MAJOR ATKINSON'S SPEECH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1999, 26 May 1885, Page 2

MAJOR ATKINSON'S SPEECH.

Major Atkinson addressed his constituents at Hawera on Friday last, and, as wjw to be expected from such a piominent member .of tjie JTojise of Representatives, lie spoke to the electors of the Colony rather than to those of the Egmont district, Referring to the present Government, he said he preferred men to measures, because men might he bad administrators, and mistrusted by the country. In this lie puthimself in opposition to the Colonial Treasurer, who rested his claims on the merits of his Government as compared with their predecessors. He would therefore criticise them from their own point of view. It clops not appear, however, that he went very deeply into the question, though ho criticised some of the actions of the Government pretty severely. Major Atkinson is strongly in favor of Colonial Fedeiation, and as the Stout-Yogel Government is, to say the least, very lukewarm on the snbjept, foe condemned their action as being calculated to Pipage the interests of all the Australian Colonies. Ho approves of the action of the Government in proceeding with the defences of the Colony without culling Pailiament together, on the ground that the work was necessary and urgent. The local government proposals which are to be introduced next session do not meet with his approval, and he appears to prefer to leave these matters as they stand. Mr Richardson, the Minister for Public Works, came in for a lot of sharp criticism, chiefly on account of his action regarding the North Island Trunk Railway line, which the Major wished to carry through his district. He expressed the belief that a loop line would have to be formed ere long. Mr Biiycis was held up as the very model of a Native Minister. Sir Julius Voqel's scheme of Finance did not meet with his approval, and he claimed that it was proving a failure. From the report to hand it does not appear that he explained in what way it had failed. There were really no other subjects of importance touched upon, the speech being ut very mild one indeed. On comparing it with recent utterances of Sir George Grev at Auckland, we find signs of a nearer approach between the two leaders, and of vigorous opposition to the Government duiing the ensuing session.

The New Zealand one million and a half loan is to be put upon the market at an oarly date.

The Excursion Train from Wellington was largely patronised yesterday, about 400 coming to Masterton alone; Only about 70, however, left for Wellington. Voty fair time waiskept throughout. We have received the New Zealand Trade Review for the current month, and find it, as usual, filled with useful and reliableinformation regarding the markets of the colony.

The local portion of the English Mail ex Tongaviro, arrived here yesterday. Captain Edwin telegraphed at noon Bad weather between West and SouthEast. Glass further rise, anil weather very cold.' Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for theerection of two four roomed cottages. Particulars may ho obtained at this ottice. .

TheretirementofMr G.S. W. Dalrymple from the contest for the Borough auditorship is notified by the returning officer, who also announces that Messrs J. lorns and W, Sellar have been duly elected. ; Our Tinui correspondent, understands that Mr H, Elder will not 1 contest the. County election against Messrs R, Maun-' sill and Handyside, and that in all pro-' bability it will bo close running between these two, whoever else may stand. ■ Messrs tendance at their sale of furniture on Saturday last. Piano drawing room suito, Couches,' chests of drawers, bedsteads, carpets, mattresses, and sundries, all sold at fair prices under, the hammer, ■ .

Messrs Lowes and lorns make several additions in sheep to their stock sale list for , to-morrow. The list will now comprise fifty head of mixed cattle; ten young quiet steers, quiet heifers, dairy cows, and calves, 100 fat sheep, 100 crossbred ewes in lamb, 40 lambs, horse, trap, and harness, hack and harness horses, saddlery, a lot of purebred Berkshire pigs, prize poultry &c. Considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed with the catering at the Volunteer Review yesterday, more especially with the way the cadets were treated. Those who were able to get a supply of sandwiches complained that they were "buttered with mustard," and contained only very small pieces of meat, which were found to be unfit for food, whilst several complained that they were unable to get even a piece of bread.

Many complaints have been made with regard to the careless manner in which railway tickets were issued during the holidays, One passenger who took a Wellington return ticket on Saturday, presented a pound note and got no change out of it, while a Salvation Army officer paid for a fare and never got a ticket at all, These matters will, no doubt, be looked into by the proper authorities.

A good story is told of how a settler in the district got his English correspondence away by train, He had to ride a long way to reach the station, and knowing he siiould be late, he telegraphed to the Manager from the nearest office to have the train delayed twenty minutes, as otherwise he would not be able to get his letters away. When he arrived at the station lie was delighted to find himself in time, and lie now flatters himself that the telegram did it all. Advantage was taken of the Queen's Birthday being a public holiday by the Gospel Temperance Mission holding a tea meeting to which the public were invited, some fifty of whom responded,' The edibles were supplied by the various friend, ai)d ful justice was done thereto, A public temperance meeting was held, and addresses from several' prominent temperance advocates wore given, interspersed with readings, recitations and 3q]q3 ty t)(e juyenile band.

