THE Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, MAY 31, 1875

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4144, 31 May 1875, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, MAY 31, 1875

Whatever agency holds out even the faintest hope of stirring up the gross Boeotian earthliness of our Colonial communities—-whatever tends even iv the remotest degree to give them a relish for spiritual aliment other than the husks which the swine do eat—we should expect to meet with an eager welcome from all the wise among v.«. We have therefore watched Avith great interest the recent evangelical attempt to get up a stir among the dry bones, and Aye are noAv watching the outcome of this movement in the most hopeful and valuable of all forms—that of an association of youth. Ifc appears to ufchat the existence of the Young Men's Christian Association implies a confession on the part of the Churches that the ordinary congregational pens are too narrow to bound the warm sympathies of the young. We hope, therefore, most i earnestly, that the subsidiary fold which is being provided, will not be fenced with fche same fence as the churches. We hope that the leaders of the movement are too wise to show aught but the most tender tolerance to the disputatious butting of the ram lambs of the flock during the time that their horns are sprouting. If the congregational pen be too narrow, the result is thafc fche lustiest of the youth, the natural leaders of the flock in the future, are apt to break out and "seek fresh woods and pastures new." This we take to be , the real want which seeks organiza- ' tion and embodiment in Young Men's I Christian Associations. The root of the matter Aye believe to lie in the fact that in the life of youth, there comes the critical period of mental puberty, when it is found that some, probably even the majority, turn out to be sexless neuters, who do not feel the crisis at all. They are bom to be ruled by authority, the legitimate infallibility indispensable for such. They are plastic clay, and dearly are they prized by the priestly potter. For the rest, who form by far the most valuable parfc of our national resources, they are landed all of a sudden in the midst of a mental revolution, more or less radical according to the strength of the moral impulses, the capacity oi the intellect, and the vehemence of passion ; and more or less auspicious, ac -. cording a.i it issues in a rational ancl loyal allegiance to an authority which has been tested to the utmost, and is deliberately retained as fche only means by which that continuity of

institutions can be kept up'which' connects'the' present with all- thsrtfis best; and most inspiring in tbe past; Througb the effervescence, and violent- action which, mark this crisis, the wise observer will discern the " honest doubt" on which alone rational convictions can be based. He will understand what it is to'be face to face with the facfc, truly appalling when truly realised, that man is responsible not merely for his actions, but also for his beliefs j and he will expect that one of two things .Avill happen : some will, like Father 1 Neavman, abiure human reason as a guide overwhelmed by the mysteries that'surround us, and fall back on an infallible Church or an infallible Bible, it does not matter which, for the result is pretty much the same, namely, excision of the masculine elements of character. For such minds a peaceful fold is an indispensable retreat, once they have reached the confines of the desert and fainthearted return.- But what of the sheep that has gone out into the wilderness leaAdng the ninety and nine in peace and safety ? To him the very suspicion of a fence, however impalpable and remote, is absolutely intolerable for the time. In the state in Avhich he is, its veiy existence is a continual taunt and a temptation to break away, a temptation wliich Avould Avitli many not be felt afc all if the fence did nofc exist.

