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Otago Daily Times, Issue 609, 30 November 1863, Page 4

A Supplement to to-day's Times contains the ratepayers' roll forthe Cityof Dunedm,~and other matter.

It is no inaccurate index of a well-to-do people that they are able to devote a portion of that time to recreation, which in less favored countries must be occupied by a struggle to live. In this respect,the Australian colonies are peculiarly favoured, and they are not slow to improve the advantage. Thus festivals which among the hardworked population at home pass unnoticed, excepting by some peculiarly privileged classes, are revived in these southern lands, and the auniver-. saries of the days appointed to keep green tho memory of the - tutelar.isaints; of: tlie three'kingdoms, are made festivals, not in a.religio.us 'sense, but in apurely sopiable,,enjoyable manner. ,To r . day the festival of St; Ahdreiy, the patrqn Saint of Scotland will be observed here as a holiday by banlceirs and. merchants,- and more or less so by' all classes, It is difficult,, nay, we' may say ith.' possible, amid the legendary lore lianded down to us through >_uecessi re ages, to discover the precise grounds on whicli Scotland claimed St. Andrew's special , care. True,... he— was the first called of the Apostles, and, therefore,1] entitled to; .-.special respect "'-as the elder; of that devoted band. Heis represented by tradition to have been an earnest zealous missionary preaching in Scythia, in Greece-and other lands; and finally suffering, martyrdorrr^at Patras, in Achaia, about A.D. 62. The Cross on which he was crucified was peculiar iri its form, the beams being placed obliquely in relation to each other. The limbs of the sufferer were, therefore, placed in a position which would tend, if possible, to increase the agony. Its form has been preserved in the beautiful emblem of the Scottish Military Order of Knighthood of " §aint Andrew and the Thistle.'/ Nisbet, writing in reference to this order, giyes ifc the preference to all other ordprg purely military,, .chiefly, -lie says, on account of its antiquity. Tradition says that this cross was seen suspended in heaven when Achalus, King of . Scots, and Hangus, King of the Picts, went out against Athelstane, King of England, and was prophetic of the victory which they gained over his army on the: following day. Tlie claim to St. Andrew's protection is not, however, confined to Scotland, for Russia divides his attention with the Scotch. ■ The memory of the Saint is highly revered in that country, and in the; year 1698 Peter the Great instituted the Order of St. Andrew; which is the highest in the empire; the honor .conferred by it being confined to members of the Imperial family—to Princes Generals-in-Chief, and. others of a similar' yankV The curious in heraldry will find on examination tlie insignia and motto to differ materially from that of Scotland. Whatever may have been originally the ideas connected with the institution of Saint days, their signification has passed almost entirely away from the popular mind, but .their annual recurrence seems to carry us back to the memories ofthe homes, of our fathers—the observance of them preserves a sympathetic tic with the traditions and customs of bygone-days. Probably .as long as the colonies endure, this likeness reminding them of the mutual relationship between themselves and Britain will be preserved, and that all British dependencies will continue to bring to remembrance their nationality by continuing to observe the anniversaries of the patron saints of tlieir native land.

