THE Otago Daily Times.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 382, 12 March 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times.

" Inveniam viam aut f'aciam,"

DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, MARCH 12.

The late melancholy wreck of the Orpheus ought to read a solemn lesson to the local authorities of every port in New Zealand. Apart from the proximate causes of the disaster, there can be no doubt that the culpable negligence of the local authorities considerably aggravated the loss of life. The evidence elicited at the inquest,-to which we referred a day or two ago, clearly established a case of flagrant neglect against the Provincial Government of Auckland. Had the life boat at the Pilot Station been in snch~a con'ditiou that it could have been promptly availed of, there can be no doubt that many valuable lives might have been saved. As it was, the life boat, for any. effective use, might as well have been in Otago. And yet we question very much if public attention would ever have been drawn to this fact, but for the dreadful occurrence which has transpired. The public were satisfied with the bare fact that a life boat, was provided, taking it for granted that it was in an effective condition. The Pilot himself appears to have done his duty in the matter, and is said to have made application to the Provincial Government to have the boat placed in a condition of service. But the magnates of Auckland took no heed of his remonstrances, and the life boat was immured in a cave, from which it could only be removed with great difficulty.

What has occurred at the Manukau may occur on any day at any other port of New Zealand. There ia not a single harbor but what possesses its peculiar dangers to storm-driven or mismanaged vessels, and we question very much if at any of the numerous ports in the colony there is any really effective machinery for the preservation of life. Immunity from accident is apt to beget careless indifference, and the late disaster is an instance of this. Beyond one or two trifling wrecks, resulting from excessive stormy weather, the Manukau, despite its notoriously dangerous entrance, has been singularly free from accident. During the Taranaki war, many large ships, including some men-of-war, entered and left the Manukau in all sorts of weather with perfect safety, and the alleged dangers of the entrance began to be considered to a great extent imaginary. Thus a false sense of security led to the neglect ot the most necessary and reasonable precautions, the consequence of which has been seen in the attendant circumstances of the late wreck, and the local authorities have now awakened to a sense of the fearful responsibility that rested on them.

It is with regard to the ports of Otago that we would desire to enforce the awful lesson taught by the loss of the Orpheus. We should like to feel sure that there existed any preparation for such a contingency as has happened at the Manukau. If the actual dangers of the entrances to Port Chalmers and the Molyneux are of a minimum character, the immense ariiount of shipping resorting to Otago relatively increases the chances of disaster. More particularly should the bare possibility of accident force itself on the attention of the authorities when it is borne in mind that most of the ships entering the port carry in them large numbers of human lives. This fact alone invests the subject with an amount of serious consideration, which .ought to sink deep into the minds of those to whom the precautionary arrangements are entrusted. Several occurrences lately have shown that there is a possibility of accident, even under circumstances when least expected. The 'finest port in existence is not free from the liability to disaster. Wrecks sometimes occur quite unconnected with the safety or otherwise of the port which is the scene of the disaster. A ship becomes disabled, or perhaps ignorance or misapprehension on the part of her captain, leads her to destruction under circumstances the least likely to promote such a catastrophe. Such maybe the sase any day at Port Chalmers. Wrecks have

already occurred there, which it is nothing to the purpose to say owed their origin to causes with which the natural difficulties of the port had nothing to do. It is sufficient that they have occurred, though fortunately under accidentally favorable circumstances. It would be folly to expect that the port would ulways be free from accident, and it is quite possible for some fine vessel laden with pas- i sengers, to be wrecked at the Heads when least expected. It would be madness to suppose that the same exceptional circumstances which have attended the accidents which have occurred, will always be experienced. We should like to kuow, supposing during the gale in which the Red Jacket and City of Melbourne dragged their anchors, either of these vessels had been driven ashore with seven or eight hundred passengers on board, what preparation existed at the pilot station, or elsewhere, for such a contingency ? We are not aware whether there is an efficient life boat at the Heads. If not, not a moment's delay should be allowed in providing one, not only for Port Chalmers, but for the Molyneux. Is there any rocket and life-line apparatus ? If not, they should at once be procured, and every possible provision should be made against accident. Unless this is done, there is no security against the same serious aud awful responsibilities attaching to the Otago Government, as those under which the Auckland authorities now lie.

We notice with pleasure that a very fine life boat has been constructed for Timaru, where the landing is, on account of the surf, somewhat dangerous. The example thus set should be followed by every Provincial Government in the colony, in the provision at every port, of efficient means for the preservation of life. In fact, it would almost be bettter for the General Government to organise a complete system for the whole colony, and we are quite sure that the necessary expenditure would be cheerfully voted by the Assembly. Or an Association on the principle of the National Life Boat Association might be organised. There should be no difficulty in obtaining the requisite funds, andby entering into communication with the National Association, the society would not only be put in possession of the most reliable information, but would no doubt receive the active assistance of the "home Institution in procuring the most efficient life boats, and "other life preserving appliances.

