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Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 726, 9 October 1872, Page 2

An analysis of the voting upon Mr Vogel's direct vote of want of confidence displays three or four features worthy of notice. The speech of the mover was condemnatory of the financial speech of the new Treasurer (Mr Gillies). It further charged the Stafford-Gillies Ministry as being a provincial one. The division list shows a majority of two against the late newly formed Ministry, who must have been taken by surprise In the division list, we notice the names of three members who voted for Mr Stafford on the former occasion—namely, Messrs Parata, J. Shephard, and Creighton ; while one who also voted at that time with Mr Stafford was absentMr Collins. The list of votes might be further analyzed, but the above shows how quickly members arrived at the fact that the formation of a ministry built up of provincial influences was not desirable. Messrs Gisborne and Hunter, who voted on previous occasion for the Fox Ministry, were also absent. Some remarks from the Chairman of the Depasturing Board, whose letter appears in our Open Column, require a few words from us. Mr M'Dougall admits that an owner of cattle in the Queenstown division (not Queenstown proper) has paid his license money at Arrowtown—the question of amount we will not dispute with him. As to the instructions to pay at Arrowtown, we are informed on unquestionable authority that they were understood to have been given by the Chairman ; but it might possibly have been a misunderstanding between the two gentlemen. Mr M:Dougail, as Chairman of the Board, has generally acted very impartially, and we have not the least desire to impart selfish motives to him. If it is fully known to all the members and " ten-twelfths of the whole community " that the ordinary meetings of the Board "are held on every alternate month," what is the value of that knowledge when—without any assignable reason—they met yesterday, which was the second Tuesday of the month ? Again, as to the question of funds—if the Government refuse to liquidate any little liabilities which the Board may deem it necessary to incur for the proper carrying out of their functions as conservators of the interest of Government, and as acting for the well-being of their constituents —the sooaer members resign their false positions, and throw up their thankless billets the better. But we must exonerate the Government from any blame in this matter; for, as far as wo are aware, thfy have never refused to pay any little bills for liabilities which the Board have, from time to time found it necessary to incur in the proper discharge of their duties. These remarks should be sufficient to disabuse Mr M'Dougall of the idea we have spoken on this subject other than as our duty as journalists on behalf of the public. The Jockey Club, with a view to encourage the breeding and importation of district horses last season, included in their programme better and more prizes for district horses. This season it seems to be their intention to offer still further inducements for they already notify their intention to raise the amount for the Wakatip Handicop from £25 to £4O. Another fact that will tend to greater success of the forthcoming meet, is that the dates will not, as hitherto, clash with those of any down country one. The following are the dates: —Mount Ida, 12th and 13th December; Cromwell, 26th and 27th December; Lake District, 16th and 17th January, and Dunstan, 6th and 7th February.