The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5563, 27 January 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1879.

We announced not long ago, upon information received, that the Premier, our “real Governor,” as he calls himself, had had an intimation from his political agency in the North—a few gentlemen who style themselves the Auckland Constitutional Association —to the effect that the people in that part of the island were generally and rapidly arriving at the conclusion that what he supposes to be his divine “ gift” of making fine speeches had been already sufficiently exercised, and that, by way of change, it was now time that he and hia Government should give them something besides oratory and paternal, benedictions on their little children, in whose future fortunes our benevolent ruler always exhibits such a deep interest on public occasions. “Upon this hint he spake ” thrice at the Thames a month ago, blessed all the Government school children who were rounded up by their teachers for the purpose, and turned the first sod of the Thames valley railway on the mud flat at Grahamstown in presence of an “ eager crowd of ladies and gentlemen,” as the courtly and polite reporter of aNorthern contemporary describes the assembled constituents of the distinguished member for the Thames.

Happily combining tho immediately ornamental and entertaining work of oratory with the prospectively useful work of railway-making, Sir George Grey was able to demonstrate the unreasonableness of those persons who preferred expenditure on public works in their district to fine speeches, and to show the ladies and gentlemen how both blessings may be happily combined for their enjoyment and advantage by a dexterous representative. This is what he said :

“Another kind of argument used “ lately has been this ; ‘ Don’t you be “ ‘ led astray by Sir George Grey ; “‘what you require is material advan- “ and one great material advan- “ ‘ tage given to a place is worth all con- “ ‘ stitutional truths, or all constitutional “ ‘ principles. Look out for your pockets; “ ‘ they say that is the thing for people “ ‘to do. Let them not think of their “ ‘rights in these days, or what their “ ‘ Constitution is to be, but let people see “ ‘ that they get a large amount of public “ ‘revenue spent among them. That is “ ‘what you want for your constituents,’ “ they say. To that I answer that I do “ not believe any constituency in New “ Zealand is incapable of attending to “the two things at the same time. Now, “ I tell you, as your representative, take “ care that you have your fair share of “ the public revenue spent among you. “ Hold me responsible for that, whether “ I am in office or not. (Cheers.) I do “ not believe you will bo so foolish as to “ neglect that. (Laughter.) But look “ after your rights at tho same time, and “ recollect that you are free men—recol- “ lect that you are to leave a progeny “ behind you in the country, whom yon “wish to be free men also; look after “ both things at the same time. You “have intellectual ability and force of “ character enough to do that. To tell “ you that you are to neglect your con- “ stitutional rights in the future, and to “ grasp at money for tho present, is t‘simply to say:—‘Let the Legislature “‘take care of these too. Let them “ ‘ legislate as they like,—if they provide “ ‘ money for us, and throw it to us as if ‘ ‘ ‘ we were pauper’s. ’ But that is not “ what you want. You want fully to “ understand what you ought to have “ out of the revenue, and to insist upon “ having it. You should fully under- “ stand what your rights are, and what “ will secure you your fair share of the “revenue of the country—not given to

“ you as a boon, but taken by yourselves “ as free, bold, and honest men from “ that same chest into -which you had “ put it—not to be doled out to you as a “ gift, but to be taken by the people “ throughout the whole of New Zealand “ as a fair right of every portion of the “ community. See that you get it ; see “ that you secure the means of always “ having it; see that you leave to your < ‘ children the right to see that the public “ revenues are properly expended, and “ the power of insisting upon their being “so expended. That is your plain duty. “ (Cheers.) Now, I think you will agree “ with me on that point. [Cries, ‘ Yes, “ ‘yes; wo do.’] Those who attempt to “ delude you, simply to get the money, “ are not your real friends. Rely upon “ it, that there is something behind it “ all when they recommend you to do “that. [Cries, ‘We don’t believe “ ‘them.’] ”

