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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2158, 3 December 1875, Page 2

When people, whether writers for the press or private individuals, show a dis- ' position to impute unworthy motives to public men, there is always a suspicion that such persons would, if placed in positions analagousto those of the gen tiemen upon upon whom they launch their structures, be actuated by considerations of a selfish character; and, generally speaking, no doubt such would be the case. It is a misfortune that public writers especially cannot dissociate their personal feelings from their public duties; that they cannot sink their identity even for a moment and calmly analyse the utterances of any men to whom they may happen to be opposed. The New Zealand Herald, yesterday, in noticing the address of the Hon W. H. Reynolds to his Dunedin constituents does not scruple to say that the hon gentleman ha 3 been influenced more by considerations of the salary attaching to his office than by principles. Mr Reynolds has represented a Dunedin electorate for many years, and his repeated election might be accepted as some guarantee that he has served his constituents faithfully.' But the Herald accords no credit to him, but basely insinuates that because he has seen fit to modify opinions formed years ago, he has done so because to have adhered to former expressed convictions would have entailed the forfeiture of his salary as a Minister. And the Herald institutes a comparison between Mr Reynolds and Mr O'Rorke, and expresses admiration for the i latter because he resigned place and power j sooner than continue in office as member of a Government which could propose the abolition of the Provinces. Mr Reynolds, in our opinion, has little to fear by the comparison. He has remained by his party at an important time; Mr O'Rorke deserted it under circumstances which have never been explained satisfactorily. Evidently there was a misapprehension, and Mr O'Rorke has had the benefit of the doubt which, in public estimation, must be conceded to any honorable man who retires from an office of emolument professedly on principle. Mr Reynolds, however, has little to fear from such strictures as those of the Herald's. He has heretofore steered clear of the rocks and shoals of political life, and it will be strange if in the present crisis his constituents should throw him oven Moreover the Herald should be the" last paper in the world to preach consistency to public men, or to impute motives to account for the acts of public men who may differ with it on general principles. The Herald is not remarkable for consistency in principle itself, or good taste in its criticism of others. ( ■ ■

In reply to the request of a deputation to-day Sir George Grey has consented to address the inhabitants of the Thames on SaturdayverefHngf at,thc Theatre Koyal, ths.hour fixed being half-past six o'clock. The time is rather early, but wo have no doubt will be a large gathering to heariSir George's address.

OW own correspondent in his " Auckland; Notes" states- that Mr Mackay is almost certain to stand for the Thames and that. Sir George Grey will not. Wo believe he is wrong on both these points. That Mr Mackay will not stan.l is certain ; Sir George Grey will wait till he is asked before saying whether he will be a candidate for the Thames or not. For once our " own " is decidedly in error.

Theee has been a great discussion amongst the Maories in Shortland during the past few days, the subject being representation in the Assembly. This matter has diverted their attention from the Lands Court. This morning the discussion of the subject was renewed, the debating ground being the upper end of Pollen street, the partizans of two different candidates named ranging themselves on either side of the street. There was another matter which considerably agitated the crowd to-day, namely an .announcement that Sir George Grey would meet them at Taipari's house at four o'clock. .

The cricket match to-morrow at Parawai will be England v. the World. Play commences at 2 p.m. sharp, all players are requested to be on the ground in good time to begin punctually* The following are the sides. England :—Colson (Surrey), Crump (Derby), Frater (Northumberland), Hewitt (Yorkshire), Lawless (Yorkshire), F. W. Paul (Gloucestershire), H. S. ■ S. Paul (Gloucestershire), Pulleine (Yorkshire), Eobinsoa (Warwickshire), Schofield (Middlesex), Wardell (Surrey), West (Leicestershire). The World: Steadman (Glasgow), Brassey (New Zealand), Whitford (Victoria), Crawford (Dublin), Bull' (Tasmania), Gellion (Victoria), Spencer (New Zealand), DonoTan (New* Zealand), Bell (Belfast), Carrick (Scotland), Grace (NewZealand), G. Hill (New Zealand).

A COERESPONDENT of the Hour writes as follows :—" An incident happened to myself last week in a train on the Metropolitan District Railway. About 1 o'clook in the day I' got into a first-class smoking carriage at St. James' Park. Opposite to me sat a lady, apparently rather sleepy, two gentlemen occupying seats in the same compartment. At Victoria both gentlemen got out, and I was left alone with the lady. No sooner had the train left the station than she started up, and disarranging her dress, she sat down on my knees, and threw her arms round my neck, saying at the same time, ' You had better settle with me or I'll Bakerise you at the next station.' For a moment I was completely nonplussed; but an inspiration seized me. I said, ' Madam, get off my knees, and show me your ticket.' She did so, and I replied, * I don't think the charge of a woman who travels in a first-class smoking carriage with a third-class ticket will be much regarded,' and at Sloane-square a young gentleman got into the carriage, and she was so taken aback that she never said another word, but at the next station she got out, and I thanked my fellow traveller for so opportunely arriving on the scene, and told him what had occured. I enclose my card."