Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1863. THE RIGHT KIND OF IMMIGRATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4989, 14 February 1883, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1863. THE RIGHT KIND OF IMMIGRATION.

Fob some time the great question of immigration has been totally neglected by the Government, yet, as Sir Julius Yogel lately pointed out, it is the secret of the continued prosperity of the colony. We have never seen the utility of merely discharging cargoes of penniless labourers on our shores, and we dissent from the calculation adopted by Sir Julius that every man landed in New Zealand was worth to the country a sum of £200. If labor can be absorbed, and the relations be, tween labor and capital are not disturbed, no doubt every man who possesses certain qualities is an acces-

«ory to the colony from tn £,g,d. point of view. But everything really depends upon the class of people we bring out. If they will contribute to the productive powers of the colony well and good — they will have their value and not injure those who may have to compete with them. How are they to be selected ? The nominated system does two things fairly well — it settles the immigrants in life without much Government interference, and provides against the introduction of a worthless class. These are the important elements in the difficult problem of immigration. The process of selection is self-acting. No one is likely to send lioni9 for worthless friends, for though family affection may to a large extent be undiscriminating, this is compensated by the dread of not being able to find employment for relatives when they have landed. Then a high state of prosperity and a high standard of wages will always induce a voluntary immigration of the best and healthiest description both from the sister colonies and Mother Country. Most of those who left this colony for New South Wales a few years ago have returned, and their testimony is unanimous that our climate far more than compensates every drawback. Their experience will radiate, and though we may have an exodus or rush at any time, the solid advantages will always remain a fixed impression in favor of the colony in the minds of the bulk of the laboring population. What the colony most of all requires is a steady stream of capitalists, small and great, intending to settle down amongst us. Of this class we cannot possibly have too many. There is room for all, — new country to be opened up, new industries to be established, and existing burdens to be lightened. The steam service inaugurated with so much public spirit by the New Zealand Shipping Company will do more than anything else to stimulate immigration of this kind. The opening of the Panama Canal will give New Zealand enormous advantages in competing with other colonies for immigrants. In the meantime direct steam communication must draw thousands to our shores who would not otherwise think of coming. But the Government must do their part in bringing before the notice of the British public the inducements which invite capitalists to come to the colony. The Agent-Gen-eral's office ought never to lose its character as an emigration agency. It can do better work in turning the tide of voluntary emigration in the direction of the colony than in floating loans. The introduction of capitalists means a supply of capital on which the colony has to pay no interest. This is too often overlooked, but it is so essential to prosperity that we question whether the colony could continue to progress under its responsibilities without the aid of this non-returning capital. We look therefore for more activity on the part of the authorities to bring out settlers of this description. It is not how many people have turned their wandering footsteps hither, but what kind, of people. It shows the neglect in the past that our official statists have never thought of differentiating.

The action of the Borough Council in voting the quota required to make good the deficiency in the tolls was characterised by * liberality and tone which might have been expected from them when convinced that they were giving expression to the wishes of the ratepayers. Councillor Nathan's amendment did not imply his own disapproval of the step, but a doubt of what the ratepayers thought upon the subject. We hardly think there is any room for doubt. The meeting last week waa a fairly representative one of the ratepayers of the Borough, and we have not found a more unanimous expression of opinion at any time than that recorded in favor of agreeing to the Harbor Board's proposals. The Mayor put the case plainly before the Council, and the speeches of the members were all in the right key. It is quite true that a very large proportion of the tolls is contributed by the residents of the town of Wanganui, who will be relieved from the burden. We congratulate the Borough Council on its judicious and timely action. [Since the above was written, the County Council have also passed the resolution, so that now nothing remains to be done but for the Harbor Board to proceed to give effect to the arrangement.] ' . ,

, There was a clean sheet at the R.M. Court this morning:

- Nautilus and Matakau, have been scratched for all their engagements at the Dunedin Cap Meeting. ' The general meeting of the Picton Coal' was held onTneßday, and the local directors were elected. Sir George Whit- ! more declined election. The directors' and engineers' reports were ordered to be printed and circulated.

