The Evening Herald. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1873.

Wanganui Herald, Volume V, Issue 16713, 8 February 1873, Page 2

The Evening Herald. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1873.

"We regret we cannot agree with our contemporary upon a question of taste. We should be sorry--to wound Mr Pindlater's ■feelings in; any way by reference to what we described as an, ".incurable malady/ and what our contemporary states plainly is the gout. MrFindlaterj unfortunately for himself, has conic forward as a candidate for election, and we must insist, without wishing to intrench on personal ground, that the nature of an illness which makes the poor gentleman a help- "* less invalid for about six months in the year,- does seriously affect'the question of his candidature, and hence must be discussed in comparing qualifications. When a question comes ,on in the Council affecting the interests of Wanganui we must not have; one of our representatives in bed, another absent, or a third,a miserable toady incapable of exercising an indeendent judgment. 'We know MrFindater's health, even at the best, mustunfit

| him for study and application to political questions, and we trust no constituency will ever reduce itself so low as to return such a member. Upon the general question which has been opened up about politicians being frequently subject to gout, we have no hesitation in saying that no IJolitician ever continued such after being reduced to the state of health Mr Findlater is in. It is a question of degree, and we venture to say that no physician in the province would declare that this candidate was in a fit state to devote himself assiduously to any one question whatever. Even the case of Lord Chatham, the most remarkable instance of a gouty subject in history (and history has the " questionable taste " to speak of this malady) does not afford, an excuse, the circumstances in the two instances being so ludicrously dissimilar. Mr Yogel too Avill have the "good taste " to retire when he gets only half as bad as our aspiring friend. If Mr Findlater is brought forward as a mere dummy to fill an electoral gap, we tell him he is being dragged through the mire ; and his supporters, that they aro abusing the trust which the constitution has reposed in them. We do not wish to say one unnecessary word which would give pain to Mr Findlater, but we cannot help thinking that if his mind had all the vigor of earlier days he would not have coveted a position which he cannot fill with satisfaction to any party ; nor would he have submitted to be made the commiserated tool of the unscrupulous.

Tlie Agent-General of Victoria, writing by last mail, states that it is the opinion of the consulting engineers that the fall in iron will not much affect the railway contracts, as good rails are still in great demand, and cannot be obtained in large quantities at any greatly reduced price. The Duke of Edinburgh, it is stated in England, has been strongly pressed to become an admiral, but he firmly declines to take a flag until he has had some experience as captain in an ironclad ship, and the Sultan has been designated as the vessel he is desirous to command. In recording the fact that it had entered upon the fourth year of its existence, the Auckland Evening Star says: —"We can confidently state that this journal has been threatened with more lawsuits than any other journal in Kew Zealand.. But; it is a significant fact that though we have never yet dipped our colours to any legal braggadocio, and have hurled back defiance to every threat, not one has ever yet brought his complaint before a jury. The honor of knighthood conferred on Mr Duffy, does not meet with favor from a section of the Victorian press:— The Argus remarks that that " the Imperial Government has certainly not exercised a wise discrimination in this matter, or even acted with common fairness. It may be that the Secretary of State, or the Prime Minister, has been ' got at' by some of Mr Duffy's emissaries—some of the gentlemen who were so successful in getting his praises sung by a portion of the home press—and so misled. It is to be feared that Imperial distinctions will soon case to be coveted if they are bestowed in this way. If a few more such knights are made, the title will soon be held in scorn and derision."

On the subject of Sabbatarianism, the Nelson Examer has the following:—" A Presbyterian clergymam in the north of Scotland has somewhat scandalised his brethren by suggesting during the late rainy harvest, that fine Sundays might be lawfully employed to gather in the harvest. His brethren were of opinion that the wet weather was a punishment for Sabbathbreaking, but the laity have, it is said, largely adopted the suggestion. Extreme Sabbataranism is a somewhat late importation even into Calvinism. Calvin played bowls, and John Knox wrote his business letters on Sunday."

To en- is human, and even the Argus, which seldom commits itself, lately made a mistake when, in announcing the departure of Mr Vogel for Sydney, it stated that " he was, accompanied by Mr Pox, the other New Zealand delegate." The gentleman alluded to is, we presume, Mr Vogel's private secretary. Poor Mr Reynolds seems to have been lost sight of altogether. —Post.

Mr Halcoinbe resigns his Government appointment; with the view of accepting the management of the Colonists Aid Society's business] at Manawatu, at a salary of £450 per annum.

