The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1885.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7224, 13 April 1885, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1885.

The tour of the Minister of Mines through the goldfields should be productive of beneficial results to the raining interest. It must be remembered that this is the first occasion of the kind. Since the abolition of the office of Goldfielda Secretary—a Provincial appointment—in 1867 there has not been any thorough official inspection until now. Ministers charged with the control of the Mirfes Department have, it is true, visited portions of the country where raining is carried on, but always in their capacity as the heads of other departments, to which that of Mines was subordinate. But thanks to the vigorous and unanimous ineistacce of the goldfields representatives in the House last ssssion, the office of Minister of Mines has been elevated to the front rank ', and it may be reasonably expected that more attention will be paid to the important industry of mining in the future than it has received in the past. It was proper, therefore, that Mr La« : of his ministerial functions by a personal inspection of the goldfields, and it is pleasant to find that throughout his tour he has been accompanied by the member for each district, except in one instance, where the absence of the sitting member was compensated for by the presence of a former representative. It cannot be otherwise than that the Minister must have acquired a large amount of valuable information in the course of his travels. He appears to have been indefatigable in pursuing his investigations into every branch of mining, and to have taken great pains to make himself thoroughly acquainted -with the working of mining legislation, and the wants and requirements of the mining population. It only remains for him now to utilise in a practical manner tho knowledge thus obtained. It has more than once been suggested by the Parliamentary Goldfields Committee that the Minister of Mines should make an annual Statement to the House similar to that made by the Minister of Public Works. This suggestion has never yet been acted upon, for the very palpable reason that there has not been a Minister capable of preparing such a statement, nor one taking sufficient interest in the gold - producing industry to take the trouble of attempting to do so. Now, however, that the status of the office has been changed, it. may be expected that such a Statement will in future be made; and we shall look forward with peculiar interest to the delivery of Mr Larnach's first effort in that direction.

Perhaps one of the most, if not the most, important subject to which the Minister's attention has been directed is the necessity of making provision for a large and comprehensive scheme of water supply to our goldfields. Considerable sums have been and are still being- expended for this purpose in other parts of the Colony, but Otago has been but scantily favoured in this respect. Indeed it has been very much neglected. We can only call to mind some two, or at most throe water-races which have been constructed or subsidised by the Government ; and of these there certainly is but one of any considerable extent. Of course we refer to the Mount Ida waterchannel, respecting which a correspondent lately wrote that but for it that locality would havo been woll-nigh deserted. Nothing more convincing nor more suggestive than this illustration could be conceived. "We know that in other localities mining is languishing —slowly perishing from natural inanition. And we know also that this unhealthy condition of affairs is due, not to the exhaustion of payable auriferous ground, but to the absence of facilities for more economically and rapidly separating the metal from the soil in which it exists. Nothing but an ample supply of water is needed to restore prosperity to many a seraiabandoned goldfield. Mr Larnach lias been to the West Coast. He has witnessed the real living prosperity of that part of the Colony, and he will be aware of the enormous sums of money expended—and wisely, expended—by the Government in developing the mineral resources there, principally by capacious and extensive water-races. It cannot be disputed that to this largehanded expenditure the prosperity of the Weßt Coast is largely due, nor that the comparatively depressed condition of our own goldfields is owing to the want of similar assistance having been extended to them also. And having seen these things, with every opportunity for comparison, and for tracing effects to thoir proper causes, it is to be hoped that he will forthwith set himself to

redress the injustice; and repair the neglect of the past.

Another matter which must not be lost sight of is the; urgent need of affording a sufficient stimulus to prospecting on a large ,:scale. "We are glud to observe some- signs of activity amongst mining communities in this direction. Prospecting associations are being formed in all parts of the goldfields, and at • Cromwell a public company has ; been formed to ( prospect tho surrounding country. This general awakening of the people to the necessities of the case is most satisfactory. They have remained supine far too long for the wellbeing of themselves and the country. Virtually there has not been any prospecting worthy of the name done for many years. Here and there desultory and nob always wellconceived attempts have been made to explore the land ; and there are instances—such as that afforded by Vinegar Hill, at Cambrians —where valuable new ground has been discovered. But something more is required. When the rushes to Wakatharina and tho West Coast broke out, thousands of our best miners resorted to those fields, and very few of them ever returned. Tuenj again, a not inconsiderable number bf men have drifted from the mining ranks into those of agriculture. Year after year has seen our mining population diminish, and the yield of gold has fallen off- proportibnably. There is nothing to tempt fresh men to turn their attention to this pursuit. To engage our young and surplus population, new and more profitable deposits require to be discovered. And to bring this about the Government must take the matter in hand, and afford such aid and encouragement as will give new life to mining. Very little is even yet kuown of the hidden wealth of our mountains, our terraces, our valleys, and our rivers. A rabbiter—by accident, if the local legend is true—lately discovered extensive and rich .alluvial gold deposits on the Criffel Mountain, 3500 ft above the sea; and now we are told that along the entire face of the Mount Pisa Range, of which Criffel may be regarded as the termination, patches of alluvial gold are frequently found at the same altitude. Auriferous quartz-lodes are found at even greater elevations. And, at tho other extreme of exploration, gold is found lyiDg on the solid rock— j the very crust of the earth— I fathoms below the surface. We know [ nothing certainly yet as to (lie extent of our auriferous resources or the various modes of their occurrence. To extend our kuowledge, and liberally to assist those who are trying '.o do so, is the duty of tho Government, and we look forward with hope and expectation to the exertions of the Minister of Mines in this behalf.

