The Evening star.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 195, 24 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening star.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1870,

It ia much to be regretted that the Constitution Act does not contain principles of self adjustment in respect of the distribution of representation. In all colonies the settlement of population, as existing at the time of the grant of representative institutions, has been made the basis of the first representation in Parliament; and any alteration in the representation based on the rapid changes in population and importance of localities, ia the signal for local jealousies exceedingly detrimental to the best interests of the country. The recent debate in the House of Representatives is an instance of this. Districts have retrograded; others have advanced, until the legislature has ceased to represent the country in anything like resemblance to the equity with which representation existed at first. The necessity for readjustment has forced itself on members, but, owing to vested interests and local antagonisms, the result of the debate will pretty much exemplify "As you were." The same cause has kept the question as to the proper basis for the distribution of seats a vexed question ; and so it will continue until the subject of a permanent basis with self-adjuatiug powers is once for all

debated and finally settled. Whether extent of territory, possession of wealth, or numbers of people, shouid constitute that permanent basis might have been calmly and equitably settled simultaneously with the gift of the constitution :

but n r.v when the matter conies up for

discussion, however patriotic and. equitable the professions of honorable members, it is evident to any onlooker that, with a few honorable exceptions, the matter ia viewed in its effects en the local interests of the district for which the speaker holds his scat. A great outcry was raised because Ihe Auckland and Otago members claimed population as the basis. It so happens that these two provinces would be benefited bj such arrangement ; and doubtless like other members, fcl.ia weighed largely with them in giving a bent to their advocacy. Bab it was seen that this basis would give an apparent preponderance to these two provinces in the House, and accordingly it was met by a burst of indignant patriotism and Logic. And yet it ia evident that it must come to this. Whether it be wise or unwise, the whole ten.. :icy of the growth oi popular feeliag is in this direction; and aooner or later, numbers will preponderate. In this as in many other things human nature- ia revolving in cycles; and the days wheu brute force and the numbers of riyiic arms ruled the policy oi communities will be repeated, in the days when, from the general diffusion of intelligence, one will be considered as good as another, and as having an equal voice in the affairs of the country. Oppose it as we «aay, manhood suffrage, will become the universal law ; and numbers will overcome resisting obstacles and make itself the basis of representation. Thig is not a question for discussion, but a fact that wili be brought to pass by the present tendency and inevitable growth oi circumstances. And it would have been wise and statesman-like for our legislature to have considered the signs of the times, and anticipated the inevitable, .it the same time there ia nothing inequitable in this. Extent of territory p irtially occupied would be absurd as a baa;;;. Wealth haa claims to great consider'ion, but it must be borne in mind thaL capital has it.-s number of dependents fairly distributed, and that it' there is actual wealth in one district, there must, if it is reproductive and profitable to the country, bj a proportionate population connected with it. Taken altogether, the distribution of wealth among population in such :i colony as yew Zealand, is fairly proportionate : and even though we desire to pay all respect to capital and resources, and special interest?, by far the simplest and

most equitable basis tor iv-didt-ribiition of the electorates is the number of electors.

This alone could be selected as a permanentand self-adjusting ba.su, iiad bj adopting it, and eaactin^ tli.it. ['or all time to cotae, a district, wliea containing a certain proportion, of tß.d whole populaniijn ot the colony, should be entitled fco representation, justice would be equitably administered to all dij;rict^ ajid interests, present and prospective, and an end put to -.his ever-recurring cause of heart-burn.-ing and local jealonay.

The City Hull had aa usual last night a large muster of attendants afc jfr. and lira

WooiL'ofTe'd levee, and the interest expressed waa unabated at the curious exhibition of taste and skill in glas::bluwin;r. To-n';rlit Mrs. Woodroffe takes her benefit) and we are sure that the large number who wuteh nightly with such rapt attention around hr-v aland, will by there reports of her exceedingly tastefid and interesting performances ensure a bumper house. A Tauranga correspondent writing on the 19th, says : —I have just received intelligence thai;, " News arrived to-day that the natives at; Okakakoroka (near Taupo) have cut down all the telegraph posts placed on tiie side of the Waikato river." I believe that Mr. Warbrick will not be able to negotiate with that turbulent tribe, the Arawa.

