MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1887.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1887, Page 2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1887.

THE EOUT OF THE PEEMIEK. «• A blunder is sometimes more disastrous in its consequences than a crime. This is especially the case in politics, and probably Sir Robert Stout will find that the blunder he has made in interfering with Mr. Scobie Mackenzie at Mount Ida will prove more injurious to him than any political crime he may ever have committed. Had the Premier, knowing, as well he knoiVß, that ho cannot possibly keep Mr. Mackenzie ont of Parliament, quietly allowed him to secure his seat with as little trouble as possible, the public might not have takon much notice of or attached much importance to his unopposed return. Jiis own speech, although telegraphed over the country, would probably soon have faded from men's minds, and it would have exercised comparatively little influence on the elections gonerally. But Sir Robert Stout, wincing under the lash of Mr. Mackenzie's sarcasm and criticism, could not rest quiet and allow his critic the small triumph of an unopposed return. He accordingly sent a connection of his own, a person named Hodoe, up to Naheby as a Government candidate, and then hurried up himself to try and support Lh nominee. He seems to have been very courteously received and listened to when he delivered one of his usual harangues, including the inevitable dissertation on the iniquities of the ?J e89 "i. rl he sturdy miners and settlers of Mount Ida, however, wore not to be bamboozled by soft words, and politely, quite politely, they expressed their thorough want of confidence in tho Premier and his Ministry. This was the verdict of the jury before whom the Premier had been advocating the Ministerial cause. Sir Robert Stout, however, is a lawyer, and is not always acoustomed to take tho verdict of a jury as final. He is accustomed to appeal and to argue points reserved. Ho accordingly proceeded to argue tho case further, and with Mr. Mackenzie on tho other side. He soon found out his mistake. Mr. Mackenzie was too much for him in every way. He literally scarified tho Premier— exposed tho fallacy of his arguments and the falsity of his figures in the most conclusive mannor, and actually forced from the Premier a reluctant confession of his own inaccuracies and misstatements. The Premier was utterly discomfited and routed. He had to retreat in tho most disorderly manner, abandoning his arms, ammunition, and baggage. Few more complete defeats aro to bo found recorded in political annals. What Waterloo was to Napoleon, Naseby has proved to Sir Robert Stout. The political engagement at Naseby in 1887 will probably prove as disastrous to Sir Robert Stout as did Naseby fight in IGJS to Charles I. Mr. Scobie _ Mackenzie has routed and demolished his enemy well nigh as completely as Fairfax and Cromwell did theirs. Sir Robert Stout must have returned to Dunedin a sadder man, and let us hope a wiser one, than when he loftthe city toadvocate tho cause of hiaprotege, Mr Hodoe, in the classic regions of Mount Ida. Tho effect of his total discomfiture by Mr. Mackenzie is likely to be serious and widespread. Few men have hitherto had tho opportunity of meeting Sir Robert Stout face to face in fair political fight and argument, outside of Parliament. Mr. Mackenzie being afforded tho opportunity seized it aad made the most of it. Sir Robert Stout, whon he has no one to answer him and expose the falsity of his reasoning and the inaccuracy of his facts, is a most effective platform speaker, and usually carries bis audience with him. In Mr. Mackenzie he found a formidable opponent, a close reasoner, an effective speaker, a thoroughly well-informed politician, who could not be confused, bamboozled, or browbeaten. Mr. Mackenzie, strong in the knowledge of the accuracy of his facts and figures, met the Premier at every point, and, while keeping cool himself, managed to mako the Premier lose his temper. Then the victory became easy. Tho moral effect of tho Naseby fight must bo considerable. Sir Robert Stout's humiliation and discomfiture at Naseby will undoubtedly injure his own chances in Dunedin East and will prove fatal to the Ministerial prestige in many another constituency. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie's platform triumph over the Premier is the most serious blow the Government have sustained during the presont eleotoral contest, and Ministers have the pleasure of reflecting that they owe it entirely to the injudicious irapulsivenoss of their colleague and chief, the Premier, in rushing in whore he was not wanted, and where there was no necessity for his intruding.

