THE Otago Daily Times.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 242, 29 September 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times.

" Inveniam. viam aut faeiam."

DUNEDIN, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29.

To-moreow the committee of the Chamber of Commerce meet again to consider the offer forestablisbine; a steam service to Panama, the particulars of which were detailed in this journal on Monday last. From the short dis- j cussion carried on by the members at the meeting, at which they decided to adjourn the consideration of the question, we are glad to think they appear extremely favourable to the proposal. The chief objection, if objection it can be called, appears to be that the price mentioned is so low, that they cannot conceive the service can be efficiently carried out for the amount.

£50,000 certainly does seem a small sum fora service that will require the use of three large steamers, and especially does it seem small

when it is considered for how many years the practicability of establishing a line to Panama has been the subject of the mingled hopes and fears of a large portion of the Australian colonies. What will New South Wales think when it learns that only £50,000 stands between itself and the object of its many years ambition ?

Yet, we believe that there is not the slightest mistake, and that the Company will be glad to receive a subsidy of £50,000 a-year for a service which, without any gratuity, might be made self-supporting. New Zealand merchants have been so much accustomed to look upon mail subsidies as the only thing on which steamers should depend? that they are apt to forget that a good trade is better than a subsidy. They do not quickly recognise the changed circumstances which a few years have produced. For instance, a couple of years ago, a heavy subsidy would have been a poor inducement to any company to run a steamer between Sydney and Otago. Now there is one put on without any gratuity whatever, and that boat is likely to pay better than the steamer between Auckland and Sydney, subsidised to the extent of £14,000 per annum. To follow out this course of reasoning, it is easy to suppose i that the Pacific Steam Company already very successful in its ventures, sees a profitablechance of extending its operations, and asks of the Otago or New Zealand Government a moderate encouragement for doing so. Let us

suppose the company to possess good means at its command, and to desire to extend its trade, and we think that the inducements offered by the proposed line to New Zealand are such as are very likely to have attracted the attention of the shareholders. Before considering the various resources on which the proposed line may calculate, we think we are safe in drawing the deduction that the company does not hy any means place its chief reliance on the L 50.000 subsidy which it asks. We do so on the

grounds that if the line were to be one chiefly

for postal purposes, a small class of vessels would be used, whereas it is proposed to employ steamers having a capacity of 1800 or 2000 tons. This we consider a convincing proof that the company looks to other sources than the subsidy. Now let us examine into these sources. They may be stated as—first, passenger traffic ; secondly, carriage of treasure; and thirdly, a limited amount of ordinary freight, and a considerable amount of lire stock freight. In regard to the passenger traffic, it is not to be doubted that the Panama route will be the favourite one for passengers to and from all the Australian colonies. The overland route costs about £150, and the inconvenience, to families especially, notwithstanding all that the most costly care can devise^ is something serious. .The time occupied isv^niiMel-! bourne to Southampton 52 days, from Sydney 56, and from Otago 58 days, By f the Panama route Otago would bet 48i days from England, Melbourne 54, and* Sydney 55. Melbourne would thus be two days behind, Sydney would gain one day, Otago would gain tea days, and

the trtherports'of New Zealand the same. But the saving of time sinks into insignificance in comparison with the saving of money and inconvenience.- Instead of the variable uncertain weather between Melbourne ,and Suez, the voyage across the Pacific i 3 almost, without- exception, like a summer's day yacht excursion. The voyages coujd be performed with punctuality to the hour, and the passengers would searcelyunderstand the meaning of sea-sickness. In price the saving would be immense. We do not hesitate to say that the passage through from England to Melbourne would pay the two companies well at £85, and to Otago £80, and for steerage passengers the cost would be some £35. The inconvenience of crossing the Isthmus is merely trifling, and except for two or three months in the year there is no danger from malarious influences. Even during those two or three months the risk is greatly diminishing. When we come to consider the immense advantages the route offers, it is easy to understand that before long the company have a right to expect* a full load of passengers by every vessel,.. ~A saying of time and money will both be effected. What more could passengers desire. In these remarks we should add we have left on one side the passenger traffic between California and British Columbia and the Australian colonies. This is by no means inconsiderable, and the Panama line would have all the advantage of it. •'•■■•■■' ■'■ "-■ • - ••■••'-' : ■■

The Company would be able to rely on a tolerable revenue for the carriage of gold dust. The diminished risk of the voyage, and the saving of time are sure to make this the favorite means of sending gold home, and a considerable revenue will arise'from it. In regard to freight, a large quantity of heavy and valuable goods is sure to be sent by this way, as also many of the products peculiar to South America. We have alluded to the carriage of live stock. We refer to the very useful annuals for which South America is famous; but more especially to the Llamas and Vicunas, the exportation of which is about to be permitted by the Peruvian Government When all these sources of "revenue are considered, it will be seen the subsidy will by no means form the most important item the promoters of the line will have to depend on, and the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce may abandon their doubts as to the bonajide nature of the offer. We may mention also,^s stated by Mr. Iteynolds, that he has confided to us the name of his correspondents, and that they are a responsible firm, haying an extensive house both in Liverpool and Lima.

