THE Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1875.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4164, 23 June 1875, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1875.

We always ]ike to see ourselves de scribed as others see us. Sometimes ih< operation is unpleasant for a moment, bui even then there are oftt namulioratinccir cumstances ; at any rate, we can. admire our own courage in having read on The business of a morning's cold bafcl may serve in illustration ; we tremble and are horribly afraid of the avalanclu of ice-drops, but, having bathed, w< plume ourselves upon our courage, and take no little credit to ourselves foi having; not been afraid. When we see an article in the Monej Market Review entitled, "The Finaiicia. Prospects of JN evv Zealand," we not unnaturally draw a long breath, ami begin apprehensively to read it Tht possibilities are so infinitely various, who can say what on earth the tenor oi the discourse will prove to be. Is it by a Mr Charles Bellows, to intimate corruption, insinuate embezzlement, deduce bankruptcy inevitable and complete 1 Is it a sun-shiny picture showing the great future of the grandest aud most prosperous of England's children, strong aiike in natural resources, the wisdom of her sons, and the matured policy of her leaders? If the former, -we may be sure that the old well-worn warnin»s of the unwisdom of paying- current expenses out of loans, and heaping up debts for the formation of railways' that will crumble away before their designers; weary columns of figures fitted to prove anything, and denunciatory paragraphs about the Arch-Fiend Vogel, will be alternated with clever comparisons between the debt per head of the settlers in New Zealand and Liberia, Auckland and Sierra Leone. If thelatter, we shall find the cards shuffled, figures rearranged, the percentage of debt per head upon earnings calculated, and a flourish about the quality and breed of the daring settlers who have peopled the Great Britain of the South. We are pleased to see that this particular paper is of the latter character —seeing ourselves as others see us is not, after all, quite so trying as we sometimes think it. But' then, after all, we cannot help a lurking suspicion that the "others" do not in this case represent a bonce fide outsider. We may as well frankly confess that the tone makes us suppose that the article is inspired. The four million loan was being placed just ahout then, and the coincidence is sufficiently remarkable to suggest certain suspicions. We do not mean to insinuate that there is anything untrue, or even too highly coloured, about it ; but simply that it represents the views of those who have an interest in making our "financial picspeets" look as good as may be. One thing which leads us to this supposition is the very uncommon care that is taken to represent the Government as wise, cautious, bold, and singularly able. English lenders have become used by constant repetition to accounts of the natural resources of countries that wish to borrow their money. Stories of fat lands and beeves, rich mines and waving fields, navigable rivers and timbered lands, have palled upon their palate. If'these things alone formed good security, Brazil and such countries would stand higher than they do now. Something that they had not heard before was wanted to tickle their fancy, and the " Financial Prospects of New Zealand" formed the theme for an eloquen hymn of praise to the talented men that rule that Colony. Sir Julius Vogel, his name, and even all special reference to him, are left out most studiously. A perusal of the article in question will show our readers that an ingenious feat has been performed by writing two full columns in praise of the Government of New Zealand without saying one word, good, bad, or indifferent, about our present Premier. With skilful pen the writer has put forward the very great advantages which New Zealand has possessed from its settlement as compared with Australia and other new countries, "as regards the quality of its settlers and their social organisation, which naturally are reflected in the policy of its Government and the general administration of its public aflSirs." This is very true, but it sounds strange enough in the ears of a generation which has learned to identify Sir Julius Vogel with the prosperity of the Colony. We must confers to have somewhat overlooked in these days the debt which New Zealand owes to those who came from the Province of Nelson, for instance, " Stafford, Fox, Dillon Bell, Domett, and others, who have since been the Prime Ministers or leading members of the Parliament and Government of the Colony." We repent ourselves in dust and ashes for our forgetfulness of past services, but even this sorrow cannot prevent our re<n-et-ting that in tbe list of our leading men the name of Sir Julius is entirely and most studiously—left out. Itcannot fail to remind us of Hamlet under similar circumstances. Nevertheless and notwithstanding we are pleased to see" the London Money Market Review taking so kindly and hopeful a view of our prospects. Such a sentence as this, for instance, cannot but inspire us with new confidence in ourselves. "There is great prescience and sound wisdom in the policy of the statesmen and Government of this interesting and prosperous Colony; the loans contracted by the Government are all devoted to the attainment of

