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THE BENDIGO ADVERTISER
(PUBLISHED DAILY.)
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PROGRESSION, OUR RIGHTS, AND OUR RESOURCES.
SANDHURST, SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1882
STONEWALLING GOVERNMENT
BILLS.
Government by party has almost totally
collapsed in this country, as far as the
popular branch of the legislature is con
cerned. Night after night honorable mem
bers, who constitute only a small minority
of the House, succeed in stopping tho pro
gress of all useftil legislation by the adop
tion of that vicious system of stonewalling,
fortunately for some time dormant in this
country. Mr. Speaker, it appears, is
powerless to stay tho evil, the majority of
the House cannot proceed with questions of
vital importance to the country, but must
bids the pleasure of thc-aa aggressive ob
structionists. Tho Government also are
completely at the mercy of these irrecon
cilables. They can neither arrange tho
procedure of Government business before tho
legislative Assembly, a function that apper
tains to every Government in Her Majesty's
dominions, with the exception of this colony,
and tho numerous measures of importance
awaiting the consideration of Parliament
cannot be discussed without the assent of a
minority of tho House. Tho pitiful exhi
bition of the youthful member for Carlton
on Wednesday evening in stopping most of
the private business by his efforts to stone
wall the motion for tho appointment of a
select committee on the Tramway Bill so
disgusted tlie House thac a suggestion was
made by the oldest member of that Chamber
to enlarge the powers of tho Speaker by the
adoption of a rule Bimilar to that novr in
operation in the House of Commons for
curtailing long and irrelevant speeches, it
is very desirable that such a rule should be
brought forwqrd by the standing orders
committee. That, Q'r~ pome similar rule,
would effectually stamp cct the repre
hensible stonowalling practices, and, though
a necessity for its use may not arise often,:
it would be an effective implement for
repression to keep always in reserve.
Major Smith, Mr. Minims, and tho
other members who so vehemently stone
walled the resinned debate on the second
reading of the Land Bill, appeared to glory
in their exploit, when tho Premier
yielded, not to them, but to tho mild
suggestions of the supporters of the Govern
ment, who were evidently more desirous of
going on with tho Railway Bill than with
tho Land Bill at that junotura. Both
measures are of great importance to tho
country, but tho Premier gives the prefer- I
ence to that which is calculated in his
opinion to promote agricultural Battlement
on tho waste lands, and to enhance tfoa j
happiness and independence of tho indus- j
trious classes with limited . means. Sir j
Bryan O'Loghlen, however, acted most {
judiciously in yielding to the advico of Mr. I
Francis,' Mr. Wrixon, Mr. M'lntyre, and
the other gentlemen in whoso judgment
full confidence is reposed. By postponing tho
LandBill,and going on with the Railway Bill,
tho t'j-o measures may act simultaneously. If
tho Land Bill is passed during tha'eurranay
of tho present Parliament that measuro will
bo in activo operation long before tho new
and grand system of railways. As soon as
the Laud Bill has received tho (Governor's
signature, settlement under that measure
can be commenced, but it will tjiko several
years before tho various lines of rail
way, provided for in tho bill now before tho
House, can be completed.
An amending land act is urgently re
quired; and any attempt to prevent tho
Government proposals from bein~ fully dis
cussed is to be strongly deprecated. Jn
somo reap.acta they may require alteration,
and it is a duty tho Parliament owe3 the
country to give them its .most serious con
sideration with the view of rendering the
provisions of the bill as satisfactory as p.q?
siblo. Mr Mirams has given notice of
motion, to be moved by him as an
amendment on tho motion for the
second reading of tho Land Bill. It
is to tho' effect that tho measure
does not meet with tho approval of
tho House, and that tho question of
disposing of the remaining Crown lands
of the colony bo deferred " until tho electors
liavo had a chance of expressing their
opinion on it at the next general elections."
