Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899)(about) |
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Wednesday 3 April 1844
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LAUNCESTON EXAMINER, Wednesday, April 3, 1844. REVIEW. IN entering on the third year of our edi- torial labours, we propose to glance at the more prominent events of its predecessor. We leave the public to determine the value of those principles we avowed at the com- mencement of the Examiner ; and whether promise has been equalled by performance. We are not sutfficiently vain to challenge universal approbation for the manner in which we have executed the task volun- tarily undertaken; but we confidently claim the credit of consistency. Civil and religious liberty is the motto engraved on that banner we are honoured to follow: but under the pretence of public duty, we have never invaded the domestic circle, or published the affairs of private life. It has been our aim to avoid the spirit of party, and to suppress it whenever it appeared. We have studiously shunned a comparison of different creeds, and left the divines to discuss polemics. But if the pretensions of sects assume a political complexion, the press may interfere; and puseyism, when it claims the prerogatives of the Almighty, and the arm of civil power, cannot pass without notice. We have allowed our cor- respondents a greater license than we per- mitted ourselves. It is of the utmost im- portance in a community like this that the expression of public opinion should be en- couraged : and we have admitted letters which -- though not always elegant, nor altogether free from prejudice -- were not personally offensive. If we wrote merely for the purpose of securing praise, we
have no reason to complain ; but we hope we are influenced by a higher motive. It is our wish to be useful -- to diffuse sound principles -- to express the opinions of the people -- and to defend the victims of vil- lainy from heartless calumny. Preceding volumes testify that our course has been somewhat rough, and our labour incessant. At present we sail in smooth water, and the breeze that has always been favourable now fills our sails. But the faithful per- formance of our duty is not less arduous than important. The great moralist has described the condition of a periodical writer from experience. Compelled to compose on a stated day, he often brings to his work a dissipated attention an em- barrassed memory, a distracted mind, and a languishing body : but since perfection is attained by few, if any, in this world, we need hardly apologise for infirmities inseparable from our present state. Our readers have been regularly fur- nished with those items of intelligence from Britain interesting to colonists. The past year has witnessed the disruption of of the church of Scotland ; the progress of a schism in the sister establishment ; out- breaks in the manufacturing districts of England and Scotland; serious riots in Wales; and almost a rebellion in Ireland. The Chinese war has been concluded, and the prospect of a vast trade opened up; while the disturbances in India have been quelled, and the British power more firmly consolidated in that immense peninsula. In Britain four theories respecting religi- ous establishments prevail. It is held by some that the church ought to decide all cases that arise within a certain sacred circle, which she is herself to define, and that her decisions are to be enforced by civil penal- ties. Others assert that there is a neces- sary harmony between the church and the state, and that ecclesiastical authority is only civil power in a sanctified form. The late Dr. Arnold insisted that the state has ab- solute authority over church decisions, and can enforce its own views irrespective of ecclesiastical sanction; while the Arch- bishop of Dublin maintains that the civil governor has no authority in religious affairs, but may occasionally promote them by pecuniary assistance. It is not our pro- vince to reconcile conflicting opinions, and we leave the task to those who do not consider it altogether hopeless. There can be no doubt that want of employment, low wages, and destitution, originated a spirit of discontent in Eng- land, which was expressed in illegal proceed- ings: and that the enforcement of unpopular impositions created the riots in Wales: but in these instances disaffection was not in- flamed by the eloquence of an O'Connell, nor spread by the magic influence of a a priesthood. We look with anxiety for intelligence from Ireland, and wait with impatience the result of those ministeral measures which will either force submission or precipitate rebellion. New South Wales has obtained a legis- lature, the complexion of which cannot be envied by the sister colonies. The govern- ment has reserved a large revenue, and fixed its appropriation. Colonists may indeed decide on improvements, but they must be carried into execution by means of local taxation. If the large proportion of crown nominees in the council do not pre- vent the adoption of anti-imperial measures, the members are restrained by explicit in- structions from the secretary of state. The first session has not been one of much pro- mise. Liberal opinions are entertained by a few, and consistently carried out, but the majority are either wedded to old notions, or vote contrary to the principles they pro- fess. A narrow-minded policy induces
