Evening Post

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 126, 25 November 1893, Page 2

Evening Post

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1893. A YANKEE SEDDONITE. While the people of this colony are being politically " educated " by tho Premier and his satellites the education of the rest of the world is not being negleoted, but ia proceeding on very Bimilar lineß. There is in Chicago a newspaper supply company called the A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Company, whioh supplies stereos and printed sheets of matter suited to all sorts and conditions of newspapers, wholesale. There is meat for every stomach. For the " Tory " press ia a sheet full of " High Tory " principles. For the Temperance man there is a Temperance sheet," for the farmer an " agricultural sheet," and so forth. The particular specimen we have before us is tho " People's Party page," which provides mental food for the American working man, and plates of which are issued weekly to newspapers at 1 dol. 50 cents. In the week's issue under notice there is an article on New Zealand, the sub-beading of which is " Her Marvellous Prosperity largely the result of Improved Methods of Taxation.' ' The information conveyed beneath that imposing headline iB so intensely Seddonian that it must surely have had direct -inspiration from tho author of Mr. Ballance's dying message, tho notorious clause 21, and other original triumphs. The article begins by pointing out that the "marvollons prosperity" of the colony is enjoyed "under the beneficent rule of tho People's, or Labour Party." This prosperity has been brought abont by "an improved system of taxation." "As nearly as oan be ascertained from all available data," proceeds our American editor — and we wonld like to know where he got those data — " they first abolished all forms of ad valorem taxation." That will bo news to the Colonial Treasurer, and so will the information that " they then instituted a graded tax upon land, running from 5 cents npon the 100 dollars on land worth 25,000 dollars, np to 65 cents on tho 100 dollars upon land worth 1,000.000 dollara, with a higher rate on uncultivated, land." Then we find that the Seddon Government "next instituted a (Traded tax upon all incomes above 750 dollars, with a double rate on all incomes not the remit of labour." "The eight-" hour law," we are told, "has been rigidly enforced for more than two years " news whioh should go far to assuage tbe feelings of Mr. Reeves over the slaughter of his Eight Hours Bill " last session. Then comes an item whioh should lead to an influx of all the"hard-nps" of Americaand Australia. "When a man gets out of employment he is given a railroad ticket, good over all roadß, with meal and lodging tickets attached." " What a Paradise !" the American tramp will probably exclaim, but he would recoive a rude awakening on applying to Mr. Tregoar. Our friend counsels his readers to achieve tho same results 'in Amarioa, and proceeds to establish his position with fignros. "Under the old parties in 1886," he says, " the exports were 56.000.000. In 1890, howevlr, under thi new Government, the exports inoreased to ■£9,500,000, and in 1892 the figures were still larger." No doubt tho sheep waxed fat and grew more wool when -they heard that "the People's Tribune," Mr. R. J. Seddon, was coming into offioe, but it was not until 1891 that he did po. This " People's Government," however, has done more. It has constructed " irrigation ditches " " bo that the exports of fruit in 1888 of 20,000,0001b wore inoreased to 70,000,0001b in 1892 "—another result of the prospective rise of tbe Soddonian ana; "The present year," we are further informed, " the colony has 2570 factories in operation, turning out produce lo the value of jE9,500,000." The only flaw in this is that we oall those factories "runs" and "farms." "All thia," exultantly ories^our editor, amusingly echoing the Premier's . own words, "Haß been achieved by the farmers' and working men s party in a lawful manner "— Btill another effeot of that Seddonian snn whioh makes the grass to growand the fruit to ripen, of whioh we hear so much in the Premier's speeches and those of the Government candidates, Mr. Macdonald exoepted. To the New Zealand Government, we are further told, "England continually offers capital, bnt is invariably refuted, r the New Zealandera saying they hay* all and more money than they want." Shades of the departed sinking funds ! What will Mr. T. K. Maodonald have to Bay to this? " The present Government," our editor Oftutionsly addi, "ii «aid "to be'oompoaed of honest

men," and ho concludes his glowing pictnro, " and all of this so contrary to tho many BiipposL'd-to-be-long-headed predictions of ruin outright." Such is " New Zealand as she is wroto" for the people of America. But really, is " New Zealand as Bhe is spoke," by Seddon and Co., much more reliable f

THE MAYORALTY. Although the interest of the Parliamentary election naturally overshadows all other publio matters just at present, the ratepayers of the City will do well to remember that for them the choice of Mayor is a matter ot considerable importance. The eleotion takes place on Wednesday, when they will be roquired to choose botween Mr. A. de B. Brandon and Mr. C. F. Worth. It is scarcely necessary to institute any comparison between the two men Mr. Brandon made a good Councillor, and took a particularly active and intelligent interest in the movement for sanitary reform, now, happily, being carried out. There is little doubt that he would make an equally good Mayor, and continue to give his attention to ' this moat important matter. He would make a very creditable successor to such excellent Mayors as Mr. Duthie, Mr. C. Johnston, and Mr^ 8011. As for Mr. Worth, any man or woman of ordinary eduoation has only to poruse the extraordinary addreßS he recently advertised, to perceive how utterly unfit Mr. Worth is to fill the office of Chief Magistrate of Wellington. He would only render himself and the City ridiculous. Ho is an honest, woll-mean-ing man, useful in certain positions, but it is his misfortune that he is not qualified to fill an offico which demands somewhat higher educational attainments than Mr. Worth possesses.