The following- gossip about .the Duke of Edinburgh is from the European Mail: — '•The other day the Duke of Edinburgh visited Gemunden, where the Royal family of Hanover is at present residing- According to Galignaui the journey of Ilia Royal Highness is said to have a matrimonial object, and the approaching betrothal of the English prince with a daughter of KingGeorge is spoken of. If the news of that alliance should be verified, the marriage would be a family one, for the reigning dynasty of Great Britain is of the House of Hanover. The union would at the same time, be a political one, for the Prince is presumptive heir to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gothia, just as the Guelpji dynasty has rights of succession to the Duchy of Brunswick. King George has two daugh-

ters —Princess Frederica, born in 1848; and Princess Maria, born in 1849."

There are several settlers located at Mangawhero,. and they have not only a right to a road, but the interests of Wanganui are strongly in favour of them obtaining- one as soon as possible. Mr John McGregor has been the pioneer setr.ler in Mangnwhero, and has gone to a very lave

expense m opening up communication between Wanganui and his estate there. But private enterprise is not able to execute an important public work, nor is it fair that it should be asked to do so. We are very glad therefore to find that the Wangaehu Road Board is likely to expend a sum of money out of the General Government subsidy in giving the Mangawhero settlers a good road. The Board has not officially decided on the matter, but wo understand that the chairman has obtained the consent of a majority of the wardens to the proposal, and that the thing is as good as done. The question of pushing settlement forward in the interior is one which seriously affects the future of Wansanui.

There is no institution about Wanganui that is better managed than the general cemetery,or managed with greater economy. We consider this as highly creditable to the taste and reverential feeling of the inhabitants. The balance sheet of the past year has just been published in the Provincial Gazette, and we think we ought to reproduce it so that our readers may see what has been done, when they will compare expenditure with results: — Balance Sheet for 1872. To balance from account I for 1871 .... 35 10 10 „ Caslireceivedforenclosed sites for interment .... 31 5 0 „ Cash received for funerals, ol in number, at 2s each .. 5 2 0 72 3 10 By paid Care-taker for keeping- the grounds and hedges in order 19 7 0 By paid tools . . . . 0 9 6 „ gravel and cartage 0 18 G „ timber .... 3 0 0 „ printing .. .. 015 0 „ drainage of the cemetery . . .. 17 10 9 Cash in hand .... 30 2 4 £72 3 10 Examined and found correct: Jas. G. Woon, A. Williamson, Trustees; William Hutchison, Treasurer.—Wanganui, January 25, 1873. The following gentlemen have been appointed Trustees of the Wanganui Racecourse :—Messrs W. H. Watt, James Alexander, Joseph Chadwick, John Walker and John Cameron.

The collector of education rates and fees have been gathered as follows : —Wanganui —Waitotara, and Wangaehu towns, Mr James Anderson; Wangaelm, Mr Edmund Lifliton; Eangitikei, Mr Robert John Harris ; Manawatu, Mr James Linton.

The billiard match between G. Bromley and Foster, the billiard marker at Atkinson's, resulted after a close contest in favor of the latter, who received 50 points in a game of 500. "i he match ended with the score at Foster 500 Bromley 471.

We are glad to hear that there is some probability of the accommodation house at Orua Bridge, Palmerston road being reopened. It was formerly conducted in such an unsatisfactory manner, that complaints were repeatedly being sent in reference to its management. We hear that a requisition is now in course of signature to enable Mr Joseph Jessop, lately of Mavton, to open a house adjoining as an hotel and accommodation house. This will be a great boon to the settlers and travellers on this line of road. And we are sure, that they can depend upon receiving every attention at the hands of Mr and Mrs .Tessop. A well conducted house in that locality will not fail to be appreciated, aud if properly managed, will well remunerate the proprietor. We wish Mr Jessop every success in his attempt, and hope his anticipation will be fully realised.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of vol. No 2 of the Appendix to the journals of the House of Representatives. We should have received Volume 3, as we received Volume 2 some time ago.

An hotel proprietor at Greymouth named F. B. Waters make 3 known to the public that he has entered into business in the following words:—" To be successful in my present (for me) big undertaking, I must be popular ; I must first be notorious, and what mightier engine caul employ to attain my object than the lever which moves the world with greater facility than Archimedes could have done even with the foot of earth which the philosopher sighed for • the power I refer to is the press ; Professor Holloway knows it, Spiers and Pond know it, the New Yorkers know it, and I want to linoiv it." Thomas Hart, one of the Armed constabulary, recently met his death in a painful manner at ■ Ormond. He got up in the night for a drink, and finding a cask conveniently placed under the eaves of the house he slacked his thirst (as he thought with pure water, but really) with a strong solution of blue stone and arsenic, which was kept in use for sheep foot-rot, &c. A deep draught half emptied a pannikin, the dastric effect of which caused the poor fellow to utter the most hideous yell, which roused his companions in the tent, who immdiately 1 came to his assistance ; but before anyone could get to premise for assistance he was dead.

