The Evening Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1876.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2728, 13 March 1876, Page 2

The Evening Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1876.

The Agent-General has promptly responded to tho reports and articles on the subject of New Zealand immigration in the English Press. When the Dunedin meeting- was held, the Assembly was in session, and Major Atkiuson Look the'earliest opportunity of replying' to the statements of the " unemployed." His speech has been sent to the Times by Dr Foatherston, accompanied by the following scale of wages prevailing in the colony : -

" 1 may add that by the latest advices the following are the rates of wages paid

in the Province of Otago, of which Dunedin is the principal towii :— Carpenters, 10s to 12s per day, eight hours ; bricklayers, 12s to 14s ; blacksmiths, 12s ; masons, 12s ; bricklayers' labourers, 10s ; general labourers, 7s to 8s ; married couples (farm and station work), £70 to £80 per annum, and found ; ploughmen, £55 to £60 ; farm labourers, £50 to £52 ; shepherds, £60 to £65 ; dairymaids, £36 to £40 ; general servants, £30 to £35 ; housemaids, £20 to £25."

Major Atkinson read the following telegram which he had received from the Immigration Officer at Dunedin, which was conclusive :—: —

" 1 did not consider so-called meetings of unemployed of: sufficient importance to report to you. Meetings got up by Grant, McLaren, and Povrdituh, well known demagogues in Dunedin. Majority of those at the meeting were not thn unemployed ; they attended to have some fun. The meeting was so ' rowdy ' that the reporters left. The demand for labour can be judged by the following facts :—: — Tho Waimea arrived on the 18th of September with 267 adults ; Invercargill, on the 30th of September, with 377 adults. All are now employed, except 26£ adults in the depot to day, who will be at work on Monday."

But testimony other than official has been produced, calculated no doubt to produce in the minds of the English public an impression that the prosperity of the colony has not yefe come to a stand-still. The following letter signed " Sheep Farmer," appears in the Times at the same time as Dr Featherston's, which will be recognised as the unadorned truth :—: —

"in your paper of to-day is an account of a meeting of " distressed operatives " held at JDunedin, New Zealand. As a useful commentary on their resolution- 1 , I give an extract from a letter received from the manager of my sheep .station in New Zealand, dated October Bth :—

" I have to give 30s a week for this Summer's work ; hands will not come for less. To show how independent they are, Allport (whom you may remember) leaves to-morrow because, lie being a. yearly servant, I gave him 255."

When it is known that in addition to these wages, men get as much good food as they can eat, you will agree with me that New Zealand still offers inducements to men who really wish for work."

In noticing this subject, we cannot conclude by assuming- that everything* is coleur de rose. There are doubtless " unemployed" in the large towns of th« Colony, and it does not follow that because there is demand for a good class of labourers, the refuse of English cities will find employment to suit their dispositions. What we maintain is hat vigorous and steady immigrants are at once absorbed into the producing population of the Colony. The screw loose has been pointed out by a .Rector in a letter to the Times, who says : —

" A year ago I went on board an emigrant ship off Gravesend, supposed to be taking out agricultural labourers chiefly. 1 flatter myself, from having lived among them 25 years, .1 know an agricultural labourer when I see him, but T failed to get a glimpse of even a solitary specimen on board. There may have been some there, but I did not Bee them. I saw a great many others, and spoke to several, and they all hailed from London, and seemed to be men who had never done outdoor work of any kind, T had some conversation with a mission chaplain who came on board, and he told me nearly half of the emigrants came from London, and too large a proportion of them wire unmitigated loafers, of whom we were well rid at home. Such men as these would hold strong language at an indignation meeting, but not care for rough agricultural work at even the highest wages." Now here is a fact which should arrest the attention of Government. The ranks of the unemployed can be easily swelled by London loafers, while the country continues to present" the apparent paradox of being* able to absorb the right kind of population. Che truth appears to be (.hat we require no more population of the class which has been accustomed to town life. Tradesmen are enjoying high wages and doing well, and it would be better to encourage the youth of our own towns to learn trades than to supply the demand by an inferior class iru-

