THE Otago Daily Times.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 248, 6 October 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times.

"Invenium viam aut faciatn"

DUNEDIN, MONDAY, OCTOBER 6.

The arrival of the Postmaster-General in the Province affords the most opportune means of communicating with him in respect to the Panama service. We have reason to think that the plan suggested by Mr. Cargill of an arrangement between the Provincial and General Governments is not so impracticable as we at first sight supposed. On the contrary, we "believe Mr. Ward is inclined to favorably entertain the s. -no, and that an arrangement may be arrives it r'which would mutually suit the purposes oJ both Governments. A short review of the respective positions in which they stand in regard to the scheme will illustrate our meaning. At the late session, the House of Representatives passed a bill. appropriating, for a term of years, a "sum of-1,30,000 per annum, as a snbsidy for a line of steamers from' Panama. The sum named was considered to be far less than was required ; the remainder, it wa3 anticipated, would be made up by subsidies from the other colonies. In the meanwhile, an intimation has been made to the Government of Otago, froni which there is good reason to suppose that a line of steamers can be put on to that Province, at a far less .cost than it was contemplated by the passers of the bill would be required for the service to New Zealand. The feeling in Otago is in favor of responding favorably to the -ofier, and the Chamber of Commerce, representing the commercial community, has already expressed a strong opinion to that effect —of course one of the conditions to be, that in accordance with the desire of the would-be contractors, Otago be made the terminal port.

Beyond this condition' there is nothing in the contract which Otago desires to enter into which should in any way differ with the one which the General Government, in accordance with the vote of the Legislature, has it in charge-to make. Supposing that Mr. Ward, on whom we will assume devolves the giving effect to the Panama service .bill, lias no feeling in: favor of one Province over another, he will, in negotiating the contract, have regard to the interest of the colony as a whole, and if, as as can be shown, Otago is the cheapest port, there is nothing in the selection to wnich he should take exception. To Otago then, it is important to he selected as. the terminal port—-to Mt. Ward we are justified in supposing it to be a matter of indifference. But as ,Aye have said, beyond the stipulation concerning the terminal port, Qtago ; is entirely at one with the General Government. In regard to'every other, condition, it \ is the interest of the Province to make the service'entirely to the satisfaction of the rest! of the eoiony, and that of the neighboring' colonies. As far then as Otago in concerned" ' there is nothing to prevent the -PostmasterGeneral negotiating the contract oh its beh'alf;.providing he : wjU agree to be bouud by the , stipulation mentioned. On the contrary, the PostmasWr-Geueral, could .make the, contractmore efficiently than the Provincial Government, because tb'e neighbouring colonial-go- ' vernments >vould.be s inore willing .to correspond with Him in regard to their proportion of the expense, and the Home autaoritufe alsoI would bemorewiUingiocommaaic^teregard"ia6

the conveyance of the: mails to the Eastern side of the Isthmus.

Thus we find Mr. Ward has, to use a rather inelegant expression, " two stririgsfto his bow," The money placed at his command by" the legislature is not sufficient to negotiate for the service; he must look elsewhere for an additional subsidy. $Tew South Wales, no doubt, wonld be willing to aid him: so is Otago. , Let us now consider the relative advantages offered by each. If he ask New South Wales' assistance, of course the contract would have to embrace the carriage of letters to New South Wales. This means an additional cost added on to the contract of some £10,000 a-year. Again. New South Wales, jealous of Victoria, and desiring that that colony should receive its letters by way of Sydney, would stipulate for Auckland* or Wellington being made the port and that the steamers should proceed on without delay. But the contractors ask an addition of £5,000 or £6,000 if any port but Otago be chosen as the place of call in New Zealand, so that this, added on to the cost of the extra service to Sydney, would make the contract £15,000 a year more.than 'one. to Otago would cost. Whatever subsidy New Zealand and New South Wales may respectively agree to guarantee, it would" have to be arranged that the payments should be made proportionately to *the use made, not only by those two 'colonies but by the other colonies^'of the service. In fact there would be an adjustment similar to that which exists with the Overland mail. But the service to Sydney will cost L 15,000 more tlian that to Otago; consequently^rew^Zealand would be contributtts proportion to the extra and unnecessary 'L 1.5,000. Again, if the service be by way of New South Wales it is very certain Melbourne would make less use of it. To run a steamer direct to Wellington or Auckland would cost an enormous subsidy, and there would' be a natural disinclination to write by way of Sydney. New Zealand's proportion of the contract would, therefore, be increased by the diminution of the Melbourne contribution. On the other hand, if Otago be the terminal port, not only wonld the cost to the colonybe ■less; not only would the Melbourne contrii button be larger; but both Melbourne and Sydney would have to lay on a line of steamers at their own expense to carry to and fro their mails for and from the Panama boats. And here we should remark, and Mr. Ward cannot too strongly remember tins, that it: is not a choice between the different provinces as to which shall be the terminal point, but the question is whether .New Zealand shall be the terminus at all, or one of the neighbouring colonies, -'• : ■ !

