The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, Et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26. 1882. The Opposition Tactics.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 698, 26 July 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, Et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26. 1882. The Opposition Tactics.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.20 p.m, i

The great straits to which the present Opposition has been put to in the matter of furnishiug any justifiable grounds for questions on party considerations during the session are lamentably apparent The debate on

the amendment of the member for Waipawa (Mr Smith) on Major Atkinson’s motion, that the House go into Committee of Supply, which had for its object the restoration of the 10 per cent reduction to the railway employees, has resulted in another decided victory for the Government. There can be no doubt that the question was brought forward by Mr Smith for no other purpose than a Want of Confidence motion. Ministers had no difficulty in perceiving that this was the object of the Opposition, notwithstanding the general desire of its members to make it known that they had no intention of treating the question as a party one. Every one of the Opposition members thought fit to mention the fact that the Government were treating the matter as a vote of censure. In this they were not disappointed. Indeed, nothing could be clearer than that the amendment, if carried, would be a very serious vote of censure on the Government. As usual when No-Confidence debates are on the tapis , and the “wo <dng man element ” is introduced, the “ small fry ” in the House remember their pledges to their constituents, particularly those who are indebted to the present electoral law for their seats. In fact, the railway employees topic is always a safe one with these members. They simply move in the matter because they have to fufil a pledge made to this section of their constituents, and if report be true the member for Wakanui distinguished himself by calling upon members to fulfil their pledges in this matter. So much for the men who go unpledged (?) to Parliament. A re-adjustment of the salaries of railway employees is undoubtedly a matter of justice ; but we can see no reason why the House should be called upon to interfere with the functions of an Executive Government. It is not in the province of any private member to introduce a motion to increase taxation without the consent of the Crown, and any motion like this must be considered a casus belli so far as the Government is concerned, because it treats with a matter of increased expenditure to the tune of and interferes with the Ministerial right of bringing down their own proposals—a matter of very much more importance. The amendment proposed by Mr Smith must therefore be taken as one of the series of resolutions which the present Opposition delight in bringing forward, in order to retard the work of the session. How is it possible that the affairs of the country can be properly administered if the House undertakes to regulate the details of administration ? If the Ministry were not capable of dealing with the question, we would admire the action of the Opposition in taking steps to remove them from office. Nothing was shown, however, that the Government did net intend making a re-adjustment in the matter of wages; but, on the contrary, they conclusively proved that they intended to deal with the question on its merits, and were quite willing to return as much of the ten per cent, as was commensurate with the progress of the country. The arguments adduced by the Opposition clearly prove that they are dependent upon what may be considered but a popular cry—increased wages—with the most numerous and particular section of their constituents. As a matter of fact they boldly acknowledged, many of them, that, for not voting for the amendment, their constituents would punish them. Every right thinking person will admire the action of the Government in making the question a no confidence motion, because the men who form the present Ministry are perfectly capable of recognising the fair claims of working men, or any other class of the community, when it is shown that these claims are for the public benefit. The chagrin of the Opposition at the result of the debate is unavoidable, but they one and all deserve it richly. They repeatedly expressed surprise at the Government making the amendment a matter for a no confidence debate, and will no doubt excuse themselves by explaining matters in this way—that it was not an Opposition question at all. As the Opposition did not venture to divide, knowing full well their fate if they did, the amendment was negatived on the voices. Notwithstanding its being negatived, however, we feel certain that the railway men will get an addition of at least sixpence a day to their present wages. We would like to see more comfortable dwellings on the large vacant allotments adjoining the lines and various stations, and a large number of houses for the employees on our railways. This, with the additional pay, will satisfy, no doubt, or in a measure tend to make matters very much better for a very large and important branch of Government servants, who deserve great consideration at the hands of their employers, in order that their efficiency may not be impaired. The hon. the member for Ashburton took this view, and showing that he is an independent member, holding alike the interests of Government employees and his constituents, he expressed his intention of supporting the Government against the machinations of the Opposition, and undue interference with the Executive functions by the House. [Since the above was in type we learn, by wire, that the concession asked for by the member for Waipawa has been granted]

Tenders. —Mr W. L. Allan invites tenders for ploughing, &c. A Hint for the Farmers. —Farmers and others who have the County waterraces running through their properties should take advantage of the liberal offers cf the Council, and procure trees before the planting season is out, Wakanui Presbyterian Church. —A tea meeting will be held on Monday evening July 31, at Wakanui, to celebrate the opening of the new Presbyterian Church, when the Rev. J. Elmslie (of Christchurch) and others will deliver addresses. The Bev. Mr Beattie will occupy the chair, and tea will be on the table at 5.30 pm. The Ashburton Presbyterian Choir will sing selections of music at intervals during the evening. Library Entertainment.— We would again remind our readers that the first entertainment in aid of the Library funds takes place at the Town Hall to-night. An excellent programme has been prepared, In addition to the songs, leadings, &c., the Ashburton Dramatic Club will perform that favorite little comedy, “Betsy Baker.” If there is not a full house —when the proceeds ara to be devoted to such a deserving public institution as the Library— why, all that we can say is that there ought to be*

Schoolmaster Wanted. — A master is wanted for the Longbeach District Main School.

