Evening Post. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 6, 8 January 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

As has of late been anticipated, Mr. Bryce and Sir Julius Vogel have been elected for Wanganui. Ever since the Hon. Major Atkinson, at the Bryce banquet, made his famous speech counselling the electors, if they valued their material interests, to return Sir Julius Vog'el and Mr. Bryce, it has been evident that the electors of that district had determined on the course they would adopt. Th^ election of Mr. Bryce was all along a dead certainty. For years past he ¦ has justly enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his constituents, wfiile the services which he has rendered to them and the district have been both numerous and important. Mr. Bryce has always been a staunch anti-pro-vincialist, and a strenuous advocate of local self-gbvernmeut'for'Kutlying districts. The Wanganui constituency, for years past has strongly sympathised with these views, and looked upon Mr. Bryce as being their special advocate. In the present election it may be said that Mr. Bryce's influence has materially aided in securing Sir. Juliii3 Vogel's return. The Wanganui people look upon Sir Jnlius Vogel, to quote the. words of a ; speaker at one of the election meetings there, as being " the very High Priest of Anti-Provincialism," and as a great majority of the constituency j is anti-pro vincialist to the backbone, he was naturally regarded as a suitable representative. Mr. Bryce, in fact, persuaded his- supporters to place Mr. Yogel and himself on the same ticket. In one of his speeches, Mr. Bryce made a powerful appeal on Sir Julius Vogel's behalf, telling the electors that for years back Wanganui had been consistent in politics, that the politics of Wanganui and those of the present Government were identical, and that, therefore, the candidate whose cause he espoused had strong claims upon their sympathies. It is not then surprising that Sir Julius Vogel should have received so large a measure of support as the polling returns sh6V. The presumed identity of political views between himself and the constituency, the> strenuous support of Mr. Bryce, and the wide-spread feeling that Wanganui would find" its account in electing the ex-Premier, all combined to secure the lesult which is recorded to-day. Mr. Watt, it must be admitted, sustained a crushing defeat. . It is not difficult to account for it. J^or many years past j Mr. Watt has been the representative and exponent of the provincial party i in Wanganui, and we can remember j the day when he was almost all power- \ ,ful there. But gradually the feeling in favor of provincialism was replaced by a contrary sentiment, and Mr. Watt did not mark quickly enough the signs of the times. When he stood for Rangitikei last year, he announced himself as an anti-pro vincialist, but there was a rawness and newness about this sudden conversion, "j which imbued the electors with a feeling of distrust and incredulity, and brought about his defeat. Hence when Mr. Watt came forward as a candidate for Wanganui he labored under many disadvantages. People regarded him, not as a man supporting the policy of the present Government from conscientious convictions, but rather as taking up a particular position to serve a special purpose. Then the more ardent anti-pro vincialists, remembering his former views, regarded him with intense suspicion and dislike, so that between indifferent friends aud bitter foes Mr. Wa^ j stood but a bad chance. The resdW of the recent election shows plainly that Mr. Watt, as a public man, is nearly played out. We may feel some sympathy with him in this desertion . by his friends, but it is needless to ignore"* the*, existence of a fact so

palpable. Of the positions of Mr. Robert Pharazyn and Mr. Henry C. "Field on the poll, it is scarcely necessary to speak. Its ignominiousness carries with it a fitting punishment for the self-conceit which induced them to come forward at all. Mr. Pharazyn years ago had an opportunity of making a figure in public life, such as falls to the lot of but few men. He proved unequal to the occasion, and after grievously disappointing his friencls, disappeared altogether from the political arena. It would have been well that he should not again have come forward, only to be taught that he has neither following nor influence. Why Mr. "Field came forward at all, -we are at a loss to uuderstand. He is an able practical mau, and a colonist of long experience — worth fifty Mr. Pharazy ns' — but possesses no political influence whatever. At election times otherwise sensible men sometimes lose all self-control, and do foolish things. Possibly this may explain Mr. Field's candidature. On the general result of the election, we have only to say that the Wanganui people have done well to return Mr. Bryce, and that they have yet to ' learn by experience, whether their choice of Sir Julius Vogel is a wise one or the reverse. They have a lively expectation of benefits to conic, which we heartily wish they may realise.

