THE Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1874.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3910, 28 August 1874, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1874.

The escape of Marshal Bazaine from duresse furnishes another instance of what may be managed by a clever, devoted woman. It will be remembered by many of our readers that the Earl of Derwentwater owed his escape from an English I prison to the promptitude and coolness of his wife ; and Bazaine appears to have been blessed in his possession of a heroine who brings back to us some of the glory of a past age. The political importance of this escape cannot yet be estimated. In the present undecided, unsatisfactory political aspect of France it is very difficult to forecast events at all; but this much is certain—the cause of the Buonaparte dynasty has regained a strong and enthusiastic supporter, whose original fealty will in all probability be strengthened by the recollection of the wrongs he has sustained at the hands of the present Government. We have before this expressed our opinion that Bazaine, though, no doubt, guilty of indecision or lack of daring, was not treacherous, and we have seen no reason to change our faith. As his being at largo agitates afresh the question of how his country is to be governed, it opens up a field of speculation into which, to speak the truth, we are almost afraid to venture. The history of France has been so continuously the record of civil strife, that we dread what the future has in store for this faction-tossed people.

How kaleidoscopic have been the changes of the political surface ! Within the compass of but a century, what stirring and mournful scenes have not been seen in the arena of French Government. We have seen France ground beneath the iron heel of Bourbon tyranny. We have seen her a prey to demagogues, the loudest and bloodiest of their tribe. We have seen youth, rank, beauty, struck brutally down by a ribald mobocracy. We have seen her submitting with acclamation to be blindfolded while her Oorsican Ruler bound her fast. We have seen her dazzled, terrified, and equally full of gratitude and detestation towards her rulers. But in no era of her history has France so really prospered commercially, financially, and socially as of late under the rule of him whom it was the fashion (in some respects, unjustly) to style Napoleon the Less. The steadfast ally of England, the opener up of commercial fields, the patron of mechanical ingenuity, the friend of the working man, as he really was, the re-builder of her cities, and the restorer of her glories, Napoleon 111. undoubtedly deserves a higher place in the esteem of his countrymen than it seems likely he will ever obtain. And there is in France and out of it a large number of Frenchmen who are not merely carried away by enthusiasm, but -whose steady, loyal attachment is to the name of Buonaparte &nd to the Napoleonic policy; and how far the escape of Bazaine to the world of schemes and intrigue will affect the fortunes ol the young exile of Chislehurst, remains to be seen. At least, we doubt whether the Provisional Government of M'Mahon will withstand the effect of a well concerted effort to place the Prince Imperial at the head of the people, whom the "Little Corporal" boasted that he "loved so well." It must, at any rate, be the sincere hope of every civilised community that France may be mercifully spared any repetition of those horrors of civil war which have so fatally blotted the page of her national story.

In order to give our readers as much English news as possible, we have been compelled to hold over our leading article and other mattei".

By telegram from Wellington we are informed that the San Francisco mail was to arrive there last evening, and that it was to be sent South by the Phoebe to-day, at 1 p.m.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows :—"The Report of the Inspector of Volunteers was laid on the table in manuscript yesterday. It is very voluminous, and not likely to be printed for some time. Regarding Otago, Major Gordon says the condition of the Force is very unsatisfactory. The greater number of the corps scarcely approach mediocrity in their knowledge of drill. The Bruce Company are the best in the Province, and the City Guards next. The general inefficiency is ascribed to— First, the over-prosperous times, rendering time too valuable to be devoted to Volunteer duties; and second, having so long had an unpaid commanding officer. He recommends that the commissions of Majors Bathgate, Jones, and Steward should be cancelled, as they have not and are incapable of performing the duties imposed by their Commissioners. He recommended that the following corps should be disbanded, as having 'long beeu in a stats of chronic inefficiency:— No. 2 Scottish, Wakari, North Dunedin, Eiverton and Hampden Bines ; Dunedin and North Dunedin, Invercargill, Ofcepopo, and Port Chalmers Naval Cadets. He recommended that the following be disbanded as too remotely situated:—Orepuki and Queenstown Rifles and Queenstown Cadets, and that the Invercargill Highland should be disbanded on account of imposing on the Government in respect of numbers when they offered their services. The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Naval Brigades to be made a single Company, with head-quarters at Port Chalmers. The East aud West Taieri Corps to be amalgamated, with the head-quarters at Mosgiel, or otherwise all be disbanded. Nos. 1 and 2 Clutha Corps also to be amalgamated.

