THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN. THURSDAY, MARCH 26.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 394, 26 March 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN. THURSDAY, MARCH 26.

A. good deal of indignation has been aroused in Australia and Tasmania, at the supposed intention of the Imperial Government to revive transportation to those colonies. There can bo no doubt, that the <>vils resulting from he transportation of criminals to c:;loni.<ed countries have been so severely felt in the Australian colonies, that any attempt to revive the system on its old basis woutd he me; by the most determined resistance. In Victoria and New .S.'Uth Wales, public feeling is unmistakeably against any further influx of criminal poptilatiou, and we think it exceedingly improbable that the Imperial Government will, in the face of so much opposition, seek to force the disagreeable measure on any of the settled colonies of Australia. On tlu other hand, there are not wanting advocates for a revival of transportation to those portions of the Australian Continent, which, separated by hundreds of miles from the populated districts, are considered to offer fac.lilies for the foundation of penal settlements without involving any injury to the settled parts of the continent. But the- press of Victoria and New South Wales are loud in denouncing any extension of the existing penal settlements of Australia, and strongly oppose their formation. In Tasmania, we notice that one of the principal journals, and some of the inhabitants, are in favor of extending transportation to that colony, con sidering that the consequent increase of Imperial expenditure would be a sufficient panacea for the attendant evils of the system. We regret to see such a short sighted, mischevious policy adopted by the people of Tasmania—a colony which, of all others, has suffered most from the infusion of convict blood. In common with our Victorian contemporaries, we strongly protest against any further extension of the system of transportation to any of the settled colonies of the South Pacific. The conversion of Tasmania into a huge penal settlement, would poison all the neighbouring colonies, and would be a standing threat to the peace and order of society. But granting a revival of transportation t> be necessary, and judging from existing appearances in Eiig and it undoubtedly is, the question arises where should the convicts be sent to ? Whether any portion of Australia is to be doomed to a further infliction of the convict curse depends in a great measure upon the colonists themselves. Although there is no probability of convicts being sent to New Zealand, yet this colony cannot afford to be silent on the subject. It must he clearly understood in England that none of the Australian colonies will permit any further extension of transportation. Even if the formation of penal settlements on the northern seaboard of Australia would not just at present be fraught with much danger and inconvenience to the Australian colonies, a few years would, in all probability, ma!\C their existence intolerable. In the present age of rapid progress, who can predict the future of the hitherto unknown regions of the Australian continent. A few years hence may see the gulf of Carpentaria the stat of cities and prosperous settlements. If the colonists of Australia allow their i northern coasts to be peopled with a criminal 1 populat on, the time will come when the fruit will be seen in a total dii-organisntion of society, and the whole continent will become a

very plague spot, on the face of the earth, spreading the infection to all the countries within reach of its influence.

But it is also necessary that the colonies should provide for the safe custody anil proper treatment of their own criminals, and it is to a laxity in this respect to which, in our opinion, may be ascribed the prevalence of serious crime in Victoria and New South Wales. And unless the Legislature of Jfcw Zealand take warning in time and place the whole administration of imprisonment under a system more calculated to fulfil the purposes of punishment the colony caunot expect (o escape the consequences, of which the neighboring colonies ailord such striking examples. We are glad to see that Mv Justice Johnstonc has drawn attention to the inadequate nature of the existing system of imprisonment and punishment in New Zealand, one which he considers eve:i more unsatisfactory in its results than that followed in England from similar mistaken ideas i:i regard to the treatment of criminals. The formation of a central penal establishment for the Middle Island, which we have advocated on more than one occason, is, we find, also strongly recommended by the Lyttelton Times. Our contemporary suggests the West Coast as a most suitable locality for a penal establishment, where the prisoners might be employed in the construction of harbor works. We incline to the opinion that it would be far better to place it either in the Chatham Islands or Stewart's Island. At the latter place the formation of a harbdr of refuge would be of incalculable benefit to the large number of ships that pass through Foveaux Straits, perhaps the most stormy part of the coast navigation of New Zealand. > The Straits are sufficiently wide to prevent the escape of the prisoners ; and their labor-ini^ht be turned to profitable purpose, either in the construction of harbour works, or in felling and sawing timber, of which such l:irge quantities exist in Stewart's Island. Wherever it may be considered best to place a penal establishment, it is very necessary that the attention of the General Assembly should be devoted to the subject; and we hope if a special Middle Island Session be held, it will be one of the questions dealt with.