By his (to them) unintelligible wayAvardness and perversity, he alienates the sympathy of his fold-abiding kindred, now more precious to him than ever, and he goes forth with his life in his hand. Our shepherds do not understand the value of this hundredth sheep. He is sent forth with lamentation by some and with cursing by others. The Church means to them not a paternal home, where charity and not censoriousness is the prime duty. The fold has come to mean the fence which none must pass without finding a fence instead of a fold on his return. The Shibboleths which alone give entrance have now (to him) a fuller meaning than can be translated Avithout overflow into the channels of phrases Avhich convention has made shallow. The result is, scruples unintelligible to most, damnable to some, which cause mistrust of one whose fulness ot experience, united once more to the zeal which comes of sympathy, points him out as a leader of Nature's own providing. In our times, when all that is not asbestos is being rapidly burned, and much of the imperishable itself appears to be consumed, such experiences as we have indicated are much commoner than of yore, and the consequence is daily becoming more apparent. Power is falling everywhere iuto the hands of those avlio hold the dangerous doctrine that tliere ought to be no halting-place anywhere except in the ex trem c consequences of our opinions. This is the reason why "Ultramontane "Vaticanism has cast forth the Old Catholics—the very salt of their Church. This is why Huxley and Tyndall have endeavoured to cut the connection befcAveen science and the religious life of the Avorld. And, finally, this is the reason why Protestant Christian people, Avhen they are roused to make their religion a reality, break up into sects. Some become the devotees of a Aveakminded sacerdotalism, Avhose chief anxiety is about ecelesias'ical millinery and the Apostolical pedigree of their bishops ; or find consolation in the gospel of sweetness and light that lets down the sinner too easy. Others, takiug the directions of religious organisations more purely representative in government, find no logical terminus short of the spasmodic, emotional efforts to get up steaui characteristic of Plyraouthism; while others, the most mischievous of all, finding no institutions free from flaws, set up for iconoclasts, and Avill abolish them all rather than endure their imperfections. Such are mostly blatant believers in Dakavin and Spencer, Avhose authority they belieA'e as blindly as the Ultramontane obeys that of the Pope. When thoroughly sincere, as no doubt some of the=e men are, they will try by individual effort to do their duty by their kind ; and it is to be hoped, when they find the isolated streams of their influence lose themselves in the sand, tbey Avill value more highly the channels already cut in the rock.

The claim, as put forth by Mr Daniel on j Thursday evening, for some special consideration to be shown for the education of the children at Otago Heads, we consider to be a very good one indeed, and one that we hope will obtain the speedy attention of the GoA'ernment. The position of a married pilot, with a family, at the Heads,is of necessity associated with numerous unpleasantnesses and many very ardu ms duties, for which the remuneration usually voted by the Council is by no means an excessive consideration. In addition to all these, the utter absence of the means of instruction for his children must be viewed by him, we should think, as one of the principal drawbacks of his position. hi a case like this, where, from its very nature, the children are placed at such a distance from fche ordinary means of instruction that they cannot fairly be ex pected to travel to them, a special effort should undoubtedly be made to carry the means at least of an elementary education to the children, even though there being so comparatively few as not to justify the establishment of either a district or side school according to the ordinary rules applicable to the establishment of such schools. Should the Government, or fche Education Board, see its way clear to making some sort of special provision for this special and particular case, then we hope they will not overlook the particular feature of the education to be imparted, as pointed out by Mr Daniel in liis motion, thafc was assented to by the Council. Of course, we know very well fchat at the Heads, and under present circumstauces, comparatively little could be done towards teaching effectually " those branches of knowledge requisite to make intelligent, educated, as weti as practical seamen," nevertheless Aye see no reason at all why even that little should nofc be cheerfully attempted to be done. A plan has been suggested to us, by the adoption of which much might be done and at a comparatively moderate cost !to aid afc least in the required direction. The idea is that by a very j trilling addition, if any, tothe present pilot ■ staff, some one of the pilots themselves might acfc fche part of instructor. In fact, I that provision could be made for his being placed afc die head, as ifc were, of a small boarding school ; that, indeed, he might be accommodated with a home afloat, into which home he could receive such of the boys who are of an age to be taught and impart unto them the elements of a general education, but more especially give thtiin a good start in their training for the sea. That, moreover, he might do this without any material interference with his own proper duties as a pilot, if som? other member of the staff were appointed to takecharge in theabsenceof the

Master Pilot on active duty. We do not feel sufficient confidence, upon the very slender information at our disposal at present, to urge the actual adoption'of the particular plan suggested, nor of any other, in facfc. Suffice it to say, that we believe a very clear claim has been made out for elementary education for the children at the Heads. This claim, we think, should not be neglected for a,single day. If, in giving effect to the resolution, the special feature of ifc as regards the nautical character of the education* could be realised, we think it would be a double benefit, for which the Province could well afford to pay a moderate outlay.

