The Timarn Herald. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1872. MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 3

The Timarn Herald. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1872. MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH MAIL.

♦ A few days after the publication of our last summary the Assembly was prorogued. This took place on the 25th ultimo, and brought to a close one of. the most unsatisfactory sessions ever held by the New Zealand Legislature — unsatisfactory on account of the meagrencss of the work transacted during its three mouths' sitting, and still more unsatisfactory on account of the poverty of design which so eminently characterises the declared policy of the Government m the future. As to the work actually carried through with by Parliament, there is little to show for the labor of three months. All the large measures promised by Government during the previous recess, such as education, &c, were cast aside to make room for comparatively insignificant additions to our Statute Book, and also to allow, it would appear, free scope for the struggle of party, which has so marked the session of 3872. We might enlarge much on this fight of parties, for the circumstances which°led to it were somewhat peculiar, m so far that the principles of a policy (public works and immigration) were m question more than that of the mere personnel of a ministry, and yet, strange to say, that after a session wasted, and after the veryserionsinconveniencetothe public business of the country entailed by repeated changes of Government, the Assembly m the end endorsed — but let it be said with bnt a majority of two— the very principles which had cost the Fox-Vogel Ministry their seats. To all intents and purposes, with a slight change of name, the Fox-Vogel Government is still m power, and the policy it ennunciated just prior to the close of the session, is more vague and more pregnant with claager to the future than was its policy of public works and immigration as pursued up to the calling of the Assembly m July. Procrastination, a lofty disregard to detail, and a strong leaning towards extravagance were, during that period, the prevailing features of the policy pursued, and judging by the programme given out by the Government as to the future, we find signs not only of similar character, but, if possible, these signs intensified giving fanpromise of certain and effectual ruin to the country if the policy as now defined be carried out. Passing from general to provincial politics, we pass into a different and more healthy atmosphere. Whereas m the one we find confusion, irregularity, and so far as the public works and immigration policy is concerned, any amount of data on which to calculate an "unknown" quantity of future taxation, m the other, we have to record much that is eminently gatisfactory. The affairs m Canterbury just now are particularly flourishing. The Treasury, instead of a deficit shows a, very large surplus, and the " prospects" Eor the coming year are equally encouraging, provided, the two great factors m Colonial prosperity are present, viz, a high wool and grain market. The Provincial Council meets on the 22nd inst, and its chief business is to allocate the Provincial accumulations arising principally from the large sales of crown lands during the past few months. A high wool market is no doubt the first cause of these sales, and as it is only m south Canterbury that first-class land m large blocks — except, perhaps, a few isolated sections— is obtainable, the bulk of this inflow of gold falls for distribution m the Timaru and Gladstone districts. Elsewhere is given m the report of the proceedings of the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, a list of bridge works, &c, required, and we have reason to believe that at the coming session of the Council, that body will be asked by Government to grant the necessary authority to carry out the works therein recommended. Formerly, we had much to say of the Natives and the native question, but now, fortunately for the Colony, a few words now suffices for this portion of our colonial budget of news. In the early portion of this" month an event occurred- which at first blush bid fair to bring again into unpleasant prominence this native question, for the telegraph flashed the intelligence that a party of the Wanganui natives had destroyed by fire a couple of bridges lately erected by the Government m that part of the North Island. The news looked ugly enough, and foreboded, if not actual war, serious disturbance ; but the next day or so we were told that the burning of the bridges carried with it no political significance, being the act of a few blackguard Natives backed up, it is stated, we regret to say, by some scoundrelly Europeans. The raison d'etre, though, of the latter desiring the destruction of public property we have not heard. King Tawhaio and his party are now little more than a name. The followers after his Maori Majesty believe, it seems, liow-a--days more m earning honest money by road-making than m playing courtier, as recently many of these so-called King Natives having given up the latter to follow the more certain and tangible advantages held out by the former. In the early part of this month gold was said to have been discovered m the district of Tuhua, a discovery which has much excited the Native mind. During the month, the Timaru, Christchurch, Oamaru and Lincoln Agricultural and Pastoral Exhibitions have been held, and all, comparatively speaking, have been a marked success guaged by shows held m previous years. "We cannot close our summary without mentioning that during the past four •weeks the Java cable, so long silent through an accident, has again spoke ; bringing Australia and London within thirteen hours' talking distance, and New Zealand about six days.