THE Otgao Daily Times. Inveniam viam out faciam." "DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1905, 7 February 1868, Page 4

THE Otgao Da ily Times. Inveniam viam out faciam." "DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7.

It is interesting to know what people at a distance, who aro able to view the situation dispassionately, think of us ; and wo cull particular attention to tbe article from the J udmhtsian, which wo publish in another column, on the Separation of New Zealand into two Colonies. The writer comments very aptly on the singularity of the two Islands not yet having received distinctive names. There cannot bo a stronger proof of the hold which Provincial -institutions have on tho Colony than thiß very fact: that, notwithstanding their size and importance, and the convenience which distinct names would afford, the two Islands can only be clumsily indicated by a reference to their northerly or southerly positions. Tho urgent need for a distinct nomenclature has not arisen, because the reference to either Island has been consistently subordinate to the reference to the Provinces situated within the Islands. There is a great deal in a name, notwithstanding what Shaleespere says, and a distinct name for each Island will do something to promote the cause of Separation. To the outside world —especially to tho authorities in England—if the Islands were constantly referred to as distinct, something of tho sentiment which attaches to New Zealand as an entity would be weakened, and a strong argument for Separation would be constantly present to the mind of any ono pondering over New Zealand affairs, in tho vei-y fact that instead of Now Zealand ho would think of this and that Island which it comprises. Few people aro aware of tho Islands which constitute New Zealand, any more than they are aware of the Islands of which Japan is i composed. It would be a stop in tho ; right direction to give a name to each of tho Islands, and if it could be managed, the Duke of Edinburgh might shed some I edat over the proceeding by a public cere- ! monial. The writer in tho Australasian throws something of a new light on tho philosophy of tho Separation question. He urges that tho Australasian Colonies generally are making their way to a more, minute -.subdivision, which will naturally grow out of an extension of their settlement. There is a great deal in this view, if it presupposes a lengthened continuation of the Colonial connection with Groat Britain. Under tho present system of qiut&i independence, but yet of Imperial supervision, small Colonies are likely to afford les3 troiible-fco the1 parent State thaiilarge, Me speak, of, course, within limits—-a too

extensive dismemberment might be held to be inconvenient. But in moderation, the separation of someof the Colonies into smaller Colonies is likely; to expose the Homo authorities to less, troublesome re*, ferences of internal disputes. In: cases' such as those of the two Islands, of New Zealand, or of liiverina, where the plea for Separation is based on the want of mutnality of interest, it fa clear that it iis likely to bring: peace..- arid quiet, rather than trouble, to the Colonial Office. Then again, there is the extra patronage, a'consideration'to which no ••■■Government—and especially an English conservative one—is indifferent. The writer's theory is, that there in a constant tendency of causes working towards "Separation, and that theae aro specially impelled by the powerful cant res, which, in the case of Separation, will become the scats of Government. On the other liand, when, as in New Zealand, tho change will prejudice existent scats of Government, or places which, if Separation bo delayed, may expect to become aspirants for the 'same, there is a pressure brought to bear against Separation. The result, he considers, mainly depends on time —upon a further development of the causes working in favor <>f Separation. The chief obstacle hitherto in the way of Separation in New Zealand, the writer thinks: surmounted. This is a very important point to consider. The Home Government had two strong reasons for objecting to Separation, in the security the unity of the Colony was supposed to afford Great Britain against renewed applications for troops arid for money. The Maoris now are quiet, and the troops aro removed"; but no one is blind to the fact that there are no material guarantees for a continuation of this quiet, and for a failure to apply for renewed assistance. This aspect of the caso—to Great Britain, an entirely selfish one—will have much influcnco in the decision of the question ; and that question really resolves itself into this ; Is there a greater probability of renewed disturbances if New Zealand be divided, than if the Colony remains entire ? It may be said that overlaying this question is the consideration thai, in the case of renewed disturbances, the unity of the Colony. affords a stronger guarantee, in tho additional means available, against Great Britain being called upon to interi veno. This is a-plausible view, but onexamination its weakness may bo detected. The Middle Island has undoubt- ! edly great resources, but in respect to their present development, they have heen very heavily taxed for expenditure ,on Northern affairs. In fact, they have been so heavily taxed, that only by extreme pressure can more be obtained. In the case of renewed warfare, we may allow that the Homo Government would only render assistance under extreme pressure. But the Middle Island would |be warranted in exerting that pressure, and would undoubtedly do bo. The Middle Island's relation to the North Island is similar to Great Britain's relation to the Colony. In proportion to its means, tho Middle Island has as yet been by far the heavier sufferer, and it would stop short of no exertion and no pressure, in case of renewed war, in urging its claim upon Great Britain. -The Home ■ Country would thus be subjected, to the pressure of both Islands. But it will bo answered, Does not the unity afford a guarantee against the disturbances themselves 1 If the Middle Island will be liable to suffer so much, will it | not take good care to prevent disorder 1 The answer brings us back to the main question, Axo disturbances more likely to aviso under a united Colony, or under two Colonies i Theoretically, the Middle Island may be presumed to use its influence in favor of peace ; but in practice, every one who considers must know that the causes which lead to war are so entirely removed from the control of the Middle Island, and are so entirely within the disposal of tho residents of tho North Island, that the Middle Island is not able to exercise the power of restraint, which theory would attribute to it. On the contrary, the union -of the Colony ia rather an.inducing cause to disturbances ; becaus?, whilst the Middle Island exercises only inadequate control, tho sense of responsibility with the really powerful in the matter —the residents in the North Island, is weakened. They do not feel that they alone will suffer through their own acts. Beyond the nltimato appeal to England, they, to a certain extent, have the immediately available resources of the Middle Island at command. As we have already said, if war wore again to assume large dimensions, the Middle Island would exert a pressure on the Home Government to contribute ; and thus tho union-affords no security to Great. Britain. But, on the other hand, it Ls a weakness, because, in as far as the commencement of proceedings the end of which no one could discern, tho union with the Middle Island makes the North less careful and heedful of resiilts. This is a logical view of tho whole situation, but ifc does not follow that it should be recognised. The Home Government have hitherto looked at the matter; only on the surface, and, disregardful of ultimate consequences, have adopted, the view that the unity of the Colony affords the ■ Mother Country the best security against forced contribubutions. As we niave attempted to show, this is a superficial iii6yr. I but nbvorthe-j' less it prevails, and ifcihterpoeea a aerioua obstacle in the way of Separation over-; looked demands wilt hoys Jkp, ef^^e.,,9l^l expeck &ey aw-Bot4ikely-&i« waning- « m %iM> -uxmoi K.oa>roj .j > ;J ,v£j { jfioijAMk.s jisi&i

