WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1894.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8080, 19 September 1894, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1894.

Duuinu the speech-making at Nyipara tho other night Mr Waddell said that while not agreeing with the wholo policy of the Ministry ho was favorably inclined to their land policy. As a sensible man Mr Waddell could not agree with very much of the polioy of the Government, which is tho very worst that has yet seen the light of day in Parliament Ilou^e ; but if ho agrees with the land policy of Mr John M'Konzie ho must certainly have had a very high opinion of that of Mr Richardson, tho Minister f or Lands in tho last Atkinson Government. Incontrovertible figures prove that Mr Richard - Bon was a more successful lands administrator than Mr M'Konzie, for in tho same time he settled more people on the land as small settlers. Mr John M'Keimo at one time used to say that ho had settled one thousand more settlers on the land per year than his predecessor, but when the figures of the Lands Department were analysed it was seen— throwing tho present Minister for Lands' special settlements in — that Mr M'Kenzie was drawing the long bow with a vengeance. These special settlements exist only in name, but, assuming that they exist in reality, tho total did not bring tho number up to near'y one-half the thousand. So much for the truthfulness of the Minister. Mr M'Kenzio was not satisfied to let tho facte speak for themselves, but must needs start an offshoot on his own account of his Ministry's policy of deception. His statement was no sooner made, however, than it was controverted by figures taken from the Government's own returns. This, however, did not quieten tho Minister, who, oven after the oxposure, continued to make- tho assertion. We havo no wish to belittle the effort? of Mr M'Kenzie Ho is doing his best, but that best is not as good as Mr Richardson's worst, as his political opponents wore pleased to style it. Wo have no intention of endorsing every political act of Mr Richardson's any more than we would those of Mr M'Kenzio. Mr Richardson, it is true, never bought a Pomahaka or a Ohoviot, and Mr ittVKonsiie did not mistake the number of tho Otekaike run for that of another run ; but will anyone deny that had the Otekaiko run been cut up into throe, as was proposed, that tho lessees would havo been able to keep out of the bankruptcy court 1 SVe do not say that Mr Richardeon's action was right, for ho should not have left his decision to solatoan hour that it would bo impossible to rectify the thing that happened ; but in tho light of what has happened hinco, tho act bayed throe possible settlers from heavy loss if notfrom tho bankruptcy court. Tho Pomahaka Estate, however, wo shall always have with us, and the same with tho Cheviot, and heavy loss is staring tho colony in tho face over both those estates. Therefore thoso who hold a high opinion of Mr M'Konzio's laud administration must in fairness entertain a much higher opinion of that of Mr Richardson, with all its faults. Mr Richardson was a more successful administrator than Mr MVKenzle, but ho did not publish his virtues by blare of trumpol or from tho housetops.

An Australian shearer mimed Ryan has invented a now shearing machino, which he says will shear shoop in one-third of the time now taken. In his report the ranger to the Otago Acclimatisation Society states that many of the young rainbow trout, just hatched out, have died of a disease which might be described as dropsy. Oamaru has been more successful, for the rainbow ova hatched out well, and the young fish are thriving. Mr John Barraclough left Waimotu yesterday to take up his abode in Christclwrch. Mr Barraclough has lot his farm of over 900 acres to Mr W, Wylio, who has taken all the stock, etc., at valuation. Mr Barraulough is an old and respected resident of the place, and his many friends will regret his intention to reside outside the disttric. \Vd A£' ll * n remind our readers of the concert a?A ball to be held to-morrow evening in the jfubjio Hall to celebrate the anniversary of the £?v*l Oamaru Lodgo (Manchester Unity). The concert proframmo will be under the direction o* Mr 'owsey, and the ball under the charge of Mr Couper. The arrangements have been completed by the committee, and there is every prospect of the affair being a success. The price of tickets for the concert only is Is, and doublo tickets for the concert and ball ss. At the Hospital Trustee*' mooting last night the secretary reported that ho had written to the Government for a icbate of the duty on some india rubber beds, efcc, imported from London, one of the reasons urged bsing that the Hospital required the money for other purposes. To this one of ; the Trustees said if the question of who rei quired the money most was taken into consideration he had no doubt that any im- | partial person would come to the conclusion that the Government required it just about as much as anyone at the piescnt time. The truth of this was apparent to the Trustees. At the Magistrate's Court yesteiday, before Major Keddell, >S.M., the following civil cases were heard : N. Lane v. Albert Watson, claim LI 10s 9d. Mr Grave (for Mr Crawford) apjmwd for plaintiff. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with lla costs. 11. Newton v, Thomas Halkett, claini L 2 15s ; judgment by default for amount claimed, with Us costs. Union Bank of Australia v. Alex. Cormick, claim L 24 15s. Mr Newton appeared for the Bank, for which judgment was given, with L 4 4s costs. Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company v. Frank Sharpe, claim LB9 16s 5d on three dishonored promissory notes. Mr Newton appeared for the Company, for whom judgment was

given with costs of LS 4s 6d. J. O. Finch v. Robeit Haugh, claim LI3U Is 2<l for rent due. <\lv Leo (Hislop and CYeagh) appeared for plaintiff, for whom judgment was given with L 7 Is cost. Darling nnd Milne v. M. M'GrcL'or, claim Ll7 14s Sd. Mr Newton for plaintiff*, an<l Mr Roll (for Mr Harvey) for defendant. The amount of the claim was confessed, and judgment was given for L 2 Gs 6d costs. f f f Jho monthly meeting of tho Hospital Trustees was held List night, when thcro were present : Meiers Mainland fchairman), M'Douall, Headland, Finch, and Montagu. The minutes weif leid aud confirmed. The .Secretary intimated that the air beds had arrived by the Aoraugi, aud would be forworded on from Wellington. He had written for a rebate of tho duty of L 4 Is on the same, and the letter would be sent on to the Minister. Tho Chairman said ho had appointed another assistant warder, and his action was endorsed. The House Committee reported that they had visited the Hospital and found everything in good order. The thanks of the Trustees were duo to Mrs Hood for linen, and Mrs Filled and Miss Kieknell for flowers. Accounts amounting to LB7 Is 5d were passed for payment. On the suggestion of Mr Finch it was decided to write to the secietary of the Dunedin Hospital for information i dative to certain subjects of interest to the Hospital. It WtW decided that a concrete floor be put in the dairy. The medical officer's report stated that during the month 9 patients were admitted, 8 wcie discharged, 2 died and thero remained 15. The chairman reported that tho warder had complained that outdoor patients rarely returned tho medicino bottles which they had received with medicine. It was decided to make it a rule that the bottles should be returned. James Gkmmbjx invites inspection of bin first winter consignment of (Scotch and Knglish uitings, coatings, and trouseringa, ex Tekoa, A choico selection of exclusive novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of tho best quality. This Establishment has long been noted for the first-clasi character of its productions. Suits from 7Cs upwards. Waterproof overcoats to order and ready made at lowest current rates.— Jambs Gbmmblli, Thames Street, OiUtitiru.