MR WHITAKER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5484, 12 September 1879, Page 2

MR WHITAKER.

Tiiere is some talk of Mr Whitaker, sen., contesting the seat for the Thames, which wiil be vacated by Sir George Grey as soon as fhe House meets. We do not know the local feeling at the Thames, but if it be not too strongly Greyite to preclude any chance of success we hope that Mr Whitaker will re-consider his previously announced determination, and consent to the requisition which is being got up, asking him to contest the seat. Mr Whitaker is one of the ablest men who have ever sat in our Parliament, and no one can dispute, his thorough Liberalism — perhaps the word Radical is more applicable to him, for his Electoral and Representation Bill, introduced .last year, was too advanced to receive the support of even Mr Stout. When- measures are passing through committee — which is the Parliamentary workshop in which they receive their finishing touches— his legal knowledge and clear perception are most valuable, and the colony is indebted to him for being saved from many a draughtsman's blunder. Though by the chapter of accidents he finds himself allied with the Opposition, his natural place is the Ministerial side of the House, among old personal and political friends. He has, indeed, except when a member of the Ministry, never been a very hot partizan, and on more thpn one occasion last session proved that he had a kindly feeling for the Grey Ministry. Besides the aid which his extended legal experience and natural ability enable him to render in the deliberations of Parliament, he has perhaps a more intimateknowledge than any other man of the northern districts of this island, and with the history and present aspect of the native question he has a thorough acquaintance. Take him all in all, and allowing for a few failings, to be found in every man, he is ft most desirable repre-

sentative di the people. We regret his exclusion from the House more than that of any other of the late members. Mr Tole, who defeated him at Eden} is an average member and ft gentleman, but „8 st legislator he is not worthy to tie the shoe-strings of Mr Whitaker.

The municipal elections for Napier came off yesterday, but the Returning Officer considering himself precluded from making any declaration of the result before the final and formal one, We are unable to state who are elected. The Returning Officer's declaration will be made at noon to-day»

The returns for the Eastern Maori Electoral District received up td last night place Hen are Tomoana at the head with 101_ vdtes j ttahs Tapselt s§cond, 91(3 votes ; Henare Matua third, 862 votes ; Henare Potae last, 50 votes. The East Cape returns placed Tomoana at the head.

Who says that the Maoris are disappearing i they m"&s be dying ,off,, but they seem to have a curious knack ot Returning to life at election times, judging from the returns received for tho Eastern Maori Electoral District. Before the electioM it was computed that there were under 1500 adult males in the district, but already 3292 have polled, and fully 600 more are expected to come in yet. Three thousand two hundred and ninetytwo fighting men in this district I If they go on increasing at this alarming rate We shall soon hear of Te Whiti invading Europe with a couple of million or so of dusky warriorß ! Only three months ago 1300 wore all that could be found, and now we have 3800. In three mqnths more at the same rate there will be 11,300 ; in six months, 53,000 # ; in nine tiidnthsj 100,500 ; and at tlie end of a year, 300 000.

An inquest was held yesterday at the Farndoii Hotelj before D_. Hitb_iugi3; coroner, on the body of Richard Plantagenet Giffard, whose sudden death on Wednesday was reported in yesterday's Herald. Mr M'Glaslten was chosen foreman of ,the jtiry. {John Harris deposed that lie had been per'yaht tB the deceased for the last four years, and that the .deceased had been constantly of intemperate habits Bince his return from England fourteen months ago. On Wednesday afternoon last witness accompanied the deceased home in a buggy, after the latter had voted at the election. Between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening, the deceased and witness started out from home walking. They -went through a paddock, and just as they got outside the gate deceased dropped his pipe. Witness stooped to pick- it up, and at that moment the deceased fell down and never after exhibited any signs of life; In. the walk along, the deceased appeared to" be in his usual state, talking in his ordinary manner. Witness remained with .deceased until a trap camo along in which were Messrs Cox, Pocock, Grindell, and others. Frederick Cox deposed that seeing the deceased lying on the ground, the trap in which witness and others were riding was stopped, and the deceased was taken into it and driven to the Farndon. Hotel. Though thinking that the deceased was quite dead, witness and others tried rubbing the body and other restoratives they knew of until the arrival of. Dr. Hitchings, who pronounced deceased to be 'quite dead. David HoweU deposed that on Wednesday afternoon he drove the deceased home from the Farndon Hotel in a buggy, the^ deceased being then-in-capable oi walking. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was caused by apoplexy, accelerated by intemperate habits.