About sixty immigrants are now employed at Logan's Point, reclaiming land there and sending away ships' ballast to Port Chalmers, averaging close on ten trucks a day.

The Police are taking proceedings against the two hotelkeepers who supplied drink to the men concerned in the assault at Anderson's Bay on Sunday last. The charges will be heard on Saturday next.

The case Macassey v. Bell came before the Supreme Court in Banco yesterday, in the form of an application for a writ of attach-, ment to issue against the Guardian Printing Company for contempt of Court. After argument, His Honour reserved judgment.

Today we publish a Home letter giving various items of news of interest to our readers. The letter, which was compiled immediately prior to the departure of the Brindisi mail, is from the pen of Mr C. N. B. Muston, who for several years was sub-editor of this journal. Mr Muston, who will continue to forward similar letters by each mail, will remain some-time in Scotland, and it will be his endeavour to obtain for the readers of the Otago Daily Times such information as will be of especial interest to them. In the performance of this task we know that Mr Muston will bring no ordinary ability and an untiring industry to bear. His first letter, which was written not many days after his arrival in Great Britain, contains ample proof of bis competency as a correspondent.

By the Ladybird yesterday Mr W. A. Young, of Palmerston, proceeded North, having under his charge several thousand trout ova, partly taken from the hatchingboxes at his own establishment, and partly from the Acclimatisation Society's grounds at Opoho. The ova are for the Province of Hawke's Bay, and it is Mr YouDg's intention to proceed to Napier with his charge, and when there to superintend the arrangements for hatching them.

The immense quantity of wreckage from the recent conflagration at the establishment of Messrs Guthrie and Larnach, Gibbs and Clayton, Haworth, and M. Guardialo, is gradually being removed. A large number of men are engaged in sorting the bricks for the purpose of rebuilding.

Bishop Kevin's third address to members of the Church of England will be delivered this evening in the Athemeum Hall. A larger attendance than usual is anticipated.

Commanding Officer Atkinson leaves for the Clutha this morning on a tour of inspection of the No. 1 and 2 Volunteer Companies. He -will return on Tuesday next.

Our travelling reporter supplies us with the following additional particulars of the rather interesting case of elopement which took place from Queenstown on Saturdaylast :—lt appears that a swell Chinaman had lately left the above town on a visit to Dunedin, when becoming enamoured of a young damsel of 16 summers, she consented to become Mrs John Chinaman. The happy pair proceeded to Queenstown for the purpose of spending the honeymoon; but before this perfect state of bliss had expired, the lady fair, tired of her dusky spouse, essayed to leave by Saturday's coach for Ciyde, where she arrived in due course. Fearing pursuit, she engaged a buggy, and was driven some seven miles on the road to Dunedin, there to await the Monday morning coach. The disconsolate husband must have quickly discovered his loss, as soon after the arrival of the coach at Clyde, he rode hot haste into that town, and at once instituted a strict and enquiring search for the runaway. On Sunday morning he renewed

the search with increased vigour, but found her not. Believing, on its being hinted, that the lost one was only stowed away to be in readiness for the Dunedin. coach, he hired a second buggy, and drove out to Chatto's Creek Hotel, fourteen miles on the road to town, where he put up for the night. He arose with the lark the next morning, and as the coach drove up to change horses, seated snugly inside he discovered the lost fair one, who, thus intercepted in her flight, deemed itthewisest course tc return with the dear almond-eyed object of her choice. They duly arrived back at Clyde, but a reconciliation of a permanent character could not be arrived. Mrs John Chinaman positively refuses to return to the endearing and affectionate embraces of Mr John Chinaman.

The three handsome and commodious twostorey brisk buildings now in course of erection between the establishments of Messrs M'Donald and Doring and Lo Keong, in George street, are nearly completed. They comprise shops and dwelling-houses. The first-mentioned firm are preparing to extend their premises to the Royal George Hotel, and we understand that the propiietors of the sections from Lo Keong's to Millichamp's establishment have intimated their intention to re-build on the plans adopted by their neighbours. This ;vill give the principal part of the b?ock a striking and uniform appearance, and render it one of the handsomest in Eunedin. The wooden structure recently occupied by the firm of Jessep Brothers has been demolished. The gentleman who was elected Superintendent of Otago in 1563-4, having been reminded that this section was the first upon which he resided after landing in the Province, secured a sample of the fern-tree of which hi 3 humble abode was constructed about five-aud-twenty years ago. The interesting relic, after having undergone the process of polishing, will no doubt be highly prized by those immediately concerned.

We were yesterday shown an excellent sample of fire clay from, the railway cutting at Green Island. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column, that the clay is for sale in Dunedin.

