The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1883.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2797, 10 September 1883, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1883.

" Never prophecy unless you know," is one of the beat of Disraeli's dry maxims. Sometimes, however, common sense reasoning loads so irresistibly to a particular conclusion that it is pretty safe to prophecy without actually knowing. "When the Colonial Treasurer obtained a Select Committee six weeks ago to try Mr Davgaville for his speech on the Property Tax Bill, several Members, including at least one Minister, namely, the Minister of Justice, assumed as a matter of course that if the Committee should condemn Mr Dargaville, he would be severely punished. They differed in their opinion as to what the penalty of his hostility to the Government would be. Some, we fancy, had a vague idea that he might be fined or imprisoned, or both. But Mr Conolly, being a man of moderate views and humane disposition, did not, apparently, contemplate any punishment more terrible than mere expulsion from the House. The Press generally, including the Ministerial papers, made light of the affair, and blamed the Government for having resorted to a Select Committee for redress of an imaginary injury. The Otago Daily JHmes, however, took a line of its own. That paper treated the Dargavillo enquiry aa a most serious business, warmly commended the action taken by the Government, and gravely predicted that some heavy punishment would fall on the desperate man who had dared to reflect oa the relations between the Ministry and the Bank of New Zealand. The whole tone of our contemporary's article tickled us immensely, especially the calm, unsuspecting air with which it propounded the marvellous theory that in this free country and in this free age, Members of Parliament are lia-ble to be punished, at the instance of she Government, for political speeohes. Uhere was something curiously comical n the notion that a proceeding which jaused a revolution in England in ld'42, , would be quite right and proper ia New i Zealand in 1883. ' We have a great res?pe:t for a»J '

paper that has tbe courage of its opinions, even if those opinions ave mistaken, and wo confess we have been greatly delighted with the Otago Daily Times since it adopted its present line, old, crusted Tory principles. But on this occasion we could not resist the temptation of matching our own judgment against that of the Ottujo Daily Ttmee. We did so in these words : — " Does not our contemporary see thut if " it were possible for a Member to be " punished, on the report of a Select " Committee, for language used in " debate, there would be uu end of free " speech in the Houße ? A Govern- " ment commanding an obedient ma- " jority, might at any time obtain a " Select Committee of their own noini- " nees, to condemn any one of their " political opponents. Luckily no such " proceeding is possible under the " existing Standing Orders, and it will " be a sorry day for the House, and for " the public liberties, if ever such a " system is introduced. The Otago '• Daily Times predicts that Mr Darga- " ville will in the end be ' chastised ' for " his speech. We venture, on the con- " trary to predict that, be the report of " the Committee what it may, no " punishment of any Hort will be " visited upon him. If he choose to " accept the report of the Committee, " he may, as a matter of courtesy, " withdraw his remarks, and express " his regret for them. But if not, ho " may snap bis lingers at the Com- " mittee, and rest securely on his un- " deniable privilege to say what he " pleases within parliamentary limits." That was on the 7th of August. On the sth of September the Committee's Report, condemning Mr Dargavillc in unqualified terms, was brought up, and on the following day the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Mason, moved that the Report should be adopted. The Native Minister intimated that if Mr Dargaville would give the slightest expression of regret, the Government would not proceed to extremities. Other Members implored the Government to be merciful, and urged Mr Dargaville to save hitnaelf at the last moment. Mr Dargavillc, however, knew perfectly well that his position was quite unassailable. He therefore proceeded to attack the Government more bitterly than ever. In the course of his remarks, he boldly raised the question of the power of a majority to punish a Member for exercising the right of free speech, and he finally declared himself in the following manner : — " The Government," he said, " had tried to gag the free expression of " the opinions of the representatives of " the people. He challenged them to " follow up this Report to its legitimate " issue and declare his seat vacant. " He would