Mr Mirams is without doubt aincep.o in his
belief in the objectional naturo of tho bill,
but in offering it an out-and-out opposition,
ho cannot bo held to bo consulting the
interests of tho country. Ho objects to tho
extension of tho area of selection from 320
to 640 acres. We liavo already stated our
views with regard to that proposal, ana
although it appears to us to bo injudicious
wo should regret that tho bill should bo
thrown out or ch.sl|.'od for many months on
that account. But Llr. Mirams also
condemns tho continuation of ttyo oystem
of free selection. It is very uiilikeJy
that ho will have the country with
him in thtfso views. Tho bill provides for
tho rendering oi tjip conditions of license
much easier than under £Jjq existing Act,
and this will render it popular vitji those
interested in agricultural settlement. Tho
bill should certainly not ba dismissed in tho
summary manner he desires. It should bo
carefully debited; .for if any' good can be
wisely done by its icejuia to the selectors
now struggling hard to intricate iMm&elvca
from the .great; .difficulties, inflisted ^ijpiij
them by the drought, it ought to be
done by tho Legislature in consideration of
tho severe losses of those persons. Ihe
question of the disposal of tho Mallee
demands the earliest possible attention, and
a heavy responsibility will rest upon
Parliament if it declines to deal with it
during the present session. It is to be
hoped, therefore, that Mr. Mirams amend
ment will be negatived, that tho motion for
the second reading of the bill will be carried,
and that its provisions will receive a calm
and serious deliberation.
A Supplement is published with this morn
ina's issue.
•jic.YPT.—It would appear as if the British
land forces were almost on the eve of a set
battle with the army of Arabi Pasha, The
position which Arabi Bey lias taken up at
lvafrdowar, only seventeen miles from Alex
andria, has beeu reconnoitred, and the dis
covery has been made thr.t ho is strongly en
trenched and in command of a large army.
Further, a water famine now threatens Alex
andria, Arabi having cut the aqueduct which
supplies the city. The serious importance of
this last movement will be manifest t<> everyone
possessed of the slightest knowledge of the
country, and its almost rainless climate. The
witty paragraphist of the Evming ATiiil
in last night's issue, remarked that Gieai
Britain was a generous foe, for the reason
that "She docs not press an advantage, bat
allows an enemy time to recover herself." As
at the time tho Eivning Mail was published the
information given above, in regard to Arabi
Pasha and his strongly-entrenched army, was
uot known in Australia, tho piragraphist was
for the nonce somewhat of a prophet. One
battalion of troops following up Arabi's disor
derly retreat from Alexandria, after the de
struction of the forts, would have prevented the
re-orgauisation of his then mutinous army, and
no doubt prevented the uccesaity of the battle
which apparently must now be fought.
Legislative Council Provinces.-- Deter
mined not to lose anything by being late in the
lield, petitions in favor of different intending
candidates are already flying about tli e new
provinces brought into existence by the passing
of the Council Reform Bill. One of these was
to be seen at the Beehive yesterday, and at other
places in Sandhurst. It was a requisition to a
candidate to come forward for the northern
province. This is one of the new provinces, and
as yet few of our citizens have been become
properly acquaiuted with the fact that Sandhurst
and Eaglehawk are situated in this province, they
possibly, as a matter of form, signed the petition.
However, as far back as the 3rd Ma}*, we
intimated on authority that Mr, J. H. Abbott
would in due course be a candidate for the
Northern Province, and we need not now, the
circumstances of his contest with Mr. Frazer
being so well-known, wait to remark that on
all hands it is allowed that ho has prior claims
on the province. In to-day's issue Mr. Abbott
publishes an advertisement, in which, amongst
other matters, -he requests the electors to re
frain from taking any action in regard to requi
sitions until candidates are fairly before them,
some of his friends having inadvertently signed
one of these documents in favor of another
candidate. In order that for the future there
shall be go excuse for confounding the provinces
we may explain to our readers generally that
the province hitherto known as the North-
western has been divided into three, namely,
the Northern, North-central, and North-western.
The new Northern Province, though in area the
smallest of the three, is by far the most popu
lous, Its principal divisions are Sandhurst,
Eaglehawk, Echuca, Rochester, Elmore, Huntly,
Marong, Waranga, Raywood, and all the
country lying between these places. The North-
central includes the Castlemaine, Maldon,
Daylesford, M'lvor, Newstead, and Strathfield-
saye districts, with all places intermediate
between those named. The new North-
western Province is, for the most part, quite
out of what is commercially recognised as
the Sandhurst district. However, it in-
cludes the Shires of East Loddon, Korong
and Swan Hill, and the township of
Inglewood aud Bridgewater, besides several
smaller places. If electors will only bear these
few facts in memory they need be under no
confusion regarding the province in which they
are situated. Sandhurst is the chief division in
the Northern Province; Castlemaine of the
North-Central ; and Inglewood, Dunolly, and
Kerang of the North-Western.
