Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY] FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1891. ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 7402, 1 May 1891, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY] FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1891. ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.

Like so many other Liberal reforms which have been initiated in the colonies, the above doctrine is slowly beginning to commend itself to the people at Home, and we find Lord Randolph Churchill, in the course of a Very able and interesting speech delyered to the Conservative Association at Paddingtou touching upon the subject, which is one the Tories do not relish. Although Lord Eandolph is a member of the Conservative party he has never been in touch with the chiefs of it, and left the Salisbury Government after a very short term of office, because his Liberal views were distasteful to his chief colleagues. He did not, like other Ministers who have left other Cabinets through differences of opinion with their colleagues, go into Opposition and savagely assault the Government he had left. On the contrary, he pusued a dignified and consistent course, voting with his party when he could, and against it when his views compelled him to express dissent. Such a course drew down upon him the wrath of the extreme Tory party and its organs, but Lord Eandolph was not to be bullied or abused out of his advanced opinions, many of which were, and are, such as might be held by most Liberals. Speaking at Paddington lately he touched upon the question of tho " One man, one vote " doctrine, which he said he thought was a very small affair and could have but a very small effect, if adopted, in a general election, although he admitted it might have a larger one in the case of a bye election. He went on, however, to illustrate the effect of the present system of voting, and said:— "At the present time "a gentleman may own property in both the divisions of Paddington, North' and South, and only vote in one ; but if he own property in the Northern Division of Paddington and inMarylebone, or in the Southern Division of Paddington and North Kensington, he can vote in both. Those are anomalies which hardly bear examination, and I prefer not for a moment to consider that the defence of the rights of property, or the defence of the constituencies, or the constitution or the strength of the Tory party, depend upon the preaervatiqn of anomalies and defensive regulations of that kind. (Hear hear.)" V

Lord Eandolpli, ia the above extract, admits the very essence of the ease against the dual system of voting, and is evidently inclined to the belief that it is unfair. How long will it take him to come to the natural conclusion that being unfair it is indefensible and must be abolished? Further on he said; " I think one man one vote a very small affair, and I hope the Tories will be sensible enough not to allow the Gladstonian party to manufacture capital out of that cry. (Hear, hear.) But when 1 come to the registration laws as a whole, I find there a state of things which, I think, urgently requires reform and legislation such as the Conservative party may well take in hand. The registration laws of this country are, I say, a crying scandal and disgrace. The maintenance of the roll of Parliamentary electors is almost of as much importance as, and certainly is only second in importance to the maintenance of the strength and purity of Parliament itself ; and what guarantees have we for the maintenance of a

proper roll of Parliamentary electors? It is left entirely, as I have said on former occasions, to what I may call the amateur efforts of rival political parties, each of them striving either to keep people off the register who ought to be on, or to put people on the register who ought to be off. Now, if you want — and Tories want it as much as Eadicals — to get a true representation of the people, the first thing you must do is to get a proper, accurate, and regularly-preserved roll of electors. And it does occur to me that the duty of registering the electors — whether it be for Parliament or other public bodies — should be delegated by the State to municipal bodies, which municipal bodies ought to have performed by professional officers adequately remunerated, and under full and sufficient penalties in case their duties are carelessly or negligently performed." Prom the above extract it will be gathered that roll stuffing is still rampant in England, and is not confined to any party. We do not agree with Lord Eandolph as to the doctrine of " one man, one vote " being a small affair, and wonder at so shrewd an observer taking such a view of it. Next to the ballot itself, it is the most vital principle of true representation, and like the ballot, may be stubbornly resisted by the Tories to the utmost, only to triumph at last and become the law of the land in every country possessing the blessings of representative institutions. The Tories at Home and abroad are very slow to learn the signs of the times, and to cease obstructing the will of the people, when inevitable defeat stares them in the face, if they persist in opposing the popular demand for reform. That Lord Eandolph Churchill is more of a Liberal than a Tory will be readily conceded by anyone who has taken the trouble to note his public utterances during the last ton years. He had the temerity to advocate freeStateeducation when contesting the Birmingham seat some years ago, and at a time when his party looked upon such a proposal as rank heresy ; the ultra Tories having tho same stubborn objection to the education of the English masses, as their friends the Southern slave owners had to their " niggers " being taught to read and write — a thing they tarred and feathered those who attempted it for, and flogged the unfortunate " niggers " mcrcilesslv for trying to learn. Lord Eandolph r s heretical views on the subject of free State education, have been adopted by his Tory friends at last, and the Salisbury Government recognising the inevitable, and eager to ioroslall their Liberal opponents, have actually included free State education to their latest manifesto, and appeal to Mr Gladstone to assist in carrying it through the House of Commons ! How like the tactics of the late Government of this colony ! Sir Harry Atkinson became an out and out Protectionist, though he ropudiated tho title, and called upon the members of that party to help him pass the Protective tariff now in force, which his Freetrade supporters voted against, and expressed thoir contempt for its framer in no measured terms.

