The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1898. THE WANGANUI SEAT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9391, 18 March 1898, Page 2

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY .] FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1898.

THE WANGANUI SEAT.

It must not be supposed that because tlie Conservative candidate won this seat at tho last general election, the Liberal Party here arc going to allow Mr Cavson to have a walk over for it next year, or sooner if a dissolution comes about. It is, therefore, neces- ' sary that the Liberals of this electorate should bestir themselves, and be ready wlien. the time comes to support a candidate of their own choosing who will be able to win, i'uo i seat back from the Coa'sefvatives The greatest difficulty "we sec in tho ' matter is the selection of such a candidate, as, so Far, theiv, is no desire on the_ part of those best fitted for the position to come forward, and do battle for tlieir party. This is ruiich • to bo regretted, as if; means that* without a leader, the local section of the Liberal Party can fa> do good work, That thore is plenty for it to do there can bo no question, as it is vitally important that the interests of this electorate shall not be loft to the "do nothing " party, of whose neglect in former days the residents; of this part of tho colony had ample evidence. Were Captain Russell! and his supporters in power again we know how little wo migH expfiofc from a Government whose chief members would devote evorv effort . to enriching Hawko's Bay and the large runholders of the colony, and leave nothing untried in their efforts to drive the small settlers off their holdings. The inhabitants of the back country of this island, who have suffered so much in their efforts ' to cavvo homes for themselves tod their families out o? Vile dense forests, and who ftve waiting for roads to give them access to markets, would in such an event have to give vi) hope of ever living to see the work done under a Conservative Government. Bub this is but a small part of the disadvantages that would assuredly follow the advent of such a change, as it is certain a great deul of what has been done iv the best interests of the industrial classes would speedily be. xmttone or rendered inoperative by the Conservatives if they got into office again. It there fore behoveg the Liberals of the WaagaUui electorate to be up and doing, sq that when the battle has to ba iought onco more for the seat, they shall not be found unprepared. The work of registration should not be neglected, as there is no saying what may happen during tho coining session, when a dissolution may bo forced on tho House by tho Opposition compelling the Government to appeal to the country. For our own part we do not think tho Government -will be driven to such an expedient, as it has still a good working majority, despite the defection of the members of the '• Left Wing," who are more than likely to be conspicuous by theii: absence from the uext Parliament, in which we hope Wanganui will onco again be represented by a Liberal of marked ability, staunch principles, and influential qualities. It only rests with the party to bestir itself, and select a suitable candidate to win the seat back, as it is certain there is a considerable majority of Liberals on the Wanganui eleotoral roll, who only need to vote solid to gain the victory. We hope they will rouse themselves from their present lethargic condition, and take active and continued steps towards regaining tho seat they allowed to be wrested from thorn in 1896 by their supineness and indifference as to which of the cand dates succeeded in getting the necessary majority of votes. There must be no repetition of suoh an experience as that referred to, as there cannot bo a scintilla of doubt but that the Oonaervatives were allowed to snatch a victory through the lack of interest taken in the contest by a large number of electors belonging to the Liberal side, who would not be at the small trouble of even recording their votes, whilst others were so desirous of a change in the representation of the electorate that they voted for the Conservative candidate i who had on five previous occasions t vainly sought to receive their support. It Avas not that they Joyed him more, but that they liked bis opponent less for reasons it would serve no good purpose now to set out. Given a really suitable Liberal candidate to oppose Mr Carson for the Wanganui seat next election, it is absolutely certain the former will win if the party does its duty and leaves no stone unturned to gaiii the victory. To that end it is time the Liberals of this electorate began to organise and look around for a suitable candidate to oppose the sitting member, againbt whom we have nothing to urge, save his support of those who would if in power undo all the gooc! that ?ms been done by thoiiopponents, and legislate in favour of the monied class and against the best interests of the great majority of the people. The latter can, if they are true to themselves, prevent such a disastrous change of Government, as they hold tho balance of power in the ballot-box, and should not neglect to use it, as they did in Wellington the other day, when they allowed tho Conservatives to gain the victory by their petty jealousies and supineness. The result should be an object lesson to the Liberals of every electorate in the colony.