The recent revelations of the inner working of our City Council, taken along with the present composition of our Provincial Executive, fills our mind with the most dismal forebodings. For what does such a state of things imply ? It implies, we grieve to say, first and foremost, a feeble and cowardly, not to say a corrupt, public opinion ; while this again implies a still more radical and far more inveterate evil, a community so intent on gain, and so dead to all beside, that it will not take the trouble to see that its offices of trust and power are filled by men who are above suspicion in the niatter of common honesty. Have not damning insinuations and mutual recriminations of the vilest sort been bandied about in the calmest and mosfc matter of course fashion in municipal gatherings and letters to the newspapers I An unsophisticated stranger might be excused for believing that thieving, if only touching the public estate, and lying, if touching only the actions of our public men, were manifestly legitimised and become quite respectable among ns ; that only detection was reprobated, and then only when the combinations were so grossly wanting in artistic form that they did violence to our aesthetic feeling for symmetry in the forms and embodiments of our public immorality. We do not here raise any question of the truth or falsehood of the evil allegations referred to : we are thinking only of the callousness of the public conscience, the apathetic listlessness of our public spirit, thafc renders such things possible and" even tolerated in our midst. It is the natural outcome of such a state of matters that the stupid civic herd which has with such reckless complacency favoured and promoted to power the men who could most skilfully and unscrupulously tickle its long and itching ears, should, as it has so inconsequently done, act like the brutish parental sot who, by his criminal indifference and eA'il example, has so encouraged the vices of his boy, thafc in the fit of maudlin remorse that follows a drunken splore, he indemnifies his conscience with cowardly and unfair punishment, indulging in filthy expletives the wliile he disclaims-all responsibility. It has been said of old time, "the stomach has no ears," that is, no comprehension for or sympathy any ideas, sentiments, or aspirations, save such as culminate in cookery and digestion. Our' experience has at length enabled us to supplement the wisdom of this ancient law. No one has hitherto ventured to deny the fact that the body politic has a stomach which can be made very squeamish, and feel the most horrible nausea, if only a stink, sufficiently concentrated, can be brought under its nose. We, however, in this Antipodal city, deliberately formulate the truth that our civic stomach has no nose ; no, not even a rudimentary one. It would be quite superfluous to remark that ifc has no taste.

It is expected that Mr Moody, the Pro-, vincial Treasurer, will be prepared to lay the new Estimates before the Council this evening. Before dealing with these Estimates, however, the House must be in Committee of Supply, aud the old Estimates, oE which one item has been passed, muefc have been discharged. Upon the question of gcing into Committee of Supply, ifc is likely that the Government will be met with an adverse amendment. If so, it is generally considered that the amendment will be carried by a larger majority thau that which brought the present Executive into office.

Telegraphing from Auckland, on Saturday, our correspondent says:—"The Provincial Council Committee appointed to enquire into tho doalinga o£ tho native laud purchases have been constituted a Commission to take evidence during the recess. The following telegram from Dr Pollen to Major Green, General Government agent, was read in the Council:—' Government Buildings, Wellington, May 25th. To Major Green. Place for enquiry into land purchase transactions of Colonial Government in G-sueral Assembly and not Provincial Council of Auckland. Attend Committee, and refuse to give any information, your authority beiug this telegram. Advise their offiiers accordingly.' (Signed) Dr Pollen.' Mr Carpenter thought the telegram was a gross insult to the Council. Mr Dargaville thought ifc onlj' right to say he li-ul seen the telegram froni M'Lean to one of the officials of the Native Department, instructing him to attend the Committee to give evidence, and do everything to facilitate the enquiiy, and other officials of the office were similarly instructed. —Tho Herald aud Cross are attacking each other vigorously, reproducing daily articles from the columns of each other, and placing them in parallel columns with articles from the south and foreign papers. The result is certainly strange, and lets some light on the way leaders are manufactured and made to do duty in papers for which they were never written.". It is expected that an opening will be effected between the headiug.s of the Chain Hills tunnel late to-night, or early to-morrow morning. When the shift started work at twelve o'clock this morning there were nine feet to be gone through. The headings will meet about midway from the starting points. The material now being cut through is as favourable as any that has been yefc encountered. A most determined act of suiaide was committed by a carpenter named Robert Jenkinson, residing in Filleul streefc, on Saturday afternoon. Jenkinsou,- who was a widower, leaves a number of children in the Industrial School. He was a hard drinker, at times being affected with drUrium tremens, aud was only discharged from the Lunatic Asylum a short time ago. A man who Avent to the house, on receiving no answer to his knocks, burst open the door, and was horrified to behold deceased stretched on the floor, with kis head shattered, and a rifle resting across the body. The corpse was shortly afterwards removed to the Hospital morgue, where au inquest will take place afc noon to-day,

