West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 608, 5 September 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPT. 5, 1867.

Oujr evening contemporary, adopting its favorite tactics of endeavoring to make a little political capital out of the West Coast Timzs by provoking us to reply to something or other contained in its columns, indulges in a furious triade in which the want of argument is supplied by the use of strong language Its sense of propriety it seems is utterly shocked at the publicity given to the way in which men have exercised an important public trust. We have sinned agoinst all the rules of jour nalisin,and all the d ictates of morality : shamefully abused the power of the press; been guilty of a delinquency, violated confidence, disclosed the secrets of the polling booth, and proved ourselves to be persons so wicked as to be capable of publishing private letters, retailing all the scandal which is whispered abroad, and of invading the sanctity of domestic life.

There is a specimen of grandiloquent indignation for you! And for what forsooth? Because, we suppose, some gentleman or other feels annoyed at its being found out that he had not voted as he said he had, or, after faithfully pledging himself to one candidate, went into the polliug-house and voted for the other, under the false impression that the system of vote by ballot was established iv New Zealand. It might be quite sufficient for us to say, in reply to this rhodomontade, that in publishing a simple and legitimate matter of news, the thought never occurred to us that we were exposing any secrets, or that in fact any one of the two hundred and fifty-three electors who polled was either ashamed or afraid to let it be known in whatway his vote had been recorded. As to the " attempt to prejudice theelectors who voted against Mr Bonar," that insinuation is a mere piece of claptrap. The supporters of each candidate had an equal right to exercise their own judgment, and on both sides will be found men of equal integrity and intelligence. Had we doubted for a moment that Mr Prosser's supporters were, as much as Mr Bonar's, men who took their course from a conviction of its being the right course — we should have spared ourselves the trouble of try in .»• by argument to convince them, and win the mover to our own side. But the imputation of malicious motives renders it necessary that we should make some further observations.

In New Zealand there is no secret of the polling booth to be divulged, because there is no secrecy whatever, and theirs is intended to be no secrecy, in the mode of voting prescribed by law.

With one important exception, tho system is similar to that pursued in England. There,"at an open counter or table in the presence of as many persons as can conveniently gather within earshot, the elector publicly declares for whom he votes, the name being recorded simultaneously by the Pollclerk, and the clerks of the several candidates who are allowed to be present. It appeared to the collective wisdom of New Zealand that elections might be better conducted, if the state of the poll at different peviods of the day were not allowed to be divulged. To secure this, votes are taken in a room in the presence only of the Returning Officer, the poll clerk, and the scrutineers, or agents of the candidates But the votes of the electors are openly taken viva voce, and each elector afterwards records his vote in his own writing. The lists of the votes taken by the scrutineers present,become their property at the close of the poll, and there is no secrecy about the matter at all.

The principle of the ballot or secret voting is not likely to meet with favor in the legislation of New Zealand, pining the present session a resolution in support of it was introduced by MiReynolds, but it was opposed 'with great force of argument and ultimately withdrawn. In the Municipal Bill the system of open voting supersedes that of ballot as provided by certain Provincial ordinances. The mind of the colony— so far as it may be gathered from the acts and votes of the legislature — is settled on this point. Men who affect to consider the publication of a polling-list a violation of confidence, should go in for the Ballot — a mode of voting, which we are free to confess we think by no means desirable, under an electoral system so, largely disqualifying as the one that prevails in New Zealand. The object in this colony appears to have been to exclude as many persons as possible from electoral privileges. The number of men legally qualified to vote at the present election was absurdly small, compared with the number who were equally interested in the contest. What is the real position under such circumstances of the elector who is legally qualified ? Undoubtedly he exercises a public trust. He is acting not for himself alone, but for a large number of others, and no public trust ought to bo otherwise than publicly exercised. The people at large have a right to know in what way the votes are given of those whom a jealous legal system has allowed to pass through the labyrinth of its technicalities.

