Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, SEPT 13, 1879.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9513, 13 September 1879, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, SEPT 13, 1879.

The result of the elections is disappointing to the Opposition. In the first place* they did not expect a dissolution, against which the chances seemed so great. When it did come, they imagined they would return to Parliament augmented in strength. Some of the veterans of the party have disappeared from the scene, even the "whips" have been badly beaten, and the work of reorganisation will have to begin with the new Parliament. But they are still formidable in numbers, and if united and well led may bring the Government to grief at no distant date. Parties seem to be now very clearly defined, and though nearly every one has claimed to be a Liberal, the " ear marks" are distinct. Even Mr Studholme, the Murimotu Block candidate, put forward claims in the direction of Liberalism, but has been lauehed out of court by the Lyttelton Times and other papers. Mr Moorhouse has hardly come out in Conservative colours, denounced the system of deferred payments, and clung, like his relation, to the Murimotu Block. What the leaders and thinkers of the Liberal party mean by Liberalism is something distinct from the mere attachment to the measures noticed in the Governor's speech, which carried, the real battle or great issue is only begun, Liberalism means the rule and happiness of the people at large, the equality of political rights, the subdivision of the lands, and a peasant proprietary, in the maxim of Bentham, "the greatest good of the greatest number." Looking to the Liberal party, as it has issued from tho ordeal of the general election, it has received its baptism, and its authority direct from the people. When Mr Ballance, in 1877, pointed out in the House that Liberalism and Conservatism would in future be the watchwords and shibboleths of partyi particular pains were taken by that artful dodger Major Atkinson, and the mournful Mr Bowen, to show that defined parties

were impossible in the colony. • But definitions have come exactly as predicted,' andinstead of such issues as Provincialism, Separation, and Federation, we have great principles affecting the whole people awaiting decision. Thi3 is surely a great gain. It was a great triumph for Liberalism 'when it supplanted the other day at Auckland an association organised appar. ently for the purpose of getting possession of the N ative lands. The big land ownerß,, assisted by the Liberals of the old Colonial party, .killed Provincialism ' for .their 'own. purposes ; but immediately the Colonial party saw the object, they took dteps'toi bring about those reforms which the mono-,' polists are now trying to resist. The Colo-' nial party have merged into the Liberal party, and the monopolists with their hangors-on have formed the Conservative party. When the Post suggested the other day a coalition between Mr John Hall, Mr Ballance, and others, it overlooked the fact that the time is past for coalitions, which one of the persons referred to has systematically denounced. It must not be supposed that parties have been perfectly organized. Far from' it, but a great stride , has been made, and in a short time, by careful weeding on the part of the constituencies, the mistake of being found in the wrong camp will seldom occur. The education of a party depends a good deal on adversity, and perhaps the best [thing that could happen would be the advent of the Conservatives to powei", when the false Liberals would desert their party and lie discovered. The two parties are nearly equal, and bad generalship on the part of the Govesnment must ruin them. Biit both parties have been so badly led in the past that we cannot expect the mistakes will be all on one side— only : that mistakes are so much more disastrous lon the part of the Ministry. The Oppo- . sition, when it felt itself strong,has always ! committed the' error of precipitancy, for 'if it had only waited for a full development of the financial policy in 1877, and ' again last Session,its prospects would have been improy cd . The ' strength of parties next session will not be tested before the ,budget haa been delivered, up to which time there, may be plenty of skirmishing but no serious engagement.

Some New Plymouth influence seems to be at work in Patea, which prevents the latter from pushing its interests in", the' manner most likely to meet with- success. Mr- Sherwood nas had a powerful 1 weaponready to his hand, and haa generously, too generously, declined to avail himself, of it. The gross] injustice of taking 2$ per cent, of the land revenue of the Provinpial District of Taranaki for the reclamation from the sea of a harbor at New Plymouth, Jbas long been apparent to persons perfectly impartial ; but it must' appaar doubly so to those who are doing so much against great odds, to, make a good and safe - harbor at Patea; The Taranaki members have long been trembling in their shoes at the very apprehension of some demand being made to have the endowment fairly distributed, and they itmst have been greatly surprised at the modesty of Patea. Here is a great field of local politics completely neglected j local interests placed in abeyance, and a transparent wrong Jquietly submitted to by the keenest local politicians in the Colony. Can any one solve this extraordinary problem. -

