Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1876.

As was anticipated, Mr. Whitaker's resolutions have been rejected by a large majority. They only received the support of the Auckland members, together with one representative of Canterbury and three of Kelson. With the principle of these resolutions we cordially agree ; still we cannot regret that they have been rejected. The time for bringing them forward was inopportune, and they stood in the -way of the attainment of other objects. What the country desires at present is to have Abolition carried out, and that once accomplished, the laud fund must, sooner or later, become colonial revenue It is simply a question of time, because the change sought to be effected by Mr. Whitaker will inevitable take place, sooner or later. Even, the present proposals of the Government, while nominally localising, the land fond, at the same time saddle It with, so many charges that in reality a large/gbj-.,

tion of it will be appropriated by the General Government. Mr. Whitaker pointed this out in his speech very clearly. Referring to the contributions taken from the laud fund for Surveys, Railways, and Education, he showed that when the principle of making these charges was fully worked out, then, practically, the whole of the land fund would be taken. Mr. Macandrew was equally plain-spoken. He asserted that by Mr. Whitaker's proposals the land fund would be taken openly, while under those of the Government it would be got at insiduously. Another argument employed by Mr. Whitaker has much force. He contended that considering the existing financial difficulties of the Colony, and the state of the money market with respect to the New Zealand securities, ifc would be necessary for the sake of maintaining our credit, to make the land fund Colonial revenue. We do not doubt that this will in the end be necessary, and that a variety of circumstances will cause the ultimate adoption of Mr. Whittaker's views. This being our opinion, we regard the present rejection of these resolutions as being of little moment. On other grounds, it is well that they should have been rejected. To have adopted them, would have shelved the abolition scheme — at least for the present session — and created temporarily a sort of chaos. The Government proposals for carrying out abolition and providing a system of local self-government, are by no means perfect, but they are better than none at all. We should be content to see them carried during the present session, because thereby abolition -would be secured. Doubtless, if the Government scheme is carried out, it will be found to be in many respects defective in its working, but such defects could afterwards be remedied, as experience was gained. At best, the building up of a good system of local selfgovernment must be a gradual and tentative process. The Government proposals are possibly as good as any others as a means of securing Abolition to begin with, and carrying out a system of Local Self-Government. It would be most unfortunate for the colony should anything occur to prevent Abolition being given effect to during the present session, and as Mr. Whitaker's resolutions would, if carried, have had that result, we cannot but express satisfaction that they have been for the present shelved. Nevertheless when Abolition has become an accomplished fact, the day will not be far distant when the land fund will be made Colonial revenue. Sir George Grey has at last shown his hand. Last night he gave notice that on Thursday he would move the following resolutions :—: — That, in the opinion of this House, the state of the colony requires that its financial and constitutional arrangements should be reconsidered. That the unity of the colony should be maintained That there should be two local governments ; one for each island. That the Colonial Government being responsible for the colonial debt, for which the annual charge for interest and sinking fund is £815,000, the North Island shall be charged with £190,000 per annum, and the South Island with £625,000 per annum. That, with the exception of those matters of great colonial importance which must be reserved for the Colonial Government, each local government shall have the entire control and management of its own affairs and the disposal of its own rc-onrces. That th:- seat of the local government for the North Island shall be at Auckland. That the seat of the local government for the South Islaud shall be at Christchnrch. That the seat of the Colonial Government shall remain as at present at Wellington. The more we look at these proposals the less we like them. They mean something akin to the revival of Provincialism, with enlarged areas, and increased powers. In some sort the proposals imply going back to Provincialism, as it was when first called into existence, with the difference that there are to be two provinces instead of nine. When the Provincial system was first created, the powers and functions of the General Government and the General Assembly were strictly limited to dealing with certain specified subjects, while everything else was left to the control of the Provincial Councils. That system was gradually changed, and year by year the General Government took upon itself more and more the functions of the Provinces, until it became evident that the time had come when it would be advisable to abolish the latter altogether. Under Sir George Grey's proposals, the Colony would have many of the evils of Provincialism repeated. The local Government at Auckland, having the affairs of the whole North Island to look after, would leave all the districts remote from it to pine and starve under neglect. It was the blot of the Provincial system that while the centres of population were cherished and pampered, the outlying districts were subjected to hardship and injustice. What chance of fair treatment would Taranaki, Wanganui, and Hawke's Bay have from a Local Government with its head-quarters at Auckland. Wellington would certainly still be the seat of the Colonial Government, but one bereft of a main share of its powers. With the Local Government would rest nearly all the real powers. The same reasoning applies to the proposal to establish a Local Government for the Middle Island at Christchurch. Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland, would get the worst of it under such an arrangement. We Bay that those absurd, impracticable, and inexpedient proposals should be strenuously resisted. That they will be defeated, there is no doubt at all, but if the friends of the real unity of the Colony are prompt to organise and act, that defeat may be made a complete and crushing one.

