THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES SATURDAY, JANUARY SO, 1892.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9337, 30 January 1892, Page 2

THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES SATURDAY, JANUARY SO, 1892.

The proceedings of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, as disclosed from time to time at the meetings of the council, are such as should induce all classes of people to give adequate support to that institution. What is wanted is not merely pecuniary support; fortunately in that respect it is tolerably well off. A healthy, popular interest in its doingg, and in the doings of kindred institutions, cannot fail to be beneficial to the general community. In some respects the society has failed, but its failure has been in no sense due to its own shortcoming?. A few years ago the presence of innumerable pheasants and Californian quail gave every promise that our city populafion would be induced more and moro to visit the country in search of healthy recreation, but the rabbit blight has disposed of those bopes, as of many others. Pheasants and quails competing with rabbits, and rabbits competing with sheep, areamong the biological problerr s of our time. The intervention of man in favour of the sheep has settled the fate of the pheasants aud quails as a mere incident of the struggle. The rabbitcr o\v<s no grudge to the little bird when ho drops his poisoned oats beside its drinking placo, but he seals the fate of one class of competitor while trying to exterminate another. 'I he chief aim of the Acclimatisation Society in recent years has been to keep our rivers well stocked with trout, and in this it has had unqualified success. It must not be supposed that this has been attained without exertion. Every river is like a field which has to be sown anew to produce a harvest. No doubt if left alone the fish would go on breeding, but to keep up their numbers asd keep down their, natural enemies they have to be regularly recruited and protected from year to year. It is difficult to estimate the good done by our society in this way. Throughout1 the fine summer months hundreds of people art induced to betake themselves to the cbuntry, and not only fine baskets of magnificent fish but improved health and stamina are the reward. Those who have to do with the travelling, public know that innumerable travellers ask, as their first inquiry, particulars about the fishing, and the notices which from time to time appear in the Field show that such recreation as this is among the chief inducements to the Englishman who has to decide between a tour to the antipodes and some nearer country. In Norway and North America there is, as he knows, plenty of fishing; is there any in New Zealand, whither his friend proposes to take him 1 The answer may determine a question of some moment to this country. In the future we shall have to look much to travellers, who stimulate local . trade and keep up material and interesting ties between this country and the old world. Such attractions as these are among the legitimate inducements to visitors of thi< class. Among the topics recently discussed by the society was the introduction of salmon. For full 30 years societies and Governments have been engaged in attempting this most important object. That they have not yet met with any very tangible success is unfortunate, but difficulty seems only to bave stimulated their efforts, and if success is attainable they will surely attain it in tftne. The* position of the question is still doubtful, but this much seems to be certain that salmon are reproducing their offspring in New Zealand, the chief doubt being whether they are as yet acclimatised to pursue their natural habit of going to sea and then returning to their native rivers. Pew people have any adequate idea of the patient determination* with which, the Council of the Otago Society has pursued this object year after year, often in the face of discouraging results. They are pursuing it still - without sign of flagging. The newest lopic under discussion is that of the introduction of crabs and lobsters. Apart from the pleasure of eating such delicacies, the subject must be regarded as one of immense economic importance. Anything which tends to improve and vary the food supply has a great value. It is true that-we have valuable and acceptable so* fish of our own, but the great markets of the world like kinds known to their constituents, and if we are to' take part in supplying these markets,- or in competing with them in catering for the markets of Australia, we should be in a position to go in on equal terms with powerful rivals. At present there is pending an international dispute of unpleasantly great importance between France and England on the subject of lobster fisheries. The dispute is connected with the subject of bountyfed industries. It affects the sovereignty of our most ancient colony and often thteatens to lead to hostilities. It is not within our province to discuss it, but its existence shows the magnitude aud dignity which a discussion on such topics may attain. We are not in fas our of bounty-feeding industries, but we do not altogether deny the right of Governments to encourage them experimentally. Old and powerful capitalist communities like England can well leave such matters entirely to competition. We should be foolish to do so. A little encouragement here and there,

