THE TRAMWAYS POLL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 261, 3 November 1899, Page 4

THE TRAMWAYS POLL.

A sing&lar letter, signed by a number of gentlemen describing themselves as "The Auckland Tramways Reform League," appears in another part of to-day's issue. These gentlemen were instrumental in putting the city to the expense of -a poll on Friday next to.determine whether the concession approved by the Council for the construction of. electric tramways in the city shall be put into operation. Now that, the poll-has-been announced, polling booths appointed, and other arrangements made at considerable expense to the city, our correspondents intimate that they have re*

! solved not to record their own votes, ! and ask other opponents to also re- ! frain from appearing, at the poll. The reason alleged for this remarka.ble request is that the committee believed the poll would have been carried out ; under the provisions of the ''Local Voting1 Reform Act" of last session, instead of under the'"Tramways Act" of 1884, and they have no hope of obtaining the third of the roll strength that is required by the latter Act to veto the proposal. We cannot regard this excuse as at all satisfactory. In the first place, the agitation in favour of the poll was begun at a time when there was very little prospect of the "Local Eating Reform Act finding- its way upon the Statute Book. Then", again, the provisions of "The Tramways Act, 1834," with reference to the ratepayers' poll are not unreasonable. Only one-third of the ratepayers on the roll are required to vote against the scheme in order to veto it, and that surely is not an excessive number when applied to a proposal which has already received the endorsement of the representatives of the citizens after prolonged negotiations and deliberation. Moreover, what reason is there to compel voters who .are quite satisfied with what the Council-has done to attend the polling booths at considerable inconvenience to themselves for the simple' purpose of recording their approval. It is- surety sufficient to af- ' ford those citizens who disapprove of ! the action of their representatives to i place their veto upon it, and the i Tramways Act empowers even onethird of them to do that? . .

If we grant, however, that the gentlemen who promoted the requisition in favour of a poll had reasonable grounds for supposing thafc.it would be taken under the "Local Voting Reform Act," as they allege, why should they now urge opponents not to take advantage of the law as it stands? Tf there is any substantial opposition to the concession what harm can be done by making itself manifest, even if the number of opponents fall short of the requisite three thousand? The real truth, we suspect, is. that the announcement of our. correspondents' intention not to vote is designed to account beforehand for the meagreness of the opposition on the strength of which the corporation has been compelled to incur the cost of making arrangements'for taking the vote. The principal public meeting held to consider- this subject.was so overwhelmingly in favour of endorsing the action of the Council, .that the-.opponents ought, to have fortified themselves with some expression of public .opinion more favourable to their attitude before asking, for the poll. That they have abandoned the field now when matters have gone too far for the poll to be cancelled exposes their action to unfavourable criticism. As for the. assertion that they merely aimed at the creation of a sinking- fund and shorter hours of work we can only say that the claim most strongly insisted upon by canvassers for signatures against the. concession was a $lemand for a maximum fare of one penny for three miles, a rate: which does not exist even in the populous cities of Great Britain where the wages are fifty per cent, lower than the rates current here, and the hours are very much longer. With respect to a sinking fund if the present generation desire to make sacrifices for the purpose of acquiring the tramways for Auckland citizens of twenty years hence it is a simple matter for them to set aside all the rents,.profits, and fees derived from the Tramway Company and place the money at compound interest for the creation of a fund to purchase the lines. Why they should do, this, however, is not quite apparent.

Captain Edwin predicts a gale from west to south-west and rain.

j Employers do not appear to be familiar with the provisions of the Employment of Boys and Girls Without Payment Prevention Act, 1899, which came into force on the '21st ult. This "measure, which is a short one of one :.operative clause, stipulates that -no hoy or girl under 13 years of age shall Ibe employed without remuneration. : The mhnimum wage at which hands hinder IS may be engaged is, in- the case:.of boys 5/ and girls 4/ per week. ;Should the >nges not be paid Within • H days of the time when due the employer becomes liable to a penalty not exceeding five shillings "for every day thereafter during which such default continues." All establishments which , come under the Factories Act are sub- '■ iect to the provisions of the.Bill and 'the. local inspector of factories'- (Mr 11. Ferguson) is responsible for seeing ! that the. law is strictly curried out;

Jn our report of the Conciliation Board proceedings yesterday in the saddlers' trade it was stated that Mr D. O'Sullivan said the wages he paid his men ranged from £2 8/ down to £1 5/ and £-1- 10/ a weeki The figures H 1 5/- should have read £1 15/.

| A Wellington paper says that the ■ reported discovery in the interior of a shark captured at Warehou Bay, Makara, of a woman's leg, turns out tti have been nothing more than a stupid rumour. Mounted Constable O'HaJl.oran rode out to Makara, and ' returned, with a pig's foot in a woman's shoe. The fisherman avers that i this is exactly as if was found 111 .the shark, but even with a.little salt it would be somewhat difficult to'swal-. i lo.\v.either' the "foot or the story.' ..'

