The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1883.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6591, 30 March 1883, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1883.

Mr Macandhew evidently does not agree with Sif JoHVA'H I'oUTKii that " ollicial utterances aro always uuansworable," since, in the oort'oapondoucu submitted hy tho honourable gentleman to tho Borough Council of Port Chalmers, we lind v reply of inordinate length to.tho delicate insinuation of tho Minister of Public Workv, who had ventured to express the opinion that " tho peraon primarily iuul ])rincipally responsible" for tho prdNont position of tho Dock Trust was Mr Maoanduhw himself. Tho I lon. Walter Johnston was trained in a vory si rict school of logic, and h, constitutionally, singularly devoid of imaginative power; he therefore fails utterly to understand a method of reasoning in which the prtniiHO:) are mere assumption, and tho conclusions little other than statements of preconceived opinion. In tho matter of the Port Chalmers Dock Trust, Mr Johnston, to use a vulgar but apposite expression, in " hard as nails," opposing fact and official record to tljo impresi-ions, generalisations, and distinct under standings of the member for Port Chalmers, who is driven to tako refuge in the inference that had the question of the initiation of the work of the Trust rested with hima-lf " there would have been no delay." We are quite inclined to believe this, since a, disregard of " ways and means," or at least a want <>f careful consideration of them, is somewhat characteristic of the financial ideas of the last Superintendent of Otago. He is a strong believer, he saya, in the adage that " where there's a will there's a way"; and his somewhat sanguine mind leads him to overlook difficulties that would bo palpable to more cautious men, and men of detail. It must not be understood, however, that we do not entirely sympathise with the

regret which Mr Macandrew expresses, that tho dock has no*/yet been commenced. Wo regard its immediate construction as most npcessary,in the interests of the Port and of the Colony^ but we do riot agree in throwing the blame of the delay entirely upon the Government, but think, on the contrary, that Mr Johnston Ims some rfason on his side in charging sins of omission in tho matter on the member for' Port Chalmers.

The Port Chalmers Dock Trust Bill was prepared and introduced at the latter end of the session of 1881, by the then Premier, Sir John Hall, at the direct suggestion "of Mr Macandkew, who, in a written memorandum, proposed that the present Graving Dock and "certain reserves Crowngranted to the Superintendent of Otago, and now vested in the Government, for harbour purposes at Port Chalmers," should be vested in the Trust, which should be empowered, upen this security and that of dock dues, to raise the necessary funds for extending the dry-dock accommodation. The draft of the bill— and it is to be noted that no material alterations were made therein by the Legislature—was submitted to Mr Macandbew, and, we must assume, was approved, since he raised no objection at any stago of its progress! through the House, nor caused auy of the details to be questioned in the Legislative Council/where these were very explicitly explained by the Attorney-general. The bill, to our mind, was of a character to defeat the avowed object, and we are surprised it was ever allowed to pass in such a form, and still more so that no effort was made last session for its amendment, so that the Dock Trust might be in a position to exercise the functions intended by the Legislature. The reserves to be transferred to the Trust are described in the schedules to the Act, but there is the all-important reservation to the Governor to set apart "any portion" of the lands included therein "as he thinks fit for any public work within tho meaning of ' The Public Works Aor, 187G,' made or to be hereafter made or constructed by the Government of the Colony." Tho value of this security for borrowing purposes would not seem to be very definite, in the face of such an enactment, and it was indeed found, subsequently to the Act becoming law, that a considerable portion of the land thus nominally hypothecated to the Dock Trust was not available for the purpose, being required for railway purposes. The endowment, in fact, was little better than a complete farce ; but it is a'so evident that the Government acted in good faith; whilst Mr Macandrew, in recommending these particular reserves,

does not appear, although he had himself been Minister of Public Works, to

have been aware that a portion of the area, and that the most valuable por-

tion, was already intended to be used for railway purposes, or to have

taken any special trouble to inquire into the matter. The Act further contains a clause providing that the reserves, whatever they may be worth, are not to be conveyed to the Trust until "the Governor is satisfied that the Trust either has, or will be able to raise, sufficient funds," and that the bar and the navigation of the harbour will be so improved as to permit the full use of the new dock. This appears to us to have been " begging the question" of procrastination, and so it lias turned out. The Government ace strictly bound, under the Statute, to be " satisfied" as to matters which do not admit of demonstrative proof, and they have, moreover, the responsibility of deciding what portion of the reserves can properly, with a view to future railway

traffic, be spared to tho Dock Trust. It is hardly possible to conceive a state of things less likely to promote the construction of the new dock. As MiJohnston very forcibly puts it, Why did Mr Macanduew approve such a bill, and why did he not last session, having the experience of twelve months, endeavour to have the Trust constituted on a more satisfactory basis financially and otherwise? The long letter of the honourable gentlemau is an elaborate excuse, but no real answer to these questions.