The contention that tho vote for tho Te Aro goods shed is still available, and can be expended by the Government if it so desires, is absurdly false. The goods shod cannot be built on tho water, and without tho special authority of an Act of Parliament not an inch of the harbour can be reclaimed as a site for the shed. The Supreme Court would provent anything of the kind if attempted. It will be romomberod that during the recess, when the Government desired to go on with the work, it was threatened with an injunction to provent its doing so without the authority of an Act of Parliament. Mr. Duthio and Mr. Fisher voted against this Act being passed, with tho distinct and avowed purpose of preventing the expenditure of tho vote, " because it would not bo for tho benefit of tho colony " — Hansard, No. 33, page 1024 This statement was the last word Mr. Fisher uttered on the subject in tho House. Mr Duthie and Mr. Fisher voted against tho Bill and the expenditure. Mr. Duthie, having the courage of his opinions, in a manly, honest way accepts the responsibility of bis vote, and claims rredit for having risen superior to local considerations in opposing and stopping the expenditure. Mr. Fisher trios to evade his responsibility, and to oscape blame for the couboquences of his vote. Mr. Duthio and Air. Fisher, having votod together and for the same reasons, cannot now both bo spoakingtbe troth when they give diametrically opposite accounts of tho intention and effeot of their votes. Wo think the public would undoubtedly prefer to believe Mr. Duthio, if for no other reason than that what he says ia against his own interest in tbe present case. Fortunately, however, it is not necessary for any doctor to accept uncorroborated what either Mr. Duthie, Mr. Fisher, or ourselves may say on tho bubjeat. Each elector can obtain Hansard No. 33, and from a perusal of tho two debates on tho Railw&jß Authorisation and Management Bill learn the pure, unadulterated, and unbiassed truth. We advise every elector to do this for himself or herself, and to judge Mr. Fisher by the result. Sir Robert Stout somewhat misundcrs'ands, perhaps purposely, the real import of the enquiry arising out of the Premier's Fcilding speeoh, modo by the Auckland Political Reform Association and repeated at laßt night's meeting. The point is not what Mr. Ballance said or wished. Sir Robert Stout is quite right in saying that that has nothing to do with tho present election. The point is, Did tho Premior Bpeak the truth or utter a deliberate falsehood at FeildingP That has a very intimate and important bearing on tho eleotion. We respect Sir Robert Stout's disinclination to speak openly and fully upon tho question. His refraining from endorsement of the Premier's assertion, which we and others have declared to bo absolutely false, is, however, almost as damnatory of Mr. Seddon as the fullest disclosure of the real truth conld be. No one can fail to rightly interpret the significant silence. Tho Parsons opisodo at Wanganui ia instructive in two ways. In the first place, it shows how tho Premier is abusing his position by using a publio department for the furtherance of his private or Party ends.. It will be noticed that his communications to Mr. Parsons were in' the form of telegraph memos, whioh aro not paid for, and of whioh no departmental record is kept. Neither legally nor morally has a Minister moro right to use the telegraph for Party electioneering purposes, or to have his messages transmitted at tho publio expense, than has the meanest candidate amongst tho 196 now before tho electors. Some score of years ago a similar misuse of the telegraph by a former Ministry was exposed in Parliament, and oaused & great uproar. The practice was universally condemned as nn intolerable abuse, and it has since been left to tho honour of Ministers not to tako advantago of their positions in such a manner. The reliance on Mr. Seddon' s honour in this respect haß evidently been mipplaced. The Wanganui oase affords an indication of how extensively and unscrupulously the Telegraph Department, and no doubt other Government Departments as well, is being used by the present Ministers for tho artvozioomont o€ Farfy purposes and in tho endeavour to secure themsolves in offico. The second point in the caso to which we wish to draw attention is, that the correspondence with Mr. Parsons was marked " private and oonfidontial." Yet it was betrayed to Mr. Parsons' opponent, Mr. ■Willis, the