We have wandered somewhat from the subject of " one inau, one vote," which we feel convinced will, before many years, be adopted even in England, where reforms are slow it is true, but tho will of the people coming to bo more and moro deferred to, by even the Tories, who, having swallowed tho doctrine of free State education, will not strain at so small an affair as Lord Kandolph Churchill declares the " one man, ono vote " reform to be. It is hard to get any reform from his friends, but they aro to 3 fond of power to risk the loss of office over any inevitable concession to the people, which they conclude might as well come from them as their Liberal opponents., This shows how very thin party lines have become in England, where twenty yearß ago the Tories would have gone to the stake rather than advocate such Eadical measures as they now plume themselves on having decided upon initiating and supporting. The sails of the Tory ship are now skilfully trimmed to catch every favouring breeze, and to becalm those of the Liberal barque, which refuses to be distanced in the race.

The Edwarda case will probably coino on for hoaring at Wellington at the end of neit wee't.

Wo (Woodville Examiner) havo ofllcial authority for stating that the report that tho Railway Commissioners intend moving tho workshops from Napier to Palniorston ia untrue. The Masonic Lodge Ara, New Zealand Constitution, proposes to dispense with tho usual banquet after the annual installation of officers, and to vote tho money thus saved to a fund for establishing homes for orphans, children of Masons. Tho rainfall for the month of April, as compilod by Mr W. L. Mountfort, was 302 inches. Bain fell on 12 days, tho heaviest full being on tho 30fch, viz,, 1.12. In tho corresponding month of last year tho rainfall was 3 BG, on eight days. Tho heaviest fall was on the 16th viz,, 134 inches. Government received a cablegram on Wednesday from the Hon. James Mnnro, Premier of Viotoria, stating that ho had been requested by tho Premier of Cape Colony to state the census returns of that colony were completed, und gave the population at 377,000 Europeans and 1,147,000 coloured people, making a total population of 1,524,000. The clearing salo of first-class furniture now being held by Mr Donald Ross preparatory to his relinquishing business in tho Avenue is proceeding most satisfactorily, there having been a considerable rush during the past few days by householders anxious to procure somo of tho undoubted bargains offering, and thnro can bo no doubt that it will bo some considerable time before similar articles are offered in Wanganui. Messrs Hogg Brothers and Breohin have just opened up at Ayrshire Honeo a magnificent lot of new costumes in tho nowest materials, well worth the inspection of tho ladies, and particularly appropriate for the winter season. A recherche selection of millinery is also shown, likewise some decided novelties for the show room. The shop windows now present a very artistic appearance. The premises will be illuminated this evening between 7.30 and 9, so that tbo ladies may inspect some of tho now and choice goocU. Ia our next Wednesday's issue will appear tho first of a series of contributions, entitled " Sketches of Wanganui ; in the Past, Present, and Future " They will bo from the pen of our versatile contributor " Marksman," whose " Wayeide Jottings " and other productions have alroady established him a favourite with our readers. The sketches will deal with the history of Wangonui, commencing some Bixty years back j and after bringing the reader up to the present time, will be devoted to descriptive reports o£ the various objects of interest in the town and its environs, concluding with a prophetic foreshadowing of its ultimate destiny. It will bo the aim of the writer to bo blend fact, fiction, and humour, as to make the sketches both instructive, interesting, and amusing, and we have no doubt but that he will succeed in his allotted task. They will be found on the fourth page of every Wednesdays and Saturdays' issues, commencing on Wednesday next,

