THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3030, 31 October 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1878.

> Sib Geobgb Gbey appears to have given a most hearty and thorough Bupport to the Thames Harbor Bill when giving his evidence before the Committee of the Legislative Council. We are grateful to him for his outspoken advocacy of the Thames at a most critical time. The fate of the Bill was almost fixed, and he came forward to speak for the district when it was most required, thereby fully redeeming his promise and saving his Government from the charge which would have laid at their door had the Bill been postponed, namely, killing the measure through deferring its introduction until such a late period of the session. Our other member appears to have been suddenly imbued with an economical spirit, and no doubt by giving his evidence was instrumental in having the borrowing powers reduoed to £50,0C0. He might have made his mind perfectly easy on that score. It is not _ likely that, had unlimited borrowing powers been given to the Harbor Board, they would have gone recklessly to work to borrow and spend. Nor is it probable that capitalists would have been found anxious 'to force money upon the Board to squander in useless works if the Board had evinced a disposition to exercise their powers injudiciously. Mr Howe's caution stands in marked contrast with Sir George Grey's sanguine anticipations of the future of this district. The former spoke without " the book ; " the latter betrayed a feeling almost of indignation at the nature, of the questions put to him, which he promptly resented as reflecting upon the integrity of the public men in this community. There is one source of satisfaction, and that is that the Government carried the Bill, and the Harbor Board will now be able to complete the most urgent works; and when the increase of trifle renders additional facilities for the shipping necessary, and Sir John Coode's report has indicated the proper direction for permanent harbor works, further borrowing powers will be obtainable. The necessity for , extensive harbor works will mainly depend upon the railway and the opening of the lands in the Upper Country. The latter, if expeditiously surveyed and offered for settlement, would do more for this port than half-a-dozen Caledonians or

Moanatairis, and 3ir George Grey saw this when he so earnestly supported the Harbor Bill.

In another place will be found the names of candidates nominated for the various ridings of the County, and the names of the nominators. The candidates for Hastings, Parawai and Totara are fortunate in having been elected without opposition, the gentlemen whose names were mentioned as probable candidates for these ridings having not come to the scratch. In Waiotahi there are four candidates for the two seats, hut it is not likely that the old members will be unseated, one of the new candidates being too little known, and the other being, perhaps, too well known. Kauaeranga sends to the front four candidates for two seats, and all of them good men, with strong personal followings and claims to support as men having experience in public affairs. Unless one or other should retire, the contest will be a sharp one. Ohinemuri riding has brought out a small army, and the result is difficult to prognosticate. Out of 235 votes on the roll for this riding, over one hundred are resident here or in Auckland, mostly here; and the candidate who has any local support and can command the suffrages of > voters living here will probably be victorious. Under any circumstances the Ohinemuri riding contest will be pretty keen, especially as only one - of the old candidates comes forward for reelection. The elections will take place on the 13th November, the day our Auckland friendi have got proclaimed a bank holiday.