The San Francisco press continues to denounce the new Californian mail contract and the Pacific Mail Company, with that refreshing vigour and earnestness which is the special feature of American journalism. The News-Letter of December 10, published on the same day that the s.s. City of San Francisco left, refers to that " magnificent boat " in the following rather ambiguous terms of compliment : — "The new steamer City of San Francisco, built for the Pacific Mail Company's Australian line, arrived yesterday. It is to be hoped she is a little better put together than the other^ships." This is encouraging, and speaks pleasantly for the "other ships," one of which, the City of Pekin, it will be remembered, required almost entirely rebuilding after her first voyage, and went to pieces altogether after her third. The Colima has proved a similar specimen of the " magnificence" of American steamers. She only broke down utterly twice in her first trip, and now is in the realms of the unknown. The Pacific Mail Company, as is well-known, in undertaking the contract, counted entirely on the subsidy guaranteed by the New Zealand and New South Wales Governments, being supplemented by one from the United States Government. Mr. Webb had similar " great expectations," which were not realised. Of the new company's prospects in this direction, the News-Letter says :—": — " It is understood that the Pacific Mail Company will apply to Congress for a subsidy of 450,000 dollars per annum to the new Australian line. The company, however, had at no time a chance of obtaining it, and now that the large Democratic majority in the House of Assembly have by vote determined to pass no subsidies whatever this session we should think the .application will hardly be made. Without such subsidy the line has no bona fides." The information that Captain Waddell, formerly of the famous Confederate cruiser Shenandoah, had been apppointed to the command of the City of San Francisco, but subsequently removed, reached us by telegram. The News-Letter gives an ex-" planation 4 of the affair in terms not too flattering to Mr. Hezekiah Hall. It says :—: — " It will not surprise our readers that the man Hall was largely the cause of Captain Waddel'sidifficulties. While at Honolulu he stiired up the whaling- captains and others to make trouble, and then wrote to the Company that they must not send Captain Waddel on the first passage, but that he had influence enough to settle matters shortly. It is needless to say that he had no such influence, and that he never intended to use it if he had. There is a probability that the company's vessels will pass by Honolulu, and, at most, send mails ashore at the port of Hilo." Altogether, the new service appears ( to enjoy the agreeable prospect of another Webb fiasco. Such a result would not at all astonish us, but any other most certainly would.-

The latest returns from Wanganui give Bryce, 380; Vogel, 361; Watt, 191; Pharazyn, 36. We hear that a bridle track is being laid off with all despatch into the new township of Hunterville, in the Parae Karetu Block. Tenders have been accepted for the formation of a road from the Jefferson line junction to the Parae Karetu Block. The Luna did not go out last night, as the^telegrams which were received hourly from the signalmun at the outer station, reported the sea still heavy, although going down fast, and very thick fog in the Strait. The weather, however, cleared up this morning, and the Luna started on her important expedition at four o'clock. She was seen by theTui and Ladybird about eight miles S.E. 8£ the Heads, apparently fishing for the cable. The City Hotel, Clyde Quay, has been taken by Mr, N. B. Murphy, late of the Melbourne Hotel, who will formally open the new establishment with a dinner on Monday next. At the Theatre Royal last night there was a fairhouse, and the performance passed off as satisfactorily as usual. The Roman Catholic bazaar was continued yesterday, and last night with very fair success. It will remain open this evening, when the rest of the unsold goods will be cleared out by auction. T_ft_nomination of candidates for the Westpft Maori District seat in the General Assembly took place at Wanganui on the 4th inst., when the following were proposed : — Wi Parata, Major Kemp, and Hoani Nahe, a Thames chief. The polling will take place next Saturday. The Maoris resident in this city will record their votes at the Resident Magistrate's Courthouse. We learn that the subject of Triennial Parliaments is likely to be brought before the public throughout various parts of the colony by petitions being signed for .presentation to the .House of Representatives at its ensuing session. Such a movement has our warmest sympathies, as it is certain to be most beneficial to the interests of the public generally, however inconvenient it may be to certain politicians who dread election contests and the ballotbox. A small but deserved fine was imposed on a man named Toohill, at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday for cruelty to a horse. Cases of this description are of too frequent occurrence, and unfortunetely the majority- of the offenders remain ' unpunished. We are glad to see that one offender at least has been brought to justice. Thick fogs still pre^il on the coast, and last night enveloped this city itself in a dense mantle. The weather to-day has been simply perfect, but this afternoon the barometer has begun to fall again. Mr. Clapcott's lectuve at the Hutt last night proved a- great success. The Masonic Hall was well filled by an appreciative audience, and Mr. Clapcott was frequently applauded. Some excellent music was provided by several ladies and gentlemen.

