Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1895. MICHAEL DAVITT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5186, 20 November 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1895. MICHAEL DAVITT.

Miciiaui. Davitt, a distinguished Homo Ruler, is now touring New Zealand, and we presume that in due time lie will reach Masterton, and as a distinguished Irishman, meet with tin enthusiastic reception. About the merits of Home Rule, Colonists will not troublo to any great extent. In Ireland, the Home Itnlers are divided into two campstwo wings Mr Davitt calls them—and apparently they constitute by no means a lmppy family. For some years to come, Home' Rulers will be at n discount, for the advent to power of the Conservative Party, is fatal to the immediate realisation of tlieir hopes, and it is quite possible that the Administration of Lord Salisbury may result in such a measure of justice to Ireland, that the Home Rule agitation will die away. Of course llomo Rule and Mr Davitt will meot with much delighted support from ninny individual irishmen in this Colony; but wo are glad to notice that, in his public addresses, our distinguished visitor does not endeavour to stir up political strife, but rather interests iiis audiences by clever sketches of jpublic men at Home, and treats even political opponents with courtesy and consideration. It, is said that Mr Davitt possesses a delightful biogue and charming address, so that people who were not born in the Emerald 1 Isle, can attend his meetings with pleasure and enjoyment.

Michael Davitt is now in his forty-ninth year. He is the son of un Irish small farmer, who was ■ evicted when, Michael was but a boy of four years,,and this sad experiy once has undoubtedly coloured his lifo and carqer; When a boy, lie lost the use his right arm, by an accident at a Lancashire mill. As a young man, he was associated with y tlio Fenian movement, and. was present ! at t)ie attack on Chester 3 Castle, Later on, he was sentenced to fifteon years' ponivl servitnde ( for buying and transporting arms to Irelnud, and served seven years of his sentence. After his release, lio visited America in tlio year 1878, and on his return to Ireland, associated liimsolf with the late Mr Parnell. He was prominent in the j organisation ot the Land League in ut the following year. He paid a -t second visit to America, and on bis ' return was ve-arrcsted awl remitted 3 to penal servitude for a period of i fifteen months, His history from j (hat' periqd till now, has ijeen fiijl of seusaitjofl aud jnijidenf. His bio- } gtapby contains in,pre investing [ material, than a small lihmj $ j fiction. He. is, In ovory Country where Irishmon may dwell, a hero of the first water, and should he come this way, he will undoubtedly ? receive a very hearty welcome, The failure of the 1 OAii'riiit'fON Masterton Horticnlexteri'kise. tural Society to produce a Spring Show ; lias stimulated our Carterton friends iMo'-organise an exhibition in that

township. It is not unlikely that the movoment will be a success. People in that township work well together as is evidenced by its pastoral show nnd its race meeting. The Cartorlon Public Library, too, is the library of the Wairarapa; Brancepeth comes second. Grey town third, and Masterton a bad fourth, and yet tho annual income of the last-named institution is the largest in the district, We have no desire to run down Masterton, hut in some enterprises Carterton sets tho larger centres a good example, and it is just as well tlmt Mastorton people should look unpleasant facts of this nature in the face.