' PUBLISHED .DAILY. SEPTEMBER 13, 1879.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3226, 13 September 1879, Page 2

PUBLISHED DAILY. SEPTEMBER 13, 1879.

The Governor lias called the General Assembly together for the despatch of business on the 24th instant at Wellington, but if we are to judge of the new House by the apparent results of the elections, the despatch of business will not be very great. The opinion of the Colony with respect to Sir G. Grey and the Opposition is divided, and so evenly divided, that no side can claim a working majority. Tho result of the elections may be summed up thus—Sir G. Grey, forty; for tho Opposition, forty ; and eight doubtful, that is, four Europeans and four Maoris. Those eight individuals will, no doubt, be eagerly sought after, and their opinions keenly anticipated. It will thus be seen that the balance may bo swayed either one way or another, as the persuasive eloquence of leaders or the more weightymfluenco of public advantage may decide. It is a matter much to be regretted that the Colony through its constituencies has not

spoken in a inoro decisive manner, for there is nothing more disastrous to tho best interests of the country than a House that is so equally divided as to be iucapablo of nothing great and decisive in legislation or dofonco, but very powerful in protracted debates and general usolessness. The defeat of Sir W. Fox and Mr. Whitaker has, no doubt, been a severe blow to the Opposition from which it had scarcely recovered, before another victory is secured to tho Government in the roturn of Sir G. Grey aud one of his i supporters for the City of Christchurch. In tho struggle there a good man has gone down in the political battle, overborne by the weight of votes recorded for Sir G. Grey and his colleaguo, Mr. Andrews, who tied with Mr. Stevens, the old member, Sir G. Grey heading the poll. In the sunny north, the constituencies, with one or two exceptions, return supporters of the Go.vernment. But in the more bracing climate of the south, hero worship is not slo popular, and the majority' of the constituency return members pledged to swell the ranks .of the Opposition. Nelson, Taranaki, aiid Napier send their men as Oppositionists, we suppose that small constituencies are hot so : liable to be oarried beyond the limits of reason by the popular quence of Sir G* Grey, and his magnetic sympathy with the human race, while big constituencies at once ,l?end the knee when* Jo.ye nods. These little electoral districts question the divinity's authority to' compel devotion aiid criticise most keenly the quality reliability and credibility of the Jovinian utterances, and test in a most businesslike way the properties of any chance thunder-bolt that may have dropped in their vioinity from high Olympus. Such constituencies will doubtlessly not long go unpunished if this political Jove again secures power and place, coupled with a majority that may make his power felt. Wo much fear the native difficulty will again become chronic in this distriot if we may judge by the want of aotion of a decisive character on the part of the Government in dealing with the attempted murder of the survey party at the Thames. Summer is now advancing with rapid strides. The House will be in session doubtlessly on Christmas Day, and we ask what prospect is there of anything doqisiye being done after that period iv the, way of permanently settling the native difficulty? A session of three months, chiefly in conflict — a month or so of rest after the battle — another month of consideration, and then the winter season will be so near that it will no doubt be thought advisable to defer iot another season the initiation Of the grand scheme of settlement of the native difficulty that Mr. Oarrington told us the Government told him was being most profoundly matured in the very deepest depths of the Ministerial mind. We sincerely hope jbhat tjie old saying will not be verified in this instance, and an insignificant political mouse bo the laboured outcome of such prodigious expectations. ' ,

i The p.s. Coomerang loaves Wellington' to* night, for Waitara direct. Captain Edwin telegraphed at six b'clock last evening :—": — " Bad weather approaching in any direction between north-cast and north, and west ; glass further fall." Mr. D. Callaghau moved into Ins new shop to-day ; and the one lately occupied by him is being altered for the New Zealand Clothing Factory, which is going to open a branch establishment in New Plymouth. Mr. Lopper, whilst rinking at the Oddfellows' Hall, last evening, fell, and broke liis log. Dr. O'Carroll was quickly in attendance and set the bone, when Mr. Leppar was taken to his home, and is doing as well as can be expected. The Harbour Board held a'speoial meeting at 11 o'clock this morning. The question of the Engineer proceeding to England by the first mail steamer was discussed, and the Chairman (Major Atkinson) read a telegraphic communication with the Government, which disclosed the fact that tho Government objected to Mr. Roes leaving the service of tho Government until the cud of tho present month. This, of course, materially interfered with the intentions of the Board, bu^, aftor consideration, the Board decided not to press tho Government any further. Mr. E. M. Smith waited upon the Board, and stated that hearing it was the intention of the Board's Engineer to proceed to London, he thought it would be a good opportunity for having a sample of the cement to bo found in Taranaki tested iv England, and submitted to Sir J, Coodc for his inspection. If Sir J. Coode approved of the cement it would be a great saving to the Harbour Board, and would open up a new industry in Taranaki, as thousands of tons of cement could be manufactured for the construction of tho Harbour Works.