TOWN EDITION. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1881. MR. BRYCE AND THE PRESS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 111, 8 November 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1881. MR. BRYCE AND THE PRESS.

It will be seen from to-day's telegrams that further indignities and ill-treatment have been bestowed upon representatives of the Press at the Front. Any Press correspondents caught within certain arbitrary lines laid down by Mr. Brtce have been promptly arrested as vagrants and detained in custody. This is the treatment bestowed by an enlightened Minister on men who are ¦imply and honestly <$ing their duty to the public and to their ! The only parallel that we can Ijgcover to Mr. Bbyce's petty tyranny is the case of thepßussian expedition in Central Asia. On that cccasion Press corresponnents were excluded. The expedition, it will be remembered, was rather a " shady " affair, and one in which the Russians were soundly thrashed, avenging themselves subsequently by a brutal and bloodthirsty massacre. Now this i 3 not the sort of parallel wnich ought to be courted by Mr. Bryce just at the present time. It is most undesirable that the not over-scrupu-lous agitators who constitute themselves the champions of Te Whiti and his seditions crew should be able to draw such comparisons as this. Yet Mr. Bryce has actually forced the opportunity on their acceptance. He has only himself to blame if his actions and motives fchould be misrepresented, and if false or exaggerated reports as to his proceedings should obtain currency and find ready credence. Ho has officially endeavoured to prevent'the public obtaining free and independent accounts from trustworthy and competent correspondents, and haa sought to withhold all but the very meagre information afforded by official bulletins. Is Mr. Bryce really bo very obtuse as to suppose the public will be contented in the present day with such troatment as this? We are at a loss to comprehend the infatua ion which seems to have possessed him all of a sudden. His wonted intelligence and good sense appear to have utterly deserted him in this instance. Whether ho is carried away by conceit at the importance attached to his return to the Ministry, and really believes that his will is law in New Zealand, and that his fiat will be accepted as the voice of Divine inspiration, we do not pretend to say. But we desire to tell him very plainly indeed that if this is his idea, he will find himself most deplorably in error. The public will not accept his reports at so high a valuation as this. They approve his native policy in the present instance, and Bupport kirn in ita vigorous execution, but «• do not believe he will find in the whole colony a journalistic truckler who will venture to justify hia attempt to "gag" the Press. The proceeding is'the more unwarrantable ! and objectionable, inasmuch as it is of tli9 utmost importance that full and nnbiassed reports of the occurrences at Parihaka should be published. Tb Whiti has Borne very active, not to say unscrupulous, European advooatea, who may or may not have their own ends to serve. He is certain to find some maudlin sympathisers among the Exeter Hall class of philanthropists. He may even have friends in very high quarters — who can tell? Into the hands of all these Mr. Bkyce has wilfully played with a recklessness amount ng to absolute fatuity. It is a fatal blunder. It has not even the dubious merit of being a successful attack on the liberty of the Press. Everybody who heard of the absurd prohibition, fek quite sure that he would be easily outwitted and out-manoavred. And so he was. While he wae blustering about and bullying

a few of the unfortunate "specials" thoy were laughing in their sleeves at hi? folly and credulity. At that very time several other "special*" were safely ensconced in Parihaka, and when he was haranguing Te Whiti from the back of bis white horse, his words were being taken down by half a dozen reporters, who were near enough to pull the horse's tail, had they felt disposed to indulge in that juvenile amusement. It i 3 just as well that he should understand that he cannot burke the publication of important news. He may impede or delay its transmission, but the public will have it, and the Press of New Zealand is determined that they shall not be disappointed. Mr. Bryce may rest assured that his foolish and impotent obstruction will uttetly fail, will recoil on himself, and will simply make him ridiculous, as it did on Satnrday. We were prepared, with the rest of the Colony, to Congratulate him heartily on his succeß3 ; it is a painful revnlsion to find him derided a3 a baffled trickster.

