The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1884.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6897, 25 March 1884, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1884.

The subject of foreat-tree conservation and propagation is one upon which we have on several occasions written, and its importance/ and the apathy and comparative ignorance which exist in the Colony in connection with it, is our excuse, if one were needed, for again referring to it. Not long since a country journal affirmed, in effect, that it had a dim sort of belief that forest laws of some kind existed, but what were their provisions, and about what year they were passed, it was utterly unable to say. If we assume, as we suppose we may, that newspaper writers are usually at any rate a little better informed than the majority of newspaper readers, we can form some idea from this incident of the amount of information upon the subject which the latter possess. The provisions of the Acts were fully explained in the Witness of May 27, 1882. In Otago the counties of Lake and Maniototo, if no others, are regularly spending considerable sums of money in this connection. Nurseries have been established, nurserymen employed, plantations laid out in suitable places, and facilities offered to landowners to plant trees. In April 1883 the Lake nursery had in its various beds some 44,000 tree plants, which would in time be planted out or distributed. The Maniototo county also raised a large number of plants. Both these counties are doing as much work as their limited means will allow, and it may be expected that in course of time their efforts will produce an appreciable moistening of the climate in their respective localities. But meanwhile, what is the rest of New Zealand doing? The country is being denuded of its forests rapidly and wastefully; no efforts towards conservation are made; it is not attempted to put anything in place

of tho timber cut clown. Around Dunedin Iho cutting down of the unlive bush has boon productive of beneficial climatic results, for the roason that up tili recently the climate wan too moist. Even now it might be Haid that we could do with a litLle.lesa rain, though we doubt whether agriculturists in and about Dunedin find that the usual supply is more than sufficient. In other parts, however, tho climatic changes havo not been so satisfactory. In fact, climatic sequences avo not considered at all. We are practically at tho morcy of tho holders of timber licenses, and they, we may be sure, are not influenced by sentiment, or by any consideration other than their own direct monetary advantage. Consequently our forests are chopped about just, as the sawniillers' interests suggest. Tho suicidal nature of this policy is strongly suggested by an extract from our American correspondent's last letter. He says: " The climate of the treeless prairio States of this country has been greatly improved by tree-planting; the face of Nature has been changed; the eye is gratified, and life made altogether more enjoyable. ... A

similar transformation is noticeable in California, where trees have been freely planted; and, conversely, whore the redwood and pine have been stripped off tho coast range, there is less rain than formerly." Another thing which should not be loat sight of is tbat under existing conditions the forests are being depleted of all the best woods. Notwithstanding that on more than one occasion attention has been called to tho fact, it is yearly becoming perceptibly more difficult to obtain supplies of the best woods. The public, and even Government itself, make the most wasteful use of them. Kauri, one of the finest woods in the world, is used in the 'Colony for almost every purpose—for tho highest kinds of cabinetwork and for railway sleepers, for oars and buggy shafts, and for firewood. This is not a time to be urging unnecessary expenditure upon the Government, but there is an old proverb, often quoted, that "a stitch in time saves nine," and it appears particularly applicable in this case. The Government has ample powers under the fifth part of the Land Act, and we conceive it to be its bounden duty, while giving every encouragement it can to persons and bodies corporate anxious to take advantage of the Forest Trees Planting Acts, to use the powers which the Laud Act confers, and see that discretion is shown in granting licenses to cut titnber, and that such cutting shall be as waateless as possible. We are aware that the Land Boards have some rights vested in them in this regard under the Land Act, but the subject is one of Colonial policy, and is certainly mainly within the province of the responsible governors of the country.

Letters to the editor, a report oE yesterday's bowling tournament, and other matter appear on our fourth page,

We have very brief cable news this morning. The newly - created Archbishop Moran, of Sydney, is to be made a cardinal in Rome during this week. The British troops at Souakim are to set out in pursuit of 03man Digma to-morrow, with the view of surround, ing and capturing him. At Khartoum there is an engagement pending between Colonel Gordon and the Arab rebels.

In the discussion of the dock question at the last meeting of the Board tho Chairman produoed the following statement, which has not yet been published, relating to the present dock:—From September 8, 1883, to March 19, 1884, during which period the Port Chalmers Graving Dock has been under the control of the Otago Harbour Board, the revenue from dock duos amounted to £1902 10s 2d, and expenditure to £905 11s Bd, leaving a credit balance of £99G 18s Gd. Of the total amount the Union Steam Ship Company contributed £1560 17s 8d (including £297 Gs p«i>l by the contractor who repaired the s.s. Rotomahana), the Harbour Board contributed £215 12s Gd, and the balance is made up by £35 s.s. Timaru, £35 Oamaru dredge, and £50 barque Akaroa. In the amount paid by the Harbour Board there is included an item of £111 5a for docking dredge 222: the charge in this case while the dock was in the hands of the Government would have been about £34, actual cost of labour and fuel only having been charged for docking the Harbour Board's dredges.

