ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 66, 31 January 1862, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Otago Daily Times.

Srn. —Permit me through the medium of your valuable journal to lay before the public some of our grievances. 1 refer in this instance to the manner in which justice is administered in this district by our Warden, Major Crokw, who seems to have as much idea oi settling' a mining dispute to the satisfaction of either party concerned, as 1 have of discovering perP'jiuai motion. This is an evil that is getting1 more apparent every day, in consequence of the number of dig-gers here who must set in .some where, and, who will naturally be on the look out for spare ground, and that no party monopolises more ground than is allowed by the rules ; the consequence is that there are more miningl disputes to be settled every day. And again I assert, and in doing so, I speak the minds of all who have heard ;i dispute settled by Major Croker, that of all other men to be found in the Province, there could be none found more unsuited to hold the office of Warden on Hie gold-fields than this gentleman, who seem* to be always in such a hurry, that he has not time to ask if they hold miner's rights—to measure the ground in dispute—or examine a witness, each of wiiicii is necessary in order to arrive at a fair decision ; each party is explaining his case at the sains time, and, in the midst of the din the dispute is settled in the most summary manner, as unsatisfactory to all concerned as can well be imagined. Major Croker emerges from the- crowd amidst cries of aid woman, Jon, $fc. As a few instances as iiow cases are settled, i may mention the following. —A party of men were washing some dirt from their claim, at the creek, in their absence it was taken possession of by some new chums, who said they had been allowed to do so by the Warden, and held possession of not only the claim, but also of the washdirt that remained in the paddock, and were actually washing it, when the owners ot' the claim, seeing how matters stood, brought two policemen and gave them in charge for stealing washdirt The Warden was ixguia brought on the ground, and seeing that the atiiiir was getting serious, ordered the men to rive up the claim, and, also the gold that they had taken, out of it. Another case, in wliich two men took lip some spare ground of about fourteen feet wide at one eufl, eleven at the other, by forty-eight foug, a dispute occurring about a peg encroaching on a claim adjoining, the Warden was called, and the owners of the spare ground w is ordered otf their chihu altogether, and were .tiireatened with a summons if they again went into it, alier sinking a shaft and funding payable gold. And this decision was arrived at without allowing the men to explain their case—without asking either party if they had miner's rights—without even looking at the peg in dispute, or measuring the ground, but ordered them to be recompensed for the wash-dirst they had got up, showing plainly that they wore entitled to the ground, and, if not, they were not entitled to the washdirt that came out. of it, or recompense ;br working ground they had no right to. I heard one.of the uiTii say, that got the decision in his favor, that it was too bad, and when the men remonstrated and said it was hard to be driven off their ground after coming so far to get it, Major Croker said, he did not cave a d n. Now, sir, I ask if this state of things is to be continued what is likely to be the result 1 Another ense of encroachment, that any miner with his tape and compass could decide in ten minutes, our Warden said would take him a week to consider on it. I could mention fifty, other cases, but as I have already trespassed too much on your valuable space, I will draw this to a close, trusting it may do something towards remedying this great evil

I remain, Sir, yours, &c, Ax Old Digger. Wetherston's, January 25th, 18G2.

To the Editor of the Daily Times,

30th January, 1862.

