THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, JAN. 1.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2156, 1 January 1869, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, JAN. 1.

Two of our reprcKCßtntivcs have rojiigned their seat}*, and explained to their constituent*! iho reasons why. Mr Hepbuun retires because hist health is bad: Mr Patkhson . retintr for reasons which he, ha& taken the trouble to explain/* As both these gentlemen have latterly rendered themselves unpopular with a large section of their constituents, their resignation* will bo cheerfully accepted. Air H v.vBIiUK lias apparently not thought it worth while to oiler any explanation of his political conduct to the electors. Such an explanation watt due to them, and would have been promptly and unnwervedly ottered by any politician who understood the position of a representative. In this rcMpect, no fault can be found with Mr Patkkhon.. There wjw some f.xciiKc for his refusal to meet the' electors iv public, in the fact that many of them had ahown a decided disposition to treat him with contempt. But jhe has at least endeavoured to explain himself, and we may «ay for his cxi plaiwtion that it is not altogether | unsatisfactory. It is temperate, wellworded, and apparently sincere. The lineof dofenceiamtolligible. Mr Patek6ON represents himself as one who was imwiliingly compelled to mipport the Ministry for two reasons, Iv the first place, ho believed that a constant ! change of adminiHtmtion in an evil to be avoided at all cont; and in tho .second place, he bclievcl that the Opposition had no" other end in view than that of turning out the Ministry. Both these argument* arc plausible. There can be doubt that the colony of, New Zealand, like the .colonies of Australia, has suffered grievously from the incewsant changes which have marked the brief history of representative government. One ■ administration has followed another so rapidly, that none has had time to mature many measures for the practical good of the people. Every session of Parliament baa been distinguished by a mere scramble for office; and it is in tho midst of this undignified scrambling that the crude, chaotic legislation of the country has been effected. Statesmanship is out of the question under, such circumstances. The result cannot be otherwise than injurious in the extreme. Even in Great Britain, political philosophy has begun to set. its face determinedly against a Byutcm which sacrifices the real welfare of the community to the interests of party. But the evils of party Government arc felt much less acutely in Great Britain than they are in these little colonies of ours; and nothing can be more natural than that men of reflective habits—not absorbed in struggles for office—should hci-e as well as in England prefer the sacrifice of parliamentary scruples to the sacrifice of national interests. It is equully true that the conduct of the Opposition is a subject for severe criticism. With some at least of its more prominent members, a desire for office was too obviously the mainspring of their action. That the good of the country was not their only motive—if it was a motive at all—was apparent to the least attentive observer of the Session Therefore it might be said to follow logically that a politician conscientiously opposed to rapid changes of administration was called upon to hesitate before he assisted in turning out the Government. In the estimation of such a politician, no good could reirult to the country from v eh;mg« of Ministry, when the aspirants for office were animated by no higher feelings than those of self interest. It cannot be denied that the history of tho late session affords many instances in support of Mr Patersos'h argument. Them is one important matter which does not seem to have presented itself to our late representative,—and that is, the state of public opinion. It i» no doubt true that a representative is not bound to represent the opinions of his own constituents merely. Every member of Parliament is more or less a representative of tho country at large. In the present case, tho opinions held by Mr -.Patbrson's constituents are identical with those held by the majority of electors throughout the country. Mr Patkhson consequently not only failed to represent his own constituents, but he also failed to represent public opinion in any shape. Therefore he cannot excuse himself to his constituents by saying 'that he sacrificed their wishes to those of the great majority. He {sacrificed, the .wishes of the electors generally throughout New Zealand. He could not have deluded .himself with the idea that the Ministry were supported by public opinion. That opinion was unmistakeat ly expressed in *ll tha constituencies ; and with very, few-excep-* tiona it was unfavourable to the' Ministry. Their career in Parliament during the Session was utterly unsuccessful. That they succeed* din retainjing office was due to accident, for their ! majority in the House w;is a nominal rather than a real one. Mr PatehsoNj ascertf that the case has not been fairlyi laid before the "country by the Press. While Mr Fox's lieview of the Session was published, no notice- was taken of Mr Stavfohd's reply ; and yet this reply, Mr 'Patehbon tells us, completely demolished the -Review. Tbiawist evidently a prejudiced eonclusioir <-vSq' far^ as this journal is concerned, we. may"say that Me Staf-t ford's reply* waii not published simply because it was considered not worth publication. It was in no sense an answer to Mr Fox. It was such a reply as might'be expected from any astute and ready-witted Premier; but it utterly failed to meet the exhaustive I speech delivered by the leader of the Opposition. Mr Patehson also complains that the significant action of Mr Fox on thia occasion—that is, his shaking hands "with Premier onj the^ conclusion of his reply. -— vrm

passed over in silence. This is ludicrous. Even if Hansard hud related the affecting anecdote in all its details, its interpretation would still be open to question. We very much doubt indeed whether Mr Fox hud any intention of * throwing up the sponge' when he had every reason to congratulate himself on his achievement. Pugilists usually shake hnud^ when they enter the ring ; probably Mr Fox meant nothing njore, when offering lib liund, I bun an offer of good will at the close of the campaign.

