The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20. 1881.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5912, 20 January 1881, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20. 1881.

The defeat sustained by the advocates of; Bible-reading in schools is all the more remarkable that it. was "effected by the; interposition of such men as Mr George Bell and the Rev. Upton Davis, who cannot be supposed to sympathise in any? degree with the aims of those Secularists pure and simple -who are usually denominated. Freethinkers. The defeat cannot'but tell on the Dractical solu*f?n °* the question, but it is not final^ as regards ; ; the question of religious education. That rests on a broader basis than the platform of the Biblerin-Schqols Association. We have never been advocates of mere indiscriminate Bible-reading at the discretion of the teachers, but neither do we believe in^ the absolute exclusion of Bible lessons from the school course. We find men like the late George Cojibe and- the veteran Huxley, Freethinkers both, were by no means such absolute Secularists as, for nistance, bur friend Mr • Stout • and we are disposed to agree with Huxley, that both the Secularists and the theologians are wrong. There is, as we believe, a middle course, only at present neither party is disposed to make concessions to the other. We shall recurto this subject, and: endeavour to point out where the common meetingpoint should be. For the present, we can only say that the friends of Biblereading have themselves- to thank for the result of Tuesday's meeting; for j their supineness and want of practical wisdom in the matter has been conspicuous throughout. ....... ?

We quite expected that the residents in the northern "part of the town would not flit still and see the railway goods shedß moved farther to the Bouth to accommodate a few individuals in the immediate "neighbourhood of Jetty street. The deputation to the Minister on Tuesday spoke strongly against any alteration in the station plans, and Mr Oiivek distinctly, promised that no. alteration in the site would sbe sanctioned r by him. The only-" question that vremains, therefore, is whether access can be given to the Jetty street Pier across the network of lines which will intersect the street-line."' If that can be done .without any stoppage to the traffic— if it be, in fact, distinctly understood that drays must give.way to railway trucks, then a certain amount of use may be made of a permission to cross the lines.' ThatJ we think, is the only extent to which a compromise , can be by::the; Railway Departmeat.. The question has; now been fully ventilated, and we have no doubt Mr OiivEß's final decision~iri the matter will'be characterised by his usual good sense and firmness. |

Pressure* on our space compels us to hold over our usual leading article and other matter, s- ;

The P. and O. Company's steamer Pohilla, with the inward Suez mail dated London^ December 17th, arrived at King George's Sound yesterday. ' ' ;

The Presbyterian Synod, concluded its sitting last night. The Her. J. Eyley, of Otepopoi has .unanimoußly been nominated as Moderator for next year's session. An important decision was come to before the adjournmsnt last: night relative to the manner in which business should in future be brought before the Synod^ Hitherto it has been the practice for reports to' be considered directly they are laid upon the table, thus giving members really no time fo^ thinking out ]what are often important proposals, which are consequently dealt with too hurriedly. It is for the future to be the rule that all reports and papers shall be in the Clerk's hands on December 24th, or about three weeks before the meeting. By this means members will be given an opportunity of knowing what business is coming on, and of giving some previous consideration to it , *■ - \

A slight etror occurred in our report of Mr Nathan's remarks at the close of the Bibleini schools meeting on Tuesday night. ''Instead of saying, as reported, that "the question was one which concerned taxpayers who were parents," he said it was a question which concerned "all taxpayers, whether they were parents or not," J

At a meeting of the Mornington Council last night, the tender of Afr S. S. Hutchison,was accepted for supplying the borough with gas for a period of 21 years. ■-■•'- ■•■■-.. ;

A warrant for the establishment of a Mark Master Masons' Lodge in Dunedin, to be called the Hiram,, Noi 271, has been granted by-the Bight Hon. the Earl of Latham, M.W.G. Mark Master-of England and Wales, and is now on its way out. We hear the new Lodge will be opened with great eclat. : |

Dari«g yesterday's sitting of the Presbyterian Synod the ReV: J. li7Sutherlan'd put k question which was heard with' some marks of disapproval. It was whether the Clerk had received any communication from Herr Band-

Mann forwarding in a formal way the generous invitation held out by him to members of the Synod in that morning's Daily Times. The Clerk (Mr Bannerman) replied, by a solitary "No," which was also emphatic enough to show that he had not expected any such communication.