A full report of tho very interesting political meeting held at Naseby on Saturday, at which somo hard knocks were exchanged between the Premier and Mr. Scobio Mackenzie, and some letters to the Editor, will be found on the fourth page of this issue. Tho steamer Wanaka, with the San Francisco mail, arrived in Wellington at 7 last evi-ning from Onehunga, via Taranaki. The Post Office officials had the mail all sorted in time for a public delivery over tho counter of tho Post Office by 9 p.m. The Southern portion of the mail was taken on by the Wanaka at 8 p.m. yesterday. The steamer Wairarapa, from Melbourne, with an English mail, arrived at tho Bluff at 730 this morning. Tho Wellington portion of tho mails should arrive by tho Eotorua on Wednosday. Tho R<jmington-Loo rifles, intended for use at the next meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association have arrived in Auckland by the San Francisco mail steamer. A correspondent writes to us pointing out that the use of tho contraction Britt. on the Jubilee sovereigns, about which our morning contemporary is so exercised, is not an unpardonable error, as it is a very usual method of making the -plural number, as in LL.D. Wo understand that the Electric Lighting Committee of tho City Conncil have requosted Dr. Lemon to furnish them with an estiraato of the cost of lighting the city by electricity by wator-power. The Rev. H. E. Tuokoy has assumed the temporary charge of St. Peter's Parish, vice the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, on sick leave. The rev. gentleman officiated at St. Peter's Church,both morning and evening, yesterday. The following are tho latest additions to tho Telephone Exchange :— Cambridge Hotel (H. Wright), Cambridge-terrace; C. G. Knight, actuary, Lambton-quay. Mr. F. L. Hutchinson, eldest son of Dr. Hutchinson, has been promoted to the position of teller in the Napier branch of the Bank of Australasia, and will loave for his new sphere of duty in a few days. Mr. Hutchinson has for some time past been engaged in the Wellington branch of the bank Mr. Charles Vine, one of the operators of the local Telegraph Office, had a narrow escape from the clutches of a monster of tho deop yesterday. Mr. Vine was bathing with some friends among the rooks between Happy Valley and Island Bay, and had occasion to swim past a mass of seaweed. As he did so, an octopus which was lurking in the vegetation threw out one of its foolers and seized him by the arm. Tho bather at first thought he had become entangled in a branch of the seaweed, but, finding himself unable to disengago his arm, he turned round, and then saw the devil-fish for the first time. Fortunately the water was not very deep at this point, and by standing on the bottom ho was able to exert his strength and pull himsolf away, as the creature had not obtained a very firm hold. Ho then struck out for the shoro, whither the octopus followed him, going right up to the edge of. the rook, but was unable to overtake him The other members of tho party procured sticks with the intention of despatching the fish, but it succeeded in making its escape. With its tentacles outsproad the octopus would measure about 7ft from tip to tip. An old shed, situated in Polhill Gully, built of titree, and used by the Permanent Militia force as a stable, was destroyed by fire last evening. The structure was of little value, except for the accommodation it afforded. Some boys wero seen running away from the locality just after the fire started, and it is believed that their carelessness is answerable for the outbroak. The matter is being enquired into by the police. A notorious character named Rebecca M'Lachlan was charged at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Messrs. S. R. Dransfield and J. Dunn, Justices, with having been drnnk and disorderly in Taranaki-street on Saturday night. Constable H. Stewart proved that accused and others wero quarrelling and otherwise misbehaving on Saturday night, and that when ho advised them to go home M'Lachlan, who was under the influence of liquor, became defiant, and refused to go, though he gave her several chances. Accused informed the Court that Constable Stewart asked her to go with him for a walk to a quiet placo, and that when she refused to do bo he struck her on the breast. The witness denied that anything of the kind had occurred. M'Lachlan offered to call evidence in support of her statement, but one witness, when he appeared, was found to bo under the influence of liquor, and tho other did not answer tho crier's call. The Bench imposed a fine of £1, or in default one week's imprisonment. Messrs. Deacon 4. Co. report the following Roefton returns of amalgam for the week ending 17th instant :— Globe, 3310z ; Keep-it-Dark, 2660z; 'Progress, 90oz ; Just-in-Time tribute. 