THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1438, 11 March 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1873.

Mr Stafford was blamed for saying some bitter things of Mr Waterhouse when the latter was chosen Premier, but the opinion which he then expressed has been sustained by the circumstances under which the prime political office in the Colony has recently been deserted. In sentences somewhat involved in their construction, and severe in sentiment, Mr Stafford, towards the close of the last session, said: — "The opinion I hold is that it would have been more fitting and more 1 satisfactory to the country to know that those who had really achieved a certain position, after having subjected themselves to every possible test;, were at the head of affairs, than that the country should have at the head of affairs a gentleman who had by his extreme vacillation, which every member of the House was aware of, and of which numberless instances might be given, as well as by great weakness of character, proved he was not fitted for the office. He has also never yet arrived at that position in the country which would entitle him to take the position which he now holds. While he would have been a proper person to have held office in a Government, and while I myself was, in consideration of his known influence in the other branch of the Legislature, very anxious to have him associated with myself, believing that it would have largely conduced to the favorable consideration of Government measures in the Council, I would have thought I was offering an insult to the people of New Zealand had I proposed he should take the office of Premier. The honorable gentleman is not known in Jthe__countrF. although he has very contion of it ; he is a comparatively recenT colonist in New Zealand, and has nevei yet submitted himself to any test whereby the people of this Colony could declarethat they approved of his opinions «n public questions— if he has any fixer opinions, of which I am not aware." Both Mr Yogel and Mr at the time Mr Stafford gave expression to these and other less generous sentiments, sup ported the selection made, and somewhat warmly condemned the remarks made regarding Mr Waterhouse, but the circumstances under which, according to the now published correspondence, Mr Waterhouse retired from the office of Premier decidedly confirm Mr Stafford's estimate of his character. Information of the salient circumstances has already been communicated by telegraph, but it is only by a perusal of the Gazette Extraordhiary containing the correspondence between the Premier and the Governor that anything like a correct conception of the facts can be formed. A copy of this Gazette came to hand yesterday, and it presents some lively reading for every politician, but the extreme length of the correspondence precludes us from giving more than a summary of its contents.

The first of the series is a letter from Mr waterhouse to Mr Yogel, dated Feb. 4. It announces Mr Hafi'a resignation, and his own intention to resign, saying 'I may at once state that from the time of joining the present Ministry, I have felt myself placed in a false position, and it is my determination to extricate myself from a position abhorrent to my feelings which drives me to my present decision. I have felt throughout that you have regarded yourself as actual and me as nominal Premier, and the strength of your will and advantage arising from your having formed the Ministry, has given you an influence in the Ministry which is fatal to my exerting the influence attached to my office as Premier. This I could afford to overlook but that I recognise there are between us points of political difference which render it difficult for me to work with you with satisfaction so long as your influence in the Ministry is paramount. You are anxious for the introduction of fresh measures of policy. I am of opinion that in the present circumstances of the country the Ministry should confine its attention as much as possible to the work of administration. The more I look into matters the more thoroughly am I satisfied of the absolute necessity of thorough administrative reform, but this can only be brought about by a Ministry making this obJ !2 T* end and motive of all its actions; The difficulty I experienced in hanging about the observance of mere S££T en £ ° f law as regards the Civil Servue, makes me despair of giving effect to my views on these other matters, more drawn, between whom and myself there was on these point* much similarity of opinion. After apologuing forthe hurried nature of the letter^ he continues— « While expressing myself thus explicitly I should be aorry for you to think that there is on my part any want of respect for your talent, or any failure to appre. date your ninaere desire to serve the country. I fulty and w*dily acknowledge