Mr. Andrew, M.H.R., has, in consequence of the non-acknowledgement of the letters of the Education Board, been induced to give notice of a motion in the House to the following effect :—" That there be laid before this House a copy of any letter from the Education Board of the Province of Wellington to the Government on the subject of a proposed grant of public money for school buildings or other purposes to a religious body, irrespective of the Board." The bill introduced by Mr. Pyke to amend the Gold Duties Act proposes that the gold export duty should be one shilling per ounce after Ist January, 1877, and threepence per ounce after the same date in 1878. Mr. Mar*andrew, in speaking to Mr. Whitaker's resolutions, referred to what he called two singular circumstances — that the Speaker and he were the only two members now in the House who opposed the compact of 1856, and Mr. Stafford the only member who supported it. He rejoiced to think that Mr. Stafford and he would now be found in the same lobby in defence of vested rights which had grown up under that agreement. The supporters of Sir George Grey and his newly-annonnced policy have to-day been busy in telegraphing to all parts the nature of the resolutions to be proposed, so as to feel the pulse of the country, and to procure attention to the subject or subjects which come on for discussion to-morrow evening. The affiliation case in the Resident Magistrate's Court concluded shortly after 5 p.m. Yesterday, when Mr. Crawford said he must hold the case proved, and ordered the defendant, Mr. Carver, to pay 7s. 6d. weekly for the child's support, .with costs. Itis.stated that a heavy landslip has taken place .on this side of the Rimutaka tunnel, it being estimated that fully 3000 cubic yards of earth has- fallen. It is to be feared that this will cause further delay to the contractors' progress, which already has been impeded most seriously by the repeated landslips which have accompanied each fall of rain. The appearance and utility of the Martin drinking fountain have been enhanced by two handsome gas lamps being placed on the brackets by which it is surmounted. The lamps are globular, and their fittings have been tastefully designed. It is to be presumed that, now- that these u are ; in their places, the con-

tiguous lamp-post, -which is neither perpendicular nor particularly ornamental, will be removed to some other situation, or consigned to the place of deposit for Corporation relics. The design and ornamentation of the lamps suggest an idea which seems so far to have been overlooked in connection with the fountain itself. It has been put in its place, plainlypainted with hematite, without anything to relieve its dull hue. This could never have been the intention of its designer, who has fitted it with tasteful cornices and appropriate superficial castings. If these were gilded, as in the ironwork of the lamps, or if even the I panels and cornices were painted in different colors, the picturesqueness of the structure would be very materially improved. At present | it is simply disfigured by its monotony in point of color, rather than in point of design. The Goldfields Committee have reported I against any award to VV. H. Taipari for the discovery of a payable goldfield in Auckland j Province, he and others having already re- i ceived £5000 from the Provincial Government. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of £1 from the Harbor Department for the relief of the widow of the late Henry Webb. Something ought to be done without delay to the footpath on Custom House Quay, near the bonded store and dray stand. It is in a fearful state since the recent rains, and gets worse and worse every day. We have received Messrs. Lyon and Blair's usual monthly railway time-table and calendar, which is got up in their usual neat and excellent manner. Although we are still without tidings of the missing brig Britain's Pride, we are glad to find that some of the most experienced shipmasters now in port do not give her up yet, one, indeed, offering to bet that she turns up after the next north-wester of any considerable duration. It may be remembered that there has been an unusual prevalence of easterly and southerly winds during the past month, especially to the westward of these islands. If, as is believed, the brig was dismasted in the storm of last month, it would be impossible for her to make New Zealand under jury rig against such a continuance of contrary winds, and she would be obliged therefore either to wait for