NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1159, 14 February 1874, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

From the Daily Times, Fe\ 4 to 10. J

Thuoughoot his Banquet Speech the other day, Mr Voutsl dealt chiefly with the past. The only question regarding which he hinted the Government might have to make proposals in the future was that of forest preservation. Although this subject is being seriously considered for the first time by the New Zealand Government, it has not infrequently of late years been brought under the notice of the public in the Press and in Parliament. It is certainly matter for congratulation that jLhe Premier should at last have become a convert to the views of those who for years haye been endeavouring to prevent the waste of our forests, and who have also been advocating the creation of a fresh source of timber eupply. After what the Premier said, we may fairly e*p P ct that the Government will bring down ne*t session carefullyconsidered proposals bearing upon the whole subject. As regards the planting out of new forests, probably the reservation of land, State supervision, and the employment of State funds, will form prominent features of this part of the Carovernment scheme. It will be in attempting to deal with the question of the preservation of the existing forests, that the Government will find it difficult to make recommendatiojia that will moet with general approval. I'ho authorities have always had two aspects ojE the question, to look at when considering the jwt weans of dipposjog of the naftv*

bush. To sell absolutely was, especially in thinly timbered districts, to hamper those who had not succeeded in securing a piece of bush land in their farming operations. To retain in the hands of the Government, and give the right on payment of a nominal license fee to cut timber indiscriminately, was to encourage waste. In future legislation these points would still have to be kept well in view, although circumstances have greatly changed within the last twenty years or so. The unsold bush consists now chiefly of extensive forests, the smaller patches in the neighbourhood of agricultural districts having for the most part fallen into private hands. The danger now of alienating large blocks of bush would not be so much that the settlers would be deprived of timber for farming purposes, but that the Government would be releasing from their grasp the best source from which timber can be obtained for the various public works of the Colony. It has been this consideration, no doubt, that has led Mr Vogel to propose to the Superintendent of Wellington "a scheme for special forest settlement, whereby timber shall be cut by Government only, and during the proper season." The telegram containing this information gives other details very briefly. It would be useless, however, to comment upon the scheme until Mr Yog-el's proposals are before us.

Dr Livingstone is dead ! This is the sad intelligence we have to publish today, and here, as everywhere else where the news penetrates, the announcement will be received with the deepest regret, for this time it seems to be only too true. Dr Livingstone was indeed a man of whom the British race had reason to be proud. From the humblest of origins his own indomitable perseverance and spotless integrity gradually but sorely raised him to a position in the esteem and admiration of the world such as few men have held. The same perseverance that marked his early career, when he scraped together pnough money bj working as an operative in a cotton mill to enable him to attend classes at_ Glasgow University, distinguished him in Zater life when exploring the unknown regions of Africa. The same detestation of wrong that formed a leading feature of his character in youth, was displayed by him in after years when he wrought with might and main to put an end to the iniquities of the African slave trade. We do not yet know whether before his decease he had succeeded in solving the geographical problems upon the solution of which he had set his heart, but, knowing his character, we are safe in asserting that he did all that it was possible for man to do towards that end. The circumstances of his death are in keeping with his life. Shirking no toil, and quailing at no danger in the pursuit of his object, this man of sfi years of age wades through marshes for four days under a tropical s\ui. What wonder, then, that he is carried off by a deadly malady 1 But that he would have liked to place his discoveries clearly before the world, and once more to see his relatives and friends, we daresay that Dr Livingstone, if he had had the choice, would have chosen to meet death as he did— in the performance of what he regarded as his duty. Certainly no death could have been more appropriate. Like a Jbero, as he was, he died on his battle field, lighting the fight he so long had fought. This, however, is but a meagre satisfaction. His death is a more than national loss, and, as we have said above, it will cause more than national sorrow. Wherever singleness of heart, steadfastness of purpose, and the nobleness of true humility are prized, there will the name of David Livingstone be honoured as that of one in whom all these virtues were combined.

