if Mr. Hardy travels that way again in six months, when the miners have had time to contrast his performances with his promises, he may chance to see bis effigy hanging on some of the trees, and find himself received with cries of " Joe !" and hisses. Ad captian dam appeals to popularity, although apt to he successful at the time, are almost invariably followed by a reaction. Mr. Hardy, if was understood, went up to make observations on the wants of the miners and to report the same to his Government, but instead of ascertaining what the miners wanted, he appears to have taken it in baud to teach them their wants, and to make all sorts of promises, which, not to mince matters, he is as powerless to carry out on his own authority as any single one of his hearers. Mr. Cowper pursued a. somewhat similar course at Lambing Fiat, whither he was sent to make a report. He addressed a public meeting, made all sorts of promises which his Government could not carry out, his name became execrated on the Gold Field, and it was thought his conduct tended much to produce the subsequent disturbances. If Mr Hardy were able to carry out any one of his promises the course he has pursued would still be undignified. Most of the subjects on which he spoke have been frequently discussed in these columns, and the miners who have perused them will not accuse us of any antagonism to their interests. Again and again we have urged the necessity to extended claims, to encourage mining on a large scale, and the making the roads to cheapen the price of carriage. The allowing the miners to obtain land whereon to rear homesteads, the laying out of townships, the providing fuel, the reversion of the present mining regulations, and other improvements have found in us cordial champions. Our remarks therefore are not directed so much against the matter of Mr Hardy's speech a3 that he should have thought it necessary to indulge in any extemporised oratory at all. We aTI k now, of course, what is the meaning of a requisition to address a public meeting. Orator, ruixious to find a vent for his eloquence, tolls a friend that if an invitation is addressed to him he shall feel bound to respond to it. We would make a pretty heavy wager that the present requisition was got up by some of Mr. Hardy's personal friends, after having consulted him as to his own inclinations. Some of Mr. Hardy's ideas, supposing he has been correctly reported, were ridiculous in the extreme, and must have afforded his hearers a hearty laugh. The area of a quartz claim, he thought, should be 200 yards along the course of the reef, by a width of 150 feet. In addition to which any one erecting machinery should be entitled to six men's claims, for every horse power. Supposing the erection of a thirtyhorse power engine, which is by no means large, especially, as would sure to be the case here, if pumping had to be added to crushing, the owner would be entitled to the claims of 180 men, or thirty-six thousand yards (over 20 miles) along the course of the reef. Of course such a thing is preposterous. Any one with any knowledge of quartz-mining would know that it is by no means desirable to give 200 yards, or even 200 feet, for a claim. Quartz reefs require to be prospected all along the line, and the giving are;:s of this kind would diminish the probability of proper prospecting. In very lew of the reefs in Victoria has gold been found for 200 yards along the line, whilst many 100 feet claims have yielded splendid fortunes.

NEWS PROM THE NORTH.

The news from the North is of a more cheering nature, as far as the Province is concerned. Perhaps the General Government sees that Otago will no longer be trifled with ; perhaps it concedes as a matter of policy what hitherto it has refused as a matter of justice. Be this as it may, Mr. Header Wood, Colonial Treasurer, has been sent down with plenary powers to take what steps he considers emergency requires. This gentleman, if lie has secret instructions, at any rate comes with an avowed purpose and with accredited credentials. This is a step in advance of Mr. Mantell, who first allowed it to be given out that became to visit his constituents, and then that his object was to negociate the purchase of Stewart's Island.

As we anticipated, " the little game" of the Opposition has been defeated. The Provincial Government has declined to accede to a dissr - lution of the Provincial Council. Captain Baldwin and Major Croker's appointments have at last been made, and it is understood other appointments to the magistracy are on the if/pis. The power is delegated to the Superintendent to appoint wardens to the goldfields, and gratifying assurances are made that Mr. Wood's mission is one of peace and usefulness. Among other matters of importance to which our limits only permit us to simply refer, is one concerning the declaration of laud into Hundreds. Instructions have come down that the run-holders are always to be notified when it is proposed to declare their their runs, and to be allowed time to make objections. This is in reply to a petition from the run-holders, which states that there is already an excessive supply of land in the market.