both, but we have been cast in different moulds. We cannot, with at any rate mutual satisfaction j run in harness together. 1 ■>. On the 20th February, Mr Waterhouse places Mr Hall's resignation in the Governor's hands, and tenders his own, stating, however, that neither he nor his colleagues wish his resignation to involve that of the Ministry ; lie offered to continue to act until Mr Yogel returned, and said he had no reason to anticipate that Mr Yogel will experience greater difficulty I now than at the period of originally forming the present Ministry in nominating, for His Excellency's approval, a suitable person' to theoffice of Colonial Secretary. On the 28th, the Governor replies that neither he nor the other Ministers perceive any sufficient ground for the action taken, and that the resignation of the Prime Minister must, in accordance with constitutional usage, ipso facto dissolve the existing Ministry. It is hoped that Mr Waterhouse's sense of public duty will prevent him from persevering in so grave a strain at a moment so inconvenient to the public interests of the colony, that i 3, on the eve of the departure of the Governor and of the temporary assumption of office as administrator of the Government by the Chief Justice. Ifj however, Mr Waterhouse persists, the Governor said it appeared to him to be the duty of the Ministry to call Parliament together at the earliest possible period, but that he could not by accepting his resignation be a party to breaking up the Ministry under such circumstances, or until Mr Waterhouse had reconsidered the matter. On the Ist March Mr Waterhouse replies in a long memo, in which he says— • Mr Waterhouse feels it his duty to express regret that his Excellency should, make the references to : Mr Waterhouse's 1 colleagues which he has done. Mr Waterhouse would, with all deference, submit that, so long as he occupies the position of Premier it is he, and not his Excellency, who is the mouthpiece of the Ministry, and he feels borind further to observe that the numerous interviews which his Excellency has had with Mr Waterhouse's colleagues and the formal meeting which, prior to the receipt of Mr Waterhouse's resignation, his Excellency arranged to have with them, but to which Mr Waterhouse, although Premier, was not invited, have not been in accordance with recent constitutional practice. Mr Waterhouse, in hi 3 memo, previously referred to has not called in question his Excellency's right in regard to his resignation as involving that of the Ministry. He has only inferentially called attention to the exceptional nature of his connection with the Ministry in the hope that his Excellency would continue to Mr Yogel that confidence which his Excellency must have placed in him when he originally entrusted to him the task of forming an Administration. Mr Waterhouse cannot recognise that his resignation at the present moment will be attended with that inconvenience to the public interests of the Colony which his Excellency prelicts. No actual necessity exists for his Excellency proceeding to the seat of his new Government via Auckland and Sydney ; by adopting that route his Excel*iis departure from Wellington to Melbourne direct would give his Excellency iraple time to make all necessary arrangeuents for overcoming the present Miniserial crisis, and enable him to arrive in Vf elbourne earlier thin by an indirect and longer route. Mr Waterhouse feels it to oe his duty to persist in his proposed course, to leave his resignation in his Excellency's hands ; at the same time he cannot allow that it is the duty of Ministers to advise the surnmonintr of Parlianent, as suggested by his Excellency. His Excellency, in the first instance, entrusted the formation of the Ministry to Mr Voa:el, because that gentleman possessed a Parliamentary majority. Mr Waterhouse has no reason to believe that Mr Voxel's Parliamentary influence is less now than at the day of prorogation ; and undoubtedly it does appear to Mr Waterhouse that if Mr Yogel was competent to be entrusted in the first instance with the formation of an entire Ministry, he is fully competent to suggest a person to fill the office lately held by Mr Hall, his being the only portfolio now vacant. Mr Waterhouse regrets that while his Excellency refuses to accept his resignation, he should yet, as Mr Waterhouse learns while writing, be ignoring him in the '! Government of the country.' His Ex- : cellency's Aide-de-camp, when delivering his Excellency's memorandum, by his Excellency's instructions, requested that the correspondence should be regarded as terminated, and forthwith published in the Gazette. Mr Waterhouse rejoined that the correspondence not being complete its publication would be premature, and that he could not sanction it. Mr *Yaterhouse learnt with regret that his Excellency forthwith sent for one of Mr Waterhouse's colleagues, and by his means sou»ht to obtain the publication which Mr Waterhouse, as Premier, had deplined to sanction. Mr Waterhousp submitted that, by such a proceeding, his Excellency had practically sanctioned his resignation. On the 2nd, Mr Waterhouse again writes, saying he has seen it stated, as of authority, in the public Press that it was his Excellency's intention finally to depart from Wellington next morning. Mr Waterhouse desired to bring under his Excellency's notice the grave inconveniencos that would arise to the public interests from his Excellency's abrupt departure, as his Excellency was aware the most important office in the Government, that of the Colonial Secretary, was actually vacant. Mr Waterhouse respectfully de- ! clined to make any nomination thereto, and added :— " Should, therefore, his Excellency depart from Wellington before this office be filled up, the whole machinery of the Government will be brought j to a standstill. Under these circumstances, Mr Waterhouse, with regret, has arrived at the conclusion that he would not be justified in affording any facilities for his Excellency's departure, and has instructed Captain Fairchild not to leave ' Wellington without the express authoritj of the Premier." On the Ist, the Governor writes that he has read with much surprise the remarks relative to the communications ' between the Governor and the other Ministers now in Wellington, for Mr Waterhouse is fully aware that the only object contemplated was most friendly, viz., to dissuade him from a step which the Governor, in common with Mr Waterhouse's colleagues, regrets extremely, both on publio grounds and also for Mr Waterhouw'g own Mke. Ai for the Governor*

