THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 18S3.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6818, 24 September 1883, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 18S3.

The resignation of the , Hon. Mr. Whitaker, Premier of New Zealand, can hardly be said to have been unexpected. It has been forsome timekaiown that he was weary of the cares of office jmd that only loyalty to his colleagues and a desire to aid them,in giving effect and completeness to their measures of policy, induced his continuance in office. Still, the resignation of the Premier, involving as it does so important consequences, will naturally come a'surprise to the public, for until even recently it was hoped that the honorable gentleman, who from his talents and experience was of all his colleagues most fitted for the,purpose, might be induced to represent the colony at the coming intercolonial Convention at Sydney on annexation ard confederation. That expectation ca.mot now be realised; indeed we are probably correct in assuming that Mr. Whitaker's retirement from office is his virtual retirement from public affairs. It cannot be said that this is in any way necessitated by any failing of either mental or physical powers, for the ex-Premier retains the capacity for many years of useful service to the country 3 but it has been known to many- that he has expressed strong predilections in favour of resting from the labours of public life, and leaving to younger men the duty of guiding New Zealand-in the path of her destiny.

There are few names in the roll of public men in this colony that have occupied such a position of prominence in the public eye as that of- Mr. WhiI taker, Among the yery earliest colonists, he was from the first, a man of mark, and although from time to time since then he gratified his feelings by , withdrawing into private life, he was at all times an important factor in the chief events, political and otherwise, that make up the history of New Zealand. Nearly forty years have rolled over the colony since he gave his services to the country as senior nonofficial member of the Legislative Council under Governor Fitzroy; serving in the same capacity under Governor Grey. In the first Provincial Legislative Council he sat as one of the elected members, and when the New Zealand Constitutution Act of 1552 was passed by the English Parliament he was elected a member of the Provincial Council of Auckland, in which he sat for several sessions, being Provincial Law Adviset , and member of the Executive Council. Subsequently he was called to the Legislative Council of the colony, attending the first session of the General Assembly in that capacity. He became successor to the Hori.W. Swainson as Attorney-General, and subsequently Speaker of the Legislative Council. On the establishment of responsible Government, he retired from the Speakersliip of the Council, and took oiJice as Attorney-General in the Executive Government, which office he has held on five subsequent occasions in separate administrations, having associated with it several , times the dignified position of Premier of the colony. As Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, and, in former times, for many years the recognised leader of the Auckland party, Mr. Whitakcr's public life has been intimately associated with all the principal events in the rise and progress of this provincial district; and without alluding to the important part which he has played in promoting and developing enterprises which have really had* a public character, from their magnitude and the bearing which they have had on the prosperity of the province and the colony, such a record of public services, lengthened, continuous, and honourable, makes Mr, Whitaker's retirement from public aflairs an event of no ordinary importance. Such a, career must necessarily have produced a multitude of political friends and foes, but there is riot one who will not have for the honorable • gentleman the' most kindly wishes that "he may long and happily enjoy his well-earned repose.

The retirement of the Premier must necessarily bring with it the retirement of the Ministry of -which he was the head ; and speculation will be rife as to what will be the nature of the reconstruction, , which of course in no .way involves a. change of policy. That all the other members of the Ministry will resume office is the usual order of things; and that Major Atkinson will take the'head of the-Govern-ment may be regarded' as certain. There will be a shifting of -portfolios and a readjustment of deparcments, , but still there will remain the " vacant chair ;" and the general question will be as to Vlio will be called to fill it. It does not necessarily follow .that it should be filled immediately, and pos.sibly some time may elapse before the selection is made. However, Mr. "VVhitaker's intentions having doubtless been fully known to his colleagues for some time, it is' not improbable that an understanding has been arrived at before the resignation took place. If, may be safely assumed that the new