The concert in St. John's school-room last evening, in aid of the widow of the late Drill Instructor Kelsall, drew a very good house, the Volunteers mustering in strong force. The band played two overtures during the evening. The first chorus, " Light tripping measure," was creditably rendered. It was followed by songs from Mr Gilpin, Miss Cole, Mr Rose, Miss Raven, and a War song by Mr Foster. Mr Hampton then sang " The king and the beggar maid," and received a most enthusiastic encore. Although not possessing a strong voice, it souuded as if well trained, and every word could be distinctly heard. After the interval and overture, Mr Rose sang another song, followed by a ballad by Miss Raven. " Wrecked and saved" was well rendered by Mr Gilpin, and the accompaniment was played with great expression. Mr Gilpin was loudly encored, and had to sing the song again. Mrs Neill was unable to appear, but Mr Hampdon came to the rescue with the " Leather Bottel," and was again encored. A pleasant evening was concluded by Sir Henry Bishop's chorus " Calm be thy slumbers." Mr Flood conducted in his usual able manner, and added not a little to the success of the concert.

In the District Court yesterday morning, before Judge Kenny, Michael Baldwin, a bankrupt, secured his discharge. The Court was occupied for a considerable time with the case of Swan v. the Trustees of the Napier Swimming Baths. This was a suit brought to recover the sum of £115 10s for the lease of the baths. Mr Sainsbury appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Lee for defendant. The evidence of Mr J. Dinwiddie, Secretary of the Club, was taken. He stated that the plaintiff was a member of the club ; that the minutebook was missing, it having been left at the house of a Mr WiUiams, who became bankrupt, and whose goods were mysteriously removed one night, including the minute-book ; and that every endeavor had been made to regain possession of it, but without success. His Honor remarked that it would be a great hardship if Mr Swan did not receive his rent, and also equal hardship to the trustees to pay all, but they would be able to recover a fair proportion of the amount from each member. It was stated that Mr Swan was wiUing to pay hio share. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, -with costs. No other business of public interest was transacted. The half-yearly meeting of the Hawke's Bay District, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held last evening at the Loyal Napier Lodge. Present — E. H. Grigg, Provincial Grand Master (in the chair), A. Robb, P.D.G.M.; F, Bee, OS. Loyal Napier Lodge : Bros. Wilkie, Cooper, and T. Wall. Abbotsf ord Lodge: Bros.Corskie, Prebbles, and Phillips. Meanee Lodge : Secretary A. Tiffen. Takapau Lodge: Bro. Thompson. Porangahau Lodge : Secretary... 'Brown. Hastings Lodge : Bro. Goddard. Waipukurau Lodge: Bro. Westmoreland. The Loyal Clive and Clyde lodges were unrepresented. The Provincial Grand Master opened the meeting by reading an address, in which was shown the progress of the society during the past Bix months. During the last half year three deaths had occurred, which . would necessitate a levy of 2s 3d a member from the finance fund, to be paid by the several lodges, and on the management expense fund 3d. He congratulated the delegates that notwithstanding the financial depression a new lodge had been opened at Waipukurau, and that the order was increasing in number and in funds. The business was then proceeded with, which occupied the attention of the delegates for five hours. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was passed to the district officers. It was resolved to hold the next district meeting at Waipukurau. Several members afterwards received the superior degrees, after which the meeting adjourned.

. We learn that the scrutiny of the poll in the Napier election will be made this morning by Mr Collins, the Returning Officer, in the presence of the scrutineers of both sides.

To-day , Messrs Routledge, Kennedy an,ct Co., hold a cattle sale at Farndon.

The Rev. C. Penney will pretich on Sunday next at Hampden at 11 a.m. and at Waipawa at 7 p.m. - -lie Rev. A. Shepherd will hold Divine service on Sunday next at Haveiock at 11 a.m., and at West Clive at 3 p.nn Presbyterian Church services will be held as follows on Sunday next:' — By the Rev. R. Fraser at Waipukurau at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and at Tamumu at 3 p.m. By the Rev. J. W. Spear at Kaikora at 3 p.m., and at Waipawa at 7 p.m. By Mr Wilson at Kopua at 11 a.m., and at Norsewood at 2.30 p.m. _-he Rev. D. Sidey will preach in Meanee ohuroh (D.V.) on Sunday next at 3 o'clock. Mass will be celebrated by the Rev* Ei j&eignier ne*i Sdndav; i4th inst;, in the schooi-room ai __aveldc_, at 11 a. iii.