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Otago Daily Times, Issue 5803, 24 September 1880, Page 2

The β-e. Hawea, with the Sou there portion of the San Francisco mail on board, reached Lyttelton at 12.30 pm. yesterday. The Dunedin mails will arrive by special train early this morning, and there will be a delivery over the counter at the Poet-office at 9 o'clock. The latest returns for the Waikaia election give Mr Horace Bastings a majority of 133, the numbers being—Buntings, 303; Morris, 170. The District Court will be held to-day in the Supreme Courthouse, as the Resident Magistrate* Court will sit in the Bond street Courthouse. A letter from a gentleman well known in Dunedin, now on a visit to England, states: " I saw some New Zealand oats in the Mark lane Corn Exchange, London, the other day: there was nothing at all to compare with them from any other part of the world. They had sold at a very high fignre." This is comfort for depressed farmers in Otago. A letter has been received by Mr T. Brydone, chairman of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, from Mr G, G. Russell, who is at present on a visit to the Home Country, in which he mentions that he is sending out a cap.of the value of 21 guineas, to be awarded to the largest prize taker in Lincoln sheep at the forthcoming annual show in December. Renter's agent haa sent Uβ a correction of a; Melbourne message published yesterday, which should have read: " Leonora Davis obtained a divorce from her hneband. The petitioner is a daughter of Martin Simonsen." An inquest , upon. the man Mullens, who commit ted suicide on Wednesday, will be held to-day, at 11.30 a.m., at the Supreme Court Hotel.

Mails for the Australian Colonies and Europe, via Brindisi, will clow to-morrow at 11 30 am. at the Bluff. Laet evening the Sporte Committee of the Drnidi'lfete met the Games Committee of the Caledonian Society at Mr Watson's roome, and arranged a programme of sports, consisting of running, bicycling, walking, dancing, and wrestling. The ce«r organ for St. Matthew's Church is now being unpacked, and is turning out in firstclass order, the builders having been bo careful in packing that not a eingle breakage or injury of any portion has yet been discovered. Few persons have any idea of its size, or of the number of pieces of mechanism necessary to complete the instrument, but a glance at the interior of the church at the present moment is instructive and interesting, and a beholder would hardly conceive it possible to erect the numerous sections in the place allotted to them. It has been necessary to take up the floor of the chancel and lay the connecting gear of one organ about fire feet below; even then the top of the pipe* will be some 20 feet above the chancel floor. Mr E. H. Jenkins has been specially engaged to erect the organ, and from the large experience he has had in such matters there is no doubt he will leave the instrument in perfect order. From the present state of the body of the church, in consequence of the various portions of the organ being stowed there, it is doubtful if it will be possible to hold Divine service there on Sunday next. Mr Jenkins, however, states that he hopes to have the organ complete in a month at the furthest* At yesterday'tj sitting of the District Court Mr G. E. Dermer, druggist, asked to be excused from serving as a juror on the ground that he had no one but an inexperienced assistant to I take charge of his shop while he was away. The circumstance recalled to the mind of the Court very vividly the case of B»rdell v. Pickwick, ac reported by Charles Dickens, and hie Honor wanted to know whether this boy m the same as the one mentioned in that case. Mr Dermer innocently answered that the oaly difference was that his boy was subject to epileptic fits. Hie Honor, alarmed at the series of calamities that might occur through Mr ■Dermer's absence, immediately despatched him back to business. A great deal of interest is being shown both by town and country residents in the progress of arrangements in connection with the forthcoming annual show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to be held at the Forbury Park in December. Mr Sydney James informs us that the committee meetings are invariably fully attended. A new exhibit, in the shape of a hive of ligurian bees, will be shown by Mr Naumann, of South Dunedin. The only business at the City Police Court yesterday consisted of dealing with three drunkards. Mr A. H. Boss, J. P., occupied the Bench. Tte adjourned meeting of Lodge Ivanhoe, U.A.0.D., was held at Carroll's Hotel last evening, whan 15 new members were added to the roll. A committee was appointed for the purpose of arranging for the opening banquet, which will take place on October 14th. The meeting adjourned for a fortnight. Intimation has been received by the Factor of the Presbyterian Church Board that Mr J . Mainwaring Brown, M. A., L.L., M.F.E. Hist. Soc. of Christ's College, Cambridge, has been appointed to the new Professorship iv the Otago University. His testimonials are of a very big'a character. Thirty-seven applications were received for the appointment, and the selection has been made in conformity with the unanimous recommendations of Professor Hodgson, of Edinburgh University ; Profe3sor Morley, University College, London; Sheriff Campbell, Edinburgh; Professor Masson, Edin. burgh University; and Dr Abbott, City of London School. The arrangements for the new professor's departure.were not complete when the mail left, bat it i% probable he will arrive here about the New Tear. The question of the School Penny Banks was brought under the attention of the Hon_ Mr Dick yesterday morning by Misa Dairy mple, who asked that he should request the Premier to give, at his earliest convenience, his promised consideration of the desirability of having placed on the syllabus of education the conducting of a penny bank in every public school, as * practical means of cultivating habits of thrift among the young people of the Colony. In reply, the Hon. Mr Dick .aid: " I shall be most happy to bring the matter before the Cabinet, and in order that it should not escape Attention, be so good as let me have a written communication about it to Wellington I may state to you that I am not so sanguine of results as friends of the movement generally are, but I do think most certainly that the system should have a trial, and I would not oppose it on any account. Something is needed to train people to more thoughtful habits about money." In another column an advertisement will be found stating that Mr N. B. You Tunzelman, a well-known and highly-respected resident on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is prepared to act as guide to parties visiting the district during the summer, and to make arrangements for visiting the glaciers and all the beauties of the surrounding neighbourhood. We think this is a good idea, and hope Mr Yon Tunzelman will be encouraged to carry it out The comfort and enjoyment of strangers would be greatly enhanced by having the services cf a reliable man to act in this capacity and make a 11 necessary arrangements for trips to the more remote parts of the district where objects of interest can be seen. Ladies and artists espe daily would find their comfort greatly enhanced by such an arrangement. Ponies and boats can be arranged for. Mr Eichardt will receive orders for Mr Yon Tuczelman, and we hope some of the many visitors during the approaching summer will avail themselves of his services. A deputation waited upon the Hon. Mr Dick yesterday, to apply for prison labour. It was introdneed by- Mr Barron, M.H.8., and com* prisid Messrs D. Ross, J. Saaton, Gγ. Green, W. Geary, H. Richmond, and J. Bacon. Mr Seaton stated that a promise had been made by the late Government of prieon labour on the same terms m those on which it had been granted to Port Chalmers, and that this concession has been withdrawn—on Mr Macandrew's order, it was believed. It was al?o represented that the Road Board was not in a position to undertake the work without assistance, owing to the embezzlement of its funds by the late clerk and to the fact that much damage had been done by recent storms. The Hon. Mr Dick, in reply said that having heard the deputation he would be able to talk the matter over with the Hon. Mr Rol. leaton, by whom it must be determined ; and that, for bis part, he could promise nothing. At Papakaio, on Monday afternoon (says the North Otago Times), Mr Grigg, the school. master, on the eve of his departure for Sandymount, near Dunedin, was presented by the scholars under his charge with a handsome tea and coffae service, as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by both children and parents. Mr Grigg's departure from this district will be regretted by cricketers; the Oamara Club will thus lose the services of a firat-rate bowler. It is difficult for people on this side to get at the truth of affaire in New Zealand (remarks the European Mail of July 30th). The consequence is that in some quarters the greatest alarm prevails, and some timid individuals who own New Zealand bonds, hearing that the Budget shoivß a deficit of L 1,000,000 sterling, have so flooded the market with their " paper" as to greatly depreciate the stock of the Colony. In fact, since our last, New Zealand bonds have been sent up and down like a | ehuttUcock. In discussing the subject the Daily News remarks :—" Investors have been accustomed to regard the bonds of British Colonies as first-class security ; New Zealand has been classed in the same category, and the Bank of England has taken the unusual step of issuing its last loan to the public. This is how it comes about that a Government with continual deficits in its Budgets severthetau is, or has been, regarded as suitable security' for the bonds which investors like. But that New Zealand Government bonds have been well' placed ' in the hands of investors, there would be little to distinguish them from a purely speculative stock; and if the public continue to realise they will become so entirely. It is beginning to be understood that New Zealand is in a certain degree of danger of going behind. The Colony may surmount the financial difficulties threatening it, bat in.

