It is a somewhat hazardous pro ceeding for the Opposition to stake their cause on an absentee candidate. His absence must detract seriously from his ' chances of success, but, of course, if Mr Carson is successful in wresting the late Premier's seat from the Ministerial Party without personal effort, the victory from a party point of vie w will be all the more signi ficant and valuable. Mr Carson is not alto gether the sort of ohampion we should like to see in the field wearing the Opposition .colours.. His selection is entirely due to the Temperance Party in the district. He ia an ardent Prohibitionist, and as a num ber of the leading Oppositionists are also Prohibitionists, they insisted on Mr Carson's nomination. Those in sympathy with their political views who are not Bharers of their Temperance. opinions, were, we believe, compelled to yield as the only means of avoiding a conflict of interests which would have been fatal to any hope of success in winning the seat. Had Mr Carson's friends been willing to give way in regard to this bye-election, a candidate whose success would have been absolutely certain was ready to contest the seat for this occasion only, pledging himself to yield to Mr Carson at the general election, when that gentleman would be on the spot to speak and fight for himself. The extreme Tem perance Party, however, would listen to no compromise, and, finding this to be the case, the gentleman who was willing, at considerable personal sacrifice, to occupy the seat temporarily at once withdrew. The Temperance leaders have assumed a grave political responsibility in thus forc ing Mr Carson's candidature in his absence, and if they fail to carry him on the present occasion his chances at the general election will bd Beriously in jured." .Popular Concerts.— The management of the Thursday popular concerts, which have been so successful of late, gave an extra en tertainment at the Tuam street hall last night, and though the hall was not crowded there was a very fair attendance. In spite of the request issued by the management, that no item should be encored, the audience was so imperative in its de mands that several had to be repeated. 