THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1887.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7928, 20 July 1887, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1887.

Whilst pressure from the country may bring Major Atkinson up to the mark with regard to reductions in the ordinary expenditure, the full report to hand of his Hawera speech shows that he entertains widely different ideas about the Public Works policy to be pursued from those which we believe to bo necessary to the safety of the Oolony. He sets out with the proposition that "it is quite clear that we cannot stop " our public works. That would be " disastrous to the Colony." Ominous though such an approach is, we suppose that no one would quarrel with it if the context showed that it only meant that we cannot stop our public works suddenly without regard to their stage of progress and the effect of the withdrawal of such a large influx of money. That would be a truism. We have yet to meet the man who proposes to close the Public Works Office next week, or even within the year. But the context shows that Major Atkinson means a great deal more than this—no less than that it is impossible to do away with the borrowing system. In short, his policy is not one of winding up, but of tapering off". We will do him the justice to say that he infers that it will eventually be possible to take buildings and land purchase off the loan fund, but it is only inferentially by calling attention to the necessity. of providing them out of that fund "for some short " time." Perhaps the fairest way will be to quote at length :—" I think wo " should make up our mind to do with- " out many of these things, but it will " be impossible to stop, and it would bo " unwise. It will be necessary to make " up our mind, while greatly reducing i " expenditure for some time longer, " (sic) to continue borrowing; but we " must all turn our attention to limit " our expenditure in buildings and " other things." Wo presume that the comma after " longer" should havo been placed after " expenditure," and we do not want to insist unduly upon verbal niceties. But the spirit is as bad as the letter. The Colony certainly does not want to bo encouraged to " make up its mind " to further borrowing, whether temporary or permanent, and the man who talks in this way is not likely to unduly hurry the process of tapering o/Ij even if we are only to taper oil.

It is very noticeable that in his remarks with regard to borrowing and public works Major Atkinson says not a word about railways. He gives not the slightest advice to the country as to what is the right policy to be pursued in this important department. About roads he is equally silent. But he discovers the impossibility of stopping the Public Works policy in the necessity for providing " school buildings, " public buildings, lunatic asylums, " prisons, telegraphs, lighthouses, kc." Here he is certainly quite at issue with public feeling. Whatever may be the case with regard to railways, there can surely be little difficulty iv doing without nine-tenths of our annual quota of public buildings until such time as the condition of the Colony has improved. It is, after ail, no very intolerable hardship for our schools and lunatic asylums and prisons to be a little overcrowded, and for country districts to go without buildings which they have not got at present. With regard to the purchase of Native lands, there may bo urgent

reasons ngainst delay ; but we are sun! that tins Colony is not prepared 1.0 sanction borrowing to buy land in any other way, and most certainly not for the. expenses of land settlement. It is ([ttiti! true that the present (Government have been extravagant in the distribution of borrowed money, but Major Atkinson himself is tarred with the same brash, and there is a very wide tliil'erencebetween limiting public worko expenditure when in Opposition and exorcising the same economical principles within the Cabinet. We warn Major Atkinson that his utterances upon the Public Works policy to be pursued, far from leading the party, are considerably behind the ideas o£ the public at large. 11 c seems to be anxious to take ollice without any d(Unite, pledges, and to presume upon the certainty of an Opposition victory. But if he does not hurry his paces we fear that when that victory is achieved he may find himself left behind. Hois to speak at Wellington shortly. Is it too much to hope that he will endeavour to catch up public opinion in the interval, and to instruct if he cannot lead it? With his long official experience under the present system, no one should be bettor able to show how " tapering oil'" can be en'ected. But ho must put some heart into his work, and think a little more of the country and less of mere party strategy.