Our Balclutha correspondent telegraphed us last evening "that the ketch Edith Reid, Munro master, timber laden, from Bluff to Kaitangata, went ashore on the North Spit, at the entrance to the Molyneux, on Friday. She was going over the bar in tow of the Lady of the Lake, Captain Russell, of the Marine Insurance Company, arrived early this morning. He inspected the vessel and is of opinion that she will float without damage to her hull. The weather moderate and the surf falling."

At the conclusion of Divine service in the First Church yesterday forenoon, the Rev. Lindsay Mackie intimated that the Young Men's Christian Association, ia connection with the congregation, would hold its fit-si meeting on Wednesday evening next, when Mr Allan Holmes would deliver an inaugural address.

Mr Leary addressed the ratepayers of Bell Ward on Saturday evening at the British Hotel. His address was a repetition of the

oue delivered in fche Oddfellows' Halt---, At the conclusion of hi^address several questions were^ put to jthe: candidate^and answered to the satisfaction of the audience. A ratepayer enquired whether Mr Stewart was still Solicitor to the Church Trustees. Mr Leary Was not prepared to answer that question, but an opinion was freely expressed that Mr Sfcewajfc held'that office: A unanimous vote of confidence was passed in favour of the candidate, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting dispersed.

Our Auckland correspondent informs us by telegraph that the following announcement of steam communication from Glasgow to New Zealand (direct) appears in a Glasgow paper received by the mail:—The new Clyde built full-powered screw steamer Hawea, highest class at Lloyds, will be despatched from Glasgow for Otago on.6th April, booking passengers at through rates for other New Zealand ports, and taking only first and second cabin passengers, „ for whom the accommodation is of the finest description. As it is intended to steam the whole way, the passage is not expected to exceed 60 days. Fares to Otago, first cabin, 50 guineas; second cabin, 25 guineas. Apply, London to Galbraith, Stringer, Pembroke, and Co. ■ or to P. Henderson and Co., Glasgow. The s.s. Taupo will follow about 30fch ApriL

Mr W. H. Lathbury, chief brewer to Messrs Tooth and Co., the well kuown brewers of Sydney, has been appointed brewer for the Albion Co.'s establishment. The firm whose service Mr Lalhbury is leaving are famed for their ales, whicli are reputed the best in the Australian Colonies. Mr Lathbury has had long experience in a popular brewery in Burton-on-Trent, and subsequently in Australia. He will arrive in Dunedin in the course of a couple of months. The new buildings for the Company are now in course of erection.

During the week ending May 29 th eight new boarders entered and nine left the Sailors' Home, leaving 22. A donation of books and (periodicals was made during the week.

We understand that an enquiry is to be held to-day by Mr A. C. Stode, R.M., into an alleged robbery of bank notes from the Treasury and the subsequent placing back of the same. These are the notes which were alluded to iv our columns some time ago as being missing fron the escort parcel, and having been found. There will be examined the officers of the Treasury, the Police Constables who were present on the occasion, and Inspectors Thomson and Moore, the two last-mentioned officers being in town specially to attend the inquiry.

