Wanganui Herald.

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

Wanganui Herald.

(4jrI<ISHED DAILY.)

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885.

FEDERATION.

As Major Atkinson told his supporters at Haw-era lately, the bulk of the people and their parliamentary representatives know very little of this subject, and as it is the duty of the public press to throw all the light it can on these dark places, we take the present opportunity of reproducing a very well written article on the above subject, which appeared lately in the Age, a Melbourne journal of high repute. Although the Age writer looks at the subject through quite another pair of spectacles to those through which the hon. and gallant member for Egmont is in the habit of viewing it, we think the latter will admit that the Age writer has a considerable amount of good common-sense wisdom in his article, which is well worth a careful perusal by every one who takes an interest in the political welfare of New Zealand. He says :—: — " Just now the crux of English Statesmanship is the federation of the race. This conundrum is employing the entire talent of the Empire, and the number of noblemen and gentlemen who are groping about in search of a solution for it would almost induce the belief that the rrman irtellect has at last lighted on the riddle of the world which is to terminate the old dispensation, and date the commencement of the new departure that is to usher in the Parliament of mankind poets are privileged to forsee for us in their moments of loftiest inspiration. The venerable Lord Grey is responsible for having set the ball rolling with his projected Council of Advice, from which all other schemes are more or less of a deviation. The objections that Lord G.-ey's project seemed to us to be liable to have been so often set out in these columns that it is unnecessary to re-state them ; and as they have been reiterated by independent thinkers like Sir Hercules Robinson at the Cape of Good Hope, and Sir William Robinson at South Australia, wo may assume that there is some force in them. " How," asks the latter gentleman in a memorandum which he has just published on the subject, "could the representative of Canada at the proposed Council Board advise on the affairs of South Australia or the representative of South Australia on the affairs of the Cape 1 This is stating the difficulty in its curtest and most formidable shape ; and until the question is answered satisfactorily we are bound to conclude that it is unanswerable. Lord Loftus, of New South Wales, has made a praiseworthy attempt to surmount or evade it — by suggesting that the Council should consist of representatives elected by the two Houses of the Legislature of the several colonies in union. But the composition of the Council is not, the question at issue. Whether it is composed of special delegates selected in the manner he describes, or whether the Agents-General should have the consultative function added on to their present plenipotentiary character, the objection will still remain that they would be a heterogeneous body, representing heterogeneous and in some things even conflicting interests, and that a Secretary of State who should apply to them for advice on an emergency would take nothing but distraction for his pains. Our own opinion is that there need be no alteration in the status of the Agent-General at all, and that he is quite capable of repiesenting the wants and the interests of his colony, if the access to the ear of the Colonial Otfice is only made a little more easy than it is at present. If Lord Derby would invest Mr Murray Smith with a few of the ambassadorial rights that are freely extended to a secretary of legation from the smallest South American Republic, we are quite satisfied that no further innovation upon the existing system need be asked for, at any rate for some time to come. As for the federation of the Empire, which occupies so uncertain a place in the deliberations those who talk and write upon it that that they are unable to come to any decision whether it should precede or come after federation of the colonies, in the minds of the majority of practical colonists it is only a splendid abstraction, which has no more immediate interest for them than the coming of the Millennium. It is one of those portentous events which cannot be predicted, and cannot therefore be legislated for. Its approach will be as invisible as the approach of the hurricane, to which a whole train of silent changes in the atmospheric world have insensibly led up, and which no mechanical contrivance of human genius could either hasten or retard. If English statesmen are wise they will give over wasting their ingenuity upon expedients to bring it about, and apply themselves to the invention of machinery for utilising the working forces that are really within their reach, trusting to the sovereign principle of evolution, or the natural succession of events, to do the rest." If, according to the above, Federation of the Empire is about on a par with the long looked for millenium in point of nearness, the member for Egmont must hunt up some fresh fads to take the place of his National Insurance scheme with its socialistic learnings, and this newer dream of an united Empire with a Federal Council. Whenever Major Atkinson is ready to come down from the clouds and propose something within the bounds of everyday possibility, we shall always be glad to give every attention to his utterances, but he must see that he is merely threshing empty straws _in these, to use an Americanism " high f alution " fads which are in reality, only blinds to hide from public view the very scanty stock of political wares ho and his followers have on hand. They are "dummies" pure and simple, and are not intended to be really used for any other purpose than that of display. And yet he has claquers who insist in their highly spiced praise of the Major and all his works, that these "dummies ".are genuine packages of the very choicest

statesmanship ! How he must laugh in his sleeve at such staff, and wonder how much of it even the author of it could swallow without being unwell 1

Mr Rotheram, with his two succtssors, has gone to Foxtou to-day to hand over the southern portion of the line.

