"WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1883.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2841, 31 October 1883, Page 2

"WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1883.

In the dullest season of the dullest recess ever known, perhaps, in this country, the Premier's sudden visit to Auckland naturally excited a good deal of interest ; and that interest was not a little enhanced by the very particular care which the Ministers took to conceal the object of his trip. The ordinary practice with the Government is to give a reason for everything they do, through what are called " inspired " channels. That is to say, one of the Ministers tells some person who is understood to be connected editorially or as a correspondent with the Ministerial papers, that tbe reasons for such and such movements are so and so ; and whatever, they tell him is at once telegraphed all over the colony with a great air of importance. These movements may be a matter of blank indifference to the general public, and the reasous given for them may be foolish or bad, or both. But that does not signify. The Ministers appear tc abide under a uervoua apprehension af to the interpretation the public maj put ou their movements, and they therefore, deem it safer to account foi them in some way, even if an absurd way, than to leave the public to forir their own conclusions. They always remind us of those timid birds whicl: go to infinite pains, on the approacl of man, to appear to be verj busily occupied in doing something when all the while they are doinj. something else or more probablj doing nothing at all. This habit i; curious and pleasing in the featherec creation. In the Ministers it is onlj curious. On the present occasion thej abandoned it. The inspired oraclci were dumb ; or rather they issued : " hideous hum " to the effect that th< Ministers were " exceedingly reticent ' as to the cause of the Premier's hurriec departure for the North. That, of course was quite sufficient to draw every body's attention to the fact that be had made a hurried departure; — which wotilc otherwise have passed entirely un noticed. Everybody began to enquire wit! colloquial freedom " What was up P' Was Mr Bryce on the war-path again and was the Premier going North tc keep si check upon him ? Had Mi Rolleston taken a fit of the dismals anc threatened to resign — like Mr Mautalin poisoning himself for the seventh time — and was Mr Whitaker to be entreatec to return and restore discipline to the unruly Cabinet? Had the bottou: fallen out of the finances and was th( Treasurer bustling up to Auckland tc ti - y to make a temporary arrangement for the use of the " reserve" of the Bank of New Zealand ? Hum, hum hum ; the Ministers were exceedingly reticent. It was not until the Premier had actually arrived at the Northern capital that a ray of light was cast or this sombre mystery. The inspired ones at Wellington gave it as a vagne rumor, which might or might not have something in it, that the Premier's visit to Auckland was the prelude to an accession to the Ministry of Mr Peacock, Member of the House of Representatives for Auckland North. It was proposed, so the rumor ran, that this eminent political personage was to be entrusted with a share in the executive government of the colony, on the retirement of Mr Johnston, " but npt necessarily as Minister for Public Works." Then there came from Auckland a report that another Northern politician not less eminent than Mr Peacock, was to receive the reversion of Mr Johnston's portfolio. Now it seems to be an accepted fact that the Premier's mission is to arrange for tho representation of Auckland in the Cabinet j but whether Short or Codlin's the man, is a matter still wrapt in the bosom of the unknown. The explanation of it all, we suppose, is this. The time is at band for the Premier and Mr Whitaker to start for Sydney to attend the Intercolonial Conference on Annexation. They will certainly bo absent a month, and they may be absent two months or more. During their absence Mr Rolleston will be the ostensible ruler of New Zealand, " the elected Governah, Sir," as Sir George Grey used to delight in calling himself, when he was at the head of affairs. Now Mr Rolleston has no sort of influence in the far North, except such us would be rather prejudicial to the Ministry than otherwise. He is not " sonnd on the goose." That is to say, his extraordinary notions on the land question are extremely unpalatable up there. Then he has, at former periods, indulged the dangerous habit of reciting long orations from Pericles, Homer and other pagans ; not from any real vice, but solely from fear of committing himself and for want of something of his own to say. The sentiments thus borrowed from antiquity have been misunderstood and caused much vexation of spirit. The simple people of the semitropics thought he was "flingingepitaphs at them." It is reported that an indignant gum digger wanted to commit an assault on him. He said "he knew