Ministerial nominee, and used by him upon the platform to damage Mr. Parsons' candidature. Mr. Parsons' confidence .seems to have been most shamefully abused. What ib to be thonghtof a/t?remicr who openß up a " private and confidential " correspondence with a man, and then, withont warning even, places the communications at the disposal of his correspondent's opponent, to be used pnbliely against him ? Such conduct needs no comment. Mr. Parsons has told the Wanganui eleotors that he had an interview with Mr. Soddon at Marton, and he regrets his inability to disclose the nature of the overtures and indnoemonts then held out to him. A Wanganui correspondent informs us that it is there generally understood that what Mr. Soddon wanted Mr. Parsons to do — as having been an intimate friend of Mr. Ballanco's — was to. publicly affirm the truth of Mr. Seddon's Feilding statement of Mr. Ballance's words and wishes in relation to the succession to the Liberal Leadership. Mr. Parsons unhesitatingly refused to endorse the falsehood as to what his late friend had either said or wished. If ho had consented to bear false witness on the subject, probably he would have got the promise of a seat in the Legislative Council without the Promier'a colleagues being troubled about the matter. At his meeting hist night Sir Robert Stout very clearly defined his political position. He is still, as he has always been, uu earnest and sincere Liberal, and tho integrity of the Liberal Party is his first and dearest object. Ho, however, declines to subscribe to the doctrine that Liberalism begins and ends with the present occupants of office, or that the best interests of Liberalism demand tho retention of Mr. Seddon as Leader of the Party. Sir Robert Stout refuses to pledge himself to follow any partisular leader. It will bo the right of the Liberal Party in tbo new Parliament to choose its loader, and Sir Robort Stout is willing to loyally abide by its choice. He has led the Party bofore. and is at its service if it desires him to lead it again. If ho takes office it must bo as before— in the capaoity of leader. That, we take it, is the position which Sir Robert Stout defined last night as tho one ho occupies. It is straightforward and definite. Sir Robert Stout declines to go into Parliament chained to the wheels of Mr. Seddon's chariot. The withdrawal of Mr. William Fraser from candidature for the Bay of Plenty in favour of Mr. Kelly has been bronght about by Ministerial intervention. No doubt Mr. Fraser is to have a seat in the Legislative Council as a fitting reward for his selfdenial. Mr. William Fraser and Mr. F. H. Fraser are evidently men of different mould. Reports of sundry eleotion addresses and letters to the Editor appear on the fourth page. " Would you accept the Premiership if it was offered to youP" asked an eleotor of Sir Robert Stout lost evening. Sir Robert replied that he would oonsider tHe offer when it was made. Mr. Dwan was asked last night did he not balieve there were men in the asylnms as sensible as some of the candidates in the present contest? Turning round and glancing quizzioally at the two gentlemen whom he described respectively as his "venerable" and his "young" oolleague, Mr. Dwan drawled out that it was not a fair question to ask him on that occasion ; he mnst ask them not to press it home. In connection with the. o«so of Martin v. Cook & Gray, appearing tn tbe Supreme Court list, it shonld be Btated that the defendants are sued as trustees of an assigned estate. A case of somewhat sudden death oocurred last night in College-street, the deceased being a promising son of Mr. A. Rosenberg aged about 16 years. The death of the lad is supposed to have been occasioned by the rupture of one of the blood-vessels of the lungs. Deceased was attended by Dr. Mackin some months ago for lung trouble but recently he had not been attended by a medical man. As the lad grew much worse last night, Dr. Maokin's services were again requisitioned, but before the dootor arrived death had occurred. Dr. Maokin has furnished a certificate, and consequently an inquestwill not be necessary. In the Magistrate's Court to-day, a man named Georgo Leonard was proceeded against by Francis M'Grodor for having assauUod,him on the 20th inst. Leonard also brought a. counter - action fcgainst M'Grodor for otinar insulting' words. Leonard keeps a boarding house iv Dixon-street, and M'Groder was nvlodger of his. The assault appeared to ba the outcome of a misunderstanding. It was proved, and Leonard waß finod Is and ordered to pay 32s oosts. M'Groder, for using insulting language, was ordered to enter into a bond in the; sum of .£lO to keep tho peace for three months. His Warship expressed the opinion that M'Groder had got only what he deserved for using bad language. . ■ Mr. J. Dormer notifies that he baa witb- . drawn from the contest foi the Mayoralty of Onalow. ' -, ; -