visit to Auckland, it is well known that it is very important that he should be present, if possible, at the Maori meetings to which he has beejn invited. But he has always intended s ' toretwn to Wellington before ' leavicjf New Zealand, if .the exigencies of the public service should require it. With respect to the concluding paragraph of the memo under acknowledgment, the facia of the case are very simple. Major Pitt informs Mr Waterhouse that the Governor wished to speak to him on public business. Mr Waterhouse took the unusual step of declining to attend to this summons, when the Governor was compelled to request one of the other Ministers to say to Mr Waterhouse what he (the Governor) had proposed to say to himself. Mr Waterhouse will feel that, however desirous the Governor may be to further his wishes by releasing him from his official duties, this caunot be done until a new Prime Minister has been appointed. In conformity with the advice tendered by Mr Waterhouse, Mr Yogel, on his return to the country, will be requested to undertake that office. Mr Waterhouse in a brief memo, reiterates his objection to the Governor's conduct in asking another Minister to do what he had refused, and on the 2nd the Governor concluded the, correspondence thus—" The action taken by Mr Waterhouse this day renders it imperative on the Governor to release him forthwith from his offices of Premier and member of the Executive Council by formally accepting his resignation of both positions," On the 21st |February Messrs Richardson, O'Rorke, and Bathgate addressed a long letter to Mr Waterhouse urging him not to resign. They said, as regards the formation of the Ministry — " We understand that the whole of the meriibers of the Cabinet are individually agreeable .to you and had been approved of by you, and that although Mr Yogel had been the j medium of communication he had your entire concurrence in this. No attempt, so far as we are aware, has been made in any one instance to force any member upon you against your will. This belief has strengthened us in hitherto working with you in the utmost cordiality and harmony; at the same time if it is to be held a? a legitimate inference that you are dissatisfied with the personnel of the present Ministry, and are of opinion that a change would be beneficial to the public interest, we are each ready to place our resignations in your hands. As regards the influence attached to your office being prejudicially affected, we are not aware of any occasion in which your views have been thwarted or set aside by the Cabinet. There have been the most cordial 'concert and mutual exchange of advice and intercourse amongst the different members of the Execntive, and in no instance* known to us has there been any radical differing of opinion affecting your supremacy in the Cabinet, for, on any discussion upon minor points of administration which led to an expression of opinion, we believe that your views have been always sustained by the majority present, and approved accordingly. You state further that there are points of political difference between the Colonial' Treasurer and yourself, which renders it difficult for you to work with him with Ministry is paramount. You Oiftiisttkf what these points of difference are, except by affirming generally that Mr Yogel is anxious for the introduction of fresh measures of policy, while you are of (•pinion that attention should be confined as much as possible to the work of administration". We remind you that no question of new policy has ever yet cune before 'the Cabinet, and that your laudable efforts in the way of administrative reform have been unanimously approved, and vigorously supported, by your colleagues. We may also observe that should any unforeseen differences arise on the subject of the policy to be brought before Parliament, your colleagues have neither the right nor the intention to oppose your views. Should any important and irreconcileable difference arise, it will be for those who differ to Retire, and it ;s not a constitutional interpretation of your duty as Premier for you to resign.' They then urged a variety of public and personal reasons against his resignation. No answer to this letter is published. On the gnd March, the Governor and the members of the Ministry asked Mr Fox to become Premier, and on the sani9 day he consented to do so on the express understanding that he should resign as soon as soon as the arrival of Messrs Yogel and Reynolds should enable the continuing members of theMinistryto meet together, and take upon themselves the responsibity of future action.

