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Otago Daily Times, Issue 2127, 28 November 1868, Page 2

Tn an article on the comparative cost of a Colonial and British force in New Zealand, the Auckland Herald remarks :—-A Colonial force is drawn from our own population, it is the abstraction of bo many men, in the prime of iife, from profitable labour. Suppose we havo »n apgregate force of all torts employed representing the wages of 1000 I men at L 2 per week each, this would be equal to LIOI.OOO a year. So that by the withdrawal of these men from their ordinary avocations, we havo a loss in tho wages earned for profitable labour of L 104.000 a-year, two-thirds of the cost of three British regiments. But this labour, wo may assume, would bo of a reproducing character. It would bo like money put out at compound interest, tho work done this year, would yield a perpetual annually increasing piofit. Taking then these things into consideration, it appears abundantly clear that our best policy would bo to obtain three regiments from tho British Government;.

wrong in tho agricultural syatem, when a country with tho capability of New Zealand for cereal growing, is so excessive, an importer. The evil is probably found in two c.tusi'B ; the very limited use of machinery, and the high price oi labour. The latter w:ll s tedily be remtdied by a permanent immigration scheme, and tho former cause is entirely iv tho hands of tho capitalists and farmers.

TneTimaru Herald, iv an article comparing the exports of that district during lm>t year with that of the present one, after remarking ou the foiling off thown in their value, continues :—With the serious fall in the price of wool, which threatens to bo of a permanent na'uro, it has tecome a question for men of capital to consider whether something more than the growing of wool should not receive attention, and whether it would not be na profitable to cultivate grain on a large scale, as to breod shetp, and grow wool There must bo something

Tho London Times, after speaking of tho method adopted by the United States Government for keeping the Indians in check, continues :—lt used to be taid that it would bo an excellent speculation on our part to bring away every settler from the Caffrarian border in a Government vessel, and plant him elsewhere in a good farm at the pnblic expense, if by so doing wo could be relieved from the charge of Cadre wara. Calculations of the name kind might be applied, we have no doubt, to the proceedings in New Zealand. There is a short and easy way in such affairs, and that is to allow the settlers to hunt down and shoot their savage assailants like wolves, under which system the savages like wolves, would soon disappear. Ther

is another method, which has been adopted by both the British and American Governments, and it consists in interposing with consideration and forboirance between the cmflieting racett, but the machinery is excessively costly, and, to all appearances, strangely ineffective.

The people of Wauganui appear to have reached the limit of their patience with tho dilatory measures of the Government. The Chronicle remarks :—The people of Wangauui have stated their case —they have pointed out what they conceive should be done. The Government is supine. There is nothing more remaining for us to do in a constitutional way. Perhaps the worst has been reached, and the crisis may resolve itself. In that case the Government will be left to its own devices. If, on the other hand, some dark day of anguish- some supreme hour of suffering— is before us, no one nted wonder if the people of Wcuganui slall take summary steps to indicate how they think and f.>-l on the subject.

We are indebted to Mr Andrew Pollock of of the Lanarkshire Coal Company, Green Island, for the following particulars relative to a litw seem of coal to which a shaft was hunk, and bottomed, last Tuesday evening. The seam is on tho property of Mibb Howorth of Walton Park, and is of an immense thick. nes«, being nearly 15ft, and dipping about one in ten, Beaward. Mr Pollock informs us that th'B is one of the best Ecama the Company has opened yet, the quality of the coal being even superior to what already has beni produced. We must congratulate tho enterprising firm for the perseverance they havo evinced in this matter. In addition to supplying tho inhabitants of Dunedin and suburbs, this firm is endeavouring to establish a coastal connection, having recently been forwarding supplies of tho Green Island coal to Port Chalmers, O*mara, and its vicinity.

Tho late massacre at Poverty Bay seems to have roueed tha people of New Zealand from one end of tho colony to the other. In nddition to the recent meetings of sympathy with the sufferers held in Kelson, Taranaki, and Dunedin, similar mectingH have been projected in Auckland and Wellington, and one wns also to hsve been held in Westport on the 17th inst.

The unfortunate Mr Rchafer has been liberated from prison, whither ho had been consigned for an attem;t to commit suicide, having found two sureties in LSO each for his good behaviour in fntnre. Mr Schafer will r-main at Ucxcuera with Mr Petschler, one of his sureties, until the departure of the s.s. Hero for Sydney, whither he will proceed on his way home, a sadder and a wiser man.

An interesting incident relating to the death of the lato Major Hunter, is related by the Wanganui Herald :—Tho Major, it appears, had some preeentiment that he would never come out of the fight. He gave his watch and pnrßO to the doctor, and said ho was going to avenge his brother's <Jeatk The last words he spoke were : " Are we beating them ?"

The Presbytery of Duncdin met in the Kaikorai Church, on "Wednesday evening, for the induction of tho Rev. W. Alvcs, M.A., to the pastorate. The Itev. W. Will having preached an admirable sermon from Mat. xvi., 15-20, and asked the questions appointed to be put to ministers at their induction, ho admitted Mr Alvcs to the pastoral charge of tho congregation, and in token thereof gave him the right hand of fellowship. The pastor and people were then suitably addressed on their several duties by the Revs. E. Scrimgeour and D. M. Stuart. Thecongiegation, notwithstanding thesqually character of the evening, was largo. At tho close of thesorvices, the Committee adjourned to coffee and cake in the vestry.

The Nathnn Troupe arrived here yesterday from the Bluff. It is not yet known whether tbc-y will give any of their pleasing entertainments huro, or whether they will proceed to Auckland.