a favorable change, or else to run to the northward. We sincerely trust that one of these alternative hypotheses may prove correct, and that the stout little brig may yet again be seen in this port. The Provisional Directors of the Empire Gas Consumers' Company had a meeting last night, when some important business was transacted. The report of a sub-committee, appointed to inquire into the correctness of the estimates given in the draft prospectus as to cost of works, &c, was read, and clearly showed not only that the estimates were accurate, but that a large margin had been left for contingencies. It was resolved that the bankers of the company be the Bank of New Zealand; solicitors, Messrs. Moorhouse and Stafford, and that one of the rooms in Temple Chambers be taken as a temporary office. We understand that the prospectus of the company will be advertised and distributed to-morrow. A deputation of Manawatu settlers, together with Mr. Walter Johnston, M.H.R , recently waited on the Minister for Public Works to urge upon his attention certain requirements of the district. The Hon. Mr. Richardson promised that the Foxton-Palmerston tramwßy would be converted into a railway before the end of August, and that the Jackeytown settlers should probably have their gravel carried free on the line. Overwhelmed with this great kindness, the deputation departed shedding tears of gratitude. Messrs. M'lntyre & Co.'ss.s. Moa will make an excursion rouud the harbor on Saturday next, weather permitting, and will leave the breastwork at 2.30 p.m., returning about G p.m., and calling at several points round the bay. The fare will be only 2s. Should sufficient inducement offer, similar excursions will be made every Saturday. Madame De Murska gave her fifth concert last night, to another large and most enthusiastic audience. The performance was one of marvellous excellence. We regret that our critique unavoidably is crowded out, by a press of parliamentary and other matter. The next concert mil take place to-morrow evening. At the Theatre Royal last evening the fine comedy ' l David Garrick " was repeated with great success. Mr. Bates was an excellent representative of the great actor he personated, sustaining his part throughout with admirable skill and judgment. Mrs. Bates was a very attractive Ada Ingot, and acted with the taste and finish which we are accustomed always to expect in the performances of this accomplished artiste, an expectation never disappointed. The minor characters were very satisfactory, and the scenery (by Mr. Nicholson), and general mise en scene all that could be desired. The grand fairy extravaganza " The Invisible Prince," which has had such a long and successful run, followed the comedy, with a slight change of cast, Mr. Deering taking the part of Abriscotina with immense effect. The same programme will be repeated to-night, and for the last time, when all who have not yet seen these very effective pieces should not fail to take advantage of this opportunity. On Friday " Hamlet " will be played, by especial request. The Marlborough Express newspaper is to be sold by tender. All particulars can be obtained from the Press Agency, Wellington. Tenders are to be sent in to Mr. Rogers, solicitor, Blenheim, not later than noon on the 30th of next month. Attention has once again been publicly and prominently drawn to the utterly inadequate accommodation of the Wellington Resident Magistrate's Court. On the calling of a case yesterday which necessitated the attendance of counsel, and which induced also a large attendance of the public, attracted by morbid interest in the evidence, Mr. Moorhouse asked the Bench if representations had been made on the subject of the accommodation of the Court. He stated that on every occasion on which he appeared in the Court, there was more or less reason for complaint being made as to its deficiency. There was but one table provided, which was fully occupied by the Clerk of the Court, and there was little space for counsel and their papers, or for representatives of the Press, so that they necessarily felt like intruders The Magistrate said that he had made so many representations that he had almost given up tne subject as hopeless. Mr. Moorhouse suggested that the Bench should once more make very strong representations on the subject, and Dr. Buller thoroughly coincided with his learned friend's remarks. After such pointed reference to a matter that is notorious and far from creditable, it is to be hoped that the Resident Magistrate