THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JUNE 27.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 788, 27 June 1864, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JUNE 27.

The Canterbury Press has had an exceedingly interesting series of articles on the Representation question. Even those who are not prepared to adopt the conclusions our contemporary arrives at, must admit that he has rendered good service in the broad, we bad almost said philosophical, manner in which he has treated a subject hitherto so surrounded by personal feelings and local jealousies. The Press has shown, at any rate, that there is a great deal to be said upon the Representation question, without touching upon the old beaten track—lf. Province A is entitled to so many members, how many should Province 13 have? It is possible, indeed probable, that this old comparative view will be the one upon which the apportionment of members in the readjustment of the Representation will mainly depend. At any rate it will be the test by which any new theory will be tried. But even admitting that the members of the Assembly are not likely to give in their adhesion to any abstract proposal for adjusting the Representation until they have reduced it to a practical Provincial test, it is still to be hoped that some sound theory may be found which will satisfy tue cravings of Provincial statesmen, so that the decision of the question may at any rate appear to rest upon something more than local considerations. If the Press has only supplied other materials for discussing the question than the usual comparisons between the Provinces, it will have rendered a service.

We propose to briefly epitomise the arguments adopted by our contemporary in his first six articles on the subject. These are all we have before us, but others are promised. Before proceeding with our task, however, we cannot avoid expressing regret at the attack, in the first article, which the Press makes on the advocates of Separation. There is no reason to suppose that the Separatists, more than any other body of men or political party, are averse to a proper adjustment of the Representation ; on the contrary, they argue that the promotion of their views would be most effectively served by a fair solution of the Electoral question. Even if the Separatists were likely to oppose the theories of the Press, it would be well to omit an attack upon them in a series of articles which profess to soar above local considerations. If our contemporary republish the articles in a connected form we may be excused for counselling him to leave out the passages to which we have referred. Our contemporary commences his subject by drawing attention to its importance. A Representation Reform Bill will, he considers, be the question of the next Session of the Assembly, and he thinks that in the int >rval, it should be thoroughly discussed by the press and by the people. The real difficulty of adjusting the representation in New Zealand, '• arises from the . jealousies between " the populations in the several Provinces." "It is not to be lost sight of," he says, " that these provincial distinctions exist, " and that they are realities. The diffe- " rent Provinces do exist, and have, to a " certain extent, various and opposite " provincial interests. We must accept that '• as a fact, for political theories cannot " safely ignore facts." But the Constitution Act contemplated that " provincial idiosyncrasies" should find a fitting field for display in the Provincial Council, whilst the united Legislature would be " left free for a united and cosmopolitan " action as concerned the colony at large." " If such a result was ever anticipated," he continues, " the working of the system " must have greatly dissappointed the " authors. It is not too much to say that " hardly any subject is now fairly consi- "■ dered in the Assembly as affecting the " whole colony. Every proposal is more " or less judged by the representatives " from various parts, as it may be expected " to bear on the interests of their own

" particular locality. From this we except •' the Native war, which has been treated " by the Middle Island from first to last " with the most entire and patriotic nega- " tion of its own interests in the matter. " But whatever be the case as to other " questions, in this question of representa- " tion there is not the smallest hope of in- " ducing the General Assembly in its pre- " sent form to approach its consideration "in other than a provincial spirit. The " qnestion will always start up,—How " many members ought Auckland to have, " not in proportion to its interests in the " colony at large, but in proportion to the " members appropriated to Wellington or " Otago ?"

The next difficulty which he sees is the " shifting character of the population." If population be the basis of representation, then, says our contemporary, a new Reform Bill would be required every year :— " The two questions then which lie at the " root of reform in this colony are these: — " First, what is the basis on which repre- " sentation should be adjusted; secondly, " whatever basis we adopt, how shall we " adapt any representative system to the " rapid changes which are taking place, " and in all probability will for some time " to come continually take place, in the " distribution of population and wealth " throughout the colony."

Our contemporary then proceeds to point out some of the anomalies of the present representation. We will not quote these here, as we shall have occasion to refer to them hereafter when we take into consideration the remedy proposed. The first article concludes by propounding the following- query, as that upon which the further discussion of the subject should hinge: —" Upon what basis ought the *: representatives of a country to be ap- " portioned amongst the population of its " various geopraphical divisions ?"