, ——. —— —-* A meeting of ratepayers of the South Ward, convened by advertisement, was held at the Imperial Hotel on Saturday evening, to receive from candidates for the Town Board at the forthcoming election, an exposition of their views on municipal matters. Mr Bell (Bell, Rae and Co.) having been voted to the chair, three persons, namely— Messrs Hara, Barnes, and Rae, were nominated. Mr Ham, who was not present, was proposed by Mr J. S. Webb, who urged the gentleman's claims on the ground that he had leisure to attend to the duties of the Board. He was also well known to many ratepayers, as he was active in Victoria in pushing forward the establishment of Murticip.l institutions there.. Mr Ham held, property in several Wards of the town, and represented that of many others, he was of sober age, a man of considerable attainments and ability, and one well qualified to sit as member of the Town Board. Mr Barnes, who was proposed by Mr Coleman" spoke as follows :—The reason of my coming forward is that.no proper person is offering himself who knows what they are. doing. I offered myself, as it would give a better chance to engineers and officers. It will be a great saving both to the engmeer and ratepayers, for there is much work done here just now,* and if I am elected I shall pay great attention to it. In answer to questions, Mr Barnes said he should improve Walker street, as it was in a dangerous state, and he had a. good, deal of property there. There' were other streets that required forming and which ought to be done at once instead of partially*, doing them. He considered that- system a great loss. He could not-say whether the Board or the Engineer was in fault, but tliere was great waste of labor in drawing plans which were totally useless. Mr Rae declined being put in nomination. Mr Coleman complained of Mr ; :Griffin's neglect ofthe interests of the ratepayers "' and stated that he would use every exertion to aid Mr Barnes in his canvass. A show of hands was then taken, when there appeared for Rae, 9-, Barnes,' 5 ; Ham, 8. Mr Webb being asked if hi intended to allow himself to be nominated; said he had received so many promises of support that he should do so. Mr Rae again expressed his determination .not .to come forward, stating that he; hadnot sufficient time at his disposal to devote to the business of the Board. Mr Webb asked those present who had held up their hands fo Mr Ham to join with; him in endeavoring to secure his return. The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday (to-morrow) evening, at half past s.veir o'clock. '

. Great as are,the natural advantages which this' Province.possesses, and rapid and almost unexampled as its progress has been, it cannot afford to be idle or: halt in the race of competition. A growing commerce is exacting in its demands as well as pred in its favors to those who treat it well. '■'■'■ ■'."■' '■ ;-J-: ;

r/.fljhe AgeMs the following, with reference to a subject we have recently commented upon :—" A meeting of shipowners to elect representatives to co-operate;; With others appointed'by the mercah. tile interest and the underwriters, for the,purpose* of devising a scheme for theformation ofa society for the classification of ships, will be held to day at thepiiamber of Commerce, at three o'clock.'

v Amongst the passengers by the General Wind-., hahij is John Iteid Mackenzie, Esq., General Manager of the Banking Corporation -of New Zealand. , ,

The lytlelton Times, of the 24th inst., says :— •The anxious expectants we cau only repeat the lament passing from mouth to mouth,." There is no ne*s of theI'formation of a "Government.'' And so we drift along' over the fires concealed under,the,deceitful ashes. In the meantime the Province goes on drospering, and at the. sittings of the Waste Lands Board the receipts grow and grow in. proportion to the general progress ofthe Province, But.this state of things,cannotrlast. The. continuance of bur prosperity depends on. the vigor."' with which public works are. prosecuted, and.thV rapidity, with which, the great provincial estate is brought.in to profitable occupo tion. No community " can afford to lose time, least of all one circumstanced as ours ,is, at the. very outset, of its career. We have barely felt our strength or measured our capacities, and we cannot afford to pause and look about in careless confidence. •That the Province lias thriven •as it has under the disadvantage of a:weak Government'is due to the extraordinary resources we have to be thank- • ful for.';•—but 'no resources will allow such an experiment as we have gone through to be tried again with impunity.

An amateur sculling match for*,£2o a-side came off on Saturday between C. Braithwaite and W Prescott, the starting and winning points being the Few Jetty, 7 the course once round a boat moored,6ft the Pelichet Bay jetty. At starting Braithwaite put on the steam, but was collared and left by Prescott for a distance of about a mile, when, as has since been ascertained, he wai seized with a violent cramp in the right; ann A win?]l of course rendered it ''powerless'; He was speedily overtaken by Braithwaite^ who had it all his own way afterwards' and came in an easy winner by a considerable distance. A boat pulling alongside at the. time > of Prescott's collapse, took him up. and his boat was -brought in by a witness of therace. Mr Prescost is, we are given. to understand, the heaviest loser in the event.'..".

