Wanganui Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1878.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 3132, 21 May 1878, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1878.

Direct steam communication between England and New Zealand has become a necessity, and the practical suggestions made by Mr Macandrew in his letter to the Agent- General will be endorsed generally in the Colony. The other Colonies hare found it necessary to provide for their ever-increasing trade by substituting steamers for sailing craft, and the change, wherever made, having been found profitable, it is not in the naturo of New Zealand business men to stand still. They must be in a position to hold their own with their energetic neighbours in Victoria and New South Wales, and this can only be done by united action in respect to a direct steam service. On this point of united action the Otago Daily Times writes with some force. It says :—": — " And here the one difficulty rises up, the one baleful trouble that comes like a ghost to frighten us from all good purposes. Local jealousy is sure to wake up and view the scheme askance. Still assuming that we are to never lay this phantom, we think the scheme is feasible without giving any very particular advantages to one centre of settlement over another. We see no reason for example why the steamers should not make the several ports of New Zealand their destination, according to the bulk of cargo, exactly as ships do now. Then Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin should each have the receipt and despatch of steamers in exact proportion to their shipping requirements, just as sailing vessels come and go to and from those ports and England. It is true this might somewhat embarass the postal arrangements, but with such a splendid coastal service as we now have, the inconvenience could not be very great. And even should that most terrible of all things occur — to wit, that Wellington should be made the centre of the system, and if that port should be made the first of arrival and the last of departure, we cannot see that the results would be so dreadful. Steamers filled with cargo for Dunedin could proceed to Dunedin, after touching at Port Nicholson for postal purposes, as they could in other circumstances to Port Cooper or the Waitemata. The phantom of local jealousies would, we think, vanish as the great boon of direct steam communication with Europe became realised, and local interests had time to adjust themselves to the new order ( of things. The scheme is a bold and noble one, and we have not the least doubt that it will be pressed to realisation. It is high time, therefore, that the matter was fairly and fully considered, and discussed in its bearing on our local interests, as well as on the interests of tho whole Colony." Mr Macandrew's opinion of the present mail subsidy for the service via San Francisco, is that New Zealand is not receiving anything like an adequate quid pro quo. By subsidizing a powerful line of stoamers,similar in character to the " Cuzco," the omissions and blunders may be redeemed. On the question of return freight, perhaps the most important feature in the proposed service, the Minister for Public Works says : "The trade of New Zealand is increasing at an enormous rate ; the production of grain alone is even now assuming a magnitude which, when the railway is completed, and the available country occupied, will sink into comparative insignificance. There can, I think, be little doubt, that in the course of a very few years, this Colony, in addition to its other productions, will supply the markets of the world with food to an extent, unequalled by any other country of similar area and population. The production of cereals this year, in Canterbury and Otago alone, is over 260,000 tons j (he popu-

lation of both provinces boing a mere handful." The passenger trade, which the proposed service would encourage, is referred to, and we certainly consider Mr Macandrew quite justified in asserting that bringing New Zealand within 40 days sail of England will induce an enormous passenger traffic. The whole scheme is a good one, and well worthy of the consideration of the Legislature.

A special telegram from Sydney to the Post Bays that " The Vagabond " has brought an action against Joe Thompson for slander, and claims £2000 damages.

We acknowledge receipt of the May number of the New Zealand Country Journal. This publication should receive the liberal support of the settlers as it is a faithful and interesting " record of information connected with agricultural, pastoral, and horticultural pursuits, and rural sports."

Wo are requested by our Marlon correspondent to make a correction in the report of the case Jcssop v Meads. Mr Cash its reported to have said that " the defendant had sufficient reasons to ask for a non-suit." The omission of the word " nob "is obvious. It should read " the defendant had not sufficient reasons."

