THE MINISTRY AND THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1895, Page 2

THE MINISTRY AND THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY.

«. The oorrespondenae whioh we publish on another page to-day botweon the Crown Solicitor and tho representative of the Midland Railway Company is both interesting and instructive. Mr. Gully must, of course, be taken aa representing the views of Ministers, and it is therefore important to note the admission in tho first letter that " the oolony must suffer" by the delay in the arbitration proceedings. As tho delay is entirely due to the action of the Government itself in instructing or inducing its arbitrator not to agree to any available choioo of an umpire, it is well that the people shonld exactly understand who is responsible for tho suffering whioh, according to Mr. Gully, tho colony must undergo in consequence. It further proof is roquired of tho fact that the responsibility for the dolay rests with tho Government than was afforded in Mr. Salt's plain, straightforward statement on the subject, we have it here in Mr. Wilson's assertion, which tho Crown Solicitor does not question or controvert, that " the delay is not due to tho Company." But the main point worth noticing developed in this correspondence is that tho Ministerial threat of an action by tho Government for breach of contraot whb made without duo consideration, and was apparently mero bruium fulmen. It does not seem to havo served its pnrposo of frightening Mr. Wilson or the Company. On the contrary, Mr. Wilson very clearly intimatos his probably well-founded doubts whether the Supreme Conrt would permit its procesß to be used as a tool to practically set aside, anticipate, and rondor nugatory the very elaborate provisions contained in tho contraot, for submission of all disputes betweon tho Government and the Company to arbitration —au arbitration which the Company had already appoaled to. Tho possibly unexpected firmness shown by Mr. Wilson apparently made Ministers paußO and think. On _ the lllh of April thoy threatened an action, the writ in which waa to bo servod as soon as the Easter holidays were over. On the 20th of April we find their solicitor informing the other side, apparently as quite a now feature, that Ministers had '"now" the whole affair under consideration, with a view to shortly deciding what Btepß should be taken in the interests of the colony. We venture to suggest that the interests of the colony, as well as its dignity, would have been better cared for if Minißters hid given their consideration to the facts and circumstances of tho wholo caso before they indulged in a futile threat which they had to withdraw when they wore boldly faced.

The Premier has met more than his match in Mr. Hone Hekc. When Mr. Heko entered Parliament as member for the Northern Maori Diatriot, the Premier professed to be delighted. He no doubt flattered himself that in the mild, gentlemanly young native chief he could oount on a blind and unreasoning follower. He accordingly took occasion during his tour in the Maori distriots last year to impress upon the Northern natives the necessity for giving their member a free hand, not to attempt to dictate to him, and to await patiently the explanations their member would givo them after each session of what had been done. But when the House mot Mr. Heke showed that he was no Ministerial tool. He took up an absolutely independent position, and supported it by keen criticism and exoellent powers of debate. Ministers resented this, and tried to crush him. Mr. Carroll was put up to "sit" on Mr. Heke, bnt signally failed. Then the Premier assailed the native ohampion with vulgar bounoo, but Mr. Heke completely turned the tables on his vituperative assailant, and asserted his independence with a dignity and foroe which fairly pit the Premier to shame. Apparently s the defeat he exporienoed on that oocasion has rankled in Mr. Seddon's mind, inflamed no doabt by tbe free and trenchant oritioism in whioh Mr. Heke has indulged when addressing native meetings during the reoess. Mr. Seddon apparently thought he had got Mr. Heke on the liip.ovorthe Uriwora business, and he presumed to address the member for the Northern Maori Distriot in terms and in a style whioh he wonld not under any ciroum•tanoes have dared to nse towards a European member of the Legislature. And once more the Premier has beon disoomfited. Mr. Heke, with calm dignity, refutes the slanderous imputations made by tho Premier against himself and his coUeaguo, Mr. Wi Fere, and shows that they have not exoeeded their duty towards the rape they represent, or done anything in violation of the law. He also shows that the Premier, allowing his judgment to be swayed by his temper, has aoted not only discourteously towards himself, bnt has put the colony to a great and unnecessary expense, absolutely endangering the very peaoe whioh tho Premier professed a desire to preserve.