Sin, —In your issue of" to-day appears a letter signed " Progress," and for the information of that gentleman 1 beg to inform him, if he reads my letter without prejudice " which has reference to Dr. Lindsay's lecture," lie will find that it has no reference to Melbourne and her universities, but to New South Wales, the oldest Australian colony. And I here reiterate my for former assertion, that the extract in Dr Lindsay's lecture is false, from beginning to end. And 1 am prepared to prove the same from facts, if necessary- Anil I beg further to inform " Progress" that it is not my dc»ire to assist in retarding the progress of the province, hut merely to defend a colony, and her people, from being levelled to dust, so that at)* other might be elevated. The word "gum-sucker," no doubt, is a Melbourne production, consequently, not known in New South Wales. Probably •' Progress," in his next letter, will enlighten the world as to its meaning. As Ido not intend to take notice of any more productions from "Progress," I might he permitted to state, tha1; Jam justasanxiousas "Progress" is for the the advancement of the province, being determined to make this my home, and that of my iami!y,for many years to com?, and shall be most happy to assist in her "advancement as far a3 in me lies, at any time. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, JA-UKS .'TtJRSEB, Great King«street, Dunedin. <j» :— To the Editor of the Or ago Datm: Times.Duuediu, 29th Jan., 1562. Siu,- —Knowing that there are several of my comrades in Dunedia, who would willingly join an Artillery Corps, I hope the authorities will at once give us an opportunity, by sanctioning the formation of o;ie Company of Artillery at least. 1 would also suggest that the same rules that are in force in the Royal Victoria Votuufceer Artillery He- <> giin-jnt be adopted here, as they have give.i universal satisfaction to the members of that regiment, I am, Sir, yours sincerely, Gusher,- 11.V.V.A.E. 1 —, *—,— To the Editor of the Daily Times. Rattrav-street, Dnendin, January 29, 186-2. Sir,—l beg leave to ask, through the Biedium of vour valuable paper, the Rev. lecturer, Dr. Buller, kindly to state what may be tlie best means for selfstudying the Maori language. By inserting this you will oblige, Mr. Editor, Your most humble Linguist. A PROVii>i»|T Pack—A lady"-residing at Dov.e,r wanted a''page/ and got a friend in London to loolc her out one. A young ' buttons' having bee'i found,'ho was suplied at her request with a sovereign to pay his fare and expenses down. On b eing seeu it wag thought ho woma suit the situation, but next morning lie intimated his intention forthwith to come to town, as the place did not come up to Ms expectations. Tiie lady expressed her surprise, and demurred to being called ou to pay for Ins ride back. " Oil mum," said buttons, " 1 provided for that by taking a return ticket." Powerful Electric Coil.-—The Abbe Moigno, the talented editor of tiie i'aria Cosmos, states that on tiie ilili insumt he taw it. Rhuinkortf pierce instantaneously with his induction coi;, giving otf s>parks up- ■ wards of seventeen ineiies iu length, a mass of glass nearly two inches thick. Tuis is one of the most astonishing expiiimouU yet perforated, with that immensely powerful instrument.

THE POSITION AT\D PRORI'KOTK OF THE iNDJAN CuTTUiV QUESTION.

