North Otago Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1880.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2404, 22 January 1880, Page 2

North Otago Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1880.

i Public writers who either by porsonal experience or through study are familiar with the labors and speeches of British statesmen are apt, when thoy sit dovn to criticise colonial politicians, to throw themsolres into a mental mood not fair to the latter — to figuratively represent themselves as persons who have beon accustomed to walk in avenues of stately limos, splondul beeches, magnificent chestnuts, or royal oaks, but who have now perforce to pick their way through scrubby manuka and stunted broad-leaf. Though willing to make allowances for the differences between the conditions of political lifo in I the colonies and in England, they are still disposed to maintain stoutly that colonial politics are f.ir more parochial in their character than they need be, and they get out of concoifc with colonial orators for lacking so absolutely as thoy do "the large utterance of the early gods" — these, in this case, being tho statesmen of England. Not lon^ ago a lady of liberal culture and lofty character, in expressing her opinion of an article which we had penned on tho training of colonial youth, wrote in this wise : " The onvironmonts of colonial life are not conducive to the production of Chesterfields ; yet, I cannot help thinking that mothers generally might make a better uso of their time." Thus it is with politics. Wo freely admit that the conditions of political lifo in New Zealand are not conducive to the production of Briohts and Glad.stonks, yet wo cannot help thinking that politicians generally might make a better use of their opportunities to escape from the parochial circles into tho rich and extensive fields of politics. It is truo that tho colonists themselves do not as a general thing oncourage their representatives to mako a departuro like the one hero spoken of, and it is easy to imagine Sir Geokgr Grey, or Mr Srour, or Mr Stevens, of Christchurch, or Mr Hislop, of Oamaru, dwelling on the utility of adhering to first principles, or describing the scopo of the national policy for the time being, while their enlightened listeners are impatiently wondoring when tho orators aro to come to the oubjeot of culverts for the parish of Peascods, or publio buildings for the village of Soapsuds. Now, far be it from us to argue or hint that the interests of these important communities should be ignored or in any way treated with disrespect— what we object to is the vicious habit of treating theso interests as though they were the alpha and omega of colonial politics. To do so is to do that which retards tho political education of the people and keeps back the national progress of the country, while anothar of its effects is tho lowering of the tone of mind of members of Parliament to the levol of that of tho proverbial vestryman. For example we have now lying before us tho New Zealand Herald of the 14th instant. It contains a repovfc of the speech delivered on the previous evening by Mr Moss, the member for Parnoll. Mr Moss is a politician of experience ; years ago ho was a member of the Provincial Council of Otago, and he has for a considerable time hold a seat in the Parliament of the colony. From suoh a man, when he addresses tho public, wo naturally expeot a speech which shall not consist entirely of references to parochial matters, to potty party dodges and differences, — but a speech in which, while its author does j not fail to commont tersely and intelligently on matters of purely local interest, I wo shall find exhibited a vigorous mental grasp of tho publjp policy of tho day, and a comprehensive description of the difference between tho proposal* of the party in powor, and tho aims of tho [party out of power. But of what does Mr Moas's speech consist? It consists of three columns of printed matter ; it contains aomo opening allusions to ilia legislation ol last session, but these aro made in language which scarcely conveys any facts to the mind ; it gives a rather rambling broken backed description of the practices whereby Mi 1 Hall aoaedoi to power ; of Sir G. Grey's retirement from tho leadership of tho Liberal party ; of tho traitorous defection of the persons who aro known as "tho four Auckland members ;" of the discreditable conduct of Mr Hall's Government in violating the secrecy of the Telegraph Department, by dragging into the light of day private telegrams stut by their predecessors in office j of

tho way in which more public money was spontin Canterbury and Otago than in Auckland ; of the manner in which it was thought tho Government intended to deal with tho "nativo difficulty "; of tho modo in which tho District Railways Bill was introduced whon tho Bosaton was in its death throes ; but tho only matters of colonial importance to which it rofors aro Major Atkinson's financial proposals, and tho necessity for resisting tho contraliaing tondunoies of the present Administration — tho necessity for extending local government to the utmost possible extent. Yet Mr Moss does not in any way indicate what should bo tho character of this extension, which tho whole colony regards as being urgently necessary ; and all ho says about colonial finance amounts to this— that, undor Major Atkinhon'h proposals, the population of New Zealand will bo liablo for £4 15s a hoad, whilo tho taxation of Victoria is only £2 5a a hoad ; and Mr Moss caps all this with tho bald platitudo that " tho proper way to havo provided for tho deficiency would havo boon by tho reduction of the publio expenditure." Taken all in all Mr Moss's speech is one of a class of which far too many aro delivered in this colony — one of those addrosses which are quite becoming inmombors of local govorning bodies, but aro not creditable to members of tho national Parliament. It is stuffed with references to inconsequential dotail3, and exhibits whatwedonot think Mr Moss can, asaman, in striot fairness be taxed with — a lamentable incapacity or culpable indisposition to grasp with a masterful hand the leading questions of tho time, and, as it were, turn them inside out, within viow and for the benefit of the publio. To accomplish this, thoir first and highest duty, our politicians should suffer themselves to bo imbued with a national in preference to a parochial spirit. In doing so parochial aftairs need not sustain neglect at thoir hands, whilo their now doparturo could not fail to enhanco their own value as public men, to quicken and deepen tho understanding of tho nation, or advanco more than they are now advanced, the larger interests of the commonwealth.

