THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1104, 23 June 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1882.

The political situation is a most puzzling one, but if the rumours prevalent are founded on fact, there is no doubt that the odds are rather against the Ministry, and that their position is a most critical one. The three million loan, and the privilege of its expenditure, seems to have brought parties to the point, and, after light skirmishing, a battle royal appears to be on the tapis. It is reported that a caucus of the Opposition has been held, at which 35 were present, and 15 accounted for. These " accounted fors " are not by any means to be relied on, and on many occasions have proved very rotten reeds indeed, on which to rely. If the statement be correct, then the days of the present Government are numbered, for there are only 91 members in the House, and fifty represent a clear majority of 9. It seems also that the greatest reticence was observed relative to the proceedings of that caucus, and beyond the fact that combined action had been agreed upon, and that a final meeting prior to the storm bursting was to be held tomorrow (Saturday) nothing has yet leaked out. It was evident that iv the Financial Statement there was no opening for attack, neither did the speech give a peg on which a vote of want of confidence be could hung, but there m no doubt that tho ground en

which the assault will be made, is one of ' the most vulnerable portions of the Ministerial armour. It is exactly the same as that on which, on a resolution of Mr Ormond, the Ministry so narrowly escaped defeat last session, and that by defection from the Opposition at the last moment. It is in the highest degree probable that unless the Ministry bow to the blast, and make large concessions as to the local selfgovernment question on their declared policy of last session, they stand a very serious risk of defeat. As we suggested in our last issue, the Land Tax system is a question in which it may be feared there cannot be agreement in any way, the hottest members of the Opposition being utter irreconcilables on that head. . It is singular how the disjointed state of parties should virtually have put that astute and crafty old nuisance, Sir George Grey, in a position of power again, power in fact to dictate terms to either party, and become the real arbiter in the contest about to commence. He and his small following, about a dozen in all, can scarcely be said to have retired into the cave of Adullam. On the contrary, they, are rather in the position of free lances, ready to go over to the highest bidder for their aid, on their conditions for their services being agreed to. The did knight, we have no doubt, is just as happy as the day is long in the position he occupies. Though his tail has few joints, still these hold the balance of power at the present time, and, should he join in the attack on the Ministry, which appears almost certain, his assistance will only be given on terms very favorable to his following, and providing for one or, perhaps, two, of his henchmen, holding seats in the new Ministry. Thus, though not in the Cabinet himself, he will be able to pull the wires behind the scenes, and exercise almost as much influence as though he himself occupied the Government benches. The veiy dangerous position that the Ministry occupy at present may, without doubt, be attributable to the present holder of the Premiership occupying that position. As we pointed out some time ago, Mr Whitaker is popular in neither branch of the I egislature. As At-torney-General, he could do no great harm, and he was allowed to remain in peace, but as Premier, the position was altogether changed. He is so notoriously connected with the "land ring" of Auckland, his participation in the large purchases from the Natives, that, in the eyes of a large number of members, are deemed utter and shameless swindles, bis close connection with the Bank of New Zealand, and his necessarily Tory leanings, completely shut out all confidence on the part of the liberal party as to his fitness for the position of Premier. He is the " old man of the sea " of the administration, and should defeat follow, to the Whitaker blight may it be attributed. The late political shuffle was not a happy one when it pl&ce,d Mr WJiitaker,, at tho head of affairs, and we are greatly surprised to find such generals as Major Atkinson or Mr Bryce, consenting to such an arrangement. The position is an exceedingly singular one. If late telegrams tell the truth, the united forces of the Opposition must be victorious, and what then 1 It seems that there are three battalions in the Opposition, one owning Montgomery as its chief, another that swear by Macandrew, and a third with the redoubtable knight of Kawau, as its leader. Whatever may be present arrangements, should the victory be won, there is sure to be squabbling over the spoils of office, and it is very doubtful whether it will not end in a split up in the very hour of triumph. Whatever may be the result, it is well that the crisis should be got over, and the event once ! decided, that the business of the country should not be scandalously delayed by party squabbles. In our opinion, it would be a great misfortune to the country if a new Government took office at the present time, and we trust that a majority of the House will act as our member, when here last, declared his intention of doing, viz., not turn out the present Ministry, till perfectly assured of being able to procure a better one.

The monthly meeting of the County Council will be held on Wednesday nest. The many friends of Mr Nichol Ramsay will be pleased to learn that he is now recovering from his illness, and will soon be able to leave the bed to which he has been or long fined. The sittings of the Magistrate's Court appointed to be held yosterclay, lapsed owing to the non-arrival of Mr Baker, R.M. who was detained by the floods at Westport. The Court has now been fixed for to-morrow (Saturday.) This is, however, contingent upon the Magistrate being able to ride up to-day. We understand that Mr R. Reeves, intends to re-commence business in Reefton as auctioneer and general commission agent. The sharemarket still preserves a uniformly healthy and busy one, and yesterday a large business was done in Golden Treasures, which had advanced to six and sixpence. The bulk of the buying power came from Dunedin arid some large transactions are reported. The tone of the market for all kinds of legitimate stocks is remarkably good. The prospect of the early arrival of the machinery for the Lankey's Creek Company has turned attention again in the direction of the cement investments, which are now commanding considerable notice. The rockborer for the Golden Fleece Extended Company was to have been set goinp yesterday for the first time, the whole of the nir-compressing machinery being in thorough working order. The rods for the diamond drill have, however, not yet arrived, but a^e shortly expected.