" Gay Mannering, or the Gipsy's Prophecy, was repeated at the Princess' Theatre on Saturday evening, to a capital house, with very great success. It is a musical drama of the style which did duty for opera during the earlier days of the struggle to establish a native opera ; and most of the music by Bishop is well known from the favor with which it has ever been received in the concert room, although it is there robbed of one great element of success—its appropriateness to the particular incidents in the drama—which so strongly marked all that was done in this way by Bishop. Oaly two of the members of the opera troupe appear in the piece ; Madame Carandini being the Julia Mannering, and Mr W. Sherwin the Henry Bertram, bat Miss Ada Hart and Miss Ettie Lewis each sing a song. Madame Carandini sang " Charlie is my darling' very dashingly j but her best effort was the highly-embellished air " Tell me my heart," the difficult fioriture passages of which she gave with much certainty and power. The introduced song " Ever of thee," was not very well rendered. Mr Sherwin also sang two airs, the " M'Gregor's Gathering" being the more effective ; and he took part with Madame Carandini in the " Echo Duet," which piece was loudly applauded. Miss Hart gave **■ Oh, slumber my darling," very sweetly ; and Miss Ettie Lewis really imparted feeling to the little gipsy song, " Hark thee young Henry." It is in the matter of fueling, or expression, that Miss Lewis is generally deficient; but she has now shown that she can remedy the defect if she pleases. The trio, " The fox jumped over the parson's jgate," was spiritedly given; and "The chaugh and crow" chorus went capitally. The scene in which this chorus is sung is decidedly the most artistic piece of theatrical painting yet exhibited in Duuedin. The broken rocks, heath-clad, and the quiet tarns, are excellently delineated ; and the " set" rock work with the gipsies' fire lend aid towards the completeness of the effect. The smugglers' cavej with the sea stretching off from its mouth, is another really good bit of work ; and altogether " Guy Mannering" was put upon the stage with most commendable, and no doubt costly, care. In the finale and chorus, " There's nae luck about the house," the spirit and point of what is irreverently termed the *'tag," were thoroughly maintained ; and as the curtain fell there was hearty andiwutained applause. It remains to be said that Mr T. Fawcett as Dandie Dinmont, and Mr J. Small as Gabriel, were both good; that Mr Young was very amusing as the absentminded pedant, Dominie Sampson ; that Lucy

Bertram was nicely played by Miss Hart; and

that it was an injustice (no doubt unavoidable) to Miss St. Clair to cast her for such a character as Jteg Meriilies, she being altogether unfitted physically, to look or. to; speak like the fierce old gipsy. The farce was " Out on the Sly." This evening j " The Daughter of the Regiment" is to be produced, for the benefit of Mr Charles Young. ; :

When the Lady Barkly was bringing away » load of passengers from the Accrington on Saturday evening, one of the sailors of the ship" managed to get on board the steamer among the passengers, and, as he could not be found, the Capt. directed the chief officer to proceed up to Dunedin by the 'steamer.. He did so, and on arriving at the Jetty he obtained the assistance of the police on duty, and, by keeping a sharp look-out, as the passengers by the steamer passed np to the wharf, the runaway was pounced upon and arrested. . ■"•' ■"".■■■

We are informed that a purea containing a sum of money, was picked up on Friday outside the Union Hotel, in Stafford-street, It is in the hands of the police, and the owner may obtain it by applying at ths police station.*

On all hands, during Saturday evening, one heard stories of the great'" back rush " on board the Lightning. It was positively*' affirmed1 by many persons, that that ship had Bailed for Melbourne 'with"'4oo passengers,, who had been disappointed at-the Dunstan, or with the prospects held but to them here';_' and others whohad " been on board in the afternoon," stuck flrmly to ihe; story that the■■ returners numbered -at least two hundred. The fact is the Lightning sailed with just eleven passengers. *