Tho "Otago petition to 66th Houses 6f Parliament is at Home, awaiting- the reassembling of the Legislature for preaeittaiioß.; Wo understand it i« not merely to Bo presented, but, in both Houses, to be pressed on tho notice of the Government; and though wo do not anticipate much from'it,'we shall be glad to find it turn out batter than wo expect.

The Assembly Ball, that was to have taken place this evening, has been /postponed until further notice, in consequence of tli^ncwa of the wrecks on the Coact. The monthly meeting of St, Andrew's Lo%e, 4'.i2, S.C., will b« helil this evening. The lirat of a short series of performances was given last evening at the Polytechnic Hall, High street, by Signor Vertclii. For some months paat, Si£nor Verfcelli has been performing feats after tho fashion of Blondiu, in several of theother principal towns in $ew Zealand, and these featn have been noticed as being rather of a daring and remarkable character. There is just sufficient area in the Polytechnic Hall for the performance of feats thatareexciting, withoutbtingunduly peril us Last evening. Signer Vertelli f«-performances included feats of balancing on-the'horizontal bar and on the single trapeze, and of feats of pedestrianiam on a half inch %vire cord. .Some of the apparatus was insufficiently fitted up, but the feats nccomplfahtd in the way of walking on the wire showed that Signer Vertelli has confidence and skill sufficient to1 enable him to undertake as. much as anyone in his particular profess on has previously exhibited hero, The comedy "Doing for the Beat" wa« repeated lastevenimj at the Princess Theatre. Miss Matthews, Miss Xye, -Miss Polly Lcake, MrWilmot, and Mr Ilydea, have, in; tlfes comedy, parts to wlrch they arc able to do thorough just'ec, and it was performed last evening. If it did not induce a large : attendance, it had at least the merit of in- i duciag » great deal of uvrth. Madame Mar- ' tinctti'a dancing, tableaux vivante by the troupe, and the ballet p-uitomime "Robert Macaire," completed an attractive i>rogramme. This evening, the performances aro for the benefit of Madame Martinetti, who, in ballet, has not been excelled by any daumm who haa vifjik'd Dunedin. The performances on the occasion aro to consist of the comedy "A Sleeping Hare," a "New Ballet Divertiscment," •" Athletic exercises <Jh-tho Horizontal Bar," "LaP«tite Ignatio," " The Roman Gladiator," and a now pantomime with tricks, " Vol an Vent." Owing to a letter having been received 'says the Wnikoualli Herald) from the Defence Office, etating that no Armstrong g'una were available for the Otago Province, the proposed Waifcouaiti Corps has been forwarded to the Governor to be gazetted as a Rifle Corps. This, we presume, is only adopted as a preliminary step, which, at the discretion of the Corps, can at any time be altered when proper aceVntrements can be obtained. It will, therefore, rest with the members of the volunteers whether they constitute themselves permanently into Rifle or Artillery Corps. Wo understand that a requisition is being numerously signed, inviting Mr Bagley, ebeiimt, George street, t<» allow himself to be nominated as a candidate for tho seat for Bell Ward, in tho City Council, rendered j vacant by the death of Mr William Towers, There was a meeting of the Caledonian Society at Wain's Hotel last evening. The principal object of the meeting was to appoint committees whose duty it shall be to carjy out the arrangements for the Society's Gathering on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to the Province. .Several committees were appointed, and other steps were taken to expedite and complete the necessary arrangements ; and it was agreed that the Society should meet again on an early date. A meeting of the Ecgntta Committee, which was adjourned until bet evening, lapsed in consequence of the non-attendance of members. It is to be regretted that so little interest is taken in the object for which the Committee was appointed. If the object is to bo carried out at any time, it might bo well for the Committee to be reorganised, and this might be done by the nojit meeting being open to all interested in aquatics. The piddle-whcel steamer Wallace, belonging to the Harbor Company, made her formal trial trip yesterday afternoon ; when she took a lar^e party of guests invited by the Company, including 20 or 30 ladies, to Port Chalmers, round the shipping, and bat-k. The trip would have been a delightful one. but for the weather ; for everybody on board praised the smart little boat, and she certainly does the highest credit to everybody concerned in her building and fitting, and to her owners. 'Jhe Wallace is tho latest iron steamer yet constructed in Dunedin ; for the Bruce %vas only put tbgo her and fitted hero. The Wallace was designed by Mr Darling, the engineer of the Company, and she was built at Mr Wilson's Otago Foundry, Cum* berland street. She is 130 ft long, I,sft 2in broad, Bft 2in deep, and 89 tone gross measurement. She is boilfc of 5-16 in and \va. iron, ia double-riyetted, and is divided into fivo water - tight compartments, by bulk-heads of 3-16 in iron. Her engines are by Nelson, of Glasgow; they, were formerly on board the Gundagai, which was wrecked on thePatea bar, but, as'refitted, under Mr DArling'n superintendencej they seem quite as good as when they left their maker's shop. The cylinders are oscillating, and of. 20in, diameter, the stroke being 2ft. 6in. The boiler is an ordinary tubular low-prewnro-one, and the safety-valves are weighted to 181b to the inch. The paddle-wheels are 13ft. ; .aM;oft.^;Vr?adih, ( the floats being fixed. Thropgnout; the Wallace ia substantially anil most neatly fitted. ?She has a snug *fte)r-cabin, with a ladies' cabin attached, and a fore : ctibin ; the extent of passenger aecorompdati©n,"as <^}' ai' pared with the size of fchesboat, being matter of surprise to all visitors. The Wallace baa cost LSOOiil, and she could; «©fchave beisn imii pbirtad ifrom Britain for that sum. TheJßtoob ;ooat about' WOOQ-Jr' Mi^K-^J^Pll^, m m •i^-'oi ti# «&a i3in l«m bewa— a- «hang©~whwb wa»