No change has taken place in the condition of Paul, Reidal, and Young. Erysipelas has set in in the cases of the -first and last named men. N A special meeting of the City Council will be held on Wednesday afternoon next. The City Council are advertising for certain officers. Further information relating to the subject will he found in our advertising columns. The lease of bonded stores and sheds on the wharf, and the right of supplying water to shipping, will be sold by auction on the wharf at noon on Monday, the 24th instant. The wreck of the Kate Moynahan will be sold by auction on Monday next, at noon, by Mr. G. H. Vennell. At the invitation of the owners, a party of ladies and gentlemen went on a pleasure trip round the harbor in the Tui this afternoon. Some Maoris who were out fishing in a canoe off the mouth of the Waitotara river last week were greatly alarmed by the sudden appearance of a large whale, which rose and spouted close to their canoe. A hasty retreat was made for the river. The Star reports that a tree at Kama Bama (Auckland) was struck by lightning. The tree was about 200 yards from Mr. Moys's house. The thunder-storm was on the Sunday evening, and on the following Monday morning, to his astonishment, the tree had vanished. Portions of it were i found literally torn from the trunk of the | tree, and huge limbs thereof forced a distance of five chains from the spot. We learn from the Mahawatu Times that Martin Bausen, the fireman who' received severe injuries on the locomotive, has died in the Wanganui Hospital. He leaves a wife and family. The Dunedin Star, of the 31st, says :—: — 73y the heavy rains last night the Clutha railway line was damaged near Stirling Station to the extent of a few chains of the road, which were covered with water. The engine, in prospecting this morning, went off the line, but a large number of hands were at once engaged. The engine was got on the line in the afternoon, and traffic resumed immediately thereafter. A Wanganui paper states that a child living with a lady in Wilson-street, pushed a button up its nose some' six months ago, leaving it there and forgetting all about it. Lately the nose" appeared very sore as if it was festering. The lady, anxious to find out the cause passed a hairpin up,, and much to her surprise brought down the button, which is about the size of a sixpence. The Manawatu Times gives the following particulars of the recent wrecks on the I Manawatu bar :—": — " On Sunday evening last, the wind being fair and the bar smooth, two schooners attempted to enter the Manawatu bar, the wind suddenly changed, and the consequence was that both vessels washed on to the spit. They were ascertained to be the Kate Moynahan and the Lily Hawkins, from Dunedin, one laden with railway iron, and the other ! with general cargo. 32arly on Monday morning a number of men and drays were despatched'to the mouth of the river, and, under the superintendence of Mr. J. T. Stewart, sufficient cargo was taken out of the Lily Hawkins to enable her to float off uninjured." The San Francisco News-Letter states positively that " Sir Julius Vogel, of New Zealand, was a passenger by the Pacific [ Mail Company's new and crack steamer the City of San Francisco." This renders I the often repeated and vexed question, i " Where is Sir Julius Vogei?" more dreadi fully difficult to answer than' ever. If our ! American contemporary be right — and it speaks as with authority — Sir Julius must have lain perdu whenvthe s.s. City of San , Francisco was at Auckland, and gone on in her to Sydney. But this seems somewhat improbable. - The Wairarapa Standard says : — One of the most interesting incidents- of the late election was the Scandinavian vote, and more than one candidate made sure of it. On Tuesday morning about forty Scandinavians, duly shepherded, marched four abreast to the polling booth, singing their national anthem, and, we believe, plumped for Bunny, except one marf, who, yielding to the influence of a Sabbath address, gave a solitary plumper for another candidate. ' The Rangitikei Advocate says that the railway buildings at the Feilding station are in a very advanced state, and 'will be finished in the course of a few days. The goods shed is a large, roomy building, capable of storing provisions- for the entire population for months. The station is of the fifth class. It was originally intended to have been of the fourth class, but as it was thought that the rapid expansion of traffic would soon render an enlargement indispensable, it was resolved to substitute one of the fifth class, which can be much more easily enlarged, being essentially of the lean-to order. The -Feildingites were a little " shirty " at the substitute of a lower grade station for the one originally proposed, until the reason of the change was explained to them. The Wanganui Chronicle states that it is generally understood Major Edwards will, on resigning his present position, accept an appointment in the Public Works Department, in connection with the engineering branch. Mr. Justice Williams has intimated that in future he will not receive medical certificates in justification of the non-attend-ance of jurora. His Honor said that if a juror were ill, his medical attendant, or a neighbor, would have to, go to the Court and state that fact on oath. Old Aucklanders will remember a former resident of that city, named Mrs. Mary ! Anne Colclough, who used to write in the Southern Cross under the norn de plume of " Polly Plum." About two years ago she i went to Melbourne, where she took a proj minent part in the Woman's Right question. We learn by late Melbourne papers ' that money is now being raised by sub- ' scription for the purpose of sending her [ back to New Zealand. A correspondent, who says he witnessed all that transpired at the late Wairarapa races, writes giving an emphatic denial to the truth of certain statements made in the Wairarapa Standard of a recent date, and reprinted in the New Zealand Times of yesterday, to the effect that the owner and rider of Korari never intended him to win. One of the allegations contained in the Standard is that a man named Derritt, the trainer of J"ishhook, frightened Korari off the course j that the rider then rolled off purposely; and that, when he was again placed on the horse's back, he rode away very leisurely, without , in the slightest degree exerting himself to win. Our correspondent says that all this is utterly false, as Derritt was fully 100 yards, away when Korari ran off, and, moreover, that he (Derritt) did not in any way attempt to frighten the animal. The Melbourne Argus says : — "A communication was received from the Home Government by the last San Francisco mail having reference to the question as to the Administratorship of the New South Wales Government, raised by Sir James Martin, Chief Justice, in October, last year, on the occasion of the absence of His Excellency Sir Hercules Robinson on special ImpeVial duty in Fiji. The Sydney Morning Herald understands that the purport of the instructions is, that Sir Alfred Stephen, the late Chief Justice, i 3 to receive the appoint-"" menfc of Lieut. -Governor ; but that, as a still further" security against the highest office being left unfilled, it is provided that, in case of the death, absence, or incapacity of the Lieut. -Governor, the President of : the Legislative Council, for the time being, shall be Administrator of the Government."