The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1882.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6384, 29 July 1882, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1882.

Tub rabbit question seoms to be as hard a nut to crack as the land question ; but we do not think the squatter element which Mr Pringle F. Stoddart endeavours to import into it constitutes much of the difficulty. The whole difficulty, in fact, consists in finding out the most effectual means of mastering this the worst pest with which the Colony has yet been afflicted. Dogs and guns are of comparatively little avail ; poison is efficient to a certain extent, but despite Mr Stoddart's strong assertion, it is doubtful if it would in tho long run serve the purpose of keeping the pest sufficiently under control; it is, at any rate quite clear that we cannot exterminate the rabbits by this means, so that we should havu to go on poisoning, either cnnß+.»ntly «r perioaicaiijr.-f™- «.™».-«™»- --aye - a very uncomfortable outlook. In such circumstances it ib little wonder if the squatters, who are the direct sufferers, should cast about to find some more effectual method of dealing with the evil. To import the natural enemies of the rabbit was the advice given by mmy discerning persons long ago; but some ardent mombera of the acclimatisation societies were, of course, horrified at the thought of introducing vermin, which were, bo to speak, their natural enemies also, and ought therefore, In their view, to be denied-a footing in the Colony. The acclimatisers, in the interest of their pheasants, Oalifornian quail, and other imported game, actually got a prohibitioE to this effect placed upon the Statute-book ; and now these .pheasants and quail are being poisoned pff the face of the country ! The matter is thus as broad as it is long, so far as the acclimatisation societies are concerned. The vermin, at the very name of which Mr IStoddart's bile aeems to rise, have no doubt, like a good many human beings, a partiality for game; but pheasants, quail, «fee. have unfortunately a partiality i:or wheat, and the stupid creatures do not Beem to know when it has been uteeped in poison. Our own opinion is that they would stand a better chance with the ferrets, stoats, and weasels than they do with the poisoned wheat. It is just possible they might in time be educated to spy death in the tempting grain, and though we have our doubts on the subject, there could be no harm in making the experiment. Let Mr Stoddaet and Mr A. 0. Begg, for instance, open a school for young pheasants in the Acclimatisation grounds, and devote two or three hours a week to the congenial task of training, them up in what they should swallow, bo that when they are old they may not only save their own lives for the sportsman's gun, but teach their relations and congeners to tho fortieth degree to do the same. It is hardly possible to be serious on such a subj act. The loss of every head of game in the country would he a cheap price indeed to pay for clearing the land of rabbits. We could live very well without the former, but we really cannot live with the latter ; and we are somewhat astonished that Mr Stoddaet should try to raise a false ianue in so important a matter. We have no more interest in the squatters than we> have in any other class of the community; but as long as wool forms our most valuable export it heeds no great discernment to see that tho prosperity of the squatters is to a certain extent identical with the prosperity of tho Colony. The loss which the people of New Zealand sustain every year through the depredations of the rabbits is simply enormous, and no such consideration as that of game-preserving ought to be allowed for a moment to interfero with any likely method of staying the plague. It can hardly bo said, indeed, that tho weasel expariment has yet been proved a complete success; the evidence in its favour, however, increases clay by day, and we think it ought to have a fair trial. As we said on a former occision, somo more subtle and constant agency is required than any we have yat discovered —unless, of course, the little creatureß which gamekeepers call vermin, but which serve as useful a purpose in tho economy of Naturo as hares and pheasants, should prove to be that very agency. Mr Stoddakt thinka it strange that "Mr .1. M. Ritchie and othor parties should wish to introduce into New Zealand vermin which every other country trios to destroy." We Bhould have thought there was nothing at all strange in the matter—the reason is so obvious. Neither is it the case that every othor country tries to destroy theae socalled vermin. It js only Belfiah gamepreßovvera, fur-hunters, and other people who disiurb the order and dostroy tho balance of Nature, that try to destroy them ; and we are thoroughly convinced that the sooner they are introduced into Now Zealand the better—notwithstanding tho dreadful prediction in the concluding I paragraph of Mr Stoddart's letter.

