ELECTION NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9904, 24 November 1893, Page 2

ELECTION NOTES.

De gustibus non disputandum. The Hawke's Bay "Liberals" are aggrieved because the Press Association does not furnish full reports of all the Hon. John M'Kenzie's election speeches. Happy people of Hawke's Bay, did they only know it! But they do not appreciate their blessed immunity, and so aggrieved are they that they have to tell stories about the matter. One "J. T. M. Hornsby" telegraphed the other day to the Minister for Lands : "People much incensed afc conduct of Press Association, Dunedin, in not sending messages regarding your progress. Scobie Mackenzie gets loDg reports, while of your meetings and speeches and the result we have not a single word." The Honourable John read this message at a Shag Point meeting, and the Lyttelton Times quotes ifc as an example of "most unfair t:ictics being employed in order to injure the Minister's candidature." It may be well at once to nail this piece of imagination to the counter. We are informed by the Dunedin agent of the Press Association that he telegraphed about 2000 words of the Minister's first speech at Naseby, and less than 300 words of Mr Scobie Mackenzie's speech at Palmersfcon. Concerning the Minister's second meeting a short addition was made to another telegram, stating that he had a great reception, while concerning Mr Scobie Mackenzie's subsequent meetings not a solitary word has ever leen telegraphed. It ia true that the Press Association does not oend round a special reporter with the Minister to chronicle his receptions and take a verbatim report of his repetitions, bufc a distinct advantage ha 3 been given to this candidate in comparison with his opponent. We have termed J. T. M. Hoknsby's statement a "piece of imagination," but tho Honourable John himself would be able to characterise it much more effectively; possibly he might fe'jl obliged to employ a phrase which he lately used in reference to his opponent; Ifc is not the first time that there has been an unscrupulous attempt to impute bias to the Press Association, but the charges have always fallen promptly to the ground, and we only regret that such a paper as the Lyfctelton Times should have leufc itself to the circulation and confirmation of these baseless complaints at the instance of "J. T. M. Hohnsby."

No doubt there is a foolish temerity about Mr Nicol's candidature for the City, but the brutal treatment which he has received on two occasions at the hands of electors and others in public meeting is none the less reprehensible. The saturnalia of Wednesday evening was a disgrace to the community. We understand that the police force was well represented in the hall, and though it would have been too much to expect the detachment to quell the disturbance, ifc certainly seems strange that none of the offenders against publio order and decency were arrested or identified. A scene of this kind utterly refutes the optimistic assertion that larrikinism is becoming harmless in New Zealand, and it is pitiable to think that a majority of the blackguards who made a beargarden of the City Hall on Wednesday night will be able to record their votes next Tuesday. Whatever may be thought of Mr Nicol's candidature, the hall had been lawfully engaged, no one was forced to attend, and ifc is intolerable that the tyranny of the mob should destroy the right; of free speech with impunity. We take leave fco suggest to the Inspector of Police that on any subsequent occasion, when there is reason to anticipate a disturbance, detectives or policemen in plain clothes should ba stationed afc various points in the building, with a view to identifying the ringleaders and subsequently bringing them to justice. To take one point alone, many individuals on Wednesday night musfchave made themselves liable to the punishment in the Police Oifences Acfc for any person who "throws or discharges any stone or other missile to the damage or danger of any person or property," Rowdyism ab public meetings musfc be put a stop to forthwith, in the interests alike of public decency and public liberty, and the police will have the sanction of every respectable person of the community in respect of any action which they may find ifc necessary to take.

Sir George Gbet will doubtless be returned for the City of Auckland, and, indeed, we should be sorry to see a contrary result; but nevertheless we cannot help thinking that the veteran statesman would have done well to retire upon his laurels. He is in hi 3 eighty-second year, his state of health unfortunately cannot be described as robust, and he was unable even to leave Auckland for Wellington daring the late session of Parliament. It is a remarkable testimony to his prestige that fcho elecfcora of Auckland should be willing to overlook these disabilities, but ifc would have been better for him to consult his own dignity and recognise them himself. Nearly three years ago the House of Representatives placed upon record its deep regret at Sir George's enforced retirement, and most people think that he made a mistake in making his withdrawal merely temporary. He ha 3 been to all intents a political nonentity since his return to Parliament: a majestic relic, the shadow of a mighty name. He has decided, however, to go on wearing the harness even if he can give little help at pulling the car o£ the State, and the people of Auckland naturally delight to honour him. Evidently the old f reelauce retains all his wonted indepsndence; nay, he has added fco ifc. "He wished it to be understood he was associated with no one." It is the people of Auckland,

not a class, that he desires to represent, and other candidates must fight their own battles. After all, there is life, and perhaps mischief, in the old dog yet.