A scratch match, the firse of a'series of rehearsals, was made upon the cricket ground on Saturday afternoon, when the play exhibited' was generally fair. The ground is in excellent condition,^ and the weather being now fihej top excuse but tliat of imperative engagements-else? where, thould prevent the purjediu Cricketers from a severe course of practice, which is needed, by all who aspire to parfipipate \rx the fopthpoming match with the AH England Eleven, ' The first two Elevens of the season will be matched '•■ to play upon the cricket: ground, when no doubt •">■ there will be a good muster of lovers of the game. .... , ••,,*■ '<_■ . .'■.-.-' One of the most acceptable public works, performed by the Government for some time past is the construction of a really, handsome and use-, ful bridge, which will be opened iti.a few. days across tlie Taieri River, on the Eastern, or Tokomairiro road. It was built by Messrs. Boyle and Co, according to the plans furnished by Mr. Thompson, the Road Engineer, and executed, as we are .informed, uudcr his supervision. On one side ofthe structure there is a sliding drawbridge, Which works admirably, and is so arranged as to admit, the passage of craft trading on tlm river. The road from'Cargill's Hill to the junction Qf $3, East and West Taieri branches is perhaps the worst ofthe comparatively level roads in theßror vince, owing to want of proper maintenance although it is that over which mqst traffic passes to the interior shut af Sunnyside Hill the Qovern r ment are working as they should have done long,' ago, that is,'pitching the foundation of the road upon Telford's plan, which is, after all, the only proper method of adapting a main truuk line for the purpose of traffic. Por a distance of 6 or*7 miles from the junction in the direcion ofthe new bridge, the of the charactar denominated, a Bay of Biscry, consisting of small hills and hollows, metalled it is true, but spoiled through not being brought to proper gradients. The earthwork of a

portion of the approach to the bridge, about half a mile in length, is nearly completed, and it is to be hoped no false notions of economy will deter the Government from pitching tbis also, for it is eventually a waste of public money to scatter metal upon the earth without placing stone underneath.

The following list of the saloon passengers by the steamship Great Britain, which was announced to sail from Liverpool, for Melbourne, on the 15th ult., will no doubt possess an interest for many of our readers:—Mr C. E. Bright, Mr and Mrs J. H. Knight, Mr and Mrs L. Mackinnon, Mr and Mrs D. S. Campbell, Mr and Mrs J. F. Macguire, child, and servant; Mr Robt. Spaight, Mr E. Elias, Mr and' Mrs S. D Gordon, two Misses Gordon, and Mr John and Mr Samuel Gordon; Mr and Mre Thos. Baillie. five children, and servant; Mr and Mrs Hopkins! Mr and Mrs Moore, Mr and Mrs Jno. EHodgson, Mr and Mrs H. W. Farrar, Mr Edward Wilson, Mr and Mis P. B. Franklyn,Mr Geo. Macfarlane, Mr Edward Humphreys, Mr W P Digby, Mr Cresswell Crump, Mrs Philip Smith' and Miss Smith, Mr Temple, Mr A. Crosthwaite Mrs Younghusband and two Misses Youno-hus-band, Mr R. Logan, Mr Thos. Padman, Mr A Gregarson, Mr G. Turnbull, Mrs Mary Taylor' Miss CM. Williamson, Miss A. Pawcett, Mrs Geo, Tarrant, Mrs Schuhkraft, Mr G F Brind, Mr W. Barchett, Mr James Barnes, Mr T. Fawcett, Mr C. Blakemore, Mr Anderson, Mr W. Mason, Mr J. O'Shanassy, Mr H. G. Dunklej', Mr G. Chapman, Mr J. Sutcliffe, Mr Jackson, Mr F. W. Haddeu, Mr H. B. Bellamy Mr Sti'ohurch, Mr Chishohn, Mr E. Ploos van Amstel, Mr Geo. Parr, Mr E. .__. Grace, Mr Geo. Anderson, Mr Julius Csjsar, Mr W. Caffyn Mr W. Mortlock (Mr H. H. Stephenson), Mr Thos. Lockyer, Mr John Jackson, Mr Robert Tinley, Mr Thomas Hayward, Mr Robert Carpenter. :.-'. •/ ;

The Geelong Ad ertiser says—" It will be gratifying to Victorian crick.tec| to learn that the decision of the umpire in the last intercolonial match has been corroborated by Sell's Life in London. It is to the following effect, in answer to the question put by Mr Biddle aud Mr R W Wardill:— < The ball is dead after over is called, but still the umpire's decision is final.' The reason that Mr Mortlock has withdrawn from the contest is attributable to the facfc of liis having recently commenced business. It is scarcely necessary to observe that the arrangements of Mr Marshall are now all but completed."

