The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY. JULY 14, 1886. THE DISTRICT RAILWAY PUR. CHASE SCANDAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2346, 14 July 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY. JULY 14, 1886. THE DISTRICT RAILWAY PUR. CHASE SCANDAL.

We have now bad an opportunity of reading the evidence attached to the report presented l>y the Parliamentary Committee, and it is so full and complete, that there is not much difficulty in coming to a fair and impartial decision as to the position of Major Steward, the principal defendant, The Major has made a thousand pounds by his commission on the sale of certain railway debentures to the Government, and he claims tbut ho did this during the recess as an ordinary commission agent, and it must he admitted that there is nothing revealed in the evidence to prove that his action as a commission agent affected his conduct as a member of the House. This is Major Steward's strong point, but, unfortunately there is a weak side to his case. It is perfectly evident that Major Steward's success in making a thousand pounds'was affected by information and influence which he had acquired as a Parliamentary representative, and that his position as a member enabled,him to>carry through a negotiation which nn outsider could not have undertaken, As a commission agent, not a word can be said against Major Steward, but as a member of Parliament he is undoubtedly compromised. 11 is said that the Government will take a motion to adopt the report nf the Committee as a vote of want of confidence. If so, the House will have to elect between condemning the Government and censuring the Committee. In this wav the°affair will drift into a party fight. Efforts are even now hein« made to show that the verdict of the Committee was inspired by party feeling, the object of course being to draw a red herring across the scent, We' trust to see the honor of the House vindicated by the adoption of the Committee's report, but the Government may be strong enough to defeat this by some Ride wind, No amount of special .pleading will satisfy right-thinking men that it was expedient'for Major Steward to deal as a commission agent with the Colonial Treasurer, or for the Colonial I Treasurer to deal with a commission agent who was also a member of the House, and a prominent supporter of bis Government, The decision of the House in this mattor will be washed

with interest throughout Australia Will Parliament rule hi»h or rnl" low? The Committee's rf'jiort rules high, but it is evident that-the. Government desire to rule low, Will Australasia have to.blush for' New Zealand i

The Wairarapa East Oounty Counoil has sat itself right with the ratepayers and the public by abolishing pro tm .all payment to members. This is going to the other extreme and is almost a display of excessive virtue, It is possible that without some travelling ftllowauce attendances at the Couuty meetings may fall off. If so, in the interest of the County, it will be desirable to fix some scale whioh will secure a proper and punctual despatch of business. In a community of working settlers wecannot alwaysaffot'd to dispense with allowances of this' character. While any increase of them requires to be jealously guarded it is at the same time necessary to provide that the pu'olio work of the district is not neglected by reducing them and the ardour of members of local bodies to

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Masterton School Committee takes place to-morrow.

Latest returns by cable show 292 Conservatives, CO (sic) Unionists, 155 Gladstones, and 75 Parnellites elected.

Messrs Hooper and Co notify their monster sale stijl continues and recommend all, who want good value to come and buy at once. At the Supreme Court, Wellington, Gibson, formerly town clerk at Petone, was convicted of embezzlement. Sentenco was deferred.

The body of a woman, apparently thirty years of age was fouud in tho Auckland Harbor yesterday and identified, as that of Mrs Nelson.

A severe earthquake was felt at Tarawere 011 Monday night. The Europeans and Natives made a stampede forPukeroa Hill.

Henry Chonder was brought before Mr H. A. Stratford, K.M., this morning, charged as a vaerant. He was found by the police at 11.30 last night sleeping on Adams' brickfield. He waß sentenced to twenty-one days' hard labor.

A Pres3 telegram from Chrißtchurck says that the schooner Volunteer owned by Mr Mcintosh became a total wreok at Sumner Bar yesterday. Wliila going out she struck on the Beacon Rock carrying away the beacon. The crew escaped, During the passage of the Penguin from Dunedin to Lyttelton a sternge passenger named James Trevelyan jumped overboard and was drowned. His body was recovered and brought to Lyttelton. "The Observer reports a determined attempt at incendarism was committed last night in a building in the rear of Mr Pole's residence, Grcytown, for which a •roan named Alfred Smith was arrested. The lire was extinguished with trifling damage.