ported from home, We do not oblain the best class of tradespoople by assisted immigration, for this class is doing too well in the mother country to leave What tlie Government, it appears to us, ought to do, is to issue stringent orders to the Ai.ent-(u j nci'iil to grant passages only to people from the rural districts, or the bona fide agricultural labourer. The consequence of this policy in a short time would be that the productions of the colony would be largely increased, while prosperity would continue to prevail in the towns. The town population increases fast enough of itself without artificial sfmulus, and hence the only kind of assistance which Government should render, is that which would introduce a class which would find its congenial employment on the farm. The time has come when discrimination is essential. If wo go on as at present we shall incur the danger of having too many of one class, from which it W'll be concluded that a stop must be put to all kinds of immigration. The very class of which the Times said we had enough, is what we want more of. But England does not wish to part with the agricultural labourer. She is happy to bid goodbye to as many ship-fulls of " Bill Nyes " as may leave her docks, and we seem to have been altogether over- accommodating: in this respect : though it must be admitted a large proportion of our immigrants are likely to make good Colonists. Let us inaugurate a change. If more carpenters or blacksmiths be required, the supply can be created by those who are he?e in taking apprentices, and so answer the question — " What shall we do with our boys ? " If the farm or household want more hands, the nature of the employment suggests that imported free labour is the most economical way of meeting the demand.

The Circus gave another performance on Saturday night. It was Mr Barlow's intention to have travelled through tho .Forty Mile Bush to Masterton, and thence through the Valley of the Wairarapato Wellington, but he has now decided on going by steamer. The prices to-night, as will be seen elsewhere, have been considerably reduced.

The Amateurs abandoned their intention of performing in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday night from their arrangements not having been oompleted, but we hope soon to announce another appearanoe,when they will have an opportunity of displaying their customary efficiency.

Mrs Goodenough,widow of the late Commodore, arrived in England by the Durham on December 9. "Anglo-Australian," in the European Mail, says respecting her — "I have reason to hope that something more than tlie pension usually awarded to the widow of an officer who suffers violent death in an immediate act of duty will be received by Mrs Goodeuougu. ix is intended, I believe, to treat her case like that of the widow of Lord Mayo, the lamented Governor General of India, when in addition to the pension, a special vote will be awarded her from the Treasury."

- The Evening Post says :—": — " No information has yei been received by the Government as to the circumstauces under which the City of Melbourne was despatched from San Francisco, nor has any reason been given for the Pacific Mail Company's neglect to send any boat this month. The matter still remains involved in Cimmerian darkness.

We understand that Mr Price of Wairoa is having erected a large building intended for an hotel, and which will contain 21 rooms, exclusive of bath room. Tho stables and out buildings will be proportionately extensive. This house cannot fail to be an acpuisitiou to the d istrict.

We beg to remind the public that Mr Clapcobfc will deliver another lecture in tho Odd Ifellows' Hall to morrow (Tuesday) night on the ' Government Life Insurance Policy.' Thereafter he will read the following select pieces from our standard authors : — ' Esinburg after Flodden ;' ' People will talk ;' ' Keturn and death of Euoc Arden ;' ' The Twins ;' ' The old arm chair ;' ' Charge of the Light Brigada ;' • Beautiful snow ;' and the 'Frenchman's Toast.' Between each reading there will be musical selections played on the piano. With Mr Clapcott's reputation, and the variety and attractiveness of the programme, not to mention the object of the entertainment, there can be no doubt of his being well patronised on this occasion. Mr Phillips, of Palinerstou, who has been here for the past few days, afforded us an opportunity of inspect* ing his complete and varied stock of jewelry. Our country readers will observe from an advertisement to the public to-day (Monday) that they will have an opportunity of gratifying their tastes in this direction. The increase in the work of the Telegraph Department continues month by month. In December 1875,252,303 messages were transmitted, beiutr au increase of 30,567 over the corresponding quarter of 1874, The receipts during the same period, were £15,196, or an increase of £2,140.

