THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, MARCH 21.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1015, 21 March 1865, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, MARCH 21.

The volume of the history of the Colonies will contain no more ugly chapter than the record of Busbrangrng in New South Wales. There have been religious riots and rebellious outbreaks, ond there is a New Zealand Native War. But the lawlessness which has succeeded in establishing itself as an institution in the parent Colony, stands unique as a public scandal. It is a scandal which has assumed dimensions that attach to it more than local importance. The inability of the Sydney Government to uphold the supremacy oi the law, and throw the shield of protection over the lives and properties of its subjects, may have serious bearings upon the question whose practical discussion is impending, of the relation!* between the home country and her dependencies.

It is a significant fact that the deeds of violence and murder perpetrated by the bushrangers have ceased to be recorded, except most cursorily, by the intercolonial press. It haacome to be an every day story that the gang of such nn outlaw lias stuck up the mail or robbed a party of travellers on such a road. It has become natural to us on opening our Sydney files to drop iv every column upon common place paragraphs detailing, in most ordinary and familiar language, the exploits of Ben Hall and his compeers. One day the mail bags are rifled; the next, peaceful citizens are shot down in the highway. Terror is carried into the heart of every family; and scarcely a mile of " the road " bat is infested with highwaymen. The whole police force of the Colony foas been employed in vain in the effort to put down this organised system of brigandage; and at this motient the unwonted and unwelcome spectacle is exhibited amongst a British community of justice foiled and the prestige of law destroyed.

It will be within recollection that the powe'lessnesa of the governments of Southern Italy to suppress the brigandage which held riot in that ill-ruled country, was one of the standing accusations against the Bourbons, and one of the justifications of their overthrow. A dynasty of proved incapacity to provide for the protection of its subjects, was held to have forfeited all title to reign. But what distinction can, we draw between the crime that revelled in Italy and the lawlessness that holds all the machinery of justice at defiance in New South Wales? It is more easy to understand the descent upon travellers of guerilla bands from the mountain fastnesses which they make their head quarters, than the systematic outrages committed by the bushrangers of Australia, upon frequented roads, and in the very vicinity of populous towns. ' ■ ■ ■•■'■ • ■ :-"v ■■■" ■ '■;■■ ■

It cannot be pretended that this is a matter which affects New South Wales only. The truth is, the impotcncy of the Sydney Government to maintain public order, pro* tect the citizens from outrage, and uphold the majesty of the law, ha 9 been much too tenderly dealt with by the neighboring colonies. It affects the public credit of the entire group. It supplies a whole magazine o£ arguments to tJtie enemies of the colonies at home, for nse -whenever the question arises of the political rights of these distant dependencies of Greatßritain. It lowers the moral status of Australasia, and dees infinite damage to it alike in the money and the emigration market. -It is a far worse blot upon the fair fame'of thiß remote part of the empire than the Maori War of "New Zealand. And it is the duty of all the colonies to .unite in their remonstrances against the supincnesß or incapacity that has allowed this scandal to live so long. There

