NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 135, 3 December 1875, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

It is said that 80,000 were present v»hon the Cup was run for. On that occasion some most extravagant toilettes were displayed -one is reputed to have cost £700. The population of Victoria is BOO,OUU, oi' which, at least, one half arc children, so that racing must be pretty popular in Melbourne. Dk. Madden' 8 defeat, says the 'Advocate,' ought to be a salutary lesson to politicians. To the Catholics the worthy doctor was a Catholic. To the Protestants, ho wa- a Liberal Catholic, "who believed in the Education Act, and was not, priest-ridden. In short, this young gentleman, notwithstanding his high educational attainments, ■was all things to all men, and, as the sequel proved, he was nothing to nobody. Being a young man, he has plenty of time to repent of his political sins. If his rejection by West Bourke should teach him to discard equivocation and to act in a fearless manner, remembering th.it he who is despised by his own kith and kin is seldom trusted by others, then the election of West Bourke will have been " cruel only to be kind." The ' Sydney Morning Herald,' in the course of an article on the confederation of the various British Colonies, makes the following remarks more particularly with regard to Australia and ]S T ew Zealand : — "If the day should be far distant in which these Colonies are separated from Great Britain, the day may not be far distant in which the Australian Colonies may find it their wisdom to address themselves far more seriously to the task of providing against maritime aggression than they arc doing now. When thi* task is attempted there are portions of it which will be done far more effectually by a united Australia than by n number of isolated settlements, each acting independently of all the rest. While no single Colony, standing alone, might be able to provide an army or a navy sufficient to protect itself, all the Colonies united might constitute a force that an aggressor would hesitate to trifle with. An Australian or a South African confederation would present a different front to an invader from that presented by a number of independent Colonies shut up in themselves. It is eminently undesirable, says the ' Times,' that the colonists should be taught to expect, as the people of New Zealand ivere taught for many years, that in the last resort the military power of the Mother Country will always be thrown into the scale on their side. If the military power of the Mother Country might fail in regard to enemies from within, like those of New Zealand or South Africa, it might also prove insufficient in regard to enemies from without." A man at Ware, on the Severn, Tasmania, recently caught a fine fish in the river weighing 18lbs, and discovered a silver label attached to its upper fin. On one side it bore the initial " W," and on the other the figures c " 181." Mr Clark, a local conservator, -was communicated with, and he proceeded to trace the fish, and succeeded. A. letter -was received from Mv Blipet, of Letton Coxirt, near Hereford, on the Wye, avlio is chairman of the Wye Fishery Board, stating that in the month of March this year his son, Mr F. Neeman Blipet, caught with a rod and line a salmon in Letton Waters, weighing 91bs, which he labelled as described and returned to the water. He has not the slightest doubt that tlie fish caught at Ware is the one in question. This affords another proof of the successful acclimatisation of the king 1 of fishes in Tasmania. At the recent examination for the scholarship exhibition in Tasmania, a lad named Charles Pike gained 3,346 marks against 3,247 obtained by Doran, the successful competitor. The creditable position attained by Pike deservedly gained him a lai'ge share of public sympathy, especially when it was known that he was disqualified by age from competing again. The matter was brought before Parliament, and it was resolved to grant Pike ,£4OO, payable in annual instalments, to enable him to prosecute his studies in England. The ship Peter Denny left Glasgow for the Bluff on the 25th. August, with 252 souls on board, made up as follows : — Male adults, 101 ; female ditto, 70 ; male children, 27 ; female ditto, 38 ; infants, 16 ; equal to 203 statute adults. Their various employments are as follows : — Farm laborers, 31 ; farmer, 1 ; ploughmen, 3 ; gardener, 1 ; joiners, 6 ; cartwrights, 2 ; cabinetmaker, 1 ; fitter, 1 ; blacksmiths, 5 ; ironfounder, 1 ; platelayers, 2 ; tinsmith, 1 ; iron moulder, 1; plumbers, 2; shoemakers, 3; tailors, 2; tweed finisher, 1 j upholsterer, 1 ; bookbinders, 3 ; carter, 1 ; millwrights, 3 ; mechanics, 2 ; shipwrights, 2 ; slater, 1 ; bakers, 2 ; vannian, 1 ; mason, 1 ; pitcher, 1 ; bricklayers, 2 ; ditcher, 1 ; miners, 5. Single women : dressmakers, 2 ; domestic servants, 13 ; shop-girl, 1 ; dairymaid, 2. Their nationalities are as follows : English, 28 ; Scotch, 209 ; Irish, 15. Symptoms of a brisk election contest in the Grrey Valley and Inangahua district are already apparent. Three candidates are already in the field, and others are expected to declare them»elves. A section of the electors are anxious to present Sir Julius Vogel with one of the two seats for the district and, as the ' Argus ' puts it, "It has been resolved to intimate to the premier, Dr. Pollen, more- formally than "was

