Evening Post. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1879.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 5, 5 July 1879, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1879.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. ? Ths prospects of the approaching Parliamentary seasion necessarily are much complicated by the sudden culmination of the Ministerial differences in the resignation of the Colonial Treasurer and the subsequent accession to office of Mr. Gisboknk. It is not easy at present to forecast the course of events, or even to indicate the probabilities, with any approximation to definiteness. Nothing is known absolutely as yet of the intentions •yen of the two main political parties, or even whether any clearly-defined parties exist at all just now. There is, it is true, a Ministerial party of some sort or other, but its boundary lines are exceedingly Tague and uncertain, it being quite impossible to assert positively where the ranks of its supporters end and those of its opponents begin, so many members having perched themselves "on the rail." Some who supported the Gkby Ministry last session now bitterly denounce it, and others who either opposed or gavo but a qualified support last year are counted on now as thorough-going Ministerialists. Whether Mr. Ballance's retirement from the Government will also involve his defection, directly or indirectly, from the Grey party remains to be seen. At the best, however, only a modified degree of adherence can be relied on from him, and it is by no means improbable that he may be found ia the ranks of the Opposition on certain important questions on which it has been notorious that he and Sir Geoege Grey, when colleagues, were not at all in accord. Several former opponents were alleged, and we believe with reason, to have declared in favor of the Ministry as it existed a fortnight ago, but the withdrawal of Messrs. Stout and .Ballance alters its constitution so materially that these conversions are not at all certain to be permanent. There is no doubt that Sir Geobge Grey, recognising the precarious position of his party, is laboring most assiduously and skilfully to strengthen and consolidate it by attracting new adherents and more firmly attaching his old partisans. It is well known that strenuous efforts are being made to form a strong and compact Opposition party in lieu of the "fortuitous combination o! atoms" which attempted to do duty for " Her Majesty's Opposition" last session. In Sir William Fox, Major Atkikson, Messrs. Ormomd, Richardson, Bowen, M'Lean, and a few other members there is always a nucleus of a sufficiently bitter Opposition party, and it is highly probable that they, taking warning by the "signs of the times," may put forth a Liberal programme of policy, in order to bid against Sir George Grey for the public vote at the general election which cannot long be delayed. In this way they might catch the vote of many members who, while in favor of a Liberal policy, do not believe in Sir George Grey, and would join in a want of confidence motion against his Government if they saw a way to do so without acting in antagonism to Liberal principles. There are not wanting Bigns of * further complication being introduced in a resuscitation of the once famous " Great Middle Party," which apparently became defunct with the advent of Sir George Grey to power, on the defeat of the Continuous Ministry two years ago. Such a Cave of Aduilam would form so convenient a refuge for members whose sympathies are not heartily with either side, and who are unwilling to compromise themselves with one or the other that it very easily might grow into an absolute majority of the House. It is to be hoped, however, in the interest of good Government that it will be found practicable so to place the different political views before Parliament as to compel members to range themselves definitely on one side or the other. A strong Opposition is absolutely essential to satisfactory Government — if any proof wers needed it is amply afforded by the experience of last session — and this has too long been conspicuously wanting in our political world.