the most useful objects, viz., to theson straction of railways, roads, -and h\ t bours, and fco the obtaining- an amp supply of immigrants of the best kind We are satisfied to admire the agilit with which this feat of leader writir has been performed, but we cannot he] thinking that a word or two migl have been spared in praise of h'ini i whom our present prosperity, it mv: be allowed, is greatly owing. The skill and painstaking care of fct Immigration Department, the zeal an excessive industry . with which the have selected the immigrants. " Tl] readiness of the whole community t tax itself to meet the interest on loar of a reproductive kind." Some c these things might have been spare us, and just one little word put in i show that Sir Julius Vog el was nc quite forgotten. To us, the gist of th whole may be apparent, but even th lenders in England will, some of then; wonder at this striking omission, thoiig] they cannot fail to be persuaded tha '• the progress of New Zealand is by ft. the most remarkable and interesting c that of any of our Colonies, espeeilll as it is ascribable, not to any specie source of wealth (such as gold mine: in the country, but to the admirabl quality of the people, and the wisdoi

The question whether it is the intention of Sir Julius Vogbl to return to the Colony or not is one that is undoubtedly exercising the minds of moat of our readers, since it id rightly or wrongly felt by then! to be somehow mixed up with the financial well-being of the country they live iv. But let us endeavour to discern ary inducement offering for his return. Tie Premier appears to have reached tie height of his popularity in this countrr and little more is left for him to exhibit his versatile genius in. Giving him evai the work of clearing away our Provincid institutions and substituting for them oce homogeneous Government throughout the length and breadth of these islands, it is yet certaiu that, however favourable the time (when it comes) for such a measure, it will not fail to be attended with a considerable amount of vituperation for its author, that in the matter of popularity he can benefit nothing. Let us add too, oiir opinion (one shared by most impartial observers) that tir Julius's great measures have been most materially seconded by the favourable state of the home moneymarket, and the increased demand for oni chief item of export. In fact, he has been very lucky in the times. But the Premier is the sort of man to foresee the possibility of the years we are now entering upon not bringing with them the same luck, and if we suppose, on the contrary, that all goes well with us, it is yet mani' fest that in a colony constitutionally <roverned, and only b.".rn to-day, that there can be no field for the increase, nor guarantee for the retention of the popularity which is to the Premier as meat and drink. We advisedly say "popularity," for Sir Julius's isa mind unable to endure the idea of the fame that too often only glorifies after death the authors of measures sagaciously conceived for the public good. He is essentially a man of the day, the type of the modern politician, on whose flag we discover the legend—"Expediency and notoriety." On the other hand, it is very natural to suppose that in the immeasurably larger area of Imperial politics, Sir Juuus Yog el will rind greater scope for his undeniably extraordinary talents, and that there isnoconceivable difficulty in his obtaining theaeat in the House of Commons which is necessary to display them. Befriended by wealth, St. Stephen's can be reached as well ;is Corinth, and without exaggerating the genius of our, perhaps, greatest oi colonial politicians, we may say, with certainty, that he can make his mark in home politics. He has, indeed, much of the same character of mind as Disraeli's, equally energetic and peisevering (and' we may say, unscrupulous) in his etforts to gain his end (and perhaps more darin« than him), equally undaunted by rebuffs or humiliations, tooeager, in the pursuitof his ambition, to resent or feel them much, iv short, irrepressible always, and possessed of unbounded versatility and fertility of resource. Add to this, the Premier's well-known appreciation of the luxuries of life, which are to be found in an eminent degree in England, and which satisfy what may be regarded as a mere foible in the character cf a great man. Hence, while we do not say that Sir Julius will not return to us, we think we have shown that sufficient temptations exist to prevent his doing so.

