THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2090, 15 September 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1875.

Mb W. L. Ee«s has issued a challenge to all those whom it may concern to meet him on Saturday next on the platform of the Theatre Koyal then and there to discuss the wide subject of Abolition before a Thames audience. Now whether the advertisement which Mr Eees' supporters have caused to be. inserted under the heading of " a challenge" will be taken up, or whether if it be not taken up Mr Eees will think it worth his while to come hither aad enlighten the darkness which broods over the face of the Thames without an antagonist at whom pointedly to cast the pith of his remarks, we know not. But if he comes we do hope that he will be allowed a fair field, and if treated with no favor, yet that at all events he will meet with no unjust disfavor. The good taste of his coming at all is of course open to question, and is perhaps unnecessary, but it is as fair to assume that he c»mes with a sincere desire to put the Thames right in a matter in which he believes them to be wrong, as it is to impute any unworthy motives to him because he sees fit to come—if come at all he does. The views which Mr Bees holds anent Provincialism are well known and have consistently been opposed, since the commencement of the Abolition Bill debate, in the columns of this paper; neither have they found much support among the people of the Thames, even if they have found any. Bnt still, if Mr Eeeß chooses to take the trouble of coming to the Thames, let him come; and if he is able to put things in a better light than that in which we see them ; or if ho is able to show that Provincialism in the abstract is better than Abolition in the abstract; or that Provincialism may be so amended as to be capable of producing more good than Abolition, however amended it may be, let him do so by all means ; he will deserve the thanks of all, and most certainly have ours. But if Mr Eees simply comes to stultify himself by quoting a long array of figures in a futile effort to prove that Provincialism, as it exists, is a flourishing institution, or drags into his speech long columns of statistical detai's, which even the ablest speaker cannot refute without due consideration and comparison, we will have none of him; neither do we expect that such an audience as he will have will be found to be an appreciative one. If Mr Eees comes to show light on a subject which we should imagine had been already ventilated as much as possible, well and good; but if on the contrary his speech is prepared after the manner of some of his speeches, rather with a view to confuse than to edify, his coming here will very likely .result in the loss of his time and money, and more likely still of his temper. All that we ask for Mr Sees is that he shall be fairly treated as long as he treats the matter fairly him- j self. We are not so firmly wedded to Abolition bufc that we would gladly grasp any other scheme which would free us from the injustice with which we are treated under the present system of Provincialism, and if Mr Sees can point out such a scheme we , feel sure that Thames people woxild, by acclamation, carry a resolution tourgesuch scheme upon the attention of the legislature. But it will lead to no good for Mr Bees simply to repeat the oft repeated story that the liberties of the subject are being trampled on, the constitution infringed, or any other of the crass utterances of Sir George Grey on this subject. Nor yet to tell us that Provincialism is some Utopian form of Government in disguise, capable of bringing forth much good, while it is so painfully apparent that hitherto it has brought forth none. Provincialism has been weighed and found wanting, and something must be placed ia its stead or it must be altogether swept away. The people have had enough of promises—they now require something tangible. Enough has been said of the ideal—practical people at the Thames are in want of something real. It' Mr Bees can suggest this indefinite something let him do so, and if his plans are feasible let them be adopted. We confess ourselves very sceptical as to whether after all that has been said Mr Eees will be able to say anything new, or whether his visit will do more than increase those heartburnings which recent speakers tell us exist in Auckland against the Thames. But at all events, if he comes let him try,

and let those who hear him be careful to avoid the example set them by the " men of Auckland," and the braying idiots who showed their.love of fair play, and their notions of free discussion by persistently howling down every speaker supposed to favor Abolition before he had time to say a word either for one side or the other. If. Mr Bees chooses to satisfy himself &3 to the'state of feeling which pervades the Thames re Abolition by a personal appeal to a Thames audience, the theatre is open and there aro listeners —let him explain himself. "We fully expect he will fail, and, unless he can bring some new facts to light, confess we hope so; but at all events let him be obliged to take the consequences of failure on his own head, and let us not put it in his power to say, that we of tho Thames are as narrowminded, discourteous, and obtuse as our brethren of. Auckland. Whether any may think it worth while to appear against Mr Bees, and contend with one who has lately had. no inconsiderable practice in special pleading, we know not. In tricks of oratory and reckless and unsupported assertion —which canuot, however, for the moment be disproved—Mr Sees is capable no doubt of holding his own. But if any one appears in support of Abolition and upsets any of Mr Kees' castles in the air, he will be sure to have many followers, on the same principle as the Somersetshire farmer, who though willing to follow was right loth to lead, and in the words of the biographer— Saye Giles its mortal hard to go, But if so be I must, I means to follow arter ho That goes hisself the fust.

