The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1887. REFORM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2496, 10 January 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1887. REFORM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

- ■ ■ » _ It is stated that a Bill is in course of preparation for the reform of the Legislative Council. The democratic party now in power is the natural enemy of the Upper Chamber, and would no doubt abolish it altogether if it was thought that there would be a chance of such a clean sweep. All that they can do, however, is to weaken and degrade it. It will be remembered Ikbat when Sir Geobge Grey was our democratic Premier the status of the Council was lowered by an infusion of new bipod of a decidedly inferior vein, and the process of deterioration has proceeded under the present Minify, We can remember the time when New , Zoalanders were proud of their Legis- ; lative Council, but this was many ;

\ 3'onrs ago. The presont proposals for ' reform are, we are told, (1) election of new mombers by the House of Re'pre"seuiatives; (2) reduction of the present number of members; (8) limiting tonuro of office to seven or, ten years'; (4) providing for deadlocks between Upper and Lower Chambers. _ As regards the eleotioa 'of new members iVmaybe said that they are chosen under the'preaent arrangements by a • constituency ; of six or seven Cabinet Ministers,', and that raider'.'the new proposal they would be elected by a constituency of nearly a hundred M.H.R.s. A larger constituency might " be expected to give better men, but we fear that there would be a tendency for members of the Lower Houso to return thomselveß to the Upper Chamber, and possibly any M.H.R. who happened to be an unmitigated bore as a debater, or as a mischief-maker, would bo speedily translated to • the ' other chamber.' If so, the 'other Chamber' would speedily become hopelessly and ridiculously inefficient. On the proposal to reduce the numerical strength.-of the Council most people will be agreed for financial reasons. The only objection we see to such a ohange is that the House is now paoked with democratic Lords, and a new Ministry would have no power to season a somewhat unsavoury Chamber by a few new creations. • We question also whether, limiting the tenure of office would work well. The best men in the colony might not care to -serve in • the Council for a short term though it might answer the purpose of second ■rate politicians to accept the position for a few years in order to carry out some special scheme in which they were interested. It would perhaps be better if instead of trying to remodel the Legislative Council on an entirely new basis, which we presume is a step, towards abolishing it altogether, one or two sensible improvements were made in the direction of curtailing its cost. If the method of appointing new members were varied at all it might be worth while to let the Crown nominate instead of appoint new members and the Council have some power of veto which would enable'it to make a stand against the introduction of unsuitable elements. If members of the Lower House had the privilogo of election for additions to the Upper House accorded to them it would bo expedient to extend a similar franchise to the members of the upper chamber. It is suggested that to prevent a deadlock it is desirable for both houses to sit and vote together and it would perhaps be wise for them to be allowed to vote together for the return of any additional members for tho Upper House.

We are glad to learn that the Borough Counoil have taken a legal opinion as to whether their hem standi is affected by the recent proclamation, with the result that they remain till their successors are elected, in possession of full powers for administering the affairs of the Borough.

The Government propose to establish a University College at Wellington. Te'Whiti is still at Pefcone. His star has evidently paled, or the' railway department would be now ruuning special trains to his neighborhood.

The genuine British shrimp Iwb been discovered in the Wellington harbor, and promisee to be a source of profit to enterprising fishmongers, Gas is about to be reduced in Wellington to 8s (id por 1000 feet. We bopo the Masturton rato will follow suit at no distant date.

A price list book stamped Johnston and Co., Wellington, was lost between Masturton and Eketahuna on Saturday last, The finder is requested to return it to Mr T. 6. Mason, chemist, Masterton.

The present, prolonged spell of fine weather i.» admirable from a harvest point of view, but less felicitous for horticulturists'. Garden produce is'drying up and some early crops of potatoes arrested in their growth are hopelessly lost. We are given to understand that the only bathing-place on the cas 1 ; side of the town is being used for wool-washing purposes. It is about time the Borough Council took up the question of public baths fur the town. The excessive heat of last week caused a loss of fifty pounds of houoy to the owner of one of the Miistertim apiaries, the weight of the honey proved too much for the softened wax, and sovor.il hives collajjted.