Mr Wai'dell, haying been mis" represented by a Wellington scribe who styles himself" Asmodeus," lie has considered it necessary|ti) address the local reporters on the subject. From what he said it appears that a woman went into the shop i)f Mr Hume, produce dealer, find, Jiayjng purchased some bacon, quarrelled about the price. In her excitement she threw the bacon into Mr Hume's face, and was thereupon "run out," ABmodeus, in noticing the case, had omitted to mention the bacon episode, and then carped at Mr Wardell's decision that the putting out was justifiable.

The following iiotes on the recent examination of the Fernridge school are from the interim report of the Inspector of Schools Percentage of passes: 86; results—there has been much sickness during the year, and consequently a poor attendance, only one pupil attending 400 times, but nevertheless good work has been done; discipline, good, and excellent management; classification, good, npne classed low; working condition, yery satisfactory; teaching staff, sufficient and competent; order and appointment pf rooms and playgrounds, good. A wanton piece of damage to property has been brought under our notice, A month or two ago a large stone was thrown through ono of the bed-room windows of thePrinco of Wales Hotel, about 11 o'clock at night, and one of the two occupants narrowly escaped being struck by it, On Saturday night last, at about the same hour, the act was repeated. It is not known who the culprits aro, but it is rather strange that two young men had been refused more drink on both occasions just before the stones were thrown, and suspicion naturally points to them. Mrs Wagg n<nv offers a reward for information that will lead to the conviction of the larrikins.

A general meeting of the Featherston Racing Club was held on the 23rd inst., Mr W, 0. Williams in the chair, The minutes of the previous meeting were yeal'and cqnfjrmet}, The balance sheet was accepted ap read, vk, receipts £255 14a 44, expenditure £243 3s 9d, balance in bank £l2 10? 74, The secretary was instnioted to write to members in arrear requesting payment, It was resolved that a vote of thanks be sent to Mr Nicola for the use of the course; that the secretary be voted the sum of £5 ; and that the secretary write to the Trustees of the Tauherenikau racecourse asking permission to hold their meetings on that courso and to call a meeting on receipt of answer, A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. The Phtenix Lodge, 1.0. G.T. met as usual last evening, there being it very fair attendance of members, Tho question of Sunday trading was again brought up, and progress reported. Bro. F, H. Fraser, D.S., of the Rechabites, Wellington, was present, and informed the meeting that Mr Bootli would shortly be in Wellington, andduring his stay he would probably visit Masterton, if invited to do so. Bro. Fraser further informed the members that applications would shortly be advertised for a permanent secretary for the Temperance party in Wellington, who had guaranteed an amount annually. The meeting was a very interesting one, and extended considerably beyond the usual hour for closing. Just as the various congregations were entering upon their devotional exercises on Sunday morning, the fire-bell pealed forth its solemn warning that a conflagationwastobe feared, and, considering this perhaps was of more present urgency, several devotionists rose from their knees from curiosity or fear to find out where the danger was, In tho Wesleyan Cnurch the Rev. Mr Buttle took a sensible step, and told the Church officers to ascertain the whereabouts of the conflagration, and having been informed of the fact, he announced that it was only a chimnoy on fire and resumed his opening prayer. The alarm was caused by tho Boot which had acoumulatedin the zinc top of a chimney in tho kitchen of the Instituto taking fire. Tho Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, but Mr Reilly, with a few buckets of water, sqonput out the fire, without requiring their assistance.

His Excellency the Governor held a levee at Wellington yesterday which was attended by about 250 gentlemen, The new lock-up at the Mastorton Police station is nearly completed, two cells being ready for the reception of intending occupants, Inspector Shearman is expected during the week, when lie will pass the . building, if satisfactory. The weather, which has been fair and warm for several days, changed very suddenly this morning, when a strong southerly gale sprang up, driving a cold and heavy .rain before it. Both town and country quickly assumed a thorough wintry appearance; "AOlfCM'ometer retiiains low, we may expect that there is little prospect'of an early and favourable change. A young man fell down in a fit in Hailstreet yesterday morning, when' the. "Volunteers were mustering in front of. the Courthouse. Dr : Beard attended him, and brought him round after some little delay. From enquiries made by.Sergt. McArdle, the sufferer, it was found, was' subject to fits when under excitement, such as was created by the crowd-and band at the time.

Heilbron's German Worm Cakes and Fitzgerald's Koromiko Extract are Pa tented—Advt.