The unfortunate accident at Otakia on Tuesday night has terminated fatally in the case of one of the burned persons. After lingering in a state of semi-consciousness since the occurrence, Caroline Gutschlay died in the Hospital about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, her condition having been hopeless from, the first. The child is expected to recover. The first sitting of the newly-formed District Court will be held on Monday, four suits of claims between £100 and £250 being set down for hearing. Three of the cases are to be decided by Mr Bathgate, and in the other there will be a jury of four. From the Melbourne papers we observe that we are to receive two valuable additions to the thoroughbred stock of New Zealand. Barwon, by Boiardo from Jeanette, by Little John from Wilhelmina, bas been sold. for. three hundred guineas for New Zealand. At the annual sale of thoroughbred stock at Kirk's Bazaar, Melbourne, a few days ago, the horse Flying Dutchman, by Peter Wilk<ns, was purchased, by Mr Coombe, and will be sent to .New Zealand. Most sporting men will remember Flying Dutchman's grsat performance in the Australian Cup in .1872, when he ran two dead beats with Saladin.

The spread of Good Templarism. at Port Chalmers was remarkably exemplified by the crowded attendance on Wednesday evening at the anniversary soiree of the All Nations Lodge. It was held at the Masonic Hall, and was prefaced with the usual tea, which was very well served by Mesdames Smith, Pearce, Monson, Jones, Shea, Oliver, M'lnnes, Spooner, Schadler, Misses Statham and Wilson. The ladies also provided the tea, coffee, and other beverages that were supplied, whilst the solids of the feast came from the establishment -of Mr Cameron, confectioner j and a very hearty happy-looking assemblage were the good folks who sat down to partake of the good things before them, and the pleasing etfect was heightened by the Templar regalia with which the majority of those present were decorated. A very fair minority of those so distinguished were of the softer sex, the members of the sisterhood of that society which professes to be a combination of every form of temperance. And that their influence is potent to advance the interests of the latter-day total abstinence movement is receiving remarkable demonstration in the almost social revolution that quietly, but none the less certainly, is progressing in our midst. Amongst the visitors were many from Dunediu, including the Misses Jago and Statham, the Messrs Jago (the P.G.W.C.), Cooke (VV.C.T. of the Heart of Oak Lodge), and M'Culloch (P.G.L T.y Tea having been disposed of, the room was arranged for the concert. At eight o'clock Bro. Adams, D.P.G.W.C.T., took the chair, and opened the proceedings with an address. He explained the object of the meeting, and stated how the All Nations Lodge had been opened on the 27th August, i 873, by Bro. Brett, of Dunedin, with 12 members only. Since then it had marvellously increased, andnownumbered 120 members. The speaker then gave a dissertation upon Good Templarism, and explained that one of its chief objects was to give effect to the Permissive Liquor Law. Also, that it did not interfere in the slightest degree with the religion of its disciples. The concert commenced with a song from Mr Denovan, and was kept up without inter, mission until the programme was exhausted" It comprised solos only, excepting a pianoforte duet by Mrs and Miss Spooner. The singers were Misses Jago, Scatham, Mrs Oliver, and Messrs Cook and Statham. Bro. Cook, of the Australian Lodge, gave two or three recitations, and Bro. Poison performed a solo on the violin. A very able address upon the objects of the Good Templar So. ciety was delivered by Bro. Jago. After the Good Templar Anthem had been sung, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the ladies, to the performers, visitors from Dunedin, and to the chair. Mrs Spooner efficiently presided at the piano through the evening. Some lover of the "good old English sport of fox hunting a few years ago turned out a pair of foxes in the vicinity of Ballarat. They have since iucreased to such an extend as to beeonid a nuisance and the cause of gieat loss and annoyance.

A cruel practical joke was perpetrated in Nelson a few days since. A number of hats and coats were abstracted from the Wealeyan Church during an evening service. The losers were compelled to face the inclemency of the night in their light underclothing, and returned to their homes with their heads bound in their handkerchiefs. The abstracted property was discovered the Wednesday following in an empty shop in Nile street.

The vastness of the trade of Auckland, says the New Zealand Herald, is demonstrated in the fact that there were recently alongside the various jetties 22 vessels, including eight ships and barques. There were also 10 steamers of all sizes, including the mail ateamer Gyphrenes. In the stream there were lying five vessels of large tonnage and one steamer (auxiliary). On the stocks there were six vessels, some of them of large dimensions, and ttere was a large ileet of small craft—not easily counted.

