The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 174, 25 July 1893, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

Fcr th« cams that lacks assistance For the frrmiß that naedu resistance For the futnia in the distanco. And tho good that ire can do.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1893.

The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board seem to experience a good deaj of difficulty, at times, in deciding whether applicants possess the necessary qualifications to fit them for becoming inmates of the Costley Home. There is a tendency in some quarters to shunt upon the charity all kinds of waifs and strays who cannot be disposed of easily otherwise. It is creditable to the poor that they usually display a spirit of self-sacrifice in providing for aged and infirm members of their families, and cheerfully give of their scanty means rather than allow those who are no longer able to work to eat the bread of charity. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, and occasionally persons, by no means the poorest in this world's goods, show a reprehensible eagerness to shunt their aged relatives upon the lap qt charity. A still greater difficulty arises in discriminating between ihe worthy poor and loafers" who have health and strength enough to work, and who might, if they would keep from drink, earn a livelihood for years to come. In connection with the case of an applicant named Travers, dealt with at the last meeting of the Board, the chairman remarked that the police seemed to be full of the same ideas as the Government, and considered that every vagrant found upon the streets should be dealt with by the Board. We do not believe either the police or the Government take such a shortsighted view of the Board's functions, or are so oblivious of the object for which the Costley Home was founded. If an aged person, when brought up by the police, says he is unable to get work and is starving, the only alternative, if he cannot be admitted to the Costley Home, is to send him to gaol. The magistrates were obliged only the other day to reluctantly sentence an old man to a few months' imprisonment, in order to ensure him food and shelter. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that the police bring before the Board every case for which there is the slightest chance of obtaining relief; In the case of the man Travers he was described as paralysed, and is therefore, we suppose, incapable of earning a living. We do not therefore see why he is not a fit subject to become a permanent inmate of the Costley Home. If he misbehaved at another institution that may be a reason for the exercise of discipline, but not for excluding him from the Home that Edward Costley founded. The truth is the difficulty is due to a distinct lack in our social system of a suitable provision for those who, by age and infirmity, are no longer able to fight life's battle. The treatment of the aged poor is one of the burning questions in Europe at the present time, and the large increase in the amounts disbursed in charitable aid in this colony of late years warn us that our whole poor relief system will have to be placed on a different footing. We have more than once dealt with the systems advocated in England by Canon Blackley and Mr Chamberlain (or providing a universal old age pension, which is to be legally secured to rich and poor alike. There are many difficulties in the way of carrying out any such scheme in the Mother Country, owing to the large masses of pauperised persons, and the heavy additional burden that would fall on the general taxation of the country, But so ineffective is the present system of dealing with the aged poor in England that the idea of a universal old age pension is rapidly winning its way in public favour. It is interesting to observe that in this respect an autocratic country like Austria sets an example which might well be imitated by democratic communities. In Austria the system of old age pensions is a settled institution. The aged and feeble poor are there freed from work, and at 60 years of age are entitled to a pension for the remainder of their lives. It is understood that this gratuity does not carry ttith it the smallest social

degradation, The recipient, when drawing his allowance, has no more idea that he incurs dishonour than has the retired army officer when pocketing his pension. The pension form* a claim'upon a. man's native town or commune equal to one-third of the average daily wage he had received during the years when health and strength enabled him to work for his living. In dealing with our aged and infirm poor* we have distinct advantages in this new, country. Our population is small, and the proportion of aged persons who sought support from charitable institutions, was not great enough to attract much attention until late years. In the early days of the colony if money was scarce food was plentiful, and shelter could without much difficulty be obtained. The pioneer settlers were thrifty in their habits, and most of them were enabled to make a suitable provision for old age. In the few cases of poverty that presented themselves, private charity supplied what was lacking. With the benefits of civilisation we are also experiencing some of its drawbacks. Many even of the deserving poor work for a small wage that leaves little margin for providing for life's evening, and others as old age comes on suffer the consequences of their own improvidence. _ But, whatever the cause, we shall, in the nature of things, as our towns double and treble their population have to deal with a growing army of aged poor. Humanity revolts from making poverty a criminal offence and from committing a man to gaol in order to keep him from perishing in the street, even though his condition is largely the result of his own unthriftiness. We have the experience of old countries to act both as a warning and a guide. If in countries like Germany and Austria old age pension schemes can be successfully carried out there should be still less difficulty in a young democratic country where wages are so much higher and poverty so much less intense. Such a system has already seriously occupied the attention of some of our legislators, and it is worthy of the most careful study of all who are interested in social reform.

