Evening Post. SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 49, 26 August 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1876.

If the ratepayers of the City of Wellington, at the public meeting to be held in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Thursday night, do not emphatically condemn and protest againßt the scandalous job which Messrs. Gillon, Greenfield, Dransh'eld, Moss, Mills, and Kainie have resolved to perpetrate at their expense, they will indeed be blind to their true interests, and fully deserve whatever ultimate loss may fall upon their shoulders. In its conception, negotiation, and in all the circumstances surrounding it, this proposal for the City Corporation to purchase the Wellington gas works is one which merits summary condemnation. The whole affair is surrounded with circumstances which should a wake suspicion and distrust. The Wellington Gas Company has hitherto enjoyed a lucrative monopoly. It has charged excessive prices, and made large profits. At last the time arrived when it became evident that the works must be largely extended, the supply of gas afforded over a wider area, and the price reduced, or else an opposition company would undoubtedly be started. The shareholders had reaped a goodly profit, and thought it would be an admirable scheme to sell their works at a high price to the Corporation. The negotiations were opened with the greatest ease. Mr. C. J. Pharazyn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wellington Gas Company, who holds a large number of shares in the concern, was luckily also a member of the City Council. Mr. J. R. George, the highly-salaried Manager of the Gas Company, was also a member of the Council. We do not know whether other members of the City Council hold shares in the Gas Company, and it is needless to pause to enquire. Under such circumstances, the negotiations for a time proceeded very smoothly, and were materially facilitated by the discreet action of Messrs. Pharazyn and George in their dual capacity as councillors and shareholders. .But a hitch arose. The company asked a price so extravagantly high for the works and plant that the negotiations for the time fell through. Then arrangements were made for floating the Empire Gas Company, and straightway the old company reduced the price of gas, and became eager to come to terms with the Corporation for the sale of their works. At first they asked at the rate of £18. 12s 4d. for each share, and not a penny less, but now they are prepared to accept £14 10s. A majority in the City Council wish the works to be purchased at the rate of £14 per share, and last night adopted a report recommending that if that price would be accepted, then the bargain should be closed and the purchase effected. In the interests of the ratepayers we do most earnestly protest against any such thing being done. In the first place we do not think the City Corporation should take in hand the supplying of gas at all. They are very likely to mismanage the business, and the bad results of that would fall upon the ratepayers. Then it was proved to demonstration by the Mayor in his speech, that at £14 10s. per share, the Corporation would require to pay £40,000 for the plant and works, while the Empire Company could obtain new plant and works for less than £20,000 ! Mr. Hutchison's speech should absolutely convince every ratepayer of the folly, inconsistency, and absurdity of the proposals of the Corporation. He says in effect : — *' You, the Council, allege that your object in purchasing the works is to supply the public with gas at the low price of 10s. per 1000 cubic feet. How can you hope to accomplish that when, at the very outset, you pay just double the price which the works and plant are worth ?" That argument alone should be enough to secure the rejection of this preposterous proposal. But there are a score of reasons against it besides. The thing is objectionable because it is a job by which, the few are to benefit and the many to suffer. How dare the members of the City Corporation resolve to carry out an arrangement which will put a large bonus into the pockets of the shareholders of the Gas Company, without ever previously consulting the ratepayers at all It is they who in the end will suffer should the experiment prove a failure, and surely they possess the right to be consulted. We would advise the members of the City Council to take no further action in this matter until the opinion of the ratepayers has been clearly expressed concerning it, and to bring about that result, we would most earnestly urge that every ratepayer in the City of Wellington should attend the public meeting to be held on Thursday night.

At first sight, it appears somewhat startling intelligence to find from a Sydney telegram, dated yesterday, "that it is understood that the Governor of New South Wales has received a despatch stating that war between England and Russia was imminent." A little reflection will, however, show that the telegram is capable of a very different interpretation to that which might be placed upon it at the first blush. If the despatch from the Imperial authorities to the Governor of New South Wales was sent by mail in the ordinary course, it must have been written some six weeks before it was received in Sydney, and would therefore refer to the state of affairs at that date between England and Russia, which there is reason to think was somewhat critical. The telegrams received, giving information some weeks later than that to hand by mail, are all to the effect that the attitude of Great Britain was one of strict neutrality with respect to the Eastern question, and that there was no present probability of any of the great powers interfering in the struggle which has already commenced between the Servians and the Tnrks. If, on the other hand, the intelligence received by the Governor of New South Wales had been transmitted by cable, the fact would have been stated in the message received here. On the whole, we are inclined to the view that the alleged dispatch — if, indeed, it had any existence at all — refers to a state of things of some weeks past, and to a state of affairs which is now in a great measure altered. It cannot, however, be said that war between Great Britain and Russia is an utterly improbable contingency. The position of affairs is continually changing, and the seeming almost impossibility of to-day may be the probability of a month or two hence. With respect to the general aspect of this question, the San Francisco News Letter recently made some pregnant observations :—: — " England's negation of the Andrassy note, coupled with her decisive attitude on the Eastern question, mark an epoch in British statesmanship, when the commercial and timeserving policy of previous administrations has been abandoned in favor of a course befitting that great Empire. The old Lion has once more entered the arena, determined to uphold his former dignity and prestige. Notwithstanding the Empire is, to-day, the wealthiest and most prosperous of nations, she possesses greater substantial strength than ever before. " For half a century, excepting the Crimean episode and the barbarian skirmishes, she has enjoyed a productive peace such as has been the lot of no other first-class power in Europe. During that period France, Germany, Austria and Spain have been wasting their resources in war. The unification of Italy has resulted in the aggregation of a crushing debt, and Russia has gone on subjugating the Asiatic tribes and scattering her iorces in unprofitable acquisition of territory. Which of these nations can afford to scorn British power, or enter upon a combat with anything like the resources commanded by England? That these facts are comprehended on the Continent, recent events have demonstrated, and since the time of Wellington or Pitt, no English premier has spoken so decisively as Disraeli in an affair of such moment. Moreover, the people are ready to stand by their leaders, and in the event of war — which apparently is delayed for a time — the world will behold a display of strength as yet uncredited. The integrity and prosperity of the British Empire are of greater consequence to civilisation than the congregation of land and serfs by the Autocrat of Russia. This is the issue which has roused the people and statesmen of Great Britain, and that they will continue steadfast and successful is the wish of the people of this Greater Britain."

