The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5506, 19 November 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1878.

At a dinner recently given by the officers of the Otago Volunteers jn honor of Colonel Whitmore, the Defence Minister, and Mr. Sheehan, the Native Minister, the latter made what is described as a humorous speech, in which he drew a far-fetched comparison between the fall of Plevna and the defeat of the late Ministry, Colonel Whitmore being now in charge representing the Russians. This little joke fell flat, and one gentleman called out, “You won’t bo there long,” a sally which immediately “ fetched” the audience' as the Americans say, but considerably confused the speaker. After murmuring that it would take a hard fight to turn the Ministers out, he appears to have collapsed with the remark that “at a festive gathering “it would be as well not to introduce “ the disturbing element of politics.” The company appear to have been very much amused by the incident, though perhaps it- was rather hard on Ministers to choose such an occasion for reminding them of their insecure tenure of office. We deeply sympathise with Mr. Sheehan and his col. league in this matter. To secure their presence by the prospect of French cookery and choice wine, to treat them with all honor and distinction till by reason of- good eating and drinking they felt at peace with all the world, and then suddenly to galvariize them by a sharp reminder of “the sweet bye and bye,” when there will bo no more such tribute paid to their modest merit, was, to say the least of it, unkind. It we had been told that the person who uttered the prophetic words was immediately ejected from the room, or was called to order i>y Colonel Stately, the chairman, or was rebuked by the forbidding looks of those who sat at table with him, we should have felt satisfied that the culprit had merely expressed his private personal opinion as to what miglit be expected to happen in the not remote future. We might oven

have doubted whether he had spoken his really sober sentiments, and supposed that he had seen through a champagne glass darkly. But he was not turned out, ho was not rebuked, and the rest of the company seem to have been well pleased at their messmate’s audacity. They did not ridicule him, but they enjoyed a good laugh with him at the expense of the guests of the evening. It was really too bad, but still not altogether undeserved. The man who could make merry before a crowd of volunteers about the difficulty he had experienced in dodging and scrambling his way into office ought not to have been surprised when those who listened to him let him into the secret that in their opinion he did not deserve long to retain his position. As it was, his dream of safety was somewhat roughly broken in upon, and in its place there v.oso before him-the gloomy vision of further lighting, and dodging, and a prospect of ignominious defeat. He was at the moment compelled to ask his entertainers not to be too hard bn him, and not to endanger the harmony of the “ festive gathering” by tho introduction of political discussion. This cry of “ You won’t be there long” is being echoed pretty freely from all parts of the Oolony just now, and unfortunately for the Ministry, the constituencies are not disposed to shelve consideration of political questions quite so complacently as the Volunteer officers at the Dunedin banquet. The public care nothing whatever about all tho trouble Sir Gborob Grey and his colleagues took to escape from what Mr. Sheehan -so j eloquently and pathetically described as “ the cold side of the House, where tho “ sun does not shine, and there is no 4 4 warmth or circulating medium j”— meaning, we presume, by the last expression, the salaries and allowances of Ministers. What the public are particularly anxious to know is what Ministers have done to entitle them to draw those salaries for the future ; and, rather earlier than usual, members of the Lower House are beginning the work of enlightenment. Not that there is any dense ignorance about the business of the session. -The country Press has already told the story with more or less accuracy, and commented on it almost unceasingly ; and it is worthy of remark that in many of the newspapers known heretofore by their staunch support of the “Grey” policy, a hesitating, apologetic, and half - hearted tone has taken the place of bold and unflinching advocacy. But in addition to tho contents of the newspapers, the public have a strong liking to hear from the lips of their own representatives what has been done, and what part they have taken in the campaign. Following what is now the almost universal custom, Mr. Wool-, cock, the member for Grey Valley, last week faced the constituency that returned ihim, and was accorded a most favorable reception. In no other part of the Colony did'Sir George Grey, when on his talking tour-, find a better market for liis pro-

