The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1891.

Evening Star, Issue 8609, 1 September 1891, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1891.

The proceedings in the House which have culminated in the resignation Rnlf nation of of Jdr Brycb have been, from Mr Bryce. first to last, most discreditable to the Government. It is now eiear to demonstration that the Pr«™Uv U>ok aJranlngo of *'»« ""' ? f judgment and weakness of the Speaker in order to cover and divert attention from the conduct of his colleague, the Mipister of Lands, in preferring scandalous charge? of maladministration against his predeceosor. This has been tho prime objeot of the persecution of Mr Bbtce, and it has been bo far attained that the whole country vibrates just now with disgust at the gross abuse of their parliamentary power by Ministers, to the exclusion of the consideration of the latest "taste of tho quality" of the Bon. M'Kenzie. It is, however, only a postponement; and we are much mistaken if that honorable gsntlsman does not find himself in tho position of having either to justify or "eat" his calumnious words. Mr Ballance has acted throughout this disgraceful episode with characteristic shrewdness He understood the peculiar idiosyncrasies of air Bryce's mind,_ and worked upon them, it must be admitted, with consummate fckill. To those who do not know the mind of the late Leader of the Opposition }t teems inexplicable that he should have takeu bo much to heart the mere expression, by resolution, of the regret &f the House that he should have declared that tho Premier ought to be ashamed of himself; but %t Ballancs knew his man, and that the formal implication of censure would be sufficient for hia purpose. The victory gained is, however, one of those victories which are worse than defeats a formidable obataole, no doubt, has been removed from the path of Ministerial absolutism. The (Jppopition have lost a trustworthy leader, prudent m counsel, able in debate j but at whi|t a sacrifice have theße advantages been gained by the dominant party ? They have forfeited the respect of every right-minded man in the colony } and if they retain the confidence of any section of tha pommunity it does not speak well for the appreciation

by that seotion of probity and honor, Jn regard to the action of th# Speaker in this deplorable business, it u evident that be "lost hU head" at the very begioniug, when, Immediately the Premier had moved that Mr Bryoe'h woi-ds be taken down, he ordered the strange** fo withdraw: and tbua, by the exclusion of ihs «Hansard' and other reporters, prevented an accurate account of the proceedings oi the most serious import being presented to the country. This exercise of the aathor»ty of the Chair waß most injudioious and arbitrary. The power is only intended to be used in cases of grave disorder, or where the aubjeot »»<ter discussion may be of a oharaeter whjoh readerp it not desirable on publio or moral grounds that what is said should be recorded. Possibly in his kindness of heart Major Stewaep may have deemed it right that a veil should be drawn over the oonduct of Minister. Wow ft possible for the Speaker to be a partisan, which of oonrse it is not, other reasons might possibly he escribed. The galleries having been cleared, m ore not able to speak decisively as to the <WB«w adopted by the Speaker in regard to the Premiers resolution. Mr Scobie Macrenjjib asserted yesterday in the House that fcb| question was neve* really put from the Chair, as required by the Standing Orders; but Major Steward asserts that every step he took was strictly in order. It would, however, seem to have been an essential preliminary thai; the Speaker should have distinctly ruled that the language used by Mr Bbyce was unparliamentary, and have either sailed on him at that stage of the proceedings to withdraw the words or have simply called him to order—a eoarse frequently adopted in the House of Commene under similar ciroumstances. As a matter of fae*, the Speaker -no doubt unoonsciously—worked sow.nletely Mo the bands of Ministers-first, Wallowing too grave a signifi. jug, to be given JO «bo words; and&en simply at the diotation of the rttmlet. ordering them to he taken down. He would have shown some dSmutm sense and prevented very serious trbuW bad be ruled that the expression used, although irregp JW was not of such a character aa to be i&kejj down wjth a view to ulterior prooeed-

inga. The Colony, we fear, will yet have reason deeply to regret that Sir MAURICE O'Rorkk failed to secure re-eleotion. The mischief bo far ia done—Mr B&TOE has resigned his seat, and declares that he will not reenter Parliament until the vote of censure is rescinded. It is to no purpose now to discuea whether he was justified in taking so extreme a course. He has in a manner sacrificed himself for the public good, since the whole proceedings in connection with his oase have so thoroughly exposed the principles and tactics of the Government that their reputation now must be firmly established. They have done their utmost to ruin, and now bid fair to degrade, New Zealand,

Dr Skerman, Mayor of Marton, goes Home in the Kaikoura on a holiday.

