The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1889.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8509, 27 June 1889, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1889.

It would appear from tha proceedings of the House on Wednesday night that a very short session is in prospect, for tbe members went into Committee of Supply aud voted several items oa the Estimates. We do not know whether the "calm" betokens a coming "storm," but the tranquillity wbioh appears to prevail amongst the members ut the present time has the appearance either of " smothered wrath," or of " indifference. " The Opposition has no leader, and each party is apparently afraid to move, ft looks as if the apathy that has of late prevailed over publio affairs throughout the colony has infected the members ; and the "political lest" Sir Hurry Atkinson bus in the past preached about, and prayed for, ir actually to be realised. Political apathy, however, means commercial stagnation — at least, the two as a rule run together. The' former means the nonexpenditure of money, and a stoppage of its circulation means depression and gloom. Sir Harry Atkinson, almost in the same breath, speaks about a " surplus " of £77,769 and a ."deficiency" in the estim.ted revenue oiEv£iQ7,36s. Which is right? If a sum of money is voted for a particular purpose by the House the Ministry should carry out the works ordered as far as tbe revenue goes, and not keep the money back in order to have a sham "Barplas" to open the financial year with. A suiplns should really consist of an increased revenue over the suv estimated, and not made up of unexpended b.ilunces or for works not carried out. Sir Harry Atkinson in his Budget refers to the increased settlement of tbe land, but that so large a sum 1 as £46,526 should be owing by the selectors who have taken up land on deferred pay tnents and perpetual leases is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. We really hope that the present apathy in public matters is only temporary, and that some leader will come to the front who will be able to show tne colony how tne prtstige, we are fast losing, for enterprise may be retained.

The B.c. Qairloch leaves Onehunga to-day for the breakwater. She will leuve the breakwater early to-morrow for Waitara, sailing therefrom to-morrow night as advertised. At the Ednoation Board meeting on Wednesday tenders were opened fobuilding a residence at Worea and a school at EHhatn Road. The latter was held over till the question of the site has been definitely fixed. The tinders for Worea residence were held over until thequestioa of erecting a cottage at Pangarebu nnd nsing it for a school alternately with tho Wurea school was settled. As showing the superior enterprise of the Yankee traders, it is a noteworthy fact that it bas been left to the manufacturers of the Old Judge cigarettes to supply New Zealand with photos of the Maori football team which rsoently visited England. The photos are all good, and remarkably clear, and may be Been at Mr J. Avery's, tobacoonist. Mr W. Walton announces the arrival of a quantity of John Earl and Co.'b celebrated blended teas in packets, which are described as a* "treat to tea drinkers." After sampling the quality, wo cat thoroughly endorse 'what is olaimed for the tea, both for flavor and strength ; it would be bard to beat at the price. The Southern journal says :— MrMoffatt chief officer of the S.S. and A. Company's steamer Aruwo, ip likely to have uonimund of the company's new steamer just built. Mr Evans, chief officer of the Tuinui, v likely to have command of the second new steamer, which, it is understood, is in process of construction for tho same company. The Masteiton correspondent of the Auckland Herald contributes tht> following : — Since lust writing we have had another visit from Earl Onslow ; this time as a guest of the Uou. J. Martin, on whose estate be spent a few days deor shooting, buc only managed to pot a few pigs and rubbit3. An amusing story is told that, i while the lion. John and his august guest were wuiting on the Featherstone platform for the " special " that was to take them bach: to Wellington a slightly inebriated individual walked up, put out his band, wilh the remark, "Well Johnny, old man 1 How are ye ? Haven't soen ye (hie) for a long time." The Hob. John looked auhast, and, finding that tbe | beery individual would not be choked off, | he took him on one side and in'ormed him |in awe-etricken tones of ths rank and quality of his companion. The beery one, however, instead of being stricken dumb by the information, oommenced upbraiding the Hon. John for deserting bis old "pals," who had stuck to him in adversity, for new aristocratic ucquaintances. It is etiid that Lord Onslow wuh greatly amused by tbo ingidtat,