they were a rough lot, but he wasn't going to let any man living call them ' poluphloisboio thalasses.' " The anecdote, we should say, wub o£ doubtful authenticity. Last but not least, Mr Rollestou ia imagined in the North, heaven knows bow erroneously, to be the very embodiment of the interests and ideas of Canterbury ; bloated, aristocratic Canterbury ; the land of 6quatters and still worse, of " swells." Clearly, it would never do for Major Atkinson and Mr Whitaker to go away, and leave the hearts of the Northern people to "rankle against the present Administration" with animosities like these. Post-sessional meetings will soon set in with their usual severity ; nnd, with Mr Rolleston acting as Premier unrestrained by any Northern colleague, it would be bard for any Auckland Member to get " tbe customary vote of thanks and confidence" unless lie should avow himself an opponent of tbe Ministry. There must absolutely be an Auckland Member in tbe Cabinet, in prospect if not in fact, before tbe Premier and tbe ex-Premier go. Who is it to be? That is s»question, we doubt not, which is iluttering the breast of many a northern legislator, burning with ardor to serve bis country and get a snug berth. It is also a question which the 400,000 inhabitants of New Zealand outside of the district of Auckland, are entitled to feel some little concern in. The new Minister, whoever he may be, will not be an Auckland Minister in tbe sense of administering the affaire of Auckland only. He will be a New Zealand Minister ; and all the people of New Zealand will be favorably or injuriously affected by his fitness or unfitness for his office, as the caae may be. The odious and absurd system of provincial representation in the Cabinet, never was more conspicuously exemplified than at the present moment. Mr Wbitaker, an experienced and capable public man, lives in Auckland. He retired. Therefore somebody else who lives in Auckland must be appointed to the Ministry whether he be experienced and capable or whether he be utterly inexperienced and shamefully incapable. His qualifications are a matter of no moment. The sole desideratum is that he shall be an Auckland man so as to restore to Auckland her " due share of representation in the Cabinet." This is the essential basis of New Zealand politics in 1883, and it must in nowise be departed from ; though the abolition of the Provinces occurred in 1875. For this reason the colony is to have inflicted on it as a director of its public policy, and an administrator of its public affairs, some man who is entirely new to public life and whose very name is unknown beyond the limits of the town where he resides. Mr Peacock, who is " tho favorite " for the vacant portfolio — when it becomes vacant — is a respectable tradesman at Auckland, a watchmaker and optician, who has displayed some activity in municipal business and has been mayor of his borough in his day. He came into Parliament for the first time at the General Election two years ago, and in Parliament he has been principally remarkable for doing nothing and making no fuss about it. What sort of man the other supposed aspirant to the Ministry is, we cannot say ; but it is perfectly safe to assume that if there be anything to choose between him and Mr Peacock, it is against him and in favor of Mr Peacock !

S.C. Athletic Club.— Wo would remind the members of this Club of the general meeting which will bo held to-day in the Ship Hotel, at eleven o'clock. N.Z.G.N.S.C— Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Cub will bo held at the Grosvcnor Hotel this evening, at 8 oVloct. Shrfiikli) Wahehopsb. — Messrs A. J. Queleh and Co. have purchii9ed the ironmongery business lately carried on by Mr J. R. Stansell, main road. They will show a quantity of special lines in hardware, etc., in a marquee on the Show ground to-day. Woollex Factout.— Tho Acting Soorotary to the Timaru Woollen Factory Company (Limited) announcps that the second cull of Is per share fulls due to-morrow, and that it is payable at. his office, Maclean and Stewart's Buildings. Enxebtainmot and Ball.— This evening Professor Weston gives his miscellaneous entertainment in tlie Barnard street Hall, and he has arranged to hold a ball at tlio conclusion of lu's performance. Ho has engaged an cffiviVnt orchestra, and probably some of our country visitors, who stay in town for the night, may think this an agroeablo >vnv of spending the evening. A CoimucTlON.