West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1877.

West Coast Times, Issue 2534, 15 May 1877, Page 2

West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1877.

A general impression prevails throughout the colony that the present Ministry will suffer defeat during the coming session. This conclusion is no doubt founded chiefly on the administrative errors of the present Government, while the partial failure of the Counties Act has added no little to the doubt in men's minds respecting the capacity of the individuals who now govern us. Yet there is some excuse for the disorganisation into which the administration of public business has fallen. The change From Provincialism to the Couuty system, of necessity, created great confusion. It is impossible to complete a new form of Government in a few months. The ablest politician could not have foreseen all the difficulties which have arisen. The Counties Act iv itself is a standing charge, not only against the Government, but the House which passed it. But however good a defence the Government may havo to offer, it is very probable indeed that they will fall during the next session. " Coming events cast their shadows before." As an instance of the opinion in which the present Government is held, it is only necessary to refer to the jubilant tone of many journals at the news of the election of the Hon. Mr Gisborne for the Totara district. A section of the Press, and among them several hitherto well known Ministerial papers, have candidly avowed that the election of Mr Gisborne went far to do away with the oft-repeated remark, or rather taunt, that if the present Government were ousted, there were no capable men to replace them. We have already reprinted the opinion of the Lyttelton Times — a paper which has consistently and strongly opposed the present Government — on the subject of Mr Gisborne's election. The Wellington Argus, a journal which can hardly be charged with sharing the political views of the Times, and which, not long ago, ardently supported the Government, sings the same tune. It congratulates Totara and the Colony on the election of Mr Gisborne, and evidently hopes and believes that he will take up an attitude hostile to the present Government. Referring to the Totara election the Aryus cays :—": — " In Mr Gisborne, the electors have chosen a mau of education and culture, a deep thinker, a politician of some experience, and one whose position gives him weight, a good speaker, and a man who

probably knows more of the history of the Government 6F New Zealand than any other rnau In the Colony. Mr Gisborne will bo an acauisition to the House* and a credit to the constituency he represents. Although he was in his address very guarded ih relation to thß . position bf the present Ministry, while Messrs Grimmond and M'Gainu avowed themselves bitter opponents, and used strong language in denouncing tbe powers that be, we have little doubt that Ministers would far rather have soon either Mr Grimmond or Mr M'Gaffin returned. Either of them would by a little judicious flattery, or at most by the expenditure of a few thousands On the Mikobui Water Race, have been fouhd amenable to conversion, and having como to curse would probably have remained to bless the present occupants of the Treasury benches. Mr Gisborne will not be so easily ' worked.' He has a mind of his own, and while carefully guarding the interests of those he represents, he is not likely to sacrifice his own conscientious convictions. He will regard public questions from a Colonial point Of view. We have often pointed out that it is on the question of administration that the present Government has failed most utterly, so completely indeed, that the interests df the Colony demand that tbe administration of affairs should be placed iv more competent hands. It will be in exposing the laches of tbe present administration their incapacity) and tbe evils which have resulted and are resulting;, that Mi- Gisborne's presence irt the House will be especially valuable. He is so thoroughly versed in administrative matter?, from having' occupied the office of Under-Secretary for tbe Colony from a very early period iv its history j until in 1869 be joined tbe Fox Government as Colonial Secretary, that it will be impossible to hoodwink him or avoid meeting fairly the issues of mal-administration, which we have no doubt he will place before the Mouse." It is quite on the cards, that Totara like the small constituency of Tiverton, in England, may have in a few monihs the honor of being represented in Parliament by a Premier.

A telegram published in another column conveys the information that the Victorian Ministry have resigned. The result of (he general election lias been to return a majority of Stone wallers, and the Berry party are now triumphing over Sir James M'Cullocl). Probably Mr Berry will be asked to form a Ministry, and if he is asked there is no doubt he will accept, his greed for oince being excessive. Protectionists and Free Traders will view the approaching reign of the Stonewallers in very different lights. The former will rejoice while the latter will lament It is not too. much to say that the result of the elections is a surprise. It was generally belioved that Sir James M'Culloch would have obtained a majority. However, he has had a long term of office, and his defeat is no doubt chiefly owing to the natural ehh and flow in public opinion.