At a meeting of the Wauganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club last evening, it was decided, with few lissentienls, to apply to the New Zealand League of Wheel men for affiliation with that body. A Press wire from Pahiatua states that at a meeting of delegates of the Fortymile Bush School Committees it was decided to form a country committees' association. It is expected to start with a membership of thirty committees. Mr W. J. Keeve was elected president. The Executive Counoil met at Wellington yesterday and decided the law should take its course in tho case of Philpott, condemned to death in connection with tho Silvorstream murder. The decision in Clements' case was deferred to permit an inquiry to be made into his sanity. 'Messrs Williamson and Musgrove's Dramatio Company repeated the pathetic drama, " The Two Little Vagabonds," at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening to another large and enthusiastic audience. The company appear at New Plymouth to-night, and left for that place by this morning's early traiu. ! Attention is again directed to the Economic Building Society's advertisement in another column, notifying that the society are holding a sale of £300 in two sums of =6150, ou the 21st instant* Tile society claim this is the cheapest money in the market.

The Arafifioiro Boating Club wish to acknowiedgo the receipt of a donation of < two guineas from Mr A, D. Willis. The owner of a Malaws 'cane, silvermounted, enn have 'Satt'ie on application at Mr A. D. Willis' establishment. Mr R. D. McLean, M.H.R., has touched tho highest prices for wool in the London market, lljd being obtained for greasy half-bred. i We remind those interested Of thd stock] to bo tendered this evening by the Waugamil Fire Brigade to thfc members of the team who represented Wanganui at the recent demonstration at Auckland. Tho social commences at 8 o'clock, and will be hold at tho ]?ive Brigade Hall. The many old friends of Mri Jessie Swanson will regret to hear o{ her death , at Gisborno on Wednesday last. ,The fleceased was. ft daughter of Mr fieslfr, \vho fovmarly carried ou Bftsirites as a baker in Guyton-Bty66t, v WfmgaYmi,aml was very popular ftmAri&A ncr acquaintances here. Wr Hastings Moore, of tho Beehive, Ridgway Street, announces tho arrival of now winter goods, including ftlr \*das\ jackets, aud capes. B> fating a cold winter, he has ma<3<J a large purchase of blankets Mid *Wer down quilts, in which he will gOve exceptional value. In men's and boys' clothing, mercery, efcc.,he carries a largo and complete stock. The late disastrous fires in Tasmania have completely destroyed tome of tho finest orchards iv tho Island, and some of the jam manufacturers who had Made, heavy advances against tho season's fruit crop have been compelled td write tnerti off as dead loss* Soft fruit of all kinds, has risen considerably in value ; while the apple drop, thfoftgU tho fires and drought, will doprfloiate to the extent of thousands «>f pounds. The Revs. W. J. WiMamsaud G> Bond, whq nave been attending the Wcsteyan Oonforenco at Dunecltn, relumed to town yesterdayv IV. (oSmor, who is at present statiotteo tft Auckland, will couduct the Hftt&iu services at the Wcsleyan Church on Sunday. The final rehearsal of the hymns will bo held to-night at 7.30 sharp in the big gallery in the ohurclu a|^ t, > full musterof the orchestra U tttiKc'ularl} requested by the coiMiKlor, Mr W. H. Bird* Onr esteemed contemporary -*- tho Chronicle -states that Mr T. W. Ferry, tho secretary of the Regatta Association, desires it to say that the list of officials as published in loot night's Hf.hu.d is incorrect. We notice, howovor, tho lint of officials which appears in thin lflorning'B Cluonicle is tho Rame AS that priuted By us.cxoeiitmsilllM.Wß supplied the names of the judges and starters ot tlie canoe evovihi, which ourto^hilnporary failed to do. Wherein lAfteu the incorrectness lie ? At 'Cdt Hibernian sports at AVellington j csterday, the St. Patuck's Day Handicap was won by Pritcbaid, with two lirsts, and tho Bicycle Haudioap by Watson, also with two firsts. Tho Mile Handicap was won by Foster, from lOyds, m 4min 46 2-sth sec. In the Hurdle raco, W. Arnott, the well-known nunior, was defeated by J. Courtonay, who had l'2yds start of him. On a piotosl tho iaco was run tigain and Oourtonay again won. A correspondent 86nds us an article on the Dreyfus case, taken from the London Evenitiy News, in which it ii Slnted that ft great iion cage has bC6n built around the hut ocoupiod by Droyfus. It was begun bis months bnck, and was only leoenfciv completed. It cost 60,000 fiano's to build, and is as elaborate as if intended to hold a small regiment of wild beftstsi Day and night one of tho six eddfers does patrol duty on the otUtiido of the