The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 953, 20 October 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1879.

When, shortly before the assembling of the present Parliament, we predicted the fall of the Grey Ministry, we did so not on the grounds of the policy they had enunciated prior to the dissolution, but under the assumption that thenpast actions would not justify the House in believing for one moment they hitended giving effi-ct to the measures they avowed so long as the late Premier retained office. The country has declared in favor of Liberalism - not Greyism—and no matter who the occupants of the ministerial benches, the verdict of the country must be endorsed. When the present Government, under the ITon. John Hall," assumed the reins of office, they stated at the outset they were prepared to introduce

measures of a similar nature to those proposed by their predecessors, although even of a more liberal character. Prompt in action, we find the present Ministry, within a week of their accession to power, placing before 'he House two of the most important measuies of the Liberal programme—the Triennial Parliaments and Electoral Mills. Notwithstanding, lowever, that the majority of the members of the House were returned pledged to support those very measures, we now find" that, under the cloak of having "no confidence" in the Government, the passage of these Bills through the House is obstructed by a party of hungry office-seekers. How can the memhers for this district, Messrs R-id and Seddon, account for the inconsistency of their actions in this instance 1 Pledged, as these gentlemen were, to support the Liberal measures, wluui the hading feature of that policy comes bef.re the House, we find both our representatives in opposition, deploring the fate of Sir George Grey, and abusing one of the members for the Grev Valley, Mr Masters, for independency of action. That the present Government does not possess their confidence can hardly be assigned the cause, ;<s if (hat were the case, then the measures they were returned pledged to support must in their eyes be objectionable to the interests of the colony. Admitting they went to the House in the interest of the Grey Ministry, still, with the fall of that Ministry and the measures of its successors in perfect accord \rilh the wishes of the people, it is difficult to understand the action of the members of this district in supporting a party whose sole object is animated by the desire for office, and not for the welfare of the colony. Again, in supporting Mr Macandrew they are helping to place in power one who, despite all that may be said to the contrary, will, if possible, yet frustrate the wishes of the residents of this Coast in the matter of the connection of Christchurch and Westland by railway.

A serious accident happened to the second son of Mr Rhoderick M'Lean, of Seddon street, on Saturday afternoon tisfc. The boy, who is about five years old, fell into a tail-race at the back of his father's premises, his head striking the ground with great force. He was immediately conveyed to Dr. Acheson's consulting rooms, where, after an examination, it was thought advisable by Dr. Acheson that the boy should be at once removed to the Hokitika Hospit 1. We are glad to learn that Dr. James yesterday morning succeeded in removing some pieces of the boy's skull that had been fractured by the concussion, and that the boy is now progressing 'favorably. Mr M'Lean is particularly unfortunate, as it is only a few days ago we recorded an accident that occurred to the youngest of his children, through being swept down a water-race.

The collections made in the various churches in aid of the funds of the Kumar Hospital at the special services held yesterday, are as follows :—St Patrick's Church, £l7 ; Holy Trinity Church, £l3 10s ; Presbyterian Church, £ll 15s ; and the Wesleyan Church, £2 15s—making a total of £45. The inspection of the local Rifles will be made to-morrow evening at the Adelphi Hall, by Captain Bonar, the officer commanding the district, when the attendance of every member is compulsory. We regret to announce the death of a well-known resident of Greenstone district, Mr Thomas Houlahan, who for many years has been the proprietor of the Junction Hotel, at the intersection of the Greenstone and Greymouth road. The funeral will take place to-morrow, and from the many friends the deceased had in the Waimea and Stafford districts, we expect it will be largely attended.

From a telegram that appears in another column, received from Sydney via Auckland, we observe that Mr John Bulstrode, who was formerly the owner and proprietor of the Club Hotel, in this town, is reported to have committed suicide.

The Electoral Bill has been prepared by Mr Whitaker, and is, we are informed, incomparably more liberal and better calculated to place every man in the colony on the roll that any bill ever presented to the House by the Grey Government.

An ironfounder named Denny, in Melbourne, has invented a new gold extractor, which miners predict will revolutionise gold mining on fields which are thought to be worked out, and enable fortunes to be realised from them.

Thomas Oarlyle, in his own quaint fashion, shows the British workman who is his taskmaster, and the passage is characteristic of the "Chelsea philosopher :" " No man oppresses theo, 0 free and independent franchiser ! But does not this stupid pewter-pot oppose thee ? No son of Adam can bid thee come or go, but that absurd pot of heavy wet can, and does ! Thou art the thrall, not of Cedric or Saxon, but thy own brutal appetites, and this accursed dish of liquors. And thou pratest of thy ' liberty,' thou entire blockhead."

The common belief that a publican is compelled to serve all sober comers has been upset by a decision of the highest English Appeal Court which has laid it down that the obligation applies only in the case of travellers.