COCKY PREMIERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1888, Page 2

COCKY PREMIERS.

Lord Knutsford, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, must, wo imagine, bo a good deal surprised at the cool audaoity recently displayed by so many of the Australian Premiers, as well as at tho extravagance of the colonies and pretensions which they have put forth. The bombastic nonsense whioh Mr. Gillies, the Premier of Victoria, talked in relation to tho New Hobridos question, cannot yot have boon forgotten, and sinoe then the Premiers in the other Australian claims soom to havo vied with him in efforts to assert themselves by means of tall talk. Tho Promier of South Australia is understood to have informed Her Majesty's Government that ho would have none of tho Marquis of Normanby as a Governor, — why, we have never been able to understand, for, certainly, Lord Normanby is about as inoffensive an old nobleman as could possibly be sent to represent his Sovoreign in any part of her dominions. Next wo have Sir Thomas M'lllwraith, of Queensland, asserting his right to be consulted iv regard to tho appointment of a new Governor to that colony. On what grounds this olaim is made we cannot conooivo. It would bo a most undesirable precedent to establish if it were conceded. The Governor of a colony ought essentially to bo perfootly independent of all local parties. Ho would not be so if he wore the nominee of ono of those parties, or appointed at their suggestion or subjoot to thoir approval. He wonld arrive in tho colony under a direct obligation to the party which had concurred in his selection, and this fact would probably cause, a strong feeling of antagonism to him on the part of the Opposition. We should have debates in Parliament on the advice given to the Imperial Govornment as to the appointment of tbe new Governor, and it is quito possible that very shortly after his arrival he might witness his Ministry defeated beoause thoy had approved of his appointment in preference to that of tho favoured candidate of tho Opposition. Then if the Ministry applied for a dissolution, so as to refer the question to the constituencies, what a nice quandary His Excellenoy would bo in. He could not, no matter how honest or impartial ho might really bo, escape imputations of favouritism and unploasant acousations of all kinds. How strained also would bo the relations botwoen tho Governor and a Ministry which got into office because it objected to his presence in the colony. To make the appointmont of colonial Governors subject to the approval of tho party in power in the colony at tho time, wonld in many respects be fraught with more undesirable consequences than to moke the Governorship absolutely elective. The third Promier who has recently distinguished himself by bumptious assumption is Sir Henry Parkes, of New Sonth Wales, who, not content with absurd threats and brags on the Chinese question, is now; in mock heroio style defying the Imperial Government in rolation to an altoration in the marriage laws of the colony. The Premier's defiance is utterly uncalled for, and tho arguments by whioh it is supported aro absolutely untenable on any legal or constitutional grounds. The Imperial Government is perfectly within its legitimate functions in watching most jealously any matorial alterations in the law affocting marriage or divoroe in any part of tho Empiro. It has always done this. It at first declined to acquiesce, in the dosire of the colonies to legaliso marriage with a deceased wifo's sister, but when tho colonies pcrsistod, and .the Homo Government bocame convinced that the proposod legislation was in accord with tho doliborately-arrived-at sentiments of the people, it at onco gave way, and the Bills were assented to by Hor Majesty. So with the question of divoroe. The New South Wales Legislature has, in its Divorce Bill, gone far beyond any legislation on the Bubjeot existing in any part of the Empire. It recognises entirely new reasons for a dissolution of the marriage tie. The question cannot be considered purely a local one,. It must affect large numbers of people outside tho limits of New South Wales, and it behoves tho Imperial Governmoot to bo very careful bof bro giving its sanction to a new departure in such a serions matter. This is all it has done. It has refused to assent off-hand to the new divorce law, and recommended the New South Wales Legislaturo to reconsider tho matter, but it accompanied the refnaal and recommendation with a sufficiently clear intimation that if satisfied that the Bill embodiod tho deliberate desire of the pooplo of the colony the Crown would not refuse to give legal effect to that desire. Thore is thorefore no justification whatever for Sir Henry Parkes' horoics.