rather in tho way of facilities than direct aid, may do wonders. In the particular matter under discussion no aid is immediately asked of Government, and so loug as societies like the Otago Acclimatisation Society are doing the work tucli demands will be minimised. If it, has as yot no distinct success or failure to record in this particular branch—for a casually which has happened to the first, shipment can hardly be counUd—it is because the subject is a new one. That it may fail once, twice, thrice, or ofteuer is not a matter of much concern to an institut:on which pursues its objects as our local society does. The society represents all classes in the community, and is a truly national and popular institution, and we wish it every success in its enterprises.

Tiik Customs returns of revenue for the year 1891 are now published, and taking the colony as a whole are of a favourable character. The receipts for the year are L1.560,702 as against Ll,soo,oß*forlß9o,lapart from primage duty, which ceased last year. The increase is, therefore, L60.618, or nearly 4 per cent. The last quarter was not quite up to the average of the ?p™ C iucrcase for fcuafc Period being only L6OOO in excess of the corresponding quarter of 1890. Turning, however, to thu returns of the ■ different ports, it is evident that the increase has been almost entirely in tho North Island. The chief ports show as follow.— Auckland, increase ... £23 270 Wellington, increase... ... 33,716 Napier, increase ... ... 4,002 There are also increases at the smaller ports— L2382 at New Plymouth, L3259 at Wanganui, and L1294- at Poverty Bay. The Middle Island ports show as follow:— Lyttelton, increase ... ... £ (JO Thnaru, increase ... ... 02!) In veicargill, increase... ... 4,573 Dunedin, decrease ... ... 11,379 Oamaru, decrease ... ..." 1,926 Nelson, decrease ... ' ... 224 Greymouth, decrease... ..; 1.45S Westport, increase ... ... 1,0:58 While, then, Canterbury is just holding its own, Otago, apart from Southland, shows a somewhat serious falling off in volume of trade, though no doubt the grand harvest of this year will help, as also the improved returns from our goldfields. The tables showing the export of gold are very satisfactory. Comparing the quarters for the two years the figures are as follow:— 1890. IS9I. Ounces. Ounces. March quarter ... 58,940 30,827 June quarter ... 49,741 99,667 September quarter ... 51,377 62,876 December quarter ... 33,135 52,026

193,193 251,996 The respective values for 1890 were L773,438, and for 1891 L1,007,488, an increase of L234,050. But of this a considerable portion was gold held over from last year in anticipation of the removal of the gold duty on 31st March. The decrease in the March quarter was 22,000oz ; but this was far more than made up by the increase in the June quarter of 50,0000z. If we take half of the latter as belonging to the previous year, it would make a deduction ci about LIOO,OOO from this year's exports; possibly we niay put it at L120,000, and this would still leave an increase within the year of L114.000. The September quarter could not have been affected by the gold duty, and on that quarter alone there was an increase of 11,5000z. Otago figures well in this return for a total of L349,573, while the West Coast yields L437,126, and Auckland only L181.185. There can be no doubt, notwithstanding the disappointments which shareholders in dredging and hydraulic claims have experienced, a very considerable quantity of gold is still being raised, and the improved water supply this year should give the miners a good season: The total yield of gold in New Zealand from the first has now reached LI-7,4-33,117 in value, and there are many indications that there is yet a large quantity accessible to the best appliances.

