THE Mount Ida Chronicle SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1875.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 347, 30 October 1875, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1875.

The Macandrew banquet which came off on Wednesday must have been singularly gratifying to the guests. Mr. Macandrew has found nearly all men of note who could possibly attend assemble to do him honor. . A very different state of things this to what once was when, as "Abolitionist" in the 'Guardian' rabidly rakes up, Sir George Grey and Mr. Fitzberbert refused to recognise our Superintendent's worth. We find that former friends and former foes have united in a common tribute to one whom, with better knowledge than heretofore, they all agree to honor. I'he very bitterness of the Government papers in their foolish attempts to divest the banquet of any political significance shows how significant it is. If better advised or not driven last legs for arguments against the more successful party they would understand that the union of so many conflicting parties round Mr, Macandrew at this time shows better than anything else can the strength an&reason of the successful cause which Mr. Macandrew took so prominent a position in advocating during the session. , Before troops meet the real enemy disagreements without number are the rule in camp, but when the - real foe is discovered minor differences sink into their proper insignificance. Nothing is so surely indicative to us of something tangibly dishonest in the Government abolition proposals than the union of Sir George Grey, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Jb'itzherbert, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Beid, Mr. Stout, and others we need not name. To the Gbldfields Mr. Macandrew has been a constant friend, although he never has stooped to the idle flattery and false encouragements made use of for their own purposes at times by lesser Provincial lights. At the sametime he has had to bear too often the blame for others' deflciences. Blot out the names of Mr. Macandrew and Sir Julius Vogel during the last five years, and where now would the Goldfields interest be ? We owe to Mr. Macandrew, who in this as most other progressive movements for years foughtTsin-gle-handed, the idea, now beyond a laughing matter, of a railway to the interior from Palmerston. We owe to Mr. Macandrew's pluck that the Province undertook to burden itsolf with the cost of the Mount Ida Public Works, and also the cost of the Waipori Channel, while he has freely supported the grants of subsidies to private races and local public channels. We also as a mining community owe to him the first publie decision to give up as far as the Province was concerned the whole of the Gold Duty. Mr. Macandrew does not go back on his word. "We may reckon that in future, so long as he takes a part in public matters, he will continue to advocate' the total repeal. Indirectly the district will participate in the Superintendent's unceasing energy :in obtaining the construction of the central main railway, at a fair rate of progress; and affording to every district the means of elementary instruction. So far in New Zealand's political history the best men have proved far more trustworthy than their measures, and no doubt for some time to come the same characteristic will be the best rule for the public to abide, by. All who value the right to judge for themselves what is best for the future government of the country will sympathise with the Bunedin movement. The Government and their following w.ould have taken that right from us if they could. Fortunately they were not able. It was a fitting addition then to a lifeearned tribute that the Committee in vited" a public response with such signal success to their well defined resolution " that they specially entertain Mr. Macandrew in connection with the Government defeat during last session." . ■

Naseby Municipal politics are, strange to' say, of interest. At the last elections we were vaguely promised by aspiring candidates that matters generally would be righted. We were assured that all past and present Councillors were utterly deficient in business knowledge. Finally the solatium was tendered ratepayers that if the new blood were only introduced, if no good work was done, at any rate the deficiences of Councillors in the past should be publicly established. Well, the new blood were introduced, and we have waited in common with our brother ratepayerstoseewhatwemightsee. Being fully aware of the elements of unkindly feeling which moved the strings at thelast elections, even to the rejection of so good and well proved a Councillor as Mr. W. Inder, we have purposely refrained from giving detailed reports of the business transacted. We had hoped that in a few months the general good sense of Councillors would lead to a combination for the common good,' which the publication of hot words .would only delay. In this hope we are not sure but what our charity has been too broad. The line between the old and the new blood appears now more clearly marked than at the first meeting, and each party appears inclined to make the worst of the good intentions shewn by the other. The tactics appear something in this shape. If the Ministerial side of the Chamber, which has a majority, cannot bring up their men, the Opposition are not allowed to make a quorum. If a quorum can be got by a full attendance of the Opposition, then an attempt is at once made to ride roughshod over previous arrangements, to an utter disregard of what inconvenience, may be the result to the public business. At the last meeting this singularly inconvenient state of things came to a head. A bare quorum was in attendance, when a resolution was forced upon-the Chair which—to use a plain but ugly word— meant.little othor than repudiation. Wc are quite sure none of the Councillors present would have dreamt of

