THE COLONIAL CABINET.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 604, 20 January 1879, Page 2

THE COLONIAL CABINET.

Mb Henry Brett, who for several years past has published one of the best almanacs issued from the New Zealand Press, has for the present year given to his readers the history of the members of the present Cabinet, accompanied by their potraits. The latter are very faithfully drawn m lithography from original photographs. The first m order of the lives is SIR GEORGE GREY. Our Premier we learn is the posthumous son of Colonel Grey, of the 30 th Regiment, who fell at the battle of Badajoz. He wa3 born at Lisbon, m 1812, less than a month after the event which led to his father's death. Educated at Sandhurst, and passing with honour, Mr. Grey joined his late father's regiment m 1829, and attained hi 3 captaincy before he was 24 years of age. In 1838 his services were accepted by the Colonial Office to conduct an exploration m North- Western Australia, where he sustained a severe spear wound, from which he still suffers. His labours here consisted chiefly m tracing the Glenelg River, which he followed seventy miles from the sea. 111-health compelled him to desist, but after recruiting at Mauritius he resumed the exploration. Misfortune, however, followed. The stores were washed away m a storm, and the explorers, had to make their way to Swan River, a distance of 600 miles, m two leaky whaleboats. Only through the indomitable spirit of their leader were the party saved. Ultimately, leaving his utterly disheartened and exhausted party he pressed on alone and reached Perth m safety, from whence he was enabled to send back timely succour. He was Governor of South Australia from 1842 to 1845, being transferred to New Zealand m the latter year, owing to the outbreak of the Maori insurrection under Hone Heke. The following year Captain Grey was created a Baronet and X.C.8., and received the honorary degree of D.C.L. from Oxford University. In 1852, a representative constitution, framed by Sir George Grey for New Zealand, passed through the Imperial Parliament, and the Governor left for England m December, 1853. Appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope m 1854, he administered the affairs of that colony with a short intermission, until 1861, when the outbreak of war at Tavanaki. led the Colonial Office to again press upon him the Governorship of this colony. He returned to New Zealand on October 3rd, 1861, and held office as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colonial forces throughout the Maori war, until the sth of February, 1868, when he left for England. Two or three years later, he returned to Auckland and lived m retirement at his beautiful island home, the Kawau. In 1875, Sir George Grey, yielding to an influential requisition, accepted the office of Superintendent, and a seat m the colonial legislature. His return to public life was chiefly induced by a desire to oppose the proposed rupture of the Constitution granted m 1852. Upon the Abolition of Provinces Act — which was carried notwithstanding his strenuous opposition — coming into force m October, 1876, Sir George Grey's tenure as Superintendent coased. He .continued, however, to hold the leadership of the Opposition m the House of Representatives, and on the defeat of the Atkinson Government, became Premier on the 14th October, 1877. The principal measure carried by the Government m 1878 was a Bill imposing a land-tax of a £d. m the £1 capital value on freeholds of greater value than £500, the tax to be levied on the simple value of the land, exclusive of improvements. A reduction of 2d. per lb. duty on tea, and £d. per lb. on | sugar, besides the abolition of small duties levied on fifty different articles, and a change from ad valorem to specfic duties on others, was also given effect to under an amended Customs Tariff Bill. Sir George Grey and the Native Minister have had two cordial interviews with the Maori King and his followers, and it is confidently hoped that through the Premier's influence the natives will consent to the construction of the railway across their country, connecting Auckland with Wellington. A sum for the purpose has already been authorised by Parliament, and the achievement of this great work would form a fitting crowning act to the long series of eminentpublic services which have engraven the name of Sir George Grey indelibly on the scroll of New Zealand history. Such is a brief but interesting summary of the life of our Premier. His one crowning mistake — even something worse than a mistake, was his entry into the political arena at such an advanced age, that all his better faculties were used up and little remained to him of the Statesman beyond the gift of speech. THE NATIVE MINISTER. The Hon. John Sheehan, Native Minister, has the honour .of being the first native born colonist to enter the Parliament of New Zealand, and the first Cabinet Minister who could claim the same distinction. He was born at Auckland on the sth of July, 1844, and received a good education, his studies being for a considerable period directed by Mr. R. J. O'Sullivan, the present Inspector of Schools for the Auckland district. Having selected the law as his profession, he was articled to Mr. Merriman, Crown Prosecutor, m 1862, and admitted to the bar m 1867. During the Waikato war, ho served as a Volun« j

teer m the Auckland Cavalry. From his earliest years he manifested a taste for politics, and displayed considerable tact and debating power. The Auckland Catholic Institute, established by him, was managed m accordance with strict parliamentary practice as laid down m May's standard text-book. There is little doubt that the readiness and fluency m debate,, which has distinguished his subsequent politiical career, was largely due to this early training, Mr. Sheehan was elected to the Provincial Council at the close of 1869, and m December, 1870, was a leader of the party which defeated the Responsible Advisers of Mr. T. B. Gillies, Superintendent. He then became a member of the Provincial Executive, with the portfolio of Goldfield's Secretary. One of the most notable and distinguishing characteristics of his career has been an earnest and consistent advocacy of a sound national Bystem of education on strict secular principles. His good-na-tured tact and judgment were as serviceable m the Provincial Legislature as they have since proved m the wider sphere which he now occupies. Mr. Sheehan retained offioo m the Provincial Executive until 1875, when, having meanwhile become engaged professionally m a number of heavy land cases instituted by the Maoris of Hawkes Bay, he left Auckland to settle at Napier. He is a good Maori linguist, and has a thorough knowledge of Native character and customs. His success With the Kingite natives at Hikurangi and Waitara, m co-operation with Sir George Grey ; his discretion m dealing with the discontented districts between Wanganui and New Plymouth ; together with his firm Administration of the Native Department m other parts of the Colony have fully established his special qualification for the arduous and delicate duties of the office. His career specially exemplifies the fact, which is also shown m the biographies of the other members of the Cabinet, that the highest positions m the State are open to every colonist of ability. THE COLONIAL TREASURER. The Hon. John Ballance, Colonial Treasurer, is the son of a tenant farmer on the estate of the Marquis of Hertford. He was born at Glenary, Country Antrim, m 1839. After receiving a sound education partly at the national School and partly at a private school, he became apprenticed to an ironmonger. On the expiration of his indentures, he was engaged for some years as commercial traveller for a Birmingham firm, and more recently m business on his own account. A disagreement with his partner having led to a dissolution, Mr. Ballance left for New Zealand. For a short time he continued his connection with the Birmingham trade here, but having a strong inclination for literary pursuits, which he had indulged at various intervals, he finally determined to devote his energies to journalism, With this view he "started the Wanganui Herald, which proved a great financial success. Mr. Ballance took no part m local politics, but actively interested himself with all social affairs. He bred the celebrated racehorse Fishhook, and was chosen Deputy Grand Master of the independent Order of Odd Fellows for the North Island. He was eleoted to the House of Representatives for Rangitikei district m 1875 and re-elected m 1876, after contests with gentlemen well-known m the district. His reputation m the House was made by several able speeches, and having taken a prominent part m the measures which I resulted m the ousting of the Atkinson | Cabinet and the elevation of Sir George } Grey to power, he was offered, and accepted, the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer at the close of the session. He has directed his attention mainly, to the sim-, plifying of Colonial finance, and his last budget was characterised |by great perspicuity and grasp of the subject.