The election returns of the New Plymouth Harbor Board are all in, but ' they do not in any way alter the result already wired. The three principal members of the old Board have been elected .

The Patea Mail says that inconsequence jof the Insurance Companies refnsing to take risks on the s s Waverley, just built for the Patea' Shipping Company, she will not be put into the trade of that port. ; , ' ' ' *~ '*" The tender of Mr. John' Bennie has been accepted by Mr. John Notman, the trustee in the estate of Henry Hurley, for the purchase of the stock-in-trade, and that of Mr R. A. Rickards for the materials and grindery.

At the Resident Magistrate 8 Court, Greymouth, on Tuesday, six persons were summoned for not having their children vaccinated within the prescribed time. Three pleaded guilty and were fined, but the charges against the other three were withdrawn, as it was proved that the health of the children did not admit of their being (vaccinated .with safety.

We have been handed the following calculation : — A large amount of " plumping J1 must have taken plaoe at the Harbor Board election. 269 voters recorded 537 votef, thus averaging two votes each. Eaoh vote was for four candidates, which would give 2148 votes altogether. The total number actually given was 1771 ; thus 377 were not recorded, or equal to 94$ voters of four votes each, upwards of one*third. These calculations are interesting as showing the attempt made to favor certain individuals.

A man named W. Gifford, who is employed at the Heads, discovered the body of Denis Donovan, who so mysteriously disappeared a few days ago, in the river this morning. It appears that Gifford was going down the river m a boat to his work, when he observed the body of Donovan on a crossbar under the cattle wharf, where it had been left by the receding tide. Gifford immediately informed Constable Ward of the discovery, and with the assistance of Mr Brennan, of the Custom House Hotel, and Mr Tingey, the body was got out and removed In an express to the Ship Hotel, where an inquest was held this afternoon,

Th« Union Boat Club received to prfs* money at Foxton. yesterday tne sum of £45.

The Occidental billiard rooms have been let to Mr James Collins, and his many patrons who gathered round him whilst conducting the Empire billiard room will no doubt renew their acquaintances with him in his new quarters. The Town Clerk, who is the Returning Officer for, the Borough Licensing Committees.seems to be in doubt as to the meaning of subsection of 7 clause 13 of the Licensing Aot, and has consulted the Borough solicitors, so it is said. The clause in question is quite clear — if less than five members are nominated there is no committee, and the Governor must appoint the same. Who pays for the "opinion ?"

The nominations for the Education Board must be in on or before the 24th February. Who is to be the candidate for Wanganui, Mr Notman having expressed his intention of not coming forward again ? We hope a good man will be found to takq his place, though we cannot expect anyone to supply Mr Not man's experience, It is time the committee considered the question, if they have not already done so. Last evening Mr E. J. King's band gave a public performance in the Market Square. The band has rarely been heard to better advantage, and the playing last evening showed the careful training which the members of this band have undergone at the hands of their leader. The selections from •• Patience " and "La Favorite " were exceptionally well rendered, and were highly appreciated by those present.

The Auckland Herald says :—lt: — It is reported that about ten days ago a tradesman left Waikato without bidding a general good-bye, having let Auckland merchants in to the tune of from £1500 to £2000. It is stated that he left for Melbourne by a late steamer, calling at Napier, and taking from there a partner in his flight, who had been the cause of domestic unhappinesa in the Waikato. An error was made in noticing Rangipo's acceptance for the Wanganui Cup. The letter containing his acceptance bore the post-mark of February 12th, hence he could not be allowed to accept. We are astonished at owners not paying more attention to the date of closing entries. TLey are well advertised, therefore no excuse can be made. Rangipo is the second horse struck out of the Cup owing to non-fulfilment of conditions, Libeller being the other. A parade of the Wanganui Rifles, ordered by Major Sttpp.will take place on Thursday evening at 7.30. Members are requested to roll up, in order to escape fines for absence without leave or in case of sickness. The 5 prizes now on view in Mr Drew's window are to be presented after the parade to the several winners in the Company's first and second class competitions held during 1882. It is probable that the splendid band at* tached to this corps will also be in attendance,, to march out if required.

