The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1870, 30 December 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1874.

A nrMOE which gained currenfy a long time ago — the truth of which was tlemefl at the time-has been realised: Mr T. B. Gillies has accepted the position'"of Puisne Judge, of the Supreme Court of JNVw Zealand. In tin's appointmonfc the M'nistry havp disposed of no moan np-ionenf. Mr Gillies' name has frequently be?)) mentioned as the probable Iradfrof the oppo ition since Mr Stafford declined'the position, and whatever of organised oppo-ition has been offered \o 1I16'" presrnt Government since the Kliorfc lenuie of office by Mr Stafford's parfy in 1872 has been due to the r.ctioa taken by Mr Gillies and Mr-Fitaherbert. That opposition, how--ever, has been of the weakest, owing to the popularity of the Vogel Ministry, and also to the fact that' both Mr Gillies and Mr Fitzlierbert were defiiient in some of the foremost qualities necessary to mako a successful leader. Mr Gillies' elrvßlion to the Bench will, we believe, gratify his ambition, and be more suitable to- his instincts and training than the liiubest poitical honors; and even Mr Gillies' greatest oppomnts wil. admit that ho will make a good judge. He has had a long experience at the Bar; lie is jjilted vki<h gi<?at penetration, ke«n perceptive famines, and more tlim ordinary analytical powers; and, wiih his extensive knowledge of law,, should ably fi 1 tlie judicial elmir. We are rather surprised to finaHie.lias accepted the office, becatiJ-e'jJierewas no position in landj-to.whfr&'^Vcould not aspire, au4 witfv confidenco- attainment. Mr GilUtfK-rii' J ''.heUeieA^o b« the »-

verse of needy—^ indeed, moderately wealthy.; so that considerations of a, pecuniary nature cannot have influenced him in' accepting the office of Judge. In ,'ouie rehpect9 the retirement from the arena oi politics of such a man a 9 Mr Gillies is almost to be regretted at- a time, when political parties are almost unknown or very unevenly balanced—-when nothing like an organised opposition exists. However, the loss of, an able hut somewhat erratic politician will, nodoubt.be more than compensated for by the accession of an able and upright* Judge.

The newg from Wellington regarding Ihe labor market is not very cheering. With a plethora of public works in progress — with special settlements in successful operation, the Empire City is crowded with unemployed or partially employedThe old story is told by way of explanation*—a dislike on the .part of the immigrants to go into, the country. This very dislike shows whafc an unsuitable class of immigrants Las been sent out. They are supposed to be principally composed of agricultural laborers, people born and brought up in the country ; and yet in every town and city of New Zialaud, whle the country districts are crying'out for labor, the same complaint arises,, that the immigrants are disinclined to go into the country. Until there is more care exercised in the appointment of immigration agents, unsuitable persona will be landed on our shores, and the centres of population will be. burdened with a surplus of useless population.