A MINISTERIAL FIX.

Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1892, Page 2

A MINISTERIAL FIX.

That tho Land Nationalisation and antifreehold fads of Messrs. Ballance and M'Kenzio are not viewed with much favour by tho country settlers may bo inferred from the fact that both candidates for tho Rangitikei seat disavow all sympathy with them. In fact, they vio with each othor in condemnation of the withdrawal of tho freehold option from perpetual leaseholders. Mr. Stevens, the Ministerial candidate, is particularly emphatic in his opposition to this fundamental feature of the Ministerial Land Bill, on tho passing of which Mr. M'Kenzie has stakod Ins official existence. As Mr. M'Kenzie is going to Eangitikei to address the oleotors in favour of Mr. Stevens, who is pledged to oppose this particular feature of the Ministerial land policy, tho situation will bo a rather curious and complicated one. Mr. Stevens also strongly condemns othor features in Mr. M'Kenzie h land policy and administration, as, for instance, tho stringency of the special settlement occupation regulations. When Mr. M'Kenzio mounts tho Rangitikci stump it will be to advocate tho election of a candidate who unequivocally objects to the most important principles of the policy to whioh tho Minister of Lands is pledged. If he attempts to reply to the forcible arguments which Mr. Stevens has used in opposition to his views, it will ocenpy his whole timo. If ho does not attempt to defend his o*n policy from the attack of Mr. Stevens, the public will be afforded fair roason for concluding that he is really insincere in his anti-freehold views, cares little for the vaunted reform ombodied in his Land Bill, and values office more than principle. It will be a most instructive spectacle to see the Minister of Lands striving valiantly to ensure tho return of a member pledged, no doubt, to keep him in, but still more completely committed to keeping his pet moasnre out. Under the circumstances, wo do not think that Mr. M'Kenzie will bo able to rondor Mr. Stevons very effective assistance in Rangitikei, but whether Mr. Bruce or Mr. Stevens gets in, tho result will be equally adverse to Mr. M'Kenzie's land scheme. We aro anxious to know what Mr. M'Kenzio will find to say to recommend to the electors pf Rangitikei a candidate who is such an uncompromising opponent as Mr. Stevens professes to be of the policy which the Minister of Lands has over and over again declared to bo essential to the political and national salvation of tho country, and of such supreme importance that tho oxistencp of tho Ministry is to bo staked against the independence of the Legislative Council on its adoption. Whatever the result of tho Rangitikei poll may be, it will emphasise and endorse the verdict given in the recent Brace election against Land Nationalisation and the abolition of tho freehold tenure Bruce and Rangitikei aro typical districts, each being peopled by a high class of small settlors possessed of long colonial experience. The verdict of suoh constituencies on a question of tho kind at issue must carry great weight. Our report of tho proceedings at the opening of tho Boys' Institute by His Excellency the Governor, some notes on Fijian affairs, particulars of the annnal meeting of the Shaw, Savill & Albion Co., an article on " Queer Will Cases," and a letter to tho Editor, appear on the fourth page. Tlie Hon. Mr. Ballanoe returned from Wanganui last evening! The southern portion of the outward San Francisco mail, and tho Ts Anau's English and Australian mails, wore brought up by tho Penguin, which arrived from the South at 1.30 this aftornoon. We regret to learn that Mr. W. M'Loan, M.H.R., has been indisposed and confined to his house for some days. He is now, however, rapidly recovering. No criminal business came before tho Magistrate's Conrt to-day. Captain Edwin informs us that tho barometer is extraordinarily high all over the country, especially in tho South, where tho highest reading recorded for some years past, viz., 3074 at sea level, was observed at the Bluff at 9 a.m. to-day. The woather will continue cold as the barometer falls, and there will be high winds from the northward in about 43 hours. Thero are very Btrong evidences of heavy easterly gales between this country, Fiji, and Now Caledonia ; also easterly gales and heavy sea on the Queensland and Now South Wales coasts. Somo further changes have been made in personnel of the Resident Magistrate's Court staff. Mr. R. P. Ward, formerly Assistant Clerk of the Court at Wanganui, has been installed an assistant clork here in plaoe of Mr. A. D. Thompson, now Relieving Clerk at Wanganui. Mr. E. W. Porritt, who has been temporarily filling the position has been transferred to tho Justioe Department. Mr. J. M. Hickson, formerly of the Wellington office, and who for some timo has beon acting as Relieving Clerk at Masterton, rejoins the local staff, taking the place of Mr. J. H. Potter. Great inconvonience has beon felt for some timo in the Hutt and Potono townships owing to thero being no office for the registration of births and deaths and marriages. Working men finding it very hard to give up half a day's work, with loss of pay and cost of railway fare, to como into Wellington. A deputation recently