But there is another consideration that justifies the publication of pollinglists. The practice may be found necessary to the interests of politicalmorality. We had not supposed, in publishing the list yesterday, that we should offend any on this ground ; and it is a m itter for deep regret to find that much of the angry feeling which we are told exists is attributable to the fact of the disclosure of violated promises. We will say nothing more on this point than that pledges to a candidate to give him support, and see him through the contest in which he is encouraged to embark on the faith of these promises, should be held inviolate ; and it is not for those who fail so to regard them to complain, if the real facts of the case come out, as the result of a"publication designed for other purposes, fn this particular case it appears there have been such breaches of faith on both sides. It is not one candidate alone who has to complain of them. The interests of each suffered more or less from the same cause.

If, however, it is necessary to assign a special reason for the publication of this list, we do not hesitate to say that we adopted that course chiefly, if not wholly, because it was iv various directions broadly and openly asserted that a large number of fa«got votes had been polled ; and that men were permitted to vote and rejected who had equal qualifications, according to tho side on which their vote, was tendered. That was an asertion that required to be tested — to be submitted to the readiest as well as the severest ordeal ; and no device was at hand so simple and so convenient, as to publish the bona fide list of votes as they stood recorded. It was surely not for us to assume that men had reasons why their part in t'iis contest should be involved in any mystery.

The new " Code of Regulations for the Provincial Government officers of the Province of Canterbury" is published in the " Gazette" of the 29th ult. It sets out by declaring that " the departments of the Provincial Government are under the responsible charge of the following Executive officers : — The Provincial Secretary, the. Secretary for Public Works, and the Secretary for the Goldfields" ; and it notifies that from and after the Ist day of September, 1867, ' ' all communications which it is necessary should be brought under the notice and consideration of the Government, must be addressed to those officers respectively as follows" * * " To the Secretary for the Goldfields on all matters relating to the Goldfields."

We are indebted to Messrs Spenee Brothers for late filos of Melbourne papers (to August 24), from which we learn that the M'Culloch Ministry had resigned, in conrequence of fche rejection of the Appropriation Bill by the Legislative Council, and that the hon. Mr Fellows had been sent for. The following paragraph from tho " Argus " gives the latest news on the subject : — " Up to the present time the crisis remains in statu quo. Nothing has been done towards the formation of a new Ministry. Tho Governor applied to Mr Fellows for advice under the extraordinary circumstances which havo arisen, but nothing further has been done. Some hon. members of the Opposition desire to obtain Mr O'Shanassy'e opinion on the bubject ; but he is out of town, and will not return until Monday. Mr Fellows has not yet attempted to form an Administration ; and it is not likely ho will do so without a distinot promise from the Governor that, should tht

present Assembly provo intractable, a dissolution will bo granted. It is said, however, that the Governor will grant no dissolution unless all parties are content to abide the result, and act as public opiuion thus expressed, shall dictate. It is pretty evident that no new Administration can hope for much I consideration at the hands of the present Assembly. At the meeting of Ministerial supporters hold yesterday, thirty-seven members were present, and apologies were received from nine others, who were prevented from attending. The general opinion expressed was a determination to support tho Ministry although no formal resolution was arrived at> and ultimately the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next, in order that a final course of action might then be determined upon."

It will be seen from a " Gazette" notice published below that Mr Joseph Beswick, the gentleman whom the author of "Jottings" pleasantly sketched in the " Despatch" of Saturday last, and who some time back paid a brief visit to the West Coast in company with the Superintendent as Secretary for Public Works, has been appointed Revising Commissioner of Ratepayers Rolls for the several Road Boards of the Province.

The following items of Mauritius news have been furnished to the " Melbourne Argus" by Captain George Black, of the barque HaUnah Nicholson, which has just arrived, after a capital run of twenty-eight days :— With regard to the sugar crop, Captain Black states that it will not be so early this season, in conseqence of the insufficiency of labor on the island; and, moreover, that next year's crop is expected to be short, if not a failure. The total number of deaths from fever up to the date of the Hannah Nicholson leaving was in round numbers 40,000.

