The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2460, 4 January 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1871.

Candidates for political honors have very short memories, when it suits then- ends ; and requisitionists are very blind, when they desire to blind their fellow-electors. Mr John Bathgate and some others have presented a 1 requisition to Mr Reid to otter himself as a candidate for the Superintendency, and they attribute to him political consistency and unflinching firmness, lb is hard, when such flattering testimonials are presented to a man, to draw the veil aside and shew the truth, tut Mr Bathgate and his fellow-requisi-tiouists must be inclined to flatter, so that when next they praise a man, it is a warning to examine whether or not what they say is true. First, then, as to consistency in his political career : Has Mr Reid been consistent? We need not tax the memories of the electors very heavily, nOr trouble them with extracts from his speeches; for the facts we shall adduce happened within the four short years of the lifetime of the Provincial Council. When Mr Stafford refused the delegated powers, Mr Reid was a Centralist, and approved his doings, condemned the action of the Provincial Executive, and supported the Ministry of the day in their raid upon Provincial institutions. At that time his “ tail ” was weak—not a very long one, but it followed him, and has- either turned as he turned, or, acting as a iudder, has turned him as it turned. Opposed to Provincialism when out of oflice, he became its clumsy advocate when he accepted place y and discovered that it was his duty, unlike his predecessors, not merely to oppose the unauthorised act of an arbitrary Minister, but to refuse to submit to laws passed by the General Assembly. Like all converts, his Provincialism runs mad. Mr Reid was then a determined opponent ot Mr Macandrew. And now we come to another proof of that amazing consistency and firmness which his flatterers attribute to him. Most of the weak joints of Mr Reid’s “ tail ” were noisy supporters of Mr Magandrew at the last election for Superintendent. They supported him so long as it suited them in the Council. What they expected from him more than he has attempted to do, we cannot tell. Their utterances were never clear ; their aims were vague, and their actions selfish. Most likely they thought that when he was elected the ground would produce without being tilled ; that working men’s wages would fall to starvation rates ; and that they would be able to get rich without effort. But as he never attempted to work miracles, and like all other practical men proposed means to ends, they were disappointed. They found out that although Mr Macandrew tried to do what he really promised, it was not what they wanted. So they left him ; and like many other men who try to persuade others that a foolish act is a wise one, they excused themselves for turning round by saying that lie had turned round. Of course they ask to be considered consistent—immovable. He had left them —not they him. Well, we will not dispute with them, but accept their position, and see how it affects Mr Reid’s consistency. Before they left Mr Macandrew, Mr Reid was opposed to him and them. When they joined Mr Reid, that gentleman wrs opposed to Mr Macandrew. Ivfow if, as the “ tail ” affirm, Mr Reid is consistent and Mr Macandrew inconsistent, there ought to be the strictest aceord between them now • for if Mr Macandrew has turned, lie ought to be advocating the principles he formerly opposed—those on which Mr Reid opposed him four years ago. But they are still opposed to each other; and it follows as a consequence that if Mr Macandrew has changed, Mr Reid has changed too. Messrs Bathgate and Co. (sail this “ consistency ” in Mr Reid. By a parity of reasoning, Mr Macandrew must, if “ inconsistent,” never have changed. But about this “ tail ” and the worth of its dictum. When Mr Reid and his short “ tail ” opposed Provincialism, the weak joints afterwards added—and which, when intailed, created his regime a clodocracy were Provincial vertebrae. The color of the head and first joints did not agree with the following to be attached. So Mr Reid, the “ head,” and the stiff joints that stuck to him, painted themselves the same Provincial color as Mr Vogel ; the weak joints were satisfied, and Mr Reid lashed his tail in triumph, and led the way to an attack upon the Land Act of the General Assembly. Here was a grand opportunity to distinguish himself. Waving Mr Vogel's Provincial flag, left in his hands, the “ head ” led the way, and the “ tail ” followed ; and after a strong fight with the squattoer&ey, rather than resign office, terms were made by Mr Rejd which gave the latter greater advantages than were secured to them W the Act.

