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Otago Daily Times, Issue 3905, 22 August 1874, Page 2

Tt is a great thing to be able to apply to a scientific man and ascertain the terminology with which scientists have agreed to label stinks. We are sure that the City Council went home both happier and wiser men for learning that sulphuretted hydrogen and bisulphide of carbon are highly poisonous when unburnt, and stink like poison when burnt. Who said they didn't? What a charming farce ifc is, bringing up a report of this kind before a popular body who do not (small blame to them) understand one single syllable of what they read ! One sentence in the account of the meeting is most suggestive: v On the reading of the part of the report which showed the desirability of using lime, Mr Fish exclaimed ' Hear, hear,' and Mr Woodland, ' That's what they don't use.'" Why did these illustrious listeners speak up at that moment ] Obviously because they were relieved to come to something at last which they understood. They breathed a sigh of relief overthe word lime because they had met that article upon their travels, and they had never previously heard of the other things that had got into the gas., We by no means mean to assert that Messrs Fish and Woodland are stupider than other folk* bnt we would venture to remark that bisulphateof carbon conveys about as much to nine-tenths of the citizens as—as—sulphuretted hydrogen. Isn't there a certain air of humbug about a report like that of Dr Black's. No doubt it is very good sense to chemists, and no doubt the Council are excellently learned in their own crafts. But the conjunction of scientific jargon and douce citizenship results in a profound sham, and nothing more. We wish particularly to insist upon the absurdity of the conjunction, because we by no means think that there is anything intrinsically absurd in the wording of Dr Black's report, or in the City Council wishing to get a report. On the contrary, both these things are in themselves very excellent. Put together, they remind us of the old woman's comfort in "Mesopotamia." We should have preferred something in this style :— ■

Gentlemen—ln accordance with, "your request, I visited the Gas Works, where I was. courteously received by Mr Genever. That gentleman assured me that, owing to a series of temporary difficulties*, the°gas had not been quite so good lately as he could wish. At the same time, improvements are being made which will render it almost impossible for snch mistakes to occur in the future. I have examined the gas, and find considerable impurities in it ; but I have little doubt that, in a shoit time, the adoption of the proposed improvements will result in the production of a purer article.— I am, &c.

A. B.C. Carbonize the community if this sort of thing would not be at least as informing as the report presented on Thursday.

We are sorry to observe in our report of the meeting of the City Council oh Wednesday last that there is still some danger of the Museum being ex-centrally situated. That the Museum is a very valuable handmaid to the University is undeniable, and every patriotic member of the community would like to see both of these great educational establishments side by side, working harmoniously and progressively together, linked likelhe two halves of the brain or the late Siamese twins. The benefit to each would be reciprocal ; every increase to the usefulness of the one would bo a gain to the other, and their progress would be mutual. But let usnot be misled with the idea that the chief functions of a Museum are to administer to the wants of the students and studies of a University; and, if the University authorities choose to erect their new buildings down a coalshaft, or in an inaccessible portion of the town so far as the general public is concerned, then that is the best of all reasons why the Museum should not follow them. A Museum is-in one sense no Museum unless by its character and central position it is patronised by the mass of the people. It becomes, in such a pase, a mere depository of natural objects and curios, frequented only by the lazy and the infirm, and neglected by those for whom it was originally intended. _ Shall so valuable a" means of public instruction and genuine amusement, especially to the growing minds of the young members of our community, become one of those deserted, dusty tenements one drops across in the provincial towns at home ? We venture to say, no ! and we feel sure the citizens of this City will not allow so great a benefit to be damped by unfortunate bickerings and mismanagement in the matter of site. Who that has watched the portals of the present one, placed as its objects are, under such unfavourable circumstances, and have seen the throngs of the washed and unwashed, old and young, who visit it. can resist the thought that a good large Museum, centrally placed and well conducted, would become an incalculable boon to the public and an attraction to the City. Indeed, it requires no stretch of memory to recall the difference between our present makeshift in the past and the present. There is another object to be gained by central position that seems to have been overlooked by most people. As years roll on, and if Ihinedin and Otago progress in anything like proportion to what we may reasonably expect them to do, scientific and other societies will spring up, each working within its own little sphere, bi.t