Iquique, the place telegraphed in another column as having beeu destroyed by an earthquake, is a small seaport town oh the southern part of the Peruvian Coast, in latitude 20deg. 12rm'n. It is described as a wretched place, with few inhabitants, who make their living chiefly by working in the saltpetre mines, of which there are some in the neighborhood. As we anticipated, the tidal disturbances noticed on the ftew Zealand Coast during the past few days, must have resulted from this earthquake.

It is, we believe, the intention of one of the Borough Councillors to move, at the next aittirig of the Council, that an annual sum be vote>i to the Mayor. The Arahura lagoou has again broken out to the sea, so that travellers along the beach should now be very careful. One or two narrow escapes from drowning have already occurred. The usual bi-monthly sittings of the Waste Lands Board will be held at two p.m. tomorrow. The annual subscriptions for the Hokitika Hospital will be collected to-morrow. It is hardly necessary to say that unless the public are liberal in their contributions, the efficiency of the institution must be hiuch impaired! The scholars of tbe Wesleyan Sunday School will give an entertainment, consisting of musical selections and recitations, at the Wesleyan Church this evening. A general meeting of tbe Harbor Board will be held at the Town Hall, at half-past seven o'clock this evening . At noon to-day, at the Town Hall, tbe Town Clerk will declare Mr John Cross duly elected a member of the Borough Council. The recent stormy weather, occurring at the same time as the spring tides, has had the effect of doing a considerable amount of damage to the pack-track on the north side of the Big Wanganui River. Boulders are displaced, and a great quantity of driftwood is washed up on the pack track, rendering it an exceedingly difficult matter for a packhorse to proceed with safety. The standard survey, initiated by J. T. Thomson, Esq., Surveyor-General, is progressing very favorably ia this province. Mr Adams, geodesical surveyor for this island, returned to town last evening, having completed his observations at Abut Head, near Okarito. "We understand he proceeds to Jackson's Bay, by the next trip of the Maori. It appears that we were iv error in stating in our issue of yesterday that the " Linton " cab had not been introduced in the colonies. A correspondent informs us that a "Linton " cab, has beeu plying for some mouths in Christchurch. The annual meeting of the shareholders of tbe Gas Company will take place at Hausen's Post Office Hotel, on the 23 rd instant, for the purpose of receiving report and balance sheet, and to elect directors and auditorsAll proxies must be lodged at the company's office forty- eight hours before the time appointed for holding the meetiug.

Greymouth housekeepers have of late enjoyed the boon of cheap Meat, the butchers there advertising niutton at froni 2d to 6d #er lb.

Referring to the Keep-it-Dark claim, at Reef ton, the Herald says:— "The quantity of stone how available for crushing is alriidst iimitlesg, and there should be lio difficulty whatever in getting out sufficient to keep the whole of the Crushing Company's stampers regularly employed. During the early part of the week scrip rose in valub from 7s to" 89 and several parcels changed hauds at the latter figure. Iv consequence of the numerous parcels sold and offered at the advanced figure above mentioned* prices have slightly declined, and large parcels are now offered at 7s 6d, small parcels at 7s 9d. At present there seems to be no better opportunity for a safe investment in mining property in Murray Creek than, this mine affords." A new Catholic church is about to be erected at Reeftou. Mr Diiwson has opened a skttling riiik in connection 'with his liotel, at Reef ton. The River View Goldmining Company, at Grey Valley, is reported to hare obtained a prospect of 6grs to the dish. A protective certificate has been granted by the Warden of the luangahua district, to the Walhalla Goldmining Company, for the tease of their ground. The application was unopposed. The price of bread is only sevenpence the fom-iptmnd luaf in Christchurch and DuheJin, and eightpehce in Wellington. Ah extensive jam nianufactoi-y lias been started in Hawkes' Bay. The total length of completed railways in New Zealand is 707 miles, of which 273 miles are in Canterbury. A baby show has been held at Lower Rangitikei. There were 39 exhibits. The promoter^ who was also judge, is himself the father of upwards of a score of children. Mr William Archibald Murray-, member in the House of Representatives for the County bf Bruco, has invented an improved wire strainer, and has applied for Letters Patent for the said invention. Mr Murray is oue of the most wire-drawing speakers in the Colony, and the invention may be regarded as au appropriate outcome of his fine natural genius. What has become, says a writer in the North Canterbury Times, of the lost Ten Tribes ? A friend of mine, who is given to calculation, has, he imagines, found traces of them. Judging from the number bf Israelites who attended the late Tiniaru races, and reckoning the number of racing events then coming off about the same time through the Colonies, if the attendance was iv the saaie proportion as here, he has arrived at the conclusion that they are dispersed among the Racing Gentry, practising " games of chance," If. so, I would offer a suggestion to the Earl of Beaconsfieldj and others interested iv their return to Palestine* that in order to bring about the desired event, the principal events of the racing world should take place in that locality. It would, I am sure, ensure a apeedy return. A number of clerks of the Auckland Highway Boards are said to have rendered themselves liable to the £100 penalty for not sending in their ratepayers' list in time. Mr Whitaker and Judge Fenton are understood to have drafted a new Native Land Bill, which is to supersede all existing Acts on the subject. A recent number of the Tablet-, says the Otago Guardian, 'contains an extraordinary article, entitled " The Evil Influence of Wesleyanism on the English Character," the tenor of which shows iv a somewhat strong light " how these Christians love one another." He was a tramp. "Of what use is the casket when the jewel is gone?" He quaffed the contents of a half piut flask, aud then shied at a cat.