restore must not regard New Zealand loan* m fifet-claes investments." These remarks had the effect of farther over-stocking the market, but the bonds cow, we believe. have been bought up by capitalists who are well acquainted with the resources of the Colony, who know perfectly well that the Colony is just now passing through a period of severe depression, and that the bonds will very soon rise in the market. Wβ hear from Otago of single men rejecting 21b per week end manied men 23s per week, and this with mutton selling at 2i per lb and bread »t 5i to 6d per 41b loaf. There are many people in this country who would be only too happy to accept saoh terms and live so cheaply. Here many of our agricultural labourers are being paid only at the rate of 12s »nd 14i per week, and this with meat at Is per lb, batter at Iβ 4i to Is 6J, and bread at 6d to 7d per 41b loafThat depression exists in New Zealand, and in some quarters to a considerable extent, is evident, but the reports to hand are of such a conflicting character that lever since the first intimation of the depression was telegraphed it has been difficult to arrive at a true understanding , as to the real facts of the case. Sir Julius Vogel's letter, published in our last, served to allay anxiety on the part of many, and we would aek him, if he has any more information to hand, to kindly make it known through the medium of the public Press.

The damage done to the wheat crop by the recent gale in the Northern district (says the Lyttelton Times), though considerable, has not been so great as was anticipated, and in many instances has been repaired; but the want of rain generally has had a bad effect upon the young plants, as in many placet they have not progressed at ail satisfactorily. There have been two or three indications of rain, but more is urgently required. In consequence of its absence late crops are not being put in in the quantity that they wonld otherwise be, and it is quite exceptional to see a farmer sowing oats. There ia not a great quantity of barley being put in, though both of these latter would be now eownif there was a good fall of rain. The grass lands are looking well, but also require more moisture.