Mr J. H. Keesing will hold his usual sale of sundries, etc., to-morrow at his mart at 1.30 p.m. The brood mare Escalade, purchased at the Middle Park Stud sale by Mr J. A. Philson, has become the property of Mr S. H. Gollan. Tho BoJyn (Dunedin) Liconsing Committeo have decided that at tli9 annual meeting notice would bo given to liconsees that at tbe ond of 12 months it was not intended to grant any further licenses. Two commanding officer's parades are called for this month, one on the 19th and the other on 25th May. Instructions from the Defence Offieo, by circular, are that no leave may be granted from the parade on Queen's Birthday. Planquette's comic opera, The Old Guard, which roplaced Pepita at tho Princess's Theatre Melbourno lately, bids fair to rival in popularity the same composer's Paul Jonos and los Cloches de Corneville, though musically it is pronounced inferior to the latter work. The election of candidates for Licensing Committees for the Auckland Districts are to be fought out on G'lh May on prohibition principles, candidates pledged to prohibition as wall as candidates who are moderates having been nominatod. Tho elections will therefore be regarded as the most important of any hold there since the present Act came into forco. A narrow escape from another f utnl accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, at Reef ton. Three men woro getting out limestone from tho hill when the drill Bnapped off short. The party had not loft tho spot but a few seconds for the purpose of getting a new drill when tons of stone fell from above, Had not tho drill broken the men would inevitably have bsen killed. King Olaf, who won the Hawkesbury Handicap on April 11th, equallod Prince Imperial's resord for tho distance (li miles), viz., 2min 35isec. He is described as a magnificent animal, and is by Splendor — Evangoline. Splendor, who won the Payne Stakes in England, was originally imported by Mr G. G. Stead of Christchurch, and afterwards taken to New South Wales by Mr Eeynolds. The appointment of Major Newall, of the New Zealand Militia, to the command of the Wellington, Wairarapa, Wanganui, and Taranaki Volunteer Districts, is gazetted. Major Newall is also appointed President of the Central Board of Officers at Wellington for tho examination of candidates for commissions in tbo Now Zealand Militia, vice Lieutenant-Colonel Butts retired.

Somo time ago Professor Hekomer, a well known English.nrtist, received a commission from the trustees of the Victorian National Gallory to paint a portrait of her Majosty tho Queen. This work is now being carried out from] tht most approved Btatue, and by moans of occasional, sittings granted by her Majesty. The price agreed upon had been GOO guineas, but on application of the artist has been increased to 900 guineas. A match is being arranged between tho Wanganui Naval Artillery and a team from tho I'onsonby Navals, sovon men aside, ranges 200, 300, and 500 yards (sovon shots ot each range) to bo fired simultaneously at the Auckland and Wanganui nflo ranges. It had been intended b fix the date of the competition for 25th Mar, but owing to a sham fight taking placo'at Auckland on that day, negotiations arc now pending for some other date to bo mutually agreed upon. At a meoting of the Management Committo of tho Wellington Rugby Union it was resolved " That this Union, having received reports from the referee and umpires of the Wollington-Ponoko match on the 25th inßt., consider tho statements made in the newspapers ' that foul and filthy language 1 was constantly used, to bo unfounded, and this mooting is of opinion that such comments wero not justified by factß." With reforonee to tho charges of rough play, tho Union is of opinion that tho only case that resulted .was promptly mot by tho referee cautioning tho various playors concerned. The World is annoyed because of the title " Greater Britain," and rebukes people for tho error. " Greater Britain," says the choleric writer, "if you like, to designate the United Kingdom, with its colonies and dependencies, as opposed to the United Kingdom itself. But to imply that those two islands are, except in area, Le39or Britain, in contrast with our Indian, Australian, and American possessions is lo giyo countenance to an idea as false as it is mischievous and unpatriotic. As well might Islington, Cainborwell, Hackney and Stoko Nowiugton claim to bo Greater London, in contrast with tho Lesser London of the City and Westminster. The biain ond the heart are not the lesser body, but the lifo and Bpirit of the wholo. The primacy and supremacy of the English race aro bore."