When New South Wales was^asked to contribute to the Overland Mail Service, it made it a sine qua non that the steamers should proceed to Sydney. ' Victoria hesitated to take the responsibility of the entire, subsidy on itself, and at, we believe, k large cost, the boats go- on to Sydney. We may be sure if Mr. Ward asks the assistance of New South Wales, a similar demand will be made. The boats will only be allowed to call at a New Zealand port; New Soath Wales will be the terminus. Mr. Ward, then unless he accept the assistance of Otago, will not be able to hare New Zealand made the terminus of the service; and we put it to him whether, sooner than the selection should; fall on Otago, he would be justified in depriving New Zealand altogether of the advantage of being made the terminus? To sum up, then, it appears that by Mr. Ward electing to seek the assistance of the Otago Government the contract will be secured for a much less sum ; that this will l)e further reduced by Melbourne; contributions; that the colony will gain the advantage of haying steamers from Sydney and Melbourne free of cost; and that it will be made the terminal colon} of the Panama Service, whereas, otherwise New; South Wales, would - secure that advantage. ;.-,=, ,\: . ... r : :..- ■•.-,= , : . ■ ./■■;..,. .... ,■

Now let us see, supposing the Postmaster General elects'to act with Otago in what way a mutual arrangement can be made.' In the first place it would be the best plan for Mr. Ward to proceed to South America to personally arrange the contract, armed with a command of money. He has £30,000 already at his disposal, and he should decide what further sum would be necessary. The offer already referred to speaks of from £50,000 to £55,000. It would be desirable that he should have some margin over this, so that he might exercise a discretionary power in case a larger amount were required than the offer seems to - indicate. On this subject Mr. Ward should be consulted, and, whatever the amount decided on, -the Provincial Council could pass the appropriation for the same. term of years as the General Government. Armed with these powers Mr.

Ward would have no difficulty in completing the arrangement. The Provincial subsidy would, of course, be made to depend upon Otago being selected as the terminus,, and a rebate would be allowed for the contributions from the other Colonies. If the Provincial Government would undertake to introduce an Ordinance for the' purpose in the coming session, Mr. Ward would ho doubt be satisfied, and in the meanwhile .would not open negotiations with New South Wales, and we " trust. that before Mr. Ward leaves for the North-the matter will be placed on this basis.

A'disgraceful practice exists in Melbourne amongst; some of the police and magisterial, authorities of permitting those who; have brought themselves under the ban of the .Criminal Laws to proceed to the neighbouring colonies and escape 'the punishment to whwh they have rendered themselves liable. The other day an entirely new tieket-of-leave was found here belonging to a man over whom, a .sentence of- tea years imprisonment in Victoria .was hanging, but who, on obtaining his ticket, was evidently .encouraged to leave that colony. Instances of the kind were most numerous during the rush Lost year, and now ■we find one recorded in the Argus Just before- " the last steamer left. Under the head of Ppiice Inteiljgehce.the following is reported:— ~ •,/[ John ffowaid-'was brought up forse&tence, charged with being a rojue and vagabond, and discharged," lir order" that helmijyht have *an 'opportunity "of going to/New.'^alaSdr! where he aid h* wished to go. • ' '"- c- >■ i '■''-'■'l-i:

Here is a man, brought up for sentence, and Absolutely let off oh condition that he would proceed .to ,a neighboring colon}'. Such a thing as this is opposed to public policy, and 'the Home- Government would strongJy disapprove of if. The intercourse between different colonies is regulated by courtesy, they-having no official power of intercommunication. The. Home Government, however, can require that they preserve proper relations between each other, and would not sanction a course whicti if observed to an in-dependent-nation, would be deemed a sufficient cause of war. Fancy England emptying ship loads of convicts on the shores of a foreign state. The difference is only one of degree, and its obvious consequence will be to force a retaliation. If Victoria permits its criminal population to come to Qtagr, this Province may retaliate by at once clearing out its gaol and contracting for the passage of its prisoners in one, of the return ships to Melbourne. We hope the matter will be brought under the notice of the Judge, and- by him communicated to Sir George Grey, who should bring it before the Home authorities. .