We pointed oat yesterday (says the Wellington Poet of September 15tb) the absurdity of the opinion that the central buffers used on our railways had anything to do with the Bimutaka accident, or wera less cafe and efficient than the old-fashioned side-buffers, showing that, on the contrary, the central once were really far safer. The following remarks by a distinguished engineering authority on the Midland Pullman can entirely support our view:—" The central buffers ara a great improvement on the eide-buffers. A central buffer gives greater steadiness than two sidebuffers. Running round a curve the friction caused by the ordinary buffer openinga ii avoided, and in case of a collision the recoil of the spring buffera often causes as much injury to passengers as the concussion." We learn from an English paper that the Bend Or difficulty ig at an end. The stewards of the Jockey Club have come to the unanimous conclusion tbat the chestnut colt Bend Or, which passed the judge first for the Derby of 1880, is by Doncaster—Rouge Rose, and they therefore overruled the objection to the Duke of Westminster's receiving the stakes made by Messrs Brewer and Blanton, the joint owners of Robert the Devil, the hone who was second in tha Derby. There cannot be any question that this conclusion is a most ealinfabtcry one as for as its results go, but the public would have been far more content than it now is if the evidence upon which Lord Calthorpe, Mr Lowtber, and Mr W. Q. Graven decided had been published. A rumour has been gaining ground for some time past (says the European Mail) that application is to be made to Parliament for an in. creased allowance to thePrinca of Wales. That his expenses are heavy, and that they are augmented by the part he h so perpetually called upon to take in pnblio ceremonies, it i* impossible to deny ; but it cannot be lost sight of that a great deal of this is vicarious work, which should, in reality, be performed by the Sovereign in person. The practical retirement, voluntary or enforced, of the Queen from public life of necessity throws an additional burden upon the Heir Apparent; but common sense and equity alike would dictate that it is the Civil List which should be called upon to supply any deficiency in the income of the Prince.

The Wiesbaden Chess Congress has resulted as follows:—Herr Sohwarz, of Vienna, Herr English, of Vienna, and Mr Blackburne, of London, each won 11 games and divide the three firet prizes—viz., LSO, L 25, and Ll2 10j— equally among themselves. Herr Schallopp, of Berlin, won 10£ games, and obtained the fourth priz? ; Mr Mason, of New York, won 9 games; Mr Bird, of London, and Herr Winawer, of Warsaw, each 9 games; Herr Mincwitz, of Leipsic, 8; Herr Bhottlander, of Breslau, and Herr Paulsen, of Blomberg, each 74 ; Herr W. Paulsea, of Naesengrund, 6£; Herr Wemmers, of Cologne, 6 ; Herr Fritz, of Giessen, 5i ; Dr Schwede, of Dresden, 4 ; and Dr Schmid, of Dresden, and Dr Knorre, of Berlin, each 2.

A concert was given in the Temperance Hall last evening by Mr T. Valentine Twinning'a pupils, and waa in all reapecta a decided success. The admittance was by invitation, and the hall was crowded with a select and critical audience. An excellent programme of mueical gems was prepared, and the performance was exceedingly creditable both to the pupils and their instructor. Amongst the vocal selections the beet were " A little mountain lad" (Roecbel), a duet, " The swallows" (Kucken), a ballad, and "At the ferry." The special feature in the concert wai the pianoforte playing by the pupils—"Lβ* Cousines" (Leduc) being performed on fire pianos by 24 hands, the " March dea Troubadour* " on four piano* by 16 hands, and the " Air Dα Bauphin " in a similar manner. This novelty was fully appreciated by the audience, and afforded ample demonstration of the efficiency of the pupils, for the time was kept capitally, and the selections were admirably played. The pianoforte solo " Home, sweet home," and the quartette " Fairy queen," on two pianos, were al«o excellently rendered.

"Inchavogue" gave place at the Princess Theatre last night to "Jenny Foster" and " Pinbebind," Anew feature has been introduced, in the shape of a pedestal dance by Mr Biley. Thin is very cleverly performed, the pedettal being a platform suspended above the stalls, and lees than ■ couple of feet square. On this Mr Riley dances neatly aad gracefully, and he is loudly applauded nightly.

A traffic manager is wanted for the Canterbury tramways. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Mrs Vaile will reopen her seminary on September 27th

At 2 p.m. on the 30th instant Messrs Connell and Moodie will offer for sale a valuable freehold property in the township of Boslyu. . .

The telegraph station at Malvern is now closed, and the station at Sheffield, county of Selwyn, reopened. The following properties will be offered for sale by Messrs Bastings, Leary, and Co., at Gore, on Saturday next:—Several freehold farms of from 50 to 500 acres each, being part of the New Zealand Agricultural Company s estate; sections in the townships of Riversdale, Gore Extension, Jfandeville, Lurasden Extension, and suburban sections adjacent thereto; also, a farm in the Hokonui district, and situated near the Waimea Plains railway; and extensive business premises and granary at Gore. As will be seen by advertisement, the terms of payment are unusually liberal.