MINISTRIAL ATTACK ON THE PROVINCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 581, 22 September 1865, Page 4

MINISTRIAL ATTACK ON THE PROVINCES.

We find in the columns of tin? Welli/ir/ion Indc(h'pvudfiil a Idler oil llie above subject, addressed to that journal In the t-ditor of the Oifimixf. tlieu sojourning in the " Citj- of Eartlii|iiakes." from which the subjoined is an extract. "We have seen lion* the Ministry averted the consequences of the conji <le main alluded to by the writer, by proposing to give to the provinces nine-sixteenth's instead of tliree-eiglith's. "but," as the same writer says in a subsequent letter—

" From this all the expenses of the Judicial, Postal, Customs, and other general institutions must be deducted. so that the Provinces will not receive so much under this iippirentlv intended liberality as they did under the thr.'e-e : ghth's system, when these expenses were paid by the General Government out of the five-eighth's which they received." (To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.) Sat.—Take one dance, sir, at the men who propose this. Mr. Weld has been opposed to tho Provincial system, and declared the o'lier day that ho considered it "donned." llr. J. C. Richmond, :i rejected candidate for the of | T.minaki, has spoke •. and written against provincialism ; Mr. Fitznerald. rejected by Canterbury, and tlie lather of the insane Nominated Superintendents i'.ill, as of many other Quixotic schemes, has. sent liis p ine.'plcs of Liberalism and local selfGovernment to tho wi ,ds if lie ever had any staple p: indoles to rest on. Mr. S.-well has been everyihint: by turn an 1 nothing long, at least nothing longer tan in ollice. Mr. Atkinson is a man and is broth r in-law to Mr. Riehmond, and tinned with his opinions, an i those of Judge Richinond who whs a strong opp-nent to "Liberal ideas, and particularly opposed to provincialism. As I'or Mr. Fit/.herbert, he is the Maehiavelli of p Htics. M-;ny will remember 'lie time wiieu he accused the pres'-nt Judge Richmond, then Colonial frasurer, of robbing the provinces, and destroying the constitution, for attempting to do what Mr. Fitzherberf liimse f (formerly one of the champions of Local self G-o .'eminent by the Provincial system) no.v proposes. And these are the m.-u, to save whom, a strong effort is to be made to-morrow. ft is whispered thrit the resolutions of Mr. "Riis-eM ! iine-hiiii; epiv.Mion :ue to !-e held as ;i " eoufldenc jor i.o-c"!'.:M:M'.cc" te-T. i"an members who r .-pc ■! I '.'it- wishes of their .vn-titiienls, uu-ku'c their couii- [ ii,v ce in a M:ni..try who so un.'orcin'mou-ly desire Ito o'l'sir-iv ocswon !o a! h,.-'i:tttio"s in r»»» of i '.vi-.i-!i thev can provide nolhimr for the :nunieip-.l Ji.< ais s'ii! j..rj:;:iiture in most of the Provinces, j T ii'-rc can ij- no doubt I Sat t lie this eonp 1 will erea-'.: auliiii.niisni to Ministers ho h in ; tic i ll; and South. a::J it is a question on which a -pi civ <i-']!■ al sii uld be made to th" oouutiy by an ■ iione-ji-.i - .ii-s .!:::: ;:'. No I'ariiarnent mi nc:tr its !t. lniinati'u: onld t. su ■'l a .sweeping alterai i! l!isa u n-■ i. u !'■ r the ImI tin and s '." ■(. Ih'l'luv f'ie countrv 'ouii ! '.he b-'.t '.' wll. it be f.n- New Xe dand. I e',ll, Si . v.'lir=, &l\, ! L. j Y\". lliniton, M mday. ] f\S.— It is rather a cl-v. r move of the Jrinistrv i to endeavour to re- 'ive the sep .ration question into aeonli le:ice test, seeing that so many are oppo.s.d to it. anil also o. posed to tin: Ministerial policy. Tile inoat question in all rotes ought to bo—is a Ministry t rust woi t'nv who t-eeks to destroy the constitution ol the country, an.l to-ib-ob and '•entrali-.e tho Governing power ?