By reference to our telegraphic columns it will be seen that the compromise has been arranged between the Government and the Opposition, by which it is hoped all needless obstacles to the further discussion of the Bill on its merits will be withdrawn.. The Government have carried their point as regards passing the Bill this session, but have agreed that it shall not come into force until the day • after, the close of the first session of the new Parliament ; in the meantime the Bill is to proceed in Committee without any factious opposition.

"We are informed that some time last night three sheets of the petition on the Abolition Bill were stolen from the stand at the corner where they were lying to receive signatures, and on the stand the words "To Let!" were written.. Mb E. Lewis will deliver a lecture in the Good Templar Hall this evening on " Creeds." This we believe will bo the last of the present series of lectures by that gentleman. Two residents of Parawai were lament* ing the other day over the mutilation of the beautiful willow tree which has so long adorned the garden of the late residence of Mr E. H. Beere, but which rather over-shadowed the dwelling house, now in occupation of our respected artist "in hair," Mr Joslin. One of them said it was a most" bavberous " transaction. The following is recorded among the items of unusual interest which took place at Wimbledon this year :—A startling incident occurred soon after the shooting for the Queen's Prize began on Wednesday morning. An orderly's horse bolted, taking the soldier with it on its headlong career, right across the line of J fire. Another orderly, Private Humphrey, 19th Hussars-, saw the danger, and galloped without an instant's delay down the whole line, shouting out " Cease firing! " Fortunately, the man escaped. The performance for the benefit of the Ladies' Benevolent Fund takes place tonight at the Theatre Eoyal. The pieces selected to be played by the Thames Cricketers Dramatic Club are " Caste " and "John Dobbs," on the high character of which we have already commented. The Fife and Drum Band of the Thames Naval Brigade have kindly consented to play outside the theatie. and the String Band of th« Choral Society will form an efficient orchestra within. The performance is under the patronage of Major Cooper and the various volunteer corps on the Thames ; and we hope will be a success and materially aid the funds of the L.B.S.

In the Kesident Magistrate's Court this morning,; before Messrs. A. J. Allom and E. W. Puckey, J.P.s, Frederick Tetley pleaded guilty to allowing the chimney of the house occupied by him to take lire, and was fined 10s and costs. On Tuesday next in Auckland, our Masonic readers may be interested in learning, an important ceremony will take place, namely, the installation of Bro. W. McCullough as E.W.D.P.G.M. of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Scottish Constitution. The ceremony will be conducted by Provincial Grand Master G. P. Pierce, 1.C., assisted by the dignitaries of other lodges from the Thames and Auckland. We have received from Messrs Foy Brothers, photographers, a map of the Tairua Goldfield. about six inches long by five broad. This excellent little pocket map has been photographed from a plan prepared by Messrs Tole and McCartic, surveyors, and should be in the hands of every one- possessing an interest in the new field. It embraces all the known claims correct plans of which have been made, the area of each claim, and the distinguishing mark on each peg. There should be a ready sale for these plans, as they also give the different tracks over the goldfield. A rAiNFUL accident happened last night to Mr Mumford, tailor, Pollen street. He went to cut a small piece of zinc with a tomahawk, when the severed piece flew up and struck him on the right eye, bursting the ball. Dr Fox promptly attended to the injured man at the Hospital. Chloroform was administered, the eye taken out and dressed, and the patient otherwise made comfortable. It is not known whether the sieht will be permanently destroyed,

The colony is to hare a fresh supply of bronze coinage, to the amount of £6000, from the London mint. It is to bo shipped, or has already been shipped, for Now Zealand in four equal paresis to Wellington, Christchuvch, Dunedin and Auckland. Four-fifths of each parcel are in pennies, the other one-fifth in halfpennies. Farthings are not considered neeossary. ■ A new style of boot has been invented" by an ingenious mechanic of Wellington. It is called the "Abolition" boot. The maker ought to advertise the boot liberally as the " perfect fit"—the " latest cure for provincial corns," &c The robust Salvini has already worn out several Desdemonas while playing Othello. The lady who acted the part last with him was obliged to have an operation'performed on her throat from severe choking. He has also completely drained the market of lagos. In the principal jealous scene he makes a complete mop-rag of Iago; he sweeps the floor with him, stamps on him, and otherwise makes it disagreeable for the ancient. The calculations of our (Tribune's) new chum correspondent, as to the length of certain speeches in Hansard, have set other folks to their arithmetic, and a printer tells us he has calculated the prime cost of Mr Fitzherbert's anti-Abolition speech, simply for getting into type, and finds that the printer will have been paid for his labor the sum of £7 16s ! This sum, provided Mr Fitzherbert made no changes or interlineations, and he is likely toiave done agood deal in that way, as the speech is not so much, the one he spoke as the one he meant to speak. Printer's corrections run up very fast. That speech certainly cost the country £10 or £12, and it is not intrinsically worth as many fartbings.

