THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3310, 31 July 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1879.

Notwithstanding the crushing defeat inflicted on Sir George Grey's administration, the " old man eloquent" has proved himself equal to the occasion, having so strongly urged on the Governor the necessity of an appeal to the country that His Excellency has granted a dissolution. In adopting this course, the Governor has acted in a perfectiy constitutional manner, as the Ministry having not immediately resigned after the adverse vote of the House, a dissolution was indispensable. But leaving aside the constitutional desirability of a dissolution, Sir George Grey had other strong claims for one:^ His Ministry had been defeated without an opportunity of bringing its policy before the House; also, that the present Parliament would soon bo dissolved by effluxion of time, so that a dissolution at present is,not a matter of much moment.Bßu r perhaps the strongest point he could urge is this: His Ministry has certainly been defeated, but by whom? Only a coalition of parties, not by any means in accord with each other, and only amalgamated for the purpose of deposing his administration. Thus the votes recorded against him do not by any means ; represent the support that would be accorded to a Ministry formed from the ranks of the Opposition* These are some.of the arguments the Premier Could have used, and, doubtless, did use' •in; asking .'Her Majesty's representative that the vox populi be taken. Of course much could be urged against a dissolution at the present, not the least important of which might be the unsettled state of native matters ; but looking at the question from all sides,.we are inclined to approve of the step.taken, which may be placed on the long list of the great proconsul's political triumphs. The Opposition may be said to have suffered defeat for defeat, though it is stated they have still a trump card in the control of the Supplies, the granting of which, of course, rests with the majority of the House. Ah our readers, will remember a few days ago the Ministry obtained a large vote —quite sufficient to meet present wants, and are, therefore, able to retain their seats on the Treasury Benches till the dissolution. However, we do not think the Opposition will refuse. to grant supplies, notwithstanding the impressive manner in which fcir W. Fox referred to the fact that the Governor had left to the House the question of supplies. Were the Opposition to refuse supplies, a small deadlock might be caused, and their obstructive conduct would certainly not obtain the sympathy of the country-. Both sides of the House admit the necessity of a redistribution of seats, and it is to be hoped before the appeal to the people takes place a law will be passed dealing equitably with the question of representation. This is very desirable, as, should the dissolution eventuate without such legislation being passed, the Thames and other, districts would probably have to submit to the injustice of under representation, perhaps for a further period of fiVe years. There are also other measures strongly.'affecting the interests of the country, but not Contained in the general policy of the Ministry, that should be at onc> made law. The Premier has informed the House that the Ministry will be prepared to meet the Opposition in a cordial spirit in bringing before the House such measures as we have referred to, and we sincerely trust and believe that the Opposition will not be backward in reciprocating the sentiments expressed ,by.the Premier.

■ ■ [Since the above was written we have received a ielegram from our .own correspondent to the effect that the Opposition will not oppose the passing of the Loan Bill or three months' supply, showing they do not wish to raise any factious opposition.]

Albead* several names are mentioned as probable candidates for the Thames seats, in the event of a general election. Local politicians have been to day discussing the merits and demerits of Sir George Grey, Mr Sheehan, Mr Eobert Graham, Mr J. Phillips (Ohinemuri), Mr Brodie, Mr Ehrenfried, Mr Speight, Dr JKJlgour and others as probabb candidates. We have, however, heard that Dr Kilgour has disavowed his intention of entering into the contest. So far, we have not heard Mr Howe's name mentioned. As will be seen by our telegrams, at the Opposition caucus this morning it was decided to subscribe a large sum of money for the purpose of contesting all the seats in the Opposition interest, especially Sir George Grey's. If the Premier elects to run for the Thames again, we may expect to have lively times here.

At a meeting of the creditors of B. Greenwood, held yesterday morning, Mr Thomas Macfi'arlane was elected creditors' trustee. The assets were set down at £1497 16s 7d, and the liabilities at £931 17s 4d.

GoVebnment have asked the Auckland City Council to take over Admiralty. Hfeuse, and put it in repair as the Commoiore might be expected to stay there. The surveyor reported that the cost would be £600. Several Councillors described it as a white elephant. The proposal was referred to a committee.

We lmte received from the Government No. 1 Parliamentary Debates and a budget of Parliamentary papers recently laid before the House.

A pleasing occurrence took place this afternoon at the Kauaeranga Boys' School, the teachers and children taking the opportunity of presenting Miss Lumsden with a valuablo gold dress ring, and Miss Clara Day with a very handsome silver locket and chain. The former leaves to till a position as assistant in the Choral Hall, Auckland.

It was with feelings of considerable pleasure that we learnt of the probability of Mr J. E. Macdonald's appointment to the District Judgeship of Auckland. We believe the information is perfectly authentic.

The Auckland Star's Wellington correspondent says :—Mr Howe's vote excites surprise. It was thought he would at least have felt called upon to support a Ministry, one main cause of whose defeat has been the construction of a railway to benefit the Thames, but it is generally believed here Mr Howe has really no control over his own vote, bus has to record it just as another well known Auckland member suggests. It would be a breach of privilege to say commands.

