West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1881.

West Coast Times, Issue 3749, 12 April 1881, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1881.

It is noticeable that several old New Zealand colonists at Home have been defending the financial position of this Colony, against the attacks made upon it in various quarters. It is almost needless to remind our readers that Major Atkinson, for purely petty and party reasons, sounded the key note for the chorus of abuse which has been poured upon the Colony. It is rare indeed that one finds a Cabinet Miuister descend to such a depth to vilify his opponents, and it is gratifying to believe that the financial Major must regret his impetuosity when he finds what a host of friends for New Zealand have come forward in her defence at Home. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, held in London in February last, Sir Edward Stafford spoke as follows :—": — " When you speak of the largeness of the debt and compare it with the amount of the population, you should consider the character of the population. Now, I say, taking man, woman, and child in New Zealand, and in the United Kingdom, the people in New Zealand are infinitely wealthier on the whole than those in the United Kingdom. It is true that we have got no Rothchilds or Baringß, although we have some persons there with £30,000 or £40,000 a year, but, at the same time, we have no poor rates, nor a large amount of hereditary paupers, as unfortunately you have in this country. It is true that latterly there have been meetings of the employed, and that the Government has given employment to the people at lower rates of wages. But I, from my knowledge and experience of the country, can say that while the great majority of these people who are unemployed in the towns could get work in the country if they chose to accept it, they prefer to remain in the town and take government work. Why one of the last papers I had from Zealand showed this curious fact, that while some hundreds of people were in the employment of the Government, making a railway towards the north from Canterbury, there was in the same paper an advertisement for carpenters at 12s a day wages, and that advertisement had been standing in the paper for some weeks and had apparently not been responded to. When we remember that the hours of labor in New Zealand are only 8 hours a day, I think we must say that an ordinary mechanic can not be in a very bad position when he refuses work the pay for which is Is 6d an hour."

The fact that New Zealand finance is not on a satisfactory footing is compatible with the foregoing remarks., We are not in the best of positions owing, firstly, to the impeachment of the Treasurer, and secondly to the singular method our Government has of dealing with financial matters, especially Treasury Bills of which we shall have eometing to say in a future issue. But there is a medium between good Government financial administration, and insolvency, and we are as far from being blessed with the first, as we are of being threatened with the second. It is pleasing to have to record the testimony of men like Sir E. W. Stafford, and Mr M'Mullen, General Manager of the Union Bank of Australia, who lately said that he had great faith in New Zealand's agricultural prospects, and thinks she will evidently outstrip the Australian Colonies and become the Great Britain of the South.

So far as can be learned at present, Messrs Seed and Batkin's recommendations to the Government contain proposals for amalgamations and reductions in the civil service of the North Island, which if adopted, will lead to a saving of £10)000 a year, in salaries alone. It is understood that the Department of Justice is, in the opinion of Meesrs Batkin and Seed, the most overgrown, and one which requires considerable pruning down. The former Royal Commisßion laid down general prinples, and the Batkin«Seed investigation descends into particulars. This is the reason the Government tells us, for the appointment of a second Commission. One objection to these perpetual commissions in their expense, and another is the disorganisation of the service, in

consequence of the state of worry and terror in which they keep the civil servants. There should bo finality in this matter for the Bake of the public, who wish the work they pay foi properly performed. There is room enough to cut down the number of our civil servants, for the service is still very much overgrown. Those who are retained should, however, ba paid decent salaries, and the country should not require officers to keep themselves out of debt and decently clothed, at salaries of £80 a year, less ten per cent. There are too many tolerably well paid officers in the service, who have very little work to do. We can name one department, the heads of which both at Wellington, and in many parts of the Colony, know next to nothing of the particular work of which they have got charge. Their time is occupied consequently in tormenting the workers, who do understand the technicalities of their business, and whose salaries are reduced to starvation point, in order that a few incapable and meddlesome persons may write reports on matters they do not understand. We hope Mesßi'B Batkin and Seed will suggest wise alterations and reductions to the Legislature. We are very much afraid, however, that their sympathies will be found to be with the highly paid •members of the service. They are two very old " Tite Barnacles " themselves. Should thay furnish a fair unprejudiced report, we shall be agroably disappointed. In the meantime, it would be wise for our local members of the civil service, to be prepared "to receive cavalry " at any moment.

The following are the acceptances for the Hokitika Handicap, to be run on Easter Monday : — York, The Field, Greyhound, Elfin King, Whalebone, Native and Warrigal The entries for the Trial Stakes, weight for age, are— York, Tout, and Hero; for the Ladies Purse — York, Hero, Native and Kensington. It will thus be seen that there is every prospect of large fields and good sportThe Club have arranged for a Hurdle Eace on the second day.