all combining in principle for the public good, and these societies can nowhere find more congenial and hospitable shelter than under the wings of a Museum. The collections now stored away in cellars for want of room are most valuable ; the old stump has sent out fresh buds ; do not let them be smothered, but assist them rather fur they will produce fruit in tenfold measure before long. We trust, however, the good sense of the Councillors, backed by the sympathy of the pull c, will enable them to look wisely at this matter, and place the Museum on the Chinaman's garden plot in Great Ki3ig street, as that seems to be the most suitable site that can be got. if it should unfortunately come to be a question of disagreeable alternatives, then by all means let us have the least disagreeable of the two, and before having the Museum on the heights among the skysails, we would prefer seeing it at low water line on the Water of. Leith site, but this should only be accepted as a disagreeable alternative. Much is not wanted from the City Council ; if a central site is granted, then the Provincial Government steps in and a rees to erect a handsome Museum on it. It is not a question of personal bargaining, but one in which the public must be pleased. Surely this (rifle will not be asked in vain.

We may with feelings of pardonable pride refer to the present appearance of the Port Chalmers Railway Pier, with its appendages. Perhais in no other port in the Colony could a parallel be found to the scene which the pier presents at; high tide, when it is literally walled in by the iron sides of as line ships of their class as ever sat on salt water. Above the iron hulls towers a labyrinth of masts, yards, and rigging ; a tracery of spars, made and fitted according to the latest and most unproved principles of modern nautical science. No hempen supports are visible, neat, and strong, wire rope for standing rigging and pennants has long sinew superseded the more cumbrous and t roubiesome hemp. A great gain in neatness and durability is the result, at the ixpense, nevertheless, of a great sacrifice of the art of seamanship. And the ships below their spars are models of modern naval architecture, and discover immense strength, combined with perfection in finish and singular lightness in appearance. And this absolutely lessens the impression that their size would convey to the beholder. Compare one of these latter-day clippers with an old-fashioned East Indiamau of less tonnage, and the latter would absolutely appear the larger of the two. The huge wooden hull, with its projecting quarter-galleries and wide channels to give " spread" to the lower rigging, with other appurtenances long since discarded, must give her the advantage in point of size so far as outward appearances go But a close inspection of the two vessels could not fail to make manifest the immense superiority of the modern craft. Iron, of everlasting wear almost, is the chief constituent of the material used in her construction. The heavy beams and timbers that occupied so much valuable stowing space have now assumed the form of the neat compact angle irons, and good iron plates that never require caulking have superseded the wooden planking always a source of anxiety and trouble to the ship carpenter. ;And what a marvellous improvement has been effected upon the old-fashioned mechanical appliances. of ships. Luff upon luff, double and Spanish Burtons, and those other intricate purchases, the rigging of which was the pride and delight of the true tar, have been banished by a wave of the wand of that enchanter the modern engineer. He succeeded in this by simply invoking the aid of the genii steam, and in doing so effected a marvellous revolution in the fitting-out and manning of ships. Steam winches, worked by one man, now do that which once demanded the exertion of the whole ship's company. And so it is in the case of the old-fashioned windlass, with its waste of bitts, and clanking pauls, big body, covered with whelps, and dreamy action, necessitating, however, the hardest of hard work on the part of the jolly tars, who, manning the long breaks, cheerily trolled forth the burden of those songs which, during generations past, had served to lightc-ri labour and give it unity. The new-fashioned windlass is another affair altogether. It is all of iron ; is about one T nfth of the size of its predecessor ; and instead of being girded by the cable, and so holding it by force of friction, it grips it, with iron fingers, aud drags it in, throngh the application of the tremendous force, evolved out of the combination of the powers of steam and leverage, for the windlasses of all firsfcclass merchant ships of the present day are worked by messengers leading to the steam-winch amidships. Motive power produced by manual labour at, the capstan on the forecaitle deck can, however, be applied to the windlass as occasion necessitates. Then, again, the beneficial influence of steam is appaie it in that marvel of man's ingenuity, the fresh-water con ■ denser. No more dying of thirst at sea now that aft apparatus capable Of separating the saline particles from the other constituents of ocean, water has been perfected. But the condenser cannot be utilised without the aid of steam, and so the boihr that supplies the steam, winch does double duty by serving both. What may be termed the social appointments of a ship have also undergone marked improvement of late years. The crew are both better fed and better berthed ; as in the latter case witness the very comfortable forecastles of the high class ships now in port, and the exceedingly good quarters provided for the officers. All that we have above described is open to examination on board those vessels, and from what we know of the characters of their commanders and officers, we are sure that any landsman desirous of gratifying a spirit of enquiry and investigation will receive a very courteous reception, if he can spare time to pay the ships a visit. Of those at the Pier, and therefore the easier accessible, the Mairi Bhan, of 1315 tons register, is one of the finest modelled and best appointed vessels that ever came into this port. Opposite to her is the Cartsburn, a 1257 ton 3 ship of scarcely less merit, whilst astern of her is moored the Sussex, a stately ship of 1305 tons, admirably built and fitted out. Next to her again is the well-known Peter Denny, of 1000 tons, and on the other side of the pier, abreast of the Sussex, lies the noble Hindustan, a ship of 12G2 tons, and built of iron even to her topgallant-rail. There are other ships of equally high character at anchor in the stream—the clipper Sam Mendul, 1033 tons register, the dashing Caroline, of 984 tons, aud the handsome Dunedin, of 1250 tons. It is not often that even the waters of our port carry so many really tirst-cla3S ships, and their presence here constitutes evidence the most gratifying and incontestable of the march o; progress, and the continued triumph of mind over matter.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows :—" The injudicious wording of Mr Fitzberbert's resolutions will utterly prevent any chance of their passing. It is rumoured that influence is being brought to bear to induce the Government to call a special session of Parliament early in November to consider a Constitutional Bill to give effect to last night's resolutions. It has been decided to declare the Waitemata seat vacant. It was only carried in Committee by the chairman's casting vote. Steps are being taken by members of the Opposition to form the nucleus of a kind of Constitutional Reform Association, with branches throughout the Colony, to agitate questions. The moveinenf will prob.ibly assume a definite shape before the session ends '*

