The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3823, 30 May 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891.

The worm has turned, and the Hon. John McKenzie recoils from Mr Spence, of Invercargill, one of the victims upon whom bis broad foot has been planted. Mr Spence in reputed to be an honest, straightforward man. What Mr McKenzie is reputed to be we hardly know, but it is thought that bo resembles the infant prodigy who is wont to catch flies on a window pane and pull out their arms and legs for his own diversion. Of course in the Hon. John's case the insects are civil servants, but still they are insects in his eyes, and are treated as such. But Mr Spence, the worm which turned, what did he do ? Alter an honorable record of five and twenty years in the civil service he found he was being treated as a football by the Hon. i John McKenzie, and threw up hjs billet. In tbe breasts of hundreds of civil servants there are bitter, burning denunciations of the Ministry, which a sense of honour prevents them from uttering, but Mr Spence shook off his shackles by a sacrifice of office, which perhaps ninety-nine men out of a hundred dare not make, and laced his enemy, accusing him of unadulterated madness and brutality. These are hard words, but are they true ? Mr Spence stands to them he is backed up by public opinion in the district where he resides, and Mr McKenzie must disprove them or lie under the ptigma. According to Mr Spence, the civil service of the Colony is now under a reign of terror, the process by which members of it are kicked about being so.idiotic as to suggest that Ministers have escaped from a lunatic asylum. In his own case he was removed from Invercargill to make room for a tale bearer, who had the ear of the Minister of Lands and who desired his office. He accuses the Hon. the Minister of acting wrongly through sheer ignorance, of cruel tryanny, of showing a wanton dis* regard of the principles of justice, and of the ordinary decencies of political life. Mr Spence backs these charges by chapter and verse, by names, places and dates. And the Hon John McKenzie, after three months service as a Minister, is compelled to go te big constituents to allay the feeling of djsgugt and contempt which is spreading on all sides. Did ever Cabinet Minister make the decensus averni at so rapid a rate" ? It will take years to undo the mischief which he has managed to perpetrate during the past few weeks! How much must Mr Ballance regret not having given this ,

colleague of his charge of the Edu- ] cation Department; that portfolio which is asually kept for party men who are suspected of possessing uncontrollable impulses of a dangerous character. It is too late now, and even if Mr Ballance throws this Jonah overboard is there not another Jonah in the versatile Seddon. The handwriting is, however, on the wall, and the days of the present Ministry are fortunately numbered.

The unexpected is always happening, and the result of the licensing election yesterday is a surprise to us. We did not think the temperance party was strong enough to do what it has done, we deemed it to be headstrong and over-confident, and wished to moderate its zeal. It has, however, won the victory, and possesses tha right to rule the town in Licensing matters. Its programme we are told is, Ist, " The immediate reduction of six licensed houses to four." On this point we are with our temperance friends. 2nd, " The closing of the four remaining bouses twelve months hence." This point we trust, may be re-considered, it being the one on which we have differed with the temperance party. In the first flush of triumph we do not expect it to be re-considered, but there may come cooler and calmer moments when it may be possible for us to advance reasons why this second point should be again weighed. In a small community like this, there is, after a party victory of this kind, a danger of reprisals of a certain undesirable character. We would counsel moderation, and believe that if the personal feeling which has undoubtedly been aroused be allowed to subside a little, there will be a better chance of some reasonable arrangement which will satisfy the public sense of fairness and equity. Grave apprehension is expressed lest the trade of the town be injured by yesterday's proceedings, and deep indignation is felt that kind and neighbourly settlers- who tor long years have resided in Masterton, should be menaced with ruin. Our hope is that injury both to the town and to individuals may be averted by the new Licensing Commissioners exercising judgment and discretion in the discharge of their functions.

A telephone exchange is about to be established in Palraerston North. Wanganui is said to be suffering from a plague of stone-throwers. There are, according to the present census, six Chinese women in the city of Dunedin. Miss J. Terry has been appointed assistant miatress of the Papawai native school. Overheard in Queen Street laatnight: "1 Bay Jim, will the Gentleman's Club be closed?" "No, my boy!"—" Then be jabers I'll open a Gentlemen's Club myself at seven o'clock to-morrow morning!" It is stated on reliable authority that it is the intention of the new Licensing Committee to dose every hotel in Masterton at the expiration of ,twelve months.

Additional names are to be added to the Directorate of the Co-operative and Farmers Alliance of N.Z., among them those of several residents in the vicinity of Eketahuna. It is rumoured that branches of the Colonial Bank and Bank of New South Wales will Bhortly be opened in Palmerstou.

A witness in a Court case at Napier stated the other day that he would not touch a glass of beer lor £IOOO sterling. There are very few of his sort about. The medals procured by Mr. Elkins, the cost of which he had to pay out of his own pocket, were for the Masterton Poultry Society, and not the Horticultural Society, as stated yesterday.

Mr H. Lundins" has been gazetted a Banger of Crown Landßfor the Wellington district.

