The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1896.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 154, 2 July 1896, Page 4

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

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1896.

F*r Ui« cause that lacks walstaaw, ■"I'&f'tii* Wd22'tlist'Hßo2s'rssisTsiioby Par tke fajure lv tha fcatane*. And the geod that "sre «an ao.

A more general and more human interest attaches to Mr Seddon's Usury Prevention Bill than to a great deal of the proposed legislation which occupies the attention of our representatives in Wellington. The exigenc-es of modern life do not allow the majority of us to follow the sage advice of Polonius, and to be neither borrowers nor lenders. If we are not fortunate enough to belong to the one class, we probably have the misfortune—for it generally is a misfortune to have to borrow—to belong to the other; and whether we are capitalists or poor ordinary mortals striving to keep the wolf from the door, anything which affects the price of money must affect us. How it will affect us, of course entirely depends on our individual standpoint. Where the capitalist finds cause for self-congratu-lation, the poor borrower is certain to find equally good cause for regret. What is the one man's food is the other man's ooisori.

As a rule, all the world over the lenders have always had the best of it. Occasionally—and the occasions are getting rather more numerous now-a-days—they are severely bitten, but speaking generally, being the more powerful class of the two, they. have taken good care of themselves, and in thousands of instances have made a very unjust use of their power. In New Zealand, the capitalists have certainly had no cause to complain. Their lines fell in very pleasant places. They could command princely rates of interest for their money, and could enter into speculations which were bound to yield them handsome returns. These happy days are rapidly passing away. The old twelve and fourteen per cent, times aie no more. The cheapening of money which has been going on at such a prodigious rate at the other side of the world has affected rates here, and the tendency is more and more towards th^lr equalisation throughout the Empire. The decline was, of course, fully to be expected h«?Je before very long, but in regard to certain classes of securities it was somewhat accelerated by the Government Advances to Settlers Act. That measure, by offering very favourable terms to mortgagors, had the effect, even when they did not take advantage of it, of compelling the existing mortgagee to reduce the rate of interest "he demanded.

The operation of the natural laws which govern commercial and financial relations may generally be trusted to adjust the price paid for a monetary accommodation. The English House

6( Commons formally recognised this when in 1839 'c abolished the usury laws. But there are circumstances under which it would seem very necessary that the borrower should have some protection against the rapacity of the lender. There is no necessity for us .to give instances. They are common enough even in a young

country like this, and most of oar readers can recall cases where the usurer has taken cruel advantage of the necessities of the borrower. It- is all ver> well for the moneylender to plead the risk he runs. Undoubtedly a bad security should pay a higher rate of interest than a good one; but unfortucately all experience goes to show that when the ultimate assessment of the value of the security rests with the lender, as it always does, his policy is to seize the uttermost farthing he can. The intention of tlje Premier's Bill is to establish a more equitable footing between the borrower and the lender. Ofle cannot expect that it will do away with all the terrible injustice, slavery and robbery to which unfortunate borrowers have often to subm jj. There will always be a way out for the avaricious money-lender, pass what laws you like: Bat the provisions of Mr Seddon's measure will do a great deal to: mitigate the evils inseparable from usury. By fixing the maximum rate of interest recoverable under any contract or agreement at eight per" cent., and making all contracts and agreements for the payment of a higher rate null and void, the measure puts an excellent defensive weapon in the hands of the debtor, who is further armed by a provision that all interest paid, even by his consent, in excess of the rate mentioned, may be recovered back by him with full costs of suit from the person to whom he paid or allowed it. Another clause of the Bill aims a severe blow at a certain class of money-lenders, by providing that all advances of money by way of loan shall be made in current money, baak notes, or cheques on bankers without any deduction for interest or otherwise, and no goods or other articles of any kind whatever shall be supplied in barter for or as part of a loan.

The rate* of interest which shall be legal will no doubt canse a good deal of discussion in the House. Many may consider that a maximum of eight per cent, where there is an agreement, and of six per cent, where there is none, is rather low for this country. We may mention that in ihe United States, where the legal rates of interest vary from five per cent, in Louisiana to twelve in Wyoming, the usual rate is six per cent. The laws in most of the States enact severe penalties for the charging of excessive rates. In some cases not only does the lender forfeit the excess of interest, but he loses principal and interest both. Mr Seddon does not coatemplate anything so drastic as that.