2330z retorted gold from' 69 tons. A man named James Allen, who was called w a witness in the Magistrate's Court today, was found to be under the influence af liquor. Ho was therefore ordered into custody, and will be charged with drunkenness to-morrow. Penalties for breaohes of the city by-laws ivere imposed as follows at to-day'a sitting >f the Magistrate's Court:— John Collie wandering cow, fined ss, with 17a costs: araoe Twist, vagrant cattle, fined ss, costs h. Thomas Ritson, failing to attend conjtantly upon his vehicle when plying for hire, ined 10s, costs 7s ; James M'Carthy, driving rfter sunset without lights, fined la and :osts. Mr Edward Wakofield delivered a lecture o the members of tho Union at tho Colonial iluseum. on Saturday evening, on "The Poetry and Prose of the Nineteenth Ccnury." Tho room was crowded to overlowing. Mr. F. W. Flanagan occupied the hair. At the conclusion of the leoture, Mr. Vakefield was awarded a hearty vote of hanks. The Mohawk Minstrels concluded their ecrular fien--on at th»Qppra Hnn«e on SaturV. '<<_! 1 i -.1 ->\. • i_. v •'• •', „. „;. itillo solos by Mr. Charles Waud were much ppreciated.

Sir Julius Vogel will leave for Napier on Thursday, and will addreas a meeting of electors in that town on Satnrday. The Majeroni Dramatic Company arrived this morning from Napier. They open to-night at the Opera House in the drama " Fedora." There is certain to be a very large audience, as most of the seats in the circle are booked. The committee of the Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association meet in Wellington on Wednesday and Thnrsday next for the purpose of drawing up a programme for the meeting to be held at Oamaru early next year. Captains Sommerville (Wanganui) and Rogers (Blenheim) are expected to-morrow. The other members of tho committee are Captains McCredio and Collins, both of Wellington. The crowds of loiterers who are in the habit of congregating on Sunday evenings outside tho door of the Salvation Army Barracks, Taranaki-street, to the discomfort of other wayfarers, have lately become an intolerable nuisance, so that the police have felt called upon to make an example of some of the offenders. A respectably - dressed young man named Harry Vann appeared on summons at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Messrs. S. R. Dransfield and J. Dunn, Justices, and was charged with having infringed the city by-laws on Sunday, the 11th instant, by loitering on tho footpath 80 as to impede traffic. Constable Madden sworo that on the evening in question he was stationed opposite the door of the Barracks to keep tho footway clear, and had occasion to ask a crowd to move on. Detondant refused to shift, though spoken to four or five times, and said he would not go till ho was ready. Many complaints had boen made by the public about tho blocking of the footpath. Edwin Vino, painter, gave corroborative evidence. Defendant called a witness named Martin Neilson, who swora that ho (Vann) had stood on tho very edge of the footpath, and that he did not remain opposite the hall three minutes altogether. Sergeant Morico asked that a substantial penalty should be imposed, if the Bench considered the offence proved. Complaints wero constantly being made about tho practice of men standing on the footpath opposite the Barracks and in other parts of the city, expectorating, and insulting respectable passengers. Tho Justices pointed out that no misbehaviour had beon alleged on Yann's part. He had not obstructed the way to any great extent, but as he had disobeyed tho constable's orders, ho would bo fined Is with 15s costs. Those peoplo who congregated in the vicinity of the Post Office Hotel on Saturday afternoon for tho purpose of witnessing the start of the procession in connection with tho eostumo football match, were much amused at a couple of incidents which occurred before the mummers made a move for Newtown. The jovial landlord of the hostelry just mentioned appeared at the door dressed as a clown, and was greeted with a roar of laughter, his appearance being exceedingly grotesque. Tripping across the pavement as nimblo as a deer, he jumped into tbo pony chaise belonging to Messrs. W. and