Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 3031, 6 November 1872, Page 4

Opposition Tactics.—The well-in-formed Auckland correspondent of the Lyttelton Tbnai writes :—By all accounts the local opposition (so-called) intends, during during the recess, to reproduce and act upon those tactics which destroyed the Fox-Vogel Ministry, From what I hear, it seems that a “dead set” is to be made at the San Francisco service and Mr Vogel. An ex-Native official (dismissed for his over-bearing demeanour) is to depreciate the Defence Minister on all possible occasions. Mr Waterhouse is to be systematically represented as an egotistical man of no ability. Mr Gillies is to he patronised as a thoroughly honest and talented statesman. In like manner, Messrs Stafford, Pitzberbcrfc, and Curtis are to be lauded everywhere. Mr Donald Reid’s supposed discovery of L 200,000 liabilities, unaccounted for by Mr Vogel, is to be continually spoken of as a bond fide, discovery. And, lastly, that the local organ this of the Opposition is to convert this supposed deficiency into L 300,000, Such, I am credibly informed, are the weapons with which the present Ministry will be assailed during the recess. It is confidently affirmed that by faithfully adhering to the old tactics, Mr Stafford will be sure of a good working majority next session. A True Prophet.—The following appears in the Wellington Independent: — “ Sir, —On the ‘24th September I wrote from my easy chair in the corner a letter which appeared in your paper. In that letter I said : —‘ If they (Messrs Fitzherbert, Gillies, and Curtis), whom I defended, if you remember, fur holding to both offices as strictly illustrating; the weakness —and the strength to hold on— of human nature. ‘lf they,’ said 1, ‘resign as Superintendents, why in ten days they may find themselves stripped of Ministerial office without the least chance of being re-elected for their Superintendencios.’ Eight I was, you observe : I’m all there when the bell rings ; and ‘ chortling ’ over the accuracy of my prophecy. In ten days, them’s the words my howling swell, 24 and 10 is 34, which is the 4th October, because ‘ 30 days hath Septeraber,’ &c. Look in your own columns, and you’ll see. I signed myself ‘Hook It,' and they all will like birds, to-morrow; and then will come in ‘Jupiter Vogel’ as they call him—very proper too—(Jovis, Jupiter, Jovem, &c. Mr Bowden will tell you what declension it is)--very proper too—as I was saying— * Jupiter Vogel ’ —the ‘bird of Jove’ wot whipped the owls and the bats, and the vultures, &c., all to pieces, and made them do as I do—namely— ‘ Hook It.’ ” Colonial Advance.— A Victorian, lately from Queensland, tells “JEgles” that the growth of Stanthorpe, the capital of Finland, is something marvellous. Six months ago, he saw a single tent; now there are three theatres and a newspaper. Things are still a little primitive. It is a cold country there, and the especial privilege of reserved seats in the theatre is the right to place your feet on the nail cans of hot charcoal which warm the building. It cost the proprietor L3O to bui d this theatre, and he hasTiad an audience in it worth LBJ cash. On the opening night the footlights were repressive! by four candles, and the scenery consisted chiefly of sheets of corrugated iron of the Gospel Oak brand. Being a modest people, they essayed the opera of “L’ Africaine,” as a simple thing not requiring any extraordinary effort on the part of the performers. A contractor, who had just completed the erection of a place of worship, said appealingly, “Well, sir, I have just finished the church, put a lock on the door, and handed the kej- to the parson; total cost, Ll7. 1 don’t think, sir, tiiat it was dear fora church, but I can’t get the money,” The architecture of these diggings is Rot of a florid character, and bark is much more popular than granite.