A meeting of the committee appointed by the public meeting of persons locally interested in the proposed New Zealand Coal Company, took place last evening, at the Union Hotel, when the terms on which it was considered desirable to offer the co-operation of w e G fey district with the shareholders in Wellington were fully discussed, as well as the prospects which were likely to await the undertaking. It was decided to send delegates to Wellington to confer with the gentlemen who ar9 there engaged in promoting the formation of the company, and Messrs Kilgour and Cooper were requested to proceed on that errand. It was found impossible, however, to collect all the information necessary in order to present the Whoje matter in the clearest light before the persons interested and "the powers that be," in time for the next boat, the Rangitoto, and it is therefore intended that the deputa, tion shall leave Greymouth by the following steamer. We think that the determination of the committee is a wise one, as it is obvious that such negotiations can be carried on in an infinitely more satisfactory manner by personal consultation than by months of correspondence, and it is highly desirable that all the details of so important an undertaking should be well considered before operations are commenced, Meanwhile we observe from oiir telegraphic intelligence that the Wellington shareholders are disposed to meet our local promoters in a fair spirit, by awaiting the arrival of the deputation before taking action, other than by sending an order to England for the purchase of a steam collier, which would be a useful acquisition in any case. No tidings have been received as to the whereabouts of Chamberlain and Levy. From what we have been able to learn there P little doubt but that the runaways remained for many hours in the vicinity of the spot whence they eacaged, hiding themselves so well that their pursuers passed them by, looking for traces where none had been made because "the escaped prisoners h&d not gone away at all. Three hours after the escape, or about six o'clookin the evening, Mrs Lark (near whose houw it occurred), saw two men, ittpptud

by the description to. he the very [tiro, crossing the road. :At 8 o'clock the>ame eyening a dog Raised an alarm in the ;skrne locality, 'and pursuit was staHed by WarderKeday and Constable Quirk. -Boii t; thought 1 they,, dis^totly^'heard the rustle of men hurryiug away-tftjiie bush, but they could not get to them" in the dark. Other indications of the men having remained a long while in the same place are abundant, but what became of them subsequently is yet undiscovered.— From Inspector Hickson we learn that LIOO has been offered for the discovery of the escaped prisoners, who are thus described : — "Georae Henrys Chamberlain, aged 44 years, sft sin high, medium build, dark complexion, dark brown hair, : turning grey, 'hazel' eyes, sharp small features, heavy-looking countenance, lower jaw large, teeth much discolored from use of tobacco, hair on face very thick and strong, of iron-grey color ; speaks in a sharp tone ; marks of fogging on back. Native of Norfolk, England ; an "old hand;" wore straw hat twill shirt, and mole trousers, with gaol brands on them. Sentenced in 1872 to 10 years penal servitude for burglary. Isaac Levy, native of Portugal, aged 41 years, sft 4m high, medium build, dark complexion, grey eyes, deep set ; Jewish nose, a little inclined, to the right ; very bald on top of head, hair over ears very long, and worn down back of neck ; two large scars on top of head, scars : on eyebrows, slightly pock-marked, nearly all the teeth out, E.L. and mermaid on | right arm, Wore straw hat, twill shirt, and i mole trouaers with gaol brands on them. Sentenced in 1871 to eight years penal aerj vitude." A meeting of the Energetic Quartz Mining Company was held yesterday, when the annual report of the Directors was presented and a new directory elected. The Carandinis have revisited Boss, and have again attracted large, audiences. The Ross News has authority for stating that Mr Cassiuß has deputed Mr Camille Malfroy to make arrangements with a company for working the Cassius claim. Mr J. Hedderwick,«a resident in Hokitika, has received a New Zealand medal for services rendered during the Maori war. The punishment awarded to the convict Haley, for attempted escape, was three months' solitary, confinement, a month at a time, with a month's hard labor intervening. The Deep Sea Fishing Company is con- , turning to supply Cbristchurch and its vicinity with large quanticies of fish. The Nautilus returned from her third trip on the 4th March with about three tons, consisting of soles, cod, moki, trumpeter, and habuka. Some of the trumpeter was sold at auction at 5d per lb, but ths habuka only realised from a farthing to a half-penny per lb.