Wo arc well aware that the criticisms wo are obliged to pass on the Opposition leader are hailed with delight by the Ministerial party. But the question with us is not one of helping this party or that, except in so far as they can be made instruments fo;1 getting the Colony out of its present difficulties and placing its finance upon a sound basis. It is plain that there is no hope in this direction from the present Government, and therefore the wisf) range themselves in opposition. But it is what may be termed a discriminative opposition, which carries in remembrance the faults and failings of former leaders, and will not allow itself to lie played with by any politicians, however able or experienced. If we cannot obtain thoroughly trustworthy leaders, the next best thing is to know the defects of those we have, and to correct their faults without favour and without prejudice. Besides,

no politician now before the country is indispensable, just as none is to be ostracized. Major Atkinson's experience ought to be of use in combination with men of stronger will and in closer sympathy with public feeling. l!ut if Major Atkinson is unwilling or unable to do what the country wants, he must make way for others who will and can. Nevertheless, for the present he remains the heir presumptive to the Premiership, and no effort should be spared to bring him up to tho sticking point. Once more it must not be forgotten that "in politics, action is " one long second-best," and that if men and things do not go exactly as we could wish, it is reason the more to exert ourselves to better their course.

The Christchurch people may well be ashamed of the disgraceful way in which Mr Bruce was treated on Monday night. We can all make allowances for the rough-and-ready signs of disapproval with which constituents arc apt to interrupt a representative who has fallen from grace. But we cannot remember a case in which a member has been absolutely refused a hearing. And in this case there is not only a bread) of common courtesy, but of hospitality. Mr Bruce went lo Cbrislclmioh in response to an invitation from a I'olUical Reform Association, which paid for the use of the hall in which he was to speak. Ho was a stranger, around whom Micro wore no associations of unpopularity. Nor was the determined howl which broke up the meeting the effect of temporary excitement and that Xorgetfulness of manners which wo sometimes find when men allow their feelings to get the bettor of themThe handbill circulated by the Ministerial Electoral Association shows that the disgraceful scene enacted was tiie result of a deliberate plan. To such lengths will a desperate cause resort! The Ministerial parly in Canterbury must indeed have been sorely afraid of the effect of Mr Bruco'splain speaking when they were obliged to howl him down. Viewed in this aspect, ;}iis incident goes to show that the Government have far less support in Canterbury than they pretend. But wo cannot but regret that such barbarian methods of warfare should be introduced into colonial politics. No one objects to hard hitting, but foul play of this kind throws disgrace not only upon tho party which adopts it, but upon the general respectability of the conduct of public affairs in New Zealand.

A report of last night's meeting of the Financial Reform Association and of yesterday's local courts, with other matter, will be found on our fourth page.

. The case Worsdull v. the United Insurance Company was tried at the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr Justice Williams and a special jury of four. The plaintiff claimed to recover £320 on a policy of insurance, and the company resisted the claim on the ground that it, was fraudulent, alleging that the plaintill' had not possessed the stock which lie represented bad been destroyed by the lire. A large number of witnesses on both sides gave evidence, and tin; case occupied the court until (i p.m., when a verdict was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimr-d.

Our London correspondent writes: —"Sir Robert Stout's proposal that there should be a division of the New Hebrides group, the islands which have submitted to l'rui.ostaut inlluiMice being placed under tho British Hag, i.nd the French being allowed to retain tho others, does not meet with favour in oflieial circles. The arrangement is thought to he one which would not work well in practice."

The I'Mucatinn department has received n letter from I.Ik; Agent-general enclosing tho prospectus of tin: colonial scholarships proposed U; be founded by the Oxford Military College Two scholarships of .t.W and £25 respectively, and tenable lor three years, will be oll'erod in each of the principal colonies ; competitors Lobe between tin; ages or M and Hi. If tin: proposal should bt; approved in 1.1i.j colony, the nnlliigo will ask tin; universities of Now Zealand and OU|;o whether they would hu willing to conduct the examination of New Zealand candidates.

Our Arrow correspondent telegraphs that Captain Austin, for many years n resident in the district, and who has served with distinction in the Crimean and New Zealand wars, has died suddenly. The cause of death is variously stated. The deceased gentleman was connected with some of the best Knglish families, anil

leaves an orphan son

The poster which was circulated in Christchureh in connection with the meeting called to hear an address by Mr It. (!. Bruce, member fur Kangilikci, was as follows:—" The Canterbury Electors' Association requests the attendance or all electors who are favourable to the Stout-Vogel Government and the encouragement of local industries, to attend tho meeting at Tuain street Hall, at 8 p.m., to-night, when Mr Bruce, M.H.R., is to deliver an address, so as the Political Reform Association shall not score a victory. Roll up! I'rinted at Lyttelton Times ollice." The electors did roll up, and Mr Bruce was unable to speak, as already announced by telegraph. Mr W. I. Reeves, the president of tho Electors' Association, denies that the association incited the people to refuse a hearing, but naively remarks: "Our desire was that Mr Bruce should be patiently listened to, as we had speakers there ready to follow him with a certain resolution. But for the refusal of tho Reformers to let tho mayor take tho chair as the audience demanded, and but for the refusal of Mr Bruce to allow Mr John Holmes to atk for silence, I believe the visitor would have been heard."