I His Honor.Mr Justice Conolly held a sitting in Chambers in the. Supreme Court this morning,;- T'robale was granted under the wills of Robert TayI lor nnd Ellen Vincent- Goodwin (de- ! ceased). Letters, of administration jwere granted in-the estates, of Eleanor 1 Edmonds 'Diekesoiij-. GeaX.Parting-ton, j and Henry Wm. ■ Wily (renewal) dej ceased. On. the application of Mr | Xewton, the registrar's report as to j commissions to be allowed to the executors in re the estate of J. C. Sharland (deceased) was confirmed. A motion by Mr Smith, under tiie Companies Act, 1882, re the Ngnnguru Coal.Co., Limited, to examine on oath A. Tankard and others was ordered to stand over till the 10th hist.

There is-now on, view in the window of Messrs Phillipps and Son a large number of .prizes that have been offered for competition at the forthcoming Agricultural Show, including- a treadle sewing machine (the champion prize for best butter) and number of valuable _ marble .clocks, cups, plate, watches* etc, which have been given by the- supporters of the Association." It will be seen by our advertising columns that today is the last day on which entries can be made,

At the Magistrate's Cout yesterday afternoon a case John Arnaboldi v. Arthur J. Newton, for alleged detention of personal' effects, occupied the attention of Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M. Plaintiff, a wheelwright, residing at Newmarket, sued defendant, who is also a wheelwright, for £47, for goods alleged to have been detained by defendant, with £5 damages for detention. There was a counter claim on the part of Violet Newton, wife of A. J. Newton, for £1 13/, board and lodging, and the value of a combined sink and cupboard. In the counter claim judgment was given for the amount claimed. After 'hearing evidence His Worship gave judgment in the original claim for plaintiff for £3 and costs, it being held there was no real damage. Mr MeVeagh appeared for plaintiff and Mr Burton for defendant. At the committee meeting- of the Auckland Swimming Club held last evening a letter was received from Mr T. V. Frost, declining to act as-Secre-tary to the-Club. Mr H. G. Chevis was

unanimously elected to the position.

A letter was also received from Mr W.

B. Eyre, stating that he would have much pleasttre in ag-ain acting- as handiea.pper for the ensuing season. Itwas arranged to hold a Carnival in the Auckland Graving Dock (if procurable) on Saturday, the 23rd December, and another on the 27th January 1900. As the New Zealand Swimming Championships are also to be held in Aucklond in the beginning of next year, the sport of swimming- should be made even more popular than ever this season. The swimming season will open in the Albert. Street Baths on the 15th instant, when an Inaugi||-al handicap of 72 yards will be swum off. Entries will close at the Albert Street Baths on Saturday, the 11th instant., and competitors are reminded that the annual subscription must be paid be- j fore competing. Water polo gives every evidence of becoming very popular amongst swimmers this season. It has already been arranged to form Clubs at Ponsonby, North Shore, and City, and to hold weekly matches for which the Club propose to allot caps or medals as the competitors may* choose. 'On the occasion of the Maori Premier's visit to Maungatapu last week (sa}V> the Tauranga. "Herald"), he sent a special messenger into Tauranga requesting the -presence of a well-known gentleman in Tauranga to discuss various questions. Our friend left early (six o'clock) next morning for the proposed "korero," and' to his astonishment found that instead of dwelling on native affairs, the ' Premieri wanted information on the following subjects: "The Boer War," "Liquid Air,"- and "Wireless Telegraphy." Civilisation progresses! On: Saturday last, it appears a. large number of natives visited the Strand, arid the most general topic amongst them-was undoubtedly the "Boer war," some ■ sympathising with the British, while an equal number stuck, up for the Boers. Two of the natives who had perhaps indulged "not wisely but too well" waxed belligereut and made up their minds to settle this momentous question "then and there." A gentleman resident of our township, whose sympathy, we regret to say, is very much with Kruger, attempted to stop the altercation and separate the natives ftith his ■ stick.' Blood,' however, was thicker than water, and before our friend knew where he are, .h,e was hors de combat. On the arrival of Constable Hughes- on the scene, a stampede of the natives took place and peace was restored. A large native meeting was held on Saturday afternoon last, at Rarapiia, near Te Puna, some 150 natives

being present, including the "VVai-

katos, who have lately been attending the opening of the meeting - house v at Maungatapii. The . meeting was called to consider the candidature . of Mr Henry Kaihau, M.H.R., present member, at the forthcoming election. Many influential Tauranga ■ chiefs were present, and strongly upheld the stewardship of Mr Kaihau, and finally it was unanimously; resolved to support him against all-comers. A number of Europeans f.rom the Te Puna were also present, and were invited to a first-class afternoon spread. Last evening a pianoforte recital was given in Mr W. H. Webbe's school of music, Grafton Road, by Miss M. Spooner, assistant teacher. Miss Spooner played a ■ number of selections, and .songs were giveii by Mr and Mrs 11. Hodffos and Mr A. L.