Ti.t! Ttmks srivus- the f«-l!i)AvJti; review ol" tiia present position nn 1 pros'iseis of t!».s Indian uott'j:) question, i'rom "uuj ot'tii-.1 moss ««;ura,Sc and e\}>;. rkucs'd merchants connected v/Kh the trade of (hat country":— For the tun ami a half months from the Ist of January to the llt'i of Xovvmbor, 18iJ0, Livsrv,n,>l re-cei-vd 422,103 bales of Eas!. India cotton, being about an average import: while for the snme peviod of the current year she ha" received 742.137 ba-es. t)n the Ist November, I.SCO, tliore u-ere afloat, from the East T/idies to Liverpool, 43,205 bales, against 1(53,415 bales on tho Ist Novembar, 18G1; equal to double the usual supply. The stock of East India cotton at Liverpool on the 14th November, 1860, wusloo,(i3l! bates. ami on the 1-ith Novembar. IS6I, it amounted to 230,370 bales. The sales of East Indian cotton for the same period were —-in 1800, 500.940 bales, while in 1861, they were 094,11)0 tolas. The present average price at Liverpool of the five descriptions of East India cotton sold under the general name of Surats. for the good and fine quality, is 0-1. per lb. The price there for the same quality hi the middle of last year was 4Jd. per lb., equal to 100 per cent. By the last advices from Bombay, the price at the Liverpool prices which this quality cotdd Ik> purchased there, and rinded at Liverpool, all charges paid, was about (i r }d. per lb., per cent of making shipments of cotton from India, at the crcistiir; prices there aid tho.so nnwourront here. This state of that market, as .''. general rule, is unexceptional, the competition for hnpurthig j Indian cotton into this country b/uu so great, that at the time shipments are made in India the price the cotton stands is fully equal to the home market, and n many instances far above it. It must not, be furg (Men that the tot:'.] supply of raw cotton to Liverpool from all countries exclusive of t'if. United Slates and the East Indie-?, for tho perio! above siatsd in 18G0, was only 189,278 bales, and that for the same time this year it has been even lo?s, or 184,306. The impediment to a large supply from India is the existence of the American crop (although it is reported to be under an average), and the possibility of some event occurring any nay to enable it to be import-id within a few months, from which time, allowing for cleaning, picking, transit, &e., we should, as usual, have that crop in this market, entailing very heavy losses on the shipper of Indian cotton'even at the present prices there. Tiie favourable features for a large supply from India are that last year India sent to Liverpool double the us.il quantity under every disadvantage. She was suffering from an unprecedented drought, extending to many of the cotton districts. At the time of planting there was no unusual demand for cotton, but the reverse. Her markets were glutted with manufactured goods from this country, "which could not be sol.l at rates leaving even. 20 to 30 per cent loss, giving little encouragement to importers to make heavy shipments of the "raw material. The price in our home market for her cotton was the usual average rate, whereas now it is double, and at no tima in the history of Indian trade has any article exhibited such enormous profit at the time of ship.ne.it a-* cotton does at the present moment. There are now buyers iii this market for any quantity of Indian cotton afloat nt the hisrhfst current prices, enabling consignees to effect sales on arrival as soon as they receive advice of .shipments, thus cur-tailing the risk of shippers. The last intelligence from India, dated October 27, advises considerable improvement in the import market there for piece goods. The enhanced price paid to India for cotton has circulated large sums of money in the cot-ton-growing provinces, increasing their power of production, and in place of a year of drought and famine, there have been plentiful rains all over India, greatly benefitins the cotton cultivation, nnd insuring to her farmers their trold weather, or most remunerative crops, still further affording them the means of purchasing; British piece goods. To this may be added the general opinion that the settlement of the American question appears now more remote. Those circumstances combined render the pioductiou of a large cotton crop in India this season highly probable, and from the state of the markets in both countries it may be expected that large orders will be sent out from home for its shipment. * * *

It was only in the midst of last year that we had an immense stock of raw cotton at. home, and there were several millions sterHnir of deficiency in ifs value in the market, here over irs cost, and considerable apprehension existed as to how that deficiency would be met. All markets were overstocked with our manufactured goods, and the Indian market swamped with enormous shipments, far in excess of nay possible requirements under the most fnvornhlf! circanntances; but such shipments, made in a yai1 nf famine, wiien a number of her people had not I i> means to purchase food, far less the luxury of E.tjr'ish clot' , seemed insauitj'. So completely was the market ovwdotie that, although there has been a considerable reduction in shipments for this year, the stocks there were so largest that it is only the latest advices that report any material improvement in prices. Every one must deplore the extent to which the working of short time has diminished wages, encroaching on the slender comforts, and even necessaries of life, of the working classes; nevertheless, looking at the cotton trade for last year, it appears a fact that, had the American supply come forward ;» usual, the state of affairs in South Lancashire must have bpen far more disastrous, and a much greater number of hands thrown out of employment than in all probability there will be under the existing state of matters for"next year.