The Bulli Relief Fund now amounts to £37,500, of which the Victorian contributions represent £11,800. It has not yet been decided how the fund shall be distributed.

Messrs .1. llay.lelt and A. Itartleman, .1.1"5., occupied the bench ol' Hie Kisidenl. Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. In the cane of Nelson, Moate, and Co. v. Alexander Dawson, a claim lor £(( <)a -Id, for goods supplied, judgment was given for the plainlilfs.

At yesterday's meeting of the Waihomo County Council thi! following tenders wore opened and the lowest accepted :—Contract K2, formation of road to village si ttlomenl, Goodwood bush—William Meadows, 8s (i.l per ohaiii; Fitzgerald and Flanagan, Ms lid per chain; ,1. Hepburn, .CL I.ls per chain. Contract 81, supplying and spreading 12 chains of gravel on KubcrlsoiiVi road—VVm. I'aul, lHs !)d pur chain; Win. Kendall, ills (1,1 per clmiii; Thos. lloi/slin, 'JN per chain. The inscription upon the edge of the old crown piece was " 1 Icons et tutainen " ; not " Deus et tul.amcn," as misquoted in an articlo yesterday. Tim quotation is from tin; fourth book of Virgil's "/l'meid." The first open meeting of the recently-formed Ilaritanga Club was held in All Saints' Schoolroom last evening; the Rev. A. K. I'ilchoU presiding. In tliu course of a short address the. president staled that thu club was formed for the purpose of providing one evening's amusement in each week, and that once a month it was intended to hold meetings, when members were at liberty to invite the attendance of their friends. The n-inienf the club was a Maori one, and anglicised meant "The merry meeting." Although the club held il,s meetings in that schoolroom, it must no 1; b;: thought that membership was restricted to members of the congregation ; on the contrary, the club was meant to supply a want fell; in that end of the town. During the evening songs wore contributed by Misses Wilson and JSliaelcluford and Mr Nanl.es, a pianoforte solo by Mr L. Trose.der, and a violin solo by Mr Reis. The card tables were well patronised, and the handing-round of light refreshments, with the cup that iilicc.ru without inebriating, helped to complete a very enjoyable evening's entertainment.

The Southland Times .statist that McO. Bradslinw, who bought the wreck of the ship Northumberland at Napier, is limiting a good thing out of it. The vessel lms broken up, but the woik of recovering her cargo is proceeding rapidly.

An interesting discovery was made on the 27th May, at Winchester Cathedral, during the construction of the monument to hold the skeleton of Bishop Courteimy. A workman, on malihnr an opening in the choir wall, exposed De Bloit,' leaden coffer, in which that bishop had enshrined the bones of his uncle Richard, the second son of the Conqueror, who was killed by a stag in the New Forest. Richard's bones were thus preserved by King Stephen's brother, and the coffer, after some seven centuries, remains perfect. The inscription denotes that the coffer contains the bones of Richard, but the words " Bcorn Dux" lead antiquaries to believe that the coffer also holds the bones of Earl Beorn, nephew of Canute.