The writer of " New Zealand as it is," in the Australasian, thus tells his readers how onr legislators are reported : —" Par- ' liament is reported in Hansard form, the numbers being issued weekly, by a leader and (I think) six reporters —two for the Upper and four for the Lower Chamber; the reporters each receive £250 per annum, the chief of course, receiving a larger sum. The reporting accommodations in the Lower House up to the present session were of the most primitive kind, while the entrance to their gallery is by a common stair with the public gallery. The rules laid down by the speaker are somewhat martinetish. Eeporters arcjnot allowed to enter their gallery, or so' much as to slightly open the doors to see what is going on, until prayers are over; and if a too inquisitive or anxious member of the Press should dare to take an unauthorised peep, tho warning voice of the wrathful clerk is very soon heard—' Shut that door'—or the apparition of the sergeant-at-arms is seen. As a rule, in neither House are the speakers prosy, and the debates are invariably Conducted with great order, courtesy and decorum. The 'Lords ' are models of politeness; and among the • Commons,'and in the session of 1874, until the Hon. Mr Fitzherbert lost his temper, and provoked a sharp retort of a personal cb.ara.cter from the Premier;. or some of the wilder spirits from the West Coast let loose a little bitterness they entertain towards each other ; or the member for a mining constituency in Otago, once well known in Collins street, and known in' Wellington as • the Smiler' talked a little too boastingly, or defied the Speaker, and so roused the temper and sharpened the tone of Sir Francis D. Bell; or some Press antipathy of the Hon. William Fox gave him the opportunity he annually seeks to make a strongly provocative speech against the editor of the Wellington evening journals, no.scenes occurred of the kind with which the Assembly of Victoria has been, and is, familiar.

The Graphic's London, correspondent describes how London " snobs " ride with the fox hounds, the truth of which he vouches for:—" "We have in London a very curious institution called ' splashing houses.' If a snob wishes to make it appear that he has been riding with the fox hounds of a certain ' meet,' he goes to one of the house and pays three shillings at the door. A man meets him in the hall and says, • What hounds sir ? Kent, Surrey, Essex ?' and on being informed, he leads the gallant hunter to a stable where there is a wooden horse standing in a puddle of Kentish or other mud. The man turns a wheel; the wooden horse kicks up his heels, and in five minutes the snob is covered with as much mud as he would have gathered had he been riding across country for fire hours. Then the splashed one, with whip in hand, walks up Pall Mall and Picadilly, and tells those of his friends whom he meets what a glorious hunt he has enjoyed. This also is quite true."

Tub following rules for lawyers are taken from, an American paper. They will no doubt be read with interest:— " St. Alphonso who flourished in the last century, but was not canonized till the year 1839, and was himself a good lawyer, lays down the following 12 rules for the guidance of the profession, which we extract, for the benefit of our learned friends, from the life of the Saint, published in 1855, Jn which it is said:— • Guided by such rules, it is not to be wondered at that he gained an ascendancy over all hearts, and so enchanted hia audience when he spoke that not only the judges, but even his adversaries, often ranged themselves on his side. Such must ever be the ultimate effects of truth and honour.' 1. Never to accept unjust causes, a3 being pernicious to conscience, and hurtful to honour. 2. Never to defend a cause by illicit and unjust means. 3. Never to burden clients with superfluous expenses. 4. To defend ' the causes of clients with the same care as one would his own. 5. To study carefully the details of a process, in order to draw arguments from them that may effectually help the defence. 6To implore the assistance of God in order to succeed, because He is the protector of justice. 7. If the dilatoriness and negligence of a lawyer prove prejudi-' cial to clients, he must reimburse the loss caused in this way, otherwise he sins against justice. 8. A lawyer must not undertake causes which surpass his talents or his strength, or for. which-he foresees that he will not hare leisure to prepare his defence. 9r Justice and probity should be the characteristics of a lawyer, and he ought to preserve them as the apple of his eye. 10. A lawyer who loses a cause by negligence contracts the obligation of making up all the losses of his clients. 11. In the defence of a cause it is necessary to be truthful, sincere, respectful, and reasonable. 12. The qualities requisite for a lawyer are knowledge, diligence, truth, fidelity, and justice.