DR POLLEN AT THE THAMES.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2200, 16 November 1875, Page 3

DR POLLEN AT THE THAMES.

' , (From the Hercdd.) . Tiib Thames pooplo feol. themselves—to use a phrase that exaotly exprossos the idea—complofcoly " sold" by tho Genoral Government, and as thoyaro not in the habit of sitting down quietly in such circumstances, they liavo begun to " speak evil of authorities." Tho Promier went down to tho Thames to havo blessings showered upon him, end instead he is receiving nothing hut curses,. Dr Pollen will make no promise that money will bo forthcoming for road works at Tairua and , Ohioemuri; and as, independently of the goldfields rpvenuc, tho General Government are in possession of a large sum for the malting of roads in tho North Island, the Thames people feol that Dr Pollen might, if he ohose, comply with their request, at least as respects Ohinomuri. But the unkindest out of all is, that tho Preinior will not promise.to subsidise ih'o goldfields revenuo. It will bo remembored that, on tho motion of Mr O'Oonor, it was agreed that goldfields revenuo should |be treated as rates in.tho distriot in which it is raised, aud should bo subsidised accordingly,. On that consideration, many of tho goldfields roombers supported tho Government in opposition to Sir GeorgoGroy wlion he attempted to repeal the gold duty, and tho Thames Advertiser was very severe upon him because ho wishedto do away with the gold duty, now. that it was to be so splendidly supplemented from tho general revonuo. But although the Government intimated in the House, that they would pay tho subsidies as if tho Abolition Bill had como at onco into force, it seems that they do not intend to give to tho goldfields even the six-and-cightpence which tho £1 subsidy has dwindled to. This is very shabby treatment indeed, seeing how well tho Thames peoplo have supported tho present Ministry. It is nothing short of blaok ingratitude.

Auckland Star.) _ The visit of Dr Pollen to the goldfields is no doubt to bo regarded as a great strategic move in relation to the coming campaign. .The person thatfirst conceived the wisdom of such a step deserves the highest encomiums for his general sagacity, and for his particular knowledge in this case as to the :fitness of .things. The great confidence which the people generally hve iu the political integrity, and patriotic, self-denying, and singleminded dismterestedness.of. the bonorablo the nominated Premier'of New Zealand, is well shown in the popularity attaching to his name; and if there is any place more than another where the flame of that popularity is likely to blaze forth dangerously it is in tbo vicinage of Ohinemuri, and the regions generally round about the goldfields, where the odour of his 'recent administration of goldfields affairs under the delegated powers,'still lingers pleasantly m. the nostrils of the people. Wo are sure that his visit must revive, with many, very-pleasant recollections of administrative ability and'purityi and give them a longing for the confirmation of absolute po'wef in the hands of Dr Pollen, and such as he. However this may be, there cannot be a doubt that the head of the Government anticipatesthathe can do something in softsawlnering tho " noble six hundred" miner's rights men, whoso qualifications still exist wheresoever themselves may have dispersed. Those who took out their rights in March last at Ohinemuri will be sure to bo overyono to ■" tho fbro on olection day, whether their skins are tanning under tho tropical suns of North Australia, or their toilwom . frames aro resting in kindred dust. -Andif the taliamanic name of Pollen, and tho vivifying influence of 'his> benevolent presence make them ready." for the "resurrection mom" of polling day, it will bo_ well, and there will bo a great awakening. However wo trust tho honest minors for it, that they have scon too many cross-roads to bo carried away by the profuse promises in which the presont Government is so proficont, and of which peculiar foaturo the Premier is not an inapt opponent; and we vonture to say that it is too late in the day to attempt to stom '. the reaction in public feeling which has takon place on tho goldfield. ~, •