It is- almost needless to remind-our readers' of the concert that takes place in the iMiisterton Drill Hull this evening by the Wellington Amateurs. With such an array of talent, 'and; a well-selected programme the building should be filled to its utmost capacity.

We hear Mint Mr Lindauor, the'artist whose portraits of native subjects were such an attractive feature in the Colonial exhibition'iu 'Wellington a year ago, has ■ taken' up his residence for a tiiiio in Masterton, One of his Maori pictures jvas presented by Sir 'Walter Bullor to 1 the Prince of' Wales, and is hung at Marlborough-. House. ' Several cricketers had the courage to turn-out to practice on Satuiday afternoon, but the state of the Oval did not fascinate them for any length of time, and long .before tho shades of evening fell .khe>l|tary individual training for the .Anniversary spOrtshad the oirole to himself. " The ground requires water badly. Perhaps tjie crickejierj can make arrangements tor tho use- of jihe Borough watercart. • : '.',-, ■

' A meeting of tho Masteftop .Cemetery Trustees was held on Saturday last in tho Institute.-' Present—Messrs Vila'(Chairman), P Hourigan and W, Perry. The Treasurer reported a oredit balance of £7. 12s sd. An application was received from the Masterton Cricket Club to be allowed to remove one of th Bathing Sheds erected on the Cemetery Reserve, Mr F. 6. Mooro'attended on behalf of the cricketers in support of tho application. .It wasrjsolved that.tho matter be' postponed for a fortnight. Accounts amounting to £6 Is Od were passed for payment. The Secretary reported that, forty eight interments had been node in the cemetery during the past year." The halance sheet as read was ovdored to be published. Tho election of Chairman was postponed till next meeting.

1 A H'o.VDEnFCt HEM'.-Many are the instance* cited of the astpnishing. fecundity of the yariou? species of domesticatou 1 (owl ; but the celebrated Wellington Hexn (whiob, strange to say, is of the oiasciiliho gender) has a soul above the mere production of eggs.' The manner in which he turns out Venetia.ii Blinds, etc. is .the wonder and admiration of everybpiiy from iUe Governor downwards.' Tho nXrae'of'this .wonoleffii) bird is B. W. Henn, 'and his welt' known js the Poneke Steam window : Blinil Factiiry/'Molejwgi'th-afreot, Wellington, ~6x>n ' "■'"'"""' ■«■•••■■•••

Tim -balance sheet of. the Miutei'hui Ceuutery Trust appears Hi another liiil'iniii,

The Mastertim Maamiiu Lodge, E.G., meet this evening in the Bannister-Street Masonic Uall

Mr Hoa're commenced this lnnrning fur the second time to fill the gasometer tank with water.

Wairarapa Gospel Temperance Union hold their usual weekly meeting in the Temperance Hall to-morrow evening. Offers arc united by the Masterton Town Lands Trust for a suitablo site on which to build a second school in Masterton,

A Yankee editor, in acknowledging a gift of a peck of onions from a subscriber, says:—" It ig such kindness as this that brings tears to our eyes." Mrs J. Bamber of the Central Boot

Depot Queen-street announces that Mr J. Bi'eiin.iii is authorised to"-'collect accounts due to that establishment. .

A paper tells of a smart wife that helped her husband to raise seventy acres of wheat The way she holped him was to stand in the door and shake a broom at him when he sat down to rest. ,

Tho usual monthly meeting of the Wairarapa North County Council takes place to-morrow. .. '

The .Treasurer of tho Masterton Hospital acknowledges receipt of £3 12s 4d from Mr John Harvey, Akiteo. Station.

, Mossrs Alex. McLeod and Co., of tho Upper Opaki Saw, Mill, announce that thuy are prepared to cut timber at current rates and that heart of totara is a speciality with the firnii Tho annual ram and ewe fair of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association will take placo on the show grounds (Messrs Lowes astd lorns' yards) Kenall street; on February 10th.