them to adopt what is called protective measures, but which must impoverish the community in which they obtain. If we turn our eye to this colony, the most important change that has transpired is the new system of prison discipline. We have already examined at considerable length the various features of this subject; and since it must continue a topic of daily discussion, we need not now refer to its principles or details. If the colonists are satisfied that its amendment is impossible, they must adopt the other alternative, and petition that no more prisoners be sent to these shores. The promulgation of the new land regu- lations has occurred within the period of review. No unalienated acre, wherever situated, or whatever its character, is to be disposed of, for less than twenty shillings. The surveyor's staff may now be safely dispensed with, or engaged in some other service than the survey of land. Those who already possess extensive estates will derive advantage from these regulations when the times improve ; and if their land adjoins unappropriated soil, they will enjoy government runs in perpetuity. With the land fund, emigration must fail. Large claims on the exchequer for this service still remain unliquidated, and there is not the slightest prospect that others will be incurred while the treasury is empty. The embarrassed affairs of the colony have frequently fallen under notice. Meetings have been held on both sides of the island ; and although productive of no immediate effect, they were valuable, as affording an op- portunity for the expression of public opi- nion. In opposition to some of our con- temporaries, we have maintained that the colony is not ruined. On excellent autho- rity we stated that the mortgages and bank- ing capital held by foreigners does not ex- ceed £850,000; and the annual interest only amounts to £81,000. Wool at £12 per bale, oil at £25 per tun, whalebone at £120 per ton, and grain at 3s. per bushel, will yield £400,000 -- to which may be added the commissariat expenditure, which actually forms an export, to the amount of £350,000 per annum. We said that £740,000 divided among some 40,000 peo- ple, beside their rations, exhibited a tolerably respectable notion of beggary. An improve- ment in colonial affairs is visible to all who do not close their eyes to conviction. Has not the discovery in the sister colony, that tallow is a profitable export, enhanced the price of home stock ? The wool and oil markets remain firm, and although the quo- tation for corn is at present below the cost of production, it cannot in the common course of events continue long depressed. It is probable that the people at Sydney do not require all we can supply, but wheat will clear four shillings in the English market, and it appears almost an argument against severe distress when we dis- cover that Hong Kong, the Mauritius, the Cape, and England, are not visited by vessels from hence, loaded with grain and flour. Sir Eardley Wilmot has judiciously employed the surveyor-general to examine some parts of the interior, with a view to facilitate irrigation, and should that officer successfully execute his commission, and prove that the application of irrigation to extensive tracts is easy, his labour will not be lost. The quiet of the interior has been dis- turbed by the lawless proceedings of bush- rangers during the last year. Jeffs and Conway have suffered the last penalty of the law, and Cash and his companions are in custody. We have no desire to dwell on the insecurity of life and property, but we implore his Excellency to adopt effect-
tive measures to calm the not ungrounded fears of distant settlers. The district of Campbell Town is the scene generally selected by those who abscond, and as a body of volunteers are ready to arm them- selves for the protection of their neighbours, we trust no legal hindrance will prevent his sanction. The circumstances are urgent, and prompt measures are required to repress bushranging and restore confi- dence. The government has been repeatedly urged to pass a law for the regulation of savings banks, but the matter is still in abeyance. The water acts are bound up in the statute book, but there seems no probability that they will come into opera- tion. We have intimated that we require a municipal act to secure the health of Launceston. The government evinced commendable care in preserving us from being poisoned with diseased mutton, but the kindness will be forgotten if we perish at last by a miasmatic fever. The post- office system requires revision, and we hope this important branch of the public ser- vice will be soon rendered more efficient. It is not to be forgotten that during the past year Sir Eardley has given to Launceston a mem- ber of council. The inhabitants can now personally communicate with one who will receive their representations with courtesy, and present them with pleasure. These are the subjects which have chiefly occupied our attention for the last twelve months. Personal differences and party bickerings are unavoidable. In every community there are waspish spirits ; but they more frequently annoy than injure. All cannot be luminaries, and some are content to be firebrands. When such employ themselves to create discord they may attract attention for a moment, and if their light become so brilliant as to in- convenience the eyes of their neighbours we may be compelled to step aside and dim their radiance. But our readers may rest assured that we shall not linger in their vicinity. The idiotic raving and low buffoonery of a degraded press are dis- gusting and ridiculous; but we shall defend our friends when they require it. A strong sympathy may excite to feats of mutual rivalry, but we will leave the malicious and the obscene to pursue in company the course they love, and only casually notice these who wallow in contamination, and in the language of Pope -- From the effluvia strong Imbibe new life, and scour and stink along; Repass each other in the rival race, Nor heed the brown dishonours of their face. ASTRONOMICAL NOTICES FOR APRIL, 1844. Jupiter will be the morning star, and Venus the evening star all the month. Disc of Venus seven tenths illuminated. Mercury will be visible in the evening at the latter end of the month. Mars, about the middle of the month, will be near Alde- baran (the bright star in the Bull.) Saturn will be in the constellation of Capricorn ; Georgian in Pisces. 1st. Set clock faster than the sun 3 minutes 53 seconds: sun rises 6h. 20m., sets 5h. 46m.: Southern Cross vertical at 11h. 35m. p.m. 3rd. Full moon at 4h. 45m. p.m., in perigee: now in position most beneficial to the earth. 7th. Southern Cross vertical at quarter past eleven : Venus nearest the sun, or in perihelion. 10th. Last quarter of the moon 7h. 58m. a.m. 11th. Saturn in conjunction with the moon. 15th. Sun rises at 6h. 35m., sets at 5h. 25m.: clock with the sun: Jupiter in conjunction with the moon: Southern Cross vertical quarter before eleven. 17th. Mercury nearest the sun. 18th. New moon at a quarter past one in the morning. 19th. Mercury in conjunction with the moon. 20th. Mars in conjunction with the moon: this will be a beautiful occultation of the planet, but will be invisible to us : moon in apogee. 21st. Venus near the moon.