Now that a great part of George street has been so much, improved by tho asphalting rf the footpaths, the Corporation might finish tho work they have so wtll begun, by laying down crossings at the corners of the principal street Some of the crossings in bad wef.ther are very bad, besides being much too f r below the level of tho footpath.

Something appears to be radica 1?y -wrong with the public clocks in this city. The Hospital clock was stand ng during a great part of yesterday, and the much vanntcil time-piece of the new Post Office also came to a stand-still last evening at half-past eight o'clock. Possibly both clocks are on the strike.

We understand that it in the intention of the Oarrick Club to give a performance in about a fortnigh', for the t entfit of the auffcrcra by tho war in tho North. Tho pieces selected are the comedy of "The Poor Gentleman," and tbe farce of "Turkish Baths ;" and from what we know of tho progress of the rehearsal, and from the praiseworthy object of the Club, wo believe it will be a success.

Tho annual Licensing Meeting will be held on Tuesday next, in the Resident Magistrate's Court.

iourned.

Tho business in the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, waa not oC importance. In tho case of Young v. Perry, the plaintiff claimed HI Ge, for goods supplied and money lent. Mr "Wilson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Ward for the defendant. The claim was acknowledged, but a set-off for the value of a watch alleged to be detained by the plaintiff was put in. Judgment waa given for the amount claimed—the watch to bo returned. The cases Long v. Hood, and Hood, and Another v. M'^vaughton. were ad-

We have to remind the puMic that the Battalion Band will meet at tho Botanical Gardens this afternoon, at five o'clock, and will play a number of airs, under the leadership of the Bandmaster, Mr Martin. There should be a good attendance.

The weekly meeting of the Directors of the Caledonian Society was held last night, at Wain's Hotel, Manse street. The President (C. Birch, Esq.] was in toe chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The. Programme Committee reported that the programme was in tho hands of the pr.nters. The Pucm Committee reported that they had consulted with the Judges, and that in consequence of the short time which would : elapso before the games, the subject of the>Poem would be left to tho competitors to choose. The Ground Committee suggested alterations to the Ladies' waiting-rooms, wbichlwere Remitted to them to cany out. A Games Committee

was appointed, with a view of ensuring that there should bo no unnecessary delay between each event, and the proper carrying out of the programme. Tbe name of Mr Andrew Murray was added to the list of Direct: n. It waa resolved that the Pipers meet at the Committee Jloorna, Manse street, and play on the way to the grounds on the day of the gathering.- It was also resolved that the plant of the Society be placed at the disposal of the Games Committee, for the purpose of affording to intending competitors an opportunity of practising.

The new hose imported for the Fire Brigade from London is now lanced, and it will ba tested on Tue3iay eveniug next, when every member of tho Brigade ia expected to meet for practice.

An inquest on the body of Frederick Hill, who fell overboard from the topsail yard of the ship Galler-ou ou the 14th nit. and was drowned, was held yesterday, in the I'rovsucial Hotel, Port Chalmera, before the District Coroner, Dr D. C'Donnoghue. Cnptain Gordon M'Kinnon, who was on board the Callcr-ou at the time of the accident, gavo evidence of identification, and the iury returned a verdict of accidental drowning.

The statement made by the Auckland Herald to the effect that His Excellency the Governor hue sent to Australia for a portion of the 14th Regiment is represented (>y the Wellington Advertiser as a " pure invention."

Great improvements have been effected in tho swimming baths at Wellington. Exten sive additions and repairs have been mad •, and the price of admission has been reduced toCd.

Tho Rev. A. P. F.tchett will preach tomorrow morning and evening, in St. Ge rge's Hall, wlurethe services in connection wkh tho Weslcyan Church will be held until tho erection of the new church.

A second lecture on Astronomy will bo delivered oa Monday next, at 7 p. m ,in tie Anderson's Bay Church, by James Black, Esq., the proceeds to be devoted to tho establishment of a library »t Anderson's Bay.

The adjourned meeting of the Edccaticn Board, which was to have been held yesterday, has been further postponed until Monday.

The 8.8. Stormbird, regarding the safety of which cons;derable fears had been expressed, arrived this morning at 1.20 The report of her voyage will bo found in our shipping columns.

The followingisthc calendar of prisoners for trial at the next criminal session, which will commence on Tuesday morning next, before his Honour Mr Justice Ward :—Jeremiah Broham, alias Jeremiah O'Halloran, alias DarVy O'Halloran, unlawfully and maliciously cutting, stabbing, and wounding at East Taieri ; Henry Garrett, alias Rouse, housebreaking at Dunedin; same, housebreaking at Dunedin ; Edwin Lovcll, obtaining board and lodging under false pretences at Waihola ; William Kennedy, housebreaking at Evans Flat; James Lyle, embezzlement at Cavershmn ; John Morrison, forging and uttering a forged cheque at Dunedin ; John Brewstcr Mout)lry, embezzlement at Dunedin ; John M'Laughlan, and James Brown, cattle-stealing at Hawksbury; same, cattle-stealing at Hawkabury ; John Murray, cutting, stabbing, and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm at Port Chalmers ; Hugh Chiaholm M'Donald, horse-stealing at Clyde ; Alexander M'Laine, obtaining board and lodging under false pretcnceß at Dunedin ; John Robinson, Btealing a box of tobacco at Dunedin ; John Richards, stealing property from and out of the Keera at Dunedin ; William Stauuton Sleeruan, obtaining goods under false pretences at Dunedin ; Hinry Thomson, stealing property at Dunedin ; Charlea Williams, assault with in. tent at Dunedin. On bail—Patrick Barrett, assault »t Clydo; Peter Flannery, assault at Clyde.