Edwards, A pianoforte quartette was played as an overture by Mi.sses E. and G. Spooner, Mr Webbe and Mr Scott, pupils of Miss Spooner. A no-license meeting was held at the Wesley Hall last evening, the Rev. W. | Ready presiding. The following pro- j gramme was gone through during j the evening:—Misses Thorne, piano duet; Miss C.AHannken, vocal solo (encored) ; quartette. Misses Whelan and i Crisp, and M.essrs G. Hardy and R. A. Scott; recitation. Master Ready (recalled) ; vocal trio, Misses Crisp and j Wheeler (encored; soio, Miss Jenkins; j recitations, the Rev. W. Ready and : Miss Addington; vocal solo. Mr G. j Horsier; viqlin solo, Miss C. Hannken; j quartette, Misses Tonkin, Crisp, and i Messrs G. Horsley and R. A. Scott; j song, "Joe Pevery," the Rev. W. Ready. I The Rev. Ready gave, an-address on! "Prohibition." and the Rev.. Williams spoke on the same subject. The cake and apron fair in the Grafton Road Wesleyan Church was concluded last evening. The following musical items were given during the I evening:—Song. "The Little Mountain i Lad," Miss -Garland; songs, "The Dcs- i erf and "Sons of the Empire,"' the , Rev. A. Mitchell; song, "The Valley I by the Sea," Miss Gribble; sons; "The Romany r Lass," ■Mr Jones;" duet. ; "When the Wind Blows," Miss White and the Rev: Mitchell: sohg,""K coi)'o"dv Else," Miss Mitchell: song, ""Maior."' Mr Jones. Miss M. Peake acted as accompanist. " ■ i _' Yesterday .afternoon the ""usual meet- | ingl of the Women's Christian Temper- i anee Union was held in the Central Mission Hall, Albert-street. Mrs A. Thorne acting-president, presided, j There was a good attendance of members. Mr Geo. Fowlds," a candidate for the House of Representatives, gave an address. lie entered into an ex-! planatiou of what he considered to be a just taxation, and on concluding was given a hearty vote of-'thanks. ""Questions were asked and answered. The routine business of the meeting was then disposed of. Mr J. C. Allen will address the Union next meeting. ! The Newton Gospel Mission will hold a picnic at Henderson on November 9th. A special-train has been engaged for the purpose, which leaves ' the railway station at 8.30 a.m., stopping at. Newmarket and Mt. Eden. ! Mr W. Kilgour, butcher, has moved into his new brickshop at Newmarket, He has prize sheep from Hamilton this week,

We are informed that on several occasions recently pansies have been uprooted and removed from the Albert Park, leaving unsightly gaps in. the j borders. The punishment for this ! offence is very severe, one individual having got a fortnight's rest in Mt. Eden gaol for stealing roses, and offenders \vo\ald do well to make a note of the fact. The November number of the "Christian Worker" is now issued, and is certainly a wonderful production to be supplied post free for 2/6 per an- ! num. It contains 24 pages of excelj lent reading matter, and is profusely : illustrated. The editor tells his i numerous subscribers that in future the "Christian Worker" is to be issued at the present size, and got up in the same attractive style, without any increase of price, although the cost of enlargement has been very much increased. It is.the largest illustrated religious paper in the colonies, and the new departure should greatly enhance its value and increase its sub-

scribers

The "Christian

Worker"

does not fail to urge upon its readers

that there is much to be done, by tians besides praying.- They must work incessantly in all good projects in the public weal. In future the paper will be issued very much earlier (about the 22nd) in the month, and will reach the homes of distant country settlers prompt on the first of every month.