We publish in another column a letter from Messrs Cole, Hoyt and Co., although in doing so we depart somewhat from our usual rule, the primary purpose of the letterin question being to contradict a me idacious statement which appeared in another paper. Indeed, if we were to permit such communications generally our columns would be very much monopolised, seeing that the journal referred to is in the habit of displaying its total want of adhesion to the maxim Magma est veritas. But in the present instance, the contradiction of the false statement is the least important part ol the letter.

Messrs. Cole, Hoyt, and Co., justly complain of the vrant of encouragement given by the Government to the opening up of inland communication. Subsidies, they,3ay they bestow liberally enough to encourage water communication, but there is no. heed gh en to the promotion of inland traffic. What districts are more important to the Province than those of the Wakntipu and the Dunstan, and what more nalr.ulatud to .serve.them..than to open communication between them and Dunedin. Messrs. Cole, Hoyt and Co,, say it will not jay thtm to run coaches to these places unliss they receive a sul sidy for the car. iage of the mails. They ask no monopoly. Let tei.ders be invited, specifying only that coaches instead of pack-horses be used. We cannot see how there can be any question that it is politic of the Government toeiicouiage the running of coaches between the met'opolis and the principal gold fitids. The mails, too, shculd be sent when practicable by coach ; t::e danger of the present system is scarcely to be overrated. Of course very much depends upon the price nsked, but if anything in moderation will save the Dunstaa co iches from being taken off during the winter, and will afford a means of communication between the Lake and Dunedin, we are sure we but speak the voice of the whole country when we say that the money would be well spent

I Professor Parker sailed upon us in reference to an advertisement which appeared in yesterday's pipjr, disputing his right to tlu titlj ot Chanpion' Swordsman of the Australian Colonies. llj lia-i submitted to us a Sydney Morning Herald, of November Isth, 18.55, in which appeirs a long account of what is termed a Granl Assanlt d'Arms at D.iwys Battery. In it is stated " tha great attraction was ths combat in broal-sword fencing and bayonet exereiss for a priz;, an I the Championship of Australia. Tha Umpire anl the Ueferee—Sir D. Cooper—adjulged Professor Parker to ba thu winner, and in responding to the intimation he expressed his grain" nation at having been declared the Champion of Australia.'' Professor Parker also.produced to us a copy of Belt's Life, dated November 22, 1852, in which he gives an opj;i chdie.i^a to.any on 3 to fence, siick play, bayonet v broadsword, and box with him. On th»s'j grounds, and that he has naver declined ti challenge, Professor Parker claims to be considered the champion of Australia. The advertisement of which ho complains merely challenges him to the broadsword ; whilst professing himself ready to accept the challenge, he denies that this branch of swordsmanship should entitle the winner to be considered the champion swordsman. We make these explanations as Professor Parker considers that the advertisement referred to throws on him tne imputation of representing himself to be that which he is not. This misunderstanding at an end, it is to be hoped that nothing will prevent Mr Parker's acceptance of. Mr De Loree's challenge

We learn that the Government have resolved to erect forthwith a substantial jetty at Moeraki.

We are glad to be able to state, that at the request of the Town Board arrangements have been made by the Government for keeping the Beach lioad in front of Be-11 Hill open for ten days. This will prove a convenience to persons attending the Court house. .

A meeting in connection with the Dnnedin Building and Land Society will take place in the Masonic Hall, Princes-street, on Monday, Ap-il Cth, when the sale of tho quarter's cash will be proceeded with.