In regard to the action of tho Trust in a corporate capacity, wo would especially direct attention to the fact that

tho letter of tho Under-sccretary of Public Works dated March 28th, 1882, has never been replied to. In this communication, which was au answer to a request of the Trust that the lands described in the schedule of the Act

ight be convoyed, the attention of

tho Trust was drawn to tho provisions of tho Act to which wo have referred above, and it was especially requested that satisfactory evidence should bo produced of the probable cost of tho dock, and also that tho necessary funds would bo forthcoming. This information has not, up to the present time, Mr Johnston states, been furnished. We do not desire to "cry over spilt milk," but have thought it ri«ht to point out that the delay is to be attributed, not to the administration of tho Government, but to the legislation of 1881, which, under pretence of bread, gave a veritable stonu. From the responsibility of this legislation the meinbar for Port Chalmers cannot divest himself, however suecious may bo his explanations. It

ia, however, so far satisfactory to know that tho Government intend to take the matter in hund during tho ensuing session, and wo agree with Mr Macandhew in hoping, that the necessary means for obtaining graving duck accommodation will bo provided at Port Chalmers without much further delay.

On our fourth pago will ba found a variety of local and other reportn. Tlio Hon. Major Atkinson, who arrived in town on Wednesday ovoning, occupied tho Ministors' oflico yesterday, but received no deputations, Tho lion, gentleman will address) Dunedin nudionces at tho Princess Theatre on Monday and Tuesday ovoninga. The report on the supposed oases of dummyism supplied by tho Land Board's auctioneer (Mr R, B, Martin) was considered at a special meeting of tho Board yesterday. A discussion arose on it motion, proposed by Mr Stout, that tho Chief Commissioner should ask Mr K. B. Oargill to reply to the following questions with respect to tho bids ho made on behalf of two Tasmanian fanners:—(l) Wero you directly instructed by tho purchasers to bid for the land, and if not by them, by whom ? (2) When were you instructed ? (3) Did thoy pay you or your Company tho deposit, and if so, when ? (4) Are you aware of any agreement of any kind between the purchasers and' any other persons in reference to tho land bid for? After considerable argument, it was agreed to postpono the discussion till the regular meeting on VVeduesday next, as two members of tho Board (Messrs Bradshnw and Duncan) wero absent. A full report of the proceedings will be found in anothor column. The question of ways and means again occupied tho serious attention of the Harbour Board yesterday. The engineer, in response to a request made at a former meeting, reported as to tho works in the Upper Harbour, but declined to recommend any alteration in the order in which it had been arranged to proceed with the same. His recommendations rather took the form of a less rapid execution of the works, which would have the effect of curtailing tho expenditure for the next few months. Mr Burnsi Mr Ross, and several other speakers then advocated strongly the necessity of abandoning for a timo the works in the Upper Harbour, and employing the whole of tho Board's resources in improvements at the bar and the Heads. Mr Bums further recommended that Government should be applied to foradditionalborrowing powers for this purpose, and be asked to double tho line of railway to Port Chalmers in the meantime, and to reduce the rates of carriage. This would, he argued, enable merchants to take delivery of their goods in Dunedin at a much less cost than at present. No resolution was arrived at yesterday on the subject, but at the suggestion of the Chairman it was decided to give the necessary month's notice to the employes on the dredges in the Upper Harbour, in case the Board should determine to suspend these works. Constable \V. B. Young, who has for tho last two years and a-half been stationed at Port Chalmers, has been removed to headquarters at Dunedin. Constable Young is an intelligent and active officer, and much respected in the Port.

A case of somewhat extraordinary treatment of an applicant for admission to the Dunodin Hospital will be brought under the notice of the Government .shortly. The facts are these. Some days ago a man named Harvey came down from a station near Balclutha suffering from illness. He went to tho Hospital to apply for admission. There he saw a doctor, who told him he was Buffering from scarlet fever, gave him a bottle of medicine, and sent him to the Mayor! Mr Thomson, it may be imagined, did not give the scarlet-fever patient the warmest of welcomes, but he took steps to find the man proper accommodation. But it seems an extraordinary procedure on the part of Hospital officials, not only to refuse admission to such a man, although for this there may be good reasons, but to sond him out into tho public streots and offices with a disease of so infectious a character upon him. It is to be hoped a satisfactory explanation may be afforded. The question of the drainage of the city was brought before the notice of the Harbour Board yesterday in several ways. Correspondence was read between the Board and Mr Maxwell, general manager of railways, in which the latter complained of the nuisance caused by the offensive smell of the refuse and drainage on the Board's land near the railwaystation. The Chairman also alluded to the

matter in a report which was read to the

Board, and in which the responsibility was laid on the shoulders of the Corporation. Eventually, Mr J. Barron gave notice that he

would move at the next meeting—" That this Board give the City Council of Dunedin 12 mouths' notice, dating from the Ist May, 1883, to provide another outlet for the city drainage, as its discharge into the bay is detrimental to the harbour."

