PARLIAMENTARY OBSTRUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 212, 7 September 1899, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY OBSTRUCTION.

The House of Representatives cut a sorry spectacle on Tuesday when a whole nitting was wasted through the senseless obstruction of a few members of the Opposition to the Government bill amending the Old Age Pensions Act. The object of this measure

is to give.the old age pension to those who are otherwise qualified to receive it, but who have not been naturalised for five years as provided by the present Act. The bill proposes to do away with this condition, for it has been found that a large number of worthy old colonists who have fought for us in troubled times and gone through the Maori war, and who have taken the oath of allegiance, are yet not qualified to receive the pension. Why a measure which appeals so strongly to our sense of honour anjj justice should have excited the hos^ tility of any section of the House we cannot imagine. According to our Parliamentary reporter the object of the obstruction was not so much to defeat this measure as to prevent the introduction of the estimates, but whatever the cause the inference to be drawn with regard to the demoralised condition of the legislature is the same. Owing to the persistent and deliberate waste of time which has characterised the proceedings in Parliament since the session began, the Government has already had to take away one of the days which are usually allotted for the consideration of the business of private members, the Order Paper is overloaded, and there is now no chance of passing any but-t-he most urgent of measures, and these will have to be rushed through without proper consideration at the fag- end of the session, giving rise afterwards perhaps to needless litigation and a number of subsequent amending bills. The delay of business comes chiefly from a few members who own no leadership and monopolise a large share of the time of the House in personalities, -but even the main body of the Opposition party seems to lack that effective organisation and strong control which contributes so materially to the satisfactory conduct of business and the vigilant supervision of the public administration. How unreasonable and unwarrantable the tactics which wasted Tuesday's afternoon and evening sittings were the final division on the bill showed, for only five members voted against it, two of the number being Mr Herries, member for Bay of Plenty, and Mr Lang, member for Waikato. Why these two gentlemen should have refused this scant justice to aged and deserving colonists, some of whom were in the members' districts, we cannot comprehend. But looking at the action of the House through the whole sittings we experience a feeling of amazement at the lack of a proper sense of public duty and responsibility that was displayed Those members who were responsible tor the obstruction cannot congratulate themselves upon their conduct in employing Parliamentary forms to prevent this justice being done to a number of old and deserving colonists who are morally as much entitled to the pension as the people to whom it has been granted. And this has actually been the effect of their action whatever the motive, for it seems doubtful whether the bill can be carried through in the face of such tactics, in view of the urgent business which still remains to be done.

Mr IT. W. Brabant, S.M., was engaged until nearly six p.m. yesterday hearing claims for old age pensions. The following claimants were granted pensions:—Emma Tibbuts £18, Catherine Curry £ J.S, John Croniu £17, Ann Maria Bannister- £18, Sarah Ann Postleweight £18, Ann James £18, David May £18. In all 35 eases were dealt with, 17 being adjourned, 5 rejected as under age; and' 2 struck out, claimants having too much property. The Court sits again next Wednesday. Mr E. Eastham, Devonport, presented to the Free Library a copy of Bent's "Euined Cities of Mashonaland," being a record of excavation exploration in 1891.

The charge preferred against Arthur Sutherland for alleged theft of kauri gum at Karaka, near Papakura, occupietl the? attention of the Supreme Court flue whole of yesterday. The accused in evidence said he dug the gum himself. His wife stated that beyond going to Drury railway station, he was not away from home between August 5 and' 7. Other witnesses for the defence stated .that they had seen the accused in possession of gum similar in quality to t!he exhibits in Court. The jury retired to consider their verdict at half-past five, and they found accused not guilty. He was then discharged. The case has been the talk of Drury and neighbourhood for some time past, and the settlers contributed to a fund for the defence of accused, who is a Drury resident. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for accused.

