The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3772, 3 November 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1886.

A paragraph haa been going the round of the papers to the effect that it is improbable Sir John Hall will ever again enter the field of New Zealand politics. The reason alleged is the recent unhappy scandal m connection with his nephew Thomas Hall. The writer who first set this story going professed to have obtained his information from a private letter received from Sir John himself. We have a reasonableamountof faith m paragraph writers, and are willing to believe with regard to the particular paragraph m question that he who wrote it thought he was setting down things correctly. We must presume that he saw a portion of a letter from Sir John Hall which contained some passing reference to New Zealand politics. Possibly there were a few desponding words, the natural expression of a sensitive mind brooding, perhaps overmuch, on a very lamentable occurrence. But we shall require a great deal stronger evidence before we believe that Sir John Hall has permanently severed himself from tbe public affairs of this colony for any such reason as that just referred to. A complete physical breakdown would necessarily bring his political career to an end, but, m spite of occasional indisposition, Sir John Hall is apparently very far indeed from being used up. He is emphatically a busy man, and nothing pleases him better and is more conducive to his health than taking an active part m what is going on around him m relation to public affairs. To shut him out from his share m the ever-continuing struggle would be to deprive him of what has been one of his principal sources of pride and gratification for more than a quarter of a century. He is an eminently useful and capable man, and that he is aware of it does not m the least detract from his merit. He has returned to the colony considerably invigosrated, and at a time when New Zealand certainly needs the services of all her foremost public men. And now we are asked to believe that, he shrinks from political life not because he is weary of it or that it has nothing further to offer him, or that he cannot see his way to do any good for the country, but because disgrace has fallen upon a junior member of another branch of his family. We have reasons for thinking that Sir John

Hall's intentions h::ve been wrongly represented, and ihut a few vague expressions m a private letter have had a meaning attached to them which they will not bear. Tho blow has doubtless been a severe one, but Sir John knows very well that he has the hearty sympathy of the community. He knows also that bia retirement cannot alter the paßt, and that it would be the height of absurdity and injustice to contend that what has happened reflects injuriously on himself. These are considerations which must have specially suggested themselves to him, and have been allowed their due weight. It is our strong impression that Sir John Hall left England with' the intention of going into politics again at the first convenient opportunity, and that nothing has since occurred to cause him to change his mind. In all probability, therefore, he will be a candidate at the next general election, and there are very few indeed who will not be glad to see him once more m Parliament.

The condition of the revenue as disclosed by the fignres which we published on Saturday last is very discouraging. The shrinkage still goes on, and with few exceptions is to be noticed Under all the heads. Since those returns were published, the result of the October operations, so far as regards Customs and Beer duty, has been made known, and does not afford much ground for congratulation or hope. The October Customs were £104,850, which was about £10,000 less than was collected m September, and £GOOO less than was collected during the month of October, 1885. The Customs deficiency for the sis months was, as far as we can make out, £75,000 m round numbers. But at the conclusion of the abstract furnished by the Press Association of last month's revenue, it was stated that the Customs revenue for tho seven months had fallen short of the Treasurer's estimate by about £70,000. We do not understand how that can have been the limit, as the deficiency was shown to Lave been increased and not lessened by tbe October receipts. For the six months the total deficiency, as shown by the Treasury accounts, was £257,000, but it has been pointed out that the departmental accounts show sums which bad not then been brought to credit m the Treasury, and that the actual result is not quite as bad as was at first supposed. We need not go into particulars, for it is admitted that, after every allowance has been made, the half year's revenue fell short of the estimate by about £200,000. There now remain live mouths of the financial year, and it is virtually impossible that tho lost ground can be made good. The deficiency may not go on at tbe same rate, and under some of the heads may be stopped altogether. Compared with the Treasurer's estimate there will be a bad balance-sheet to show on tbe 31st Miircb. The whole of this year's Property Tux. has still to come m, for tbe few hundreds already collected were arrears from last yrar. We notice that some of the Wellington correspondents have telegraphed with regard to the £312,000 of Property Tax as though it were an item which could go towards making up the Treasurer's deficiency. That view of the case is simply absurd. The Property Tax will be collected within a fraction of the estimate, but by whatever it falls short, the general deficiency will of course be increased. No doubt the Government will do its utmost to help tbe Treasurer to show a better balance-sheet by curtailing expenditure on the various votes, but it will be impossible to do very much m that direction during the present financial year. The prospect is not very blight, and there seems a strong probability that the country will have to bear the burden of farther taxation. It is evident that New Zealand has not yet arrived at the period of " leaps and bounds."