The licensed proprietor of the Octagon Hotel was charged, before Messrs Cargill and Mercer, at the Police Court on Saturday, with allowing gambling to take place in his licensed house. Counsel for the defence pleaded Guilty, under extenuating circumstances, which he stated ; but this the Court would not accept, and after some objections taken to the information had been overruled, the charge was, at the solicitation of the Police, adjourned for a week.

The Rev. Dr Roseby, following up his series of discourses on week day religion, addressed a large congregation last evening on the subject of " Money," choosing his text from Ecclesiastics, "Money answereth all things ;" and St. Mark's Gospel, " Whafc shall a man give in exchange for his soul J" The rev. gentleman discoursed at length on the uses and abuses of money.

A meeting will be held in the Congregational Church on Wednesday evening, fche object beiug to re establish the Young Men's Christian Association.

A rara avix in the form of a remarkably fine hen pheasant was seen yesterday flying about Porfc Chalmers. It was first noticed in the garden o? Mr John Thomson, and thence flew to the less-frequented parts of the Peninsula. Where the bird came from is a puzzling surmise.

- Three prisoners were received into the gaol on Saturday afternoon from the country. Two were from Oamaru, namely, Patrick Moore, sentenced at the District Courfc, Oamaru, on the 20th inst., by Mr Justice Ward to six calendar months' imprisonment* with hard labour, for larceny ■ and James Gilchrist, sentenced at the same time and place to four montus' imprisonment, wifch hard labour, for larceny. The third prisoner was Margaret Stevc-nson, who, some months ago, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, at Lawrence, for stealing a quantity of wearing apparel, and who, since her sentence, has been confined in the Lawrence gaoL

On Saturday svening a number of gentlemen connected with the Dunedin Press gave a complimentary dinner to Mr F. S. Nichols (late sub-editor of this journal), who proceeds fco Tokomairiro to assume the editorial duties of the Bruce Herald. Mr Jones placed a capital spread before liis guests, aud the wines were of the best brands. The chair was occupied by Mr F. Humphries, and Mr J. J. Utting officiated as croupier. After the usual loyal toasts, the Chairman gave the toast of the evening—"Our Guest"—

and, in alluding to Mr Nichols's departure, spoke of thafc gentleman's connection with the Daily Times, and expressed the regret that would be felfc by Mr Nichols's numerous friends at losing such a genial companion and thorough pressman from their midst. He stated that it was intended to have presented their guest with a substantial token of their regard, bufc that the testimonial was nut completed; however, ifc would be finished in the course of a few days, and forwarded to him after his arrival ia Tokomairiro. The to.ist was drunk with musical honours, and Mr Nichols, in replying, assured his entertainers thafc he was deeply moved with, the kind expression of feeling evinced that evening by his numerous friends, and though he was sorry to leave so many wellwisheis, yet he thought that he should only be studying his health by removing to an appointment where the necessity of cons-taut nightwork would be obviated, and where he could recruit his health. He concluded by stating that during his nine years' experience on the Press, he hid never mst so mauy genial - hearted brother workers as he had in Dunedin. A number of toasts followed, including " The Craft," "Tiie Renovated Sub-Editor," "The Guardian, Times, and Star;" and though near the end of the programme, nofc the least important—" The Ladies," to which toast Mr Wafchen, though suffering from a severe cold, replied in an eloquent and humorous speech. Some capital songs were given between the toasts, aud one of the mosfc pleasant evenings ever spent iv Dunedin by members of the Fourth Esiate was brought to a close at halfpast eleven by the singing of the National Aathein.