The usual weekly Supplement is published with the present issue of the Evening Post. In reply to " Myra," we are almost afraid to say " yes" to her inquiry, ou account of the pain it would give us to refuse her contribution if it were found unsuitable. We shall be happy to give it our best attention bowerer, if

she will make it very short, and forward it for I our inspection. I Mr. Henry Corbett has made a formal com- • plaint to the Minister of Justice touchiner the conduct of Messrs. Holt and Wallace, J.P 'c, in dismissing his dog case, and Mr. Sheehan has appointed Monday next for an intervfefr to go into the case. There are at the present moment a cow aad two horses in the public pound, in Mannersstreet, at d ttey present a most pitfabTe spectacle. The yard in which they are confined U a perfect quagmire, and the poor brutes look very wretched and miserable Moreover, they are half starved, for the simple reason that the " ration" served out to them is barely sufficient to keep life in their bodies. It is to be hoped that the Municipal authorities will make some provision for giving 1 the imprisoned animals a dry floor to stand on and a larger quantity of food. It may be stated that the poor beasts are frequently kept in the pound for a fortnight at a time. A special meeting of the General Committee of the Wellington Choral Society was held at the Athenaeum last evening, Mr. Rods Marten in the chair. The principal business was jo decide on a programme for the last concert of the season. A lettet was read fr6m the coaductor, Mr. Parker, recommending that tbe first part of the programme should consist of Mozart's 12th' Mass, and the second of a miscellaneous selection. Considerable ¦ discussion - took place, some members suggesting "Aeis and Galatea," and' others ''The Ancient Mariner," as preferable to the Mass ; but ultimately it was resolved that ss'the Society already was greatly; behindhand in time, the concerts being much overdue, and it was therefore necessary to choose a work would not occupy too long in preparation, the conductor's recommendation should be adopted. A new performing member was elected, and the meeting then adjourned. A-private letter received from. England by this mail says :— c( Our winter has been unexampled for its severity, and ill traces of it have not yet departed. Thi9 is the • Merry (?) month of May,' yet we have had frost and sleet up to a day or two ago, and the marks of spring are few and far between." It is a well known fact that the members of the fire brigades in this city do a large quantity of valuable work gratia, and thure can be no doubt that the whole community is benefitted by their work. It seems to be extremely hard therefore that one of the firemen, who took an active part in extinguishing the recent fire, should be discharged by his employers. It is true, however, that one of the hardestworking firemen on the occasion of the late fire was the man in question, and yet he has been sent adrift by his employers for the simple reason that he, obeying the orders of the captain of his brigade, played the hose upon the premises of another person instead of those belonging to his employers. It is satisfactory to know, at the same time, that the fireman will not be long out of employment. The Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was well attended on Thursday evening, at the Athenaum, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. Several candidates were duly initiated, and received with hearty welcome to full membership. Several members were also admitted on clearance cards from other parts, while a number were proposed as candidates. A. deputation from the Olive Branch Lodge was received, who stated that their Lodge were anxious that fraternal greetings should be exchanged between the two lodges. The deputation withdrew, and a committee was at once, appointed to confer with them A conference was immediately held in another room, and the committee recommended in their report that the Star Lodge should accede to the wish of the deputation, so that tho work for which all Good Templars should be united to perform might be more effectually carried out. After a little discussion, it was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. The Rev. Professor Salmond, from Dunedin, is likely to be present at the opening of the new St. Andrew's Church on Sunday, the 13th instant. The Professor has the reputation of being the most learned and accomplished man in the Presbyterian body within the colony. Cable communication between Port Darwin and Banjoewangi is interrupted. The directors of the Tramway Company have altered their time-table, and in future the ordinary night trains will be discontinued. The last train will leave Adelaide Road at ten minutes to six o'clock, and return from the railway station at thirty-five minutes past six. At the same time, when the Theatre is open a special train will leave Adelaide Road at twenty-five minutes past ten o'clock, and will leave Government Buildings on the return journey at ten minutes to eleven. This traiu will stop at the Theatre till the close of Ihe performance. The new time-table will come into operation on Monday next. Three prisoners awaiting trial in the Wanganul gaol attempted to break out, but the attempt was discovered and frustrated. Last night, on the occasion of Mr. Wybert Reeve's benefit, the comedy of "Engaged," and the farce of "My Wife's Dentist," were played with great success at the Theatre Royal. The audience were in roars of laughter throughout, and it is not too much to say that a greater treat to lovers of light comedy has never been afforded within the walls of the Royal. As Chevioc Hill, Mr. vVybert Reeve was inimitable and was applauded to the echo. Miss Beatrice appeared to lull advantage as a comedy-actress of a high order, and Mr. D'< >rsay