SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8483, 15 May 1893, Page 2

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

POLITICAL AND GENERAL.

It is with great regret that we have to record the death of the Hon. Johx BalLaxce, which took place on April 27th. Mr. Baixaxce, as we have mentioned in this column from time to time, had been seriously unwell for several months: in fact, although his friends always put the most hopeful possible view of his case before the pnblic, it was known that privately his illness was regarded with the gravest concern. The end came suddenly, and under distressing circumstances. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction at length became so urgent that the doctors decided that an operation was absolutely necessary as the only remaining chance of saving the patient's life. Mr Baixaxce received the sews with great fortitude, and displayed much pluck and endurance. He settled up his affairs, expressed his desire of resigning office—which at that juncture his eolieagues would not hear of—and walked unassisted from his bed to an adjoining room, where he placed himself on the operating table. The operation was a long and difficult one, and Mr Baixaxce evidently had not constitution enough left to pull him through. Ht lingered a day or two, and then expired in the presence of his devoted wife—who had nursed him all through his illness with the most assiduous attention—one or two other relatives, and most of his colleagues in the Ministry.

The funeral took place at Wanganui on the following Sunday, and was attended by an immense concourse of people, including representative men from ail parts of the colony. Mr Baixaxce was an avowed Freethinker. He was formerly W.M. of a Scottish Masonic Lodge in Wanganui, but in conjunction with Sir Robert Siotn, assisted in establishing a Lodge of the Grand Orient of France, thereby cutting himself off from Freemasonry as recognised by the Scottish or New Zealand Constitution, to which Mr. Baixakce's old Lodge, St. Andrews Kilwinning, had transferred ita allegiance. Prior to the surgical operation being performed, Mr Baixaxce expressed a wish to be buried in Masonic form by his old Lodge should the operation terminate fatally, and the necessary dispensations having been granted, this request was complied with.

The Press of the colony, it may be added, were unanimous in giving expression to widespread feeling of regret among the public at the loss of a statesman who had •won his way-to the front by sheer ability, and whose courtesy and moderation had gained the esteem even of his political opponent-. Above all the warmest sympathy ,was expressed for Mrs Baixaxce, upon whom messages of condolence have literally poured in from every part of the country.

Needless toeay, the reconstruction of the __inistry, after the death of the Premier, JW_O awaited with keen interest by the public. There were some people who thought Sir Robebt Stout would be sent for. It /was understood he intended to stand for the •eat of Inangahua, which had just become 'Vacant, and it was stated that Mr. Baxlakck, in settling up his affairs, had exrpreesed a wish that in the event of his •demise, the helm of State should be taken by his friend and ex-colleague Sir Robebt. Events, however, fell out in a different fashion. The Governor, following constitutional precedents, sent for Mr Seddok, who bad been Acting-Premier during Mr Bal--vAKCBs illness. Mr Seddox was distinctly of opinion that he and not Sir Robebt Stout ought to be Premier, and was •-lengthened in this opinion, it is stated, by the fact that several Otago members expressed their strong opposition to the idea ofSir Robert being sent for. Mr. Seddox promptly proceeded with the formation of his Cabinet, and the following Ministry was •worn in:—

Hon. J. Seddok, Premier, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Mines, snd Minister of Defence.

Hon. Sir P. A. Bcckxet, K.C.M.G., Attorney General, Colonial Secretary, and Minister of Marine.

Hon. W. P. Reeves, Minister of Education, Commissioner of Stamp Duties, and -Sinister of Labour.

Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister of Lands and Immigration, Minister of Agriculture, and Commissioner of Forests.

Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, l\>srtma_ter-Gener_l, Electric Telegraph Com--U-Hoaer, and Commissioner of Customs.

Hon. A. J. Cadmax, Minister of Justice. Hon. J. Carroix (without portfolio) representing the Native race.

The new Ministry consists entirely of the remaining members of the Ballance Cabinet. _3»e principal changes of office outside the •ooeasion to the Premiership of the Hon- R. J. 8-DDOK have been the transfer to the Hon. Mr Ward of the portfolios of Colonial Trea_arer and Commissioner ol Customs, and the passing of the Marine Department from the new Premier to the Hon. Sir P. a. Duckianr.

When the Ministry were gazetted it was S—mi-officially announced that Mr Seddon, after fully considering the situation with Ida colleagues, had undertaken to carry on the adxoinistration on similar lines of policy to those followed by the Baixaxce Ministry antil the meeting of the Liberal party at the opening of the session, when the party Will be asked to determine as to whether the present arrangement shall further continue. In political circles, however, there is no doubt that Sir Robert Stout has been deliberately shelved, and that Mr Seddox's motto is"J'ysuis, j'y reste." Meantime, Sir Robebt is still apparently going on with ___ candidature for Icangab.ua. What attitude he will take up in the House should ]_» be returned remains to be seen. That the Ministry have been very materially by the loss of Mr Baixaxce and the substitution of Mr Seddon as leader there can exist no manner of doubt.

Great regret has been expressed at the announcement made by Sir Johx Hall in addressing his constituent-, that he has determined to retire from political life at J—he conclusion of the present Parliament. -Sr John held a foremost position »mnng JKttw Zealand public men. It is now nearly forty years since he first entered the House of Representatives, and for his serTfces in 1879, when, by the aid of his colleagues, he restored the then shattered finances of the colony, New Zealand can sever be sufficiently grateful.

The Railway Commissioners are able to present a balance-sheet for the year ending Slat March last, of which they have every reason to be proud. The returns published in the Gazette show that the gross revenue during the period was £1,181,52113s lOd, and the expenditure £732,141 lis lOd, leaving a net credit to consolidated revenue of £449,380 2s. This is several thousand pounds more than 3 per centum on the total cost of working railways, and is the more satisfactory in that these figures do not include anything for the carriage of mails, Volunteers, or other public services gratuitously performed by the Department. If these were included the return would waouat to 3± per cent, on the capital cost —a result which so far is unprecedented in the history of New Zealand railways. A noted Maori warrior named T_ Koon— the Nana Sahib of New Zealand—passed »w_j peacefully enough a few days ago.

He was the author and instigator of the Poverty Bay massacre; for months Government troops were hunting him all over the country, and a reward of £5000 was set upon his head, but he always managed to elude pursuit. Amid some opposition he was included in the general amnesty proclaimed when Mr Bryce finally settled up the Native difficulty, and during the closing years of his life he more than once assisted the Government when some of his countrymen were inclined to set themselves against the Executive.

The. Executive Council has decided that tho law snail take its. course in the case of the convict Scott, who was found guilty of the murder of a settler named Thompsox at Waikomiti. The case is of interest from the fact that it is the first which has been brought before the Executive since the issue of the new regulations, which practically make it incumbent on the Governor to accept the advice of his Ministers without the option, as formerly, of exercising the Royal prerogative of mercy on his own authority, even in opposition to that advice.

A painful sensation has been caused in Auckland by the death of a young man named Richard Campbell Fobgie, following upon a glove fight in which he took part. The other principal, John Nicholsox, has been arrested for manslaughter, and a number of others concerned in the fight were charged with having aided and abetted him.

It is with great regret we have to record the death of Mr. Edward Chapmax, of Springbank, who was accidentally shot while out cattle hunting behind Mount White station, and succumbed to his injuries before medical assistance could be got up to him. He was greatly respected by a large circle of friends, and his death under such circumstances has caused a painful feeling of sorrow.