On our fourth page appears some very interesting correspondence between the Midland Railway Company and the Crown Solioitor in referenoe to the recent proceedings. There is also an aoconnt of the Gothio Chilled Meat experiment, sporting news, report of the Melrose Borough Counoil, and condensed correspondence. A correspondent asserts that a member of the Ministry sold, through a Wellington broker, a number of Bank of New Zealand shares within a week before the passing of the Bank Shares Guarantee Bill, and that the transfer was one of the first aodepted by the Direotors after the Bill passed. The names of all the parties oonoerned have been' given to us, and onr correspondent asks for an explanation of the transaction. The Minister of Lands returned to Wellington last night. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the Dunedin oaao of Thompson v. Phillips and UDgherer. relative, 4o a trade mark for aarated water bottles.

Of 102 passengers from Australia by the Talune laßt night, 66 landed at Wellington. The Premier does not seem to have met with at all an enthusiastic reception at Mat ton. A correspondent informs us that only very ew of those present joined in the vote of ;hanks and confidence. At the subsequent banquet an attendance of 70 had been guaranteed, but only 40 mustered. The Rangitikei Advocate, writing of the meeting, says :-" It ia undeniable that the groat ma]ority of the meeting was, although courteous), distinctly hostile. The applause accorded during the address was tho Work of a few scattered enthusiasts. The rest wero cold and unresponsive. This foot probably porturbod the Premier, and be waß led by his dosiro to obtain a more einphatio sign of approval into committing a taolioal blunder. The vote of thanks to tho speaker und confidence in the Governmont had bean, as tho phrase is, carried by aoolamation, when tho Pl-omior loaned over to the Chairman and apparently asked him to oall for a show of hands. The response on the part of the andionce must have been somewhat humiliating to the Premier and his friends. It ia asserted by Bomo that not more than a BCoro of hands were held up in an atidicbto consisting of rom 350 to 400 people, and wo do not think that the most ardent Radical present would venture to nay that one-fourth of the number voted lor the motion. Tho Premier omitted an audible grunt at tho barren prospoot, and Mr. Stevens, who lookod aa if he had seen the writing on the wall, was palpably disconcerted. Mr. Seddon was, too, apparently grateful to tho nttdienco for allowing the vote to be carried, for ho referred thanktally to tho fact in his roply. Whatever opinions may have been held by tho great mass of electors outßido the theatre, it was very ovident that people in it could not be brought to believe in the existence of an lionest surplus while tho national debt grows by millions, nor in the oft repeated assurances that the Government have regenerated and quiokened ovory good thing in the colony while wages are gotting lower and Bcarcer and business more depressed." At tho meeting of tlio Education Board to-day the Chairman '(Mt. J. R. Blair) was authorised to taVo the necessary Btepß to secure the appointment of Committees in districts where tho householders failed to appoint them, and also to deal with questions in dispute where olections have taken place. A difficulty is likely to oacar in connection with tho Queen's Drivo. The law requires that all thoroughfares taken oVor by a publio body shall bo not less than a chain wide. Some parta of the Queen's Drive aro mnch narrower than that, and the Melros^ Borough Council is in consequence ho3itaLing about accepting the responsibility of maintenance. A plan of tho rood was laid before tho Counoil laet evening, having boon sent by Mr. H. M. Hay word, and it was decided that the Publio Works Com' mitteo should bring up a report on tho matter. There are several slips on the Drive, and it is difficult to draw a vehicle over some of them. An adjonrncd meeting of the Assessment Court for tho borough of Melroso was held in the Magistrate's Court to-day, beforo the Stipendiary Magistrate. The only case was that of the appeal urged by the Patent Slip Company in tho matter of their assessment. Their property had been assessed at .