THE PREMIERSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1784, 15 June 1906, Page 2

THE PREMIERSHIP.

The question of the recocst ucticn of the Ministry is being given a good deal.o' attention, and many writers are assuming that the new Premier can be none other than Sir Joseph Ward. Why there should be this haste to io>b past the man holding the office temporarily is not clear. Certainly, Sir Joseph is more brilliant in one sense; be is an effective speaker, a skilful organiser, and a man who can bold

his own wilh tho titled oouctiors and potentatoß of tho day. But Me HallJodob, whilo boiDg nblo to hold his own on tho publto platform, has beon one of tho silent workers, a eafo administrator, plodding away in mothodioal fashion, and quiolly and ably doiog Ira pa t towards disarming orilioism of tho Go* vernmont. His roadinoss to frank'y say “ no ” whon ho moans “ no ” did not at first add to his popularity, but as time elapsed peoplo grow to appreciate his honost oandor, ospooially wbon they know that his “ yoB " was oonolusivo and not meroly an evasion. Aooording to tbo custom, Mr HallJonos mußt bo oallod upon to aooept tho Premiership for tho timo being at least, Then why should be subsequently bo oxpeotod to stop aside for anyono ‘i Mr Seddon stuok to Sir J. G. Ward through times of troublo and times of sunßhino ; also, it may bo remarked, Mr Hall« Jones wob a faithful lieutenant to Mr Seddon all through his career as Premier. The only fear for Mr Hall Jones in the oilioe would be that he would saorifioo his health in assiduously applying himsolf to tho work evor waiting to be dono. If the Premiership is to . bo deoidod on seniority tho membor for Waiapu should be bolding the position to day with no need to await tbo return of tho absent Minister. For reasons known only to tho Oabinot—at any rato, not to tho general publto—Mr Oarroll’s name has not beon brought into prominenoe in connection wilh the change, and there can bo in doubt that the ultimate choioe lies botween Mr Hall Jonos and Sir J. G. Ward, and why the former should Bimply aceept tho olfico to abdioato it on tho absent Minister's arrival is cot plain to ordinary individuals. It will be a new thing in history for a radical democracy to seek to have an untitled Minister deposed by a knight.

THE HAllßOlt.

Another of (be little contingent o anonymous oritics who seem to think the harbor will bo improved by attack on the Board has a letter in to-day’s Tunis, by way of reply to an article appearing in our loader columns. In reply to tho letter and other writers on tho same linos, wo would stato : 1. Wo have alwayß regarded Ooodo's scheme as the most eatisfaotory, but life is too short to go on raking up the last twenty years to oast blame on representatives who did what they believed to be best in the interests of the publio; even Goode’s Eobemes have not all been an unqualified success. 2. Alleged financiers have sought to prove that a second attempt at making an outer harbor would efl.-ct a Baving iostead of increasing the burden as wo all kaow it must do. 3. We would all like to bo able to walk from a pier to the big liners, but many peoplo object to tho great mortgage thereby ontailed. 4. Mr Lewis, G.E., is entitled to the thanks of the community for his valuable advice. 5. It being so easy to find fault and abuse public meD, no thaDks are offered to "Bod Buoy,’’ *' Barnaole,” and “ Flatfish,” and other anonymous correspondents who so g'ibly oondemn all that has been done under the advice of the ooginoers. 6. Tho Pretty Jane and other little stoamers did oome into the river thirty years ago—and sometimes had to stay for a week or more before they could get out again 1 7. To say all the money spent has been wasted is on a par with other absurd statements made by a few people who are taking delight in slandering the port. 6. The motto applied to the Board is another species of stonier on a body of men who, acliDg all through on engineering advice, have done theit best in the interests of the/ publio- 9. That best falls far short of what anyone desires, and the ratepayers now lo k to the Board for a solution of the trouble, and that solution will Dot be aided by a few individuals abusing the men e'ected by the people as their representatives. 10. If there are “ superior metp bsra ” available, by all means let them come forward and let the ratepayers judge them. 11. Io the meantime tho duty ;of the Board is to make the best of things in the interests of all.

An adjourned meeting of the Harbor Board will be held tbia afternoon. Too Turanganui Bowlidg Club’a green ia to bo c'oacd to play after to-morrow afternoon.

Messrs Chritp and Son have forwarded U 3 a song, “ Bombay,” composed by Harry Casiling, A. J. Mills, and 0. W. Murray. This song is considered the greatest hit eiuce " Hiawatha.” The Qandioap Fairs of the Turanganui BowliDg Club .were won yesterday afternoon by Messrs J. C. Bennett and Q. Humphreys. The Native Minister (ihe Hon. J. Carroll) received numerous telegrams from the natives in all parts of the colony ex-p-essing regret at th 3 death of the Premier. Mr Ngata, M.H.R , telegraphed : “ Great is the sadness on account of our parent, who has gone. Sympathy with you and colleagues. Acoept condolences from East Coast.” A message from Opotiki reads : 11 Farewell, oh Premier, the guardian of the otpban and poor.” The judging at the fancy dress (skating carnival, lo bo held this, evening and tomorrow night, will be done by Ihe public, eaoh cne receiving a'' yoting card on admission. At the Magis'rato’s Court yesterday, 0. B- Hubble, bricklayer, sued Eroatara Rangiwbaitiri for £l, balanpe of aooonnt for cleaning and repairing a tombstone at Te Arai Defendant disputed liability, and the case wbb adjourned for a foitoight to procure fu tber evidence. Mr M. G. Nasm tb, jan,, won the junior championship of the Turanganui Bowling Club-yesterday afternoon. Two men were fined at the Police Court

yesterday for drunkenness, and one of them, Wm, Smith, was also sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment for an aot cf indeoenoy. The prodding Justices were Captsia Chrisp and Mr J. Sheridan.

The forthcoming military ball is being anticipated with grot pleasure. I; will be tbc fifth annual bail under the auspices of the East Coast Mounted Rifhs, and should, 03 on previous occa-ions, prove a great success. The hon. secretary end treasurer is Lieut. 0. Hellier Evans.

A plain and fanoy dres3 oarnivA in connection with ihe Elite Skating Rink commences to morrow evening, concluding on Saturday evening. Various ccm* ;petitioos are announced fur ladies tnd genikmen in fancy dress, and there will also be special przjs for cbillren in fanoy dress. Those purfling in fancy dress will be aimisloi at haif-prio*. Surgeant Mackenzie is to bo transferred lo Gore, and proceeds Suuth next week with Mrs Mackerz'e and family. The Gore station was previously in charge of Bergeaot Mackecz’e, who has proved himself a highly efficient offiter. His place in Gisborne is bring filled by Sergeant Wi'liams, of Auckland. The football m atobe i under the auspioes of the local Rugby Union, will be postponed to-morrow in acco dance with the wishes of the New Zealand Rugby Unior. A meeting of the Huia Football Club will be held in the Masonic Hotel at 8 tomorrow evening for tbe purpose of con-

sidering amalgamation of tho oountry teams.

Probably tbe Freemasons are aware that there is a Gallery Lodge, which has the unique distinction of being composed exclusively of journalists, and was oiiginally formed of members of the press gallery of the House of Commons, This oircumstance wes mentioned at the send-

off supper given by the Savage Club in

London to Mr Frank T Bullen, who is a member of the Gallory Lodge,