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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4566, 8 November 1875, Page 2

If we are to credit some people, the effects of the recent provincial festivities in Otago were simply overwhelming. Having before us the newspaper reports of these banquets, we are not inclined to doubt this in certain respects. One effect in particular must be considered extremely overwhelming, and that was the power of seeing double which the banquets evidently conferred on some partakers. Thus, for instance, we had it telegraphed to us, that there were 150 people present at the Clutha festivity, whom Sir George Grey excited to the usual fervid display of patriotism, by the customary claptrap appeals. The newspaper reporter, however, who had no time to be affected by the potency either of the language or the liquor, gives the actual attendance as ninety-five all told, having apparently taken upon himself the easy task of counting the heads of those present. It is worthy of note in this connection that Mr. John Sheehan, at the Clutha, did the work performed by Sir George Grey at Milton, where, according to the Bruce Herald, he combined ploughing and politics, and laid flattery on Mr. Murray as thickly as a plasterer puts . lime on a ,walL At the Clutha, Mr. Sheehan did the same office for Mr. Thomson. It was probably thought that Sir George having pronounced Mr. Murray the foremost man in all the world, there would be a little incongruity in his doing the same for Mr. Thomson within two days, and at a distance of only 18 miles. It would have been impossible for Sir George to have lowered his praise in favor of the Clutha member, for whether in praise or condemnation, Sir G eorge can speak only in hyperbole. Accordingly the task was allotted to Mr. Sheehan, who is as yet only amongst the sous of the provincial prophets. And reading Mr. Sheehan’s speech, we willingly admit that he is likely, with perseverance, to acquire as much power of rhodomontade as will entitle him to rank amongst his elders. Indeed, in his case it is not too much to say that though his Elijah has not yet departed he has yet Elijah’s mantle, and a double dose of that prophet’s spirit. He began by paying a delicate compliment to Otago, and averred that the dream of his boyhood, fulfilled in the aspirations of his riper years, was to see Gabriel’s Gully and the ‘ Clutha Biver. These ■ dreams fulfilled, he . was prepared to die happy, even though by so doing he deprived provincialism of a champion. With that modesty which is his present characteristic, as it is likely to prove his rock ahead in life, Mr. Sheehan went on to say that during the past session he had “managed the Opposition,” a statement which Sir George Grey and Messrs. Eitzherbert, Rolleston, and Macandrew will, without doubt, feel highly complimentary to their abilities as party leaders. From the lofty standpoint thus attained, Mr. Sheehan was able by an easy transition to testify to the worth and general excellence of the member for the Clutha, and this he did to admiration, declaring that there never had been, and never might, could, should, or would be such a statesman, orator, and member as Mr. Thomson. It is not difficult to believe that under the circumstances prevailing at the time Mr. Sheehan spoke, when his language was heard pleasantly, and his views seen darkly as through a glass (of what, the report does not say), his listeners were content ,to accept his estimate of Mr. Thomson as perfectly accurate. It is a consolation, however, to know that, a few. days’ reflection and long familiarity with Mr. Thomson will do away with that estimate, and leave the member for Clutha exactly where he was before, a fellow-bore with Messrs. Murray, Mervyn, and others, but less obnoxious than his fellows, in that he occasionally gave evidence in the House of knowing that he would best benefit his party by remaining silent.

We find the following in the editorial notes of the Spectator , September 18; —“Though Sir Julius Vogel has been laid up at a German bath, while the present New Zealand Parliament has been holding its last session, his policy, like John Brown’s soul, has been ‘ marching on’ —at a rate too which shows that the Premier’s absence does not produce the same paralysing and bewildering effect upon his colleagues that Mr. Burke described as following whenever Lord Chatham had an attack of the gout. The Agent-General of New Zealand has published a telegram received at his office this week, by which it appears that Sir Julius’s great measure to abolish the provincial system of administration has been carried by a majority of 62 to 17, on its second reading. A majority so considerable on the eve of a general election, and in the face of the formidable opposition which, as it was at one time supposed, Sir George Grey might succeed in organising, cleariy shows that opinion in the colony is satisfied that the Heptarchy has done its work and had its day. The effect on the finance of the colony from the amalgamation of general and provincial revenue is considerable, and must go on increasing. Major Atkinson, who holds the office of Treasurer in Sir Julius Vogel’s absence, was able, in proposing the Budget, to state that the revenue already exceeded that of last year by £185,000, and the Treasurer’s estimate by £IOB,OOO, thus showing a surplus for the year of £120,000. The financial proposals for the current year include the absorption of eight month’s provincial revenue, thus raising the revenue of the colony to £2,476,000 —a revenue greater than that of Canada before confederation, and to be classed as third, almost second, indeed, among the Australasian Colonies. The estimated expenditure, including eight months’ provision for provincial services, is £2,400,000 ; the Government declaring it to be their policy, after providing for all general and local loan charges, and for the Defence department, to expend £702,000 of the absorbed revenue on special provincial works. This largo local expenditure is quite consistent with the views always held by the advocates of a strong central government for the colony, and pithily expressed by Major Atkinson, in a very able speech on the subject last session, when he said : ‘Provincial Government is not local government; it never has been local government, and never will be.’ But it is somewhat surprising that such views have gained ground so rapidly, and under such circumstances.” We reprint the foregoing from the Spectator, although the result does not quite coincide with its anticipations. It shows, however, the interest which New Zealand affairs excite at Home.; The Budget must have been very favorably received. It is to be hoped that the

arguments based upon it may not, to some extent, he found to be fallacious. The parliamentary campaign just closed was not altogether so favorable to Government, in a fiscal point of view, as the Spectator supposed would be the case. Notwithstanding this, it is gratifying to find New Zealand occupying such a prominent place in the public estimation in England.

The Californian Mail Bag, a monthly edition of the well-known News Letter, has an article on the now notorious Hezekiah Hall and his connection with the new San Francisco mail service. The article is couched in very strong language indeed, language far more plain than plea ant, and details many, circumstances in connection with its subject for which we are not prepared to vouch. But there can be little doubt about the statement made, that Hall’s connection with the mail service will not redound to its credit, receiving full assent in this colony and in New South Wales. The Mail Bag gives certain reasons which it says have operated to bring about Mr. Hall’s employment by or in connection with the Pacific Mail Company, which reasons are of a very extraordinary nature, and involve to a certain extent the reputation of Mr. Parkes, lately Premier of New South Wales. Into those reasons we do not propose to enter, but we may say at once that whatever may be the reasons that have operated in Hall’s favor, we have to deal simply with the fact that a man whose connection with previous mail services brought utter discredit upon them, who is held responsible for a pecuniary breach of faith with passengers ; in short, whose career as agent of mail services is such as Hall’s, should not have been permitted to appear in connection with that now about to be inaugurated.