TOWN EDITION. Evening Post. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 20 October 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. Evening Post. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1881.

The Ministerial vacanoy has been filled at last, and in a way that we believe will meet with almost unanimous public approval. Mr. Bbyce has been re-appointed Native Minister, tinder circumstances detailed in another column. It is not merely becanse the hopes are realised which we expressed, that a Wellington member would be selected to occupy the vacant seat in the Cabinet, that we hail the return of Mr. Bbyce to the Ministry, although naturally we are gratified that this is 60. But it is no mere local reason that chiefly leads ua to regard it with satisfaction. We have never hesitated to declare our hearty approval of Mr. Bryce's Native administration up to the time when, in our opinion, he was carried away by enthusiasm into making a proposal which we still deem utterly unwarrantable and indefensible. That proposal was very properly rejected by his colleagues, and he resigned. His former policy was steadily pursued by his successor, Mr. Holies ton, and for nine months with unbroken success. It wa3 only last month that Te Whih committed the act of overt rebellion which at last placed him outside the pale of the law and rendered him justly liable to severely repressive measures. Previously he had very astutely abstained from any open defiance of the law and restrained his followers from excesses. But now he openly incited them to resist and defy the law, using violence if necessary to such Tesistance and defiance. And now, therefore, it became not only justifiable but imperative that strong measures should be adopted as against thi3 declared rebel, which would have been qnite unwarrantable as against the loyal subjeot and friend of peaco, to whom the Governor's celebrated letter was conveyed by Captain Knollys. Accordingly there being no difference between Mr. Bryoe and his former colleagues as to the course which should now be followed, no obstacle remained to his acting with them again in perfect concert. We are very glad that the Government offered tne vacant seat in the Cabinet to Mr. Brtcb : we are very glad that Mr. Bryge accepted it. This arrangement obviates various little difficulties which might otherwise have arisen in the disposal of the vacanoy, and there is no doubt that it will be well received by the Colony generally. Mr. Eolleston has administered affairs ably and consistently, but circumstances have placed him in the pos.tion of apparently representing a. policy of patience and forbearance rather than one of vigorous action and resolute repre-sion of native disaffection, and Mr. Bstck in the popular mind repres jnts the lattar policy, which is now in strong favour. It is true that this doe 3 not accurately present Mr. Kollestou's attitude, for we have reason to know that an equally vigorous and resolute course of action w mid have been adopted even had not Mr. Bbtce rejoined the Ministry. Still Mr i 3 syce's accession will be accepted by the public as an additional guarantee that the strongest means will be taken to stamp out the Native trouble once and for ever, and this will render his appointment especially popular. With reference to the important step taken list night in issuing the Proulamation given in thia issue, wa may say plainly that it has our cordial approbation We hive never regarded Native affairs as forming properly a question of party politics at all, and it must be obvious that it ought not to be so regarded. In this West Coast difficulty the enforcement of the law and the promotion of peaceful settlement must be the object of every Ministry, however variously composed. The Grky Ministry made an attempt to deal with the matter, and albeit somewhat clumsy

and uncertain in its initiation, and lame and impotent in its conclusions, it was in the main principle sound, although weak in detail and marred in exeoution. Sir George Grey's heartless letter to the settlers, who a c pastures and gardens were being ploughed up, was somewhat condoned by hU subsequent stoppage of the ploughing and the arrdst of the Native ploughmen. Mr. Shuehan's communication with Te Whiti through Mr. Mackat, and his determination to have reserves laid off, were right enough so far as they went, but they stopped short at their inception, and were never carried out to a practical issue, while his whole Native administration was marred by carruption and extravagance. On Colonel WHrraroEE's action i asi Defence Minister, we have nothing but high praise to bestow, and the colony is deeply indepted to him for the prompt and successful steps he took to place in the disturbed locality a fine and efficient little army of Armed Constabulary. All came to | nothing, however, but when the present Government came into office they took up the same policy, and Mr. Bryce carried it forward with complete success up to the point when his enthusiasm ran away with him, and prompted him to insist on finishing all by a single coup. This plan was wisely rejected by his colleagues, who, on his resignation, continued the same policy which was inaugurated by the Gbky Ministry, and had been carried on so far by Mr. Bryce himself. It has now been carried, as we have shown in former articles, up to the precise point where the whole question must be brought to a dibtinct issue. All possible legitimate means have been exhausted in the endeavour to bring about a satisfactory settlement without having to resort to extremeties. These have failed. Te Whiti has been granted a fortnight's grace. j£ within ] that period he does not give in his full submission, severe measures will unavoidably have to be used against him and hi 9 followers. As the Koyal Commissioners justly Baid : — "A time must come when the offers and promise s of the Crown must either be accepted or refused once for all. No one wonld pretend that Te Whiti may on his part keop the whole country-side in turmoil and danger as long a,s he likes, find that the Government on its side must be ready to redeem its promises whenever he chooseß. If the native people are to have the promises fulfilled, the English Eettlers mu9t have some guarantee that they too shall have done with this long suspense, and may live on their land in security and peace." And as the Government rightly declare in their Proclimation — that time has now come. We are satisfied that the action of the Government in this matter will be greeted with cordial approbation from one end of the colony to the other, and that Ministers will receive the hearty support of the public of New Zealand in their resolute grappling with the long-standing Native difficulty. _________

THE NATIVE CRISIS AND MR. BRYCE'S RE-APPOINTMENf.