A special meeting of the Harbor Board wa s held from noon yesterday to one p.m. and an adjourned meeting at half past eight p.m. There were present the Hon. J. A. Bonar, (chairman; Messrs Hall, Hudson, Malfroy, the County Chairman, the. Collector of Customs, and the Mayor, and Messrs o'Con« nor and Martin, engineers. The meeting was called to consult with the engineers respecting the progress of the harbor works, c.nd the necessity or otherwise of certain contemplated works. With reference to the proposal to tar the training wall, Mr O'Connor thought that unless there was reason to apprehend decay, it would be better to postpone this until the work was out of the contractor's hands, or at least, for six months or so longer. Considerable discussion took piace with reference to the opening to the sea which some of the members of the Board considered was too wide. Mr O'Connor pointed out that it was originally designed 600 ft, which was the width Sir John Code desired. He thought it might be reduced but not to the extent of 200 ft. It was now 528 ft, and by the time the northern wall was extended it would be 440 ft. The width of the entrance would depend upon the distance the southern wall was taken out. Upon this question some discussion took place. It was stated it would bs necessary to extend the southern wall some 200 ft beyond the present contract. The Chairman thought it would be well to have this work done before the spring freshes came on. The engineers recommended that if reasonable amsugei ments could be made with the contractor, the additional 200 ft should be ordered to be completed by him. If no arrangements could be made, the Board would have to call for tenders. Mr Hudson proposed and Mr Hall seconded, a resolution which was carried, affirming the desirability of extending the south work 200ft, and requesting the engineer to confer with th? contractor and report to Board by next meeting. With regard to a site for a slip, Mr O'Connor considered the best position would be opposite the old saw mill. The only other places would be the beach or on the south side of the river. But he had no time yet to inspect the latter sites. Finally, it was rc3olved to postpone any decision on this matter for Mr O'Con* nor's report. The question of river protection between Glossop's and Kortegast's brewery, was referred to the Consulting Engineer to report. The Public Works Committee, and Messrs O'Connor and Martin* will visit the locality at three p.m. next (this) day. Some desultory conversation, respecting ways and means, followed, after which the meeting terminated.

At noon on Wednesday, Mr Learmouth will offer for sale by public auction, the household property and furniture belonging to Mr Harris, late manager of the Bank of New Zealand here, who is leaving in a few days for Otago. The property is an excellent one, and should command a high price in the market, seeing so few good houses are at present obtainable. The furniture may be seen to-day by any one desirous of inspecting it. The monthly meeting of the County Council will be held to-morrow, commencing at two p.m. The Board of Elucation will meet on Thursday. We beg to acknowledge receipt of tho Postal Guide for the ensuing quarter, from the hands of the postmaster, Mr Cook. The Comedy and Burlesque Company will play for the benefit of the local hospital at Kumara this evening. They play at Eoss on Thursday and Saturday, and open at the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre on Eaater Monday. They have been drawing crowded houses throughout the Coast wherever they played .

The extra fee of sixpence charged on messages to and from the undermentioned telegraph stations, will be abolished from and after this date, when ordinary rates only will be collected:— Hampden, Herbert, Loagford Kekerangu, Lyell, Manuherikia, Mirande, Otaeaivai, Owake, Richmond, Tarawera, Toptonse, Upper Hutt, Waitara, Waitara, Wainni, Waipa, and Waitotana.

Gilbert Stewart's sweep on the Christchurch Cup will be drawn at Kumara on Saturday evening, the 16th inst,

The rights to the booths on the racecourse on Monday and Tuesday next, were sold by auction by Meßßrs Pollock & Bevan yesterday, and realised as follows:— No. 1 booth, £13, to W. Smith ; No. 2 booth, £14, J. Connor; fruit stand, £3, Singer; cards, £4, T. Mtzsimrnons; total, £34. By five votes to three the Vincent County Council refused to agree to Mr Pyke's proposal to raise a loan of £10,000 for public works. The Australian team of footballers will commence their tour through New Zealand on the 4th of June next. At a recent meeting of tho Lyttelton Harbor Board, the Chairman stated on the authority of the Engineer that Westpori coal had been used on board the dredges and barges, and the result was most favourable . For their pnrposes it was quite equal to the best Newcastle coal. The Dunedin Football Club is evidently increasing in popularity. It now has 126 members enrolled. Two large deposits of sand fit for glassmaking have been discovered in Canterbury lately, one at Glentui, and the other at White Cliffs. In the opinion of the Lyttelton Times, the Christchurch Coroner, in these days of retrenchment, throws too many guineas in the way of medical witnesses.

Large quantities of green flax have lately been sent to Melbourne from Wellington for paper making. The buyers seem to have tired of paying freight for a lot of useless material, and have made an offer to a Wellington citizen to reduce the flax to pulp before being sent, the useless part of the plant being thus thrown away there instead of at Melbourne. The Ashburton Mail says the Lyttelton Times have transferred their business to a company, and the Telegraph has been pur» chased by Mr Caygill. A smoker's pledge card is being circulated in Auckland. It pledges to abstinence from tobacco, the evil influence of which on health it says, is attested by the "sallow and pinched features " of youths who smoke. The total sums received by the Wellington Corporation on account of city rates during the financial year ended 31st ultimo were as follows:— General rate, £9446; water rate, £7059; special, £2332. This leaves arrears of £5414 still outstanding. The Auckland Herald says: — " It is noto* rious that the Board of the Auckland Grammar School has been packed to get rid of Mr Macrae."