Reports of the Port Chalmers Resident Magistrate's Court and of some" business transacted at the Taieri County Council on Friday will be found on our fourth page. Things in regard to the Anglo-Rußsian complication remain very much as they wero. It is not expected that any reply can be received by the Russian Government from General Komaroif before a fortnight. The alarm in London appears to have subsided a great deal; the Stock Exchange haa ro. covered its calm, and business generally has resumed its ordinary condition. From the Soudan there is news confirmatory of the rising against the Mahdi, whose troops have been "smashed" in fighting which has occurred at El Obeid. It will be remembered that about a month ago two prisoners escaped from the gaol at Coonamblo, in New South Wales, after murdering the gaoler. Our cable messages this shot dead. They were chaßed by the police, with whom they exchanged shots, the result being that one of the prisoners was killed and the othor mortally wounded. The Premier addresses the citizens of Auckland this evening, The anticipation of war is promoting activity in other than official quarters. In Dunedin a movement is being sat on foot for the enrolment of a body of ex-soldiers or Volunteers above the age of SO, who are therefore not liable to be called out amongst the first-class militia. It is considered that such a corps, composed of men who have all been already drilled, would be specially valuable in case of emergency, and if the idea proves successful, the Defence Department will ba communicated with as to the possibility of arms being granted to the I men by the Government. [ A detachment of the Dunedin Navaj Artillery (30 strong) wont to Port Chalmers by the 2,30 train on Saturday for tho purpose of removing two of the 7in guns from the storeroom at Mussel Bay. After a few hours' bard work the guns were got out and mounted on railway trucks for conveyance to Dunedin. Some 20 members of the Company have volunteered their services in connection with the mounting of this gun at Lawyer's Head and of the othor at.St. Glair. There are about 100 rounds of shot and shell in the storeroom for each gun.

The Naval Artillery Baud, notwithstanding the refusal of the City Council, proceeded to the Botanic Gardens yesterday afternoon and played a number of sacted selections. A large crowd of people colleoted, and the music seemed to bo much appreciated. Among those present were his Worship the Mayor and sevoral of the city councillors.

A large number of gentlemen were invited to visit the Kaitangata coalmine on Saturday, and a special train conveyed 140 or ISO visitors from Dunedin and intermediate stations. A very pleasant day was spent in inspecting the mine and the new works and machinery. Within the last year the Company have spent £9000 in opening up new workings and erecting first-claßß machinery. The Railway Department intend to run a special excursion train on Saturday next to the Kaitangata mine, to enable the public to inspect the workings, and those who go may rely upon having a very pleasant trip.

A portion of the premises of Mr T. M'Gill, drapor, in the Arcade, were noticed to be on firo shortly before 1 o'clock on Sunday morn, ing. The flames bad gained a bold upon the woodwork on the right-hand Bide of the doorway, but wero easily extinguished by the police before much damage had been done. A gaspipe which supplies the burners outside the shop is situated at the spot where the mischief occurred, but the gas waß turned off at the time and the place was in darkness, no one being left upon the premises. The origin of the fire is therefore n mystery.

The celebrated racehorse] Cominotiou, who won the Champion Race this year at Flemington, and therefore bad good claim to bo considered the best woightfor-age performer in Australia, has had bis colours lowered at Sydney by the colt Eeginald. This colt has beaten him three times over separate distances up to three miles, at the Kandwick meeting during the past week.

Messrs G. B. Eliott and A, Rennie, J.P's., presided at the City Police Court on Saturday, Annie Courtney and Agnes Reid were each fined 40s, or a month's imprisonment, for vagrancy. John Connor, who was charged with the larceny of clothing and a watch, of the total value of £25, the property of Arthur Young, was remanded for a week. The other business consisted of the conviction of one person for'drunkenness.

Mr Charles Bills, the well-known birdfancier, is now on his way Home in the steam, ship Tainui with a large shipment of birds and natural history curiosities collected in New Zealand during the past 12 months. The collection consists principally of 1000 paroquets, but it contains also specimens of too New Zealand owls, or "moreporks," and the large tuatara lizards which are frequently met with on the hilltops in both the North and South Islands. A pair of these lizards, which will be the fit'Bt of the kind seen in London, will be presented to the Zoological Society.