The streets were very much thronged on Saturday evening, between eight hundred-and nine hundred men, who had come from Melbourne in the Accrington, being brought up"from the port after dusk.--The bulk of them were old diggers, • and seemed to need very little .preparation for a start up country. The new arrivals, during the hist few days, have gone off very expeditiously ; and even yesterday morning saw long strings of-

them marching out of the city for the Dunstau or the-Nokomai field. - - • •

There was a ruraoar on Saturday at Wai- •"~ kouaiti that there had been some fresh discovery of gold within a distance* of fifteen or twenty miles, but'we have been unable to lejtrn that there was any foundation for the, report.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. CHURCH HILL. {To the Editor of the Daiiy Times.) , Sib, —With reference Xo Mr Lavrsoa's letter in the' Times vl this day, wherein that geatleman mentions ' ' that tb j proposition for the removal of Church Hill emanated from the Church to which it belongs. I beg to support Mr Lawsoa in his assertion that the proposition emanated from the Government, and that - at the time when Dr. Burus's congregation had arrangements completed for erecting a fine stone church at an expense of some £6000.; The proposition was met with a feeling of great disappointment .",-. by that congregation. ; By this proposition the erection of a new church, required, would be put off for three or four years, a very serious matter present state of things in Ounedin. The Church, however, did not wish to .«■ stand ia the way of the so-called " public impioyement," (as much entitled to be called a public improvement as in the wonte of Mr Lawson as would the removal of the Gallon Hill of Edinburgh/or the'''7". Necropolis of Athens), but gave' its assent unwil-, lingly. '. '"'.' " '■■'.- -■'' ■= '. ■\-. ■.' ■'■ '- ;: '■■.'."." ■'-' ■ '•• There 13 a strong feeling in our Church against this outrage on such a prominent object as Church Hill, which might, at no distant period, be one of the greatest ornaments of the city, and it would give ' us universal satisfaction were the proposed improvement given up, and^we left to erect one of the finest buildings in the city on the finest situation in that city. If the Government has a plethora of money, they can " Kill two birds with one stone " by dredging the harbor and applying the matter to the same purpose as they proposed with the material of Church Hill. Trusting you will oblige me" by insertion of the* foregoing, _ . c.. I am, Sir, AN OFFICE BEAEEE OF THE CHURCH. 26th Septembar, 1852. " •"■ THE PIKE-BELL.: {Xo the Editor of lite Dailt T»hs.) r Sir, —I rarely take up your paper, Mr. Rlitor, ■> bat what I find some confounded nonsense in it, which accounts for my seeing it so seldom as I do. However, whilst tajting my diurnal chop yesterday at my'favorite cafe (eating-house we called it before you Victorians came down), my eye vras caught by the in-. teresting letter of the Kiev. Isaac Harding', on the subject of ringing the fire-bell during Divine service, and the excellent suggestion made by Mr. Cargill in reference thereto. It instantly struck me that all difficulty and fear of a panic might be obvuited by the following very simple rule being observed— Let tie fire-bell be muffled. Sir, and then it will neither annoy nor disturb any one, least ot all Your obedient servant, "OLD IDENTITY." ♦ ■ MR. LAWSON ON THE CHURCH HILL. (To the Editor of the Daily Times.) Sir, —Will you allow me to sa. a tew words in reply to the leiters of your correspondent "R. A. Lawson," whose priudples of public discussion are so amu&ingly at variance with hi* practice. He has occupied two columns of type, and indulged in a good deal of uncalied'for vituperation by way of urging his views on two entirely distinct questions, which he erroneously supposed to have a connexion,—the dredging of the Harbour, and the removal of Bell Hill.

All he had to say might have been compressed into a dozeu lines.

Both pablic opinion and professional judgment long. since decided on the necessity of dredging the harbour and I am fet unaware that there is any one opposed to it. Some difference of opinion may possibly exist as to the removal of the Hill, bat surely Mr. Lawson's turgid eloquence is more likely to raise a laugh at his expense, tuan to make a convert to his cause. It cannot be denied that he deserves the highest praise for the disinterested and patriotic way in which he occupies his time for the good of his adopted country. . 1 do uot agree with his views, bat cordially admit the purity of his intentions. ' * - ■'■'■■.'- ■"/—'.. The only cogent argument in favor of leaving the Hill standing is, that its removal would retard the erection of the proposed Presbyterian Church for a i year or two. This is a point which Mr Lawson has unaccountably overlooked in urging his case, and he will probably be obliged to me ior suggesting' it. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, *.- : ■■ --■.' : .- ■' Spectator, HOTEL LICENSES. (To the Editor qf the Daily Times.) Sib, —Observing with pleasure that yea are following in the wake of your great contemporary the Melbourne Argus, and seem prepared, when necessary, to make a stand in favor of progression on the oae hand, and defence of public rights on the other, I venture to claim the aid of your powerful engine on behalf of one class of our community, who, in catering for the public wants here, invested a very large amount of capital; and are paying great sums to Government in the shape of licenses, but who do not' receive at the hands of that Government the protection which is their due after paying such heavy license charges. It is unnecessary for my present purpose to particularise as to the number of licensed hotels, beer and wine licenses, or unlicensed places where fermented and spirituous liquors are*sold j since it is impossible for auy observant person to traverse the streets of Dunedin and roads of its environs without readily perceiving the extraordinary state of the place in such respects. . -.. : Now, Mr Editor, let the members of our Government calmly consider this subject on the principle of doin< unto otters as they would wish to be done unto, and, I think it probable tha* such consideration would result in measures baing adopted to secure that protection to the legitimate trader which is Ms due. ■