The Maclntyro testimonial committeo met at the Town Hall yesterday, and appointed canvassers for Timaru. Some other minor business was transacted. The Fairlia Creok Bachelors' ball will be held m the schoolhouse, Fairlie Creek, on Friday evening. Tho Temuka volunteers intend to celebrate the opening of thoir new drill Bhed by giving a fancy dress ball on Friday evening. The tickets are rapidly going off, and judging from the amount of work all tho dressmakers and mill ncrs have m hand, the ball is going to bo a brilliant success, from a spectacular point of view at any rate. At a meeting of tho Arowhenua Town Board held on Morday evening, there was a full attendance of members. It was announced that Mr J. U. Baker, Commissioner of Crown Lands, would bo iv Temuka today (Wednesday), and Messrs Lee, Edgeler, and Story wero appointed a deputation to meet him. The rate-roll was signed. It shows tho valuation of tho district to be about £19,200. The rate of Jd m tho pound yields £10. A long discussion followed on tho subject of the reserves, and tho disputo between tho board and tho Temuka Road Board, the feeling of tho board boing m favor of letting the matter bo settled by arbitration. The mooting was finally adjourned for a week. A Government daylight parado of tho headquarter corps has been ordered fo Tuesday, tho 9th instant, to muster at 9.30 a.m. m review order, with haversack contain ing a light meal. We understand that a field day will be held, m which tho principal feature will be outpost work, including a sham fight. Judging distance practice will also bo held during tho day, and we desire specially to draw the attention of our volunteers to this. Ouly about a third of tho men havo yet been through this practice, which is absolutely necessary to qualify for capitation, and ns this will probably bo tho last opportunity for tho year, every man should make it his busine?s to attend, it is probable that the country corps will take part m the iield work, which will be carried out near the town, most likely m the neighbourhood of Waiiti, and a very good day may be expected. A publio meeting was held m the Wesleynn Church last evening m connection with the Home and Foreign Mission. Contrary to expectation, there was not a very largo attendant, but thoso who wero present apparently took a deep interest m tho proceedings of tho evening, and appeared to enjoy the excellent addresses delivered. Mr Holdgite occupied tho chair m tho unavoidable absence of the Roy. Mr Fnirelough, and after offering prayer, he made a brief address, and thon called on the reverend visitors m turn to address tho meeting. '1 lie Rev. Mr Berry, of Cliristchurch, wes the first to do so. He spoko at some length of tho contributions by the different circuits, and tho way the same was expended. A very large portion was raised by and spent among the Maoris. None of the money was, ns some people thought, sent Home to be spent there. Some of it waß expended m preparing young ministers for mission work, which work, the reverond speaker thought, was the best for such young mon. Ho had had considerable experience of such duties m the Waikato district, and could thus speak from experience. Tho Bey. Mr Nowbold was the next to address tho meeting, and gave a moßt intereßtipg and graphic description of the Tarawera! district tho great beauties of which had been obliterated by the disastrous eruption of Mount Tarawera, and spoke of tho frightful state of degredation the Maoris m that part had been lowered to, and oolled on those present to help as much as possible m tho amelioration of that race. Both addresses were listened to with rapt attention, and the speakers were accorded the hearty applause of those present. During tho evening the choir rendered a numbor of anthems m a very pleasing manner, and after the benediction had been pronounced by the Boy. Mr Berry, the meeting broke up. The collection m aid of tho mission waa very liberally responded to. Altogether a most pleasant evening was spent,