Referring to our remarks upon the little notice tho Westland Separation movement seems to have excited in Canterbury, the "Press" says: — "But the fact of the matter is that this separation movement i 3 none of our business. We came to the conclusion long ago, before the present cry was raised on the West Coast) that Westlaud ought to ba divided from Canterbury and placed under a Government of its own. We gave our reasons for so thinking, and have never seen cause for altering our opinion. But now that the public of Westlaud have come to see the matter in the same light, we have nothing further to do than to wish them success in their endeavor to obtain separation —of which, however, as long as so much jealousy and opposition exist among the several districts, we see but faint prospect. The goldfields on the West Coast have been no gain to Canterbury, quite the reverse; she would bo better off at the present moment if they had never been discovered at all. All goldnolds are a source of expense to the country in which they are situated, but they are a source of immense profit as well ; whereas Canterbury has had nothing but the expense, and the profit has been enjoyed elsewhere. The goldfields have taken away population from this side of the province, have stopped its immigration, and abstracted a largo amount of revenue, while they have given nothing in return. When, therefore, Westland wishes to break off the connection it is not to be expected that we should raise any objection to the retirement of so expensive and so unprofitable a partner. We have too much to gain from Separation to feel the slightest desire to oppose it. We may indeed feel some uncertainty as to the future of the new Province. We may doubt the permanence of its resources ; we may be well aware that tho discovery of any Extensive goldfleld in the North Island — no improbable contingency — would empty it at once; we may doubt whether it has men capable of taking part in the work of government ; but these are questions of which Westland can judge for itself. If it is willing to try the experiment, by all means let it do so. We have performed our part in pointing out these difficulties, and suggesting other alternatives than that of being constituted a separate Province, but if Westland prefers to brave the risks of an independent career, we bid her lon voyage, glad to get rid of her as a partner, but as a neighbor wishing her all prosperity."

The new Police Barracks at the junction of Weld and Sewell streets, are rapidly approaching completion. The draining of the swamp is fast progressing, and the large stumps of trees which encumbered the ground will soon be cleared away. Yesterday a small building used as a lock-up was removed on wheels from the old police camp and brought down as far as the angle of Tancred and Weld streets, where it remained for the night. The new barracks when completed will of course do away with the use of the old camp, and will bo greatly superior as affording not only good office accommodation, but also comfortable quarters for the members of the force.

The excitement consequent on the recent election is rapidly passing away. Yesterday the town resumed its wonted business-like appearance, and men went about their ordiuary avocations as if nothing had previously occurred to interrupt the even tenor of their way. This is as it should be — the battle has been fought and won, a-nd the victors and vanquished have shaken hands, smoked the calumet, and buried the hatchet.

The " Hobart Town Mercury" states that whilst Mr Ramsbottom was engaged in running a neb across the river Plenty, for the purpose of intercepting a salmon, if possible, he captured a trout measuring 22i inches in length, and which, had it been in condition, would, according to Mr Rainsbottom's estimate' have weighed from 51bs to 61bs.

This evening the opening lecture of a serios in connection with the Hokitika Literary Society, will be delivered in the Court House by the Venerable Archdeacon Harper. The subject is " Memory and its usob," and from the well-known ability of tho lecturer, should the weather fine, a very large audience may be anticipated. We hail with much pleasure this movement on the part of the Literary Society which we hope to see progressing, as we regard it as the nucleus not only of a public library, but also of a literary and scientific institution for Westland.

The Christchurch coach arrived yesterday afternoon, shortly after 4 o'clock, with the following passengers :— Messrs Kier and Inwood booked all through ; Mr Parsons, from the Taipo; and one wayside passenger. The road is reported to be in splendid condition.

