Evening Post. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 43, 19 August 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1876.

MR. WAKEFIELD, THE WORKING MEN, and the EVENING POST. The public meeting of working men held last night at the Princess Hotel should convince Mr. Edward Wakefield, M.H.E., that he cannot be permitted to slander and vilify a respectable portion of a community without incurring the penalty of being held up to public scorn and contempt. With the Vogel reception and the proceedings connected therewith, this journal has never had any particular sympathy. We commented upon the movement at the time as being inopportune, and pointed out that the strength of any claims which Sir Julius Vogel might have upon the sympathy and good-will of the people of this Colony had yet to be ascertained. People, however, were not inclined to look far ahead. They saw work plentiful, wages high, and money abundant, so they threw up their caps and shouted aloud m honor of Vogel as the beneficent distributor of borrowed millions, and the demi-god to whom ' * for happy homes and conteuted lives " they were bound to do grateful homage. We declined to join in with the popular cry, thinking that the day would shortly arrive when the results of reckless borrowing, still more reckless extravagance and the most flagrant maladministration of public affairs, would result in crippled resuurces aud increased taxation to every working-man in the community. We knew full well that it would take but a little time before all this display of enthusiasm for Sir Julius Vogel would be dissipated into thin air, and the man and his work be estimated at their true value. That time is not now far

distant, and already those who have hitherto been dazzled by the glitter of the \ millions begin to see clearly. Still, though not sympathising with the movement, we have ever recognised and admitted that the Vogel reception was originated by bona fide working men, was afterwards aided by members of other classes, and was carried out with the greatest possible measure of success. When, therefore, Mr. Wakefield, iv his capacity as a member of the House, chose to denounce the people who took part in this demonstration as being " a lot of beach loafers, who could not do a day's work to save their souls," he uttered a slander as baseless as it was malicious. Coming from a person like Mr. Wakefield, who has achieved no higher reputation than that of being a conceited coxcomb, the assertion might well have passed unheeded. Mr. Wakefield, however, uttered his slander in the Parliament of the Colony, of which, unhappily, he is a member, and thus some weight was given to it. It will be recorded in "Hansard," and od some future day may be quoted to the injury of this community. Such being the case, it is well that a complete refutation of Mr. Wakefield's false charges should be placed upon record. The remarks of the Mayor at the City Council, the protest sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives by that body, and the resolutions passed by the public meeting last night, will accomplish this purpose effectually and completely. The proceedings at the meeting do not demand much comment at our hands. A reference to the list of the persons who formed the Reception Committee, and a personal acquaintance with the members of it, would show that they were one and all, either working men of the best class, or employers of labor engaged in the arts of production. If ever a committee was in very truth what it purported to be, then that connected with the Vogel reception was so. Nothing published in any local newspaper afforded the slightest ground for Mr. Wakefield's false assertions, and we cannot but think that he made them out of sheer malice towards Wellington. Had he nstituted the slightest enquiry, he must have discovered the real state of the case. If he did so, then he must have made the statements out of sheer malice ; while if he did not, then he stands convicted of having uttered a reckless slander, while entirely indifferent as to its truth or falsehood. Mr. Wakefield's letter to Mr. Clarkson is a wretched evasion, which has deceived nobody. It consists of a lot of "gush" about all colonists being "working men, fulfilling the highest destiny of civilised society, and helping to build up the fabric of a nation," the reading of which the meeting greeted with hooting and derision. Mr. Wakefield in no degree either excused or justified his abominable falsehoods. It is true he alleged that he thought the people taking part in the reception were "loafers" because he had seen a paragraph in the Post strongly condemning a proposal to place beer barrels at every street corner How the Post's condemnation of this absurd proposal should lead Mr. Wakefield to the conclusion he arrived at, we cannot for the life of us discover. The very circumstance that such a proposal was at once rejected by a majority of the committee when the Post condemned it, is a strong proof that there was no " loafer " element whatever in its composition. Mr. Wakefield should mend his manners and restrain his pi'opensity towards evil speaking. He was not unkindly dealt with while in Wellington, and he but ill repays a community upon which he has lived by now vilifying it. There is one matter further in connection with this meeting to which we shall make allusion. A deliberate conspiracy was entered into to falsly accuse the Evening Post of endorsing and abetting Mr. Wakefield's slanders. The key-note was struck yesterday afternoon by the appearance of a grossly false article in print. Then when the meeting began, it became at once evident that some half-dozen persons present had arranged beforehand to endeavor to elicit a public expression of censure from the meeting directed against the Evening Post. Mr. E. T. Gillon, the chief wire-puller, kept in the back ground, and prompted his agents at the work. But the whole nefarious scheme failed. Every false assertion was met and refuted in the most complete and convincing manner. Honesty and truth prevailed against chicanery and deceit. The sense of honor and fair play of those present revolted at the contemptible trick which one journalist was trying to play at the expense of another, and the proposed vote of censure was summarily rejected by an overwhelming majority, including all those present, save the baffled and discomfited half-dozen conspirators themselves.

