West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1881.

West Coast Times, Issue 3808, 22 June 1881, Page 2

West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1881.

An amusing exchange of courtesies has been made between the Otago Daily Times and Mr W. D. Stewart M.H.K. The legislator just before Parliament met, addressed his constituents in a very long speech. His effort was in due course criticised by the Times, and commented upon in an adverse manner, indeed in a very adverse manner by that journal. Hereupon Mr Stewart, who among other political crimes, was acoused of a proneness to change both viewa and party with startling rapidity and without obvious cau<e, became vexed, and wrote a letter, pointing out in the plainest way, that the Times itself had veered round about like a weathercock from one love to another ; that it formerly was an ardent supporter of Sir George Grey, whom it deserted for Mr Hall when the latter came into power, and that generally, the paper was so vacillating, that the reproach of political inconsistency came front it with a very bad grace. Mr Stewart concluded his letter by saying that " to be dispraised by the Otago Times is no small praise." In answer to Mr Stewart the Times publishes a strange article, in which it gives proof of having existed without any particular political faith for the past year or two. At first, the limes tells us that it did not like the Hall Ministry, because there was too much of the "old leaven" in it, in the persons of Messrs Whi taker and Atkinson. But the appointment of two Otago men, Messrs Dick and Oliver, restored the confidence of the Times in the Ministry, simply because the new Ministers came from Otago. Then the Times tell us that it believed the Hall Ministry could not stand, until the defection of the notorious Auckland four caused it to change its opinion. Next the Times admits having " discussed the claims of Mr Macandrew," who, at least, possesses one high qualification, he is an Otago man. Onr contemporary goei on to say ; " We had all along urged coalition in order to the formation of a strong Government, and were quite content that Mr Macandrew should be the mediator. It is well known that Mr Macandrew was actually offered office in the Hall Government, but did not see hii way to accept. But Mr Stewart leaves out an important qualification of our remarks. We said, still in the very same article which Mr Stewart quotes : • If Mr Macandrew is to be fucceseful in forming a Govern-

ment only by means of buying the Auckland members at their own price, and by means of Mr Sheehan's presence in the Cabinet, and Sir George Grey's sinister aid, we could wish him unsuccessful ; but if we judge him rightly, he is too old a politician to allow himself to be bound hand and foot to any man or set of men. How far his goodnature has been imposed on by the bonhomrnie of Mr Sheehan is another question.' That Mr Macandrew did not separate himself from the objectionable elements in his party is well known, and his subsequent attempt at leading the Opposition proved a total failure j and yet Mr Stewart attempts to charge us with inconsistency because we could no longer support Mr Macandraw." But it is unnecessary to quote further, aa it will be seen that Mr Stewart was justified in saying to the Times " you're another," when he was accused ef political tergiversation. The discussion has afforded some amusement, as a quarrel between scolds generally does. It is not clear that either party has got the better of the other, but it is clear that a certain amount of truth has been uttered on each side. The Otago Daily Times and Mr W. D. Stewart are evidently well acquainted, and were, no doubt, friends in the past. Only friends could administer such vicious pokes, and exhibit such bitter animosity. The Times finishes an elaborate defence of its honorable intentions, and a refutation of the insinuations which Mr W. D. Stewart has made against its virtue, in the following words : — " We do not profess more than to be a leading organ of public opinion, and when in July, 1879/ we plainly indicated that we could no longer follow Sir George Grey as a political leader, we were just a month ahead of any distinct expression of public opinion : but the expression came immediately afterwards in the House, and again in the subsequent elections, and now the Liberal party is totally disorganised and witout a recognised leader, and the Government party is the only rallying point for the lovers of order and sound administration. We have been perfectly consistent in first advocating a coalition, and then, on that failing, in giving our support to the Hall Government, and have been at the same time quite free in. our criticisms of their conduct, as we shall continue to be. If that administration does not give fair play to Otago and does not produce those measures in aid of local selfgovernment which we think absolutely necessary, we shall not hesitate to speak out upon the subject. But carping criticism like that; of Mr Stewart we think is not worthy of any respectabte journal, and we shall certainly not follow his example."

We regret to learn that severe sickness in the family of Mr Seddon, M.H.R., has delayed his departure for Wellington. One of his children i 3 still lyiog in a precarious state, although hopes arc entertained of an ultimate recovery.

Mr T. S. Weston, M.H.R., left yesterday by coach for Christchurch, en route to attend his legislative duties at Wellington. The evening previous lo his departure he was waited upon by several deputations.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday there wag no busiiess under criminal jurisdiction. In eacli of the two following debt cases, judgement was given by the default for the amount claimed : —Fowler v. Sheedy, £16 13s 7d, and O'Connor v. Cloughsey, £16 13s 6d.

Owing to the want of a quorum , there was no meeting of the Harbor Board last evening. The members present were Messrs Cooke and Malfroy.

It is rumored in the district, that Mr W. H, Russell, formerly of Hokitika, and now editor of the Manawatu Herald, will be a candidate for the Manawatu seat at the general election .

Miss Morgan offers an excellent entertainment this evening at the Public Hall, Kanieri, whea she will be assisted by several well known Hokitika amateurs. In addition to numerous ballads, Miss Morgan will appear in the farce of " Gertrude's Lovers. " Tram cars leave after oeven thia evening for Kanieri.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a bundle of Parliamentary papers from the Government Printer.

Me Blunck of Hampdsn street, is now •ellinj gooseberry, raspberry, elderberry and many other wines of his own growth and manufacture. Connoisseurs speak very highly in their favor and the demand for then is fast increasing.

Clauses 31 and 33 in the Licensing Bill, referring to bottle licenses and billiard table licenses reipeotively, were last evening struck out by the House.

Dr Bakewell delivered a lecture, lust evenning in the Rechabite Hall, oa "the physical effects of alcohol on the human system. " There was a crowded audience, and the lecture, which was an able one, received close attention Captain Turnbull occupied the chair.

Mr W«bster of the Albion Hotel, Kanieri, desires it to be known that he has yet undisposed of a few tickets in Cameron's sweep on the English Derby.

The comet which has been for some time visible early ia the evening and early in the morning, has provoked a great deal of dis' cusaion. Several amateur astronomers have denied that the morning and evening visitor ia one and the same, and argue that as the tail of the illustrious stranger of the morn* ing points the reverse way to the tail of the evening comet, therefore there must be two comets in view. The Kumara Times, which speaks as one having authority on cozneti, combats the dual theory, and says; — "For at least three weeks back we have observed the comet alluded to, both in the evening and morning, although the tail appears, on theae occasions, extended in a different direction, that is simply due to our own position on the earth and the earth's rotation on its own axis ; they are the same body. The tail of a comet always appeara extended in an opposite direction to the sun from its nucleus, and it is for this reason some theorists insert that

the tail is formed by the rays of light emitted by the sun through the nucleus, and which they aver is porous. There seems to be good reason for supposing that this comet is identical with the Pons' comet, discovered on the 20th July, 1812, which has been calculated as having a period of 69 years, and which would, therefore, be now due. Astronomers have been on the look out for a comet this year."

In connection with the Chinese immigration, a very amußing incident occurred in a country town a few months ago. The Mayor of the Borough was a prominent opponent to the introduction of Chinese. Owing to his official position, he was asked to take the chair at a concert in his town, and in that capaoity announced to the audience each item on the programme. One item was the song " Alas, those Chimes," and when this had been reached, the worthy Mayor, under the disadvantages of a dim light and a not les3 dim education, struggled with the title for a few seconds, and then announced that the next song was " Blast those Chinese."