The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3511, 30 December 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1885.

Politics m Victoria have taken a somewhat astonishing turn. The coalition Cabinet which has ruled the deßtinies of the colony for a longer period than most of the Ministries by wbich it has been preceded, is about to be deprived of its two moßt prominent members — the Hon. James Service, the Premier, and tho Hon. Graham Berry, the Colonial Treasurer. Party government had been tried m the colony and had failed utterly. The first Parliament m Victoria was opened on November 26th, 1857, and there were four Administrations m less than three years following. There was a continual recurrence of deadlocks. There was a deadlock over the new Government tariff passed by the Legislative Assembly m 1865 and rejected by the Legislative Council, and the Governor was reduced to the necessity of raising money for the public service irregularly. At one time the crisis became so serious that an appeal to the Queen was proposed. There was another deudlock tbe following year over tbe grant of £20,000 to I Lady Darling, wife of the Governor, Sir Charles Darling, who bad just been recalled. Tbe vote was passed by the Legislative Assembly, but rejeotcd by the Council, and tho dispute h id waxed fierce and strong when tbe Duke of Edinburgh arrived, and his visit fortunately distracted public attention from local politics for the time. It «vas not till July 1868, however, that the question was finally settled, the McCulloch Ministry being instrumental m bringing it to a termination. After that time thpre was a constant change of Ministers, a Cabinet rarely continuing twelvo months m office. Mr I

Graham Berry, at one time a grocer m a small way of business m Victoria, first became Premier m 1875, and brought down a terrific programme of continued protection for manufactures, combined with proposals for the wholesale spoliation of the richer colonists. The colony was not then ripe for such revolutionary projects, and Mr Berry resigned almost immediately. He again got into power, however, m 1877, and then occurred a terrible political conflict such as will long be remembered m the history of the colony. Tbe Legislative Conncil rejected Mr Berry's Appropriation, Defence and Exhibition Bills, and subsequently all the County Court and other Judges were dismissed. There was no money, of course, to pay any of thepublic servants, and much excitement and distress ensued until at length the Lower House overruled the Council, and ordered the public creditors to be paid on its sole vote. For a few months " Borryisuj,"as it was called, was rampant m the colony, and the confidence of all who bad any stake m the country was shaken to the lust degree. In the beginning of 1880 a revulsion of feeling Bet m, Mr Berry had to resign and once wove Mr Service took his place. It soon became evident, however, that parties were too evenly divided to hope for anything like stability m the politics of the country, and after one or two see-saw movements between the two rival leaders, and an interregnum when Sir B. O'Loghlen was at the head of affairs, a coalition was arranged with Mr Service as Premier and Mr Berry as Colonial Secretary. Coalitions are not very good things aa a rule, but there is no doubt that this was the best thing that had ever happened for the colony of Victoria. Parliament, for almost the first time m its history, waß able to settle down to work to devise measures for the benefit of the country instead of exhausting all its energies by internal strife. Perhaps the result would not have been so satisfactory had not Mr Berry sobered down, and been content, to a large extent, to eff ace himself. There was an understanding that no sweeping changes m the direction of freetrade were to be made m the tariff, but otherwise Mr Service was allowed pretty much to do as he pleased. Everything has gone on very satisfactorily ever since the Coalition was first formed on March Bth, 1883, and the last Budget speech of Mr Service was one of the most gratifying that has ever been laid before the Victorian Parliament. Now it appears Mr Service iB anxious to leave politics for a while to devote himself to bis own private affnirs. It wonld hardly have done, however, to leave Mr Berry m the Cabinet, able to work his own sweet will once more. To use a phrase which has now become famous m this colony as applied to another politician, the people of Victoria who still believe m Berry qualify their confidence by stating that it must be " Berry with the brake on." The brake being removed, Mr Berry must be removed also, and he is being very comfortably gotridof, much, we have no doubt, to hisown satisfaction, by shipping him off Home as AgentGeneral — a process which we fancy we have beard of before as applied for the purpose of getting rid of reckless and dangerous politicians. He will probably enjoy himself very much m England during the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, possibly he may be knighted and he may return to the colony with new views on the subject of property and many other questions about which he used to take a very revolutionary tone. On the other hand he may come back with an impression that the Victorians have been " dozing " during his absence, and that it is necessary for the country to advance by " leaps and bounds." In that case we shall be rather sorry for Victoria. Whatever happens, however, we may take it for grunted that whether Mr Graham Berry's political exploits have done much for the working man, of whom be professed himself Much an ardent friend, they have done well for Mr Graham Berry. It remains to be seen what will happen to the colony under the altered regime — whether it is possible to continue a Coalition Ministry, or whether we shall see a return to party Government and party struggles. This is a question the solution of which will be awaited with much interest.

