THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1883.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2770, 9 August 1883, Page 2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1883.

' In reply to a memorial from the U ;itizens of Invercargill " tbe Colonial \ Treasurer has telegraphed that tbe Governtuent have not and never bad any w intention of increasing the Members' ? honorarium, believing that 200 guineas is enough to cover all necessary expenses. This is highly satisfactory intelligence, as far as it goes, because it 1 was rumored pretty positively a little I while ago, that wben the Payment of ii Members Bill should come on m d Committee, tbe Government would be t found willing to consent to a larger sum n being inserted. £300 was mentioned ; but £250 was considered more likely to be carried. All tbo special correspondents accepted this rumor, and circulated it through their respective channels with greater or less particularity. So generally was it believed that the Government were severely taken to task for it m several quarters. Yet, on tbe question being put to tbem plump and plain, they give tbe rumor an unqualified denial, and declare that they have never bad any such design as that attributed to tbem. Tim is only another striking instance of wbat we have often drawn attention to, namely, the singular gullibility and mistakenness of tbe professional purveyors of political intelligence from the seat of Government. It might be expected that special correspondents, having every facility afforded tbem for observing what goes on m Parliament, and making it their business to ascertain tbe significance of every move on any side, would scarcely ever be wrong. But tbe very contrary is tbe case. It is hardly too much to say that tbe special correspondents are scarcely ever rigbt. Wbat is more, those wbo pretend to tbe greatest sbare of omniscience, are almost invariably tbe widest of tbe mark, and tbe least to be believed. They swallow any silly gossip that is floating about tbe " Beach " or tbe outer lobbies of the House ; and tbey magnify trifles into serious items of political news. But wben anything really important is m progress, tbey entirely fail to perceive tbe signs of tbe times, and often tbey announce as if it were a, complete surprise, sometbing wbicb more discerning observers at a distance have long foreseen and waited for. This session, we think, tbe Specials bave been " out of it " even more than usual. Tbe blunders of one or two of tbem, wbo affect a peculiarly intimate knowledge of parliamentary topics bave been woful m tbe extreme ; and not one of them has succeeded m conveying to the public anything like an intelligent idea of wbat bas been going on. The Members feel this very strongly. Every letter we receive from them contains a warning not to believe a word we see m tbe tbe papers, and especially to distrust the accounts of the Specials. Hansard they say, is the only safe guide. But wbo is going to wado through Hansard for news of wbat took place last week, or bow are we to get an idea from Hansard of wbat is likely to take place nest week ? Wbat is wanted more than almost anything else m connection with tbe proceedings of Parliament is smart, skilful, concise, impartial, accurate, and thoroughly well informed political intelligence. As things are, the public of tbe colony are quite m tbe dark concerning matters wbicb they ought to be enlightened upon. Tbe consequence is tbey take little or no interest m wbat tbey ought to regard as very interesting affairs ; or else are liable at any moment to be grossly misled by trusting to tbe reports of those wbo are nearly as ruucb m tbe dark as themselves. We do not say tbat tbe Specials arc altogether to blame. They do their best, we bave no doubt. But there seems to be something m tbe atmosphere of tbe Reporters' Gallery and the lobbies tbat is fatal to a clear perception of tbe course of events. We doubt whether Archibald Forbes himself would succeed as a speciul correspondent at Wellington during tbe session. We are not Biire tbat he would not soon become twaddly and credulous, picking up scraps of " news " from tbe man m tbe street and the messengers, or else sink into a state of vapid dulness. The truth is the location of Parliament at Wellington effectually isolates it from the rest of the colony, and so long as it remains there, so long will there be a total want of sympathy or accord between tho public and the representative government of the country. Tbe citizens of Invercargill, feeling tbis, perhaps, more acutely than others, from their