THE EVENING POST. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 23, 6 March 1865, Page 2

THE EVENING POST. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1865.

Orb of the evils which most people deplore is the want of good servants; and the equanimity of Paterfamilias is so sadly disturbed by the constant changing that . occurs, that his better half, when fortunate enough to get decently suited, takes the greatest care to try and keep so. We all look upon a change as delightful thing, when it is from bad to good or from good to better ; but those who are " given to change " — those who delight in it for no other reason than because it is change —too often find it to bo from good to bad, or from bad to worse. Every four years the electors of this province have the opportunity of changing the servants who

compose its government, and as each opportunity occurs we strongly advocate the duty of every one, who is entitled to a voice in the matter, carefully considering whether they should be changed or not. For our own part, we say change the Superintendent and the Executive' tfvery time there is an opportunity, if they can be changed for the better ; but unless it is for the better, it will be well to leave it alone. Even if the frying pan is hot, the fire is sure to be hotter, therefore, let us take heed how we " kiss the lips of unacquainted change," since it is better to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of. Are the electors who are supporting Mr. Borlase quite certain that the change they propose will be for the better. Have they any ground for believing that he will throw himself with more heart and soul into the prosperity of this province than Dr. Featherston has done ? Have they ever known Mr. Borlase throw himself heart nntl soul into anything]? Is he not known as a " lazy " man ; and does not the Advertiser complain sadly of the difficulty j there is in getting him to be earnest even in the present election P If a man is lazy in the pursuit of a prize, we must be blockheads indeed to suppose that he will be active when he has obtained it. Laziness in preparing himself to speak on the opposition motions he has often made in Council, has often give rise to the belief that he was insincere ; and this laziness in contesting the Superintendency, of which .his best friend, the Advertiser, complains go piteously, is either an evidence of habit, or of a feeling that success is hopeless. Independently of this constitutional laziness, ,\s jt possible that Mr. Borlase can hope to exert a tithe of the beneficial influence, at this critical juncture, which Dr. Feathereton already possesses. Dr. Featherston's influence with the leading men of all parties in the colony is of no mushroom growth, and is the result ot thnt activity {combined with ability and sterling worth), which co forcibly contrasts wifh Mr. Borlase's inertness. If the electors wish to see the tide of prosperity that has at last began to flow towards this province continue, let the Superitttendency remain in the hands it is, since it is Dr. Feather-ston who has so largely brought it about. We were afraid that detraction was at its black work, and that Mr. Borlnsc's supporters intended to ignore Dr. Feather9ton's exertions in helping to bring about this prosperity ; but we are glad to find that Mr. Wallace (Mr. Borlase's most prominent supporter) now publicly states "that " everybody acknowledges the services ol Dr. Featherston with respect to the «eat of Government question and the Panama contract." The province has a good servant in Dr. Featherston, and we say to those who cry for a change from no other reason than the mere love of change, treat him as you would any other servant who had served you faithfully and long — use your best efforts to keep him, and, though he has a fault or two, better put up with them until you can suit yourselves for better, especially as we must change the Executive, from which Mr. Woodward has retired, and from which it is probable Mr. Fitzherbert will be retiring also.

The Hon. fhe Coloni.il Secretary accompanied his Excellency the Governor to Wanganui in 11.M.5.5. Esk, on Saturday evening last. Mr. Weld anticipates returning tomorrow, but nothing certain Is known concerning his Excellency's movements. There "will be a public meeting in the vestry -room of St. Peter's Church to-morrow evening, to choose a vestry-man, also a member of the Diocesan Synod. The ship Mallard has now been out over 90 days from Gravesend, and may be daily expected. She brings a fevr passengers, and a large and miscellaneous cargo to this port. A meeting of Mr. Masters' friends will take place at Barry's Hotel, to- morrow evening, when some letters from Masters will be read, md an explanation of the late rather ludicrous proceedings made. We understand Mrs. Fanshawe Evereste was a passenger in the City of Dunedjn, from the South. This lady follows somewhat in the role of the celebrated Miss Aitken, with

whom people here were bo delighted. The Victorian and New South Wales papers «peak highly of her reading and lecturing entertainments } they all agree as to her possessing more th.in ordinary ability, and having most lady-like and fascinutine manners. We trust she will receive a little of the support vouchsafed to that eminent ¦artiste, Miss Aitken, who has just preceded her. We have been informed that gentlemen intending to offer themselves as jepresentatives of the city in the Provincial Council will shortly commence canvassing. In consequence of the high price of tobarco in New Zealand, the Home Government has shipped thirty tons of that article to this pro vince, for the use of the troops serving in New Zealand. We understand that tobacco will be sold to the men at Is. 2jd. per lb., each man being privileged to draw one pound per month. A lnrge quantity of pipes have also been received for the use of our military smokers. — N. Z. Herald. We were informed (says the Otago Times') that the house of Mr G. Greenfield, jun., onthe Peninsula, was destroyed by fire on Sa turday. Mr and Mrs. Greenfield came to town/on Friday evening, for the Velunteor Ball, and did not return until Saturday afternoon. They then found simply the as'ies of their house nnd of its contents. The house was locked up on Friday evening ; and it was past noon on Saturday before the fire burst forth. Th* {house stood, we'are told, some distance f . om the road, and there was no otln-r within 500 yards of it. We do not doubt that the police will make strict inquiry, so as to ascertain whether any one was seen near Mr. Greenfield's premises shortly before the fir*occurred; for it is scarcely possible, afitr the i.'lace had been so long locked up, that the fire arose from any accidental source within it. We arc told that much of Mr. Greenfield's furniture was old and very valuable ; we have not heard whether he ¦was at all insured. Canterbury has long held the unenviable distinction of being the most expensive province in the colony, either in land, taxation, or price of necessaries. In the important item, meat, there has been such a groat reduction in price as to cause wonder at the sudden change, and lead to an inference either that butchers have been enormously overcharging their customers or that they are foolishly selling at a loss. In the article fruit, the retail prices at present are —apples 6d. to Is. per lb. ; pears, Is. 6d. ; peaches, Bd. to is. ; and plums, Is. 3.1. Surely in a district settled more than fourteen years, and parts of it twenty-four years, these prices are unreasonable, while in places not much longer settled fruits and vegetables are almost at nominal prices. — Evening Mail.