cage, each soldier beiug on duty four hours m the UVeniy-{our. A wood-cut of tho cage nifty bo seen at this office. G. D. Jones and Annio IViUi^an woro charged at the Mi^lslrato's Court this morning wltfc committing broaches of the Factories Act by illegally employing assistants between the houis of 0 in tho evening and 8 in tho morning. Miss Honrigau ploaded guilty Pint v. as lined 5s and 7s coats. Mr STones pleaded not guilty and was defended by Mr Troadwell. The deftmco in tins etiso was that the girls wore at work at his shop without Ins knowledgo or consent. They wore employed on niece work, and came baok the evening before tho racoß bo as to get away oarly next day. Defendant was unwell, and left tho shop early m the afternoon. Immediately ho fouud the glrlsat work in the evenings he told them to put on their hats aildgo home. A fine of £2 was inflioWd) with costs 11s. At a meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery on Tuesday, the Ray B. Hntson was appointed Moderator for the licit six months. Tho Rev 11. M. Ryburn gave in a report of a visit, in company with Mr Gray, of Wanganni, to Pipiuki, Raetibi, eto. The recommendations in the report, vi<;., that the minister at Fordell exercise oversight of Pipinki, Raotihi and Ohakune, and that Mr Gray bo instructed to visit, as opportunity offora, Taihapo and Moawlmnga, were adopted, and tho special thanks of the Presbytory woro given to Mr Gray for his trouble in connection with the visit. On Wednesday the Roy W. H. Philip, of Pahiatua, was inducted to the charge of tho church at Maimia, and in the ovening at the Manaia church a BOcial was held to welcome the new pastor and family. Tho Police Commission commenced its sitting at Dunedin yesterday. Inspector Pjinly's evidence is being taken. Ho said that hi his opinion the present rate of pay ior men joining the force (£l2O a year) was insufficient. The reductions lessened that amount considerably, and the sum received was not sufficient to keep a man honest. He advocated the pension allowance ni opposed to the old age sorvico pavmont. and spoke strongly against tlie political iuterfore'ice, saying lie thought the mau who sought influence should be dismibged as a penalty. Political interference, however, was not a thing of today, but had boon in existence since the abolition of tho provinces. It was impossible to administer the present Licensing Act. All a publican wanted was a boarder on the premises with (i conscience elastic enough to swear ho paid for liquor supplied , and he could keep on selling as much as he liked. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr C. O. Kettle, S.M., a first offender was charged with using threatening behaviour in a publio place yeeterilav. A witness named Adams stated that while in the Rutland Hotel lie was accosted by accubed, and ho (witness) throw sixpence over tho countor and asked the barmaid to give him a drink. Witness immediately walked out, and was followed by accused, who Hbed threatening language and attempted to btrike him. Adams stated that accused appeared to be under the influence of liquor, and he paid for a drink for the man no aa to get lid of him. Tho witness, who was subpoantnd by the police, applied for expenses, but His Worship lefuued to make an order for their paymont, submitting that his action in paying for a drink for a man who was already under tho influence of liquor wns reprehensible. Tho witness contended that ho could give a man a drink to sober him, and he loft it to tho discretion of the barmaid as to what the drink should be. He intimated his intention of appealing against His Worship's decision. St Mary's Hall was packed to the doors last eveuiug, when a most enjoyable concert was held. The programme was well diversified, and the various items were enthusiastically applauded, all the comio songs being encored. Tho following programme was rondered : — Chorus, " Lesbia has a Beaming Eye," chair ; song, "The Scout," Mr J. Day ; song, " Killarney," Miss McCaul (encored) ; duet, " The Wind and the Harp," Mrs Lloyd and Mrs Labatt; soug, " Cruiskeen Lawn,"MrßlennorhasS3tt; comicsong, "Nowwesban'fcbelong," Mr Mowtell ; duet, guitar and mandoline, ;Slrs Robertson and Miss Wixcey ; song, Mrs Pinches ; comic song, Mr M. Scally ; Irish jig, Mr P. Scally; instrumental trio, "Rondo" (Haydn), Miss McCaul and -Messrs Holden and Beck ; song, "Murphy 'g Letter," Mr J. Day (encore number, " I knew I must be Dreaming ") ; Irish recitation, Mr Cody ; duet, " Flow on, Thou shining River," Mrs Labatt aud Miss Dempsey ; comio song, " Penny Whistler," Mr Mowtell; quartette, Miss Simpson, Miss McCaul, Mr Hall and Mr Blair j song, ,"The Longshoreman,'- Mr W. Hall; oomie tong, Mr M. Scally ; quartette, " Tho Minstrel Boy," Mrs Labatt, Misa Dompsey, and Messrs Cribb and Blair.