A rural editor, wishing to be severe upon an- 'exchange, remarks:— "A Subscriber of the-:— — in this place tried a few days ago, to- carry home some lard in a copy of that papsr; but, ou reaching home, found that the concentrated lie had changed it to soap." The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus says: — " Emboldened by the remarkable success last mouth of the Christcliuich municipal loan, the Corporation o^ the Cily of Wellington have made an appeal to our money market through the Bank of New Zealand. The amount applied for was £200,000 in six per cent debentures, redeemable at par in 1607, aud the advertised minimum was fixed at par. The tenders sent iv amounted to £790,000, at prices ranging from £100 to £105. Those at and above £101 17s 6d obtained allotments in full. In the present dearth of good investments, colonial loans are eagerly snapped up." Sixteen of the colliers who have struck for higher wuges at the Kaitangata Railway Company's pit arc now employed at work on a drain leading from the swamps to the Clutha River. They admit they have been earning 12s a day at the miues, but say they had sometimes to work as long as 17 houra and that sometime ago 6d a ton was taken off the amouut per ton they received, with a promise that it should be put on again when the mine would pay. They hold that it is now paying. Another cause of grievance is that they were not paid for putting the dross out of the mine, for which material there has lately been a great demand for lime kilusThe mine is still shut, but there is some talk of the Company having engaged 30 new minors. The Company, tliey allege had given them a promise to pay them for putting out dross, provided a price could be got for the material, and it nowalways commands j a purchaser.— 0 Dago Times. Mr Justice Gillies, speaking at a meeting of the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society, seemed rather to throw cold water on the theory of assisting criminals to reform. He said— As to the relief of persons released from gaol,. that is a very large and wide question. But the result of my own experience is that in nine-tenths of the cases of persons convicted of crime, neither poverty nor drunkenness are active causes of the crimjnality. These are but the accidents which develop the pre-existing tendency. My opinion is that the criminal tendency is hereditary. That appears to me to be the case so far as my own observation has extended. I should not like to put forth this view positively, but the majority of the ca&es with' which I have been acquainted point in

that direction. The only hope of reformation that I can see is in cases where the criminal i 8 young, and where he can be removed from associations which develop the criminal tendency. That is not to be done by helping iiiiii when he has committed driine'i

His Excellency the Marquis of Norman by has now, like his prededessors, Sli? Jamea Fergusson and Sir George Bowen, circumnavigated the South Island) and has seen the wonders of the West Coast Sounds, which the latte"r so elaborately described. Some ill luck seems to attend Governors when they visit the uuirequentee"d yet dbniparatively accurately surveyed waters of the Sounds. The Press reminds us that the Dido, in which Sir George Bowen was a passenger, discovered a rock which was unmarked in the charts, and now the Hinemoa has hit upon a rock in Dusky Sound, though it has, perhaps, been more frequently navigated than any other since the days of Captain Cook.