The next article is mainly consumed by the arguing out the point that in. considering the subject of Electoral distribution, the term " population " should be held to mean that portion of the population enjoying a political existence, i.e., the registered Electors. The qualification demanded from persons desirous of registering, our contemporary considers almost nominal, at any rate that it is one within the reach of every bona fide inhabitant of the colony; and mere birds of passage he argues have no right to meddle in the affairs of the country they pass through. Assuming the qualification to be so light, he maiatains that no one should be held to enjoy a political existence, who does not value the franchise sufficiently to take the necessary steps for procuring the insertion of his name upon the Electoral 8011. We have already admitted that every adult inhabitant should be allowed to enrol himself as an elector if he pleases. Not the least valuable efieets of the settlement of this question on the principle here advocated ■would be that the whole of the population who are admitted to the franchise would enrol themselves as such &nd take a proper part in pnblic affairs. There is nothing more disheartening to all lovers of political freedom than to watch tha utter indifference with which a large part of the population look upou their riehts and duties in this respect, and it would be a very wise thing in policy as well as a right thing in theory, if it were thus brought home to all that by not qualifying themselves to vote, they were disqualified from being represented.

The division of the colony into districts next occupies she attention of our authority, and he lays it down as a rule " that the " boundary of existing districts ought to " be changed as little as possible." Besides the convenience of adhering to old boundaries, he thinks such maintenance productive ot a healthy conservatism. "We hold, therefore," he says, " that the Pro- " vincial boundaries should ever be preserved, and should be made, so far as " they go, identical with the boundaries of "electoral districts, and that ths boun- " daries of the districts within the Pro- " vinces should never or rarely be altered. " When an increase of population neces- " sitates the diminution of the area of any " district, that diminution should be, if " possible, effected by subdivision, leaving " the external boundaries as they were."

Still he would fix the maximum and minimum numbers of voters a district shonld contain. When less than the one he would include the district in another, when more than the maximum he would subdivide it. "No district having leas than a " certain number of voters ought to have " a member at all, but such a district ought " to be included in one of its neighbours; " and on tV>e other hand, there ought il to be a maximum beyond which the " district ought to be subdivided."

Our contemporary next proceeds to consider whether wealth should be represented. In theory he seems to think it should be, but he does not see how the principle could be fairly reduced to practice, and arrives at the conclusion to abandon wealth as an element to be represented. He sums up his arguments under this head as follows :—" Apart then "|B%m the theory—apart from the ques"tron whether the wealth of a district " ought to be considered to entitle its in- " habitants to any additional weight in the " councils of the nation, the utter impos- " sibility of instituting any fair comparison " between the wealth of one district and " that of another, compels us to abandon it " as a basis of representation."

Wehave followed out faithfully the line of argument pursued in the first three articles; our limits, on the present occasion, will not permit our adopting the like minuteness with the other three articles. Suffice it that having arrived at the conclusion that neither wealth nor education can be specially represented, and that the registered electors should stand in the place of population, our contemporary proposes to make the number of members for each district solely depend upon the number of registered electors. Having determined of how many members the House shall consist, the number for any particular district will be ascertained by the rule-of-three sum—as the total number of regis-

tered electors in the colony is to the number in any particular district, so will the total number of members be to the answer —the number of members for the district. The fractions our contemporary proposes to deal with, by providing that when a district is entitled to less than one member, to make the fraction a unit, and when the district is entitled to more than one member, to omit the fractional parts altogether. Thus, if the answer were to work out seven-eighths of a member, the district would be allowed a member, whilst if the answer were four and seven-eighths, it would only have four. We must postpone to another opportunity a description of the various details, by which the Press proposes to work out the plan, the broad outline of which we have depicted.

It is difficult to account for the apathy which pervades most Colonial communities in reference to sanitary and social arrangements. It is conceivable that a population, partaking to a great extent of a pilgrim character, with friends and relatives distant from, them, and to return to whom is a settled purpose after the man has " made his pile," should be indifferent to political affairs, involving, as'they frequently do, abstract- theories, and the details of profound propositions in Political Economy. Years may elapse before the benefit of any law, however just or beneficent, can be developed, and it therefore usually requires an abnegation of private profit and comfort to enter into a Colonial political career. Apathy in politics then may be accounted for on the score that most persons imagine they have but a passing interest in the colonies, and they are too much absorbed in private business to give attention to that which is purely public. But where health and comfort are concerned, the public interest is identified with that of the individual and, and what is conducive to the welfare of the whole becomes the duty of every member of the community to forward. Some months ago, the public mind seemed stirred with the conviction that the time had come, when for purposes of health, domestic comfort, and security against fire, the City of Dunedin should be supplied with water. Two companies were projected—one proposing to lay out £70,000 in their works, and another professing that an adequite supply could be furnished for less than half that amount. A public meeting Avas called, resolutions were proposed and passed in favor of the least expensive plan, a committee was formed to give effect to those resolutions, and it appeared likely that the scheme would be carried out. Since that time two fires have occurred, one involving a Joss of more than the capital said to be required for supplying the city with water, and the second adding1 to that amount some thousands of pounds. It may be that neither of those fires could have been prevented taking place, even had there Been an adequate supply of water, but there is strong presumption that the damage in either case would have been comparatively trifling. Two Fire Brigades were present on Friday evening, to whose exertions it was owing that the destruction was not much greater than it was ; but their efforts, energetic as they were, were in measure paralysed through the inefficient and intermittent supply of water. The surrounding buildings were only saved through the absence of wind, for had there been a gale from any direction, no effort that could have been made, would have saved some of them from being involved in the conflagration. The apathy, therefore, of owners of property respecting the question of water supply is more inexplicable and unpardonable, as ! not only is their own property liable to destruction but through it their neighbors', [or vice versa. Had it been proposed to ! give a certain amount annually for preservation from risk, or even towards the reduction of the chances against fire, many persons would have been inclined to subscribe as a public duty—but no such sacrifice is required. The supplying the city with water, it is anticipated, will prove a profitable investment apart' from any extrinsic aid, and lest so desirable an undertaking should be frustrated through fear of loss, the Provincial Council has undertaken to guarantee 8 per cent, per annum on the money invested, to a much greater amount than, according to the scheme which is to be adopted, is likely to be required. With such prospects of profit, combined with such collateral advantages, it is surprising that the share list has not been filled up long since. Already many have come forward, and only a few more shares require to be subscribed to enable the company to commence the works. With the experience of the past few months before us we are justified in saying, if not as a public duty, as a private insurance, every man who puts up or owns a house in a city built of such inflammable materials as Dunedin, should take a share in the Water Supply Company, in order to combine with health and domestic comfort, comparative security from fire.