Although the “ tail ” to a joint followed the “ head,” they did not acquiesce without murmuring. Two sessions have passed since then, in both of which certain creaking joints have charged Mr Reid with inconsistency. A voice from the Clutha proclaimed him a traitor, and sundry other rheumatic joints croaked in harmony with it : but after rubbing uneasily against the head, a little oil, in the shape of a promise to re-open the question, made the “ tail ” move easily, and now they are about to try to raise their “ head, Mr Reid, whom they charged with being a traitor and a changeling, still higher. Perhaps Mr Bathgate and his oily-tongued requisitionists will claim great consistency for Mr Reid lip to this point. But when they have done that, they have still further to reconcile his resolution in the Council and his speech, with the reply ho made to their request that he would contest the Superintendency. In the Provincial Council Mr Reid- carried a resolution deferring recommending the construction of Railways and Water Supply to the Goldfields, until the people had expressed their opinion of the Government plan. In his speech he defended that resolution, which, if it meant anything, meant that they should not be immediately proceeded with, and need not be proceeded with at all. Contrast that resolution and his opposition to Mr You el with what took place on Saturday" j and let the electors say whether such blow hot, blow cold with the same mouth is determination and integrity. The Daily Times reports thus : Mr Batiic.v; e : And they looked to Mr IlEin, in the event of his election, which they had reason to believe is certain, to inaugurate a better state of things, by the immediate promotion of reproductive works on a sound footing ; and by assisting in obtaining facilities for the settlement of population on the waste lands on liberal terms. Above all, they looked to his resolute deterurination and integrity to help the electors in resisting to the uttermost any attempt to a Id to the taxation m this Province, where it was already well nigh intolerable. Mr Reid : He looked upon the immediate construction of railways and other public works—such as water reservoirs on the goldfields, and others which might be enumerated—as an absolute necessity, without which it was impossible to hold our own. We suppose, on the principle of calling inconsistency, consistency, the immediate prosecution of public works means not doing them at all. Mr Macaxdiiew, believing their absolute necessity , was opposed by Mr Reid.

The Superintendence.—We leam tha f , contrary to expectation, the writ for the election of Superintendent will not be down until the next steamer. The Robert Henderson.—We learu that, all danger being past, the passengers by the Hubert Henderson will be liberated from quarantine, and most probably will reach town to-morrow. Political.—We understand that the requisition to Mr George M ‘Lean, asking him to stand for the representation of illuuskin in the Council, is being numerously signed, and that that gentleman's return is inevitable. Water Supply to the Uoldfields. —The Lah W’ukadp Mail stales that the Government has requested Mr C. E. li a lighten to furnish them with information as to the best means of procuring water for the various goldfields of Otago. Masonic Hall,—Wc were glad to see that the last two exhibitions of the Panorama have been well attended. There was a very full audience last evening ; and to-day the schools mustered in strong force to witness the afternoon exhibition. The Princess Theatre. —The pantomime has now enjoyed a i un of nearly a fortnight, but no signs are shewn that its popularity at .all diminishes. On tlie contrary, it has increased, if anything, during the last few days. There was again a capital house last evening. Christmas Treats.— ln our notice of the various preparations made by confectioners and others for Christmas, wc omitted to mention Mr Hudson, in the Arcade. He must accept our apology for this negligence ; and on the principle that good articles arc sure to be found out by buyers, we have no doubt that his sale, if not equal to what might have been expected from their quality and cheapness, was fully equal to his expectations. Twice over the San Francisco Line.— The well-known landlord of the Dunedin Shamrock Hotel, who is at present in Wellington, has just returned from a trip Home. He went by the first trip of the Wonga Wonga, and came back in her the last, having twice crossed the groat plains. He speaks in the highest terms of the route, and says it was the pleasantest trip he ever took in his life, and would like to take another. —Northern paper. An Odd Reading. —The Nelson Even! 111/ Mail, by a blunder in “makingup,” has the following paragraph A correspondent writes ‘ You should have seen the parting at the St. Cloud Station. The hour of it was unknown to Paris ; but there was a cheerful crowd present neverthelesss. The scene was one of rare and touching solemnity. The Empress acted the Empress throughout, and none the less for showing the raotherlincss as well as the patriotism of her noble nature. Pressing her boy to her breast, she said—For remainder of news see fourth page.’ ” Representative Firing. The Cadet Company fired this morning at the Anderson’s Bay Butts, for representatives at the coming Colonial prize firing at Auckland ; 17 fired. The highest scorers yesterday and to-day were M Cartney, Port Chalmers, 3Q ; Charles Reid, High School, 30 ; Robert Reid, High School, 28; Robert M‘Kay, High School, 27 ; Frank Taine, High School, 27 ;A. May tin, High School, 24. The

ranges were 150 and 230 yards. The wind yesterday blew very hard; to-day it was more moderate.