The " whisky raids " in the United States still continue, aud have lately led to fightiDg, with fatal results. The illicit distillers in the mountain regions of North and South Carolina and Georgia are, according to information received at the Internal Revenue Office, Washington, determined to resist by force of arms the attempts to break up their unlawful business. In a recent raid made in Haralson County, North Georgia, the revenue officers succeeded in capturing a great number of men and destroying numerous distilleries with their contents. Among others captured was a Baptist minister and the County Sheriff both accused of defrauding the Government by illicit 'distillation. On the Bth ultimo, a detachment of soldiers, with a revenue agent, raided Gilrrier cduuty, Georgia, arresting 15 men ami destroying 12 dtatilleries. The party was-, however, attacked at night by friends of the persons arrested, and Lieutenant M'lulyre, who commanded the troops, was killed. This, it is stated, is the first instance on record in which the civil officers of the Government in the South have been resisted in the discharge of their duty when backed up by Federal soldiers. Detachments sent out to recover Lieutenant M'lutyre's body were also attacked and three distillers were killed before the body could be re covered. When found it was robbed of watch, money, and everything of value. The great difficulty in preventing illicit distilling in the niountaiu districts of the South arises from the fact that it is not there considered in any way a crime to defraud tbe revenue laws, and " public opinion " is all in favor of the culprits.

The following sensational advertising paragraph appears in a Sim Francisco paper* It is a sweet thing In introductions :—": — " Away from the land of her birth and loved of her youth, she met the relentless conqueror, bowed her lovely head to his stroke. Other hands smoothed the long, brown tresses ; other fingers closed the blue eyes, and folded the gentle hands upon the peaceful, sinless bosom. Pure pork sausages — six pounds for 1 dol., at William arid Cook's, under Exchange."

At a revival meeting held recently in one of the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, the'room became so crowded with perspiring souls tbat the forms provided for their accommodation proved insufficient to seat the sinners, many of whom were "under conviction." As there were a good many chairs stowed away in a kind of cockloft over the room in which the prayers and exhortations were going on, one of the members went up to hand them down ; the leader gave out the hymn, " Hold the Fort." The attic floor consisted of the plastering which constituted the ceiling of the room below, of which circumstance the chair seeker was not aware;' so just as the choir commenced the first stanza, down dame one leg bf the unfortunate cliair-hu jter. The choir, however, did not notice the circumstance, and Went oil singing, " Oil ! my comrades, see Ihe signal waving in the air, reinforcements now are coining," &c. Just at. that instant the other leg appeared, nnd the singing was drowned by the roaring laughter o£ the congregation.

The Loafer in the Street thus amusingly moralizes. Will the "moral" organs yet succeed to " nab " him ?—"? — " Perhaps it may be Jhe feeling that I am more or less engaged on the other side, but I must confess that the 'Temperance Journals I occasionally peruse do not to mo possess that interest which I have no doubt their merit deserves. The Licensed Victuallers' Gazette which I read and like, is not continually dwelling on the advantages of what I believe it is correct to call a. friendly glass. The principle o£ 'ffimcestbibendutn ' is not alvoeated in every paragraph, but a steady course of the Temperance Journals would make anyone not jtu 1.0. G.T. feel a guilty wretch who lived within a stone's throw of an hotel. While crediting the advocates of out and out abstinence with all sorts of good intentions, it Bcenis to me they might often go about their work, let us say in a different manner, with better chances of success. There is an uncomprising style of tackling their adversaries, and even neutrals, which I have never seen equalled, even at Church meetings. The following paragraph from the Waimate correspondent of the Reformer is a fair example of what I mean: — 'In Waimate we have one minister, the Rev. George Lindsay, Presbyterian, a total abstainer, not a G.T., however. This gentleman does much quiet, unostentatious good for temperance, but could do more were he to plant the standard in the midst of his people and bid thtm rally round it; he could do more were he to dig out the rotten pillars and the sunken foundations; more, infinitely more, could the Christian Church do were she to purge out the drinking elders, tippling deacons, and moderate drinking local preachers ; more, if with them the sellers of the accursed draught were excluded from the chief seats, and the wine which no blessings can purify, were banished from the sacramental cup; then would truth shine like the sun, and the evil depavt out of our dwellings."