DtJßiNa the late session of Parliament, and while the No-confidence motion was being debated the Conservative journals indulged in prophecy. The defeat of the Government was | assured, and so each writer felt bound to give to 'the country his idea of the personnel of the new Cabinet. 'Tis but a little while back, but a cruel fate has overtaken most of the would-be Ministers. Our local contemporary essayed to form a Cabinet, and on. July 30fch put forth the following as the hope of New Zealand : — •' It has been freely asserted by journals, with whom the. wish has been father to the thought, that Sir William Pox will be shelvedWe venture to hazard the prediction, that, so far from beingjaet aside, or standing aloof, he will fill the important offices of Premier and Native Minister. The other members of the Ministry will probably be — Major Atkinson, or Mr Stevens,Colonial Treasurer ; Mr John Hall, Colonial Secretary, and leader of the Upper House j the other portfolios being distributed amongst Messrs Rollestoa, Johnston, Wakefield, Oliver, Curtis, and Hobbs or Macfarlane." Our contemporary hazarded too much, for not only has its " Premier and Native Minister " been shelved, but also three more of its band of eminent men. Messrs Curtis, Hobbs, and Macfarlane have been sent into retirement to ponder on the words of the preacher that " all iB vanity and vexation of spirit." With many other Opposition journals the Hon W. Richardson of Christchurch was looked upon as a tower of strength as a Minister, but his place will know him no more. The constituencies have declared in the moat unmistakeable manner that a Liberal Ministry, and nothing but a Liberal Ministry, will satisfy them, so the " Cabinet-makers "of the Opposition can now say with Othello il Our occupations' gone." On the other hand the success that has attended the appeal of the present members of the Govern- , meat is remarkable. Condemned as they were by Ithe old Parliament, they have sought the judgment of the electors in their own districts, and the verdict has been returned " not guilty." Every one of the Ministers has been returned, Sir Geo. Grey, Hon. Mr Sheehan. and Hon. Mr Gisborne without opposition, and the other two in the Lower House by large majorities. The inference is clear, that Liberal principles are held by the great body of the electors and must prevail.

, The Serenaders have prepared a v.cry good' "programme for' Monday and Tuesday next, < tojconclude with a farce entitled " A Lnw-^' yer's Clerk." Our local darkies j have been , veVy persevering at rehearsals, and a good evening's amusement maj 1 be expected . 'A bo/ plan of the'Hallha's been opened at Mr H. I. Jones', Victoria ' Avenue.

By request attention is drawn tp an advertisement stating that Miss Noake Has i removed intoth? housa " lately "sotioii pied, by Mr P. Bell/antt is prepared to 'receive -pupils' for music and singing, ., ,

The Hudson Surprise- Party intend paying a visit to our towbi next week, and will give their first performance on Wednesday next.! In Wellington all the newspapers speak mosfc^ highly of the Company, and a vVajrarapa paper Baya~ "^that'the Surprise 'is a genuine, one, in the shape of a number of charmirig lady minstrels, dressed in most appropriate 1 costume. If they did not sing a note they would be attractive, but-possessing, as thej do, delightful voices, they simply carry their audience by storm." Lt -will at least be a, novely to see young ladies taking the place' of " corner "■ ■ > -■ :>t :••'•"

orner.men, „ . , -„-•,,!.■<, A too' enthusiastic temperance advocate, questioning an eccentric candidate for Par*! liamentary honors, at a recent home election, was rather neatly caught. He asked " What' about the Lirjuor Bill," to which a reply_was! roared."^Well 1 mide was unGo'inmonly* high last year., .Bow y&s yours ?.",;. The^ quejisb took a back seat, and was heard no more.

The Advocate says : — ",By,. the official declaration of the poll at Wanganui, Sir Wj Fox's minority was further reduced to 44i Considering all things, this is virtually a' victory." This is a change from scurrility to facetiousness.

The - Nelson Mail ' pays ' a well deserved tribute to Mr Oswald:Curtis in his defeat >' It' says : — "He has now, however,, been,,d,is-, charged from the 1 service of those for whom! he has worked for thirteen years, aud the large majority accorded to his opponents^ proved beyond doubt that it was no accident,; but that tho determination existed to exclude' him at all hazards. There are very few indeed who have been in the New Zealand Parlia-' ment so long as Mr Curtis who have sue-: cejeded in keeping themselves so free from all: suspicion of corruption, or of being actuated' in giving their votes by some motive outside the welfare of their constituents. After thirteen years in the, House, Mr Curtis leaves it with perfectly clean hands, and carrying with him the respect and . esteem of^ all who have during ' that 'time f taken' part in 'the politios of the country, whether in conjunction with or in opposition to him."

