West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1876.

West Coast Times, Issue 3233, 4 February 1876, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1876.

The parliamentary history of the past year in New Zealand is being repeated and exaggerated iv Victoria. The peculiar system of opposition adopted in the House of Representatives here is being imitated in the Legislative Assembly there, and even in more aggravated form . Wi th sh ort in ter vals of respite, members have been in session for many months ; Ministry has succeeded Ministry three or four times; budget after budget has been brought down, one perpetuating protection, another favoring free trade; but the avowed cause of the present dead-lock is the long vexed land question. Perhaps the real cause is to be found in the distempered state into which the House has degenerated, and for which a real cure can only be found in the dernier resort of dissolution. The stoppages to business hitherto may be compared to so many pauses in punctuation — first a comma, then a semicolon, then a colon. Now it is a full stop. In the metaphorical slang of the period, " the stone-wall is up," the said "stone-wall,'' it should be explained, consisting of about twentyfive members ©f the Assembly who are determined that no further business whatever shall be transacted by that body, inasmuch as, in their opinion, it no longer represents the country. Mr Berry having stated at a political meeting that the Opposition would set itself like a stone-wall to obstruct business, the phrase became adopted as the motto of the party under his leadership, and it not inaptly describes the situation. The phrase would have been as appropriately applicable to the attitude of the Opposition in the New Zealand House of Representatives last session, but fortunately the demonstrations of the minority on that occasion were not so decidedly outrageous, though they were not far short it. Notwithstanding the presence of the Stouts, the Sheehans, and their sympathisers, they had neither the metal nor the mettle to make a strong stone-wall, but it was their strength, not their will, that was at fault, otherwise the scenes might bave been as discreditable as those which have just been enacted in the Victorian Assembly. As it was, these bore a strong resemblance to what has transpired there, and as a means of " seeing ourselves as other see us," it may be useful for them now, in their calmer moments, to peruse the description of the complexion to which Colonial Assemblies have come at last. Here is a sketch of some of the scenes, as drawn by the Melbourne correspondent of one of our contemporaries: —

On Thursday night last the tactics were fairly commenced, and talking against time, with repeated alternative motions for the Chairman leaving the chair and for reporting progress, formed the order of tbe night. One member wished to read the trial scene Bardell v. Pickwick for the delectation of his brother members, and another suggested a popular song " I'm sitting on a stile," in allusion to the proclivities of an honorable gentlemen for sitting on a rail in dealing with political questions. Mr Thomas was verj wroth at being so treated, and spoke about what he would do if he had a weapon. The farce, for farce it is at present, was renewed again yesterday, when the Opposition refused to allow the Government to obtain supplies. Soon the public creditor will be unpaid, and when the shoe pinches in this direction, it is expected that some pressure will be brought to bear in a direction outside the House, Truly we are on the eve of troublous times. The Assembly met in May last, and in the succeeding January nothing — literally nothing — has been done. There has certainly been a flood of talk, but little else, and lately the scenes that have taken place have been simply discreditable.

Another correspondent thus photographs the picture presented by the House : —

Members of the House are chiefly lolling about or reading books — that is, the few members who think it worth while to be present. The others are out drinking at the Parliamentary refreshment bar, knocking about the balls in the billiard-room provided for ligisiators, or otherwise reci eating while their pay accrues at the rate of £6 per week, or £2 each Parliamentary sitting. In the Assembly below me, one of the " stone- wall" members named Farrell is up, treating the House to an erudite Inquisition on the land laws of Greece, Rome, England, Ireland, and Victoria ; in short, talking lengthily against time. Others have preceded him on the same ;ack, and others are ready to follow. Here s the state of affairs in legislation, while he public business is six months behind- ' land. I On subsequent evenings, the scenes feulminated in the creation of " most Admired disorder," which is thus described :—: —