The honorable member for Verbosity, in Dickens’ sketch, in rendering an account of his stewardship, did not work “hearths “and homes,” or the “ illimitable per- “ spective,” with greater skill, or puzzle the vulgar and radical saddler who wanted “ facts,” more completely. It is almost painful to think that, after all, some time must elapse before expenditure on the Thames Valley railway can lawfully begin, unless indeed the Governor .in Council should accept the opinion of Captain Cook delivered a century ago, or the more recent “ vision ” vouchsafed to the Premier himself on the top of Te Arohai as supplying the legal conditions required by the Railways Construction Act, 1878. It is very evident, however, that this sudden fall in the market value of fine speeches in the North has seriously alarmed the Ministers, and it is not without satisfaction that we noted on Saturday that the attention of the Premier had been temporarily withdrawn from the Empress of India and from Lord Beaconsfield to the change of public opinion in Auckland, and to the demands of the settlers for something more substantial than rhetorical bosh. There is no room to doubt that the language held by the very influential deputation who lately, we will not say waited upon, but, to use a less polite if more expressive word, “sat” upon Mr. Sheehan in Auckland indicates the true form and pressure of public opinion with regard to the present Government, and gives assurance that the reproach of being “continuous” for any long period of time will never be justly applied to them. It is, however, satisfactory to know that the Ministers now in Wellington have been somewhat rudely awakened to the change in the state of opinion regarding them which has taken place in the North, and we are glad to be able to concur in the “ beau- “ tiful” sentiments which they expressed in their journal on Saturday last. What wonder, say the Ministers —“What won- “ der that men who have invested their “ all in a district where such adminis- “ trative apathy has been shown, should “manifest quick temper, and speak with “an uncurbed tongue 1 They have “ families growing up around them, “ whom they wish to see placed in “ positions where their ability, zeal, and “ industry are fairly handicapped with “ the dwellers in the other parts of the “ Colony, and are impatient with the “ fear that they may continue to endur e “ for many years to come an existence “ as somnolent and as uneventful as that “ which it has been their parents’ misfor- “ tune to undergo. The settlers in the “ North have borne their days of priva- “ tion and pioneering unmurmuringly, “ and now when a new era has opened “on our colonial life, which is,fast de- “ veloping into happy fruition, it is “ unjust, to the limits of injustice, that the “ men of the North should be placed in “ such an unfortunate position.” All this may be quite true ; if it be true now it was also true during the whole of the last session of Parliament; why did the present Ministry neglect the material interests of the North and take no steps to improve the unfortunate position of the men of the North? If those interests had been neglected by the “ continuous “ Ministry” there was the greater reason why the friends of all the people should not have perpetuated that neglect, A railway, on the deferred payment system, from Waitemata to Te Reinga or Cape Maria Van Diemen, might have been put in hand with as much propriety and as lawfully as that to Tapanui from Waipahi; had the North been so fortunate as to have a representative like Mr. Bastings, whose merits have recently received such substantial recognition at the hands of those who admire his disinterested patriotism, this might have happened; a comparison of the Parliamentary merits of Mr. Williams or of Sir Robert Douglas or Mr. Mactahlane with those of such an “ advanced” legislator would of course be “odorous.”

It is not true, however, as Ministers now tell us, that the interests of the North were neglected by the “continuous Ministry,” or that when the people asked for bread they only proffered a “ stone the Ministers who now boldly make that assertion must know that it is not true. The telegraph line which connects Hokianga, Wangaroa, Russell, and the settlements southward with the rest of the world is surely something; more than seventy-five thousand pounds, in addition to the road board subsidies, spent within the last few years in opening up the county by roads and bridges,—not as Ministers say only in doles to Wi Katene, but under the superintendence and with the advice of skilled engineers,— is also something. It is true that £40,000 of the money (£100,000) originally voted for the North was necessarily diverted to the discharge of the Auckland provincial liability for the railway from Riverhead to Kaipara j but that railway—the worst, the most costly, and, as will presently be seen, the least useful of any line in all New Zealand—was Mr. Sheehan’s own special work, and not that of the continuous Ministry; the Kaipara-Puniu line is their’s, and that is something more than a “ stone.” It is quite right and just that all parts of the colony should participate in the advantages derivablefrom the expenditure on colonial public works ; it is impossible that all parts can be equally bene' tited, physically, by such works, but it is a most extraordinary and unprecedented spectacle to find Ministers of the Crown agitating and urging the people of the North to demand that expenditure