already done, that there is a determination on the part of the electors of the district to elect Sir Julius as one of their members." The "Wellington ' Post' says "Ministers have intimated to Mr. Ballance, on Sir Julius Vogol's arrival, they are willing to accept the requisition now being signed in Wanganui inviting that gentleman to stand for the new seat for that distinct. They state that if elected Sir Julius will sit for Wanganui." The Ilokitika papers contain the announcement of the marriage, on the 18th October last, at South Yarra, Melbourne, of the lion. J. A. Bonar, Superintendent of Westland, to Ella Bell, daughter of the late W. M. Bell, of Melbourne. A TELEaEApnic paragiaph (says the N. Z. 'Mail 3 ) informed us the other day that in a quiet and unostentatious manner the importation of salmon ova, into this colony has been accomplished. Probably the reason no fuss was made over this was that the ova were American and a most erroneous impression has got abroad that American salmon are very inferior. This is not the case, and wo are happy in giving every publicity to tho circumstances of this last effort to stock the streams; with tho king of fislies. Accounts to hand from the Blue bprir are very good. The Tuapeka ' Times' says, "the two battery companies on the Gabriel side are in full work — the stamps ten head each— being kept going without intermission from Monday morning to Saturday night. They are putting through close upon 4,000 loads of stuff per month, the average yield as near as we can ascertain being four ilwts. to the load. A calculation will show that this amounts to 800 ozs. per month. The total number of men employed at each of the two claims may be set down as thirty. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Sliand, M.P.C., Allan, M.P.C., Pram and Charters, waited upon His Honor the Superintendent last week for the purpose of presenting a memorial begging of the Government to take such measures as would prevent the introduction into Otago of the foot-and-mouth disease, which is at present proving most disastrous tunong&t tho cattle, sheep and swine in Great Britain and Ireland. In the discussion which followed, it was stated by Mr. Charters that he had known cases in which the disease in question liad broken out amongst cattle after they had been ten or twelve months separated from those suffering from the sickness, and thut in these instances it was supposed the infection had been carried by hares and rabbits. His Honor said that it would ruin the owners if their cattle were quarantined for ten months, and that he believed the best plan to take would be to prohibit importation, which could be done by sending a telegram Homo to forbid any further shipments for the present. An esteemed correspondent, writing from Katikati, says, relative to the recent bad weather : — " We don't remember seeing worse weather in any season of the year in the old country. What a change to many who have lived hi good warm brick houses, with papered walls and carpeted floors, chimneys, ovens, &c, &c, to be transferred to a half -finished whare, where the wind conies in at either end, the top. sides, windows, and doors, with a fire in the centre of the floor, and the smoke blowing in every direction. Notwithstanding, the new arrivals are bearing tip well, many of them planting potatoes, maize, and oats, clearing, digging, and ploughing to prepare for the ensuing season of grass seed sowing." — 'Bay of Plenty Times.' The opening of the Picton and Blenheim railway was celebrated by a luncheon and ball. The scenery, through which the line passes, is described as being very beautiful, and the first view obtained of Picton is said to be " exquisite." A correspondent of the Thames ' Evening Star ' gives a most interesting account of the Waiwera Hot Springs. Prior to their being visited by white men they were known to the Maoris by the name of "The Doctor," and the natives used to frequent them extensively. The Maori method of bathing was by digging a hole in the beach, into which the hot water speedily oozed, and in this the patients would sit or lie for hours, smoking and talking the while. Besides thu excellent effect of these springs in cases of gout, rheumatism, and various other disorders, a bath, taken in them in the evening or in the afternoon is said to be certainly followed by bleep, oven when opiates have failed to induce it. The natural attractions of this health-restoring locality are enhanced by ample provision for the amusement and comfort of visitors, and the hotel charges, everything considered, are not exorbitant. Tjie Clutha Pastoral and Agricultural Society's Annual Show was held on Friday last at Balclutha. Tho inclemency of the weather prevented it being a success ; for besides tho ill effect upon the attendance, the river was so high that a quantity of stock intended for exhibition could not be brought over from Inch Clutha. The cattle and horses shown are said to have been rather poor, but tho shcop arc favorably spoken of. The new Turnpike Ordinance, which is to come into force on the lbt January next, will lean heavily upon the carriers and others interested in the up-country trade. The tolls have been increased from Gd. to Is. for each horse in a team of eight, and to 2s. for each horae in a team of ten. A deputation waited on His Honor the Superintendent on Friday last respecting this matter. His Honor said that tho tolls had been raised only on teams of more than six horses, with a view to prevent overloading. It was stated in reply, that although the loads wore lighter than they used to be, it was still neco3&ary to employ ten-horse teams in carrying goods into the interior of the country. In conclusion, His Honor said that the Provincial Government could not repeal the Ordinance. He would, however, lay the matter before the Executive. About a thousand persons were present at a meeting held in the Choral Hall, Auckland, by Sir Grcorge Grey. Sir George was received •with deafening cheers, all standiug, and concluded an earnest and brilliant speech as follows :—"lt: — "It is my unhesitating belief that if Auckland was made a free city, with only tho harbor of Auckland and Manukau, and adjacent land, we would raise a community as great as Carthage. If within these limits the power of establishing free trade