Thk little drama in which the unfortunate Huldane was the principal actor has just closed in a curious though not altogether unsatisfactory fashion, leaving at the same time a trifle of mystery behind it. The matter was brought before the Southland Land Board at its last meeting, when the atrocious fine of L3l was reduced to 31s. An opinion of the Crown Solicitor was, read designed to show that the Waste Land Board had nothing whatever to do with the matter, it being, as the Receiver of :Land Revenue had contended, outside their jurisdiction. The Land Board swept aside the Crown Solicitor, his opinion, and Mr M'Nab, reduced the fine, and instructed the last-named individual to bring cases of default before them in future in order that the Board itself might assess the fine. We do nob profess to know where the law lies—whether with the Department or the Board; but we are strongly of opinion that the latter body took a very commendable course in settling any doubt that,may have existed in the matter by taking the function of dealing with defaulters into its own hands. It is quite evident, in spite of effusive expressions of sympathy on the part of the Minister of Lands, that the interests of the small settler are much safer in the hands of Land Boards than in those of the department of which the Minister is the head. The facts of the Haldaue case prove the contention ; and facts, the Minister of Lands will doubtless agree with us in saying, " are chiels that winna ding," or " dinna wing"—for we really forget which is the Celtic way of putting it._ We have said that the close of the Haldane episode leaves a flavour of mystery behind it Why did the Minister of Lands take so inexcusably harsh an action against an inoffensive settler ? It is to be noticed that from first to last he [has uttered not one word in palliation or exculpation of his conduct. As far as we can see, there are two possible explanations. The first is that Mr M'Kenzie is in the habit of perfunctorily attending to the work of his office, merely signing his name to such,documents as may be placed feefore him. The other we get a glimpse of from the unwitting Mr M'Nab, who complains that Haldane's agents " did not approach the department as supplicants for favour," but forgot themselves so far as to "stigmatise the fine as absurd." Can it be that Haldane was punished because his agents did not approach the "Liberal" Minister after the fashion in which New Zealand Liberalism delights—on their hands and knees ?

Theke is abundant evidence that the problem which above all others is troubling the Government just now, and which they find most difficult to solve, is : How are we to get a number of individuals into the Upper House under cover of some reasonable plea of necessity ? Speaking at Aramoho the other day, Mr Ballance, with even more hardihood than we could have given him credit for, declared that the Legislative Council was a "hard-and-fast Tory party" which in no respect represented " Liberal " interests. "No Government," he said, "could stand by year after year and see their best and favourite measures rejected, and a change would have to be worked shortly." One of the " best and favourite measures" was to be introduced in the form of a Bill to enforce the one-man-one-vote at bye-elections, and some new blood would be required to secure the passing of that. Now, if the Legislative Council is a hard-and-fast Tory party, it is a significant fact that Mr Ballance has had a larger hand than anyone else in making it so, for the great majority of the appointments of recent years are his own. Then as to the hardship of standing by year after year to see his favourite measuresrcjected, the first reflection that strikes us is that he has just been one year in office since 1887, and during that year he has been singularly successful in getting his measures passed—the Land and Income Tax aud Labour Bills, to wit. For three years previously it was Sir H. Atkinson who had to stand by and see his favourite measures lost by the hard-and-fast Tory party. As for the one-man-one-vote principle, that we already have, and the utmost the new Bill can do is to take away the right of choice a man possesses as to where he will cast his single vote—a distinctly Liberal proposal and utterly opposed to the trend of modern political thought. The notion of saddling the colony with an expenditure of several thousands a year to secure the passing of this paltry measure (which, by the way, has only been once submitted) is almost as flimsy a piece of humbug as ever was attempted to be palmed off upon a sensible people.

Ajionxs the wonders of English law, few are more curious than the most recent phase of the famous Maybriek case. That ill-starred gentleman insured his life with the Mutual Fund Life Association for L2OOO. The policy provided that uxiou his death the money represented by it should be paid to his wife, Florence Maybrick. That lady, as the world well remembers, smticipated the bounty of ProvidencA by murdering her spouse. By way of providing for the costs of her defence she, after she was sentenced to death, made an assignment to her solicitor. The bona fides of this gentleman was undoubted, and he was further appointed by the Crown her administrator, under an Act of Parliament whieh substitutes such an administration for the old process of forfeiture to the Crown. The solicitor and Mr Maybrick's executor then sued the company, which, not unnaturally, defended, saying: ""We don't dispute the policy, but we do object, to pay this lady the fruits of her crime even for so good an object us to enable her to pay her lawyer." They also invoked "public policy." Tho court, after very learned argument, decided in the company's favour, and the executors appealed. They said: "We are the persons entitled to claim this money, not tho solicitor, who has no better claim than the lady who employed him and adopted this strange method of realising. The fact that the person who committed this crime happens to be interested