The result of the debate on the question of separation has been the temporary disorganisation of the Opposition, and delicate negotiations are now going on as to the leadership and the course to be in future pursued. After the division Auckland and other members waited upon Sir George Grey and suggested his retirement from the leadership and an alteration in his line of i tpposit ion. Sir George resisted the proposals on personal grounds and also on the ground that he would never condescend to compromise with the present Government. Time was given to him to call a meeting of the Auckland members to-day, but Sir George failed to invite those who had voted with the Governmeut, and, in consideration of that fact, the meeting was postponed till Monday next. The statement current is that the Auckland members favor the selection of Mr. Whittaker, not especially as leader of an Opposition, but as their representative leader in local interests. The probableoutcome of the negotiations is, that Sir George will retire from any leadership, and that Mr. Whitaker will assume the leadership of a party, some of whom would promote his selection as a member of the Ministry. A subordinate division in the ranks of the Opposition has been caused by Mr. Donald Reid's declaration that he is prepared to accept the Counties Bill as the next best thing to Provincialism. He has supporters sufficiently influential to make a serious schism in the ranks of the representatives of Otago.

In the report accompanying the vital statistics of New Zealand for the month of July, 1876, the Registrar-General gives some interesting details which may be summarised as follows : — The births in July were 29 more than in June. The deaths were 4 more than in June. Of the latter males contributed 69 ; females 48 ; 44 were children under 5 years of age, being 3761 per cent, of the whole number; 2W of these were children under 1 year of age. There were 8 deaths of persons 65 years of age and over ; 4of these were males and 4 females : of these, 2 males aged 66 and 69, respectively, died at Auckland; 1 female of 66 at the Thames ; 2 females of 93 and 75, at Nelson ; and 2 males of 66 and 70, respectively, at Christchurch ; 1 female, aged 70, died at Wellington. The deaths in July were 117, against 113 in June. Diarrhoea, which caused 5 deaths in June, was fatal in 3 cases last month. From typhoid fever there were 4 deaths, as in June. Scarlatina caused 11 deaths, an increase of 2 on those in June : these deaths occurred, 2at Wellington, 1 at Christchurch, and 8 at Dunedin, against a total of 9 for June. The deaths from diseases of the respiratory system show a total of 8, against 16 in June. There were at Auckland 4 cases, at the Thames 1, at Christchurch 1, and at Dunedin 2. Of violent deaths, 1 lad, aged 16, accidentally fell from a window; 1 male, aged 26, fractured his skull; 1 male, aged 39, accidentally fractured his spine by a fall from a scaffold ; *1 death occurred through on overdose of Chloroform ; aud 1 from asphyxia during sleep. There is a decrease of 21 in the number of deaths, as compared with the deaths in July, 1875. Of zymotic diseases there were 5 cases of measles in July, 1875, against none last month. Typhus aud typhoid fever caused 12 deaths, against 4in July, 1876. Diseases of the respiratory organs were much less fatal in July last than during the same mouth in the previous year, the numbers being as follows :— July, 1875, bronchitis, 13; pneumonia, 7; congestion of the lungs, 1: total, 21. July, 167b", bronchitis, 5 ; pneumonia, 3 : total, 8.