The South Dunedin Borough Council have successfully floated their loan, the Government Life Insurance Department having purchased the debentures at £97 at C per cent.; debentures to date April 1, interest payable half-yearly. A telegram to this effect was received yesterday from Mr D. M. Luckie, commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have received advice that the Tongariro sailed from Aden, en route for Hobart and Port Chalmers, at midnight on March 20.

The fact of yesterday being Anniversary Day and a pretty general holiday did not appreciably affect the railway traffic upon any of the lines, the number of passengers being certainly not above the average. The uncertain weather in the earlier part of the day probably accounts for this in some degree.

Numerous steamboat excursions took place yesterday, and, notwithstanding the counterattractions and the unpleasant weather, were well patronised. The steamers Ino, Kakanui, and Shag took excursionists to the Maori Kaik; while the Peninsula took a large party to Quarantine Island, where a piciiic was held under the auspices of the D.Y.M.O.A. This affair was most enjoyable, and all seemed to enjoy their outing.

At a meeting of the Kaikorai Excelsior Band on Thursday evening last Mr B. Stratton was elected bandmaster.

Dean Sheridan, of Sydney, has received a cablegram from Home announcing that Bishop Moran has been appointed Archbishop of Sydney.

By the adoption of ;the report of the Reserves Committee, at the meeting of the City Council, Mr Simpson, the sexton of the Southern Cemetery, was dismissed from office. Asstated in the Council, the circumstances which led to the recommendation of the Committee are of a painful character. It appears that the grave of a child had beep opened, and that the parents of the child got the impression that the body of an adult had been interred therein. Complaint was made to the Reserves Committee of tho Council, and several members of the Committee went to the cemetery and found that the grave had been interfered with. The sexton was asked for an explanation, but declined to give one in the presence of the aggrieved parties, though urgently requested to do so ; and his conduct being deemed highly insubordinate, he was suspended at once, and his dismissal was resolved upon last evening.

At the City Police Court ye9terday morning three cases or drunkenness were dealt with. An assault case, in which two females are the principals, was adjourned till Wednesday. H. Gourley, Esq., J.P., oooupiod the Bench.

The members of the Dunning Opera Company left en masse by the Hawea at midday yesterday, and the Battray-street Wharf was crowded with friends and acquaintances assembled to bid them farewell. The steamer was a little late in starting, and there waa plenty of time for the exchange of parting words, and wheu the moorings were at length cast off, those on shore joined in hearty cheers for Mr Dunning and his clever troupe of artists. Their return after their trip northwards will be warmly welcomed.

Messrs Allen and Innes, the two candidates for the office of Mayor of Port Chalmers, addressed the ratepayers in Sachtler's Hall last night. Each candidate stated his opiuious on the various questions affecting the town which are held to be of particular importance. Both underwent a process of questioning, especially Mr Innes, who was closely cross-examined by several ratepayers, of whom Messrs Miller and M'Kenzie were the most fluent and exacting.

An application for a modification of the building regulations to enable the City and Suburban Tramways Company to erect sheds, the upper portions of which should be constructed of lath-and-plaster, came before the City Council last evening. A good deal of discussion ensued, the Council being almoa

equally dividedin opinion; but it was ultimately resolved to again rotor tlm matter to tlie Committee. Tho City Surveyor reported in favour of thewnceSHimi boing granted ; but eoino cnimcilloricunsidarod that t!io granting

of it would ostalish an imdoHirablu precedent, and might inji-ioualy affect adjacent property.

Tho agrieultual statistics for , Goruldino county, Waimat county, and tho wholo of ■South Canterbuy givo the following average returiw :—Goralcne—Wheat, 27,01!) bushels ; oats, 34,5!K) buaala; barley, 31,588 bushels. Waimate—Whea, 27,01(5 bushels ; oats, 35,30'J bushels; bar1ey,31,431 bushels. South Canterbury—Wheat,27,olß bushels; oats, 31,800 bushels ; barley, '1,600 bushels.

The Otago Amteur Athletic Club's sports, held yesterday, pssed off in a very successful manner. The atßndance was fairly numerous, and the entries ail competition for tho various ovonts all that cald bo desired. Iv tho evening, whou the pi/.es were givon away to the successful comptitors, thoro was quito an enthusiastic moetng in Wain's Hotel. It was announced that tie Committee intended to get up a Wintor Stee)lechaso meeting on the lines of similar uieoting. bold by Homo societies.