It is matter for regret that Mr John Bhyce ia not a candidate at the present election. A man of large experience, marked ability, and spotless character—wtcyer vita; scelerisgue purus— the Parliament of New Zealand cau ill spare him in these doubtful days. But the Ballance Government managed to get rid of him more than two years ago, and under the circumstances a sensitive and high-minded statesman can hardly be blamed for deciding not to subject himself to the further chances of polemical discourtesy. Naturally, however, Mr Beyce keeps up his old interest in the politics of New Zealand, and in his speech at New Plymouth, on behalf of Colonel Thimble's candidature, he appears to have given the Government a very bad hour. We know nothing about electoral prospects at New Plymouth, and cannot say whether that constituency is likely to rid itself of the incubus of Ms E. M. Smith; but Mr Bryce's relentless exposure of the policy which the notorious " E. M." has supported should have some influence in effecting a change. It is perfectly true to say that "Mr Sbddon's party have always left the finances of the colony in a muddle," and equally true to say that "the loan conversion practised by the Seddon Government is the worst form of borrowing, being borrowing on the sly." Of course these statements are not new as well as true, but, unfortunately, many people fail to appreciate them, so that reiteration becomes imperative. Moreover, Mr Bhyce's incisive style and fervour of conviction would give freshness even to a well-worn indictment.

It has been supposed for some time that Mr j J. A. Millar would gain a pretty easy victory ! ia the Chalmers constituency, but we are not soiry to hear that Mr Allen's supporters are by no means lacking in confidence, and that a good fight may be looked for. We cannot pretend to hava any sympathy with Mr Millar's candidature. We have heard it maintained that Mr Millab's conduct at the time of the strike ought to be pnt out of sight, and that he himself should bs judged on his promises and expressed opinions; but we mutt point out that his deplorable activity of three years ago is practically the foundation of his present candidature. He has little claim beyond that which his passionate perversity of 1890 ia supposed to impose upon the labouring victims of his zeal? But for the strike Mr Millab would probably have been unheard of as a candidate. Ifc is absurd, therefore, to urge that the history of 1890 should be blotted out. Rather, let the electors of Chalmers remembsr that history, and remember who it was that wantonly threatened to call out every railway sarvanfe from Auckland to the Bluff unless the commissioners obeyed his high behests. It is not always necessary to bear in mind the misdeeds of political aspirants : some of them may mercifully be forgotten; but here, we repeat, is a candidate whose errors have been the main I root of his reputation.