At the conclusion of the performance of "Sweet Lavender" in Hamilton on Tuesday evening, a very pleasing little ceremony took place, when His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Dey), who was taking a part in the comedy, on behalf of the cricketers, footballers, members of the Comedy Club, and other friends, presented Mr C. Speight (who was also an actor) with a very handsome suite of furniture, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. Mr Dey made a very happy* little speech, and at its conclusion three cheers were given for Mr Speight and the whole audience joined rh singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Yesterday afternoon the police arrested on warrant a Chinaman named Moon Ken, alias Unh Gin Lun, in a Moon Keu, alias Unh Gin Lun, in a ed to give evidence in a case against a Chinaman charged with entering the colony without paying the £100 poll-tax. The police alleged that there were reasonable grounds for believing that Moon Keu would not attend to give evidence in the case, and they accordingly arrested him on warrant and brought him before the Court to-day. The Chinaman charged with evading the poll-tax by means of naturalisation papers asserts that he is Unh Gin Lun, whereas the police allege that Moon Keu is the real Unh Gin 'Lun, and that the papers really belong to him. Mr Cooper appeared for Moon Keu, and agreed to the remand till Tuesday asked for by the Crown Prosecutor (Mr Tole). The prisoner was allowed bail in two sureties of £25 each.

Some evilly-disposed persons entered the boat-shed of the Waitemata Boating Club on Saturday afternoon lor evening- and seriously damaged two of the club's gigs by cutting holes through the bottoms of the boats. Fortunately the injuries were detected on Sunday morning, otherwise had the boats been taken out in the harboiir the consequences might have been serious for the crews.

The following is a list of the names of Mr W. I. Eobinson's engineering pupils who have passed the August and September Government examinations held in Auckland, and just terminated: —J. Ti. Jefcote, certificate for river engineer; E. Eichardson, certificate for 3rd class engineer; P. Somerfield, certificate for river engineer; John Dwen, certificate for marine driving; J. McAlpine, certificate for river engineer; J. Primrose, certificate for locomotive and traction engine driving; E. Biddle,»certificate for river engineer. Out of nine presented for examination seven were successful.

Last evening Mr Oliver Bainbridge, the long-haired gentleman who has attracted attention in Auckland lately, gave a lecture-enter-tainment in Abbott's Opera House to a fairly large audience, the bulk of whom were school children. Mr Bainbridge caused a good deal of laughter by the narration of his experiences in various countries. He explained that the object of his tour round the world was to gather material for a four-volume book, illustrated with photographs taken by himself, descriptive of many countries, and in it he would endeavour to give an account of the educational systems of the world. The lecturer told of eventful experiences which he asserted had befallen him in various lands, and said that he was once imprisoned in Bussia for nine clays and tortured. In the course of the evening Mr Bainbridge executed a number of rapid and clever blackboard sketches in chalk, which Vvere loudly applauded.

The Committee of the Auckland Horticultural Society have decided to alter the date of their Summer Show from the 17t'h to the 24th November. The counter attractions which will be offered by the Natives' Association Carnival and the Agricultural Show at : Potter's Paddock on the dates previousjly arranged determined the commitj tee on the alteration. The Children's I Flower Show will also be held on the I 24th.

At the last meeting of the Devonport Literary and Debating Society, several members gave a character performance of a "Trial by Jury" scene, in which the plaintiff sued for £5,000 dar-.ages for "breach of promise" of marriage. There was a crowded and enthusiastic audience, and the examination and cross-examination of the witnesses evoked a considerable amount of merriment. The characters were ably sustained by members of the society. The trial resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff, damages being fixed at£3333 13s 4|d, and costs on the highest scale. Notice of appeal was given by defendant's counsel.

The usual -weekly meeting of the, Alexandra-st. Mutual Improvement Society was held last evening. The president (Mr Burton) occupied the chair. An essay on "Friction" was read by Mr P. Salmon, and was followed by an interesting discussion.

To-morrow Messrs Baker Bros, will sell at 12 o'clock a valuable farm of 59 acres at Lake Takapuna, the property of the late Mr Menary.

An address to Grafton electors on municipal affairs will be given by Mr .T. M. Paterson in the Grafton Boarl Wesleyan Schoolroom on Friday evening.

