The Press. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1866.

Press, Volume IX, Issue 989, 9 January 1866, Page 2

The Press. TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1866.

Wk have taken very little notice of the speeches which Mr. Moorhouse is in the habit of making almost daily in his usual strain of idle abuse of the Press. We read his speeches with pain, and with a sort of shame for the province to which we belong. When we hear a public man occupying public audiences with his debts and his bargains, and such fulsome praise of his own virtues as it would be exceedingly disagreeable to listen to even spoken by another, we feel that the speaker and the audience are both equally lowered. Never has there been a time in our history in which so many or such interesting public questions come under discussion, * affecting both the colony and the province, as at the present time; never a time when such distinct lines of policy on one side or I the other were being presented to the colony for its acceptance or rejection. We confidently ask the people whether I from the speeches to which they listen, ! they carry away any distinct ideas as to what these questions mean, or feel that they have gathered anything from his lips which will enable them better to understand the public policy of the country which, by their power of election, the people have to determine, We have been accustomed to hear most of the leading speakers of England ; we have read their speeches at the hustings ; and we have been used to hear and read clear and able expositions of the bearing of the measures and of the policy placed before the country by men and parties for its acceptance or rejection ; *but never except byjinodest and distant allusions, or except fromthe mouth of a Minister explaining the exact part he had himself taken at a particular time or on a particular question, did we hear of a public man condescending to descant on his own abilities and virtues, still less on his debts and difficulties ; and we believe that the mass of the people would sooner or later resent as an impertinence the attempt to palm off upon them a style of speaking which would not be tolerated by any higher

audience. Mr. Moorhouse has said several times that he has been attacked behind his back in the Press. If, instead of eliciting some feeble partizan cheers by such a sentence, he would answer the arguments we have used, it would give his supporters a little more confidence in his cause. He said not long ago, half a dozen times, that we had garbled his speeches. We challenged him to the proof. He j has not ventured to accept that chalilenge. That is answer,suflicient. It may suit him. to say he is abused : we are not conscious of having even used one hard word of Mr. Moorhouse, simply as a term of discredit. We have stated things which he has done and said. There has been no question as to the/facts. The question is as to the aspect these facts bear, and how they are to be viewed. For example, Mr. Moorhouse says he is a very able far-sighted man. Well, we " happen to think that the fact of a man making

these announcements in public is a convincing proof that he is wanting in that calm judgment and good taste which are main ingredients in what is called ability in government. We happen to think that disquisitions on a man's own powers and qualifications in public, are evidences of his unfitness, not only to govern, but even to perceive what is right and decent in governing. This is our opinion, which we cannot help holding, the more so, that it is shared by every intelligent people in the world. If we express tins opinion, Mr. Moorhouse claims sympathy for being abused. Mr. Moorhouse did many things as Superintendent j which we did not think it quite right in ; a public man in such a public position . to do. There was no question as to; the facts ; but he thinks these things I right, we think them wrong. If we explain why we think them wrong, taking only that standard of public life which prevails in England, he says we abuse him. We cannot help that. His saying so* will not in the least alter the real character of the dealings of which we have complained. Any man who lays himself out to win popularity —neither a dignified nor a difficult art, as multitudes of examples in history prove, —may use his popularity to lower the standard of public morals in the community in which he lives. There is no difficulty in lowering the public standard in these things. The difficulty is to raise it. But the opinion of the world at large remains the same. And all that results in such a case is, that the community which adopts a different view of what is right and wrong in public men from the rest of the world, is pointed at, and noted as occupying a lower grade. But character with a community or a government means credit, and a people which ceases to be particular as to the conduct of its public men, is generally thought to be likely not to be very particular in its public dealings. The events of the last few years have convinced us that Mr. Moorhouse can never again become the Superintendent of this province without lowering its position and influence in the colony and at home. It is in consequence of the extraordinary displays which Mr. Moorhouse has made, and the strange vaccillation he has shown on the most important questions, that we object to see him in power. We do not trust a man who does not know his own mind, or who, if he does know it, shrinks from telling it when he thinks it unpopular to do so. Mr. Moorhouse has again changed his mind on the subject of separation, or at least he has spoken out more distinctly in favor of his own views. He said distinctly at Saltwater Creek the other night (so we are informed by a gentleman who was present), when asked whether he would pledge himself not to use his influence to obtain

separation " unless our present circumstances improved greatly, which he doubted; he would on the contrary take all the pains in his power to obtain separation." Is this consistent with the lanrjuage used in the address to the electors ?