Ani» so distress is already beginning to be felt by the unfortunate victims of the suspension of operations on the Port Chalmers section of the Dunedin and Moeraki Railway. We are not surprised to hear of it, because all works of the kind are carried on upon a system of mutual dependence—the contractor depends upon the Government, the subcontractor and day labourers upon the contractor, and the labourers are further dependent, for a supply o f daily necessaries, up^n the liberality of the storekeeper and butcher in granting so much credit as will keep the men going from pay day to pay day. it is very evident that the snapping of a link in this chain of connection must throw the system out of gear, and cause dire inconvenience to the weaker parties of the contract. Contractors' failures., and the consequent distress in which the workmen are involved, are unhappily anything but rare events. Legislation has interfered with the view to, as far as practicable, mitigate the rigour of the consequences ; but the remedy it applies being but, at the best prospective, 4 this hard pinching shoe of dependent poverty will make itself felt We are grieved to hear of so many mea being out of employment at the Port, and that too at a time when there is no lack of employment for the able-bodied and iuchistrious man. However, it is but natural that men to whom so much is due should seek to recover before they turn elsewhere in search of employment. According to the statement of accounts that we published in yesterday's issue, the money owing to them is a heavy sum in the lump ; and we sincerely hope that the kindly action taken by the Resident Afagistrate of the Port will have the effect of exciting the General Government at Wellington to do all that can be done, and that promptly, to adjust the differences between the workmen and the contractors, by »ivin«' the former the full benefit of the°Cou° tractors' Debts Act of 1871. It wouid be well if men who are engaged upon public works were a little better posted up in this Act than those who attended the meeting at the Port on Monday. Not the slightest allusion was made to it there, and the men generally seemed to be utterly at a loss how to define their position. They appeared to entertain vague notions about the responsibility of the Government, but were seemingly not aware that that responsibility is°limited to within the boundaries of contracts. The employes of contractors Jwho fail can only come upon tlie Government for just the amount of money, and no more, which may then happen to be owing to the contractor by the Government. The Government retains in hand from ten per cent, to twenty-live per cent, of the contract money due for work done, and it is to be hoped that, in the case beford us, the larger percentage has been withheld, for the sake of the poor creditors. P_ is also most desirablo that they should be spared, as much as possible, litigation to recover their own, aud we believe that the Port liesiderii Magia-

trate is acting with the intention of promoting that object. - May lie succeed in Shis endeavours. This-and other cognate %failures should render the; Government 'alive to the necessity of applying some reform to the system which governs the letting of contracts, so as to bind the contractor by substantial security to fulfil his 'part of the agreement ;or, failing in that, 'that the security given shall be ample to ; meet all claims on the part of labouring men employed upon the contract. i Our Auckland correspondent telegraphed last evening that the captain of the ship Dunediu writes exposing the way strangers in port are victimised. He employed a surveyor for the ship, who, after he had sur- , veyed the bulk of the cargo, he tound is permanently engaged by the New Zealand Insurance Company aud one of the consignees, and who refused to survey cettain goods damaged, with reference to which an action is threatened. The cap'ain also engiged a lawyer for one case, when another csse arose, and the lawyer informed him that he must appear against the ship in that claim because he was permanently retained by the owner of the damaged goods. To get quit of his difficulties the captain purchased the disputed goods himself, taking the chance of disposing of them in Dunediu.—lt is under stood that the last ietttr from Sir George Grey to Dr Pollen refers to the determination by the Superintendent to apply to the Supreme Court for a mandamus compelling the General Government to meet all just claims due to the Province, Sir George Grey being advised that the General Government have kept back the money illegally. An ordinary quarterly meeting of the Cliainber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, and several matters of considerable importance were discussed and decided. The meeting came to a very abrupt end. A resolution was moved with respect to the appoiutment of a Lloyd's surveyor, and nearly the whole of those present, apparently under the impression that the lesolution was put and decided, left the room in a rather disorderly fashion, without coming to any decision upon the matter. The Chairman, therefore, left the chair, making some rather severe remarks upon the want of courtesy dsplayed by the members. The deputation appointed at the meeting held at Port Chalmers on Monday afternoon, by the employes of the contractors forthe construction of the Port Chalmers section of the Dunedin and Moeraki Railway, waited upon Mr Mansford, the .Resident Magistrate, yesterday morning. They