A sitting of the Supremo Court in Banco was held yesterday. The cases Taylor v. Meek, and Briscoe v. Kinnear, were formally adjourned, and then the case of Turnbull v. Proudfoot was called on. In tho last-man-tioned case Mr Stout applied for an adjournment for three weeks, his client not being in the Colony, and the application was granted, the Court directing that the plaintiff should

have the costs of the day.

Mr F. Fitchett will apply to his Honor Mr Justice Williams to-day to grant a change of

venue in the Masseys' case. The application will be that the accused bo tried at Invercargill instead of at Dunedin.

Au inque»t was held at the Lunatic Asylum,

Dunedin, yesterday afternoon, before District Coroner Carew and a jury of 12, on the body of Albert Barnes. A verdict of "Died from natural paralysis" was returned. The deceased, who had been a butcher at Cavorsham, had been a long time in New Zealand, was about ■17 years of age, and was admitted to the Asylum hi December last suffering from acute mania.

The report of Captain Thomson, dealing with the pilot service, and tendering his own resignation as harbourmaster, was read at the mooting of the Board yesterday. The matter was referred to the Works Committee to report upon, the Chairman making a few remarks expressive of hia regret at Captain Thomson's action, and his appreciation of the high sense of honour which dictated it. -

In his speech at Roxburgh, Mr Vincent Pyke said that although on the opposite side of the House, he considered Major Atkinson one of the most straightforward, honest, and honourable men in the country.

An inquiry touching the death of the lad Wain will be held at the Hospital this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

A largo number of settlers wore put to some inconvenience yesterday through a mistake made in announcing the adjourned meeting of the Board of Reviewers for the property tax (Taieri district). The meeting should have been advertised for Thursday next, at the Land Board office, Dunodin, instead of yesterday.

The attendance at the Roman Catholic bazaar last evening was very good, and the musical arrangements proved a special attraction. An efficient stringed orchestra, the members of which kindly volunteered their services for the occasion, contributed a number of .overtures and selections in excellent style. Tho orchestra was conducted by Mr G. K. West, and comprised the following gentlemen :—Herr Tutsehka, Messrs J. Coombs, A. 11. Norman, Rutland, G. Brown, Trevithick, C. Waud, C. Coombs, C. Buckingham, Mears, C. Norman, and George. Vocal selections were given by Mrs Angus, and Messrs Leary, Lenuou, and Corrigan. A musical programme is also arranged for this evening, and a, hope is expressed that tho public will muster in good numbers, as the bazaar positively closes on Saturday.

At Mr Frederic Miieeabe's farewell performance in Auckland hemadu a speech thanking tho Auckland people very heartily for the kindness they had shown him. At ono stage he was interrupted by a voice from tho audience, which cried, " God bless your honest Irish face ; we're always glad to see you .'"

Mr A. Oppenheimor, of Auckland, has been appointed official agont in New Zealand for tho Calcutta Exhibition, which will be held in next December, January, and February. M. Joubert, in his letter to Mr Oppenheimcr, writes: —" I may mention to you that New Zealand now manufactures many articles which would find a ready and almost unlimited market in India if properly represented there, and wo hope that you will use every endeavour to secure :t fiiir representation in Calcutta,"

At the meeting of the Canterbury Meat I'VoEwing Company, in answor to v question, the Chairman uaid tho freight per steamer was 2d per Hi, and by tailing veaseln 2sd. -The only sailing vessel offered them was the Opawa, at 2£d por lb, but tho arrangement was) cm-

colled, and the British King substituted. Tho cost of freezing tho sheep, receiving, killing, and placing on board, inclusive of tho bags, was Jd per lb. That did nut include inauranco; but he might point out that 3d per lb would cover all charges, including insurance.