in tho policy does not affect us who represent the murdered Mr Maybrick." Thus the dispute was not only with the company, but between tho representatives of the murderess and those of her victim. After much elaborate argument, the Appeal Court suems to have adopted tho view of the executors, and gave judgment for them. It expressly decided against Mrs Maybrick's solicitor, saying that neither he nor she could recover. It seems that tho justification for this apparently strange decision—strange only in view of the fact that the policy as worded was payable to the ladyis this: Mr Maybrick may have creditors and has children. It was no fault of his that he was murdered, and ho insured himself against this and every other form of death. The clause of the policy which permitted payment to the wife was a kind of settlement upon her which became void, so far as she was concerned, by the rules of public policy, so that the executors are expressly told that they are to consider it as struck out of the policy. The executors get the money for the benefit of Mr Maybrick's estate, and the solicitor .must look elsewhere for recompense. One very unpleasant result is avoided. Mrs Maybrick's solicitor proposed to dispute the fact that his client had murdered her husband, and it was feared that the whole story might be raised up again, as it was doubted whether the sentence of death bound private litigants. This, we suppose, was the meaning of the numerous telegrams which have lately been sent to us. This comes to an end with the decision of the Court of Appeal, unless the Lords reverse it.

It is difficult to discover good reasons for the mutual gasconading of the United States Government and that of the Republic of Chili. With literally nothing to quarrel about, those two Powers arc for the second time within ten years on the verge of a serious diplomatic dispute, in President Arthur's time the United States Foreign Secretary got so excited about doings between Chili and Peru, which did not really concern him, that he actually threatened to intervene in the war, when he was suddenly told by his colleague of the navy that any one ship of the small Chilian Navy could blow their Pacific fleet to bits and lay San Francisco in ashes. Then we had the ludicrous spectacle of a great branch of the English people, itself claiming to be a sea-ruling power, admitting that a State possessing a tenth of its population had virtually dictated peace to it. The incident was too ludicrous to be humiliating; but it came very near making our great kinsfolk very angry with themselves. They now allow themselves to be drawn into a position even more humiliating. Mr Bgan, whose chief qualification for the office of Minister probably is the winning over of Fenian votes for his party, has exhibited his natural penchant for conspiracy in intriguing with Balmaceda and his tyrannical clique. In so doing, and in concealing some of these adventurers from justice, he has fallen foul of the successful revolutionary party. It is, we presume, necesl sary for electioneering purposes that this quarrel should be kept up—we cannot enter into the fears exhibited by the press in Europe and America that it may lead to war.

In our supplement this morning will be found local reports, particulars of the local wool sales, our Auckland letter, Passing Notes by "Civis," and other matter.

The general manager of the Bank of New Zealand has received cable advice that the board of directors have declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum for the halfyear ended 30th September last. The shareholders' meeting will take place in London on the 10th February.

The Earl and Countess of Meath reached Dunediu last evening by the north express train from Christchurch.

- A meeting of the Harbour Board, adjourned from Thursday, was held yesterday afternoon, when the report of the Works Committee was taken into consideration. The portion of the report to which the whole of the discussion was directed was a clause in which it was recommended that " all the information available" be forwarded to Sir John Coode, whose opinion it was some three months ago decided by the board to secure as to the works to be carried out to improve and. keep open the new channel between the Kaik and the bar, and generally upon the whole subject. The recommendation of the committee was adopted—an amendment, which was proposed by Mr Joel, to the effect that, prior to the transmission of the plans and documents to Sir J: Coode, a report should be obtained from Mr Leslie Reynolds as to the correctness of the data upon which the plans are based, failing to find a seconder. The documents which are to be forwarded to Sir John Code include plan? and a report by Mr G. M. Barr, a scheme by Mr D. G. Stephens (the board's inspector), with the reports upon these of Mr C. Y. O'Connor, the late marine engineer of the colony, and a memorandum by General Fulton.