The advice received from Wellington by Mr Watt or some of his. providers that the late election is null and void through an informality in the roll will probably turn out to be completely worthless. The question of errors in the roll has often been discussed before, and it has always been held and acted upon that mistakes of the kind do not invalidate an election. Mr Watt ought to accept the result of the election with a better grace. If Ms nominees had all got in he would not have said anything about informality ; and we are not sure but what the' errors he refers to were as much in his favour as in favour of the other party. What does the dictum that the election is null and void involve 1 That fresh rolls must be made up for the districts of Wanganui, Waitotara, and Wangaehu ; for they are all wrong ; and the Province saddled with a large expense to suit the interests of a gentleman who must have every joint in his j)olitical tail under his control. There can surely be no public sympathy with such conduct. However, we do not anticipate that anything will come of it.

The accident to the Wanganui coach on Thursday morning, near the Thistle Hotel, in Wellington, was fortunately without serious injury of any kind. A few scratches and bruises were all that occurred. No blame whatever can be at- J attached to the driver, Mr Morgan, whose steadiness and care are well known. The causes of the misfortune Avere simply an overloaded coach and a steep incline with a sudden bend in the road. We certainly do not believe in coaches, after being loaded at the office, going to bye-streets for passengers, even though for ladies— and they among the high and mighty. It is not too much, surely, to ask passengers to go to the regular booking offices, and thus save the necessity of taking a fullyladen coach (with horses only used to their regular road) into narrow streets and dangerous inclines to suit passengers' convenience We are glad that nothing serious has occurred.

It is a custom among certain religious bodies periodically to change the location of their minister. Such a practice is beneficial in many ways and could we believe be extended to other classes of public servants, with satisfactory results. We have lately heard complaints of the action taken by a constable stationed at Foxton, which if as represented demands enquiry, and if proven, the result should certainly be a removal of the said official from that district. We have received various letters on the subject, and from them we get the following facts, which we shall relate as briefly as possible. A certain respectable settler resident in that township was made acquainted in a friendly way, that a serious charge which looked very black was pending against him, and would come on for trial on the following court day, last Wednesday, and he was strongly advised to secure good counsel and reliable witnesses. The settler referred to obtained at a heavy expense the best counsel, personally warned his witnesses, as subpcenas would not be granted, and in every way prepared to > defend the case and clear his character. In due course the session came on, but no such case was brought forward, and in explanation the constable stated that he had merely told the party that it was probable that they would have been heard on that day. So matters stand ; the charge still impends, may come on next court day, and is to be prepared with counsel and witnesses on every session until the police choose to proceed with the case. Such conduct appears to us unwarrantable in the extreme and should certainly be enquired into. An official who so injudiciously exercises such arbitary powers, and so misleads those whom it is his duty to protect, should immediately be removed to an appointment where such limitless authority would be controlled by some more intelligent superior officer. More circumspection is needed in the appointment of these district police, to whom too much responsibility is frequently entrusted. So long as members of this force, especially in country districts, are permitted to usurp the authority of Justices of the Peace, and act without reference to them, so long will acts of injustice and tyranny have to be recorded. Like Csesar's wife, their character ought to be above suspicion, and over reaching extortion and favouritism should not be among the crimes which are frequently laid to their charge even by their friends.

The Post of the 4th says : —A meeting of the Star Club was held last evening, when it Avas decided to leave the choice of a crew for the International Race for the boat to Mr Logan. He has selected Lennox for stroke, Griffiths 2, Werry 3, and Walden 4. This crew was out practising this morning, and at length we may hope that Wellington has a good chance of taking the honors at the forthcoming contest. Reports from the country districts of Fiji, state that the crops are good, and that the harvest has been secured in good condition. The j>rospectus of the Bank of Fiji has been issued. The capital is £100,000 in shares of £10 each. Mr Parkes, of New South Wales, has been elected chairman of the intercolonial conference.

The Poverty Bay settlers are going in for heavy compensation for losses sustained during the war. One claimant demands £209.

The Argus points out" that New Zealand may be looked to as another source of coal supply.

Mr Edwin Woon is acting as interpreter of the Native Lands Court, Wellington.

A discovery of very great importance hfi3 just been made, which is no less than that of a veritable mare's nest. We have been informed that the ground of the provincial election being said to be null and void is, that certain electors whose names were not on the provincial but on the General Assembly roll with qualifications in the town, .■were permitted by the returning officer to register their votes. In reference this, the 2nd section of the Provincial Elections Act, 1858, says : <•' The electoral rolls for the_ House of Representatives shall be conclusive evidence of the right of the persons whose naine3 shall be thereon as electors to vote at elections of Superintendents of Provinces and Members of the Provincial Council, as hereinbefore provided." And behold, the " new election"' vanishes like a dream that is told ! Major Edwards is not so easily caught napping.