A Mining Ekoink Indicator at Fault.—
An accident, which was fortunately uuat-;
tended with any serious results', occurred at
the Craven's New Chum claim yesterday morn
ing. As most of our readers are doubtless
aware, the enginedriver works the engine for
loweriug and raising the cage by means of an in
dicator, showing the levels and the positions of
tho cago in regard to them. The indicator is
worked by a chain, which is attached to a
spindle half au iuch in diameter, connected with
the shaft of tho drum, eight feat in diameter.
| As tho drum revolves the chain winds or un
winds itself as the case may be, and tho indica
tor moves' up or down the frame upon which
the levels are marked. Last \ve>iU this chain
broke, and up to Tuesday the indicator was
worked with a piece of rope, lixed on to the
end of the phain. A now chain has Bi'nce
beeu obtained, but ap 'it was too long it
waB wound round the spindle several times.
By some mishap two turns of it slipped off the
spindle, aud as one turn of tho drum is equal to
about 24 feet, the iudioator was 4S feet out.
Tin; cage was consequently -IS feet higher
in'the Biiu't than marked by tho indicator.
Tho engine-driver, whoso name is J. A. Jones,
was winding the cage up yesterday morning, and
W.1B watching the indicator. The sigual bell
rang and Joaes immediately put down the
brake to stop the engine, but on looking out he
saw tho cago levc! with the brace. Of course
he could not stop tho engine instantaneously,
aud the cago vyeut CO the "poppet heads. . Ihe
safcty-hook did uot work aui the ropo broke. The
cago fell down tho §haft a distance of 730 feet.
It was fitted nith roller grippers, and 'owing to
these catching on the sjfidi (is it went down.
Tho cage, upon which there was a load pf quartz
at tho time, went down very gently, aud was uot
in tho least damaged. ■
Rjif-EASE of an EX-M.L.A.—The efforts of
the frjendsof llr. B. Carroll, once a representa
tive of Ararat, ip the I^gislatiye Assembly, to
procuro his release, have at length proved
successful. The order ot His Excellency the Go
yGrppr for his dischargo was signed yesterday
nio-'uug, bud {remarks our Melbourne corres
pondent), >for» this inpgts 'tho eye of your
I readers, tho prisoner will l» a|| probability have
been set free, after an incarceration qt seven
years. Carroll was scntPPQed by Judge Stephen
to two terms of seven yeara' imprisonment for
forging bucIi eentences being cumulative, but
in ccnordanco with tho ordinary regulations, he
would have been entitled to his discharge in
about four years' time. I i)))derataud that the
grounds upon which the Ministry bavo sdyised
the Governor to exeroise tho prerogative ol
mcrcy in this case, are twofold,—iiratly because
such lengthy sentences as fourteeu years are
not usually pasaed ercept in cases where
the culprits have had previous oouvifltions re
corded agaiust them (which was uot the oaso iu
tho present instance), and secondly, because the
prisoner had upon more than one occasion doDO
good geryi'jis to the prison authorities in de
fending warders from murderous assaults made
upon thorn by certain ru^anly ponvicts under
their charge,'
Grand National Steeplechase Mektin^.
The Winter Steeplechase Meeting of the y~ic
toriau Racing Club, will take place at Flemiug
ton raeeeourso today. Judging from the
number of acceptances in the different eventB,
soijje good racing may bo expected. Altogether
tho'elub has allotted £1,250 lor prize money,
including £400 for the Grand National Steeple
chase, and £300 for the'Grand JJational Ilurdle
Race. For tho Steeplechase, Great Weaterp,
Left Bower, and Himalaya, are mostly fancied,
whilst for the Hurdle, Lothair, Albyu, and Red
Royer find many backers.
CouiisiNi?.—Tho Waterloo Cup Meeting ended
yesterday, Tho V/atpfloo Cup was won by Mr.