" Wallace," . a stirring drama, embracing some of the leading events in the life of Scotland's hero, was produced at the Theatre Koyal on Saturday evening. Mr. Holt looked admirably, and played well, a3 Wallace ; Mr. Wolfe was an excellent representative of the rough old patriot, Kirkpatrick ; and Mr. Shiels brought out the quaint humour of Allan most graphically. Madame Duret was the Lridy Marion, and Mrs. Holt the Helen- Mar. The piece was successful .- the many broad-sword combats being received with loud applause. The nautical drama, "Blac'kr Eyed Susan," ; with Mr., and Mrs. Holt as the William and Susan, was the afterpiece, " The Will and the Way" is to bo produced this evening. ..

"The Daughter of the Regiment" was re peated at the Princess's Theatre on Saturday evening. V Madame Carandini and Mr. Shcrwin. were both in capital voice, and everything passed off successfully. In the interlude, Madame Whyte sang " Wappipg Old- Stairs," and being encored, she substituted "My Boy Tammy." Etach l was well and correctly sung, but neither was ;»! effective as we believe Madame Whyte could have made it. Her voice is a good and pleasant one, but her style wants spirit and expression Mr. Small was called upon to sing three songs ; and Miss Ada Hart was encored in the Spider Dance. "The Pacha of Pirnlico" concluded the entertainments.

To-night the drama of "Jessie Brown ; or, the Relief of Lueknow," is to be produced.

By the Geelong we have Canterbury papers to the 2nd inst. The only item of interest is the ipening of the Session of the Provincial Council, which took place on the Ist. The proceedings •>vere merely of n formal nature. The House was adjourned to tfoe 3rd.

The usual meeting of the Dunedin 'Debating Club will be held this evening, the subject for liscussion being "whether the neutral policy of England in relation,to the _, American struggle is justifiable."

It will be seen by an advertisement which appears elsewhere, that the time for receiving tenJ ders for carrying the Waiwera and Nokomai <nails has been extended to Octoberl3th.

We are glad to notice that Mr Geprgs Fawcett, •ffith Mr Kohler and Mr Hopkins, arrived yesteriay by the Aldinga. from Melbourne.

At a special meeting of the Victorian Council jf Agriculture, the judges of tobacco expressed an unfavourable opinion of the colonial-grown to bnced. The report states:—" Ist. That the leaf is coarse and rank, and* very far from being suitable for the-manufacture of'smoking or chewing ;obaeco. 2nd.Thatit is very imperfectly cured,being *vet, gritty, and most miserably bundled together This bale of tobacco, if kept a short time, would rot; and if manufactured, would also soon perish, md would, from its quality, be unfit'- for consumpg ion. Ou-the motion of Mr Mackenzie, it was resolved that, in accordance with the report of the fudges as to the inferiority of the leaf tobacco, no premium should be awarded, as the sample shown was worthless1 for both the purposes of manufac cure and consumption. The premium -offered by die board for the best manufactured tobacco was irdered to be awarded, in accordance with, the report of the judges to the sample Avith the number 156.20, exhibited; by Messrs Loghnan and^,C6. ; jf Melbourne.