With reference to the evidence taken hy the Ward-Oapinan. Committee, our Wellington correspondent—whose letter will be found elsewhere—slates that much of it is of

a most extraordinary character. Conspiracies, bribes, female influences and treachery, plot and counterplot, seductions, and even, it is said, something in the shape of a double murder and the burial of the bodies in a back-yard, will find a place in the evidence taken in the case. Our correspondent says that he is not in the least joking in giving this list of sensations, as events of this character have all been gravely deposed to by witnesses on oath. Another correspondent says that a coldness has sprung up between Mr Ward and his old patron, Mr Fox, in consequence of what has transpired during the inquiry.

Mr Bathgate yesterday delivered his long, pending Judgment in the law-suit of Burrows v. Smith, action of £100 damages throngh a vehicle collision. Damages were assessed at £49, for which Judgment was given, but Mr Stout said the decision was against evidence, and gave notice of applying for a re-hearing.

By a mistake in copying our Oamaru telegrams on Monday night, it was made to appear that the Oamaru people unanimously disapproved of Mr Vogel's resolutions for the abolition of the North Island Provinces, whereas they unanimously approved of them.

The inquest on the collision between the p.s. Comerang and the cutter Hope was not continued yesterday, and has been adjourned till the return of the schooner Clyde, the master of which will be the last witness examined. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

The current number of the Christian Record contains a deal of interesting reading matter, including a funeral sermon preached at Westminster Abbey by the Rev. Dean Stanley on the late Dr Livingstone.

The Registrar-General, in some remarks appended to the statistics relating to health in th» principal towns of New Zealand, says that he has again to notice the fact that cases of diphtheria appear to be more frequent in Dunedin and Christehurch than in auy of the other boroughs.

The Mussel Bay reclamation contract is fast drawing to a close, only a very small space being left to fill in. The Port people are beginning to enquire as to the intentions of the Government respecting the made-up ground, which really constitutes a va'uabl c property. Is it to be the site of warehouses, or a new railway station ; or is it to be sold in building lots by auction?