G. Leo Lords ns r or fw d paprj, by Canute
Little Star. Mr. G. Hill's bU v br b t*aid of
Oborne, by Misledon—Coomanee, wa3 the runner
up, The Waterloo Plate was wou by Mr.
Ronnsevelle's Rhodanthe, Mr. Falkicer's Frazer
being withdrawn. The Waterloo Purse fell to
Mr. W. Watson's Wanton Lass, beating Mr, A;
L. Parker's Patience.
Mr. Guaiiam Webster, P.M., who had been
Buffering from indisposition for some time past,
has applied for and obtained three months' leave
of absence on the ground of ill-health. Our
Melbourne correspondent reports:—That during
Mr. VVebstor's absence the duties in connection
with the Sandhurst district will be performed by
Mr. A. P. Akehurst, 'j-iH.; and Mr. Nicholson,
P.M., will take charge of the Sopth Western
District, where he will be permanently stationed.
Action against a Minister.—Our Melbourne
correspondent reports :—The hon. J. H. Grave?,
Commissioner o[ Customs, was defendant in a
Couuty Court action for false imprisonment
to day, the plaintiff being Mr. Jno. Elgin
M'Kain, a school teacher. Some three months
ago, as you will remember, the Ministers of
Railways and Customs, whilst walking in
Flinders-street late at night, were, as they con
sidered, jostled and insulted by Mr, .M'lvaio,
wiio was given iu charge. Ho was proceeded
againBt at the Folioe pourt, but as tho Ministers
were satisfied that the defendant had not in
tended any rudeness, the ohargewas withdrawn,
Mr. Bent apologising and paying expenses. Mr.
Graves, upon being applied to for an apology,
aluo was willing to admit that the assanh was
unintentional; but this would not do for Mr.
M'Kain. who required an unqualified apology.
Mr; Graves did not feel instiled in going so far,;
hence tho action. Mr. Wrixon appeared ffcy the
plaintiff, and Mr. Hood for tho defendant.
Damages were laid at £99. A number of wit
nej3es, including Mr. Graves and Mr. Beat
were examined, The ivy found for tho; de
fendant,
Cakolin v. Sands.—This notion for libel
occupied the attention of the Chief Justice all
day yesterday. The plaintiff and defendant were
each put in the witness box, and gave evidence
at length. Tivelve'other witnesses were also ex
amined. The plaintiff's case concluded at half
past three o'clock, and Dr. Madden rose to
address the jury, but His Houor remarked that
he would like to hear the addresses of counsel
on either side next morning. Accordingly this
morning counaol wiil address the court. It is
expected that the case will be concluded by
coon.
Postal Delivery.—On the 13th inst., Dr.
Quick, M.L.A., waited upon the Postmaster
General relative to a postal delivery for the
residents of Holmcs'-road and Redan Hill, and
his representations to the Minister have been
successful, a reply having been received from
the deputy Postmaster-Geueral that a delivery
of correspondence will be effected once daily iu
the above-named locality.
The Strathfieldsaye Road.—The work of
repairing the main road to Strathlieldfayo has
already been commenced. Near Peiper'a Hill
the holes are being (Hied up, and stone is being
carted to the middle of the road, from whence it
will bo spread in the course of a few days. Tra
vellers should bo careful in passing that they do
not meet with an accident by running over the
metal. Tiie manner in which it is left is very
dangerous, and is in the centre of the roadway.
Reference was made at the Shire Council meet*
ing on Thursday to the matter, and councillors
expressed an opinion that in future tho con
tractors should spread the metal as soon as it
was carted on to the road. The council should
not forget to effect some repairs to the road lead
ing past the Shiro Hall on each side for fully
half a mile. The whole width of the roadway
is full of large holes.
Swan Hill Railway.—In the Mayor'a
room, Town Hall, this afternoon a meeting of
the executive committee of the Sandhurst and
Kaglehawk and Swan Hill Railway League will
be held at two p.m. Citizins and others in
terested iu tho movement are also invited to
attend.
