Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 50, 28 August 1876, Page 2

Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1876.

With the prospect of the immediate abolition of the Provincial form of Government taking place, there is no doubt that Municipal institutions will almost at once become of an importance which they have not hitherto been. In the case of Wellington, the citizens should learn to recognise the fact that the Municipal Council, in the event of certain loans being raised, will undertake several large works, involving a considerable expenditure, and demanding the exercise of much administrative ability, in order to secure their being properly and economically earned out. Under these circumstances, it is of the utmost moment that the best men should be induced to come forward as candidates for seats in the City Council at the approaching Municipal elections. Singularly enough, the ratepayers display much indifference and apathy in the matter. Though the period for the elections, is close at hand, there hare l>een no meetings, no general bringing forward of candidates, no definite expressions of views on the many questions of the greatest possible interest to the city. We earnestly desire that the ratepayers would bestir themselves, and before it is too late, look into matters which so closely concern them. Why should not there be a public meeting held at Thorndon to determine who shall come forward in the event of Mr. C. J . Pharazyn retiring. In the Lambton Ward there is not the same necessity for action. The ratepayers there have perfect confidence in their present representative, Mr. Dransfield, and as he contemplates coming forward again, his election will be unopposed. In the Te Aro Ward it is satisfactory to observe that there will be a contest. A large number of the ratepayers have requested Mr. P. Moeller to come forward as a candidate, and it is announced that he has acceded to their request. There is no doubt that those ratepayers who have brought forward Air. Moeller have made au excellent selection of a candidate. He Is a shrewd, clear-headed, practical man of business, able to devote a fair share of time to the service of the ratepayers, and therefore in a position to promote their interests and those of tho ward. Mr. Moeller will certainly not make long speeches, or, like the present representative ot the ward, act in the Council Chamber as if it were a school-boy's debating society — but this will be just so much the belter. The ratepayers of Te Aro do not want a man who can merely talk — and that very badly — but they do want a man who will diligently and actively work for their interests, and try to obtain for Te Aro, both in its thickly-popu-lated and outlying parts, a fair share of expenditure in repairing streets, forming new ones, and affording to tho inhabitants the means of drainage. Te Aro has never yet received fair and justj ust treatment in those matters. Its present representative has failed to seize many opportunities of pressing the just claims of his constituents, and many a working man, who during the recent winter has had sometimes to plod along to his home over muddy roads and unformed streets, amidst rain and darkness, has repented his credulity in ever believing the pledges of the glib-tongued Gillon. We believe that a large number of the ratepayers desire to have a change, and to replace their present representative by a better and more sterling man. We think that they have found such a man in Mr. Moeller. He is honorable, veracious, and outspoken. He may not be very lavish in promises which he knows to be impossible of fulfilment, but we are confident that if elected he will ever strive to do his " level best" for those whom he represents. With respect to the other candidate, Mr. Edward Thomas Gillon, it may be said that he cares nothing whatever about the wants and interests of the Te Aro ratepayers. He has always been a Thorndon resident, and his sympathies as the ostensible owner of a handsome mansion in an aristocratic street, naturally centre in Thorndon. In the Council he was always well posted up in Thorndon grievances, but as to those of wide-spread Te Aro, he betrayed the most profound ignorance. Apart from this, Mr. Gillon did Dot go into the Council to serve the interests of the ratepayers, but simply to advance his own. He had resolved to make a trade of politics, and the seat in the City Council was simply regarded as a stepping 1 stone to the Provincial Council and the General Assembly. This is not at all the sort of man that the Te Aro ratepayers require to repre.°ent them, and they are scarcely likely, with the light of past experience to guide their decision, to allow such to be otherwise tlian unfavorable. But there are special and substantial reasons why Mr. Gillon lias no claim upon the confidence or support of the Te Aro ratepayers. He was elected to the City Council on the ticket of retrenchment, yet it is a fact that he sanctioned an outrageously extravagant proposal for increasing the salaries of all the officers of the Corporation. When that proposal was carried, and given effect to, there was a general feeling of indignation expressed by the ratepayers, and notably by those of Te Aro, that it was entirely wrong and uncalled for. How comes it then that the erstwhile loudvoiced champion of retrenchment had not a word to say against this monstrous proposal as a whole. It is true he objected to one small item — the increase to the salary of the City Inspector — but then he had a grudge against that official. Not a word did he sAy against the larger increases, about which the real indignation was felt. In the case of " the £25 Ramie job" the purist Gillon also remained dumb; while finally we find him and others striving to carry out the purchase of tha gas works by the Corporation on such terms as would make the transaction a down right swindle upon the groat body of the ratepayers for the benefit of the shareholders in a public company. We trust that the Te Aro ratepayers will bear this latter fact in mind when Mr. Gillon solicits their votes. At any rate, we believe the ratepayers will prevent that transaction being carried out, and when they have done so let those who belong to Te Aro take the opportunity on polling-day, of making Mr. fid ward Thomas Gillon learn that it is dangerous to attempt, in the very teeth of public opinion, to effect a purchase which would result in the many being defrauded for the benefit of the few.