Tue Press Association for once blundered in forwarding the particulars of the proceedings on the Harbour Board Bill. It turns out that instead of Mr W right's nmondmont being carried it was lost by a majority of 41 to 24, and it waa Mr Fish's amendment which was carried. This provldod for one-half of the money to be borrowed being allocatod to the works in tho Upper Harbour until vessels drawing 23 feet of water could safoly cross tho bar. This is a very different thing from obtaining 23 foot of water on the bar at low water. The bill has yet to pass its third reading, and go through ita ordeal in the Upper House, but there ia now ovory prospoct that it will pass. It is manifest that the Government, as such, gave no support to Mr Fish, aa Major Atkinson voted for Mr Wbkjht's amendment. Mr Diok, however, as a city member, very properly voted with Mr Fish, and several other Govornmont supporters alao voted with him, though tho majority was chiefly drawn from the ranks of the Opposition, who were of course bound to give their new convert every encouragement. From Mr Fish's telegram to the Board it appears that the clause relating to tho imposition of additional dues was also added to the bill; but on this point our telegrams are Bilent. We cannot congratulate the Presi Association on this occasion on the extent and accuracy of the information supplied on a matter of so much importance to the interosts of Dunedin. Our own correspondent did correctly telegraph that Mr Fish's amendment was carried, but relying on the Association telegram aa being correct, this was supposed to be an error of transmission, and was altered in our columns yesterday, so that the one error led to another. " All is woll that ends well," however, and there ia now every prospect that Mr Fish's difficulties are over.

Passing Notes by "Civia," reports of the R.M. and Police Courts, an explanatory letter from Messrs Martin and .Watson to the City Council relative to the coal contract for the Gas Department, and other matter, will be found on our fourth page.

In answer to questions yesterday, Government stated that the increase of pay to railway platelayers would take effect from the end of this month; that they would keep steadily in view the question of planting, and otherwise rendering available for recreation, the sandhills at tho Ocean Beach; and also that in the Supplementary Estimates provision would be made to enable local bodies to prosecute foresttree planting with energy.

Sir George Grey was not allowed to introduce his proposed Land Tax Bill, the Speaker ruling that no private member could introduce a bill to alter tho taxation of the country.

The Government had another very decided victory over tho Opposition last night, having pressed the Native Reserves Bill to a division, with tho result thatalthoughone of their supporters voted against them on the question, they still had a majority of six. Tho bill was read a second time. A division was also taken on the question for the second reading of the Leaseholders Qualification Bill, which is a Government measure ; and it was carried by a substantial majority. A number of other bills were also advanced a stage.

The Press Association were in error in reporting that at Thursday afternoon's sitting Mr Wright's amendment on the Otago Har" bour Board Bill was carried. It was lost by 41 to 24. It was Mr Fish's amendment that was carried^ and his amendment, which he proposed the previous week, was that not more than half the amount (or £100,000) should be spent on the Upper Harbour until vessels drawing 23 feet of water could safely cross the bar. Our Wellington correspondent, in forwarding us a correction of the Press Association's report, says:—"Mr Fish may fairly claim the credit of defeating the opposition to the bill, although, perhaps, he was a little indiscreet in the first instance in the vehemence of his invective upon the opponents of the measure,"

The Egyptian news this morning is somewhat more reassuring. The garrisons at Aboukir and other places, the forces in which were believed to bo favouring Ourabi, have now declared for the Khedive. A proposal has been jnado to the Khedive to offer an amnesty to the superior officers under Ourabi if they would givo up the arch-rebel; but his Majesty has taken a high hand, and will offer no such bait for the capture of his rebel Minister. The debate is now proceeding in the British Parliament upon Mr Gladstone's war credit proposals, which were warmly opposed by the Radicals and the Conservatives. In the French Chamber, the debate on M, Freycinet's proposal for a credit has been lost by a majority of one vote. Italy is undecided -±;ii ~,KaH»oi- Hhe win —-=->.■•-- tto'i—l~A'nn of the Suez Canal; and there seems a possibility that England will eventually be left to undertake this duty by herself.

The Oathona has arrived safely at Auckland after a very lengthy passage, through heavy gales and head winds. Two of the overdue vessels—the Lohengrin and Cathona—have thus turned up all right, but the Sirocco, from Newcastle, is still unheard of.