At tho Great King street Independent Church on Saturday evening Mrs Leavitt delivered an address to young women. Mr Harding, Gr.W.C.T., occupied tho. chair, and there were about 100 persons present. Mrs Leavitt said it was possible for all young women to exercise a great iofluenoß in the world for good or evilj and in proof of tbie

statement she referred to the lives of eminent, and also to thoso of degradod women. She thon besought young women to be careful how they moulded their lives, and to endeavour to use what influence thoy had on the side of good. She explained that they might do this by trying to induce those with whom they came in contact to join the ranks of the Blue Ribbon Army. ■ Professor Black has recently bean lecturing to large and enthusiastic audiences of the miners at Greymouth. The gentlemen who met Major Oautley on Friday (gays the Oamaru Timeß) with reference to the dofences of the place were not able to convince him that defence in the caae of Oamaru could be undertaken, but obtained ■from him the consoling remark that if Russian cruisers visited the port and took away supplies a receipt should be asked for the goods taken, and the- Now Zealand Government looked to to ■ make the value of enforced purchases good. If this is all/that we have to fear from Russian cruisers, storekeepers and Coal merohanta will bo found battling with the waves in order to see who can first reach the cruiser to point out the value of thoir respective commodities. ProfesHor Blackie, as probably the world already knows, holds in utter detestation mere babble and printed goimip, and doubtless he would be prepared to resort to strong measures of repression. "There is far too much of everything nowadays^" he remarked to a recent interviewer; "far too much eating, far too much drinking, far too much preaching, far too much writing, far too much Bpeaking. As I think Bermcaw would bo vastly improved if they wore only preached once a month, so I think newspapers, as a rule, would be much more interesting and influential if they would express their opinions in thair leading columns only once or twice a week, instead of wearying their readers by repeating themselves day after day. For my part," he continued, " I take up a Btudy.and stick to it until I have mastered my' subject. At present I am studying English history, and with that in hand I pay no heed to tho babble."—"l am only a philosopher, ( he remarked later, "and philosophers don't make the laws. Wo care little about politics; in fact attention to politics, as they are ordinarily understood, entails too great a waste of brains." As the conversation proves, however, tho philosopher, both in direction of thought and strength of language, is very liko the politician. " I love human beings," ho said, " and I consider what is good for all from a highideal point of view; therefore a number of people don't understand mo."

News comes from two widely different quarters of the academic world of the spread of the crußade agaiust the old clasaical education. At Oxford, it seems, the Hebdomadal Council have .decided to bring forward proposals fir relieving students of law and science from Pass Moderations, and for substituting preliminary examinations in law and science respectively. At the same time it is reported from the United States that the Faculty of Harvard College have decided by a majority of 30 to 2 to abolish Greek a3 a compulsory subject for matriculation, The cliango proposed at Oxford will not pass as easily aB that, and will undoubtedly lead to a hot debate.

At All Saints Church yesterday morning Bishop Nevill held a confirmation service. The number confirmed wan 37. The Bishop statod that there had been altogether 800 confirma* tions in All Saints' Church. Of these 2GO were since the prosent incumbent camo to tho parish. As illustrating the peculiar ideas of common juries (write 3 the Christchurch Press), the recommendation of tho one in the case of George Hammill, who was convicted on Friday, is a case in point, They found tho prisoner guilty, but recommended him' to morcy, on the ground that the parson whose name was attached to the cheque might possibly, as was suggested for the defence, have given the cheqno to tho prisoner. Supposing this theory to be correct, their verdict would of course amount to one of not guilty, as the prisoner could not have committed the crime at all if the person whoso name was in the cheque had drawn it himself. Hammill was sentenced to three years.

A " scene " is reported to have taken place on Tuesday last in St. Patrick's Church, Masterton. A youthful couple were to be married by the Rev. Father Treacy on that day. After the bride, all smiles and orange blossoms, had set out for the church, the bridegroom found ho had yet to procure the necessary license iruiu Cut/icgwiuun— vm going -w mmouj momission it was discovered that the bride was under age, and the registrar could do no more than shake his head and express his sympathy for the disappointed groom. When the unpleasant nev/a was brought to the brideelect, the young lady, instead of swooning into her lovei's arms, as the heroine in a novel or on the stage would have done, or weeping bitterly and wringing her hands, aa a plebeian bride of an unrcmantic disposition would have behaved, flew into an ungovernable passion, tore her bridal veil into shreds, and unceremoniously (led the church.

The statement that Miss Jennie West had baen engaged aB pianiste for Mr Radcliff's New Zealand tour wan incorrect. The services of Mr Georgo Clutaam, of Dunedin, have-been secured. He has gone to Invercargill with tho company, and afterwards acoompanies them North. Dr J, L. York delivered tha first of a series of Sunday evening lectures in the Lyceum Hall last evening to a fairly numerous and very appreciative audience. Tho subject was " The Science of Life ; or, how to be happy." Next Sunday Dr York will lecture on " Evolution." A second performance waa given at the Princoss Theatre by Mr and Mrs Heßford and a number of amateurs on Saturday evening, when a comedy and the highly-sensational melo drama "Robert Macaire," tha French Jack Sheppard, were produced. Several musical selections were efficiently played during the evening by. the Kaikorai Brass Band. Tha Faust Family concluded their season in Dunedin on Saturday, whon afternoon and evening performances ware given. Performances are to be given to-night and tomorrow night in the Princess Theatre by the Owls Dramatic Club and North Dunedin Rifles Band conjointly, iv aid of their respective funds. "Luke the Labourer" and an afterpiece will comprise the bill to-night.