Persons interested in the Masterton Town Lands are notify that the voters' list is being prepared and that they can get their names inserted by applying to the secretary. The Grey town school boys'played a one innings cricket match mi Saturdry at Carterton against the Carterton sclionl cricket club. Thts Greytmvn boys won the match by 17 runs. Carterton 55, Greytown Tl

By perusal of nur Palmtua coriespmident's letter is aimbhi-.r column it will be seen that the Maoris have a taste for trout, as thuy netted about one hundred weight and a half in one haul last wujk. Mrll.D.Bellisspi.kenof as a Wellington candidate at the coming general election, tie is a lawyer who has already j made his mark in his profession,' and he may be expected to bo equally successful in the political arena. The only case settled in tho R.M. Court this morning was a judgment summons, Augustus Johnston v John iVlcKnizie for £l3 Os. An order was made by request of defendant for payment of £1 a month.

' The-Secretary of the .Amalgamated Friendly. Societies Sports wishes us to remind intending competitors that nominations closo on Wednesday next 12th inst., and that he will be in attendance at the Daily Olce till nine o'clock on that ovening, ThoMasterton Fire Bells have beon very uneasy for the past twenty-four hours. Some burning grass between Queen and Dixon streets,- a distant bush fire, and a foul chimney in Hall street have been the caußca of the tintiuabulutn.

Sparrows are very numerous on the Upper Plain, and judging by the manner iri whioh they "pay attention to the ripening crops, the fanners in that direction will be considerable losers by the little pests. ( The Napier Evening News of the 4th inst., has the following:—We have to apologise to our readers for a distressing mistake which got into our type in last night's issue. We refer to the two-line introduction to a small paragraph regarding the confidence, reposed in the. Native Minister by the Maoris. It should have read that the Press is a decidod opponent of the " present Government," but the genius who manipulated die type and gentleman who was expected to' correct the " proof" passed it that the Press is a " decided opponent of the present God!" The two " silver" cups presented by Capt. Russell and Mr J. D. Urmond as trophies for the Hide Association, are as much in contrast as the donors themselves. One is neatness itself, and solid Bilvi'i; the other a big pipco of slovenly Brummagem e. p. stuff, that looks more fit for a slop-basin than a " cup." This refers ti> the cups of course, not the men. Let no one say wo "should not look a gift horse in the mouth." We are not doing it. Bystanders may do it, if they are impolite enough, as wo are. We do not believe, however, that any murksman purposely shot badly towards the close iii order to secure the second rather

hair-Mr Oi'inoud's prize.—Advertiser

Messrs Arthur Warburton & Co, report thc'sliaro report for the week :—Banks— N.Z,, £lli 15s to £l7; Nati d, 31s to 355; Colonial, 425, liisiirance-N.Z., 655; South British, buyers 28a, sellers 211s; National, sellers 14*.; Union, sellers 20s ex div ; rftand.ird, 10s 6J ; Colonial, sellers 4s 3d ; Equitable, lid ; N.Z. Accident, 3s (id; Accident Association, sellers 31. Mis jjII uidnus —Liun and Mercantile, 80s; JN.Z. Land Mortgage, sellers 20* 6il ; National Mortgage. 18s Odtolfls; N.Z, Shipping, sellers 355; Union Steam, £lllss to £l2; Mosgiel Woollen, 74s to 755; Kaiapoi, 80s; N.Z. Drug, buyers 15s; >'apier Gas, buvaw, m) Wanganui Gas, sellers £l2 "lOs; Wellington Trust and Loan, .£6 83 Od; Equitable Building,.£G 10s; Wellington Gas, £l9and£9los; Mahawatu-.Kail-,vay, sellers 19s; Gear Meat, 75s to 80s cum div,