A well attended meeting of young men, interested in the organisation of a Mutual Improvement Society, was held in the school room of Trinity Church lastjevening, the Rev Mr Lee presiding. It was resolved that a society should be formed to bo called the " WaDganui Young Men's Mutual Im« provement Society." Some discussion then ensued au to the object and regulations of society. The Chairman explained the working of a society of a similar nature to which he had belonged in Christchurch, and several practical suggestions were offered by other speakers. The feeling of the meeting appeared to be against the admission of ladies tp membership of the society, and in favour of the adoption of religious as well as secular subjects for discussion. Mr Baasett expressed a fear that the society would clash with the recently organised " Young Mon's Christian Association ;" but the apprehension was not generally entertained, and the Chairman, and several other speakers stated that they were aware of no renson why the two Societies should not work together in harmony, and each be attended with satisfactory results. After further discussion it was resolved — That the object of the Wanganui Young Meu's Mutual Improvement Society, be the moral and mental improvement of the members, and that the best means to adopt a course likely to bring about the desired end be considered by a committee to draw up a code of rules and regulations for the working of the society, and to report at an adjourned general meeting. The following were then duly elected as a committee :—: — The Rev Mr Lee, Messrs S. Peters, G. Hurley, Chisholm, and R. Heath, The committee will meet on Thursday evening, and will submit the rules then drafted to a general meeting of the Society on Thursday, 23rd inst., in the Wosleyan School Room. The meeting was then closed with prayer.

In a recent assault case in the Christchurch Police Court, the defendant, when called upon to make a statement, explained how he had been led to commit a most violent assault as follows :—": — " I shall go home and go to bed, says he. So shall I, I nays. Well, I've got a better bed to go to than you, saya he. I think not, says I. Mine's a downy 'un, he saya. Then, I says, I've a bed as good aa yours, I think. You be a liar, savß he, and that riz me."

We have received the first number of a new journal, published at Gore, Otago, called the " Mataura Ensign." It is well pot up. full of interesting matter, and excellently well advertised. Its success seems certain.

One day last week the Christchurch people were much " exercised " by a report which got abroad that war between Russia and England had been declared. In a short time tho excitement became intense, the report going from mouth to mouth, people congregating in kuotß in different parts of the streets, other rushing about in every direction, and the newspaper office 3 were besieged with eager inquirers.

The Divorce Court at Wellington opened on Monday. The following are the cases on the list :— Heney v. Heney and Moore (Christchurch), Barnes v. Barnes and Martin (Wellington), McMahon v. McMahon and Russell (Wellington), Woolcockv. Woolcock and Waddel (Wellington), and White v. White and Bennett (Auckland).

In the schooolroom of St. Paul's Church this evening the Presbyterian Sunday School children will afisemble to view a Diorama of considerable merit recently received from Auckland by the Church authorities. The scenery represented consists of views on the Rhine, and a descriptive lecture will be delivered by a gentleman connected with the school, and well able to interest the children with a graphic description of some of the most lovely spots in all Europe, and perhaps a recital of some one or two of the anciont legends of Baronial Rhineland. The entertainent will be varied with musical selections. A small charge will be made for admission and the proceeds will be devoted to the funds of the school.

There is always something amiss with the folk in Upper Nixon Street, and our contemporary is for ever championing their little grievances. There must be some secret in the interest taken by the Chronicle in the Upper Nixonites. These people quarrel, and then adjust differences ia the R.M. Court ; they grumble about their own particular street, and straightway a fus3 is made about it at the Corporation meeting. The Council, influenced by some similar secret source, consent to the formation and so on of Upper Nixon Street, and yet these influential people are not satisfied. Now, by advertisement in their organ they clamour for a night watchman, and dark hints are thrown out about an application to the police. What on earth is going on now, in Upper Nixon Street?

"Diogenes" ia evidently a disappointed man. Things have not gone smoothly with him, and he has retired to a tub, and views the world with a jaundiced eye. "Diogenes " does not admire the member for Rangitikei, and evinces his dislike is such a manner, as to lead to the belief that at some time or other t he has had to cry " peccavi " to that gentleman. However, Diogenes may be relieved. The article that ha 3so enraged him was not written by the member, and was penned hours after he sailed for Wellington. Tis a stale trick, friend Dio, to affect to see the hand of the man that whipped you in certain articles. Go back to your tub and snarl below your breath.

The Company engaged by Mr Haygarth to support Mr Sothern, arrived in the Stormbird from Wellington this mornihg, and the season will positively commence to-morrow in the Odd Fellows' Hall, with the performance of the celebrated London comedy, ' Our American Cousin.' We anticipate a successful season for the company.

A committee meeting of the Wanganui Tonic Sol Fa Society will be held after tho regular practice meeting this evening.