THE Otago Daily Times. "Invenium viam faciam." DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 228, 12 September 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Invenium viam faciam." DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.

In homely language, "whilst the grass grows, the steed starves;" and whilst the machinery of the proposed new Marine Boards may be getting into motion, half-a-dozen fine vessels may be sacrificed to the unrelieved dangers of the const. Every vessel on its way to Melbourne runs the same risk as unluckily befel the Aldinga. There is no doubt that instead of a bank, that stea.uer struck a rock, ami no rock is marked on the charts. We have before us a piece of one of the bolts, two inches in circumference, that was snapped in two by the collision. The keel was quite bent, and the plates were wrenched as no sandbank could have done. The fact is, the New Zealand coast throughout has been imperfectly surveyed, and the scene of the accident has scarcely been surveyed at all. Meanwhile, as'we have said, the danger continues. It is now pretty well understood that a lighthouse is to be erected on Dog Island; ami supposing it to be of the " first class," it will shaw a light when the weather is not unusually thick, to beyond the spot where the Aldinga met her mishap. But in the meanwhile, som* precautions are imperatively required, ami we arc assured by competent authority.that alight of the third class on " Sloping Point" would prove of infinite assistance. The expense of the same would not be much, and we commend the subject to the attention of the Provincial Government. They might easily obtain permission to temporarily erect the light until the Marine Board had decide! whether it should be kept there permanently, and they might also cause a more complete survey to be made of the entrance into Foveaux Straits:

There is another subject of a like nature, which also calls for immediate attention. We allude to some steps being taken to keep the Channels of the Harbor clear. The main entrance h fiist filling up. The steamer City of Hobart lately grounded in coming in, at low tide, and on sounding found that she was in die deepest spot around. The clearing away the deposits with harroivs, which is now being tried, is a very imperfect plan, although rendered necessary by the urgency of the case. The sand cleared from one spot re-accumulates at another, and -creates a fresh obstruction. A steam dredge would not only ba useful, but is imperatively required, and not a day's delay should be permitted in acquiring it. Wj believe a small one can be immediately obtained in Melbourne, and when it had done what it could with the outer channel, it might be brought up to the bay, and a channel be cut to the jetty serviceable at all tides. We arc informed that a channel sufficient for the small Btoamers could be cut in six weeks, and its value it is impossible to over-estimate. Last summer there were several accidents in the small boats between the jetty and the steamers forced to lie outside, and one life was lost. In 1 the increased traffic there is likely to be during the next few months, who can say what accij dents may not occur. But, besides the soiairdredge of which we speak, a large one should be ordered from home to permanently deepen the harbor. la i a private letter received by us last mail, our

attention was urgently drawn to the subject. "You should advocate the deepening and im"proving your harbor; there is a prejudice " against it, and large ships are not sent there, ''and you know that it is only large vessels * that pay well for such a long voyage. A "good steam dredge could deepen the channel "sufficient to admit of the entrance of a vessel "of 2000 tons register to Port Chalmers; be- " sides it would be required to deepen the "inner harbor up to Dimedin. - It would be "of use also in the Molyncux and Taieri. " This is a matter of great importance to the "future of the Province as a commercial "centre. For example, should the Panama " route~be adopted, we could not accommodate " the steamers ; and, although it is not proba- " ble at present, a complication at the Medi"terranean or Egypt would send them our l< way at once. So you must advocate the im^ 11 provement of the harbor." Without entering into the question of the terminus of the Panama steamers, it is very evident that, if encouragement is desired to be given to firstclass vessels of large size to regularly trade with Otugo, the harbor must be deepened.

I jThe expense, no doubt, would be considerable, but, if necessary, dues could be imposed to meet if. We nre not unaware of the evils of-making the Tort unpopular by the imposition of charges, but the fact is, vessels coming hf-rc now arc subjected to more than anything ft fee could impose. In the high pritfe they have lo pay for insurance, and in the dangers they run, they have evils which they would cheerfully exchange for heavy dues. A steam dredge would undoubtedly be very expensive, both to maintain and in first cost; but then the good it wuld effect .is not readily calcuJaMe. Land to more than the value might even Le redeemed by deposit of the dredged matter. A merchant of this City has kindly placed at our disposal a letter from an engineering firm at home, covering an offer to supply a suitable steam dredge. We subjoin an extract from it:—"Regarding the dredger to dredge to a " depth of 15 feet, we offer to build one, " capable of being sailed out, and fitted with " masts, sails, &c, complete, ready for sea, for " the sum oi" £7,500. She would be about ■" 100 feet long, 24 feet broad, and would be " fitted with n false keel; the latter would be " fixed in such a manner that you can easily '* remove it upon her arrival out. We further H offer to supply iron punts to receive what "has been dredged and to carry 15 tons each, " for £300 each. If this matter is gone into, it " would be as well for you to let us know " whether the punts would be taken to the " shore and discharged there, or towed to deep " water, and we could make them to suit." The expense may seem large but it should be remembered that mere figures are no indications of extravagance. A hundred pounds for some purposes may be a profuse expenditure, whilst for other purposes ten thousand pounds may be an economical one. Under the latter comes a steam dredge, and at a future time we may take occasion to show that a patent slip is embraced in the same category.

