THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1896.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10478, 29 April 1896, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1896.

Sis Henet Paekes, whose Heath in his eighty-first year we announced yesterday, was probably the most eminent of the men who have won their fame in the parliamentary arena of these I colonies. No doubt he was a less dis- ! tinguished ; figure than Sir Geobgkb Geby, but Sir Geoegb had reached the summit of his renown previous to becoming a member of the New Zealand Legislature, in which capacity, indeed, he hardly added to his fame. Sir He#bY Paekes will be known to history as a great colonial politician; Sir Geoege Grey mainly as a great autocratic Viceroy. The comparison has. its usesj however, since it serves to indicate Sir Henet Paekbs's weakness as well as his strength. He lacked that rare distinction, of culture and charm and accomplishment which has lent such fascidatioii to the old Pro - Consul. He what is Jcnown as a self-made man; he is said to have had no regular schooling after his eleventh year ; and though in the light of these early disadvantages his subsequent success appears all the more remarkable and praiseworthy, at the same time an explanation of his weakness is, to some extent, afforded. He never quite supplied the lack of early mental training. He was wanting in the power of self-criticism. For instance, he hankered after literary fame, whereas his literary abilities were certainly not beyond mediocrity. He j wrote a good deal, but his prose i was without style—the great anti- j septic; as Lowell calls it, —and of his poetry the less , said the better. Even as' an orator he has probably been a good deal overpraised. Certainly he did not belong to the first class. To read one of his best speeches after reading one of John Bei&ht's is to be conscious of an almost painful drop. But a man may be an exceedingly effective and even eloquent public speaker without attaining anytliing like perfection of oratorical form, and Sir Hawtx Paekes was a public speaker of no mean order. If his most ambitious efforts were not always free from faults arising from that lack of self-Criticism of which we have spoken—leading to breaches of good taste, personal as well as oratorical, —his powers of practical and sentimental eloquence were very considerable. It cannot be denied that the highest distinction was lacking in his character as well as in his utterances—his egotism, for instance, being of an overweening kind,: —but it is unnecessary to dwell at length upon the excesses to which this fault led him in the last few years of his life. The reconciliation which the dying statesman effected with his old disciple, the present Premier of New South Wales, may be regarded as wiping out the deplorable events of last year, and New South Wales, looking back upon a long life of arduous and, in many respects, unselfish public service, is not likely to allow the extravagances of a baffled old age to spoil the fame which is the fitting reward of such patriotic labours. It would be absurd to write in terms of unqualified eulogy of Sir Henet Pabebs's character and career, but we have said all that need be said in the way of criticism,, The rest js praise and acknowledgment and admiration. The career may have its warnings, but it is richer in the lessons of direct encouragement. ' The son of an agricultural labourer, scantily taught, apprenticed at. the age of 11, meeting manjr vicissitudes as an emigrant—now a farm labourer, engaged now in an iron store, now in a, foundry, —subsequently an ivory turner and a dealer in toys, — this hardy, dauntless Warwickshire lad lived to be .five times First Minister ef the Crown in the mother colony of Australia, regarded as the most representative and popular colonial statesman of the day, and honoured by men of light and leading in the country of his birth. It should be an inspiring example to young Australia, as showing that, given a fair share of good fortune, no disadvan-r tagesof condition need.be a barrier_to^