The Dunedin Canary and Poultry Association held its annual meeting at the Bull and Mouth Hotel ou Friday evening last, a large number ot members being present. Mr P. Pell occupied the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted, and we append a few extracts from them to evidence the great progress made by the Society during the past financial year. In 1574 5 there were 174 names on the roll, against 81 during the previous year. The number of entries was 463, against 195, and the total receipts £192 Is 4d, against £109 17s of the preceding year. There was also a Urge amount given for special prizes, and eb-se on £90 expended on pens, &c. The foUowing office-bearers were then elected : — Patrons : His Honour the Superintendent, His Worship the Mayor, li. Driver, Esq , W. J. M. Larnach, Esq., aud R. Wilson, Esq. President : J. Marshall, Esq. Vice-Presi-

dent: F. P e U, Esq. Hon. Sec, iIL D. Pirie, Esq. Hon. Treasurer: J. P. Peakej; Esq. Committee : Messrs Logan, Jacobs, Curie, W. M'Lean, J. Park; Aiming, Doun-! den, R. Bailey, Clifford, Crawley, *- and S. James. Ifc was resolved, " That the best thanks of the Association be accorded to Mr F. Pell for the very liberal manner in which he acted towards the late Committee in. declining to accept any consideration for the annoyance, trouble, and expense he was caused, and also being deprived of a first prize fairly won by him at the late Exhibition, as awarded by the judges and afterwards confirmed by the arbitrators, who decided that his right to the prize was unquestionable j and this meeting further considers that the action of Mr Sly in obtaining possession of fche prize was mosfc unwarrantable." It was further resolved— • That Mr W. Sly be expelled from ths Society, and prohibited from becoming a member or exhibiting at any of the Association's forthcoming meetings." This, with a vote of thanks to the Chairman] concluded the business before the meeting.

We have received the first number of the Rangitikei Advocate, a bi-weekly, published at Minton. Ifc is a well printed publication and whilst containing a lot of interesting news matter, has a good show of advertise, ments, a most important desideratum to the proprietors. We wish this new literary venture every success.

The football match between eleven of the Dunedin Footfall Club and eighteen of the High School boys, at the South Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon, attracted numerous visitors, amongst whom we were pleased to notice the fair sex well represented. The Club's captain having won the toss, G. M. Thomson kicked off for the boys at 2.45. In less than two minutes afterwards Rose took the ball up from near touch and secured the downfall of the School goal. This amused the boys considerably. Ends were changed, and the boys played uncommonly well for nearly an hour, notably Crawshaw, M'Lean, Wheeler, and T. Allan. Their efforts were admirably supported by their experienced and mature captain. The second] goal i for the Football Club was obtained by E. Johnson after a good run by Rose. Shortly afterwards the latter player, taking advantage of the apparent carelessness of a High School warrior, kicked a third goal. After about ten minutes' additional spirited play, Rose again piloted the ball successfully betwec-n tho two posts. Time was called at 4.45 | without any further scoring. The Football Club therefore won the match easily, being credited with four goals, and the High Scool having none. The boys played an uphill game very pluckily, though thoroughly overmatched by their opponents' speed. Mr John Fulton kindly officiated as umpire, but ou ' this occasion the office was a sinecure. The new rules are evidently becoming more popular every Saturday. Complimentary cheers, lustily given, terminated the proceedings. The following formed the D.F.C. side :—A K. Smith (captain), F. Smith, J. C. Thomson, E. J-hnson, j. Murray, E. Ward, S. Lambert, G. Denn;ston, J. Allen, H. Rose, and W. M'lntyre. Sampson and D. K. Rhodes were unable to play through illness. We trust the Club will select a weaker team in the return, and thereby give the High School boys an opportunity, under favourable circumstances, to score a victory. The " New Era " dredge is now laid up, having some trifling repairs made to her preparatory to commencing operations in the Upper Harbour. She will commence about the end of this week, and will make N a start off the Rattray street jetty, to deepen and widen the channel there. It is intended that she is to dredge a space to give additional room for vessels swinging, and to deepen the channel so as to admit of the coming up of a larger class of vessels tban those that now use the Upper Harbour.

The weekly services uuder the auspices of the Dunedin Young Men's Christian Association continue to retain their popularity. Last evening the Queen's Theatre was again literally crowded, msny parties having to leave disappointed.