Personalities occupied the evening, fceter Lalor, the leader of the Ballarat yiots twenty years ago, and at present member for South Grant, made himself Particularly offensive. The galleries were cleared, and a most disgraceful scene Ensued according to all reports. Lalor said that the Government had r- instated an official who had embezzled. This proved to be false, but it aroused fierce

acrimony. The House adjourned early in the morning. Next evening there was no imnroyement. During the refreshment houf Littor and a member named Thomas quarrelled in the. lobby. Lalor struck Thbmas, and knocked his hat off. Lalor js a big mafij with only one arm,, and Thomas is a little man. When the House met again, Mr Thomas, in a state of great excitement, complained against Mr Lalor, and s«id that if it came to this, he would think of providing himself with a bowieknife or a revolver. After some parley MrLalor made a kind of apology. The House plunged again into musual recrimination. Mr Berry made a passionate speech, which was loudly applauded by the spectators in the crowded galleries. The officers of the House rushed into the galleries and tried to find the offenders, but were unable. Mr Wrixon, member lor Belfast, said that if the Opposition gain its end, responsible government would be at an end in Victoria, and the agitators would rob the country of its liberties.

With such a state of things prevailing inside the House, it is easy to conceive that outside the political excitement is at fever heat — much more so in such a city as Melbourne than it could be under similar circumstances in this Colony. People, we are told, wonder how the crisis is to end. Sir George Bowen is no doubt much perplexed as to the course of action he should take, and it is thought likely he will telegraph to England for advice. Everything is in confusion. The general impression is that a dissolution will be brought about in some way or other. If there be a dissolution, it is probable that the intoxication of public feeling will prevail on the sione-wall ticket, which is a bursting up of the great estates. The trouble will then be only commencing. The landowners are alarmed now, and are concerting measures among themselves. The Legislative Council, or. Upper House, is their great bulwark. It will never give way to a crushing land tax proposal. The landowners bay the democrats will be driven to subvert the Constitution, and in that case the Imperial power n'ust step in. Altogether, concludes a local writer on the subject, the Legislative Assembly is sinking into utter contempt.

Now that a handsome building has been provided for the public transaction of Post-office, Savings Bank, and Annuities Office business in Hokitika, it is to be hoped that the legendary character of Post-offices in the Colony will not be maintained. The character which such establishments have hitherto enjoyed is that of being pervaded by discomfort and dirt. The intention of the department and of the architect ig evidently that such a building as that which has been erected in Hokitika should resemble in all particulars, and especially in the matters of order and cleanliness, our banking establishments and other public offices, whose sanitary condition is a credit to those in charge of them. There are some other particulars in which improvements might be effected. It is, for instance, a farce or something worse, to have an array of neatly varnished red pine private boxes provided only with one description of lock, or locks so similar that one key will open a dozen boxes. It is a temptation to the dishonest, and prevents anything like security, which is surely one of the purposes of private boxes being 1 provided and paid for. It might enhance security also, if the key of the entrance door were withdrawn during the daytime ; it would at least enable the door to be fully opened, which is not the case at present. And, if the Postmaster could invent some medium of informing the public as to the despatch of mails, superior to a dirty board stuck on the outside sill of a window, he would exhibit a higher form of inventive genius and appreciation of what is in best keeping with a handsome exterior in the Italian style of architecture. The place for such information is the window adjacent to the receiving-boxes, where it may easily be exhibited from the inside, without the risk of being blown up the street, and without revealing the inartistic daubing of paste in which Post-office officials seem to delight and excel. Handsome as the building is it is worth having, for' the sake of uniformity, and in illustration of official taste, all things handsomely done.

We learn that Mr J. S. Browning has been appointed Provincial Surveyor and Engineer for the Province of Nelson, in room of Mr J. Millar, F.S.A., resigned. Mr Browning is one of the oldest surveyors on this Coast, and has rendered valuable service in connection with the department since the earliest days of Hokitika. In a social point of view, and in bis relationship to All Saints Church and the Sunday School, his departure from this district will be much regretted. We can only join with his numerous friends in the district in wishing him all success in the new sphere upon which he is about to enter.

The Christchurch Theatrical Company, under the management of Mr Hoskins, purpose visiting Hokitika, Greymouth, and Reef ton at an early date. It is their intention to remain a week or ten days in each of the three towns, and negotiations are now in course of completion with Mr Walker, of the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, for their first appearance here. The company is a very powerful one, including Mrs Hoskins and several well known colonial stars of the stage. We doubt not that the visit of such a compaay to the Coast will be fully appreciated, and prove highly satisfactory to the management.

