NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 7337, 8 October 1887, Page 3

NOTES.

Since the celebrated " kennel up " oration at South Dunedin the Hon. Mr Exuberant Larnach has not distinguished Twaddle, himself as he did the other day at the declaration of the poll for Christchurch South. The return of a candidate devoted to the Government was made the occasion of a general gathering of the party, and the returning officer, after declaring Mr Perceval elected, remained as the self-constituted chairman of a political meeting—a most improper proceeding on his part. Sir Robert Stout made a characteristic speech, buttering up Canterbury; and Mr \V. P. Reeves, a young gentleman who evidently inherits the family self-sufficiency, buttered up Sir Robert and talked a good deal of nonsense about " united Canterbury" —united certainly to plunder the public estate of 2,500,000 acres of land. Mr Larnach, however, knocked all the speakers out of time. "It was only when Sir Robert Stout and himself," he plaintively remarked, "whose homes were in Otago.came here, that they found themselves welcomed by friends indeed. He regretted to say that the people of Otago had shown that they did not care for the interests of the people as a .vhole. They cared only for a special class. No sympathy whatever existed in the South for a true democracy. If they had been as united in the cause of democracy and the general welfare of the people as they in Canterbury had been there would have been no cause for regret that day." This Jeremiad was over the defeat of the Premier at Dunedin East, which, however, he somewhat inconsistently proceeded to ascribe to the weather. Had it not been a wet day, he believed Sir Robert Stout would have polled 150 votes more than he did! " Does Mr Larnach mean to imply that the fierce democracy were not well provided with coats or umbrellas, or that the rain, Drought down at the instance of the Opposition, had washed the democracy out of the horny-handed? We know now, however, what it is to be "welcomed by friends indeed," as Sir Robert and his colleagues were at the Christchurch railway station. The whole demonstration was manifestly got up to order, and there is a theatrical touch about the whole Ministerial visit to the City of the Plains. Councillor Fish, after the example of the dog who gracefully retired to A Judicious avoid the probabilities of forcible " Cave-in." expulsion, withdrew at the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday his motion for the adoption of the Public Bodies' Leasehold Act, 1886. He stated that he had carefully counted noses and found, to use a very vulgar but apposite expression, that "it wouldn't wash!" What has "come over the spirit of the dream " of this worthy councillor ? At the declaration of the poll for Dunedin Sauth, instead of emulating " blustering Boreas," he cooed gently as any sucking dove; and in the Council on Wednesday evening he was mildness personified. Is he really going to turn over a new leaf, or is it the calm before the storm ? Are we to expect an earthquake, ripping, tearing demonstration of eloquence in the House, or has the re-investment with electoral confidence happily induced a better frame of mind. His recent conduct certainly inspires hope, which we trust may not in this instance tell a false but " flattering tale !" Mr B. Hallenstein actually made a speech the other day at the annual „ meeting of the D.I.C. in which JlarvellouH. fae did not aUude to p rotection , He spoke, however, as director of a supplying company, and not in his particular role as a manufacturer desirous of being protected in securing large profits. The general tone of what he did say was exceedingly sensible, especially as to the deepscented mischief of extensive undiscriminating credit. It is, in truth, this system which lias ruined so many and almost paralysed legitimate trade. His remarks, again, with regard to gold-mining are worthy of attention. There are evident signs of a revival in this industry, but much depends upon how the opportunity is seized. There must be no encouragement of bogus companies, and rash speculations mustbeavoided, except by those who can afford sprats to catch mackerel.