Great excitement was created in town yesterday by an unfounded rumor — which, once put in circulation flew through the city like wildfire — that war had been declared between England and Russia. The reported source of this startling report was a purely imaginary telegram alleged to have been received per cable by Capt. Suttie, of H.M.S. Nymphe. The enterprising authors of the story, evidently aware of the advantages as to credibility gained by apparent preciseness and accuracy, stated the exact words of the telegram, which was asserted to run as follows : — " War declared. Wait further orders." We may mention, here that the only ascertainable grounds for this statement consist in the fact that the Australian Commodore has instructed the captains of all H.M. ships on the station to maintain their full complement of men and stores, and to hold themselves in readiness to sail when ordered. This is absolutely all that can be discovered to have been -the seed whence grew this alarming tale. The sensation reached its culminating point at the evening service in St. John's Presbyterian Church, when the officiating minister, the Rev. J. Patorson, somewhat rashly accepted the wild canard as trustworthy news, and was ill-advised enough not only to announce it from the pulpit, but also to express ex cathedra his own views on the political question at issue. The emotional impressibility of religious congregations is proverbial, and the rev. gentleman's rather imprudent remarks caused considerable agitation, especially among the female members. The general excitement continued unabated until dispelled by the explanation published in •ur morning contemporary.

A meeting-, of the Canterbury members was held on Saturday, for the purpose of considering the numbers and boundaries of the counties into which that province could be best converted. It was first discussed whether the counties to be formed should be limited to the province or otherwise, and it was decided that a more satisfactory division of districts would be made by including in the northern county a part of the province of Nelson. The further conclusion at which the meeting arrived was that there should be three counties, the northern extending from the Waiau to the Waimakariri, the central from the Waimakariri to the Rangitata, and the southern from the Rangitata to the Waitaki, or the same boundaries as those of the existing Timaru and Gladstone district. It was also suggested at the meeting that Banks' Peninsula and the Wahnate districts should be made separate counties, but it was thought better to make no special recommendation on the subject nnl&ss the inhabitants of the district thought it desirable to do so.

The " political crisis," as it may bp termed, has since Saturday assumed a new phase. At that time it was* generally thought that Mr. Fitzherbert would accept the Premiership, and. that the other changes we then indicated would be effected. To-day it is said that Mr. Fitzherbert does not see his way to becoming Premier and resigning the Speakersbip. The arrangements are now drifting back to the old plan we indicated on Friday. That is to say, a fresh endeavor is being made to get Mr. Stafford to assume the office of Premier, and Mr. Whitaker to become Attorney-General. It may be noted that another phase of the political situation indicated by the gossip of the lobbies is that overtures have been made to procure the acceptance of the Premiership by the Hon. John Hall, who has a seat in the Upper House, the Hon. Major Atkinson leading lor the Government in the House of Representatives. We give the various changing aspects of the position just as they from day to day arise.