Ogden surpassed himself in the amount of humor he threw into his part. The other characters — particularly that of Mr. Joyce — were well sustained and the curtain had to be raised at the conclusion of each act in reply to the hearty plaudits of the audience. . -The concluding farce was also a great success. The programme is to be repeated this evening, and should attract a crowded house. A very commendable resolution has been come to by the Philosophical Society to give a series of popular scientific lectures during the winter season. The first of the series will be delivered this eveniog by the President, Dr. Newman, on "The brain in relation to mind." As Dr. Newman has not only given the subject a large amount of special study, but also has the power of treating the questions with which he deals in a very attractive manner, the lecture should ba a very interesting one, and should attract a large attendance of members and their friends. The next meeting of the Hutt County Council will be held on Tuesday next. The principal business is the consideration of motions to tho effect that £500 be granted to tho Karori Riding, and that an inspector of slaughterhouses be appointed. The presentation of the prizes awarded by the Education Board to Gilbert Fownes took place at the Mount Cook Buys' School yesterday. The presentation was made by the Rev. J Paterson, and several members of the School Committee also attended and addressed the scholars. That well-known hostelry, the White Swan Hotel, Cuba-street, has passed into the hands of Mr. D. M'Kay, who announces in our advertising columns fa's assumption of the proprietorship. Mr. M'Kay is well and favorably known as the lato master of the schooner Herald. We have no doubt that the worthy ex-captain will receive good support. The breaking up of the Thorndon School, Sydney-street, and the distribution of the prizes awarded by the Education Board, took place yesterday afternoon. Mr. Jonas Woodward, Chairman of the School Committee, presided on the occasion. The prizes, consisting of soma beautifully- bound volumes, were then presented to the successful competitors as follows :— First prize (six volumes " Popular Educator"), Louis Barnett; second prize ("Picturesque Europe"), Charles Pownall; third prize (two volumes of " Book of Days"), Fred Bolton; fourth prize ("Beautiful Pictures"), Matilda Bannister; fifth prize, Alfred Callaghan. ' The Chairman, in making the presentation, exhorted the recipients to be diligent and persevering in their studies. There were about 400 children and a number of their ! friends and parents present on the occasion. The proceedings were terminated with an entertainment, consisting of singing and an exhibition of some excellent dissolving views. It is scarcely necessary to remind tha public that Professor and Mrs. Baldwin will give their first public seance at St. George's Hall this evening. The performance altogether has been highly spoken of by those who bave witnessed it, and there can be no doubt that the professor will be visited by a large number of people tonight. The twice-postponed entertainment was given by the St. Paul's r hoir last evening, in the school-room, Tinakori road. It passed off with fair success, although the performers labored under a serious disadvantage in the lo>s of their conductor, for who«e absence, on account of sudden illness at the last moment, the Yen Archdeacon Thorpe apologised to the audience. The concert, nevertheless was a very enjoyable one, and did great credit to those wbo so pluckily pulled it through, notwithstanding every obstacle. Messrs. T. K. Macdonald & Co. held a sale yesterday. Amongst other lots ottered was the freehold property in Abel Smith-street lately occupied by the Rev. Mr. Porritt. There were very few persons present, and not a single bid was made for the property. Bishop Redwood left here last night in the Manawatu for Wanganui, where he will preach on Sunday at St. Mary's Church. After the sermon, and the singing of mass, a collection will be made towards raising funds to defray the cost of creating a convent. Prior to the service in the church, at 10 SO a.m., the Bishop will go in procession to consecrate the site of the new convent. A meeting of the employes of the various foundries in town will be held at the Central Hotel at 7 o'clock this evening. Mr. George Richardson, of Karere, writes to :be Manawatu Times, stating that last Friday tbe train from Foxton wa* the means of running down two more -cad of cattle. One of the poor boasts, when he went up to her, wa* lying: with alt her entrails protruding and quivering in a large mass, one hind leg being completely vyced off— a horrible sight. He strongly vrge*

the Bottlers to earnestly consider this matter, and tal-o some decisive steps against such unnecessary, arbitrary, and oppressive cruelty. The loss to the district, he o^erves, is very considerable. In addition to this fact, there is no doubt that theie is considerable risk to tbe passengers of tbe train if cattle are allowed to ctray across the line, and we agree with Mr. Ricbardaon that the sooner steps are taken for fencing in the railway tracks the better. i Mitchell's English. Opera Company open their season at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening with Wallace's popular opera " Mari- | tana " The Auckland Star describes the performance of this work by the company a« follows: — "The opera ".Maritana" was an entire success, as was testified by the hearty applause bestowed on the various members of the company during its performance, so many of the members of the second and third acts being encored that the principals, more especially the soprano and tenor, must have been fairly killed with kindness. Madame LeCouteur possesses a fine voice of excellent compass, and remarkable for its evenness of quality in