The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1886.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7117, 15 July 1886, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1886.

The dissensions which have arisen amongst the Liberal party in England over the question of Home Eule in Ireland has given the Conservatives a majority in the new Parliament. This result, it must he remembered, is the outcome of the opinions of a wider franchise than has hitherto been privileged to deal with the national question, and it gives ground for the bolief that there is something, after all, in the idea of a Conservative democracy, lfc is some satisfaction to find that the United Kingdom has at last expressed a definite opinion on tho question of the Irish policy, and it' may be taken for granted that any Government which may now come into office to replace Mr. Gladstone's will have to re-model the programme in accordance with the views of the electors, The mere change of Government will not, we fear, settlo the Irish difficulty, but it is probable that the decided opinion of the people of the United Kingdom may influence the Irish Nationalists, and induce them to accept moderate concessions, with the view of remedying the grievances of which they complain. Tho elections havo now nearly terminated, and by tho result it; will be seen that the Conservatives have obtained a large majority. With the assistance of a miuority of the Uuiouists they cau defeat the united Gladstone and Parnell party, even when assisted by a portion of the Unionists. Consequently tho Gladstono Government will probably retire hefore Parliament meets, and it is only possible now for a Conservative Government to hold office. There has been some talk of a Coalition Government — a junction of the Conservative aud Whig members of the Liberal party. We doubt whether such a junction cau be made ■with advantage, for it is contrary to the practico of party Government in modern days for such combinations to work in unity. Party lines are generally too strictly adhered to to render such a thing possible without party disloyalty; and, besides,

such a coalition ia now unnecessary. { It is, therefore, certain that a Oonser- i vative Government will again go into I office, and be brought face to face , with the Irish difficulty — one of tho most perplexing problems that statesmen have had to face in modern days. The question is, nevertheless, difficult, beoau3ethe policy of Mr. Gladstone has been practically rejected by tho nation. It cannot be set aside, for local government and the land question must in some shape be considered. Some measure of relief must be' submitted, to Parliament and passed, so that tho retarded legislation of the Empire on other quostions may have some chanca of beiug considered and dealt wibh. Tho Liberal party will occupy but a very secondary position in tbenew House of Commons. It went to the country disunited, and has returned but a wreck of its former strength, and it is probable that for some years to come it will be unable to materially modify the national policy. If the Conservative party are not too arrogant iv consequence of their victory, and do not presume too much on a present majority, they may retain in their hands the administration of the country for some years. If they do not govern with moderation and do not repress that tendenoy to "jingoism," which the more youthful of the party are prone to, a re-action will set in, and the swing of the political pendulum may again carry the Liberals to power. In the mean time tbe weight of responsibility iv guiding the vast affairs of the nation ought to steady the most erratic Conservative. As the interest of the Empire under which we live has not suffered iv the past by having a Conservative Government in power, wo do not suppose the present party will allow affairs to drift or the British nation be degraded by any act on their part.

The child who was taken with diphtheria at Stratford has undergone medical treatment by Dr. Lsatham, and [is now favorably progressing towards recovery. An entertainment will be held iv tho Filzroy school-room to-morrow evening, when a number of amateurs havo kindly voluntected their services. During tho quarter ending June 30th the number of pupils on tho roll of the High School was 62, and the average attendance 54. The principal, in his report giving tho figures quoted, states : " Owimc to illness in the district and tho severe weather lately, a great many of the children have been absent, in some cases nearly half of the total number on the roll. Thip, however, does not affect the past quarter much, but will make a serious difterence in this quarter i£ the present Btnte of affairs continues." A correspondent signing himself "Common Sense " writes to the Lyttelton Times as follows :—": — " In the interesting correspondence on education which has appered ia your column?, nobody answers the question, ' Who inspects the Inspectors ?' It is high time that the Inspoctor-Qeneral, or some other authority, took some of them well in hand. Our children are supposed to receive an educa'ion which pivpires them ior the wiork of life, but if teachers would only furnish you with some Inspector'^ questions ,hey wouM surprise the public." If tho Inspectors in Canterbury aro anything like what this correspondent describes them to be the Government should interfere and get them replaced. Tim prisoner Ilolf, cx-managor of the Bank of New Zealand, has since hi^ conviction (says the Sydney Morning Herald) been detained in Parrainatta gaol, win. re he lias been subjected to solitary conliuement similar to that imposed upon prisoners sent to Berriina and (Joulburn gaols. The medical officer at Parramatta has reported to the Government that in his opinion Ilolt is on tho verge of acute manin, that he is in tho hospital, and that no one, not excepting the solicitor who has been endeavouring to arrange his private affair?, is permitted to see him. In consequence of tin's, the Government have requested Dr. MacLuurio, tho health officer, to critically examine the prisoner, and to forward a icport to them at tho earliest possible date with regard to his mental condition. Notwithstanding tho many counter attractions in the way of theatricals, which have been visiting us lately, tho "Dn^onct Dramatic Oitib ' have been steadily rehoarsing for their third performance, which is to come ofE during the first week in August. The club now bor.sts of three lady members, and both the Drama and Farce now in courso of preparation are really good. Iv the Dr.um, tho club arc making a special fcaturo of their scenery; one of tha scenes, we are told, will eclipse anything previously displayed in tho Alexandra Uall ; and if rehoiiisin I.',1 .', combined with eni-rgy aud interest in the club's affairs general I r, havo any tiling lo do with success, th members should be rewarded with a good house on their n -xt public appearance-. What wbb thought to bo almost n secret visit of tho Native Minister to Opunako is said to havo caused a little flutter there during the week. Two gentlemen drovo into the town, and put up at the leading hotel. One of tho visitors was not unliko tho gentleman who holds the native portfolio and who guides tho destinies o£ the one policemau policy. Tlno gentlemen was seen by a member of tho Armed Conat.ibulir3 r , who immediately infn-med ih"Camp" that tho Native Minister hud arrived. _ Thcro was at once a bustle, and preparations were made by tho Constabulary to appear in review ordor. Several o£ the Joiding people of tho placo also arrayed themselves .in their festive habiliuionta, intending to interview the Alinistoiial visitor on matters connected with tho improvement of the Opuuukv bay. It was some two hounj bol'ore tho mistake in tho visitor's personnel was discovered, and when it was it caused no litlo murrini'jnt and good humored badinage.

j\fr. Allan O'Neill, whoso death was noticed v few dayß ngo, nays tho Auckland Hiratd, was a very old colonist, and hml tiken part in nil tho struggles and vicissitudes of the colony. Mr. O'Neill waa born in the County Loitrim in tho year 1801. In early lifo ho was employed on the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. In 1842 ho cumo out to Tarannki in tho Timnndiu ns surveyor to the New Zonlnnd Company, but subsequently ho loft them and wulke.l overland to Auckland, arriving tho day of Governor Hobson's funeral. Mr. O'Neill was tho first city surveyor, later ho wus tho provincial surveyor, and laid out tho Great North Road to tho Bay of Islands ; Mr. O'Neill was also ono of the railway coinniißsiouers of tho first Auckland mi - way. For a number of years M. O'Neill represented tho Nothern division in the lato Provincial Council ; he wns disc- a member of: the Church of- England Synod. For some years before bis death ho took no part in public affairs, but lived in letiroinent at his residenco on tho North Shore. 110 died full of years, respected and beloved by all who know him,