The petition which has been lodged against the return of Mr Sandford as member of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of the City of Christchurch will be heard on Thursday next, before Mr Justice Williams and Mr Justice Denniston, instead of on Monday next, as had been arranged. The alteration in the date of hearing has been necessitated owing to the inability of Mr Justice Denuiston to reach Christchurch from Australia before next Wednesday. Mr Justice Williams will leave Dunedin on Wednesday for Christchurch. He will hold a sitting in Bankruptcy on Monday, and one in Chambers on Tuesday. His Honor will probably return to Dunedin on Friday, but he will leave on the following Monday morning for Invercargill to hold the ordinary sittings of the""'court there.

Mr Thomas Edwin Greaves, an old servant of the Otago Harbour Board, and for the last 16 years a resident of the lower harbour, died on Thursday at Port Chalmers. Mr Greaves entered the Royal Navy as a boy in 1856, and received the rating of leading seaman in 1864-. He was afterwards promoted to be a petty officer, aud left the navy on the expiration of his term of service at Valparaiso on June 23rd, 1870. Throughout his time in the navy his discharges were all of the highest class, while he was also decorated with the Ashantee medal, and was entitled to another for the storming of Magdala. After his-arrival in New Zealand the deceased joined the pilot boat at the heads, and for the last eight years had been employed on the tug Plucky. For some months past Mr Greaves was incapacitated through aneurism. He was a member of the Masonic body, and an officebearer of the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge.

Our Hampden correspondent writes thatharvesting operations are proceeding iu the Kakanui and surrounding districts. The yield per acre will be better than for many years past, and farmers are naturally jubilant. The potato crop is also good, and generally the green crops could not be in better condition. Given good weather for the next few weeks, and the harvest iu North Otago will be eminently satisfactory.

At a meeting of the Auckland Law Society, Dr Laishley said it was well known to members of the society that the law charges in the south were much higher than those in Auckland. He moved—"That: the incoming council be instructed to consider whether it is practicable to assimilate the Auckland scale of law charges to those in force in the south." The president said the subject had been discussed previously. He was collecting all the New Zealand scales with the view of arriving at ftme assimilation. Dr Laishley said this was sufficient to meet the case, and the subject was allowed to drop.

The Australian Pastoralists' Review is responsible for the following :— " A certain New Zealand Minister of tho Crown met the other day with an experience which can hardly be supposed to have' afforded him unmixed satisfaction. It was this way. Some years ago he had joined himself unto a company of business men who had allied themselves for the purpose of doing a little gamble in land ; because, outside the walls of the House we are all mortal. And the S3Tidicate in due course purchased a piece of laud. Sad to relate, the spec, was not a profitable one ; and who so loud in his denunciation of land speculators as our Minister. But a day arrived, not so very long ago, when he wanted to sell his interest in the company. Perhaps ho had at last begun to see that there is something of inconsistency in his position as a speculator on the one hand aud a denouncer of speculation in laud on the other. Perhaps he wants the money to put into a more promising concern ; perhaps he wants to realise and send his capital to some country where it will be safer; who can tell ? What we, are permitted to know is briefly that the other day he sent instructions to sell, and that the managing director replied with brutal frankness—' No chance of selling land while present Ministry holds office.' "

Dr Lamb, a graduate of Edinburgh UniTorsity. and son of Mr Lamb of Christchurch, was licensed as a minister yesterday by the Christchurch Presbytery.

The committee appointed in connection with the testimonial to Mr A. Towsey on his leaving Dunedin have received subscriptions to the amount of L41195.

