The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 78, 4 August 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1863.

Our contemporary, the Southland News, with that largeness of heart and lucid- j ness of brain for which he is so widely celebrated, has recently been endeavoring to convince the public tbat this province would be much benefitted by the advent of a number of Girvan hand-loom weavers. It appears that these unfortunate people have been receiving but very small wages for the last four years, and wishing, naturally, to betier their condition, have petitioned the Governor and Executive Council of New Zealand for assistance to enable them to emigrate to the colony. We have neither the time or inclination to follow our contemporary through the entire length of thefeeble argumentation by which he tries to show how desirable a class of immigrants are Scotch hand-loom weavers, but the' subject is of sufficient importance' to warrant us in briefly reviewing the steps by which he has arrived at that conclusion. We are sorry that we cannot agree with him in this matter, but our thanks are due for the amuse-

v,ment we derived , from some' , of % \iisi Jfrghments.^ In^an article; published in the News on the 25th 'ultimo, writer^aftei 1 Mrawitis* attention' to s the^ -subject m^ general 'terms.^proceeds in the following manner :~.VJVVev will take it for granted as generally unalr- . stood that;'Ayrshireis one of the * best agricultural districts in .the! west of "Scotland, and ■> this ",, should be; one :of the strongest inducements to our Government to respond to the prayer ofthe^ ;pet;i!tioners. / ' , Could there be a more glorious non sequitur ? Ayrshire is, a capita- farming district, and, therefore, the Southland Govern merit ought to assist the Girvan hand-loom weavers to emigrate ! There are good farmers in Ayrshire, therefore the hand-loom weavers from the, same locality are good farmers ! That is the opening argument of a series, intended to settle the question beyond dispute that we should be neglecting the best interests of the province in not bringing out these men without delay. It certainly would be a "most graceful act" to render assistance to these unfortunate people, but the duty of a Government, we take it, lies more in the discharge of well-recogiiistd duties than in the performance of generous actions ; and I unless it can be shown that these operatives are pre-eminently qualified for a colonial life, we see no reason why they should have the preference over the inhabitants of other districts equally distressed and equally desirous of emigrating. But our contemporary tells us that they are so qualified. He says they, the hand-loom weavers, can make roads, and *' some of them might be found capable of giving us a lesson in this most essential undertaking to the prosperity of any new country A' Be very careful, O ye spoilers of our highways, the Southland Neivs will import handloom weavers to do your work j for you ! Tbe next argument used by I this writer is beautiful in its mild simplicity. He has heard somewhere that hand-loom and stocking weavers in England have, under certain circumstances, proved themselves good gardeners, and he draws the inference that the weavers in Ayrshire are also good gardeners. '' If this [referring to the ! carrying off of prizes] can be done by the weavers in the Midland Counties of England, surely it can also be done by the men of Ayrshire.'' Had he said that these Girvan men were noted horticulturalists, and quoted his authority, we could have understood him ; but his sentence, as it stands, verges on the absurd. The reasoning it is supposed to contain is something after this manner — *' We want good gardeners in Southland. The weavers in the Midland Counties are good gardeners. The weavers of Girvan have equally good opportunities, therefore they are good gardeners and should be assisted to emigrate to Southland !" "We are next told that by reason of their mixed occupation of agriculturalist and manufacturer their minds will be found to be '* far more active and acute,'' and we are asked to believe that they would do the state some service as legislators. And, lastly, comes the crowning argument. "The petitioners, in all probability, are men with large families," and it would be so very comfortable for them to bring out their wives and children, as, under those circumstances, " expatriation is deprived of almost all its sting.'' The fact is that "one of our oldest settlers" has had the editor of the Southland News by the button hole, and effectually crammed him into believing that Girvan hand loom weavers are necessary for the salvation of the Province. They shall rear large families — they shall make roads — they shall make laws — they shall plant cabbages — and live long and happily under the protecting wing of their good friend of " the Manchester school" who so eloquently pleaded their cause with the editor of the Southland News. Before all this comes to pass, it would, perhaps, be as well to inquire seriously whether bona fide agricultural laborers might not be more suitable for the requirements of the Province. We think they would, and huve no hesitation in expressing an opinion that the jmblic money of the colony might be employed to far greater advantage than in bringing out Girvan hand - loom Weavers. If, however, it should appear that these people would make excellent colonists, we must still object to any one locality being singled out as the sole recipient of whatever public money Southland may have to expend on immigration. There are places, both in England and Ireland, with populations suffering from poverty quite as much as the men of Girvan.

