THE ABOLITION OF THE PROVINCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 5

THE ABOLITION OF THE PROVINCES.

We willingly give prominence to a letter on this important subject. It will be seen that the writer treats it in a manner somewhat different to the method of treatment! adopted by another correspondent, whose letters we published not many days ago :—: —

The neighings of an old political war-horse, which have recently been echoed through your columns, are calculated to bring together the scattered remnants of many a well-fought and, by this time, almost-forgotten battle field. The tattered banner of Provincialism is once more Taised, and all are summoned to enlist under it, who remember the many bloodless contests in which it has proved the sure talisman of neverfailing victory. Worn — but still serviceable — it reminds us of past triumphs, and may still lead us, for a time at all events, hopefully on in the future.

Never having served in the forlorn hope, but having been at best one of the Guerilla part of the rag-tag and bob-tail adherents of the Provincial army, may I crave a small place in your columns for a few of my camp reflections and midnight coinmunings with an old comrade ?

Unlike your recent correspondent, I have never been a devout adherent, or even a great admirer, of Provincialism. Our Provincial system has always been to my mind not unlike a ship in which the master was too much controlled by a confidential supercargo ; in which the crew were so numerous that the men were in one another's way; and in which, moreover, the expense of woi'king and navigating the unfortunate craft left but a small margin at best to provide for the necessary repairs and adaptations of new inventions— to say nothing of the profitable employment of the vessel. The ship was nevertheless classed A 1 at Lloyd's, and the voyages upon which she was engaged might have been turned to good account but for the untoward circumstances against which she had in vain to contend.

When 1 became, as I did on a very large scale, apart owner in the good ship— her name was the Otago— not Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co.'s, let me observe— l counselled my co-owners that the command should no longer he a divided one; that she should be sufficiently, but not cumbrously manned, and that the expenses of working and navigating the vessel should be reduced to the lowest possible practicable limit. My coproprietors, fearing that their prestige would be injured if my remonstrances and counsel were acted upon, pooh-poohed my advice, and christened me by the euphonious appellation of "Jeremiah Croaker." 'xhey continued their former management of the ship, to the intense dissatisfaction of myself and some of my fellowshareholders ; but, to do the latter justice, they had not the courage, until recently, to give ventto their real convictions.

.Although my investment had not proved a profitable one, I was satisfied that, under different conditions of management, the ship could be made to pay handsomely, moro especially ?s she was a great favourite with the trading community, and freights, instead of falling, were gradually, but surely, rising. Under these circumstances, I submitted to my co-proprietors at a general meeting, which was convened for the purpose of taking the matter into consideration, that, as they had declined to reform the internal economy of our common undertaking, they should dispose of the partnership concern to a new proprietary, in which, possibly, I might become a shareholder. A considerable number of my fellow shareholders were at first inclined to adopt this view ; but the meeting becoming somewhat heated, in the language of the reporters, it was adjourned for a month. When the adjourned meeting was held it was discovered that a number of speculators, having got wind of our internal dissensions, had laid a scheme with an e\e to the purchase of our concern and property, and the ulterior object of presecuting, on terms no more but much less favoiu-able to our constituents — the trading community — the hnsiness upon which we had been engaged. Tins leaked out through confidential channels ; and there was some suspicion that overtures had been made to some of our principal officers. When the discovery was made, our internal dissensious were speedily ended and set at rest. It was rightly concluded that if it would pay any band of speculators to purchase and work ' ' our concern," there was no valid reason why we should not conduct our own affairs profitably to ourselves and satisfactorily to our constituents. It was accordingly resolved that the proposals submitted should be declined. An amendment that the thanks of the shareholders were due to the gentloineu who had so kindly volunteered to help the Company in its difficult «, la/u-ed for nan fc of a seconder. But a further resolution was carried item, con., tnat the most searching investigation should be made into the management of the Company's business, wifch the view of removing every possible ground for hostile comment, whether on the part of shareholders or our trading constituents.

I am glad to say that although the "band of speculators" has threatened us with the opposition of "a magnificent and powerful clipper," called the "Colonial Empire," we still purpose running the "Otago" on her old voyages, until she either strike on some unknown rock, or become unfit for longer service. For the information of intending passengeis and shippers of cargo, lj?ou»ht to mention that although the " Colonial Kinpire." is a new name, the ship is by no means a now slii;>. She sailed nearly ten yews ago as the '"Ct'iitialist," under the command of a Captain Stafford. Getting ashore in 1809, she was abandoned by the Captain a ncl officers i:i charge, and sold to her present owners, by whom sho w.is christened the " Constitution.'' There having been some internal eh vnges in the constitution of the firm, tho ship's name, to gratify the riaprire of an old lady who was connected with one of tho wart-owners, was lately altered to that of the " Colonial Empire."

The "Empire" has so far proved a favourite with casual visitors in port — for, as a rule, they have lieen sumptuously entertained on board. But the Insurance Companies refuse to accept risks on lives or cargo committed to her keeping, except at rate.-* far in excess of those charged to travellers and shippers by the ''Otngo." Somo of my friends have, after due deliberation, booked themselves by the " Otago," for having made enquiiies concerning the "Colonial Empire," they feel no little doubt and anxiety as to how she would behave in a gale of wind.