The sudden and unexpected return of Sir Arthur Gordon last night from Fiji has afforded food for considerable gossip to-day, in view of its possible association with Native affairs. It ia rumoured that a meeting of the Executive Council was held at 11 o'clock this morning, and that subsequently a long meeting of the Cabinet took place, but nothing has transpired as to what passed on either occasion. We would suggest to the Harbour Board the desirableness of erecting landing steps at the Railway Wharf, as at present there is no way of reaching the wharf from the water except by way of the greasy steps at the breast - work. His Excellency the Governor was obliged to crawl up this slippery ladder on his landing this morning. A very attractive " orchestral and ballad concert" is announced for to-morrow (Friday) evening, at the Athenaeum Hall, by Mr. Hautrio West, organist of St. Peter's Church. An excellent programme has been carefully lvhearsed. An efficient band of 17 performers will play the well-known overturns to "Tancredi," '"Maritana," and "The Poet and Peasant"— all old favourites, which will be gladly listened to again after an interval of Borne yearß sinco their performance here. The band will also play two operatic selections (from "Lucrezia Borgia" and "Marta"), also a new valse and the " Crescendo " galop. A. fine trio (by Gounod) tor vioiin, piano and cabinet organ will be played. The vocalists will be Mesdames Greenwood and Webb, Messrs. Edwards, Palliser, and Widdop. Two of the songs will have obbligato accompaniments, one for the violin, the other for the clarionet. The concert should form a great musical treat, and a crowded house may be anticipated. Informations against the following publicans, for alleged violations of the Adulteration Prevention Act, 18S0, have been taken out to-day : — James R. Brown, Criterion Hotel, Lambton Quay ; Walter Beyer, Victoria Hotel. Abel bmith-street ; John Compton, Kilbirnie Hotel ; Frederick Wallis, Branch Hotel, Lambton Qnay ; Charles. H. Gillespie, Shepherds' Arms Hotel, Tinakoriroad; -EJleh Harding, Union Hotel, Willis.street; W. Clapbam, Ngahanranga Hotel; D: Eivera, Ngahauranga; F. Taylor, Railway Hotel, Johnsonville; and Samuel Green, Taita. The reporb of the Colonial Analyst shows that the samples obtained from thegfe pnbh'cans were adulterated with water to an extent varying from 18 to 34 peu cent, under proof.. Six samples consisted of whiskey, three of rum, and one of gin. The cases will be heard next Tuesday. Messrs. E. Baker apd J. Duthie, J.P.s, dealt with the criminal business at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day. Clinton Perry, a well-dressed, elderly-looking man, was brought up on tw^> charges, viz., drunkenness and an offence against declncy. The prisoner is a welljmown offender, having been frequently convicted. of drunkenness. He had only just completed a term of a month's inipiisonment for habitual <3rnnken r ness. He was fined 5s with the usual alternative, the charge of indecancy being dismissed in consequence of the offence being proved to be accidental. The civil cases were taken before Mr. G. B. Davy, R.M. In the judgment summons oase of Tayton and Erskine v. G. S. Sellar (Mr - Gnlly appearing for the plaintiffs) .' the defendant consented to an order for the liquidation of the debt— £7 13a 4d— at the rate of 15s poi month. In the following cases judgment was given for the plaintiffs with costs :— John Whomby v. J. M'Kay, .£lB 7s; D. T. Stuart and others v. Edmund O'Malley (Mr. Bell for plaintiffs, Mr. Fitzherbert for dofendan'), .£lB 15s ; Turnbull and Smith v. J. Morgan (Mr.- Bell for plaintiffs), .£3l 19a 2d; C. E. Luxford v. J. Jacobs,,l93 Bd^ John Fitz Gerald v. Robert Franklin, £3 9s 6d ; T. Urwin and. wife v. M. Davies (Mr. For wood for plaintiffs), ,£l los. We understand that a number of the public have determined to pay the coste inenrred by Mr. Andrew Young at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, by means of Is subscription, as showing theii sympathy with him in respect of the proceedings. The sitting of the District Court, appointed for to-morrow, will not be held until Friday, the 28th inst., owing to the absence from Wellington of his Honour Judge Shaw. There are three cases for hearing, on one of which a jury has been summoned. The jurors are informed that their attendance at the Conrt will not be required until next week. , Constable James Bennetts has received the appointment of officer in charge of the Carterton police station, in replacement of Constable Evans, who is to be transferred to the city force. Constable Bennetts has been a member of the Wellington force for several years, during a great proportion of which peried he haa performed the duties of Court orderly at the Resident Magistrate's? Court. He ia an intelligent, steady, andtrustworthy officer, and fully deserves his promotion. He left to take up his new cjuarters this afternoon. The