Evening Post. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1876.

The proposed action of the Government with reference to the election of Mr. Hislop for the Waitaki, and Mr. Leonard for the Cheviot District is, in the highest degree, objectionable. The former of those gentlemen at the time of his candidature held an appointment as Crown Prosecutor, and his candidature was, therefore, clearly contrary to law. The latter was Revising Officer of Friendly Societies, and therefore disqualified from holding a seat in Parliament. Taking the Disqualification Act as it stands, these gentlemen could not take their seats in Parliament without subjecting themselves to heavy penalties. In point of fact, they are disqualified, and this being the case, the Government propose to bring in a Bill of a retrospective character to repeal that part of the Disqualification Act which affects them, so that they may be able to take their seats in the House. The proposal is one which, we trust, will meet with the most determined oppositionfby all those members who desire to preserve what is still left of the I purity of Parliament. The scope and intention of the Disqualification Act are to prevent any person whatsoever sitting in Parliament who holds office under Government. It does not matter whether the offices are paid by salary or, as in the cases referred to, by fees. The principle is precisely the same, and the Act applies to both cases. Any attempt to tamper with the Disqualification Act should be strenuously resisted. It is the only safeguard which the people possess against the corruption of Parliament by an unscrupulous Government, who mayhap, being in possession of additional borrowed millions, would not hesitate to pui chase support in any manner which was practicable. Messrs. Hislop and Harper were perfectly aware, when they came forward as candidates, that their candidature was illegal. The fact that under such circumstances they persevered -in it, affords strong evidence that they had even at that time come to an arrangement with the Government that if they were elected the latter would endeavour to have the law altered, so that they might be enabled to take their seats. If this be the case, then such an arrangement was disgraceful to all concerned. It is contemplated that before taking their seats those gentlemen should resign their appointments ; but that does not do away with the fact that they held the appointments at the time they were elected, and that their election therefore was illegal. It has been suggested in a certain quarter that the Disqualification Act should be repealed altogether, and that any person should be eligible for election, provided that in case oi any member taking pay from the Government after election he should go back to his constituents for re-election. This is one of the most monstrous proposals that can well be conceived. It would open the door to wholesale corruption and the utter demoralisation of Parliament. Under such a Bystem needy adventurers, and unscrupulous men, who look upon politics not as a noble science, but simply as a means of making a luxurious living without exertion, might get into Parliament and' straightway offer their vote and influence for sale. In. the case of such men the promise of a lucrative place would secure their vote to the Government during the whole of a session. Then, when the session was over, and the pnrpose of the Government had been served in having received support at the time they needed it, the place and the pay could be given to the bought member according to the terms of the nefarious bargain. He would then require to present himself to his constituents for re-election, who might reject him. That, however, would not matter much to the candidate. He would lose his seat in the House, but his billet and the pay attached thereto would still be left. On the other hand, such a system Would tend to corrupt even the constituencies themselves. A member who took pay from the Government might, on going back to his constituents, argue that it would be well for them that they should re-elect him. "It is true," he might unblushingly allege, "that I receive public money, and that I am in a sense pledged to support the Government through thick and thin, but what of that? It will still be your interest to elect me. You want that branch railway made, or that expensive bridge erected. "Well, lam hand and glove with the Government, and if you re-elect me I will be able to get these worka executed." Verily, the demoralisation of the last Parliament was great, even with a Disqualification Act existing, but if that check were removed, a system of Parliamentary corruption would be created, such as would find no parallel save in the daya of Walpole. "It will be an evil day

for Parliamentary Government in New Zealand when the Disqualificaton Act is repealed. Let us fervently hopethat such a day will never arise

An infamous scoundrel, Blackburn, was this morning convicted of an act of indecency in the presence of some young girls at Te Aro, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. The man had been previously convicted of a similar offence, so that there is no doubt of his being an offender of the vilest kind. We do not think that this sentence, which was the very highest the Magistrate could award, inflicts sufficient punishment for a crime of this kind, deliberately perpetrated. A creature in human shape, who would attempt, from sheer vileness of mind, to suggest improper ideas to innocent little children, is deserving of being scourged at the cart's tail by the common hangman. >ociety, however, would not tolerate such a spectacle, and, indeed, it would not be well that such should be exhibited. But such offenders might fittingly be subjected to flogging within the walls of a prison, and it is to be regretted that the law does not provide that punishment in cases of the kind. How it [is, it would be difficult to say, but the fact is undoubted that offences of an infamous nature are largely on the increase throughout the colonies. There was a frightful case a .short time ago of an indecent assault on a married woman in Auckland ; it was but the other day that an foutrage was attempted on an aged woman| of more than 70 at New Plymouth, while several men are now undergoing heavy sentences here for assaults of the gravest kind on children. To cap the climax of those iniquities, a man now awaits trial at Wanganui for outraging his own child. We say^that crimes of this nature must be stamped out. The law in this colony is not sharp enough in its penalties with respect to them. For the gravest class of such offences, men in Victoria die by the rope, and so it should be in JS'ew Zealand. Such men are not fit to live, and should be removed from the world. For offences of a lesser nature, but of the same class, the cat-o'-nine-tails, supplemented by a lengthy imprisonment, would prove an effectual deterrent. If the one class of offenders were flogged, and the other hanged, infamous] crimes such as those alluded to would be of less frequent occurrence.

