The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 90, 21 February 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1879.

His Excellency the Morquis of Normanby has said good-bye to the Colony, and has left his character behind him for the journalists of the Colony to discuss. Different people hold different opinions as to the utility of Governors nominated by the Crown, but putting this aspect of the question on one hide, we believe the Colony is very unanimous in admitting that the late Governor of New Zealand was about as able and agreeable a potentate as any Colony could reasonably hope to obtain, lie not only displayed that dignity which his high ofiice and his rank as a British Peer naturally called forth, but lie also exorcised it without giving offence lo his somewhat democratic and independent subjects. He could be cordial and pleasant with all without, the somewhat vulgar ostentation which marked the manners of his predecessor, Sir George Bowen. He did his duty by the Crown ! He did his duty by the Colony! Nor did lie ever seem under any pressure of persons or circumstances to lose his head or swerve from the constitutional principles by which Governors are wont to be guided. He carries with him the good wishes of high and low, rich and poor, with one exception, and that exception is one that New Zealand colonists cannot think of without a feeling of shame. It has been stated on good authority that Sir George Grey was the only Minister at Wellington who stayed away from the farewell levee, and who did not form one of the party that met subsequently on the wharf to pay the last tribute of respect to His Excellency. Sir George Grey possesses many noble qualities, and for this very reason it is all the more to be regretted that he permitted a pitiful personal jealousy to prevent him from extending that courtesy to the Marquis ot Normanby which his public position as Premier entailed upon him as an absolute duty. The presence of other Ministers on the occasion we refer to was a silent but significant vote of censure on their chief. Sir George Grey, as Premier of the Colony, has certain obligations to fnlfil, and if he subordinates them to personal considerations he is unfitted for the' post ho occupies. He was no more justified in showing discourtesy to the Governor than the Earl of Beaconsiield would be in insulting tho Queen. Nor will the colonists of New Zealand approve of any one, however great his past services may have been, misrepresenting their feelings and wishes on an occasion of this kind.

Messrs lorns and Fergusson hold an unreserved furniture sale to-morrow on the premises of the late Mrs Robinson.

Jas. J, Smith and Co, invite tenders for the purchase of 40 acres of potatoes and carrots,

A string band at Masterton, under the able leadership of Mr P, Linn, is making very rapid progress towards efficiency.

Mr D. McKenzie announces that lie has opened a Blacksmith Shop opposite the Club Hotel, and solicits a shave of public patronage. Mr G. Burslcm announces that lie is now prepared to take passengers and freight right through to Castlcpoint every Tuesday, returning to Masterton, weather permitting, the following clay. Messrs Casclborg and Co. announce that they have made arrangements for holding a sale of a portion of their salvage goods rescued from the recent fire in Greytown, at their brick warehouse, Masterton, commencing on the 25 th inst, By a typographical error in our last issue we represented Mr Philip Murtagh in a local paragraph 11 promenading round his house with a grin." The last word should have been " gun." We regret that we should have allowed so ridiculous a blunder to have appeared. It is somewhat late in the day to toll i.t(says a writer in the Lyttelton Times), but inasmuch as the story has not been told before—not too late. Shortly after Sir George Grey succeeded Major Atkinson, the Major, upon leaving a house at which they were both-visiting, took up Sir George Grey's hat by mistake, and immediately apologised. " Don't mention it," said tho owner; " it's only a fair exchange." "Howso?" asked Major Atkinson. <^ r ,»,vas the shoes!" r smoled a