" Advice to those about to marry ": — Do not laugh at the wedding. At home lately, in the village of 'Shoreham, a couple were being man ied, and after the 'ring was on, owing 1 to the very bad delivery of the' Eev Mr Smith, the young man entirely mistook what he had to repeat. This occurred a second time, which caused the young woman to laugh slightly. The rev gentleman then closed his book and left the churoh without ■ saying a word to anyone. The party waited for some time, and, as 'he did not return, one ■ of them left the' church and' went 1 iotne Vicar's house ; he had 'just gone out; Affcer waiting along time he returned, and the only, message they could get • from him was' ttiat they were to come again and get' r married' another day I ' " ' : ' '„ ,' At Otaki, Mr Johnston's committee en- ' gaged a droll fellow named Ramsey as bellI man, .on.the ejection day., ' Early in the day. ' he'appeared^ab'out the tdw'nsliip'witb a' huge' ( placard on his back, whilst his voice (says ;the Manawatu Herald) resounded through i the streets, " Vote fur Alcombe and stag- ! nation ; vote fur Alcombe and starvation ; 'vote fur Alcombe and 'cular eddication." '" Vote fur Sneez-um and cheap matches." Withjthese, and a number of similar choice 'injunctions, he urged^the electors, to record their vote's! ''We' need'batdly ' add he' .su<> .ceedea in making a good 'deal 6f f nri. - ' hi ' r '

One of the curiosities of the Napier electoral roll has been brought" jto light — beir- no 'less than the'nfcme of a man' who was iuarjdered fifteen years ago. J > A'-Dunedih telegram ' of (Friday says ■: ' " At the office of the Harbor Board to-day a [working model of , Messrs. Haworth and Aloe's •patent silt elevator, for r'eoia'mation purposes was exhibited. It is a beautifully constructed one, on t the,€Gale of 1£ in; \ to the. foot, and is intetaded'tb' raise the 'silt from $ punt previously filled by the dredge to a height of about thirty feet, and to' discharge into a hopper connected jwith the , horizontallyinoving set of buckets, which) travelling along an aerial railway, conveys and deposits the silt wherever necessary."

We (N.Z. Times) understand that a tele, gram wfts receiyad yesterday by a gentleman residing in .Wellington', to the J effect thai ,a protest had been lodged against' tbfe return of ' Mr. Eisner for Westport, on the ground that he had held apposition of profit ; under, the (crovernment as Crown, Prosecutor „ for the distlriot. ' Upon looking over the Disqualification Act of 1876, however, •'- we found, amongst others, that coroners and crown prosecutors have ; been exempted from the provisions of the Act. Therefore, according to our reading of the Act, Mr Fisher's seat is quite 'securej \ ■ ; *■ ,

: The Municipal - ."efecfcioiis in Wellington caused a considerable amount of excitement, and tbe ( polling in two Wards was exceedingly, close. In iWndo'n' the; old metnber.'' Mr' &co Fisher, was opposed by Dr' Newman, the figure's' being E'isher 411, Newman 400: For" Cook Ward the old member, Mr Geoi'Hun-^ ie!r, 'did -nob seek re-election, and Messrs" Worth and Brown were .nominated. The cdnteßt wa's a very seyere on?,. Mr BrownT winning by two votes, the . mnnberfl being Brown 521, Worth 519.

This is how our Maxton contemporary refers to the Manawatu' and Rangitikei elections :—": — " So far as we are concerned, the results in, both districts have been ks we' pointed .ont in these columns would ,be 'for the, general good. • It is gratifying to pa 'to, know that our views have' found such universal favour with the electors of'Rangitikei and Manawatu." As, Uncle Sam says, "This' is rather tall." Probably 'if our contemporary kn6w how many"votes he had influenced bis gratification would receive a serere'Bhock. Herald. • ' ' '< '

— Manawafcu

In a celebrated fish market in London, the electric light proved a complete failure^ for the unexpected reason- that it was too good. Business at Billragsgate'beginsatSo'oldck in' the morning, most, of the bargains being struck by gas light. When the searching electric candle was turned on, its brilliant Whiteness literally showed the fish in such a new light that the trade was demoralised out- , right. Soles that would have fetched a shilling a pair 1 by gas 'light 'looked 'dear at 6d, While turbot fresh from the sea looked a week old. The result was a general outcry. The copious and ornate dialect of the' locality'was j enriched by a number of notable additions during the few days .of the new light ,; and for fear of a revolt among the " bummarees," as the fish salesmen are called, the Corpora- j tion was obliged ,to restore the familiar yel- j low gas lights. — New Zealander.