To Gardeners. — Mr Keelan’a announcement elsewhere will prove of interest to gardeners.

Police. — A solitary “ drunk” was the only case at the Court to-day. The offender was a first one, and was disposed of in the usual manner.

Suspected Infanticide. —Sarah Johnson, a servant at the Masonic Hotel, Cambridge, Waikato, was yesterday arrested on a charge of infanticide.

The Late Poultry Show. —All accounts owing by the Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society must be rendered to the secretary by noon on Friday next. Land Wanted.—The provisional directors of the Ashburton County Stock and Saleyards Company invite offers of land suitable for site for public saleyards.

Better! —With reference to onr local of last evening, stating that Mr George Gould had promised to give ten guineas towards the Library funds, we have been requested to state that the amount has been actually paid to the Committee. The Stawell Mystery. Constable Hilliard, of Victoria, yesterday arrived at Dunedin to ascertain the probability of Charles Forbes, supposed to have been murdered at Stawell, being alive. Forbes at one time worked on the Tuapeka goldfields.

Retiring. —Mr W. Seed will shortly retire from the Government service on his pension. It is understood that Mr Seed has been appointed manager of the Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Society vice Mr Buchanan, who has been appointed inspector of the London Chartered Bank at Melbourne, and he proceeds thither shortly. Serv.ce op Song. —We have been requested to draw attention to a notice in this issue with reference to the Service of Song to be held in the Primitive Methodist Church to-morrow night. The proceeds are to be devoted to procuring a library for the Sunday School, and, as the object is a worthy one, it is hoped that the building will be crowded to the doors.

A Fall in Bricks ! — A serious accident took place yesterday afternoon at a building in course of erection in King street, Dunedin. The parapet fell, and a mass of bricks buried a youth named Gow and a man named Wells. Both have their skulls fractured, and are at the hospital in a very low state. It is stated the building was being run up in bad style, but probably an inquiry will bo held.

A.F.B.—The Fire Brigade are summoned to meet for wet practice at the engine house at 7 o’clock to-night, when, in accordance with the resolution carried at the last meeting of the Borough Council, “ that a fair trial bo made of the new arrangement to supersede sumps,” that arrangement will be tried in Barnett street west, in the presence of the members of the Council. The assistance of a few volunteers to pump will be, we are given to understand, very acceptable. This would afford a capital opportunity for testing the new fire engine, and letting us see what it is capable of doing in case of emergency. Gold Items. —From Greymouth we learn that samples of stone from Langden’s claim, Paparoa ranges, were brought into that town yesterday, and crushed, and yielded at the rate of at least 3oz per ton. The stone was taken promiscously and not picked, but the quantity was small. When the directors of the company sent Home nine tons of antimony ore for treatment, they requested that the not result might be cabled. They have now received information through the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company as follows :—“ Net result : Antimony, 11.” This is somewhat indefinite, but the directors are not very sanguine over the result of the shipment It is supposed to mean eleven pounds sterling after paying all expenses. A letter containing full particulars will be received here in August, which will be published. A telegram from Reeftori received in Greymouth last evening, state that good stone was struck in the Keep-it Dark mine, and shares advanced five shillings within an hour. Good stone was struck in the Imperial.

Political Gossip. Referring to the last battle between the Government and the Opposition members, in which the latter came off second best, the Press special says:—“A more utter collapse could scarcely be imagined, and the prospects of any harmony or united action on the part of the Opposition seem more remote than ever.” The correspondent goes on to say that “ the Public Petitions Committee report on the eight petitions in favor of Bible reading in schools, declining to make any recommendation, and also refer to the Government ten others relating to public works expenditure or similar subjects. A return was presented last night showing the cost of the various Royal Commissions, as follows : —Railway Commission, L 2,732; Oivil Service, LI. 693 ; Local Industries, LB9B. A return of pensions, gratuities, etc., paid during the year under the Civil Service Act, gives a total of L 30,252. This includes compensation to sixty officers for loss of office, and fourteen new pensioners.” Debtor and Creditor. —Amongst the applications which came before Justice Gillies in Chambers at Auckland yesterday, was one by Mr Coleman, who moved, re Seymour v. Hutchison, for an order committing the defendant to gaol under the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act. Mr Hutchison was present and examined, and swore he had no means during the past year wherewith to discharge his liability. His limor therefore refused the application, and in doing so commented censoriously upon the case. He did not approve of such orders being granted unless fraud could be shown on the part of the debtor, either in concealing or making away with his property, or in obstinately refusing to pay while he had means. Mr Coleman asked if it was not true that his Honor had drafted the very Bill that allowed all this. His donor said it was not true. The Bill which he drafted contained only three clauses, and it sought to abolish imprisonment for debt altogether ; but it had to give way to the present measure, which was the work of the Attorney-General.