Indignation is expressed by many settlers interested in the delay of the Wellington Land Board in throw in? open the Crown Lands at Kaiwhata, which were recently bunied, for selection. A nasty accident occurred to At W, Bray, of last evenine. In ascending the platform in the Temperance Hall, where the usual weekly gathering of the Private Quadrille Assembly was being held, his foot slipped, and in the fall his head struck against the piano, causing a severe laceration lust above the eye. Mr Bray was removed to the surgery of Dr Beard, where the wound was dressed, and he is now progressing favourably. A Mr Karl, of Danevirke, in the Napier district, has a decided grievance against the Lands Department. Seeing that a portion of the Maraeroa-Oturoa block was advertised for sale, he sold his land at Daneyirke and travelled to Taurangafor the purpose of buying a section in the block, but on arrival there found that the land was withdrawn.— Bay of Plenty Times.

The Awahuri correspondent of the Fielding Mar writes:—Several loyal Maoris having read the account as to the inability of the Queen to provide for the large retinue of the Emperor of Germany on bis proposed visit to England, have started on an expedition,' both on sea and laud, for the purpose of procuring shark and wild pork, which they intend sending as a present to Her Majesty in order that she may be able to entertain her gueßtsas befits royalty.

We were shown this morning a remarkable monstrosity in the shape of a full grown sheep with five legs, which was brought over from Takaka, where it was bred, by Mr. Alexander Wilkio, who presented it to Mrs. Trask, who intends keeping it as a curiosity. In addition to the usual four legs the animal has a fifth growing out at the back of the peck between the ewe. The bone cf the leg is about the same size as the others, and the foot has an ordinary hoof. The leg, the upper half of which is covered with wool, hangs down over the neck, giving tne animal a most remarkable appearance. The sheep, which is a full grown one, appears to be in capital he»lth, and is well developed. —Neleon Mail.

Sporting men would find it greatly to their advantage by corresponding with A. J, Jacobs, the professional Taxidermist from London. Birds, IM, animals and reptiles preaeryed and mounted in the highest style. Every description of skins praserved or tanned and made into rugs, etc. Work done in all its branches ao lowest rates. Correspon dence in all parts *ef the globe. 30 years' experience. All work guaranteed. Highest price given, or work done in exchange for huias, crows, New Zealand quail, and other birds. N. Z. birds wanted in any quantity, Orders left at Mr. Williams,' tobacconist, Masterton, or Mr. Catt's, hairdresser, Carterton, will be attended to.— Advt. A grand display of new winter goods is being made this day at the Bon Marche, Messrs Hooper and Co. having just received another shipment of 35 cases and bales, consisting of all the latest desi?ns in Millinery, Mantles, Jackets, Ulsters, Cloaks, Dress Goods, Furs, Ribbons, Raja Cloaks, Parasols, Flowers, Feathers, *c„ &c., Also from the Kajapoi, Koslyn.Mosgiel, Wellington and Onehunga mills. Mens, Youths', and Boys' Clothing, Overcoats, Knicker Underclothing, Pants, Shirts, Socks. Blankets, Shawls, Surgerings, Tweeds, Flannels, Shirtings. Dress Tweeds, &e , Ac These goods are now being shown at' L J. Hooper and Co's Bon Marche. We direct special attention to ou7Hosiery, Gloves. Haberdashery and Manchester departments. We are not to be beaten in the colony for Calicoes, Sheetings, Linings, Shirtings, Table Damasks, and all household furnishings, and our Hosiery and/Gloves are irom the best known maufcra. L, J. Hooper and Co., Bon Marchi ~ j

Letters! ef naturalisation have been granted to Lingi Feitro Luoni, brick, layer, of Pahiatua. Constable Eccleton, of Grey town, has been very ill, being confined to ins bed with inflammation of the bowels. We regret to hear that Sergeant frice Is still indisposed, and will be unable to resume duty for some time. Steps are, we understand, to be taken to test the validity of yesterday's license ing election. The poll taken yesterday was against an increase of publicans, New Zealand wine 3, accommodation, and bottle licenses.

In this land of Christians and Charity, a young girl was confined on the doorstep of a house in OAmaru. And this only on Saturday morning last.

A. man named Austin was murdered by a madman named Kemp near Walgefct, N.S.W. Kemp was afcerwards shot dead by Murray, an adjoining settler.

lu theßketahunaß.M. Court yesterday, a prohibition order, applied for by a married woman against her husbaud, was granted. A drunk was fined 5s or twenty-four hours. Theie are no* eleven Justices of the Peace in the Borough of Masterton. Of this number one is absent on leave and another does not sit on account of his professional capacity. There has been an output of exceedingly rich ore at the Broken Hill Consols mine, exceeding anything known in the past. Between last Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, one ton of solid native silver was unearthed. This is belieyed to be the richeßt find ever known. A number of witnesses at the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court left Eketahuna and Masterton for Wellington to-day. The publican party at Eketahuna are actively canvassing the district, but the prohibitionists have so far been yeiy quiet. The general feelin? appears to be against an increase of licenses. If the publican's party carry the day it is expected that at least two fresh licenses will be applied for. The Masterton Horticultural and Industrial Society has resolyed to hold a chrysanthemum show in the autumn. This is a step in the right direction, and it only remains for the public to tako the matter up to make the show an un qualified success.