At the City Police Court yesterday Frank Thomson was charged with having, on the 18th instant, stolen a silver salver, valued at L 3, the property of William Haydon, of the Imperial HoteL AsMrHaydon did not wish to press the charge, and as the accused bore a good character, the Bench Bimply made an order for imprisonment till the rising of the Court. Asher Phillips .brought a charge of assault against Henry Lamer. Mr Denniaton appeared for the complainant, and Mr Macdonald for the defendant; The case was dismissed.' Ah Shee and Lung Chung, for hawking without a license, were fined 5s each, and costs. Messrs G. E. Eliott, A. Butt, and T. C. de Lacy. J.P.s, presided.

The continuation of the Mihiwaka road through the fence to the station' is being pro] ceeded with by the Government, who agreed some few weeks back to make the same.

We are glad to learn that the New Zealand and Australian Land Company's sale of a portion of their Edendale property has proved a Bucceßß, inasmuch as 4200 acres were placed' at the upset prices. We are hopeful that the: stagnation which has been felt during the past year is now over, and that we shall hear : shortly of more transactions. Settlement of \ people on the land is what the Colony requires,: and the Bobner_the.large-estates arexut up the^ better will it be for the country. ■

It may be remembered that last year the Presbyterian Synod appointed Dr Stuart as its representative at the Paa-Presbyterian Council held in Philadelphia, in July last, we think. Last night, in the Synod, Dr Stuart apologised for not having fulfilled the Synod's wish in thin respect He said he had been disappointed in various effortirhe had made to arrange for a satisfactory supply of his pulpit during his absence, and in consequence had been reluctantly compelled to deny himself the great pleasore and privilege of making one of that august body. This must be his excuse, which he hoped the Synod would accept.

On the information of the manager of the Standard Tnßnrauce Company, a young'man named Adolph Moritzon, who is well known in Dunedin, was yesterday, morning arrested upon three charges of embezzlement. The accuied was brought before a Justice of the Peace at the Police Court, and the charges having been made, the hearing of the case was postponed until to-morrow. Bail was upplied for,: and was granted in two sureties of L 250 each and the accused's own bond.of LSOO. The accused obtained sureties and was released on bail, but was immediately re-arrested upon three other charges of embezzling the funds of the Standard Insurance Company. ■ The sums mentioned in the six charges amount to 1.77 63; but it is said that the money unaccounted -*<* isoonßiderablymorethan tkat, the sum not being less than L3J)O. Morilzoa was formerly employed by the Standard Insurance Companyi but has lately been in partnership with Mr Weidner. ; . - '■ , - ■••■■

. A meeting of the United Butchers' Association of Dunedin was held at the Sussex Hotel on Tuesday evening:, when Borne 30 subscribing and three honorary members showed their sympathy with the cause by handing in their names to the secretary. The object of the Association ia to raise funds, by entrance.fee and/subscription, for the assistance of any member requiring relief from, any deserving cause; to devise: means a regular source of harmless amusement, and to study the general well-being of the trade and tradesmen. The men all work with spirit and determination to^ make the undertaking successful,and the master butchers have, expressed and given substantial proof of their sympathy with the efforts of the men for the improvement of body and mind by signing an agreement to close their business "establishments at 7 p.m. the first four nights in each week, and at 8.30 pirn; on Fridays during the summer months, and wish the men to make a further request for the hours of 6 p.m. the first four nights in the week, and 7.30 p.m. on Fridays,' Saturdays as usual, during the winter months. It was resolved—"That the alteration in the hours commence on Ist February next" Mr A. Dora well, who was present, encouraged the men to go on with the work, as he thought jit a step in the right direction, and has promised his hearty rapport and co-operation.

The Lyttelton Times says:—" An interest, ing letter reaches us from Mr Hoskins, who is now playing leading parts with the Pomeroy Company in Sandhurst, Victoria. The Beridigo papers speak in terms-of the highest praise of his Macbeth. Speaking of Miss Pomeroy, Mr Hoskins says :—'She is a very charming woman, and a clever one, and, indeed, an educated, thinking, practical one. There is purpose and intensity in her acting.' The lady referred to is very desirous that Mr Hoskihs should accompany her to Adelaide, Sydney, and New Zealand. Mr Hoskins has been sac cesaful in completely re-establishing himself as a popnlar favourite in Melbourne, but he says 'I'long for the climate of New Zealand.' ;At the date of writing (January 7th) Mrs Hoskins was lying very dangerously ill in Melbourne, and vary faint hopes were of her recovery.".. .<. ;.;.. ... .., --•' . - ; --r ■',

