Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 1876.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 31100, 23 October 1876, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, 1876.

Now that the new Agent- General has departed upon his chosen mission, having voluntarily severed his connection with the colony, and divested himself of all power of materially influencing its political history in the future, we may anticipate that the merits of his political career will be more impartially canvassed than could have been expected during the heat of party strife. For ourselves we can say that while we deemed it a duty, in the interests of the public, to keenly criticise occasional proposals and portions of his policy, we have in the main given him, our cordial support, and have never doubted or disputed the great ability of Sir Julius, or the extraordinary amount of vigour and energy which he invariably threw|iuto any project to which he put his hand. Yet withal, ' we are inclined to agree with our local contemporary, that there is no need to regret his departure, inasmuch as it will be much safer and more satisfactory for the colony to travel at a slower pace for the next few years. Fortunate, however, as the retirement of the ex-premier may. prove, looking at it from this standpoint, Sir Julius himself is Burely not entitled to credit for any advantage derivable from his relinquishment of office. So far as he is concerned, it amounted to nothing more, nor less than a discreditable abandonment oE his post at a most critical period in the history of the colony. Whatever the people may think as to the beneficial results likely to accrue from Sir Julius retiring from the office of Premier, that is an argument in his favour that could not well be used by himself in defence of his conduct. Our contemporary, who evidently considers Sir Julius an embodiment of all the virtues, is yet very loth to believe his oft-repeated acknowledgment — " that any success he might have achieved (in public life) was owing to the kindness 1 and friendship shown him by Mr Fox when he took office in 1869." This is put down as mere sentiment, in proof of which is quoted some political | gossip of the time ; and it is affirmed, : in effect, that Mr Yogel was the i only member of the party who was in , capacity eligible for the post of Trea- ' surer. Our own memory of the cirj cumstances warrants us in saying that > in political circles at that time con- } siderable surprise was felt and ex- ! pressed at an offer of a seat in the [ having been offered to Mr ■ Yogel at all ; and when it was under--1 stood tbat the important office of J Colonial Treasurer had been offered to | a member who at that period of his ' political career was deemed little else ; than an unscrupulous political adven--1 turer, the appointment generated a ' pretty general feeling of distrust and i alarm. At that time Yogel had been ; years in the House, continually elbowing and fighting his way. Tet he was comparatively unknown and little l trusted, when Mr Fox, recognising his I superior abilities, and having confi- ; dence in his integrity, took him by the hand, gave him a prominent position in his Ministry, and thus enabled him to prove to the world what he was made of. And it says all the more for I the kindly feeliDg and keen discern- ; ment of character of the former geu- . tleman, that his protege proved fully L equal if not superior to his most sanguine expectations. <» — s Mysteey deepens anent the cause of the [ stoppage of the water supply, of -which many complained so bitterly last week. The matter will probably form a subject for inquiry, at the next meeting of the I Borough Council, as, strange to say, not one of the body Municipal can furnish any clue to the at present incomprehensible combination of circumstances to which is to ho attributed the attainment ' of the undesirable consummation referred to. Inquiries were made of the Foreman ; of Works, but he was unable to afford any information, and the Clerk of the Borough Council, with that urbauity for ' which lie is now proverbial, declined to satisfy the inquisitive minds of the Councillors. Upon this latter official's high and mighty demeanour, when fulfilling the instructions of the body of

which he is a paid servant, we will not at present enlarge ; nor with his frequent absences from the office during official hours, objectionable brusquencss of manner, at times approaching the rude, when transacting business with the ratepayers, do we intend at present to refer; but when members of the Corporation apply to him for official information, we consider such ought to be given as fully and explicitly as possible. For some considerable time, the Clerk of the Borough Council has steered his wayward course, regardless alike of the convenience of or courtesies due to the ratepayers and their representatives, and of his position as regards the Council, acting for the most part entirely upon his own responsibility. This has been complained of in other features on previous occasions, and it is quite time that the Clerk and the Borough Council mutually understood their relative positions. The public arc firmly impressed with the conviction that some unauthorised action caused the stoppage of the water supply, though some few enlightened individuals ascribe it to such absurd causes as the filter at the end of the siphon getting clogged with accumulations of debris or subaqueous herbage. But this theory no intelligent mind* could entertain for a moment. The fact cannot be gainsaid, that the siphon exhausted itself in some mysterious mannei', whence the anathemas, the unpractical exhibitions, the stop-valve manipulations, and the frantic and prolonged exertions at the air pump. We say the matter ought to be investigated, and traced to its source, and such means adopted as shall render impossible a repetition thereof. His Worship the Mayor will admit that his personal visit to the Lake, and acquaintance with the mode of procedure adopted was pre-eminently unsatisfactory, and suggested the necessity for many fundamental alterations. We shall refer again .to the phases oE other question, which to our mind demand reorganization.