X very interesting specimen of the true gaol-bird,, made his weird, and ragged debut before the Bench to-day. This amiable individual has 5 within the laat three years, bemi convicted seven times for larceny, twice fo r assault, twice for vagrancy, once for smashing windows, and once for being drunk. He has moreover, a pleasant habit of batting like a ram against the stomach of the apprehending constable, a pastime which he diversifies with biting. We notice that the salvage goods of Patter, son, Kay, Palmer and Co., Melbourne, damaged during; the late fire at: Watson, Scanlan and Co.'a store, will be offered for sale tomorrow at -I. C jsgrara's and Co., drapers, Quiien-fefcreet. No offer ivi'ased as the goods must be sold.—f AD7T.]

We would ask our contemporary, blie Southern Cross, in his remarks regarding the action far libel threatened against the Evening News, to not so invariably use the term " an evening contemporary." In order to correct the misapprehension likely to arise, we feel it incTiinbenb on us asain fco say tliat the Evir^rixo Stae is not the " contemporary" alluded to> and that we are nob embroiled with the " Tahiti Cotton Company."

On yesterday morning, a? Mr. Barnes was driving his cart along hiiu new North Road, by Cabbage Tree Swiiinp, he was passing through, a portion of \va er on the road about three feet deep, when suddenly horse and vehicle plunged into a depth of some ten feet, over an unseen embanknie.it. With great Iroublo Mr. Barnes struggled out again, and with such difficulty was the l^orse extricated that he ■will scarcely recover.

We learn that Mr. Neill, who has contributed, so largely to the success of the re-centiy-inaugivrated entertainments at the Mechanics', will take a benefit at the Hall of that institution, on Monday evening next, previous to leaving the city. Mr. Neill is deserving of a full house from the readiness with which, he has lent his aid to benefit others ; and from the really excellent expressive powers of recitation which, lie possesses. A considerable number of fellow labourers in the entertainment of the people have volunteered their services, and, from what we hive heard, we believe that the musical and literary melange on Monday evening will be a treat of. rare excellence. We sincerely wish Mr. Neill the utmost success.

In our yesterday's i $xv.\ W2 published a letter signed "F. J. 5.," respecting a raid apparently contemplated on barbers' poles. We should bo sorry to discourage, the efforts of the City Board to improve the city, and promote the comfort of the citizens ; but we really think these poles are very inoffensive implements, and i:i every city, from the time when, by law, the barbers were compelled to erect this variegated symbol of their profession of blood-letting, the ancient usage has been respected. We live in a utilitarian age, but the lew remnants ol' antiquity remaining in our customs, Lf nor, obtruding unduly, or an actual nuisance, might .veil be spared. It* anything . ouii be done to the ricketty trap doors in our footpaths, we believe a far greater service would be done to the citizens than demolishing the time -honored barbers' poles. In the Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, a school reserve at Oruawharo is proclaimed; certain miring leases at the Thames are granted, one lease refused, and nine cancelled ; the assessment list of Pukekura is published as lodged ; and Mr. H. Ashton is stated to have been appointed collector to the Karangaliape district, and Mr. G. Jleunh for Mount Wellington; certain Crown grants to natives are announced a^ ready for delivery. We have just learned that Mr. Wayte, with hia accustomed liberality, has presented ow. of I'.ij beautiful maps of the Thames goldfield to the Library of the Young Men's Christian Association, [fc ia a copy of that recently presented to the Mechanics' Institute, and with t'ue bordering of well-executed engravings will be very ornamental to the rooms of i;h: Association. Aa inquest wai held by Dr. Philaon, coroner. at the Manukau Hotel, Onehuuga. yesterday afternoon, on the body of James (3-a-iiany, seaman on board the Taranatci, whose death by ilrowning we recorded in our issue of Monday. it; appeared from the evidence that deceased, in going aboard by the rail abaft the bridge, missed his footing, and striking his head ikyiinat something was so sfcunued as to be incapable of making an effort to save himself. Ihe body wan recovered within half an hour of the accident, but wad then pulseless and dead. A verdict of accidental death was returned, with a ruler recommending the barning of a light on the wharf during the night.