Tiiis Suez telegram—which brings our intelligence from London down to the 27th ofNo vember—as unusually meagre. It is scarcely an improvement on the Liiit Panama telegram, which offered very few points for comment, The Parliamentary news is distinguished by the defeat of Air Gladstone for South Lancashire, followed by his return for Greenwich, and the rejection of Mr | Mill. For the reasons for these un- J expected discomfitures we mu.«t wait! until the arrival of the mail. It would b<: idle to offer conjectures on the subject. Mr Mill had brought down a great deal of ridicule upon his liead by his patronage of workingclass candidates; but it can hardly be supposed that this would afford' any ground for his defeat by the electors of Westminster. The event is analogous to the rejection of Maoaxtlay by his Edinburgh constituency. The Liberals httvo obtained their expected majority, notwithstanding the mishaps of some of their chiefs. This may be regarded as decisive of the fate of the Irish Established Church. Tho disturbances reported from certain towns were probably owing to the discussion of this question, and the action of the Orangemen in connection with it. Nothing, however, is said about Mr Monrny.of ■ Manchester ; he has no doubt returned to bis native obscurity, ' unwept, unhonoui'ed, and unsung.' The most satisfactory item in the long catalogue of events is by no means the most romantic. It consists in the announcement that wool is a penny higher. It is therefore possible to offer our woolgrowers the customary congratulations of the season with a good grace.

There will bo no publication of tho Daily Timea to-morrow.

To-day being Now Tear's Day, will, of course, be kept as a public holiday, and there is no doubt that tbo good folks of Dnnedin will avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them for enjoyment. Ifcr are these opportunities few. First of all ia tbo annual gathering of tbo Caledonian Society of Otngo, held at the North Bccrcation Ground, with its concomitant games and sports ; then excursions by tho Golden Age and the Wallace, to the Heads, Maori KaiU, and Fortobollq, by tbo former; and to Oatnaru, returning on the following day, by tho litter vessel; and in tho evening the Theatre, with the burlesque and pantomime, and M. Fieury'e excellent musical entertainmoat at tho Otago Academy of Music.

Tclcgraphio communication was interrupted yesterday with oil stations north of Timaro, except Tcmuka.

Tho Committee of tho Otago Benevolent lu-titution acknowledge by advertisement, donations in aid of the charity, among which is L2G 10a 7d, tho proceeds of the choral services held on Christinas i£vo and Christinas Day at St Paul's Church.

Close holiday will bo kept in tho Government Offices and public institutions both today and to-morrow. As most of tho business establishments will also keep closed tomorrow, it is not likely that business will fairly bo resumed till Monday.

At a meeting of tho Acclimatisation Society, held yesterday, it was decided that in consequence of a number of the young trout having been destroyed by persons throwing bread iuto the pjuda, Captain Boyd should be requested to prevent tho public visiting tUcm except by special permu sion.

During tho thunderstorm which passed over Banedinycßterday, the lightning struck tho hills inside the. heads near the Maori Kaik, setting the bush on fire and uprooting several trees. The lightning on striking toe earth caused a report like the firing of a cannon, aud startled the captain and crow of the Stormbird, which vessel was then passing the opit.

A cricket match will be played to-day between the second eleven of tho Duncdin Club aad the first elevoa of the Citizens' Club. The following will be the opposing teams : D.C.C. —Allen, Bell, Brewer, Brown, Creagh, Urant, Macfarlaud J., Macfaxlan T., Mann, Morrison, Park, D.C.C.C. — Anderson, Collier, Coxhead, Gardner, Geddes G. W., Morrison, Pledger, Thompson, West, G., Whetham, Woodiluld.-—A. Josling, twelfth inau. Wickete will be pitched at eleven o'clock.