Sir Robert Stout last night declined to answer a question similar to that asked him by tho Political Reform Association of Auckland rogarding tbe last wishes of Mr. Ballanco as to his successor. An address to tho citizens of Wellington by Mr. C. F. Worth, one of tho candidates for tho Mayoralty, setting forth his platform, is printed on the fourth page. Messrs. H. S. WardeU, F. de J. Clere, A. L. Beattie, and A. D. Riley will aot as cxaminora at the higher grade examinations in connection with tbe Technical Sohool next week. Mr. Martin, RM., yesterday afternoon made a prohibition order against Ernest Roberta, directing it to all publicans in the city and suburbs. The Wellington Navals went over to the Forts this afternoon, for their annual training. The attention of the men is directed to the time-table advertised in another column. We are informed that Mr. F. B. Farmer, fjr some time manager for Messrs. Laery & Co., to-day completed the negotiations on behalf of a syndicate for tho purchase of the auction businesses of Messrs . Laery & Co. and Noble Campbell & Co., which it is intended to conduct as a joint-stock company. Our readers are reminded that the foun-dation-stone of the new Catholic School at Thorndon is to be laid at 3 p.m. to-morrow by the Very Rev. Father Dcvoy, V.G. Sir Patrick Bnckley and others will speak. The number of men employed on cooperative works under tho Publio Works Department last month was 56 artisans and 773 labourers— North Island Main Trunk, 236 (100 at the north and 136 at the south end); Eketahuna-Woodvillo railway, 186 j Greymouth-Hokitika,69 ; andOtagoCentral, The Gnvernmelt is receiving numerous offers of land under the Land for Settlement Act, from all parts of the colony, and in some instances the Board of Commissioners has recommended tho acquisition of the blocks offered. As soon as the election stress is over the Minister for Lands will go into tho matter, and certain blocks will in all probability be acquired. The Labour Department Journal just issued says : — The reports, taken as a wholo, for the last month are fairly satisfactory. Country work has beon plentiful, and trade has boon fairly gocd. Wo trust it will continue. The greatest difficulty experienced by the department in connection with placing men is with the class who, from their previous training, have not had any experience in manual labour. Many are willing, but physically weak. Some, again, are strong enough, but unwilling to tackle the work offered. Australia, owing to tho depression existing there, has largely inoreased the difficulty of dealing with our unemployed. Cases are daily coming uuder our notice of wliolo families landing in the City of Wellington, and other ports, absolutely without any moans whatever to maintain themselves oven for a day. When questioned, they state that they Bold out everything to pay their passage across, and trusted to luck to drop into something immediately on landing. They seem to tbiuk it only necessary to get to New Zealand and all their troubles will be ovor. Considering the large number of Deople who have landed on our shores in the ' last 12 months, seoking employment, added to our own men, it speaks volumes for tbe resources of New Zealand that she has been able to absorb tho numbor without materially disturbing tho labour market. No. 9 of the Journal of the Department of Labour is to hand. Referring to., unskilled labour in Wellington, tho Journal states that there is still a demand for good bushmen. It adds :— " A very largo number of men have come to Wellington under the impression that thero would be plenty of employment on the new drainage works. These have, of conrse, been disappointed. It is to be hoped that these works will bo pushed on, so as to give employment at least to married residents of the oity, and this will have the effeot of greatly reducing the expenditure on charitable aid, and also relieving the labcur market to a very great extent." Tho first cargo of coal brought to Wellington from the new Black