Wellington member* held a short meeting yestPrday for thp purpose of considering the schedule of the Counties Bill. Nothing definite was decided upon, but a preference was given to the number of counties in the province being six instead of five, as proposed. It was also suggested that there should be some power to increase the number if necessary. The boundaries of each county were discussed, but the subject generally was postponed till another meeting to be held on Tuesday.

The alleged impending reconstruction of the Ministry has assumed a new phase. The changes which Ministerial supporters a day or two ago alleged as having been practically agreed upon, are now stated by the same gentlemen to have been somewhat modified. To-day it was generally stated that further negotiations were still panding. Sir Julius Vogel is to make a Ministerial statement in the House on Tuesday with reference to the intentions of the Government re the Agent-Generalship. The latest rumor about the reconstruction is, that Mr. Fitzherbert resigns the Speakership aud becomes Premier. Vogel takes the AgentGeneralship, and Whittaker the Attorney while the remainder of the present Ministry remain as they are now. Under this arrangement Mr. Rolleston would be appointed gpeaker.

" Saturday Night's Supplement," published with the present issue of the Evening Post, contains the usual amount of varied and interesting reading matter. The Ringarooma, with the Suez mail, will arrive at this port early to-morrow morning. The mail will be sorted at once, and delivered in the private boxes as soon as possible after arrival, the side door being left open as usual. No letters will be delivered at the window tomorrow. A requisition to Mr. P. Moeller, asking him to come forward as a candidate to represent the Te Aro Ward in the City Council, was numerously and influentially signed this afternoon. We are glad to find a large number of the ratepayers endeavoring to secure a representative who is in every sense so eligible. In reference to Mr. Bridges' resignation of bis seat on the directory of the National Bank of New Zealand, mentioned in our yesterday's issue, it is only fair to that gentleman to state that private English letters received by the last mail from persons possessing an intimate knowledge of the circumstances, represent Mr. Bridges' retirement as caused by broken-down health, and not by any differences between himself and his brother directors with regard to his statements of last session. An accident which occurred to-day to a little girl aged two years, daughter of Mr. W. Fisher, of Molesworth-street, shows how easily a serious mishap may be brought about. The child was playing on the top of a box not more than two feet high, and managed to tumble off. The blow appeared very slight, yet when the poor little thing was picked up she was found to have broken her leg just above the ancle. Dr. Harding was promptly in attendance, but the limb was too much swollen for setting to be practicable until the swelling had been reduced. The Scandinavian ball held at the Foresters' Hall last evening was an immense success, reflecting great credit to the committee of arrangement. The refreshment department was entrusted to Mr. C. Grey, confectioner, of Lambton Quay, who, as usual, provided in abundance, and gave universal satisfaction. About fifty couples were present, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The party broke up about 4 o'clock. The outward Suez mail, despatched yesterday afternoon per s.s. Arawata, consisted of 208 letters, 4 books, and 1 newspaper, via Brindisi; and 372 letters, 8 books, and 48 newspapers, via Southampton. Iver Geilgaard was the name of the first offender who, not for the first time, was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. He had, in 1874, undergone a year's imprisonment for stealing at Masterton, but on this occasion his offence was begging. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Elizabeth East was charged, on the information of John Stace, with using towards him language sufficient to provoke him to commit a breach of the peace towards a woman. The defendant only admitted that she had called the complainant a ; ( thing" for a man, but he alleged that she prefixed it with an explanative, and had also made insinuations about him and his tenants. She was ordered to preserve the peace for three months. Luke Harris was again charged with failing to obey an order of the Court to contribute towards the maintenance of his wife, and as he failed to appear a warrant was issued for his arrest. Captain Williams, our local coal merhant, imported during the week, from Newcastle, 2,150 tons of coal, 1,650 tons arriving yesterday. We understand that the Parliamentary Ball is not to take place this year, in consequence of the Ball Committee being unable to obtain a suitable room. In future the s.s. Stormbird will sail to and from Wanganui on regular dates, leaving Wellington on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Wanganui on Mondays and Thursdays — weather, of course, permitting. The performance given by the Upper Hutt Amateur Gymnastic Troupe on Thursday evening last was a complete success. Everything went ofi