J. Staples, boot and shoo manufacturers, and was rather surprised whon his weight causod the little conveyance to tilt up, nearly throwing him on his back. The pony then took fright and jumped into the air in tho most comioal manner, and the worthy Boniface was only able to retain his seat with difficulty. The beast refused to mako a start for some moments, but at last he made off at a groat rate, and it was only by skilfully handling the ribbons that mine host of tho Post Office was enabled to keep one of tho wheels from colliding with the kerbing and the other from crashing into tho hackney carriages ranged in front of tho hotel. The other adventure was that of two boys with « donkey. The animal, which looked the picture of humility, allowed tho youngsters to mount it, and just as they were looking forward to a pleasant ride, up went its hind legs, with the result that in a moment both boys were sprawling on the ground. The juveniles didn't hanker after another mount. A special meeting of Mr. Fraser's committee is called for this evening at the Rcchabite Hall. A full attendance is particularly roquested. A member of the Star Boating Club was sculling off Point Jerningham yesterday afternoon when his skiff capsized. Assistance was rendered by a young man named Edward Freeman, who rowed off to the luckless oarsman and assisted him and his skiff to tho shoro, where he emptied the skiff and re-embarked. Tho humorous selections given by Mr. and Mrs. M'Burney at the freo concert in tho Theatro Royal on Saturday night afforded immense amusement to a very largo audience. This lady and gentleman, without any assistance, kept the fun going for about two hours with illustrative readings, songs, and recitations Tho majority of tho items wero encored. The principal selections were as follow : — Song, "White Squall;" song, "Three Old Maids of Lea;" "Hamo Came our Gudo Mon;" song, "Lullaby;" reading, " Gowke's Errand ;" zither solo ; duet, "Singing Lesson;" song, "Killarnoy;" song, " The Tune the Old Cow Died On ;" song, "Jim;" reading, " The Policeman's Courtship ;" song, " The Whistling Thief ;" and recitation, >rßetsyr Betsy and I aro Out." At the conclusion of tho entortainment the audience, at the suggestion of the chairman (the Rev. L. M. Isitt), accordod Mr. and Mrs. M'Burney an enthusiastic salvo of applause. William Durrell, of Kaiwarra, advertises that he is prepared to supply eggs from his prize white Leghorn fowls at one guinea per dozen. _ A long list of prizes won by Mr. Durroll's whito Leghorn towls appears in his advertisement in another column. Messrs. George Thomas and Co. notify that, at the request of soveral intending purchasers, they have decided to hold the sale of stock, implements, &c, at Thorby's farm, Baker's Hill, Karori, at 12 o'clock on Thtirsday, and not, as originally intended, at the auction rooms, immediately after tho sale of property in ttie same estate, at 2 o'clock. Our sprinir and summer fashions, just received by the steamers Doric and Tongariro, are now on view at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House. It is no idlo saying that our importations for the present season are on a large scale ; that tho choice is very extensive ; that tho taste manifested cannot be surpassed, if equalled ;_ and that owing to the exceptional qualifications and keenness in buying of our special representative in tho Home markets, the prices will be lower than in any previous season at To Aro Houbb. Ladies in want of dress fabrics, of any and_ every description, will find here a variety that cannot be hod elsewhere, while wo have tho additional attraction of firstclass dressmaking on tho premises. Our millinery-room contains the choicest Btyles from the most eminent Parisian artistes, while we are also showing all the latest outcomes of fashion in walking, visiting, and evening costumes, with an equal display of taste and a large variety of the most fashionable mantles, at Te Aro Houbo. It is impossible to enumerate all tho novelties now on view, but we would respectfully solicit an early visit of inspection, when it will be found that for firstclass selection, immense variety, and actual wholesale prices, there is no plaoe superior, if equal, to tho Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House.— Advt. Baxter's Lung Preserver has gamod great popularity in this diatriot as a spoedy and effectual remedy in tho treatment of Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, and other chest and throat complaints. — Advt.