raises than the West Coast of the Middle Island. The people were completely captivated, and without hesitation believed all he said. Mr. Woolcock himself appears t%some extent to have caught the infection, and came up last session ready to give general support to the policy which had been so loudly enunciated during the recess. We have no reason to suppose that he had the slightest intention of deceiving his friends, or being in any way, as the saying is, worse than his word. What he had to tell the electors last week, and what he told them in a lengthy speech, which was attentively listened to throughout, was that he had not supported Sir George Guev’s Ministry for the very sufficient reason that the measures which they introduced as the outcome of all the promises, so fluently made, did not embody what had been promised—did not, as a matter of fact, even tend in that direction. The men were there, but not the measures, and the honorable member had found himself compelled either to follow Sir George Grey, and abandon his own principles, or cling to his principles, and do his best to neutralise, as far as possible, the evil which was contemplated by the “people’s Ministry.” Any impartial person reading Mr. Woolcock’s speech would, we think, come to the conclusion that it was the utterance of an honest man who, having pledged himself to support a certain course of policy, could not but desert Ministers when they themselvesdcserted every principle they had laid down for their guidance. Neither Mr. Woolqook nor any other member, we imagine, pledged himself to follow Sir George Grey whithersoever he chose to lead. The Grey Valley constituency evidently took that view of the case. They did not seem to think that they had anything to forgive their representative. He neither asked for pardon nor did they grant it, but they gave him an unqualified vote of confidence, which was was far more to tho purpose. The result of Mr. Woolcock’s meeting goes to show not that he, or tho Grey Valley people, are fickle, or stupid and ignorant, but that they have had their eyes opened to the fact that, as a politician, Sir George Grey is totally untrustworthy. Underlying his promises and his fine speeches, there is a firm determination to strengthen the position of his Ministry at all hazards. The liberty of tho people, of which ho delights to talk, is with him an entirely secondary consideration, if indeed it is taken into account' - at all ;■ and if ho had had his own way last, session he might by insidious means have probably contrived to give himself a very long tenure of office. His principal measures were framed partly with that view, and partly to concentrate more arbitrary power in the hands of the Government. As time goes on and more representatives address their constituents, we have no doubt whatever that this opinion of the Grey Valley people will bo largely endorsed, and that many an electoratewhich a year ago was strongly in the Premier’s interest will bo found repeating tho rude little speech of the gentleman at the Dunedin banquet—“ You won’t be there long.”

A man named George Karri-* was arrest© by Detective Smart yesterday for larceny. A chimney in a house k£ Willis street took fire last evening ; but the fire Avas subdued by the Fire Police before any damage was done or any alarm raised, <* . 'Mr. Dransfield will address , the ratepayers at the Newtown Hotel this evening, and Mr. Hutchison will also address a meeting at the City Hotel, Clyde-quay. The Court of Appeal will sit at 11 o’clock this morning, for the purpose of being formally adjourned .until after the • business of the Divorce Court has been disposed of. The complimentary concert at the Atbemoum to-night cannot fail to be a great success, both as regards the attendance and the rechcrchi nature of the programme.

Mr. Hutchison addressed the electors at the White Swan Hotel last evening, and received a vote of confidence. We understand that Mr. John Robertson, late messenger of the National Bank, has become the proprietor of the Prince of Wales’ Hotel. His friends will no doubt wish him every success iu this new venture. A deputation waited on Sir George Giey as Minister for Customs and Marine yesterday, with reference to two or three matters, viz., a site for a sailors’ home, Custom House regulations, and a steam tug-for the harbor. A report of the proceedings appears in another Column.