The First Westland Riflus paraded in the drill-shed last evening. After inspection by Captain Bonar, the company, which mustered very strong, a large number of the Kanieri detachment being present, marched through the town, headed by the band . They were then put through company drill in Weld-street by Captain Bonar, and subsequently marched back to head-quarters, where they were dismissed. The Borough Council will meet at the usual hour this evening.

A meeting of the shareholders in the Rechabite Hall Company will take place at eight o'clock this evening .

There ia some complaint among tbe Jackson's Bay settlers touching the absence of any publicly appointed vaccinator at that place. Upwards of twelve children are stated not to have been vaccinated. The matter demands the immediate attention of the authorities.

There was only one civil case for hearing at the Goldsborough Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday last. The case was adjourned for a fortnight, to afford time for Bervice of summons. A number of opposed applications was then disposed of by the Warden, after which the Court adjourned.

The annual meeting of the Agricultural Society will take place at the Empire Hotel, at eight o'clock this evening.

We are requested to draw attention to Mr Todd's auction sale of growing crops, horses, cattle, and farming implements which is to take place at noon to-day, at Mr Gaffney's farm, Kokoiahi. A conveyance will leave Lynch's Swan Hotel, at ten lo'clock, for the Kokotahi.

The Greymouth Horticultural Society held their midsummer exhibition, on Wednesday, in the new Good Templars' Hall. The building is a spacious and handsome one, and the exhibits by which it was occupied were excellent. We are promised a special report for our next issue.

The heat at Reefton appears to increase In fierceness. On Hautrday it was 93£ degrees in the shade, on Sunday 92 degrees, and on Monday 92 degrees.

The No. 2 South Larry's gold arrived in Reefton on Saturdry, the weight being 2670z5., the result of nineteen days crushing. The Herald is informed that the mine is looking very well.

The sad intelligence reached Reefton on Sunday afternoon, says the Herald, that Joseph Martins, hotelkeeper, Broadway, expired at the Ohika at 1 p.m. that day, on the road down to Westport. After having been some time under medical treatment here, |he left on Wednesday, the 26th uit, on horseback, and reached White's accommodation houge in about six hours. Whether he waited for a boat or proceeded thence on horseback is not at present known. He must have reached the Ohika, however, where he died, and deceased was thence transported to Westport by John Pascoe. His death was most unexpected, as no one was aware that his ailment was of a serious character. The deceased was ova of the earliest settlers in the district.

The Grey River Argus is informed that the Coal-pit Heath Company, Brunnerton ) have, whilst sinking their air shaft at 66ft, struck the coal, and are now down 16ft through it without any indication of it running out. This fact is a favorable indication that the main shaft will reach a permanent and extensive seam.

On Tuesday there died in the Grey River Hospital John Corbett. an old resident in the No Town district, and for some time one of the representatives of the Grey Valley in the Nelson Provincial Council. He had, says the Argus, been in bad health for some months, but it was hardly expected that he would succumb to his ailment — an affection of the liver . For the sake of better treatment and attention he was placed in the Hospital, and for a short time after his admission he appeared to recover and was himself in good spirits. He took a keen interest iv the late Grey Valley election, notwithstanding his bad state of health, and was the means indirectly of largely influencing the result in the No Town district, where he wai well respected. During the time he represented the Grey Valley in the Nelson Provincial Council he used his best efforts to advance tne interests of his constituents, and was to a fair extent successful. He had many friends and no enemies.

The Nelson Mail states that it is the in. tcntion of the supporters of Mr Shephard in the Waimea to make application for a new election, on the grounds that, owing to an error, Day's old store at the Matakitiki was advertised as one of the polling places, whereas May's old store should have been the place. The Deputy-Returning Officer waited the whole day ac an old store once occupied by one Day, but no one came to vote, but it seems that the voters congregated at May's old store waiting for the arrival of a Returning Officer.

One of the heaviest losers by" Turks" is a celebrated vendor of the pill and ointment which hare long been known as the only efficacious remedy for all ills that flesh ia heir to. The " professor," whose benevolence ia as great as his notoriety is worldwide, has " dropped" £150,000, and philosophically writes it off his ledger as a " bad debt."