The new Bill makes special provision for pawnbrokers, limiting the rate of interest they may demand. In the case of sums not exceeding ten pounds, one penny per calendar month for every two and sixpence of loan is the amount of interest specified. Where the sum lent on a pledge exceeds ten pounds, the lender is allowed to: charge '2s' per cent, per annum. Pawnbrokers have little reason to object to these rates, ia our opinion. All things'considered, they compare favourably with those in England, where the legal charge is one half-penny per month on 2s advanced.

In connection with the pawnbroking clauses of the Bill, a suggestion has been made to the Premier which is worthy of consideration. At a meeting held yesterday the Wellington Benevolent Trustees resolved to wait on Mr Seddon and urge on him the advisability of inserting a ciause in his Bill, or rather of modifying it so as to allow of the introduction of the Mont de Piete system of pawnbroking. This system of national pawnbroking has many advocates, and judging from the success of the Paris establishment, the largest of its kind in the world, one would expect great things of it. But it is a singular fact that establishments conducted on similar lines in England and Ireland have invariabfy beeo failures. That fact, however, does not of course dispose of the question of the value of such institutions. It may be that the -British experiments were badly conducted. The advantages of the Paris Mont de Pi£te are the lowness of its charges, and also the important fact that, being a government institution, it can, on special occasions, give concessions to the poor, which a private pawnbroker, however charitable, would not be able to make. For instance, in the case of a severe winter, the Paris authorities often permit their poorer customers to redeem their blankets and clothes free of charge. The ordinary charge made by the Mont de Piet6 is nine per cent., and after all the working expenses are paid, the surplus, if any, is handed over to the public charity funds.

It must, however, be borne in mind that the circumstances of a colony are very different from those of Paris, and it is undesirable for the Government to interfere in departments of business where private enterprise is supplying the public needs with a reasonable amount of satisfaction. There seems to be no reason why such provisions of the law may not be made as will meat all the necessities of the case, and be equitable between borrower and lender.

Yesterday, Mr J. T. Boylan tendered his resignation as a trustee of the Auckland Savings hJank, on account of increasing ape, after 36 years' valuable service. The resignation was received by the Trustees wiiih regret, aad the manager was authorised to write to Mr Boylan a letter expressing appreciation of his long services ac trustee.

The elderly woman who was found by the Auckland police wandering about in the town, suffering from loss of memory, has been found by ber friends. Her sister-in-law and brother-in-law have called afc the Charitable Aid .Board offices sbouts her, and it appears tbab tbe woman arrived lately from Sydney in order to reside with one of her eoas in the North. She was temporarily placed at a boarding house, the son asking the people to look after her, but she wandered away from the house unnoticed. She will be taken up North to her bod on Saturday,

A store, at the districb of Waimanku, O n tha Helengville railway line, occupied by Mraiid Mrs McDonald, wag burned down od the 28th June. The business of a general country store and butcher's .ehon was carried on in tha premises. Tha building is owned by Airs McDonald, and wan insured in tbe South British office for £150. Tha stock and kauri gum wa» insured in the New Zealand office for £350 Mr McDonald was laab in the store about 6.30 p.ru. on the 27bfe. He lit a candle and states that) ha put it oat beforl leaving. Ha then went to hi* residence, about " 30yds distant from* the store, and was aroused by hit wife soon after one o'clock the next morning, when he found the back of tho store where candles and matches were keot in flames. Several ot Mr McDonald't employees and neighbours endeavoured to put) the fire out with bockdts of water, but their etiorta proved fruitless. An iron safe, was the only thing saved. I& vras ossly the. ' weak previous to the fire that Mr Mo. Donald received betwean £200 and £300 worth of goods from an Auckland merchant. Mr McDonald informed the local constable that he does not know how the fire originated, and says he believes it wag maliciously done by some penon who hag a grudge against him. Gumdiggers ana* others saved Mr McDonald's private houss, which was uninsured.

The selection of "The Gondoliers "by the_ Auckland Amateur Opera Clubfof their nexh production has found much favour, and one reunlt has boon the acquisition by the club of a large number of valuable additions to the roll of actirq members. The first rehearsal held in the Choral Hall last m>ht was a very strong one, and Professor Schmitb, who conducted, expressed himself delighted with' thY" efficient manner in which the choruses wera sung. The Committee waa occupied almost the whole of the evening in trans* acting business pertaining to the opera, and admitted nearly thirty new member* who bad passed the necessary musical examination. The names mentioned as eligible for principal parts left member^ of. Committee confident that they will be ablir to put forward a very strong cast. Mr Archdale Tayler, the popular amateuc comedian, is to be asked to again undertake the onerous duties of stage manager.