In reference to tha statement that tha Hon. W. P. Reeveß was at one time offered a portfolio in the Atkinson Government, Dr. Grace, M.L.C., writes bo the Wellington Press as follows: '.'Sir Wm. Jervois was strongly of opinion that it would be wise for Sir Harry Atkioßon to offer Mr W. P. Reeves a seat in the last Ministry. Sir Harry, after his first) interview with the Governor, called on me to ask me to holp to disabuse Sir Wm. Jervois1 mind of this idea." Among the recipients of. birthday honours was Major-General Crombie Cowie* of. the Royal Artillery, who has been mado a Companion of the Bath. The GeneraHs a younger brother of the Bishop, and is at present Inspector-General of Ordnance in Northern India. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Robert Burns Hotel before Dr. Phileon (coroner) on the body of F. E. Rosser, who died suddenly on a vacant allotment oft' College Road. Dr. Bakewell attributed the cause of death to aneurism of the arch of the aorta pteaaing on the windpipe and thus causing asphyxia, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. Constable Carroll represented the police at tha inquest. A Kanaka named Loui?, who had been gumdigsing, died suddenly in his whare yesterday morning at a place called School Bush, near Hakerau. Deceased lived by himself and was apparently friendless. He died unattended As the cause of death was not apparent an inquesb will be held. The Auckland Employers' Association have forwarded the following telegram to the Hon. W. P. Reeves:—"The Employers' Association considers the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment unworkable, and very prejudicial to colonial trade. It will lay small steamers up, throvr sailors out of work, isolate somo settlements, and inconvenience the travelling public—Akch. Clark, president, F. G. Ewingtoit, secretary." Mr Ewington this afternoon received from Wellington the following reply :—" Your telegram re Shipping and Seamen's Act received. Matter will be laid before Labour Bills Committee.I' — (Signed) W. P. Reeves. Mr Bosco Wilson, representing the Albu Concert Company, has arrived in Auckland to make arrangements for those talented singer?. Miss Julie Albu, S.R.C.M., and Miss Roae Albu, from the fioyal College of Music, London, were favourite pupils of Jenny Lind's. They nre said to be the best soprano singers who have visited the colonies. Mr John Bice, a Thames miner, working in the May Queen, was severely injured some time back, about the head and eyes, from being too hear an exploding mine. It appears, the fuse burnt slower than ordinarily, and Bice thinking there was something wrong, approached the mine to ascertain the cause of the delay, when it suddenly exploded, hurling Bice in the air, and causing him life-long injury, especially in the upper part of the body. The sufferer was taken to the Hospital, where one eye was removed altogether, and his other injuries attended to. The sight) of the other eye soon disappeared too. Bice has been brought up from the Thames to Dr. Wilkins to see if anything could be done to restore sight in his remaining eye, but the doctor ab once pronounced the case as a hopeless one, thooye having already wasted away, from a piece of quartz or some other foreign material having been driven into the globe of the eye at the time of the accident a few weeks ago. Dr. Wilkina removed two pieces of quartz from the forekead and neck, that taken from tho latter being about the size of a marble, which were causing Bice considerable annoyance; also several growths from the eyelids. This was all that could be done, consequently the unfortunate man will be blind for the rest of his lite. Bice is abont 45 years old, a widower, with five children. Mr Thwaites, head-master of the Chapelatreet public school, has, with the commendable interest in his boys which has always characterised him, formed a dram and fife band in connection with the school. The youthful musicians have been now in training for some twelve or thirteen weeks, and from their porformancea ab the concerb given in aid of the band's funds lasb night in St. Jameß's Hall, they havo made good use of their time. The programme was a good musical one, including four items by the Liedertafel under Mr Towsey, and the following vocalists :— Misa Cleghorn, Mr W. George, Misses Carrigan, Edmonds, Smith, etc., Mr Culpan, Mr Allen, Mr J. H. Parish, Mr and Mrs Culpan, Mr C. White; with a string quartette by Dr. Cox and Messrs Hemas, Wallebt and Davis,