of money on roads and bridges shall be made by the Government, independently of the local bodies, knowing well that such money can only be obtained by loan on the security of the general credit, knowing well also that it is contrary to' the declared policy of the Legislature and of the Government itself, as stated by the Minister of Public Works, funds so raised should be so expended, and knowing well that it is a breach of the public faith with the public creditor; who lends on the assurance that his money is to be applied to immigration and to the construction of such public works as, in a commercial sense, can fairly be be regarded as reproductive. The dishonesty of such aproceeding on the part of the Government is patent. But even if it were otherwise, if it were proper to use borrowed money thus, the new-born zeal of Ministers evoked now, as it has been, by fear, would not excuse their culpable negligence of the interests of a large and important section of the Colony during the last session. The initiative in such a cause is with the Government as part of its duty ; as they did not move in the matter they must stand condemned as having failed in the discharge of that duty, and the most ingenious patter will not now prevent the people from discovering the thimble under which lies the pea.

The general entries in connection with the annual races will close at the Empire Hotel at eight o’clock this evening. The adjourned meeting of the committee relative to the departure of the Marquis of Normanby will be held in the Mayor’s room at 4 o’clock this afternoon.

The Bankruptcy Court will sit to-morrow. The Supreme Court vacation does not, we believe, interfere with bankruptcy business, nor does it appear to stop banco business. There are one or two cases set down tor hearing this week.

Mr. Lawson has courteously placed the following telegram at our disposal :—“ Gore, Sunday, 10 a.m.—J. Lawson, Esq. Mr. Conyers very much better. Consciousness rapidly returning. He recognised everybody in the room this morning.—N. W. Wekby.” Those of our readers more directly interested in the matter may recollect that nearly five months since, (on the 4th September, 1878), we said, “that Wellington province seems likely to redeem its character as a grain growing district. We hear from good authority that from one small port on the East Coast four hundred tons of grain will probably be shipped to this city during the early part of the coming year.” In connection with this subject we have now to report the significant fact that the flour mill in Manners-street hitherto known as “ Kebbell’s mill ” will very shortly be in full work, the well-known millers of Oamaru, Messrs. J. and T. Meek, having secured a lease of the property from the Wellington Land and Building Company. As one of the many signs of the attempt Wellington is making to establish her claim to be considered the first and most important city of the colony, this last sign of our progress deserves especial record. \Ve trust that Messrs. Meek may be rewarded with success in return for their enterprise.

At the Nag’s Head Hotel on Saturday afternoon Messrs. Laery and Campbell sold by auction the privileges in connection with the annual races. The total amount realised was £530, a result which is considered to be highly satisfactory. The following are the particulars of the sale : —Grand-stand bar, luncheon-room, and kitchen, Mr. J. Beattie, £2l ; No. 1 publican's booth, Mr. J. Ames, £B3 ; No. 2 do, Mr. Beattie, £3l ; No. 3 do, Mr. Williams, £29 ; No. 4 do, Mr. Beattie, £2B ; No. 1 refreshment stall, Mr. Phillip, £ll 10s ; No. 2 do, Mr. Phillip, £9 ; fancy bazaar, Mr. Back, £ls ; right to erect stables, Mr. Neill, £6 10a ; the gates, full right, Mr. J. Loubere, £305 ; the cards, Mr. T. H. Smith.

