LOCAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14925, 24 February 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

LOCAL GOSSIP.

BY JIERCUTIO.

■\s an interested, but at the same time pon-partisan. spectator of what is going „ in the political arena, I must express art astonishment and disappointment at v hat has happened and is still happening in Parliament. The viceregal speech was certainly the most extraordinary production that has ever emanated from a responsible government in this country. No wonder that nobody takes it seriously. It was the most shameless and humiliating bid for support in the face of impending defeat that the records of any parliament within the Empire can show. As for the debate on the no-confidence motion, it has not inspired mo with any great admiration for Ihe oratorical abilities of our legislators. Ono would havo thought that if linv occasion were likely to raise the tone of the speeches to the highest heights of parliamentary eloquence it was this. But the speeches, for the most part, have been poor, hopelessly barren of wit, logic, or force.

Nothing could havo been in worse taste than the speeches of the Prime Minister and Mr. Millar. Neither was a defence of the- Government. Instead of attemptins to answer Mr. Massey's telling indictment Sir Joseph Ward, much to the surprise, I should say, of his own supporters, indulged in wholly uncalled-for reference to his private mean's, his religion, to motor ears, to the irresponsible babblement of unknown and unnamed detractors, and to bushelfuls of invitations which he had received from all parts of the country to 'do something or other—he did not make it clear what. Mr. Millar's speech was more suggestive of the language of the taproom than the dazzling halls of legislative wisdom. I see that both expressed themselves ready to immolate themselves on the altar of party and to retire from office if it was thought that the interests .of tho party required it. This profession of sacrificial ardour reminds me of the Jlancbus of Pekin when the first tidal wave of tho revolution came thundering against the gates of their palace. They, '100, fell down on their knees'and declared themselves . ready to abandon throne, taower, wealth, and everything if the welfare of the country demanded it. But all {the same they did not budge until the Jrc-volation grew so strong that it swept Ithem away. And jn spite of Ministerial (profession* Ministers mean to cling to leffjee with all .the tenacity they are pesLessed of. Our Wellington Manchus are a [crafty lot.

I Who was the first Mayor of Auckland? 7 1 see that Mr. P. A. Philips claims that lionour. Mr. Philips, however, wag not [the first mayor. The question was fully discussed by correspondents in the columns of the Herald years ago, and .Captain Fernandez, of Gisborne, sends me ,'copies of some of their letters. Here is one : V* Your correspondent,' Audi Alteram Partem,' is perfectly correct in his contention • that, the late W. Archibald Clark was thefirst Mayor of Auckland. Mr. Philips has 110 more right to,assume or claim the distinction than Norman William had to : claim that he was the first King of England. Mr. Philips ia. quite in error in implying that Mr. Clark did not till the office legally. The latter gentleman was equally elected in 1851, under the authority then in existence, as the former one ■was 21 years subsequently. ,Our worthy town .clerk is also clearly wrong in stating ; (that- the first I borough and council were , 'moribund in May, 1852, as Captain Beckham, in the capacity of returning officer. (heldran election on the 18th and 19th of Norember, 1852, a thing nobody in their '.■senses l would have attempted to do had ;the corporation been dead and extinSmshed «ix months previously. This state- . ment will not bear successful contradic- ; tion, as it is confirmed in both the New islander and Southern Cross, as well as '■'fin the New Zealand Government Gazette ml November of that year. To this Setter Mr. Philips replied :—"lt is to be "regretted that your correspondent did not go quite far ■ enough in his "researches after truth, nor is my assertion'contradicted, that the first council elected in 1851 never met. after May 12 r '1852. It is true the farce was gone through of holding an annual election in Novemf ber, 1852/' Mr. Philips, it will be noted, callls it a "farce.'' But it was no farce, | and completely disposes of his claim to "be Auckland's" first mayor. It is strange that a matter of recorded history of so '•went a date should lie in dispute.

!-i:Tha opposition to the Victoria Park as Iha site of the proposed exhibition is ; proving to strong to be resisted, and it WW seems certain that the Domain will \ fa finally selected, as was originally suggested in these columns some months ago. We in Auckland are somewhat unfortunate in our lack of spontaneous unanimity on public questions. Probably it is due to our strong individuality and "to our resourcefulness. But on this occasion there is practically no difference of opinion among »ho»9 who know the two sites suggested. The claims of the Domain are so overwhelmingly .superior that it is sjmply waste of'breath'diecussinz those of the Park.

I 'The readiness of those in authority to J&et upon mere rumour as if it were gospel truth was shown in a striking manner on Wednesday, when the New Zealand Parliament, at the instance of the Government, •adjourned in consequence of the reported ideath of an* ex-member. The report happily turned out to bo unfounded, but the incident illustrates a tendency which in politic? especially, seems to be growing, tamely, to act first and to inquire afterwards.

3 The luscious flavour of the old-time Maori peaches, as described by those who enjoyed them, has of late, 'years been glassed by moderns with the size of the ?sh that 'got away. It has been ascribed to the joy of anything vegetable to those *ix months at sea", to the flowing memories which greybeards have of the (Tabapples they devoured in youth, to the general inclination to regard" the things of long ago with veneration. Rut the experience of the present season should be wnvincing to our doubting Thomases. The peach of 1912 is decidedly inferior. Poor varieties are turnipy and carrotty ; good varieties arc barely' eatable ; fancy varieties are only pas-sable. The season is gainst the peach, as everybody knows.

, 'In the old days, summers were summers indeed. Rainy* springs ushered in long s fella of hot'dry weather—the sort of father in which'the peach delights. So jnat the Maori peaches were grown under tn s best conditions and ripened like Ganges in the Islands and berries in the «mth, J would suggest that the Government might promise peachgrowers to bring {£■> Bill to change the climate in the "nit districts while leaving it unaffected .wherever dairymen want grass. A little. } ni like this should present no difficulty '".Sir Joseph Ward.

.'Hie change of eitv school hours does K a P| >ear to have "digressed the great t«gy °. f , Parents, although one or two pro«t wildly against the -tyranny" of the Ration Board. Teachers say it, makes <ir .work much easier and more satisfac£s. so that the children must be the FJW«r for it. What 1 would like to know .]).*. * r this !R a " argument for a Day- :: W»«- Saving Bill? Advocates of such a : Jio^ m ' B Mure m< - th»t it is. as showing 0- Casl b* business can begin earlier. ro^ nets of aurll a measure insist with hS V1??0ur that h ist,,t as showing how MP* * ' fl to effect changes of time i rawer d * Mrablfi without tampering ™ h the clock. ■ -