presented to him a statement ol the liabilities of the contractors to the employes ; and, upon his recommendation, they telegraphed, through him, to the General Government at Wellington, requesting the Government to withhold any moneys owing upon the contract .above-mentioned until the just claims of the workmeu had been satisfied. His Worship commended the orderly character of Monday's meeting, and promised to do all that lay in his power to forward the interests of tbe workmen. After heartily thanking him for his kindness in the matter, the deputation withdrew. In accordance with his promise, Mr Mansford telegraphed the facts of the case to Welling, ton in terms that placed its salient points clearly before the Government. Hp stated that, in consequence of the naturally protective action oa the part of the storekeepers, the meu> credit had been stopped, and a .great deal of distress was likely to eusue. We have received a letter, signed by a number of the inhabitants of Mansford Bay, expressing satisfaction that the Government are about to take control of the Itoad Boards. They complain that the Blueskiu Board has taken their rates for years, and never spent A 81lillir, 5 „„ tka,r «.o«d. Tho roai nOT I, said to be in a worse condition than it was seven years ago. The inhabitants state that if they had belonged to the Port Chalmers Board, instead of the Blueskin Board, that they would have had better roads long before now. Our space will not allow us to publish the whole letter, but the above is about the gist of it. A uew stone crusher has arrived for the City Council, and a second one is soon to come to hand. At present the Council has two stone crushers at work at the Union street quarry, one of which it is proposed to be removed, the eewly-arrived crusher to be substltnted in its place. The one to be removed will be fixed on wheels so as to be made portable, in order that it can be shifted about to break stones at several of the outlying quarries. The streets of Port Chalmers have pre sented an unusual appearance during the past few days, being thronged by a number of unemployed men, who, having been thrown out of work by the stoppage of the railway contract, wander listlessly about, watting with what hope they may for an early settlement of their just claims. Owing to a hitch in the Port Chalmers Waterworks contract, work in that direction has also been suspended for a time, but will, we are glad to hear, be resumed immediately. Tenders are now being called for the formation of a road between the head of Pitt street to the main road on the Town Belt. This branch ro<td will be a great convenience in the way of gaining access to, or egress from the Belt road, especially as regards giv. ing the citizens additional facility to view the scenery of the Belt, and to inhale the fresh air. It is to be hoped that the City Council will soon see their way to complete the last section of the Belt road—the part which is to go northwards from the Wakari road, for a distance of about a mile, and the course of which is now staked out. It is further to be hoped that they will see their way to finishing aud metalling the part already formed. The half-yearly meeting of No. 1 Company (City Guards) was held in the Drill Shed on Monday evening. Captain Wales presided, and there were about 35 members present. The Committee's report was adopted. It appeared that there wad a balance in hand of £190; but liabilities are to be incurred for uniforms for the cadet 3 and baud, which will bring this balance clown to about £50. The resignation of Lieut. SDmerville was accepted, and a motion was unanimously passed electing him an honorary member in [ consideration of his valuable services to the j Company from the time the Company was formed. It was also agreed that ho be presented with a testimonial. We understand that the Company's band is making satisfactory progress. Sin She wishes us to state that the amount (£56 19,-i 6:1), as mentioned in our issue of yesterday, owing him by Strachan and Co., contractors, Port Chalmers, is incorrect— it should be £15Q 19s Gd. Tiie sixth anniversary of the Otago Licensed Victuallers' Association passed off with considerable eclat at Messrs Watson's Dining Rooms last evening, when about 100 gentlemen were present.: The Presideut (Mr Carroll) who occupied the chair, was supported on the right by His Worship the Mayor and Councillor Reeves, and on the left by Councillor Walter, the vice-chair being ably filled by the Vice President of the Association (Mr Hutchinson). The firstclasa edibles having been impartially discussed, the customary loyal toasts were enthusiasticaliy received with musical honours. In a capital speech, Mr Walter proposed "His Honour the Superintendent and the Provincial Council, coupled with the name of Mr Reeves." The Vice-Chairman proposed " His Worship the Mayor and Corporation of Dunediu ;" and the Mayor having appropriately responded