A Press Agency telegram in another column states that tlie Luna with His Excellency on board had put into Opunake through stress of weather, and probably would not leave before to-morrow. A private telegram gives some futher information. We learn that the Luna was unable to round Cape Egmont yesterday, iv consequence of the heavy southerly gale blowing, and had to run back to New Plymouth where she is still awaiting some improvement in the weather. Hence it is not likely that his Excellency will arrive in Wellington before Saturday night or Monday morning. Captain Coffey and Mr. White, the promoters of the Australian and New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, returned from Nelson by the Ringarooma this morning, and proceeded South in the same boat this afternoon. They report a most encouraging reception of -their scheme in Nelson, a large number of shares having been taken up. They purpose making some stay in Dunedin. We may add that the number of shares applied ibr in New Zealand exceeds that originally intended to be allotted to this colony. Messrs. Turnbull & Co. have been appointed agents for Wellington, Nelson, and the Northern ports, and Messrs. Guthrie & Larnach in Dunedin. The annual ball given by the members of the Wellington Club last night at the Club House, Lambton Quay, was a very brilliant affair, and passed off with the usual eclat. The Club ball is always noted for being the best of the year, and that of last night was especially enjoyable, owing to the fact that the regular band was supplemented after the conclusion of the Opera by M. Simonsen's fine orchestra. The absence of his Excellency the Governor and ' Lady Normanby, in consequence of the Luna being delayed by stress of weather, was much regrettedf especially as the ball had been postponed to a fortnight later than usual, in the nope that they would be able to arrive in time. The Wellington Volunteer Artillery Corps will form the guard of honour at the opening of Parliament, and will fire the customary salute on that occasion. We understand that it is the intention of Mr. H. Ash ton to put hands at work on the Karori-Makara Road, in consequence of the contractors having failed to carry out their contract, according to specification, and of the road being at the present time much out of repair. We understand that Mr. G. Sample has secured business premises on Lambton Quay, which he intends opening next week, with a large and varied stock of general ironmongery. Sir Donald M'Lean and Hori Karaka, the new member for the Northern Maori District arrived in Wellington by the Hawea from Auckland this afternoon. Judge Smith also arrived by the same steamer. During the West Coast campaign of 1868-9 Dr. Walker was known and respected by every member of the colonial forces for the zealous and indefatigable manner in which he discharged the duties of his profession. Kindly in his nature, a true gentleman in his conduct, and exceptionally skilful as a surgeon, he at that time did good service to the colony. But apart from this, his gallantry aud courage were more than once manifested, the instances of which are on official record. He was lately awarded the New Zealand Cross, and this week it was presented to him at Patea, the ceremony being one which the Armed Constabulary, the Volunteer Cavalry, and nearly all the settlers in the district favored by their presence. In making the presentation of the medal to Dr. Walker, Major Turner said: — " This is no ordinary decoration, for though every one who took part in the war, in any capacity, is entitled to the New Zealand Medal, there are but few who have distinguished themselves by conspicuous bravery sufficient to gain the decoration of the New Zealand Cross. I feel greater pleasure in handing it you, knowing, as I do, that it is fully deserved, and in saying this I only express the feeling of all who served with you at the time when it was won. You have not obtained it by undue influence, but have honorably and gallantly earned it." We heartily agree with every word of this. Nobody has better deserved this decoration than hearty, kindly, genial, and brave Dr. Walker. The steamer Taranaki is to be taken up on the patent slip next TuesdayfUjr cleaning, &c. Everett's Hibernicon Company will give a mid-day performance to-morrow, in order that children may be present. As the prices of admission are very low, and the entertainment is amusing as well as instructive, parents will no doubt avail themselves of the opportunity of giving their children a treat. The Wanganui Herald says:— A collision occurred on Sunday morning between the schooners Peri (from Wellington) andtheTauranga, which resulted in the loss of the former's jib-boom and foreyard, while the latter had her port cathead and topgallant mast carried away. It appears that on the previous day, while both vessels were sailing up the river together, they grounded on the flats about 30 yards apart. When the tide was nearly high on Sunday, and both vessels preparing to get under weigh, a sudden squall struck them, and the Tauranga, which was lying to the leeward of the Peri, received her full force, doing the damage above mentioned. A Court of Inquiry into the cause of the collision was held on Tuesday before the Collector of Customs, when it was decided, after hearing the evidence of those concerned, that each vessel should be responsible for its own repairs, as the collision was clearly an accident, for the occurrence of which no one was to blame. Some queer names occur in Taranaki. The Budget says : — Amongst short men we have a Foote, an Inch, and-bne still Smaller; but the man that caps, 'all- lives in the Waiwakaiho District, for he is but a Speck.v His children, of course, put the set on the 'let, because they are much smaller Specks.tasst their father. - We regret to notice the death of Mrs. Blair, of the Steam PScRW 1 "Hotel, Wanganui. She possessed a very large circle of friends throughout the province, and many persons have good

reason to remember kindly acts done by her. She was one of the oldest settlers in the Wanganui District. It is saddening to think how quickly the^ofcLJamiliar faces are passing away. The Tarinakij ßudget says: — White'pheasants are frequently seen inland of the Mokau, and the country is overrun with the ordinary pheasants. The natives complain]that white people were not satisfied with sending soldiers to the country to kill the ratives, but they have now sent pheasants and other things which eat the crops and so help to starve the *• tives wholesale. They eat their corn and even their potatoes, and in time there will be nothing for them (the natives) to live on. The Rev. Mr. Allsworth has received a call to Waverly, in the Patea District. There was a large house at the Oddfellows Hall last night, when the Hibernicon Comedy Company produced the same programne as on the previous night, with the exception of an alteration in the songs. The performance was gone through very efficiently, and was repeatedly applauded, several parts being applauded. The same programne wiil be given again to-night.