At Earcaldino a station man namod MeLeod stabbed another named Cliinbo Ryan through the breast with a bayonet, killing him instantly. When the nows was poßted up it was loudly oheered by the Unionists. Tho parties to the tragedy wero men who had torsaken the Union to go over to tho other side. Some timo sinco a man ran from tho Unionist camp at night to the military camp asking for protootion, and declaring his life was in danger. The man appeared to the scarcely sano, but was put in tho gunrd house, as he persisted in his story. In tho morning, he was accompanied to the camp, where his things wore obtained, and he was thon sent to Barcaldmc. Thiß was the murderer MoLeod. The man he stabbed also left the Union camp, telling a BOmewhat similar story, and ho was also sont to Baraaldine. Whilst Ryan was asleep McLeod seized a rifle with a bayonet belonging to one of tho infantry on guard at the statiou, and drove it right through the body of Byan, pmniug him to tho boards beneath. He was killed instantly. MoLeod exclaimed, "He came here to kill me, but I have killed him first." It is believed MoLeod is mad. He was formerly for three years in tho British navy, whore ho fell from aloft and injured his head, one of his eyes being knocked out. Ho then wont to Victoria, where ho lived for some years, and finally to Brisbane. At the regular monthly meotiag of the Fire Brigade last night, Captain Ferry presided. Mr Cummins, who represented the Brigade at tho CJ.F.B. Association's Conference, gave an exhaustive account of tho business transacted there, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Captain Eemington and Lieut. Eoster, of (ho Fire Police, were present at tho invitation of Captain Ferry, and informed tho meoting that they intended to go into the work of their corps with renewed vigour, and on tho suggestion of the Secretary promised to communicato with Captain Feild, of tho Auckland Salvage Corps, for information as to the proper construction and working of the corps. Captain Bomington intimated that he had accepted the offer of the Brigade to take charge of the Brigade's hook and ladder carriage, and convey it to all fires.wilh promptiude and dispatch. Owing to the unsuitable nature or the weather the Burprise competition for the Aneroid barometer was 'postponed till next month, when the trophies for a two-man competition, presented by Branohman Hogg, will also come off. Mr H. Woon waa proposed as[a new member, and votes of thanks wore passed to Mr Doran for, his present ot a photo uhiold of the Ohristchurch Fire Brigade also to Lieut. Smith of the same Brigade, for a photo shield of tho past Exeoutive officers of the Fire Brigade Association.

" The Latent Scandal " is the title of a strikingly original picturo lately finished by Mr George Sherriff, illustrating the fact that one of tho prevailing characteristics of the gentler ccx is tho same all the world over, and that the latest bit of scan. mag. is aB highly relished by the dusky daughters of the South Pacific as it is generally conceded to be by the more cultured Pakeha maid, wife, or widow. The scene, which came under the artist's own observation, graphically depicts a number of Maori women, young and old, seated, standing, or reclining outside a native wliare, while a garrulous old dame is engaged in the evidently palatable employment of imparting to them tho latest morccav. There must be something rich and racy in the recital, betrayed unmistakeably by the countenances of her listeners. Ono has already grasped tho situation and is laughing consumedly ; another is just commencing to appreciate the s'ory, while the others are passing through various stages of interestednesa. In the back-ground is a prettily-conceived view of a stream, while the foliage and general surroundings are distinctly typical of Now Zealand and artistically true to nature. We understand that the picture (which measures about 25m x 20in) Ins been purchased by Mr Willis, and he intends to lithograph it in eight or ten printings. Tho result will be awaited with interest.

