Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 302, 21 December 1877, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

Mr. Coktis was not in good form last night. Those who went to hear him expected at least an interesting speech, and possibly some further information than they had already possessed with regard to the proceedings of the late eventful session, but in both instances were they disappointed. The manner of the address was by no means up to the speaker's usual style, while the matter was but a dreary rechauffe of Hansard and press telegrams, with .scarcely one original idea or suggestion. For the sake of the great Middle Party, of whom so much was at one time expected, it would have been better had the story of their rise and collapse by one of themselves beeu left untold, "We were completely fooled " was the burden of Mr Curtis' narrative of eveuts. But did they not on his own showing deserve to be fooled? Did they take a single precaution against such a catastrophe? Did they not rather do all in their power to court it? Mr Curtis tells us that he commenced the session by being a warm supporter of the Atkinson Government, but all of a sudden, and without any other reason than that the Opposition under Sir G. Grey was very strong, he found himself a member of the " Middle Party," which was brought into existence for the sole purpose of turning Mr Curtis' late friends out of office. We say the " sole purpose," because it is clear that they never gave a thought to the future. Their programme was to carry a vote of no confidence, and then to trust to Providence for what waa to follow. They would rather have endured the Atkinson Government for all time to come than see Sir George Grey in power, and yet in order to oust the former they had

to ally themselves with the Grey parfcy, without any leader of their own, or any guarantee that the acknowledged chief of their new friends should not be hoisted into the Premier's chair. It is quite true that Sir George's friends and colleagues promised and vowed in his name that he would remain perfectly quiet, and would not come forward as a candidate for office, but there was nothing whatever to show that he considered himself bound by the assurances of his self constituted sponsors. It had been known for two years that Sir George's great desire was to obtain the reina of Government, and yet these poor credulous members of the great Middle Party believed that when they had dove duty as catspaw, they were to be allowed to eat or dispose of the chestnuts exactly as they thought fit, and without the leader of the Opposition of two years' standing having any say whatever in the matter. Such guileless simplicity in men who have had many years' experience of Parliamentary life is scarcely credible. The very points iti his character which they tell us prevent their placing confidence in him as Premier should surely have led them to distrust Sir George as aa ally. But no, with all their knowledge of his antecedents they placed a blind faith in him, and rushed into the arms which were outstretched to receive them. If the embrace with which they were greeted was not exactly such as they expected or approved of, they, at least, have no right to cry out against it. This portion of Mr Curtis' narrative was such a lamentable confession of the weak^ ne«s, want of tact, foresight, and we might a 1 most say of common sense displayed by a n imber of men occupying a high position ia public life that we are glad to leave it. We have not time now to follow him through his address, but mast pass on to his cross-ex-amination by Mr Levestam, in which Mr Curtis, marvellous to say, was caught tripping. It was in reply to a question as to the relative dates of the meeting of the Middle Party, at which it was decided not to unduly embarrass the Government, and of notice being given by Major Atkinson of his nomotion. Mr Curtis persisted that some time elapsed between the two, greatly to the surprise of those who heard him, most of whom knew better. Taken by itself, this is not a matter of very much moment, but it assumed importance from the fact that Mr Curtis had given such prominence to the statement that Major Atkinson had not exhibited an indecent haste to return to office, but was merely acting under the directions of his party. On reference to our telegrams — and we see no reason to doubt their accuracy — we find that the meeting referred to was held on Monday, the 22nd October, when it was decided that 'no undue pressure should be brought to bear upon the Government to induce them to bring down the Financial Statement, but that all reasonable time should be afforded." On the following Wednesday, on the House meeting at 2 30, Major Atkinson gave notice of the no confidence motion. Loyalty to his chief —a very commendable quality — begot in him by whom it was displayed oblivion of facts— a very grievous blunder.

There is one other matter to which we must refer before concluding our remarks. Whatever may have been the shortcomings of the speaker, no possible excuse can be offered for the excessively rude treatment accorded to him at the close of the meeting. There were plenty of men there who ought to ha ve known better than to allow Mr Curtis to leave the room without the customary vote of thanks to which he was clearly entitled, and we doubt not that they have ere this felt heartily ashamed of themselves for the want of courtesy they displayed.

The Hon Mr Sheehan, the Minister of Justice, and the Hon Mr Nahe, also a member of the Cabinet, passed through Nelson to-day on their way to Auckland. Mr Sheehan paid a flying visit to Foxhill, a special train being laid on for the occasion.

The Christchurch cricketers passed through Nelson to-day on their way to Auckland. A scratch match, in which several of the Nelson cricketers joined, was played in Victory Square this afternoon.

Those well-knowa artiste Mr and Mrs Morton Tavarea have arrived in Nelson, and purpose giving two or three dramatic entertainments, the first of which will take place on Wednesday in the Masonic Hall.

What promises to be a very attractive entertainment will be given at the OddEellowa' Hall this evening by the Nelson City Cadets. As a large number of tickets have been disposed of a bumper house may be anticipated.

Mr. Gordon Forlong, an evangelist of well-known ability, who has been holding crowded gatherings in the theatre at Wellington, is expected to arrive in Nelson next week.

Nothing succeeds like success, says the proverb. This is strikingly exemplified by the. popularity attained by a stimulating invigorant and diuretic some twenty-five years ago, and which has ever since gone on conquering weakness, kidney disease, gravel, rheumatism, dyspepsia, and various o6her maladies. It is also regarded by physicians as an efficient protection against complaints caused by variations of the weather, and is known to the public as Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.— [Ajjvt.]