22nd. Southern Cross vertical at a quarter past ten. 26th. Moon's first quarter at six a.m. 30th. Clock slower than the sun three minutes : sun rises at 6h. 51m., sets 5h. 3m.: Southern Cross vertical quarter before ten. A NEW tract of fine grazing land, consisting of an extensive and rich alluvial valley in the vicinity of the River Hume, has been re- cently explored by Mr. Shelley and a party of other gentlemen, the native of which is Toregar- roggan, but although cattle dung was seen in con- siderable quantities by the travellers, they have been as yet unable to discover a practicable path for the conveyance of cattle over the mountain ridges with which the vale is surrounded. The appearance of the country a round is described as being very fine, but some doubts are entertained by practical men as to whether it will form a very desirable spot for the formation of stations ; for although the pasturage is of a superior kind, there are still two very serious drawbacks -- the first of which is the prospect of heavy floods in the low lands during the winter season, and the second the presence of innumerable swarms of the March fly, the presence of which insect has ever been found most destructive to cattle. It is, however, we understand, the intention of some gentlemen to give the valley a fair trial, by removing some cattle there as soon as they can find an available path for their transit over the mountains.-Sydney Morning Herald. PORTLAND BAY. - In addition to Mr. Griffiths mill, nearly completed, another is about to be erected at Port Fairy. STATISTICS OF PORTLAND BAY. - We have been favoured with a return of the quality and value of the exports from Portland Bay for the years 1842 3. The table shows that there was exported -- of wool, 4,517 bales, value £50,109 ; of oil, 427 tons, value £10,075; cattle, 814 head, value £6,950 ; sheep, 24,837, value £1,790 ; hides, tallow, wheat, beef, potatoes, butter, and sundries, making the total value of exports £83,549. The same return contains a statement of the number and tonnage of vessels inwards, wharfage dues, and imports, which gives the following totals: No. of vessels inwards, 165 ; tonnage, 17,679; wharfage, 431 12s. 7d.; duties, £5,845 18s.; im- ports, £50,863 7s. 9d. CLERICAL.- The Rev. Mr. Simpson, Wesleyan minister, at present stationed at Launceston, is about to proceed to England with his children. The Rev. Mr. Butters will occupy his place here, and the Rev. Mr. Manton will be removed to Hobart Town. SYDNEY.- By the way of Port Phillip we have news from Sydney to 16th March. Business was upon the whole brisk, and there was every prospect that a permanent improvement had taken place. We regret to learn that the corn market continued depressed, but as the stock held must pass rapidly into consumption, we hope in a short time to hear that the price of wheat has rallied at Sydney. MORE BUSHRANGERS APPREHENDED. -- At the latter end of last week, Mr. David Taylor, ob- served four men crossing the Macquarie, and in the evening mentioned the circumstance to Mr. John Mackersey.That gentleman, suspecting them to be runaways, went to the house of Messrs. Allison, and, together with two of those gentle- men, started in pursuit, having previously armed themselves. They scoured the bush all night, and about four o'clock in the morning, came to an abandoned hut. They searched in vain for some time, and were about to depart, when one of the gentlemen observed a hat, and shrewdly remarked "there must be a head not far off." They con- tinued their scent, and at last discovered some men concealed up the chimney. They ordered them to come down, and crawl out of the hut on their hands and knees, and in obedience to the command, three men came down the chimney, were taken outside, and two of them secured. Whilst two of the party were in the act of tying the third prisoner, Mr. Mackersey returned to the hut, and discovering another man up ithe chimney, who no sooner felt the point of a bay- onet, than he jumped down, seized Mr. Mack- ersey, and a struggle ensued. The Messrs. Allison, alarmed for the safety of that gentleman, hastened to his assistance, and the prisoner whom they were in the act of tying made off and escaped. The other three were safely lodged in custody; proved to belong to the Oatlands road party. The community has this been rendered an essen- tial service by the volutary exertions of those gentlemen. QUARTER SESSIONS.- The Court has been ad- journed to the 26th April.