members of the Wellington Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society, hold their quarterly meeting this eve ning. Tne_. subject of seed growing as a> local indusft^ ifil again be discussed. " - . ' * ' Tits members rf the If aval Brigade attended at the Drillshed -4&st night. The starboard watch included y»0 men, the port watch 52 men, the Petoni contingent 41, Cadets 35, and Baud 32, ibringing up the tjtal to 210. Under Lieutg Hislop and Wallace, the port watch, with two guns, marched to Moant Victoria, where they took up a position. The starboard watch, Petoni contingent and Caaets marched off later, with one gun, under Lieuts Bennett and Fitzherbert, forming an attacking party. A general engagment ensued, and was carried to a successful issue. Dr. Diver, the Brigade Surgeon, was in charge of the medical staff. The Brigade subsequently fell ia at the City Hotel, where they heard read the proclamation just issued concerning the Native difficulty. There was a large attendance at Me3srs. J. H. Bethune and Co.'s sale of city properties yesterday. The following properties wore disposed tf :— A section with 36 feet frontage to 'iarauaki Place was purchased by Mr. Jphn Gallic at £S per foot, who also bjught an adjoining section, with 40 feet frontage to Eva-st-ett, at £3 per foot. Mr. Jamieson purchas d au adjoining allotment at £3 2s 6d per foot, and Mr, O. W. Clayton two eectio. sat £3 per foot. A section with 30 feet frontage to Adelaide-road, with a fonr-roomed cottage thereon, fell to Mr. Ronrden at JJI3O. A number of other properties were withdrawn. The total receipts tor the sale were .£1023. There is to be a conference of Sunday school teachers in St. John's Church thii evening, to consider the desirableness of idoptin? a uniform system of lessons. Next Sunday afternoon a united service of children rad teachers will be held in the Wesley Church, when addresses will be given by the ELevs. J Paterson and H. B. Redstone, aad £r. F. H. Fraser.

The sudden and somewhat Btertlinsj development of affairs in connection with the Native difficulty, coupled with the unexpected return of 'his Excellency th 9 Governor, has formed almost the sole theme of conversation in the city to-day. Although nothing authoritative has been allowed to transspire on the subject, the popular mind has not been clow to treat the two events as teing connected together, especially as it waa known that it was the Governor's original intention to remain much longarin Fiji than he has done.^ Whether rightly or wrongly, there is an impression abroad that his Excellency has returned in consequence of information reaching 1 him reregarding the tarn native affairs were taking-. Popular rumour also goes co far as to assert that the steps taken by the Ministry, with the sanction of the Administrator of the Government, do not meet with the unqualified approval of Sir Arthur Gordon, and some curiosity has been manifested as to what might be the result should any serious difference of opinion arise on this Bubject. It would of course be premature to enter into a disenssion of this question at the present stage. In town, however, there is only one opininon expressed, and that is a hearty approval of the vigorous course decided on by the Government. Mr. Thos. Tnrabull, architect, has received instructions from the Government to prepare plans for the new Post Office without delay. The uaual fortnightly meeting of the Waste Lands Board was held this morning, being attended by Messrs. J. G. Holdsworth (Chairman), T. Mason, H. Bunny, and E. Pearce. The Echedule of lands sold since the previous meeting was read and adopted. It snowed that the area applied for waa 320 a. Or. 27p., and the price realised 2s. Regarding Mr. Brandon's application on behalf of G. Surman and others, it was decided " that the application be received and registered." James Stevens and Chavlea Gibson wrote applying for permission to cut timber on 100 acres of Crown land in the Tukomaru Block, Wanganui, which was granted. A. T. Hayes wrote asking to be allowed to transfer deferred payment section 22, Block VIII, Mangahoa Survey District to Joseph Murray and John Taylor, Pahiatina, which was approved. The Board then adjourned. A suggestion has been made by a Militia officer that it would be a good *' move" to fix the celebration of the Prince of Wales' Birthday a week earlier than the 9th November, and hold a grand volunteer review on the Waimate Plains. It is thought that if the Government sent round steamers to all the principal ports duiing the next week or ten days, and offered the volunteers a free passage and a few shillings a day for expenses, a force of five or six thousand men might be located on the Plains at a moderate cost, and their presence would have the effect of showing the followers of Te Whiti the absurdity of resistance. The Militia officers, it a suggested should also be called out, so as to have an opportunity