The first cricket match of the season will be played this afternoon in the Recreation Reserve, underthe auspices of the Dunedin Club. The arrangement is for the two elevens to be chosen on the ground, and the game to be what is termed an alphabetical one—those whose names commence with the firsfc twelve letters are to be pitted against those whose initials comprise the' latter half. Both teams will include cricketers sure to play in the great " All England" match, and much interest will attach to this opening encounter. Wickets are to be pitched at 12 o'clock, and the crowd of visitors sure to be present this holiday afternoon will be surprised when they see the extent and forwardness of the preparations for the English Champion Cricketers.

There was a fair house at the Princess'on Saturday night, the pieces performed being '•The Colleen Bawn" and " How's your Uncle." The programme for to-night includes " Belphegor," and " The Swiss Cottage," in both of which Miss Julia Mathews appears. Mr Holt's Belphegor has always been acknowledged to be one of his very best parts^ . <...'"-.,___ : - _-

At the Circus, to-night, Mr Foley takes his benefit, and he has- set forth such an attractive bill as will scarcely fail to secure a crowded house, independently of the claim he has upon the public for having risked the bringing to Dunedin. the first Troupe: ever in Otago, and of having managed their performances so ably. Amongst the novelties announced are, Tight Rope walking, by Madame Tournear; a three-horse act, by Mr Foley; a new burlesque afterpiece ; and the competition for a live pig, to be won by whoever can catchit in the. ring, and for a handsome whip to be given to the boy who rides the best on the trick pony, Tom Thumb.

By Melbourne papers that came to hand last night, we learn some sporting information that wiU be of interest to several of our readers :.Camden has been scratched, and Musidora and Rose of Denmavk had risen to the price of 3to 1. Barwon and Falcon were each being backed at 5 to 1. Nothing else was mentioned in the betting list at a set figure, but Mr Lang's pair, Arunia and Saturn, were said to be advancing in. favor.

The AH England Eleven are amongst the list of passengers published to sail on the 15th ult. per the Great Britain, and which we copy from the Melbourne Argus. We notice only two names in the "team " different from those previously announced as to sail round the world, for the purpose of showing in Australasia the perfection of modern Cricket science ; viz., H. H. Stephenson, in the place of Mortlock ; and Julius Caesar, instead of Tarrant. .

Very disastrous weather seems to have prevailed of late throughout the Colonies and the Colonial seas. Of this our shipping columns present some record. The Argus, of the 18th and 19th, observes : —"On. Monday night a heavy gale from the westward sprung up. ;,■ About daylight yesterday the wind became extremely violent, and throughout the day, until evening, yiqlent squalls were experienced at intervals. Clouds of dust accompanied the wind. About the middle of the day a sudden and sharp squall struck the Wesleyan church now in course of preption in Dorcas-street, Emerald^M, and blew down the end walls, the partially erected roof falling at the same time. In Collins-street the roots of several verandahs were thrown down. The Williamstown and Sandridge steamer was unable to ply after midday, and a considerable sea ran in the bay. The Balclutha experienced the gale in all its strength between Wilson's Promontory and the Heads, and did not reach her berth till late in the afternoon. A heavy fall of rain took place about eight o'clock p.m., and the wind afterwards calmed down.; So disagreeable a day has .not been experienced for a long time." The gale of wind which blew yesterday sent two accident cases to the Melbourne Hospital. An elderly female, named Pheebe M'Quid, was blown down in Collins street east, and in falling fractured her right thigh. A seaman, named John Templeton, on board the ship Landsborough, was thrown by the pitching of the vessel against {he side, and brqke his right leg.'*