Mr Parker (dentist) hopes to re-com-mence practice early next woek as he is only awaiting the arrival of his instruments etc., whioh are to arrive por tho Glenelg.

The ense Police v, Konny was further adjourned till 3 30 p.m. to-day, owing to tho unavoidable absence of Mr Brabant, Resident Magistrate. Considerable interest is being evinced in tho bowling matoh— English v. Scotch— to take place, bb alroady arranged, at 2 p m. to-morrow afternuon, should tho weathet prove fine, and tho green at all playable after the heavy rain. Annie Casiclls, for being disorderly while drunk in a public place, was fined i's and 2b costs, or 14 days' imprisonment, at tho Police Court this morning. Mr A. D. Willis, J.P., occupied the Bench. The Stormbird arrived at the Heads wharf at an early hour this morning from Wellington bringing, as part of her general cargo, the balanco of the machinery tor tho Wanganui Meat Freezing Company's Works. The vessels of the Australian squadron are comanded ati follows :— Wallaroo, Captain Anthony Kingscote ; Mildura, W. C. Karalake ; Katoomba, A. K. Bickford ; Boomerang, Lieut.-Commander Fenton ; Karrakatta, Captain Scullard, What is up with the Chron'? Locals in quantity strong— Quite fifty this is3ue on paper of tissue appear in its columns long. How easy papers aro mado, if you're only up to the trado : You want scissors and paste, and cut with great taste, and through exchanges lnzily wade. About throo weoks ago, Mr G. F. Cromer met with an accident in attempting to catch a horso, whereby some of the muscles of his back and Bide were severely strained. He has been confined to his bed until yesterday, and his numerous friends will be pleased to hear that he is now slowly recovering. The Gaiety Company, who loft for Australia on March 27th, include Mr Charles Danby, Mr Fred Storey, Miss Grace and Fred Leslie. Included in the repertoire is an entirely new burlesque, entitled "Cinder-Ellen," writton by Fred Leslie, and composed by sundry, among whom was Mr Corney Grain and Mr Arthur Cecil. Wo are indebted to Mr Hylton, Librarian, for tho following, giving tho circulation of books at tho Library for tho month of Anril :— Fiction, 9s2; history,2t ; poetry,9; generalliterature,46; travels, 60; biography 32 ; science, essays, politics, classics, etc., 18; divinity, 2 ; children's books, 19 ; total 1165. Magazines in parts, 332. The circulation of books for the same period last year was 1104, and magazines in parts 333. The Fordell and Matatira Football Clubs will play a friendly game of football at Fordoll to-morrow. The teams will consist Paihby, Miss Sylvia Grey, Miss Farren of the following players :— Fordell : J. Cameron (captain), Beeehor, Bullock, Bell, Burr, Doule, Krull, McGregor, McNicol, Richardson, Cameron, Marshall, Higgins, Harrison, Ruscoo, and E. Whiteman ; Matatira : Pone (captain), Wera, Puni, Tuna, Pukunui, Firo, Hawira, Awahuri, Panapa, Waka, Rangi Keopa, Pepe, Mann, Parahi, and Horera. Tho result of the poll of the ratepayers of the Mungawhero Road Board District on the proposod borrowing of £600 under the provisions of the Local Bodies Act, 1886, was taken at Upokongaro yesterday. The number of votes exorcisable was 127, and 69 were recorded ia favour of the proposal, there being none against Mr T. IT. Huselden (chairman of tho Board) declares that the number of ratepayers having recorded their votes in favour of tho proposal (being more thon half) the resolution is carried.

