CHRISTCHURCH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5631, 29 May 1885, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

May 28.

In considering the determination of the Postmaster-General that the mails by the direct steamers should leave Lyttelton every fourth Sunday, the Harbor Board resolved to-day that, unless under special circumstances of emergency, neither the Harbor Board, pilot staff, nor the steam tug will be made available to take steamers out on Sunday. The Board also resolved to support the action taken by other Harbor Boards to have an alteration made in the Harbor Board Act, so that Government should be required to pay wharfage on material imported by it.

His Excellency the Governor has informed the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College that under the present arrangements he cannot interfere in regard to the difficulty which has arisen between the Board and the University Senate about the introduction of certain plays of Terence into the past Latin course.

Mr L. Harper, M.H.R. for Avon, addressed his constituents at Papanui to-night. He avowed himself a supporter of the present Ministry as long as they adhered to the policy they had enunciated when taking office. He received a vote of confidence.

Amongst the numerous presents to Prince Bismarck on his birthday was a cask of Australian wine. The Chancellor received so many presents of wine that his cellars will not hold them all.

The audience at the Princess Theatre last evening was not by any means a large one, but what it lacked in numbers was made up in applause. The entertainment went well from beginning to end, and roars of laughter followed each item. Mrs Hart's dancing and acting were much admired, while the witticisms of the versatile " Fred " were as usual provocative of much mirth. The company leave by the Huia to-night*

In a leading article on Major Atkinson's speech the Post, which says "he roared gently as a sucking dove," remarks as follows : — The portion relating to native affairs was the least satisfactory part of the entire fepeech on Friday night. He disclaimed generally indulgence in any carping crit cism of the actions of his opponents, but the phrase would not inaccurately describe many of the references to Mr Ballance and his policy. Majot Atkinson seems unable to realise that Mr Bryce may not have been absolute perfection as a Native Minister, and that it ia quite possible for a successor to have approached to within at least measureable distance of him. We admire this loyalty to a former colleague, but it has undoubtedly made Major Atkinson unjust to Mr Ballance. His objections to what the present Native Minister has done and is doing, were in many inBtances unfair, and in some based on erroneous assumptions of fact. Hia reference to a million of money having been lost through the land for the North Island Trunk Railway having been taken before the titles were ascertained, was altogether unjust, because the speaker spoke from entirely incorrect premises. He ignored the fact that every acre taken is duly valued under the Public Works Act, and that the only question left to be determined is to whom the value is to be paid. No delay in the ascertainment of the title will in the least affect the amount,