1 We have received from the promoters' brokers in Dunedin, a prospectus of th^ •'Boatman's Consols Gold Mining Company, Limited, Boatman's Creek." The capital of the undertaking is divided into 40 000 shares of £1 each ; 20,000 shares are offered to the public at 3s. per share ; Is. on application and 2s. on allotment, Is. to be placed to the credit of the company for the purpose of opening up the ground. Messrs M. Levy, E. Ashton, S. Barr, D. Young, R. Duffy, J. Quigley, andD. P. Anderson are the provisional directors, and Mr T. Lee is the manager pro tern. The ground of the company comprises the Emu, Observe, Alpine, Venture and Boss leases, and is situate north and east of the Specimen Hill Company's claim, Little Boatman's Creek. The Westport coach, which left here on Wednesday morning last, did not reach Westport yesterday, and it is, therefore, doubtful whether it will arrive here tonight. Several slips had occurred on the road, thus blocking traffic. The Grey coach arrived as usual last night. Kater's new hotel in Upper Broadway is now fast approaching completion, and when out of the hands of the painters will be a very noticeable addition to the architecture of that part of the town. It is two-storeys r lugh, and presents" a showy frontage elevation to both Broadway and Bridge-street, and. from its commanding situation will be a great ornament to the locality. The man named Charles Griffe, remanded on a charge of lunacy, was despatched to Greymouth by coach, on Wednesday morning last, in care of Constable Bamford. Up to the hour of his departure the unfortunate man absolutely refused to tike food, or sustenance of any kind, his determination apparently being to starve himself to death. The following clipping from the Kimberley (South Africa) Diamond News, reminds one of the " good old days " of the Victorian and Califomian diggings : — "Miss Rosa Towers, daughter of Frank Towers, was, on the occasion of her benefit, presented by a number of her admirers with diamond jewellery and a watch and chain to the value of about £250." Our legislators have great faith in the efficacy of work done in the " small hours of the rooming." MrMacandrew made an attempt to secure a standing order that the House 'should always adjourn at 12.30 a.m., but the committee to which it was referred have reported against it. The old style may therefore, be expectedto continue. "It simply does wonders," said a gardener to us (American Agriculturist) many years ago. That expression well describes the effects of liquid manure judiciously used. Because a little is beneficial, it will not do to conclude that there can not be too much of a good thing, and make the soil sodden with' it. The soil requires to have the air permeate it, and if made " wet," even with rich liquid manure, the plants will srfffer. It is well to have a tight cask of some kind, sunk in the ground, into which the soapy wash, water and the chamber slops may go ; these of themselves will be excellent fertilizers. The fertilizng quality may be increased by the addition of cow manure, manure from the hen house, sheep droppings, etc. The chief care to be taken is not to have the liquid too strong. It is better to err in the direction of weakness. Twice a week is often enough to apply it, and then only to plants that are growing. In the absence of other manures, Peruvian guano, at the 'rate of an ounce to a gallon of water, is the best substitute. Nothing else will so increase the productiveness of a small garden as the proper use of liquid fertilizers, as above stated. Mr Edison, the inventor, says he can construct railways to be worked by electricity on a principle so cheap, that the whole first cost would not exceed seventy pounds per mile. Such a line, he says, would be suitable for carrying passengers and goods, and would be particularly suited for newly settled countries. The Prince of Wales has invited Count Geza Zichy, the one armed Hungarian pianist, to visit London this season, and he will make his debut at Marlborough House. The Count, who lost his arm through an accident at school, plays with his left hand in a truly marvellous manner. He possesses a considerable fortune, and music is his amusement, so ht, plays solely for charity. During the last two year 9he has distributed some £10,000 which he has earned by his performances. Writing from San Francisco to a friend in Sydney, Sir Henry Parkes says : — " The organisations for extinction of tires in San Francisco are marvellous. The captains and superintendents have given themselves much trouble to enable me to understand them. The Stevenson-street Fire Brigade establishment exhibits surprising discipline both in horses and men. A visitor enters a large apartment with an office at the corner. Two fire engines are standing in perfect readiness to go out, and behind them the requisite number of horses are standing ready harnessed in open stalls without fastenings. On each side of its apartment there is a steep stair with a smooth wooden slide beside it communicating with the upper floor. Besides a comfortable bedroom they have living rooms, with books, a piano, and billiard-table. When in bed each man has his trousers, with his boots inside them, so placed beside his bed that he can as it were jnmp into them. When the gong strikes the alarm of fire, the horses trot from their stalls of their own accord and place themselves ready to be fastened to the engines. In the meantime the men are dressed, and slide down from above in eight seconds and the engines are out. Within the last half century more than 2,000,000 men have perished in the wars of Christian countries, which wars have cost at least £3,000,000,000. At the present time there are £12,000,000 men in Europe trained to arms, and existing w ir armaments have cost at least £5,000, 000,000 extra to these nations, who, between 18<*8 and 1870, added by wars and warlike preparations the sum of £2,024, 000,000 to their national debt.