Sporting Notes by "Vigilant" will be found on the fourth page of this issue. No subscriptions towards the Post Office dock fund had beon received at tho City Connoil office up to tho hour for closing today. Wo learn that as the, result of enquiries made by tho city authorities, it has been ascertained that a portion, at any rate, of the metal melted from the bells of the old Post Office clock was disposed of by Government to the proprietors of a local foundry. Although the matter in dispute in reference to the rival land applications of the Messrs. Bailly and tho Hon. Mr. Miller has boon settlod to tho satisfaction of both parties, Messrs. Bailly, in fact, getting all they originally asked for, it is evident that a considerable amount of doubt exists as to the oorreot reading of the law on the subject The Department is, we believe, by no means confident that evon its latest interpretation is the corroot one, and further legal opinions are to be taken on the point. Another instance of oarojeaa drafting 1 and hasty legislation has just been brought to licrht. Parliament last session passed an Act, entitled tho Wostland and Grey Education Boards Act, to create Education Distriots and Boards in Westland, and to provide for the management of educational matters on the West Coast. This Act definod tho Grey Education Distriot as comprising " all that area in the colony of New Zealand, being 1 the county of Grey, and including tho borough of Greymouth. It now turns out that there is another borongb, that of Brunner, within the county, but it is altogether ignored, and is excluded by the above definition from the Education Distriot. It is, in fact, a noman's land, and tho Grey Education Board will, it is feared, bo unablo to provide for the Brunner School. This is a nice muddle. Mr. H. P. Logan the other day brought across from Havelock substantial specimens of the stone from the well defined reefs discovered in tho Kaipai and Wakakaho claims. These speojmens havo since been crushed and submitted to the Museum authorities for analysis. The following is Mr. Skey's report : — Speoimens No. 5068, forwarded by H. F. Logan ; locality, Mahakipawa ; received 26th October — Washings of 321bs of stone for pold,Kapai claim. Crashed stone 401bs Waikakaho claim. No. 1 gold, as calculated to the ton, 2oz 13d wtB 7grs. So. 2, 4oz 19dwts Bgrs. The samplo from Kaipai olaim was from tho summit of the saddlo of the dividing rango, at a hoight of about 2700 ft abovo sea levol. The stone is white and soft. Tho roof is well dofinod, and on tho outcrop about 18in wide. Cutting across tho strata of the country with au easterly dip, the strata dipping westerly. The Waikakaho claim is on the other side of tho range, about 400 ft below. At about 5 chains from the northern boundary of the claim, the reef has been opened to a width of 7ft, and uot entiroly bared then. It is hard blue quartz, showing fine gold throughout. A face of about 10ft has boon sunk on this reef. It is believed that a drive of about 50ft will cut this reef at 100 ft below tho present level. Up to date the Acclimatisation Society have issued 49 tront licenses for the Wellington distriot and 55 for Wellington. According to the reports of the knights of the rod who have visited the Hutt and Wainui streams during tho past week, trout have been unusually shy, refusing to take the most tempting bait. This may bo accounted for by the fact that whitebait are plentiful just now. and the trout prefer thoir natural food to tho artificial minnow or fly offered thorn by fishermen. Tho following aro tho cases alroudy set down ior hearing at the half-yearly sitting of the Court of Appeal, which opens on tho sth of Novomber :— Solwyn County Council v. Spcate ; ro Thomas Groonwood, deccosod ; Official Assignee in DiuilurY oslato v. Doal; Broughton v. Donnelly ; re J. C. Cairns, a bankrupt ; and Mackay and others v. Oram and others. His Excellenoy the Governor has signified his intention of being present at the private performance of the Wellington Amateur Dramatic Sooiety on Tuesday evening.