The iimard UtGnScnoot. — It is rumored that Mr W. Zieslcr is likely to bo appointed by the Government to the vacancy on the High School Board caused by the retirement of tho Rot. W. Gillies. Thanks. — Captain VTacMillan of the Bhip Canterbury desires us to express his thanks to tho i ibrarian of the Timaru Mechanics' Institute for tho present of a lurge number of colonial weekly newspapers. Caledonian SociKTr's Sports.— lt will be seen by an advertisement m our columns that His Worship tho Mayor has been requisitioned to proelnini Siilurday next a public holiday on nccount of tho M.C. Cale donian sportg being held on that day, and that ho has prantcd tho holiday. Pabisii Festival — The annual Parish te'tivnl <.f the Dlaio and Whitccliffs dislri t, will bo held at St. Andrews, near tho railway •tut ion, to morrow week. Tho Timaru City Band will be m attendance during the dny. A bazaar and gift auction will bo held m the evening. INTKRCOLONIAL WeATHKE KxOHAKSE — Now Zoiiland — Slight depression to tho south, but on the wholo fino, but strong west- rly winds and very dry weather. Australia — Equal pressure and fino weathtir ; wind muderato and variablo Barometers - In New Zealand, at Russell, 30.0 ; Wellington, 2!>.7 ; Bluff, 29.6. In Australia, at Hobart and Sydney. 30.9. Calrdonian SronTS. — 7t is most satisfactory to learn that tho entries for the handicap races to bo run at' tho South Canterbury Caledonian Society's gathering on Friday and Saturday noxt oxeced m number thoso of tho last few years. Tho names of tho competitors will be mitdo public as coon as tho handicaps are arrunged Rbsidbnt Magistrate's Court, Timaeu. — J. 8 Beswiek, Hsq., H.M., and T. W. Hall, Ksq., J.P., presided at this Court yesterday A firi-t offonder charged with drunkenness, was fined Ss. John Swarbrick, charged with breaking a window at the Commercial Hotel and with using obscono language, was fined '109, and George Catchpolo brought up on a eliargo of larceny as a bailee, was remanded till to-morrow. AMATBnH TnHATtiicALß.— We remind the inhabitants of Geraldinc and burrounding district that the Gcraldinc Anmtour Theatricals will play m tho Oddfellows' Hull, Goraldino, this evening, at 7.30 o'clock m aid of tho Volunteer Drill-shed. The ploy will be under tho patronage of Lieut.-Coloncl Bailey and tho officers of the B.C. Volunteer District. Should the wcathur prove line, the vonuci't will no doubt bo a great eucctss

Scholastic— The B.C. Board of Educa- 1 tion invite applications for the post of »econd master at the Temuka School. Habvbst PaospKCTg m South Atbtbalia.—lt is feared (says the Adelaide correspondent of the Argvs) that the wheat crop which is now being reaped will not average more than three bushels per acre. A vast area of land will not be reaped at all, the seed nover having shown above ground. From another extensivo area probably enough wheat will be gathered to furnish seed and food for the onming year. A co> sidentble extent of country that promised well for a good crop of wheat has been cut for hay, the high price of fodder and the fear of red rust having contributed to thU decision. From some favored spots where the rainfall has been more bountiful, or where a better system of cultivation has been adopted, crops of from 8 to HO bushels per acre are being reaped. At Beefacres for instance, where the rainfall during tho growing Beiison did not exceed 12in , but whero deep ploughing waa practised, after a good crop of rap» had been obtained from the land, 30 bushels of wheat per acre are beiug reaped by string binders, while the straw will go two and a half tons to the acre. This proof of the value of rotation of crops and of deep cultivation should teach our farmers a lesson ; but few of them will take heed to it, the majority preferring to pursue their own course, and attribute to Providence the failures which should be rightly put down to their own ignorance. Should the yield for the colony not average more than three bushrls per acre, our export trade during 1886 will show a considerable falling off. Wo shall require something like two bushels out of the throe for seed and food purposes, thus leaving about 2,000,000 bushels for customers outside tho colony, or about ono sixth of tho quantity we have exported during the current year. The prospective deficiency i- a very terious one, but the farmers are bearing up with good heart, and there is even less croaking among them than there is m tho metropolis. Washdyke School. -This school broke up for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, the 21rd inst. The children nn i their parents nsecmblcd at the school-house m tho afternoon, when sports were indulged m, and the successful competitors were awarded prizes. With the kind permission of Mr William Bulfoi'.r, the paddock at the back ot" tho school was used on this occasion. Captain Slitter, who hud kindly consented to distribute the prizes, arrived m the evening. After tea, which had bees laid out m the handsomely decorated school, the children assembled m the open, and Mr Stevenson, the • hairman of the Committee, having introduced Captain Slitter, the latter addressed the children. In his address C-iptain Sutter pointed out to tho parents and children the great necessity of children attending regularly and punctually. Ho further impressed upon his hearers' minda that as education, especially m Now Zealand, became to be so generally acquired, it was the duty of every parent to allow children to become possessed of a good sound education, as without, thai they would not be likely to successfully contest tho battle of life. After the prizes had been received by the meritorious scholars, the desks and forms having b«-en removed, young and old enjoyed dancing up to midnight, when all returned homo fully satisfied with tho day's enjoyment. Tho following is the prize-list : — Standard IV. — Hophzibiili Stacker 1, William Stevenson 2. Standard 111.