proposing to do in their private business that which without consideration they agreed to force upon the Council. The motion could not fail to be futile, for it rescinded a resolution already on the minutes moved by Cr. George, affirming the arrangement made with the bank, and was altering an established financial usage. Neither of these courses could be taken without a notice of motion having been first given. Abuses of a very gross nature would arise if any local body could, without notice, increase the permanent debt of the ratepayers by paying away cash which should go in the first instance to relieve an engagement already incurred. The motion in itself was irregular, and ought not to have been received, except as a notice of motion. A motion could certainly be proposed in the Council based upon a report being received from the Finance Committee, for the intention of such report being sent down would appear on the notice paper. A laxity of practice in this respect is very apt to arise. All accounts to be passed for payment and all recommendations dealing with the finance of the Corporation should, and indeed to stand legal audit must, be approved by the Finance Committee. Without these checks personal animus, which is always liable to arise, would very soon plunge a Municipality into difficulties. The practical upshot of last week's irregularity will probably be the levying of a special rate. No one could blame the bank if the action attempted is resented in the strongest man ner.

At a special meeting called on Saturday last the Council, after a stormy debate, delayed the resolution carried on Thursday. The gain is exactly what was intended. The Ministerial party have been temporarily annoyed. The accident is much to be regretted, as tending to impair the credit of the Corporation, and as not conducing to a better understanding in the Council. If Councillors want something to do we could suggest to them a sanitary inspection of the town with a view to prompt repressive measures, or the equally profitable task of ascertaining their prospect of obtaining from the General Government the promised subsidy upon the rates, which, if obtained, would to a great extent relieve them from the present pecuniary embarrassments. It has been asserted with some show of authority that the Government will be prepared to pay these subsidies during the present year. Concerted action among the Goldfields Municipalities at the present time might be mutually advantageous. _ At any rate Naseby would do well to initiate a course of enquiry. We know noman in the Council better able to take up and carry to a successful issue such a delicate subject as Mr. E. T. George. The ratepayers place so much confidence in that gentleman's business qualifications and integrity as to expect him to refuse to lend the weight of his experience on either side to a party squabble which should never have been started. A bold course of Municipal policy introduced by any Councillor could not fail to be supported in the Council and by the public. So far it has not been attempted.

It is understood that Mr. Reynolds will shortly retire from the Government.

The Colonial Bank has bought Mr. Marshall's house and lanct, being one of thVbest stands in Arrowtown.:. The '2\Torth Otago Times' learns that the Government has declined to accept the services of the Maerewhenua Rifles.

The political Upper Ten in Dunedin are disgusted at the Macandrew banquet proving so great a success in the hands of " the small fry." ... Our local on the sanitary state of Oamaru proved effective. Samples of the notable creek water have been forwarded to Dunedin for analysis.

'We were misinformed last week as to the announced retirement of Sir. F. Dillon Bell. Our correspondent telegraphed to us positively that he had made a statement to that effect from the Chair. The truth is, "he was expected to make such a statement."— a very different matter. The ' Guardian' of Monday reports that "A carrier named Charles Gibbons met with a rather serious accident on Friday nighc. His waggon was loaded with general merchandise for Naseby, and when about the nine-mile post from Dunedin the horses took fright and bolted, and the waggon was precipitated down one of the gullies which are so numerous along the road. One • horse was killed and some damage was done to the goods.- The driver estimates his loss at from £l2O to £200."