A public meeting of those interested m forming a jam Factory at Winchester, will bo held on Saturday evening, when the committee's report will Bo received, and the provisional directors elected. Tho reports of the meetings of tho Tcmuka and Qeraldino Eoad Boards, and (he Mackenzie County Council, are unavoidably held over till next issue j also some special cablegrams to the Sydney Evening News, per s.s. Australia at Auckland, and other matter. The 5.9. Australia, Captain Webber, arrived nt Sydney, on tho 27th October from San Francisco direct, to take up the running instead of tbe s.s. Mararoa. 'Ihe general summary of European news brought by the Australia, bore date up to Sept. 30th. Tho weekly muster of tho Temulca Eifles was held on Monday even'ng. The men were put through company drill, position drill, bayonet exercise, &c. Two squads competed for the Captain's prizo, one under Serjiennt Woodhead, tho other under Sergeant Grey. At the conclusion the two squads tied, each having gained tho same number of poms. Captain Hoyhurst, Lieutenants Findlay and White were on tho ground. The Hilton School Committeo held the usual monthly meeting on Monday evening, the following members being present—Messrs O. G. Bradley (chairman}, Beattie, Hide, Jonc3 and Leary. The report of the master, Mr Taylor, was received. It informed the Committee that during tho last 14 days the school duties had been carried on by Miss Bruc c, with the help of Muses Beattie and Leai'y, m consequence of his inability to be pn-senti There f>ro now 82 children on the roll. Messrs Beattie and Jones were appointed visitors for tho month. Several | trilling repairs wero entrusted to Mr Beattie's care to bo carried out. Accounts amounting to £5 12s were passed for payment. Mr Taylor called attention to the approach of tho date of tho usual school treat, m accordance irith liis request, it was decided that lists for Bubecriptious to the treat fund, be given to the elder girls to collect. The meeting then terminated. Wo learn that Miss Campbell, tho talented and accomplished iecturess, intends to Vav Timaru a ehort visit m a wee^ or two. This lady has been lecturing m Wellington, Dunedin and oilier cities and towns m the colony of late, nnd has been most favourably received by all, tho audiences she has had to listen to her being large and representative, iliss Campbell is the most eloquent and nble lecturer that has ever visited the Australasian colonies, and as a platform speaker i 3 not to be excelled. She is endowed with wonderful histrionic ability which she uses to advantago with ruro power, and as she possesses a vory keen sense of humour, her purgent wit adds brilliancy to her addresses, which greatly tells with mixed audiences. Her doiivery also is characterised with extraordinary forco, whilst it at once charms and puts her en rapponl with thoso blio happens to be addressing. Miss Campbell lectures on a variety of social sclbjccts, tho major portion of hr ndd.rfses being m tho freethought interest, but on tho wholo most entertaining. On Monday evening last tho members of tho Geraldino Riflo Corps held their usual drill m tho shed at Geraldine, there being 31 present, as well as Btaff Sergeant-Major Jones and Lieutenants Ward and Pearpoint. At tho conclusion of tho drill ft meeting was held m regard to tho election of a captain, Lieutenant Ward presiding, who eaid he considered it scarcely fair for them to elect a captain m the absence of Mr Moore, as ho hud not as yet intimated whether lie had acceptod tho position of Mujor of the South Canterbury battalion or not, and it would therefore bo better to defer tho matter till tliat gentleman returned to Geraldine. Perhaps he might then not care to accept the higher position as it would only extend over a period of five ycais. lie would also state that Mr K. H. Postlethwaitc, whom they thought of asking to accept the captaincy had declined the honor. Lieutenant Pearpoint remarked that Mr R. H. Postlethwaito had taken the nialtor into his careful consideration anil had ultimately drclicod taling the position. At tho some time he desired to thank tho memb. rs of tlio corps for tho honor done him. On Lieutenant Pearpoint concluding the men expressed their dissappointraent at Mr Postlethwaite not accepting the captaincy, and it was ultimately decided that a, meeting of the corps be held on Friday evening next at half-past seven. Lieutenant Ward intimated that he would write to Colonel Bailey m the meantime for his advice on the matter. The question then arose as to taking part m tho ruaniruvres m Timaru on tho 9lh iust. nnd several intimated their intention of doing so. The meeting then terminated.