dUjc tdimrfui iMater. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 127, 8 March 1879, Page 2

dUjc tdimrfui iMater. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1879.

Mr Rolle.ston’s speech at his meeting with his constituents on Monday last was a gigantic failure. Never lias Mr jtollesion given any evidence of doing possessed of natural gifts tu qualify him for a statesman or politician. It is not to he wondered at, therefore, that his polilleal life lias been nothing hut Mender alter blunder —so much so that he lias completely deprived himself of all claim to being considered a statesman. Mr KMloston is like the man on the gate, who, when asked by a traveller the way to a certain place, instead of giving him the

information required, asks the si ranker where he came frmu, ami being' told that was none of his business, cooly replied, neither was it his business where lie was going to. The member for Avon does not. seem to trouble himself about how the colony is to get over the present crisis, but launches into an ocean of vituperation, thinking it more his duty to condemn others for what they have done than to provide a remedy for the present evil. Accustomed to be flattered by his friends, and patted on the head by placehunters when in power, he liai been taught to think himself more gifted than other men, and that all who do not agree with him in his views of things must be wrong. Our late Superintendent, through having for a time been elevated beyond the point for which nature had intended him, had got completely out of Ins depth. This has been his ruin. There seems a wise law in the order of Providence that suitable materials are provided for every work that has to be done, hence the remark what a wise arrangement of Providence in not allowing such a one to possess power, for if lie did he would be a tyrant, and so on. The member for Avon was a most suitable man for an Under-Secretary in the Native Minister’s Office, or would be a fit and proper person to take charge of some educational establishment, or be a chairman of some local committee. In such situation his country would have a faithful, laborious servant, but as an all-round politician he is, totally unsuitable. A leading legislator he never will be ; ins natural grove is near the book shelf or the sheep walk. Wo are conversant with his political history, and recollect Ins maiden speech, and rather sympathised with him when that veteran politician, Mr W. S. Moorehouse, called it presumption for a beardless boy to talk to men. To a young aspirant this remark must have been veiy galling, but, by dint of perseverance, lie was able for a time to sway the destinies of Canterbury, although it is very doubtful if he ever was looked upon as a clever man. It has been a marvel to many how Mr Rolleston could over have become so popular—as for a time he did—in a limited part of North Canterbury. The glory has now, however, departed, and the course he continues to pursue must soon drive him into seclusion. None of his friends, it appears, can depend upon him. Who stood higher in his estimation two years ago than Sir George Grey ? Now he cannot command language sufficiently strong to denounce him. With such proceedings no right-thinking man can have any sympathy. One day ho joins one party, .pother another. This betrays a narrowness of mind so transparent that his very few remaining friends must regret the exhibition. He is not a fluent speaker, his manner is against him, and he is not at all gifted with a liberal supply of suitable ideas. Pugnacious in purpose prosecuting any course he may adopt with a dogged determination, he has never been able to agree with his colleagues in the Provincial Executive, in the cave of the General Assembly, or with his brother councillors in the County Council. We regret this, because as a private gentleman Mr Rolleston is all that could be desired ; but, as public journalists, our part is to 'fairly and fearlessly, without prejudice, criticise his conduct as a public man. No Minister of the Crown has been able to get along with him. Mr Stafford, who must have offended him in some way in connection with the Native Department, was the first to have the vials poured out upon him. Next comes Sir Julius Vogel, then Major Atkinson, against whom lie worked hard, supported by his late friend, Sir George Grey. Now Sir George himself falls under bis baun. In his speech on Monday he takes a retrospective view of the colony for the last ten years, going back to the last memorable monetary crisis, and he remarks upon the way the country got over it, in a way quite refreshing ; but he forgets to tell iiis hearers that while the workingclasses in Christchurch were almost starving, he firmly closed the Treasury chest. If by thus hiding his talents under a bushel lie meant to stimulate the progress of the country, we say the powers preserve us from the tender mercies of such a leader. The member for Avon sees the evils that is to overwhelm our colony looming in the distance, but what does he do to avert the impending calamity ? Does he propose to open up the lands of the Crown for settlement, and invite the small capitalists of the middle classes in England to come and settle amongst us 1 Does he propose taking advantage of the present depression at home to advance the progress and increase the number of reproductive works in this colony by proposing to apply for an Imperial guarantee ! Not a bit of it. All these arc subordinate matters to the consideration of a beer tax, a return to Provincialism, or what is more important than either, tiio ousting of the Grey Government from office. In his attempts to do such ho will probably be supported by Mr Stevens, Mr Saunders, and other disappointed place-hunters, who can never brook a slight, oven the smallest. With such a cotteiw Mr Rollcston will doubtless take the field as Now Zealand bushrangers, armed to tire teeth, with declamations against a tax on runholders, a beer tax, and a threat against the Government if they dare to tax absentees and large land owners or capitalists of any sort. The days of such near-sighted would-be statesmen arc at an end. The interests of the colony demand that the best and ablest intellects be called upon to take a part in the government of tire country in these perilous times. Mr Rollcston’s pot scheme is provincialism ; for a return to that form of government he apparently is prepared to sacrifice anything and every thing, but wo tell him that South. Canterbury had enough of provinchilism ; the very name reminds them of robbery, jobbery, and monstrous extravagance. Whatever alterations may he considered advisable in the present form of local self-government wo feel quite assured Sout h (.'anterbury will never again submit to be ruled from Christchurch, which seems to be the aim of the member for Avon. The impracticable bints which tin’s legislator gives to the world regarding the distribution of the land revenue only confirms the generally received opinion that he is not qualified for being a statesmen. Quotations from the Wellington 1 'sew Zealander,’ the leading paper of that city, shows that what we have often staled is now about to lie verified by fact, that, the land, revenue of the North Island will soon f,-u exceed that of the South. The abuse heaped upon the present Government from lime; to time by its biller opponents for the waste of time by tin- Ministers knocking