At the Police Court to-day bfeord Mr T. Hutchison, &M,,~ Walter Hai* kins and William Miller were~fined 5/J and 10/ respectively for-drunkenness! and a prohibition order was issued against each. Fredk. Lendstrorij, AVii'j liam Williams and William Sherniaii were also fined 5/ each for a similar] offence, and Sherman was further' charged with stealing a purse aud'^g' belonging to John Churton, the case being adjourned till Wednesday. Thr e « first offending "drunks" were convict.: ed and discharged and Thomas Web; March 16 by means of a wilfully fgw labour for disorderly conduct vt'hila drunk. An elderly man named Robert George was charged with obtaining an old age pension certificate o fi March 30 by means of a wilfully fajJi representation. Mr Parr appeared tot the defendant, who pleaded not g-uiltr! The prosecution alleged the defenda^ j was under G5, but the only evident' in support was a document signed bv^ a man named Grace, stating that when he knew the defendant m 1868 Wm latter was 3a years of age. Grace, ho^i ever, when called stated that lac did not know the defendant was 32 in lgga The magistrate dismissed the informs tion. 1

An old identity, Mrs Henry SmitWdied at her residence, Eden • Terrace this morning at the ripe age of Bft years, for 50 years of which she to been in this colony. She leaves^ husband, three daughters, two sow! forty-eight grand-children, and if great-grand-children.

Addressing a public meeting at Hi borne last week, the Rev. F. W I s ;« is reported to have said: "Peopleha^ as much right to drink beer in thei? homes as to drink milk; but it is ah; solutely untrue that there is a lai-gi amount of drinking in the homes - T would rather the boys saw their pa£ ents drinking in their homes thai! they should be familiarised with-thtf. public-house." Mr J. IT. Hooper, late of Palmerstoa North, will commence practice at the! end of the month in rooms over il»Woollams, chemist, Ponsonby Roaa7—' To-morrow evening a concert, tendered by Mr and Mrs Jackson, will be^ given in the V.M.C.A. rooms. The: vocalists will be:—Misses Tilly ami Crowther and Messrs A. : L. Edwards-' and Hamilton Hodrj.es. A violin, solas will be played by Miss Florence! Walker, and a piano solo by Missij Hayser. Amongst the other" itefti^' will be a number of selections by the i orchestra. Mr Jackson will act as;! conductor, and Mrs Jackson as ac«i companist.

The annual meeting of the Anck-f land Cricket Club will be held thi^; evening.

At the Church of Christ, West-streefl Newton, last evening Mr Geo. As! dridge delivered the third of a series! of lectures on "The Huguenots." The! lecture was entitled "The Massacre ajl St. Bartholemew," and was illustrate ed by a number of limelight viewsjp There was a large attendance, and thai; lecture proved very interesting. The annual meeting of the Gordon' Cricket Club will be held next ThursJ; day evening afc the V.M.C.A. Buildings!! Good bargains made all round a|f Turner's Sale on Friday next.—(Ad.) ■>& Latest styles in hard and soft fell! hats; hard hats from 1/11, Dr. Jimsl from 1/11, special lines 2/11 and 3/IIJ —-Moore's, Pitt-street.—Ad. White shirts, with or without coll lars, 2/11 to 6/13; evening clressfe shirts 5/11, very special.—At Moore's,! Pitt-street.—Ad.

Best quality American denims 3/ll§ special line, usual price 5/6; fe\v| dozens left.—At Moore's, Pitt-streetJ —Ad. Paris ties Derby- scarves, bows,; braces, collars, etc., immense variety! beautifuil goods bedrock prices.—A'fj Moore's, Pitt-street.—Ad., Boys' knickers 1/li, suits 2/llj men's suits 17/6, trousers 4/11; suits! to measure from 35/, trousers 10/6.-4 At Moore's, Pitt-street. —Ad. It seems the fate of modest men To bide their talents deep, Perhaps it is their will, but then Perchance they go to sleep; Now, live men know what's in the wind, i Of that you may be sure, For coujrhs and colds relief they find In Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.-(Ad.) 1