each register and high cultivation. As Maritana, nearly the whole of the interest of the first act is centred in her, and ' It was a Knight,' and ' The Harp in tbe Air/ notably the latter, were beautifully executed. But the enthusiasm of the house reached its climax at the duets ' O Maritana,' aud • Sainted Mother,' with the tenor and contralto respectively j in one case receiving a treble encore, the only occasion on which we recollect such an occurrence, and clearly proving that she has created a more than usually favorable impression here. Mrs. Florence made her first bow as Lazarillo, and is undubitably the best singer of the part New Z9alaod opera-goers have listened to. We were especially Impressed with ' Alas thrse chimes ' We were happy to again greet Mr. Florence, as the rollicking Don Caesar we well remember with the Simonsen troupe some two years since. Time and absence have certainly not destroyed our favorable opinion of him. ' Let me like a soldier fall,' and ' There is a flower that bloometh,' were encored, whilst ' O Maritana' drew down the house. Mr. Browning is new to us, but he soon made his mark in ' Happy moments.' He possesses a full, round bas3 voice of very pleasing quality." On Monday night the part of the King will be taken by Mr. Cary. We are requested to direct attention to the sala of work, as advertised for Friday and Saturday next, in aid of St. Mark's organ fund. We understand that the incoming mail is expected to bring intelligence of the shipment of the instrument. The ladies of the congregation have been working vigorously for the past year in preparing for the sale, which we hope will be a success. There was a good muster of the members of the Naval Brigade at the Arcade last evening. The men were drilled by Mr Price, the instructor, and the drill-instructor ot" H.M.S. Sandfly. A parade will be held on the reclaimed land this afternoon. In a large number of persons (observes the Manawatu Herald) the charitable feelings become frozen before the meridian of life is reached, by reason of the imposition and humbug of many suppliants. Not so with Captain Fraser, of the Jane Douglas. A few days ago he arrived in Foxton, having on board a young woman as pas«onger, who stated that she had come from Wellington with the intention of going as servant at a house in Palmerston, but that she had completely forgotten the name of her new employer, and was also destitute of money. She stated, however, that she had a sister residing at Bulls, and that if she could reach that township she would be all right. Believing her story, Captain Fraser lent her £2, being sufficient to pay her passage to Bulls, and also leaving her a margin of a few shillings when there. This was certainly a hazardous game to play, as the young lady was quite a stranger to the skipper. However, the young woman " turned out trumps," for on Captain Fraser's arrival yesterday, he found a Post Olfice order for tha amount advanced awaiting him, it having arrived a few hours after he left on his last trip. The writer of " London Town Talk," in the Argus of the 21st ult , records an interesting incident in connection with the City and Suburban Handicap. Lord Vivian, dreamt that the race was won by a horse named The Teacher, and on his way to the course mentioned his dream to a friend, who informed him that there was such a horse in the race, but that its name had been changed to Aldiich. Lord Vivian, who then determined to back the horse, refrained from doing so on being told by his friend that the animal was worthless, having been beaten in a trial race. General Taylor, who was present, and overheard the conversation, immediately backed the horse and won £1000. The Maori, Tamiti, who was convicted a few days ago of stealing a pair of trousers and sentenced to a term of imprisonment in the Wanganui Gaol, took it into his head that life was no longer worth having, and for some days refused to swallow any food. He could not be persuaded to eat anything, and at last, as things began to look serious, the prison surgeon was sent for, and administered food by means of a pump. Tamati, however, seems to have thought that " a little pumping went a long way," for he called upon the doctor to stop the operation and he would take his dinner. Since then he has not quarrelled with his food. Referring to the Maori prisoner", the Wanganui Herald says that the two Maori youths who were liberated on Tuesday, and who have gone home, have not given a very cheerful account to their friends of their confinement in gaol, and the forbidding the use of tobacco was a source of misery to them of no trivial character. They also complained of having to go to bed at dark and not being allowed lights, and an indulgence in a free use of their conversational powers. The mother of the boys says she wishes the Government had kept them, as it would have knocked the nonsense out of their heads. A very gross case of brutality on the part of a husband to his wife was disclosed at the Brunswick Court, Melbourne. A woman named Christina Thomas charged her husband, Joseph Thomas, with unlawful assault. The evidence disclosed great inhumanity on the part of the defendant. His wife had been confined three weeks previously, and owing to the absence of any accommodation, the nurse went home every night. During the third night he pulled her out of bed, beat and kicked her in an abominable manner, the evidence of Dr. Talbot fully proving that she had been subjocted to extreme ill usage. The bench inflicted the highest penalty, and fined him £10, or three months' imprisonment. The Creswick Advertiser records the following sad end of some wayfarer :— On Saturday eveniner, 14th June, Constable Shortil received information that a man was lying dead at the creek side, near the reservoir, at On proceeding to the spot he discovered the remains