The following telegram has been received by Mr Henderson from Messrs Brogden and Sons, in reference to the ill-fated ship )3trathmore :—": — " Thb Jstrathmore wrecked, Orozet Group. Daughter not saved. Son died on Possesfevu Island. — Brogden and Sons."

The Guardian understands that G. E. Barton, Esq , barrister, is about to settle in Wlplington.

A case of lamp explosion occurred on Saturday night in Mr D. Bell's shop, in tho Avenue. Mr Bell was engaged in screwing out the light preparatory to closing his doois, when, tho flame finding a passage to the bow! containing the oil, (ho result was an we have f-tatod. J' or Innately a bucket (-onioning water was at hand, the immediate application of which proved successful in extinguishing the names.

The Hon. Secretary of the Waiigaiiui Jockey Club intimates that the settling will take place at Anderson's Commercial Hotel to-night, an intimation we take it will not require repetition to those who were fortunate enough to come off as victors on the late occasiou.

A pamphlet on " Our Land Laws — what should be their basis," has come under our notice. The author is Mr Charles W. Purnell, who distinguished himself on a previous occasion by elaborating au Agrarian Law for New Zealand. The latest brochure from the same pen, is a repetition of the same arguments, but shorn of ihe enthusiasm and some of the errors which distinguished the first. He now says that " one advantage of an Agrarian Law is that it would be a strictly conservative measure." The reason is that small farmers are conservative. Again he enlightens his reaaers by informing them that " the political mind of Now Zealand, unfortunately, lacks the tonic of that frequent grappling with great questions of foreign policy by which the mother country is invigorated, and is become debilitated and corrupt by Mammon worship." We think we have reproduced sufficient of Mr Purnell's nonsense. His sketch of the land laws of different countries and of ancient tenure is very interesting, but rather stale.

We are glad to observe that arrangements are being made for entertaining Sir Julius Yogel at a banquet, as othersvise it might be thought that Wanejanui was deficient in that political hospitality, which, by common consent, is now accorded to distinguished statestnon. On the other hand it is a graceful and complimentary method of introducing him to his constituents, while it will also tend to au emphatic recognition of the services which he has rendered to the Colony at large.

The Geelong Advertiser poiuts out that the four constituencies which have rejected Ministers and Ministerial candidates contain 19,518 electors, whereas the whole of the seven constituencies represented by Ministers only contain 16,173.

The raffle for Mr Buckthought's horses came off on Saturday night, at the Comraercni. Hotel, the following being the winners : Mr John Holly, first choice ; Jas. J. Anderson, 2nd; Joseph Chadwick, jnr.,3rd ; A. Nathan, 4ch ; Jos. Chadwick, jnr., sth, and S. Handley, 6th.

One of our Municipal Councillors is said to hold a theory that the less said about an unpleasant subject the better, and hisideaof municipal management consisting in letting the ratepayers know as little of what is going on as possible. But since the fact is beyond dispute that the reservoir which supplies the town with water, is being used for sheep cleansing, and other purposes not pleasant to contemplate, we trust that the Council will face the question at once, and establish a right ot control over the water. The proprietress insists on her right to use the lake, as she has always done, and the Municipal authorities, who have all along been aware of the lake being used for the purposes referred to, have certainly overlooked the public interests in neglecting remedial measures.

We regret to observe in a contemporary, that the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company intend to dispose of their intertst in this industry, from which so much was expected, the reason assigned being, not the deficiency in the yeild of oil, but a want of working capital. We hope another company will be formed to prosecute an undertaking of so much importance to the colony.

The Town Council having granted the use of a portion of the Foreshore opposite the Railway Hotel as a site for a boatshed, the erection of the building was commenced this morning. Prom what we are able to glean we understand that the house will be large and commodious, the breadth being 20 feet, and the length 50 feet, capable of holdiug a large number of boats.