An Ingenious Youth—On Wednesday, at Westminster, a new mode of defence iwi« hit upon by an urchin named Barrett, who was charged with damaging a newly-erected drinking fouiitnin in the Yauxliall Bridge-road. A policeman had seen tiic boy with a knife in his hand trying to get money out of the donation box, which he defaoed in 1 he attempt. This was his defence: "Me and another boy was a standing near the drinking fountain, and I* says to him, ' I'll lay you what you like there's a penny in the box,' and I borrows the kuift what the shoeblacking bciy (here rises, and I put ir into the slit in the box,- and it was just as 1 said, there was a penny." For making the wonderful discovery Master Barrett •was remanded till something move concerning him was ascertained.— London Paper. Curious Piiaykr.—William Cole says, " This was brought to me, Aug. 21, 1770, by Dr. Edwin, of Cambridge, from Dr. Colignon, who took it out of an old Fog's Journal; —' 0" Lord, thou knowest that I haye nine houses in the City of London, and likewise that I have laush' purchase:! an estate in fee-sim-ple in the county of Isssex. Lord, I beseech Thee tu preserve the two counties Essex and Middlesex from fires and earthquakes; and as I have a mortgage in Hertfordshire, I beg Thee likewise to have an eye of compassion on that county. And, Lord, for the rest of the counties, Thou mayest deal with them as thou art pleased. 0 Lord, enable the Bank to answer all their bills, and make all my dabtors good men. (jive a prosperous voyage and return to the ' Mermaid' sloop, which I hare insured; and, Lord. Thou hast said, ' That the days of the wicked, are short,' and I trust Thou wilt ijot forget Thy promises, having purchased an estate in reversion of Sir J. P., a profligate young man. Lord, keep our funds from sinking; and if it be Thy will, let there ha no sinl ing fund. Keep my son Caleb out of evil company, an-1 from framing houses. And, sanctify, 0 Lord, this night to me, by preserving me from thieves and fire, and make my servant honest and eavefVJ, whilst I Thy servant, lie down in Thee, 0 Lord, Amen."— Notes'md Queries. Discoveries at Cvkese.—Her Majesty's paddle fiteainur Scourge, 0, left on Saturday, for. Alexnridria, touching at Marsasuaa. on the north coast of Africa, t) disembark a person there lately arrived from England, on the part of the British Museum, to superintend packing the antiquities fouorl by Lieutenant Smith, R. V.,, and Lieutenant Porcher," R. N,, who have besn engaged for some months past, under the auspices of the I'oroig'i Office, excuvativitr amongst the ruins of the ancient city of Cyrene. The labors of these gentlemen have been very successful. They have already discovered several objects of marble statuary qf very great value and iwtiqnarmh interest. \yhjoli have avrivocl here by the gunboat Assurance, and fire to be convoyed home for the British Museum by Her Majesty's store-ship Supply. Encouraged by the remittance of funds from the Trustees of the British Museum, the work, which had besn previously carried on at their private cost, is now being vigorously prosecuted, and a number of natives have been taken into their employ. The articlos brought by the Assurance consist of a colossi:! statue oi' iEsculapius, eight feet high, a Bacchus, ::ix feet high; a statue of a female between four ant! tiva feet high ; a statuette of a female strangling a. lion. supposed to be of Diana; and upward-) of twelve ptfier heads pf various sizes, amongst them qne f«l3--pizu of Minervn, most exqiii-iitely sc!ilpti;:v>(l, and in an excellent state of preservation. Tin; fiice is of a bountiful contour, without a single blemish, the protecting peak of the helmet slightly broken in falling off its original pedestal, having probably saved it from injury. With the exception of Bacchus, which was found in a temple by itself, all the articles were dug out of the ruins of the temple of JJ^culapius, and the whole of them are of pure white Grecian marble. The statue of /Esculapiu-i is said, by the learned in such iwiUlta, to bo in tlr: best style of the art of the period. On account of the total absence of roads, and the hilly nature of tins country, great difficulty was experienced in carrying these objects to the coast, though only a distant".- of fourteen miles. The weightier uiwbles were p's.'*..;-! on to artillery wagons stfiit frp.m 5/ '.'*i fur t'v purpose, which ■{j^re dragged by thirty-tv. ; b.r.r j.ick'-'ts of Her llajesty's gunboat Assurance, ;■ :■! ■■■<■•• :;i of Lieutenant Smith's native blacks, the pa:-.,- .>-.:ing under the (lir.ection of Lieutenant Smith and Lieutenant £purd, It.jf., pf the above vessels. The excavation of the ruins of a third and very large temple has just been commenced, and Lieutenants Smith and Porcher entertain great hopes of further valuable discoveries being vnwXo.^-Malta Tillies.