Ball coal-mine came to hand by the s.s. Oron-aitt to-day, comprising 463 tons. It comes from a soam 12ft Gin in width. In reference to a similar cargo sent to Lfttolton, tho Christchurcb Press says that tao coal is " bright, jet-like, moderately hard, does not soil the fingers, has a high specific gravity, and is in appearance remarkably fine coal. In burning it lights quickly, eives out a copious flame and abnormal heai ; it cokes well, and leaves an unusually snull residue of ash. This coal has been tested, and is said to compare favourably even with the celebrated Westport for Btoam, and is superior thereto for gas. As a houichold coal it will very speedily create a leading demand, as it burns very brightly, with little dust or ash, . and in these respects it resembles the best Westport." Tho mine manager will, in December, be ready to delivor 1000 tons weekly. Mr. C. W. Turner has heen appointed agent for tho salo of the coll. Fillis' Circus, which recently made a snecossful tour round this colony, is now in Hobart, and its enterprising proprietor contemplates paying the colony another vißit in January. Mr. J. J. Cameron, advance agent, arrived in New Zealand yesterday to make the necesEary arrangements. "Fair Play" writes to say that she exhibited a pair of trussed ducks ready for tablo use at the late Agricultural Show at Petone, and there was no other oxhibitor in the class. She wants to know why she did not get a prize. It cannot have been because there was no competition, as a first prize was awarded to the only exhibitor of pickles — a committoeman. A concert and dance in aid of the school prize fund was held at Kilbirnie last evening. Songs wore eiven by Misi M. Smith. Messrs. Wrifrht, M'Beath, Page, and E. J. Gormley, and Mr. Webb contributed a recitation. An elocution contest for the school children was won by Master Palethorpe. Mr. Webb was judge. Miss E. Smith furnished the accompaniments A danoe followed, to music supplied by Misses Sidey and Roßsiter and MreT ManseO. Mr. H. A. Shepherd presided over the entertainment, and Mr. T. Clark acted as master of ceremonies. Yesterday's slttin? of the Magistrate's Court was prolonged to a late hour. Mr. Martin, R.M., presided, and Bent a man named John Jacobßon to gaol for a mouth with hard labour for disobeying an order of the Court as to the support of his natural child. Thomas Uridge, sen., and Thomas Uridge, jun., appeared on a summons charging them with having aßsanlted-Wm. Hutcbings. A cross-action for assault was also instituted by the Uridgcs against Hutohings. Uridge senior and Hutchings were fined 40s, and vere, in addition, ordered to enter into sureties of £15 each to keep the peace for sif months. Tho caso against Uridge junior was dismissed. Bishop Stuart, who lately resigned tbe See of Waiapu, and 'ib now en route to Persia toresumo his former work as a missionary, will delivor a lecture at the Diocesan Room, Mulgrave-street, neit Thursday afternoon, under tho auspices of the Church Missionary Society. The police have irroßted a man named Robert Linchan at Pahiatna on the oharge of having deserted Us wife in New South Wales. The defendant will be brought to Wellington to-night. The prinoipal evjnt at the Butchers' Pionio at Porirua next Wednesday will be a race open only to mea engaged in tho trade The prize is to be a landsomo cup given by Mrs. Lovell. There ia to be an entertainment in the evening. A lad who was anusing himself on the wool jetty last evening lost his balance, and in falling struck tho hawser of tho launch Ellen Ballanco. He was partially stunned, and Torpedoman M'Ciuley promptly jumped in and resoued him. Three first offenders were punished on charges of drunkenness b7 the Resident Magistrate to-day. Thomas Welch was remanded for seven dtyß for medioal treatment, while Thomas Wright, an old offender, was imprisoned for a nonth. On the application o: Mr. Gould, solioitor, the Resident Magistrate to-day agreed to admit to bail J. O. Ward, wBo was yeatorda|r committed for trial on the oharge of having collected rent without being authorised to do so. A very successful ertortainment in aid of the funds of the Vogeltown Sohool, was given in the echoolhouso last evening. There was a large attendance, and the entertainment, which was under the direction of MiBS Emily Browne, tho head teacher, was greatly SS p J?