remote position, bave adopted a somewhat original plan for remedying the evil. They hold meetings at which they discuss the political questions of the day, arrive at conclusions upon them, by vote, and then communicate those conclusions m the form of a " Memorial " to tbe Government. In this way they supplied the Colonial Treasurer the other day with a financial policy, all cut and dried, by which he might make both ends meets by widening the area of taxation, instead of increasing its burden, on the present taxpayers. These amateur politicians at Invercargill have been a good deal laughed at for thus presuming to dictate to the Ministry and the Legislature. But it seems there is nothing so very ridiculous m what they have done, after all. The assumption was that they would be treated as mere impertinent busj bodies, and their " Memorial " totally ignored. The Ministry, however, have not taken that view. On the contrary, they bave recognised the right of tbe citizens of Invercargill to have a say m what is passing m Parliament j and have given tbem assurances, m reply to their Memorial as to payment of Members, more prompt and satisfactory than any extracted from them by Members m tbe House. This system of government by memorial from public meetings is decidedly novel and unmistakeably suggestive. It seems to us to open the way to tbe abolition of Parliament m its present form. If the citizens of * Invercargill may exercise «a direot influence on the politics of tbe country by means of memorials, why should not the inhabitants of other localities do the same P Why, m short, should not all political questions be discussed m public meeting m each electoral district, and decided by the majority of votes as recorded m the " memorials " resolved upon by these meetings respectively? This method would make the politics of the day a

:onstant reflex of public opinion, and it vould altogether obviate tbe necessity 'or tbe costly, cumbersome, dilatory, ,vasteful, demoralising, and -wretchedly ansatisfactory system of parliamentary government now m vogue. Major Atkinson little thought, perhaps, to what extent he was opening tbe floodgates of change, wben be telegraphed that reply to the memorial of the sitizens of Invercargill. -«■ A member of the Timaru Tradesmen's Racing Club, m a letter which appeared m our correspondence column yesterday, called m question tbe accuracy of the interpretation placed by us on tbe new clause inserted by the Legislative Council m the Tiniaru Racecourse Reserve Bill. Ho says tbe Board must give tbe use of tbe racecourse to any Club tbat applies for it, though tbey bave tbe power to fix wbat date or terms tbey please. Now, the interpretation we put on the clause is that its " practical effect " is to make it optional with the Board whether to give the use of the racecourse to any Club or not ; and we think a very little reflection will show that such actually is its practical effect. Since the Board are to have the power to fix wbat dates or terms tbey please, it is manifestly competent for them to fix prohibitory dates or terms, m the event of any Club applying, which m their opinion ought not to be allowed to übc the racecourse. For example, suppose a ring of blacklegs were to make up a club of fifty members at £1 each, — as tbey easily might — for the purpose of running a totalinator, and were to apply for tbe use of the Timaru racecourse simply as a gambling speculation. In such a case the Board would no doubt fix a date which would not suit the gentry m question, and would impose terms which would effectually spoil their little game. It will at once be seen, after this explanation, what the object of the amendment was. Clause 10, as inserted m the House of .Representatives, literally placed tbe racecourse, with all the improvements made by the South Canterbury Jockey Club at a cost of over £2,000, at the disposal of anybody wbo chose to get fifty subscribers at £1 each to participate with him m the profits of ft bogus race meeting. The new clause, on the other hand, while laying down the principle that the Board are to give the use of the racecourse to properly constituted racing clubs, at the same time places ample power m their hands to prevent any such proceedings as we have mentioned. Our correspondent is, of course, quite rigbt m his assumption that the Board may safely be trusted to use their discretionary powers impartially. The personnel of the Board is a guarantee that tbey will be guided m tbe discbarge of their functions, solely by a consideration for tbe best interests of sport m the district.