Hoteikeepers are compelled by the Government to prove their respectability, to provide extensive accommodation, to burn lights, to subject their houses to the most strict surveillance, &c, and pay a heavy licence withal; aad with what object are all the restrictions and requirements on Hotelkeepers made 9 The answer can only be, that the public can be accommodated, and a guarantee for due protection of the public insured, which must be admitted to be proper; but if • such arrangements are necessary for the due protection of the travelling public and of public morals, why do the Government grant other licenses which so clearly resemble the hotdkeener'a licence, and act as .a blind, or cover, for carryinfoa all the most profitable portion of the publican's trad^ without the ontla^reauired by theiicensed Si cans'Act.^ And why Uo not the Government take measures to suppress, that immense amount-of «lv grog seUing now so general throughout the city and suburbs rlt s.well known that in nearly ev^rv restaurant, boaiding-house, and shanty, offering mZ he aceommodaUon.grog, &c., is retailed, anoifS be clear to all men that there isa ®o7 of S Consequently it .is in the first plaoe impoSbK; the police authonues, to exercise, suffidentwSfifl = ness and protection (the parties avaUinglneu^Sf wch accommodation teing of the clalmSSJ fable of being wronged, and requirinjf most d^^ toon), an act of great, injustice to an eSK respectable class of spirited men oi mea£ W te flirted for want of detecUve measuresl^nT? ,S-' censed persons. *""=» able cause ex&s for want of action leitW^ ??t are,atthiajuncture, extremdy^arS^* Having thus pointed out the exists..™. „* - moral malady and want of instiwf^ -a senous butnghtthiubS fiSSSJFiffi? *• £t ia do so better than by noin«n^ t^T y ' r cannoS example of vXrS and (althoughaevefS^eSStV^^rtfl^ ttere tSlation and Mcit sale ofsnWt^^^*V£ I^lclt s' communay are thereby secS^W9- 6111?" 1 of "Up Guards, and at them." ' ; •■• . - i-; .',lam. Sir, - Duu^Sept.ss,!^o^^^^^

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT Saturday, 27th September.

(Before A. C. Strode, Esq., R.M ) Wm. M/pouall wood cuttfr, of the Upper Harbor District, was brought up oa a warrant Lued at. Port Chalmers, oa an information sworn by Jesse Brooks, also a wood cutter. The information chargld that the defendant, » seeing me by the throat, swore he would drown me," that he would let me know who ha was, and that he would- have the -—S oat of ma. Mr Ward was for the complainant and M.L^^T5 f or the defendant, the latter beff ordered to find two sureUes i, L2O each, and to give his own recognizances in L4O, for his keeping he peace for bix months. ,1, F »'* Nnmsoi!3.-ConshbleNimon reported that nuisauces had been been abated in the caJesof il. Pollock E. Gojsoll, KwharJ Jenkins, Wm. Nelson, and Jame*

T.ie case of Wm. Law ami Others, was -uljourned to Thursday, and those of G. Fenju^on, Wm? Bateman Jredk -. Bates and David Wilkie, for a week John Fai-sie was fined 10s and costs Assaulting a Waxier.-John Murray, keeper of a restaurant was charged with amulting llobert Gteip. who-was one of his waiters, the compSaut who had a black eye said he was struck fou? ti£S knocked down, an.! kicked while on the ground The defendant admitted an assau^but said h! w™ greaSy aggravate! The...complainant .was saucy, and refused to work when 30 men were seated at" oreaktaat. and 30 more were, waiting; aml in consequence of the dispute, all the pen got mixed together, and left I 2f-,fii? *dnf hm S Paid for. what was eaten. A fane of 40v and coats was inflicted.

tv.v 1. ■ j »■. : c^lh cases. ■' ■•; Pilliet and Atkinsv.?. G, Isaacs was adjourned ffcoS^ 6t} *- Prfncipal Witaess ' in S v? James Canipbe.ll y.; Thomas Macartney—Was an "emergency suiiairaans,'! fqf.Lll Gs. Bd.. mainly for provisions supplied td th 4 defendant at Monroe's tJul.y. Ihe defenuan t said that he knew nothing of the account. He Avas,, mates with the plaintiff and anothev man for about five weeks, and all account* tor^ provisions as well as the division of gold, was made every Saturday night. There were two witnesses called, the conflict of evidence being most positive^ Judgment for the amount claimed.