Several forged half-crown pieces have been put in circulation among the publicm* and tradesmen in town. It is supposed that they are an importation from Van Diemens Lind. We learn that tfirce men have been arrested at the Dunstan, charge! with stealing a horse, the property of Mr. Dyer, of the E*st Taieri. We have to acknowledge the receipt of £3 from llii Honor Major Richardson on behalf of the Lancashire Belief Fond. The City of Hobart is announced to leave on the I7th, instead of the 18th. This will give her one more day to make the passage in. She will, in fact, have nine clear days, and can hardly fail to catch the steamer. The Gothenburg passed the llobsirt a day out from Melbourne. Shy would have reached - that place yesterday week, and was announced to sail again last Monday. Her arrival may, therefore, be expected to-mor-row evening or Sunday morning. As we think the City of Hobart may be relied on for the English mail, we shall prepare a Summary for that vessel, instead of for the Gothenburg, which leaves to-morrow. During the month of August the sale 3of town lands in Otago amounted to 30a. lr. The stun realised being L 2335. In the whole 121 quai teracre sections were sold to 60 purchasers. In Oanvmi, 23 persona took 52 sections, at a cost of LIOBS, or an average of LSI 18a. 51. per acre: Hnmpdeu, 13 persons, 19 sections?, L 322 Ws. realised, or an average of Lf>7 17s. Bd. Hawkoslmry, 11 persons, 31 section*. LG33 10s. realised, bein^ nt the rate of LSI 14s. B<J. per acre. Port Chalmers, 13 persons, 10 sections, L 514 realiseJ, or an average of LlO3 4s. per acre. The rural land sold during the same month amounted 3333 a. 2r. 13p., and the amount realised was L 6134 15s. Eight purchasers took 39 sections in the O.imam Hundred, representing 1540 a. lr. 32p., at a co3t of L 3792 153., or an average of Li 9s. 2d. per acre, there being one purchaser of 644*. Jn Waihola, 4 persons took 14 sections,equal to 1038 a. 3r--21p., one purchase - including 867 a. Iv no lluu dred, except that of Oamaru.did the average price exceed Ll per acre. The total number of sections sold was 83; number of purchasers, 33. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce takes place to-day, at 2 o'clock, at the Athanaeum. The report for the last year will be read. If its length is to be judged by the amount of work performed by the Chamber, it should be exceedingly short. Thelatest and best specimen of "servant-galisn." that we have heard occurred at a proposed hiring a day or two since in Dunedin. The lady inquired of the woman applying for a situation, whether she had a character from her last place, which was answered by the question, " had the lady a character from her last servant? Jlissesses had aa much right to show what characters their servants gave them, as servants had to show missesses." This being objected to on the part of the lady, no engagement was entered into. The position of the Sub-Inspector in charge of the Danstari gold field would appear to be any thing but an agreeable or easy one. Wo learn from a private letter, portions of which are quoted elsewhere, that Mr. Keddell, the officer in question, has a hard time of it, being placed in the position of " representative of the Government," and in that general capacity having to do dnty, not only as a police officer, but as a Magistrate and a Gold Fields' Warden, he having no Magistrate to assist him. He is, it seems, continually called upon to decide disputes as to claims ; and, not being a Magistrate, has no power to examine, witness** on oath, nor to enforce decisions, arid is therefore obliged to have recourse to arbitration- •