"Siturday Night's Supplement" to the Evening Post, published with our present issue, contains a variety of interesting news received by the San Francisco mail, including

the following itPm; : — " Lord Derby on the Eastern Conflict," " The Terrors of Dynamite," " Fifteen Girls Burned to Death in a Factory at Ayr;" "A Duedin Social Mystery," " Norman M'Leod and the Sabbatarians," "The Notorious Baron Grant and his Swindles," "A Brutal Father at Timaru," "The Loss of the Steamship Queensland," " Mr. Wiltshire on the 1000 Miles Feat," and other interesting reading matter. The habit of applauding by hand-clapping which forms such a prominent part in the proceedings of the House of Representatives, and which so particularly distinguishe 1 ? some of the junior members, has enlarged itself into a nuisance, of which many of the more sensitive and sensible members complain. The younggentlemen who commonly affect the practice received a sharp rebuke yesterday from the Premier. He was sketching the hfstory of the province of Auckland in its connection with the proposal to abolish the province, and referring to .Sir George Grey's election as Superintendent, said, "Then the hon. member for the Thames came upon the scene." This was sufficient to bring in contact the hands of some honorable members rapidly and repeatedly, in the creation of the sounds, by which they prefer to express their feelings. The Premier waited till the sound had ceased, and said — "Hon. members who are more agile with their hands than their heads." The applause was quickly followed by a laugh, but it is to be hoped that those who speak so little and indifferently, but who applaud in their own way so frequently, will seriously consider this small subject, and in future distinguish the difference between a meeting of Parliament, and a Sunday School soiree. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, John Johnston, who had been remanded for some days in consideration of his condition mentally, was discharged. Luke Harris was summoned for failing to obey an order ot the Court to contribute to the maintenance of his wife, but was allowed a week's grace to enable him to act with the advice of the Magistrate, to expend his money less in the enjoyment of personal indulgence, and more in the discharge of his personal responsibilities. A private letter received from one of the directors ot the Rangitato Silver Miming Company gives the following information : — " We are now safely landed and at work. Mr. Manton, who has accepted the appointment of manager, is now away at the miue, with a party of men, making all necessary preparations for its proper working. Surveyors are also out on behalf of the Government for the purpose of surveying a road, as they have at last found a good route which can be converted into a first-class dray road. We shall avail ourselves of the earliest opportunity of bringing down the ore. I have been in communication with the leading smelters of England, and the course we are pursuing is highly commended; they all seem greatly interested in the development of our mine, aud predict a great future for it, judging from present appearances, and the prospects of the immense deposits which this mine presents. We must, however, await patiently the issue, but there is little doubt as to its importance." From the monthly report of the Public Trustee (Mr. J. Woodward), for the month of July, 1876, it appears that estates of two deceased residents in Wellington have been placed under his charge during that month, viz., Samuel Young, died 17th March; estimated value of personal estate under £700. James Smith, died 6th April ; estimated value of personal estate under £400. Messrs. Edmondson and Sellar, merchants, Wellington, have dissolved partnership. The business in future will be carried on by Mr. G. S. Sellar. Yesterday afternoon, as a pure-bred shorthorn bull, about to be shipped by Messrs. Bethuue and Hunter per s.s. Hawea for the Rev. W. G. Bluett's station in Canterbury, was on his way down Willis-street, led by a halter, he suddenly took it into his head to bolt, and, shaking off his leader, galloped vigorously down the street, upsetting one person who tried to stop him, and pursuing his career until caught, just as he was about to plunge into Messrs. M'Dowell's window, right in the middle of the famous Irish poplins. This little performance over, he walked down to the steamer with a calm and dignified resignation, and allowed himself to be