Notice has been received that communication has been restored on the Port Darwin line. The Madras cable has also been repaired. It is no longer necessary to' collect the Rangoon rates on Indian telegrams. The NagasakiShangbai cable is also, repaired. This evening the Wellington Literary Association will hold a meeting at St. John’s schoolroom. Thera will be essays read on “Total Abstinence” and on “Health.” Some important business will be discussed, and a large attendance is hoped fot. On Sunday St. Paul's Choir presented two of - its members, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas, who are about leaving Wellington for Feilding, with a prayer-book and a hymn-book respectively, as a token of esteem and as the earnest of good wishes felt for Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas’ future prosperity. The Government have as yet taken no decisive action with regard to the sale of the reclaimed land. Efforts will be made to obtain the beat possible price, "and when the sale is determined on it will be advertised in the leading papers of New Zealand and the Australian Colonies,

Mr. Gordon Allan accidentally acquainted the Divorce Court yesterday with the fact that h© was a single man; whereupon his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston hinted that perhaps the learned counsel would not care 1 1 ste the admission in the papers, as he might perhaps be rushed with applications of a matrimonial character.

The Horticultural Society’s Spring Exhibition will be held in St, George’s Hall tomorrow. A good show is expected notwithstanding the bad weather experienced lately ; but we would suggest that those persons who possess a good plant or two should exhibit them for the benefit of their less fortunate neighbors. The prize-list is on a very liberal scale, and is supplemented by a goodly number of “special prizes,” amongst which we notice several for the encouragement of cottage window, gardening. _ • The Wairarapa Pastoral Association Show will be held to-morrow. ' A very good list of entries has been posted, and we hope that many of our townsfolk will go up to see the stock that will be exhibited. ' To-day and tomorrow return tickets at single fares will be issued ou the Wellingtou-Masterton line, which will be available up to the following Thursday evening. We hear that Mr. Hunter, of this city, has sent up some stock to the show.

We hear by telegram that the Piako, bound for Lyttelton, New Zealand, arrived at Pernambuco with her cargo on fire. From another source we learn that the ship had a general

cargo and a full complement of passengers, including 290 immigrants, all of .whom are well. The vessel is of 1075 tons register, and is almost a new ship. * She left London on October 2nd. Pernambuco is a province of Brazil. The passengers have been able to obtain a passage by another ship, bound for Queenstown. The delay to the immigrants will be very inconvenient, and probably also a source of considerable expense to the colony. . The Divorce Court sat yesterday. Decrees absolute were granted in the following cases: —Heney v. Heney and Moore, Woolcock v. Woolcockand Waddell, McMahon v.McMahon and Russell, Barnes v. Barnes and Martin, and Devery v. Devery and Moore, The case of George v. George was then heard, and after evidence was taken at considerable length, the Court granted a decree nisi on the usual terms. This is a Wellington case, in which the wife petitioned for a divorce ou the grounds of cruelty and adultery. The Court adjourned until 11.5 a.m. this day, There are still five cases on the list—two for decrees nisi, and three for first hearing. * There was an exceedingly large attendance at the Exchange Land Offices yesterday, when the firm held their usual monthly auction sale of landed properties. The bidding was fairly spirited, and a. number of the lots reached fair prices. Amongst the sales were the following ;—Lot 1, lease of 30ft., Adelaide-road, 255. per foot per annum, Pascoe and Co.; lot 2, lease of 30ft., Adelaide-road, 17s. per foot per annum, Pascoe and Co.; lot 5, lease of 30ft.,'Adelaideroad, 18s. per foot per annum, T. Tolley ; lots 7 to 9, lease of 90ft. to Adelaide-road, lls. per foot per annum, 11. Bond ; 33 acres, with cottage, at Palmerston, £220, F. Eagles ; two sections, Manchester Block, 83 acres, £6 per acre, W. Edwards ; four sections, Woodville, £2-4 each, J, E. Read ; allotment, 54ft. to Majoribank-atreet, £6 10s. per foot, O. Taylor, The premises in Manners-street formerly occupied by Mr. Huxley were offered, but the highest bid, £SO per foot, being below the reserve, the property was withdrawn. A number of properties in Awatoto, Featherstou, Carnarvon, and other districts were also withdrawn, the reserves not being reached, and are now open for.private sale. Judging from the large number of buyers present, and the competition, it is clear that the demand for anything like really good property is still as active as ever, and we are glad to notice so evident a sign of continued prosperity;