The dredge has not been ablo to continue operations on the bar, but haa resumed dredging near the Port Chalmers wharves. She took a load of spoil out to sea yesterday.

The body of Ferguson, the bank clerk drowned at Balclutha last Sunday, has not yet been recovered.

The Dunodin telephone exchange, which started with about GO subscribers, has now 113 on the list.

A sitting of the Supreme Court under "Tho Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 18G7," will be held on Monday next before his Honor Mr Justice Williams, when tho divorce suit Campbell v. Campbell will be heard.

By the San Francisco mail, Mr A. C. Begg has received further advices regarding the refrigerating steamer Marsala. It appears she does not come direct to Now Zealand, but calls at Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and will no doubt partially load cargo at the latter port, coming on here to load the meat early in September. We understand this is only the precursor of several other shipments of the same kind. By the exertions of the Australian Company (Limited), the Company which owns the Marsala, cold storage has been provided in London sufficient to take in meat measuring 700 tons of 40 cubic feet, in case of it being needful to hold for a short time. The army of the Homo district, which, we presume, means the troops stationed immediately around London, and which is about 5000 strong, were using the New Zealand meat when the mail left.

A special meeting of the Otago Cricket Association was held on Thursday night, Mr J. P. Maitland in the chair, when it was decided to offer a challenge cup for junior competition during the approaching season. Committees wero appointed to confer with the Carisbrook Ground Company and Carisbrook Club re the use of the former's ground for matches under the auspices of the Association, and to draw up rules for the Junior Cup competition.

The Court Pride o£ Dunedin Lodge, A.0.F., celebrated its twentieth anniversary by a concert and ball at the Lyceum Hall last evening. The affair proved very successful, there being a tolerably good attendance at the concert. Mr Clutsam acted as accompanist, and vocal selections were given in a satisfactory manner by several amateurs. A couple of recitations and some step-dances were also included.

Yesterday afternoon the Albany street dayschool choir, consisting of about GO boys and girls, made a trip to tho Industrial School for the purpose of practising with the choir there for the schools concert, to take place in tho Garrison Hall on Wednesday next. Mr Titchener entertained his visitors at tea, and the youngsters had a very enjoyable time. Mr Proudfoot kindly provided a tramcar for the trip, and the children coming back sang all tho way into town, to the wonderment of tho passers-by,

At the City Police Court yesterday William Ahem was committed for trial on a charge of breaking into the Pelichet Bay railway-station. James Williamson and he were also committed for burglary at Mr X, Ramsay's office in Vogel street.

A meeting of members of tho Albert Cricket Club was held last evening, when tho following members were elected as office-bearers for the ensuing season : — Captain, R. Wilson ; deputy - captain, W. Doudle; secretary and treasurer, J. Russell; committee —G. Reid, W. Doudle, R. Lee, A. Allen, and J. Russell; match committee —W. Davidson, R. Wilson, and J. Russell. It was resolved to send two delegates (R. Lees and J. Russell) to wait on the secretaries of tho two Associations.

The General Committoo of the Otago Rugby Football Union met last evening to consider the resolution passed last week by the Cantorbury Union anent the annual match betweeu Otago and Canterbury. There were present: Messrs Jas. Allen (in the chair), H. Rose, W. Crawshaw, J, Leith, H. Hamor, and tho sec

retary. The folwing resolution was unanimously carried :■" That the Otago Rugby Union have no tsiro to postpone tho annual mutch between (,ago and Canterbury thin season, but thatif the Canterbury Rugby Union desire to p; off their visit to Otago till nojt season theOtago Rugby Union will waive their right; till then." Tho Secretary stated that ho hadeceivnd replies to tho circular re Challongj 3up matches from all but threo clubs—via, Zingari, Invoroargill, and Oamaru. Tho najority of tho clubs, while expressing appival of tho principle of Challenge Cup matcls, thought their initiation at present rather ptmaturo.

At tho Port dalmors Police Court yostorday, before Mount Elder and Thomson, J.P.s, Philip Beck v,s charged with assaulting Francos Bock, hi wife. The prisoner, who is subject to menti aberration, was ordorod to find bail (two suities in tho sum of £25 each and himself in £D) to keep the peace for threo months, or in ofault to be imprisoned for that term.