We (Timaru Herald) learn from an official source that, though the actual date of the meeting of the General Assembly is not yet fixed, it is expected to be in the month of June.

A curious case of suicide has occurred in Dunedin, the victim being a young man named Richard Sexton, who had been employed for some time past as a waiter at Paveletich'a Universal Hotel, Maclaggan street. It appears he had been fined for drunkenness in the morning at the Police Court, and as soon as the fine was paid he returned to the hotel, and shortly afterwards drank some spirits of salts — a deadly poison, used for cleaning pots. He told the housemaid afterwards of what he had done, and adrised her to take away the glass, so that others should not drink of it. Dr Brown was immediately afterwards sent for, but he could not stay the deadly progress of the poison, as the unfortunate man died very soon after his arrival.

The R.M.S. China, which brings the Suez mail this month, has met with an accident which will delay hsr .arrival at Melbourne by at least a week. According to telegrams received lately by the agent of the P. and O. Company and che associated press, the China, which left Galle on the 16th inst., had to put back on the 18th, having broken her eccentric, an important part of the machinery. She was expected to leave again on Sunday or Monday last, in which case she will be heard of at Glenelg about the 11th or 12th February. If no accident had occurred she would have reached Glenelg by about the 4th February.

Mr James Garroway, lessee of the Alexandra Hotel, Port Molyneux, has been drowned. The deceased, along with a man named Sullivan, had gone out for a pleasure sail, when they allowed tbe boat they were In to drift under a hawser attached to a kedge from the schooner Friendship now lying in the river, and the top of the mast being caught by the rope, tipped the boat over, throwing the two men into the water. Sullivan succeeded in catching hold of the hawser, and got on board the schooner ; but ' Mr Garroway let go his hold, and immediately sank. Mr Garroway had occupied the hotel but for a short time, and leaves a wife, but no family.

Mr James William Robertson, formerly M.P.C. for the Wakatip, died saddealy last week. His death caused a great shock, and his loss will be deeply felt throughout the entire district, for he was an extremely liberal man in business matters.

The Dunedin Police intend to test the right of a well-known drapery firm in Dunedin to hold their art unioa of pictures, &c.

Cromwell is agitating for the appointment of a Resident Magistrate and Warden for that district, on the grounds of its central position and importance. During the past three years it has exported 75,000 ounces of gold, as against 7000 on the part of Clyde.

At a large meeting of sheep-farmerß in the Timaru district, it was unanimously resolved to resort to boiling down. Thirty thousand sheep were guaranteed to the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company, and probably double that number will be forthcoming.

A recent social episode has been a fruitful topic of conversation in Dunedin. A marriage between the brother of a man lately killed by a gravel pit accident and the widow of the deceased was performed by the Registrar at Carlyle. It is alleged that the parties gave false names, as there was a legal technicality in the way of their union otherwise; and the man has been arrested on a clurge of perjury.

The ihip Conflict has arrived at Lyttelton from Belfast with Irish immigrants, and the

the Jessie Osborue from Glasgow, with Scottish immigrants. They include a hundred single girls.

The gold returns from the Thames and Coromandel goldfields for the month ending January 14th show a lamentable falling off, the total quantity of the precious metal obtained being only 23650zs 14dwts. The quantity of stone crushed amounted to 2094 tons. This meagre result is in a great measure due to the stopping of the Waiokaraka mines.

The Victoria Racing Club hope to substitute the annual weight for age Champion Race, three miles, on New Year's Day, for the Melbourne Cup handicap, as the great public excitement of the year. The Melbourn6 Cup will never, apparently, be discontinued, but turf legislators are keenly alive to the discredit brought upon the event by the gambling mania induced. No class in Victoria displays greater evidences of wealth than the leading bookmakers. Joe Thompson entertained the Sydney cricketing eleven at "Don Juan House" with a princely banquet. "My notion" say a correspondent of the Guardian, "is that the Melbourne Cup will retain its prestige for many years, notwithstanding the Champion Race with its 1500 soys. added money."