U.T.A.S. — Tho Union Total Abstinenco Society meets m tho hall of tho Mechanics' Institute to-night nt eight o'clock. Held Over. — Tho report of tho monthly meeting of tho Temuka Road Board and a telegraphic resume of His Excellency the Governor's annual address to tho New Zealand Institute, Wellington, are unavoidably held over till next issue. False Pbetknces. — An elderly woman named Margaret Belinda Todd, "will be brought up at the Timaru Court this morning on a charge of obtaining 5s by means of falto pretences, from a woman named Newton, living m Timaru. The ofTcnco was committed m October last. A case of vagrancy will also appear on the charge sheet. TnE Stranded Suhfboat. — Thep.s. Titan, after taking out tho barquo Norman Macleod yesterday, steamed down to tho Ninety Mile Beach and towod off the iron surf ■ boat which a day or two 'ago drifted ashore there. Beyond being a little strained, the boat is none tho worse for the mishap. TnE Education Board and meir latk AitcniTECT. — Failing an amicablo settlement m the meantime, the matters m dispute between tho Education Board and Mr Duval, their late Architect, will bo submitted to the Judge of tho District Court next week. Mr Duval claims £120 from the Board, whilo the latter think lie would be over-paid with half that amount. Change of Weather. — Following a spell of sharp frosts, Tuesday night was mild, and yesterday a nor'-westor, not a strong one, but unmistokeably warm, was blowing, which effectually thawed all ice lying m shady S laces. Roads and streets were thoroughly ried, m fact tho main thoroughfare m town was rendered so dusty that the water-cart was brought into use. Though the wind did not blow very strongly on the coast, it appeared to bo blowing stiffly over the mountain summits, the enow being lifted and drifted like smoke from tho peaks and ridges, Thero was very little cloud visible to indicato rain m the hills, therefore the nor'-wester would not have tho usual effect of such winds m " bringing down" tho snow rivers. Diamonds. — Samples of supposed diamonds from the field at Alford Forest are becoming very plentiful m Timaru, and excito a considerablo amount of curiosity. Yesterday our offico was besieged by people desirous of inspecting the specimens forwarded by Mr J. Thompson. Among the visitors wcro soreral who had a personal knowledge of tho Cape diamond fields, and theso stated that though tho stones resembled some which were found at tho Capo, thoy aro not at all liko rough diamonds. Some of tho specimens from Alford Forest were tested yesterday by local jewellers, who declared without hesitation that they wcro not diamonds. HABBOit Boabd. — A special meeting, and tho ordinary monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board, will bo held to-day. The special meeting is for tho purposo of considering a now by-law to regulate tho Board's own proceedings at meetings, <tc. At the ordinary meeting an analysis mado by tho Chairman, of tho figures m tho Inst halfyearly balance-sheet, with his deductions therefrom, are to bo considered. The matter of penalties m connection with the last wharf widening contract will be reported on by the Standing Committee, who will also report upon applications for the post of Harbor Master, and upon an application for a site for a fish-curing shed. Plans for an extension of tho Breakwater by 500 ft will bo presented by the Engineer. A Worthless Victory. — An instance- of the questionable efficacy of litigation to save a man's pocket when a claim which he considers unjust is made upon him wa3 furnished by a case heard m the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. A porson sued for £20, fought it out, and got the claim reduced to £14 4s. Tho costs which he was ordered to pay, however, brought the domand upon him to 10s more than tho original claim, besides which ho will havo to pay his own solicitor and tho expenses of his own witnesses. If people will indulge m such luxuries they must pay for them, but they might havo more f un for their money than they can get out of a lawsuit. Gold Pbospkctiko m Socth Canteebuby. — We learn that two parties havo been fitted out by privato individuals to prospect for gold m this district, ami as they are composed of men with a thorough knowledgo of tho work, it is anticipated that it will be well and carefully done. One- party starts from Pleasant Point and prospects tho Opihi, whilo the other goes from town to the country about Mount Miiery. It has been known for many years that gold deposits exist m various parts of the district, but it has never yet been found m payable quantities. We trust that the result of the present prospecting may be all that tho promoters of tho enterprise could desire.