Recent news torn Paris states that a bill for the sale of th Crown jewels and diamonds has passed the 'lumber of Deputies., ,J£ he proceeds will beapplied to a fund forTlistressed artisans.'"'

The following mders were received for tho contract for pUtaying and ballasting to Waiho Downs (about me miles) for the Waimate Gorge .Railway Company :—C. V. Clarke. Waimate, £334 C7s 8d; James Cranston, Dunedin, £3502135; Jas. Cranston, Dunedin, alternative provided Company supply engine and waggns, £2725 Is; P. Dey, Mosgiel, £2838 5s 4; Henry Shepherd, South Rakaia, £3836 15s 4d; Michael Lynch, Timaru, £3652 Is Sd ; O'Malley and Basley, Sydenham, Chritchurch, £2440 0s lOd (accepted).

We have receisd a large number of extracts from London pners, for which we have not space, all evinchr, the interest which was felt in the question o;a supply of frozen meat from tho Australasian felonies. In commenting on the letter of "A London Butcher," the Daily Telegraph remark*!—"ln the London of the existing epoch, ithis been calculated, there is one butcher for e/ery 1500 head of its inhabi. tants, which, loo:ing at the actual population of the modern Bibylon, would give the metropolis a quota of some 2500 vendors of meat; but, as a matter d fact, the Post-office London Directory for 188] including the northern and suburban district, enumerates no fewer than 2800 wieldors of he chopper and the ' steel.' It will thus be ?een that the butchers of London are not iy any means a feeble folk. They are numbend as the 24th among the City Guilds, after the 12 Great Companies, and having been si long ago as 1180 fined by Henry II for setthg up an unlicensed fraternity, they were .ncorporated by James I in IGOS. The butclnr is generally regarded as a tradesman who luows remarkably well how to take care of himalf, and not to be 'put upon' with impunity; vhile it is as commonly accepted that the bitcher, with the aid of a good connection, a comily wife, exceptionally quick at casting account, and a contingent of carts, fast-trotting poniis, and butchers' boys with complexions as ray as the ' prime cuts' which they dispense, is the beau ideal of an industrious and prosperous tradesman. To judge, however, from tte statements made in a letter to a contemporary by a correspondent signing himself ' A Loncon Butcher,' the-lot of the ' flesher' is not alttgether a happy one. . . .

In attempted iroof of the 'hazard', of butchering, he slates that, quite recently, 'six or eight of &«-largest and best-known butchers in differtnt parts of the town' have been compelled to call their creditors together and 'go into liquidation.' Six or eight! What are these among se many ! What class of persons engaged in trade or commerce are exempt from a proportion of failures among their number? Bankers fail sometimes; so do diamond merchants and West-end tailors; so even do tho philanthropists who discount bills at from CO to 200 per cent. It would, however, be certainly interesting; and instructive to learn from some careful statist the number of London butchers who annually drift into bankruptcy or liquidation as against those who drive a roaring trade, and wax fat at the expaiso of their overcharged customers, who, with very few exceptions, have neither the time nor the courage to grapple with the butcher, and flatly refuse to pay him extortionate prices for the commodity in which he deals, and which, it is to be hoped, the wholesome competition of frozen meat from the Colonies will, ere long, render much cheaper than is actually the case." It is quite evident the interests of the butchers do not quite run on all fours with those of the consumers,

London telegrams, dated June 21st, in American papers say:—" The Mayor of Dublin appeared in his official robes and presented «■ poUti— f»"**v» thft... O-n-mxu c" xmuiii again the Repression Bill. He attempted to make a speech summarising the petition, when he was called to order. Finally he merely read the petition.—During the discussion on clause 2 of the Repression Bill in the House, Mr Gladstone stated that the Government proposed to introduce words limiting the' power of police to search at night to occasions when there is reasonable suspicion that a secret society is actually holding a meeting. The Irish members accepted this as a reasonable, and important concession.—The Times says the Lord-lieutenant of Ireland and his subordinates, »fter careful investigation, are convinced that crime in Ireland is not sporadic, but that it is controlled by machinery deliberately set in motion through organised agencies, commanding large resom'ces and obeying impulses of foreign origin."