At the meeting of the Borough Copnoil last evening a communication was read from the Waimate Borough Council, asking their co-operation in having the former clause of the Corporations Act restored to enable boroughs to obtain Crown lands within their limits, not actually required by the Government, simply by order of the Governor-in-Council. The Council, however, evidently considered they had got all they wanted, and as they were not interested in the matter the communication was ordered to be put on the table.

An amusing incident is reported from Madras in a Bombay paper. Mr Spring Branson, barrißtet *in-law, who has hitherto worn a very fine beard, appeared in Court on a recent date clean shaved, and rose to move the Court to take an insolvent out of gaol. Mr Justice Kernan looked at the learned gentlemen very hard, and then with a smile remarked that he had made a very barefaced motion. The Court was in roars of laughter. A local paper reminds the learned judge that " Patience " is in active rehearsal by the dramatic society, and rumour has it tbat an alarming sacrifice of beards is to take place among gentlemen qualifying to be heavy dragoons. Such is the enthusiasm for the drama in Madras 1

Mr Preston, author of " Unclaimed Money," has startled Londoners by Announcing that the magnificent pile of Wildings Known as the Palace oi Justice, which the Queen opened on December 4th, has been mainly raised with the surplus interest of suitors' money : seotion six of the Courts of Juftice Buildings Act. 1865, giving power to apply for £1,000,000 from the " Surplus Interest Fund " for this purpose. Mr Prestan asserts, and without fear of contradiction, ahat no less than £7J,000,000 are In the Chancery Funds, the nhmber of accounts beipg 35,545. A huhdred years ago it was £7,500,000 and 2385 accounts. The working of the Hospital Endowment Funds by the Borough does not seem to give tne utmost satisfaction to the members of the County Council. At to-day's meeting Cr Sommerville moved the following resolution:—That our representative on the Hospital Committee give notice that previous to any further payments by the County to the Borough, a statement of the amounts receivable by the Borough from Hospital Endowments be published, and the question as to whether the amounts so received should bea first charge against the Hospital expenditure, the balance to be divided between the Borough and County patients. In moving the resolution Cr Sommerville said he believed the moneys: were paid into the Borough instead of the Hospital fund. The Chairman thought the motion rather strong, and the motion was subsequently atltered in effect to read " that a statement of amounts receivable by the Borough from Hospital Endowments be published." Cr Poison seconded, and the motion was carried.

A meeting was held at the Courthouse this day (Wednesday 14th) in the matter of fhe estate of E. Belve, Mr Charles Bull in ;he chair. Present— Messrs Lingard, Tod, Nicholson (for W. W. Taylor), and the irustee, Wm. Cnrrie. The meeting was iouvened by the trustee for the purpose of i ajing before them, the opinion received from iounsel at Wellington in respect to .the Validity or otherwise/ of a certain bill of glejiven to Mr J. Sojer by Mr E. Belve. r Hutjchisou etated that he appeared for r Prior, the debtor's solicitor. Mr Hutchj«ou read the opinion, and from his remarks it appeared that the counsel who had forwarded the opinion had not gone into the matter, as be thought he should have done. At .this stage Mr Duigan came into the meet* ing Mr Lingard thought that the opinion of iome other counsel be obtained. The one read wasfrora MessrslMrdandßell,Mr Hutchison, though not conceedjng in the opinion given, faid .that perhaps the same result might be arrived at from some other basis. Mr Lingard proposed that the opinion of counsel be referred back to complete, and to call their attention to the fact that section 92 of the English Bankruptcy Act is not identical with section 64 of our Act, presuming that the Act is the one referred to in the opinion. Mr Currie further explained that the business was not paying expenses. The opinion of counsel taken is that the bill of sale is a good one. " .