will not only make the strong representations suggested, but that some reformation will speedily follow, if only by some temporary better provision being made for the conduct of the increasing business of the Court. We have frequently urged the expediency of opening the Wellington Athenaeum on Sunday. We notice by the letter of the Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times that the Melbourne institution is now likely to open on that day. He writes: — "Our Melbourne Athenaeum has — if the decision of the committee is upheld by the general body of subscribers—decided to open the reading-room on Sundays. In taking this step it has only followed the precedent set by many similar institutions in New Zealand and in provincial towns in this colony. Wherever the experiment has been tried the result has proved most satisfactory. But it is unnecessary to say that such a change is strenuously opposed by the Sabbatarians, who here as elsewhere are not satisfied with full and free permission to spend Sunday as they please, unless they can at the same time compel everybody else also to spend it in the way they think proper." The only damage (says the Masterton News of the 29th inst.) occasioned by the late boisterous weather is a number of landslips along the Forty-mile Bush road. We mentioned in our last issue that the Palmerston coach, after proceeding as far as the Ruamahunga crossing, was forced to ret urn. The passage was again attempted on Wednesday, and although the coach succeeded in getting through the river, before it had got far beyond the Scandinavian Camp its progress was again impeded by the landslips. Men were at once told off to "clear away the obstructions, and the latest report to hand is that the coach was enabled to proceed on the through journey. A slight fracas (says the Telegraph) occurred at Wbareroa recently between the Whareroa and Motohoa natives. It appears that Mr. Hori Ngatai, junior (Rewiti), of Whareroa, had insulted one of the fair damsels of Motohoa, and the natives from the latter place proceeded to whareroa in consequence to demand compensation for the injury to their honor sustained through the person of the maiden ef their hapu. Arrived at the beach at Whareroß, they were, however, met by the Whareroa natives who preferred giving battle

to making peaceful overtures. The Motohoa native? came off second best in the encounter, being overwhelmed by numbers. "Atticus," in the Melbourne Leader, says of Sir Julius Vogel's correspondence' re his expenses at home : — " There is a lordly style about this that commands one's admiration. The easy, Skimpolian grace with which he frankly owns that he was not exactly economical, and the calm, unbounded assurance with which he claims to have lived in a reasonable manner, in the face of the fAct that he exceeded his allowance and salary by £2500, is very amusing. There was once a time, and a very good time it was, when plain Julius Vogel in Victoria would have managed to live in a ' reasonable manner ' on something less than that." A correspondent of the Wairarppa Standard writes :—": — " On Sunday last two men employed at the Wangai Moana Station, went for a walk on the cliffs, and in the course of their ramble, noticed a goat tied up in the grass near the beach, and immediately went down and captured it. Being unable to scale the cliff from which they had descended, they walked round the beach. The tide being full, and the surf high, a heavy breaker caught them, and taking them off their legs, washed them into the sea. With a severe struggle both of them succeeded in reaching the land in safety. Shortly afterwards one of the men succeeded in climbing the cliff, and put in an appearance but without his comrade. A search party was then formed by Mr. Shaw, the manager of the Station, to find the missing man, as night had then fallen, and he could not be expected to find his way home unaided. After about two hours the unfortunate man was discovered in a position of considerable peril, two hundred yards down the clifl on a ledge which scarcely gave room for his feet, which were almost in the sea, every wave drenching him, Several gallant attempts were made to rescue him, which owing to the shortness of the rope in the hands of the search party proved ineffectual, and he had to be left as he was till the tide went down sufficiently for him to be released from below, which was about daylight in the morning following his afternoon's ramble. When finally rescued he was much exhausted by cold and exposure."