Those of the learned gentlemen of Southland, whose ambition takes the form of wigs? will have their souls high aspirings somewhat damped by the following extract f t om the letter of the Daily Times "own correspondent" for Canterbury, dared at Christchurch, the 15th July. — " Are solicitors (being barristers of the Supreme Court) entitled to wear wigs ? This knotty point was brought to an issue during the late Civil Sessions by the appearance of an eminent solicitor in horse hair. It was thought at first that Mr Justice Gresson would refer a point so '-vitally affecting the privileges of the subject to a full Bench of- Judges, but ultimately his Honor decided that although solicitors certainly were allowed to act as barristers, yet as no legislative Act had hitherto awarded t}° solicitors hirsutory ornaments, he must order the learned gentleman to remove the article ih question." A local contemporary denies this — saying that his Honor reserved the point for the consideration of a full Bench of Judges. ' Our contemporary has sources of information unknown to the general public — meantime, however, we earaiot question the veracity of the Times correspondent, even in the face of an assertion by so g -eat an authority as the Southland News.

; ; ' 'iutur^ governors/ is presently lSeir^irasidef efit in^l'asm'^^VParliament. <|"h| |resen| . coi'l'-^Of . they|(dvemof^i eßta^lis^raent., i^ t|timated a^-£l2,mQ^,7o6^oi^»^ £1.500 allowances. Itis contemplated to fixthe salary at £4,000.

: The Otago* Provincial Balance Sheet^for the half year ending 31st March, published in the Gqzeife pl.t\i4 22nd jilt.^ estima^s the ! total revenue of, the Pj*Qyince_,for the half year at £1*77;615 and the total' expenditure £}7L546V of which £10,792 was unauthorised expenditure.

T The 7 Provincial Government Gazette of Otago mentions l;4Bßlacres as 'the extent of Rural Lands sold during 'April, and the amount realised £1,488. During May, 1,892 acres for £2,022. During the month of June 1,1 IS acres, for £1,118. One section containing . three perches in the township of Lawrence, fetched at the rate of L 213 6s. Bd. per acre. It appears to liave been blowing " great guns" at the Lake on Friday, the 24th ult. The Wakatip Mail says: — "The heavy wind that prevailed throughout the whole of yesterday, and which swept impetuously down from the head of the Lake, set not a few of our can-vas-housed townsmen on the gui vive for the safety of their dwellings, which in several instances showed symptoms of approaching dissolution. The steamor Victoria arrived j here about noon after a very rough passage ,- but the Expert, arriving later, received the greatest share of the storm, which was lacing with all its fury at the time of her arrival. Many eyes were directed towards the gallant liltle craft, rolling and tossing about in a most alarming manner, but steaming manfully on towards its destination. At last she got within the reef, and though the Lake was extremely rough and boisterous even there, the relief she experience was apparent to all. Her cabin presented the most dismal sight imaginable after her arrival, for she had on board several passengers, among whom may be mentioned many well known on this township, and all were suffering from mai de mer in its most disagreeable form. The Victoria, which was advertised to start for the head of the Lake, apparently considered she had had enough for one day, and preferred remaing behind. The Alexandra started in the forenoon for the same destination, but wisely returned ; and all the steamers remained quietly at anchor for the remainder of the day. The Expert brought the Invercargill mail, but that from Dunedin had not arrived at the time she loft Kingston."

For designs for the new Wesleyan church about to be erected in Christchurch. the first premium has been awarded to Messrs. Crouch and Wilson, of Melbourne, and the second to Mr C- S. Fan-, of Christchurch.

Ry a recent return issued from the War Office, the number of troops serving in New Zealand is fixed at 5558.