During the past fortnight, 1 boy and 3 girls were admitted into the Otago Benevolent Institution. Tho present inmates of tbo institution are 3 old men, 2 women, 29 s:oys, and 35 girla j total, G9. During tho same period 3 old men, 41 women, aad 103 children, making a total of 152 persons, received outdoor relief. Of these 37 belonged the Church of England, 70 were Presbyterians, 35 Roman Catholics, and 10 Wesieyans. The weekly earn disbursed waa Ll3 7«. - In our report of tho proceedings of the City Council of Wednesday, in regard to the proposal to place a wooden tramway in Bond street, it was stated that Mr Barnes,; had intimated that a sum of money in connection with the tramway would be placed on tho estimates. The name should have been that of Mr Burns, tho Secretary for Public Works. ,

At the Evident Magistrate's Coarfc this , morning, two men; Michael Barrettand Johni| Eoy, were brought np on the third remand for h»ving Bhot» hone, .the '.property of * settler named' -Marshall, living *t Pine HilL Mr ferny thics and Mr Ward appeared for thedefauioe, and the former gentleman succeeded iti wtablubing aa alibi for Boy, who wan thereupon discharged, Bamfct being committed to take his trial at the etuniinff sitting* of 'the Supremo Court, and bail being allowed for his appearance.

An ordinary meeting of the Directon of the Caledonian Society vast held last evening at Wain's Hotel,. Manse street The Secretary reported that ha had handed to the judge* the productions of tfajrty ootapetitora for the prize poem. Mr A. J. Bocaa i TO elected » Ufe axember, and ma »ccor-

ibed a vote of thftp»^ ior two debentnrca . of L 5 cj^ch, vrhittc^° iiad preacutcd ■ to tho Society. Tllr^* 111*? a^*° Uec;doJ to give the obi of X.:/f r*nd *ta*l »t the , North Dunlin Ec*!^ 01* <*r«"nd to tho ; Votanic«ra who cois i*ooo ali tncaHiptnunt there on the i)th icst be **«*id«»t, Thos. Birch, E&j., oc:opi' ijtyo cllair- x Vo aro requested to eta'c ! (* *^° pipem are expi cted to Msemble at *'«in'a H°tcl betweca ' 10 and 11 this rnornii $.% Tho brig Emulous %!*!>& yest«r<l»y by Xfesars M'Landrcss, uni, and Co., to Mesars Gufchrio, Ashc i*^ 4 c -i for Ll-100. Wo hovo received 11« fWspccltw of a novr evening paper, to \> > J^' lished shortly ia Danodin under the lid*1 of tlio Evening Indepsndcnt. A wU conducted psjKr of the kind ■will no dou|tf rore acceptable to the public, pA ■ : Boxing Day at Ini JB«*fgiU "was to have beeir celebrated by a r '(ss*. The weather, however,, ■w«s untav« ii»ble, a heavy galo blowing, oo that afteit'tbe hrst race, it was agreed; to postpone t ie;remamilcr ol tho events until Saturday >£& According to an sit?* issued by th» Tuapekik Times, Curia !q»s w»s not as lively ia that district as it m $>■ have been. In Lawrcnco there was li *h festivity, tho only public amusements be cjsomi! Bports at tho Shamrock Hotel on Bairiig Day. At V.rait&huna » performance wi a{iven by tho Local Dramatic Club, and pj 0«d a. success. On the 23th and 29th, thiyniwal sport* took place ai; Wetheratoncaj r ; They coiixiatcd of foot-raccis, wrestling, ijloiting, and other games, »ll of which «M keenly contested and very successful. *[* c? 8 a^so *°°'i place at Tuo]?cka Mouth on W*t>g Uay. Tho oeclimatUatioa «^deor ia tho Victorian Grampians, ne«r||ir&rat, appears to h»vo proved a BuccfHs.|:A shepherd employed in thai; neigbbowr^ood says that bo j and ioveral other person havo frequently seen them among tbe bisi.; The Advertiaer remarks on tha ctrcum»taat)O %c follows :—lf tho nnm'B story be true, & cer aro breeding among tho hills, tiife being a great nnmbf.T of young to bo pten in tbe herd. The whole herd, aa ho defribes them, muat havo been in splendid addition ; and as thoy are very fleet, and be&mpg very cbiry, he thinks they will incrfjw in groat ironibew. In tho ragged p&es of the hilk, which answer as fMtuctseibr them, they nro ufc from pursuit by doga^Sbe surface being of such a description a« ts» placo all tho advautages on the side of theper. It appears that the a onginoa wi 1 h*ws nothing to do with them; when they fit* saw tho Hook they were gro»tly frigbteuw, and they will not williugly »tay in a plac4whorc they havo seen them before. |