Tlio Committee appointed to canvass for subscriptions in aid of tho Irish fatnino fund <iro requested to meet at tho County Council Chambers at four o'clock to-day. At tho Rosidont Magistrate's Court yesterday, William Wilson, charged with boing drunk and disorderly and fined os, was tho only case for hearing. A cricket mateh — Town versus Country — will bo played on tho Oamaru Club's ground on Saturday ; players who reside in tho rural districts aro particularly requested to note this fact. We aro informed that it has been finally decided to erect a public hall and Corn Exchange at tho corner of Wansbock and Tyne streets, opposite tho Northern Hotel. The determination to build a Corn Exchango should bo welcome news to all the farmers in the district, and to others interested in tho grain trade. In our report of tho meeting of the Oamaru Hospital Committee, held on Tuosday ovoning, the names of tho following ladies wore accidentally omitted, namely : Mrs Clowes, as having contributed a donation of illustr.ttod papers ; Mrs Lemon, a paokago of linen ; and Mrs Reid, a case of fresh fruit. When tho sumptuous American carriages wero lately placed on tho lino betweon Christchurch and Oamaru, tho general complaint was that they could not bo run right through to Dunedin and Invercargill on account of thoir boiug too lofty to pass through tho tunnels. Travellers, however, will be pleased to learn that such alterations have been made in the carnages as to enable them to pass through the tunnels. Ono of tho American carriagos was attached to ono of tho through trains from Oamaru to Dunedin yesterday, and the tunnels wero " negotiated " in perfect safety. A corrospondont writing from Waitaki says : The crops in this district aro looking unusually well. Going towards Waimato, wo find some splondid crops bolonging to Messri Brodio, Gilmore, and Hanley. The wheat belonging to tho latter will run fully fifty bushels. Tho fanners who are cropping close to tho beach havo alroady splondid crops on laud which, if it had been a dry soason, would not havo boon worth cutting, but this season thoir average will be about — wheat, 37 bushols ; oats, 45 bushels. Going up tho river tho crops look equally well, especially Mr Brown's, of Chetnolo Farm, whoso crops aro a sight worth seoing. The height of some of tho wheat on this farm is over seven feet. Harvest operations will be in full swing the latter end of this wook, but it docs not seem as if there is much chance for strange hands to get a job, as most farmers havo engaged men somo months before the commencement of harvest. At tho first of the memorial series of speeches delivered by Mr Gladstone in Midlothian in November last, no fewer than seventy reportors attondod for tho purposo of taking down his utterances. All the leading newspapers of tljo three Kingdoms ware thus represented on tho occasion— a circumstauco which shows tho importanoo which tho people of Groat Britain attach to Mr Gladstone's political doliverancoj, and fcho interest which is already taken by the country in tho approaching general elections. The High School Cadet Picnic took placo yesterday. The Cadots were convoyed to Maheno in special carriages attached to tho 9.30 |ugg n g° train. Tho sports and picnic wore held in .a field, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Jas. R. Elder of Oakland*. Tho field was convenient to the station. The day's amusements begun with prize-shooting at an impromptu target, and as all who made over a cortain average number would gain a prize, all thot their best. Ampl* justico was then done to a bountiful lunoheon, After a sufficient interval the sports wore commenced in earnest. Races fqt tho various classes, handicap races, sack races, hop-jteprand-jum, a walking race, a thraa.Jagged race, hjgh jumps, &c, wer« entered into. The event of the day finished these games. This was a milo race, run in good time. The winner! of the uppor school \re*e E. Kite, James Todd, John Paton, and Henry Cargeeg ; and of the lower school, W. Fcrcns, R. Smith, W. Stomson, and W. Cooper. Refreshments— milk, tarts, and buns— woro then served out, and tho comnanyfell in to inarch back to the station. Before leaving tho paddock hearty cheori were given for Mr Elder and family for their klndnow, Mr Eldor, in reply, remarked that he ought to return thanks for the honor done by tho corps in visjtiug him. The day wa« exoellent, although noroowhat Bultry, and the boy* returned home heartily glad of th» day's outing, and heartily tired