i The Nelsoji Examiner publishes an addition to the ornithology of New Zealand in the following extract: — "A bird not hitherto ! known in New Zealand has been discovered in the district of the Karamea by a party working on the roads in connection with Mr Rochfort. The party which at the time was under the superintendence of Mr Morris the overseer, was engaged felling a tree about 40 feet high. It broke about two-thirds from the ground, and two small birds rolled out in an apparently stupified condition. It was supposed they were hybernating, but the general nature of a New Zealand winter is opposed to this idea. The birds, male and female, are smaller than a wren, with long legs (about three inches; long claws— the i claws of a regular creeper — eyes deep sunk and scarcely visible in the daylight ; bill I straight, adapted for picking bisects from under the hark of trees. The cock's plumage was green on the wing, with light drab on the breast, and rather darker drab on the tail and wingcovers ; hen, a mottled drab all over. The birds evidently belong to the class of nocturnal creepers, and as yet, we believe, have not been found in New Zealand, their habits rendering their discoveryamatter of difficulty hitherto. Unfortunately, sufficient care was not taken to preserve them. While in a state of sleep, one was wrapped loosely in a woollen shirt, and the other placed in a small box. When dusk came on, the former got out of the shirt and flew away, and some one incautiously opening the box which contained the other, it too escaped — their waking time having come with the night. Mr Burgoyno, tho contractor for the gratings for the side wolks in Tay-street, is pushing the work rapidly ahead. He is, however, laboring under considerable disadvantage, as the timber cannot be snpplied as quickly as required. For a distance along the south side of Tay-street, and a part of the north side, the grating is finished, and the change from the old state of mud is thoroughly appreciated by the business men of luvercargill. During Divine Service at the Church of England on Sunday last, the Rev. Mr Tanner was compelled to stop and request that such of his congregation as owned dogs would chain them up before coming to Church, or, at all events, prevent them coming inside the building. Wedjave referred t« this disgraceful practice on a former occasion. Next time we will name tho owners of the offending animals. The imperfect nature of the Police Court accommodation was sufficiently evident yesterday. The little rookery was crowded to excess, and spite the season of the year, the heat and stiviness excessive, a larger Court House ia an absolute necessity. The bucolic population will be interested in tho following paragraph from the Nelson Colonist, which promises steam ploughs for New Zealand :— "Most ot'our readers are aware that some time ago Mr Redwood sent home to England for one of the Messrs Fowler's steam ploughs, containing all the latest improvements. This advanced agricultural implement, is we believe, now on its way oat to this Province, whence it will be transhipped for the Wairau, where Mr Redwood possesses a line tract of perfectly flat land, every way adapted for working by the steam p lough. This plough of Mr Redwood's is, we believe, tho first of the kind which shall cross the line, and, the enterpising outlay thus made is not the only instance of steam plough purchase for the colony of New .Zealand. A. corrospondet in Edinburgh writes us saying that 'Mr Holmes, a large landholder inthe Province of Otago, is at present in buying cattle from our b«st Scottish breeders, to 6end put to New Zealand. He has paid jhigh prices for well-bred animals, and wo are informed will pay a long price per head for the passage money of each animal. The same gentleman intends taking j out wifch him two steam ploughs of Fowler's manufacture."

•V A me'etingof the I n vefcargilr.-Tbtiil Abstinence' jSwictyM^-^iraounced '" to -take'pjace onVMondayi ■^exfc, at 7%iamA I A*iAA A "AA A fcv| I|l RosenttoPs|nlevi^?Musi ■JseeS&ee£'. iwllbe opiec^cto^ the Engli'slT Opera Company^ shouldVtbey be 5 thus soon enabled to return troM Riverton* They havo already established an excellent reputation, so^there-is^no^need'to^suggesfc^patronage.' >The< new hall, as far as acoustic properties are~~cony icemed, is excellently adapted for concerts. The two sunny clays, which have just gladdened Invercargill with a vision of spring, created V a?po- J pulation j.scarcely, ..dreamed ot. The | principal thoroughfares ''• wereV iri ' the afternoons almost' crowded ; and the unaccustomed flitting about of numbers of the fairer portion of the community gave the town ah appearance rather less desblafe and forlorn than usual. "-* ' [ The Clerk to the R-nch at Invercargill,. John, • Hare, Esq., has been appointed by his Excellency the Governor, Returning Officer for Provincial' Elections for tho Electoral Districts of Invercargill' and Waihopai. Under the auspices of the Provincial Purveyor, levels are being taken and the ground flagged out, for a tramway between the wharf and Puni Greek', On this tramway, Mr Davies 'railway, will be tried before proceeding with the greater work; It is to be a permanent tramway, and might be made very useful, if the govcrment approve, in conveying metal to town froni the wharf. It might, with advantage, bo extended even into some of the public streets. A new Presbyterian Church has beenopened at Hawkesbury, Otago, upon a site presented by Mr John Jones. The Rev. John Christie is to be the j minister of the new mission. In regard to the amount of timber mentioned j in the report of the Town Board meeting, as being supplied by Mr Burgoyne, instead of the figures 2 or 3000, read 80 or 90,000. Two men narrowly escaped death by drowning, or in the language of cheap literature, " a watery grave," at the Bluff, on tho uight of the 30th ult. Arthur Older and William Arribin had put out alongside the T. E. Millidge, when their boat capsized. There was a man-rope over the ship's side, which Older seized. He was for a timo in great peril, as the current was running very strong. However, by the exertions of the first mate, Mr Walker, he was hauled on board. Meantime Arribin was hanging on the gunwale of the capsized boat, in momentary expectation of being washed away. His critical position was observed from the Millidge, a boat lowered, and by the exertion of Mr P. Newbald, he was picked up at a considerable distance astern of the ship. Neither of the men appeared to havo suffered from anything more serious than fright. At the first news of the accident, the police sergeant of the district at once proceeded to the locus.

Itis amusing to note the length of time which is required to get a newly arrived vessel, even a steamer, alongside the Jetty notwithstanding the facilities afforded. On Sunday last the William Miskin passed three quarters of an hour within twenty yards of the head of the pier, alternately grounding, fouling her screw an I boarding the unfortunate craft in her vicinifcv. There was a perfect hurricane of coniheting orders " Back her," roars a man on board ; " Ease her," cries a man on the Jetty ; " Haul off," shou.s out one ; " come on," bellows another ; and so the Miskin swayed hither and thither for nearly an hour, vainly attempting to make the wharf. Surely a vessel cau best be commanded by one man and that man on board.

It will be seen from the Australian and Neio Zealand Gazette that a naval court assembled on board her Majesty's ship Victory, at Portsmouth, ou the 27th April, for the tria 1, pro forma, of Lieutenant Charles Hill and the surviving officers and crew of her Majesty's ship Orpheus at present in England, for the recent loss of that ship on the bar of Manukau Harbor, New Zealand. The court was composed of Captain Scott, of her Majesty's ship Victory .President; Captains Wainwright, Cumniing, Phillimore, Cliamberlain, and Scecombe. After hearing a mass of evidence, the finding was read by the Deputy Judge-Advooate. It set forth that her Majusty's ship Orpheus was lost by striking on the bar of Manukau Harbor on the day named when going over it in the absence of pilot boats — that no blame whatever y as attached to Commodore Burnett, C. 8., or any of her officers and erew — that tbe conduct of every elFicer, seaman, and marine, man and boy, on board, was deserving of the very highest praise — and that Lieutenant Hill and the officers and crew of her Majesty's late ship Orpheus were, therefore' fully and honorably acquitted. Lieutenant Hill was then called to tbo table and presented with his sword. The President observed that the duty he had to perform waa gratifying to him, and that he only expressed the feelings of the entire court when he said they felt the sword could not be entrusted to bettor and more worthy hands.

A dead horse has for some time been ornamening a highway adjacent to town ; and there, has been lying rotting! and none have been found so charitable as to give it christian burial. The police, however, have determined to perform for it the last offices ; and to-day, under the auspices of a constable, (the solitary mourner) dust wilj be consigned to dust.

The Southland Provincial Government Gazette of the 29th ultimo, proclaims a new Educational District, bounded on the cast and west by the Aparirna River. A proclamation is re-published from the General Government Gazette, extending the jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate's Court at Invercargill to £100. A memorial is published from the Girvan Hand-loom Weaver's Association for general information ; and an intimation is given by the poundkeeper as to an impounded bay horse.

Death from "Wearing Cbinoline. — Mr Bedford held an inquest at St. George's Hospital- on the body of Eliza Wright, aged seven years. James Neal, of No. 1, Ashton Buildings, Battersea, said that the deceased ran up to his room with her clothes all on fire, crying, out. •' Oh put it. out; put it but.'" The witness extinguished the flames; as speedily as possible, and she then said that she was breaking a piece of coal at the fire when her dress ignited. It also appeared that deceased had, during her mother's absence, put on a crinoline, which was the cause of the accident. The deceased was taken to the hospi- , taV -where she expired on the following day. Mr William Hope, the house surgeon, said he saw the deceased when she was' admitted. She was severely burnt on the neck, face, breast, and lower parts of the body, as- also on the left leg and foot. She was suffering great pain. She never rallied, but died from collapse, produced l»y the burns and the shock. The jury returned the folloSving verdict— . '•Accidental death, caused by wearing crino- : line." " " Lieutenant ' Cavendish Gore Haryey of, the. Coast-guard js tup Blenheiin,_6o, at. Milford, was tried at Plymouth by Court-martial on the charge of " incapacity in the performance i-of his duty/ and was sentenced to be dis- 1 charged from the service. ;- The Spring drills at Aldershott have been' progressing most satisfactorily, ■, owing to ..the J favorable weather during the past week. The inspection of brigades by their brigadiers will commence early in May, and the review season about the middle of the same month. The editor of an Irish paper brags that two accidents have just occurred in his family— a boy and a gill.