The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBERS, 1883. The Dargaville Episode.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1043, 8 September 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBERS, 1883. The Dargaville Episode.

The session of Parliament which has just concluded may be safely characterised as the rowdiest ever experienced in this colony. The proceedings of the past few months have been sufficient to show how much lower in tone the present House is as compared with previous ones, but among those members who have striven to bring disgrace upon New Zealand Parliamentary institutions Mr Dargaville may fairly claim pre-eminence. Those who have watched the political career of the windbag who represents Auckland West were not inclined to give much heed to the charges of corruption he brought against the Colonial r i reasurer, and many of the supporters of the Government thought that the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the matter was a mistake. It was pointed out, not without reason, that this course would be simply playing into the hands of Mr Dargaville. The accusations were in the first instance couched in such general terms that to disprove them seemed to be impossible, and it was supposed that the Committee could not come to any decision on the question. In an evil moment for himself, however, the accuser chose to formulate a distinct charge, and to let his case fall or stand on that. Thus the Committee had a direct issue 1 placed before them, and the result of their deliberations was that a unanim- ' ous decision was come to that the 1 accusation of corruption had no foun--1 dation in fact, and the member for > uckland West was severely and justly ; rebuked for his disgraceful conduct. The good name of the Colonial 1 Treasurer having been vindicated, it is I evident that the Government had no wish to pursue the question further, i and had it not been for Mr Dargaville’s own conduct the shameful 1 episode might have been relegated to ! the limbo of.forgotten things. But this | pugnacious representative would not let the matter rest, and on the last day 1 of the session, when the Committee’s report was brought up, he still further 1 distinguished himself by delivering one ; of the most unjustifiable speeches ever 1 heard in any Parliament. Instead of accepting the verdict passed upon his conduct, not only by the House but by the general opinion of the colony, and apologising for the error he had made, 1 he used that power of coarse invective of which he is so proficient a master , to reiterate the charges he had brought against the Treasurer. The Committee that had decided the case was “packed,” and the official who had given evidence to prove the falsity of the special accusation of Mr Dargaville was a sycophant. A more discreditable exhibition of bad taste could scarcely be conceived, and even his former plea of nationality, which may be held as an apology for a good many eccentricities, will not have any weight in this instance. Had the member for Auckland West shown the slightest sign of regret for his past misconduct, there would not have been wanting people to excuse him on the score that he really believed the charges he had brought were justified, and that the chief cause of his sinning lay in his ignorance. Party bias not infrequently makes a man prone to receive evidence against a political enemy without examining its value, and those who were inclined to judge Mr Dargaville kindly might have considered him guilty of nothing worse than misjudgment. Now, however, he has forfeited even the small amount of sympathy he might have had if he had acted in such a manner as one would have thought the ordinary feelings of a gentleman would have prompted him. If it was Mr Dargaville’s idea to pose as a martyr, he has realised by this time how egregiously he has failed in this. When the question was first discussed in the House it was stated that one of two conclusions was alone possible. Either Major Atkinson was not fit to occupy a seat in Parliament, or the man who could-so foully asperse the character of another without justification should be expelled. Probably the member for Auckland West thought that after the Committee’s report the latter alternative would be followed, and if he had his deserts he certainly would not be allowed to retain a position which his conduct has shown him unworthy to hold. It is from no consideration for him that he has been allowed to go scot-free, and the punishment will be none the less because he is now unable to put himself forward as an example of injustice. H>s arrogant address to his constituents, in which he attempted to place the miserable episode of which he was the disgraceful hero in the light of a constitutional question involving issues of great importance, sufficiently shows that he would have considered banishment as a sort of martyrdom. As things have turned out, however, Mr Dargaville is nothing more nor less than a politi- | cal'pariah, an outcast henceforth to be j shunned by all men who have any I ( respectfor themselves. 1 1

Samuel Martin, charged with stealing L 5 15s, the property of Henry Scarfe of Tim ru, was arrested yesterday in Christchurch,

In the Supreme Court action of Sture against the Union Steamship Company, Judge Johnston yesterday gave judgment for the plaintiff for L 312 with costs.

Hakopa Teatoatu, one of the oldest surviving chiefs of the Kaiapoi Maoris, and a member of the Ngaitahu tribe died at Kaiapoi on Wednesday, at the age of 85 years. The funeral of the late Mr James Walls, took place at Kaiapoi yesterday. There was a very large attendance of all classes of the community, showing the respect in which the deceased was held. A further export of stock took place today, by the Wakatipu, for Sydney. Mr Mr H. Me Alpine takes over twelve pedigree draught horses, which are all of high class animals, being mainly by imported sires. New South Wales will therefore receive a considerable addition to its purebred stock.