Up to the time of our going to press the proclamation dissolving Parliament had not been signed by his Excellency the Governor. Until this is done the writs for the new elections cannot, of course, be issued. It will be seen from our telegrams in another column that a, considerable quantity of arms and ammunition has been captured at Pdrihaka. The telegrams received by the Government to-day confirm this, and mention, in addition, that the Btranger natives have begun to leave for their home 3, one chief with 20 followers starting early this morning. From this there would appear to be now no doubt of the accomplishment of the work undertaken by the Government. The following candidates for Wairarapa East County have been nominated : —For Castlepoint Riding— Me3sra. F. Maunsell, T. Mackay, John Valentine Smith, and John Williams. For Wainuiora Eiding — Messrs. George Beetham, H. R. Bunny, Donald Donald, and E. Meredith, jun. A second case of scarlet fever ha 3 occurred in the Wellington College, and it ha 3 been deemed expedient to close the institution until the building has been thoroughly disinfected. The boarderers have also been sent away for the present. It is supposed that the too hasty roturn of a weekly boarder who had been suffering from the disease caused the outbreak, but it should also be stated that the certificate of his medical attendant set forth that no danger was to be apprehended in taking him back. The day boys will reassemble for usual work on Thursday morn- | in £- The last ordinary meeting of the present Hutt County Council, was held to-day. Present — Messrs. Lancaster (Chairman), Mason, Chew, Taylor, Smith, Speedy, and Dick. It was resolved that the Chairman bo appointed to wait upon the Government to urge upon them the absolute necessity of procuring a site for the ferry at Waikanae. Tho tender of W. R. Brown, for the alteration of the Silverstream bridge, for the sum of .£B2, was accepted The Council paid a tribute of praise to its officers by carrying the following resolution — " That this Counoil wishes to leave on record its appreciation of the services of the officers of this County, and to thank them for the efficient and courteous manner in which they have carried out the duties of their respective offices." Accounts to the amount of J2469 wore passed for payment, and the Council adjourned. The usual monthly meeting of the KaroriMakara Highway Board was held on Saturday last. Present — Messrs. F. Dowsett (chairman), J. Bowler, H. Hawkins, C. A. Spiers, and J. S. Prendevillo (clerk). A deputation of settlers on the linakori Range attended to urge the Board to repair their road. It was decided to send Roadman Conroy to work on it for a few days. It was resolved that the cum of JJIO7 2s 6d, amount of Kilbirnie award, be paid to Messr3. Olliver, Brown aud Holland, and that a fnrther sum of i>96 10s 8d be paid as soon as j next year's ratos are Btruck, say within ten ' months. The clerk was instructed to advertise for a valuer, tenders to be in on the 15th i inst. The Board decided to hold a special meeting on the 17th inst. to accept tenders. A letter was read from the Colonial Bank re valuation of part of the lato Mr. R. Port's estate, but the Board could not alter the valuation now. The following accounts were ordered to be paid :— General, J631 2s 9d; deviation, *6l 163. The meeting then adjourned. The concert announced in another column to take place on Friday evening next (llth instant) at the Theatre Royal, promises to bo a most attractive and puccessful one. It is under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, his Honor the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Colonial Secretary, the city members, tho Mayor and City Councillors, the captain and officers of H.M.S. Emerald, &o. We teal sure that those who have been exerting themselves so energetically in preparing the entertainment will be repaid by a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The proceeds will be devoted to the Keoreatioji^ikind of the Mount View Lunatio Asylum. "So good an object should appeal to the sympathies of all. A varied and effective programme is in course of rehearsal Farther particulars will bo found in our advertising columns. The barque Unicorn, which arrived from Glasgow last night, brings the remainder of the waterpipes for the Wainuiomata service. ! • " Led Astray," one of Dion Boucicault'a dramas, was performed by the Pomeroy Company for the first time in Wellington last night. It affords ub the greatest pleasure to be able to characterise the performance as an unqualified success. Despite the wretched weather there was a capital attendance, the lov/er portion of the theatre, indeed, being crowded. Want of space forbids anything but the barest criticism of the per- | formance. JMiss Pomeroy undertook the part of the Countess Armarde Chandoce, and she was splendidly supported by Mr. Holloway as the Count. Mr. Flemming, as George de Lepparre, Mr. Hoskins as Hector Placide, Mr. Wallace as Major O'Hara, Miss Kate Arden as the Dowager Countess, and Miss Jessie