THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY. NOV. 30.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2128, 30 November 1868, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY. NOV. 30.

We observe with much satisfaction that the Buggeations we threw out some time ago as to the desirability of the Waterworks becoming the property of tho Corporation of Dunedin, have received some attention. The subject has been freely discussed, both by shareholders in the Company and by those whom the Company has the power to tax. The result is that when Mr Fish: broached tho subject at the last meeting of the Council, he was able to say that some at least of the Directors of the Company would entertain the proposal favourably. He might have gone further and said that a very considerable number of the citizens of Dunedin, including a large proportion of the shareholders in the Waterworks, are desirous to see the change made, if it can be arranged oh an equitable basis.

The transfer of the property and privileges of a private company to a public body cannot, tinder any circumstances, be a-aim pie transaction. The preliminary difficulty in the present case of bringing so large a number of shareholders on the one hand, and the general public on the other, to something like unanimity of opinion upon the subject, -will not be found a alight one. We trust, therefore, that the gentlemen who have at length taken the matter in hand will not be readily discouraged. This will riot be the case if they are thoroughly convinced that the question is one of vital importance to the city. The fact that we owe so much to the present Directory of the Company, or, at any rate, to those gentlemen who have been Directors from the earliest stage of the enterprise, must not blind us to the fact that a dangerous monopoly haa been conferred upon tho Company. It ought not to be forgotten, that we should most

probably have been as far from being supplied with water now as we were five years ago, when the Company was originated, had tbe subject been left to be dealt with in the meantime by the city authorities. But neither should we overlook the fact that, in their general indifference to what was really their most pressing want, the citizens of Dunedin i allowed powers, which ought to be in no handsbut those of their own representatives to be conferred upon a number of persons whose interests will in the future be diametrically opposed to their own. At present we believe a majority of the Bhareholders are to be found among the ratepayers of Dunedin, and may be supposed to have a fellow feeling with them. This may not always be the case, and, if we arej not misinformed, the register of tlio Company k will show that it is already much less the case than it waa when the works were first commenced. With this prospect before them, it behoves the ratepayers to exac mine very carefully what degree of an-

lagonism there is between the interests of the Water Works Company and their own, supposing each party to bo actuated only by those selfish considerations which j do in the long run rule all human affairs. And they will, further, do well to ascertain definitely to what extent the company can consult its own interests at thoir expense—how far, in fact, the Company can tax them in excess of tho amount which the City Council would be likely to do in the same circumstances. We are quite sure that if proper consideration be given to this aspect of the question, the promoters of the purchase will go on steadily through any difficulties which may arise in their way, and will be heartily supported in doing so by their cons I ituen ts, until the proposal now made is carried into effect, and the Waterworks become the property of the city. For without going into any considerable detail, it is easy to show that tho privileges which have been granted to the Company are in excess of what they ought to bo. Those who are at present paying them are well awa.ro that tho maximum water rates which can be inflicted are oppressive in thoir character, and that the system under which they are levied is a very arbitrary and unjust one. Tho Company, however, is entitled to demand these rates until its not profits exceed twenty per cent, upon Ihe whole share capital. This arrangement, oven if it wore carried out with strict integrity by tho Company, is an oppressive ono for the ratepayers. Tho Company has found the necessary capital for a public work, and ought to receive just such remuneration as others do who lend their capital to the State, which is sonaetliing very much less than 20 por cent. Ita shareholders have run no special risk, because a guarantee of reasonable interest haa been granted to them for a period beyond which there can be no probability of tho Works failing to yield the necessary profit. This, however, is not the extent of the mischief. There is nothing in the terms of the concession to define how the Directors of the Company shall be guided in thoir estimation of net protit. As long as they do not declare any dividend in excess of tho statutory limit, they may use the income of the company in a variety of ways, so as to postpone indefinitely any reduction of water rates. The history of other similar bodies proves that this is invariably done in such cases. Even in London, where there is a competition between so many sources of supply, the restriction upon the rate of dividend has proved to bo quite unavailing as a rneanß of keeping down tho cost of water to the citizens, or obliging tho companies to consult the public interest only in regard either to its distribution or its quality. How much more so is this likely to be tho case where—as inDunedin—com. petition is entirely excluded. The variety lof ways in which the money taken out of ! the pockets of the citizens of Dunedin in the shape of water rates, may be expended by tho company upon objects which the Corporation would not permit it to bo applied to, is very great. One which presents itself to the mind as most probable, is the extension of the supply to tho suburbs of the city. If this is ever done, it will have to be out of the current profits of the company, which means at the expense of the ratepayers in tho city. Upon any such extension, it is almost certain that the return in tho form of rates will be inadequate. Thus, not only may other localities be provided with a supply of water at tho coat of the city, but that supply may occasion an annual mulct of the citizens to maintain it in efficiency. This is not an imaginary prospect—the extension of the water mains beyond the limits of Dunedin has always formed part of the projects of this Company.

