The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1879.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3243, 3 October 1879, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1879.

The " non-confidence" dobato will be continued to-day, and probably bo brought to a close on Tuesday next. If we are to judge from the speeches that have been delivered —ospecially those which the sitting last night was finished with —there is little more avc should imagine for either party to say. It was stated at tho beginning of the w,eek that tho Government intended to take a division last night, but the Ministry apparently' havo thought better of it, and with a hope no doubt of getting over to then,* side one or two of the waverers, and thus to stavo off for a time their dofeat, they intend to

prolong the clobato for a few days longer. The speeches that have been delivered, as . far as wo can gather from the summaries sent us, exhibit no great displays of oratorical ability, and some of the members have been hard put, to logically explain their opinions. Mr. Andrews, who opened the debate by moving an address in reply to the Governor's speech, supported the principles of the Ministerial policy, but appears to differ as to the carving out of many of its details. His speech was a moderate one, and in it he announced himself as a supporter of the present Government, as it was now constituted. Mr. \V, J. Hurst, one of the members for Auckland City West, followed, and his illogical utterances appear somewhat to have astonished the House. His views on native affairs were quite original in their way, and must have been refreshing to listen to. A sanguinary engagement between two tribes near the Bay of Islands he designates as a moro family quarrel, and considers tho Government ' has no more right to interfere with the natives murdering each other than it would have to prevent two youngsters having "it out" respecting a quarrel over a game of marbles. To speak of tho attempted murder of the surveyors as a mere accident, for which tho Government could not bo held responsible, because tho man wounded was of a dark complexion, and might have been mistaken by tho natives as one of their own race, convinces us that Mr. Hurst is ono of those speakers who merely uttfcer words by the yard, like a phonograph ; and with about as much sense as if that instrument was turned tho wrong way. The Hon. Mr. Hall followed, and after moving an addition to tho address to the effect that the House had no confidence in His Excellency's responsible advisers, proceeded to speak at some length on tho delinquencies of the ministers. He delivered, we loam, a plain, moderate, and businesslike speech, which was devoid of all personalities, malice, or misrepresentation of any sort. He showed how disorganised tho Civil Service was, and brought forward a long list of instances of maladministration on tho part of the Government in native affairs. Ho said the Government had boon guilty of disreputable conduct in its unblushing use of public property and officers during the elections ; that it had abused its patronage by corrupt appointments ; and in fact that the ministers wore incompetent to fill tho places they now occupied. Sir George Grey replied, and spoke for an hour with vigour and eloquence, we arc told ; but it was a speech more fitting for a public meeting than in the Senate House. It appears that his eloquence carried him away from New Zealand politics altogether, and in the midst of his oration he gave a grand disquisition on the evils of government in Ireland, which culminated in the potato famine of 1846-47, and he tried to show the House that a similar state of things might be expected in New Zealand if the members turned himself and party out of office. Mr. Saunders was the next speaker to address the House, and in plain and unvarnished words exposed Sir Georgo Grey's theoretic aspirations, and showed that notwithstanding his apparent ingenuousness, he was far from being tho Liberal he represented himself to be. On Wednesday , Mr. Speight tried to enlighten the members on matters ho evidently did not understand himself, and appeared blind to everything but his own biggoted opinions. Colonel Trimble delivered his maiden speech after Mr. Speight sat down. According to our correspondent, tho speech was a plain matter of fact exposition of the lion, members views, and, as such, was Avell received by the members. Mr. Moss, Mr. Dick, and Mr. Ireland followed, when Mr. Fisher, tho Postmaster-General, adjourned the debate till yesterday, when it was again resumed by him. There was nothing very new in what he said, consisting as it did of twitting tho Opposition with anxiety to secure the Government benches at any sacrifice. Such debates as the present afford a fine opportunity for tentativo displays of political oratory ; but Members of Parliament, like other people, would occasionally do a great kindnoss to their constituencies by remembering that if speech is likened to silver, silence is like gold. It is desirable of course that the utmost freedom should on all occasions bo givon to debate ; but a subject which has been worn threadbare by constant reiterations gets tiring at last, and when it is known that the members have made up their minds how they intend voting, tho prolonging of the debate is not only a waste of timo and money, but is likewise very trying to the patienco of tho public.

HUDSON SURPRISE COMPANY.

The Hudson Surprise Company appeared again last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, the house being a moderately good one. The programme was entirely new. After the overture Miss Mavon sang, " What to Us is Silver Hair" in a sweet and well-trained voice. She bestowed all the care possible in the rendering of tin's little gem, and the accompaniment was worthy of notice. ".George, tell mo that you Love me," was humourously sung by Mr. T. Hudson, and was well-received. Miss M. Norton sang, in her clear soprano voice, " One Thread of Silver Hair," the audience passing a well-deserved compliment upon her ; and Mr. Glover followed with the lively song the " Wheel of Life." The chorus of this song was exceeding well rendered by the Company, and produced a pleasing effect. " The Man of Many Names," by Mr. Wallace, coiivulscd the audience. Miss M. Burton (ctmtralto) was loudly encored in the song, " Won't you buy my pretty Flowers." She i<> possessed of a clear enunciation, as well as a rare voice. The first part of the performance concluded with the laughable piece by the Company, entitled " Scenes at the Circus." The Misses Do Gay gave some favorite selections on the piano and violin with such execution as lo draw forth a hearty, recognition from the audience; and Mr. Wallace displayed an astonishingly clever performance in his "American Jig." The vocal duet, "When will the birds come out," by Miss M. Burton and Miss M. Norton, was greeted witli an enthusiastic encore, which was responded to. The amusing sketch, " The Coming Man," was performed by Mr. E. Glover, Miss A. Maven, and Messrs. Wallace and Hudson. Miss V. do Gay was delightful in her violin fantasia, " Pastorale," and in answer to an encore gave " Auld Robin Gray." Mr. Hudson was particularly mirth provoking in his comicalities. Miss Burton sang "We'd better bide a wee" most charmingly in answer to an encore. The performance concluded with the laughable sketch " Circus Dick." The company perform again this evening, when we hope to sec a crowded house.