A crowded house again greeted the committee of the Greytown Institute on Monday evening for their weekly entertainment. Every seat in the large hall was occupied and a great number had to stand. An excellent programme was carried out to the satisfaction of all present.

At an examination, made by Professors, of Mokoia Island in the centre of Lake Rotorua,-shows the water has risen five inches on the south side, and fallen five inches on the north side. This showß the eruption gave the country ,& tilt. It is believed that Ohinemutu stands throe feet lower than before,

Eight larrikins on Monday night, with an avowed intention of wrecking the Star Hotel, Auckland, attacked Mr Adam Cairns, the licensee. Polico assistance was telephoned for, and the rioter*, Patrick O'Keefe and Richard Larritt were arrested. They were charged at the Police Court yesterday morning, when O'Keefe was sentenced to one month's hard labor. Larritt was fined £fi and costs or one month's imprisonment. The other members of,the gang are known. There was a good house at the entertainment of the Masterton Christys last evening at the Theatre Royal. The opening overture, (Masterton Christys), arranged by Mr Cullimore, introducing a cornet solo, and a chorus. " Listen to the Mocking Bird," was well received, the introductory parts being a novelty to a Masterton audience. The clmir business was most successful, the gems of that part being. •' Poor Little Johnny," (S. H. Wickorson), and " Don't forget the fireside at home," (J. Thompson), both of which were redemanded, while "Dreaming of mother's angel face" by Mr Webb, was greeted with prolonged applause. The choruses throughout were well taken both to time and tune, which added considerably to the evening's pleasure. The comer men, Messrs Mills and T, Thompson, cracked new jokes, sang new songs, and kept tho audience generally amused. In the second part the dancing and singing of Mr Mills was a great treat, each of his 1 items being encored. The entertainment was brought to a close by a mirth provoking nigger farce entitled "A J.P. for an hour" in which the eccentricities of a negro servant, left in charge of a J.P. 's office.- This sent the audience home in a happy mood.

Mr H. Dunn, the Treasurer of the Eli SmiHi fund writes us as Mews"The affairs of tho above fund being now finally closed and all accounts paid, I am deairnd by the Committee to convey to you their hearty thanks for your kind help in collecting and forwarding subscriptions, advertising, Ac., and to request that you will publish the enclosed list of subscribersG. Beetham, M.H.R, L2 2s, H. H. Beetham LI In, W. H. Allsworth ss, Pase ss, W, Dairy m pie ss, P. Powell 6s, H, J. lsitt Ss, H, R. Nevins 10s, F, A. Sheath ss, 0. Rogers ss, W. Cross L2, .H. Dunn LI, A. Burling L 210«, W. Sinclair LI, J. Brannigan 10«, R. Marsh LI, Mn J. Smith LI 2s, Isaac Pol 10s, J. McKonrie 6b, Mr Riddle LI, Mrs Oliver Bs, J. Oliver Ss, J. Ross ss, G, A. Yewen ss, W. Raine LI, Leonard Pol 10s, R, Smith 10s, Macquameßros, L 3, F. Dunderdale L 3, 6, E, Prince 10s, H. Petersen 10s, J. Edge LI, C. 6. Good LI, Duddinp 10s. C. Goddard ss, A Shelton 10s, T. Bayliss 10s, F, Von Reden 10s. Meedn 9s, Small 10s, H. J. Saunders L 5, 6. Saunders 55,; A. Tyer LI, T. Ewart 10, E. L. Vine? LI, J. Jones LI, W. Dunn LI, P. Gillies LI, J. Sweeney LI, 0. Alberthsen LI, Nels Svenson LI, J. J.' Junger 2s 6d, H. Schormonn LI, 0, Alve 10s, D. McLachlan 10s, P. Jensen ss, J, H, Farquharsoii ss, G. McKay 2a 6d, Jozef Kose 10s, G. Hopkins 10s, A.'Norton Bs, J, Kennedy 10s, J. Rutherford 10b, W, M, Kebble L 3, T. York 10s, \nders Anderson 10s, R: Crew 10s, 0. Dickons 10a, J. Brown 10s, S.M.D. LI, L3, T. Holmes ss, J Crow 10a, H, Compton 10s, T. 0. Benson 10s, G. Mitchell 10s, T. Smith 10s, J. Catt LI, E. A. Roberts 10s, A. Napier 10s, Mrs MoLaren. ss, H-.' King 10s, A Friend 2s Cd, per J. Payton and Co. LBl7a fid, per P. McLaren, Petone, Lslos, per W, W, McCardle Ll6 2i, Total—^£93l6s.