Plans and specifications of the jotty whioh is about to be erected at the GtoVo. the landing place for the Mahakip-awa goldfleld, have been proofed by the Public Works Depftrtmeht, and tenders for the work ate being invited. The wharf is te> bd abottt 50ft long, and when erected will prove a {frOat boon to the travelling public. The necessary funds are to be found by Government and the local bodies. Professor Driver, Whose pdwSFs as a necromancer ate well known to the Wellington public^ is Announced .to appcdr at the Princess Theatre on Tuesday ovening.in one of his mystifying performances. On Monday night ho gives his entertainment in the Oddfellowa' Hallj Petotie. Tho s.B. Waihora, which sailed for Sydney this afternoon, had on board 1020 tons of colonial produce. Mr. G. Rutherford, Secretary to the Wellington Acclimatisation Sooioty, thi3 mornins received a telegram announcing the, safe arrival of tho consignment cf yaunp 1 . trout, Ac. t fo.rwa?dod oil Friday la,Bt to tho Hawora n-riu Taranaki Acclimatisation Societies. Mr. li. Ajton, curator of the Wellington Socioty, took chargo of the consignment, and will see the fish safely liberated in tUo streanw on the coast. DuriDg the next week 5000 fish will be sent to Wanganui for stocking the rivers in that district. From tho Masterton ponds the Taranaki, Hawera, Wanganni, Napier, Manchester, and Palmorston Societies now draw supplies of fish. Each of the abovo named bodies subsidising tho Wellington Society towards tho maintenance of the nursory. Charles Henry, lato of Fottding, who was arrested in Sydney on the dharffo of frandtilent bankruptcy, is being broiight back to lho .colony; vja Ajicktand,. by .the, s.s. Wairarupa, in the cuctbdy of Cetective Twohy. „ An amalgamation of the legal businesses conducted by Mr. C. P. Skerrett and Messrs. Ollivier* Brown and Dean has been arranged. Mr. Ollivier, who has beon in England for some years, retires, and tbe new firm will be known as Brown, Skorrott and Dean The partnership takes effect about the middlo of next month. Mr. William Mnrray, a very old Wellington settler, died this morning nt his residenco in Tory-street. Mr. Murray, whose age was 73. was, with ono or two oxcoptions, tho oldest steamboat engineer in the colony. He arrived in Molbourno from the Clyde in 1854, coming out in the s.s. William Denny. About three years afterwards he came to Wellington as enginoer of the first locallyownod steamer, the Wonga-Wonga, belonging to 'the Wellington Steam Navigation Company. While with Captain Renner in this vessel he assisted in- rescuing tho survivors of the wreck of H.M.S. Orpheus on the Manukaa bar in 1863 Mr. Murray Was afterwards in the Now .Zealand Steamship Company's service in tne o.s. Wellington, and later in that of what was known as the Wreck Eocovery Company, in connection with' the steamer Taranaki. For a number of years he was in the service of W. and G. Turnbull and Co. as engineer of the s.s. Stormbird and Napier. Latterly ho had charge of tho engine-room of the s.s. Neptuno, in tho Blenheim trade. He rotired about three years ago in consequence of tho infirmities of age. Mr. Mur. ray was a man of genial and upright oharacter, and was universally respected. Ho leaves a widow and two grown-up sons, both resident in Wellington. It is proposed by the Reserves Committee of the City Council, that the j»25 offered by the Rugby Football Union, towards tho cost of placing Newtown Park in order, shall be supplemented by tho Council by andthor grant of .£25, and that the wholo sum bo expended in top-diJe&sing ftnd sotting grassdeed. The donimittee will also recomriiend thiJ Counoil to grant tho application of the Caledonian Sooiety for the uso of tho Basin Reserve for tho Calodonian gathering on Now Year's Day, dn tho same terms as lasi year:, Tho Musical Festival Committee, at a meeting hold yestorday aftornoon, dooidod to engage tho Drillahed for the festival from Monday, 26th November, to Saturday, Ist December, inclusive, the arrangements for the wook being fixed as follows : —Monday, 26th, rehearsal; Tuesday, 27th, "Elijah;" Wednesday, 28th, miscellaneous classical concert ; Thursday, 29th, rehearsal ; Friday, 30th, " Golden Logend " an.d selection from works of Wagner ; Saturday, December Ist, " Israel in Egypt." Mr. C. Eons Marten tenderod his resignation, and other routine bnsinoas having been transacted, the meeting adjourned. The adjourned meeting of carpenters and joiners to