of a man about thirty-five years of age, respectably dressed in a new suit of clothes, partly seated on a swag, on the rocky bank of Birch's Creek, just below the reservoir. A liitle above him was a fence with two rails and two wires ; and to one of these wires was attached a strap with a running noose around his neck. Although suicide had evidently been the intention of the unfortunate fellow, strange to say, tbe face bore no signs of death by strangulation. Constable Shortil is of opinion that the man must have felt he was dying from exhaustion and wishing to accelerate his end, sat down on his swag, and then reaching a short distance above him, tied the strap to the fence and turned himself on his side and died without the slightest struggle. There was nothing on his person to indicate his name, but he is thought to be identical with a man seen about a week previous in the neighborhood, who stated that he was a Welshman, and had been in the hospital at Ararat. The body was so emaciated that one man was able to carry it up the steep stony bank of the creek in his arms, and he pronounced it no heavier than a good-sized child. From his respectable appearance ii was easily seen that he was not of the ordinary type of swagsmen. A letter of considerable interest to footballers has been received by a prominent Wellington player from the Vice-President oi the Southern Rugby Football Union, N.S.W. It contains, as far as we are a ware, the first explanation of the reason why the proposal made by Mr. F. R. Adams, captain of the Richmond Club, Encland, to bring out an English team to play in the colonies this season fell through. It appears that it was principally owing to the difficulty of finding anyone among the N S.W. players who could afford the time, &c, to accompany the visitors through the colonies as secretary and manager for the team. Mr. Adams's idea was that someone iv tbe colony would take up the matter and guarantee the visitors their expenses, much as the Melbourne C.C. did with Lord Harris's team. This the Union was hardly able to do as they had so little data they could depend upon to calculate the probable takings — football clubs there never having troubled themselves about gate-money. The writer seems to think, however, that a visit may be arranged next year. In conclusion he suggests intercolonial matches between New South Wales and New Zealand, promising a team from this colony a hearty welcome if they will pay them a visit, and to return it next year. The Wairarapa Daily learns from Mr. H. T. Brown, on« of the search party who has been out at the Upper Taueru searching for the cadet Robertson, supposed to be drowned, that on Thursday the party crossed the river, and made as careful a search as the muddy state of tbe water would permit. A bridle and part of a lining of a coat were found, but no body could be discovered. It is thought that man and horse were caught in a snag and covered in sand and debris. There is no doubt entertained of tbe fate of Mr. Robertson. For probably the first time in ecclesiastical history, a pig has recently been taking an active part in tbe proceedings of a Sundayschool. We learn from the Manawatu Times tbat the Palmerston Sunday-School in connection with the Church of England has for some time past been held in tbe Foresters' Hall. On Saturday evening last that building was occupied by the Learned Tie, Prince, whose card-playing propensities were being 1 exhibite*K aod as tie hotels had not accommodation suitable for fail pigship, "IJ«k" was

allowed to take up his quarters behind the scenes at the back of the stage during the Sabbath. One of Ma«ter Prince's finest tricks is the celerity with which he gTunts forth a reply immediately upoo a question being put, and no little amusement was rendered by the promptness of his answers to the Biblical questions put to the scholars, he of course taking all the interrogatories as part of his legitimate programme, and conscientiously performing hi* part accordingly. The recent floods seem to have caused a considerable amount of damage along the banks of the Manawatu Bjtn Mr. Cummins and Mr. John Reid (says the Palmerston Times) have been heavy sufferers, the land of the former being perfectly inundate! Mr. Waldegrava has not been. allowed to escape without loss, as the post to which the wire chain for a crossing cage had been fixed has been swept away ; and so far ho has been unable to ascertaiu whether the c'lain has been lost, or only one end swept down the river. The most serious sufferer, however, will be Mr. Piers Warburton, wbose boiling down establishment has been ruinously devastated, there being no less than ten feet of water on the floor. On Sunday his dwelling was entirely surrounded with water, the flood having risen almost to the level of the floor of the verandah. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Warburtoo, whose loss cannot be far from £500, and as the works he has in operation partake of the nature of an industrial venture, the loss cannot be estimated by a pecuniary value. A curiou9 mistake has occurred at Feilding. A settler having received a telegram announcing the death of a brother in England, called on an innkeeper, and asked him to tell a friend who was going to call on him that he could not see him, as his brother was dead. Having a brother residing with him, the Feilding people at once jumped to the conclusion that this was the brother referred to, aod several ot them rode out to the whare, which is about six miles from town. In the meantime, an energetic constable telegraphed to the coronor that his services would be required. Of course the "Comedy of Errors" was soon cleared up. We don't know the feelings of the coroner (if he is paid by fees), but the settlers in the neighborhood have come to the conclusion that "All's well that ends well."