THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, JAN. 14.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2478, 14 January 1870, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, JAN. 14.

The determination of the Executive ta stick to office at.all hazards aiid at any sacrifice of consistency, was unmistakeably displayed during the late Session. No one therefore can be surpi-ised to find them adhere to this determination as resolutely when the Council is not sitting as when it is. If in the face of a formidable Opposition they could consent to abandon their principles at a moment's notice, it is not to be expected that they should dream of resigning when there is no Opposition to |be faced at all. But it is still reasonable ! to expect that they should make no unnecessary parade of theii' vacillation— that when they undertake to defend a principle, they should not desert it at the approach of danger. We cannot understand why the appointment of a Treasurer should have been made the occasion for another display of their irresolute and undignified mode of acting. It was a matter that presented no difficulty in itself. There was no reason to anticipate a grave political scandal in connection with it. As it has turned out, it is doubtful whether the transaction is not more disci'editable to the Executive than their tortuous career throughout the Session. The public is aware that, in order to assert their constitutional powers with reference to the appointment in question, the Executive endeavoured a second time to install Mr Gillies in the vacant office.: Apparently they felt ashamed of having given way to His Honour in the first instance, and wished to recover their sense of honour by compelling him to accept Mr Gillies as Treasurer. Mr Reid accordingly resigned. His Honour, however, was not so pliant as they expected to find him. He refused to accept Mr Gillies, but offered to accept any one else. They auggested that he should dismiss them; he suggested that they should resign. Had they possessed any sense of official dignity, or any knowledge of constitutional practice, they would not have waited until they were told to resign. They would have resigned at once, as the only means of vindicating their position. Instead of doing so, they have withdrawn, from their position altogether, and left the field in possession ofthe enemy. Mr Gillies has a second time ' resigned' in favour of a colleague, and the appointment, we understand, has been conferred on Mr Duncan, who had previously declined to accept it.

What apology can be offered for a proceeding of this description, it is difficult to conceive. The attempt to force His Honour to accept a Treasurer to whose appointment he is stronglyopposed was justifiable only on the ground that the constitutional rights of the Executive must take precedence of His Honour's prejudices. The Superintendent has clearly no power to resist the will of the Executive in matters of this land. It is unconstitutional on his part to refuse his consent to any appointment which his responsible advisers may think fit to make. The Executive might have.calculated on the support of public opinion, both in and out of the Council, in asserting this principle. But when they undertook to assert it, they should have been prepared to meet the contingencies of the contest.:; To advance half way and then retreat, is just as disgraceful in politics as it is in war. Their conduct is. excusejd by their supporters on the ground that the retreat is a painful sacrifice to a strong sense of duty—that the Executive consider it due to the country that they shouid continue to hold office, in order to prevent the appointment of servile successors, who would immediately carry out His Honour's policy in regard to the Clutha railway and the Hundreds Act. Something is also said about the necessity of preventing a dead-lock in the conduct of public business. Excuses of this kind are too weak to be seriously listened to. They would naturally occur, to any Ministry ~in the act of eating humble pie. Ttie policy of their successors is of course1 objectionable in their eyes; arid they may fancy themselves called upon to thwart.it by every means in their power. But it. is not the business of any set of "politicians ; to determine; what particular policy is * good. for the country. That question must be left to the country itself, through its representatives. - The present Executive may rely upoin being kept in offi.ce, whatever* the views of the Superintendent may happen to be, if the country really believes in the policy they represent. This burlesque of responsible Government, however, cannot fail to disgust the public. It is impossible to feel respect for either men or measures under such a system of administration as that which we possess. The desire to retain office is so palpably the mainspring of their conduct that nothingcan be expected from our rulers. They can have no hesitation in sacrificing the public interests to their own, at any moment, and under any circumstances. At the same time, the spec-! tacle presented by the Superintendent and his 'responsible advisers' is the reverse of dignified. It represents a form of administration unknown in any other country, and unfitted to answer the ordinary purposes of government. Responsible government is ridiculous unless its principles are* carried out in practice. The first of those principles isthat the Executive are respensiljie ;, tp ! the Legislature, and not to the head of the Government; and consequently that he is bound to act by their advice in all things. The successful working of responsible goveraament depends entirely on the observance of this principle. But this is just the principle which we ignore. On the strength of his being an elective officer, the Superintendent is allowed to set aside his 'responsible advisers' whenever he pleases. It would

