THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2118, 18 November 1868, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18.

Tub history of the Woollen Manufactory Bonus is evidently destined to form a chapter in our provincial annals, as interesting in its way as that of the Diamond Necklace in the history of Marie Antoinette. , The public learned some tim^ since to look upon it as a very mysterious affair. Nobody knew precisely how the matter stood. Whispers were passing from mmithto month. A country gentleman complained in a country journal that, having set himself to work to earn the bonus, he found that the Government had already made their arrangements, and that the bonus was no longer open to competition. Thereupon he proceeded to speak as disappointed men will persist in speaking. The next stage in the transaction was the publication, in our leading columns, of some remark* npon

the case stated by the complainant The next was the withdrawal of tlie Gox-ern-menfc advertisement of iho bonus from their 'advertisement sh^et.' Two months have elapsed since then—months of absolute silence on the part of the Government, months of some curiosity on the j>art of the public. But the medicine we administered was working ; and we now rejoice to find that it has worked effectually. The Government has supplied the public with information by publishing, in the Government sheet, the correspondence between His Honour the Superintendent and Messrs DaivsK, Maclean, and Co., on the subject. This correspondence is obviously not a complete history of the affair. It is evident that a great deal of personal negotiation on both sides must have accompanied these letters. As to the purport of these negotiations, every one must form his own conjectures. The gist of the correspondence is as follows: On the liith of July last, tlie firm referred to addressed a letter to His. Honour, stating that they were 'aboutcompleting arrangements for starting a woollen factory in this city,' and that all thoy required was a distinct guarantee tha', when the terms had been complied with, tho bonus would be paid to them, and that they would 'not be obliged to compete with any other person or persons who may hereafter set up a claim for the wholo or any part of it.' On the following day, a second letter was addressed by the firm to His Honour. It stated that, if the guarantee wero obtained, the ,firm waa prupared ' to at once. commence the undertaking '; and it also stated that they had ' arranged with Mr Weblby, the proprietor of tho Nelson factory, to transfer tho wholo of his machinery and plant to this place with as little delay as possible.' In reply to these communications, a letter was written by the Superintendent on the 17th July, concluding as follows : ' tho Government hereby agrees to pay yoa the sum named, so soon as you manufacture five thousand yards of" woollen cloth of fair marketable quality, on condition that the same is manufactured within eighteen months ,ffom this date.' On tho 26th of August, His Honour again addressed the firm. He informed them that, on the day previous, he had received a letter from Mr Whblky of Nelson to tho effect that all negotiations between him and the firm had ceased on the 13th of that month ; that the Government had given the guarantee on the understanding that the arrangement with Mr Webmsy would enable the firm to commence the undertaking at. otuce,; that His Honour and tho Executive understood this arrangement ' to be an essential requisite to success'! Tho lettor concluded with a request that tho firm would inform His Honour what steps they had taken 'to perform their pledges.' Tho reply to this letter, written on the following day, expressed surprise at His Honour's communication ; it asserted that the reference to Mr Wkbley was entirely voluntary on tlio part of tho firm, and formed no part of the agreement between the Government and thorn ; that they stopped negotiations with Mr Webley because his plant appeared to be insufficient, and becanse ' his idea of tho whole matter seemed to be limited to making the required number of yards to got the bonus.' The letter gave no information on the question raised by His Honour a3 to the steps talten to establish the manufactory. Tho next letter is dated the 31st October. The firm reopens the subject, and after alluding to the dissatisfaction expressed by ' certain newspapers and persons' with tho arrangement mado by the Government, it concluded by relieving tho Government from their guarantee. ' Whether we shall now go on with the undertaking,' said tho firm, 'is a mattor for our own consideration entirely.'

We are certain that our readers will agree with us in pronouncing this affair a very singular muddle. In fact, it is impossible to understand how the matter comes to bo such a muddle. Wbat influences wero at work to induce His Honour to tako up a fighting attitude towards the firm on the 26th August —some five or six weeks after ho had entered into a written agreement with them? And what influences were at work to induce the firm to throw up the bonus, instead of holding the Superintendent to the letter of his agreement ? The fact that Mr Wkbley of Nelson had ceased negotiations with Messrs Driver, Maclean, and Co. did not affect tho agreement with thoso gentlemen in the slightest. The agreement—aa expressed in His Honour's words—made no reference to Mr Wkbley. Therefore tho firm have some reason to complain of the treatment they have received at the hands of His Honour. It is not a little surprising that they should have listened to any objection connected with Mr Wbbley ; still more that they should havo relieved the Superintendent from the guarantee. Knowing as they did that the validity of tho agreement was not at all affected, they might have been expected to insist upon its fulfilment to the letter. They ceased negotiations with Mr Webley, because they were not satisfied either with his plant or his principles ; and their intention was, wo presume, to introduce better plant and higher principles at the same time. It is a melancholy reflection that His Honour, by raising this irrelevant objection, should have prevented the establishment of 'a fir3t-clas3 woollen factory' in Otago. Wo trust that means will yet be found for arranging thia difficulty. No one can object to the bonus being handed over to Messrs. Driver, Maclean, and. Co. the moment they have earned it, nor can any one entertain a doubt as to their ability to estal lish the factory in question. It ia very unfortunate that His Honour, when he entered into an agreement with these gentlemen, did not think fit to publish it ; and it is also unfortunate that, after the agreement was made,"the advertisement of the bonus should have been allowed to appear in print. The action of the Government is certainly erratic. It is silent when it ought to apeak; and it rushes into

print at a time when it might very well afford to be silent.