It seems proballe that an action will be takon by tho Cit; Corporation against the South Dunedin Comeil. Moasuros aro being taken to supply thtborough of South Duuedin witli gas from the Cavorshara works, and this is alleged to bo in outravontion of a covenant made with tho Cit' Corporation, whoreby the City Corporation vas to havo tho oxclusive right of laying pipa for supplying gas within the borough of Souh Dunedin for a period of seven years. The City Council havo passed a resolution authorisito; the servico of notice of intention to take cction for breach of covenant,

Thore is a probability of the price of gas being reduced. At the meeting of tho City Council last evening, Or Dick stated that at the next meeting o: the Council, or soon afterwards, he expected the Gas Committee would be able to recommend a reduction in tha price of gas by Is per lOCOffc,

Sir William Fox was to doliver a temperance address at Waimate last night, and will then return to Christchurch on his way home.

The commissioners under the District Railways Act (Messrs Eobinson and Moody) held a court at Duntroon on Friday last for tho purpose of classifying the lands to be rated in connection' with tho Duntroon-Hakateramea railway. There wai a large attendance of settlers and others iniorested. The court was simply for the purpos? of classifying the lands, aud not for the purpoie of striking a rate. A number of Bottlers rare heard regarding the value of their lands ftr rating purposes. The Oamaru Times adds tlat it is probable the rate will be something like4d in the pound.

Last eveaing the Rev. S. Slocombe, of Ohristchurch, delivered a lecture entitled " Salvationism Exposei " in the Albany street Hall, Mr M. W. Green occupied the chair, and thsre were betwien CO and 70 persons present. The lecturer stated that he was on a holiday oxchange with tho Rsv. Mr Gillies, of North Dunedin Presbyterian Church, and that was the reason he was enabled to devoto so much time at the present to the exposure of tho principles laid down by the General of the Salvation Army. At tho conclusion of tho lecture a large number of questions, relevant and irrelevant, were asked, and motions thanking the lecturer and disapproving of hia remarks wore duly proposed and seconded These, however, were not put by the chair, man, and the meeting was brought to a close by his pronouncing the benediction.

Tho employes of the firm of North and Scoullar had arranged to entertain the mem. bers of tho firm (Messrs Arthur Scoullar and Robert Chisholm), with their wives and families ] at a picnic at Green Island yesterday; but owing to the threatening aspect of the weather they arranged instead to hold a gathering in the Garrison Hall. The affair passed off most successfully. Various amusements were indulged in, such as running and walking competitions, rounders, tennis; and at intervals excellent songs were given by members of the company. A tug-of-war (17 men a side) between tho factory and warehouse for a handsome belt (the gift of a young lady) created much excitement, and was won after a desperate struggle by the warehouse team, A band of music, under tho leadership of Mr Hesford, added to the entertainment. A pleasant day was brought to a close by Mr Chisholm presenting the prizes gained in the various competitions. The following were the prize - winners : —IOO yards foot-race, J. M'Peake ; 440 yards hurdle race, 11. Shepard; one-mila walking, H. roltit; girls' race, Miss Robertson; married men's race, Mr Chisholm; band race, J. Cummins ; married women's race, Mrs Graham; onemile running, G, Houston; consolation race, W Blackwood.

At a banquet in Melbourne to Mr Bosisto, chairman of the Victorian Commission at the Calcutta Exhibition, Mr Service, in returning thanks on behalf of the Government, said that a united Australia would become au absolute necessity before long, and he asked his hearers to do all they could, individually, to promote the movement so well begun at Sydney last year. It was not to be expected that a move-, ment of that kind would run smoothly to the end: such a thing never occurrod in history. In the case of the Canadian Federation, years had elapßed before the whole of tho vast

territory had joined tho Dominion, but it had

come about, and there was no doubt federation in Australia would, at a very early date, become an accomplished fact.

