The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 138, 19 April 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1879.

Thu present New Zealand Government are placed in the most trying position of any Government that Inis ever been in existence for many years. It lias to contend with a collapsed land fund, a bad harvest, a depressed wool and tallow market, a depressed money market, the like of which —as to extent or ruinous effects —New Zealand lias never before experienced ; and to crown ail, a rebellion in embryo springing up amongst the Natives. No Government have ever had so many evils to deal with at one time. Along with this there is also the suicidal proceedings of a bitter opposition watching their every movement not with the hope of being able to help it, but with the view of thwarting their every effort to guide the State ship safely over the storm. Nothing could prove this better than the discovery made lately by the going astray of’that memorable "Waterhouse telegram. Prom the very facts brought to light it can be seen how ready —yea, even eager—some men are to get into office. The Hon Mr Waterhouse, in tiie short reign of power he by a set of concurrent circumstances was able to lay hold of, showed such a want of adaptability to the carrying out of the duties of in’s high office as will make men who wish weT to their country pray that they may be preserved from such an infliction again. The Hon Mr Hall, no one will deny his administrative abilities. Mr E C. J. Stevens, what have we got in that gentleman I A mere earth-worm. He can tell yon bow many shillings there arc- in a pound, but before doing so would, Scotsman like, wish to know bo v junch of it was coming to bis share. Devoid of administrative ability, he trios to till up the blank with elaborate financial calculations, which are only remarkable for their accuracy as a set of figures ; a mere theory, which no Government would be able to act up to successfully; attractive to the eye of the superficial observer, but without bottom, are worthless. Mr Stevens has been schooled in the wrong school for making him a leading Statesman. He gives no evidence of being in any way superior to any other land broker, except it bo that lie manages to keep a larger share to himself. He should sti.k to ! is trade, and let well alone. The country is not anxious lor his services ; it prefers men who have a more independent mind, and _w T ho have not their energies warped with schemes for self-aggrandisement. Mr Rolleston, the conspirators seem to think, is not very ambitious. A snug billet, they think, -would be most to his liking. As he has been unsuccessful as a po'itician, it is very possible he has no wish to enter the arena of strife again. Of the youngman who is said to bo ready to grasp the portfolio as Minister of Public Works, the less said the better. _ Some men are always to be found poking their noses into places where they are not asked, ready to undertake the duties which other and better men generally shrink from, and can only by great persuasion be prevailed upon to accept, The cam tiact with the action of the wouid-be Minister of Public Works and Mr Lamar h is so great that we shrink from discussing it. Contrasting the set of men offered to the country as a new crew to navigate the state ship, it is needless to say the country prefer retaining the hardy, well-seasoned, well-tried ship's company who have come throng!) many storms and not made shipwreck" to any new-fangleo theorists who may wish to try their luck at ruling the colony. We are epuite aware tnat we will be accused of being partial to the present Ministry. This is not denied, and with good reason. At tiie head of the Government have we not a gentleman who has had the largest experience in conducting public business of any man in the colony. Is he not the most disinterested man (so far as self is concerned) of any man that has ever held office 1 He seeks not riches ; he rather sacrificed honor. He couits not popularity amongst his own class ; he is no land shark or land jobber. None are more conversant with the claims and circumstances of the Native race ; no one is trusted more by the Natives than Sir Geora-e Grey ; no one could conduct the delicate negotiations with the same skill and prudence as Sir George It would therefore be a fearful calamity if only for this one department to be deprived of dm valuable services of our present Premier at such a critical moment. Then, again, whv is it that a certain class are so opposed to Sir George Grey ? _ Simply because ho-shows that he is ambitious making New Zealand a prosperous and populous colony. He sees that there arc hundreds of thousands of acres of the most valuable land in the world running to waste for the sake of providing good shooting and fishing for a low sheep farmers who would scarcely sell their hands with anything that would help to relieve the district or add to the comfort of choir fellowmen in the humble walks of life. Sir George Grey, on (he contrary, desires to sec every hill and dale teeming with an industrious and thriving manufacturing as well as an agricultural population. For this chiefly are the attempts of a Waterhouse class made against his Government. Yet, notwithstanding all the efforts in this direction, it is,a fact that Sir George stands higher in the estimation of the great mass of the people at present than lie has done at any forme rperiod of his reign, and for the reason they see no man so wc-11 adapted to take charge of the affairs of the colony at this critical period. Wc unhesitatingly say it would bo a calamity to have any change of a Premier. Mr Sheehan, the Native Minister, is a creditable pupil of Sir George's, at this critical juncture of affairs in the North Islam!. No one could be got to fill his place so thoroughly acquainted with the usages and temper of the Maoris. Add to this his ready manner and keen penetration, and it is ad mi tied, even by his opponents, that ho is the right man in the right place. Mr Maeaudraw needs no words of praise from ns. Accused of being partial to one particular province, ho -is just now under a ban because he has given his consent to the railway workshops being erected in Christchurch instead of Dunedin. His large experience and the advanced state of the Otago province, where he was long its Superintendent, testify to his ability and fitness to lake part in managing the affairs of the country. So far as South Canterbury is concerned, there is no