In our supplement this morning will be found particulars of the exhibits at the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Aesociation's show, with the prize list, a report of Mr J. Allen's speech at Milton, and other local matter and letters to the editor, including one from the owner of the Pomahaka estate. The following is Mr Paulin's forecast for to-day:—" S. to S.W. winds; sky clearing; clouding after midday. Indications very unsettled." The Premier, the Hon. R. J. Seddon, returned from Gore as far as Clinton at the conclusion of his meeting on Wednesday night at the former place, which he left shortly after midnight. After a few hours' rest at Clinton he took the morning train into town and joined the express for the north, proceeding as far as Timavu. The Colouial Treasurer, the Hon. J. G. Ward, is expected to arrive in Dunedin by ths train from Clinton this morning, and to join the Premier at Tiinaru in the afternoon. The Premier was interviewed afc Henley yesterday morning by a deputation of Berwick farmers who are interested in the matter of the declaration of the Waipori river as a sludge channel. It was explained that the farmers did not wish to take any steps whatever to prevent the prosecution of the mining industry, but they desired that a, certain amount of dredging should be done at the mouth of the Waipori river so that a free scour might be created, and that thus the farmers' land might be protected from flooding, by silt. It was represented by Mr Carncross, who introduced the deputation, that if this were done both in- i dustries—farming and mining—might, as he hoped they would, go on uninterruptedly. The Premier promised to obtain the report of an expert on the subject, and to meet the views of the deputation as far as possible, ifc being his desire to see both industries fostered without the ono hampering the other. As the stay of the Premier in town yesterday was so brief as to preclude the possibility of his receiving deputations hers, several gentlemen who had business to transact with him left town by the south expres3 in the morning and proceeding as far as Henley, where they met the up train from Clinton, joined the latter. Messrs P. Miller (chairman), J. Carroll, J. Robin, W. Wills, and H. Clark, representing the Hospital Trustees, were among those who went out to Henley to see Mr Seddon, to whom they were introduced by the Hon. i G. M'Lean, their object being to renew their application to the Government for a grant of £1500 for the completion of the new hospita] pavilion. The interview wae of a conversa tional nature throughout, and the discussion was not altogether confined to the subject broached by the deputation, but covered such matters as " sly borrowing," bank rates of interest, and the Premier's powers of endurance. Mr Seddon, after hinting that hard thiDgs might be said about the Government if they went about the colony making promises on the eve of the general election, declared that he always liked to leave it to the Minister in charge of the department to deal with an application of this sort, and, having heard the representations of the deputation, he would communicate them, with his own views, to the responsible Minister. It was pointed out by the Premier that no appropriation had been made last session for the purpose for which the Hospital Trust desired a grant, and he added that the -Government were powerless unless Parliament passed a vote. It seemed to him a great pity that the new wards, now that they were ready for use, should not be available through the want of heating apparatus, and he suggested as a temporary solution of tho difficulty— and the only solution he saw at present—that the trustees might ask for an advance agaiost revenue of the £700 required for the purchase of a boiler. Mr Miller asked whether the Government would givs the trustees the £700 before the winter set in, but the Premier [ said he could not make any promise. As an alternative to their pledging tbeir revenue for an advancG, the trustees might go to the public for half of the sum required foe the winter, with a reasonable prospect of the Government giving them the other half. Mr Miller said it would be of no use for the trustees to pledge then* revenue—they might as well go direct to the local bodies and ask them to contribute to the payment of their debt. The Premier Eaid the position of the trustees was an extreme one—they were evidently "stuck" for money—and he suggested that application should be made for £350 on the understanding that a similar sum was found by the public. It was eventually agreed by the deputation to adopt this suggestion. Another deputation had an interview with the Premier duriDg the run of tbe train from Hanley to Dunedin— Messrs G. Fenwick and H. Rose, directors of the Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways Company, bringing under Mr Seddou's notice the question of the proposed substitution of electricity as the motor power in connection with the tramway service of the city. The history of tha negotiations between the Government, the Tramways Company, and tho City Council was briefly Bketched by the deputation, and stress was laid upon tho fact that the experience of Eobarfc was that the electric tramways were running very satisfactorily, and that the interference with the telephone system, which is similar to that in vogue here, was exceedingly trifling. Mr Carroll, who was associated with the deputation, stated that the City Council not only had j no objection to the Tramways Company being granted the concession they asked bufc were j anxious that it should be granted. The Premier ' ! said in reply that he would consult the Post-

master-general on the subject and that he would bo guided largely by the advice of his colleague upon ifc.