then bave an appeal to his " constituents, and they would find who " was in the right. To stop at merely " adopting the Report weuld be pusil- " luminous and deserving of contempt. "He would on this single question " of political corruption meet, ■ before " bis constituents, the best man the " political ' Ring ' could bring against " him. He supposed, however, that " Major Atkinson would be satisfied " with being whitewashed by Mr Mason " and his servile followers. All inde- " pendent Members had already gone " away. When he recalled all tbe " political corruptions of which this " Government had been guilty, he was " amazed at bis own moderation. He j " absolutely refused to withdraw a " single word or express a single regret. " He believed he was justified in even " going further, and he defied the Go- " vernment and was prepared to accept " any consequences, and any decision " of that House on the matter he would " treat with the contumely which in hiß " mind it would deserve." This is what we meant when we predicted a month before that Mr Dargaville would " snap his fingers at the Committee, and rest securely on his undeniable privilege to say what he pleases within parliamentary limits." The Report of the Committee was adopted by a majority of 29 against 2 ; the minority, we need hardly say, consisting of two of Mr Dargaville's friends, who acted as tellers in order to secure a division and thus make tbe one-sidedness and the absurdity of the whole affair the more conspicuous. But of courso nothing further was done, and nothing further will be done. As a measure of punishment, in short, the Report of the Committee was not worth the paper it was written on; and the Resolution of the House, adopting the Report of the Committee, was nothing more than an expression of opinion on the part of twenty-nine Members, including five Ministers, in favor of the Government and against Mr Dargaville. It was an impotent demonstration of party feeling. That was all. It may or may not be regarded by the public as a proof that tbe charges of corruption and subBerviency which Mr Dargaville brought against the Ministers, were unfounded and improper. But neither Mr Dargaville nor the Opposition admit that it is anything of the sort j and on the whole, we are inclined to think, Mr Dargaville is a gainer rather than a loser, from the futile attempt of the Government to punish him through the instrumentality of a Select Committee. Archdeacon Hakpeh. — The Yen. Archdeacon Harper is eipoctcd back from the West Const on Friday next. IIUNTIIfG. — The South Canterbury Harriers meet at Strutheonan this morning at 11 o'clock. On Wednesday, the 12th, tho meet is nrranged to take place at ABhwick. AuoTlosKEn'a Licessb. — Tho Collector of Customs notißes that Mr Henry Ford has taken out an auctioneer's license for tho poriod ending 30th June, 1884. Bducationax. — Aii assistant master is wanted for Christ's College Grammar School, to teach classics and English in the middle or lower part of the school. Tho amount of salary given will bo found in our advertising columns. Our Volunteers. — According to a district order publishod this morning, the C Battery are undor orders to parado for monthly inspection and drill on tho 12th, 1 9th and 26th inat., at tboir headquarters, Timaru. Pbokooation. — Parliament was proroguod by Commission on Saturday last to December 12th. A list of the measures passed or otherwise dealt with, together with a summary of the other work of the session generally, is published in another column. Maqistbhiai,. — The eases set down for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning arc the adjourned civil one of Clayton v. Sherratt, one of larceny against Samuel Martin, threo of drunkonness and one of breach of the Canterbury Trespass Ordi« nanco. B*t,e op Piuvilhoes. — Messrs J. Mundcll and Co., instructed by the Qeraldine Racing Club, will Bell by Auction at th«ir rooms, Goraldino, on tho 15th iaet., the right to eject refreshment booth?, etc., on the r&E««

course grounds, at the Club's annual meeting. Borouoii Council. — TheTimaru Borough Comu-il hold an ordinary meeting Uiis evening. Timabc Licensing Committee. — The Licensing Committee for tho Borough of Timnru hold an adjourned mooting at noon to-doy, at tho Courthouse, to consider the application of tho lieonsco of the Groavenor Hotel for an extension of his license to midnight. Acknowlkdobmest. — The Secretary of tho Timarn Artillery Band (Mr Jos. Stevenson) desires (o acknowledge on behalf of the Band tho receipt from Mr A. Sinclair of a twelve months' supply of Bind music. Among tho pieces are sonio of tho latest and most popular selections. Larcknt. — Samuel Martin, arrested in ChrUtchurch on Friday last on a charge of stealing £6 15s from a dwelling house in Timnru, whs brought down by