During the week- ended 29fch, 25 patients were admitted into the Hospital, •aad 17 were discharged therefrom. George Neighbour, bricklayer, native of England, died from consumption, and George Pethouse, labourer, aged 30, native of England, died from erysipelas and delirium tremens. The number of patients at present in the Hospital, is 175, of whom 40 are females.

Mr Charles Massey, the well known scenic artist, is at present an occupant of the Wellington Hospital, and, apparently, he lias had a narrow escape of his life. While recently engaged at the Wellington theatre, he incautiously allowed some emerald green to get into a cut on his hand. Symptoms of bloodpoisoning scon showed thcaselves. His arm swelled to a fearful sice, one side of his body became completely paralysed, and he became delirious. When removed to the Hospital,. he was in imminent dauger, but, under skilful treatment, was, at the date of the mail leaving, in a fair way to recovery.

The fine ship Hindostan, a vessel of 1500 tons biuthen, which recently arrived in Wellington with immigrants, seems to have an exceedingly bumptious commander. He is au American skipper, for the first time in command of an English vessel, and somehow or other seems to have got very prejudiced ideas about Wellington, and the Colony generally. Almost the first thing he did when the pilofc boarded was to announce his intention of writing to the papers to complain because there was no pilot cruising in the Straits, and then, when the Immigration Commissioners arrived on board, he treated them very rudely. As they would not land the immigrants on Sunday, he hoisted the yellow flag, so causing no little consternation in town. When remonstrated with by the Harbour Master, he said it was a private flag, and he would fly it if he liked. On bringing his slup to the wharf, after the passengers were landed, he had a notice of "No Admittance," posted at the gangway, and he is now engaged in a newspaper

They don't seem to be quite so loyal in Cromwell as we are in Dunedin. At any rate, if they are their loyalty is nofc allowed to interfere with business, for the Argus re. marks:—"The Queen's Birthdr.y passed over in Cromwell without demonstration of any kind, and the various business houses were open for trade as usuaL"

The Southland Times mentioned, some time since, fchat the railway to the Mataura would he open for traffic by the Ist of June. Ifc now learns that, owing to broken weather, of which there has been so much lately, there will be some delay in the completion of the line. The opening, however, may be expected to take place on Monday, the 7th June. .

Writ:ng fco the editor of the Southern Cross, Mr Lawford, the Auckland Manager of the Bank of Australasia, says :—" To the Editor : Sir—Referring to the leader in your issue of this morning, reflecting upon instructions, alleged—on the authority of Mr Murdoch—to have been received by this bank, directing the withdrawal of £200,000 of the capital now employed by it in this Colony ; and upon the presumed admission on the part of the Bank's resident chief officer of such instructions having been received ; I beg to state that I am authorised —a3 per telegram afc foot—to give, without any reflection oa Mr Murdoch's ' stern accuracy,' the most; unqualified

.denial, -both ifiMi to>,the receipt of aHf such-iiutractipii^ and tothe alleged admission of tlieir receipt by the officer referred to —the entire stateineht-^with all dae deference to the esteemed authority you quotesbeing absolutely without foundation, and simply— to borrow Mr Murdoch's own expression, "a device of the enemy." Requesting, in common justice, the publicatio* of this communication.—lam, &c, J. Lawfor<J r Manager." " Copy of telegram referred to r —' Positively deny receipt of instructions iff withdraw any capital, or that I have ever made such assertion.' (Signed) Wilians Henry Palmer." It is rightto add that Mr Murdoch adheres to the accuracy of' his statement,, despite the disavowal of the manager of the Bank of Australasia, and promise to Verify it by undeniable facts.

. The Mount Ida Chronicle says :—"Abdbie named Loftu» was received into the Hospital on Thursday afternoon, suffering from injuries said to-have been inflicted by two men. who had pounced upon hitn near Myron. Bush, aud kicked- him to their hearts'content about the face and head, from which* amusement they desisted only when they; thought he was dead. The names of the ; parties are known- to the Police."