waited upon Dr. Newman, M.H.R., and asked him to try to romody the evil, and he having brought it under tho notice of the proper Department, the inoonvonienco has been removed by the Government appointing tho Postmaster at the Lower Hutt to perform tho duties of Registrar. A correspondent in tho Bush District writos to us that the co-operative contractors on tho railway works between Woodville and Eketahnna complain greatly of the delay in laying out and inspecting their work, and also that no matter when a job is finished there is only one pay-day a month. The track ovor Mount Victoria to Kilbirnio, from the top of Pirio-street, is greatly in need of repair, and tho matter ooncori.B tho citizens of Wellington quito as much as the residents in the suburban valley. Tho latter have put their shouldors to tho wheel, and arranged to give a concert at Kilbirnie school to-morrow evening to raise funds for tho improvement of the road. Aid has been promised by well-known Wellington amateurs, and tho Committee appeal to the citizens to assist in their movement, and procure tickets beforehand from Mr. F. J. W. Fear, Willis-streot. Tho Terranora is still a hive of industry, and about 40 men are hard at work with hammer and adze, but the transformation of the cattle-boat into a fully-equipped cable steamer has attained a stage of advancement which permits of a very good idea of the complete work being obtained. Over the stem is a series of massive iron wheels, to take the outgoing and incoming cable, erected on a heavy iron platform. At the fore-hatch is a large and powerful hauling machine, driven by a 30-horuo power engine spocially designed for tho purpose by tho late Mr. Balfour, marine engineer. Both engine and hauling gear are on the deck, which has been strengthened for the purpose. Between this and the after-hold, and just behind the bridge, is to be erected a house to receive Dr. Lemon's electrical testing apparatus and various electrical appliances. The two holds have been thoroughly oleaned ont and cemented, the old floors being dostroyed, and the stanchions which support the deck moved book to make room for two large cable tanks — one for tho cable taken in, the other for that to go out— which now occupy the holds. The engines of the steamer generally have also been overhauled, scraped, and painted, and pipes from the main boiler have been constructed to connect with the new winding machinery on the deck. The weather has delayed the progress of the work, but by Saturday it is hoped that everything will be ready to receive the cable on board. Steam will bo got up, and the reserve cable will be taken in by the winding machinery during Monday and Tuesday, and it is expected at present that the vessel will go to sea to pick up the broken wires on Wednesday. After some dieoussion the Borough Council of New Pjymonth have passed the following resolution :— " That leave of absence during the session of Parliament bo granted to the Borough turncock and lamplighter, Mr. E. M. Smith, M.H.R., and that his son (W. J. Smith) be accepted as his substitute to perform all duties reasonably required of him, and to be under tho control of the Town Clerk and Borough foreman. In the event of the work not being satisfactorily performed, the Works Committee have a right to terminate the arrangement at once." A meeting of subscribers to tho Boys' Institute will be held in tho Institute Building to-night, to elect officers, &c.

The committee entrusted with the arrangements in connection with the banquet which is to be givon to Sir Patrick Buckley on the 23rd mat. mot last night, when it was reported that the tender of J. Godber, of Cuba-streot, for catering, and J. Maginnity, of Foatherston-street, for supplying wines, &c , hod been acceptod, and that Thomas and Co.'s Hall had been engaged for the banquet. Tickets were distributed amonjffet "the committeemen present, from whom they may be Obtained, or from the Secretary, Mr. J. Hodgins. The committee adjourned until to-morrow evening at T. K. Macdonald and Co.'s building, Panama-street. Wo are asked to state that persons living in the suburbs who may desire to attend tho banquet will be notified by advertisement from whom tickets may be obtained. The dttptain of the 8. 8/ Takapuna, which arrived from New Plymouth and Onehunga last evening, reports having passed the ship Blenheim at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, when off Stephen's Island* Tho Blenheim, which left London on Cth March, bound for this port, was at the time under her two lower topsails, with her head to the northward. Her officers reported that all was well on board. We are requested to state that it is desirable that all subscription lists which have been distributed in town for tho benefit of the Homing family shall be closed on Monday next, when Mr. John Collins will call upon the collectors and receive the amounts in hand. An informal investigation of the affairs of the estate of Frances Townsend, hotelkeepor, bankrupt, was" held by the Official Assignee this morning, two creditors being present. The Assignee stated thiit ho did not anticipate that the estate would realise more than sufficient to pay tho mortgage upon tho furniture to T. G. Maoarthy and the few preferential claims for wages. Debt cases heard in tho Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. Eobinson, 8.M., wore decided as follows :— Undefendod cases, in which judgment wont for plaintiffs by default— John Thompson v. Piwiki Hapi, £7 8s 9d, and costs .