with tnjoying themsolvos. At the station, before parting, throo choors wero given for Captain Peattie and his officers. The steamer Star of the South will bo doi apatohed for Northern ports to-day. The Ladies' School, conducted by tho Missos Colo, will re-open on Monday, 26th instant. Tho sale of land advertised by Messrs Bastings, Leary, and Co,, on behalf of the Now Zoalaud Agricultural Company, has been postponed till the end of February. Subscribers to tho Pukeuri Library are invited to attend the annual meeting, which will take place in the tchoolhouse, on Monday, 20th inst. Tho business is the election of officers and general. A recont issue of the Oban Telegraph, a Wosfc Highland paper, states that " tho shootings on tho estate of Kingairloch, noar Fort william, havo been lot to tho Right Hon. Douglas M'Lean, son of the worthy old Highlander who govorned New Zealand." Mr Douglas M'Loan is the only son of the lato Sir Donald M'Lean, and has succoeded to his father's Now Zoalaud estates, which aro said to bo worth LlB,ooo a ye-n- ; but Mr M'Loan is not ontitled to tho appellation of "Right Honorable," and it is certain that his fathor never governed New Zealand. However, the trifles are probably beneath tho consideration of Went Highlanders. At a social gathoring in Timaru the other efening, Mr Jonas in replying to tho toast of " tho Commercial Interest" roforrod to tho recont bad times, and said that " the crisis itiolf was duo to no fault of tho colony, its climate or its soil, but to tho absenco of disoretion on tho part of investors, Ho could spoak from his practical experience with soino authority, when ho ventured to say it was chiefly duo to ovor-speculation, tho result of a system of deferred payments in land, which seduced selcotors to their ruin. This was the cause, and ho defied auyouo to deny it. Tho following pungent paragraph is from tho London World : A recent Gazotto containod an entry that is memorable bocauso of its uniqueness. For tho first time in our " island story " has a British commander found himself called on to acknowledge tho services in the face of an enemy of a newspapor correspondent. Litera scripta manet, and tho Gazotto had to print what General Tytler wrote ; but it is undorstand in India that the officer in question was visited with tho displeasuro of his superiors beoauao of this unwolcomo innovation, and was, indeod, called upon to cancel tho portion of his dispatch which commended Mr Forbei 1 cool purposeful conduct undor firo. General Tyt* ler, having a will of his own, and having named Mr Forbes on the pressure of officers of his column who witnossod and admired Mr Forbes's timely good services, declined to strike out tho passage, It is, of course, quite needless to observo that the gallant genoral's recommendation will bo uttorly barren of effect. Our authorities wisely regard it as a gross impertinence on tho part of one not a soldier to bo guilty of any service on compaign, no matter whether that service consists in saving human life or in conveying important intelligence undor tho most hazardous conditions. There is at preient in Bombay a living object that may rightly bo classed among tho most curious phenomena of nature. At a houso in Mizngon may bo soon a pair of female twins, separate in every respect but from tho broast bone to tho lower part of tho abdomen, which h olosoly joinod. Tho upper breast-bono of each infant is linked into the other, tho outer skin oovoring both trunks. Tho twins aro joiued front to front ; shoulders, anna, lower limbs, and feet perfectly formed, and development healthy, while tho heads aro woll-shaped and the faces really pretty, with beautiful eyes, large and bright. The twins are six months and 20 days old, are in porfoct hoalth, and measure 20 inches in height, one appearing — but in a very trifling degree — larger than the othor. Both havo vigorous appetites, and take kindly to tho feeding bottles, are oxtromoly lively, and appear good tempered. Tho strangely united pair wore born in Dampooli, in the Rutnagherry Collectorate, the father being a Mahomedan and a seafaring man, while tho mother has besides a pretty little daughter of about ten. Tho twins have up to this timo never bcon ill, and to every appearance are likely to grow up. An Australian paper thus describes "The Australian Ladies' Pedestrian Tournament," in tho old Exhibition Building, Sydney : "Sketches of tho costumes to be worn by the women wero submitted to tho Municipal Council, and advertisements solemnly assured the public that tho dresses of tho ladies wore to extend nearly to their foot. Tho 'tournament ' commenced at 10 o'clock on Friday night, and consisted of an effort on the part of eight women to sea which of them could walk tho greatest distance in 24 hours. By half-past 9 o'clock on Saturday night, half an hour boforo the oompotition was to terminate, tho Exhibition Building was crowdod. At this timo four women, with lack-lustre oyes and swollen limbs, foot soro, jaded, and uttorly broken down, wero toiling along tho walking path. In ono ense tho woman was absolutely dragging horsolf along by tho ropes that bounded tho track. Men walked by tho side of tho women, encouraging thorn in their task by tho sciontific methods common in suoh brut© contests. Not a few of tho spectators expressed their disgust at tho wholo affair • numbers quitted tho building j but a majority of the greasy • haired, flash • clothes - wearing olasi evidently enjoyed themselves, and gave expression to their delight and their opinions on tho ' points ' of tho competitor* in language that combined tho lowest sporting slang with tlje 'argot* of tho professional bully. Tho scouo was wholly brutal and disgusting,"