roust be fault somewhere... New South Wales is a prosperou*, » rich, and a powerful colony.> -It < would 4tie capable of maintaining a gallant-defence BRainst a foreign enemy. Wby should it be powerlee* to suppress a domestic ,foe?- It is fruitful in enterprise, and baa distinguished itself in almost every branch of commerce and internal, development. And it is idle to say that it cannot grapple with this' evil, that saps the very root of its prosperity, at the same time that it brings disgrace upon the whole colonial empire, New South Wales pretends i;o the status of a conservative colony. It possesses an aristocratic order unknown pexbaps in any of the other .Australian settlements. It has families with antecedents in colom&l history—families with a locall "descent." It has held aloof from many of the "democratic" experiments which the other provinces have indulged in. But no political mistake, no popular excess, could be so fetal to its reputation as this xeign of lawlessness, the reproach it brings upon its whole population, and the demonstration it seems to afford of the iiicbmpetency of the colony to the task of selfrgoveranient. ' • '""■ ' '■' - fl' ' ';"'" The latest files of Sydney papers to hand are even more full thi&n usual of bushranging details ;r but they also convey the intimation that, some more, effective measures than thpsc hitherto taken are in contemplation for the suppression of this crying evil. What has constituted* the powerlessnes3 of the police has been the sympathy with the bushrangeira of a large class of settlers, having themselves the tainted blood of conyictism.: Amongst this class the desperadoes .of ..the road have found shelter, supplies, warnings of approaching danger, and facilities for escape. Sir Darvall proposes the adoption.of stringent measures of reprisal against the harborers of proclaimed felons. It may turn out that the brigands whom the police have failed to! bunt down in a direct warfare with them, may be reached by this means. At all events it is the unmistakeable and urgent duty of the New South Wales Government, at whatever expenditure, by some vigorous and effective policy, to put down an organised system of ruffianism which not only destroys all security of }ife and property in one colony, but which brings the whole of Australasia into discredit. This duty has not been pressed with sufficient force upon the Sydney authorities, by the colonies that have a vital interest in the maintenance of a good reputation for law, order, acid the security ot social institutiona. < Up to the hoar of our going to press thsp morning, there was no sigi of tlio arrival of the English mail. Two fires occurred on Saturday in the house of Mrs Hardy, a laundress, living in Filleul street. la the morning, about ten o'clock, smoke was seen issuing from the hpuse, and several of the neighbors, one »f whom was a member of the Fire Brigade, on rushing Kn found a quantity of clothea which were hanging on a line on fire. As tho flam es had not communicated witu the interior of the house, they were soon extinguished without any ra&terial darange having been done. About half-past one o'clock the same day, fire was again observed in the eamo house, but this time it had assumed a more threatenng aspect. The neighbors, on entering the house saw that tho fire was chiefly in and around a cupbbard in the corner of the room, the paper and calico parition being in flames. The fire bell was rung , and in a few minutes two engines, the hook and ladder carriage, and the hoae reel, were hurried up Prince* street and down George street by several members ot' the Fir o Brigade, and » member of persons who rendered their assistance. Many of the members of the Fire- Brigade, with a praiseworthy desire to bo early at tha scene of the fire, pro - ceeded to the spot in carw. The lire was extinguished before the engines arrived. Tfi c occupant ot the house was in it when 'ho neighbours rushed in, and they had to carry her into an adjoining hons<», a 1" she was Buffering for some time from a fit brought on !>y exoitement. We are infprrued that tho house la in«ured in the New Zealand lusurnnce Company. The Daniel "Watton Ims brought us Hobnrt Town papers of the 7th inst, a dsij later tiian those to hand via Melbourne. We have failed to find in them a single item woith extracting. On taking hi* seat on the Bench on Saturday morning, Me Justice Ctiitpman, ordered the sitting in Insolvency, which had been appointed for that day, to be adjourned until thin morning. In doing so, his Honor stated that His Honor Mr Jus:ice Richmond had endeavored to obtain the use of the other Court for the purpose of holding the Insolvent Coart, bnt bad not been able to get it, and consequently tho Insolvency sitting would be formally adjourned to next week. Mr Prendergiiat asked his Honor if it woull bo understood that all those who had been ordered to attend on that day would still be required to attend nt the sitting of the Court. Ilis Ilonor BJiid that that would be certainly no, and for that purpose ho would say that the Conrt should stand adjourned until Tuesday, when there must be a further adjournment if .such should prove necessary. : Tha Princess Theatre was more thinly attended on Saturday evening than wo have seen it on similar nights for many montits past. Thi« may in eocne measure Tie accounted for by. tho very inclement ftato of, the weather. , The drama of "Tho Green Bushes" was performed, and notwithstanding tbe empty condition of the house, the play was ' put on the stage with care, and tbe character* w«t« for the i • i

