The New Gold-Fields Secretary.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 161, 10 December 1872, Page 5

The New Gold-Fields Secretary.

In our telegraphic news last week, our I readers will remember, it was announced that Mr Horace Bastings, M.P.C. for Tuapeka, had joined the Tolmie-Turnbull Executive, with a portfolio as above. The following is from the Brace Un-all; and although it maybe, as the Star asserts, slightly splenetic, is still not without some truth, — I strongly enough and it may be vulgarly ex- | pressed. Certainly, Mr Bastings lias ever professed views upon many questions politic i directly the opposite of those which may be ! believed to predominate in an Executive constituted as is the present. Striving to carry j ou t those professed views, to practise his precepts, and we believe he is rpiite as able, if he please, successfully so to strive as most men, Mr Bastings would make an excellent Gold-fields Secretary ; indeed, we doubt if a better could be discovered in the Council. However, we shall see what we shall see. It is v ith little favour that we look upon his acceptance of office in the present Government. Says the Herald: — Can it be true that the Millennium is at hand I One of the figurative characteristics of that period is that the lion shall lie down with the lamb, and a little child shall lend them.’ This prophecy lias just had a very remarkable fulfilment. It will bp remembered that at last superintondental election the meek, the innocent, the lamb-like charmer of popular favour, Mr Macandrew, according to his own statement, fell into a lions den at Lawrence, and had a narrow escape from annihilation. One of his most furious and dangerous enemies was Mr H. Bastings, who not only roared against him in his own den, but followed him up to other places, where be proclaimed his (Mr Macandrew’s) political dishonesty, said he had been guilty of almost every enormity, and ought to he debarred for ever from holding any place of trust in a civilised community, Mr Macandrew, however, was successful ; and now wo find the mighty lion referred to has crouched and fawned to the lamb and lain down with him in the green pastures of a squatters’ Executive. Mr H. Bastings, the lion of Lawrence, the terror of squatterdoni, the advocate of land for the people, and people, instead of sheep, for the land, has i»aKen m.ice in lUacandrew s _c.xccnl.ive, with Mr W. A. Tolmie as leader, and Messrs M‘Dermid, M‘Arthur, and Turnbull as colleagues. ‘A child shall lead them.’ Mr Tolmie is a leading runlioldcr, but is only a newly-fledged politician, and a child in knowledge of the routine of Executive business. It is sometimes said oi pumic men that selfaggrandisement is the aim of all their actions, and certainly with some their conduct would seem to justify the assertion. Mr Bastings stood true to his leader and his party till the formation oi the Executive which succeeded the Cargill Government. Then he made no secret of his disappointment and chagrin when he found Mr Bradshaw had been selected as member for the Gold-fields, and he left out in the cold : and ho shortly tooK an opportunity of making a bitter and personal atta 'k upon Mr Reid upon the question of the sale of the block of land to Mr Clarke. From that date Mr Bastings was looked upon by the Opposition as one who was at their call so soon as thev could secure an innings. The dismissal of the Reid Executive opened the door for this, and immediately the ‘ bunch of carrots ’ was held up to nis ganc. No doubt it would have been grasped before now hid not Mr Bistings been under some powerful dissuading influence, but it appears the temptation has proved too powerful ; the lion was subdued ; he now lies down witii the lamb: has adopted his i.mgu igc; and the little child leads them.”