be better to have adopted the American plan of government, and to have made the Executive merely heads of departments, 'without seats \in the Legislature i and without sponsibility to it. V The position: of the Superintendent would then be one of;"dignity and poAver combined. At j present, it has very -little-of • either. The position of the Executive is not much better. If His Honour does not choose to take their advice, he can dispense with it; if they offer any resistance to his wishes, he can either summon them before the Council or dismiss tbem. No one can deny that some reform of this most absurd and anomalous state of things is necessary. The only question is what shoxild be the precise nature of the reform. If, for instance, the Executive were appointed and dismissed by the Provincial Council, they would be in a position to carry out their policy without any fear of losing office by a stray vote in a division, or by incurring the displeasure of the Superintendent. They would thus be independent of every power but that of the Legislature, and their removal from office could only, take place on a'distinct"vote of want of confidence. As the :Vice of our present system is that they have no independence at all, such a reform as this would at least render good government possible.

Several of the members of the Committee of the Chamber Of Commerce had an interview with the Postmaster yesterday, to as: certain whether any arrangement had been made for fo-warding the next English mail to Me*bourne. There were present, Messrs R. B. Martin (chairman), G._Turnbull (vicechairman), Oliver, Brodrick, Butterworth, and J. S. Webb (secreta y). It appeared that information had beea afforded to the Committee thit the Tararua was notlikelytoi leave Port Chalmers (efore the 27th inst, and if such were the case, it would be impossible for her to be in Melbourne in time for the English mail. In reply the Postmaster informed them that his instructions were that the Tararua would leave on the 24th inst, taking the mail. Later in the day he received a reply to a telegram he sent to Wellington asking information on the subject, the reply being that an arrangement had been made with M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co's agents in Wellington, by which her dt-parture from Port Chalmers was fixed for the 24th inst.

The annual missionary meeting in connection with the Presbyterian Church of Otago, was held last night in First Church, the Moderator, the Rev. Mr Johnstone, in the chair. There was a vory good attendance, and the meeting was addressed by the Reye. Dr Copland, Mr Will, Mr Blake, Mr Honore, and Mr Stobo, and by Mr J. W. Thomson. Pressure on our space compels us to hold over our report of the proceedings.

The remains of Mr Balfour, which were picked up one mile north of Timaru on Saturday last, were brought down yesterday in the steamer Wainui, under the charge of Captain Gibson, Harbour Master of Lyttelton. In accordance with the wish of Mrs Balfour, they are to be interred in the Dunedin Cemetery, alongsida the body of ths late Mr Paterson, who was a friend and schoolmate of Mr Balfour. Mrs Balfour left Wellington for England last Sunday, in the ship Halcione.

The return match between the Albion and Tokomairiro Cricket Clubs will be played on the Club's gfound, which has been kindly lent for the pnrpose, today, commencing at eleven o'clock sharp. The following are the names of the respective teams. Albion—Messrs Buchanan, Clark, Cohen, Goudie, Hutchinson, T., Kirk, Little, Payton, Sherwin, Shepherd, and Wells. Tokomairiro.,— Messrs Corrigan, Cook, Gregory, Evatt, Lane, Marryatt M'lntyre, M'Fadyeh, Pettitt, Simmonds,' and Twiss.

Beyond the calling of a case in; which the plaintiff did not put in an appearance, there was no business transacted at the Kesident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

We have received the first number of " The Timaru and Gladstone Gazette," a journal which is to be published thrice a week in Timaru. It scarcely comes up to the standard attained by the Herald, but the editor apologises for the imperfections of the firsfc number, and promises better things in future. We do not know that Timaru can support two newspapers, bat no doubt the Gazette will be conducted in such a minner as to merit public support.