— ln a local in yesterday's issue it was stated that Mr John Manchester had been, with Mr Wakefield, elected by the Bo:rd of Governors of the Canterbury College to represent that body on tho Waimate High School Board. Mr S. W. Goldsmith's name should have appeared in place of Mr Manchester's. Entbetainmbnt. — The annual soiree und concert in connection with the Presbyterian Church, Plonsant Point, will be held on the Bth November. A number of ladies and gentlemen from Temuka and Timaru Siavo promised to assist at the concert, and addresses will be delivered during tho ovening bv tho Revs. D. Gordon, W. Gillies, and J. C.' Welsh. Tub Gale at Buhkb's Pass. — Our correspondent writes : — On last Monday morning Burkc's Pass was visited by a furious gale, such as the writer has never experienced in his life. Very great damago Ims been ilono in the township — tho church whs wrockod so that it appears almost beyond repair, tho roof of Mr Parker's store blown off, and the roof of tho schoolhouso much injured bv a fallen chimney. Other minor injuries are plentiful. Whether there is any considerable daniago dono in the buck country or not, there is not yot any account. Eclu'Se of thb Suk. — An annular eclipse of the sun occurs to-day, but it is not visible in New Zealand. The central phase occurs about 11 a.m. and therefore on a meridian not far removed from our own, but tho positions of the sun and moon aro such at tho time as to cause the shadow of tho latter to fall north of the Equator, and in a quarter of tho Pacific in which there is littlo land, so that the eclipse will be eecn by very fow of all tho millions in tho world. Protection of Seals. — We think it right to point out to our readors apropos of tho takiug of a seal the other day on tho Timaru beach, that by the third clause of tho Seals Fisheries Protection Act 1878, any person who shall hunt, catch, or attempt to catch or kill seals during the close season, which extends to Ist June, 1884, "shall forfeit any seal caught by him, and incur a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds (£SO), and a further ponalty not decoding ten pounds (£10) in respect of each seal bo caught."J Blub Ribbon Meeting. — A well attended meeting was held in tho Pleasant Point School-room on Monday. After the usuul preliminaries of reading imcl prayers, the Rev. D. Gordon, of Temuka, gave an exceedingly telling address, dwelling on tho ovil effects of intoxicants, physically, mentally, morally, and socially. Tho Rev. J. Chaffers-Welsh followed, strongly supporting the claims of total abstinence ns a duty to others. Tho Rev. D. McLennan also supportod the good cause. Brief addresses wero also given by Messrs D. Anderson, Capps, and Bishop. At intervals a number of hymns woro sung, and 13 persons signed the pledge. It was decided that either Mr J. Bishop or Mr J. Thompson

hould attend the Conference to bo hold on he Oth, ns representative of Uio movement at Plea-ant Point. TnBATBB Hoyal.— There was a very Rood lownstairs audience nt the Theatre last night So hear and witness the extravagances of Stnnfield and Dark's little Compnny, and tho Jrcsß circlo contained more occupants than on the previous evening. The first itom was an amusing little comedy "Is ho mad ';" i n which all tho members of tbe company took part. This sketch afforded opportunity for some good acting, and it was well played. The vagaries of the hero, while simulating madness, kept the audience in roars of laughter. This was followed by a fow songs by Miss Horton and Mr Dark", and some of Mr Stanfield's amusing impersonations. Messrs Stanfield and Dark repeated their burlesque on the Hallelujah lassos, evoking shouts of laughter, and a determined em-ore. The last item was a wild burlosque called "Dynamite." It is an indescribable mixture of puns, snntehes of songs, bits of heroics nnd mad buffoonery, and caused great laughter. This evening the curtain rises to " Quits," which was given on Monday evening. This will he followed by Mr Dark's clever musical aketeh " A Juvenile Party," songs by Miss Horton, Mr Stnufield's "snatches" of character, and tho Hallelujah hisses duet, and the performance will conclude with the clover domestic comedietta " A Cup of Tea." Kkolisii Cable Nbws. — The following special telegrams appear in tho Pre»s : — "London, Oct. 28th. Tho regiment of soldiers who for some tiino past have been guarding the Government buildings in Madrid during tho recent republican outbreaks, have been withdrawn. — The ship Mirzapore, which ran ashoro at Boulogne, has filled with wnter, nnd il is feared blio will become a total wreck. — The Economist, in an article on financial matters in the colonies, consider! that tho Australian banks are too active, and fears that a reaction will ensue. — One of the " Invinciblcs " has been sentenced to a year's imprisonment for threatening to murder Mr J. P. Column, M.P. for Norwich. — The British Shipowners' Association are pressing upon Earl Granvillo the necessity of offering greater facilities for the construction of the second canal through Suez. — The Pope has written to Archbishop Maccabc, enquiring whether Irish priests have abstained from encouraging the agita tion in Ireland. No reply hus as yet been sent. Works of Art.