William Phillips, the man who was arrested at Wellington on suspicion of being concerned in the Ohau Lake murder, was acquitted at the Resident Magistrate's Court. Inspector Atchison communicated with those who knew Cunningham, and found that they could not see a sufficient resemblance to warrant them in supposing Phillips and he were one and the same person; but there was still stronger evidence of Phillips' innocence, it having been ascertained by the police that he was at the time of the murder residing at Otaki.

Communication by cable between the two islands was once more restored after a lapse of forty-four days. It is estimated that the total cost in connection with the recovery of the cable is about £2000. There is still a mile and a half spare cable available.

Mr William Collins, solicitor, well-known in cricketing circles, and the secretary of the Tasmanian Turf Club, has committed suicide by taking a dose of strychnine at his own office. The event has caused much sensation in Hobart Town.

The Brisbane Courier displays a profound knowledge of the geography of this country; and tells some Munchausen like stories concerning it. The following is an amusing specimen: — "The Taranaki, bound froto Nelson to Taranaki, passed through 150 miles of ice-bergs, and some of the passengers were frost-bitten."

It is proposed to erect a handsome building on the site of the Criterion Hotel, Collinsstreet, Melbourne, to be used as an exchange and general offices. The building is intended to be carried right through from Collinsstreet to Flinders-lane. In order to erect this building, it is calculated that a capital of £80,000 will be required, and it is proposed to raise it by the issue of £100 debentures, at 8 per cent.

The Victorian Education department has a model of a portable school for country districts, to hold seventy children, and accommodate the teacher with two rooms.

At Auckland, Mackenzie, formerly mate of the barque East Lothian, fell down on board the schooner Charybdis in a fit, and expired in a few minutes.

It has cost, says a writer in the Marylebone Mercury, £16,000 to establish the Hornet. The proprietors of the Pictorial World have spent about £10,000. The World is said to have only cost £5000. The Daily Telegraph was bought by its present proprietors " for a song ;" it pays £70,000 a year.

Prom a private letter from Bombay, dated December 9, the Hobart Town Mercury takea the following extract : — " The two Missea Carandini have been removed by Hymen from the stage, not of life, but of the concert-room. The youngest made a rapid conquest of young Mr Adams, an engineer in the Public Works department; and the elder of Captain Morland, the Transport Agent ami Assistant Superintendent of Marine, who is about to marry her. Mr Adams married right off— a I<> days' campaign."

There are at present 256 medical practitioners in the Colony.

The London Medium states that Heame the rri&dium for materialisations, was about to ieave for a trip to Dunedin. His object is relaxation.

By the Californian mail, the Sydney Morning Herald has information that " rowing matches for the championships of all nations will take place at Philadelphia during the great Exhibition season, and that entries will close on July 15."

The contract for a new stand on the Christchurch race course, plans for whi'dhj were drawn by Mr Armson, naS been taken ] by Mr Rankin, who has already commenced work. The building will tie 60ft by 32ft. A room has been provided for jthe press, which the representatives of the fourth estate, will misdoubt fidd what Mr A. Ward would call a street boon On the tbp of the stand there will be space for about 600 persons.

Blondin will arrive iv Christchurch about the middle of February, coming direct from Auckland. His extensive pavilion will be erected in Latimer Square. Some idea of its size will be gathered from the fact that a tender has been accepted for supplying Blondin with seventy-two poles, each 55ft in length.

The Dunedin correspondent of the New Zealand Times states :— Captain Baldwin is said to have thrown up the editorship of the Guardian because the provincial parfcy^on the directory attempted to interfere with him in conducting the policy of the paper ; the result has been a split amongst the directors, and the probable sale of the Guardian and Southern Mercury.

Referring to the incidents of the late fire, the Christchurch Press notes that the Very fine portrait of Mr John Ollivier> paintei by Mr Cousins, which it was intended to present ts him very soon, was destroyed in Mr Firth's shop.

The Caledonian Society of Dunedin have determined to at once call for tenders for the removal of the fence round the North Dunedin Recreation Ground, and for its re-erection upon the Society's Ground at Kensington, and for separate tenders for the purchase or removal, and in the latter case, for the reerection of the grand stand on the Society's Grounds.