Although tuberculin is now widely recognised as a satisfactory test to prove whether or not _ cattle have tuberculosis, the length of time at | which a beast should exhibit rea-ction-i arjr signs after injection. is not yet | settled. The question from many : points of view is 'an important one, ; and the Stock Department in N.S.W. ■ have been trying, chiefly bjr cxi periments, to arrive at. a safe con- ! elusion. The subject has also lately engaged the attention of the Tuberculosis Commission. Up to the present, however, no satisfactory decision has been arrived at, but the question is to be further considered. Several cattle have been used for experimental purposes at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and on these another test was made lately in.the presence of members of the Tuberculosis Commission. Eight beasts were infected with tuberculin on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning the customary methods were adopted to see if the reactionary signs of tuberculosis were shown, but these symptoms were pre« sent. in. only a few head. Several of the beasts were slaughtered.and- submitted to'"a post-mortem examination, and' although the evidences of disease were present, they, were riot-marked; Mr ;Bruce7:lnspector of ..Stock, ">vho was present at these experiments,' says that the gentlemen who went to the college on Friday did not have time to thoroughly fulfil their mission, which is not-only to establish some conclusion .as to the length of time a beast, if it has tuberculosis, should react after turberculin has been used, but to decide some other points, which will have an important bearing on the subject. Those who have these matters in hand think it wise not to discuss them until they are possessed of more definite information, and it is therefore likely that the members of the commission will make another visit to the college shortly.'.: ; v i

The Morality and Temperance Committee of the Congregational Union, in their report to the Annual' Assembly of New South Wales, presented by Dr. Koseby, took occasion to mildly reprimand His Excellency the Governor on the subject of Sabbath observance and attendance .at race meeting's. "Most of us read with interest the ac-

counts of the tour of our * new Go-

vernor in the far west of the colony." says the report. "But is it not to'be regTetfed that during the tour the Day of Rest was used twice in official visits and inspections, in one ease certain mines being, visited, and. in another a large sheep station? Is there anything in. the Australian air?. Or is there something in- our people that leads those who come amongst us astray? We are safe in saying that in England our justly, esteemed Gover.nor would not have used the Sabbath for any such purpose. . The Queen, whose representative he is, would not have done such a thing-. (Hear, hear.) No official or semi-official function of the kind would be attempted in England or Scotland, nor would it be tolerated by the English people. If these things are done by those in hig-h official station need we wonder that the young men want to have their

games of cricket and a great proportion of the people vjjant their holiday on the Sabba.th?" Another matter declaimed ag-ainst was • the frequency with Avhich ■ "anything- i n the nature of a. show" was fixed for Sunday. "The financial proceeds of those show days went to deserving- objects, and we feel on that account unwilling- to raise our voice against the action. But what are the benefits compared to the. larger evil? A. few hundreds of pounds are not much if you dry up the fountain from which all real and great benefactions come." (Applause.) Later on, in referring to the gambling- evil, the report stated: "If it were possible to touch the consciences of those who are the leaders of society it might seem as if something could be done, but gambling among- penny newsiboys can ■hardly be expected to cease' while colonial Governors crowd the viceregal box on the morning of the Melbourne Cup." ' The Salvation Army Federal Band ; gave an entertainment in the One- | hnng-a Public Hall. There was a , large attendance. The programme, i which consisted of concerted pieces : by the bond; a.nd vocal and instrumenI tal solos, interspersed, 'viiih short ad-- \ dresses by the leader, was" an ehtirelf new one. and- the-excellent rendering of. each item confirmed the good mv pression made.by the band on their' last appearance'at Onehunga. This was the last appearance of | the band as such. as it is Ito.. be disbanded in Auckland. ; The splendid results of last nig-ht's entertainment are to be devoted', to the self-denial fund. • The monthly meeting of" the One-htmg-a School Committee was held last nig-ht when there were present Canon Haselden (chairman), G. Vause.i E. Hall, T). Brown, G. H. Jnmes. The headmaster .reported 514 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance oi' 432. He reported that the Government were supplying- the large public schools with model rifles for the use of the hig-her standard boys, and that he had applied for 60 stand of them throug-h the Board of Education. The secretary stated that £24 had been paid in to the credit of the school fund account by the Board of Education. Mr H. Lcadbeater. grinder and cutler, of Wakefield-street. intimates that he has^ erected a complete plant for the grinding- and repairing of lawn, mowers,

Mr S. Stuart, secretary of the And, land Society of Arts, was in attendant I at the Choral Hall all to-day f receive the pictures sent in for e .° ! hibition. Over a hundred pictures for! ;'- ---■ been received up till one o'clock %,'■'• ! afternoon, including a number froa $ the South, and the competition studi* ■ which were sent South to be jU(W-'r All the well known names are repi£\sented, and several new artists • aJji* also exhibiting. Among the South.*! erners, represented are Mr Nairn, vojfftf ; Wellington, and Messrs W. M. Qitafjl ! and Bowring, of Christchurch, Whjjjp : Lady Ranfurly has lent the .Soeietjif' a fine collection of water colours,'ipfc eluding several pictures from her oW^'i"' brush. It is expected that the pictur^f jwill be hung on Saturdaj-. The Exhi.: jbition opens on Wednesday evening; with the usual conversaizone.. :,: