THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2146, 19 November 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1875.

We have had two addresses, one by word of mouth, one in the form of pamphlet, by two superintendents, or as we suppose we may now say ex-superintendents of ■Nelson and Otago. Mr Macandrew gives utterance to his views in a publication entitled " An Address to the People of Otago," and what these views are we may gather from the extracts which the Press Agency have telegraphed to us. Following almost in the footsteps of-Mr Stout in his address to the electors of Caver- ; sham, Mr Macandrew says —"My opinion leans strongly towards at least two provinces in each island." This "at least," of course, may mean that there should be altogether the " four or five provinces " which, according to Mr Stout, might result in our having a g"ood Government, or it may mean that we should still have nine as at present. In either case it.means provincial institutions in some form or otherfand seems to imply that if provincialists can't get nine embodiments of their pet theory of what a governing body ought to be, they will be content with four, but that provincialism in some form or other they will have; for nothing less, according to Mr Macandrew, will for years to come be satisfactory either on the ground of economy or efficiency. Now in all these addresses, as far as they have gone, there is one striking feature, and that is that no matter who the speaker may be, Separationist or Provincialist, not one of them has ventured to propose to continue things exactly as they are. We heard a good deal during the progress of the Abolition Bill—both from Sir George Grey and others, who, like him, waxed righteously indignant at the " liberties" of the people being interfered with—about the colony being provincialists at heart, and that if the question •were relegated to constituents they would infallibly declare themselves in favor of maintaining that form of federation which emanated from Sir George Grey, whilome Governor ofthese Islands/and which he declared to be the bulwark of constitutional freedom. . Now, however, that the time has come in which trial may be -j made of. these voices of the people, it would seem a3 if the great and small of the Opposition alike shirk the question which they clamoured to have decided, and

by putting forward separation as a stalk" ing horse, and making much of the undoubted misdeeds and shortcomings of the Government that is, seem rather to endeavour to blind the eyes of the communities to the question really at issue, and instead of trying the battle on the broad grounds of whether Provincialism or Abolition, pure and simple, be the better, resort to divers shifts and subterfuges, which they hope may end in binding more firmly on us under another name the miserable form of a federal Government yclept Provincialism. As regards Mr Macandrew and his address, we can only say what we have before said of Mr Stout and his address, that it is no use disguising measures the same in principle by another name ; but that if Provincialism be good, by all means let us have it, and have it moreover, in as widely extended a form as possible ; if it be not good, why do away with it in its entirety, not only by reducing nine provinces to "at least two in each island," but by abolishing it root and branch as an unnecessary encumbrance. This question of whether of the twain it is better 'for this Colony to choose, we, like Sir George Grey, are quite willing that its people should decide,* only let them have the question plainly set before them and then decide' thereon. r.Half measures, are .only-advisable when whole measures cannot be ventured ©n, arid it is for the people to say whether they will be content with the half when the whole. is in their power. Somewhat after the fashion of Messrs. Eeilor & Co., of Dundee, who advertise their marmalade as an excellent substitute for butter at breakfast, the Opposition leaders — especially Sir George Grey, who telegraphed to this district imploring the people to suspend their decision — spoke a great deal of the excellent substitute which they were going to provide. From all we can see that substitute, takes the form of Separation, and as the result of trying Messrs. Keilor's substitute is that one generally eats both butter and marmalade, a result eminently uneconomical, so the result, if we tried the Opposition substitute, would be that we should have both Provincialism, Separation, and, moreover, a General Government in addition, which would certainly be the reverse of saving. Mr Curtis' speech, almost the first we have upon the other side of the question, seems to have been both temperate and judicious. We use not this word temperate because he enunciated views which seem to us desirable, but because, from the chief points telegraphed to us, Mr Curtis seems neither to have descended into abuse of the opposite party, nor to have unjustly eulogised his own. As is natural in one who voted with the Government in the question of Abolition, Mr Curtis does not consider that any new institutions in the way of governing bodies are necessary, but that it will be sufficient "to enlarge the powers, pecuniary resources of municipalities and road boards, and to place other functions such as education, &c, in the hands of Boards, and so to bring about an expansion of the present institution." Surely if these views are carried out, neither Sir George Grey or anyone else can say that the liberties of the people, in being allowed to govern themselves, are interfered with. Surely it is more just that the powers of our own municipal bodies, road boards, &c, in this district, - should be amplified, so that we could manage our own affairs, and remedy our own grievances, and supply our own wants—of which we are naturally the best judges—than that we should be compelled to appeal for aid to Auckland for every pound of our own money we may require to construct a new bridge, or form a road to open up our district. These are matters which no Provincialist can gainsay. Disguise the matter how they will —call it by what name they choose—the real desire in the hearts of all who call themselves Provincialists is to be able, from one petty centre of population, to manage the affairs of outlying districts to their own aggrandizement and the others' hurt. This is what it must and will come toj whether it be done on the large scale which the present system of Provincialism allows, or whether it be somewhat docked by patiently submitting to have " at least two provinces in each island," which Mr Macandrew thinks necessary.

We hear it is now definitely settled that there will be a cricket match at Coromandel oa November 30th between the Thames and Coromandel Cricket Clubs.

Mr fl. Eawden's tender for removal of boiler and engine from Tarafu to Coromandel has been accepted. The plant is to be re-erected on the Union Beach claim.

It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns that the performance tendered by the Thames Dramatic Club in aid of the Thames Hospital Demonstration Fund will take place on the day originally fixed upon, viz., Friday, 26th inst., and not on Ist proximo as stated in yesterday's issue; which statement, we may mention, was inserted by request.

We are glad to learn that an arrangement has been come to by which the clashing of Tararu and Parawai races will be avoided. Mr J. Wilson of Tararu having returned from Auckland a meeting of subscribers to the Tararu race fund was held, yesterday evening at the Pacific Hotel. After some discussion it was agreed to assent to a proposition formerly made, and toss up with the Parawai Committee to settle which district should have the first day's racing. The Parawai Committee having agreed to this, Mr Wardell tossed for Parawai, and Mr Stewart for Tararu, the latter won, and therefore the races will be held at Tararu on December 28th, and at Parawai on the following day. The money collected by the Tararu Committee is to be spent at Tararu, and

that collected by the Parawai Committee at Parawai. Gentlemen from each committee were elected to choose Stewards.

Captain Simonds opened a sitting of the Lands Court at the American Theatre at ten o'clock this morning. There was a good number of natives present, but no interpreters or advisers, the latter not being allowed, we believe, to practice in the Court under the amended Act. The Natives have now to fight out their own causes, with, of course, tho assistance and guidance of the Court. The cases before Captain Symonds are rehearings.

Should the weather permit, the cricket match Grahamstown v. Shortland will be resumed to-morrow. It may be remembered that Grahamstown hare four wickets to fall, and are three runs ahead of their opponents. There is nothing in the present state of the game which prevents the finish being close and exciting, especially as it is not probable that Shortland, will have a repetition of the bad luck which they experienced in their first innings. The game is to commence at 2 p.m., and if punctuality be strictly observed, there is no reason why tho match should not be played out. It all depends on this. If players will come late, and cut to waste much valuable time, they must be content with drawn games, however unsatisfactory they may deem them.

A Dunedin telegram to the Auckland Star says :—Humour has been very busy as to the cause of Mr Copelaud's death. Yesterday it was openly reported ho made: away with himself, but there is no foundation for the statement. The Guardian publishes the following medical certificate :— " Mr Copeland has, for some: time pjast, been suffering from nervous exhaustion brought on by business anxiety, and his death, though somewhat sudden, was therefore not unexpected." The Times says that he died of a broken heart induced by business reverses; and the Star guardedly says the cause of death is reported to be inflamation of the lungs.

Wollomai, the winner of tlie Melbourne Cup, is a six-year old bay horse, belonging to Mr H. Sharp. AVollumai ran with varying success as a three and four-year old. The following is a recapitulation of his performances as a five-year old, which, it will be seen, are of a highly creditable nature: —At 5 years—V.B.C. Spring: second in Hotharn Handicap, 1| mile and a distance, 6st lllb, won by Newbold, 7st9lb, with Fugleman, 7st9lb, Neotsfield, 7st 51b, and Benjiroo, 7st 31b, dead heat for third place; nowhere in Free Handicap, If mile and a distance, 7st 7-Mb, "won by Hero, 6st 41b, Newbold, BstlOlb, second, Imperial, 7st2lb. Y.R.C. New Year's Day : won Midsummer Handicap, If mile, 6st 51b, 3m 13s, Lurline, Bst 31b, second, Newbold, Bst 101b, third. Geelong : nowhere in Gold Cup, 2 miles, 7st 91b, won by Melbourne, 7st 21b, Haricot, 7st 101b, second, M'Callum Mohr 7st 121b, third; nowhere in Geelong Handicap, 1\ mile, 7st 91b, won by Calumny, 7st 51b, Light of Day, 7st, second, Lurline, Bst 71b, third. V.E.C. Autumn: nowhere in Brunswick Stakes, 1| mile, 7st 10lb, won by Calumny, Bst lib; Lurline, Bst 101b, second, Benjiroo, 7st lllb, third ; second in Australian Cup, 2£ mile, 7st 51b, won by Lurline, Bst lib; Benjiroo, 7st, third. Kyneton: second in Kyneton Handicap, If mile,'7st 91b, won by Calumny, Bst 81b, Lapidist, 7st 71b, third. Warrnambool: won Warrnambool Cup, 2 miles Bst 4lbs, 3ni 425, K-incra-chnie, sst 121b, second ; Merry Maid, 6st 21b, third ; won Hotelkeepers' Handicap, 1| mile, Bst 81b, 2m 43s ; Merry Maid, 6st lllb, second, Fairy, 7st 121b, third.

A Napier paper says :—" There was a narrow escape from drowning on Saturday morning last. The nephew of the B>ev. J. Campbell was bathing from the beach in front of the gaol, when he was observed by a warder and several of the prisoners to be carried out to sea, and to be in an exhausted condition. The youth was seen to sink twice, when one of the prisoners, regardless of those consequences that brought Haley's career to a sudden termination, rushed down the hill, dived through the breakers, and swimming out Bayed the life of the boy. This gallant conduct deserves recognition, and we hope the prisoner's action will tend to the mitigation of his sentence."

A singular and melancholy mortuary relic was lately exhibited at a private soiree in Paris. It is the handkerchief which the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico held in his hand at the moment of his execution. It had evidently belonged to the Empress Carlotta, as it is a woman's handkerchief of a small size, of the finest fabric, bordered with Mechlin lace, and bearing the arms of the Empress embroidered in one corner. At the moment that he fell, his fingers closed convulsively upon the handkerchief, which is spotted with the blood that flowed from a wound in the; wrist. This mournful token of conjugal affection and misguided and betrayed ambition belongs' to Don Andres de Valdejo-irpna, a; wealthy Mexican gentleman. At Eangiora, a week or two ago, when a train was expected from Oxford, what was the surprise of the people in waiting to see the guard's van coming along by itself. Such was, however, actually the case. The train had met with an accident and the engine driver had come along with the van, aided solely by the north-west gale and the gradient of the line. He had collected ail the mails on the route, and had made the journey in ten minutes less tinie than the locomotive;

On dit that the London Times has agreed to pay £200 per despatch for the telegraphic transmission from India of its correspondent's communications during the visit of the Prince of Wales to that country. A widow of 70 years died in Portsmouth the other day, the truth of whose life was stranger than any fiction. At the ape of 15 she married the choice of her heart, a young sea captain, and after a brief and happy honeymoon, he left her for a foreign voyage. But his ship was never heard from, and doubtless foundered at sea, with all oti board. The young husband, as he was dressing for sea on the morniDg he left home, playfully threw a pair of stockings backwards over his head, to test some sailor's charm or other, and they chanced to land on the top of a canopy bedstead, he remarking, " Sarah, let them stay there till I come back." And many and many a long year they have lain, but alas ! he never returned. But neither love, nor hopes, nor expectations ever died out in her faithful heart during all the years of her lonely pilgrimage. To the last, whenever a door opened, or a step was heard approaching, she turned to see if it might not be he whom she mourned and sought. But he never came again to her—let us hope, and trust that she has gone to him. By her desire she was buried in her wedding dress, with white gloves and weddingring. .

" Once a Week "—a first-class Home publication—has the following, which a contemporary very properly styles " a hint worth taking : " —A wealthy London merchant is reported as having said 'I always feel happy when I am advertising, for then I know that walking or sleeping, I have a strong, though silent, orator working for me—one who never .tires, never .sleeps^ never makes mistakes, arid; who is certain to address the dealers from whom if at all my trade must come." • ■■'.-

In Sicily newspapers are obliged to have a responsible gerant just as in some of the western States of America a fighting editor is said to be kept in the printing office. But all that is required of an Italian gerant is that he should be a citizen of the country, of full age, and able to sign his name. He need not know how to read. The ordinary duties of his office are to sweep the premises, to light the lamps and to run errands for the paper. The salary varies from tenpence to half'a-crown a day, with extra allowances for the time he passes in prison. Jn spite of these advantages, however, the situation appears to be held lightly in Palermo, and the same person is gerant for five or six papers of different views. It happened some days since, says the foreign correspondent of a London paper, that a journal published false news, for which the gentleman engaged for the purpose was condemned to imprisonment. It did not save him to plead that the paper which had contradicted this erroneous information likewise bore his signature. To gaol the gerant went, and^h& 'absence caused a *dreadful~perturbation, for nearly all the journals of Palermo had to cease appearing until they could find another person to undertake the responsibilty of their vagaries.

DuKiNa'a recent voyage of the ; steamship Royal Dane, from Copenhagen to Newcastle-on-Tyne, a serious accident occurred to Miss Fry, the stewardess. The sea was rough, and as she was going up some steps to the poop, the boat took a lurch, and Mi3s Fry fell into the sea. The accident caused great commotion on board, and it was expected that she would be drowned before assistance reached her, the vessel being under full steam at the time. A boat was got out from the steamer as soon as she could be stopped, and was fully manned and pulled back to where Miss Fry was last seen. She was found comfortably floating on her back when the boat reached her, and not much the worse for her immersion. She stated that after she was thrown into the water she pulled her boots off and swam for some time. She then waited quietly until the boat picked her up. Mi<;s Fry belongs to a famous Tynemouth family of swimmers, and she is considered one of the best female swimmers on the North-East Coast.