Summary of the Mouth.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4580, 8 September 1883, Page 3

Summary of the Mouth.

The month lias been an eventful one as far as disaster goes, and the sum of our • contribution to the accidents of the colony gce-3 far to raise our average in the monthly record of its death rate. On the 25th August a fire occurred at Parawai resulting in the immediate death of an infant, who perished in the conflagration, and the consequent decease of its father who rushed into the burning building to rescue bis child. The mother now lies in the hospital in a precarious condition, but hopes are entertained of her recovery. An account of the occurrence appears hereafter. On the Ist September a young - and promising life was cut short by a sad accident occurring in the harbor; and " one more unfortunate, weary of breath," was found hanging in the bush a day after leaving the town. Added to the list of calamities is a fire, the cause of which, remains wrapt in j^^mystery; fortunately no loss of life was attached to it. Our Westminster does not improve in tone ; the sessional period appears to have a sieve like effect; it has passed the finer matter through, and has retained the dregs and coarse material for display at; the end. Some scenes worthy of an American saloon or a New South 1 Wales Legislative meeting were enacted in oar [Representative Chamber last week. The natural disturbances on the Batavian coast have been felt here in the shape of tidal or tather eartbquakewaves, but no damage has been done, the oceanic rising being only a few feet. In matters * POLITICAL nothing of a particularly startling nature has eventuated. Several useful measures of a purely domestic character have been

.made law, and attempts to carry personal benefits by Act of Parliament have been made, but generally have not been sac- ' casaful,' the most barefaced of these, -referred to in our last summary—*', p., the New Zealand Native Land Coy's Bill —having met with a most disastrous fate.. Those inclined to benefit themselves by the aid of the State appear to be more cautious in their steps. One of the Auckland members (Mr Dargaville) was daring enough to attempt .to beard the lion in his den, by attacking the Governmental connection with the Bank of New Zealand. This, of' course, brought a host of foes around him, but he—notwithstanding the monied influence brought' to bear in favor of the colonial octopus which he attacked —firmly stood his ground, and a committee was appointed by the House to enquire into the charges made by him. The.Committee has made its report, and it is generally thought that it is of a quite uncompromising character, and the man who made grave charges will not even be censnred. AH this seems somewhat undignified ; yet worthy of the actions of Her Majesty's Ministry during the present session. Later on another member had the audacity to state that the . Colonial Treasurer had been charged with being a tool in the bands of a colonial financial institution, and had not been able to disprove it. This being said in the House, of course, was taken down, and the assertor withdrew the statement upon being called upon by the Speaker to do so ; but the fact of his having made the charge, which has some foundation, still remains. The Ministry, conscious of their own strength—having exhausted their opponents, and proved the hollowness of their opposition early in the session-—have rushed through the measures they wished carried, and this week will Bee the exodus of members from .the scene of parliamentary strife. Little has been done in the way of progressive legislation, the new measures passed are chiefly in perpetuation of past Acts. One marked effect of the sitting has been the antagonism shown by the Ministry to the mining industry, and it is generally felt that -while the present Minister of Mines is in office scant justice will be dealt to this most important branch of colonial employment. The COMMERCIAL aspect of affairs remains the same; our chief export is timber, and regular shipments to the Australian colonies continue to be made; the quantity of kauri gum sent from our port has'not been extensive of Jate. Our imports are heavier than they should be, and were it not for the lack of enterprise of the people in a position to foster industries, and keep •their own interests at the same time, many manufactories might be flourishing in our midst at the present time.