— Charles Brader 1, Frank Stocker 2, Christian Akcr 3. Standard If. — Robert Peebles, 1, Norton Smith 2, Henry Aker 3, Archibald Davie 4. Standard I.— Nicholas Nicholls 1, Margaret Spring 2, Mary Seyb 3. Robert Nesbitt 4. Sowing : Standard IV.— Hephzibah Slocker. Standard 111. — Jn.no Peebles. Standard ll.— Alice Gladwin. Infants Edith Dale Mr P. W. Hutton's prize for writing- Robert. Steven-on. Prizes for the most popular girl and boy—Hephzibah .Stocker and John D.ivie. St. George's Lodge, Temtjka. — The annual installation of officers of St. George's 1 odgc, No. 1856, B.C , Temuka, was held at the Oddfellows' Hall Temuka, on Monday evening, P.M. Bro A. W. Mann acting as installing officer. The following officers were installed for the ensuing year: — Bro Jas. Fradky, W.M. j Bro J. Harrop, I. P.M. ; Bro W. Co'ltmnn, junr., S.W. ; Bro J. T. M. Hayhurst, J.W. ; Bro A. K. Allan, P.D.; Bro W. Binley, J.D. ; Bro D. McCallum, J. 0 .; Hro J Cooper O.G. Among the visitors were P.M.'a Bros Wilson, Simms, \ oung, P.B. Bro R. E Graham, and Bros Hobbs, Shepherd, Nhirt-liffe, Bullock, Kirby, Smidt, Snoswell, Captain Cailcheon, and about 20 others from various lodges and districts. After the installation ceremony a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro Mann for the able and impressive manner m which he had conducted it. After closing the Lodge tho brethren to the number of about. 35 »at down to a sumptuous supper supplied by Bro L. Tombs. Tho W.M., Bro Findlay, presided, and Bro Mann pronounced the blessing. After supper tho following toasts were proposed and responded to :— Tho Queen and the Craft ; His Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales, Grand Master of the English constitution ; The three Grand Lodges — England, Scotland and Ireland; Tho Provincial Grand Lodges ; The nowlrclcctcd P.M. (Bro Jas. Findlay) ; Ihe Installing Mastor (Bro Mann) ; The Retiring Officers ; The Newly installed Officers ; Tho Visiting Brethren ; "Bro (host) Tombs ; Bro P.M. Franks ; The Poor and Distressed Brethren, were capitally rendored br Bro B. K. Graham, " The Good-bye at the Door ; " Bro Coltman, " He'll fight till ho dies on the deop blue sea ; " Bro Hobbs, "Nil dosporandmu ; " Bro Pilbrotv, "The Englishman ; " Bro Tombs and Bro Harrop. Altogether a. most pleasant evening was spent, and the brethren will long remember the reunion of 1885. CoycEET. A concert was held m the Orari Bridge schoolroom on Monday evening m aid of tho prize fund. Mr L. Grant,' Chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair. He stated that he was pleased to see so many present. Most if not all knew the object of the concort, and doubtless it was the interest manifested m the children that had induced so many to bo present. Miss Andrews opened tho concert by playing an overture on tho piano, and Mr John Mundell followed with the recitation "The Irish Schoolmaster," which caused much amusement, particularly among tho young people, Mi»3 Uunlop sang " The Wishing Cap " and was loudly praised, and Mr Lodge " Jack's Yarn," foi which ho received a well merited en core. A duet by Miss Andrews and Mrs Glass " Will You no Como Baok Again " was next very nicely given. Mr Thatcher's song, " Take me Back Home " received v most enthusiastic encore, to which he responded. Mrs Shorratt next sang " Homo they Brought her Warrior Dead," and " Forget if you c-an but Forgive " was given m response to an eneoro. Mr Wostropp gave a reading m the Irish dialect, and caused roars of laughter, after which Mr Thatcher tang "In the Cot'age by tho »ea." Mrs Glass sang "'Jho Littlo Boy m Blue," which was loudly applauded, and Mr Mundell then gave the rocitation "I ho Country Bumkin." It caused considerable pleasure to the audience. Mies Andrews' sung " Dreamland " was well roceivod, as was aIBO Mr Lodge's " The MidslnpmuV." Miss Dunlop'a song "Kate O'-hano," Mr C. E. Sberralt's ' One Story is Good till another is told," Mrs Bartrim's " Don't Deceivo me," and Miss Wcstropp's " Auk mo again, and I will not say No, 1 were all mott enthusiastically re cmvod. Mr Westropp moved a hearty vote of thanks to ull who had useistod to bring about such a successful entertainment, and specially to Miss Andrew 3, who had accompanied noarly tho wholo of the songs. This waa carried with acclamation. Mr Palmer then moved that tho best thanks be given to those ladies who had so tastefully adorned tho walls of the sehool-rooli with boautiful flowers and evergreens. This also was carried most enthusiastically Mr Mundell next came forward, and m a humorous speech proposed threo cheers to tho Chairman, Mr h. Grant, which wero given moat heartily. Tho Chairman suitably responded. This concluded tho concert, and all joined m singing the National Anthem. The room was then cleared, and a great number enjoyed themselves with dancing for an hour or two.