On this subject we will have more to say in our next issue.

The Gci. "il Government sanctions the establishment of .• gold receiving officer in connectionwith the l:i--;'l revenue receivei', under the charge of Mr Colli.otojf Logic.

During the performance of " Wooing in Jest and Loving in Earnest," at the Music Hall, on Saturday evening, a "gentleman" who, we believe, holds her Majesty's commission, conducted himself in such a manner as not only to disturb the audience but also to interrupt the performers. To such an extent was this tl c case that Mrs Foley, who was acting the, part of Mrs AVilehington, had to advance to the' front of the stage and request him to desist, offering to return him his money if he was dissatisfied with the performance. He, however, took no notice of this, and continued his offensive remarks until the conclusion of the piece, when, prior to the falling of the curtain, Mrs Foley again came forward and administered a dignified and well merited rebuke, which had the effect of making him leave the House. On her next appearance in front of the stage Mrs Eoley was heartily greeted.

In spite of the threatening appearance of the afternoon of Saturday about a dozen adventurous spirits assembled on the cricket ground for the purpose of having n, ramo. Although the ground was in a very svampy condition, owing to the late rains, the play was kept up with great spirit. The occasional mishaps of some of the players in going over the ankles in a mud hole rather adding to the fun than otherwise. We understand that a meeting of all interested in this noble game is to be held in the Athenooum on Tuesday evening for the purpose of forming a club, and taking steps to put the ground into a proper state.

The Victorian Government lias agreed to hold back the- English mails for Otago when any steamer for that place is ready to start within forty-eight hours, otherwise they will be sent on to Sydney. The Harbor Endowment Ordinance is disallowed by the General Government on several grounds, our space compels us to keep over till to morrow. A recommendation is made that the proposed endowment be sought by bill from the General Assembly. Captain Baldwin and Major Croker have at last been appointed as resident magistrates for their respective districts. Mr Kettle is appointed Provincial Auditor. A rumor was prevalent on Saturday evening that a 2 lb. nugget had been found at Wiiipori. This is quite unauthenticated as yet. We have no further particulars of the reported Southern gold field. Let us warn our readers not to be allured by any vague rumors. If there be truth in this gold field we will be in possession of authentic particulars concerning it in a day or two.

A meeting of the Committee of the Waitahuna Deep Sinking Association was held on the 15th instant, Dr. Burrowes in the chair ; and a subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. Morgan, Connolly, Findlay, and Hodge was appointed for the purpose of employing men and superintending the work. Mr. Monk tendered his resignation of the office of Secretary, and Mr. Limbick was appointed in his stead. The meeting then adjourned to the following Wednesday.

At the sale of land at Hawkesbuiy, Block 1., which took place on Friday at the Land Office, Duncdin, the quantity of land sold was 1738 acres, and the total amount realised £3363 os. 3d. The highest price given per acre was £4 55., and the lowest 23s.—the average being £1 18s. Bd. per acre. An interesting description of Waitahuna will be found in another column, from the pen of the same gentleman who last week, presented an equally excellent description of the Tuapeka and Wethevstone's Diggings, and of the road from Dunedin to them. We take this opportunity of remarking 'that arrangements are in progress for obtaining the best procurable correspondents at all the places of importance within the Colony. We are sparing no expense for the same.

"We understand that the first edition of the collected Poetical Works of our fellow-colonist Mr. Birr, of Craijilea, has arrived by the " Silistria." The edition consists of 2000 copies, and has been all subscribed for, and the demand has been so far in excess of the supply that it is contemplated to send home for a second edition. We have not as yet had the pleasure of seeing the work, but from the letters which have been addressed to the Otago Bard, by Messrs. Chambers, (the well-known Edinburgh publishers) and other high literary authorities, we learn that the work is of great merit and very handsomely published.

The trial for manslaughter of the man who killed his opponent in a fight on the diggings a short time ago comes on at the Supreme Court to day.