The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1896.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5731, 26 November 1896, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1896.

At Mr John Joyce's Willowbank meeting, whereat the candidate for Lyttelton had a splendid reception, just the right thing was done. Several of the electors, afc the con- ' elusion of Mr Joyce's address, spoke briefly but forcibly with regard to the necessity for consolidation- on the part of the Liberal electors. It was urged that inasmuch as his chances of success were considered to be far and away beyond those of the other Liberal candidate, Mr S. R. Webb, the voting should be concentrated on Mr Joyce. We cannot too strongly urge this view of the case. Mr Webb has chosen, for reasons best known to himself, to persist in his candidature, although he must be perfectly well aware that the only possible result will be to play into the hands of the Conservative party. We feel satisfied that in any case Mr Joyce will be elected, but it would be infinitely better if tho contest were narrowed down to a straight-out issue. There is of course yet time for Mr Webb to withdraw. If he does so he will merit the warmest commendation. If, on the other hand, he persists in going to the poll, we hope that the Liberal electors will decline either to throw away their votes, or to give the Opposition cause for chuckling.

Several people have applied to us, asking whether places of business should be closed on Friday in next week, the day of the general election. In the Electoral Acts themselves there is nothing bearing upon this point, but in the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment, 1895, there is. Section 4of that Act provides that what is called the licensing poll shall be taken on the same day as tho electoral poll, even in places where there is no electoral contest. Section 10 has the marginal direction — " Day of election to be a public half -holiday," and reads thus : — " Every day upon which the election of the Licensing Committee takes place, or upon which the poll for local option under this Act is taken, shall be arid bo deemed to be a puolicholiday after mid-day, and such half -holiday shall be deemed to be a holiday within the meaning of the several statutes for the time being in force referring to public holidays ; and, further, between the hours of twelve o'clock noon and seven o'clock in the evening it shall be unlawful to sell intoxicating liquors in any licensed premises." The Press, this morning, makes reference to the same subject, but, unfortunately, gives absolutely incorrect information by means of a garbled quotation. It tells its readers in effect that the whole day is a statutory holiday, and leaves out altogether the " after mid-day." But that is so like the Press. All that has to be done is to follow the example set this week, and transfer the closing of places of business from Thursday to Friday.

Despite the frantic efforts, of the Press to boom "The Three Graces," Messrs Beswick, Donnelly and Lewis, the fact remains that their triplicate meetings are inexpressibly dull. That at Addington the other night was of the most " deadlylively" nature, and tiie unconscious though truthful irony of Mr Charles Lewis's remark, that "life -was rather -unfortunate in having to follow two such speakers as had preceded him," was particularly striking. We fancy that many of those who by no means agree with the political views held by Mr Lewis, will deeply sympathise with him in his peculiarly unfortunate position. Few even brilliant orators could survive under the heavy dulness of respectability that characterises Messrs Beswick and Donnelly, and even Mr Charles Lewis's worst enemies — or his best friends — have never gone so far as to accuse him of brilliance.

Once more — at the meeting aforesaid — Mr Charles Lewis neither said nor did anything that would detract from his own never-to-be-forgotten summary of his brief parliamentary career. And what of the issue of such a meeting ? The fewness of the hands held up for or against the proposal of a vote of thanks proved unmistakably the utter lack of interest felt by the Addington electors, either in the National Conservative Association or in the candidates of its choice. With the exception of the mover of the vote of thanks — who, by the way, applauded vigorously by means of a big stick throughout the proceedings — and a few peripatetic supporters who now and again shuffled their feet in a shamefaced sort of way, there was no demonstration of approval. The reason is not far to seek. These men persist in ascribing to themselves all the virtues of Liberalism, in swearing by every Liberal measure that has been placed on the Statute book, and in denouncing the men who have brought those measures into existence. And the people are not to be gulled by the political three-thimbles-and-a-pea trick.

Garden Party at Burnham. — An alteration has been made in the date of the Burnham Industrial School garden party, viz., from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10. For some reasons the alteration is to be regretted. Burnham is now at its best, but the soil being very poor it soon has a burnt-up appearance. The authorities, however, being anxious that the Christchurch public may avail themselves of the opportunity to visit the institution, have, in consequence of the elections taking place on Dec. 4, had the party postponed to Dec. 10. A pleasant ride of some thirty-seven miles to Burnham and back is an inducement in itself, and the cost is only 3s first class and 2s second class. Mr James Freeman will have charge of the catering. Tickets of admission to the grounds will be ls each, and the surplus, if any, will help the band and Christmas funds. : '" ■ ■■'.