From an article in the New Zealand Volun-

teer Service Gazette for the present month, we clip; the following, bearing upon the resignation of Mr Bryce :—" Mr Bryce's resignation has

an immediate bearing on the interest which it is our especial province to advocate, and we consequently express our conviction that the retirement of the hbn. gentleman need not be deplored by the Volunteers of the Colony. ~1 As Defence Minister we have good reason to believe Mr Bryce was a strong advocate for .^discriminating and impolitic retrenchment, and that but for him the Force would in all probability, have received better treatment at the hands of the Government than it hag done. We are not unpatriotic enough to say that in consequence of this alone we throw in our voice with those who utterly condemn Mr Bryce, as, for all we know to the contrary, his Native policy may hara been the correct one, but viewed from our own particular standpoint, we cannot help expressing satisfaction at the prospect of someone imbued with more liberal views on Volunteering matters being placed in the position of Defence Minister. The Force cannot well fare worse than it has done.'V : i

.The Council of the Victoria Philosophical Institute of London, England, report a large aocession of Indian and Colonial members.this year, amongst whom' are several prelates. Ihe Standard and Globe note that the new nnmber of its quarterly journal, just issued to members and associates, contains papers by Professor Stokes, F.R.S.y- of Cambridge; Professor Hughe*, of the same University; Professor Nicholson, M.D., F.8.A.5., of St. Andrew's University; and Dr Rasaam, with maps of the scene of the ratter's last researches at Nineveh and Babylon. : . _■• ..„ ~ j

Referring to the resignation of Mr Bryce, the Wanganui Chronicle says:—"lf dragging Te Whiti out of Parihaka is necessary or advisable! it ought to have been done before .settlers were tempted on to the Plains. There was nO necessity whatever for exposing them to the risk which would inevitably be attacked to an attack on the stronghold of the Maori prophet. We are unable to see any necessity for altering the line of policy in Native matters which the Ministry have been steadily pursuing. Much, therefore, as we regret Mr Bryce's retirement from the Ministry, we cannot but think that his colleagues are in the right in the view they have taken of the situation. At the same time, we allow,'it is possible that circumstances may hereafter arise making it necessary to do what Mr Bryce wishes to do at once." ;

The Hawera Star says : —•* The pigg on the Plains are being rapidly thinned. One Hawera settler has been carting away two waggonloads a day, averaging from 18 to 30 "per load, daring the last week. On Wednesday a party of men camped down at the Inaha Greek with three horse-drays, and had nearly made up a load the same evening. The shonts of the pighunters, the barking of their dogs, and-the squealing of the pigs can be heard from daylight to dark any where od the land recently sold. The Maori.owners, are quite prepared to part with their claim to the pigs for a very low figure, as they are afraid that the; new settlers will make short work of the pigs, and will not distinguish clearly' between wild and tamo* or

half wild and half tame porkera."

The United States Congress has been asked to appropriate 50,000 dollars—theflamount is a modest one—for the purpose of sinking artesian wells in the plains in the west There are, it is Baid, about 900,000,000 acres in Arizona, Dacota, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada which can never be cultivated unless some method is found to supply them with water. It is estimated that 50,000,000 acres would be available if they could be irrigated, and the existing streams can supply water to only about 3 per cent, of this area. A precedent v has-been set in this matter by France in Algeria. Even if the wells should not be artesian, some economical means of raising the water might-be applied",. If. only a -hundredth p***'■s tn? :^ (?.could be thus improved, a series of experiments should be worth trying. An basis here -'ana- there would do muclrtoi wards making.the territory habitable.^ Pros-i pecting for water is even more meritorious than prospecting for gold, aiid: the French and Americans should not be permitted to monopolise all the credit of "subduing the earthln this way. If there be no'exaggearation in the statement, the area of this desert tract is nearly one-half the size of Australia. But the Americans talk big even when running down their country, r> -_ , : ; <;•> r ■..■ •-.■ •-■.