£1 16s ; Chailes Luke v. James Folks, ss, costs 6s. Thomas Carr defoflded a ease in which J. J. Devino, solicitor, sued him for professional fees, on the ground that he was merely tho trustee of tho person on whose account the services were performed. It appeared, however, that tho defendant had already paid a part of what was owing, and the Court held this to have been a contract, and gave judgment for tho amount claimed, ,£3l3s6d, and 6s costs. Tho fortnightly sitting of the Lower Hutt E.M. Court was held yesterday, before Messrs. C. W. Brown and J. Ottdby, Justices. An information had been laid by tho police against C. T. Price for riding on a public footpath, to the danger of passers-by. There was no appearance of defendant, and a fino of ss, with_ 16s costs, was recorded against him. Similar informations against F. Compton and John Pringlo (for both of whom Mr. Wili'orcl appeared) were dismissed. Dr. Purdy, oil a like charge, was fined ss, with costs 7s. In a judgment summons case of R. Cleland v. P. HandrahrtH for £3 da 3d, an order was made for payment of 5s a week, or in default three days' imprisonment. In the judgment summons case of 11. Cleland v. E. Hoare, no order was made. Mr. Wilford appeared for Hoare. A prisoner named Nilson reached tho Terrace Gaol yesterday a.ftornoon, whero he is to undorgo a month's imprisonment for larceny from a dwellinghouse at Martinborough. A somewhat noyel claim for wages was heard by Mr. Eobinson, 8.M., on the civil sido of the Magistrate's Court td-day. Potor Jensen, a seaman, sued his son-in-law, Henry Bender, owner of the ill-fated cutter Vinnie, which was wrecked off Pencarrow Head last month, to recover money for wages. In the witness-box, plaintiff explained that his claim, which was not set out in the bill of particulars, was for services rendered as follows :— 7th May. was asked to go to Day's Bay, but the weather being bad, the boat drifted to Petone, 11s 3d ; Bth, asked to gd to Potono to bring the boat back to Wellington, brought it back, 14s; lOtb, 11th, and 12th, repairing vessel (defendant said all plaintiff did was to bmoke his pipe and watoh him work), 22s 6d ; 13tb, left Wellington for Blenheim, but was wrecked at lighthouse, .£1 ; 14th, had to walk into Wellington, 10s ; 17th, was asked to interview reporter of Evening Post, and arrangod about a subscription list, 7s f>d ; 21st, asked to go round town with subscription list, and lost another job, 18s 3d. His Worship said plaintiff need not trouble .himself about the last two items, nor the walk into Wellington. Ab regards the other items, the defendant (who was represented by Mr. Tanner) informed the Court that there was no agreement between himself and his father-in-law as to wages— they were to share and share alike in tho profits made by the boat. Plaintiff wanted to go to Blenheim with the boat, and in consideration of the assistance) ho wonld render on the trip ho (defendant) gave him £1. His Worship gave judgment for the dofondant with £1 Is oosts against tho plaintiff. The installation of the W.M. and investituro of officers of the Ulster Lodge, No. 62, N.Z.C., took place in the lodgeroom, Petone, last night. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the wcathor, there was a largo attendance of brethren from town, including representatives of tho Pacific, Waterloo, St. Andrew's, and Loinstcr Lodges, and a number of Grand Lodge officers. Thero was also a large attendance of the members of tho Ulster Lodge The ceremony was conducted by E.W. Bio. H. J. Williams, Grand Superintendent of the Wellington District, assisted by E.W. Bro. E. T. Gfllon, P.D.G.M., V.W. Bro. Hamerton, G.S.W., and W. Bro. Dawos, P.G.S. Tho Grand Lodgo offices were filled as follows : — Acting G.S.W., Bro. H. J. Freeman, P.M. ; Aoting GJ.W., Bro. Coveney, P.M. ; Aoting G. Secretary, Bro. Lindsay, P.M. ; Acting Grand S.D., Bro. Tippler, P.M.; Aoting Grand J.D., Bro. France, P.M. ; Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Dawes, P.M., P.G.S. The ceremony was .most impressively rendered, the musical portion being assisted by an orchestra, consisting of Bro3. Norberg, Thomas, and Shorwin. The officers installed and invested were as follows: — W.M., Bro. E. Mothes, P.M. ; S.W., Bro.B. C. Kirk ; J.W., Bro. A. Marsden ; Treasurer, Bro. J. G. A. dstle; Secretary, Bro. J. King; Chaplain, Rev. Bro. Thomson; Director of Ceremonies, Bro. T. Oxonham ; S.D., Bro. J. Nioholson ; J.D., Bro. J. W. Powell ; Organist, Bro. Sherwin ; 1.G., Bro. W. G. Lodder; Tyler, Bro. S. Curtis. After the closing of the lodge the room was cleared, and a most successful social gathering took place, about fifty couples boinj j presont, and danoins being vigorously carried on until an early hour in the morning. An admirable supper was also suppliod, and all seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, the ladies being particularly pleased with their Masonic hosts. The lodgoroom was very beautifully docorated, and the whole of tho arrangements reflected the utmost credit on thoso responsible for