Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1903. THE HOUSE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7503, 4 July 1903, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1903. THE HOUSE.

Light skirmishing seems to be tho order of the day in the new House. A few veterans like Sir William Russell, Mr Duthie, Mr Massoy and Mr Buchanan hayo been engaged in making a sort of guerilla attack upon the Government lines ; but this is clearly only a preliminary reconnaissance, made lightly and responded to in a similar spirit. The House is, so far, in good temper, and is mainly engaged in settling down, and preparing for the more serious fray which will ensue when tho real business of the session commences. We have reason to believe that among the new members of the House there are two or three men of marked ability who. are capable of sounding a new note in politics. So far, with tho exception of Mr Bedford, tho senior momber for Dunedin, these men are necessarily silent; and, until they speak or move, it is a little uncertain what this new note will be. We know well enough all the veterans in tho House, and expect that as they have been in the past, so thoy will continue to be in the present —just tho same "old scrappers," hurting nobody, and of little benefit to anyone. We rathor wait for the new note —the message from the constituencies given to new men for delivery. When we hear this we shall know what the session is likely to be.

Tho Government appear to have mado their arrangements with good judgmeat. The appointment of Mr Millar, as Chairman of Committees, disarms a democratic critic who might, under some circumstances, have been a thorn in the side of tho Administration. Then thero is clearly a portfolio hung up for the close of the session, as a reward for good behaviour on the part of certain leading members of the Party. With this competition open, they will naturally walk warily, and bo disinclined to kick. At the samo time, it must bo borne in mind that tho head of the Government i. vory much in earnest as regards many of the measures which he is introducing, that ho believes they will bo beneficial to New Zealand, and that he has a keen desire to make the Colony prosperous. Wo admire the man—such as he is, although we are afraid that we differ very widely with him upon questions of policy. His policy seems, like Joseph's coat, to be of many colours. Sometimes it is Democratic —at others Autocratic. Occasionally, it is Socialistic—at others Imperialistic. Ho follows no broad trail, and adheres to no defined principles. In a rough aud ready way he tries to push the Colony along ; and we can at least give him credit for considerable success achieved on his own lines—however mistaken the lines may j be.

We published a telegram, on Thursday, to the effect that Sir James Prendergast, who, at the request of the Wanganui College Trustees, conducted an enquiry into certain charges against the headmaster of the College, had informed tho Trustees that ho completely exonerated Mr Empson fronj tho charges. Sir James had advised tho Trustees to act accordingly. We ineffectually tried to ascertain tho particulars from the Wanganui papers ; but they were ominously silent— not a reference to tho matter in either of them. All kinds of exaggerated rumours were abroad, and as the Wanganui College is almost a Colonial institution, and has borne an unblemished reputation for years past, we havo been at some pains to ascertain the true facts. It appears—so wo havo gathered, that a boarder in the College, who hails from the other Island, made a grave charge of immorality against Mr Empson, the headmaster, a gentleman of the highest standing in his profession, and of unimpeachable moral character. Mr

Empson was suddenly notified to attend a meeting of the Trustees in Wellington, in entire ignorance of tho fearful charge laid against him. The effect on tho unfortunate gentleman was simply appalling. He is a man of a proverbially sensitive nature. Ho was called upon to meet a charge against which his wholo being revolted. The result was that the shock completely prostrated him. And although the searching investigations by Sir James Prendergast completely exculpated him, it is greatly to be feared the vindication has come too late. Can he survive the terrible blow'? Can he face the world again, unquestionably innocent of the vile charge though he has keen proved to be ? The youth now admits the absolute falsehood of his abominable accusation. But by a highly sensitive nature like that of Mr Empson, agrinst whom thero has never yet been a breath of scandal, will the terrible ordeal ever be forgotten ? A press telegram from Wanganui, to-day, says:—Thero is the utmost enthusiasm here owins? to tho complete vindication of Mr Empson's character, after the exhaustive enquiry into the charges made against him. The result was only what was anticipated by eyery decent person in this town. The Old Boys of the School have already taken steps to Bhow in a substantial manner their confidence in Mr Empson, and there is some probability of a public testimonial from his many admirers."