The metropolitan show afc Tahuna Park, which was commenced yesterday, was once more unfortunate in the matter of weather. Mr Paulina predictions are not particularlyfavourable to-day, bub it is hoped that despite this the weather may clear up sufficiently to permit of a large attendance. The fact of most of the places of business observing a. halfholiday will no doubt lead to a large attendance if the elements are favourable. The jumping I contests and trials of trotters will afford amusement. The display of prize stock, implements, carriages, and dairy produce can be inspected with profit and pleasure. In the Supreme Court yesterday, before his Honor Mr Justice Williams, argument was concluded in the case of Mills and others v. Isaac and others, aud his Honor reserved judgment. Kerr v. Kerr and others, an action to set aside a deed of settlement executed by Mrs Kerr, was then taken and finished, the decree being granted as prayed; costs, charges, and expenses of defendants to be paid out of. settled fund. When the court reopens at halfpast 10 o'clock this morning the case of Richard Vaughau, of Port Chalmers, lighterman, against Harriet Evans, his sister, will be proceeded with. In August 1892 the plaintiff, believing he was about to die, transferred to the defendant £380 and a dwelling house.jbut he subsequently recovered after a protracted illness and demanded back the money and dwelling house. The defendant refused to give them back, and the action is brought to compel the defendant to refund the £380 with 5 per cent, interest added, and to re-transfer the dwelling house in question. An inquest into the cause of the death of Benjamin Christie was held at Port Chalmers yesterday, before Mr E. H. Carew, district coroner, and a full jury, of whom Mr John Shanks was chosen foreman. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict that death occurred through failure of the heart's action. In connection with the death of J. S. Henderson in the Port Chalmers baths on Sunday there is an impression in some quarters that it was..due to drowning. The evidence of Dr Cunninghams confuted this, as in his opinion deceased died from failure of the heart's acticn. At a meeting of delegates from the borough councils of Maori Hill, Norfch-East Valley, and Roßlyn, held on Wednesday evening, Mr William Aitken, the mayor-elect of Maori Hill, was elected to represent the three boroughs named on the Hospital and Charitable Aid i Boards. ■ At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Synod on Tuesday evening, on the motion of Archdeacon Fenton, and in compliance with a resolution of the synod, £25 was transferred to the Beard of Missions for the Maori Mission fund. The proposed scale of bonus under the general church fund was laid before the committee by the treasurer, and the secretary was instructed to notify to all parishes that if they wish to participate in the bonus they must send to the treasurer, before December 15, a statement of the amount of income they expect to provide annually for the clergyman. Colonel Morris desired to withdraw from the comraissionership of the general church fund, but the bishop desired him to continue in office—a view that the committee supported, thinking that the results of one year were not a sufficient test. It was recognised how arduous a task Colonel Morris's had proved for a small return. He yielded to the wish of the committee, and will act as commissioner again. The statutes were ordered to be reprinted, and a sub-committee waa appointed for that purpose. When a civil case was called on before tbo 1 resident magistrate at Wellington yesterday j morning,- he said he had received a very im- , proper letter from a. Wairarapa solicitor submitting that he should send the case for trial to ' r the local court. Mr Martin said he had nob the power of a judge to commit the writer for contempt, but should hand the letter over to the Law Society to deal with. t The last Sunday in November having been f set apatt by the Grand Lodge, 1.0. G.T., as 4 Temperance Sunday, circulars have been ' issued to the clergy and preachers in and around } Dunedin requesting them, if convenient, to make some reference on that day to the : temperance work in the colony. > Mr James Fox has been elected chairman of i the Lake County Council. ; Mr A. M'Laren has been elected as chairman i of the Waihemo County Council. I Mr Sutherland has been re-elected chairman • of the Waitaki County Council. ' Steps are being taken in the Wakatipu dis- ! tricfc to recognise in some tangible form the services rendered to the district as its trusted representative by the Hon. T. Fergus. The directors of tho South Canterbury Refrigerating Company recommend shareholders to accept an offer from Messrs Nelson ' Bros, to lease the company's plant and pre--1 mises for three or five years, paying a rental of £3000 per annum, and making themselves re--1 sponsible for the safety and maintenance of the > plant. This gum would provide a certain 6 or 7 per cent, dividend, also pay interest on the ! whole of the company's present debts, and pre- ■ vide fully £1500 per annum for depreciation in cash. They will also pay all rates and taxes (except land tax) and maintain present insurances. Nelson.Bros, undertake to freeze as 1 many sheep as outsiders may require, and will ; provide suitable freight arrangements for same. The last number of Hansard for the past ' session is just to hand. ( The " Major " Brown who played so promi- . nent a part at Mr Nicola meeting on Wednesday evening is not to be confounded with a well-known ex-volunteer officer of that name and rank long resident on the goldfield?. [ A comparison^ of the census returns for , England, Scotland, and Ireland shows that at , the date of the censns there were in England , and Wales 23,4-67 blind persons, in Scotland 2797, and in Ireland f,3<U. Thus in England , and Wales one person in every 1236 was blind, in Scotland one in 14-39, and in Ireland one in 881. In England 14,192 persons were returned as deaf and dumb, and 1523 as deaf from childhood. Other deaf persons being left out of consideration, the proportion of deaf and dumb in the population was '05 per cent., or one in 1845. In Scotland there were 2192 deaf and dumb (including 67 deaf from childhood), and the proportion was thus '05 per cent., or one in 1836. In Ireland the number of the deaf and dumb was 3365, bsing -07 per cent, of the population, or one in 1398. The total number of mentally deranged in England i and Wales was 97,383; in Scotland there were 10,455 insane persons and 5017 imbeciles ; and iv Ireland 14,945 lunatics and 6243 idiots. Tbe proportion of the population mentally deranged was thus:—ln England and Wales "33 per cent., or one in 298 ; in Scotland "37 per cent., or one in 262 ; and in Iceland 45 per cent., or one in 222. Mr Selous has contributed an important observation (says the Westminster Gazette) upon the feeling of the African tribes towards the European races they come in contact with— the Englishmen and the Portuguese. Probably ifc would not occur to anyone that the energetic, masterful, intelligent Briton ranked lower in native estimation than the effeminate, almost effete, Portuguese. Yet this Mr Selous declares to be the case. The native judges by himself. He knows that if he had the command of men and money he would eat and drink his full, and sleep most of the time that he was not eating. The Portuguese, who does all this, and is carried about iv a Utter, appears to the African to be a mart who has reached the goal to which the Englishman is striving painfully and ineffectually. Old ludians have constantly mentioned that rulers like Sir Charles Napier aud Sir Charles Trevelyan, who were careless of appearances, forfeited a great deal of that respect that was properly their due. The theory has always been intelligible, at least for a country of old civilisation liko India, but one would not have expected to find it repeated for Maehonaland. Probably we shall continue none the less to consolidate empires and make history in our shirt sleeves. The concert provided by the ladies and gentlemen ef the Glee Club proved a rich musical treat to the visitors at tin Art Gallery last uight. Mr Stevens conducted, and the following numbers were rendered:—Part song, " Hail, smiling morn " (Spofforth) ; part song, "You etole ray love" (Macfarren) ; song, [ "Alia Stella Confidents J1 (Robaudi), Mr H. ! Martiu; part song, "Remembrance" (Mendels- ! sohu) ; song, " Gondola Dreams" (W. Slaughter), Mrs Theomin; part song, "Blanche" (Kuchen).