An adjourned meeting of the Dunedin Rifle Volunteers, was held at the Shamrock Hotel last evening, about twenty members being present. The question, of uniform was brought up and cli* cited considerable discussion. Mr Ba.r,pett proposed that the ordinary blue shirt should be adopted, but an amendment proposed by Mr Hislop was 'carried referring the question to the decision of the committee. The plans and specifications of the proposed new; drill shed, prepared by Mr ■W. J. Jackson, architect, were considered by the committee and adopted with the unanimous approval of the meeting. The proposed drill shed is to be fifty feet long by thirty feet wide and roofed with corrugated iron. The walls of the building are to be weatherboard, and the roof which will be semicircular and of corrugated iron, will be to a great extent self supporting, being simply held together by iron tie-rods atjntervals of ten feet. The height of the tierods from the floor is ten feet, and the height of the crown of the roof sixteen feet. A small armoury is provided fifteen feet by nine feet, which will also serve as a support to the building. The entrance porch is left sufficiently wide to allow of the men marching out four deep. The provision for ventilation and light is ample and efficient, and the building altogether will be very suitable for the purpose, and quite as much as could be expected for the limited sum at the disposal of the corps. _ It is expected to be completed in three weeks from the date of commencement, and the only thing in the way of the work being immediately proceeded with is the procuring of the Superintendent's approval of the plans. It was resolved at the meeting last night that a deputation, consisting of Mr Moss and the Secretary, should accompany the architect, and wait upon his Honor to-day, to procure his approval of the design, when the erection of the building will be at once proceeded with. A vote of thanks was voted to Mr Jackson for his having gratuitously furnished the plans and specifications for the drill shed. It was intimated by the Chairman, at the close of the meeting, that a general meeting would be called at an early date for the election of officers.

The following is a list of the accepted tenders for the Government works from the 9th Feb. to the 9th March: —Resident Magistrates Court, Dunedin, Robert Fenwick, L 1.022 13s 3d, to be completed in three months ; carting metal on West Taieri road, about two and a-half miles, Silverstream to Turnbull's, Henry Wilson, L 2.474 17s 9d, 6s 9d per cubic yard ; East Taieri School-house, John Gray, L 998 10s, to be completed in three months ; metalling about sixty-five chains, Dunedin and Portobello road, Henry Wilson, L 327 12s 4d ; supplying of oats, &c., for police stations, John Hardy, at following rates :—Tokomairiro, 8s 6d per bushel ; Tuapeka, 15s per bushel; Mataura, 20s ; Wakatipu, 25s ; hay, per ton, Tokomairiro, Ll2 10s ; Tuapeka, L 29 ; Mataura, L4B.

In our report of the third days races at the late Champion Meeting there appeared among the horses running for the Hack Race, the name of Mr J. C. Campbell's Jack. We have been requested by Mr J. C. Campbell to state that the horse in question does not belong to him, and that he did not enter a hack for any one of the events.

The New Zealandcr in its summary of mining intelligence for the month, says : —" The attractions of the Otago diggings are making a clear out at Coromandel. The ease and quickness with which the gold is obtained at Otago may well draw our miners away from a field where gold can only be obtained by a tedious process, and with the aid of a large outlay. An attempt has been made by many of the miners now at Coromandel to register their claims, in order to proceed to the Dunstan, and work at those alluvial diggings. Anything of this kind we must on behalf of the Province and the bonafide miners^ most earnestly protest against. By such a course the development of Coromandel would be obstructed. There are two fields before the miners. If they elect. to proceed to Otago, let them go, but let them clearly understand that, in doing so, they cannot be allowed to lock up the available working ground in Cororaandel."

The following persons have been elected members of ' the Oivmaru Town Boiird :—William Sewell, James Hassell, Samuel Gibbs, Charles Traill, Michael Grenfell, Henry France, Thomas Glass, William Falconer, and Edward Hudson,