The Taranaki News says that the natives of Waiwakaiho are constantly infringing the game laws. Last week they shot 400 tuis and a hare.

The proprietors of the Napier Evening News have served a writ for £500 damages on the Waipawa Mail for alleged libel. The case will probably be heard before the Supreme Court next month.

Weregrettostatethat Mr M. Kennedy is at present confined to bed from the effects of a fall from a horselast week. The horae stumbled and fell, and Mr Kennedy being unable at once to extricate himse.f, got severely crushed. Dr Connolly is in attendance, and w<i trust soon to hear of the restoration to health of the invalid.

The ordinary monthly meeting and practise of the Fire Brigade took place last evening. There was a good attendance of members, and the ordinary routine business was gone through. Two candidates — H. Alexander, and E. Thompson, were elected to the Brigade. After the meeting a hook and ladder practise was held.

As will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, an addition has been made to the list of Wanganui bakers, Mr David Barrett (late with Mr W. Dustin), having started business for himself in Ball Street. As Mr Barrett uses none but locally made flour, and is turning out a good wholesome article, he is sure to get a fair shara ofatfce public patronage.

"We were shown this morning by Mr Clark (in Mr Willis's employ) a large stone which last evening was thrown into the window of his sitting-room. The htone was of a tidy size, and had it struck the baby sleeping close to where it fell, the consequences might have been fatal. Mr Clark has made up hi a mind to see the matter further, and he has given the police all particulars he possesses.

Captain Cummins had an early call this morning, as the electric alarm bell at the head of his bed started off to ring at 5 o'clock, and would not be quieted I When the cause was sought out and found, it was discovered that the wires had got crossed in the lookout house on the Rutland Hill, when the watchman shut the door at that hour as he went off duty, and sought his pillow after a night's watchfulness.

We omitted to mention that on the late occasions when the train took parties of •dsitors down to the Heads, the contractor Mr ftcally generously provided the necessary engine power free of charge, and did all in his power to make the visits pleasant ones to the acene ot his chief labours. He seems to have done his work in a most thorough manner, and has given every satief action to the company.

During the month of April Wanganui had the lowest percentage of deaths of any town in the colony with the exception of Thames. The latter with an estimated population of 5,354 had two deaths a percentage of 0.37, and Wanganui with 5, 175 had also two deaths, giving a percentage of 0.39. Daring ISS4 Lytellton was the healthiest town in the colony, the percentage of deaths to the 1000 of population being 7.94, Wanganui came next with 9.22.

In a leading article, the Taranaki Kew3 says that it has been found, in reference to the export of butter, that the most suitable kegs for landing the butter in good condition in a foreign market is that made of tawa with galvanised iron hoops. The butter Bent in these kegs does not retain any taste of the wood, but is invariably turned out in excellent condition. We would recommend our farmers to pay due attention to this important matter, in order to save disappointment.

Mrs Baldwin stated in Wellington, in answer to a question written down by Mr A. G. Johnson, that the robbery at Mr Jenness's was not done by professionals. A resident of Wellington, who had a confederate, was the perpetrator. She was not prepared to give the name publicly, but would tell the detectives privately. Mr Johnston had written down his question in the usual manner, and an answer was given before it was handed up or made known. The Baldwin's have left Wellington for Masterton, and may be expected here shortly.

A miserable specimen of humanity known as JPeter Donovan, who shambles along the streets here and occasionally falls into the hands of the police, was brought before the Court again this week for drunkenness. Cannot the police stop this unfortunate man from getting served with drink ? The man is fairly palaied with habitual soakings and a disgrace to our boasted civilisation. The next time he is up before the Court for drunkenness, would it not be better to arraign the person who supplied bim with the drink ? A conviction for the lattpr offence would have some effect in putting a stop to the inhuman practice of serving men like Donovan and the late John Kilty with drink,

In addressing the policy-holders in the Government Life Insurance Department at the annual meeting, Sir Julius Yogel said that it was intended to increase the premiums which were now lower than any of the other offices, and would be lower even when the increase had been made. He had also a few words to say about Mr Luckie. The Board had considered it very undesirable to place Mr Luckie in such a position as to lead him to feel aggrieved if, subsequently, any person was appointed to a superior office. They recog .ised that gentleman's devotion and services to the institution, but they also felt that he had not had that experience in large offices which would justify their placing him in such a position as to preclude their placing anyone in a superior position, and Mr Luckie acquiesced most cheerfully in the decision of the Board.