We understand that Messrs. Sinclair and John Mills haye_presented the bell, saved by them from the "wreck of the Bruce, to the school lately established at Taiaro Heads, for which the recipients are desirous of recording their grateful thanks to the donors. We are. pleased to hear that the new schoolhouse is fast'approaching !completion,..and that the pupils, under Mr. Yorston's care are making excellent progress.—' Otago Guardian.' A meeting of the Macandrew Banquet Committee was held on Saturday, evening last, in the Provincial Hotel. In reference to a misunderstanding which had arisen regarding the object of the movement, thefol-' lowing resolution was passed:—"That we hereby declare that our purpose is political, and based on the following resolution, which was previously passed—viz., 'That, while we admire Mr. Macandrew as a public man, we especially approve of his action in relation to the Abolition Bill,' all statements to the contrary notwithstanding." ' Mr. J. P. Armstrong, M.P.C., delivered a very interesting lecture in St. George's Hall, on Tuesday night, in aid of the Church of England bell fund. The Kev. K. Coffey occupied the chair, and the hall was well filled. The subject was, '' The early digging day* of Australia." It will be .remembered that some weeks ago Mr. Armstrong delivered a lecture on the " The Wanderings of an Irish Pilgrim," and then gave a very humorous account of his departure from Ireland, his adventures in America, and his return to his native land. The. lecture on Tuesday night was, in a measure, a continuation of the first one, and in listening to the speaker's story of his eventful life the audience received both instruction and amusement. Mr. Armstrong stated that he landed in Australia in 1851, before the gold discovery in Victoria, and proceeded to give a short history of the early days of that Co.lony before and after its separation from New South Wales. The lecturer related his own personal experiences with a quaint humor that seems to be natural with him, while his rich brogue only served to add to the effect. He told those present how he had earned his living as a dentist, digger, and storekeeper, and had even driven his own bullock team to the diggings, a fact of which he felt proud rather than ashanv.d. Mr. Armstrong's lectures were thoroughly original in their styla, and on Tuesday night he was listened to throughout with interest and attention. At the close of the lecture, the Rev. ft. Coffey returned thanks on behalf of himself, and the audience and Mr. Armstrong acknowledged the compliment. —' Bruce Herald.',

A iETTER received from " Vindex" will appear next week.

The Government intends to grant 6s. Bd. in the £ as subsidy to the Munioipal rates for the presenc year.

The 'Star' reports "that Mr W. H. M'Keay has' received from the Minister of Justice a sum of £BOO for the late Judge Gray's widow. We commend the Government for their prompt action in this matter, as we believe Mrs. Gray stood in urgent? need of assistance."

Thb "District Surveyor has received instructions to push on. the survey of the Kyeburn Hundred. The first camp is alreadypitched, and the survey will be commenced immediately. Tn the meantime, we presume the survey of the block known as Sander's block will again be postponed. Oh the afternoon of Saturday last there wa3 an alarm of fire at iNaseby. The bell was rung, and the members of the brigade promptly turned out. The hut occupied by Mr. B. Doherty was burnt—all blankets and clothes in it being lost. The fire exhausted itself in a few minutes. ITothing could be done to save the. property. The vote of £SOOO which had been placed on the supplementary estimates for the Maerewhenua bridge was struck out in Committee. The Oamaru paper learns privately that it is quite possible that Mr. Steward may succeed in obtaining a similar amount for the work out of £20,000 voted for works in outlying districts. We hope our friends at Maerewhenua may get it—after the election forWaitaki. . .;. |

It is reported in the ' Wakatipu Mail' that Mr. T. L. Shepherd will shortly receive a civil service appointment. : Although we consider that Mr. Shepherd as a politician, has done all the good that it is now possible for him to io, we are not at all of opinion that he is not entitled to receive a reward for what he has done. Out of all the chaff and abuse Mr. Shepherd has received he has never been charged, with political dishonesty. The 'Palmerston Times' reports that:— " At Fullartons; ar the Four-Mile, near the Hyde diggings, a party of miners have struck good gold, at 150 feet Bmking: the washdirt is four feet deep, and yields over 2 ozs. to the load. The party • intends to work the ground by tunnelling. It. is. understood that this rich ground has been looked for during the laßt two or three years, and it iB gratifying to hear of its discovery." The ' Guardian' understands " that the Commanding Officer of the Dunedin district ha issued orders to the .Volunteers not to take any active 1 part, as such, in the demonstration to be given to Mr. Macandrew on his arrival. Instructions we also telegraphed yesterday morning to the Captain of the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade prohibiting them from firing the proposed salute of 19 guns." The real secret of the matter is—the guns aint safe. Thb New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) furnish the following produce telegram :—London, October 2. The wool sales closed firmly, at an average decline of from ljd. to 2d. Twenty thousand bales have been held over for future disposal, and 15,000 bales been withdrawn. During the past sales 120,000 bales have been.taken for export. The Continental demand is limited. Trade in the manufacturing districts is unchanged. The next sales will commence on the 23rd November. :

A MEETiiro of the committee of the Palmersfcotißacing Club was'helilon.Wednesday last at the Carriers Arms Hotel; when a programme, •which is to be submitted to a generarmeeting of the Club, was framed. It contains seven events, and the total value of the niorey prizes to be offered is estimated at £220 The Secretary -was instructed to write to Mr' George, of the Monnt'lda Racing Club, inti* mating that, the Kakanui -and Palmerston Race meetings would take place on Boxing day an&lNijw-iear's. day respectively and asking whefc|e* v the Mount Ida Club could 6nveniently;arrange, the date of their meeting, so that frdrses coming fromtQamaru to com'-' pete at the severartmeetings might call at Kakanui and their way toMount Ida, and leaving-a'n|=ihterval of eight or ten days to expire between each meeting. This Course, it is thought,''will give each district a chance of securing better fields at their meetings.—' Palmersdn'Times.' •

In the debate on Francisco mail service Mr. Sheehan said';—" I complain of the position the Government have taken up in regard to their absent colleague, Sir Julius Vogel. Ido not know whether many, honorable members share my opinion, but I regard their conduct as anything but creditable to the Government. It was their bounden duty to have defended their absent colleague at all hazards, even at the risk: of going out of office. It is alleged that their colleague has been guilty of improper conduct, or that he did something his colleagues did not know anything of ? -In condemning Sir Julius Vogel they condemn themselves. I recollect the fact that Sir Julius Vogel led this House for five years—that those who now censure him lived upon his breath, and got into power on his shoulders. I cannot help thinking of the lines,— Darius great and good, By too severe a" fate, Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallenFallen from his high estate !

The late. Colonial Treasurer is being damned with faint praise. He is being dealt With as some people in a low public-house are dealt wifchwhentheyhave spent all their money: they are shewn the door, and told to go elsewhere. That is the treatment they are giving Sir Julius Vogel. They should have taken his part to the utmost. They should have said, "We will stand by him in the error he has committed ; if he has done wrong, we have done wrong with him; if the House succeeds in putting him out. of office, we will go along with him." The spectacle of censuring an absent man— a man who has tried his utmost to carry on the government' of this country, for the last five years, and (who has done much to promote the prosperity of the country—l say the fact of his colleagues, now throwing him over is simply a spectacle of perfidy which I -think the Government ought to be ashamed of." Mr. Luckie also had something to say worth reporting:— " I have seen the time in this House when the honorable member 'for Selwyn (Mr. Reeves) would have talked with "'bated breath and whispering humbleness" of the honorable member of whom he has spoken. In such a course he has been followed by " the old man eloquent," who has spoken as the honorable member, Auckland City West so often does. There are honorable members here who, if Sir Julius Vogel had been present, would not have ventured to speak of him as they have done. They would have known the retort and the reply he would have given. He would have maintained himself, his rights, and his position against those who are assailing him now in his absence and his illnesp."