the ambitious dreams of ability and industry. Moreover, there eah be no doubt that Sir Henry Parkes, during his long public life, did most valuable practical work for Australia. . Ho was, it- seems to us, generally on the right side — the side 6i freedom and intelligence and humanity,— the side of true Liberalism. From the early days, when he fought against the continuance of the transportation system, down to his final leadership of the Federation movement, he had the mind of the progressive and practical statesman. Of course, he made mistakes, not to say serious blunders, —but the main trend of his activity was genuinely patriotic. His splendid services in the cause of Freetrade would alone entitle his name to the grateful remembrance of Australasia as a whole,- —a remark i which may be extended to his ivork in [ connection with the Federation move- | meht, — while New South Wales | I owes mainly to him her education I system, the reform of her prisons i ; and asylums, arid other political I and social developments of an itn- : portant kind. " Fifty Years of the Making of Australian History" was the title which Sir Henry somewhat too characteristically gave to the autobiography which he published a few years ago, and it cannot be said that the book was a fine piece of literai'y workmanship; but, for all that, the future historian of Australia will find and declare that Sir Henry's name is very closely connected with the progress of New South Wales during the last half century. He certainly did not make himself rich at the expense of the colony, and though many faults have been imputed to him, a want of integrity, so far as we know, was never j one of them. His pi'actical interest in the project of colonial defence must not be forgotten, and it should also be noted that though he was no great tactician, and though more than once he seemed to have suffered almost ' irreparable political discomfiture,. the popular faith in his capacity and patriotism again turned to him in times of difficulty as the one man able to steer the ship of State into smooth waters. Apart from his fame as a progressive and, upon the whole, enlightened servant of his particular colony, Sir ■Henry Parkes will live in history as, ! to all intents and purposes, the father of the idea of intercolonial Federation. His whole soul was undoubtedly in this great project, and though there may be differences of opinion as to the details of his management of the ques- j tion, there can be none,-, as to the i patriotism and sincerity of his essential motives. His notion of appropriating the national title of "Australia" for New South Wales alone was, of course, a preposterous blunder which1 would have wrecked the leadership, of lesser men, and his strength was never more convincingly shown than in the fact that, even after this insult (for such if; rdally was) to the other colonies, he was received with all honour and distinction at the conference held in Melbourrie in 1890, and was almost universally recognised as the only possible leader of the movement. The final accomplishment of intercolonial Federation will, to no small extent, constitute a memorial of Sir Henry Paekes's enthusiasm and. sagacity.

Two of t&e waggons attached to the usual stock train which leaves Dunedin for Palmer- < fton at 9 p.m. on Tuesday left the metsls at Deep creek, on the Dunedin tide of Seacliff, last evening. One of the waggons was badly smashed, while the other, which contained I some furniture, was not much damaged. A number of men were at once got together to clear the line. Nothing is known as to what | caused the waggons to leave the rails. j

The Hon. J. M'K«nzie addressed a crowded meeting of hid constituents at Sb. Bathaos last night on the various political questions of the day* and gave an outline of the proposed legislation next s>3sion. The address was very well received. At the conclusion, on the motion of Mr Thomas Wilkinson, seconded by Mr M. Faheyj he was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks for the address, confidence in him as a representative, and confidence in the Government.

The Hon. W. M. Bolt delivered an address :n Naseby on Saturday evening entitled "The Rise oF Modern Capitalism," the Major (Mr W. Guffie) occupying the chair. The address, which was a particularly interesting one, dealt with tbe history of the increase of wealth since the intention of the stoam engine and ?pinring loom and its concentration into tho bands of the few to the detriment of the many. Mr Bolt handled his subject in a manner which showed that hs had given it careful consideration. Mr J. J. Ramsay, president of the Farmers' Club, propoßed a vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr John Law, and carried. Mr B. GordoD, in supporting the motion, criticised some portions of Mr Bolt's address, but declared it to be a very able one. A vote of thanks to the mayor for presiding brought the proceedings to a close. At the inquest at Paeroa, Auckland, touching the death of a middle-aged man named Thomas Stephens, the evidence »howed that deceased bad been drinking with tome others in a hotel and went to the tent of a miner named Voss to have a sleep. During the night Stephens, who had been very ill from the effects of the drink, appears to have got up and fastening a strap to the stringer of tho tent placed it round his neck. The slringer was only 4ft from the ground, while the strap was harjging 18in below that. When the other men rose in tbe morning they cut the body down. The medioal evidenoe was to the effect that death was due to. alcoholic coma, accelerated by partial asphyxia, which was produced by the position in which the deceased had placed himself—viz.,' by patting his head in a thin strap and leaning on it.