capitally, and the house was crowded to excess. At the Theatre Royal last night Boucicault's well-known play "The Octoroon" was produced with great success by the Bates-Howard Company. Mr. and Mrs. Bates as Salem Scudder and Zoe respectively, Mr. Sam Howard as Pete, the old plantation " nigger," Miss Lizzie Morgan as Dora, and Mr. Holloway as Jacob M'Closky, were particularly good, and the minor parts were efficiently filled. This evening Hegarty's Globe Combination Troupe make their first appearance, and doubtless will draw a crowded house. Owing to the increase of inhabitants at the Upper Hutt, the large store of A. Mullins and Son is now let as a place of public worship. The entertainment given at the Odd Fellows' Hall last night, in aid of the widow of the late Henry Webb, was a decided success, being described as one of the best amateur entertainments yet given in Wellington. The amateurs had the advantage of being assisted by two professional artistes. Miss Leake and Mr. Hoyle. There was a very numerous attendance, and the various items in the programme were well received, with one marked exception, namely, a song contributed by a seaman of H.M.S. Nymphe. This song was of so highly improper and objectionable a nature that many of the audience at once left the room in disgust. Some explanation is needed from the management as to the admission of such a disgraceful feature in the programme. The outward San Francisco mail, despatched yesterday afternoon by the R.M.S. Zealandia, consisted of 4230 letters, 225 book-packets, and 2300 newspapers for Europe, and 204 letters, 39 book-packets, and 307 newspapers for America. These are the accurate figures as revised last, evening. The figures at first given by the Post Ofiice did not include the additions after the postponement of the mail's closing. The R.M.S. Zealandia got away from the wharf last evening with the same ease and readiness as she was brought alongside, and took her departure for San Francisco at 4.30 p.m. precisely. During her stay in this port she disbursed nearly £1000 sterling, taking on board here 450 tons of coal, 3 live bullocks, 70 sheep, and nearly 300 fowls, besides a vast quantity of other requisites for her voyage. With reference to a late telegram to the effect that Captain Burgess, the Auckland pilot, was about to take proceedings against Captain Ferries, of the Zealandia, for refusing to give him (the pilot) charge of the ship, Captain Ferries yesterday waited on the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, and requested that an official inquiry might be made into the circumstances, and that the relative positions of pilots and captains of mail steamers should be more clearly defined for future guidance. It appears that Captain Ferries expressed his entire willingness to let Captain Burgess show him the way into port, but decidedly objected to letting him handle the ship, on the ground that her immense length required very careful management, and that a stranger could not possibly know so well how to humour her peculiarities as her captain, whose daily business it was to make them his constant study. " No," replied Captain Ferries, " you point out the course, and I'll keep the ship on it, buc I'm responsible for her safety and not you, and I know how she wants handling, and you can't, so I shall command her myself." We understand that Mr. M'Lean promised the matter should receive full consideration. They make it " lively " sometimes for " wife beaters "down Nelson way. Recently, says a local paper, the Port was enlivened by a demonstration. It appears that one of the inhabitants of that usually quiet portion' of

Nelson indulged his brutal propensities by a savage attack upon his better half, and' his neighbors determined to express an opinion upon the cowardly act. An effigy was therefore ,'prepared, and carried to the door of the house occupied by the woman-beater. Here a mock trial was gone through, and the figure, in accordance with the verdict, was carried on to the beach, saturated with kerosene, and ignited. It blazed away merrily, and displayed to advantage a placard "attached stating, "This should be the fate of wife-beaters." The crowd, numbering about one hundred, then gave three groans for the party for whom the exhibition was especially designed, and dispersed. The Nelson and Westland members have arranged to hold a meeting on Monday, for the purpose of considering the number and boundaries of the counties into which the two provinces can be best divided. A curious case came before the Resident Magistrate this morning. The owner of a small coasting vessel hailing from Dunedin, gave the said vessel in charge to a captain with a roving commission. The owner, after waiting- in vain for a remittance, at great personal inconvenience came up to Wellington, to find his vessel in the hands of strangers. He sued the truant captain for the balance he is indebted—£Bo, and got judgment for £14. Finding the fellow not worth powder and shot, he goes back to Dunedin out of pocket to the tune of about £150. Mr. R. Marshall, of Turakina, and Mr. Polgreen are the successful tenderers for the Paraekaretu contracts — the former at £2 19s 6d, and the latter at £1 14s 6d per chain.