"Bat," in the Melbourne Leader, after referring to what we have already published in connection with the suggested visit of the Victorian cricketing team to New Zealand, goes on to say :—'• The matter has been spoken of here ier some time past, and

while all agree that the trip will be an exceedingly enjoyable one, it is thought there will be considerable difficulty in getting the best men to go. A very good team, as suggested in the paragraph, might be got together, and if Allan, Cooper, Conway, and Gibson could obtain the necessary leave., and the remainder of the team were represented by even moderately good men, the eleven would take a lot of beatiug at the hands of the best fifteen in New Zealand. The date spoken of as being the moat suitable one in every respect for the trip would be about February. The tour would take in all about five weeks, and matches would be played at Dunedin, then at Lyttelton and Christchurch, Auckland, and finally at Nelson, whence the steamer could be taken for Melbourne. There is at present a large amount of enthusiasm manifested over the affair in New Zealand, and if even decently managed it is bound to be a great financial success. And the cost to the promoters would after all be but trifling. The getting up of a team could not be entrusted to better hands, and no doubt when those who can afford the time to go, meet together, matters will be finally arranged so as to give the New Zealanders time to bring their project to a successful issue." There is a grim humor about the following announcement, which appeared recently in the agony columns of a London newspaper : J —"Should this meet the eye of a lady, i name unknown, who got into a certain train j about three weeks ago, with two boys, one of whom was evidently just recovering from illness, she may be pleased to learn that three of the four young ladies who were in the same carriage are very ill with the measles, and the health of the fourth is far from what her relations could desire." "Atticus," a writer in the Melbourne Leader, has the following :—" What with a free library, a free billiard table, free baths? and a caterer, who, in addition to free quarters, coal, and light, receives an allowance of £850, possibly to recoup him for bad debts, the members of the Victorian Legislature are not badly off. But they are nothing to the lucky fellows sent to Wellington by the people of New Zealand, who have turned the Assembly into a private club, live there altogether, and manage to lay by the greater portion of their honorarium fur a rainy day."

The South Canterbury Times of the 24th inst. has the following:—"Yesterday morning a confirmation was held in St. Mary's Church, Timaru, by his Lordship the Primate of New Zealand, when nine young persons took part in the holy rite. Prior to | the interesting ceremony taking place, and afterwards also, his Lordship delivered two eloquent and impressive addresses to the young people on the solemnity of the occasion." From the Alexandra Times (Victoria) of Bth August we learn that "an educated ai,d apparently respectable man, named Thomas Bartholomew, was found on Monday last in the Puzzle Ranges, at the head of the U. T. Creek. He had been without food for four days, and when first seen by Mr Fry was crawling on his hands and knees, and in an exhausted condition. Mr Fry got him on his horee, and brought him in to Vinin«'s Hotel, Alexandra. He was very feverish, much scratched and bruised. He said he had been four days in the bush without food or sleep, and wished to be kept quiet. Mr Piteairn shortly after sent Dr Fergusson to attend to him. The doctor, on examination, found that the soles of his feet were as black as coal, senile gangrene had set in, and the nails of his big toe had already dropped off, and the poor fellow must lose both his feet. The four nights that the man was in the bush were the coldest we have experienced in Victoria, as ice was seen half an inch thick in water-tubs. Dr Fergusson states that the man must have been frost-bii,ten, and that the gangrene followed. The man, who .is now in the Alexandra Hospital, states that after the second day he threw away his blankets, which he could not carry, and suffered severely during the nights from cold. He became unable to walk, and crawled along on his hands and knees "

Messrs Steele and Keogh's Dramatic Company left Dunedin for Christchnrch in the Lady Bird yesterday.

An entire change of programme was gone through by the Kennedy family last evening, each of the items meeting with a fair share of applause, and an encore being demanded in two cases. The madrigal, "Oh, by rivers," was excellently rendered by the troupe, and "Loudon's bonuie Woods and Braes," by Mr. James Kennedy, was also given with much zest and sweetness-. Mr Kennedy recited Burns's famous poem "Tarn Übhanter with his characteristic energy and enunciation. An attractive programme is announced for this evening.

Smith's Combination Troupe have been compelled to again postpone their opening night in Dunedin, as they will not be able to arrive here before Monday.

There was a rather limited attendance at the Priucess Theatre last evening, on the occasion of a complimentary farewell benefit to M. Eugene Beda. The various items on the programme were fairly rendered, and appeared to give every satisfaction.

The monthly meeting of the Permanent Building Society of Ocago will be held this evening at the Society's Offices, High street