A teacher in one of the district schools, refer-ing to piir report of the educational meeting held on Monday evening last, audi more especially to certain remarks made by gentlemen present regarding the public examinations, Btates that, "at the examination of the school the teacher would only be too glad if any of the parties present would take the responsibility of examining the class. Indeed they, especially, clergymen, arealways asked, to dp so ; but with very few exceptions, the offer is declined." Ab to the objection, that there is too much attempt at display in such subjects as dicta-, tion, our correspondent urges that there is a broad distinction between, a public ex-: animation and the exhibition which usually precedes the distribution of the prizes ; and that this distinction has been lost sight of by the critics he refers to — Another correspondent deals with the same objections. He Bays :—There could of course be no harm in other than the teachers showing the progress of the school by examining the classes, if they have been trained either by experience or otherwise to such a difficult task. But there can be no greater farce than an, untraimd person trying, to get answers from young children. There can be no harm, however, in trying it, and I do not see why the teacher^ should not get some amusement as well as; the public. Tothe teachers I would say, make as much display, and create as much emulation in your schools as possible, but stop short in permitting your pupils when reading lesaons to simulate passions which they do not feeL

Mr Haliwell writes to us as follows, in answer to an enquiry made in our columns with reference to the recent Competitive Examination of the Caledonian Society :— " I beg to state that I was duly favoured with a copy of the subjects for examination at an early date of last month, but owing to my attention being entirely devoted to preparing for the annual examination of my own school, I allowed the matter to escape my memory, and consequently . omitted even mentioning the subject to my pupils. I may add, however, that I was led to feel somewhat indifferent to the compe tition^f rom my re»

garding one of the condition s stated as tooexclusive, namely:—'The pieces selected for recitation to consist of not less than twenty lines, and one of them at least to be in the Scotchlanguage.' The condition insisted on in the bst clause is, t still think, unwise, especially in a.mixed community like ours. One pupil who attended the Middle School about a year ago did, at the last hour, apply to me ior the necessary certificate of admission, which I cordially gave him. I hope that the Committee may see that it will be better to dispense with the condition referred to next year. The Society being Caledonian is to me a stronger reason why such a condition should not be enforced,"

The Masonic Hall will be opened on Saturday night next, by M. Fleury, with a musical (vocal and instrumental) entertainment. M. Fleury's orchestra/ with some additions, will perform the instrumental portion of the concert.

We understand that Mr J. S. Webb has presented to the Dunedin Hospital 85 numbers of magazines, which the Government intends to have neatly bound fpr the use of the patients.

Oar Blueskin correspondent writes that the condition of the wheat crop in that district is good, but the quantity teing raised is but small. There is no appearance of rust or blight. Only a smaU patch of barley has been sown, but this is in fair condition. There are excellent crops of oats, potatoes, and turnips; the grass, on account of the late rains, looks well, but the crop of hay is light. The potatoes on the fiats have suf fered very much from the late heavy rains, but on the ridges no damage hr-". been snstained from this cause. The approximate extent of ground sown in the various crops is as follows:—Wheat, 20 acres; oats, 530 acres; potatoes, 55 acres; turnips, 120 acres ; grass. 600 aer<s ; hay, 25 acres. Harvest is expected to ba general by the end of February.

The fifth annual exhibition of five stock and dairy produce of the Waikouaiti and Shag Valley Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Waikouaiti on Friday laat. The attendance was not quite so numerous as last year, With regard to the show itself, the Herald Bays that "taking the natural drawbacks the settlers have had to contend against, it may be regarded ns highly creditable, and giving cause for congratulation."

From the Clyde papers we learn that the late storm was felt severely there. The whole of the valey was one broad sheet of water, and the Dunstan Times expresses its fear that the farmers will be heavy losers.