consider the question of forming a Protection Sooiety, to aot in conjunotion with all other trade soclotios in the interest of labour, was held last night at the Queen's Chambers. About 16 additional names were enrolled. Another meeting will be hold on Friday next, when a large attendance is reqnestedas tho question of framing rules and other important matters will be disonssed. Chief Detective Browno, who has recently been transferred to Auokland, will, during the qourse of the next few days, be the recipient of a token of respect from a large number of Wellington citizens who dosire to show thoir appreciation of tho able manner in whioh he discharged his diffioult dutios whilst stationed here. It will take tho shapo of an illuminatod address, accompanied by a purse of sovereigns, and will be forwarded through his Worship the Mayor to tho Mayor of Auckland, with a request to present the same to Mr. Browne, the necessary permission in accordance with tho police service regulations having been obtained from the Government. The address, which is signed by the Mayor, City Council, lors, clergymen of different denominations, members of the logal and medical professions,Justioes of the Peace, and quite.*- host of tho leading citizens, has been ably executed by Mr. A. Kooh, and is as follows : — To Mr. Charles Townley Browne, Wellington.— Dear Sir— On behalf of your many friends in Wellington wo desire to express to you the very great regret that is felt by them on hearing of your departure from this city, whore you have for the last ten years performed your arduons and responsible duties, as chief of the Detective Force, with buoli ability and straightforwardness as to merit the respoct of all classes of the oommunity. We are aware that tho necessities of the service require your attendance in Auokland, whore we are snre you will make many friends, and our desire is that you may be long spared to devote your energies to the public service with as great a success in the future as you have done for such a number ! of years in the past. While wishing you good-bye, we desire your acceptance of the accompanying purse as a- slight appreciation of your work, not only as a friend, but as a public officer." A complimentary musical evening in oonneotion with Miss Randell's departure will bo given by the choir of Wesley Church on Monday next, commonoing at 8 o'clook, to bo held in the schoolroom adjoining the ohuroh, to which hor numerous friends are cordially invited. A purse of sovereigns, subscribed by the trustees and congregation and a souvenir from the choir, will bo presented to her during tho interval. It may bo mentioned that Miss Randell has sustained the leading soprano parts of no fewer than eleven oratorios during tho last four years, various ohurch funds being benefited thereby. It is hoped there will be a largo attendance of tho congregation and general public, as the proceeds of the entertainment will be added to the presentation. At tho same time Mr. R. Bannister will make the presentation of the proceeds of last night's ooncert on behalf of tho citizens of Wellington. A very interesting and instructive entertainment, in aid of the Sunday School funds, was given in the Kent-terrace Church last evoning. Tho chief item in the programme was an exhibition and descriptive lecture by Mr. Villiers Boere, C.E., of 200 photographic transparencies. The views were those of Australian, New Zealand, and Amorican scenery .and reflected great credit on Mr. Beere. During the evening the ohoir, undor Mr. Donaldson's leadership, rendered several pieces of music in an oxcellent manner, Mr. Perrin presiding at the organ. A somewhat notorious oharaoter named Ada Willett was arrested by Constable Baskeville Jost evoning upon a chargo of having no visible lawful means of support. The woman was bronght up in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when a plea of Not Guilty was entered. The police, howovor, produced ample evidence in proof of the allegation, and Mr. C. J. Johnston, the presiding Justice, sont the acousod to gaol for one month. Messrs. Allen and Hartmann announce in our advertising dolumns that they have commenced business in Grey-street, near the National Bank, as wine and spirit and general merchants, shipping and general agonts and brokers. Both gentlemen are well known in Wellington, Mr. Allen having for several yeare hoen in tho employment of Messrs. Harcourt and Co., and Mr. Hartmann having