" Ellen Wareham" -ft-as repeated at the PrincesV Theatre last evening, and drew a good audienceMr, T. Fawcett, as Cresford, was honored with a hearty call after the fall of the curtain. Mr. C. Young was terribly droll a3 Dick ; and Miss Hart, improving on her Wednesday evening's acting, was really a most efficient representative of the heroine. There was again a good hoase at the jTheatre Royal, lust evening, and •' Hamlet" was for tb.3 fourth time played; most successfully. Mr Clarence Holt, as the Prince was especially efisc live in the closet scene, both while urging upon the Queen the sin of which she had been guilty in her second marriage, and in addressing the Ghost. Vt ith the actors generally, there was asuioothness and correctness which can only be gained by the repetition of a piece ; and we are sure that with the present company, the lessees may advantageously to themselves, and to the gratification of their patrons, re-produce the tragedy hereafter. Seyeral of the passengers by the Grasinere and Bombay, under the impression that Bank of England notes would pass current in this Colony, have been so unfortnnute as to bring out a considerable number. These are found to be not negotiable, except at a very heavy discount, as in ease of loss in transmitting them back to England the value could not be recovered. For the information of Jnew arrivals, we may state that it is not requisite to affix a postage stamp to newspapers for transmission to Britain, or indeed to any part of the Colonies. We noticed yesterday that come of the lately landed passengers were very anxious to know whether a twopenny or sixpenny stamp should be attached :o newspapers they were about entrusting to the pest. A meeting of the Darby Testimonial Committee, was held at tha Shamrock Hotel last evening, when the arrangements for the presentation of the testimonial were completed. The subscription lists towards the fund were found to be of greater extent than might have been expected, in the present dulness of trade. We uaderstand that the testimonial will consist of a purse of 100 sovereigns, and an addre3s, which are to be presented to Captain Darby, at a public banquet, to be given at the Shamrock Hotel, on the eve of bis next departure from Duuedin. A very disgraceful and inhuman exhibition was witnessed yesterday afternoon, by a large number of persons at the junction of Princes and Manse Streets. The owners of two powerful and savage >logs allowed the animals to bite and tear each other in the most shocking manner, for upwards of a quarter of an hour. No effort was made to separate the infuriated animals by the crowd, who by yt-lls and shouts, incited the dog 3 against each other, until the spectacle became disgusting and shocking iv the extreme. There was a cry raised by tM oor throe respectable parsons, for the interference of a constable, but, as frequently happens in such case 3, not one wa3 to lie found. Eventually, the attendance of a policeman wa3 secured, and the owners made to withdraw their dogs, who wwe at the time literally tearing each other to pieces. The whole of the single females by the Grasmere have met with engagements, at wages varying from X 35 to £40 per annum, a rate that employers generally cannot afford to pay for female helps, and more than young girls quite inexperienced in Colonial service, should have been allowed to exact. The manner in which these girla were hired out has called forth strong expressions of dissatisfaction from several quarters It nj>)>cars th<.t a system of permitting employers to bespeak servants previous to the arrival of a vessel has been allowed by the Immigration Officer, bo that when applications for servants were made on the arrival of the immigrants at the barracks, they were informed that most of the girls had been bespoke a some time back, and had keen sent cut to nuke their own engagements. In Victoria, when an immigrant ship arrives, the females are Liken to the barracks, where under no circumstances are they permitted to leave until they are engaged with some res;>eetafalc employer. On entering the barracks, the girls are placed in charge of .1 matron, who classifies them under the several heads of domestic servants. An announcement is then made through the local papers, at what day and boar the immigrants will be open for engagements. No person is admitted to the inside nntil he obtains a pass from the Immigration Officer, who will only allow those to obtain one who are known to be respectable. This being obtained, he presents his pass to the matron, who ranges before him those she deems qualified to fulfil the particular duties required of her. An officer appointed specially for the purpose, draws up the agreement for both contracting parties, for a term not less than three months. If any girl refuses to accept the current rate of wages, she is after forty-eight hours turned away from the barracks. Tin's, however, seldom" or never happens, ns the ministers of the several religious denominations are invariably present with their advice nnd recommendation to girls to take service where their chance of being respectably situated ovenveighs the advantages of higher wages in less eligible employment. No favoritism is allowed. The first comer is first served, uniij the shipment has been disposed of, the argument for this being, that as the immigrants are brought out from funds drawn from the general revenue, all are to ho placed on the same equality in the matter of selecting immigrant servants. The accommodation house and punt at the West Taieri Ferry have been leased by tender to Mj. Edwin Hooper, late of the. Prince of Wales and Mac's Hotels, Victoria. Operations were commenced yesterday morning for forming, pitching, and metalling Mansestreet. As the contract has been given to Sir. J, Ross, a very experienced Victorian road contractor, it is to be expected that the work will be satisfactorily and efficiently performed. The prospecting parties fitted out by the Canterbury Government were to start on the Bth inst TUe Lijule'on Times says:—" We understand that the Government has decided upon appointing two i prospecting parties* who will start on Monday next, fully prepared to carry on a systematic search for the precious metal. The southern party, which 's organised' by Mr. Haast, the Government Geologist, will consist of three men who will prospect the Waitaki district. The northern party to consist of four men, under the leadership of Mr. Chariton Howard, will restrict their labors to the Hurunui and the Teramakou vallies, This latter party will be organised by the Provincial Engineer." The Lyttleton and Christchuroh railway is progressing favorably. The Lyttleton Times states that tho inner tunnel works on the railway have progres£ed faster during the last two months than at any previous period. Daring the month of August no less than 146 feet of heading have been driven. On the Christchurch side the same hard black rock is atill met with wlueh has prevailed with a single short exception for six months. At the Lyttleton end the nature of the rock is as fevorable as could be desired.

The members of the newly-formed Fireßrigade went but for practice on Wednesday night for the first time. Bragging, lifting, hauling the engine over impassible places, up steep ascents and down rapid declivities, appeared to afford tha members the most intense satisfaction. Great efforts were made to induce the engine to pump bat without success Ie was found to be oat of order and choked with mud, but "ho m>re thaa what a little cleaning aai a/few slight repairs would set all to rights again.