In consequence of pressure on our space part of the report of the Wairarajw ilast Oounty Council is held over until to-mor-row.

Tenders are invited for the painting and paperhanging required at the Club Hotel, Greytown. Specifications may be inspected at Messrs Fabian Bros' store.

Wo draw attention to Mr P. H. Wood's stock sale at Tarutahi which takes place to-morrow, and embraces several lines in dairy cows, calves, sheep, horses, pigs, and sundries.

The adjourned meeting of the Phoenix Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held last ovi" ning, there being a very good attendance. Seven candidates wore proposed for membership, and a lengthy discission took place re the beat niodo of working the Order. Bin. 0. Holdaway was appointed Superintendent of the Juvenile Temple, Bro. 0. Dixon haviucr resigned. . The extra policeman has not yet arrived in Masterton, but, judging from the events that occurred during the temporary absence of the police last night, it is time he w;is here, The police had gone in the direction of the Opaki road to look after a man who was begging and molesting people and while they were away some larrikins tore down Borne canvas blinds, broke a shop window inQueen street, dragged out the Fire Brigade hose and in other ways mischievously interfered with-property. They, cleared off at the approach of the night watchman, being favored by the darkness. It is a longtime since Masterton had an outbreak of this element, and wo are glad to learn the police have an inkling of the participants iu the midnight revels and are likely to make it warm for them.

Daring the last two months Ihave sold M Moil's Heavy Whitney Overcoats it 16s fid, and have remaining just 85 mote, which I intend selling at 16b9d. Ihave also just landed 24 M&n's Heavy Beaver Overooata that I am selling at 2-?« od, that are honestly worth 455. Boys' Overcoats from 9s 9d. Youths' V.Z. made Tweed Hats 3s 6d, Men's Twoed Suite' from 18s 6d. Inspection solicited. Note the uddre6fl —The Wairarapa Clothing Factory, awt the Empire Hotel. Masterton.

Cocghs, Colds, Bbonchitis, &0., arc quickly cured by using Baxter's celebrated ' LungPreaervor." This old established, popular mo-'iciae is ploasant to tho palate, adn highly extolled by the members of the medical, legal,. and clerical professions. Sold by all Patent Medioino Vendors. Sec testimonials in advertisements,-[Advt.l lam going to make a speciality ot certain liriea during tho next months. At the present timo I am running Macintoshes and Overcoats at prices which defy any house in the Wellington District to approach. By. sending tho length which you require in inches, yen can be supplied with a grand Tweed Macintosh for 27.1), honestly worth £3. Give me a trial. JOHN Thobburk, the People's OlotUer, Willisstreet Wellin?toi).-rAnvr,l Venetian Blind and Revolving Shutter manu factory. All Blinds guaranteed of tbe very beet description, Price list on application to It. W. Hemi (late Heim and Hansen.) Poneke Stcain Venetian Blind and Revolving Faetoty, "N7 ellintrton.—Al