The list of passengers for the Tarawera's third sounds excursion, starting from Port Chalmers on Monday, is quite full, and already a number of names have been handed in for the fourth excursion.

A further exhibition of the phonograph was given in tho City Hall last eveuing. There was a fairly large and very appreciative audience, who derived pleasure not only lrom the reproduction by the machine of a number of interesting records of song, speech, and instrumental music, but also from the instructive explanatory address delivered by MrGeorge Kelly. The last opportunity of seeing or hearing this marvel of invention at the present time will bo afforded this evening.

Mr W. J. MacLaughlin, who has been for the past 12 years continuously in the local postal service, is to be transferred to Invercargill. Prior to his removal he has been granted two months' leave of absence. A largely attended ' meeting of his friends was held last evening, when it was decided to recognise his services by a complimentary concert, which is to be given next Wednesday evening. A strong committee was appointed, and the entertainment should prove a great success. Mr MacLaughlan was one of the founders of the Alhambra Football Club, and took an active part in promoting the Dunedin Amateur Rowing Club. He has always freely given his services as a singer when requested, and it is to be hoped that on the occasion of Ms benefit he will have a bumper house.

The fifth performance by Miss Amy Vaughan's Burlesque Pantomime Company of "Little Bill and his Ship Amazon" was given in the Princess Theatre last evening in the presence of a numerous audience, by whom the production was well received. This afternoon there will be a matinee performance, and in the evening there will be a change of programme "Little Monte Christo," a musical comedy, being underlined for representation. The words are written by Mr Travers Vale, and the music is by Mr E. J. Burke, the pianist of the company. In the third act Miss Amy Vaughan is announced to make four lightning changes. There is every reason to anticipate a bumper house on this occasion.

Mr Robert Kennedy, the Scottish vocalist, opens at Invercargill in his familiar entertainment on.Monday next, returning to take farewell of his Dunedin friends some three weeks hence. Mr Kennedy's efforts were thoroughly appreciated by Christchurch audiences during his recent season there.

Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell household furniture, &c. to-day. Mr George Fache will sell, at Ophir, on the 13th prox., freehold lands and buildings, with a crop of wheat.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. will sell on the 20th prox. small grazing runs at Nenthorn and Stoneburn, and freehold land in the Strath-Taieri district, together with a number of sheep = Mr D. M. Spedding will sell on Thursday nextfa consignment of wines and spirits The first quarter of the Dunedin School of Art will commence on the 2nd prox ' ' The members of the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge are requested to attend the funeral of the lateUro. 1. K. Grec.ves to-morrow- afternoon. -Messrs A. and T. Burfc's warehouse and workshops will be closed to-day on account of the annual picnic. Mr L. Maclean (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company) will hold the monthly sale at Palmerston on the 2nd prox. j.Jk?i.Hi?y' dental surgeon, desires to announce that he has secured and equipped, with the most approved appliances in high-class dentistry, suitable offices at 112 Princes street, immediately opposite CargiU's monument.—lAdvt ] Marriage Presents.-G. and T. Young notify the arrival of three further shipments of new goods iheir stock of novelties is the largest in the colony, their goods the best, and their prices the lowest. Inspection invited.—[Advt ] John Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.— Advt ■. "

Established over a quarter of a century Of other sodawaters that have come under our notice and take a very high place in Australasia, we would be remiss if we did not mention that of Messrs Thomson and Co. Dunedin.—Brewers Journal, 1890.—[Advt.] We understand that Frank A. Coxhead, assisted by Mr John Beauchamp, is now taking enamelled cabinet portraits at the small price of 10s 6d per dozen, for one month only. A free invite to all to inspect his magnificent premises in Princes street, opposite Colonial Bank. Take the elevator. —[Advt.] Eden George and Co. (Limited), the leading photographers of Dunedin, who produce by far the brat work m New Zealand, take one dozen beautifully enamelled cabinets in any position or style for 155.. One price list adopted, and-no extra charges are made to visitors from the country — [Advt.] ' ,