A son of the late Hon. Dr Menzies is managing the tramway system of Buenos Ayrea, and this year its transactions show a profit of L 73.776. Contrary to the general belief, the number cf sheep in Waitaki County haa not decreased during the past year. In 1889 the number of sheep in the Waitaki County was 558,403; in 1890, 541,209; and in 1891, 548,701. There was therefore an increase of 7,592 in 1891 compared with last year.—'North Otago Timeti.' Hib Worship the Mayor to-day sent the following telegram to the Minister of Works :—" Several unemployed are applying for work. I hear at survey offioe that Mr Wither, engineer in oharge at Catlins, cannot plaoe any more men on the works at present. Could not a few more miles be opened up at Catlins Valley."

One of the sights of Kohukoho (says the «New Zealand Herald') is a county councillor working on the roads. He is to be admired for his pluck, but is it not a rather fine interpretation of the law which prevents councillors oontraoting if it is proper for a councillor to work for a contractor? The general public amuse themselves in trying to find fault with this working councillor's job. In consequence, his work Is being well inspected.

The Christchurch «Press' says:-"The session has now sufficiently advanced to enable us to judge impartially of the Buooesa or otherwise of electing labor members to the Douse of Representatives. We are glad to be able to say that the experiment has been a pronounoed success. Certainly there is a striking contrast between the genuine labor iepresentatives and the typical demagogues ; and the comparison is all in favor of the working man member." A Wellington young lady of eighteen yearß, who listened to the debate on the Female Franchise Sill, thus Wrote to a friend in Napier:—"l already feel myself to be an embryo voter, and am going in for the study of politics, bo as to qualify myself for the nest general elections. Fauoy Mr Fish wanting to make the age of women thirty-five before they could vote; no wonder, for he is doomed to political death when WF, go to the poll." Great dissatisfaction exists in volunteer circles over the Government having raised the price of Snider ammunition from S3 per 1,000 to Ids per 1,000 rounds. The companies found the 8a rate heavy enough, and ;t is feared that with the additional 2* many companies will have to curtail their shooting very much. It is thought probable that pressure will be brought to bear on the Government to induce them to reconsider their action. Several of the Wellington companies have threatened to desist from shooting entirely, The fantastic decorations with which the City Polioo Court has been embellished sinoe its opening, or very shortly thereafter, are being taken down, and it is purposed to improve the acoustic properties of the room by the addition of some method of enclosing tho space over and behind the Bench. Tho work will be set off with hangings of orimson rep, with fringe to match, and the floor will be covered with linoleum, but whether anything softer than bare boards is to be found for long-suffering reporters to sit upon history sayeth not. A rather curious circumstance ia reported from Napier. During the last wool season one of the employed cf Messrs Murray, Roberta, and Co,, who was engaged in damping bales, mysteriously lost hia watch. He never tmspectea whoro it went, and the loss had almost faded from his memory, when from the London firm to whom the wool was consigned oame a package containing the mtin's watoh, in good going order. The watou (which, by the way, was a valuable one) had evidently been dragged from the dumper'a pocket, got jammed up in the bale, made the long journey to London, was discovered there, and forwarded back to Jjapier, A largo and thoroughly representative meeting of the Journalists' Institute was held at Wellington on Saturday, thirty representatives being present. The appointment of president and vice president was left in abeyanoa until the annual meeting, when branches will have been established. A council of five members—Messrs E, T. Gillon, R A. Longhnan, C. Rous Marten, H. Bridge, and W. F. Roydhouse—were elected, it being pointed out that the action of Wellington residents would greatly facilitate the operation of the Council in its initiation.

At the sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr Ca.-ow, R.M., gave judgment for plaintiff by default in the case of R, S. Sparrow v, the Mount Higblay Consolidated Quartz Mining Company, claim L3B ISa 4d, on a dishonored promissory note. Mr Sim appeared for plaintiff. The only other caae heard was that cf D. M. Spoddiog v. Michael Kett (Milton), claim L 36 Gi 3d, balance due for liquor sold and delivered. Mr W A. Stout appeared for plaintiff, and Mr D. Roid for defendant, and, after evidence and counsel had been heard, judgment was given for plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs. Mr J. Elmer, J.P., also occupied a seat on the bench. Preaching at Timaru on Sunday night Bishop Nevill saicl that we boasted of'our educational system, and we expected other 'nations would follow us, but yre had baniahod God from our sohools j but the system was without God and religion. It was so in our legislature, in our politics. Our Labor Bills were built on selfishness. Whether capital or labor was in the ascendant, if they were without Jsjigion thoso who made the laws were only Babel guilders, and produced flooial evils, and were coercive in their character. Christianity shonld give us freedom, harmony, and }ovp to our neighbors, and give us access to God.