Mr. Moorhouse informs his audience wherever he goes, that he is almost Superintendent already — that the election is won; and so on. No one can complain of this sort of language. It is the commonest of all the dodge? in elections; so old and so common, that it is generally accepted as conclusive evidence of great doubt on the part of the speaker as to the result. We have every reason to believe the usual interpretation may be adhered to in the present case.

Pkincb op Waies' Thbatbe. — The preparations for opening this theatre are nearly complete, and the new lessees,. Miss Rosa Cooper and Mr. Lionel Harding, announce the comniencement of their season on Wednesday evening next. The task of converting, what was for a long time known as Coker's Hall, into an elegantly arranged theatre, has "been a laborious and an expensive one. Mr. Bailey, the contractor, has performed his duties well. The pit seats are raised after the manner of the London theatre, and from every part of the house -an uninterrupted view of the stage may be gained. The scenery is aUinew, and has been painted by Mr. Willis. The opening piece will be a Danish play, rendered into English by the Hon.'i Edmund- Phipps, from Henrick Her?, entitled j "King Rene's Daughter," in which Miss Aitken supports the leading character, and several new ■ candidates for public favor will make fceir first appearance before a Canterbury audience. Mr. J. Small, the popular comedian and vocalist, is engaged and jwill appear shortly. Novelties will follow ixf rapid succession. The stage direction is ia the able hands of Miss Rosa Cooper. Wei cordially wish the leasees every success in their new enterprise. They have displayed an amount of energy which deserves wellof the public, and we hope they will receivo every support and encouragement.

Entebiaissiekt. — The entertainment given last night by Mr. and Mrs. Case at the Town Hall drew a capital house, and passed off with great success. In it were introduced several of the most comical of the characters we have sees on former ocoskras, including Bomeoaiembe_s of.the " Cho wdler family," and " Mrs. Ferret," and it concluded with a very laughable little affair, entitled " Married and Settled," in which this very protean couple mutually excite each other's iealousy, take each other my an 3in so doing fortunately contrive to bring their quarrels to a happy termination. Mrs; Case repeated her imitation of Sims Reeves,'whieh was loudly applauded and encored, and Mr. Case's concertina was as delightful and effective as ever. To-night they make their last appearance j the programme comprises the " Trip to the Ebine," "Married and Settled," with a variety of immitations, songs, and music.

I__N-D S_XES.—Yesterday the following waste lands were disposed of at the Lends OiSee :—Timaru district, 237 acres ; Ellesmere, 29 acres; Oxford, 50 acres ; Malvern, 50 acres ; total, 366 acres ; value, at £2 per acre, £732.

Inquest.—An inquest was held yesterday at the Carlton hotel before the coroner, J. VV. S. Coward, Esq., on the body of a child named Maher. From the evidence of the mother it appeared that the child was playing in the garden, and was out of sight for a few minutes, and on being searched for was found drowned in a ditch at the bottom of the garden. Medical aid was at once sent for, but before assistance arrived life was extinct. A rerdict of Accidentally Drowned was recorded.

Lyttelton Regatta.—A meeting of the committee will be held this eveniug at the Queen's hotel, Lyttelton, when all disputes arising at the late regatta will be decided, and the prizes handed over to the successful competitors. Accident. —On Sunday evening a little child fell into the Avon, near the residence of J. D. Lockhart, Esq. Mr. A. Jackson, who was luckily passing by, saw the accident, and rescued the child.

Pbincess' Theatbe.—The entertainment giren by the Christy's Minstrels last evening at the theatre was under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent, and there was a very fair house. " Annie Lyle," aud "No one to love," in the first part were capitally rendered by Mr. Rainford, as were also " A ell Flaherty's Drake" and " Polly Perkins." A very amusing interlude followed, and the " Virginian Mummy," a very laughable farce, concluded the programme.

