West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1896.

West Coast Times, Issue 10337, 29 July 1896, Page 2

West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1896.

The representatives of the Licensed Victuallers Convention failed to make a good caseiin their objections to National Optibn in their interview with the Premier on Monday. It is sheer nonsense to say that a minority of ultra extremists could "bring ruin and desolation upon hundreds^of thousand's and families, who had done no wrong and committed 110 crime, and would swell the already overcrowded ranks of the unemployed." There is no disguising the fact that were the liquor traffic suspended many trades and industries would suffer and numbers, of people be thrown out of work — this woiiid always apply where the disorganisation of an industry or a trade occurred. Still, it is absurd to say that this could occiir through the action of a minority. In a democratic country like New Zealand we must always bow to the will of the majority, though sometimes we may think it wrong, and our principal object should be to see that it is clearly and intelligently expi'esscd, and that the people should understand the subject on which they are voting. There can be no more objection to the will of the people being expressed upon the subject of National Prohibition than upon any other important State question, but it is eminently desirable that they should understand what they are voting on. On the one side we have the Prohibitionists, a solid unflinching phalanx, asking for and giving no quarter and determined to maintain the attack until all traffic in alcoholic liquor is swept away. On the other side are disunited sections representing the liquor trade and supported by a certain number of disinterested persons who defend, on general principles, a moderate indulgence in and con" sequent sale of liquor. We feel confident that the two opposing sides together represent a minority of the people and that the majority think very little about the matter. These are the votes both sides try to ob- . tain, but whilst one is active aud aggressive the other does little or nothing. All that the Legislature can take updn itself to do is to see that a straight-out vote is taken on any question to be submitted, not a duplication or a triplication of votes in a particular direction, but that each issue be decided of itself. Having done this much the people must decide the question. We are inclined to question the wisdom of having moire than one important poll taken on the one day as it might lead to confusion, but must admit the contention of those who urge this course— that a far greater polling strength would be obtained. A great deal is to be said on both sides, and, so far as we can

see, they fairly balance each other. So far as the campaign has gone at present the Licensed Victuallers have been extremely weak. Their existence as a body depends upon the votes of the people and they have scarcely done anything to imbue the minds of the voters with their views. They are something like the waggoner who called out to Hercules to get his waggon out of the mud instead of putting his own shoulder to the wheel. If they want those who are indifferent as to the result to Vote on their side they must take as much trouble as the Prohibitionists, who are always fighting.

The country is about to witness one of those non sensical exhibitions which so effectually tend to bring the Legislature into ridicule and contempt. The Financial Debate ended abruptly, much to the ciisgusfc of several members who had carefully prepared Speeches and we're waiting for a favorable opportunity to lire them off. Some few who were especially grieved over their lost opportunities approached Captain Russell and he lias obligingly nie't their wishes by moving a resolution which' can bo regaVded as oile of no-confidence. Mr Seddon, instead of

challenging the Leader of the Opposition to a straight-out motion or else ignoring it, treats the resolution as a^direct attack and we are to have the farce of a noconfidence debate enacted. It cannot be contended for one moment that any benefit will result. The Opposition hope to be able to place on record their sense of a great many mbre of the misdeeds of the Ministry and they have the knowledge that if a vote is taken it will be much stronger than has been the case for some time past as several of the malcontents and independent members will probably vote with them. Mr Seddon, on" the other hand, hopes to be able to show the country that all the charges of his opponents can be swept away by a few words and that i he still has a substantial majority in the House The result will be a senseless waste of time in order that members may tell the cduntry w^iat they ought to be satisfied with telling their constituents in a few months' time. We are to be given a f urbher illustration of the way time can 1 be wasted iv Parliament without the slightest prospect of good resulting.