DußiNa the stay of the. Baldwins in Wellington they created a considerable amount of interest and speculation amongst many people through their spiritualism of trick of reading the mind. A feir days ago a warm debate took place between several members of Parliament about the genuineness or otherwise of the performance. One hori member took from his pocket two £10 bank notes, placed them in an envelope, sealed them, handed them into the bank, and wrote a note to Mr Baldwin stating that if he would tell the number of one of them he might have the two. No reply was received from Mr Baldwin. It seems a strange affair altogether. Mr Baldwin calls himself an exposer of spiritualism, yet he confines his exposures to a number of ancient tricks which professional spiritualists have all along admitted were introduced intp their performance for mere amusement, and which did not legitimately belong to spiritualism.

' ' The establishment of a free newspaper reading-room in Auckland is worthy of. notice, and Mr Bartleet Langbridge has accomplished this desideratum in connection with the " Associated News and. Advertising Bureau," Stichbury's Buildings. Although only ten months in existence, the Bureau, by the energy and enterprise of its manager, is regularly supplied with every paper of repute published in this and the neighbouring colonies, and also a large number of Californian, American, and European journals. These papers are on file and free to all comers.

The half-yearly meeting of the Colonial Bank took place at Duriedin yesterday, Mr G-. McLean, M.H.E,., in the chair. The report was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr C. 8. Reeves, and carried, as was a vote of thanks to the directors and officials. An amendment to the latter vote was moved by a Mr Johnstone, but it found no seconder. He wanted to know whether the bank was run to benefit the shareholders or for a philanthropic object, as the dividends averaged for four years only 13s 4d per cent. .

Me Mackay writes a letter to the Post showing that Wi Parata was under a misapprehension as to the intentions of himself and the Hon. Hone Nahe regarding the Maori prisoners. All they were asked to do was that as a Commission would be appointed to inquire into their land grievances, it would be advisable for them to empower Mr Nahe to appoint counsel to look after their interests ait the Commission, as Dr BuHer might be engaged at the criminal trial, and unable to attend* The natives were willing that Mr Nahe should employ counsel for them, but declined to sign any written document authorising him to act for them, because he told them not to sign any document which regarded land. ;. ; J {V;;; j

A Wellington Press Agency telegram of yesterday's date says-:—The Hinemda brought' 73 more Maori prisoners from Taranaki to-night. 25 were at once taken to M^qunt Cook barracks, and the remainder; will be ; taken on to Dunedin, probably with some of those who have been here some time.

In an article on the question of loans the Waikato Times makes the following very pertinent remarks:—lt has been suggested, and not without some show of reason, that in raising further loans, opportunity should be afforded to persons of moderate capital within the colony of taking up debentures as an investment for their savings. This would, as urged, keep a portion of the interest on the loan from being sent annually from the county, but less value will attach to this argument on second thought, when it is remembered that it will in just the same proportion divert capital within the colony from investment, and keep foreign capital out. The advantage would be in the encouragement of thrift among the working class, that it would make many who do not do so now take a lively and practical interest in political matters, and put the drag upon the liberal element, that it may not as it has done in America, too rapidly develop into demagogy and ultra democracy; for as Cobbet has said of the English cotter if he be let acquire a cow and a cabbage garden he becomes a conservative at once, so in this case if debentures were to a considerable extent held by the colonists, the tendency of political feelings would be in the same direction. With this object in view in the United States Government, debentures, or, what is the same thing, interest bearing certificates have been freely issued amongst the Home public in stock of as low as 10 dollar bonds. There is no need to go as low as this in New Zealand.. T^n .or twenty pound debentures would find a numerous class of purchasers, and form a good investment for capital in small sums bearing five per cent, interest, inasmuch as they would be at any time negotiable. They would be more popular than the savings bank, for the interest would be higher, and yet not interfere with the usefulness of that institution, for till the sum saved equalled the price of a debenture the bank would be availed of. The matter is one worthy of consideration by the Government, which through the machinery of the Post-office could easily and cheaply work out the administrative details of the scheme.

The Hon. J: W. Thompson's Land Act Amendment proposes to. fix. a minimum price for the deferred payment of lands at 30s per acre: and rural at 90s. Suburban allotments of special value maybe increased or grouped if adjacent to cultivated lands. Forest lands are to be equivalent with improvements or cleaning ; selectors of improved lands to pay the value of improvements; homestead

owners in the Auckland district are not allowed to become selectors ; payments to CouLty Councils to extend over the whole period of occupation ; payments for pastoral lands to be treated as ordinary revenue; power is given to set aside land as village settlements of 5 to 40 acres, the price to be the same as such lands when sold in 'the district realises, either for caih or for deferred payment; or it may be leased for 10 years with v purchasing clause ; the half-year's rent of runs is to be paid in advance of sales.