During the quarter ended 30th June, 1874, the total number of vessels entered inwards at the several ports of New Zealand was 180, the tonnage amounting to 85,362 tons, as against 161 vessels and 62,079 tons for the corresponding quarter of 1873. The number of vessels that cleared out for the quarter ended June 30th, 1874, was 204, and the tonnage 91,645 tons, as against 182 vessels and 72,326 tons for the corresponding.quarter of ■1573. .

j A goodly number of Germans of both sexes assembled in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, in celebration of the anniversary of their patriotic society, the Dunedin Deutscher Verein. .The hall had been tastefully decorated with various flags, prominent amongst which were the flags of Germany. The musical arrangements were of the best—Mr Moss presiding at the pianoforte ; Mrßailly, violin ; Mr Wright, piccolo ; and Mr Oliver, cornet. To the excellent dance music, supplied by the above band, the company, which appeared to be on pleasure bent, remained tripping the light fantastic toe till the small hours of the morning, Mr Marks, throughout the dancing, as a very efficient M.C., contributed greatly to the, enjoyment of the evening. Several German songs were sung during the intervals—" Der Jager Abscbied," " Die Wacht am Rhein," etc.— : which appeared to meet the hearty approval of their hearers. The catering was undertaken by Mr Stemmetz, with his usual success in such matters. The President.of the Society informed us that successful application had been made for haying-it registered under the "Friendly Societies Act, 1871,"- by which means its progresss in usefulness is expected to be greatly accelerated.

Mr Asher, of Port Chalmers, Secretary to the Committee appointed to collect subscriptions on behalf of the widow and children of Mr Osborne, who died recently, wrote to the. Secretary of the Press Amateur Dramatic Club yesterday, asking the Club to give a performance in aid of the widow and orphans. A reply was forwarded to Mr Asher, stating that while the Clnb sympathised with the object he had in view, they could not ; render the assistance asked. It had been determined at a meeting of the Club, held last week, that owingtothe number of applications of a similar nature which had been received, as the Club could not play for all, it would be invidious to select one in preference to another, and therefore the Club must decline to play for any under such circumstances. ■:. :

From a return published in the Government Gazette of the 13th inst, the value of imports at the several ports of New Zealand during the quarter ending 30th June, 1874, was £1,860,701, against £1,690,655 for the corresponding quarter of 1873. Of this amount, £552, 965 was to Dunedin, against £501,852 for the corresponding quarter of List year. The value of the exports from the several ports of New Zealand for the quarter ending 30th June, 1874, was £1,515,486, against £1,043,072 for the corresponding quarter of 1873. Of this amount, £422,353 was from Dunedin, as against £437,461 for the corresponding quarter last year.

The Dunedin Presbytery met in the North Taieri Church on the evening of Thursday. After a shorfe service by Dr Stuart, the form of call having been read by the Eev. Wm. Gillus, it was moved and seconded that tne name of Mr John Sutherland, M.A., be inserted in it. As no other person was proposed, Mr Sutherland was declared, duly elected. The call, which was left in charge of the office bearers for additional signatures, will be placed in Mr Sutherland's hands at the meeting of the Presbytery^ to be held in Dunedin, on the first Wednesday of September.

The Wickliffe Terrace crossing place of the railway at Port Clialmers is undergoing much nee led improvement at the hands (>f a section of the hard-labour g-mg. Both road and side paths are being levelled and metalled, and the approach to the Masonic Hall on the railway side thereby rendered very much more traversal)]e. Hut even after the hardlafavjur men have finished <he work now in hand the crossing place will contiaue imperfect until an alteration is effected in the exceedingly awkward side gates of the foofcpath. We imagine that the designer of those gate 3 must have borne the fair sex a grudge, for anything of the kind quite so awkward for a lady to pass through we have never seen put to public uses under the name of a convenience. Old fashioned turnstiles would be infinitely preferable.

The employes connected wish Messrs Guthrie and Larnach's establishment are taking active steps to render the concert, shortly to be given in aid of the youth who recently had his right hand severed by the machinery, a great success. We learn that a large number of tickets have already been disposed of.

Additional lock-up accommodation has been provided at the Port Chalmers Police Station by erecting a building 12ft. by 10ft. dos-a-dos with the old lock-up. The new building was very much required, but even now the luck up accdnnu'dation is far from what it ought to be. It may be bridly de-

scribed as three Cells, of which the two smaller are each about Oft. long by sft. wide, and the larger, 12ft. long by 10ft. wide. As many as seven persons have been confined at a time in one of the smaller cells, and if for the sake of argument we assume that they were all disposed to recumbent positions, each man's share of the available space would be only one foot three inches and a fraction for width by five feefc for length. A new Police Station at the Port has long time been talked about, but the probability of the idea receiving practical effect appears to be as remote as ever it was.