of displaying their efficienoy The Militia officer in question also thinks that such an assemblage of men of all classes, from all parts of the colony, would be a capital advertisement of the saleable lands in the distriot, and might ultimately result in their being taken up at good prices by a desirable class of people. Since the appointment of Constable Henry Gordon to the position of Inspector under the Adulteration Act, that officer has collected as many as 21 samples of milk from different vendors in Wellington and the surrounding districts. The whole of the3e have been subjected to analysis at the hands of Mr. Skey, who has pronounced the samples, with a solitary exception, to be of "good quality." In the case of the exception alluded to, the vendor was proceeded against at the Resident Magistrate's Court, and although the milk supplied by the person in question was proved to have been considerably diluted with water, the information was dismissed for technical reasons. During the skirmishing movements of the Naval Brigade last night, a lad, who ventured too near the muzzle of a gun, received a charge of powder in the fao. He was at once placed under Dr. Diver's care, but, en examination, it was found that he had sustained no serious damage, though marks might be left on his face for some years. An excursion to Lowry Bay will be made on Saturday afternoon next, the s s. Moa being advertised to leave the Queen's Wharf at 2 o'clock, returning at 6 p.m. ' The ohoir of St. John's Church pnrpose giving another concert on Tuesday next, which, it is hoped, will meet with the success which marked their last effort. An equally attractive selection of music is to be presented. Mr. F. W. Evans, of the Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, who ia well-known in this district, slipped in stepping from a door on to hthe pathway in Wanganui a day or two ago, and broke his leg. The Oamarn Mail says : — " An instance of • prompt action on the part of a Government "department has come to our knowledge The late' Thomas M'Grail, of this town, who died some weeks ago, had a policy on his life in the Government Insurance Department, and although the necessary papers were only despatched from Oamaru to Wellington on the Ist inst., the money was tcday, Bth inst., handed to the widow of the deceased." We learn from the Nelson Colonist that within the last few days another deposit of copper has been discovered in the district, and that it promises to prove of considerable value. The locality of the discovery is within about three or four miles of where Dwyer's accommodation house stood, on this side of the Maungatapu in the Maitai Valley, and the lode is Eaid to be of great thickness. 1 Mrs. Glenny, who recently resided at the JJ?orth^Shoro, Auckland, and lately died in Melbourne, has made a most extraordinary will, which proves that with her the ruling passion was strong in death. She left some of her money to "a yonng man in Melbourne, but the money is only to be paid to him when the English nation acknowledges that it belongs to oertain Jewish tribes The Observer is afraid he will have to wait a long time for his inheritance. There have been several distressing deaths lately (says the Home News) amongst young people who had been crammed to a fatal extent that they might pass examinations. If they had lived and had succeeded in passing these examinations, they would have injured themselves for life ; but they have died. They are the victims of ambitious parents, atid of professors who imagine that parrot knowledge ia wisdom. The militaiy cadet, in addition to Latin, Greek, algebra, mathematics, French, and German, has to take up for examination " The Canterbury Tales" as his first reading-book. The object seems to be to cram the education of a lifetime into the first two decades of existence, so that the system may be able to boast , that it turns out a youth so perfect that he never need want, and certainly would not be likely to wish, to open a book again. The life of the Queen in the Highlands, if we are to believe a society journal, is very simple and uniform. The piper plays under her window every morning at eight ; she has breakfasted and is out of doors by ten, from which hoar she spends till noon in walkingand occasionally visiting the cottages in the vicinity of the castle ; from noon until five, with half an hour's interval for luncheon, she devotes herself to work whioh may be termed official— reading despatches, btate papers, • &0., and writing memoranda and letters in connection therewith ; at five she sets out for her daily drive, which lasts till seven, and occasionally later. Some results of the re-organisation of the Army are quite ridiculous, such as that of compelling a number of men accustomed to the nbrmal condition of wearing breeches to turn out suddenly as kilted Highlanders. It -is father hard (.say a a Home paper) on a corpulent major, or a