£IO,OOO, whioh they asked might bo redncod to -£9156. Mr. Martin, S.M., said he could make no reduction in tho assessment of Mr, Foster, tho borough valuator, as the objecting company had in their returns to the Land and Income Tax Commissioner valued their property at .£IO,OOO. Tho assessment would, therefore, be sustained. Mr. G. H. Baylis (Acting-Chairman of tho Benevolent Trustees) jestorday drew tho attention of his colleagues to the fact that the funds of tho institution woro exceedingly low, and that money must be obtained in order to oarry on. Mr, A. G. Johnson, tho Secretary, said that tho amount guaranteed by Mr. H. D. Bell was exhausted, and it had been oxpected that before this a levy would have been madeon the local bodies interested. Tho Chairman was empowered to ascertain from the Chairman of the District Charitable Aid Board when funds would bo at tho disposal of tho Trustees. Dr. Nowmnn, M.H.R , has given notice that he will bring forward the following proposal at tho next meeting of the Education Board : — (1) That in the opinion of this Board technical instruction should be more largely given in the State schools ; (2) that tho syllabnß should be revised and modernised ; (3) that this Board suggests a conference of all the Education Boards for this purpose. In the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr. | Martin, S M., sent an old man named John Hania to gaol for 12 months' hjrd labour for behaving indecently in Backle-street in the presence of two little girls. This is tho third timo tho saruo prisoner hns been incarcerated for similar offenoos. Nellio JElvinos again appeared on remand charged with stealing a gold watch and chain valued at £20, tho property of Mrs. Rsbecoa Tabor, ex-licenseo of tho Masonio Hotel, and was once more romanded for a week, by whioh timo it is anticipated tho actual perpetrator of the robbery will bo in otistody. There was an unusually largo number of applicants for relief at yesterday's meoling of the Trusteoa of the Bonevolent Institution, but nono of the cases possessed features of uncommon interest. Assistance was afforded an elderly woman who has five grown-up sons who are unable to assist her. Rations and assistance towards rent was granted to an old woman whoso husband ia suffering from cancer in the Hospital. Tho Trustees decided to admit an old Indian soldier to the Home, provided he gave his pension to tho Trustees. An aged man, who some time ago waa assisted to got to Palmerston North, applied to ho readmitted to the Home. He eaid ho had boen in tho colony for nearly 30 years, but had not a friend in tho country. Ho was sent to the Home for a fortnight. Rations and 5s rent was granted in the ca«e of a Bick man, lub wife, and c'glit children. Mr. J. B. Mack, manager of tho New Zealand Candle Company, was on Monday the recipient of a presentation from tho employe's of the company on the occasion of his recent marriage The Scorotary (Mr. A. S. Biss) was asked to make the presentation on behalf of the donors, and in doing bo oxproßßod the pleaßnro which Mr. Maok's recent appointment to tho oharge of tbo works had given to the employe's, as with ono or two exceptions they bad all learnt their trade under his guidance some years before, whou Mr. Mack was in charge of Kitchen's works. Tho mon expressed pleasure at having this opportunity of showing tho rospeot in whioh they held their suporior officer. Mr. Maok, in reply, assured his staff that the presentation gavo him great pleasure, as ha bad always striven, when in oharge of largo works, to control those under him in euch a way that master and mon should at all times work in perfeot harmony. Ho was pleased to again bo ■working with so many old hands. The present consisted of a handsome salad bowl. Prodoriok Morton, a young man in the employ of Messrs. George and Korsloy, of the Economic Drapery, was standing on the thick glass roofing of tho verandah, engaged in oleaning windows, when ho slipped and his foot went through the glass, apiece of which struck a lady passing underneath, bnt fortu. natoly did not hurt her. Morton foil through on the shoulders of Mr. 0. S. Cross, who was passing at the time. Mr. Cross received two or three slight cuts from the broken glass, but his stalwart perfaon acted as a buffer to Morton, who eventually landod on tho pavement on his back and sustained a fracture of the oollar-bone, for whioh ho was attended by Dr. Henry. Subsequently tho patient was removed to his residence in Garret t-atreet by Mounted-Constable Smith. Tho Operatic Bazaar was wound up last night with a social gathering, which was attended by about 1000 persons. The bazaar has been a conspicuous snecess, the gross takings amounting to something Hko .