A ploughing match will be held in a paddock near Methven on friday, September 21st. Should the weather be fine there will doubtless be a large attendance, as the farmers and their employees take a deal of interest in competitions of this kind. A meeting of those concerned will be held at Patton’s Hotel on Wednesday next, September 12th inst., to arrange matters

At a Committee meeting of the Canterbury A. and P. Association yesterday, the Secretary announced that Messrs Miles and Co offered a special prize of L2O for the highest prize-taker in merino sheep ; Mr C. G. Tripp L 5 for one-horse gorsocutter, and L 5 for a combined sower and manure distributer ; Mr Ballantyne three guineas for the highest fat stock prizetaker. It was resolved to suggest to Mr

'( ripp to give LlO to a sower and manure distributor, as the gorse-cutter was impracticable. It was also decided to offer L 5, added to a sweep of L2 by each exhibitor, for not less than 5 cwt of untasted cheese.

A Home paper says the following are the awards which have been made in connection with the Phceoix Park murders and the successful investigation of the case ;—Robert Farrell, LI,OOO ; Alice Carroll, L 50 0; Kavanagh, LSOO and a pardon ; Laurie, L 250 ; Smith, L 250 ; Noud, LIO ; Huxley, 1250 ; Emma Jones, LIOO ; Mottley, L 250 and passage paid ; Hand and his wife, L3OO ; Joe Hanion,

LSO; Treynor, L2O; McKeown and McInerney, each L6O and passage paid ; Godden, L 250 ; Superintendent Mallon, LI ,000; and four members of his staff LIOO each.

There was not a large attendance last

evening at Professor Lio Medo’s phrenological discourse, owing to there being some mistake made in the gas works, in not turning on the gas at the proper time. Several people went to the hall at the time appointed for opening, but seeing no lights they naturally went away again, thinking the hall was not to be opened. However, about an hour afterwards, the Professor had the room lighted and gave his promised reading and discourse, which were well received, and caused no little amusement to those present. To-night Professor Medo again lectures at the Oddfellows’ Hall, and no doubt there will be a good attendance. At a meeting of the Auckland Board of Education yesterday, Mr Worthington, head - master of the Wellesley street school, reported he had to remove J. W. Brown, assistant teacher, from duty on the previous day, not considering him in a fit condition to attend to the classes, also asking for his removal, as he could n./t allow him again to take charge. Mr Brown enclosed a note from Dr Baytun, certifying that ha was suffering from ulcerated throat and nervous debility, which would necessitate his absence for a week. Ihe Board censured the headmaster for arrogating the functions of the State. Mr Brown would not again be allowed to teach in the school, and postponed the decision of Mr Brown’s case pending the investigation by the Committee.

Our Rakaia correspondent sends ns the following:—The very heavy rain continued the whole of Thursday and until early on Friday morning.— The usual monthly meeting of the Road Board should have been held, but owing to the rough weather and the distance the members had to come, there was no meeting, it being adj urned till Thursday, Sept. 13, and from reference to your advertisement columns it will be seen that the time for sending in tenders for various works is extended to that date. —The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Bench should have been held, but only the Chairman was present. The only business was an application for a transfer of license for the Chertsey Hotel from Mr Daniels to Mr Russell, and

this was granted by the Chairman. —Although a number of paddocks are covered with water, 1 hear of no damage to crops

being done in the district, but some considerable fence repairs will be needed. The lambs seem to have suffered greatly, especially, I understand, on the Acton Station, where the lambing commenced early.—Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. were to have held stock sales, etc., here, and in spite of the rough weather the firm was represented by their auctioneer, who could, however, do no business, there being neither buyers nor sellers to attend to.

Leprosy, says a physician of San Francisco, has not a few victims among the whites. Especially it is revealing itself about the lips and tongues of boys who smoke cheap cigarettes made by Chinese lepers. The disease, though fatal, is slow in giving tokens of the first approaches. The doctor knows of 170 cases, the majority Mongolian. The disease is very contagious; sleeping in bed-clothes handled by infected Chinese servants, even sitting on the chairs they have used, handling the same things, etc., is dangerous. The disease often is not observable for four or five years, and then only by physicians, accustomed to examining such patients. In the Sandwich Islands, where it prevails, an island is set apart for lepers. The hospital has at this time 8,000 lepers. A vigilant eye is kept on the look-out for traces of incipient leprosy. When observed the person is at once sent to the hospital, but a great many are concealed by fr.onds, and thus the disease spreads. No case is discharged cured, unless it be true that lately some few recent cases have been cured. Report says they were effected by eucalyptus leaves. One doctor claims to have counteracted recent developments by inoculation. The leper does not sutfei much pain till his fingers and toes drop < ff. When the leprous sores are still on their hands they work in Chinese cigar factories and give wide spread to the infection. Clothes washermen do the same.

Mr Scaly’s requisition and reply to the burgesses will be found elsewhere. At the Oddfellows’ Hall to-morrow Mr Sawle will conduct a service at the Baptist Church, The funeral of the late Mr A. G. Henderson leaves the Hospital to-morrow at 1.30 p.m. for the English cemetery, instead of 2 p.m. as previously advertised. Parties interested in house furnishing will find an announcement from Mr Meech in reference to a sale of his stock in our advertising columns. Mr G. 11. Thompson notifies that his thoroughbred horse Cassivelaunus will (ravel in this district during the coming season. A public meeting is called by his Worship the Mayor for the purpose of allowing the candidates the privilege of addressing the burgesses on municipal matters prior to their election, particulars of which will be found elsewhere.!