We remember some time ago, not long after the termination of the Franco-Prus-sian war, that the London Times published a letter in its commercial columns from a gentleman, evidently of very keen perceptions, who had taken a tour of the Continent with a view of determining the prospects of the Colonial wool market. A New Zealand contemporary, in a very sensible article, drew attention at the time to the letter is question, and the views expressed have since turned out to be remarkably correct. And since the circumstances that control the wool market are so diverse, and any reliable opinion on its course must necessarily be the result of the most careful Observation, it may be asked, why cannot the woolgrowers of New Zealand avail themselves of similar information periods cally ? In other words, the time surely has arrived when it is imperatively neces-* sary for their own interests that they form themselves into a Woolgrowers' Association. For instance, everybody knows that longwools are now in vogue, but few have the remotest idea how long this state # of things is to continue, or whon the merino will again be i;i the asoendant. In order i to obtain this knowledge, what would,

be better than to appoint competent agents to watch the course of events, and be enablsd to foresee changes before any disastrous results may occur therefrom l And among other powers that control the wool market few are more important, and at the same time more capricious, than fashion. Surely, therefore, it would be an absolute advantage to know from respectable authority whatever freaks in the fashionable world were likely to affect the wool market so as to be m a position to produce the staple that commanded the highest prices. Fashion, ot course, is only one controlling power among many ; but it should be the business of the agents of the Association to supply the latest and most reliable information upon the subject generally, and to keep the members posted m probable trade requirements. Were any woolgrowers here fortunate enough to believe in the prognostications made by the writer of that letter in the London Times, and to act upon his representations, they will surely agree with us that immediate measures should be taken to secure the services of similar men to obtain periodically all necessary information, both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, that may lead to a tolerably accurate prediction of the wool market, in time to afford an opportunity of making the necessary alterations in the constitution of flocks. The information required is not such as is obtained from wool buyers —rather the reverse : from men who will have really at heart the interests of the Association. The above ideas are presented to our readers in the crudest possible form, but our object will be gained should prompt action be taken m the matter to the advantage of the New Zealand woolgrower.

Is there no method by which the flax interest in New Zealand can be permanently relieved of the pressure brought to bear upon it by the Manilla monopoly ? It has been stated that one English firm alone has liabilities in the trade amountin" to several millions, and ii naturally follows that the development of the New Zealand flax business is retarded m consequence as much as is possible. We hear, indeed, of cases where, when the market at home was exceptionally high— say £40— agents of the firm in question bought in largely at this figure, and sold to themselves afterwards publicly at £14. It is quite deplorable to look around and see how many respectable men have been actually ruined by throwing their all into this perfectly legitimate enterprise ; or, if not ruined, so crippled, that it has taken years to recover themselves, in many cases the very best years of their lives. And these Manilla men will fight hard ; of this there is and can be no question whatever. It is true that our fibre is slowly coming into a little notoriety, but the Manilla monopoly must be broken before flax is what it ought to be— one of the staplo articles of New Zealand produce.

We are told that the dissolution of the British Parliament has taken the country by surprise. Certainly the newspapers had not prepared the public for such an event. After the prorogation of Parliament, some months ago, it became a question whether Mr Gladstone, after his defeat on the Irish University Bill, and his subsequent failure to secure the entire support of the.Liberal party, would seek a dissolution. It was contended by the Press that if a dissolution was desired Mr Gladstone would ask that it should take place in November, so that the elections might be over before the usual time of opening Parliament in February. His reason for making this request almost at the eleventh hour can only be guessed at, but probably the loss of so many Liberal seats of late has led him to take that step. So long as the Conservative gains were comparatively few in number, Mr Gladstone and his friends did not feel inclined to ascribe them as the result of a reaction in favour of their opponents ; but the repeated victories of the Conservatives up to the middle of last month must.havooonvinoed them that there was throughout the country a reaction either in favour of the Conservative party or against their own. Mr Gladstone no doubt hopes that by the issue of a popular programme, and an appeal to the people, this reaction will be checked. If it cannot, he will be spared the trouble of initiating legislation in the early part of the session. Whether or not h\a programme is a very taking one, it is impossible to say. The abolition of the income tax has been long expected, and, Mr Gladstone's proposal therefore on this head will take na one by surprise. In regard to the proposed legislation con- j oerning Education and local government, and the amendments in the land, game, and liquor laws, nothing can now be said, as wo only know that these subjects are to be dealt with, but are not informed as to the direction which the contemplated | (legislation will take. Mr Disraeli has announced that the abolition, of, fa* fa

