Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1878.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 3113, 27 April 1878, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1878.

Rumours have recently been circulated .regarding the formation of a new political party We may say at once that we do not believe them. Probably the wish is father to the thought, and the whole thing a device of the enemy. There is no room, for a third party on the political floor at the present time, and even if there were room there are not the materials available from which to form #ucu a party, Some shuffling of $he

cards, which make up the Opposition hand, there , probably may be. The bonds wliich united the members of the 1 In Ministry have become loosened, and the utter failure of Major Atkinson as a party leader, and parliamentery tactician,may induce the opponents of the present Government to elect another chief if they can get one. Some few members of the House may play for their own hand. Mr Whitaker for instance > is very likely to do so, but the formation of anything in the shape of a third or middle party we regard as absolutely impossible. The wretched failure of such an attempt last year, under the most favourable circumstances, shows this. There were men of high personal character, and long political experience, concerned in that attempt, and there was then an opportunity for such a party to put forward a political programme which would have united its members upon well defined principles. The then Ministry had but a very shuffling: policy, if they I had any beyond that of keeping in office. The then Opposition had not put forward any well considered scheme, and a fear prevailed that the aims of its. acknowledged leader, Sir George Grey, were absolutely revolutionary. Subsequent events have effected a great alteration in the state of affairs. The hollowness and selfishness of the Atkinson party have been thoroughly exposed. They have, so far as all claims to patriotism or statesmanship are concerned, absolutely withered up under the fiery test of a few " weeks opposition. The Grey party, on the contrary, has stood well the crucial test of success and power. So far from being wild and revolutionary, its leader has put forth a policy which has unmistakeably commended itself to public approval, as calculated to promote the settlement of this country, and the prosperity of its inhabitants. Sir George Grey's policy is indeed based upon the golden rule of ensuring the greatest happiness to the greatest number, and the means by which this is to be accomplished are prudent, moderate, and well considered. From Invercargill to Auckland the people, with unanimous voice, have expressed their approbation of the principles which the Premier has laid down as regulating the line of conduct proposed to be followed by his Ministry. Every election which has taken place during the recess has resulted in the same verdict, and the Press has not been slow to express warm approval of the practical steps which have already been taken in the direction of effecting long desired reforms — notably in the Civil Service. Any fear which was entertained of the assumed ultra radicalism of Sir George Grey has, we think, been entirely dissipated by his judicious selection of colleagues, and the prudent and well regulated line of conduct, which he and they have steadily purfiued since their accession to office. There can be no doubt that the present Ministry commands the support of a majority in the country, and as little we think its measures will have the support of a majority in the House next session. We fail altogether to see where a third party could find foothold. So far as the policy of the present Government is before the country, and no previous Government ever took the country so fully iiito its confidence before its measures were submitted to Parliament, it is one which practically admits of no middle course being adopted. If reform is necessary its proposals do not go too far, if the status quo is to be maintained a new party is equally out of court. If things are to remain as they are, then the Atkinson party are fully competent to carry on the government of the country. The present* condition, or rather we should say the condition of affairs before the late Government were turned out, was an eminently satisfactory one to the members of that Government, and to the party on which they naturally relied for support. There is no need of a third party to restore the status quo ante, or even to maintain the status quo if the old party should desire to take advantage of such administrative reforms as their opponents have with their present limited powers been enabled to make. If on the contrary it bo. held that further reforms in legislation and administration are necessary and desirable, we do not see how anything less than the proposals of the present Ministry could possibly satisfy the demand. Between leaving things as they are, or were, and going the length which the present Ministry desires to go, there is really no middle course which could be adopted as the busis of party organisation. Any party formed on personal grounds would not command the sympathy of the country whatever its programme might bo, and could not hope to attract any large nuoiber of members in the House. A few members certainly might band themselves together under some ambitious leader or other, but the experience of last session shows how pitiable and ignoble the position of any such party must necessarily be. One of the first conditions of the formation of such a party must be opposition to the measures of the Government, and disapproval of the policy of the regular Opposition. Parliamentary form, however, forces such a party into the same lobby as the regular Opposition, and if the unsympathetic combination forms a majority, it is that regular Opposition, and not the third or independent party, which reap the fruits of .the victory. This, was the experience of the great middle party last session, and we doubt whether many members could be found willing to repeat the experiment which its members then tried.