The City Surveyor.—Yesterday tho City
Council was inundated by reports from the
city surveyor upon a variety of matters about
which ho had been instructed to report to tho
council. At every meeting tho surveyor
furnishes a number of reports, which, in a great
many instances, are simply received and then
forgotten. One day this week ho had about
s.ixty different places to inspect and report upon
outsido of his ordinary work. As Cr. Clark
pointed out in the council yesterday the
principle_ is altogether wrong. Asking him to
report upon trivial matters, such as those
usually referred to him, wastes his time, and
draws hid attention from works of much more
importance. Although all present wero con
vinced of tho inconvenience caused by the
praotice, none of t]io councillors could plead
innocence; and it is to ho hoped that having
observed the extent of the evil they will in the
future avoid throwing unnecessary work upon
an officer who ordinarily has his hands quito full
enough,
Accident.—A little girl, four years of ago,
named Agnes F. Ivenworthy, daughter of Mrs.
Kenworthy of Mitchell-street, met with an acci
dent yesterday. The child was out iu the
street, and was knocked down by a horso in a
spring-cart, driven by a hoy in tho employ of
Mr. Steer, fishmonger. Tho wheol of tho cart
just touched tho child's arm aud leg, but fortu
nately, beyond a slight bruise or two, no
serious injury was received. Dr. Atkinson was
called in, and attended to the little sufferer. It
is understood that the driver of tho cart was iu
no way to blamo, the child having quite by
accident got out iu the road aud in the way of
the cart.
Pigeon Match.—Thegraud annual Champion
Pigeon Match took place at Brighton Park yes
terday, For the Champion Gold Medal, with
about 100 sovereigns added, Gannon (Sydney)
was lirat, Hamilton (Sydney) second, and Cal
vert (Colac) third. For the Handicap, Grosser
was first, and Inglis and Pearson tied for second
place. The two latter fired off, when Iuglis
took second place and Pearson third.
City Court.—The Mayor and Messrs.
Audrew and Stamp, Js.P., attended yesterday
morning. A man named John Martin, charged
with lunacy, was remanded to the luuacy ward
at tne Bendigo Hospital for a week pending
medical examination, A fraud summons case was
adjourned to the 11th August, Four other civil
cages wero settled, and in another there was no
appearance.
Band Meeting.—A meeting of the Sandhurst
City Drum aud Fife Band was held last night,
the business being to elect a presideut and
corporal, the late corporal having resigned. Mr.
A. Bailes was unanimously elected as president,
and J. Curtain as corporal, after which the
committee sat. One new member was elected
aud a few accounts passed for payment.
The Burke and Wills' Monument.—The
Castlemaine evening journal says that the police
'lavo obtained a more accurate description of
the individual who destroyed the top3 of the
pillars surrouudiug the Bourke and Wills monu
ment, and have taken out a warrant for his
arrest. He is said to be a stranger in Castle
maine, and is supposed to have gone towards
Ea'nuca.
" Nortucotts Band. — Tho following pro.
gramme of music will be plaved by Northcott's
Volunteer Baud, on tho Shamrock balcony, this
oveuiug Quick-march, "Our Jack's' come
home to-day/ H. Round; Grand fantasia
"Symphonio," W. H. David; Valse, "Silver
hells," J. Shaw; seleotion. Patienoe, Arthur
Sullivan; quadrilles, "The joyous friends," R.
Smith; polka, " Cleopatra," Hungerford; quick
march, "Sailing," Godfrey Marks; National
Anthem.
A Castlemaine Rowdy.—A now arrival
from Castlemaino, named William King, was,
at the Melbourne City Police Court yestorday,
charged With violently assaulting a girl of the
unfortunate class, named Sarah Williams, The
prisoner, because she would not driuk'.with him,
struck the girl on the head with an iron bar,
and inflicted a very nasty'wound oyer tho eye
aud al 'ng the scalp. His treatment of tho girl
was.described as most brutal, and the Bench
senteuQed him to six monthn' imprisonment
without the option of a fine.
- Temperance.—4 public meeting under the
auspices of the Independent Qrderof Rechabites
will bo held iu the Temperance Hall n'ert Tues
day evening, at 8 o'clock. Addresses will bo
delivered by tho Rev. R. C. Flock-art, and Rev.
Jos, 'Walker, pistrict Chief Ruler from Ballarat.
It is anticipated tljijt tfterp \f jH ba a large at
tendance, as on esccellent'pi'ogramrrje has been
provided.
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