We learn from an English paper that " the Committee appointed by the Minister of Public Works in Italy to consider the best mode of rebuilding the houses destroyed by the recent earthquake at Ischia has sent in its report, to which is appended a complete return of the number of deaths and of houses destroyed. Out of the 4300 inhabitants of Cassamicciola itself, 1784 were killed and 443 injured ; while of the G72 houses, 537 were completely and 131 partially destroyed. Of the 1800 inhabitants of Lacco Ameno, 146 were killed and 93 injured ; and of the 389 houses, 209 were completely and 102 partially destroyed. Of the 0800 inhabitants of Forio, 140 were killed and 9S injured; and of the 2713 rooms (no separate return is made of houses), 1344 were completely and 977 partially destroyed. Of the 2000 inhabitants of Serrara, 28 were killed and 21 injured; and of the 1109 rooms, 05 were completely and 973 partially destroyed. Of tho 4600 inhabitants of Barano, 10 wero killed and as many more injured; and of the 2G93 rooms, G3 were completely and 1430 partially destroyed. No loss of life occurred at Ischia itself; and altogether the earthquake occasioned 2313 deaths, while 71)2 persons were injured. Of the 2313 killed 650 did not belong to the island, but of these only 54 were of foreign nationality."

It is rumoured in naval circles in Sydney that the first admiral of the Australian fleet, now strengthened to 12 ships of war, will be Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart. Commodore Erskine's stay upon the Australian station will terminate in October next, when the transport ship Himalaya is expected to take the crew of H.M.S. Nelson Home. It was thought that, in view of the complications that were likelji to arise in consequence of the operations of the French in Tonquin, the Nelson would be ordered to join the British fleet on tho coast of China, but it was decided that she should remain on the Australian station,

A man named John Gillies, who was lost in the bush at Sutton Forest (N.S.W.) for nearly 20 days, found his way back to the railway-line at Bundanoon in a very exhausted condition. He had liyed in a cave for several days, his only food being a large lizard which he killed in tho cave aud ate raw.

The Caledonian Society of South Australia' have established a choral society for rendering Scotch songs, and have secured the services of Mr Wm. King, late choirmaster of St. David's Church, Glasgow, as conductor. The Society havo offered special inducements to Donald Diunie to compete at their Easter sports.

At the private meeting of creditors of Mr Alexander Brogden, M.P., and Mr Henry Brogden, the principal features of the statement of accounts were as follow :—Debts fully secured, £17,1G8 17s sd, the securities showing a surplus of £751 ; debts partly secured, £G57,009, the value of the securities being £144,072, leaving a deficiency of £542,000 odd ; debts unsecured, £27,482— making a total of unsecured indebtedness of £560,839115, against assets, £3830 9s Id. It was resolved to liquidate the estate by arrangement.

The growing importance of Northern Queensland (writes the Argus) has not escaped the observation of Pope Leo XIII, who contemplates making Cooktown the centre of a new diocese. As a preliminary step in that direction the Pope has appointed the Rev. John Hutchinson, at present a provincial of the Augustiuian Order in Ireland, to be VicarApostolic of Northern Queensland, a title that, in the ordinary course of affairs, will soon be changed to that of Bishop of Cooktown. leather Hutchinson and Beverol members of his order are expected to arrive about the end of April.

The present bishoprics of Queensland are Bris-

bane and Uockhiunpton. In tho event of annexation Now Guinea, wo understand, will be placed under tho jurisdiction of tho now diocuao of Cooktown.

Archibald Forbes, in the Sydney Morning Herald, relates the following concerning Mr (Jrunoison, tha Morning Post correspondent in tho Oarlist War of 1837 :—" Gruneison took his chances liko other penplo, and one of theso wan a very noar thing. Ho was sentenced to bo shot tho following day, but was able to get off a messenger to tho British Consul at Bilboa, who galloped all night up tho Anturias Mountain slope, and arrived just boforo dawn, barely in tinio to save Grunoison, the hour for whoso execution had boon fixed at sunrise. Long years after, at a dinner party in London, ho was presented to an elderly Spanish ollicer, who, glittering with multitudinous decorations, was among the guests. ' I havo had tho honour, Senor, to meet you boforo today,' observed Grunoison. The Spaniard professed himsolf desolated that he should have no remembrance of tho occasion. ' Your !Excelloucy,' said Gruneisen, with fine politeness, ' did me tho honour of sentencing me to bo shot up in the Asturius in '37 !" It is not recorded that his Excelloncy mado tho rotort General Sherman is said to havo dono to tho American newspaper correspondent who mot him after the war, aud told him that he, Sherman, had ordered him to bo hanged. 'Then how the devil aro you here now?' queried Shermau, with disappointment in his tone."