WITNESSES' EXPENSES.-- Some idea of the ex- pense incurred in criminal prosecutions may be formed from the fact that a witness from Swan Port was allowed the sum of £14 for his expenses. AN INSULT.-- We are informed on excellent authority, that it is an insult for a correspondent to enquire " What are you about?" It may be thus illustrated. Two or three years ago an editor stated to his creditors that his book debts would more than liquidate his liabilities four times over, to say nothing of landed estates, pleasure yachts, horses and carriages. It now appears that his unfortunate and calumniated creditors are told that a dividend of one shilling and sixpence in the pound is payable on the insolvent's personal debts, and seven pence in the pound on those of another bankrupt, which he guaranteed. It is therefore an insult to ask a gentleman, what are you about ? since he can only reply I am paying off my cre- ditors by homoeopathic instalments. A GOOD DEFINITION.- -A very equivocal wit- ness in the supreme court, when asked by the attorney-general what was meant by an alibi, replied, " taking a false oath." INQUEST.-- An inquest was held on Monday afternoon, at the Prince of Wales Inn, before Captain Gardiner, on the body of Mary Ann Lee, a young woman about twenty years of age, who died at the female factory. It was satisfactorily proved that death resulted from natural causes, and a verdict to that effect was returned. ROBBERY ON BOARD SHIP. -- As the Indian was proceeding down the river, a man belonging to the pilot's boat was observed to go down into the fore castle. Before making his appearance on the deck, the mate was struck with the extraor- dinary increase in the corpulency of the indivi- dual, when it appeared he had dressed himself in five or six shirts, two jackets, and other apparel, belonging to the sailors. He was taken before the A.P.M. of George Town, and sentenced to eighteen nmonths' addition to his sentence. Before being removed from the vessel, the prisoner assaulted the captain, and a violent scuffle en- sued. HIGHWAY ROBBERY.-- A licensed hawker, on his way from Oatlands to Launceston, was stopped on the high road, between Thornhill's and Thomp- son's, a few days since, by a gang of four or five rnen, one of therm knocked him down, whilst another rifled his pockets of five pounds, and others kept watch at a distance. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. -- An inquest was held on Tuesday morning, on the body of a private of the 96th. It appeared by evidence that deceased fell down a ladder at the barracks, and sustained severe injuries at the back of the neck and head, which caused his death. Verdict accordingly. LAUNCESTON PUBLIC SCHOOL. -- The number of children attending this school, has much in- creased since the vacation. We are informed one hundred and fifty pupils are now in daily attend- ance. THE STREETS. -- We know not whether our townsmen are indebted to the commandant or to Mr. Moore -- perhaps to both, but there are many substantial improvements, either complete or in progress. Much remains to be done, but if the same energy be displayed in the course of the next two years, every street in town will be in a toler- able state of repair. We believe the inhabitants provide the material, but this does not derogate from the efficiency of the men employed, who are under better superintendence than town gangs usually are. THE OATLANDS ABSCONDERS.-- We have given elsewhere the particulars of the capture of three of the Oatlands absconders, and the escape of a fourth. In our last we reported the apprehension of five of the same gang at the Cocked Hat, and one at Camnpbell Town. We have now the plea- sure of stating that the only remaining one was apprehended on Monday, on the road near Cleggin, proceeding towards Evandale. The unfortunate wretch was so nearly exhausted with fatigue as to be scarcely capable of walking, and was conveyed to Evandale on horseback. VESSELS OUTWARDS. -- The Asia, for London; the Sir John Franklin, for New Zealand; and Shamrock, for Hobart Town, passed safe out of the heads, at 11 a.m., yesterday. The Waterlily and Marian Watson, with troops for New Zealand, at half-past 5 p.m.; and the Adelaide, for London, Union, for Sydney, at 6 p.m. HAMILTON. -- A correspondent complains be- cause the Rev. Mr. Pogson, of the church of England, lately refused to administer the sacra- ment to several persons, on the grounds that they were schismatics. It appears that Mr. Pogson