engines. Those who have produced the Wallace need not fear comparison Between, their work, and any similar :.wprltyet done in .the Australasian Colonies. The Wallace a* tlie fastest : steamer that has yefc been run on Dunedin Bay. She started yesterday, about the time of high water, so that she had a little of tide in her favor, wMle there was a light breeze agairmt her. She made the ran down to Fort Chalmers yesterday in 43 minutes—that is, from the order to goi ahead, after leaving the the old jetty, until the eaginc-B were stopped off Port Chalmers jetty. ■ This was quite five minutes less than ■wast tailed by "the Brnce on her trial trip. The ran yesterday from the jetty here to passing the jetty, at Burkes brewery, occupied 21 £ minutes, Toe distance to Port Chalmers is about nine miles, so that the Wallace's speed yesterday was close upon 12 knots an hour. The steam, gauge never marked more than 20lb. pressure, steam being blowing oflV more or less, throughout the run. The engines made 30 revolutions per minute, and worked capitally ; although tlviy were a little noisy, owing to the principal bearings being left rather slack, to avoid heating. After a few runs, when the bearing! are all right, the enginea will work more quietly and effectively. The return trip, from jetty to jetty, oeexipied 55 minutes ; but that was against tlie full strength, of the ebb tide, and with the engines running easily.—Amongst those on board yesterday, were His Honor, the Superintendent, and Messrs A. J. Burns aud J. Hughes, members of the Executive ; Mr Roifo, Mayor of Port j Chalmers ; Lieut.-CoL Cargill, M.H.IL ; J Capfc, Fraser ; Messrs W. H. Reynolds, 1 M.IT. I?, (and Speaker of the Provincial Council), F. J. Moss, C. Caldwell, K. M. Roberts .fii, h 0. Beal, A.- Barr, J. T. Wright, Ac.; Capt. and Adjutant Atkinson ; and Capt. Dickio, Deputy Harbor Master. As we have said, the party also included 20 or 30 ladies. At the Port, a good many of the visitors went on shore, during a half-hour's Htay subsequent to tho trip round the shipping, which was made I during a succession of heavy thunder showers, Mr Maiah, the agent of, the Company, did Ida utmost to secure the comfort of the ladies, and he was zealously assisted by Mr lU)lfe. Luncheon was provided on board ; and, despite the bad weather, the trip was made a pleasant one, we think, to all the guests. It should bo added that Captain Malcolm was in command during the trip ; and that the Wallace steers most easily. On Monday, she will commence running regularly ; and the Golden Age will be withdrawn for a complete overhaul and refit.