£7OO. Thiß should be most satisfactory to tho promoters. Last night's programme included dancing, whioh, however, was carried on under difficulties, in consequence of tho largo attendance. The music was played by an orchestra under Mr. J. Kearsloy, jun., and Messrs. J. Daviß and D. R. Lawlor aotod as Masters of Ceremonies. Most of the articles remaining in the stalls were disposed of by auction by Messrs. H. and A. Reid during the evening. The following is the list of last night's prize-winners : — Messrs. W. Daly, T. Munt, W. Bird, Hoben, Baker, Turner, O'Brien, W. Frazer, E. Coltmann, Johnston, Devino, W. Eosb, Fabian, Munro, M'Carthy, Tripe, W. Bird, Nallythe, and! Fallon, Mcsdames Hill, Kent, and Solton, and Misßes Campbell, Gallagher, Kent Eva Godber, and Kearßloy. The leßson conveyed in the aphorism that beggars must not be ohoosers was inoulcated by the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution at yesterday's meeting of that body, but except in the case of one male applicant for relief it had not the slightest effect One of the applicants, a powerfnl, vigorous young fellow, with a wife and two children, was informod that the Secretary of the Horticultural Society wanted men to carry sandwich boards round town on Thursday and Friday, the remuneration being 5s per diem, and was told he must earn money if it offered itself in any honest work whioh was available instead of begging alms from the •Trustees. Tho man positively refused to aocept tho job, but said he was used to nawying and would gladly take any piok and shovel work whioh could bo found for him. To become a sandwioh-man would, he said, eternally disgrace him. The Chairman (Mr. G. H. Baylis) informod him that as he refused work whioh was offered to him, the Trustees could do nothing for him. Mr. Baylis added that appealing for charity waß more degrading to a man than any work, no matter how humble it waa. Tbo next applioant for assistance had fought in the Crimea and in the Maori war, and he considered it would be a degradation to oarry bill-boards on big buck and chest through the streets. He would prefer to starve first. " Very well," replied the Chairman," we can do nothing for yon." The third man who presented himself was informed that some nioe light work for three days at 5s a day would be secured for him, and the man at onoo accepted the offer and went on his way rejoioing. The members of Court Lady Glasgow, A.0.F., are to be congratulated on the complete suooess attending the celebration of the first anniversary of the lodge. This took the form of a aooial gathering at Thomas' Hall last night, when fully 200 persons wero present, inoluding representatives from the olty lodges and Court Primrose (Petone). The committee were Sisters Campbell (ohairwoman), Wooloott, Bioe, Case, Sinclair, and Boon (secretary). A conoert formed the first portion of the evening's entertainment, and was contributed to by Messrs. E. X. King, Hall, H. J. White, and E. J. King," jun., Misses Boon, Stennet, anil Smith, and Master Ollivor (juvenile Forester). Miss Smith and Mr. E. J. King, jnn., played the aooompaniments. Messrs. King (2) supplied capital musio for the danoes, and Mr. P. Branmgan was an efficient M.C. The catering, whioh was entrusted to Mr. Mawgon, was supervised by the Management Committee, and gave great satisfaction,

It is expected that the remaining slip in the Manawatu Gorge will be cleared to' morrow or Friday. The Eduoation Board, at tho suggestion of Mr. John Young, has authorised tho expenditure of a sum not exceeding 4!50 for providing a sohool at Waikanae. One of the large gla°s oases on the basement floor in the Colonial Musenm was wrenehod open Some time between the olosing of the Museum on Monday afternoon and this morning. The robber only scoured about an ounoo of gold dust, togother with a small qnarta specimen taken from Hunt's famous claim at tho Thames, whioh waft exploited towards tho latter end of the " sixties." In the Museum safe there was a valuablo Collodion of gold dust and rich specimens, whioh havo been extraotod from the various goldfiolds of tho colony, and which wero valued at upwards of .