The last possessor of a name that once rang through Europe and was unpleasantly familiar to Englishmen pas-;ed away last month at Baden in the parson of Prince Menschikoft', known only as a, keen sportsman and a graud seigneur of enormous wealth. The Menschikoffs, like many other aristocratic families in Russia, trace their origin to a very humble source. Alexander Danilovitoh was about three centuries ago a pastrycook's errand boy. Somehow or other he attracted the notice of Peter the Great, becama a favourite at court and a distinguished soldier, and held his own through the reign of Catherine, until Peter 11, fearing hi 3 power and riches, ssat him off to Siberia, where he died in a hovel. His greatgrandson, Alexander Sergevitcb, was Lord Stratford de RedcliSe's adversary in the Council Chamber of the SultaD, and Lord Raglan's opponent on the field of Alma. His failure to win the battle led to his recall by Alexander 11, and he ended his days in honourable retirement, the "old Russian" sentiments finding no favour with the emancipator of the serfs. There was fa fairly good attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening, when the Cogill Company gave another of their highly entertaining performances. The various items were gone through in excellent style, and the audience were kept in a mirthful mood all the night. The present programme will be produced for the last time this evening. Portomorrow night a chaDge is announced. The entertainment will embrace an exceedingly amusing comedietta entitled " Muldoon's Picnic." In the afternoon there will be a special matinee for children. A concert will be given in the Garrison Hall to-night in aid of Mr Easton, who unfortunately lost his eyesight recently. The object of the performance should be sufficient to attract a large attendance, apart from the excellent programme put forwarcj. ♦ The drawing for prizes in connection with the Otago Art Union Association will take place on Monday. Messrs A. Lorie and Co. sell fruit to-day. Friday, Ist December, will be observed as a bank holiday at Ophir and St. Bathans. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sell on Monday next drapery, cutlery, saddlery, tinware, guns, groceries, &c. in the premises lately vacated by Messrs Ross and Glendining. Messr3 Robin and Co. invite country visitors to inspect their stock of vehicles. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. have had placed in their hands for sale the Greenvale and Popotunoa estate. The usual sale of pedigree stock will be conducted at Tahuna Park to-day by Messrs "Wright, Stephenson, and Co. and the Mutual Agency Company. The twenty-mile interclub team bicycle race will take place at the Caledonian ground on Saturday afternoon. We have received from Mr J. Horsburgh an interesting pamphlet, " The Metamorphosis of Maoriland, or How Colonisation Became Possible in New Zealand," by Major-general Schaw. Mr T. J. Collins, dental surgeon, has removed his offices to 41 Princes street (over Burton Brothers'). Entrance from Moray place.—[Advt.] A Fact !—Peter Dick is the most reliable Watchmaker, Moray place, Dunedin (opp. Coffee Palace). Watches cleaned, ss; mainsprings, 4s 6d.—[Advt.] John Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.—[Advt.] _ Messrs A. and J. M'Farlank beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention. —[Advt.] Taylor's Bowling Green Bowls on sale by G. and T. Young, 88 Princes street:—Krst quality Bowls, 21s a pair; extra quality, 255; silver-mounted, 335, 445, 57s 6d, 635. All sizes; bias 2 and 3.— [Advt.]

Messrs Thomson and Go.—Gentlemen,—Please forward one case of your sodawater per New Zealand Express Company. I dare say you may think it strange of me writing for this small order, but it is for a sick person, and the doctor expressly stipulated for your brand, and will have no other, which I look upon as a great compliment to your manufacture.—l am, yours truly, A. J. S. Head - land. —Oamaru, September 11,1893. —[Advt.]