°w te ip < T1 ¥ oontt i bl »tors wero Mibros Watt, Walhs, and Cross, Messrs. E. J. Hill, S< PiffS?' . Palrhnr »t. King, Tattle, Thomson and M Guinness. The accompaniments were supplied by Mr. E. J. King, jnn., who also played for a dance whioh followed. The chair was occupied by Mr. G. Key, who, on behalf of the Sohool Committee, complimented Miss Browne and her staff on the effioient state of the school. «. M m°* F ' i W - 0r ? 1 ;S 11 , 8 of tha oandidates for the Mayoralty of Wellington, addressed an open air meeting of ratepayers in Words-worth-street last night. About 100 people were present, and ,Mr. Jas. Edwards prosided. Mr. Worth spoke for upwards of an hour, and before the meeting conoluded he answered a number of questions. Replvln£ <& one 4 nerißt . Mr- Worth said that whether he was elected to the Mayoralty or DiLM?. w 9? ld ,' aB a Councillor, see that the rolhiU a Gnlly reservoir was emptied and thoroughly cleansed. This was, ho understood, a muoh-needed work, as he was informed the reservoir was at present only a little better than a pool for worms and vegetable corruption. On the motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. John Fitohett, a vote of thanks for the address was conveyed to the candidate. m W> £ '['"FS 1 "! o,'0 ,' *S^ commission ««nt con bo consulted at Ho. 20, Grey-itreet. The order of sernces at St. Peter's Church for to-morrow it adrertued. .-** JbßJ bB Weeleyan Churches, to-morrow, nmcel will bo conducted as follow :— Wesley Church TarauaU-sbreet, 11, B«v. W. Kesll ; 6.30, Be*. J. J. Lewis. Molesworth-atreet, 11. Her. R. J . Hurray; 6.30, Her. W. M. Fell. Trinity Church, N,wtown, a, Eer. J. J. LewU j 6.30. Boy. W. Koall. At XuanaU-atnet Woileym Churoh, to-morrow eromnp-, the subject of the Bey. J. J. Xewia 1 lecture to young men will be •' The Bitter Draught." The anniTenary sornooi of, Trinily Church, Nowtown, will be held to-morrow, the Bey. J. J Lewi» preaching in the mornjur, and the Bey W -Keall, f resident of tho Wesle^nConference in the eyeninsr. The tea and puhlio moe*ttng will take place on Wednesday evening. tit's." jf'fTSS 0 " of the W<*l>-stre»t Primitive Methodist Church to-morrow will be conducted by the Eev. 8. Burnett in the norninr, and iv the. evening by the Bey. C. E. Ward. The ieryicei in the other Primitive JMethodiit OhuwhtTJrS 1 be conducted iv advertbed. At the Ternoe CongremtionU Churoh, to-mor-&£ut >° %*' Th0 ' n »» k oxi P*naonMisiion«ry Bociity) will preach in tbe mornhur, and the Bey. Josept King (London Mtasioni£j!ociety) in the' The Berrice, at the Courten&y-lilaoe Congwpf" HonaJ Church, to-morrow, will he. conducted^by SSr^Sr'vl^Vft ?i nsr in . the moinln lf. «>a thi Jw^. W. Powell in th« orening, •- • At tte Church of Chriit,DixoiJ.»tr«et,to.mor.

At tho Virian-atroet Baptist Church, to-morrow, the Her. C. DalUston will preach in the morning and ever ing. The morning sermon will be the second in the series on prent pictures, subject, " The Man of Sorrow* " (Sir Noel Paton). Mr.C.H.Hinman will preach in the Gospel Hall, Herberc-atreet. to-morrow ereuiuif at 7. Lectures in connection with the Forward Movement will be delivered at the Recu&bito Hull, Mnnners-strcet, to-morrow. Subjects— Morning, " The Law of Sincerity ; " evening, " Studies for tho Times— Public Spirit." Everyone appreciates comfort and elegance, combined with correct fashion, in wearing apparel. AU these qualities may be obtained to perfection at TeAro Home. The latest styles from the London and Paris liousos arc carefully seleoted by Home agents, and forwarded by every mail, so that ladies may rely upon getting the most recent productions from the centres of fashion, at Te Aro House. Notwithstanding dull times, the dressmaking department has been taxed to tbe utmost to keep pace with the constantly increasing demand upon its- reaouroes, the number of ordersjbeing far in advance of Tiny previous reodfd. Ladies wishing to have their dresses made in first-olass itylo should, therefore, lose no time in interviewing Miss Begg, at Te Aro House. — Advt. Seasonable.