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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5794, 24 October 1879, Page 2

The Government yesterday announced that they would be prepared to take the want of confidence motion of the hon. the member for Port Chalmers to-day, and that no public business would be done until it was decided. Several Private Bills were introduced, and in the evening several of those already introduced were read a second time. There was a long discussion on the Bill of Mr. Acton Adams to amend the Licensing Law, which was ultimately thrown out on the motion of Mr. Stewart, that it be read that day six months. We publish in another column a number of extracts from journals from all parts of New Zealand, showing the state of public feeling on the political situation. Our main difficulty has been to find any leading journal except the Lyttelton Times which can be said to be a staunch supporter of the Grey-cum-Macan-drew party. Even that journal admits that a dissolution, if it were imminent, would be a very severe test to the party allegiance of members of the Opposition. However, our Auckland intelligence is highly satisfactory, and we trust that there will be no necessity for such a drastic remedy. The list of extracts would have been very much longer but for the fact that we have already published numerous extracts from the Auckland journals in support of the Hall Ministry, which were sent to us by telegraph ; as well as others from elsewhere which have reached us, and were reprinted by us before this last batch came to hand. The Supreme Court sat in its civil jurisdiction yesterday, and the case of Oarkeek v. Williams was disposed of. The only remaining case is that of Schultze v. the Wellington Corporation, which will be taken to-day. This case will not need a jury, there being only a question of law involved. About forty members of the Wellington Guards assembled at the Arcade last night, under the command of Captain Randall Johnson and Drill-Instructor Bell The various phases of the drill having been gene through in a very efficient manner, the company marched out, headed by their brass band, and paraded the principal streets of the city.

Mr. W. H. Quick will probably be a candidate for the vacancy in the City Council caused by Mr. Moss’s resignation, as a requisition is in active course of signature asking Mr. Quick to stand fur Lambton Ward.

In introducing the Wellington Harbor Board Bill last night Mr. Levin made a most excellent speech, and a still better one when replying to the remarks of his colleague Mr. Hutchison, who stronidv opposed the Bilb He was listened to with great attention, and very clearly proved that the time will come, if it has not come already, when he will carry great weight in the House, Notwithstanding the opposition of Mr. Hutchison, who evidently spoke as an advocate f w the City Council, the Bill was read a second time, and, judging of the feeling of the House last night, it is bound to pass. We regret from the late hour at which the debate took place we are unable to find space for anything like an extended report of it. In another column we publish a letter from a discharged seaman of the Hinemoa. We have questioned the man very closely as to the particulars of his story, which are set forth in the letter to which we have referred, and we see no reason to doubt the correctness of it. If the facts are as stated, it would appear that servants of the Marine Department are not likely to meet with much consideration if they should have the misfortune to be injured while on duty. Theflaw may provide a remedy, but the machinery of the law cannot be easily set in motion by any man unless he has either money or credit or influence. During the Council’s sitting yesterday, which lasted three-quarters of an hour, the only incident was a confident prediction by Capt. Fraser that if the drivers on the line between Wellington and' the Hutt do not reduce “ the insane velocity” at which they drive their trains, there will some day be a frightful catastrophe. There was a discussion on higher education reserves, which was, however, of but little interest. The Council will hold a formal sitting of a few minutes to-day, but all important business has been postponed to Tuesday. The Naval Brigade mustered in full force last night on the reclaimed land, about 200 men being present, and after going through battalion drill, they marched through the city, headed by their excellent band. The Brigade is now divided into four companies of 50 men, and are under the command of Lieutenants Bennett, Inglis, Leahy, and Wallace. We are informed that it is the intention of the Brigade to hold a grand picnic on Soames Island next Boxing Day, which, it is anticipated, will prove a great success. We were misinformed with reference to the purchase made by Mr. Whitehouse yesterday at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter’s sale of the Nag’s Head freehold. The site was not bought for the National Bank, as we were informed, but for the purchaser’s own use. His Honor the Chief Justice presided at a short sitting of the Supreme Court in Banco yesterday. Judgment was given in the case of Beere v. Czerwonka, a motion for a rule to review a taxation, which was refused with costs. In the appeal case of Gird wood v. Glen, the appeal was dismissed with costs. Sir George Grey is an ambitious man (says the Wairarapa Daily), and probably nothing loss than supreme power will satisfy him. Having been kicked off the constitutional ladder, he must climb by an unconstitutional one. What his end and aim is it is difficult to discern. Is he to be “ Lord Protector,” or President, or Khedive of New Zealand ? Perhaps the latter title might suit him, with Macandrew as Grand Vizier, Sheehan Chief of the (say) Palace, and the Editor of the Chronicle as bearer of the bow-string. It precedents are to be introduced into New Zealand unknown to the English constitution, where are we to stop and what will the country come to ? Though deposed from place and power in the House of Representatives, Sir George Grey claims by outside influences to be able to rule the colony, and it is a serious question to what extent he can exert such influences and what is his ultimate object in appealing to them. The organ tor St. Mark's Church arrived by the ship Zealandia, and it is expected to be erected in about three weeks hence. We understand the opening services will be conducted by the well-known organist, Mr. Angelo Forrest ; after which Mr. Hammerton will officiate as the organist of the Church,