Messrs Walter and Reeves indicated their programme for contesting the Mayoralty this year.- ; Mr Carroll also returned thanfo. "The? Army, Navy, and Volunteers," was proposed by Mr Pidler. and suitably responded to by Captain Scavely. Mr R. Wilson proposed " The Otago Licensed Victuallers' Association," and * suggested that the spirits landed here should be examined. The following toasts were also duly honoured:—"The Agricultural, Pastoral, and Mining Interests of New Zealand," "The Cominsrcial Interests of New Zealand, including its Manufactures, Shipping, and Trade." Mr Dunning responded to " The Ladies ;" and " The Press," which was proposed by His Worship the Mayor, found a suitable respondent in our representative. ' Mr Strachan briefly replied to " The Brewers." Some excellent melodies, including the national songs of Frauce and Germany, -were well rendered ; and altogether a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. The proceedings were happily terminated at midnight with the National Anthem. While not claiming to exercise the gift of prophecy, we venture to predict, without *ear of confutation, a great military awakening in the breasts of the volunteer defenders of North Dunediu—they have received their new uniform. It came from London, where it was manufactured for the Company by a distinguished firm of military tailors. We have no hesitation in saying, after inspecting the new uniform, that the North Dunedin Rifles will, in their new martial array, be a Company of which Dunedinites generally will be proud, and all other Volunteers envious. The colour of the clothing is "invisible " green, and the uniform, it may be remarked, is similar to that of the 60th Rifles. The tunic has the initials of the corps worked in red braid on the shoulder, and the invisible green trousers have a military aspect, through a red stripe down the side. The busbies for the rank and file are of seilsKin, and the busbies for the officers are of astrackan skin. The astrackan skin which forms the exterior of the officers' busbies, is covered with a olack, glossy, curly hair. The remaining headgear consists of an undress cap, which is of the Glengarry pattern, and ornamented with a Maltese cross. The accoutrements consist, each stt, of a poach and belt, waist belt, frog, and cap pocket, the leather work being black patent leather, and the mounting of , silver, or some material indistinguishable therefrom. We have no doubt that when the Company turn out in their new uniform, they will make a very handsome appearance. We are pleased to state that the children attending the Purakanui School have, in a very quiet and unpretending manner, presented their teacher, Mr George Simpson, with a handsome marble clock. Mr Simpson appears to be a great favourite with his pupils, and this is only another of the many acts of kindness shown to him by the residents of the district in which he has become so universally respected. Through the brief but genial eloquence of Mr Armstrong and the powerful oratorical illustrations and perorations of Mr De Lautour, a bridge is to be got for Naseby—certainly a small bridge, but a bridge nevertheless. It is to be of stone and timber, and is to be erected over whit is commonly known as the " Dead Level Tail-race." Being on the road between Duuedin and Naseby, it is to a certain extent a Duuedin work, but it meets no opposition on that account. It is just on this side of Naseby town, and replaces a former bridge that was swept away. It will save carriers making a detour in which extra distance to be traversed is not so much a matter of consideration as sharp curves which have to be gone round. The erection of this hrirlga will Efcnp many complaints that are now made. The anniversary of the Deutscher Verein was celebrated last evening by a supper, at Keligher's European Hotel, Mr Wm. Nees, President of the Society, in the chair. A most excellent spread was provided, which was done ample justice to by the members present. A number of toasts, songs, and recitations, were given in first class style, and altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent. A stroll through one of our Dunedin warehouses gives a good idea of the commercial enterprise of our mei-chants, and of the importance of the trade now established between this place and the mother country. Passing the warehouse of Messrs S. De Beer and Co., importers of china, glass, earthen, and glassware, in Brown's new buildings, a few days since, we looked in, and were surprised at tne extent, variety, and value of the goods displayed. la the foreigu glass department, which we first visited, we were shown the newest styles of French' Bohemian, and Dresden ware—in vases,' lustres, drawing-room sets, &c. all of graceful designs and exquisite finish. Here were some of the finest specimens of art for enriching the table and ornamenting the mantelpiece. In the china and earthenware departments, wo found everything in these lines, either useful or ornamental; and in the fancy department there was an endless variety of ornaments—some of them admirable specimens of art in modern and antique styles. In the elelectro-plate ware department we examined tea-services, cruetframes, sardine-boxes, biscuit-jars, butterdishes, &c, all of which were of beautiful designs and exquisite finish. In the lampware department, there were lamps of all descriptions— for the table, the hall, the bedroom, the nursery —for reading, &c.'. and there were also glass chandeliers. Some of the lamps had the appearance of vases or table ornaments, and many of them hand painted. Our attention was specially called to the Silber Company's lamps, which have opaque shades, and are on the moderator plan for economising oil. In the English glass department there was a fine display of solid and useful household articles. Many of them are of the best description, both in pattern and manufacture. Our Clyde correspondent writes:—"A jood deal of merriment has been caused by ;he recommendation of the Provincial Council that a District Court shoild be held in Jromwall. The utmost contempt is ex-Ji-essed at the gross absurdity, let alone the vaste of the public mouey at the rate of at east £46 per day, in discussing such a ques■ion, for it, must be jjateufc fco the member for he Dunstan, os alto the member for the Kavarau, that since the late Judge retired here has not been a case for hearing in the wo electorates, and that for a year or more nan average more than acoupie of cases at a ltting. With such facts as these, it is thought hat the Executive will carry the joke °no arther.