Mr Wiltshire, the well-known pedestrian, is to have a complimentary benefit next week at the Princess Theatre.

Mr Dodson of the Port Chalmers Municipal Council, has added another motion to those already standing in his name. It was as follows :—" That it is absolutely necessary that a more suitable place for a Court House should be provided, the present room used for Court purposes being only 20it. long by 16ft. wide, and therefore far too small for the requirements of the Port; and, furthermore, that a Gaol, or at all events a greatly enlarged Lock-up, with a suitable Police Sta- [ tion, are absolutely necessary for the Port's growing requirements." We are glad to observe that municipal legislation at the Port is assuming so practical a form, and we congratulate Mr Dodson upon his having taken the initiative in the above and other matters bearing directly upon the well-being of the community of which he is one of the represantatives.

The Nelson Colonist, in a leading article, supports Mr Vogel's resolutions for the abolition of the North Island Provinces.

At so rapid a rate is the towrship of Balclutha at present progressing (says the Clutba Leader) that both carpenters and timber, are at a premium, the supply of both being utteily inadequate to meet the demands. Houses are scarcely to be had to let either for love or money, and rents are very high. We understand many parties are anxious to build, but a-e unable to find either material or labour. Amongst the many hundreds of immigrants who have arrived of late, it seems reasonable to suppose there may be a considerable number of carpenters, and if so, they at least have no reason to be a day out of work, considering the stite of matters here and in many other up-country towns. So far a3 Balclutha is concerned, we have no doubt work of the class referred to will be plentiful for years to come, as unquestionably, when the railway is opened to town, the demand for house accommodation here will be largely increased. Apart from the building trade, other classes of labourers are much in demand ; and were the Government to erect a few working men's cottages here, instead of confining their operations in this respect to Duuedin, and thus encouraging new arrivals to hang about town idle and discontented, they would lind plenty of work and plenty of pay. It would be well that the Government should make enquiry into the matter, and act as they see right.

The West Coast Times, writing on. the present political situation, sajs :—"That a crisis is imminent, is clear, and that Mr Vogel will succeed in shaking off tlie shoulders of the Colony the Old Man of the the sea, in the shape of Provincialism, is our prayer and our hope. Every intelligent man whose opinion is asked, has come to the conclusion that Provincialism is played out, and that a newer, fresher, aud more favourable form of government is now needed. The old reyime, like many others in older places, has had its' day; it is now time to make changes compatible with, and required by, altered circumstances. We most heartily wish Mr Vogel well in the mission he has undertaken, and, should he appeal to the country, ho will be enabled to carry out his policy, on Parliament meeting again, by an overwhelming majority," ; : . .■

, Te Wananga is the name of a new publicatioa in the Maori language, copies of which we hive seen, and which isthus referred to by Ue Hawke's Bay Times :--" We have, to acknowledge the receipt from the publisher, Ktnare Tomoana, of No. 1 of Te Wananga, a smalJ printed sheet in the Native language.' During a late visit to Auckland, Heriare became the purchaser of a press and types, and brought down with him a Native pi int. r. Te Wananga was issu< d on Wednesday, the ofch insfc. Ifc is well printed on a letter-press size, occupying three pages, and contains' a long and somewhat florid leading article, and a number of news items, the latter being extracted from, our own Maori column. The object of Te Wananga is set forth in the in troductory article. It will agitate for reform in the laws affecting Natives, additional Native representation, &c."

The directors of the Poverty Bay Petro leum "and h erosehe Company have issued their report for the past year, in which they state:—"Your directors made last Christmas a personal examination of the springs and the roads to them, accompanied by Mr Winter, surveyor; and, contrary to their expectations, were so far successful as to discover a practicable dray road to the springs. Several other adjacent springs have Bince been discovered. The unavoidable detention of the Splendid in conseqnence of having beeu dismasted by a hurricane, has delayed the manager, who is a passenger by her, and has prevented the commencement of boring operations at the springs, as ifc was considered imprudent to attempt works of that nature, save under' the supervision of a man of practical knowledge and experience. He may, however, now be expected at any moment. All that could have been done in the meantime has been done; everything has been for months in readiness for immediate operations ou his arrival; and it is more than probable that a very few weeks—perhaps only days—of boring may produce the long-hoped-for flow

of oil."