Waste Land Board. —The Waste Laud Board met to-day at noon. Present— The Chief Commissioners, Messrs Reid and Hughes. A coal lease was granted on the usual terms, to Messrs M‘Dougall, Stewart, and Jolly, near the Oardrona river. A reserve for a school house ami master’s residence, was granted, in the Tomahawk district, on the application of Alexander Hcn-de'-son. The applications of T. Grundy, M. Tully, J. Howes, J. Chalmers, J. Culter, and J. Stcnhouse, to purchase laud under agricultural leases, were sanctioned. H. C. Robison’s application, through Mr Kenyon, for pre-emptive rights, was agreed to. Iho Board declined to move in the matter of the application of Dr Eccles, for a return!.

Supreme Court. His Honor Mr Justice Chapman held a sitting in banco this morning, but the business transacted was important. Fuller v. Murray was a motion to discharge a receiver. After argument, his Honor granted the application, the receiver to bring moneys and accounts into Court—the matter of remuneration to be referred to the Registrar.—Cargill v. Henderson : His Honor cave judgment herein in favor of the plaintiff, with costs. Leave to appeal was given.—Regina v. Yhifce: The rale for an order staying proceedings was discharged, but leave to appeal was given. Several cases were adjourned until tomorrow.

Payment of Jurors. preme Court at Wellington recently the Judge drew attention to an anomaly in the way jurors are paid, that looks very much as if there had been great hurry or great want of reflection in framing the Act. His Honor pointed out that while jurors in criminal ease ■, are paid from 3s to 8s a day for their attendance, civil jurors, who ai’e drawn from exactly the same class receive 10s for each case on which they sit ; so that it might happen, if the cases were short .and the chances of the ballot placed a juryman on three or four consecutive cases be would receive 30s or 40s for a clay’s attendance. This would be a windfall to a needy jur.ir out of work and a resident in the town, but to a juryman who lived some fourteen or fifteen miles out of town, and whose chance compelled him to hang about the Court three or four days without being ballottecl in any case so that he would receive nothing, this would be very hard lines indeed. In the case of special juries, each of whom receives his pound per avc, with the chance of having to serve two or throe days in listening to the windings of a tortuous case, it docs not so much matter, as these jurors are drawn from the supposed well-to-do classes. The Colonising Policy". Judge Johnston, in his charge to the Grand Jury on the otlx u'.t,, and Judge Grosson, on a late occasion at Christchurch, both enter upon the political state of the Co'ony. There is no mistaking the import of Judge Johns on’s words. “ I see,” ho said, “ throughout the Colouy these symptoms of sober determination to meet events in such a spirit of energy ' to create a feeling of considerable confidence that ere long the condition of the Colony may he materially improved.” This allusion to the public works proposals of the Government is made more clear by the reference to immigration which follows. The Judge continued I see here symptoms of <a dosire to introduce great means for developing the natural resources of the Colony, and for making this country a home for many of our race, and many persons of other races, congenial to ourselves, from all parts of the world.” Judge Gresson, with a coincidence which must he ascribed to a similarity of cause, has expressed the same sentiments. Here we have two judges advocating, in language which must carry weight, the scheme propounded by the Government in the last session of Parliament. Yet the judges are not partisans, and not one politician in the Colony would suppose that cither of these administrators of the law had a political motive in what he said. Nothing can be more clear than that they have taken their caste of thought upon the questions of the day from a knowledge of the aspirations of all parties. When not only the Government but the Opposition advocate certain measures, it is almost past the argumentative stage whether public opinion runs or not strongly in the direction they indicate.— Wanyunai Herald. The monthly meeting of shareholders in the Otago Freehold Land, Building, .and Investment Society, for receiving subscriptions, &c., will be held at the office, Princes street, on the 9th inst., from 7 to 8 o’clock.