■ Mr David Syme, proprietor of the Melboarne Age, left Victoria for England lately. Before his departure: he was entertained at breakfast by a number of Victorian. Liberals," including Mr Graham Berrjr;..The Victorian Premier mtust have felt awkward during the delivery of the following portion of Mr Syme's Bpeech in response to the toast of his health.' The proprietor of the Age said:—"All the epithets that were coined for Mr Berry were applied to me s and some new ones were added. I would not have cared for being attacked had I given any occasion for it, but myopponentsi had: not the shadow of an excuse for acting as they did I never courted publicity in any shape or form". I never obtruded myself on public notice in any way that lam aware of. I was not a member of Parliament. I never contested a seat in my ife, though I have, of ten been asked to stand. I did not display myself at public meetings. I did not hang about the steps of the Treasury or haunt the lobbieB""of Parliament House; i held no stipendiary or honorary position in the gift of the Government. I was riot a JiP. I was not a trustee of any public institution. \Jl': was not even an".Exhibition Commissioner.— (Laughter). Possibly I might have been .any of these, but I have through lifepurposely-re-fused to put myself under any obligation to any Ministry, for reasoris""yoa. can understand. And as I had refused to accept favours myaelfi I had also declined them for the members of my family. I have never asked a favour for any relative of mine from any Government what, ever.—(Hear, hear.) ; Why lihad, under these circumstances, been singled but for attack I am at a loss to untieryUnd,\unUs3 it was because my name modestly. appeared on the imprint of the Age.

Astoryrcomes wafted to us from just across: the classic Murray (says an Australian paper). A squatter's wife had in - her employ a pretty housemaid and a good-looking Chinese gardener. With the natural acuteness of woman she soon, found put that John waß"^welly- :- muchee gone" on the maid-of-all-work. One evening just before dark the lady thought she heard John's dulcet notes in the front garden, and crossing the room !to the open window Bne "popped out her head1' just to see what was going on. The celestial cabbage-raiser saw the head, took it for the housemaid, and, in the twinkling of a bed-post, slid tip and kissed the owner thereof. John got six; months mi a New. South Wales gaol, and the ladyVever thinks of the "stolen kiss" without a shudder. •'"--:- ;

The writer of " Echoes from Pall Mall," in the Leader, says :—" The extent of the indebtedness of the Prince, of Wales is said to be L 40,000, and it is rumoured that he has applied to; bott the last and the present Premiers to get a vote for this amount, and to let him have LIO,OOO a year more. It is the PrinceY misfortune that he owes so little; and if his debts were greater his. case^would, perhaps, be stronger, for the L46,0b0 may be staved off from_year tp,year. jf thejCJueen will not relent he must economise. .It would be curious; to learn' hia Koyal Highness' views about retrenchment. He must have heard the word often enough, and. Bhould understand ita meaning.- He knows how to drive a bargain too. -!■: He brought with him some wild beasts from India, and they were ' deposited' at the Zoological Gardens in Kegent'a Park; but the officials there knew that they were bought and sold, and that the price was a stiff one. He might have made a profitable speculation in kangaroos, but he has foolishly let slip the opportunity." - : ■- : " Dead or Alive" was repeated at the Queen's Theatre last night to a well-filled house. Tonight '..." East Lynne" and .-'! David Garrick" will be produced. : - . "

At the High street yards, at 2 D.m. to-day, Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will offer for sale 300 store pigs.

In another column we publish the balance-sheet of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, as at December 31st, 1880, including London office at 30th of September, 1880.

The boarding establishment in connection with the Dunedin Boys' High School will be reopened on February 7th. ■'■■ -

The office of the Gas Department, Town Hall Buildings, will remain open as usual to-day, the 20th instant, till 5 p.m., lor receiving payment of jras accounts.

The Oamaru Harbour Board are inviting tenders for the supply and delivery of 1000 or 2000 tons of Portland cement.' ■ ~ •

•". Unsold,farms' on the Charlton Creek block, Edendale "Estate, are now open for free selection on terms and conditions previously advertised. We have received the. report and statement of accounts of St. John's Church, Roslyn, for the year ending 31st December, 18S0.." The debit balance is £1382 8s 7d. Thereportstates:—"'ltmay not perhaps be generally known that as soon as the Church was opened.the.Committee determined.on.the experiment of making all sittings in the same free, and they are glad to be able to report that, so far, the support afforded from voluntary-contributions and offertories has justified the step taken." At the performance at the Princess Theatre for Hiss Bowring's benefit on Monday night, Mr A. J. Towsey very kindly-entered the orchestra and presided at the piano at a few minutes' notice. - The Benevolent Institution have received from Mr Moloney's solicitor £5, the sum paid by the Morning Herald in|respectof proceedings taken against them by the late Mayor of South Dunedin.

, The,Dunediri,.Peninsula, and Ocean Beach Railway Company will ran trains from Crawford street to the Caledonian Grounds this day, Friday, and Saturday, every half-hour, commencing at 10 o'clock. We have to acknowledge the receipt of, the Colonial Printers' Keprister for January. The Rev. D. Boss will preach a.Gaelic sermon in the hall of the First Church at 7.30 this evening.