The 'Timaru Herald' sides with oar view Jjhat a vote of censure carried by a striot party vote was not sufficient warrant for Mr Bryce taking the extreme step of reaigning. It asks: "Is such oonduot worthy of a statesman?" and goes on to say ; *' We oannot admit that he has sustained an injury. What has happened he brought upon himself firstly, through a very pardonable indiscretion of speeoh; and secondly, through unpardonable 'firmness.' But if it be an injury, Mr Bryce forgets the quarter whence it came. It was not a Trojan wrong which made Achillea sulk in hfs tent end Jeaye the conflict to his friends. But our JjTow Zealapd Achilles sdka because his enemies have struck him,'cn/l deserts the friends who by-and-byje would have helped him to a triumph. It is indeed ft sorry return for the honor done him by his party in choosing him as their leader." flugo'p snffa!o Minatrels continue to draw large houses to fchp princess's Theatre, and every evening tlje programme |s received with the utmost; enthusiasm. Charles Hugo'ti song, 'The saveloy man,' always secures an undeniable encore, and hie speoialty items—such as ' Marry, old Joe '— are at all times acceptable. Miss Feme, too, renders her selections in a manner that deservedly gains recalls for her, Miss Tessie Cleveland's rendition of 'Little birds, they chip, ohip.' is another favorite iU>m, which, being giVep In jhe lady's best 'style, is neper frllowefi ip" paps without i rapturous applauso. Misses f attje Bavin i and Rose Andrew also contribute a large i shore of the evening's enjoyment, the latter'a { ' J>ii am do' being indeed one of the features of the pi-ogjfamme. Will Hugo, Tom i Makanini, Onailea Vbss, George Neill, and t the Gregory brothers are the remaining contributors, all of them being well np in their respective tasks- The programme will be repeated, with slight alterations, to-night, And to-morrow night a new one will be e»b' mitted. It should not be forgotten that the minstrels' season is drawing to a close.

At the annual meeting at Auokland of the Baptist Tabernaole a resolution of sympathy with the Rev. C. H. Spnrgeon in his iilneßs was unanimously passed. In reply to a requisition to resume thejpastorate of the Tabernaole, the Rev. Thomas Spnrgeon stated that his health, though improved, was not sufficiently good to accept the pastorate. After his Southern evangelistio tour and the session of the Baptist Conference he would be happy to serve them until a satisfactory arrangement was made, unless recalled Home through his father's illness. The stone-throwing proolivities of boys were brought into active operation on Sunday in an unfortunate direction, whereby a magnificent trout, measuring 2ft 9in long, with a girth of Ift 7sin, and turning the soale at 17Jlb, was killed in the Water of Leith at the foot of Dundas street. The young reprobates, discovering the fish in shallow water from which it could not escape, soon made short work of it by stoning it to death, and it was afterwards taken out of the water by several gentlemen who had been attracted to the spot. The lads unfortunately got safely away, and in the meantime are in security; but should their names and whereabouts be discovered a just puniehment should fall upon them.

Gaelic Society meeting to-morrow evening, Lodge of Otago, EC, meet in Masonic Hall to-morrow evening. The Labor Cay Committee meet in the Trades Hall to-morrow evening. The University capping cewmony will take place in Garrison Ball on Friday evening. Braithwaite's stook-*ak : ng sale. The entire stock, inducing new tbipmentf, marked at sweeping reductions to olear.—[Advt ] The D.T.O. are now showing the latest novelties in millinery, mantles, costumep, dress fabric, trimmlnga, lace?, etc. Inviting inspec-tion.-[Advt. The Probbyteriana of Bvvensbourne intend to hold a sale of work and concert to morrow evening. Dr Stuart goes down to superintend. The ladies havo been preparing for it during the last few months, and as tho minister (Kev. B. Hutsoa) ig leaving the district for Beef ton, it Is uxijcoted that there will be a good muster oi friends present. Mr A. Blaok, socretaiy of the Dunediu Horticultural Society, sends ns the schedule and lis 1 ; of prizes for the ooming year-* neat pamphlet, produced this time in Uunedin. The dates are October 10, December 10, March 3, and May 12. Tho Committee are this year issuing six tiokets to eaoh member. We are pleased to .'earn that in every reaped the society are making satisfaotory progress.