< The Foxton paper is responsible for the following: — J',A Q ' amusing 'episode of the Manawatu election ' occurred 'at Feildirig.' Being perfectly certain of Mr Halcombe's return, a band; jaad been , engaged by, the Feilding committee' to' parade the sireecs'ol of the Northern city, and discourse triumphant music. One tune had actual ly.beenr^oße through, when the Sandon returns , placed. Mr Johnston five ahead, without the Paikakariki votes. The band thereupon dissolved, and are now practising for, the next eleo" tion." "" , ! At the K.M. Court this morning there was only one case, McDonnell and Brassey v., Henare v Haeretuterangi. . The claim was for £47 18s. Defendant had the money but would not pay. He was ordered to pay the amount forthwith to the the Clerk of the Court, Wanganui, or in default go to gaol for 2 months.

Tfab .Chronicle, sayjsi we> are in error m asSutfaiilg that fifr Robert Douglas was beaten at Marsden, arid , 'go.ea | oq fdrther to say :— " The 'Hot' is. tlaat during the contest he withdrew in Javoc^bf the Candidate who afterwards proved- ; successful,' and who is, we believe, opposed to Sir George Grey's .Premiership." This is a distinction without much difference. It is perfectly fair to suppose 'that Sir Robert-resigned because Tie saw chat defeat wiaa-inevitable, and so .made ; a strat--"egtelruoy'ebient <fo tlie year. Tbep' tM saVik^' clause put in that. this t rearw^rd movement was governed by party motives is not tenable for the.''fiac'cßrsfdr Candidate as thd returns to hand prove) -is an out-and out Greyite* So much so indeed that a deputa* tion of Sir George Grey's Central Committee went r in a special steamer .from, Auckland to the Bay of Islands to work ; and tote4oV>'€a,'pt Colbeck,,«'the highest on the poll. Ir\^ir Robert Douglas resigned in favor of Captain Colbeck, he assisted the Grey cause. So mucl} for the Chronicle's correction. \ The'railway- piaiiormL'akihe'-o'tber end of the town has been nearly completed. It was understood that the Borough Council woulcj make the approach: '&> it, so soon as the Government had completed their part of the" work. We would, suggest, to his, Worship thatj a start be made as early : "as 'possible, so that no delay may be attributed to the loca authorit

There is hardly an independent journal in fcfye Oolony iwMohr expresses <ithe' slightest; regret !thjit Hir "William 1 Fox is but of the] House. -The Otago Daily Times congratulates, Wanganui on the result- of the election, while thd Ttmaru Herald iTT editedrby; a . gentjenian who was looking to the leader of the Opposition to offer him a-portf olio,— takes particular, pains to point 'out that Sir William's defeat is no loss to the paity. Thuß the last of the " Three F's " is quietly put on the shelf, — the one who had least capacity, as he had certainly the least to show-in 'the way, of services rendered to the Colony. Any other: leader of a party would hare had half a dozen ; seats offered to him instantly, but not one, ndttA'solitaiy member of his party offers to make way for the leader of the Opposition I This is the finishing touch to a reputation based on vituperation. There is just a possibility that the Colonies will be treated to a visit from the latest English lioness. Loyal souls who may be disappointed at the news that the Prince of Wales «annofc go to Australia ; for ;the)Bs'hibitioh |may 'find some consolation in the rumour that the Queen of the Comedie Franoaiae 'desires to add an acquaintance with the Antipodes to her .experiences of life.". It is said that Sara Bernhardt has given in her resignation to the colleagues of the Com&die Francaise, and has accepted an' offer to Rive a series of performances in the United States for the trifling bagatelle of eighty thousand pounds, and all expenses paid. The journey: fr6m San F'renoisco to Australia can! he, taade so 'easily that she will be,' 'no doubt, induced to travel to Sydney and Melbourne for the Exhibitions, and "will probably succeed in turning Colonial heads as she has done even the soberest in this country; English society is composed .'mainly oi < sheep/ who'- iollow with enthusiasm any bell-wether's lead. In Sara's case the leading Bheep are dowagers and duchesses who would hesitate about taking up even the most celebrated English actress in the same exuberant fashion. . -But the great crowds, eager to imitate their betters, flock to the, Gaiety, Theatce.-.to Eicpa-^ .dillyVwHere-her pictures anci 'sculptures are ' !on view, and evince the most ardent desiri to assist at those delightful seances she gives in private, life: t This.Jipmage; to^true genius.if very refreshing in '• a mi? admfyari age, and •we hope our colonial 1 tsoUsnis' 1 will not allow ; themselves to be outdone in enthusiasm. — [Home News, ; ; , ; ><1' I i 1 . .'. ,T. ' i

The general elections will not be over till •Monday, members having.to_be returned for. f Coleridge and Gladstone on that day.