Akaboa R:>ad Boabd. —A meeting of the ratepayers of the Akaroa and Wainui districts as held on the 2nd inst. Mr. E. C. Latter in the chair. The Chairman read Clauses 38 and 40 of the Roads Board Ordinance, and laid a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Board for the past year before the meeting. Mr. Hay lock proposed a vote* of thanks to the late Board, which was carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were proposed to fill the vacancies in the Board for the ensuing year:—Messrs. Piper, Inman, Scarbrough, Wackerlie, Dunn, and Aunckell. A majority of the ratepayers voted for the four first, and they were declared duly elected.

ChBISTCHTJBCH HORTICirLTTJBAI. SOCIETT. —The usual monthly meeting of this society was held last evening, in the side room of the Town Hall. Mr. W. Wilson, vice-president, took the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks introduced the essayist for the evening, Mr. J. T. Armstrong, gardener to J. Gould, Esq., Hambleden, who read an interesting paper on the " History, geographical distribution, and cultivation of the rose." The essay is too long for insertion in full in our daily issue, but it shall appear in our weekly paper. The discussion, which always follows on the papers read, was postponed for a fortnight on account of the lateness of the hour. Several new plants were sent for examination by the committee. A verbena from Mr. Stemson was awarded a second-class certificate: color light purple, large truss, delightfully fragrant, but deficient in form, named Dr. Haast. Mr. Armstrong sent a seedling pelargonium, named General Lee, which received a first-class certificate — upper petals, dark ; under petals, rose; and of good form and substance. Mr. Clark sent two pelargoniums, one of which was awarded a second, and the other a third-class certificate of-merit. Mr. Greenaway contributed a seedling picotee, pure white ground, light purple edge; first ! class certificate, named Mr. Gould. A vote lof thanks to the Chairman closed the meet-

Flbino cob District Pbizes. —A more unpropitious day than yesterday could not have possibly been selected for the firing for the General Government district prizes. The wind was blowing in gusts from the north-west, rendering any certainty in aiming impossible, j and the sun was shining with dazzling brightness. The Companies that proceeded to Hills- j borough were the Cavalry, and Nos. 1 and 2, and after some little delay in waiting for a i medical officer, the firing was commenced at I 10 a.m. No. 1 Company sent ten competitors, No. 2, nine, and the Cavalry two only. The conditions were five rounds each, at 300, 400, and 500 yards, and the highest scorers, Private Free, of No. 2 Company, making 45 points; Private Berry, No. 1, 45 pouits; and Sergeant Johnson, of No. 1, who made 43 Cornet Ollivier was the highest scorer of the Cavalry. To-day, Nos. 6 and 8 Companies, and tlie Engineers, will fire at Hillsborough, and the Lyttelton Companies at their own range. We will publish the detailed scores at the completion of the firing.

The Chbisty's MnrsTßEia.—This company will give a benefit on Wednesday even-ir-g-at the theatre, in aid of the sufferers by tlie late floods at Kaiapoi. The theatre has been lent by Messrs. Darby and West for the occasion free of any charge, and the patronage promised is already considerable.

City Council. —The election of six members for the ensuing year will take place to-day, in the Town Hall. The nomination of candidates will be taken at noon.

x Robbery.—A most daring robbery was committed at the Star Hotel, Tuam street, some time during Sunday night or yesterday, morning, under the following circumstances : — Mr. AlchiD, the landlord, after locking up .the house at half-past eleven p.m., retired to bed, locking and bolting his bed-room door, .where he always keeps the cash-box. After being in bed some time Mrs. Alehin felt some un-

easiness about tho cash-box, and took it off a chest of drawers where it was generally and placed it under her head. At five o'clock next morning Mrs. Alehin, wishing to know the time, found that. her, watch and a valuable gold chain were missing. On a further search being. made,: it was discovered that Mr. Allchin's watch was missing, together' with a purse which was hi his coat pooket. Thejpocket of Mrs, Allchin's dress had, also been rifled, andabouififtrohshUlingsand a valuable gold brooch taken from* it. ; The cash-box was evidently what the thieves were in search of, as a small box, containing sundry articles, was taken outside the window, the contents examined, and left scattered about the yard. This offence 5 is the more daring as the offe-tders entered'through the bedroom window, and must have actually stepped on the bed where Mr. and Mrs. AU<shinf were sleeping.