The Wellington Independent states that on the 21st inst., at the blacksmith works of Messrs John Brogden and Sons, Pipitea Point, soine interesting experiments were made on iron lately manufactured from iron ' sand at the Auckland Iron and Steel company's works, which gave the greatest satisfaction. The hardness and strength of the steel was also tested, and a trial was made to see whether an English pick or an Auckland made pick would bear the severest test, when it was clearly shown that the New Zealand steel was the hardest and strongest. Mr Adam Burnes, the general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, arrived in Wellington by the Albion, from Lyttelton, where he had transhipped from the Cissy, just out from England. The. celebrated claims of Grace and party and Eager and party,, in Otago, have been tk r oOT}jnto a company with a nominal capital MrW J. Barry has astoniahed tETgood people of Queenstown, by reporting that he has discovered a valuable coal mine within three miles of that town. Tne general opinion is, that the supposed coal mine exists only m the fertile imagination of Mr Barry. If a young lady wished a young gentleman to kiss her, what papers would she mention ■< No Spectator, no Observer, but as many Times as you like. We wish to add that she would like to h.*ve it done with Dispatch, no Register or Joiimal kept of it, and for him not to Herald it nor mention it to a Recorder nor Chronicle it abroad. Her lips should be the only Repository, and the Snn should bt excluded ,as much as possible. If a Mes-

sengergat it, the World would soon know it for News is now carried by Telegraph, where it was formerly done by the Courier, whc was always ready to Gazette it. In the act, the Press upon her lips should be light, anc the Union perfect. That is our Standard of kissing, first assuring ourselves that no Aram eye was upon us, and the only Reflector oresent the Mhror. * The inhabitants of the Chatham Islands who do not seem to approve of the action o the Governments withdrawing Mr LaNauze have forwarded to that gentleman a moal flattering testimonial, which is numeroush signed, and concludes with these words'*— We deprecate and sincerely regret the unsparing and illiberal censure which has been passed upon you by some portion of th« New Zealand press, aud which is in itself a crost libel on your character." Mr LaNauze recently visited Greymouth on his way tc I Westport, where he is an officer of the Customs. A telegram in yesterday's issue reported the fact of a man who was working as a shearer in Southland being discovered to be heir to a valuable estate in Ireland. The following particulars are given by the Oamaru Times:—" ln our issue of the 7th ol June, 1872, appeared the following advertisement:-' Missing Friends.- Information as to the whereabouts or last address o1 Edward Lloyd Trevor, known in the Colons as Edward Lloyd and working so lately a> 9th November, 1860 in Qtago, will begladlv received by the undersigned. E. L. Trevor landed m Lyttelton in 1865, and subsequently went on to Timaru, and it is believed worked on several sheep-stations as a shfiarer under the name of Edward Lloyd — G. T. Evans, Cloon Eavin.? Several times this advertisement appeared, but no information was obtained. Now comes the rest ol the story. In the Belfast News Letter, of Depember 4, 1872, appears the following obituary notice :— • Trevor. —Dec. 2 at Lisnagead, Co. Down, Edward Hill Trevor Esq J.P. The funeral will leave Lisnagead for Longhbrickland to-morrow (Thursday) morning, at eleven o'clock.' The Mi Trevor herein referred to is the father of the Udward Lloyd Trevor for whom we adver. tised lait year, and we understand that the non-receipt of letters from his son preyed upon his mind to such an extent as to shorten his life. Mr Edward Hill Trevor was a wealthy man, and his son Edward is heir to his property. Loving friends are looking for him at home, anoVwe pen these lines in the hope that they may meet hia eye. We are authorised to write plaioly, as search has been hitherto made without avail ; aud if those of our contemporaries whom this article may reach will reprint it, they will join us in endeavoring to find one who is anxiously looked for across the sea." Thompson, Smith, and Barkley have accepted tenders for a brick warehouse, and now wish to dispose of one of their establishments on Mawhera Quay. They are offering; every class of goods at prices hitherto un* known in Greymouth, and invite particular attention to present prices, as it" is most necessary for them;tpr«duc!e their present neavy stook to' enable them to carry out •Iterations without, inqoxiyenienw.-tADVi,.