about tl jo country are now being given the lie to by the valuable fruits their work is now beginning to boar. It seems strange that the opponents of the present Ministry do not think shame to continue making misstatements which clay after day are proved to be void of truth, or even a shadow of any foundation on fact. There is a possibility of an early dissolution of Parliament, we say only a possibility, fur it is not only possible but more than probable that the insane procedure of the hunters for ofh:e will draw the picture of their opponents failures in so hideous a form that even their friends may discover the matter and give them the cold shoulder. The many statements put forth from time to time as to what the Government intend to do are so wide of the mark that the members of the Cabinet must enjoy many a hearty laugh over them. But of all the displays yet made (and truly some very laughable ones have been made in the speeches of members not a hundred miles from the Geraldine electorate) none have yet come up to the display at Papanni the other evening by the member for Avon.

E.M. Court.— At the sitting of this Court on Wednesday the business comprised the hearing of a few small civil cases, judgment in most of them being given by default. Cemetery Board —The monthly meeting of the Cemetery Board was bold on Thursday last. Present—Mr. Wood (Chairman), Messrs Quinn, Gray, and Hr Raynor. Some conversation took place as to the necessity of erecting some horse-posts; also that some scats bo placed in the cemetery for visitors; the matter was deferred till the Secretary can bo present. A resolution was passed that the Secretary bo requested to band in his resignation to the Board should he not desire to continue in office. Ho further business being before the meeting it was adjourned. St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka. —The monthly meeting of the vestry was held on 4th March. Present —Mr Campbell (in the chair), Messrs Eildes, Meyer, Mclntosh, Klbrow, Radford, and Rutland. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed. Mr Hooper’s resignation of his post as organist, consequent on his leaving for Christchurch, was received with regret. It was resolved that the collection of the clergyman’s stipend for the current year bo at once proceeded with, and that annual amounts bo obtained whore possible. After passing sundry accounts to the amount of L 7 Gs, the meeting terminated, with the usual vote of thanks to the chair. Lecture. —-The Rev Mr Evans, agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, gave a lecture in the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday evening last—Rev Mr Harper in the chair —on the usefulness of that society in disseminating Christian knowledge. The lecturer related several interesting anecdotes showing the progress the circulation of the Bible bad made through the Society’s instrumentality, particularly by the Episcopalians, who issued the Bible through the Society’s office in over 50 different languages, and the Wesleyan body in over 30 different languages, and other denominations in equal proportion. Through the changing of the night first appointed to hold the meeting, and the absence of the Revs Messrs Barclay and Clinton, who had to attend other meetings that night, the one at Christchurch and the other at Timaru, the meeting was not large. Mr Stewart spoke a few words, after which Mr A. Wilson was appointed honorary secretary. A vote of thanks to the lecturer and chairman closed the meeting. Mileord School Committee. —The ordinary