A new entertainment was presented at the Imperial Opera House on Saturday night, under the peculiar title “ If;’’ and the Stewarts were again greeted by a large and enthusiastic audience. In their new programme, these talented artists will even more than sustain the popularity they acquired iu “Rainbow Bevels ” Mr. Stewart, and the Misses Doey, Maggie, and Nellie, displayed a wonderful amount of versatility in the numerous characters they assumed, and the audience very frequently gave testimony of their appreciation. Amongst other items, the old Andrew hornpipe by Mr. Stewart and Miss Nellie was re-demanded ; and Mr. Stewart acquitted himself exceedingly well in the Marquis’ medley, where he pourtrayed the French character to perfection. The patriotic song, “The origin of the Union Jack,” brought down thunders of applause ; and Miss Docy Stewart deserved a very great amount of praise for the artistic manner in which she sang some gems from “ Lucia di Lammermoor” and “ Lucrezia Borgia,” The audience were too exacting when they demanded a repetition, but the compliment was thoroughly deserved, and no doubt fully appreciated by Miss Stewart. Miss Maggie Stewart made quite a hit in the song “Trotting in the Park,” which elicited an encore.” Miss Nellie Stewart’s “Laughing Song” was a truly admirable performance, and afforded another proof of the wide range of this young lady’s talents. But in a programme where there is so much that pleases it is almost invidious to make distinctions. Miss Docy, Miss Maggie, and Miss Nellie Stewart were each highly successful in their respective parts, and as for Mr. Stewart he was a perfect host in himself. There has never been an entertainment of the kind in this city which has given such universal satisfaction, and while the theatre-going public will always have most pleasing recollections of the Stewart Family, the latter will also remember with just pride and pleasure how liberally their entertainments have been patronised iu the Empire City. The same programme will be repeated to-night.

We understand that from 14,000 to 16,000 lithographic plans of the sale of the reclaimed land have been distributed. The auction will take place, as advertised, on Tuesday, 4th February, at 12 o’clock, at the saleroom of Mr. Duncan, Panama-street, and we have reason for stating that there is every probability of some of the sections being eagerly competed for, not only by local buyers but by others from various parts of the colony, and possibly from Melbourne and Sydney. The terms of payment, for a Government sale, are liberal, and appear likely to prove_ attractive, even in these somewhat stringent times, as regards money. The situation is, without question, very important, and is certain to be built upon almost immediately. We notice that the frontages are nearly all about 50ft. by an average depth of from 70ft. to 90ft., and each section fronts one of the new streets. Posts are being erected at the angles of each block, with the names of the street painted thereon ; each allotment or section in the blocks is also pegged and numbered. The result of this extensive sale will be watched with interest, not only by the purchasers at this sale but by the public generally, more especially by holders of freeholds in other parts of the City of Wellington, as exhibiting a correct value of other property at the present moment. In this respect the sale possesses more than ordinary interest and significance. The North Makara Bay was the well chosen scene of many a picnic party on Anniversary Day, great numbers having gone from Wellington and Karori, while the Makara settlers turned out cn masse. The scene along the coast for upwards of a mile presented all the appearance of a new settlement, with the several encampments, each having their own fires with the “billy ” slung on. There were several boats plying about the harbor; but as fishing was not the object of the amateur boatmen, the take was not very great, although some hauls were made. An inquest was held on Saturday on the body of David Andrews, who the previous day had fallen dead from his horse when riding in the vicinity of Polhill Gully. The evidence of Dr. Kesteven showed unmistakeably that heart disease was the cause of death. Mr, Andrews was caretaker of the Corporation reservoir. The steamer Hawes, which arrived yesterday, brought 150 pure bred rams from Christchurch, for Messrs. Murray, Common and Co.’s station in the Napier district. A man named H. Cross 'was locked up yesterday afternoon for obtaining a passage surreptitiously on board the steamer Hawea from Lyttelton.