On Tuesday evening, 25th inst., at the Leith street Congregational Church, a magic-lantern entertainmont was given to the Bible-class and Sabbath-school scholars and their friends. The evening being fine, there was a large attendance, quite 250 being present. The views were exhibited by Mr R. C. Jones, and consisted for the most part of Swiss, Egyptian, and Palestinian scenes. The readings were given by the Rev. D, Johnstone, Judging from tho frequency of the cheoring of the young folks, the entertainment was evidently much appreciated. The proceedings were varied by the singing of a few favourite hymns, the words and music of which were thrown on the Bcreen by Mr Jones.

An entertainment was given at the Lunatic Asylum last evening by tho members of the old Sheridan Dramatic Club, who, it may be remembered, used to perform solely at tho Asylum throe or four years ago. The performance was the last that will take place there, as the hall is shortly to be changed into a ward, and the scenery, &c. transferred to Seaeliff. A large number of tickets had been issued, and by 8 o'clock as numerous an audience as could be comfortably accommodated had arrived. The programme consisted of the well-known farce "The Turkish Bath," in which tho characters were capably sustained by Messrs Jas. Stevenson, Charles Umbers, Robert Martin, Albert Schott, H. B. Smith, and Miss and Master Ward. The miscellaneous items were a song, " The Diver," by Mr Ibbotson; a recitation by Mr Stevenson"; and a cornet solo, "Brise dcs Nuits," by Mr Feltham, accompanied by Herr MoscU — tho latter item receiving an imperative encore. The whole concluded with " Bombastes Furioso," in which several of the abovenamed performers caused no small merriment by their spirited acting, and tho entertainment may be classed as one of the most creditable of amateur efforts. A supper was subsequently given to the performers by Dr Neill, superintendent of the Asylum.

Signor Carmini Morley, tho well-known tenor operatic singer, lias organised an opora troupe with which he intends visiting Duuedin next month. Mr Gardner acts as his advance agent, and is making arrangements for the troupe to open at the Princess on the 19th. The operas to be produced include "Trovatore," "Maritana," "Isidora" (one of Mr Morloy's own composing), and " The Barber of Seville," and tho season will be one of two weeks.

The final performance of "New Babylon" took place at the Princess Theatre last evening, and there was a crowded house on the occasion. Tho past season of the Holt Company has been a most successful one from every point of view, and if tho troupe meet with the reception throughout the Colony that has been here accorded them, the management ought to bo extremely well satisfied. Tho company proceed to Christchurch, and will open there with " The World " on Monday.

Kreitmayer and Woodroffo's Waxworks and Glassblowing Exhibition will open in the Lyceum Hall on Monday. Tho performance takes place in afternoon and evening.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Aprcncy Company will offer Mr Price* properties in South Canterbury by auction in Novomber next.

Tho second general meeting of the Uoslyn Tramway Company will be held on Tuesday evening next. MeHsrs G T. Clarke and Co. will sell furniture at Bay View road, Musaolburgh, on Tuesday.

Mr M. I'vm will sell sharc3 in Switzers FroohoM Sluicing Company to-day. Mr 11. J. Bacon will soil drapery, clothing-, &c. at his rooms to-day.

Meaars Dillios, Street, and Hislop will soil freehold in Stafford and UaitUud streeta on Monday, August 14th.

Messrs Maclean mid Co. will sell draught, lightharness, and other horsod to-day at Tattersalls. Messrs Wright, SLophenson, and Co. will sell draught and light-harness horses, drays, &c. to-day, at tho Provincial Yarda.

Tho annual flocM mooting o! Knox Giiufch Utorury and Debating Society will bo held on Monday evening. Kensington, Dunedin, July Otli, 1882.-Dear Mr Dormer.—My wlfo, having recently snuMrcd from a violent rheumatic attack, tried your remedies with groat advantage. I shall have picaauro in leiommonding your treatment to sufferers whom I may meot.-Sineeroly youru, Tnoa. TomuNflON, Congregational minister.—[Advt.J