monthly meeting of the Milford School Committee was held on Monday, 3rd March. Present —Messrs Ensor, Watt, and White. Letters were read from the Board, and one from Mr Woodhead about the boundary fence. It was proposed by Mr Watt, and seconded by Mr White, “ That the Secretary write to the Board to advise that Mr Woodhead’s fence is only eighteen feet from the dwelling-house, and that Mr Woodhead is willing to allow the fence to be taken up and replaced by a substantial wooden fence, should the Board bo inclined to have the work executed.” It was resolved, “ That the Chairman he authorised to purchase a tin box to contain the school letters and documents.” Permission was given to the postmaster to fix a post-office receiving box in the school verandah. It was resolved, “ That the schoolmaster he empowered to have a new hook-press made, as proposed by him.” It was proposed by Mr Watt, and seconded by Mr White, “ That Miss Craig bo appointed sowing mistress.” Permission was given to the Wesleyan Church to hold their next quarterly mooting in the schoolhouse. Licensing- Court. —A sitting of the above Court was held on Wednesday last, before A. Led. Campbell, Esq., R.M., «T. W. Hall, and S. H. Barker, Esqs., J'.B.’s. The chief officer of police handed in his report, which complained of the manner in which the Crown Hotel, Temuka, and the Orari Hotel, Orari, were conducted. The grounds of the complaints will ho inquired into on the 19th instant, to which date the Court stands adjourned. Temuka Park. —The monthly meeting of the Temuka Park Commissioners was held on Thursday last. Present —•Dr Raynor (chairman), Messrs Wood, Myers, and Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed. Tenders for seats Rq. the Park were received from Mr Iv. E. Gray, Temuka, and Mr Spurway, Timaru. The tender of the latter was accepted. The Chairman recommended that a commissioner should bo appointed in the room of Mr G. J. Raynor. It was unanimously resolved to recommend Mr. John Paterson to the Governor for his approval. The secretary produced an agreement entered into with Mr Mel,sou, caretaker. The same was approved. M r Myers was appointed supervising commissioner for the current' mouth. Accounts to the amount of ,611 wore passodjjfor payment, after which the mooting adjourned to the first Thursday in April.

South Canterbury Coursing Club. —A committee meeting of the above club was held at the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Wednesday evening last, Mr B. Thomson in the chair. A number of gentlemen were elected members of the club, and it was resolved that the election of Stewards and other officers should be deferred to next committee meeting to be held at the Royal Hotel on Wednesday next. Holloway’s Pills. —Billions Headache and Depression of Spirits.—Whenever there is any excess of bile, or when that secretion does not naturally pass from the liver, it enters the circulation, vitiates the blood and gives rise to headache, sickness, weariness, and depression of spirits. This evil is readily corrected by a few closes of these Pills which work a speedy cure without creating nausea, or weakening the stomach—-consequences too frequently entailed by the administration of purgatives. Holloway’s Pills simultaneously purify and strengthen. They improve the appetite, cleanse the palate, and invigorate the stomach. These Pills act .as the most successful alternatives, effecting a silent but certain change for the better in every organ which has became disordered cither through luxurious living or other causes.