We learn from Mr Kelly, manager of the Auckland brauch. of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, that the sice purchased in Coromandel by Mr B. Hallonstein is nob for the Drapery Importing Company, aa stated in a previous issue, bub is for a branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, the proprietors of which have now 39 branches ia the various towns of tliO colony. . ..,-■'

An interesting- ceremony took place laab night ab the Drill-shed, whoa the Imperial Volunteer Officers' Decoration waa pro« eented to Lieutenant-Commander Parker for long and efficient service. There was a full master of the various Cornpuniss, under the cotnmaad of Captain Robertson, The general public, to whom a military display is always an attraction, attended in large numbers. Lieutenant • Colobsl Goring, in making the presentation, sci4 that he hoped the young volunteers proeonb would think of the honour that wsa being: granted to Lieutenant Commander Parker by the Queen ia recognition of his long snd useful services, and would strive to follow his example. Tho Band then struck up •'For An Id Lang Syne," while Mrs Goring advanced and pinned the medal on LieutenantCommander Parker's breast. >

Tho Rev. Robert Ferguson, Into of .One* hunga, was last evening indnoted as pastor of the Presbyterian:;Churoh, '©bvotiport), the ministers officiating beipg tha RSVS.'T; F. Robertson, R. F. Macnicol and '*£'." MbKenzie. The Rev. T. F.. Robertson delivered tho charge,-to- the -tiewly. appointed minister, and wished him much prosperity in tbe pastorate to which he hsd just been inducted. • The Rev. R. F. Macuicol congratulated the audience on tha occasion, and said that Mr Ferguson was well fitted to fill the vacancy. The choral portion of tho service waa excellent, and waa led by a large choir under the direction. of Mr J. F. Bennett. '"■

The drawing of prizes in the art unibp held in connection with the late show of the Suburban Poultry Fanciers' Club took place last night at the Cook-street flail. The winning numbers are advertised. Miss H. Harvey, of the Thames, won the first prize, a piano.

Messrs Samuel Vaile and Song will sell by auction, ab 2 .p.m. to-morrow at their land sale room?, 95, Qaeen-streeb, a handy, little farm of 60 acres at Whangarata.

Professor White, phrenologist, lectured on " The Practical Usen of Phrenology." at the Wesley Hall last night. Ab the close the usual free reading ol beads was gono through.

Yesterday afternoon, the monthly meet* ing of the Auckland New Hebridei Presbyterian Ladios' Missionary Association was held in the V.M.C.A. Reams, there being a number of ladies present. Letters wore read from Dr. and Mrs Lamb, of tbe New Hebrides, rospecting mission work, and needlework was proceeded with *s usual at the meeting.

The , Newton Pigeon and Canary Club's ahow, which opens to morrow (Friday), is expected to be the most successful held during the seven years of the Club's existence. The entries are in excess of the Committee's expectations Numerous and valuable specials' are offered in the various classes. Much interest if being taken in the Homer classes. The birds competing ia the 100 mile fly -were stamped by the Secretary on Tuesday evening, and placed in sealed hampers by Mr Chilcot. Visitors to the Show will haven rare, oppsrtunity of Bseing real specimens of this grand variety of pigeon, which rendered such wonderful services during, the siege of Paris. An arb union of valuable prizes is announced in connection with; the Show.

Mrs W. J. Lang, Bethany, Onb., writes? "I was one of the greatest sufferers for about fifteen months with a disease of my ear similar to ulcers, causing entire deafness. I tried everything that could be done through medical skill, bub witboufc relief. As a last; resort, I tried the Canadian Healing Oil, and in ten minut^i found relief. I continued using it, and in a short) time my ear waa cured and hearing completely restored. 1 have used thia wonderful healer successfully in cases of inflammation of the lungs, sore throat, coughs, colds, cuts and bruises, etc., in fact, it ia our family medicine."—(Advt.) 35

It Takes the Cake !—No doubb many people use the somewhat slangy expression of "taking the cake" without any clear idea of its origin. However, to take ths caka literally, not metaphorically, ia *h« chief ambition ot the younger negroe* all through tho Southern States of America. The annual c&ke walk is a great ceremony in each settlement, and a great competition is decided by a number of judge?. A different sort of competition has been going on for the past couple of years to decide a question of great importance to tbe general public. This competition has been confined to smokers who have been judging various brands of tobacco, and a unanimous verdict has gone forth that the " New Venus " takes the cake. The New Verms is the premier dark aromatic tobacco manufactured, and for purity of leaf, flavour and general excellence, it eclipsea all, and don't forget it.