Mr Edison professet to have discovered, a chemical substance which enables the Ro'ntgen shadows to be seen directly .by the naked e;e, with the result that the physician may soon be able to study his patient alive aa he now does at an autopsy.

D'alziel'n New £ork correspondent telegraphed on March 8 :—" A striking account has been received here from Havaoa of the tragic death ■of a young Cuban heroine. On Thursday last she led a force of armed men and women in an action near Olayita. When the fightiug began «he placed her back against a tree, loading and firing her carbine, and tskiDg her cartridges from the bosom of her dresp, which was the only garment 6he wore. After the usual wild firing at long range the combatants gradually drew nearer-to each other, when tho insurgents, following their usual tactics, took cover. A party ot the Spaniards made ft rush at the young Cuban girl, who had not sought shelter among the trees, but was standing her giound, uttering ' loud cries and encor.ragiqg tier followers. She succeeded tor some time in keeping the Spaniards at bay, but finally, her rifle became clogged, She then throw it away and drew a. revolver from her belt. As the Spaniards made a determined rush for her she waited until they were within a fen yards ,of Uer, when «he brought down three with' her revolver. The soldiers replied with a volley, and she fell with four bullets in her breast. A 6 a Spanish officer leaned aver to examine her she raised herself on her elbow, and with another shot killed bim. She then fell back crying, 'Long live free Cuba I' and within a few moments expired."

The Horticultural Society's Bhow is to be held on Wednesday, the 6th May, in the Gsnieou Hall, ,

The Bruce Herald states that lost week a little child named Ryan had a miraculous escape from death on the Lawrencs line near Waitahuaa. It appeM-s that the engine driver, noticing tho child on the line, whistled to get her off, fenfc the child being too young apparently to understand, took no nstice, and before the train could be stopped the cowcatcher caught the child np and threw her off the line. Tha train was stopped, and the guard and driver went back and picked the child up. To their joy and astonishment the/ found the girl ws« not harmed in any way, except that her nose was bleeding slightly, and next day, on inquiry, they found that she was running about none the woree for her accident.

The departure of the handful of Jews' who have lf>ft Russia during the past decade has not (says the Jewish Chronicle) appreciably decreased the total population of the Jewish Pale. On the contrary, we are receiving, both from private Bources of information and from the communications of the Russo-Jewish Committee, accounts of an appalling congestion in the Pale of Settlement. Tha firm, if unobtrusive, rigocr of the Government officials is making itself felt. The iron wall which separates tho Pale from tha rest of the country is rising to threatening proportions. Nonß but the most adventurous can scale ie; none but the moat adroit) can evade tbe vigilance of tha restrictive edicts which, passed a* "temporary' enactments 15 years sgo, have now, by sheer fores of age, become part of the filed and nettled laws of the land. The condition of thiDg« within the Pale fills us with dismay and anxious foreboding. Hnrasu beings cannot live, is the Jews of Husai* are expected to live, without suffering moral and physical degradation. That a crually persecuted race should now ba subjected to as grinding an oppression as any our fathers experienced in the Middle Ages is surely a sorry commsnt on the supposed civilisation of Europe.