The special correspondent of the Melbourne Argus says :—“ It is understood that the Paris Exhibition has been a financial failure. According to the calculations made by tho Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, an average daily attendance of 77,000 persons, paying each If., was required to produce the sum of 14 millions of francs (£560,000) set down as the probable receipts.. Up to the present time tho average attendance daily has failed to exceed 60,000 persons ; aud however productive tho month of September and beginning of October, described as the best months ’for visitors, may be, there will be a deficit of from £BO,OOO to £IOO,OOO as far as the budget of receipts is concerned. The expenses incurred In organising and building the Exhibition, aud the ’excess of cost in constructing the palace and grounds on the Trocadero, may be put down at £1,812,000. The building materials on the Champ de Mars have been included la the budget of receipts as worth £280,000, and even should they fetch as much as expected, and everything go on as well as possible, there must be a total deficit of at least 13,000,000 f. (£520,000).. Per contra, the Exhibition has been a great success as far as France is concerned.”

A London telegram to. the Times of India. gives the following important particulars regarding the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank ;—“ London, 4th October.—ln connection with the suspension of the City of Glasgow Bank, the city article in to-day’s Times says that Smith, Fleming, and Go. arc liable for cash advances amounting to £853,000, and for acceptances to the value of £900,000 sterling. Another firm owes the bank £770,000 for advances, and £1,600,000 for acceptances. A third figures in the list for £1,200,000 for cash and acceptances. A fourth exhibits a debt of £500,000 sterling, making a total of £5,823,000 lent by the bank directly or indirectly to four firms, the reputation of one or two of which has been anything but good tor soma' years back, The advances granted to these four firms, coupled with the negligent system of general mismanagement, is the direct cause of the suspension, and is hardly short of criminal. It is now estimated that the bank will show a deficit of £3,000,000, which to the knowledge of the directors and managers has been accumulating from year to year. Yet the dividend had been steadily incteased." The Morning Herald says : A nugget weighing 3oz. 7dwts. was picked up at Waitahuna Gully last week. The Loudon firm, Messrs. Hnwksley, Mowbray, aud Co., in reply to n telegram from Melbourne ■ about the panic in gas shares caused by the electric light experiments, says that they consider the depreciation only temporary.

Meetings of the creditors in the bankrupt estates of G. Roxburgh and of Joseph Silvery were held yesterday, , Mr. S. Carroll was appointed trustee for both estates. A meeting of the creditors in the estate of one White had been summoned, but no quorum was present, and the meeting was adjourned until next day. Mr. W, Colston, writing from Barnawartha to the Australasian) says:—“ln answer to your correspondent about the heaviest bullock, living or dead, in the colony, in your issue of the 21st ult., I will give you the size of the largest I have living. It was purchased by Mr. Murdoch McLean for £l2O, in Wellington, New Zealand. It turned the scale at 39131 b, or 35cwt Iqr ; height, 6ft lin ; length, lift 9in; girth, Oft lOin ; belly, 10ft llin ; hocks, 2ft Hin ; arm, 3ft; yoke, 7ft Sin ; age, eight years. We understand, says our Waikato contemporary, that Mrs. Ralph, of Taupiri, has been offered, and refused, the sum of £20,000 for the property upon which the coal mine is situated, and from which she is drawing a revenue of one shilling per ton royalty on every ton of coal. . Pot a long time past I was suffering from the breathing organs, when the idea occurred to mo of using Grimault and Co.’s Indian Cigarettes, which procured me so great a relief that they have become indispensable to my existence. — S. Santiago, Malaga. —fADvr.] '