The analysis of the results of the last civil service examinations shows that amongst the juniors 39 failed out of 60. Of those who failed, 4 failed in all four subjects (English, arithmetic, history and geography) ; 11 failed in 3, 10 in 2, and 11 in 1. Geography was evidently the weakest subject, as 25 failed in it, history came next with 21, English following with 19, and arithmetic with 14. The greatest percentage, however, was in shorthand, the whole of those examined (4) failing. Book-keeping, as usual, has not been made a subject for examination, though, as we pointed out last year, this is one of the moat needful branches of knowledge for civil service candidates. In the senior examination it was an optional subject, and of the two who were examined in it one failed, while in shorthand, another optional subject, there were none examined. In the seniors 9 out of 23 failed in English and 8 in arithmetic ; only 2 out of 14 failed in Latin,and 2 out of 23 in geography, subjects not nearly so useful in ordinary commercial life as the two former. In trigonometry, algebra, and geometry, the failures were not so disproportionate. Several of the candidates made very low marks in the compulsory subjects of English, arithmetic, and geography, and very good averages in optional subjects, such as algebra, geometry, and history.

The Parihaka scare has resolved itself into its real causes. The mean whites have been playing their usual games with the Maori, and the charges made by the Public Trust Office for doing the business of the native reserves, are objected to as excessive. The first Mr Ballance has arranged to dispose of by stationing a smart policeman in the district to keep an eye on the whites aforesaid. The second he haß remitted to the Public Trustee for hia favourable consideration. The affair is thus ended. We were told last week that the reports were probably as true as they were alarming. We are told this week that Mr Ballance was very wrong in going to see for himself whether they were true or false. This tender solicitude lest three days of valuable Ministerial time be wasted is too thin. If Mr Ballance had not gone up, we should have been told that there were two sides to the question, and that the alarmist side was probably the better ; and from that it would have been inferred that the splendid work of Mr Bryce was being undone. The real complaint now is that the prompt justice and shrewd common .sense of the [Native Minister has prevented all chance of a demonstration ior the return of Mr Bryce and his friends. —Canterbury Times.

The Clutha paper ia informed that a parcel of oats — 350 bushels — recently scut to Dunedin his been disposed of at Cd per bushel bags given in.

Constable Gray brought a prisoner named Smith in from Marton this moruina. Smith

is sentenced to one month's imprisonment for drunkenness and obscene language.

The New Zealand Schoolmaster says that Inspector's biudon's is "a capital report, bristling all over with prints of practical interest." It gives </i»e or two paragraphs, and trusts before long to be able to publish the whole.

An English paper says that arrangements are in contemplation for ensm ing a regular supply of New Zealand mutton for the troops in the Soudan. This is a good thing for this branch of the colonial fresh meat trade, and is sure to be a good and an effective advertisement <ii ita merits to the mass of the public, who still need much education in this matter.

An English writer says that the shareholdeis in the New Zealand Shipping Company will be glad to learn that there is quite an appreciable rise in the quotations of their shares, and it is generally believed in commercial circles in England that the enterprise has triumphed over the difficulties incident to its initiation, and that it has now a grand future before it.

We had the pleasure this morning of inspecting at the linger Machine Depot a machine of a class new to Wanganui. The table is the chief peculiarity in it, this, when opened out is a large work-table, and when closed up it forms a convenient cabinet for covering the machine. The idea is a good one, and the machines, which may be obtained on time payments of 2s Gd a week, should be eagerly sought after.

There is to be a match on the Turakina Racecourse to-morrow between the hacks Fern. Flats and My Dream, for £20 aside. The latter won the hack race there at the last meeting, whilst the former has won quite a number ot such races at other meetings. The match is causing quite a flutter in sporting circles out Marton way, where both animals are owned.

Several of our townsmen who take an interest in harbour matter*, have been asking the opinion of Captain Kroger as to the Wanganui River entrance. The Captain thinks the entrance a good one, and does not impute the stranding of tho T. W. Lucas to any fault of the bur, but to circumstances over which he had no control. He has had a great deal of experience as to bars in all parts of the world, and says that this is by no means a bad one.

Referring to a visit to the colonies about to be paid by Dr Taylor, the Lyttelton Times correspondent says : — He is the editor of Science Gossip, and a man of much distinction in his sphere. He sailed two days ago in the Messageries Mari times' steamer Yarra, for Melbourne, where he announces his firs>t lectuie on the " Woild before Man." He comes out under the protecting wing of the " much-travelled Smythe," and so he will be a worthy successor to Mr Proctor.