GreyasMathilde. "Led Astray" would bear repetition. Shakespeare's elegant comedy, "As You Like It," is underlined for this evening. At the Paimerston R.M. Court on Thursday, an application was made by Constable Gillespie for an order under section 167 of the Licensing Act, 1881, against W. S. Staite and George Boyd, that no liquor should be supplied them by the publicans of Palmerston. The order was granted. In the case of Staito, the constable deposed that the defendant was causing nnhappiness to his family in misspending his means. In Boyd's cisc the evidence of the constable showed that defendant had some small property, which he was wasting by drink. We received Mr. Vollbracht's letter in answer to Mr. E. W. Gotch too late for publication to-day, but it will appear in our next issue. The following is the Wellington team for the cricket match, Wellington v. Phcouix Cricket Clubs, to be played at Newtown tomorrow-. — Messrs. Bishop, Knapp, Page, Firth, Hickson, Cowie, Marchant. Kennedy,/ Leckie, Lynoh, and M'lntyre. Play is to commence at 10 30. In reference to Mr. Kirton's letter of yesterday, Mr. J. W. Stevenson writes to us asserting that his quotation of Fiery Cross Goldmining shares at 7s 6d was strictly correct. He forwards telegrams which bear out his statement, and records sales at the price quoted. The following tenders have been received for supplies and works in connection with the Corporation : — Far Firewood — Mr. Dorothy's tender was accepted, the price per c>rd being 17s 3d for 4ft lengths, and 23s for 2ft lengths. Mr. R. Cars will's tender for gravel, at 3d'lod per cubic yard for each of three classes, was also accepted. For Cement — Accepted : James O'Shea, 163. Declined : Levin & Co., 16s sd; Stewart & Co., 173 3d. For formation of part of Adelaideroad—Accepted: C. O'Connor, .£7B 10s. Declined : John Kelliher, JEB7 ; J. P. Shields. .£9O 10s ; M. P. Britt, .£92 183 6d ; M. Bird, £93 ; M. Ryan, £9i 7s ; J. Turner, JE9t 12s ; R. Carswill, .£97 103; Lyon and Pudney, .£ll3 16s 6d ; R. Scott, £128. The weekly session of the Pioneer Lodge was held last evening at the Good Templar Hall. The officers aud members of the Star Light of the Valley Lodge paid a fraternal visit. Three candidates were admitted to membership. The balloting for Grand Lodge representative and District Deputy was postponed until next Monday. It being the first night of the quarter, the various officers presented their reports for the last quarter, aud it was found they were highly satisfactory, that of the W.S. showing an increase in membership of 46, while the Treasurer's statement showed a large balance in favour of the lodge. After the adoption of the report, the L.D. (Bro. E. E. Robbins), assisted by Bros. Dodds and J. Hicks, installed the following officers for this quarter : -W.C.T., Bro. B. C. Robbins ; W.V.I 1 ., Sister Hendrey ; W.S., Bro. E. J. Johnson ; W.F.S., Bro. S. Torimans ; W.T., Bro. A. J. Bennett ; W.C., Bro. Laybourne ; W.M., Bro. Harris ; 1.G., Bro. Morris; 0.G., Bro. Windlow; A.S., Bro. Phillips; R.H.S., Sister Petatt; L.H.S., Sister Keetley; D.M., Sister Stern; P.C.T., Bro. Creighton. The Rising Star Juvenile Temple held its weekly session last evening, at the Athenaeum, when the following officers were duly installed by the G.W.C.T., Bro. W. Johnson:—Bro. Wright, C.T. ; Sister Greig, V.T. ; Bro. Ho'lis, W.S. ; Bro. Stoddart, W.C. ; Bro. Hutchenson, W.T. ; Bro. Haddon, F.S. ; Bro. Kraft, A.S.; Sister Dowsett, R.H.S. ; Sister Monott, L.H S. ; Bro. Johnson, P.C.T. ; Bro Burnßtono, 0.G.; Bro. Monett, 1.G. ; Bro. Randall, W.M.jund Sister Campbell, D.M.

The programme for to-night's concert to ! be given by the St. Peter's Choir at tho Athenaeum Hall, appears in our advertising co umna. It will be seen that the selections consist chiefly of old favorites, which we have no doubt will be welcomed a3 heartily as ever. Mr. West will conduct, and the proceed* will lbe devoted to the St. Peter's Organ Fund. Messr3. J. and H. Barber had on view today eight sheep from the Carterton Show, where they took first prize. They were bred by Mr. A. Matthews, jun., Featherston, and are stated to be the largest sheep ever killed here. The weight of one wether i 3 1751b5., and of a ewe 1631ba. The breed is Romney Marsh, from the original stock of the late Mr. Ludlam, of the Hutt. The steamers Manawatn and Jarie Douglas are advertised to run excursion trips to Lowry Bay to-morrow. A good band will be in attendance, and the fares are placed at a low figure. Particulars will be found advertieed. We understand Mr. Hamilton, draper, Cuba-street, is about relinquishing business in Wellington, for the purpose of settling in the country. His premises will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday for tho purpose of rearranging and marking stock for final Sile, commencing Friday morning. As to-morrow is a holiday we are requested to remind onr readers of Mr. J. H. Wallace's important sale of the Hospital reserve leases which will take place on Thursday next as advertised. Plans and conditions of sale can be had at Mr. Wallace's office.