come tax forms part of the Conservative programme, and no doubt on many large questions there will not be much dissimilarity of opinion between the moderate Conservatives and that large section of the Liberals, who have implicit faith in Mr Gladstone. In the contest which is now in all probability raging amongst the constituencies of Great Britain, the votea of a large number of the electors will be swayed according to the views expressed'by the candidates on such questions as Education and the future relations of employers and employed ; and votes will be given irrespective of the party to which the candidate is attached. Glonerally, however, the elections will be regarded as an appeal to the people of Great Britain to say whether a Cabinet led by Mr Gladstone, or one of which Mr Disraeli will be the head, is to administer the affairs of the country.

Much as we regret the delay which necessarily follows from the adoption by the City Council of the Reserves Committee's Report in reference to the widening of Princes street South, we are bound to admit that under all the circumstances it was perhaps the best thing that could be done. It is certainly a long time to look forward to 1876, for so necessary a work, especially when we remember the many years during which the matter has already been talked of, and the number of times it has been resolved to be done. We hope, however, the subject will not be lost sight of by the members of the Council, but that they will turn the interval that must necessarily elapse to good account, so far as time and opportunity may serve. On a former occasion we pointed out one means which was available; and we hope it will not be overlooked. At all events let the sections at present unleased be let with the reservation of the 33 feet frontage reserved for the purpose of forming the street to its full width. It is a pity the sections should remain longer altogether unproductive ; and by adopting our suggestion the Council will not only be gaining an increased revenue, but they will give proof of being really in earnest about the matter. A commencement will have been made, and all parties concerned will therefore clearly understand what it is f u lly — " definitely," as the Council's resolution runs — resolved to be done, so soon as the year 1876 really arrives. More than this, as matters now stand, the Council cannot do. Lessthan this they certainly should not do, if they wish to obtain respect for, and confidence in, their many published resolves in respect to this important matter.

The existing arrangements under which live stock, such as horses, are landed at Port Chalmers require very considerable alteration. Use, it is said, breeds a habit, and this, and only this, can excuse the prevailing practice of landing mobs of horses at the Railway Pier, and afterwards driving them through the streets in. the daytime, to the peril of pedestrians. As a rule horses are quiet stock, but on landing after a sea passage they are sometimes inclined to be frisky, the poor brutes being excited probably by the prospect of abundance of green fodder. When so influenced, they are apt to kick up their heels, and comport themselves in a manner common and no doubt pleasureable to their kind under such circumstances, but fraught with danger to bipeds in broad cloth and petticoats. A forcible reminder of this might have been witnessed on Saturday, whilst the horses brought by the Alhambra were being landed at the Railway Pier. Spurning restraint, one of the animals broke adrift from the persons in charge, and madly careered up and down the Pier, to +M terror and danger of the many people who were about, amongst them, being several females and children. The horse was finally captured, and with the others was driven through the town, en route, for Punedin ; but for a time he was a aouroe of very serious danger to hfe and limb, and we therefore contend that it is high time that another place than the frequented Railway Pier wero selected to land stock of all kinds at. "We understand that there is a proper landing place at Carey's Bay, where horses anci cattle used to be swam ashore, The formation of the new road, there has in some degree spoilt th§ landing place; but we hear that \% could be rendered thoroughly availably again at a very small cost. This should, be done at once, and then vessels having stock cox beard could anchor off the bay and drop the stock overboard, or land, it in punts, as might be decided upon. Moreover, by landing stock at Carey's Bay, the necessity of driving it through the main streets of the town would be obviated, as the animals could all be taken to the district road, and so to Dunedin. "We hope that, this really important subject will bo promptly dealt, with, by the Port Tcwn, Council,

Th* Melbourne Orphan Apylum ha* imnateg,