— The rooms of Messrs A. A. Lnngbein and Co., in the Main South Koad, Timaru, are weU worthy of a visit just now, owing to tho number of first-class pictures, from the hand of Mr L. Wilson, exhibited there. Amongst, these arc some which cannot fail to attract tho attention of South Canterbury residentst They include "Mount Cook," taken from Mnckinnon's homestead, Birch Hill Station, on the south side of tho Tasman river ; " Mount Cook by Sunrise," from one of the gorges running into the Ilooker river, and several other scenes about the Mackenzie Country, etc. Mr Wilson has depictured the scenes from personal observation, and has done full justice to them. In the rooms are nlso hung crayon landscapes of various scenes, including the Mitre Peak and Mounts Pembroke and Kimberley, in Milford Sound, which are wonderfully life-like and exact. Fine AT Waimate. — A two-roomed house, situate in Sherman etreet, near the Fire Brigade Station, w»3 burned down early yesterday morning. Shortly after twelve o'clock nn alurm of fire was raised by Mrs Presland, who lives in the next house. The fircbell was rung nt once, and several members of the Brigade and others were soon on the spot, but tho fire had got too strong a hold to be extinguished, and the house wns soon burned clown. It was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and had been for some months past. No clue can be got as to the origin of the fire. The house was quite detached from any other, and it. was not known that any person had been stopping in it for some time past. Mr Harris, of Asbburton, is the owner of it. It was insured in the Standard Fire Oflico for £100. TeMOKA BfTTBR AKD CHBK3E FACTORY. — A meeting was held in the Wallingford Hotel, Temuka, on Monday evening last, for tho purpose of affording information to farmers and others as to price and best method of supplying milk to the factory. There wero about twenty persons present, by whom a large number of questions were asked of the Chairman (Mr Guild), who, in reply, stated that cans would be supplied at cost prico ; that tho morning milk should be delivered at tho factory between 7.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., and the evening milk up to 9 p.m. ; that tho morning milk should not be mixed with that of tho crening j that persons not shareholders supplying milk could become shareholders by allowing tho sums becoming due to them for milk to go for shares ; that tho Company did not intend to send carts out to collect milk, but left the manner of delivery to the persona supplying, who could combine in various pavts of tho district for that purpose ; that tho price would be 4d per gallon of lllbs, payable monthly ; that the milk would be tested by the Manager, who had full power to reject any not in his opinion suitable, and that the factory would commence operations on November Ist. The meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for tho information he had supplied. Conckkt. — A eacred concert by tho choir of St. Saviour's Church, Temuku, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen, and also by the Temuka Brass Baud, took place in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Monday evening lust . The hall was fairly well filled. The following items were rendered in an excellent manner, and gavo great pleasure to all present : — By tlio lemuka Brass Band, fantasias, " The Christian Soldier" and " Tho Revival ;" by the choir, anthema, " Incline Thine Ear," " O Tnsto and Sec," "In Jewry is God Known," " How Beautiful upon the Mountains," and " Lord, for Thy Tender Mercies' Sake ;" by Mr Edmonds, " But Wiio May Abide;" by Miss Rutland, "But Thou did'st not leave;" by Mr Aspinall, "Angels ever bright and fair ;" by Mm Hayhurst, " Children's Voices " and " Consider the Lilies ;" by Miss Rutland, "Almighty Spirit ;" by Miss Brown, "The Child's Mission;" by Miss Ladbrook, " Wings ;" by Mr Rutland, " David Singing before Saul ;" by Messrs Rutland and Edmonds, " The Lord is a Man of War." Mr Pilbrow also sang. Messrs Inwood and Proudlock were the accompanyists. During the interval Mr B. D. O'Halloran, parishioners' Churchwarden, read and then presentod the following address to His Lordship tho Bishop : — " To tho Most Hev. IT. J. C. Harper, D.D., Bishop of Christehurch, Primate of New Zealand.— Rev. Father in God,— We, the undersigned Churchwardens and Vestrymen of tho parish of Temuka, beg, on behalf of | tho Church members resident in the parish, to accord a most hearty welcome to your Lordship, and to assure you of our off eetionato regard and our continued zeal in the work of the Lord, and to tender our hearty congratulations upon your haying attained the advanced ago of fourscore years. We rejoice that a continuance of health permits you to discharge tho duties of your high and holy office, with eye undimmed, and natural force unabated, We pray that God's blessing may rest upon your labors, and preserve you in your going out and coming in ; and whilst in this earthly tabernacle, may grace and peace be multiplied unto you, and hereafter may an entrance bo ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and for ever. Amen. (Signed) S. D. Barker, clergyman's Churchwarden ; B. D. O'Hallomn, parishioners' Churchwarden i W. G. Aspinall, W. Wills, J. Meyers, W. G-. Rutland, J. Talbot, Vestrymen." His Lordship, who wns warmly received, expressed great pleasure on receiving the address, and briefly referred to the great progress made in the district, by tho blessing of God, and then dwelt on tho necessity of union between the clergy and members of every parish, if the work of God was to prosper. Tho concert closed with the National Anthem. The Laeoest Railway Companies itf Amkbica. — The New York Journal of Commerce gives the following interesting information as to the railway companies of the States :— Tho Union Pucifiu Railway Company is the largest company in America. It ( has 42G9 miles of rails, capital £18,000,000. t The Pennsylvania operates 1173 miles, capital C £17,000,000 ; New York Central, 993 miles, *■' £18,000,000 capital; Wabash, 3348 miles, I £10,000,000 capital ; Missouri Pacific controls P 5533 uulee, capital £6,000,000 ; Louisville and a