The Acting Agent-General telegraphs under date 11th August, that the following immigrant ships were despatched from Great Britain in July for New Zealand : — Waimea, for Wellington, with 290 immigrants ; Orari, for Auckland, with 279; Inverness, for Napier, with 190; Timaru, for Otago, with 345; and the Howrah, for Nelson, with 299; total, 5 ships, with 1403 immigrants. They may be expected to arrive in October. The inward English mail, via Suez, which arrived by the Ringarooma yesterday, six days before the contract date, consisted of 604 letters, 150 book-packets, and 512 newspapers, via Brindisi ; and 207 letters, 49 book-packets, and 190 newspapers, via Southampton. A meeting of the Education Board will be held on Wednesday, the 30th of August, at 11 o'clock. It has already been stated that the members of the Assembly had resolved not to hold the usual sessional ball, in consequence of the want of a suitable building for the purpose, but we understand that this difficulty may be easily overcome. Messrs. Stevenson and Stuart have offered the use of their new and spacious store. An information was to-day laid agajnst Charles Edward Haughtoufor au attempt to commit an unnatural offence, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He recently left Wellington in the Arawata. The police at Dunedin have been advised by telegraph of the issuing of the warrant. The steamer leaves the Bluff' to-morrow for Melbourne. Since the above was written the Inspector of Police informs us that he has just received a telegram stating that C. E. Haughton was arrested at Dunedin at half-past 2 o'clock this afternoon by the police there. On receipt of the warrant he will be remanded to Wellington. The Nelson members are now holding a meeting, to consider the question of county boundaries. The West Coast members meet with them, to suggest what may be most suitable for the west coast of the Province and for Westland. Their proposition is that the Grey,*Buller, and Mongatua Valleys should be either'one or three counties. The Hon. Mr. Robinson, M.L.C., gives a ball and supper to-night in the Provincial Council Hall. The preparations are being made on a scale of unexampled splendor, including carpets, mirrors, hangings, sofas, lounges, flowers, evergreens, and all the other paraphernalia. Thus do our " shepherd kings" try to get rid of a little ot the contents of their overflowing coffers. Our latest English telegrams do not indicate any probability of war between England and Russia. Madame De Murska and Company arrived from Napier yesterday, and proceed to Wanganui to-morrow. The Wellington Artillery Corps will parade at the drill shed, Willis-street, to-morrow evening at half past seven, for inspection of the Colonel commanding. The old favorite trader to Wellington, the Halcione, which has arrived at Lyttelton, is now commanded by Captain Croker. She brought a fuU cargo for Matheson's agency, but only thirty passengers. She had a most tempestuous passage, and one of the Crew, William Westcott, was lost by falling from one of the yards into the sea. We wonder who has been " found out" now. A Melbourne correspondent writes on the 19th inst. :— The breath of scandal has been busy during the last day or two with the names of more than one of the elite of Melbourne society, but as yet the few particulars which have been gleaned have only been made use of cautiously. A bill has been introduced in the Victorian Assembly for the entire abolition of imprisonment for debt. Arrangements were concluded to-day for proceeding with the erection of the Melbourne Hotel, which has been stopped for some time back by the death of the late proprietor, Mr. Thomas Jones. The new building is to be finished by the Ist of December. Mr. C. Tringham is the architect, aud Mr. Ransom the builder. The following are the Wellington College football team who are going over to Nelson at the beginning of next month to play against the Nelson College, namely : — Barton, Brandon, Butts, Bannister, Martin, Leckie, Taylor (2), St. John, Luxford, Webb, Cooper, Kirk, Morrah, and Burnes. A meeting of the Wellington Rowing Club will be held at the Pier Hotel this evening at 8 o'clock, to consider the advisability of erecting a new boatshed. also to receive the annual report. =¦ We hope to* see the members of this club well supported in their effort to improve their boating accommodation. They have done great things for the aquatic reputation of this city, and their efforts deserve substantial lecognition at the hands of the public. The chess match between the House of Representatives and the City of Wellingtonfive players a side — was continued on Saturday evening in the chess club-room, Willis-street. Three more games were played, all being won by the parliamentary representatives. Twelve games out of the twenty-five now have been played, seven being won by the House and four by the city, the other being drawn. The games played last night were as follows:— Lusk v. Orbell, won by Lusk; Brown v. Ballance, won by Ballance ; Bryce v. Skey, won by Bryce. The match will bo resumed tliis evening at 7.30. The only police cases before the Resident Magistrate to-day were two charges of drunkenness and disorderly conduct. In one, the offender, a person of " loafing" propensities, was fined 20sr In the other, m consideration of the fact that the offender was a woman with a family, a simple caution was administered. A heavy landslip took place early on Saturday morning from the hill near Kaiwarra, where the earth is being taken for the Thorndon reclamation. Many tons of soil came down, bringing with it the shoots and knocking over several trucks which were standing on the line. Luckily no one was passing along the road at the time. The road was cleared by Saturday night. Hegarty's Globe Combination Troupe made their first appearance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night to a very good house, the pit and stalls being crowded, and many bad to be turned from the doors. The performances were excellent from first to last, and were received with immense applause. Mr. Hart is an admirable comic and character singer, with considerable originality of style, which gives decided freshness to his illustrations. Miss Russell is a capital comic and attractive ballad singer. She, too, won great popular favor on Saturday night. Mr. Moran is one of the best Irish comedians ever yet seen here. His Hibernian illustrations were exceedingly droll, and excited great laughter. Professor Henechi is a wizard of much ability, and some of his tricks were very good. The" suspension in mid-air of Mis 9 Stella was well-managed, although the trick has been performed here so often as to have lost the charm of novelty. Altogether, the entertainment offered by the Globe Troupe is extremely varied and amusing, and we shall be surprised if they are not largely patronised during their stay in Welliugton. They appear again to-night. The steamer Luna has sailed from Lyttelton for Westport with a number of hopper waggons and other material for the Buller railway. A most amusing scene occurred opposite the Club Hotel at Masterton, on Thursday afterI noon. It is thus described by the News Letter : — " A Maori chief who is well known for the degree of civilisation to which he and his : family have attained — he being also a Native Assessor— was driving through the town, accompanied by his wife, evidently quite unsuspicious of the fact that an exasperated creditor was prepared to put into effect a distress warrant he had obtained. Accordingly the chief was I hailed, and when he came to a standstill, an ¦ interpreter read out the warrant. The horse and trap were thereupon seized in part satis-

faction of the demands. Then followed a spectacle which will not be forgotten in a hurry by all who witnessed it. The chief gave the reins to his wife, while he himself got out and j held on by the shaft of the buggy. The ex- i postulations of the old lady were as loud and > shrill as they were continued ; nor was her j husband silent. After long arguments a \ gentleman who chanced to be in Masterton, and who entertains a high regard for the chief, came to the rescue, and gave security for the payment of the amount, The Maori could have paid tlie money, but he evidently felt insulted by being summoned." The choir of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Willis-street, give to-night the first ot a series of musical and literary entertainments at the Willis-street schoolroom. A programme of unusual excellence has been prepared, and under the skilful direction of Mr. Raymond, a brilliant success may be anticipated. A son of the great Garibaldi has been appointed private secretary to Sir James M'Culloch, Premier of Victoria. The Roman Catholic paper, the Advocate, violently condemns the appointment.