At a sitting of the Supreme Court, held in Christchuroh on Monday last, Mr Justice Greiion, in dtarging the' Gvand Jury, m»de

allusion lo the contemplated alterations in the Criminal and Insolvency Laws now before the Assembly. Fis Honor said :— " I desire to congratulate you, and the colony at large, upon the improvements which are being made iv the law during the present session of the General Assembly. I refer more especially to the criminal code, as to which our Legislature appears to be wisely following as closely as may bo the track of Imperial legislation. I am glad to perceive that there is a prospect of improvement also in our Bankruptcy laws aud that the principle appears to be recognised of leaving the management of bankrupt estates as much as possible to the creditors, and of only invoking the aid of the Supreme Court, for the determination of questions of law. Experience has proved that creditors will seldom venture to incur law expenses on their individual responsibility, and therefore overy facility should be given for obtaining united action on the part of creditors. It has been found that, in some case 3, they prefer losing their whole debt to incurring the small "ost of proving their claim. I trust that this fact will be borne in mind by the framers of the new act, and that "general forms will be provided whenever practicable."

A " Provincial Government Gazette " dated 28th ultimo, contains a notification by the Deputy-Superintendent— ■•" That lie has appointed Mr A. Blakiston to be tinder-Secre-tary for the Province of Canterbury, and Mr Joseph Beswick to be a Revising Commissioner of the ratepayers' roll for the road districts of the Province." A " Gazette "of the 29th ultimo publishes regulations for the Government officers of the Province, which are to take effect from the first day of September. By some of these regidations all communications made to the Government relating to the offices of the Provincial Treusurer and Provincial Solicitor, the police, gaols, hospitals, lunatic asylum, .sheep inspection, charitable aid, immigration, weights and measures, and education, are to be addressed to the Provincial Secretary. All communications on mattcJs relating to the administration of the goldfields, to the Secretary for the"Goldi fields ; and communications on all other matters to the Secretary for Public Works. Official letters are to be addressed to the Government officers by their official titles, and each letter must be confined to one subject. All Government offices are to be open, until further notice, from ten to five, except on Saturdays, and on Saturdays from ten to one. The Provincial Treasury will be open for payments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thurs* days, from ten to three, and on Saturdays from ton to twelve. No tender will be opened, or contract entered into, except by the authority of the Executive Council. No officer ef the Government will be alloWed to deal on his own account for stores with the men under his charge.

The nautical drama of " Black-eyed Susan" was performed at the City Theatre last evening. Mr W. G. Carey ably sustaining the character of " William," whilst Miss Marion Hartly was equally effective as " Susan." The very laughable burlesque of " The La£y of Lyons" followed, in which Mr Hyde, as "Pauline," and Miss Harriet Gordonj as " Claude Melnottej" literally convulsed the house with laughter. To-night, that' clever and painstaking actor, Mr Frank Towers, takes a benefit, the piece selected being " One Tree Hill," and the burlesque of "Cinderella." A very full house is anticipated.

For some time past rumors have been current in Ross of good finds in the Totara, and within the last few days a rush has set in. From the first of Westland's goldfields, the old Totara diggings has maintained a small population, and large gold has been found there, but the ground has been patchy. It appears now that a party who have been prospecting for some months have struck what they consider rich ground, and have applied for right to construct a head-race, and this has caused the present excitement. The situation is further up the river than any previous workings, and we believe a good field will be opened there. We Bhall be able to supply authentic information in a few days.

The " Hobart Town Mercury" contains the following intelligence relative to the proposed introduction to New Zealand of salmon from Tasmania : — " The Otago Acclimatisation Society, New Zealand, have forwarded to the Tasmanian Salmon Commissioners through Mr J. W. Graves the sum of Ll5O, being their contribution towards the experiments now bring carried on here for the acclimatisation of salmon and trout. This is veiy considerate of them, and the Salmon Commissioners will, no doubt, be in a position to return the compliment. A batch of trout ov.v was sent to Victoria the other clay, and another will now, we suppose, have to be sent to New Zealand. It 'seems, in fact, that there are two applications from New Zealand, one from Canterbury, and the other from Otago. Mr A. M. Johnstone, of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, is coming up for a supply for that Province, and will, we understand,^ be pre* pared to take down any for Otago that the Commissioners may have to spare. We have no salmon ova for distribution yet, although the salmon are spawning in the river."