THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O' CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3629, 13 August 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O' CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 1880.

In the House last night the Payment of Members' Bill came up for discussion, and again we find members displaying that kind of patriotism peculiarly their own. There has been little consideration shown for the poorer class of civil servants who hare to suffer a reduction often per cent, upon their salaries, but our legislators are careful of securing the opportunity of making a good income out of the honorarium. The proposal of Mr Shepherd to fix the amount for the future at £105 was a fair one, the sum being sufficient to defray personal expenses during a sitting of Parliament, but this was objected to, and by the use of the forms of the House the discussion was shelved. The Herald speaking on the question says :— "If the House rise at the end of this month hon. members will be paid at the rate of eight hundred guineas a year for playing at legislation, making a farce of representative government, and displaying to the constituencies their skill in ' how not to do it/ With regard to one thing only have they been earnest—they fought to the death against any greater reduction in their pay than 10 per cent, Consistent in all things with regard to their personal interest, as they will not do their work, so they will have their pay. But we have not yet done bon. members all the justice they deserve. We have said that they will be paid this session at the rate of eight hundred guineas a year. They will have done better than this when the session closes; Six hundred guineas will have been fobbed by hon. members for three sessions, covering thirteen months, with next to nothing to show for it, minus the stupendous reduction of ten per cent, for the present session. Taking both branches of the Legislature members of Parliament will have divided amongst themselves in thirteen months £64,725, and this in the present condition of the finances, with many public servants thrown on the world afresh to make their living, and every public emI ploye remaining suffering by reduction of salary. Hon. members know on which side their bread is buttered. ' With short sessions and frequent, to bo a representative of the people is one of the good things of this world. Neglect work one session and so make another quickly necessary, and ■ the ball can be kept rolling with infinite profit. But what says the country to the little game P Why not put the representation up for tender? It might not be dignified, but it would be economical, and if no work were done, why it would be no worse off than at present."

We understand that several Shortland residents' intend to contest the vacant; seat in the Borough Council. Mr Speight will also bo a candidate

Feelebs hare been thrown out to members of the Government by interested parties to have a sum of money granted for pumping operations on the Thames, but we.learn that there is no prospect of such a request being granted. The Auckland and Thames members were asked to help in such a direction, but the financial position of the colony, and the fact that already the County has spent a lot of moiaey on the Big Pump has frightened them from pressing the claim. It is a pity that the pumping cannot be done for these poor companies without their having to put their hands in their own pockets.

Thbbb was a clean sheeb at the R.M. Court again this morning.

Ik the discussion on the Native Lands Court Bill, Mr Lundon wanted the word in clause 57,, " interlocution " order struck out. He complained the same word had cost him £1000, Hnd a word that cost the country so much money ought not to be retained in the Bill. The clauso as printed was, however, passed.

Wn regret to learn that a very serious accident has befallen the son of Mr Win. Ferguson at Whangurei. By telegram Mr Ferguson learnt that bis son Jamei, whilst engaged in the bush attached to Lanigan's sawmill at Wbangarei Heads, sustained a very painful accident on Wednesday afternoon by having one of his thighs broken by the fall of a tree on it. The young man only recently entered Mr Lanigan's employ. He will be brought, to the Thames at the earliest opportunity.

A REPORT was current, says the Herald, that gold bad been discovered in Taranaki, but wo have not obtained any reliable information on the subject. We have been informed that two Germans came into town and purchased some quicksilver, at the same time stating that they had obtained some gold in a creek near Hawera. Another report states that gold was obtained a few miles past the camp.

How those telegraph people do murder names. The unfortunate Ameer of Afghanislas has been tent to mangled up as " Abudurahman," Abdul Ahman," " Adbur Ahtoan," and " Abdurrahman Khan."

Wb have heard it said that a number of the telegraphists who have been dismissed in consequence of the reduction in the Civil Service will go on to Cape Colony while others intend trying tbeir luck in Ihe United States. We believe the Government intend to amalgamate the postal and telegraph departments as far ac possible, a number of postal cadets having recently been sent to Wellington to learn the mysteries of the electrician's art.

To-dat has been one of tho roughest we have experienced this winter. It b as been: blowing a gale all day with frequent torrents of rain and v little hail.

Ik reply to the notification from the Crown Lands' Office, Auckland, offering for selection certain blocks of land under the Homestead Act, a, large acreage has been taken up. In the Waikawau block, east part, the following persons hare selected land:— William Crisp, 300 acres; Hugh Mackie, 300; James Patterson, 300; T. H. Crosbie, 300; and Thomas Good, 205; and in the Karaka block No. 1, Richard Taylor has selected 240 acres.