the evening train on Saturday, and will be charged at tup Magistrate's Court Ihia morning. Uo was arrested by Detective O'Connor from a description forwarded by Detective Kirby. Licensing Court. — The quarterly meeting of the Geraldine Licensing Committee was held la«t week, at which all the licenses for hotels in the district were renewed. Transfers of licenses wero granted ns follows: — From Mr Bowden to Mr Wadlow (of Timaru) and from Mr D. Andrews' trustees to Mr Bowden. The police report on the licensed houses in the district was satisfactory. SrsuAY Scnooij AJSrvKKSAitY. — The anniversary eenrircs of t!io Wealeyan Sunday School were held in the Church, Bank street, yesterday. Both morning nnd cvenini* services were well attended. In tho after" noon a special service for the school children wus held, a very large number of whom attended. The Rev. P. Wills preached tho sermons at both tho regular services, nnd also gave an address in the afternoon. All three had special reference to Sunday Bchool wort. The anniversary ten meeting will take place in thii Bcboolroom, Bank street, to-morrow evening. Ten will be on the tables at G.30 p.m., after which the Rev. Mr Wills will deliver u lecture on " Ninoveh and tbo Bible." Tiik Refmoehatixo Company.— At a general meeting of shareholders of the South Canterbury Refrigerating Company on Saturdny Memorandum and Articles of Association were adopted, and matters put in train for the registration of the Company. Tho provisional directors, who remnin iii power till permanent directors are elected, the election being filed to bo held in November, were authorised to look out for n site for works and to obtain such information as is necessary to enable them to propose a definite plan of operations to the ineeling of shareholders then to be held. The share list remains open till the end of the present month, although the present shareholders have decided that the capital at present subscribed is sufficient to enable tliom to commence operations. A premium will be charged upon all snares issued after the 30th inst. Teachers Institute.— A meeting of tho South Canterbury Touchers Institute was held at the Timaru Public School on Saturday. Thero wero present — Messrs J. Scott (President), Watson, Wood, Hughes, narlock, Mclntosh, Walker, Thompson and Mrs Grahame and Mits Kissell. The Rev. Mr Flnvel, of Christchurch, attended by invitation. Tho principal subject discussed was the question whether tho Instituto should support the Schoolmaster, a. journal devoted to educational matters, formerly published in Napier, but now publishod in Christchurch. Mr Flavel gave an address on educational i matters generally, for which ho was accorded u vote of thanks. Referring to the Schoolmaster, he said he waa convinced that a newspaper published in tho interests of tho school teachers in the colony would do a great deal of good, and ought to be supported. It was resolved, on tho motion of Mr Hughes, seconded by Mr Wood—" That the Institute give its beat support to the Schoolmaster." The meeting then terminated. Residknt Maoistbatk's Court, Gebaldink. - At this Court on the 6tb, before 11. C. Baddeley, Esq., R.M., a person charged wjjh being drunk and disorderly, was let off with a caution, it being his first offence. The following civil cases wero heard :— R. S. Waitt v. J. Warren, claim £2 Hs ; judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed and costs, less 18s 6d disputed by defendant. J. Sutherland r. C. Trcngrovc, claim £20 11s, for wages, etc. j judgment for plaintiff for full amount nnd costs. Payment to be made at the mte of £3 per month. James Watkius v. W. Horsfall, claim £8 15s sd. Defendant did not. appear. No affidavit of jurisdiction being filed, the case was dismissed. W. 8. Maslin v. J. ,Toe, claim £-49 16s, dishonored promissory note. Defendant did not appear. ' Judgment was given for plaintiff for amount claimed, with interest added. P. MeShane v. Wilaon, claim £10, for work done. Judgment by default. W. C. Andrews v. T. Pyle, claim £3 Is 6d, rent due ; judgment for plaintiff for £2 6s 6d. The Court thon rose. T.A.P.A. — A meeting of tbo Committee of the Tiraaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday afternoon. Present— Mr A. W. Wright (President), Mr R. 11. Rhodes (Vice President), Messrs W. Balfour, W. F. Aplin, W. W. Cartwright, J. Campbell, w. Gunu, A. Grant, W. 3. Raine, D. McLaren, W. Stevenson, H. Ford, U. C. Pringle, R. Mockay and R. A. Barker. Messrs 11 . H. Smith and J. B. Warcing wero elected members of the Association. On the motion of Mr McLaren, it was resolved that the annual horse parade should this year be held on the 29th September, the list -aturday in the current nconth. The Secretary drow attention to the fact that in several cases in which 10s prizes wero offered, for