The Wairarapa Standard says; — " There is a very suspicious telegram in the Auckland Herald about the Treasurer's speech. It says tho Times eulogises the speech, but the Post does not think much of it." The Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap is the biggest money ruu for in New Zealand. Some Maori, under the influence oE drink shot at Major Kemp last week, but was taken in hand by Topia Turoa. Among the outward passengers by the last San Erancisco mail steamer, were the Hon. E. Campbell, M.L.C., and Mrs Campbell . Thirteen candidates presented themselves at the barrister's and solicitor's examination at Christchurch a few days ago. The fastest time for the Wellington CuP waß done by Foul Play in 1880, when he did the two miles in 3mins 37;} sec, carrying Bst 4lbs. The Dunedin Star learns on good authority that the Nelson Colonist becomes a morning daily at an early date. A good deal of excitement is manifest in Auckland, regarding the prospects of the Tiki goldfield, which appear very promising. The early closing movement is making a beginning in Invercargill. Eleven storekeepers next week commence to close at six o'clock each evening except Saturdays. The Auckland A;tists' Society Exhibition promises to be successful, and pictures have been received from Nelson, Wellington and Sydney. The Wanganui Club cleared £200 by mean 8 of the totaliaator, the sum of £4,000 being put through the machine of which the Club received 4 per cent, and the proprietor the other 5 per cent.

All the Dunedin schools except one have returned replies to the circular re Bible reading, and the following is the result:— The number of parents in favour is 1105, having at school 2678 children. The following good ioke in connection with the Ashburton Exhibition, is told by the Guardian. A country farmer was looking at some of the exhibits in the upper room of the Hall yesterday, and was told it was Malachite. " Gracious me! " he exclaimed; i'l thought Malachite was one of the Prophets; how many changes takes place in a few years," An English sporting paper says that it is understood that when Sir Hercules Robinson retires from the Governorship of the Cape 1 he intends settling in New Zealand. It is said there was some disgraceful swindling between bookmakers and owners of horses at the late Dunedin meeting.

The Rev. Mr Ferguson, of Invercargill, is reported to have said at a recent meeting of his congregation tnat there were several families in that town actually starving.

At last the Christchurch Volunteers are taking some active steps to liquidate liabilities incurred over the gathering there a year ago. Local papers state that a fancy fair has been arranged to take place on April 20th and 21st, in aid of the fund being raised to meet the deficiency respecting the Easter review.

It would seem that money is plentiful in Dunedin at present. Local papers state that at the meeting of the North-East Valley Council the Mayor said that seven per cent, could not be obtained, and that he knew money offering at six per cent., and could not find investment at that. -^ Eeferring to the recent Grand Lodge session of the American Oddfellows in Wellington, the Saturday Advertiser says: — " The brethren of the Southern Cross Lodge must be highly complimented on the splendid reception given by them to the officers and representatives of the Grand Lodge session, and we trust that the Dunedin Oddfellows will be able to return the compliment to their northern brethren next year,"

The following extract from the Melbourne Advocate of the 19th ult., shows that our New Zealand youths are by no means inferior to young Victorians in the contests for literary honors :—": — " We are glad to see that the pupils of St. Francis Xavier's College, Kew were very successful in the recent matriculation examination. The only candidate from any college in Victoria who passed ' with credit ' at that examination was Denis Francis Gerity of Timaru, New Zealand, a pupil of this College. Three students went up from the College. Of these, Denis Francis Gerity passed in Latin, Greek, French, History, English, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Euclid, and got credit in five subjects viz., Latin, Greek, History, Algebra, and Euclid. Augustus Leo Kenny passed in Latin, Greek, French, English, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry, and got credit m Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry. James Patrick Kelly passed in Latin, Greek, French English, History, Geography, Arithmetic, and Algebra, and got credit in French."

A company will probably be formed for the purpose of laying a tramway in Oamaru shortly. Rumour hath it, says the Temuka Leader, that two gentlemen of the long robe, practising in Timaru, have had a quarrel— one of them going so far as to stike his " learned friend "in hiß own office. This has resulted in a writ to the tune of £500 beiag issued in the Supreme Court for damages. Should the matter eventuate, there will be food for the newspapers-

We go from home to hear news. An American paper has the following : — The four Methodist bodies represented in New Zealand — the Wesleyans, the Primitive Methodists, United Methodist Free Churches) and Bible Christians — are proposing to unite. They have together 120 ministers. What will Mr Pyke say to this little item of news given to the public by the Wakatip Mail ?—"? — " When the Hon. the Premier was here the other day, his attention was Called, unofficially, to the costly and extravagant expenditure of Couuty Councils generally! but of Vincent County especially. It was remarked that a Royal Commission would unearth abuses quite equal to that in the the organisation of the civil servants."