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Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4325, 26 March 1884, Page 4

Alluding to the compact between the Government and Canterbury members on the subjoct of grain freights on railways, tho "Timaru Herald" says:—"We believe wo aro right in saying that it was a plump and plain bargain, nothing else. The Colonial Treasurer promised on his part that the railway rates should be so and so ; and tho members promised on their part to give a goneral support to tho Government. This was how tno Whitaker Ministry made up thoir majority in 1882; and this compact was probably only one of many that wore made with different sections of tho House. Of the morality of the proceeding, the less said the better. What we wish to point out is this. Political support that is secured by bribes or threats in this fashion is the least 'trustworthy of all. It falls away in a moment, when the bribes ore withdrawn or the threats cease to intimidate ; and when it falls away, no one has any sympathy with the Ministry who havo sold the public interests and their own honour for tho paltry consideration of place and pay."

Mr Wilfred Powell's expedition, under the patronage of the Royal Geographical Society, for the exploration of New Guinea, was to leave England at the beginning of March, but the financial difficulty has delayed its departure. It will consist of Mr Powell and four or five Europeans, including a naturalist and a geologist. About 1,000 to 1,100 miles of route have been mapped out, and the work of exploration is likely to occupy over a year. Mr Powell has chartered a small screw steamer, and will jproceed up the Berroli River in a steam launch as far as possible ; the launch will then return to the steamer, and the party will strike in a south-westerly direction across the high central mountain range, and will afterwards march to the East Coast, and meet the steamer in Astrolabe Bay. After re-fitting again, they will strike westward across the southern corner of tho island to Port Moresby, whereby Mr Powell will avoid the Fiy Kiver, or any portion already visited by Europeans.