We cull the following mining items, touching the Thames Goldtields, from the New Zealand Herald :—The yield of the Bright Smile mine for the fortnight ending the Sth inst. was 89 3oz. of melted gold. The prospects of the mine are very promising, rich stone b ing found in the lowest levels opened. —The Old Wh.au mine is looking up again, good stone having been come upon in a cross drive.—The new reef in the Old Manuka continues to yield liclily. 9Sooz of melted gold were obtained from a recent crushing. The lode is large, with gold scattered all through it. Arrangements have been made with the Golden Crown Company to wind for the mine.—Central Italy, Crown Prince, and Bird in Hand, contiuue on gold —The news from other lnmes is quite unimportant.

Mr IvirLy, agent for Smith's Combination Troupe of acrobats, vocalists, ventriloquists, dancers, & •., arrived yesterday by the Lady Bird from Christchurch. The first performance will probably be given here in the Princess Theatre on the 2Sth inst.

Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the Masonic Hall was crowded last eveniDg, when a vocal and instrumental concert was given, in aid of the St. Joseph's School Fund. The various items on the programme were creditably mult red. Mrs Connor and Miss Hesford sang the duet, " List to the Convent Bslls" in excellent time, but Mr Cornipli's solo, "Happy be thy Dreams," was undoubtedly the gem of the evening. An encore was demanded, and he repeated the last verse. Mr Desmond's recitation, " Bernardo de Carpio," deserves special mention. Mr C. Sykcs presided at the piano, and ptajed several iriLianfc solutions. The aiuiiiiieuce weie frequent in tueir demonstrations of approval. A hr-mlscine sum -will, no doiilir, be realised fninthe enterraii.inent, which was ably corducted throughout.

The Kennedy Family gave their second entertainment at the new Temperance Hall last evening, when the attendance was large. The various items were rendered to the evident satisfaction of everyone present. Mr Kennedy recited a condensed version of Burns's magnificent poem, " The Cottar's Saturday Night," and his enunciati n was really good. A change of programme is announced for this evening.

The lower parts of the Princess Theatre were literally crammed last evening, and the Dress Circle was fairly attended, on the occassion of a complimentary benefit to Misses May, Willis, and Martineau. The romantic drama of "The Heart of Midlothian," was remarkably well rendered. Mrs Hill, as Madge Wildfire, played -with even greater spirit than usual; but her interpretation of the character was not sufficiently comprehensive. She was, however, much, applauded. Mr Steele's Duke of Argyle was a fair impersonation. Mr Keogh astonished the audience by his excellent rendering of the Laird o' Dumbiedikes. He never lost a single point throughout, and the applause which greeted his efforts must have been most gratifying to him. 'We candidly confess that we have not seen Mr Keogh more successful than in his rendition last night. Mr Musgrave, as the venerable David Deans, did ample justice to the character; and Miss Willis and Miss May, as Jeannie and Effie, displayed a thorough appreciation of the text. Indeed, the drama ran very smoothly, and the audience were most enthusiastic. The scenic artist received another call when the curtain rose to some of his excellent handiwork. Mr Love sang the " Seaman's Union," and upon being encored, he substituted "Waste not, want not." A repetition of Mr Mason's shoe dance was also demanded. Miss Marfcineau's song, " I am so volatile," was encored, and s-he gave one of her favourite dances. M. Beda, the one-legged dancer, saDg "Love amongst the Maoris," and was loudly ap- \ ilaudt d. The entertainment con eluded with the highly amusing farce, "Bubby Al," in which Messrs Keogh, L^wrence. and Hooper, and iviisse3 Vivian, Willis, and May, took part. We never remember having heard tae Theatre resound so much with genuine merriment as it did last evening, and we congratulate "The Three Graces "oh thesuccess of their joint benefit. The' "Three Phases of Life" will occupy the boards tonight." -, . ■ .