Last evening's train brought an undesirable addition to our population in the person or. one Thomas "Wilson, sentenced by the Reef ton Bench to 12 hours imprisonment for drunkenness and 14 days for stealing a bottle of gin. The piisoner was not possessed qf a single coin, but will no doubt on his release from gaol term himself a destitute person. Everything appears in excellent trim for the poultry show to-day. The entries are exceedingly large and the arrangements oh a very complete scale. His Worship the Mayor will perform the opening ceremony in the Town Hall at 3 o'clock. The only entrance to the exhibition will be by way of the civic hall, which will contain the pigeon, canary, photography and miscellaneous exhibits. The Drill Shed will be entirely filled with poultry. A large number of the exhibits were staged last evening, a number of very fine birds being included in the pens. At 8 o'clock this evening the Orchestral Society will, render a musical programme, in Town Hal], and in this building, also, in the front rooms, both in the afternoon, and evening, the ladies committee wili provide a substantial refreshment stall. Tlie admission to tho exhibition is fixed at one shilling, and a large attendance is expected. Miss Maude Tait announces terms for tuition, piano and singing. This young lady has already achieved high honors in the profession she has chosen. The following business was disposed of at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning before Mr D. Macfarlane, S.M. :—: — Johnston & Co. i; W. H. Lambert, claim £7 16s 3d. Judgment by default for amount claimed with costs 10s, solicitor's fee (Mr Lewis) 15s 6d. Johnston arid Co b A. Ngwcome, c'tajm £3 13s 9d. Judgment by default fo.amount claimed with costs 6s, solicitors fee (Mr Lewis) ss. Kelly v. Do'wling, adjourned till Friday on the application of Mr Park, who appeared for plaintiff. It appears that the saying in the distance from J\anieri Lake to Back Creek by Mr Macfariane's survey will bo fully 2 miles and a very great saving in the fall will be gained in consequence. There is every reason to believo a very large area of country at Back creek will be commanded by the race and cbnsequetitly a highly prosperous future may be looked for. The miners in the locality are elated at the prospect of this large addition to tbe water supply and fresh ground is being taken up. It is believed the Lake will be able to send a constant sdp'ply of 100 heads. A football practice takes place on Cass Square at 3.30 o'clock this afternoon. All available players, including members of the first fifteen, are required to attend. A branch of the Gold-mining League has been formed in Westport and Mr Evans, the Secretary of the local branch, has received from it a communication in reference to the high price charged as rentals on gold-mining leases and inviting co-operation Im making representations to the Government on thb subject. The matter will be considered by the executive of the League at an early date. Intelligence has been received (says the Auckland Weekly News) that the nomination of the Very Rev. G. M. Lenihan, administrator of the diocese by the Roman Catholic clergy, to be Bishop of Auckland, has been confirmed at Rome. The news has come in a bjirious way. It has transpired f roni information received from Wellington that a cablegram from Rome was forwarded for Archbishop RedwOod to Wellington. As the Archbishop was in Auckland, leaving by the Monowai forSati Francisco, the cablegram was sent on and delivered to him on the steamer. Father Lenihan accompanied the Archbishop to the steamer, but there was only time to make the adieux when the steamer cast off the wharf, and the Archbishop would not receive or peruse the cablegram till he was out of port. During the week a telegram arrived from Wellington asking if an> thing was known as to the appointment of Father Lenihan as Bishop of the proy'mce of Auckland, and a reply was sent to the effect that nothing was known in Auckland ; was anything known in Wellington ? Information as to the contents of the cablegram was received from Father Dawson, who administers the Wellington diocese in the absence of Archbishop Redwood, to the effect that Father Lenihan had been appointed Bishop of Auckland. Father Lenihan received privately a cable confirmatory of his appointment, which through his visit to Waikato he did not receive until his return on^ July the l#th. Father Lenihan is unwilling to accept the position, , for private reasons, and has forwarded his resignation to Bishop Grimes of Christchurch, the senior provincial bishop. This will have to be forwarded to Rome, when it tody either bo Accepted or the appointment, maintained. It is Honed, however, in Catholic circles that Father Lenihan will be induced to re-

consider his action and accept the appointment as he is very popular with all classes of the people.

James Wilson, the man who was severely burned on one of his hands through tho igniting of some phosphorus which had been placed in a drain in the Waikato for the purpose of killing rabbits, hats hail to get the hand amputated no the wrist.

Specimens of apricot?, prdnei, , a<id| peaches evaporated at Mr Bennell's orchard, Ashjftove, Roxburgh, have' been forwarded to experts lh Diinedib, dnd. I general satisfaction has been expressed &t the result of the experiment. The peaches and apricots are specially good, and, it is said,fwill compare most favour- J ably with the Californian article. A Switzer residing in Crete sends to the Basler Nachrichten some interest- 1 ing particulars from Canea, the seat of war. The intimate relations between Church and State, politics and religion, in all Eastern questions is strikingly il- 1 lustrated by the fact that the leader of the Christian insurgents is a priest. Father Meleco, a ' Papa Menelek,' as . his devoted followers not unfitly name him, is as devout a student of the. Old Testa- \ ment as Cromwell's Ironsides, and has [ very much the same view of the sacred- 1 ness of the alliance between the Bible and I the, sword. ' These Christian 'Cretan's,, says the writer, ' are certainly anything I but saints, they are a daring and rough mountain-folk, inspired with a passion £or freedom.' Their fault? are due in a great degree, as he thinks, to the long period I of oppression and extortion to which they ! have beeiysubjected by the brutal Pashas. "If Europe would but agree to help I these mountaineers, and free them from the Turkish yoke, the fine progressive I element in their cHardcters woliid sboniis- 1 sert itself.' The fight between them and the Turkish regular troops is " not a I series of wild and loose skirmishes," says the S.witze,r, " but a real campaign, and, I whenever they have met, the Tu r ks have 'linvariably got the worst of I it.' At the Free Assembly of Deputies convoked in Vamos, about three h'biirs distance f torn Canea, -which.has de- 1 veib'ped into" a virtual Cretan Parliament, I a vote of self -incorporation with the kingdom of Greece was unanimously passed. I When the Turkish troops marched upon Vamos, to capture and punish this Volun- 1 teer Parliament, the insurgent leader at I Canea, Father Maleco, sent 1200 Cretans to defend the Deputies. The Cretans took possession of the Konak, the seat of the .Turkish Governor, the tribunal and public offices. Here they are now strongly settled. ' I Master St. John Gaisford Spackman, I an ex-Christchurch lad, recently did so I well in a" matliemfltics examination at I Cheltenham College, England, that the Head Master of Cheltenham has awarded him an exhibition of £40 a year, tenable for threb years.