— An attempt is being made to reovor the wreck of tt.e pneumatic dredge, 'he river is falling, and will soon be at its west level, as we may expect hard frosts, iougli we have, with the exception of an ild day or so, splendid weather" for the seamof the year.— Sluiciug iv the high-lyino istricts has been a little retarded by the ■osfc closing the races." We are pleased to learn from the New ealand Times that in an unostentatious way le Wellington Acclimatisation Society is 3ing good work for the Province. During le past year no fewer than SOO birds ot irious kinds have been turned loose in difrent divisions of the Province, and arrangeeuts are being made for a further supply. y the last trip of the Albion the society reived six hares from Melbourne. These were rwarded up country to be turned loose, but ifortunately three of the number died on ,c journey and one escaped. The remaining ,-o were turned out all right, being in good

condition at the time, and hopes are enter-; tamed that an increase will be noted before Iqhg. The society at its next meeting will discuss a proposal to fix a scale of rewards to be offered to persons giving evidence which shall lead to the conviction of offenders who destroy imported game. The adoption of some preventive measures is an absolute necessity, as there is reason to believe that the Society's- efforts are neutralised to a great extent by the destruction of animals and birds imported at great expense. We learn from the Bruce Herald that the Reliance Bridge, Taieri, was tested on Saturday last with about 90 tons weight. The engine and seven trucka containing earth crossed it several times, and the de. flection was only five-eighths of an inch. The section between the Reliance and Waihola bridges is progressing favourably, and is now being ballasted. The Waihola bridge will be completed in three weeks' time, and the Chain Hilis Tunnel in six weeks. There is nothing to hinder the line between Duae<lin and the Clutha being open for traffic on th-3 Ist of September. The Post states that—"The police have, we learn, laid an information under the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, better known as Martin's Act, against the sivil servant to whom we alluded yesterday as having kept an unfortunate horse in his yard without food or water for upwards of a fortnight. The unfortunate animal was yesterday removed to the pound, after the neighbours of the individual in question had remonstrated. Damages to the extent of 25s are claimed, but the poor animal is in such a state th*t it is not worth as many pence. In fact, ie would be a mercy to shoot it--, and when the case comes on next Satur day, the police will probably ask permission to end its sufferings, if no owner is f.iinid.' We feel inclined to add that the Oivilseivaut referred t o deserves a "pounding" as Well as the poor horse. The Australasian of the 12th inst. says :— When Mr Samuel Gardiner purchased Lurline, his first intention was to put her to Maribyrnong, but failing to secure this horse at 2(100 guineas, he looked about hitn for another sire whose blood would be likely to nick with that of the Maori mare, and at the instigation of the gentleman who trains Liv line he selected The Peer, who since his stay iti Victoria has been buried in oblivion. Acting upon this advice, Mr Gardiner has purchased the Peer, and Lurline will visit him in November. The Peer was not a game one when John Scott had him, for he was tried t-i be better than Toxopbolite, and the Two Thousand was considered a certainty for him, but when it came to a public trial The Peer showed temper and Wf.uld not try. As a sire, however, in New Zetland he proved very successful, Mat.uka and Peeress being high-class animals, the forma- especially. Last week, says tha Bruce Herald, Samuel Bedson, one of the men employed at the Milton Pottery Works, in searching for a clay suitable for Parian work along the railway line, south of Milton, found a sample of true China clay. Having obtained a small quantity, he made a trial of it as ware, and in Parian also, which, on firing, proved an exceedingly fine sample. There is no doubt now of the clay deposits of the Tokomairiro basin and those subordinate t'> it, as Lovell's Flat and Tuakitoto. Chalk is reported to exist down, the river,-in the neighbourhood of M "Gill's, and if so there is a good chance of flint beiug found in the locality. At the Temperance Hall, this evening, Mr John Moran, late of Baker's Hibernicon, and a very excellent Irish comedian, will take a benefit. Several amateurs have tendered their services, and a very acceptable programme has been prepared. There was a fairly numerous attendance at the Queen's Theatre last evening, when the panorama was again exhibited with, apparent interest to those present. As on the previous evening, a number of gifts were afterwards distributed amoug the audience. "East and West" was played at the Princess Theatre last evening, and will be again produced this evening.