In tho Victorian Hoview Mr David Blair administers what tho Argus terms a welldesorved castigatiou to Mr G. W. llnsden for " tho many gross, and even shameless, misrepresentations of tho characters, actions, and motives of certain conspicuous Colonial public men " which occur in that gentleman's bulky " History of Australia," the very title of which is a misnomer, for, as Mr Blair remarks, it is no more a history than the " Hansard " series is. "Mr Ruadon, in point of fact, does not possess a single one of the many qualities needful to mako up the character of the historian. He' has neither capacity for weaving a multitudinous array of facts into a consecutive narrative, nor comprehensiveness of grasp; nor strong sense of the heroic element present in the records of almost every nation, and conspicuously in that of Australia; nor the least idea of historical perspective; nor a sound judgment for weighing men's actions and motives; nor, above all, calm impartiality. Almost every page of tho last two volumes of his work betrays a degree of personal prejudice in the author which is equally discreditable and unaccountable." Mr Blair quotes seriatim the ".historian's" defamatory references to Mr Childera, and brands them as " studied misrepresentations " and " deliberate falsifications," and then passes on to vindicate Sir George Verdon from Mr Rusden'B illnatured imputations.

The great family of the Smiths (says London Figaro) occupy fifteen closely-printed columns in the commercial department of the newlypublished Post-office London Directory, and the Browns eight columns. Only one man in London is given as Fatt, and only one Thin, but there are two Stout. It is not generally known that there is in existence a chaiity for poor Smiths. It wa3 loft upwards of two centuries ago by an alderman of that name who bequeathed a thousand pounds for the relief of captives held by Turkish pirates, and a thousand pounds for poor kinsmen. Towards the end of last century, thero being no " captives" to relieve, an Act was passed to devote all the bequest to poor kinsmen, and a few years ago these had increased to between 400 and 500" The value of the charity is now some £12,000 a'year. On Friday and Saturday this week the Masonic Shakespeare Dramatic Club wil' repeat their performance of " Hamlet," in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Institution. Mr Thomas Bracken, M.H.R., will deliver an original address on Friday evening, written for the occasion.

There wa3 an audience in tho Princess Theatre yesterday evening which, in point of numbers, would .have done honour to a benefit —and that the benefit of a prima donna peculiarly high in popular favour. The occasion was, however, a slightly different one, the attraction being an entertainment (freo in the lower parts of the house) for the purpose of advertising Mr Moulton's pain paint and fruit pills. That gentleman has been before the public for a number of year 3 with these compounds, and it well known that if any man can interest his hearers upon so dismal a subject as patent medicines, he is the man, PerhapSj however, the most striking beauty of Mr Moulton's discourse is that he talks about them very little, and about extraneous subjocts above, below, and around him a very great deal. His lightning calculations, too, serve to dispel the medicinal gloom; and in this line he is almost unrivalled. The audience—or a portion of it—last night was, unfortunately, anything but orderly ; but the most unruly section quieted down shortly after Mr Fred. Millis' appearance on the stage, and disposed themselves to give him a patient hearing. Mr Millis, young as he apparently is, is undoubtedly one of the cleverest ventriloquists we have heard here. His entertainment consists for the most part in conferring mimetic voices upon a number of dolls, which he manipulates in a most comical manner, and the laughter and applause were continuous during tho three-quarters of an hour occupied by these illustrations. The Irish, Chinese, and Dutch dolls, the sanctimonious Zechariah doll, and the highly-respectable female doll sing songs, and crack jokes borrowed freely freely from tho repertoire of the Dunning Opera Company, interrupt each other, quarrel, and are reconciled in a highly diverting style. Mr Millis also seems clever at polyphony, and in other branches of the ventriloquial art.

Mr John Everest will holrt a clearing Bale at Kartifri Hotel on Wodnesday; also property in Palmerston on Friday. HesßW C. Haynca and Co. will sell sheep, cattle, hor6es, &c. at Palmor&ton on Thursday. Messrs J. A. Park and Co. will sell shovels, &c. today.

Jlr If. Pyin will sell porcelain, mirrors, .tea sets, &c. to-morrow ; also threshing-machine on Saturday.

Attention is drawn to Mr Snidot's betting quotations, which appear in the Otago Witness.-[ADVT ] Notice. —Beisael's Bairdrcasing Establishment and City Baths, next to Coffoe Palace —[Advt.J Wheti a mau talks o! principle, in nine times out of ten you can set him down an a humbug. Exactly in the same manner as when one surrounds himself with a cloak of religiosity, you may genorally be safe in assuming him to bo a hypocute ; in fact, what rcligiou is to tho one impostor, principlo is to the other. The creditor who takes his debtor by the threat and poraeeutea him to the bitterest extremity —upon principle—finishes generally by compelling hid own creditors to take ono shilling in the pound instead of twenty. The cheapest beef and mutton, "qua'ity considered," for Cash, is at the shop of E. F, Lawrence, but .her, 20 George street, near corner of Octagon.— [Advt.]