We had yesterday the opportunity of inspecting the inter:or fittings of the new building for the Bank of [New Zealand. The admirable character of the _ external decorations of the building, prepared us to a certain extent to find the internal arrangements on a similar scale of excellence, but we must confess to a feeling of gratified surprise at the really splendid scale of the fittings of the principal room. The bankroom is of imposing dimensions, and when the counter and othe-f fittings are completed, we question if it will be surpassed by any bank in the colonies. Polished cedar is the material adopted for the various fittings, and these are enriched most extensively with chaste and elegant carvings of classic design. The front of the screen separating the clerks from the public, is divided into panels, each panel consisting of an arch supported on solid pillars with ornamented capitals, the arch being edged by a deep moulding surmounted by carved work. The tellers' counter will present the appearance in front of being supported on massive carved pillars, and the tellers are divided from each other by large carved brackets. We are not accomplished in architectural lore, or we could say a great deal about the artistic excellence of the carved designs. We can however state that when completed and polished, the public room of the new bank will present a most elegant appearance. The arrangements of the building for the accommodation of the employees in the various departments of business are most complete, and have been planned so as to secure also the utmost convenience to the public for the despatch of business. The Provincial Government Gazette of yesterday, contains a copy of the Bye-Laws agreed to by the Dunedin Town Board, and which have been confirmed and approved of by the Superintendent. The Dunstan News of March 10 say's :—" Captain Murray, the gentleman who has taken the contract from the Provincial Government to run a steamer from the mouth of the Molyneux to its junction with the Tuapeka, arrived here on Saturday last, en route to the Lakes. This gentleman had previously forwaided a boat to this place ; and we believe it to be his intention to '• track" it up to the Kawarau, from which point he believes it to be possible to navigate the Clutha to the Wanaka. . We hope he may be successful, as by this means direct communication could at once be. opened between the Lakes and Dunedin via this place. There is no difficulty in constructing an excellent dray road from here to the Kawarau ; and ,if Captain Murray's scheme is practicable, Dunedin will be connected with all: the principal diggings by a road that, from . its low elevation above the level of the sea, must remain comparatively - free from snow during the winfcf months.1'

We take the following from the Dunstan News of Tuesday, March 10th:—There is little mining news of any importance to notice. The Mblyne'ux continues to rise and fall, but as yet there is no indications of its subsiding permanently. Every passing shower among the hills seem to cause a rise in the river, so that until the frost sets in there is little probability of a permanent fall. There are, however, at present a large number of miners at work on the banks, at a considerable distance above the water level, and we should not be surprised to hear that a lead has been found running into the bank. Those who are at present working these banks are making about four pounds a week. In the Provincial Government Gazette of yesterday appears a copy of an analysis of Tasmanian building stone made for the information of the Government. A sample of the stone was forwarded by the Provincial Secretary to the Geological Department for analysis, and the following is the published result:— Building Stone, Spring Bay, Tasmania. This is a very similar kind of stone to the one re ported ou some time since, obtiined from the same country. It has however, a finer grain, and contains a smaller quantity of soluble matters. But, with these advaatages, it is more absorbant of water, and lias a greater tendency to fa'l to sand; indeed in this, respect, it compares unfavorably with both the Saddle Hill and An-ierson's Bay building stones. This may beattvibuted to the very small quantity of cementing matters present. The base of this stone (insoluble matters in analysis) is exceedingly durable consisting as it doss of quartz and mica. The iron exists in the form or non-magnetic black sand, so there need be no fear lest the stone should color by age. The following is an analysis of it:— Water of combination ... '78 Alumina, with trace of iron 1-90 Lime ..-■ -20 Magnesia ... traces Soda , do. Chlorine .do. Insoluble in acids ... •. • 9698 99-86 The Hygroscopic water at time ot analysis was -60 per cent. Its specific gravity is 2-710.—William Skey. Laboratory, Feb. 23, 1863. The importation of Coolie labor into the colony of Queensland has been sanctioned by the Home Government. The arrangements are thus stated by the Argus: —"The Duke of Newcastle has sanctioned, at the instance of the Colonial Legislature, the extension to Queensland of the regulations under which Coolie labor has been made available on the sugar estates of Mauritius ani British Guiana. The substance of these regulations may be shortly stated. Authorised emigration agents for Queensland may be established in India, who shall be empowered to make engagements with native labourers, whose passages and all expenses connected therewith, shall be paid by the employers on behalf of whom the contracts are entered into. The services of Coolies can thus be secured for three years, and, after two years' of industrial residence in the colony, in addition to the first period of engagement, these immigrants may claim a return passage to their native country, which the Government shall be bound to provide, charging tho expenses in proportion to the various employers of the natives thus desiring to go back to India. It is required that in these engagements there must be one female to every four labourers of the other sex, and that, in the event of the sickness of the immigrants, they shall receive, in lieu of the Government scale of wages, such allowances as their case may require. Frequent mußters of the Coolies, and reports respecting them by their employers, are insisted on, that any who are missed may be reported to the authorities, and that the latter may exercise a sufficient supervision over the immigrants and the treatment they receive. The rate of wages to be paid to laborers of t'lis class, it is iusisted, shall be ten per cent, higher than the Coolies receive in the Mauritius. The immigration agent at Brisbane is appointed " Protector of Indian Immigrants. These are the principal features of the regula-

lions, but a variety of provisions are added to provent mere speculation in the labor of the Coolies, the termination or transfer of contracts by consent, tlie annual revision of the scale ■of wages and allowances, the prevention of collisions between the'lndians and the aborigines, &c. These regulations' are to come into force on the Ist proximo."