cause for complaint against him ; but it is on a wider basis tliau this that his usefulness mast bo gauged by. Any of Hit names suggested as ready to take his place make but a poor comparison. Mr Stout, the Minister of Justice, is unequalled in New Zealand as a young Statesman. He is a real Goliah amongst his compeers. Naturally gifted, he has by hard study of men and manners in bis adopted country arrived at that state of maturity as a politician that is seldom reached even in the old country. Cool, self-possessed, full of a knowledge of the people lie lias to deal wit!), ho will if spared soon rise to the pinnacle of fame. One excellent feature in ids character is Ids truthfulness. His word is as good as his bond, and this from principle. He will not sell those who trust him, indifferent about popularity, honestly discharging his duties according to the convictions of his conscience. All men feel at ease while knowing that he has a hand in the guidance of the affairs of State, justly feeling assured (hat he will not betray their confidence. This is a great consolation to all in these trying and troublesome times. Of the other members of the Government we have written at full length before ; little now need be added. Mr Fisher, Post-master-General, does not, it is true, seem to be possessed of the same or system in carrying on Ids work but he is believed to be a very upright gentleman, free from intrigue ; lie has not had the same (raining as the others and cannot bo called gifted in any sense, but moat well-meaning people will prefer a consistent, honest man, to unprincipled, unscrupulous, place hunters, who care for, nothing but for popularity, applause, or to be well thought of. Looking, therefore, to the talent and experience and character of tire present Government, and comparing it with the chance of any Government that might he gM by the Opposition we are bound to say let well alone. No Ministry, whoever they be, would be able to act much different from that which must be the policy of the present one.

South Canterbury Coursing Club. — A special meeting of the above Club was held on "Wednesday evening last, in the lloval Hotel. Present—Messrs Thomson (in the chair), Macph ei-son, Williamson, Wilson, and Dr Hays. Several important matters in connection with the Club haying been discussed, and resolutions relating thereto having been passed, the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair. Rate Notice. —The Temnka Road Hoard notify in our advertising columns that they intend to strike a rate at the next sitting of tlie Hoard upon all rateable property in tho district in accordance with tho valuation roll of 1879. The Arson Case. —The following is his address to the jury at the conclusion of the evidence for the prosecution in the case Regina v. Schwartzs : —G entlemen of the jury, I deeply regret that, owing to the grossest possible carelessness in drawing tho indictment, to whom attributable I do not pretend to say, the case will have to bo withdrawn from your consideration on a point of law. I wish to say hero, in open Court, most emphatically, that it is disgraceful that one of tho most important prosecutions of the session falls to the ground through the misconduct —for it is no less—of some one connected with the prosecution. I deeply regret that T must, tell you on a point of law that there is no case to go to you, and that therefore you must return a verdict of “ Not Guilty.” This is a great public calamity, gentlemen, because without prejudging the case, I may say that, so far as the evidence has gone, there is a strong prima facia case. It. may possibly have been answered when the evidence for the other side came to be called, but still I say that there was a very strong prima facia case against the prisoner, which has fallen through owing to the carelessness, the gross carelessness, of some one connected with the prosecution. It is high time, gentlemen, that some measures were taken to protect the public. Arson is a most serious crime, and insurance companies are one of the greatest blessings we have. It is, therefore," necessary that they should bo protected. I very much regret that it is my duty to say on a point of law that there is not suflleient evidence to support tho indictment.