been a member of the Civil Sorvice, from whioh ho retired some eight months ago. He has in the interim visited Europe and entered into business arrangements in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, which will no doubt prove highly advantageous to the new firm. Messrs. Allen and Hartmann are nephews of Mr. Frank Allen, the General Manager of the Colonial Insurance Company in this city. The usual weekly session of St. John's Lodge, No. 23, 1.0. G.T., was held last evoning in tho Good Templar Hall, Mannersstreet. The_ attendance of mombers was not so good as it has been dnring the quarter. Bro. Cowan, W.C.T., occupied the chair during the evening. One candidate presented himself, and, after answering the necessary questions in the affirmative, was initiated into the mysteries of the order. A brother who had violated his obligation was reinstated in the lodge. The election of officers for the ensuing quarter was then proceeded with, the following members being eleoted to fill the principal positions — Bro Cowan, C.T. (re-eleoted) ; Bro. Bedford, V.T. ; Bro. Eoadley, Secretary. A brother of tho lodge, who has been on a visit down South, conveyed the fraternal greetings of tho Pioneer Lodge, Westport, to this lodge. Tho Ticket Committoe in connection with the entertainment to be held shortly (due notice of which will be advertised) were requested to meet at Bro. Roadley's on Monday evening. After some private bnainess had been dealt with, harmony was proceeded with, and the lodge was closed at 9.30. It is notified by advertiament that the City Tramways will run excursion busseß to the Lower Hutt to-morrow afternoon, leaving Newtown at 2 o'clock Bharp. A seaman belonging to the ship Claromont, now in port, who was arroßted by Constablo M'Carthy on tho wharf yesterday morning, where ho was creating a disturbance was charged, before Mr. C. J. Johnston, J P this morning, with having been drunk and disorderly. Tho accused pleaded Guilty and pviriunoo as to facts having been given b/(,.iii».i.H Luthlcy and tho arresting constable, the man was finod 20a, with the usual alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment. Attention is called to the advertisement of the conoerts and waxworks tableaux whioh are to be given at the Theatre Eoyal on tne Ist and 2nd November, in a id of the classes of the School of Design. '

Judgment in the case of Cloro v. Sogricf, al n reference to a purchase of land in Tara- ti mlii and Martin-streets, was given by Mr. g: Fnstied Richmond ifl Chambers yesterday, ai 3is Honour decided that the" defendant si should accept a conveyance of a frontage of C 17ft 4in and a wHth of 48ft 4in at tho back C >f the allotment, paying interest at 8 per c: sent, oh the balance dtJO from the date of tl purchase, and that the plaintiff shotild con- el !ede, iri accordance with arrangements fflttdfl n between tho parties, easements in respedt to a ;hB eaves Of the hotiße eredted on tho allot- ft nent, and the drainage tbrOUgii tho tid/acent ti property. The plaintiff was also awarded £50 costs. Mr. Morison acted for tho h plaintiff and Mr; Dovine for tho defendant, g Of the large schodla ih this district which bavo been examined this year, nOile flori j show such an excellent record as that of the Masterton public school, the review of which j. svas completed yesterday by Mr. Lee, Inspec- i tor. There were 596 children presented, of whom 13^, were in the preparatory class. g Of fche remainder 431 passed, ,apd only a 32 failed, 10 being cltlier absent or.ercepted. Tho result in each Standard are as follows :— Standard VII., 5 presented, all passed ; Standard VI , 12 presonted, 2 failed, 9 pnssod; Standard V., 59 presented, 3 failed, 54 passed; Standard IV., 87 prosonted, 4 failed, 81 passed ; Standard t 111., 93 presentod, 12 failed, 73 passed; 1 Standard 11., 90 presented, 1 failed, 87 1 passed ; Standard 1., 117 presented, all J passed. Mr. Lee, in announcing the result t to the scholars, stated that it was one of the j very best he had ever known. Tho high « standard of passes is ono that the schools of ' the city, which have yet to undergo the < annual ordeal) will do well to strife to equal. 