A Boston boatsman who received a 50 cent piece for saving four men from drowning, has had the coin engraved. " Reward for merit — For rescuing four men from drowning 12i oeuts apiooe." He will wear the coin as a medal. In the colonios there is not much chance generally to "go ono bettor " than our American cousins, but the Boston boatman can be assured that there are men in Wanganui who have not evon received 12 J cents apiece for every life rcsoued by thorn, and what is more, judging by past heroic deeds, thoy do not even value their own lives at the proverbial brass farthing. A correspondent of the Die Natua describes the following incident, which he himsolf observed, Ou the branch of a tree was a sparrow's nost, in which were some young sparrows, and not fur off sat the mother. A male sparrow, coming along that way, was attracted by her, and began to make advances, which were steadily rejected. By-and-by he rested on a neighbouring branch, and the mother flew away in search of food for her young. No sooner had she departed than the disappointed suitor pounced down upon the nest, caught one of the young sparrows in his bill, went off with it a little way, and then dropped it, apparently rejoicing in its death. A motion submitted by Mr Whiteford at the meeting of tlia Auckland Harbour Board that a committee be appointed to report in what w»y the Calliope Dock could be made most useful to tho port, whether by arrangements with the Admiralty or otherwise, was lost. Mr Whiteford suggested that tho dock should be sold to the Admiralty, Tho Chairman oaid he was sorry such an idea had been put forth at a meeting of the Board. They had sufficient rent from endowments alone to pay tho interest on the dock without calling on cargo shippers or other individuals to pay any thing. The sum of five thousand pounds would do all that was required to equip the dock. J, Roberts, the champion, lias just performed a remarkable feat with the oue, He conceded 12,000 to J. North out of 24,000, spot barred, and after pkving in such a wny an to make victory appear impossible came at the right end and won by 245. The spectators were not satisfied, and aftor a short outburst of cheering Jem Mitchell, the bruiser, who was accompanied by Slavin stood forth and dooounced the proceedings in glowing tetns. Some unwary individual not knowing who the orator was, called out " Turn him out," whereupon Mitchell responded, " Come and try, any six or seven of you." No one, however accepted the offer.

In " Peter Punt's " Football Note 3in the Mercury appears the following : — " Threequarter back " in the Wanganui Chronicle has taken exception to my remarks in my last week's notes relating to the feeling in the Marten Club towards the Wanganui Union over the action of the latter last year, and proceeds to abuse the Itarton Club in rather strong language. My remarks were not made with any intontion of slighting the W.K.F.U., but merely with the object of roußing the Marton playors from inactivity at a timo when there was no further cause for any such feeling, the club having joined the Manawalu Union, There can be no doubt that the feeling I mentioned does exist. If '• Threo quarter back " will tako a little advice from me ho will make himself better acquainted with the facts betoro he committed himself to such expressions as he used in his notes last week about " cocktails " and " want of courtesy." Marton footoallcrs and cricketers are too well aware that the manner in which the affairs of the Wanganui Unions are managed to trouble themselves much over "Three-quarter back's" remarks, or I might have more to say in the matter.

A number of ladies and gentlomen assembled at the Institute last evening to cor aider the advisability of forming a musical society on a different bii3is to other societies here. Mr Drew, having been voted to the chair, briefly stated tho objects of tho movement, whioh, he said, had originated with tho ladies. He was of opinion that a club of the nature proposed was required in Wanganui, and ho considered it a disgrace that the higher class of music was not performed and practiced here. Referring to a statement that had been made outaido, to the effect that tho proposed club was antagonistic to tbo existing Musical Society, ho was happy to say such was not the case ; he thought it quite possible to belong to both. It was then resolved, after discussion, that the Wanganui Harmonic Club be formed, and the following provisional officers were elected : — Conductor, Mr Holden ; Secretary, Mr T. Lloyd; Committee, Meßsrs Collier, Nicholas, and Hole ; Librarian, Mrs Gower. The subscription has been fixed at £1 Is for gentlemen and los Gd for lady members, and the first practice will be held at tho Institute on Thursday next. The Society do not intend giving concerts in public We understand that about thirty members have already joined.