THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1897.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3094, 3 April 1897, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.)

SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1897.

With which «Vo iv.corjivr(ilsd the tndcver.dcnf. established 1845 , and the New Zealander,

The friends of Mr Henry Mackenzie will receive the news with regret that he has, after due consideration, resigned his position as general manager of the Bank of New Zealand. The board of directors has placed on record Its appreciation of his Services to the bank during the period of his managership, and we are sure that all will join with us and with the board of directors tu wishing him health and happiness in his future career.

Mr Charles Wilson boh llihcessfully opened the ‘cadtpaigU fob the Suburbs seat, and link received almost Unanimous votes of confidence from crowded meetings at Petoue and NewtoWn. Hit addresses have beon calm, ftlld Ac the same time distinguished by force of character. Tho good Impression already created will be increased as ho travels through the electorate. We regret to note that the same contemptible conduct which characterised tho Opposition during the general election is again l being exerted, and that the “ hired assassins ” who did duty then are again busy »t their shameless work. But, after all, these scurrilities Will serve to harden up tho Liberals of the Suburbs; and give them a greater incentive fco Work together for the success of thoit Candidate. The Government ellppol-ters have Only to unite to conquer, and it is certain (jhabthe attempt now being made to slander and belittle Mr Wilson will bting About complete unity- and a splendid victory.

As there appears to be some misapprehension as to the state of the rolls for the Suburbs and the position of those who failed to vote at the Licensing Committee election, it may be said at once that no name can bo legally struck off for nonexSoise of the franchise at any other than a Parliamentary election. Therefore no uneasiness need be felt by those who voted at the general election as to whether their names still appear on the register.

The meeting of citizens yesterday to take slops to support the proposals of Mr T. Gale for a graving dock at Wellington was in every way a success. Those who attended were, by long residence and close connection with the public affairs of the city, fully entitled to speak. Their testimony was valuable and so many excellent speeches were made that there will be no difficulty about the making out of a good case before the ratepayers at the public meeting which is to be held in the Opera House at an early date. There can benotwo opinions as to theeffect which Mr Gale’s . exhaustive and excellent scheme has had upon the public mind, and it may be safely said that they feel themselves considerably indebted to him for the painstaking and able manner in which he has discharged a high public duty. It how only remains for the burgesses ' to strengthen his bands and make such representations to the Harbour Board as will influence its members to take the, necessary initiatory steps to enable the work to be inaugurated. We would ask Messrs Booth, Beauchamp, Heaton and Jack, together with Captain Rose, to view the soheme in the light of public opinion and of the necessities of the position. If they do this, they can only come to one conclusion : to forward by every means at their disposal Mr Gale’s scheme. By the way, one or two slight errors occurred in our report and article. In the report Captain Rose was wrongly credited with a portion of Mr Heaton’s speech, and the name of the Utter gentleman was put in as a ratepayers’ representative instead of Mr John Jack. It is to be hoped that they will really prove themselves to be the representatives of the ratepayers and vote as the latter would have them do. Mr Beauchamp’s position is a peculiar one, it must be admitted, and he would do well either to remain away when the queation of the dock proposals is being considered in committee or place bis resignation in the hands of the chairman of the Harbour Board and go to the poll as a declared opponent of the scheme, so that the ratepayers may have the opportunity of being fairly represented. A number of rumours are afloat as to the attitude of Captain Russoli, Loader of the Opposition, on the representation of this colony at the record reign celebrations. These may be set at rest by an extract from the columns of the Auckland Herald, which recently published an interview had with the gallant captain by its Wellington correspondent. In the oourseof that interview the Leader of the Opposition was asked the question: “ Have you any knowledge of the disposition of the general body of members on the subject ?” To which Captain Russell replied; “I can only speak of those wh usually act with me. There might possibly be a free lance or two whom I could not control, but 1 believe the members of the Opposition are unanimous that the colony should be represented on this great occasion. . . Speaking generally, the Opposition is prepared to approve of sverything which may be shovjn to be requisite to make manifest the loyalty and levofcion of the people of the colony to the ijueen, and they will be prepared to find fie necessary ‘ ways and means ’ for the Jiirpose, as well as supply to carry ou the justness of the country daring the Premier’s absence. That should be assurmce sufficient until the Premier puts beore Parliament his proposal?”