1 A pitiful ease Wai hdftrd in tho Magistrate's Court this morning, wheil A moil, whose ago was nearly 70, was brought Up and charged with vagrancy. The police had found the old fpllow asleep on a doorstep in WHhi-stfoot at a quarter to three o'clock , this morning. And frbii his statement to the - Court it Becmed that he had recently come ' from Palmerston in search of employment. ' His efforts in this direction were unsuc- ¦ cessful, and he was forced to admit he was, within tho moaning of the law, a vagrant, , having neither home nor means of livelihood. , Mr C. J. Johnston, J.P., who was on the Bench, said ho must conviot tho man of vagrancy, but would not commit him to gaol, ! recommending him to make an effort to get' back into the conntry. The first practical step in connection with the formation of the long-talked-of Queen's 1 Drive has been taken. Tenders are invited by advertisement for progressive working drawings and specifications. Particulars may be obtained at the Melrose Borough Council's office. Mr. Maoduff-Boyd announces to-day that his second grand orchestral concert will take placo on Thnrsday, the Bth November. Rohearsals of " Klijahj", "Israel in Egypt," and " The Golden Lb'jjen'a,'" *n Cpttnection with the Musical Festival, will take placo on Monday evening 1 . The business establishment of Mr. A. Munro, grocer, of Willis-street, is the latOßt addition to the Telephone Exchange. In celobration of the sixteenth anniversary of tho Female Branch of tho Hasto to the Rescue Tont, 1.0. R., a tea and entertainment will bo hold in the Eechabite Hall, on the 30th inst. The sketching from nature olass in connection with tho School of Design will meet on. Monday next at 2 p.m. An advertisement on the subject appears elsewhere in this issue. Cobb & Oo ( 's palace curs are advertised to make their usual Sunday trip's to Island flay and tho Lowb'r Hutt tomorrow afterilooh; The services at the Terrace Corigregatiomti Church to-morrow will be conducted by the Hey: W. Lee in the moraine- and Profesaor Kirk in the evening. Bey. TV. Powell, the npw pastor for tho Coiirte-ndy-placo Congregational Church, arrived yesterday, and will preach both morning and evening to-morrow. At the Christians' Chapel, Dixon-street, tomorrow evening, at 6.30, Mr. Edward Lewis, evangelist, will preach on tho subject, "Judas, the Traitor," Rev. H. H. Driver will conduot the usual services at the Vivian-street Baptist Church, to-morrow. > The ordinance of baptism will be observed in the evening. Bethel services will be held to-morrow, by Mr. D. Hall, in the waiting-room, Queen's Wharf, at 11 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. , The Primitive Methodist Church will celebrate its anniversary to-morrow. A special sermon will be preached in the afternoon, at 3 o'clock, by Rev. J. T. Wallis. The soiree and public meeting is advertised for Tuesday evening. In no provious season have we been so perfeotly prepared for business in the millinery department. Wo havo a competent and experienced saleswoman in charge. We havo a niillinor of more than usual ability.We have all the latest fashions in trimmed and untrimmod hats, bonnets, &c, and a profusion ot all the newest things in trimming, flowers) feathers, <&0., just to hand, per steamer Tongariro, at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House. We havo also received a varied and choice assortment of children's muslin and fancy pinafores, boya' white and oream serge tunics and blouses, infants' merino pelisses, with plush capes, infants' cream and white waahing frocks, pelisses, Ac. ; a very pretty choice of cashmere and lace hoods, hats.&c., and an oxtensiye variety of ladies' underclothing in "Hibernia" and other makes, at Te Aro House. Ladies should see our workod robe costumes, boautifnlly embroidered, with material for bodice, 32s 6d to 79a 6d ; pongee silk costumes, smocked and delioiously trimmed, and also Borne exquisite tussore costumes, elaborately trimmed, not forget•ting a charming variety of liberty silk oostumes, smocked and pannelled, really beautiful goods, from 49s 6d to six guineas, at the Wholosalo Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House. — Advt. Baxter's Lung Pbeservee.— " In oases of asthma it quiokly outs short the paroxysm. In chronic bronchitis or winter cough it is useful; the discharge of mnens is greatly assisted, and the whoezing and difficulty of broathing are greatly relieved by it. In acute bronchitis it is also beneficial, and whilst it tends to oheok inflammation, it promotos expeotoration, and thus relieves tho laborious and diffioult breathing so' general in these attaoks. As a cough medicine, for persons of all ages, it is excellent." Book for every home. — Advt.