In the course of argument hi the Victoria Supreme Court in the application for a new trial in tho libel case of 0. B. Jones v. the Melbourne Argus, some discussion took place on how public men were effected by the law. The Chief Justice said it would be a deplorable thing if free men in Australia were, not at liberty to say, as scores and hundreds of men had said, that General Gordon was murdered by Mr Gladstone, without being required to prove that General Gordon was murdered hi Khartoum, or oven that he ever reached Khi>.rtouin. The occasion was a part of current political history, and it was a matter of legitimate comment. In putting this case, his Honorexplniuedthathedid not endorse the view that Mr Gladstone did murder General Gordon. Mr Justice A'Beckett pointed out that it was said of Mr Gladstone in the newspapers every day that his acts indicated a lax morality. That was a mere conclusion drawn from his public acts, ami tie justice of it was a matter which the readers must determine; for themselves. Some further discussion ensued on the point, and the Chief Justice gave it as his opinion that it lay on the defendants in a libel action to prove the occasion to be privileged, and to prove the facts which created the occasion. The moment n privileged occasion arose, comment, however false, however injurious, was justifiable, pro vided it did not go outside the occasion and touch upon acts performed by the individual in his private capacity.

An extraordinary catastrophe is reported from Ihfi Russian town of Nescliin. A circus company was performing in a wooden building, which was crammed from lloor to ceiling, when a sudden storm arose, blowing off part of the roof, from which were suspended a number of petroleum lamps. In an instant the blazing pstrolcum was pouring down over the tightlypacked masses of people. A fearful panic ensued, and in the rush the whole building collapsed, and but for this casualty the entire audience would have been consumed. As it was, a large number were burned and trampled to death, while over 300 were seriously injured.

Several hundred pound notes which were mysteriously stolen some time ago from a farmer of Damlenong, Mr Sykec, have reached Melbourne from India, where, they have been in circulation. Mr Sykcs missed the money, amounting to nearly LIOOO, shortly after he bad received it from the bank, and no trace of it was found till now. The police received information that three men arrived at Bombay last month from Melbourne, aud immediately on their arrival negotiated 500 pound notes of Australian banks. Their names were John and Frederick Williams and Edward Bower. They afterwards left Bombay for China. It seems now as if Sykes had his pocket picked of the money aud the thieves made off at once.

Mrs Gordon ]saillie has applied to the Victorian Miuister of Lands for the lease oF a tract of land near Wilson's Promontory for the purposes of bringing out 1000 Highland crofters, who will combine the avocations of fishing and farming. Mrs Baillie considers the land more suitable than any she saw in New Zealand (luring a visit she paid to this colony.

A singular and fata! case of accidental poisoning occurred at Hamilton, in Victoria, on the 10th inst. Fon:- swagsmen, named William Crowe, Michael Donohoe, Samuel Taylor, and John Kane, partook of some tea made by one of them with water containing arsenic, which stood in an old boiler on the Strathkellar estateSerious symptoms began to appear, and the men reported what had occurred to Mr Skene, the owner of tho station. He sent word to the 'Hamilton police, who despatched Dr M'Farlane at once. Tho usual remedies were applied, and the men seemed to bo recovering at first, but at an early hour next morning Taylor and Kane died. The former was fi3 years of age and the latter 23. It is considered inexplicable how men cmdd have used dirty water, standing in an old boiler, for making their tea.

Some mysterious circumstances have transpired in connection with the recent murder of Mr Hdward Hawkins, the manager of the Tiuryboo station, Queensland, who was found dead in his bed shot through the head. Mrs (iranbauer, the wife of a settler on the Condaininc, slates that she saw the murder of Mr Hawkins unacted in a dream several times, and that all the circumstances are vividly fixed on h.;r mind. She communicated with the police, and was taken to Brisbane gaol, whore a number of prisoners were drawn up. She selected one. prisoner, and declared him to be the man wliiim she saw in her dreams. The prisoner selected was William Clayton, who was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Hawkins, and is now awaiting trial. On Ola) km being asked, lie iliMtlare : that lie had never seen the woman before, and she was equally confident that she had never seen him except in the dream. Clayton has since been discharged, tho Attorueygcnoral declining to file a bill.

The V.M.C.A. propose giving a series of entertainments during the next few months which will be free to members and friends. Tho opening concert will be held this evening, the Trinity Church Choir (under Mr Marsden) j having agreed to give selections of sacred and secular music.

The Mammoth Minstrels brought a most successful season to a close last evening, when, notwithstanding the wretched weather, there was a good attendance. The various performers were again heartily applauded. The clog dance competition, for which there were 11 entries, resulted in the prize—a silver cup— being awarded to Horatio Wood. The company proceed North to-day.