I The Mining Board ofßallarat have petitioned the j Victorian Legislature relative to the necessity of a Bill to regulate mining on private property. The 1 petition states :■—" That while there wero'suffig" cient Crown lands available to supply the demand )f the miners, there was no urgent necessity for Legislative interference in the matter of mining on private property ; .but now that the whole of che shallow workings are nearly exhausted,- and che richest deep leads are trending into alienable :ands in all directions; it becomes matter of the - most urgent and paramount importance that a law should be speedily enacted to adjust the reations subsisting between" the miners claiming cheir lawful right to the gold on the one hand, ;ind the owners of lands in which the gold is deposited on the other. Some curious statistics are luoted to substantiate the importance of the subject :-— '.' Length of leads, already ascertained to ' Vraverse private property,, 99, miles; .number of inch now employed on such leads, 422 ; number of j men that could bQ employed on-such .leads is equi-. valent to (for the space'.tf one y£ar), 215,125: , value of gold locked up 'ia these leads, as ascertained by various data of a most reliable nature, £36,106,568 ; number of shafts that would be required to work these leads, 169 V,; quantity of ; and that would be required for slwtfts and approaches to srtcb. shafts, 16,517 acres ; value of such land for one year at the rate of £1 pot acre, £16,517 ; five per cent, on the gross value of the ioldji being the miaimum. chargeu>f the ojv^ers of private property for' I;he' permission to' mine, £1,805,328 ;" value of machin'riry. that wonid " be required if the work could be carried on, £4'953,170j value of the* gold lying idle after paying the highest Tato of impost, L34>301,240.'!

The admirable result which have attended iho. Post Office Savings Bank m England, have induced the postal authorities to recommend the implication cf tiie organisation of the Post Office ' . tp another branch of public business.. It is eon- •;, templated by the Govcrnrhent to buy-up.all 4t!ie telegraphlines tn^ Great Britain, and, conuect the telegraphic service with the1 Post Office, making each post oSfera telegraph, office, -It is also ■ intended to charge a.aniform :_rate for messages •between aU parts of .the United Kingdom* ; . ■ The workmenQagagedin the levellmgof Bell flill have stmck " payable ground." Thegeo-. logical iadic|tiOus are' not however auriferous, btt£ a deposit of yery" Valuable building" .sand has • been out* For Ithis/ we' understand, iwo sbillingfl.a;loadjr4s freely giveu-by the buiidepa.j^ '-

Theeffects of tfiei^^^ndTlwKlih BiaVfre? vailed for;thef:laßtztwo px^<^:^B,:j^j^ fenced in all quartert of: the city and its entirona. Buildings in course of construction have juffered most, roo& having beefa displaiccd and walte blown down in numerous iristahces. Inthe outikirts of the town numbers of large trees hare been t«ru up by the roots, and limbs and branches of trees sfirew the roads in manj:direc* tionfl. In the Bay, boats have been swamped, or blown ashore, and the passage to and from Port Chalmers in the plying steamers was ajrather dangerous journey. .

"flTe understand that reinforcements were already on the way up to the Dunstan, and would probably reach that place on the day our correspondent's letter was dated. The Government ought before this to have secured the temporary gervicesof a magistrate on the field. Until Mr.Keddell'a commission arrives he is almost powerless. ■ ■ ■■ • - ■■ ■■ ■■•■- ■:•■-■■ ■' . ;- : f-.

Considerable excitement was caused in the town on Saturday, owing to anibst welcome innovation 'upon the butchering monopoly. The s.s. Storm Bird brought down a quantity of carcases from Wellington, but, ovring to the steamer having been detained slightly on the passage, the meat, although perfectly whole"some, was not considered \by the consignees to be in sufficiently good condition. Accordingly, the lot was sold by auction, the purchaser „ being Mr Charley Williams, of the Gridiron Hotel, Princes-street, who afterwards retailed the meat to the public at 6d per pound. Publicity was given to the fact by the bellman^ and a great crowd of persons clustered round the impromptu shops, and engerly bought up the food thus easily placed within their reach. We understand that under the expectation of being able to land them for s'aughter Trithout impediment or restriction, Mr Williams has purchased some sheep from the same vessel, and only waits the sanction of the authorities to land them, when it is Mr WilliamsMntention to retail the meat at 9d per pound. From all we can learn it is probable that animal food will soon be cheaper in Dunedin.

The return of immigration and emigration for the quarter ending the 30th nit., which we publish elsewhere, shows that dming that period there was an addition of 7,220 to the population of Otago ; 8,557 persons having arrived and 1,337 having departed from the Port ofDunedin 7,506 of the former, and 1,197 of the latter, number being men. From Australia we received; 6,466, including 5,736 men; and 802 returned to those colonies, including 729 men.