miscellaneous exhibits, the entrance feo for non-member9 was also 10s. It was, therefore, resolved, to rcduco tho entrance fee by half, in these c«303. The description of Class 111 iu piga was altered, requiring tho exhibit to be either a sow with a litter of pigs or in pig. This was all the business transacted. A Silly Escapadb. — About two o'clock on Saturday morning last a widow lady residing in Browu street was awakened by a noise at her front door. She got out of bed and peered along tho passage, when she saw what she took to be the Cguro of a man at tho door, which she had left unlocked. With some presence of mind Bho niado a rush at the man— for so tho figure proved to bo — but ho held on to tho door on the outside, so that sho could not open it. After a short interval he let go and took to his heels. Tho lady's cries awoke tho neighbors, one of whom camo to sco what was the matter, »nd distinctly saw tho man rushing up the street. The lady of course was very much frightened, but subsequent enquiries made by the Police, lod them to fcol satisfied they had got at the bottom of the affair, and that tho culprit, who is known, had only been playing a drunken lark. No doubt tho scare ho received will bo a warning to him not to repeat his porforraances again, as well as to others who are in tho habit of indulging in the disgraceful and unmanly sport of annoying decent people at all hours of tho night. At the same time we must say householders should not tempt bad characters to enter thoir houses by leaving thoir doors open, or to rob them by leaving clothes and other articles outside at night. jExglish Cable News. — The following special telegrams appear in tho Press of Saturday: — " London, September 6th. ' General 1 Booth, of tho Salvation Army, and a detachment of the Blue Ribbon Army, intend to pay a visit to the Australian colonies. — News from tho Capo states that a conflict is imminent in Zululand. A number of chiefs are mustering their forces and making preparations for an attack on Cetowayo, wno is still in the reserved territory. — Tho French threaten to blockade tho ports of China unless the Chinese Government consent to withdraw their troops over the frontier of Tonquin." " London, September 7th. Tho Marquis of Hartington, speaking at Sheffield, said the release of Mr Shaw, British missionary, by tho French, did not remove the entire grounds of difference with France. He also mentioned that the progress of reforms in Egypt wero more rapid than they appeared to bo. — The Fronch oxploring expedition have burned Loango. — News has been received from Hanoi that further fighting has taken place, and it is reported that the French troops have again been repulsed." Thbathb RoyAt.— lt is announced thia morning that Messrs D'Aroy Stanfield and Fred Dark's Merry Thought* tad Happy llouioote Compapy opes is tibe Jbcaw»

Royal on Wednesday evening. The Company is almost a now one, thore being Tery few in it known to Timavu playgoers. Thu pieces to bo presented on Wednesday evening are n force entitled " Quits," ami a comedietta entitled "A. Cup of Ten." In the former various delineations of character are introduced, Mrs D'Arcy Stanfield, Miss Amy Ilorton, and Messrs Stanfleld and Dark eaeh taking a prominent part. The Company huvo lately been playing in Christehurch to eieellent nousei. The Silvation Amir.— The Army in Timivru has nt last boon subjected to the " persecution " they eeem to glory in, — when it is not too pronounced — but it was of a mild typo. On Saturday evening, a citizen, who by tho way took up a position in which he could not bo 6een, turned a hose on the procession, and wetted a few members thoroughly, some- passers-by also coining in for » share of his favor.*. We were groatly amused by a sceno wo saw one day lust week. In one of 'the quiet street* of tho Borough we met a number of toddling youngsters, who had formed themselres into a procession after the manner of the Army. With a kerosene tin for » drum, bits of stick for (lutes, and waring their handkerchiefs, they marched gravely along, pinging with all their little might. The burlesque was extremely rich. Football. — AVe publish this morning; in a somewhat condenßod form, a telegraphic report of tho football match between Auckland and Wellington teams, played at Wellington on Saturday. From the tone in which it is written, ire fancy the reporter would have an unequal and unpleaaant match to play if tho Auckland team got hold of him. lie would probably find himself in the middle of a eerimmngo in no time, and be collared and forced down, and, whatever the amended Rugby rule? may eay, would find hacking being indulged in. He '.would get a few marks, but tho other side would have the free kick?, and the Aucklandcrs, clover at heeliug out, would finish the game instead of beginning it, with a good kick-off. 110 dispraises the Auckland men right and left, and only onco puts in a word to their credit. Good Tkmflaby. — The Lifeboat Lodge, No. 101, 1.0.G.T., held its -weekly session on Friday evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sophia street, Bro. T. Fogarty, W.C.T., in the chair. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the roll of officers' mimes called and duly responded to, one candidate was proposed for membership, accepted, and initiated. The report of tlio Special Committee re Juvenile Temple was read as follows : — " Your Committee appointed to consider and report upon the advisability or otherwise of organising a Juvenile Temple or Band of Hope beg to re- ! port as follows : — That after careful consideration we can nee no reason why a Juvenile Temple could not be successfully organised and worked in this town. We therefore beg to recommend that Bleps be taken as early as possible to institute u Temple, and that the Lodgo appoint a Committee for that purpose, such Committee to hold office for twelve months, and to net as Executive Committee for that term." Hesolved — "That the roport bo adopted, and Brothers Sando, Watson, Fogarty, Brown and Proctor, and Sisters Jones, Elliott, Reilley and Barker, junr., act on the Committee." The L.D. intimated that those entitled to second and third Degrees would receive them neit Lodge night. After receiving report of Anniversury Committee, the Lodge closed at 9.40 p.m. A Scene ix a Duskdin' Court. — Another of those somewhat unseemly disputes which haro been tolerably frequent here, says the Otago Daily Times of Saturday, occurred during the hearing of a case in the R.M. Court yesterday, before Mr I. N. Watt. During the examination of one witness for tho plaintiff, Mr Dennifton rose and said that the continued inisstateinents of Mr Macdonald (the opposing counsel) made it abso lutely wearisome for him to give them the denial they deserved. It was characteristic of Mr Macdonald to make such statements. — Mr Macdonald : It is characteristic of you to deny them. — Mr Denniston: Did your Wor ship catcli that remark ? — Mr Watt int'matcd that ho did. — Mr Dcnniaton : When a person of that sort — a person claiming to rank as a gentleman, but who has shown himself to be what most of 119 behove him to be — says that a certain statement is correct, and that it is characteristic of me to deny such statemonts, it is just ono of thoso pieces of insolence which — llr Macdonald : I say that it is my learned friend who is guilty of insolence when he says that it is characteristic of me to make miestatcments. — Mr |Denuiston : I am addressing tho Bench, and I ask protection from a piece of insolenco which is only what might be cxpectod from the person who utters it. I have carefully avoided addressing that gentleman, but when he gets up and tells mo that such a thing is characteristic of me, I ask if it is a. statement which a gentleman would make, or a statement which is justified by facts. — Mr Macdonald replied, explaining the point in question in the examination of the witnes», and the statement which his learned friend denied. — Mr Denniston : I wish you would not call me your friend. — Mr Macdonald : I did not. I ask not to be interrupted. — Mr Denniston : I will interrupt so long as you insult me by calling mo your friend. — Mr Watt : I think I would comply with the request, Mr Macdonald. — Mr Macdonald : I allowed Mi' Denniston to address tho Court, i and then ho interrupts mo the moment I open my lips. — Mr Denniston : Simply because you insult me by calling me your friend. — Mr Macdonald : I did not. — Mr Denniston then also rose, and both counsel spoke simultaneously, in a loud voice, for a moment or two. — Mr Watt : Mr Denniston, I must call upon you to keep order. — His Worship then made a few observations as to the cause of the misunderstanding, which, he said, arose in the first place from a remark or question of his own. Ho hopedcounsel would now bo ablo to go on with the case. The case then proceeded, but ono or two other minor passages-at-arms occurred between counsel before the Court adjourned. 9YKOPSIB OK NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart- Will sell fat sheep and cattle at Washdyke yurds thin day. J. Mundell and Co.— Preliminary notice re sale of Qeraldine racecourse privileges on Saturday next. Manager, Otalo Estate— lnvites tenders for ploughing. District Orders— C B»tt«ry parade for inspection and drill ou 12th, 19th, and 20th inbt. 11. Ford-Has Uk«n out an auctioneer's license for ensuing year. R. Spurway— li requested to communicate with R. McKcnzle, land spent, Dunedin. Wesleyan Sunday School-Anniversary tea-meeting, tomorrow evening. In Bankruptcy— Re H. Huband : O. W. Creemor ; P. McCuklll. Wanted-Ono notice.