The following is the Calendar of prisoners for trial at the Criminal Sessions, Supreme Court, Dunedin, commencing Tuesday, Ist December, 1863, with the dates and places of tneir committal, and the offences with which they are charged :— Alexander H Brinkar, 17th September, Oamarn, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm; W. M. Burke, llth September, Queenstown, embezzlement ; William Henry Campbell, 3rd November, Dunedin, horse-stealing ; John Clark, 3rd November, Dunedin, embezzlement; Peter Crawford*

alias James McKenna, 10th September, Teviot, embezzlement; John Eiles, 18th November, Hindon, stealing bacon, &c.; James Jeffrey, 18th November, Hindon, stealing bacon, &c. ; Thomas Frost, Oth October, Queenstown, horsestealing ; Thomas Prost, 20th October, Queenstown, horse-stealing ; John James, 9th October, Queenstown, horse-stealing; Joseph Gray, 14th September, Lawrence, embezzlement; Joseph Hanley,26th September, Dunedin, felony; Joseph Hanley, 26th September, Dunediu, felony ; John Hunter, 23rd September, Dunedin, stealing clothes ; John Kearney,- 27th October, Queenstown, assault with intent to wound . Peter McArthur, 19th September, Queenstown, stealing money ; George McDonald, 28th October, Mount Ida, administering poison with intent to kill ; Sarah McLean, 23th October, Mount Ida, administering poison with intent to kill; George Pickup, 7th October, Tuapeka, stealing goods; Henry Pritchard, 24th October,Dunedin,embezzlement; George Smith, llth November, Hindon, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harrr.

i' Prom papers recently received, it appears that , the most frightful immoralities have prevailed on board the ships which have lately arrived at Queensland with Government immigrants, and the result is said to be plainly observable in the social condition of Brisbane. The Courier, of the 30th ult., alluding to the matter, makes the following remarks :—" If we would be a virtuous community—if we would have virtuous generations look back upon us with veneration and traditionary respect, as .the 'pilgrim fathers' of a great nation—-let us promptly set up our defences against the invasion of evils, the like of which history and our' old world experience tell us are amongst the most dangerous to public morality. Our streets nightly show that in this young city the social evil is'assuming proportions which promise soon to be in excess of the dire institution in much older and more populous places.. ; How is this ? We need not go far for an answer. Tliere is ample proof that the majority _pf the fair daughters of Eve, whom mis-fortune-has thus chosen for its oivn, are new arrivals.. However much we may deplore their case, we are not surprised at it, alter what •'has come to our knowledge within these few weeks past. Sufficient has been said, ere this, with reference-to the ship Sunda. It is well known that on board the ship Rockhampton, in addition to the scandalous neglect of cleanliness, and the disregard of the comfort of the passengers, flagrant immorality predominated on board. Aspasia figured as the captain's lady, and the license ofthe cabin was only exceeded by the licentiousness of the forecastle, where the common sailors experienced no restraint upon' their freedom of intercourse with the single women ] The surgeon superintendent seemingly abdicated1 his authority over the passengers, and the captain on more than one occasion, nearly lost his "com-: mand over the ship. How and why they did so, are doubtless, well known by this, time tothe Government. . It is certain that some of the passengers have come from Rockhampton to Brisbane at their own expense, rather than come free by the ship in which they had voyaged from England, because of the violence'done to their feelings by the misconduct which they witnessed on board. Though late, the inquiry in the case of the Rockhampton has been effective iv securing ample evidence with respect to the misconduct of the principal officers of the ship. While the conveyance of our immigrants is entrusted to the care of such men, our streets cannot be free from the evidence of vice to which we have felt ifc our duty toallude, nor will societyJje_se.c.ure_a_rainst the inroaatror"immorality in its worst form.,r^Tne correspondentof the "GeelongAdvertiser," descrying the state of affairs on board the Sunda and Rockhampton says:—" You will remember that, not long ago, I made mention of some of the evils here referred to as arising from the want of proper care for the single women whom'we are importing here ; and this is not an overdrawn statement. The agent of the Black Ball Company, in Plymouth, sent his kept mistress on board the Sunda; the passengers wereshocked by her conduct during the .voyage, the Government pays something for such a valuable acquisition to the population, and the country is supposed to appreciate it. The ■ captain of the same vessel, it is said, brought his affianced out. with, him, intending' to marry here. He is not yet married, but is one of the. loudest bachelors in Brisbane ; and it is further said that a certain young lady'had the run of his cabin during the voyage. The surgeon superintendent, and his wife (since dead, poor creature !) were drunk night and day. ■ All that has been proved about the Rockhampton exceeds what is said of the Sunda, The captain promoted a buxom young Irish girl from the steerage to the second cabin, and afterwards to his own state room ; he, three or four times, while on the coast, endangered the ship through drunkenness.; and, owing to his and the stigeon-superintendent's example and neglect of their duties, the sailors had it all their own way with a number of the fingle female immigrants. Yet these two ships are the first despatched underthe improved regulations,which give the Government full control over the conduct of immigration."