A good deal of laughter was yesterday caused by the reading of a petition from Sydney Taiwhanga, In which he besought the Souse to go on with the business of the country, and made special reference to the waste of time that had already taken place. Mr. Hutchison yesterday gave notice that he would ask the Government if it was their intention during the present session to bring forward a Bill to provide special legislation for the offence of contempt of Court. The San Francisco Post says that there are nine organised Chinese lottery companies, with 300 agents, in San Francisco. It also states that the headquarters are known to the police, and yet the business is allowed to be conducted without let or hindrance.

At the proposed outlet of the Darien Canal into the Pacific, is found at a short distance the great antarctic current of cold water, which ha.- its direction from south to north all the year round. Amongst the representatives of the Press present at an entertainment lately given in Sydney in connection with the International Bxhibitiou were the following :—Mr. R, D. Adams, representing the London Times', Professor RoaUix, representing the principal German papers ; M. Schorwain, representing Paris Figaro and Globe ; M. Moimen, representing Paris LEstaffelte; Mr. Thomas Butler, representing Freeman's Journal; and Mr. Graves, representing the New York Herald.

Speaking of the present financial position of the colony, the Timaru Herald says : —“ The truth is that the financial crisis which we have always predicted would ensue from the reckless borrowing policy of 1870, has at length arrived. It has come sooner than was necessary perhaps, and has been intensified by the incompetence and profligacy of the late Ministry, whose sole aim, as far as we can understand, was to make the money last their time. But it was bound to come some day, unless a radical change in the system both of finance and of administration had been instituted. Perhaps it is as well that it should have come now rather than later, because there is, we believe, just now an anxious spirit of enquiry throughout the country as to the state of public affairs. There has in the past been far too much apathy and indifference amongst all classes of the people, but the hard times and the general election have to some extent aroused them from it, and it is to be hoped that when the perilous position in which the colony stands has become generally known through the Treasurer’s Financial Statement, the people will demand an honest, steady, and economical Government for the future.”

In a leader upon the aspect of the political situation, the Otago Daily Times says : —“ The position is a most critical one, and Sir George Grey has much to answer for. If he goes on as he is doing, obstructing all compromises and stirring up party strife to the uttermost, he will do much to render all wise and weUeonsidered government impossible, and will draw down upon himself, not the kind of abuse which he deprecates as coming from the disappointed land-sharks, but the execration of the working classes, whom he has done so much to cajole and so much to injure. . . . Much as we desire Mr. Macandrew’s leadership to result in the formation of a strong Government, we cannot but regard the possible return of Mr. Sheehan to the Native Office with feelings of apprehension, and certainly cannot give an unhesitating support to any Ministry of which he forms a part. We regret the strong party bias, for which Sir George Grey is in a large measure responsible, that prevents a strong Government being formed from both sides of the House.” The Public Petitions Committee recommend that the petition against Colonel Fraser, late Resident Magistrate at the Thames, for alleged cheating at cards, should be referred to the Government, in order that the matter might be inquired into and dealt with.

We understand that Mn. James Mills, the manager of the Union Steamship Company, recently presented the employees of the company at the Dunedin office with two handsome racing boats. This was certainly a graceful act, and one deserving of imitation elsewhere.

The Lingard Company, nineteen in number, left Lyttelton by the Albion yesterday. They will appear at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening in the comedy of “ Our Boys.”

The Choral Society’s concert will come off this evening at the Theatre Royal. There is not a single seat left unreserved in the dresscircle, and nearly all those in the stalls were secured yesterday afternoon. The entertainment promises to be a brilliant success.

A scratch match between the members of the Excelsior Cricket Club will be played in Leach’s paddock on Saturday afternoon, commencing at half-past two o’clock.

The conference of the Licensed Victuallers will probably be held this afternoon in the Athemeum, should all the delegates arrive in time fr.'in the South.

The Young Men’ We-leyan Mutual Improvement Society held their nsu d weekly meeting in St. John’s Schoolroom last evening, there being a fair attendance of members. The subject for consideration was “ The Character of Elizabeth,” on which subject an essay was read by one of the member-. An animated discus-ion on the same subject followed, by the members of the society present. Next Thursday evenins an essay will be given on “Female Character," in the society’s new rooms, Taranaki-street. Tenders are called for ironmongery required by the Constabulary Force in Wellington. Persons desirous of visiting the properties to be sold belonging to the Hun. John Martin can have conveyances from Featherston, at moderate charges, by giving notice to Mr. Wallace, the auctioneer.