and the extension of our commerce, we should, even with these small limits, rise to greatness that would astonish mankind. I may tell you that some of the greatest minds in the last Assembly believed that, under existing circumstances, and in view of the shock given to Provincial institutions, that the best solution of the difficulty would be self-separation of Now Zealand into two States — (loud cheers) and that each Island have, in due subordination to Great Britain, absolutely sovereign powers within itself ; and that it shouli yield up no portion of its powers except federal ones. The small General Government sittings at Wellington should simply regulate Customs duties, Post-office dues, and certain subjects of that kind; and, like the States of America, each Island should bo a sovereign within its own limits ; and that the General Assembly be the servant of the two Islands — not able to take away any power from them, but only receiving such powers as may, by joint agreement, be given them. Even some of the leading men at Wellington have signified their entire acquiescence in that. In case of Auckland being made the capital of the Northern Island, and the Federal Government retaining its seat at Wellington, I would feel it my duty to accord with this if the public sentiment were in that direction. Although I would sacrifice something of my own feelings, I would see a change of prosperity being restoied to New Zealand, and the North having its own revenue spent among them. This was the scheme which the people should tend their minds to. They would have two Legislatures in the Noi-ch Island — one at Wellington, and the other at Auckland — sitting under the direct eye of the puplic, whose welfare their actions affected. They would see again Auckland able to spend her fair share of money and able to avail herself of all advantages. It is a melancholy thing for me to see no road to the districts near my habitation, and to see residents like savages in canvas waiting at points on their journey to send produce to Auckland. Therefore, in all parts of the Province my heart yearns to have a different state of things. It is for this that I recommend the plan of Separation which fluds most favour with my friends. Then to look further to the future. Quite recently fresh fields of industry liavo been opened to the human race, such as California, Japan, China, and Australasia. Look at the position of Auckland situated in the highway of two oceans teaming with riches. The positions of her resources of coal, timber, gold — all that the heart could desire. What a destiny lay before Auckland if the people would be true to theiiiselves. Would they do this, and use their best efforts to arrive at a decision that would be for the benefit of New Zealand ? Ido not ask you to go with me. If you disapprove of my suggestions, I shall go back into retirement. Still, if you are willing to aid me in my efforts for the good of the Colony, my services are still at your di-posal." — (Prolonged cheering.) A vote of confidence was passed, and great enthusiasm prevailed. On the motion of Sir George Grrey, a vote of confidence was also passed in Mr. Dignan. Three elieors for Sir George, aad throe cheers for Separation, concluded the meeting. We continue to receive complaints about the non-delivery of the Tablet in various parts of the Colony. We are glad to say, however, that these complaints are not near so numerous as they used to 100. We would again assure our readers that the paper is dispatched from our office under such careful management as to render mistakes almost impossible. We have positive knowledge of the fact that some of the local post offices are not over scrupulous in reference to newspapers, and the newspaper joross is constantly complaining of post office mismanagement all over the Colony. We would recommend, our subscribers to agitate their respective local post office authorities, as we feel sure that thoso avlio complain, the least will always suffer the most. We have received a letter from a correspondent at Lawrence in reference to the death of Dr. Halley. From it we learn that Dr. Halley -was held in the highest estimation by all clo-oats in his own and surrounding flistricts. He was one of those self-.iacriii cing and earnest men who always forget their own ills in trying to alleviate the sufferings of others. Tho best pvoof of the esteem in which Dr. Halley was held is the numerous attendance at his funeral, which was quite of a public character. Notwithstanding all complaints about bad times, tightness of money, etc., the races were well attended on St. Andrew's Day by vast crowds. Various other amusements were provided in the way of pic-nics and steamboat excursions, all of which were well patronised. OtfWednesdaynightMessrs.KeynoldsandWalesinvitedtheelectors \ of Dunedin to meet them in the Drill Shed, in order that they might render an account of their stewardship. W<j regret that we cannot do more than notice the meeting by a few lines, in consequence of the early hour at winch we go to press. There would be about 700 people assembled. Wo observed that, as is usually the custom, a number of chairs were provided for tho accommodation of the leading friends of the candidates, but tho chairs remained unoccupied, no one feeling inclined to crowd round these favorites of other times. The attitude of the meeting throughout was one of unmistakable hostility. During the meeting reference was made to Sir George Grey. When some person called for " three cheers for Sir George," the response was of such a hearty character as to have done Sir George's heart good could he have heard it. The meeting passed a resolution condemnatory of Mr. Reynolds' past conducL, and when Mr. Wales stepped forward he was received with a torrent of groans and hisses, the meeting breaking up almost immediately, refusing to hear him. We are informed that arrangements have been concluded for a concert in aid of the Dunedin Catholic Schools, to be held on Monday evening, 3rd January, IS7G. Mr. J. J. Woods, of Lawrence, has kindly placed his services at the disposal of the committee, who are sparing no trouble to make tho entertainment one of the most successful ever given in Dunedin. Mr. Woods will be assisted by several of Ins pupils and the principals of St. Joseph's choir. The tickets will be issued during the coming week, and apart from the object the concert is in aid of, such a galaxy of talent ought in itself to secure a crowded house.