occasionally officiates at Hamilton, and that a considerable number of Wesleyans have attended his ministrations. One of their numbers, Mr. Sherwin, has acted as clerk, and he, with others, wished to embrace the opportunity of receiving the sacrament at the hands of Mr. Pogson ; but he would neither permit their participation nor presence, insisted on their retirement, and or-. dered the church doors to be closed. This con- duct has given great offence to a number of re- spectable inhabitants residing in the neighbour- hood, and when the Rev. Mr. Pugson and the Rev. Mr. Turner were lately preaching at Ha- milton, the former had one hearer, and the other a good congregation. We believe Mr. Pogson has the power to refuse the ordinance to any per- sons when he may deem proper, but perhaps the exercise of this right is neither politic nor cha- ritable, if those desirous of communicating be pious people. In England the table is open to all who chose to partake, unless they are known to be immoral persons. Mr. Pogson, however, cannot justly incur censure from those who de- mand an equal liberty, and if he has conscientiously performed his duty in refusing the sacrament to those he considers schismatics, they have no right to complain. If any of them maintain they are members of the church of England, an appeal to the Bishop and ecclesiastical courts is open to them. But in forcing out spectators, and closing the doors of the church during the celebration of divine service, Mr. Pogson has acted without authority and contrary to law. FIRE.-- Griffiths' stores, occupied by Mr McGuillan, narrowly escaped destruction last night. It ap- pears Mr. Guillan discovered a strong smell of fire, and applied to Mr. Fawns for the purpose of ascertaining if he was burning anything on his premises. They proceeded to the mill stores, and after examining the premises, the smoke was de- tected issuing from a heap of wheat on the second floor. It appears that the grain had become heated, and the progress of the fire was doubtless accelerated by the warmth of the adjoining flue. Men were immediately employed to drench the wheat with water, and upon removing the corn, it was discovered that a considerable portion had been consumed to ashes, and the pailings un- derneath, and several yards of the flooring burned. ENGLISH. -- We have papers to the end of No- vember. Lieutenants Monro and Grant had inti- mated their intention to surrender, and take their trials at the next session of the central criminal court. -- Mr. Adam Black had been elected lord provost of Edinburgh ; and Mr. Fox Maule, lord rector of Glasgow university. HOBART TOWN MARKETS. -- The price of wheat since our last, has ruled at from 3s. 6d. to 3s.10d. per bushel ; all other grain and produce without alteration. We are of opinion the price of wheat will not be properly ascertained till after the price of the present wheat tenders are known. -- Colonial Times. RACE NATURAL CURIOSITIES. -- We have paid a visit to Mr. Latham's menagerie of rare natural curiosities, with which we were much gratified. The several serpents are young and quite tame the boa constrictor is about fifteen feet long, and eats from three to four fowls a week. The white cockatoos, with a faint shade of purple under the wings, are very beautiful ; the feathers and down of the Aga pheasant are beautiful beyond any thing we have ever seen. The female ourang- outangs, constituting the link between the human and the brute creation, are young, exceedingly docile, and sit on the owner's knee like children; they are very anxious to be well clothed, in the present cold weather. We were also shown a small deer, of the Indian kind, called mouse deer -- a beautiful creature with small spindle legs. There are a number of Chinese drawings and samples of female shoes. In short, the whole is well worth an hour's inspection, and we have no doubt Mr. Latham will meet with the patronage his industry and taste so justly deserve.-- Ibid. EXECUTION.-- The following individuals suffered the last penalty of the law this morning :-- George Churchward, George Bristol, John Walker, Wil- liam Thomas, and John Woolley. They appeared sensible of their melancholy position, but none spoke excepting Churchward, who expressed him- self to the effect, that he trusted the present awful scene would operate as a warning to all. -- Ibid. SUPREME COURT, OATLANDS. -- On Wednes- day 26th instant, Alexander Reid, Martin Cope, James Prendergrass, and John Reubin, were found guilty of feloniously shooting at Henry Murray, a constable of the Hobart police, with intent to kill. His honor Mr. Justice Montague in passing sentence, desired them to prepare to ^^^^^.
HORTICULTURAL SHOW.-- There was an excel- lent show of fruit to-day. We have not room for- a list of the prizes, but on but on Saturday, will give a full report of the articles exhibited, and the pro- ceedings of this excellent institution.