Hokitika. —Messrs. Butt and Anderson, wo perceive, have laid on the ivigie. a fine vessel of light dmight, for the Hokitika river dir. et. ihe Dagle draws only seven and a-half feel of water, and could even pass the bar at threequarter tide. '1 lie cutter Quickstep has also, we see. been 'placed upon the berth by the Messrs. Stone Brothers, and the Neva and Volunteer have also been laid on. We are glad to see Auckland showing the commercial spirit and enterprise which might be expected from her. No Province in the Colony possesses so many vessels of a light draught suited for the particular trade as we do—vessels that can enter the river with safety. Small Debts Court.—Yesterday the Court was occupied to a late hour in hearing small debt cases, there being no less than 03 set down for hearing. A large number of them were settled without counsel, and those that were defended were of no particular interest. The full report appears elsewhere. As-aclting a Police Constable. —At the Police Court yesterday a youth named Hugh Connor was charged witli having assaulted police constable Oliver, whilst in the execution of his duty, and was remanded until this day. Chamber of Commekce. —At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held yesterday, Mr. S. Hill gave notice to bring under the consideration of the Chamber the subject of the present wharfage dues on foreign goods landed at the wharf, and of the heavy light dues imposed upon vessels visiting this port. A Child Found Dead in Bed.—The Coroner, Dr. Philson, arid a respectable jury, held an inquest -tc the Nottingham Arms Hotel, Aber-crotnbie-street, yesterday, on the body of a child named Eliza Mcliensey, who had been found dead in bed on the previous morning. The jury having heard the evidence of the various witnesses, came to the conclusion that the deceased child was accidentally smothered by its mother during the night of Tuesday, llie jury alsc took the opportunity of warning mothers who are in the habit of sleeping with the infant at their breast. We have no doubt there are many infants who die from this cause, although in many instances it is not made known, and we would recommend parents to adopt the advice given by the jury. Post Office Tendees —(Inter-provincial Service.—Tenders are invited by the Post-master-General until Frida)', the 13tli October next, for the undermentioned steam services on the coast of New Zealand for conveyance of her Majesty's mails for one year, terminable thereafter b}" two months' notice. One service monthly between Auckland and Otago, via East Coast, calling at Napier. TV ellington, and Lyttelton, and back to Auckland by the same route. Time-table to be prepared by the PostmasterGeneral. One service similar to the preceding, including Tauranga as a port of call. A monthly service between the Mauukau and the Jilufi (West Coast), calling at "> ew Plymouth, Nelson, Picton, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, and back to Manukau by the same route. Boats must be specified with full particulars. Tenders will be received for one or more services. A secure room must be in each vessel for the mails. Chief cabin passage (free) for a Post-office agent. Name, tonnage, and horsepower of each vessel to be stated, subject to be surveyed. Mails to be landed at the expense of contractors, except at- New Plymouth. Power in the Postmaster to detain any vessel 21 hours without charge. Rate of demurrage per diem to be stated. Oflicers of Postal service and Marine Board to be provided with passages at a dietary rate per diem. Tenders to be endorsed " Tendei 1 for New Zealand inter-provincial mail service." One of the most interesting of the serial course of lectures being delivered at Oucliunga, was given on Tuesday evening last, by Mr. Richard Laishley, on " The Literary Men of the Pay." The subject was treated in a most eloquent and attractive manner by the lecturer, who was evidently well conversant with his subject. We understand this is Mr. Laishley's first attempt, and we congratulate him on its great success. — CommtinicutcJ. The old lamp pillar opposite the Council. Chambers, by being allowed to remain, now the gas lamp is erected close to it, completely obstructs the light from the gas in the direction of Parnell, and renders the light of avail to parties crossing the green in front of the Council Chambers to or from Parnell. As the old wooden lamp can be of no further use and is a great nuisance, it is a pity that it ;s not removed. We call the attention of the City Board to this.

A Provincial Govfrnmrnt Gazette was published yesterday, and contains public notifications declaring the Highways Act in operation in the Upper Mahurangi district, and altering the boundaries of the ' auranga district : also, notify'ng that Messrs. Hobt. Dent, k. Grandison, J. McKiuuon, K. Iv.ay and F. Smith, have been elected trustees under the act for the "Wereora district. Mr. U. K. M. Campbell is appointed a surveyor under tho Native Land Act, ISG2," and there appears a notice on the estates of Joshua Fox and D. Lorigan.

Chhistv's Minstrels. —The entertainment given under the auspices of these distinguished Elhiops continues its career of success from night to night. It could hardly be otherwise, i'or they manage to introduce as much variety as it is possible to expect in the shape of new songs, choruses, and effects. The more they are extravagant, the more they endeavour by very exquisite rendering of old melodies, to give due ofl'ect to the force ot contrast. Last evening the programme was substantially the same as that of the previous evening, to which, owing to pressure of space, we have not been enabled to do adequate justice. The " miscellaneous" nigger describes quinto-syllabically the whole mystery, wrapped up in bones, triangle, and tambourine. Mr. Melvyn sang, although slightly out of v ice, " The Anchor's Weighed." with excellent efl'ect. Most people will recollect recollect the pleasing surprise created by " the Anvil Chorus" in "Trovatore," and we think our darkey friends might have done better if they would have allowed the curtain to rise on their choratie smithy and adopted the costuming. As it was, however, it was excellent, and the audience loudly demanded its repetition. " The Stump Speech" is a modern development of oratory. Unique il :.■> as well as dark, in latter respect somewhat oracular. It is in the nature of a query. " wanted to know," and •'enquire within." An eminent member of the city has not the slightest notion that he is raised to the dignity of Colossus of K(h)ocrds. The distinguished Chairman "f that illustrous department has no knowledge that the ga d ditcli is dignified by the title of the /e plare anx Jiainx Another civic ollieer is oblivious of his title to chivalric honors, protesting as he dots against taxation undsj the J),-a</-on. Look" at your public business. Surely it is too much to tell us that tile nuiwlci! of maoridom. excuse the spelling, lias fallen upon the shoulders of the Canterbury elephant, whereupon the sinister of genius of colonial defence rides like a mahout. We are further informed that Southern mills grind down our Customs, and that Mr. "Weld has welded a chain of Southern discord about the colonial body politic. Is it. says the ••slump." because .\lr. O'tiourke refuses the clerkihip of the Legislature that a political .Mason should undermine the Constitution. ' No. nor any oder man.' "We verilv and 'most potently" believed that Ihese hints of darkness. whether true or not, had escaped the lamp cf the dark Diogenes— man ami. "Thou art looking for an honest mail'—"enquire within." "\\ e have really no further space for this nigger-a-delphic oracle. He certainly managed to keep the house in roars of laughter, notwithstanding a dogmatic querist who. we fear, put more questions than lie could humanly answer. The entertainment concluded with a