competent but thinshanked captain, that he should suddenly be compelled to expose bis knees to the fresh air at an advanced age, and with the imminent risk of rheumatism. It is true that the officer gets jBSO as compensation to enable him to buy a new uniform ; but & middle-aged major ia unlikely to be as anxious to change his uniform as a mere " sub " might, and is more likely to catch oold. It will be amusing to see all the pale knee 3of the converted regimentsc new drafts will, for a couple -of months at all events, be more calculated to inspire confidence than consternation in a foe. Democratic railway accidents, says an American paper, are no respecters of perBons. The Duke of Athol was in a sleeping car in a train bound for Omaha. When standing at a station the car was run into by a freight train, which, as an American reporter graphically expressed it, " shook thinea up lively, but did no particular damage." The sleepers were alarmed, however, and the Duke jumped out. Immediately the passenger train moved on, the accident being, presumably, an ordinary occurrence whioh demanded no investigation; and the duke found himself on the boundless prairie in his night-shirt. Happily his clothes were sent to him by the next train, and by this time it is hoped that he has recovered his equanimity. O'Donnovan Rossa's newspaper, " for the Association of Advanced Nationalists," I overflows with" dynamite talk " wilder than ever. Rossa and Crowe both repeat the Chicago warning against travelling in British Bhips. The only positively new idea is the suggestion that vitriol can be spurted over the members of the Houses of Lords and Commons by any one standing in the doorway, and that two hand grenades properly (Used Would scatter both Assemblies. The Bame writer suggests emigration from Ireland, en masse, after poisoning the water and the aoil so that the crops could not grew, nor man nor beast live there.

The number of patients remaining in the Hospital on Tuesday last wa3 74. During the previous week 7 patient 3 were discharged, 8 were admitted, and 1 died. A Home contemporary writes :—": — " Prince Bismarck's Protectionist policy doe 3 not appear to have had even a temporary success in making the Fatherland happy and contented. On the contrary, the burden of it is acting as one more stimulus to emigration. The report of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce for the past year is emphatic in ita condemnation of the new tariff at nearly every point. It ha 3 not brought prosperity to German industries or increased the consumption of home manufac ures, but it has succeeded in making bread dearer, in spreading social discontent, and in keeping- the wages of the people low. Two most important sales of landed properties will be held by Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. to-morrow, at their rooms. The first, commencing at noon, comprises the well-known Lion Foundry property, the large store in Featherstonstreet now occupied by Messrs. Mills and Co., two cottages in Pipi tea-street, and a farm property near Carterton, containing 41 acres. Afterwards the whole of the valuable plant, machinery, tools, and patterns in the lion Foundry will be sold. The second sale, commencing at 2.80 o'clock, includes the two large stores situated in Hunter and Feathers to a streets lately occupied by Mr. E. W. Milk, comprising three sections- of the reclaimed land, viz.. allotments &i, G5, and GS; after which a cottage property in Grant-road and two cottagea situated on part of town acre 253 wilt be submitted. Mo3t of the properties are being gold under instructions from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and should therefore attract a large attendance. W. Moriarty, boot and shoe maker, of WiLh'sa3treet, is about to hold a great clearing sole of his stock. His advertisement will appear in to-morrow's issue of the .Evening Post. MessT3. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell tomorrow, household furniture, lowla' wheat, barley, &c. Messrs. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, merchandise, &c.

Variety is charming, and nowhere is this more ttrikingly displayed than in the dress department at Te Aro House. There is an abundant selection of Prints and Satteens, both plain and in elegant pompadour designs, Cream Serges, Oatmeal and Oatcake Cloths. Special steamer shipments of summer woollen Fabrics are alßo to hand, bought very advantageously in the Home markets. These will be offered at correspondingly moderate prices. It is no exaggeration to say that greater variety or better value is not obtainable in New Zealand. In addition to all this wealth of selection, unusual facilities are offered in the dressmaking department for getting dresses made as they only ought to be made. A perfect fit, that ne plus ultra of really good dressmaking can always be guaranteed in the modiste's department at James Smith's, Te Aro House.— [Ad vt.l