We have said enough to show that those members of the Council who have taken, up the question of this purchase deserve the heartiest support of the citizens of Dunedin. We are glad to think tliat if this support is accorded to them, they are likely to be met by a considerable number of the shareholders in a fair spirit. We indulge the hope, therefore that another session of tho Assembly will not be allowed to pass without the accomplishment of a work which we take leave to call the most important, and the most necessary which the Corporation could have taken in hand.

To-day b«ing St. Andrew's Day, will bo o y served aa a holiday by the various banks in town. Tho drapery establishments will also be closed, and doubtless many other places of business will follow their example." There will also bo a special Masonic service at St. Paul's Church, at three o'clock, when a sermon will be preached by tho Very Worshipful tho Provincial Grand Chaplain of NewZealand(S.C.) Ero. R. L. Stanford. An unusnally impressive Choral service has been arranged for the occasion, and Mr Towsey will preside at the organ. A collection will bo made after the sermon in aid of the fund of New Zealand Scottish Masoirc Benevolence. la the evening, at 5 o'clock, there will be a banquet at the Masonic HalL

A meeting of tho Standard Property Investment Society will ba held on Wednesday evening, from six to eight o'clock.

The first half-yeirly meeting of the Dunedin Garrick Club will bo held at Wilmot's Hotel to-morrow evening, at 7.30.

The annual meeting of Justices, for the purpose of granting and renewing publicans' licenses -vill be held to morrow at noon, in tho Resident Magistrate's Court.

A telegram received in town last night, from Tokomariro, states that the racehorse Hark&way is dead. This will make an alteration in the "tips" for the Tradesmen's Races.

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zoaland, Scotch Constitution, was held at the M*aonis Sail, on Saturday afternoon, at two o'clock, for the purpose of ias tailing officers for the ensuing twelve months. The Right Worshipful the Substatute Provincial Grand Master, Brother Jas. Mills, was in the chair, assisted by the "Very Worshipful the Provincial Grand S. W., Bro. John Thomson ; the V.W. the Provincial G.J.W., Brother B*muel T. Kerr, the V.W. the Prov. G. Secretary,Bro. M. W. Hawkins, and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers.

After a pleasing address from tho R.W. the Substitute Provincial Grand Master, ho proceeded to install tho following Brethren :— G. X Dermer, P.G.9.D. ; A. R. Spakling, P.G J.D.; G. H. Campbell, P.G. Trcaunrer; W. J. Burton, P.G. Jeweller; James Gore, P.G. Bible-bearer ; Johnßtid, P.G.D. of C. ; R. S. W. Grieve, Standard-bearer; G. J. Brown, P.G.D. of Music ; John Sibbald, P.G. Marshall; T. E. D«rmcr, Captain J. J. Atkinson, J. Lanseigne, and Jas. M'Leod, Stewards ; R. Jopp, P.G. Tyler.

Mr Wilsoa and the Princess Dramatic Company have been gaining honours in Christchurcb. The theatre and thottricals had fallen into discredit; but by producing good pieces, putting them on the stage ass they should be placed, and playing them well, both manager and actors eventually became popular, and large audiences witnessed the performances. The Press, at tho close of tho season, said:—The public cannot but express their thanks to Mr Wilson for the way in which, he has catered for their amusement, by producing such excellent pieces during his short stay here. Tho manner in which the {.Teat Dtrby Scene in Mr Wbitworth'B " Flying Jib," was placed on the ttage will long be remembered by all who have had the pleasure of seeing it. To-night a new dramatic season commences at the Princess Theatre, and we hope it will bo a prosperous one. The strength of the company has been increased, among the new additions being Mr R. P. Whitworth (whose pieces have.Jjcen very successful in Ohristchurch), Miss Herperte, and Mits Ettio M'Donald, a vocalist whose performances are favourably spoken of. Tho programme for the season includes some of the latest London comedies and Mr Whitworth's drama of tho " Flying Jib" is to be produced. For this evening, there is an excellent programme Tho old, but good, comedy of tho " Heir at Law" will bo played firet In it, Mr Wilson appears, playing tho part of Zckiel Homespun, and Mr Whitworth makes his first bow to a Dunedin audience as Dr. Pangloss. Miss Ettio M'Donald will then ting, and the performances will conclude with the capital farce of "My Turn Next."

The number of patients in the Ltmatic Asylum at the end of last week was aa follows :—Males, 78 ; females, 30 : total, I<'B. We omitted to mention in an article which appears to-day, respecting the same institution, that since ita inauguration, none of its patients have sustained any injury either from accident or bad treatment on the part of the attendants—a fact which speaks well for the manner in which the institution is conducted. Tho present staff numbers 14, inclusive of tho superintendent and matron.