There is not much to be added to our account of the fire which occurred on Friday evening, in George-street and Moray-place. It seems that the upper room or rooms in the house of Miss Meiklejohn, dressmaker, in which the fire almost,- certainly commenced, were occupied by a Mrs Maclean. It is said that she was in the room shortly before the alarm was given, that she left a candle there, but that she states she put out the light. There are other rumors, which it would be unfair to publish ; but it would be well if they were authoritatively inquired into. The following is such information as we could obtain on Saturday respecting losses and insurances : — Messrs. Eggers Brothers estimate their stock to have been worth considerably over £1000 ; and they were insured to the amount of £650. The building was insured for £150, which, although a good deal short of its cost, will be about enough for its replacement. Messrs. Keir anl Co. estimate their stock,

&c, as being worth about £2000. They were the .owners of the shop and workshop, and also of the premises occupied by Mr Butement. The stock, &c, was insured for £750, and the buildings named for £350, both in. the London and Liverpool office. Messrs. H. Wilson and Co. value their stock.at close upcn £800; it was insured for £soVin the North British and Mercantile office. The building belongs to Mr. Griffin, a slater, and is believed to be uninsured. As to the premises 2nd stores of Mr Butcment, draper, and Messrs Thompson and Co., fruiterers and importers of colonial produce, we could not obtain any information ; and we can onlyhope that it is not true, as we were told, that Mr Butement had been insured but had failed to renew the policy in time. We have before stated that Mr Dodd estimates his loss at near £300; and that Mr Griffen, who owned the premises, is a loser of £250. In the whole the stocks of the sufferers must have been worth between £5000 and £6000 ; and -the value of the salvage, it is to be feared, will prove very trifling. The insurances are certainly to the amount of £4100, and are probably more. The destroyed buildings must have cost Ll 500, and more than half of that sum will be covered by insurances. There were some accidents during the progress of the fire. Afc least two members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade sustained injuries ; and two working men got knocked down in a way that at first led to the belief that they must have been seriously, if not fatally, hurt. They were helping to get down the verandah in front of the shop ot Messrs Eggers Brothers, and as it yielded suddenly, they were struck and knocked down by the corrugated iron top. The thing was moved, and one of the men appeared, to be only slightly stunned. But the other lay apparently senseless, and when he rallied a little, Sergeant-Major Grennan directed Sergeant M'Mahon to send him to the Hospital. This was done, but fortunately he had suffered little beyond the shock ; and as the surgeon declared that there was*, no reason whatever for his staying in the Hospital, he I walked home. On Saturday, we inadvertently spoke of the " Provincial" Brigade, instead of " Jones's." It should be rightly named, for Mr Jones not only purchased the engine, &c.; but whenever the brigade attends a fire, he pays for the refreshments needed by the men. This Brigade, as we have before stated, rendered capital service, in conjunction witb> the older body ; and it is scarcely possible to estimate the value of our having this second trained body of volunteer firemen, the existence of which is wholly due to Mr Jones's public spirit.

Messrs. G. H. Harvey, J. O'Meagher, and Dempsey, solicitors' articled clerks, have successfully passed the examination for admission to practice. The ;hr.e gentlemen named were the only candidates. The first papers were examined by Mr. Justice Eiclimond ; but Mr. Justice Chapman was also present on Saturday, when the final questions were put and answered.