The amount deposited in the Lancashire and Scottish Relief Fund box yesterday, wasLl 6s 9J,

Five gentlemen who ought to have served upon the Grand Jury in the Supreme Cjurt yester lay, but who did not appear, will this morning have the pleasure of showing cause why they should not be fined for their.neglect ; and several of tin Common Jury panel will have a- like ploasan; occupation.

We have to draw attention to the Governmfew land sales of town sections in the townships o' Waihola and Molyneux. The Waihola sale wil be held in the school house there, on Friday tin 28th April, and that at the Molyneux, at tin Molyneux Ferry, on Thursday the 30th April.

The adjourned general meeting of the Committee of the Separation League will be held tint afternoon at 4 o'clock, at the Athenaeum.

Tenders arc called for in our advertising columns by the Provincial Government for tin erection of bridges over the Waipahi and Waikoikoi rivers. Tenders will be received until noon of the 14th proximo, and the plans and specifications may be seen at the oftice of the Pro vincial Engineer, and at the police station, Po-

potuna.

Surely out of the members of the Town Board there is one sufficiently sensible of the requirements of the public to bring before the Board the necessity of placing an extra lamp in the Cutting! until the present works are completed. The only side of the road available to the public is, cvcii during the day time, a perfect Slough of Despond, buc at.night it is almost impossible for pedestrians, more particularly females, to avoid plunging ankle deep at every step. We noticed last evening numbers of persons attempting by means oi lanterns to pick their way through the alternate pools of water and muddy holes which block uj' the path, and others, including some ladies, not fortunate in the possession of a light, floundering about in hopeless despair. We are not so unreasonable as to expect that while the present alterations are going on the roadway can be anything but uncomfortable, but we do think that a little consideration on the part of the Uoari] would suggest the necessity of making this thoroughfare as tolerable as possible. A very small outlay on an extra lamp would, we are sure, be keenly appreciated by those who are compelled to traverse the Cutting aiter daylight.

There was nn average attendance, but no noveltj-, at the Princess Theatre last evening. Mr Wolfe, it should be said, was very effective, and legitimately so, as Quasimodo, in the concluding scenes of " The Hunchback of Notre Dame." This evening " Gisippus" will be produced. The house should be filled, so interesting is the \>kw f and so excellent the acting of it.

Saturday has been fixed by the Regatta Committee for the five matches in the original programme, which the unfavorable weather on Monday caused to be postponed.

The brig Adolph takes from this port, for Nelson, a party of twelve experienced Victorian miners, lately from the Shotover, who leave with the intention of following up the discoveries on the Buller, and opening, if possible, a route from a good harbor on the West Coast to the Lake district. Their names are as follows:—Dan M'Allister, Jas. Callaghan, Phillip M'lnro, Patrick M'lnro, Adam Ireland, Louis Whidiff, William M'Laughlan, Mylcs Glynn, John M'Fea, John Little, Christoper Munro, and Joseph Egan. A second party of twelve Victorian miners, also from the Shotover, has, we learn, been organised to explore the West Coast, and it is their intention to sail in a craft which they have pur-e-based. The adjourned Criminal Session of the Su.pvnmn Con it., w»o mmnrnced yesterday forenoon before Mr Justice Richmond. His Honor's charge was chit fly devoted to remarks upon the advantages likely to accrue from the establishment of the Court of Appeal, and from the operation of the Debtors and Creditors' Act. His Honor afterwards explained that the order for police officers to appear uncovered in Court, was resolved upon by the Judges, only because it was more consonant with English law that they should be regarded as civilians, or peace officers than as appearing in any military character— military men, as such, being in fact not recognised in the Court. The G"and Jury found "No bill," in the case of Alexander Cross, charged with uttering a forged instrument, and he was discharged. A. J. Redmond pleaded Guilty to a charge of maliciously cutting and wounding Jane Ridd, in Duncdin ; sentence was deferred. Robert Timmins was found Not Guilty of stealing a watch and chain at the Craigieburn Hotel, Walker-street; and a similiar verdict was returned in the rase of Alexander Henderson, charged with stealing money in a tent off Stafford-street. But this result was not achieved until the Jury had been locked up nearly five hours; it being between half past nine and ten o'clock when His Honor was sent for to receive the verdict. Thero was one obstinate juryman who would not agree to the verdict, which his eleven fellows had come to before leaving the dock, and which we believe almost every other man in Court would endorse. The jury in the case of Timmins having been discharged for the day, and several who were then called not answering to their names, only eleven of those on the panel could be got into the box. The Sheriff after a long scrutiny of the auditors generally, selected one who was persuaded to serve as a juror; and he suffered for it by the five hours inconvenience described. The following cases are first in order for to-day:— Louis Emile, Henry Spires, William Reid, and Richard Green.