In the shunting operations at the station this morning, after the arrival of the Marton train, the large Fairlie engine ran off the line in consequence of the inexpert handling of the brakes by the pointsman, a porter engaged in the task. A messenger was immediately sent to the Aramoho Junction station for appliances, and the railway employes were hard at work all the morning endeavoring to set the engine on the rails again. The up-train to Marton was delayed until nearly two o'clock, by which time the engine had been set right- again, and the traffic communication restored.

Pressure on our space caused by the holding of the Supreme Court has prevented editorial notice of current events. _ Matters of importance will receive attention early next week. To-day we devote space to the present aspect of the political position and rumours connected therewith. In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before E. Hardcastle, Esq., Henry Ryan was charged with having yesterday been drnnk and incapable in a public street. The charge havin.c been proved a fine of 5s with the usual alternative was inflicted.

Before the rising of the Supreme Court this morning, Mr Hutchison directed the attention of his Honor, Chief Justice Prendergast to the smallness of fees allowed to professional men, witnesses in criminal cases. Unless employed as experts, a qualification very difficult of application, these gentlemen are only allowed the sum of 5s per diem. His Honor agreed that the remuneration was absurdly inadequate, but did not see what he could do in the matter.

The following sporting item appears in the Clutha Leader :—": — " Messrs Cowie, Nelson, and Hewitson have made the largest bag we have heard falling to the share of any sportsmen in this quarter this season. During three days at the Mataura they secured 70 ducks ) 200 rabbits, 123 swamp hens, and one boar. 1 '

The Post says :—": — " Th« Manhood Suffrage Bill, to be introduced next session by the Government, is now being drafted under the supervision of the Hon Mr Stout, AttorneyGeneral."

In the foundering of the schooner Clematis on the west coast of this island the Hibernicon Diorama came to grief, and Mr Baker's pretty pictures of "Ould Oireland" will never be placed on the stage again. THe three cases containing the canvas were some time under water and on opening them yesterday Mr Bakerfound that the whole Diorama was completely spoilt. The colours have run in some of the pictures and some scenes arc completely obliterated,rendering the Diorama entirely useless. Mr Baker feels his loss all the more on account of having received an offer of £300 for the show only a month or so ago.

The young man Harcourt who was by accident shot in the abdomen at Wan^achu a short time ago, died last niahf, we believe in great pain. The unfortunate sufferer has been in the greatest agony, almost without intermission, during his illness, and his death at last can only be regarded as a relief. The poor young man was surrounded in his last moments by kind friends and relations, and the terrible effects of the accident will not be forgotten in the hotel in which it occurred for many a long day hence.

The team chosen to represent the Wanganui Rifles in the contest with the Marton Volunteers for Dr Earle's gold medal proceeded to Marton yesterday by coach, and met the Marton team on the firing ground, which is situated about two miles this side of the township. It was arranged between the two teams that the medal should be competed for three times at intervals, that should any member of either team be successful in carrying off the trophy twice successively it will become his property, but that in the event of its not being won in the first two contests, the highest aggregate scorer in the three matches shall become the possessor of the medal. The firing yesterday was at the 200, 400, and 500 yards ranges at each of which seven shots were fired. The firing was conducted under the supervision of Captain Johnston of the Marton side, and Sub-Lieutenant Jones of the local men. The highest score was made by the Martonians, who made ten points more than the home team. The medal was carried off by Mr McDonald of Marton, with a score of 69. Mr W.Armstrong, being second with 68 points, thus rendering the finish rery exciting. The weather was most unfavourable for good shooting, a stiff wind blowing down the range all day. The scoring was notwithstanding very good throughout. At the close of the match the Wanganui Rifles were entertained by their hosts |at a capital spread in Trice's White Hart Hotel. The usual toasts were responded to and a very pleasant afternoon was spent by both sides,our men returning to town in the evening. The next contest will be held in Wanganui on the first Friday in August.