The .'following is an extract from a desp 'toll of Lord Vivian, Her, Majesty's Minister at Brussels, dated- August 9 lust, on the subject of a scheme for placing Bnißßols in direct water communication with the sea:-"It is stated in the Be'giau newspapers that definite proposals have been submitted to • the municipality of Brussels by an English syndicate", who havo tendered for the ■contract to put Brussels -in direct communication with the sea. The conditions of the contract are said to be as follows: —Tho canal to the Scheldt is to' have a depth of (! metres BO; the quays are to sufficiently spacious to admit 20 ships of 2500 tons each to lie alongside; the docks and quays are to be furnished with every .modern appliance for loading and unloading vessels, and with warehouses and sheds, and are to be connected with the ijreat linos of railway. The Company is said to demand as remuneration an annual. subsidy of 1,800,000 franc, to commence only from the date of the completion of the (fork." '.'• : About that £3!) to be gives away.tTo the Editor—Sir, Will you' allow lie throiivh your columns to let the people of the Wnirarapa know that I am going to sell all my stock, consisting of men's, youth's, and boys' clothing, shirts, hats, hosiery, &c„ at a great reduction in prices up till tho end of the year; and also to remind them that everyone who buys goods to tho value «f 2s (id get* a tioket iniiiy£3scrimiwtit.i(in. Think of Hint! By spending 2s Gd with me, you may win money e.noiitrli to carry yon for a trip rimiifl NewZeilfiiirl.—John ThorbuM, CUhisr, <&?., \yiii_jjsf',,'Ws|iism. ■ ■

. (V .Sntim-ay ■ lust the Imdy Of BitOha les Ibrcnck, aged 76 yi'iirs, whs found in :t creek near the Dalu'liohl fowl.. Cniturtiiii. Deceased had only boim married a few days, and the circumstance of his drmi-miii? are at present enveloped in mystery. The funeral takes placu tomorrow. (

Miss Georgio Smitlison has made arrangements with the Harry Power Drsmatio Company of fourteen porformen to open fur a short season in the Masterton Theatre Royal'next week. Among their bill of fare will be the dramas of "Kathleen Mavoureen," and " Ten Nights in a Bar-room." Messrs Buchanan, Bunny and Shannon aro the retiring members of the Education Board this year. Mr Shannon, it is understood, will nnt seek re-election, and will probably be replaced by some other resident in the Empire City. Wairarapa North might reasonably export a.second seat at tho Board, but we would hardly desire to see this County obtain it at the expense of Wellington. A oriekeb inatoh was played on the Tauherenikau race course on Saturday between the Tauherenikau and Kaiwaiwai Cricket Clubs resulting in a victory for the former by 6 wickets. The 6cores are Tauherenikau, first innings, 59," second innings, for four wickets, 27, grand total 86; Kaiwaiwai, lat innings, 25, second innim/s 60, grand total 85. Mr 0. Bidwill bowled well for. Kaiwaiwai and Messrs Burt, Blyden.and Hollard did some pood trundliu? for Tauherenikau. A meeting -of the Committee of the Greytown Rifle Volunteers \w held on Saturday nitfhfc. Present - Captain Cameron (chairman), Lieut. Porritt, Sergts Trofcman, and Humphries, Curpl. Maguire, and C. Higgins Storetary.. Jt was resolved thatthefollowing recommendations be submitted to the general meeting of members to be held aftnr parade to-morrow night;' 11th inst, viz., All members earning £1 .capitation by attendance to receive 4s froin'the fundsof the Company; all earning £2 per annum to receive 18s, and those qualified for the toll amount, £2, to each receive 27s per annum.

The first match or competition for the Hon, Chaplain's Cup was huld at the Papawai rauge.on Saturday by the Greytown Riiiu Voluntas with the following result :-Sergt. Guodiiig'U7, Sergt. Trot" man 03, Lieut. Johnson 50', Captain Cameron 52, Corp. Mn'ct'iiire FO, Vol, Karris 46, Col-Sergt. Willnsun i\\, Lieut. Porritt 4(i, V.,1, Grouhe 45. Vol. E Gooding 41, Vol. W.S.Collier 30, Vol. T. Johiiaon 27, Bugiar llobinaii 2(i, Vol. T. Fisher 22, At a subsequent meeting ot thu shooting committee the following resolution, was adopted: That the Chaplain's cup bo competed for in five matches the highest aggregate scorer iri th go niatehpsto be declared the winner; distances to bo 200, 3:)0, and 500 yards any military position as laid down in the New Zealand Manual or. Drill Book. Seven shots at each range, Sighting shots if required. The four noxt highest seorets in each match to. receive cash prizen respectively. It was reported that additional aggregate prizes in liiud had been presented.