In tho Resident Magistrate's Court, on Saturday last, R. H. Fox was charged with hiving stolen 9a from the bar of the Pier HoteL He pleaded guilty, and was sent to gaol for three months, with hard labour. His children, Robert, Hannah, and Harriet, were then brought up, charged with being neglected, within the meaning of the Neglected and Criminal Children Act. It appeared that the boy had been found in the streets by the police, and when the constable went home with him he saw the father lying on the bed drunk, and the other children in a destitute condition. The mother, who had left on account of her husband's illusage, was up the country in a situation. The children were gent to the Industrial School for a year.

Wo understand that tlio connection of Dr Holme with the Lunatic Asylum, as visiting surgeon to that establishment, ceases to-day. All who arc acquainted with the skill and attention, its well as delicate tact displayed by that gentleman in the discharge of his arduous duties ia that capacity, w'll share the regret felt at his retirement by those with whom he hasjbeen brought into contact.

The match between the Married and Single members of the Citizen's Cricket Club comts off to-day on the ground of the D.C.C., which has been kindly lent for the purpose. Wickets are to be pitched at 1.45 p.m., and the play will commence at 2 p.m. sharp. The following are the players engaged : — MARMED. SINGLE. Fi&h, junior Pcako Woodifield Dunning Watson Geddes, A. W. Thompson Josling, A. West Cohen Weat Whetham Gardner Coxhead H el Iyer Morrison | Miller Woodhams Christie Anderson Elatn Geddes, G. W. Manning and Orer, extra men. We learn, by a. private telegram that all the settlers who have left their homes at Manawatu on account of the disturbed state of the snrrounding districts, have arrived at Foxton in safety. One of them is Mr John Dalrymple, lato cf the Molyneux district. A short time ago notice was taken of the erection of steam saw mills at Port Chalmers, by Mr R. Bauchop, which employ a considerable amount of labour, boch of men and horses, in bringing the rough logs to the milL The supply of rough timber not being equal to the cap* Uiues of the mill or to the demand for it, Mr Bauchop determined to remove his mill to » thickly timbered district, and selected Deborah Bay as the spot. Arrangements having been made with the owners of the property there, the work of removal was speedily completed. The site selected is at the lower junction of two spurs, about thirteen hundred feet from high water mark, for which distance a roller tramway on an improved principle, is being made to convey the timber to the beach, after which a jetty 200 ft in length, with a tramway upon it, will be run out into deep water, so that coasting vessels will bo enabled to come alongside and load direct from the mill, thus saving considerable expense. Along the jetty will also be led pipes for the supply of freih water to the shipping. The locality is one of the most picturesque ' in the harbour, and abounds in majestic trees of white, red, and black pine, totara, manuka, and other valuable timber. On Friday last steam was got up, and several thousand feet of pine sawn, everything biing | found to work weLL The mill has been christened the Deborah Bay Saw Mill, and we heartily wish the enterprising proprietor success in his venture.

Hitherto it haa been the subject of comment by many that there has been no engineering establishment at Fott Chalmers whereby facilities could be afforded to the roquiremeuts of the many ocean, steamers which visit our harbour. It haa frequently been conjectured that one of the large Dunedin establishments would open a branch at the Port, thereby saving the steamboat community time and expense in coining to Dunedin, 'which, in small jobs, often exceeds the actual coat. This state of things, however, is now-happily put an end to. Lately, the well known firm of Warden and Eaaton dissolved partnership, and the latter gentleman joined Mr M'Gxegor, a practical engineer, who for

sometimo was employed in the intarcoloniaX steamers. Shortly aftoriva rds, tho now firm, bought a screw and turning latbc, as also tho Pride of the Yarra's engine and boiler. The engine has been overhauled and renewed where required by Mr M'Gregor, and counter-balanced to equalise its motion. bo as to fit it for its present purpose of driving the machinery of tho lathe. Tho latter is a stiprri«r piece of workmansliip, munuftctured by Messrs Crawhill and Campbell, of Glasgow, and competent judges assert that it is the best in the colony. It can turn a shaft 21 inches in diameter, and 10 feet in length, and is fitted with a full net of wheels and pinions for screw cuttiug, making it admirably adapted for colonial purposes. It is fully capable of satisfactorily meeting; any demand that is likely to arise in the province, or of executing any marine work that may reach our port for repairs. There is also on the premises a small lathe worked

r y the same CDgine. On Saturday steam, was got up, and tho first practical work was done, everj thing working smoothly and well. Orders for wool screws, on the American, principle, have been already receiv i, and will be commenced this week. It .s anticipated that the screws thus manufactured can bo turned out at a cost considerably under that of the imported article. Tho name of Mr Easton, who has been long and favourably known in connection with tho shipping blacksmith work of tho Port, together with Mr M'Gregor's practical experience, should be a sufficient guarantee for tho efficient manner in which work entrusted to their care will bo carried out. They deserve great credit for being the initiators of the first engineering establishment at Port Chalmers ; and it is to be hoped thafc tho steamboat community will practically appreciate their enterprise. ■=