Two little girls, the children of Mr R. W. Daniels, Queenstown, have had a narrow escape from being poisoned by eating tutu berries. The prompt admininistration of an emetic, it is said, alone averted fatal consequences. Inf jrmation has reached Waikouaiti of a little girl, four and a half years old, the daughter of Mr J. W. Murdoch, R.M., being lost in the Goodwood bash.

The Mount Ida Chronicle informs us that considerable excitement prevails at Blacks, in reference to quartz reefs, and there seems to be a rage for prospecting. No very startling results, however, have yet been attained. The original reef, known as the American's, or the Captain's, is being again re-worked by a somewhat strong company. The reef has been lately attack, and it is to be hoped will prove a success. There is but one opinion as to fche ad visibility of having a crashing machine erected. There is no doubt whatever but that it would pay splendidly, and would give a great impulse to prospecting.-

The Waikouaiti Hera'd of Wednesday contains the following paragraph :—lt is expected that harvest in Otago will commence in the Oamarn district shortly. The acreage under crop in Otago in 1868-9, as per Government return, was 152,568 acres.''.". The acreage for 1869-70 will be greater; the official return, however, will not be published until February. Ample employment will thus be afforded to hundreds of hands for the next two or three montrs Crop 1868-9 (exclusive of crop of the aboriginal natives :— ."' , Otago. Kew Zealand. Wheat ... ... 20,142 ... 64,517 Barley.andoats... 43,425 ... 100,483 Potatoes ... ._. 3,033 ... 11.557 Sowngrasseß ... 83,782 ...: 50! ', 580 Other crops ... 2 186 ... 8,878 Total acres... 152,568 ...'687,015 The sensational story which lately went the round of the press, about a woman who was said to have been seen at the Kaikoras armed with a revolver, and carrying under her arm a child with its throat cut, turns out to have been a hoax.

; The Cromwell Races came off on the 31st December and following day. The Town Plate, of 75 soys, was won by Mr D. Jollies eh g Excelsior, Mr E. Pritchard's. eh g Skyonian being second. The District Handicap, of 100 soys, with a sweepstakes of L 2 2s, was also taken by Excelsior, Mr J. Hazlett's eh m being second.

We learn from tho local papers that the Danedin mails did not arrive at Cromwell on the sth, owing to the state of the Manuherikia preventing the coaches crossing.

A ccording to the Cardrona correspondent of the Cromwell Guardian, the returns from recent washings-up shew that the deep-sinkers have been making at the rate; -of Lls per . week.• The Chinese population, re-working old ground, is set down at 200; and they are siid to be making fair wages. A side-school has been estab ished in the place, which will supply a want that has been long felt.

A Wellington paper states that Commcdore Lambert will, in all probability, be succeeded at the end of his term of service by Captain Vansittart, who will come out in a new flagship, Commodore Lambert returning to England in the Challenger. ' •

It is announced that nomiaations of candidates for the Councillorship of Leith Ward, in the room of Mr K-. S. Dods, must be lodged with the Town Clerk before nooa of Monday, the 17th insfc. The declaration will be made ; at noon of that day, on the terrace of the Provincial Council Chambers.

A meeting of intending settlers at Preservation Inlet aud Martin's Bay is to be held at the Provincial Hotel this afternoon, at 4 o'c ock.

We have leceived a tract on the subject of Spiritualism, printed by Mr Watson, of Maclaggan street. The author, who signs himself " A Spiritualist," dedicates his production to the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland, one of his reasons for doing so being " Because many of your number, in common with the leaders of other religious sects, are, I fear, lamentably ignorant of the whole subject" The pamphlet will probably be acceptable at the present time, when Spiritualism is attracting so much attention.

We observe that Mr Diack has opened a school of phonography in Maitland street —the first phonetic school, we beUeve, inNew Zealand.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Nelson, January 13, 6.30 p.m.

Wangapeka is found to be four and abalf miles-within the boundary of the Nelson South-west Goldfields. fi