PnocESSiON or Druids. — The Timaru lodge of the United Ancient Order of Druids ssomblo at Messrs Wilkin and Co.'s yards at even o'clock this evening, whence they will larch m procession, with torches, through he main streets, bringing up at the. Barnard treet Hall, where they hold a soiree and ball. ?he peculiar official dress of the Druids, a tliite orbhio gown, with hood, covering them roni head to foot, and enormous beards, rhite or bluet, according to rant, make one f their processions, especially a torchlight irocession, a thing to be remembered, and here is sure to be a largo turn out of people o witness it. The occasion of the display is ho celebration of the first anniversary of the -lodge. This form of friendly society has >cen largely availed of, and the Lodge, though >nly a. year old, is one of the strongest organiations of the kind m Timaru. Hobse-Tamino. — "It never rains but it jours."^ A few weeks ago a Mr John Dcwe, ' the New Zealand Harey," passed through rimaru m the course of a tour n? the colony ;iving exhibitions as a horse-tamer. While ie was m this neighborhood a Professor ■Sample was engaged m the same busiless m the North Island, and he reaches Timaru this week. As Professor 3amplo quitted tho North Island another 'Professor" sprang up m Hawke's Bay, a Professor Lichtwark, who appears to bo following Sample's methods, and to bo equally successful m subjugating horses. With so many teachers at large among them horsey New Zealanders should learn something, if they arc not too knowing to learn. The laisn Infobjiebs. — In the House yesterday afternoon, m reply to a question, the Hon. Mr Rolleston said the Government had as great a horror of such men as the Irish informers as anyone could have, but they saw that if they were to bo hounded from place to place, it might have the effect of preventing the detection of crime, by deterring others from becoming informers." Tho Government, however, considered the Imperial Government had acted very wrongly m sending these mon to Australia without first enquiring if tho colonies wero willing to receive them. A telegram from Sydney states the informers will be placed on board H.M.S. Nelson, pending further arrangements being made m regard to them. Napiek and Timaku Uahbou Wobks.— The Napier Harbor Board havo been placed m a dilemma by the decision of tho English Engineers appointed to decide which of the designs sent m for harbor works at Napier is best calculated- to be successful under the circumstances. They do not like the approved plan because it will not give a sufficient depth of water, and tlicv do not like to fly m the face of the judges "and refuse the plan, because tho approval of a. design by those gentlemen — Sir John Hawkshaw and Mr Abernethy — would have a considerable influence upon tho floating of a loan m London to carry out the works. To get out of their difficulty, they propose to ask the judges to reconsider their decision, giving them greater latitudo as to the position the works may bo placed m. One position suggested for a breakwater at Napier bears, or is supposed to bear, some resemblance to that of the Breakwater at Timaru, and at a recent special meeting of the Hsrbor Board the Chairman said it had struck him that it would bo as well to get from the Timaru Board drawings of, and a report on, the Timaru Breakwater, to send to England with tho resolutions of the Napier Board ; that would show what had been done m the direction of making a successful breakwater at Timaru, under, it was believed, more unfavorable conditions than existed at Napier, and would strongly support the expression of opiuion m favor of a breakwater at tho Bluff, the position referred to. Tho Board resolved to adopt the Chairman's suggestion, and apply to tho Timaru Board for plans and report on the progress of the Timaru Breakwater. This application ought to increaso the average Btaturo of the people of tlus district by a couple of inches at least. Tho next-to-impos-sible Breakwater at Timaru to be taken as a model ! Bravo, Mr Goodall ! E>-G£i3n Cable News.— The following special telegrams appear m a contemporary : — " London, August 6th. — In tho House of Commons Mr Gladstone said the AgentsGeneral despatch had not caused the Government to reconsider the decision arrived at with respect to the annexation of New Guinea. — A monster meeting of Mr Bradlaugh's supporters, numbering 40,000, has been held m Trafalgar Square. The meeting was an orderly one, and resolutions were passed requesting tho Queen to dissolve Parliament."— " August 7th.— Mr T. M. Healey, M.P. for Monaghan, intends to ask m the House of Commons how many convicts thero are m the Parliament and Government of New South Wales. — The Anameso are pressing tho French garrisons at Namdiah and Caifong, and tho French are prepared to make an attack upon tho capital of the Anameso Empire. — Mr Gladstono will shortly leave on a cruise on board Lord Wolverton s yacht. — A body of soldiers havo been told off to protect Lord Chief Justice Coleridge at the Bristol Assizci m consequenco of threats which have been inado by Fenians. — The Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Parliamentary Undersecretary for tho Colom"e3, justifies the action of Usibepu m the battle against Cetewayo at Ulundi.'^ SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. R. Wllkln and Co.— Will sell horses, harness, spring cart, etc., on Saturday ; sheep and cattle at Washdyke Yards on Monday. Timaru Borough Council— lnvite tenders for forminsr portion of Grey road. Union Total Abstinence Society- Meet In Mechanics' Institute Hall this ovening. Ploughing- 0. J. Hamilton Invites tenders for ploughing and harrowing. Waiting Engagement and Wanted— General servants at Daries' Labor Exchange. Wanted— One notice.