most part ably •attained. 'The M'ami, tbe Wild Indian Hantrew, of Mist H©jf* Cooper, vMit exceedingly able* performance, and deserved to have been' teen by » more numerous audience-. Miss Dolly Green was Nelly O'Neil, and MisaCawy Matthew* took the character* of Geraldine ; both of whom played with care and much taste. The Connor O'Ktmwdy of Mr Lionel Balding was good, -while Mr Herbert made a genuine Wild Murtogh. For an afterpiece, the cxtrvaganza of "The 111-treatedll Trovatore" was repeated. There was a somewhat thin attendance at tho Theatre last evening. The programme for to-night consists of " Tbe Maid of Orleans." and the farce of "The Tootllce.' We notice that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dillon make their first appearance at the Princess' onThuradwy next, when Sheridan Knowles' fine tragedy ot" " Virgintus" will be produced. Mr. Geurgc Fa«ceU joins the dramatic company with the Dillons. to* The programme of the Itt Battalion Rifle Frizy'&fettilig of the Danedio Volunteers nmftars in our advertising columns, if The GeneraP Committee of the Southern "Separation League are requested to meet at the Provincial Hotel, to-day, at 4 o'clock, on kaportant business. , i v, The Horticultural Society V Annual Show will be held in Farley'a HuU, Prince* utreet, tomorrow. The doora will bo ithrpwn open at noon. ■ " ' ■.., ,,,.;.. ; ...-._ •, .■- The attendance at the New Zealand Exhibition during tbe past week bas been as fol'oirß f-Monday, 302 adult*, 37 children", 30 season tickets ; Tuesday, 300 adults, 50 children, 81 season tickets; Wednesday, 74 adults, 3 children, 15 stason tickets } Thurs--219 adults, 36 children, IS,season tickets; Friday, 222 adults, 32 children, 3G season lickete ; Saturday, 333 adults, 48 children, 65 aenson tickets—showing a total number of ndimisfiions for..the week of 1848. Iv addition to;'these nnmbera, on Thursday, the children and their teachers belonging to the following schools were admitted:—Middle District School, 393 ; Anderson's Bay, 51* N. B. Valley, 40 ; Caversham, 58-—total, 511. Thursday next, the 23rd inst, will be the Seventeenth Anniversary of the settlement of Otwgo. The Commissioners of the New Zealand Exhibition, appropriately enough announce a shilling day, tho hours of admission being from 10 a,m. to 5 p.m., and from 7 to 10 p.m. We understand that on this occasion the Exhibition Building will be for the first time lighted by gas, and tbe opportunity- will thus be afforded of viewing its contents under a, new aspect. - ••' ' ■•■■■■ Miss Aitken takes a farewell benefit at tbe Odd Fellows' Hall this evening, and will be assisted on the occasion by Miss Marian Dunn. Since her first arrival in the Province Miss Aitken has met with many substantial proofs of the estimation in which, nor remarkable tnlenta ns an elocntionist and actress are held by the people of Otago, and of the high personal respect entertained for her as a lady. She bos contributed many, a pleasant evening, both to play-goero and to those who do not frequent the theatre; and a very general regret has been felt that her late appearances have so few and far between. The announcement of Miss Aitken's approaching departure from Dunedin is on unwelcome one. No doubt her many friends and admirers will not lose the opportunity of paying her a parting compliment this evening, and at the same time ministering to their own enjoyment by listening, for the last time, to her spirited recitations. An official notice has been issued from the Police Department, to the effect that all dogs found straying in the public streets; after the 31»t instant, without a registered number engraven on the collar, will be"conveyed to the Police Station, and there kept for twentyfour hours, at the expiration of which time, if apt owned, and the registration fes paid, tWSy will be destroyed." " / It is contemplated to hold a Grand Volunteer Picnic at the Butts, Kiikorai Valley, on Thursday next, the anniversary of the settlement of the Province. On the same day tbe firing for the prizes by the three best shots in each company will take place; and the Provincial Gold Medal will also be fired for. For the amusement of the bye-standcra a pool target will bo provided. It h expected that there wil! bo a large gathering of the Volunteers and their friendu, and arrangements will be made to supply them with refreshments on the ground. IVora an advertisement in another portion of oar issue, we perceive there will be a general march out to the Butts of the whole of the volunteers on that day. Tho various companies are to meet intrant of the Custom House, at 10 o'clock. V A writ having been issued under the hand of His Excellency, for the election ofaraember of tho House of Representatives fw the electoral district of Brace, Friday, the 31st instant, has been appointed by the Returning Officer 03 the day of nomination. The poll, if necessary, will take place on Saturday, the Bth day of April. We are requested to remind owners of racehorses, that nominations must be addressed to tbe Secretary, Provincial Hotel, this day, Tuesday, 21st inst., for tho two Handicaps that aro to be ran on the first day of tbe Dunedsu Anneal Kaees. The committee of management meet this evening, at half-post seven, at the above hotel. The technical question ns to the legality of the election of Mr <F. P. Taylor to the Saperintendency of Southland, has been disposed of by the re-election of that gentleman by the Provincial Council, which body met oa the thirteenth instant. In a Gazette dated the same day, Mr Taylor issued a proclamation announcing his assumption of office, and another proclamation reappointing his cxecu-, tive. These gentlemen consist of MrT. M. Macdonald (Provincial Solicitor,) Mr W. Stuart (Provincial Treasurer), and Messrs HadgkinsoOj and Cklder.