Minister must come from Auckland, all the other principal provincial districts being represented : 'm the Cabinet," and the interests of this district being too great to be ignored. It may also be expected that the new member should have his place in the Lower House, it having been a subject of complaint against the Government that it was? unfair to Auckland that no rnember of Government from this district had his place in the House of Representatives. This limits the field of selection, the supporters of the Government being alone in the running. Those who have been identified with assisting the Government in their measures are Messrs. Hobbs, Hurst, Morris, Peacock, Swanson, and Whyfce. Of these Mr. .Swan son, it is understood, has repeatedly declined the temptations of office, and would certainly not accept a portfolio; Hi. Whyte has not evinced any particular desire to shape himself for political preferment; Mr. Morris, as whip of the party, is inadmissible: Mr. Hobbs has been a practical and useful member, but probably would not; consider that his time in Parliament and his services,to the Government would be sufficient to warrant him in jet claiming a position in the Ministry. Mr. Hurst might not have the same difficulties ; but the incident of his candidature for the Chairmanship of Committee might seem to indicate the existence of feelings on the part of a section of the House which might militate against his acceptability as a Minister.. Mr. Peacock is a' favourite with members of the Assembly, and being not a strong party man, and having the good taste or feeling to not wound susceptibilities, he has the rare advantage of being liked,by both sides of the House. . His district has shown its confidence in him by entrusting him with important matters in Parliament, which he has managed with tact and- discretion, and he 1 has good business qualities that with opportunity afforded in a higher sphere would develop into sound administrative capacity. If the area of selection is limited to the Government supporters from Auckland in the lower House, we think the consensus of public opinion would point at once 'to the honorable member for Auckland City North; and without intending the slightest dis-paragement-to his honorable colleagues, we think the choice would give general satisfaction. , - .'

location of private for the residences of human beings, well knowing that such ,a settlement must be the production of mere nests of disease. Of course tbe old ani well-worn excuso can be adduced that these narrow lanes, which constitute r. network of streets over the property, are merely to givi3 access to the rear of cottages. The allotments being very narrow and very' long, the class of persons who will buy suclrallottnents will simply divide their length, and as many cottages will be stuck on' tiie small streets as on the larger 'onus. The 'builder of a cottage on a thirty-three feet frontage will not retain a strip o: a hundred and fifteen feet at the rear, with a frontage to another stree: unoccupied, and even if universal ,- experience had not shown what inevitably results from these wretched lanes,common sense wonld tell any mau the abuse to which they would give rise. Several of the allotments, indeed, have no other frontage whatever except to these sixteen feet lanes, so that even this excuse does not avail,' and apportionment of the land app.i.irs to have been made solely with tha object of squeezing the utmost possible faithinjz.out of the land, and in heartless disregard of the health r.nd interests of the public. A few weeks auo we had occasion to refer to the spirited.and co.nmendable action of Mr. Justice Gillies in using the discretion placed in his hands lor'peremptorily stopping a subdivision of property for building purposes on Grafron-rond, because the "private streets" iu it were laid off at a width of 40 feet. But i.ere we have a subdivision of land not more remote frp:a the Post Office, and which doubtless it is hoped will a-ion 'oo included

in the city, in which the majority of the streets are not,forty, but apparently .ibout sixteen fee: in width ! And over that wide area reticulated with these wrutched backslumsj intended to be the swarm of thousands of unfortunate humeri beings, there is not one area, not one breathing place, noj one reserve for school or church, or recreation or con>~ui>ience of any kiud, but a tight packing together of lota as closely as ingenuity can efFi ct. It may be beside the question to isay that selfishness in su:h a case may overreach itself. Any one that lias "noted the sale of allotments about the city knows that attempted sales of very small and closely packed allotments have been a failure, and that liberal sized allotments, even more remote from the centre of the city, have been a- financial success. The artisan and labouring clashes are not so stupid as' they are thought to be, and don't like being packed as close as herrings in a barrel. That, however, is beside the question. We are only concerned with its public aspects, and we do not hesitate to reg.ird this aT.iir as a monace to the public health, and one that should be resisted in 'every possible legitimate way. We challenge all DTew Zealand to show anything hko thi3 in township lots, and we crust th it in very shame the promoters of thi3 ibing will withdraw it in ito present form, and have this area of land, v.hich probably will by and by become a densely populated suburb, laid off in such a manner as will not make it a hotbod of, pestilence.