At the Police Court this morning, the following civil cases were taken : — W. Barr v J. Scott, claim £6 9s 9d ; adjourned by the Court till 2nd June; G. Hutchison v E. Cahill, claim £1 17s 4d, judgement summons, order made for payment forthwith, in default 2 day*B imprisonment ; Manson v J\a\viri, claim £2 7s 6d, judgment for plaintiff with cost 10s. X, Ward Jisq., R.M, occupied the bench.

Football seems to have taken a new lease of life in Wanganui, and every Saturday finds our players engaged in a match, sides being chosen from amongst themselves, 10-morrow the game will be Backs v Forwards, the teams selected consisting of the following players :— Backs : Gray, Kitchen, Buckley, Coghill, Welsh, Copeland, Coakley, Turner, Strachan, Clark, Roberts, Vallauge, Knel£ aud Lockett. Forwards : (Jhubb, Powell, Craig, Peat, Fowler, Beechy, Roddy, Kaakin, Ulliver, Sewell, Brockman, Thompson, Grogan, Allen, and Troy.

General Sir J. B. Alexander, C.8., who con\ms,nde<X. the troops in I\ew Zealand during IKb Maori war of IS6O-G1 and received a medal for his services in .New Zealand, has died in the Isle of Wight at the age of 82. Old colonists will remember the name of Middieton as that of a young officer who served in Mew Zealand against the Maoris in 1846 and 1846. He is now in command ot the Canadian forces, and, as CJeneral Middleton, ia leading them against Kiel, the leader in the half-breed insurrection.

With the Yeoman this week we have issued a catalogue of vegetable, flower, and agricultural seeds compile i by Mr H. Moore, lhe catalogue has been very caiefully compiled, and those who desire to inveßt in seeds bought in the beat English, American, and colonial markets cannot do better than inspect this pamphlet. Mr Moore, evidently determined on doing business, has made up collections of flower and vegetable seeds, which should be in large demand with those who like to go in for gardening on their own account. Catalogues may be had on application to Mr Moore at his premises, Taupo Quay.

There has been, and is as I write (says "The Anglo-Australian in London," in the European Mail) not a little discussion here in colonial circles touching the probable stoppage of the ban Francisco mail, consequent on a dispute between Sir J uhus Yogel and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. No man is better able to fight battles of this kind. Not long since bir Julius had a smart encounter with the New South Wales Government, and is considered to have had quite the advantage throughout. An enthusiastic admirer of air Julius tokl me the other day that he was, in his opinion, the foremost and most capable of all contemporary Australian statesmen, aud he is, no doubt, a first-rate authority on all postal matters.

We notice from the last issue of the New Zealand Schoolmaster that 26 teachers from the Dunedin Normal School have taken "D " certificates, or partial "D " certificates, by passing the Matriculation examination. Through the same source we learn that at the last meeting of the Senate cf the New Zealand University 19 were admitted to the degree of 8.A., 7 to that of M.A., and that 42 passed in subjects for the B.A. first section, for the teachers' examination, or for the preliminary medical examination. We see no Wanganui candidates figuring in the list ol the successful teachers or passes.

The writer of Ashburton jottings for the Lyttelton Times has generally something good to tell in the way of anecdotes. The latest is the following military tale, the hero of which is one of the most popular officers in the Province. He was in command of a certain troop of cavalry, returning from a certain review, not a decade ago anyhow The troop and its commander had had a long tedious day, and the liquor was all consumed, except enough for a decent nip in the officer's own bottle. He never missed sharing his good things with his fellow cavaliers, but one nip among a hundred men was 99 too few, and if he shared it, the feeling engendered might have proved it to be also one too many. He would drink it himself; but how was this to be done without the men's kuowledge. A hundred yards ahead waa approaching a covered carriage. He made up his mind at once, and as soon as the carriage came within saluting distance, he gave the command with all his might — " Eyes, right 1" Every eye obeyed the command, and fixed itself upon the carriage. Meanwhile the officer quietly partook of his nip, and as soon as the "sting " of the whiskey left his throat sufficiently clear to give an order, he gave it — " Eyes, front " — and not a soul but one was a bit the wiser on the subject either of the nip, or who was in the closed carriage. That carriage was empty.

Benefactor. — When a board of eminent physicians and chemists announce the discovery that by combining some well-known valuable remedies a most wondeaful medicine was produced, which would cure such a wide range of diseases that moat all other remedies could be dispensed with, many were skeptical, but proof of its merits by actual trial has dispelled all doubt, and to-day the discoverers of that great medicine, Dr Soule's American Co's Hop Bitters, are honored and blessed by all as benefactors. Read.