The Onehunga Council accepted last night the tender'of Mr"Bray for a supply of road metal at lOd per yard and Mr Stokes at la 6d per yard for the east ana west) of Queen-street respectively. Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co. are in communication with the Canadian Government respecting railway facilities for con* necting with their steam line. •■,-■ A moat successful musical entertaiment was held at Kingsiand last evening, the objoct being to raise funds to provide crookeryware for the Wosleyan Church and School. Mr T. Hodgson occupied ths chair, and the following friends contributed their selections to a large and appreciative audience:—Pianoforte selections, Misees McElwain, Sill, Gribbin, Pilcher, Hodg. son, Spedding, Mansoll, and Master Poak ■ violin, Misses Peak, Pilcher, Mangel], and Mr Spedding; flute selections, Mr A. Mansell; trumpet solo, " The Chorister," Mr F. Gribbin; vocal selections, Missel Caley, Pilcher, Sill, Briggs, Wilson (2), Frith, Mansell, Mesdames Pilcher, Moody, and Messrs Whitham and Wakerlayj recitations, Misses Brigga, Hughes, Olphert and Johnson. The whole proceed* ings were of special merit. The monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute, to have been held last night, lapsed for want of a quorum. Since the last meeting,-Messrs E. Clifton andT. J. Steolo have been elected members oi the Institute, and the following donations to the Library and Museum msde:—" Annual Report of the Australasian Association fot the,Advancetnenb of Science," the Asaoeia. tion; " Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria," vol. 5, the Society; "Journal of the Polynesian Society," vol. 2, No. 2, the Society ; "Tenth Annual Report of the Public Museum of Milwaukee," the Museum ; " Annals of the Observatory ot Rio Janeiro far 1892, on the Climate oi Brazil," the Observatory of Rio Janeiro f "Annals of the Observatory of Harvard College," parts of vola. 50, 31, and 40, tht Observatory; various numbers of ths "Reports of the Geological Survey," J. A, Pond; soa- horse (hippocampus), caught in Auckland Harbour, J. C. King ; block ot obsidian, stone net-sinker, flax-beater, H, N. Northcroft: sulphur from White Island, dredgiags from near the Bounty Islands, Captain Fairchild; coal from Ngunguru, J, Giffney; specimens of silver lead ores fron; Zseluin and Dundas, Tasmania, C. J, Blakey. " Should technical education be affordo(S in our State ehoola," was the subject of iht united debate between the Mount Edon Congregational Church Young People's Association and the Beresford-street Congregational Mutual Improvement Society, which took placo last night in the Mount Eden Congregational Church; Mr H. Thompson, the preeident of the Beresfordstreet Society taking tho chair. The parts were taken as follows :—Affirmative: Mr Bruce (Beresford-street Society); negative: Mr Gray (Mount, Eden); affirmative: Mr Tiplady (Mount Eden); negative: Mr Crick (Beresford-street). After the debaters had given their vi9ws the meeting was thrown open, and several of those present took part in the meeting. After the openers had replied, a vote was taken and carried in the affirmative. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman. Tho August number of "The Bible Standard " appeara in good time. Under heading of "The Month," the editor re; fers to the Direct Veto and Compensation Question, Parliament of Religions, Heresy Condemned, Inerrancy of .Scripture, The Bible will Stand, Rev. C. H. Garland's Conference Lecture, Man a Failure. Ths contenta of this excellent and ably-edited magazine would well repay perusal. The Columbia Skating Rink at the Agricultural Hall was, well. patronised last night. A one mile handicap is one of the) features announced for to-night. ■'>■; We draw attention to a notice in another column that the Young Crusaders' Band will give an entertainment tip-morrow (Wednesday) evening at 7.30 in the Helping Hand Mißsion Hall. The items on the programme consist of vocal and instrumental solos, duets, recitations, etc,, also several choice selections by the choir and orchestra. This organisation have bad to suspend operations for several months pasd, and as this is their first appearance this season a full house is expected. The Rev. Mr Serpell gave an oration last night at Obahuhu, the subject being "The Best Book in the World." There was nob a large attendance, bub those present were kept in rapt attention from beginning to end of the history of the Best Book. We are requested to state that there are a few tickets loft for the performance of "The Merchant of Venice," to be held this evening at St. Matthew's, School. These, may be obtained from J. R. Cross, Victoriastreet. The full programme of the People 1* Popular Concert which takes place at the City Hall on Weduoaday evening is published in another column. Ifc is such an especially attractive one that a very large attendance may be expected. Messrs Esam and Arthur will sell tomorrow at their marb an assortment of well-prown fruit trees, flowering shrubs, etc. from the nursery of Mr Hugh Rosa, Waihou. Mr Richard Arthur will sell to-morrow at the residence of L. Bright,. Esq., Grange Mount, Remuera, superior household furniture, etc. Moore's black and brown Stoddarts, good quality, at slaughtered prices, at their dale of manufacturer's stock, Pitt-street.—* (Advt.) All Night Pharmacy, corner Victoria and Hobson-a&s.—Cooper, late Hudson.—(Adv.) Health, comfort, and economy are assured to all who drink Arthur Nathan's "Reliable" teas. An invaluable invigorator. Recommended to invalids for purity and excellence.—(Advt.) 76 During the public sale now on at George Fowlds', Victoria Arcade, tho premises will be closed each Wednesday afternoon trom one o'clock. Intending purchasers are requested to bear this in niiud, so as to prevent disappointment. —(Advt.)