The Rev. T. W. Dunn again lectured in the Choral Hall last night to a very large audience. Mr U. Wilson presided. The lecturer has always been outspoken in his remarks, but last night he discoursed on v subjuct which gave him move scope to display his special acquirements. He dealt with the heads and faces of the parliamentary candidates. He went very elaborately into their virtues and failings, but on the whole his definitions of their vari vis dualities were complimentary. J'ortraits oi the candidates were shown, but this perhaps was the weak part of the exhibition.

Messrs Wright, Stephcnson, and Co. will sell store sheep at Eurnside to-Uny.

Thu third quarter of the (Hugo Hoys' and (ib.U1 lli K h Hi-.hnulaeuinmcnc.c.i on Tuesday next.

A genriiil meeting of thu Nr.w Zealand farmers' I K m; will Ije. bold this evening.

Mr AlonLiigu I'yui will sell a valuable library on

Sir ll.'M. S|ie<ldhiK will sell It nil to-day, and farm and seeds on i'Yiday. Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell household furniture and n quantity of cheese, groceries, Se.

It is not Hie duty of the Slat c to sec that workmen do not. a orlc too long hours, us Sir Robert Stout slated In hlsadilrcsß at Opohothoother evening. The win l<miMi ran tnkeciire of liimsulf, lint It is tlie doty of the Unite ol tliu cuiiiiimillty to »cc Hint each individual dors his lair share of work and not loaf upon his fellow workers. One ol the greatest, wrongs Mid Government, ever perpetrated was to liud work for unemployed. It is an niicoiirnguiiient, to form tin: nucleus ol a pour rate. Had policy. lli-Bt policy, liny for ready cash from A. lloliNWKl.l,.— lAiivr I

Tlie Uriiuil Hotel. Ihnn-din. To lumilies and oUirrii. .Special 1,,,-jir during the winlrr and spring imintlui. icniiK ammling to rooms, length of icsldeucc, Ait.-- lAi.vt.l

liituiL'BtiMjj l.v iiuiiMuimin.—Curler anil Co. liavi) purchased from the. official assignee the elltiru slock nf lials, lies, collars, aliirts, braces, liandliercliicfs, ,tc, of George, Ilcrtinshaw, valued at wholcsiilu price nt iiliili lls 2,1. Cm-tor and Co. paid £70 cash for the tut, mid will offer to-day extraordinary l»rKiiinn. Deer-stalker huts Is ltd, formerly -In lid, giintH1 bard lints, i ewcßl shape and , orluet goods, Is lid, formerly Is 8,1; gents' hard hats, formerly Hs (Id, now la lid; gents' very licst quality i,il,liil, fur, formerly 12s lid. now Us lid. A. lew helllopers, 23 (!d, Is lid, and thu very bi-Bl 10s lid, worth JCt Is. (tents' ties, wo shall offer loot) nt lid, formerly Is Id, and 2s lid ties for Is; (rents' linen collars, very best, lis a dozen. Thousands of other bargains too numerous to mention.—Cahtkh anii Co., the choapusl, drapers and clothiers in the col. my. — [Aiivt.J

The cheapest ri'iiily-money establishment In Dimnlin. Try Till) Uiinlon, in Ucorm! street. 101)0 pairs milts, .|Jil,MJil,7|d; black.Bilk initls, (111 pair ; evening Bilk (,'loves, Is (111; good shape corsets, la 11<1, Us lid,.'is lid; stylisli jerseys, .la 11.1,5s lid; long boas, as lilt, :la (id, fis Od; ladies' ni|»lil,a (trimmed) 2s Oil, 2a 11.1, :la lid ; chemises, lsM.iisHd, Us lid ; drawers, Is (id, 2a till, :)s lid. Try our noli ,1 umbrellas, stylish tmndli-s, 2s, 2s !iil,:is lid, .Is (HI. Wonderful cheap blankets. Strangers to Dimciliu ran make a l.ig saving by purchasing from Tlie 1.0n.10n, in (lorn-go street. J'uiOK a*i> llin.i.mo.— [AI.VT]

The Host Lunch in Town.-The Coffee Palacn, for vii.ilors nntl buanlura, unsuriassi'd i" comfort, ami economy.—[A i>vt.]