• At the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterdaymorning, a young man named John Henry Duftv, was charged with stealing some silver from the shop of Mr. William Meikle, a baker, carrying on business in Maclaggan-street, on the 14th instant. The prisoner was committed /or trial, being admitted to bail. , The other cases disposed of were of an unimportant character.

Owing to the absence of tho Police Magistrate, Mr. Strode, at the District Court yesterday morning., several civil cases which were on the list for hearing, were postponed till to-morrow (Friday).

A trifling question has, it appears, had the effect of somewhat disturbing the harmony of the Rifle Association recently formed in this city. At a "meeting of the Committee which took place on Tuesday evening, a difference of opinion aro3o as to which was the proper officer to receive subscriptions—the Honorary Secretary or tho Treasurer, and after a lengthened and rather warm discussion, the question was allowed to stand over until after a code of bye-laws noiv being framed by a sub-committee had been submitted. It is to be hopsd that such paltry disputes as. these will not again take place, as a recurrence will in all probability tend to obstruct the progress of an association which has hitherto been characterised as an unqualified success.

A meeting of the Licensed Victuallers is called for this day at eleven o'clock, at the Exchange Hotel,

A meeting of the members of the Dunedin Volunteer Kiflc Corps (No. 1 Company) was held yesterday evening at the Shamrock Hotel, lor the purpose of electing officers, nnl the transaction of ithcr business in connection with the association. There were about thirty persons present, the clmir being occupied by Mr Frederick Moss. It having been decided that the election should be by ballot, the following appointments took place, Messrs James Petherick and James Gillos acting as scrutineers : — Captain, Mr Fred rick Musa ; Lieutenant, Mr F. C. Leggett; Ensign, Mr "W. G. Jackson ; Assistant-Surgeon, Mr Harry W. L\ Smith (his name to be forwarded to the Commanding-Officer with a recommendation that lie be appointed) ; Senior Sergeant, Mr Willimn 'Murdoch ; Second Sergeant, Mr Joseph O'Mengher ; Corporals, Messrs Robert Jenkinson and Adam Somerville. There were two candidates nominated for the Captaincy, five for the Lieutenancy, four for Ensign, one for Assistant-Sur-geon, four for Sergeants, and seven for Corporals. The election being concluded, the Honorarysecretary, Mr O'Meagher, reported that two tenders had been received for making the uniforms, the lowest being that of Mr Andrew Anderson ofßattray-street.at the following rates :—Tunics, to be lined with silesia; and including trimtningr, 153 Cd each ; caps, including trimmings, 2s !M each, provided the number was not less than 30. It was intimated that those members who wished their tunics lined with alpaca would have to pay an additional 2s 3J. These charges arc, it appears, lower .than was anticipated, and will enable members to obtain tunics and caps for about 303. It ivas proposed by Mr B. C. Stock, and agreed to unanimously, that the members should ba requested to call at their convenience and g< t measured. A vote of thanks was passed to tho chairman, and a similar compliment having been paid to Mr Murphy, for the use of the room, and the scrutineers for their services, tho proceedings terminated.