shipped without any further demonstration. From the provisional meteorological report for the month of July, 1876, published in Thursday's New Zealand Gazette, it appears that the mean temperature of the air was slightly above the average at Auckland and Nelson, but below the average of all other places. The highest temperature of the air recorded was 62 3 deg. at Auckland ; the lowest 23*3 deg. at Christehurch. The rainfall was greatly below the average at Nelson and Hokitika, being only l - 36 and 1*66 inch respectively, as compared with 6*71 and 1T29 inches in former years. At Auckland and Wellington the rainfall was considerably above the average, being respectively 6 - 2G and 800 inches, as compared with 4"78 and s'7b* in previous years. At Christchurch and Dunedin the rainfall was slightly less than the average. A man named William Donnelly was yesterday brought down from Masterton by the police, to await in gaol his trial on a charge of breaking into a house at Castlepoint, and stealing some property therefrom. The sale of the Wairarapa Carrying Comsany's plant has been postponed from the 23rd instant to Ist September. The tender of Mr. Love, for the supply of tin boxes to the Treasury, Wellington, has been accepted. Mr. H. Aplin, musicseller, has filed a declaration of insolvency. In our supplement and elsewhere will be seen Mr. Sidey's advertisements of land and houses, to be sold by auction on Monday next at noon. We direct attention to this sale with much pleasure, as offering genuine investments in freehold property to all classes, and on easy terms. The furniture of the Wellington Courthouse includes a clock which is in keeping with its suiToundings. It is eccentric, by going fast or slow, according to its own discretion or the dictum of whomsoever has it under his care, regardless of the Magistrate or the public. Solicitors, reporters, or others more immediately interested in the hearing of cases co ning before the Court, would be greatly convenieneed by the court being furnished with a clock which would have more regard for true time. Messrs. Bates and Howard, of the Theatre Royal, have kindly offered to Mr. Ingwersen, of the Lunatic Asylum, leave to bring to the Theatre, at any time, such of the patients under his charge as might be fit to be present, j and likely to be benefitted by such an entertain- ' ment. Taking advantage of this offer, Mr. Ingwersen brought to the Theatre Royal last evening thirteen of the patients under his care, and they have been gratified by a pleasant break to the monotony of their lives. Messrs. Bates and Howard have promised also to give a performance within the institution, and arrangements are being made for the early execution of their good intentions. We are requested to state that the tub into which Mr. Underwood's child fell, and was drowned, was in the back parlour, and not in the back yard, as stated by us in error. The ketch Glimpse was put up for sale by Mr. Geo. Thomas at his auction mart to-day. There was a very large attendance, but not a single bid was made. We were shown to-day a fresh water eel of portentous size, which was caught yesterday in the Waiwetu stream. It was 4ft. 9in. in length, aud nearly 18in. in girth at the thickest part, and weighed very nearly 251 bs. Mr. Isaacs, auctioneer, holds bis opening sale on Monday next, at noon, on the premises of H. Davis and Co., Featherston-street. He will offer a quantity of jewelry, which has been damaged by sea water, and is being sold for the benefit of whom it may concern. The Chess match, House of Representatives v. City of Wellington, five a side, will begin next Monday evening, at Mr. Hunter's rooms, and will be continued every successive Monday evening until finished. The City team was finally chosen last night, and consists of Messrs Benbow, W. R. E. Brown, Skey, Orbell, and Reeves. The House of Representatives will be represented by Messrs. Ballance, Bryce, Lusk, and Rees/M.H.R.'s, and Dr. Greenwood, Sergeant-at-arms. , Each player will play five games against each of the opposite side ; thus twenty-five games in all will be played. At the Theatre Royal last evening the fairy extravaganza " The King of the Peacocks" and the farce " Lend me Five Shillings" were repeated, with complete success. These two very attractive pieces will be played once more and fur the last time to-night, so that all who have not yet seen these striking novelties would do well to take advantage of the single remaining chance.