His Honor Mr Justice Ward will sit again to-daj in Banco, at 10 o'clock. The business to bo disposed of is Jones v. Orbell, motion for attachment; and Jones v. Orbell, motion to dissolve injunctions. M'Liskey v Carey, motion for decree ; and Harris v. Shanley, motion for confirmation, have been Eet down for disposal to-morrow.

The Council ofthe Caledonian Society met last eight at Wain's Ho:cl. The Vice- President, Mr M'G aw, was in tho chair, and there were present Messrs Baxter, Shepherd, Bain, Lawson, Kirkcildy. Fargie, and Douglas (Secretary). Tne programme for tho ensuing games was finally arranged The amount voted for prizes was L2OO. There are to bo fifty-four events, and amongst them several novelties. One will be a Champion Race, 1 mile, the prizes being L 8 and lA. There will also be a Steeplechase, 5 feet hurdles, tho prizes being L5, 1.3 and L2. The author of the best English Poem, on a subject to be fixed by tho judges, will receive a gold medal or LG 10s. It was resolved to a-k Messrs Hislop. Bathgate, O. B. Barton, Pope, and tho Rev. D. M. Stuart, to aot as judges. The entrance feei for competitors wero fixed, aud the meeting was adjourned.

A serious accident happened to Mr John Brook, Half way Bash, on Monday evening. After returning home from hia place of business in Georgo street, ho took out his gun to scare away the birds from the fruit trees in his garden. In going through the garden, he tripped and foil, tho muzzle of tho gun catching the earth. The gnn went off, burst, and shattered tho fingers of Mr Brook's left hand, so that amputation below tho left elbow l ecame necessary. Dr Alexander was called in, and he had afterwards the assistance of Dr Edwards, and the operation was carefully performed. We are glad to learn that Mr Brook is progressing favourably.

Mj- West, the proprietor of St George'H Hall, desires to state that his charge "for the use of scats, gas, anrl hire of haU" yesterday evening, was two pounds, and consequently that the non-success in a financial sense on that occasion cannot bo attributed to the expenses conuccted with tho Hall. Wo understand that no complaint is mado, or was intended to be made, about Mr West's charges, whioh aro not at all extravagant ; but the expenses on this occasion wero cons:dered relatively to the usual expenses of the Social Improvement Association, which m ordinary occasions meets in a room underneath the Congregational Church.

Tho very mention of the fact that Cuts-who-Gero, tho Japanese lady, whose extraordinary performances havo been one of the greatest, if not tho greatest, attraction fco the Theatre for tho last month, takes her benefit to-night, should be sufficient to cause the Theatre to be filled. Her performances havo bern spoken of by all who have peen .them as wonderfully clever; whiln her pleasing appearance and coquettish ways have gained her many admirers.- But her name and tho occasion aro not the only attraction. There is to be a special programme. In ono portion " the feast of the Its-na-deo," thero will be delineations of national characteristics and the execution of national dances by the whole of the troupe. The other portion of tho entertainment will be novel and interesting. We trust thafc one who has contributed so much to the general entertainment as Cuts-whogcro will bo well jjitronised.

The medals of the Agricultural and Pastoral "Society of Otago, now on their way from England, are—judging from a tracing shown us by Mr Sydney James—very neat in design, and are well worth being competed for. On tho face there h a New Zealand view, and in the fore-ground there is a group of stock. The reverse is worded with the inscription of the Society, and the date of its foundation. Inside that there is a wreath of cereals, and inside again space ia left for the winner's name, &c. to be inscribed . The medals, wh'ch are expected to arrive by the next mail, aro in gold, silver, and bronze.

" The extraordinary freaks and tricks played by the Otago Provincial Government" are dwelt npon in the Tuapeka Press, the immediate subject of complaint being the removal of certain road parties before the tcrminati-n of the work on which they wc-ro engaged.

Cases under the Extended Jurisdiction will be heard in the Resident Magistrate's Cjurt to-day.

At a recent fire in Geelong, Laura Villa, the property of Mr Lenton, of the Lcnton and Smith's] Japanese Troupe, waa total'y destroyed.