— Per Coptic, we have ju»t landed our new season's currants and raisins in excellent order, and pncea are very cheap. Wo are also offering, for preserving purposes, finest Queensland Snowdrop sugar, at 9a per bag. Wardell Bros. & Co. — Advt. The true Teneriffe Cigars, "La Gaditana," is again obtainable in Wellington, at all ihe leading tobacconists. We understand Messrs. Levin & Co. and Sargood, Son, & Ewon hold small stocks — Adtt. THE GENERAL ELECTION -> Those who heard Mr. Fisher's virulent abnso of Mr. Gillon last night in the Opera House will probably be iutcroßted and amused by reading tho following : — April 18, 1889. Dear Gillon, — ' I have thanked all my other friends who in any way helped me in the recent onsis. Let me now thank you cordially and warmly for your kindly advice and help, tendered at a very difficult timo. It 18 my wish that you should preserve this letter, so that I may myself have the pleasure of looking at it at some future time as a reminder to me that I did my duty in gratefully acknowledging the kindly assistance of one who willingly and freely helped me in a time of trial. Believo mo to be, Yours very faithfully, Geo. Fisher. As Mr. Fisher last night indirectly repeated tho false charges whiob, under cover of Parliamentary privilege, ho made in tho House on 22nd August against Mr. Gillon— of having" by brutal and incessant attack " in the columns of thia paper hounded to doath Dr. Skey, Mr. Hardcastlo, K.M., and Colonel Reader— it is but just to say that when Dr. Skey died, and when Mr. Hardcastle retired through the illness which proved fatal, Mr. Gillon waß Manager of the Press Association, and not a contributor to any paper in the colony. He never, we believe, wrote a lino in our columns about either of tho gentlemen named. As to Colonel Reader, although certain of his official acts were condemned by us, Mr. Gillon was. personally, on perfectly friendly terms with him up to the day of his death. Mr. liuthie addressed a lariie meeting of eleotors at the Sydney-street Schoolroom last night. Mr. Skinner in the chair. He dwelt upon the excellent results of the railways under tbe Commissioners' management, and denounced tho Premior'e arguments in favour of olmugo as being generally inaccurate and trivial. He urged tho retention of the management which had produced such good returns, but with closer supervision by a committee of both Houses. He advocated the formation of a Civil SerI vice Board, and denied a foolish rumour that ho bad said that salaries in the Service should not exceed JJISO or wages 5s Hn paid good wages himself, and good men could not be got or retained in the Publio Service unless paid rates equal to those in bankß and mercantile life. The methods of keeping tho public accounts should be simplified. He emphasised the need of restoring confidence, withont which enterprise was checked, and money lay idle in bauks and was being sent to Australia for investment. Until confidence was restored, employment was scarce, and no one prospered. After several questions had been answered, a vote of thanks and confidence waß proposed by Mr. G. Allen and carried unanimously. Mr. Donald Fraser addressed a meeting of Otaki electors in the Oddfollowß' Hall, Upper Hutt, last night, Mr. G. Brown in tho chair. The candidate) advocated the reduction of all Civil Service salaries over i>3oo, also the Governor's salary, and the honorarium (to X 150), and siid ho wonld study economy right through all departments. Ho was in favour of increaf ing the Graduated Tax, bnt would lower the Customs duties on the necessaries of life. Concerning the railways, ho thought tho prehontt ommißsioners should rcinaiu, and tbat tho Minister of Public Works should lie tl.eir chairman. Ho would not interfere with tho Education Bystcm. The Legislative Council should be elected. He approved of the Direot Veto by a bare majority, and supported the present Government on account of its taxation policy. In answer to question*, Mr. Fraser said he was not in favour of the Bible being read in schools during school hours. He denied that he was supporting the Government because he was mixed up in a certain hind transaction. He was not connected with the Government in any way over land A voto of thanks and confidence was declared carried, about a dozen hands being Bhown in its favour, while some 50 or 60 present re. trained from voting. Mr. Wilford received votes of thanks and confidence from «jo.t£ nsr s of eloctore at Khandallah and Ngahauranso. which he addressed last evening. Mr. M'Lean spoke at Mr. Leydon's shop, Tinakori-road, last night, on general topicß, and a rote of thanks and confidence was passed. Cheers were also given for the candidate and for the Government. An anonymous leaflet copy of the ballot paper, with tho name of Sir Robert Stout struck out and those only of Messrs. Maodonald and M'Lean left in, is being industriously circulated amongst Government supportors "For tho information of doctors only." A footnote directs