A painful family mystery has, it is reported just bteu cleared up by a Liverpool chimney sweeper. Having swept » chimney, he attacked the oven flues with a brush, but encountering j unexpected rcsktacce, hs rolled up his el?eve j and introduced his arm. After considerable i exertion he got hold of what proved to be a bag of some weight, and this fee deposited upon the hearth. Upon opening it he discovered to his j surprise that it contained about £40 in coin. ! The lady of the house was equaliy astonished, i but, instead of showing nigns of gratification, ehe [ burst into tears and almost; losii consciousness. The sight of the money (cays the report) re- | called to her the departure from home of I a long lost sou. Tho found treasure was | the result o* bard caving, and to kesp the money assure she had put it into » chink in the chimney, and hurt forgotten its I hidicg place. Her son w« not a model of steadiness, aod the motber, not being able to find tbe money, accused him of having tsken j it. He indignantly denied the charg?, and I strode out of the house, never to return. The | discovery of the money t&is broughv with lit a flood of painful memories and bitter I remcrae at the unfounded accusation brought against her son who, it is hoped, ,m»y learn of the present incidsnt and cpmraonicata with his ! mother. > "Peter Lombard," in the Church Times, reproduces an "amazing cutting" from' the Daily Mercury of July 1?, 180^ : —" An enormous whale is said to hays i'een stranded off Flaoiborough Head in the year 1259, in a stita of dreadful exhaustion, with a church steeple sticking out of hia mouth. On cutting up the sacrilegious monster, which could not be performed so quiokly (is to prevent his convulsions from setting nil* the bells a-riuging, the wholo congregation wfere fouwd in the body of the church enclosed in the stooisch of the leviathan in the vsry act of tinging Ps%lins, and tha parson in the vestry taking a glass of wine beforo sermon.". The Royal Burlesque and Gaiety Company drew another good1 house at the Princess Theatre last night, when "Dick Whittisglon and his Cat" was produced for the third time. The extravaganza went off as wsll as on former j occasions, and the principal performers had j good reason to be satisfied with the manner in i which they were received. Mr Stevens, Mr St. j John, Miss B^l Ponsonby, Miss Lempriere, and little Adaie Favart all greatly entertained tbe audieuce, who seemed highly pleased with the whole performance. j

The Trilby MiLabrel and Specialty Company gave another performance at tho City Hall last wight., when most of the. performers met wUh a favourable reception. To-Dight a benefit is to be tendered by the company to the Calculating Boy arid the Gaorgia Magnet.

Professor and Madame Daris, the well-known entertainers, »ro at present in Dunedin on their way south. They will probably give a farewell performance here shortly.

Messrs J. Karnsbn and Co. will sell furniture, Ac. to-morrow.

The City Council invite tenders for a supply of metfal. Particulars appear elsewhere.

Contributors to the s.s. Tougariro's general average cau now see the statement and obtain refunds. , ' ' The annual meeting of the Portobcllo Road Board will be h*ld on Saturday. The Hon. J. M'Kenzie will address his constituents at Hyde on Thursday evening. Messrs D*l a ety and Co. will hold a sale of sheep, dairy cows, cattle, draught horses, implements, 4c. at the Island farm, Waikouaiti, on the Bth prox. A trial of Messrs P. and D. Duncan's new patent sprinj-tooth cultivator and couch eradicator will be held at Waikouaiti on Friday.

Professor Bickertc.n, of Christehurch, professor of chemistry and Colonial analyst, says Lobby's

" Wahoo "is purely herbal, riufferers from indigestion unanimously vote it the only specific remedy fi.r that trouble. 2s Gd ; all chemists and groears.-Ad t. JOHN Hisi.oi', Watchmaker and Jewol'er, 74 Princes street. The oldest eßtahlis'.ed house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sißlit».-{A.i)vr.].

' See Oartbii'and Co's windows for real bargains in fashionable drapsry and clothing. See special price list over Leader. Carter «nd Co's prices ate the lowest, taking quality an a lest.— Advt. Mollison and Co. are offering 830 pairs of Tan Four-button Kid Gloves (stitched backs) at 2s 6d per pair. See window.—Advt.

Messrs Kii>d and Co., eureka! and mechanical dentists, notify that theyhavecomruenced businoss opposite Cavglll's Monument, Princes St.—[Advt. Urui A. iimlJ. ,M "If Ait i.» ~k ueg tv call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the bast attention.—' ■=. »vt.)

Xruas and Nsw Year Presents.—Three shipments opened this month. Stock full in all departments with latest novelties.—Gr. and T. ■youNO, direct importer*, 83 Princes street.—Advt.

Who is Peter Dick!— The m.ist reliable Watchmaker, Moray place, Dunediu (onp. Cotfee Palace). Watches cleaned, 5s ; mainsprings, is 6d.—Advt. Wkkdei.'s pure srapa wines may be had from Mercer Bros., D. 13oeth, Wilsons, C. B. Miller, Petersou, and Carolin, grocers.—Advt.