TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 156, 7 July 1902, Page 1

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

As far as the Colony as a whole is concorned, it is generally agreed that the Representation Commissioners have done their work well. But the arrangement of the electoral boundaries with due regard to cominuuity of interest and geographical symmetry has not bean an easy task, and it is not surprising that the re-adjustments fail to give satisfaction in every quarter. The changes made in respect to the Wairau electorate, which probably was as difficult as any other district to fit into the plan, have not met with entire approval, and it remains to be seen whether the adverse criticism that has been raised will bring about a further re-adjustment of boundaries. Under present proposals the Wairau electorate has undergone a contraction, having been made smaller by the excision of Flaxbourne and Kekeraugu, which have been added to the Ashley district. Whether this development is to the liking of the residents in that locality has not yet appeared. But there is no uncertain sound from the people of Havelock, who strenuously protest against the non-inclusion of their district in the Wairau electorate. Ever since they were cut off from this territory and attached to Nelson our neighbors have regarded themselves as politically disfranchised, and they confidently looked forward to the remedying of their grievance. Their disappointment is keen, and their principal local body has passed a resolution which asks " what crime they have committed that they should be so punished." Undoubtedly the electors of Havelock have a very strong claim, and the continuance of their separation from, the Wairau is one of the mot notable of the defects in the new plan of electoral boundaries. Geographically, socially and commercially, Haveloek is distinctly a part of Marlborough, and is quite aUen to Nelson. The agitation in Havelosk will find sympathy in Blenheim, even though it will perhaps bs recognised that the interests of the general body of electors will be served rather than set back by the contraction of the political district. The smaller an electorate, the more workable it is for the member. The attachment of outlying parts of the district to adjoining political territory means, too, larger representation, and the application of additional Parliamentary influence to the same area.

Trifi Australian cricketers at Home have been covering themselves with glory» Tht>y have added to their laurels by wincing tne tliifl test match, gaining the victory under conditions which render it a genuine and meritorious performance. Darling's fine team has now a notable record of successes to its credit. It has played eighteen matches, won eleven, and lost only one, six being either drawn or abandoned. The first two tost matches were drawn, and the one just completed was won by the Australians by 113 runs. The record up to the present stage ol! the tour eclipses that of any other eleven that has visited England, and it will be interesting to see if this high standard of cricket will be maintained to the finish. The sue cess of the Cornstalks is particularly striking as having been achieved in the face of meteorological and ground conditions quite foreign to their native surroundings. Throughout the tour they have had to play in rainy weather and on damp grounds, and. they have shown no mean calibre in defeating their opponents in such circumstances. Aa outstanding feature of their tour has been the remarkable evenness of the sterlingqualities they have displayed in the respective departments of bowling and batting. The wickets all through have been in favor of the bowlers, but those who have done good execution with the ball have not failed to keep up their end with the bat. After besting the team that Maclaren brought out to the colonies, tho Australians go Home and beat tho Englishmen in tbeir own territory. Who says the Australians cannot play cricket ?