A notice appears in our advertising columns to the effect, that the Dunedin School Committee will hear objections to the Rate, on Friday, tlio 13th instant', at twelve o'clock, at Dr. Burns' Church. Persons who have sent in objections will have to appear personally and support the same.

The Fire Brigade had a special practice meeting last night, when a competition took place between the Hose, and Hook and Ladder Companies took the silver medal given by the Captain of the Brigade. Mr Rees. The medal was awarded to the Hose Company. The Bsigade exercised in George-street, and the working of the ladders was practised on the premises of the York Hotel.

A meeting of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge of Freemasons is announced to take place at the Masonic Hall, Princes.street, on Friday, at seven o'clock in the evening.

"We learn that Mr. Archibald, Warden of the Mount Benger Goldfields, has tendered'his resignation to the Government. '

A Hospital is about being erected at the Dunstan, and a Resident Surgeon will be required for the institution. The Provincial Surgeon notifies that candidates for the office must deliver their diplomas at the Dunedin Hospital, on or before the 20th of April. The salary of the office is £300 per annum with apartments and rations.

We have seen a collection of valuable medical and scientific books brought to this city a few, day's ago by a gentleman representing the firm of Mr F. F. Bailliere, the well-known publisher and importer of London, Paris, New York. Madrid, and Melbourne. The volumes we refer to have been selected from Mr Bailliere's stock in Melbournej aud include many rare works on medicine,, surgery, and subjects peculiarly useful in this country. Members of the medical profession and the savans of Otago, will, doubtless, be glad to avail themselves of the invitation which appears in our advertising columns, and take an early; opportunity of viewing these specimens of. an'uncommon class of literature, r :

The Lancashire and Scottish Relief Committee have adopted a novel method of collecting stray contributions to the fund. Yesterday a red box, not unlike a dog kennel" in shape, and bearing an inscription setting forth that it was a receptacle for the gifts of the charitable to the Lancashire and Scottishißelief Fund, was placed.at thVedge of the roadway opposite Fisher's Cafe, in Princes^ street, and we ,are glad to say that.on Its ■being opened last night the sum of £3 5s 8d was found in it, consisting chiefly of, sillfer.- We have rjeasoii to think that the box would have contained a larger sum-had it been more publicly known that is had been placed there under the sanction and control of the Committee. We'may however now inform our readers that the box is placed;there by the Committee, arid will be removed -every evening and the money duly accounted- fin If every passer-by, on " nobblerising" or smoking thoughts intent, would be" content, to forego a single " nip," or smoke one cigar, the less daring the day, and put sixpence into the red box, what a handsome sum might be realised I ■■'".., Information reached us yesterday of -the perpetration of two most violent and unprovoked, outrages at East Taieri on the previous day. ,■ We learn that sometime on Tuesday four Irishmen said to rejoice in the name of " Tipperary Boys," entered the store of Messrs M'Leod and Gibson at East Taieri, and, after making some purchases, which included, we are told, some whisky; they made a sudden and unprovoKSd onslaught on Mr Dick, the storekeeper, striking him severely with pannikins, billies, and anything they could} lay their hands on. They then went to the store of Mr Goodfellow and repeated their violent couduct on a person there. Ultimately a constable, after some clever practice, succeeded in securing two of the scoundrels, and the others were also afterwards taken by the police. We are informed that the prisoners -were to be taken before Mr Fulton, the Magistrate, yesterday, and will probably be remanded to Dunedin to be dealt with here.. . ''.'-. ...

The inhabitants of Sydney are now able"to oban that luxury in a hot climate—:ce, manufactured in the colony. The Sydney Morning Htrald sa y S . —« The Sydney Ice Company ; having completed their apparatus and brought it into waking condition, and having obtained a patent for the process, have now permanently commenced the manufacture of ice and its supply to the-pub-lic. The prise at present charged for "_thV ice, which is delivered in carts to the subscribers ; ia blocks of seven pounds and upwards, is threepence per pound, but it is expected that hext summer it will be supplied at a cheaper rate. The apparatus is the invention of-M. -Eugeiao D. Nicolle, and the manufacture is carried onunder his superintendence at JJarlinghurst. Patents for the process are being applied for by M. Nieolle in the other colonies, and in the meantime we abstain from publishing a detailed description of the appaiatus. We may, however, state witli regard to the principle of the operation, that ammoniacal gas is liquified by the pressure of its own vapour, and that by the evaporation of the liquid so obtained the cold is produced. The ice is perfectly pure and transparent, and is not in any way affected by the .chemicals used in its production. The manufacture has been delayed through the illness of the patentee and other causes, but there is not likely to bo now any interruption to the supply, and during the remainder of the warm season there is sure to be an extensive demand for the luxury."