The Tuapeka Times reports that the Pomahaka River has been very high of late. Two commercial travellers, who wished to go from. Waipahi fco Tapanui, had to return eta Balclutha and Lawrence, and thence to Tapanui, a journey of 100 miles. It is quite time the Government erected a bridge over the Pomahaka at Capt. M'Kenzie's ford, or at some other convenient spot on the main line of road from Waipahi to Tapanui; although as to which is the most convenient site for the bridge, we leave the inhabitants of Tapanui to decide.

The Melbourne Argus, of the ISth insfc r in a leader on Dr. Moran's lecture oa the "Bankruptcy of Liberalism," observes—"lit all seriousness, the utterances of such ant insane indictment of Liberalism at the close ofthe nineteenth century is all but incredible. We have been of lats .'familiar.;'™.;' Victoria wifch novel and ingenious readings of history, by which the darkest epochs come out with bright faces, and crowned devils are developed into deified saints, and we thought our local performers were not to be beaten in. that line. But Bishop Moran fairly 'out-" Herod's Herod' in running-a-muck at all the agents of modem progress, and reversing all the deductions of modern history. Whatever the rank and file of the Roman hierarchy may be-and if their theories can hold water they should be paragons of culture—it is" fair to assume that a bishop is an educated man ; yet it is hard to beheve that Bishop Moran is not densely ignorant of the principles and forces that have begotten the evolutions of modern history, and, what is worse, absolutely at fault with regard ta the position and influence of his own. Church,"

The Herald says:—" The Wanganui Board of Health has notified that on the Ist of June nearly every householder in Wanganui will be liable to a penalty of £50. This intelligence comes with a peculiar grace from the Bjard of Health, which, we may inform, our readers, is the Municipal CounciL The Health Acfc requires that the earth-close^ system shall be put in force by that date, and as very few have made arrangements with, the manufacturer, it is quite impossible thafe the law can now be complied with."

Alluding to the new line of reef at Wav pori, the Tuapeka Times observes "The. Messrs Roberts, who are the prospectors, are now confident of the auriferous nature of fche lode. Our reporter visited the prospecting claim this week, aud saw gold washed from the reef in a tin dish. The reef is well defined, and the body of stone about 18in. to 2ft. in thickness. The quartz is very soEd and compact, and of an entirely different character to the O. P. Q. The course of the reef is east and west. The lode is being prospected by a shaft from the cap of the reef, and also by an adit from the side of the hill, from which the golden prospect. was obtained. WTien reduced by the hammer aud washed, the stone has all the appearance of a gold-bearing kind, mundic being present in large quantities. As soon as the reef is opened out, and its position properly defined, a trial crushing of a few tons of stone will be made."

The Cross of the 21st inst says : -"The amount collected by the Williamson Testimonial Committee up to the present time fe £355 15s 6d. Intimations have been received from the collectors in various parts of the Province out of the city of Auckland^ that about £100 more might be expected. The amount, therefore, of the fund at the present time may be stated to be abonfc £455."

The Fakir of Oolu succeeded in attracting a numerous audience on Saturday evening In addition to the ordinary items of the programme which was presented during the week Dr Silvester added another feat, which, was quite as astonishing and as artisfcicaily exeeufced as any he has yet presented to hia patrons. The entertainment will be repeated this evening.

"The Last Life," a sensation play of the kind supposed to be besfc suited to the tastes of people who visit theatres towards the end of the week, was presented at the Prin» cess on Saturday evening, and passed off successfully. It will be repeated this evening. Mr and Mrs Bates, who created a v«y favourable impression in Dunedin some tame since, will make their re-appearance tomorrow evening. - *..:.:

An emergency meeting of Lodge St— Andrew will be held in the Masonic HaH this evening. •* Mr W. Downie Stewart will address the ratepayers of Bell Ward in fche Od&fellowa? Hall this evening at eight o'clock.