£IOO. Tho robbor prized tho back of the oase open with a ohisel or " jemmy," and in doing so shatterod a large mirror let into tho front of tho door. The building, as usual, was searched before closing timo by Captain Beamish, the caretaker, and it is supposed that the thief managed to elude the soratiny by conoealing himself behind the Bkirting of the Maori Houso on the ground floor, and having partially effected his purpose, made bis exit by a side door. The matter is in the hands of the dotcctivos. The Minister for Lands to-day reoeived a deputation— consisting of Messrs. F. Y. Lethbridgo (Chairman of the Manchester Road Board), J. Cotter (of Ashurst), with Mr. Pirani, M.H.R. — with reforenco to the damage which had been occasioned to tho bridge over the Manawatu river, on the Napier and Wellington road, during the rorocent floods. Mr. Lothbridge said that the bridgo was on the edge of tho Road Distriot, and practioally "no man's land." The Pahiatun County Council and tho Manchester and Fitzherbort Road Boards wore equally interested in its restoration. Tho yearly in'como of the Manoheater Road Board, to which the bridge nominally belonged, was only £1500, whilst it would ooßt £5000 to effect the necessary repairs. He therefore asked tho Government to assist. Tho Ministor, who appeared favourably disposod towards the deputation's request, suggested that a Conference of the local bodies interested be called to deoido on what was necessary, and he would then lay their proposals before the Cabinet. Fending Cabinet considoration he could make no promise. Mr. W. Chegwiddon, of the Aoooantantß' Branch of the General Post Office, has been presented by Mr. G. Gray, on behalf of his brother officers, with a set of carvers and afternoon tea Espoons on the occasion of his marriage. Tho Education Board resolved to-day for economical reasons to dispense with the services of Mons. De Mey d'Alkemade, Instructor in Calisthenics, at the end of three months. Mr. Loo, Chief Inspector of Schools, reported that if reduction was necessary en tho score of economy, this part of tho education system could host afford it, as though Mons. De Mey had done neoful work, it could be carried on fairly well by tho school staffs. Mr. John Young, in moving that tho oalisthenio instroctor's servicos Bhould be dispensed with, denied that his objoot was to do away with physical instruction in schools. He folt satisfied that tho teachers were ablo to do all that was requirod, and the money saved, amounting to upwards of £400 a-ycar, could be better Bpent in other directions. Dr. Newman seconded the motion, which was opposed by Messrs F. H. Fraser and W. W. McCardle, but was carried after some discussion. It was resolved that in view of M. De Mey's long services bo should receive, as a bonus, a month's salary on Bovcring his connection witli the Board. Between 1 and 2 o'clock this morning Constabla Cassin picked up in Vivian-street a man named Richard O'Shanghncssy with one of his legs broken. O'Shangbnessy, who is a sailor, Btated that ho had beon thrown out of an hotel because he had not sufficient money to pay for a drink. The constaMo took him to the Hospital, where the broken limb was set. Tho licenseo of the hotol mentioned by O'Sbanghnossy denies that the man was in his house. The application by Messrs. Moritzon and Hopkins, of Dunedin, to register tho representation of a kiwi as a trade mark for seeds having beon opposed by Messrs. Kempthorne Prosser, & Co., was to-day allowed by the Registrar with costs against the opponents. Mr. Henry Hughes, Patent Agent, appeared for tho applicants. The Tolune's passago from Sydney Wharf to Wellington Wharf, occupied three days 23 hours and 25 mm, an average of 13 knots, or 312 miles per day, in spite of strong flood tido in tho Strait and the fact that full speed was not put on till some time after leaving Sydney Wharf. It is her record. The annual roport of the Wellington Public Hall Company shows that £350 has been written off the Promises Account, and out of a balance at credit of Profit and Loss Acconnt, the directors recommend tho payment of a dividend at the rate of 4 por cent, por annum, which will absorb £260, tho balance, £10 