With regard to tho missing Kaiapoi chemist, yesterday's Lyttelton Times contains the following:—"Yesterday Mr Spackman applied at tho Supremo Court, on behalf of a creditor, for an order making W. K. Pinching bankrupt. The order wan not granted, as Judge Johnston considered Homo evidenco should be brought forward on the subject, Wo may mention that rumours of a very peculiar and unpleasant natuivj aro afloat as to the cause of the missing man's disappearance." A Christchurch telegram adds:—'-The Kaiapoi chemist (W. H. E. Pinching), who has beon missing for over a week, has turned up and convened a meeting of his creditors. No explanation as to the causo of his absence is yet given."

Tho South express (saya the Timaru Herald) waa about 'JO minutes behind time in arriving here yestorday. From all we can learn, the engine could not draw the train through the tunnel this side of Port Chalmers on accountof the rails being wet and slippery. After a few futilo attempts to proceed the train was dividod, one half being taken on about seven miles and loft, while the engine returned for tho other. The journey was then resumed, tho only effect being the delay mentioned above.

The Clunes railway collision in Victoria occurred through the culpability of the acting porter at tho station, Blackie. The following is Blackie's report to tho general traffic manager :—" It is with a sorrowful heart that I have to report a sad and unfortunate accident caused by me. I assisted in relioving the passengers from tho 12 noon down, and the 12.15 p.m. up being due I walked to the semaphore lever, and as soon as she challenged I gave her the 'all right' signal, and went to points to steady them, being facing points, but instead of which, by some terrible fatality, I hold them for the platform siding. ■ I saw my error but too late and to make tho collision as light as possible I let the points go, and threw the latter part of the train on the straight road. I have been here a little over seven weeks, and endeavoured to do my duty to your approbation, and now through one second's want of thought I have undone all." It is statod that tho officials at the Clunes station wero greatly overworked. On the day preceding the accident Blackie commenced to work at 7 o'clock in the morning, and did not finish his duties until 1.30 on the morning of the accident, and ho had resumed duty again at 8 a.m.

Tlia work of slaughtering sheep for the frozen meat cargo of the Mataura has coin, inenced (says the Auckland Herald) at the slaughtering establishment of Messrs Fisher and Co. (Limited), From 250 to 300 a.day will be slaughtered, some six butchers being ke\)t constantly at work. The carcasses, before being placed in trucks, aro weighed, and a ticket affixed with weight recorded and Dame of owner. This is again entered by a clerk in a register as each carcasa is placed in the truck, where it is slung by a hook, and not further handled till it arrives at the ship's side. Mr Firth's sheep have been already delivered at Otahuhu, and those from the other proprietors will be furnished as needed. Messrs Fisher and Co. are under a penalty to furnish from 250 to 300 carcasses per diem, us required by the ship.

The libel action in Melbourne—the Rev. Dr Jacobsen v. Julius Matthews - has resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for £300. Tho evidenco for tho defendant corroborated the defence sot up, that tho plaintiff, while filling the office of rabbi, acted contrary to tho law of the Jewish Church.

The Central Queensland Meat Export Company has declared a dividend of 8 per cent,, and this in the face of a large expenditure, interrupted operations, and tho writing off oi considerable sums.

Rainer's Diorama of the American War again attracted a good house at the Queen's Theatre yesterday evening. A number of gifts were, a.s usual, distributed during the entertainment, of which gold watches fell to the lot of Mrs Hart and Miss Ashworth. An afternoon performance will be given on Saturday for children.

By a typographical error the word " BorTiceable," in. stead of •'desirable," won printed yesterday in Mr Sinclair's amendment at the Athenamm Committee mooting. Tho amendment should have road: " That the Committeo, while of opinion that it is highly desirable,' &c. .

Mr Montajru P.vni will sell-cocoanuta to-day. Mr D. M. Spedding will sell pianos on Tuesday, 3rd April.

Messrs Wrl;ht, Stephonson, and Co. will sell team of horses and dray on Saturday; also horses from Waihao Downs, &c. Mr D M. Spedclir.^ will sell saddlery and ironmongery on Thursday, 6th April. A special advertisement from Mr F. Willaon concern, ing the public meeting at Port Chalmers to-night is published this morning. The Working Man's Club half-yearly meeting is to hi held tc- ight.

Kaca Investigation Company's winners 0/ first, second, and third are located as follow:- Castlo street (Dunedin), hcnalnKton, and Canterbury rospec-tirely.—Si.vbad.-[Advt.] V>'o havn rccuived a work of over 80 pages, entitled "The Farmo.g' Guido," 1 cingan e9*ay upon English farming. The author is Mr Wm. Turner, of Ravensbourne, and the publisher Mr. John Afnckay, of Moray place. It U creditab y printed and ueatly bound.