very excellent solo irom Mr. Nisli, and tlio "Carnival d' Afriqtto. wltich is irresistablv ludicrous. l")er.RV — Handicap). Tiie dr.living lor this swoon took place last night. a: Cox's Kxchange llotei. The following vers eis wero delared drawers of the horses :— 1' : o..iin W'ibiu'iis . . . "Anni-ton." Knsicn Meiventm ..." Numa' '.'r \Vri.''':t " Pore dis." "o'-' ' -o' " D.ont Ariel" i " 1 - r " or " " '! " n ■' 'hi 1 " ?o -- ■■ 'O •• k- .s, ~o^ IT Se; . . . . ■• •• T":e ! <>f " CioM-'ii i.'!orol." (favorite, sold v..-;.', ii-> .'"u.-'oee ; ;i'n..vt iniuieiiiiiteiy i'or .C 25. t'Ut'. S» ! !■■!'.- - i'llo IlleininT-S in this .-t :< tire r 'iptosted to attend at tlio "Auckland" ; 11. draw t'of horses. C efKV. — Sn.r.iN v. \Vumn-:y.— !r::c!.'.l eni|uirv was br.otglit to a ionui- j I'.-.te'ti yester.'.-iy. by :i verdict ior the plaintill' j o; ' damages. A t'ull report will be t'ound in ;::: i;hef eoluion. !'im in Hexors o]' thoKi'iei'tts ar the i ior!' Kv<:r. - Last evening, a ball was given by , V. lie I.e. Poor to tlio otliccr.s of the 05th Regiment. who are about to leave for Knglatid. Hn re w:\< a large .'issetidilage of the ollitvr< at o;-, sen: in garrison, and ladies. The excellent j ei'.til ot' the Mtli l.'i'gt. was in attondani'i- anil n'.avcd a nuittlier of quadrilles, polkas. Ac. Paiii'i:t£ "'as kept up witli great spirit until a b;:e iiour. Ihe caterer was Mr. Charles Canning- of Short land-street, who provided a sumpr;.'U< collation, served with great taste and Mr. G.-'.oKi'.r I'owt.i:;; notities that he has been .ro: -".nted agent to the Thames Saw Mill Co'.ir. niiv. :i'.:it all orders will lie executed by "aim. timber cut in nny length to o2 feet. )!?«>. Ki'.m.nos asp Powpkx will sell io,1:1V. t:;e lease of the ]>retnises known as the A .-e.'o-o • Pining-rooiiis. with ail the house t'urni-;-;re. cbairs. beds. Ac.. Ac. Ti Ne-'as. — Mr. \\ caver invites tenders, reeeivab'.e a: the Superintendent's otliee until noon ,-f i'ri-iav. the 2i'th instant, from all persons ,i-'s;;' >';s 01'retiting the iron stove on (be tjueeti- ; s'iee: • ier. recently occupied by the Customs' 1 M:;. il: us. Wlirtrtii'igor, notifies that the following goods, left 011 Queen-sireet wharf and !:nciai..:eil. if not claimed before Thursday, the "Js'h. wi.i be sold by auction -.—tine box of iron , :n;ts ! 'eare -l of iron bedstead. 5 pieces iron ::.;ie:. : ::erv iX. .1. A Co.. apiert. 1 empty e:.sk. 1 box marked K. Clarkson. ditto marked Mr. I'ouneli. 1 case marked Thos. Webb. M;:. Gr. 'o-K Stbr.i.- nill sell to-day. 2<X> o:' best pieki'd potatoes. 50 bags of iNcw - >!::ni! maize, beef. pork. lard. Ac. M-:. S. Cochrane will sell to-day. a quantity o: standard books 011 engineering architecture. :v.ra«v. several files of Auckland newspapers. \•• . : also the library of the late Dr. r>alI:s;.<a. containing volumes.