The next Wcaleyan Conference will Ijo held at Duncdin in-January, 'IBBO, 1

Tho Prairie Farmer states 'that Great Britain has one sheep to each two acres of land Germany, France, and Spain one to each five acres; and tho United States Ins one to each fifty-six acres. We are glad to notice that somo of the prize takers at the late Greytown Horticultural Society, very kindly returned some of their prize money, to help defray tho liabilities of the Society, they having taken over the debts of the old Wairarnpa Society. At a meeting of tho committee of the Horticultural Society, of Greytown, hold in the Town Hall on Thursday, there were present Messrs Barnard, (chairman), Brooks, Barrett, ond Webster. The minutes of the last meeting were rend and confirmed. The treasurer reported a credit balance in the Bank, of £2l lGs 9d. The following accounts were then passed for paymentMr Wakelin, £5 lJis Ud; Mr Braggins, (Town Hall, &0.,) £3 Sa; Pay ton & Co., £2 8s; Secretary, £2 2s. The committee then went over the list of prizes, the amount awarded being about £l7. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Brooks, seconded by Mr Barrett, that a vote of thanks be passed to those gentlemen whoso kindly acted a3 judges and stageis at the late show, also to Mrs Blonquist for her kindness in assisting in entertaining the public. It was resolved that a siorce in connection with the Society, be held on Easter Monday evening, tho members of the committee to act as Stewards, with power to add to their number. After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting closed, The Rev J, W. Inglis delivered his lecture on the Songs and Music of Scotland last night in the Town Hall Masterton to a large but not a crowded audience. We were sorry more were not present as it was a sort of lecture which country people perhaps hear but once in their lives and which will keep green in their memories i'or a score of years. The lecturer like tho Douglas in the old ballad ia himself tender and true and there is a manly ring about hiscvory utterance which completely carries with him tho sympathies of his audience, After hearing Mr Inglis we are more than ever convinced that our last big lecturer the ltev Charles Clark was a band-box. i!o description of the lecture will give any idea of its beauty, its pathos, its humor. Those that heard it will we feel certain look upon Mr Inglis with friendly regard for the remainder of their natural lives and these who did not hoar it should have taken our advice, which wo gave strongly before hand, and went. It is proposed writes the New Zcalamlcrto give a substantial testimonial to Mr 1!. Wakelin, the proprietor and editor of the Wairmtpa Slumlord, ai a mark of the appreciation by life subscribers of his public services. Vi'e can most unaffectedly say tli.it we know of no testimonial more richly deservd. Except in the immediate neighborhood of the place where they live and labor, the anonymity of the Press prevents the editor even of up-country papers from being well known, and consequently from receiving that recognition of their literary merits which otherwise might be rendered to them. Here is llr Wakelin, in the quiet township of Grey town, who has been laboring away for years unostentatiously, and without sufficient reward—never changing or seeking to change his place—giving the best of bis thought ami reading to articles bearing upon the political and economic adrancenient of this young country, and it has only neemral lo a few tnouglitful persons now and again that in this r.ian, notwithstanding faults and failings similar to most of others, there was a fund of power, and patriotism which had never received iis due development. The pity i: ; that the Colony does not know some of the best men; and they may never have the opportunity of showing the stuff of which they arc made. To a great extent this i:s Mr V/akelin's case. As an editor lie is always at his post, but lie is something more anil bettor. He possesses an unflinching honesty and piopose. Von may not agree with the tone of his paper on certain erne ;- tioas—you may think lie is taking a narrow view of some proposals—we, ourselves, having the misfortune to differ from him not unfrcquently—but none can ever suppose that lie is not writing what he most surely believes, and horn r.liieli neither iiatteiy nor threats will make him swerve. Those only who are behind the scones can know how many influence, direct and indirect, poweiftil and petty, are brought to bcarunon members of the Fourth Estate, to cause them to lay hold of By-ends or Facing-both-ways. But this somewhat by the way. Not very long ago llr Wakelin collected a few of his writing and gave them to the worfd under the title of " History and Polities," a title perhaps too ambitious, but if any one wishes to know the story of the Wairarapa, and how provincial institutions worked there, and to learn tho opinions of a keen observer regarding public men and public acts, we recommend to such an one the perusal of this suggestive little work, Homo months ago Mr Wakelin had the pleasure, after a hard and well-fought fight, of obtaining from the Government the concession of a branch line from the Wairarapa railway to Grey town, and it is announced that the proposed testimonial shall be publicly presented to him on the occasion of the turning tho first sod of this branch railway; to celebrate which tho Hon, tiic Premier and the Minister of Public Works will be specially invited, It is all in excellent form, and v;o rejoice at it. Ejibakrassixo—Mother, to 10-years old daughter—" So you enjoyed your walk, Kate. Did you go all that distance alone 1" Daughter—" Oh, yes, mamma, quite alone!" Objectionable Younger Brother—" Then how is it, Kit, that you tool: out an umbrella and brought home a walking-stick!"