This evening, the musical com petition in connection with the Ponsonby Baptist Sunday-school Exhibition, which was postponed from Friday evening, will take plac« in the Cburch. There will be free admission. A collection will ba made ia aid of the Hone Mission.

!f~\nb'Gatnbla is at present) making Sergß"?." I v ;aitß to the houses of persona boarded out under "The fb« bßjTfn Protection. Act." All persons !»'* • red should do so at once, or Police ""^'nrocoodinga are likely to ensue. ** ««■* of bhe Police Conrb this Ib? wm a very short one. A first W'!^ f or being drunk while in charge ««*v .nd two boreea in Qaeen-atreefe at •""*. f nfeht, wa» f^ed 20s, or the \0 . o f 48 hours in Mounb Eden. W] Savage and H. M. Shepherd >UiSr the presidiMK juaticee. *8" . if.yaarly meeting of the Auckland •*l % Writers Association was held W !ning in St. George's Hall, Newton, !«J» c'e n ' io gofßoera being elec&ed for the tk«i« llo2lf resident,, Mr J. H. Upton; "" .idan'tß Messrs Jarrebb and Kit-ri»-P"r T W. Gillam ; Secretary, Mr H. <!l2r Treasurer, Mr E. V. Sly arian. Miss M. H. K. Smith; Re- "* Mr S. KeeeiDg: Committee, Miss P^ and Meesrs Heath and Abbott.' iel""nort> ahowed an increase in member- *'' A etsted that) seven speed eertifi'''''had been gained by memberg for :»tM ,- torn 80 to 120 words per minute. jjTbalsnce-sheeb showed a credit balance :i£4lßtld« 1 . j wheeler, who bob been for some ./caretaker of.the Bean Kock Light--811 in the harbour, retires on compensa- • from &° beginning of this month, fjj he will be on loave tUI September 5n h Mr Wheeler, who has been in the f «rnment service for a great many years . i2btbou«e keeper, has always been iHioazhtof by the authorities, doing k «ork cap»bly and conasientously. Mr vfoot ffho relievos him, arrived from the « n nth le-torday by the Hinemoa to underStb. charge ot the lighthouse. Mr WJ> Napier has given notice to «the- following motion ab the next Sue of tbe Harbour Board, "That the kroDPOrt Borough Council bo requested bramoje the barbed wire fence which it I erected on the Harbour Board's proh tv at Besch Koad. Devonport, and if the J D oD removed within seven days nm notice, tha Foreman oi Works be inittucted to remove the same." An attempt i» to be made by the nmemoa to locate the sankon object track by the s.B. Wellington off Whangacaros wbilo running an excursion on New I'esr'i PayCooßidering the inclement weather, Protor and r8 Davis' eHtertainment in tta Opera House was well attandod last j»hb, A number of new itema were attodnced in the programme; The last tiuoniebtß of this clever entertainmeat are iiDOuncod. L»B> evening: a concert was held in fcho icloolroon of Sfc John's Wesleyan Church, Foaionby, in aid of the Sunday-school. Jiste wuß a large attendance, and the iiiical programme was of a high order of iijallence. Tbe orcheetra rendered several idections. Those who contributed musical itini were Misses Wheeler, Walker, Tontit, Butler, F. Cooke, Elsie Butler, Ruby Rogers, Mm J. W. Stewart, Messrs Pierce, Cjley, Horsley (3), Leon, Scott, HiggoStj ud Goodiion. Mr Moors gave a recitation.

I The Thames Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Show baa been fixed to take place '& July 16th, 17th and 18th. Entries* cloae fiiitb Umn rhillipß and Todd ab the •Forestors' Hall on Friday and Saturday pjhmoxt.

