STATE TRIALS.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 77, 4 March 1882, Page 392

STATE TRIALS.

Twelve of the prisoners "were tried, the venue being removed to Melbourne iv order to secure a metropolitan jury. The authorities used every possible effort to secure a conviction. They excluded Irishmen and all persons suspected of liberal sympathies from the jury (even Mr Berry, the late Premier of Victoria, was one of those who were challenged) ; but so strongly did the public approve the action of the miners and condemn that of the Government, that not a single conviction was secured by the Crown. Mr Grant, the present Minister of Education in Victoria, undertook the defence of the prisoners, and though large subscriptions were raised for the purpose, he declined to accept any remuneration for his services. As soon as Mr Lalor was able to walk he took ship from Geelong to Melbourne, and intimated on his arrival to Mr Haiwes (Chief Secretary) and Sir William Sfcawcll (Attorney-General), that if the gazette notice of the reward for his capture had not been withdrawn lie was prepared to surrender himself whenever they might appoint. The next gazette, which, we believe, was an extraordinary one, contained a notification of the rescinding of the reward. We have given the above account somewhat in detail, because it is the fullest and most authentic narration of the events that has yet been published. lIIS SUBSEQUENT CABEEIt. In November 1855, representation was given to the goldfields under the old Constitution, and Mr Lalor was, without opposition, elected to the Legislative Council as one of the representatives for Ballai'at, the Parliament then consisting of only one Chamber which was partly nominated by the Governor. Shortly after taking his scat the Government appointed him Commissioner of Railways, a position which he occupied until the passage of the Officials in Parliament Act. At the next election he was returned for South Grant, which lie conthmously represented until 1871. When first elected for South Grant in 1856, he was appointed Chairman of Committees by the Legislative Assembly, and it is generally admitted, says Heaton, that he evinced much firmness, decision of character, and an intimate acquaintance with Constitutional law whilst he filled that position, which he did until 1868. In 1875 he was again returned by his old constituency of South Grant, and in August of that year accepted office os Commissioner for Customs and Postmaster-General in Mr Berry's first administration. In the following October he went out with his chief, Avhose financial proposals did not meet with the approval of the Assembly, and Sir James McCullough's fourth Cabinet was formed. After the general election iv May 1877, Mr Berry again became Chief Secretary, bringing back with him Mr Lalor in his former position. Though he was necessarily prevented by bis position of Chairman of Committees from taking any active part in politics for many years, Mr Lalor was always understood to be a protectionist. He was always more or less connected with mining, and when relieved of his chairmanship looked more closety after his interests in the New North Clunes and the Australasian mines. He was chairman of the Clunes Water Commission, for which he received a large salary, and a Director of the New North Clunes Mining Company. Through him in 1870 and 1871 a bill, authorising the construction of works to convey water into Clunes, and empowering the borrowing of the necessarj" funds, was introduced into Parliament and passed. The works cost about £70,000, which was supplied by the Company, of which lie was Chief Director, and the work was executed under his control and personal supervision. On the formation of the Berry Ministry in 1877, Mr Lalor was appointed Commissioner for Trade and Customs,- and in 1878 he added to that ofllce the appointment of Postmaster-General. At the next election Mr Lalor was re-elected for South Grant. Mr Berry retired from office at the result of the elections becoming apparent, and Mr Service formed a Ministry, but immediately on the assemblage of Parliament, and before the Governor's speech was received, Mr Berry tabled a motion of want-of-oonfidence. Mr Service raised a point of order that such a motion could not precede the Governor's speech, and Mr Lalor, who had been elected Speaker of the House, was called upon to give his first ruling, which was adverse to that contention. The Conservative party challenged the correctness of the ruling, but we believe its accordance with Constitutional law and Parliamentary 'practice has since been recognised and admitted even by them. The Argns also challenged the ruling in general terms, and promised to give reasons to support its views, but it has since preserved a judicious silence on the subject, and it is generally believed that the legal gentleman who gxiides its views in these matters coincided with Mr Lalor. The Marquis of Normanby also, in his reply to the address from the Assembly, expressed his dissent, from Mr Lalor's ruling,which, when the House again met, obliged Mr Lalor to quote such numerous and overwhelming precedents from the journals of the House of Commons as to set the question finally at rest. He is still Speaker, and will, so far as we can judge, continue to hold the office as long as lie cares for it, or believes his services can benefit the country, and we confidently expect to sec him shortly knighted. During his visit to this part of the Colony, he has visited the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Waikato, Waiwera, and other districts, and appears to have been highly gratified not only with the progress, prospects and resources of the country, but with the reception he has everywhere met with.