8s 2d being carried forward. Messrs. W. W. Johnßton and J. E. Nathan, tho retiring directors, offer themselves for re-election. The first prize in tho Druids' art union — a fine-toned piano supplied by the Dresden Piano Company — was won by Mrs. Adams, of Kent terrace. Other principal prizewinners wero: — (2), 6uito of furniture, E. Fcott, Dock-street ; (3), bedstead and bodding complete, Mrs. Hutson, Tasman-stroet ; (4), duchesse pair, Mr. W. Waddle, QuoenBtrcot; (5), chest of draw or b, Mr. C. Oroon, Abol Smith-stroot ; (6), dinner set, Mr. A. Travers, Hankey-street. William Bell, the young man who was severely bitten by a katipo at Porirua on Good Friday, is still confined to his parents' houso, but hopes to be able to resume work at Messrs. Warnock and Adkin's next week. Tho 22nd anniversary of tho Thorndon Wosloyan Church was celebrated by 0 soiree and publio meeting lastovoning. Thelablea wero presided over by Mesdames Patriok, Freothy, Dickson, Cloland, Jamieson, Baale, M'Farlane, Moiham, and Reid, and Misses Wiggins, Froethy, Jacka, Reid, Jamieson. Tho public meeting was well attended, and the Rev. K. J. Murray oooupied the chair. After singing tho hymn " O, for a Thonsand Tongues to Sing," Mr. W. Moiham led tho meeting in prayer. The Secretary ot the Trust (Mr. Joseph Salkold) road the annual report and balance-Eheot, whioh showed the church to bo in a good financial position. Tho number of church members on the roll was 76, and 10 on trial. The institutions in connection with the cbnroh were — tho Sunday School, with 213 scholars; tho Young People's Society Christian Endeavour, with 51 members; the Junior Young People's Society Christian Endeavour, with 40 members ; and the Band of Hopo, with 81 members. Daring the year a sale of work was held which realised £40 for the Debt Liquidation Fund. The Trustees tendered their thanks to Mr. T. Sims (Superintendent of the school) and the Young Women's Bible Class for having renovated the vestry. The membors of the ohoir were also thanked for their assistance in the singing at the Sunday servioes. The balanoo-sheet showed a small amount on the right side. The Eev. W. Baumber congratulated the church on the result of tho past year's work, and nrged members to go forward resolved to do still bettor in the future. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken and Mr. T. Dickson also spoke. During the evening several anthems were sung by the ohoir, under tho leadership of Mr. J. b'alkeld. A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to all who had helped to make the anniversary a success, and the meeting closed with the Benediction, pronounced by the Chairman. All insurers against firo are reminded of the meeting to be held at tho Chamber of Commerce this evening for tho purpose of obtaining reduced rates. Tho large three-story warehouse on Lamb-ton-quay, adjoining the New Zealand Times office, whore alterations have been going on during the past few weeks, will in futnre be oacupicd by Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdouald and Co. (Limited), who announce through our advertising columns their removal to same. The rooms are vory spacious and well lighted, and the firm will hold an important Bale of landed estate in them tomorrow, at 7.30 p.m. Passengers by Huddart, Parker, and Co. s steamer Tasmania to Sydnoy via East Coast and Auokland to-morrow are to be carried at reduced rates which aro announcod olscwhero. J. Dutbie and Co. announce un exhibition of a new incandescent gaslight at tbeir promises this evening. Attention is drawn to an advertisement inviting persons interested to join a party to import bicycles, of which Mr. S. E. Wright, of 33, Lamb-tou-quiiy, his samples on view. A large and valuable consignment of Tasnianian furs, including rugs, mats, and furs for Indies' personal wear, will be offered at auction by "W. M. Lawson & Co. to-morrow, at 1.30., at Bodley'B late diningrooins. There will be an electric light dis. play this evening. A. G. Tamo & Co. advertise 2o pedigree Ayrshire heifers and cows for their Hutt solo on Ist Slay, and also a number of grand draught horses from Canterbury, harness horses from Now Plymouth, and hunters, for their sale on Saturday. ■W. P. Shortt sells to-morrow a seotion at Brooklyn, without reserve, and a quantity of superior furniture as advertised.