The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL, 16, 1891. Legislative Council

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 126, 16 April 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL, 16, 1891. Legislative Council

.. « It is not impossible that the Ministry, in order to carry on, will be compelled to call a few members to tbe Upper House, and our contemporary tbe Post in discussing tbe question, points out that since the death of tbe Hon. Mr Reeves the Government are weaker in the Legislative Council, where they were all too weak before. The Ministerial supporters there only number, we are told, a hall a dozen. This leaves the Government in a hopeless minority in that chamber, and therefore unable to get their measures through — a great comfort to the wicked opposition. It is contended that under such circumstances they will certainly be iustitied in calling fresh members to the Council, but, it is frankly admitted, the disparity of strength between the two sides is so great that it will be scarcely possible ' to restore the equilibrium by fresh creations. The late Ministry having anticipated their successors in packing the Council, leaves the latter in somewhat of a quandery. The only alternative for them is to adopt a heroic remedy — and — swamp the Council with their own supporters. If that course is followed we hope that the claims of this part of the colony wiil not be forgotten. There is not, to our knowledge, a single ' Colonial made Honorable between New Plymouth and Foxton, therefore we do think that a few of our most prominent " liberals " might be selected with advantage to all parties. Verb. sap. Of course there is the matter of expense to be considered because the Honorarium is just as , sweet to a Liberal as to a Tory, but we ask, what are a few extra thousands a year on the suffering tax-payer, when the safety of the " liberal " party is at stake ? A cavalry corps is about to be formed in Palmerston North. This is a natural out come of the Encampment in that pushing town. With the Palmerston Rifles, a Rifle Club, and a cadet corps, supplemented with a troupe of cavalry, and possibly in the near future an artillery corps, our neighbours show both pluck and energy. It is understood that all employers and business men are encouraging their young men to enlist because they now recognise the fact that not only are the Volunteers useful for defence— but they " bring grist to the mill " as well. At the meeting held on Monday night convened by Mr Pringle, it was suggested by Mr Isherwood that Feilding should be included in the movement because he had lately taken some trouble iv endeavouring to form a troupe of lancers, and had the names of about twenty-five good men who would be a credit to any corps. He thought it would be a pity if the districts should be antagonistic. This suggestion was at first not favorably received, although one speaker was in favor of enlisting recruits from Feilding fco make up the number required by the Defence Regulations. Ultimately it was, however, resolved, after it had been decided that a mounted corps be formed in Palmerston : — " That the co-operation of the Feilding troupe be invited, and that Mr Isherwood be deputed to interview them on the subject. " A general meeting on the subject will be held in Palmerston tonight. There will be a most determined contest for the seats on the Licensing Committee at the election on Wednesday. The following burgesses were nominated yesterday. It will be seen that the candidates comprise the whole of the members of the preceding committee and five new aspirants. The following are the names of the several candidates with those of their nominators, we place the old committeemen first : — E. Goodbehere, proposed by G. Kirton, seconded by W. A. Sandilands; W. G. Haybittle, proposed by W. A. Sandilands, seconded by John Prior ; G. Kirton, proposed by John Prior, seconded by W. A. Sandilands ; H; Rutherford, proposed by H. L. Sherwill, seconded by A. R. Curtis ; i H. L. Sherwill, proposed by A. R. Curtis, seconded by G. Kirton ; W. Carthew, proposed by J. Taylor, seconded by J. H. Blackmore; J. Gould, proposed by J. E. Hicks, seconded by J. C. Thompson ; F. A. Monckton, proposed by J. E. Hicks, seconded by J. C. Thompson ; P. Thomson, proposed by J. H. Blackmore, seconded by J. Taylor ; W. Watts, proposed by J. E. Hicks, seconded by J. C. Thompson. As the whole 'of these are well known and respected in the Borough, each will no doubt poll a fair share of votes. The only advantage the first five may have is that they haye, for several years, done their duty on the Licensing Bench with tiie strictest impartiality and fairness. Of course the real question will be decided by the local Option Poll, which will be taken on the same day as the election.