A special meeting of the Road Board was held yesterday, in the office of the Secretary for Land and Works. Thero were present, His Honor the Superintendent, who presided, the Secretary for Land and Works, (Mr A J. Burns), and Mr John Hughes. Leavo was given to the Mornington Board to levy an assessment of Is per acre. It was agreed that in the Te Houka district, the assessment shonld be by valuation. Tbe consideration of the application from Cranbourne for leave to assess at Cd per acre, was postponed until the next regular meeting. The application of the Anderson's Bay District Board for leave to assess on annual v*lue was considered. The resolution of the Local Board was confirmed. The appointments of Mr James Hisail and Mr J. C. Gilchrist, to be Commissioners fJr the Enfield District, and Mr N. Douse and Mr Kobert Blair, for the Greytown District, were confirmed. The question of the Roa^s through Kedslio's property, Roslyn, and the road from the Main South Road to Waitahuna, were under discussion. Tho matters were referred to the Secretary for Land and Works, to endeavour to arrange with the owners of the properties, Mr Kcdslie and Mr Twiaa.

At a meeting of the -Agricultural and Pastoral Society held yesterday, it was resolved to hold the annual show on the 7th of January next. Mr Murison's resolutions respecting the establishment of a Provincial Show were adopted ; and Messrs Robertson and Driver were requested to aid the object of the resolution in the Provincial Council. Ihe support of the Society to the movement for the establishment of a produce market was given, and other business of importance was transacted..

The - Resident Magistrate (Mr James Fulton) was occupied for some hours yester day in hearing the charges against Henty Garrett. Upon a charge of stealing a olosk, Garrett was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and for having in his possession skeleton keys, he received* further sentence of 12 months' imprisonment. He was also committed for trial npon two distinct charge*—those of breaking into Mr Allan's

premises, and of stealing from Mr Bagley's shop, Gt. King street. The Court and its approaches were crowded during tho trials, and some hundreds of persons assembled in Water and Bond streets, to catch a .glimpse of tho now moro thau ever notorious convict.

Later accounts to hand from the Natal goldfield, via tho Mauritius, are not co bright as previous ones. A sum of LSOOO has, however, been voted by the Cape Parliament for the purpose of fitting out an expedition to exploro the district. A report was also current that a nugget weighing 1 Alb had been discovered, but this was said to want confirmation. The manufacture of soap and candles is a^out to be commenced at Stawell, Victoria, and a branch of the Geelong Brewery is also to be opened there. The manufacture of lime is increasing in tho neighborhood of

Geelong.

A pension of LIOOO a year has been conferred on Sir Charles Darling by the Imperial Government.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESrONDfcNTS.) Wellington, November 17th. Tho Wanganui Friendlies have been disbanded. There aro few houscß now occupied more than a mile or two outside Wanga-

The Woreroa redoubt, which was attacked on Thursday evening, was successfully defended for threo hours without loss by the first-class Militia, and a few rebels were killed. The redoubt has since been abandoned.

Tho main body oif the rebels continues to movo towards Wanganui, followed by Colonel Whitmore..

The former skirts the bush and has it alwayß ready for a cover; tho latter keeps in the open, watching and waiting for any favourable opportunity for making an attack.

Tho Governor, Mr Stafford, Colonel Haultain, Dr. Featherston, and Mr Parris, wore all in Wanganui yes'erday.

The Wesleyan annual missionary meeting took placo hero last night.

The lease of the Provincial Bond for three yeara was sold by public tender today, to Mr George, for £800 per annum.

[The following appeared as a aily Tim cs Extra yesterday.]

Nelson, November 17th.

Last night an enthusiastic meeting was held sympathising with the suffering colonists in the North Island, tho Superintendent in tho chair. Seven hundred persons wero present. The first resolution, expressing sympathy, was proposed by the Bishop, and seconded by Mr Elliott.

Tho second resolution was moved by Mr Barnicoat (tho Speaker of the Council), and wa3 seconded by Father Gariti, that tho Superintendent ' c requested to take means to extend timely aid to the wounded, sick, and destitute persons, if wanted.

The third resolution was proposed by Dr Irvine, and seconded by Mr James Burnett, that while not expressing an opinion as to tho way in which the war had been heretofore conducted, this meeting, consisting of persons of all political parties, testifies to an earnest and unanimous desire that tho people of Nelson afford moral and material support to tho Government during the present emergency, in any energetic and efficient measures thoy may adopt for punishing and repressing rebellion and outrago. The above motions wore unanimously agreed to. Several influential people addressed the meeting.

Tho Colonist of this morning advocates the suspension of the Constitution in the North Island, and placing it under tho direct rule of a Commissioner appointed by the Queen, until the Native disturbance is quelled. The article declares the acceptance of Native responsibility to bo a mistake, and adds : —The Maoris who formerly venerated the Governor, as the real representative of the Queen, have discovered that as things now are, he is only a plastic instrument in tho hands of the Ministry, who are again a changea' lo body, resting on the will of Parliament. Hence, all but the shadow of authority has vanished in the eyes of the Maori, and with it has vanished also, all but tho shad >w of their former respect, and that respect will not reappear until feudal chieftancy is again assumed on behalf of Her Majesty with regard to the Maoris of the North Island.