The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 963, 31 October 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1879.

The accession of the Hall Ministry to power, taken in conjuntion with the unseating of the " working man's friend" for the City of Christchurch, appears to be a most bitter pill for the late Ministerial journals to swallow, judging from the vehement overstrained effusions that appear relative to these questions in the columns of some of our contemporaries. On the principle that "chanty begins at home," we will first briefly refer to our southern neighbour, the West Coast Times, who not only frantically rushes into the most erroneous impressions in regard to the Auckland member.-*' conscientious action, but solemnly admits that it gathers the facts on which it bases these extraordinary statements from the Lyttelton Times' "special" penny-a-liner's letter. Our contemporary says in reference to the Auckland members, who, in the interests of their constituents and in accordance with their pledges by their support enabled the Government to' proceed with tie business of the country : " Each of the four deserters is to get something The agreeable prospect of succeeding Sir Julius Vogel in the Agent-Generalship opens upon the enraptured gaze of MiReader Wood. Mr Hurst is to. get a portfolio of some description. The gallant Captain Colbeck is to have a railway made through a district in which he holds a large; amount of property. But more is to come. Messrs Whyte and Whitaker, two more Auckland patriots, have for some time hid claims to certain Native lands. These claims, we are tok 1 , will be recognise 1." Does our contemporaiy honestly believe that the four honorable members alluded to are to receive a certain amount of remuneration for their votes? If so, it would appear ihat the pric • at which each honorable member's support is to lie purchased gioatly varies. An Agent-Generalship, a railway, a portfolio of some kind, and a piece of Native land -these were the bribes set forth ; but, why in the name of wonder, is one honorable gentleman to'geta railway, and another only a portfolio of some kind? This, on" the facet, of it,

appears a most Unequal division of the spoil. " The Times," we are toUl, " ha.a leader expressing dissatisfaction at the high bribe offered'by the Hon. J. Hall to Messrs Reader Wood and Co. There is already disaffection in the Ministerial ranks. Had the Election Committee recommended the issue of a new writ for Christchnrch, Sir George Grey would have again contested the Christchurch ssat." no doubt the Times and outcontemporary are dissatisfied not at the high bribes offered, but simply because they know as well as we do, that the whole statement is "special bunkiim" from beginning to end. The Auckland members, like any others when supporting the Government, obtained a promise that the interests of their district should receive consideration. As for Sir George Grey again contesting the Christchnrch seat, the indignity of a defeat has been saved him on this occasion by the Petitions Committee declaring Mr Richardson duly elected.

A meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening at the Town Hall, his Worship the Mayor in the chair, and all the Councillors present. Applications from Messrs Jolly, Coughlin and TJpham for licenses under the Muncipal .Corporation Act to carry on dancing on their respective premises were received. After the report of the Town Surveyor had been read on the subject of the various buildings in question, the Council refused all the applications. It was agreed gazette the hew^.pound so that it might be useful as as well as,ornamental. The Council theu adjourned.

The lecture of Mr Dungan on "The Life, Time, and Character of Lord Edward Fitxgerald, the illustrious Irish nobleman and patriot," will be given at the Theatre Royal this evening. At the conclusion of the lecture Mr Dungan will recite the Irish poem "The Memory of the Dead." The chair will be taken at eight o'clock by his Worship the Mayor. One of our representatives in the House, when seeking election, stated that he not only had .ear of the late Government but also possessed as it were a double barrelled gun by which he could deliver shots in both directions, The shooting season is evidently now about to commence, as we find the New Zealander in referring to Mr Reader Wood, statiug " that men for less flagrant crimes than his have been discretely shot." We were to-day shown by Mr H. FitzBimmons a hen's egg that is deserving of mention as being of exceptionally Large proportion. The egg is 3in in length 2in in diamater and weighs 4 ounces. On enquiry we learnt that the hen is still alive.

By telegram we learn that the drawing of Cameron's Sweep on the Melbourne Cup will take place this evening, at Dunedin, the delay having been occassioned by the non-return of some of the blocks held by the various agents. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the now Law Court in Tay street, Invercavgill, on the 23rd inst., was a grand success. The weather was lovely, and a close half-holiday was kept. Over 200 Freemasons assembled in the town. The Distirct Grand Master, Judge Harvey, presided, and was assisted by many Masons of high degree from Dunedin and elsewhere. The proceedings commenced with the installation of the W.M. of St. John Lodge, J.C., and the investureofthe officers, the Lodge being held in Sloan's Theatre, the usual room being too small for the occasion. The scene was a most impressive one. The procession was then formed, all the volunteer corps turning out in force. At the site of the stone-laying quite 2000 spectators were present, and the Masonic rites were most impressive and ably performed. A choir, composed of seven members of the Philharmonic Society, sang the hymn, and no fewer there three photographs were taken of the scene.