Fhkn'ch National Dbht. —The« rapid increase of the public funded dftl.it of France ■•■jrhi:; p^ace has beon beyond ;dl precedent. In 13.;5. the whole deUof France only tum.-iul-.l to £50.CM. 101. I".i IStfl it had increased t.i ,K'li-',,'6.i5,i{:)2, arid in 18:'!8, iiccordiug to tlio last reliable rutiirn t-j <y'pi.;l: v:<- have aocess, it had fnrtiior )ii !>i:j!.u;l uii to .C-'-Tu.SG'.i.'Jjl. What it may be now »-•.■. dr. not p-ero-: I t.' s:v. though, doubtless, in di:j tiiiu wi! ishall kn ■,-■,/ iV ■■:* 'M. ifo;;M.

The ohah of Persiu hua adopted for his troops the French uniform.

| 'DUHLMIsic IX THE AKMY. ! An occurrer.ee has recently tak'-u place to which, as i i', has b-jon alluded to in military journal-., and is i being oxla: -;lo;iy ujVl".;s*l: i in military and ni.h'jr cirj cies, wo invo no' hesitation iu referring. The cireum- ] glances of the case, we believe, ar.; these .—A captain j in a distinguished cavalry regiment, no'.r quartered in i the sister isle, was wmie-moiuh* fi.p>, on h'.'ive iu London. l'as.--i;.g the evening at a military club, of which' he was a member, he was accosted by a gentleman who was dining there as a guest, formerly, we believe j in the army, but whom we will designate by the forj mer title oiily to make our story the more clear.. The I gentleman requested a few minutes' conversation with 1 t'ae captain, on somo private concerns', in which they were both interested, and about which it seems there had been some previous ill will botvvcuu them. The captain declined the interview, alleging that any communication on the subject, must take place in writing. The request was pressed, somewhat forcibly, and as forcibly declined. At a later period iu the evening, as the captain was quitting the club, the gentleman again accosted him in the hall, and repeated his request;, ad-ling that he would only detain him a few minutes. The captain, however, still adhered to his determination of holding uo personal discussion on the matter. Whereupon the gentleman advanced close to him, shook hisclandie.l fist in his face, and told him that as sxm as the legal proceedings between them were settled lie would give him as sound a thrashing as lie was capable oi'nuimnistevmg, or words to that effect. So far both parties adhere to the same version; but now comes a little di.screpancy", on whiiOi a g-x-at deal turns. The captain avurs that he sent a friend to the gentleman to require a retraction of the offensive words, and an apology or a hostile encounter ; but the gentleman dscliiiLil to enter into any ncf-oo:.ilion whatever on the subject until the pending legal proceedings were tenniiiatod, and, therefore, the friend considered that it wa-s usoius.s to demand the hostile one-Hintor which he was empowered to require. The gentlemp.n declares that he was asked for a retraction and apology only, both of which he refused to give. A j subsequent comuiurucatioa, however, iu wiiieh the | hostile alternative was distinctly included, he djclined on the same grounds. Certos, there has been no apology, no retraction, and no hostile encounter. All this took place more than a year ago, but somehow or other tiia matter was shrouded in such great obscurity that it has only very recently come to the knowledge of the regiment. But on its becoming known the Colonel in command, acting for himself and the body of oiiieers generally, required the captain to withdraw from the corp3. The technical and ostensible reason for resorting to thia strong measiue appears to be that tiie captain neglected to inform and consult with the body of ollicsr.s collectively on the occasion on this outrageous insult, which, it is asserted, it was his bounden duty to do ; but the real reason, avowed under no great seal of seeresy, is their opinion that ha did not demand any hostile en«o:inteV at all, and that he did not consult the regiment on the subject, from a consciousness that they unquestionably would have required him to " call out" his adversary. We confess we are ourselves quite at a loss to imagine which of the Quean's "regulations " justifies any such proceeding ; but we presume it musi be our ignorance that is in fault, since we are told that the commander of the forces in Dublin so entirely supports tue resolution of the regiment that a. final appeal to his royal highness the eouim.xuder-in-ch.ief has becoma necsssarv. —Post.