thorn. The case of Mackay v. Staples and Young, in which the plaintiff sought to obtain the release of a mortgage and bill of sale, was continued before Mr. Justice Eiohmond aftor wo went to press yesterday. His Honour reserved judgment. His Excellency the Governor has extended his patronaco to Mr. F. A. King's farewell concert, which takes placo at the Opera House on Monday next, and a party from Government House have signified their intention of being prosent. Tho Lower Hutt train will be dolayod .until after the concert, to onablo thoso living in that district to attend. Another powerful leotnro on total abstinence was delivered in Wesley Church last evening by the Rev. Dr. Lucas, of Canada, whose subject was "Woman's suffering through tho liquor traffio, and her power as a Temporanco worker." Although the weather was most inclement there was a very fair attendance. Tho chair was taken by Mrs. Tattle, President of the Women's Christian Temporanco Union . Tho Eev. Dr. Lucas dealt with his subject in a masterly manner, and at the conclusion of the lecture the following resolution, proposed by Mrs. Wright and seconded by Mrs. Dallaston, was carried :— " The W.C.T.U. of Welling, ton, having learned with very great regret that steps are being taken by the Government of Now Zetland to introduce the liquor lioensing system within' the boundaries of tho King Country, which has for years past boon a prohibited territory for the better protection of tho natives of New Zealand, hereby strongly protest against such a measnro, and earnestly pray the Government to restore to tbo whole of tho said territory the prohibition principle embraced in the Proclamation of 1884." In the course of tho proceedings Dr. Lucas complimented the Evening Post on its report of the previous night's meeting. The entertainment given in St. Andrew's Schoolroom, Wellington-terrace, last evening,provod a very successful and enjoyable affair. The room was crowded, and a good proportion of tho items given were encored. The Eev. J. Kennedy Elliott gave a very amusing address on "Presence of Mind," and tho Misses Dean, Greig, P. Watson, Newton, and Pirie, and Messra. Henry, Martin, Jack (2), Maitland, Paton, and Newton, contributed vocal and instrumental selections and recitations, while the choir also rendered glees acceptably. Refreshments were provided during the interval. Although the weather last night was very cold, there was a fair attendance at Davys' Bright Lights performance. The company appear again this evening. Tho musical and literary ontertainment preparatory to the mid-winter holiday takes place this evening at St. Patrick's College, under tho presidency of his Grace Archbishop Redwood. The boys disperse to-day. The attention of the members of Mr. M'Glashan's orchestra is oalled to a notification elsewhere that practice will be held tomorrow evening, in Mr. Macdonald's upstairs room, Panama-street. Owing to the continnod inclement weather, it has been decided to postpone tho organ recital which was to have been given this evening at St. Paul's, Thorndon, until Thursday in next week. A children's industrial exhibition is to bo held at Tinakori-road Schoolroom tc-morrow. The soholars attending St. Paul's and some of the Anglican Sunday Schools in the country have been busy for some time preparing for this exhibition. Parents and friends will learn the hours during which the room will be open from on advertisement in another column. Exhibits will be received at the room this afternoon and evening. To-morrow, at 2 o'clock, J. H. Bethune Ie Co. will sell hy auction, without reserre, at their rooms, FMtherston-street, a large assortment of excellent household furniture, remored for convenience of sale, including iundsomo rosewood piano, splendid American organ by Bell k Co.. superior Brusseli carpet*, mahogany cabinet chiffoniers, bedroom requimtee, kitchen utensils, office fittings, and the balance of the late Mr. H. E. Liardet's stock of rare and beautiful Maori and Island curios. The sale being unreserved should be well attended by buyers. The noreltj of an auction sale of books held in the evening should attract a large attendance of the public at Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co.'s rooms to-night, when that firm will submit a long catalogue, comprising rare and illustrated works, biography, travel, theology, philosophy, poetry, science, standard works of fiction, and general literature. The sole commences at 7 o'clock, and IB an unreserved one.

J. W. Bridge, dentfct, WilliMtroet, notifies that having recovered from his illneithe has now resumed practice. An advertisement appear* elsewhere in reference to Oakes and Co.'s Indian cigars. They are to be had only at A. Muuro's, Lambton-quay. Mr. S. B. Clark informs us that he it now busy at Thomas it Co.'s auction hall classifying- the large consignment of furs which is to be sold on Monday next. The shipment this year, he states, is far in advance of any previous lot, boih as to rorlety and value, and Mr. Clark will have pleasure in throwing open the auction room to visitors on and after to-morrow afternoon, when every line will be displayed and catalogues will bo available. A testimonial appears on our third vase. Townsend t Paul will sell to-morrow, fruit trees 4e.