More Fuss About Bobbin’s Ford.— At yesterday’s meeting of the Solwyn County Council a deputation of residents of the Ellesmere district waited on the Council re tlie erection of a bridge across the Rakaia at Bobbin’s ford. They presented a petition signed by 180 ratepayers in the Ellesmere district, representing holdings to the extent of 30,000 acres, and a rateable value of about LIB,OOO. They asked the Council to forward the petition to Sir John Hall, asking him to support the same. The bridge would require to bo about eighty chains in length, and would cost LIB,OOO or L 20,000. The deputation also requested that an engineer ho sent to report upon the same in conjunction with Ihj Ashburton Council’s engineer. The Chairman promised that the application should have the Council’s consideration. Mr Enys proposed that tho Ashburton County Council be asked to join the Council in the expense of sending an engineer to report on the best site for a bridge. This was agreed to, and it was also agreed that the petition should be forwarded to Wellington as requested. LIB,OOO or L 20.000 is a pretty modest estimate for a bridge that will have to be a mile long, if it is built—which it is to be hoped will not be the case as it is entirely unnecessary. L 50,000 is more likely to be the sum required if the Bobbin’s Ford-ites carry the day.

The Last of the Exhibition. —The sale of the Exhibition buildings, fittings, &c., concluded yesterday afternoon. The total obtained for the two days’ sale was L2,C28 19s 3d. ’Pkisoo Mails. —The Wanaka, with the San Francisco mails, was expected to arrive at Wellington at daylight this morning. The Penguin takes on the Canterbury and Otago portion at noon, reaching Lyttelton early to-morrow morning. The Ashburton portion of the mail will probably come through per morning express from Christchurch, or if not in time for that, by special train. The Price of Grain. —Reuter’s agent writes as follows :—ln Juno last attention was drawn to the fact that the company ’s quotations of New Zealand wheat in Sydney were considerably higher than those received from private sources. On enquiry I find that the difference arose through an error on the part of the company’s Sydney agent in quoting N. S. W. instead of N.Z. wheat. As soon as the mistake was discovered, steps were taken to correct it and to prevent future repetition. The quotations now being received are strictly correct. Oddfellows’ Picnic. —The intended fete in connection with the Oddfellows Society, which is to take place on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, promises to be a great success. The Hon. John M‘Lean has placed at the disposal of the promoters any one of his beautiful paddocks at Lagmhor for the sports and picnic. A little difficulty has arisen In respect to the special train which has been applied for to carry excursionists up the new branch line to Lagmhor, owing to the scarcity of carriages available on the 9th of November. We hope the Railway Department will be able to meet the wishes of the Committee, and provide the necessary carriages.

The Dunedin Benevolent Asylum Enquiry. —The report of Mr Whitefoord and Dr Giles on the Benevolent Institution is published. Except in unimportant particulars, the Commissioners consider the charges all disproved (as srated in our last issue). They make one or two suggestions as to improvements, and conclude as follows : —“ We cannot conclude this report without expressing our high sense of the present excellent management and the state of efficiency of the asylum. The interior management reflects the highest credit on Mrs Quin, and the excellence of the general arrangements is abundantly a'tested by the general comfort and contentment of the inmates, and the almost unanimous chorus of negations with which our invitation to make complaints was met.”

Mount Somers Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Society was held in the Mount Somers Schoolroom on Friday last. A fair number of members turned up The President occupied the chair. The matter which formed the subject of debate was “ Which is best adapted for sowing in this district, Essex, or Hunter’s white, wheat ?” Mr Harvey opened in favor of the “ Essex,” and was followed by Mr Edson, who championed “Hunter’s white.” After the subject bad been thoroughly exhausted, the opinion of the meeting was taken, the result being decidedly in favor of “ Hunter’s white.” Although in the minority, the thanks of the members are due to Mr Harvey for the mass of information collected by him on this subject. The evening being so far advanced, iVIr Williams’ promised lecture on the “ Races of Mankind” was postponed till next meeting. The members then dispersed, well pleased with their evening’s amusement. Post Office Statistics. —The report of the Post Office and Telegraph departments was presented to Parliament last night. It contains an enormous mass of departmental details, the chief of which have been anticipated by published tables. The letters numbered 2,733,463, being an increase of 11 per cent , and the telegrams 134,060, being an increase of 10 per cent. The introduction of “ Reply post cards” has been decided upon, and stamped envelopes, and specially-prepared registered letter-covers are also to be issued. 8,056 accounts were opened in the savings banks by the means of penny-stamp cards. The dead letters contained 177 money orders (total, L 535); 73 bank drafts (L 3,927); 108 cheques (1,161); postage stamps to value of L 8; bank notes, L 191; gold, Ll 5; silver, copper, and miscellaneous, bringing up the total to L 5,840. There were also numerous greenstone and gold earrings, pendants, lockets, etc., etc. 525 papers and 230 books, etc., were received without addresses, of which 52 were delivered; 73 letters were posted imaddressed, and 12

letters with obscene and libellous addresses, 4 with previously used stamps ; 956 letters were refused.