A committee of Wellington gentlemen are arranging a programme of athletic sports which will take place about the Bth February, on the Basin Reserve grounds. Mr. Goodiellow, the well-known Australian pedestrian, will compete, thus enabling those who choose to attend to sea one of the finest amateur runners in the world. Mr. Goodfellow is a native of South Australia, and is the winner of the Australian Pedestrian Cup of IS7S, competed for by the champion runners of Victoria, Tasmania, Hew South Wales, and South Australia, with free entrance, and expenses paid by the committee ; the cup being the finest trophy ever competed for on this side of the line, weighing 65 ounces. Mr. Goodfellow is also the winner of the South Australian Cup, weighing 50 ounces silver, which is another valuable trophy of pedestrianism. Mr. Goodfellow has recently won upwards of sixty firstclass races in all parts of the United Kingdom, defeating some of the best runners of the present day. He has also won some crack races in America, India, and Australia, and many other parts of the world, ia every case receiving a trophy (iu lieu of money) to the amount of the prize won, similar to the arrangements of the Wellington Athletic Club in like cases. Mr. Goodfellow is a water drinker, and has been a life toototaller, nor does be smoke tobacco in any form, and to these two grand rules of self-discipline he attributes his great success as an amateur pedestrian.

The following cricket matches were played on Saturday:—The match which was commenced on Saturday week on the Basin Reserve was continued on Saturday. The Stars had 86 runs to get to win, which they obtained with the loss of five wickets. *T. Salmon played a very good innings for 54, and not out.—The match between the first eleven and the eighteen of the Wellington Cricket Club did not come off at the Hutt on Saturday through some of the members not turning up. A game was, however, played by elevens chosen from those on the ground.—A match was played between the Rising Star and Thorndon cricket clubs, in Miss Leitch’s paddock. The Rising Stars came off easy victors, as they won with nine wickets to go down. This result is mainly attributable to tho splendid bowling of Bliturner and Holmes.

The Wairarapa Daily says:—“ The manner in which the land tax papers are being filled tip is in some instances highly amusing. In some cases the recipients have described their interests in their property as ‘ cattle' or ‘ wool,’ while others ■ simply confess that they ‘ don’t know.’ The idea of making each landholder value his own land is a decided failure, and will give a great deal of extra work to the valuers.”

The services held yesterday iu connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association were largely ' attended. In order to increase the number of members aud enlarge the sphere of usefulness, a circular has been issued from the association, copies of which will be circulated among the young men of this city.

In the Herald of the 24th instant the Manawatu Highway Board publishes a list of the names of the ratepayers who have not paid their rates, and the amounts due by each. The sums vary from Is. up to 50s, The following racehorses arrived by the Hawea, yesterday : Merlin, Ratcatcher, Lady Ellen, Mufti, King Quail, and Leartes.

Mr; T. K. Macdonald’s large sale of town sections takes place to-day. They are subdivisions of acres 162, 164. 106, IS7, 188, known as Hunter’s acres, They have been carefully pegged off. The competition for the sections, on account of their admirable position, will probably be keen. Good streets have been formed through the sections at an easy gradient. The Karori sections mentioned in our Saturday’s issue will also be sold, Messrs. J. H. Bcthune and Co. will to-day, at 2 o'clock, offer for sale, at the Polytechnic. Hall, three new American vehicles ; also an invoice of twilled shirtings and sheetings, and some first-class perfumery-To-morrow Mr. Duncan will sell by auction at his salerooms the leases for forty-two years of several pieces of land belonging to the Hospital trustees. They are situated in the Tlnakori-road, and adjoin the properties of Sir D. Bell, the Solicitor-General, Mrs, Swainson, T. Buchanan, Esq., and McTavish, Esq. He will also sell the freehold of a very valuable piece of land on Lambton-quay, opposite the Government buildings, occupied at present and for more than thirty years past by Mr. Henry Read, who contemplates shortly leaving the colony. Terms and and conditions, with plans of these properties, may be obtained from the auctioneer. Mr. Read’s property has a frontage to Bowen-street, opposite the Government House.