ashville, 2028 miles, capital £5,000,000 ; ako Shore, 1277 miles, capital £10,000,000 ; linois Central, 1892 miles, capital £6.000.000 ; re hicago and North-Western, 3278 miles, M ipital £7,600,000 ; Chicago, Milwaukee, and cr t. Paul, 4353 miles, capital £7,000,000; oi hicngo, Burlington, and Quincy, 3135 miles, oi apital £14,000,000; Central Pacific, 2995 liles, capital £12,000,000 ; Baltimore and )hio, 1553 miles, capital £4,000,000 ; North- S< rn Pacific, 2091 miles, capital £18.000,000 ; j, !rie, 1020 mile3, capital £17,000,000. p Attempt to Swindle dt Telephone. — v Swindlers have not yet been able to use tho •elephone successfully in furtherance of their i urns, but a bold attempt in this direction was i recently made in New York. An " honest- 1 Looking and plain-spoken man," describing i himself as a. "grocer at Harlem," called 1 upon a firm of stockbrokers, requesting them ] to sell for him some share, which were per- ' feetly marketable. Being an entire atrancer to the firm, and having no references Ins proposal was not at first entertained ; but nt last the apparent honesty and simplicity of the man prevailed', and the security was disposed of, the llarlcm grocer taking awny with him a cheque for the amount realised. A week or two passed, and the man again presented himself at the brokers' office, explaining in the most natural way that he had not needed the money, had consequently kept the cheque in hia pocket, and asking that it might bo cashed. This reasonable request was complied with, and subsequently the grocer, having gained the confidence of the firm and their clerks, called and asked permission to make use 'of their telephone for the purpose of inquiring about the arrival of a- steamer then due. This favor was readily granted, and after n rather prolonged occupation of the telephone box he departed. It subsequently appeared that at that moment the honest grocer was acting in concert with a confederate who was presenting u cheque for payment at tho broker's bank j bearing the forged signature of their firm. ! The cheque which he had received in pay- ] ment for his shares had furnished facility | for forging a counterfeit one, and the next step was to provide against the risk of its being disputed. When nt tho appointed time the confederate presented the forged instrument at the bank, the cashier objected to cash it. "If you don't believe this cheque is genuine," said the grocer's partner, " epcak through the telephone to A. B. and Co." — tho firm of brokers — " and ask them if it is not, and I will wait." The cashier — evidently equal to tho occasion — replied, " How do I know who is at the other end of the telephone?" Payment was thereupon promptly declined, and a messenger having been despatched to enquire if the cheque was good, brought back the answer that it was a forgery. Lovely Climes. — There are lovely climes »nd places in which the evening zephyrs are loaded with malaria and tho poison of fever and epidomics. To dwell there in health is impossible, without a supply of Hop Bitters at hand. Theao Bitters impart an equalising stronfrth to the systom, and prevent the accumulation of deadly spores of contagioD. Be sure and Bee. — Adv. Malarial Fever. — Malarial fevora, constipation, torpidity of the liver and kidneys, general debility, nervousnos3 Rnd neuralgic ailments yield readily to this {Trent disease conqueror. Hop Bitters. It repairs the ravages of disease by converting 1 the food into rich blood, and it gives new life and vigor to tho aged and infirm. See. — Adv. JBYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. J. Mnmlell and Co.— Will fell land, horses, etc en November 7lh. Moody and Zicslcr— Have section* in Fairlie Creek township for sale. A. J. <jue!ch and Co., ironmongers, etc.— Announce they have purchased J. R. Stansell'a business, and draw attention to their exhibits at the Show. J. H. Stanieli, ironmonger, etc.— Notifies he has disposed of his business to A. J. Quelch and Co. J. Levien, fruiterer— Business announcement. Timaru Woollen Factory Company (Ld.)-Nottfy a call is due tomorrow, Secretary to Auckland Education Board- Invites applications for the post of teachers of drawing and singing. Theatre Royal— Programme for this evening's performance. Secretary to T.A. and P.A.— Notice to owners of horses in hunters' classes. Wood and Smith, drapers, etc. — Business notice. A. D. Wolla, ironmonger, etc. — Is agent for the Johnston r«aper and twine binder, which will be on view on Saturday. Lost-One notice. In Bankruptcy— Re D. Jones.