There was a vary large attendance at the .ipeciil meeting of tun Caledonian Society bid last nighii in the Foresters' Hall, Mr ham Ststrarb in the chair. Mr John Zirlo, as representing the trustees, exp'llued to the meeting, that) as the Society it its institution had been registered under lit Ytitudiy /Societies Act), and was still oa tin register, the proposed liquidation Hould require to be carried oub under the taparrialaA of the Registrar, and would be bo.b an expensive atad a tedious process. The whole subject) was fully discussed in a friendly manner, and ultimately the mee'ojug unanimously resolved to rescind the resolution re liquidation, and a powerful Committee was appointed to arrange for a continuation of the Society's socials, which ,will, therefore, be resumed as soon as possible. ,

The annual meeting of the Auckland Braicb ol the New Zealand Educational Institute takes place tomorrow in the Wellealey-itreet School, commencing at 10,31) o'clock, ■ ■

A billiard match will be played ab fche Jlaionic Hotel, North Shore, to-morrow (Friday) evening between Mr Fred Weiss, thschampion of Australia, and Jlr Tom Qiiw, '

A ray attractive bill of fare is again Pouted to the Auckland public by the tamstemenb of the people's concerts whiah

•Hgiien ab the City Hall every Moaday light. The subject ia a very interesting °". viz., «'The Lands of the Moa and Mnptoo." In addition to this a popular musical and humorous programme will be piOTi'ded, Miss Wary J)*y, a soprano of cotuiderable merit, will make her first JPpsMinca at these concerts, alao the wellHWn Waiata Quartette, Misa Celia wmpier, Miss Birdie Butler, Mr A. E. %»ood (banjoist), Mr K. B. Buttery ™ popular Adelaide basso), Leslie Dix ißJiwonritehumorist)and sAr Alex. Smith iriU also aßaist.

Arechal of sacred music was given last ««wne i n the Roman Catholic (Jharch of "•■Francis: de Sale 3 at. Devohporr. ""orchestra played several selecp totaling •'The War March of the nm, and sacred vocal selections were WbyHisses Lorrigan, Rita Tola, Wil"Mlrj Boylan, Father Keogb, and emiT. A. Lonergan and Casier. Miss tIT i pier P layed a violin 8010 during JJ'Pttlprmance., The accompanists were and Miss Mcllhone. teiid TilorDe!!' auctioneer, offers a family R f n,e" Cc 6Dd five Qcre» volcanic land a ™»«ra to-morrow, at 12 noon. Part «wwß m our advertising columns. T ■ BWvß6Talue in corsets at the clearance Jill :" Dome stock at Rushbrook's—3a ttffS tBO, rl3lld Pa>r; 3s lid and 4s \mi ■ • : I)ettor makes equally re-"«lDptlCß.-(Advb.) doori 9l. iDCerelyreKretiwe hftdto cloße fehe C j, t , ffi ° m*n7 times to-day against our ftsihft »L *c TWB 80 crowded inside ill $i •'WB conld D°b possibly serve I W'lßon, McCullagh and Co.-(Advt.) £Z ooWa Bale-L»ce curtains, la lid ittj,,-,Per Pair up; heavy twill flannel--4 U iti 21 d yaid ' white and grey ««ced.l l 4 n d ) OMa. yard3' Everything i Dil° Vßr! ook fche fact that Kew'a Is Unui! qual In flavo«r and quality to Che C»t? Yei y adv ertised 2a tea now on (%) cc lißb on application.— Fli c °aM arn,Omlß stock-About 3 dozen tries 6, i,/' 0™" lightly spotted, usual 5 at in ro^ Ced t0 2* lld ' !ovely Cm'!°V h? million a* *he Balß of Wl'^. Kushbrook's. Un&li nfr d * 63< 9d each; trimmed K! »nH f ftDd 2s 6d- Rare bargains. (Aln.) "oa leathers at nominal prices.— ltt5 'lld a ISaIl Sale'"~Small b°ys' overcoats iCOiIM63 nJ 1! L lCen'B heavy tweed overgild 1 \i oyß' tweed knicker suits tfjj'*-, The nle of Varnom's *! chiS r°u Ok8' l 8 6d Kloves 4Jd Caßhmere gloves, worth Is for ?' 1? 11 on Sat<"day night there S?e of I y c"nival.: The seventh N«wiat«.t ramme is announced, and "Mates wjll appear, j