The drawing in Frank's " Graud sweep"on the Wanganui Jockey Club Handicap, was held on Wednesday evening.and a settlement of claims was made on Saturday night,at the Custom House Hotel. The drawing was conducted by a committeo of four gentlemen who supervised the proceedings, and subscribed their names to the list as being correct. The result of the drawing was as follows : — Ticket Horse, Prize. No.

Non-St.uitkr. 79— Treason * .. .. 715 1 Frank was not sufficiently fortunate to secure the number of subscribers advertised, only 193 preferring to run the risk, which deducting 5 per cent to pay off wkaterer expenses had been incurred, reduced the sum to £183 (is 2d, which, was divided as above. Lord Derby, in answer to a deputation, which waited upon him to point out the danger of au Egyptian conquest of Abyssinia and the probable consequence — a spread of

the Egyptian slavery to Abyssinia,— expressed his strong i'eoling that such annexation would bo very unwise policy on the part ol Fg3pt, and ho added thai if ho hud anr reason to bolievo that bucli a stop was contcmplulKl, li.j should not hositato to point ouL ilio (i.vLr<'hK' impolics o( iliiit con?',' ilc ditl not, however, believe that any stop of the kind was in 1 ended, and he gave the Khedive credit for wishing to slop the slavetrade, mlher than to extend it. And as soon as the Khedive gets English advise like Lord Derby's, which it seems to him eminently desirable to attend to, no doubt he will do what he can to put an end to the slavetrade ; but it is extremel y unlikely that hitherto he has personally cared an atom about it, except so far as he may occasionally have derived an incidental profit from it in his various Southern expeditions, llulers like the Khodive and the Sultan of Zanzibar, •want a permanent European goad to their conscience, before they can really be supposed to object to the slave-trade at all. A most diabolical attempt to blow up a steamer was made by an American named Thompson, and which resulted in the death of sixty people, while forty others 'were wounded. This happened at JBremerhaven, when the Morel was just at the point of sailing for New York, and was caused by a chest of dynamite, which the perpetrator of the crime had among his luggage,and to which he had deliberately affixed certain machinery so regulated as to cause its explosion at a certain moment. The ship was so disabled that she could not proceed ou her voyage, while fragments of human bodies were scattered in all directions. After the tragedy Thompson shot himself, and, before his death, confessed to everything. The motive is by no means apparent, although one account insinuates that he was pecuniarily interestad in the destruction of the ship. The details of the affair regarding the horrible mutiliation which ensued are simply shocking, but it is satisfactory to learn that as soon as the matter became known, doctors and nurses arrived in a special train to endeavour to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded. The Native Land's Court again met this morning when the following claims were disposed of: — Kirikau Block, containing 17,933 acres, claimed by Honi Piaka on behalf of himself and tribe. There being no opposition, Honi'a claim was established. Retaruke block of 20,585 acres, claimed by Topine Te Mamaku, on behalf of himself and tribe.This claim was also established, no opposition being set up. Kawautahi and Murimotu blocks. These cases were both adjourued,in consequence of the surveys not being completed. In another column will be found an announcement that Messrs T. 8. Wymond and Co. will positively hold their Art Union in the Masonic Hall on Friday evening next.

The Committee appointed to receive Sir Julius Yogel on the occasion of his first visit to Wanganui, will meet this evening at the Commercial Hotel at 7 p.m., when we expect there will be a full attendance.

Mr Freeman R. Jackson's sale to-morrow (Tuesday) at his rooms of 140 quarter acre sections in the township of Turakina should attract attention of land purchasers, as it is not often so favourable an opportunity is presented of acquiring valuable sites in a rising township. The railway will pass through the town, md the public offices are contiguous to tlie sections to be disposed of, so that they offer every facility for building on for trade purposes, and must from their situation soon acquire an additional value.

JC 8. t». 15? —Ist horse, Opawa 51 — 2nd horse, .Folly 243 — 3rd horse, Maori Weed 91 13 45 16 22 18 6 9 3 Starters. B— Veno 30 — Tarabourini 91— Black Eagle 114— Comet 188 — Cornelia 2to2 t 02 — G-lenara 224— Maid of the Mill 2 3 2 ,3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2