Instructions not having been given to alter the advertisement, the notice in our contemporary for the opera to-night (Saturday) states that "Faust" will be repeated. We are requested to direct special attention to the entire change of programme that will be submitted this evening. The first part will consist as usual of operatic selections, and an English, ballad of "Bread and cheese and Kisses," and the second part, of the last act of the intensely amusing opera comiqus " Pipele." This opera abounds in sparkling fun and lively music, and should prove a great attraction. On Monday the piece da resistance will bo the grand act of Donizetti's opera of <( Don Pas» quale ;" on, Tuesday "Trovatore " will be repeated together with " Pipele ;" and on Wednesday by special request a graud sacred concert will be given including portions of the " Stabat Mater."

The case Nathan v. Williams having been the first on the list of civil cases to be tried at the recent sessions of the Supreme Court it was called yesterday morning and Mr Hutchison intimated that he appeared for the defendant. There being no appearance of the plaintiff, the Judge ordered the case to be placed at the bottom of the list. At the conclusion of the case Autridge v. Iyingard last night, the case Nathan v. Williams was called again and the Judge asked Mr Hutchison what he applied for. Mr Hutchison applied fora non-suit, The plaintiff was then called in, aud no appearance being made, a nonsuit was recorded.

Mr H. M. Brewer requests us to notify that it is his intention this year to publish the names of those taking out licenses. This course has been found necessary to enable the rangers of the Acclimatisation Society to identify readily those persons shooting without a license.

The late sitting of .the Supreme Coart possibly prevented many from attending the Opera on Friday night, for certainly the attendance was not in any way commensurate with the merit of the entertainment. From the beginning to the end it was thoroughly enjoyable, the Bine;ing,acting, and instrumentation being of such a. character never before seen or heard in Wangauui. It has often been said that we, as a town, are not favored by the visits of high class companies, and that should they come they would receive ample support. A better company than the one now with us has never before visited the Colony, and therefore the patronage they re ceive may be taken as a proof of the extenof local appreciation of superior entertainments. Last night the attention of the audience was held throughout, the programme being judiciously varied, and excellent in its character. It is unnecessary to deal with each selection, as all were rendered with a brilliancy of execution that charmed the audience completely, and brought forth enthusiastic applause. Possibly the Preghiera from " Mose," in which Signore Caranta Vita and Venosta and Signori Camera and Tessada took part,deserve special attention. The exquisite music was most artistically given, the voices blending with much sweetness and harmony. We referred yesterday to the instrumentation of M. Caron. This gentleman is a wonderful musician. He quite electrified the audience by his rendering of the " Carnovale de Venise," and he completed the triumph by playing "Auld Robin Gray," with infinite expression. The third act of the well known and highly popular opera of " Faust " concluded the programme. If the audience were delighted with the artistes while giving selections, their enjoyment was considerably added to by seeing finished acting combined with choice vocalisation. We certainly think the representation of the characters as near perfection as a Wanganui audience can hope to see. Signora Oaranti Vita, as Margherita, was all that could be desired. Both eiDging and acting were simply faulty

less, realising to the fullest extent one's ideal of the character. A3 Faust Sipnoi Pninudini showed himself a true artiste. Signor Tessada the basso, essayed the character of Mephistopheles, and his splendid voice was heard to great advantage. The costumes were flccoadiDg to the recognised dressing of the characters, and the scenery fair. The inrtrumeutation for the opera was rendered by Mr Turrell and M.Caron, and was, as might be expected from such talented musicians, excellent, Tonight au act from Pipele will be given.

Borne few clays back we stated that the case of Hair v. Corporotion would be tried at the Supreme Court sittings of Wanganui. The session has been closed and the case was not called on. From enquiry we learn that the case was withdrawn on the Corporation agreeing to a perpetual injunction, and payment of all costs. Tiiafc the bill will be a lenghty one we have no doubt, and those members of the Municipal Council who are not fully informed on tkc matter can ask the Mayor the question straight. Mr Bcdfor SherrifE has been appointed Town Clerb of Gisborne.