electors—" If you wish to secure the election of the Government candidates, mark your voting paper as above. Mr. Macdonald and Mr. M'Lean are the Government candidates." Is this the real direction of the Premier on tho subject, which has been so long awaited? It has been felt all along that some treachery was intended to Sir Robert Stout. Sir Robert referred to tho matter at his meeting last night, and said that immediately- on seeing the circular he telegraphed to the Minister for Linda and saw Sir Patrick Euckley, and both repudiated it, Mr. Mackenzie* telegraphing in reply that he hoped Sir Robert would head the poll. Mr. P. L. Harnettia the Deputy-Returning Officer appointed to the charge of the Lower Hutt polling booth in connection with tho Wellington Suburbs eleotion. There are 9354 men and 7143 women on the Wellington City Roll. Mr. Bastin, crier of tho Supreme Court, desires that it Bhould be known that it was not he who seconded the motion of thanks, <tc, at Mr. FUher's meeting last night. Mr. Bruce, of Rangitikei, will Bpeak at Dr. Newman's meeting on Monday evening at Petone. Attention is directed to several advertisements on tho third and fourth pages in reference to addresses by candidates and oommittee meetings. Mr. Frase* addressed a meeting of electors last evening in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Molosworth.street. He received a vote of thanks and confidence. IBr Telegrjph.i (Our Own Correipondent.J Havelock. This Day. The Rev. J. C. Andrew addressed the electors here last nisht, and received a vote of thanks. Tho address was very entertaining. He is a pronounced Oppositionist.

I UNITED PREBB ASSOCIATION, i Palmebston North, 21th Novomber. Mr._ G. M. Snelaon has absolved Mr. F. Pirani and his supporteri from any oonnection with tho alleged bribe of J!200 to retire from tho contest ; bat ho refuses to divulge the names of tin persons really implicated in tbe matter. Nelson, 24th November. Mr. Hnrsthouse received a vote of confidence at his meeting to-nigit. Christchurch, 2tth November. The Hon. W. P. Keeves aad Mr. Sandford addressed a crowded meeting in the Theatre Royal to-night, and recei7ed a vote of thanks and confidence. Auckland, 24th November. A seotion of tho brewers have split on the trade ticket, and substituted tho name of Mr. Crowther for that of Mr. Napier. Thames, This Day. Mr. W. Fraser has withdrawn from the contest for the Bay of Plenty in favour of Mr. William Kelly. A keen fight is expected between Messrs. Kelly, Burton, and Jordan. Waipawa, This Day. Captain Russell addressed a crowded audience last night. He was frequently cheered, and a vote of confidence and thanks was carried ]iraoticolly unanimously.

(Ow Own Correspondent.) [per s.s. bianafoubi at the bluff.] 1 Melbourne, 20th Novembor. The Age, in the course of an article on the New Zealand eleotions, Rays :— Any ohange in the basis of politioal power has the effeot of bringing a large number of candidates into the field, and the result in New Zealand i has been that the number of voters has I inoreased by tho enfranchisement of women, whilst an unhappy splitin the Liberal Party, in whioh Mr. Seddon and Sir Robert Stout - struggle for tbe mastery, adds to the con. ' fusion. Mr. Seddon is bidding high with a revived scheme of Mr. Ballance's for lending money on mortgage to farmers at low rates, but the general confidence in the ability and strong Liberal sentiments of Sir Robert Stont are oaleulatod to stand his adherents in good stead. It is quite possible the split in the Liberal ranks will - enable morjj Conservatives to oreep in than ' would otherwise hare been possible, so the ' new House of Representatives cannot be t predioted with any degree of certainty What is certain is the return in. many cases ! of men who receive but a minority of the rotes polled. This is one of the evils inoi- ' dental to the politioal system in all the colonies, and New Zealand, whioh has de- 1 yeloped a penchant for, experimental Wis. lation, may be so strn.ok.with the anomalons position of a number of members returned by ft minority of Totes polled that it'may be ] induoed to «et an^xainplji^.-.thi-pjher - colonies by providing -for a ieooha election where the oandidate highest on the poll fails 1 to seoure an absolute majority of the votes t rcoorded. We need hardly say that I'the1 ' the t operation of Women's Suffrage will be I keenly watohea, and that on the result will « « y ott PP r e tte. eXteMlon ° f the "^ *