An accident, involving destruction of property, occurred on Wednesday last, near the Kawaiau Bridge. A carrier named Marsh, was nearing Hill's Old Bridge with a heavilyladen two-horse dray, when, owing to the slipping of a rail under the near wheel, the dray and loading rolled over a steep precipice^ and were destroyed. The breaking of the shafts detached the horses, which were thus fortunately saved.

The Clerk of the Town Board has issued a notice to carters, calling their attention ta the license fee payable to the Board under the provisions of the Town and Country Police Ordinance Extension and Amendment Ordinance 1863.

In the House of Commons, o_i Tuesday the 23rd February, Sir J, 0. Jervoise asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the experiments in vaccinating sheep were yet concluded ; and, if so, when the results would be laid before Parliament. Mr Lowe said—The experiments in vaccinating sheep concluded last Michaelmas, and I am sorry to say the result is exceedingly unsatisfactory. lam sorry to say that the report is not yet ready to be laid before Parliament. The framing of that report is in the hands of a gentleman who is not officially connected with the Government, and who, I think, has taken a good deal more time than was necessary in its preparation. lam assured, however, that it will be ready by Easter. As I am not able to produce the report I maystate its general effect. The experiments that have been made are of,'two kinds. One has consisted in vaccinating sheep with lymph, taken from the human subject, and this has succeeded in some measure. The sheep took the disease, though in an irregular and abnormal form, but when wo came to test the value of that vaccination, we found that the sheep took the virus either by inoculation or in the natural manner from other sheep, so that vaccination thus accomplished appears ta be futile. The next plan was to inoculate, cows with matter taken from sheep, in order, if possible, to produce n vaccine dissase ia cows, which would stand in the same relation to sheep as cow-pox does to the human subject. But we entirely failed in producing that disease, and therefore the result of the experiments was altogether unsatisfactory.

An alteration will be made in the hours appointed for closing the mails at Dunedin for several places on the Ist July proximo. For Teviot Junction and Miller's Flat the mails will be despatched on Tuesdays and Fridays,, closing at 7 o'clock p.m. For Kyeburn, Blackstone Hill, Black's, Mount Ida, Hamilton's, and Hyde, mails will be made up on. Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. For Linburn and Dunstan Creek, on Saturdays air 7 p.m. ; and for Manuherikia Junction and Dunstan, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, at 7 p.m. The post office at Deep Stream will be closed on and after the Ist July next.

There was a good house at ths Princess Theatre on Saturday evening. " Don Coesar De Bazan" was the first piece. Mr Holt played the dare-devil hero, whose adventures are of a peculiarly improbable character ; an 4 he played with almost a superabundance of dash and abandon. Mrs Holt acted sweetly as the persecuted Maritana; and Mr Wolfe and Mr T. Fawcett were very good as the scheming courtier and the weak- minded but strongly amorous King. One looks for something spicy on a Saturday night, and it was supplied on this occasion. " The Mysteries of Paris," played "for the first time in Danedin," is a hash of some of the incidents of Eugene Sue's once notorious work, with, additions ; the incidents being so loosely strung together and so abrupt in their occurrence, that it is, as a whole, a masterpiece of undramatic tinkering. Fleuv de Marie is constantly being whisked about between La

Chouette (aided by the Maitre), and Rudolph —now moralising at a farm—now wandering the streets, or locked up in the cellar of " The Owl's " den • La Chouette, the Maitre, and Bras Kouge, are constantly flashing their knives and threatening death ; the Chourineur is4 c seeing red," and thirsting for blood one mmute, and prating about " heart and honor," the next ; but, over and above all, more faithful than the Chourineur, more powerful than Rudolph, is one Mike Murphy, wlvp, with a big brogue, and a shillelagh or a shovel, is everywhere, swearing to serve all that are good, to love all the women that are pretty, and to demolish everybody and everything that doesn't square with his own notions. 'It really is a most perplexing combination of rascality and goodness ; but it seemed not to fail to please some, although it must have been essentially incomprehensible to all. We once read Sue's work ; and if our memory be not faulty, the author of the drama has greatly degraded the part of Rigolette. It would ba useless to say any thing of the acting of such a piece. This evening, " Belphegor" is to be produced.

The Melbourne " Despatch," a new paper, says : —" The Commissioners appointed by the various Governors of the Australian colonies to decide upon the locale of the future capital of New Zealand, will shortly start for the scene of their labours. Sir Charles Darling has appointed Sir Francis Murphy ; and we believe that Sir John Young, of New South Wales, has conferred the appointment on Mr Docker, M.L.C.; and that Colonel Gore Browne, of Tasmania, has selected Mr Gunn, the police magistrate of Launccston, The Commissioners will reach Auckland about the Ist July, and upon their arrival there the New Zealand Government will place a steamer at their disposal for the purpose of visiting Cook's Straits, in some portion of which the future capital is to be chosen."