The Lyttelton Times mentions the discovery-of "the finest sample of gold yet found" in the Province of Canterbury. It consists of two dwt3 of coarse gold slightly intermixed with quartz, and was picked up at Oxford. Our contemporary adds -—"Till more is found it would be premature to say that gold exists in the neighborhood, as the ground where it was found exhibits no indication of possessing gold-bearing qualities. The information we possess satisfies, us that the gold was positively found op the spot, and should more be found in the neighborhood, it will warrant the conclusion that the source must be discovered in thehillß."

The Members ot the Debating Society meet for discussion at the Athenasum this evening, at half-past seven o'clock. The question for discussion is—" Is Monopoly a check to Commercial prosperity ?"

In our Saturday's paper, in recording the accident wliich happened to the youth Paterson, an error occurred in the name of the gentleman who sent a carriage to convey the sufferer home. It was not Mr Ross but Mr Osier, of the Horse Bazaar, in George street.

A correspondent writing from Manuherikia furnishes us with the following account of the earthquake, as very sensibly experienced tliere on the night of Thursday the 19th instant, about 11.15 p.m. lie says:—fit commenced with a slight shaking or vibration of the earth for a few seconds, then subsided five or ten seconds, when a sudden and (to one person at least in the house I was in) a rather alarming shock was felt, nearly -throwing a number of bottles from a shelf, caus. ing them to roll a considerable time before their equilibrium was restored, and causing one gentleman who.was standing erect on the floor, to sway to and fro. (I should think from east to west or vice • ersa.) The sensation the writer felt — who was sitting—was as if an explosion had

taken place in or under the crust ol the earth, giving it a sharp bump upwards.

Miss Aitken's farewell performance previous to her departure for Christchurch will be given at the Odd Fellows' Hall this evening, when she will be supported by Mrs White, the favorite " soprano," late of the English opera troupe, Mr W. D. Shiels, and Mr White, pianist. Miss Aitken has just returned from a week's tour, in which she has been highly successful at Caversham, West Taieri, and Tokomairiro.

| The summary of the gold-mining statistics of the colony of Victoria for the month of September, issued by the department, shows that there were 93,176 miners at work, of whom 54,294 Europeans and 22,905 Chinese were engaged in alluvial operations, and 15,837 Europeans and 140 Chinese in quartz-mining. Of the latter,i ten were at work in Maryborough district and 130 at North Jordan, in the Gipps Land ranges. The total population of the gold fields (including aU classes) was 229,388. 352 steam engines, of 5771 horse-power, and 4185 puddling machines, were at work in the alluvial, and 445 engines," of 8135 horse-power in quartz workings. The total approximate value of the mining plant was 1.1,527,704.