IMMORAL LITERATURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 237, 3 October 1908, Page 4

IMMORAL LITERATURE.

The decision of the Stipendiary Magistrate at Christchurch in the "tainted Hteratnre" case has naturally caused some excitement in the bookselling trade, and we observe that booksellers in various parts of the colony have been protesting i against the responsibility that it throws' upon them. We admit that it is obviously impossible for any bookseller to read all the books he sells. Situated at a distance from the great publishing centres of the world, colonial booksellers necessarily depend to a large extent on Press notices and reviews, and information of this kind is often very misleading. In the case of one of the most offensive books that gave occasion for the Christchurch prosecution, the author was a well-known, popular writer, with a reputation hitherto blameless. Another of the books deservedly condemned by Mr Bishop was eulogised on its first appearance by no less austere a judge than Mr W. T. Stead. We can hardly believe that the editor of the "Review of Reviews" had read the book ih question with any care; but this merely illustrates the difficulty in which colonial booksellers are constantly placed, especially as regards new novels. This, of course, does not free them from their responsibilities toward the general public or extenuate the harm that is inevitably done by the circulation of pernicious literature. But j'n' view of their position and the impossibility of making sure beforehand that the books they order are unexceptionable in taste or tone, we think that in such cases they might fairly claim the right to a warning from the police or the judicial authorities before further action is taken. As to the merits of the important question raised by this case, there can be no difference of opinion. The preservation of social morality at the highest possible level is a public duty of paroaiount importance to us all, and the fact that fiction in these progressive days is consumed in all kinds of forms by thousands of boys and girls still at school renders it urgently necessary that -sve should consider what sort of literature is being provided by our booksellers. There is no doabt that the moral tone of English fiction nowadays compares very unfavourably with that of the great writers of the past generation, and that it is steadily deteriorating. For these reasons a heavy responsibility is undoubtedly thrown on our booksellers, but in justice to them we think that no penalty should be inflicted for the sale of objectionable books without fair warning, except in the case of works of manifestly or notoriously immoral tendency. Capt. Edwin reported at 12.3 p.m.: — ''"From between north-east and north and west, strong winds to gale. Glass fail slowly. Rain probable. Mr J. Daniel, the Union Company's superintendent of repairs, who has been at Westport for some weeks superintending the refloating of the Taviuni, stated to a "New Zealand Times" reporter that notwithstanding exceptionally adverse conditions satisfactory progress is being made in moving the vessel towards the breakwater, through which she is to be launched into the channel. The Taviuni has been moved about 600 ft. from the spot where Mr Daniel found her. The necessary permission for carrying the Taviuni through the breakwater has been granted by the Government. The vessel has to be moved some distance inshore, yet, and will then have to be carried some 400 ft. to the breakwater. About thirty men are engaged on the job, and it is hoped to relaunch the Tavhini on the next new moon spring tides. Mr A. Hamilton, director of the Dominion museum (Wellington), has received from the authorities of the Museum of Natural History, New York, a series of 72 photographs of busts which have been modelled for that museum, representing the numerous tribes of Red Indians, natives of the Philippines, and natives of the Arctic regions of North America. Mr Hamilton states that the Maori busts which are being made by Mr Nelson Illingworth compare very favourably with those in the" American collection. The New York memorials are life-sized portrait busts, but do not include costume, which_Mr Illingworth has introduced with good effects in hia i types. Speaking at a meeting of creditors yesterday afternoon, Mr. A. Sanford said: 'It is a most serious thing if men are to be allowed to go on to the end of time trading without keeping books, and without being insured. For the future this practice ought to be stopped. . . . I think if we cannot pay as we eat in this world we ought to starve. If you are going to control your business you have to keep cash registers and qualified bookkeepers, and you must keep a supervision over your books. People who don't keep books and insure their businesses sh» Aco to Mount Eden."

Following on an exceptionally dry winter, the copious rains of tbe last 24 hours have afforded immense benefit to the work ofboth _i_rmer and horticulturist. Not the least' 'important advantage in the eyes of the- residents of Auckland was explained to "a '*§tar" representative this morning by Mr H. W. Wilson, town clerk. "This rain," said Mr Wilson, "has considerably relieved the minds of the municipal authorities in regard to the water supply, inasmuch as in order to have a sufficient supply throughout the summer it is very necessary that the winter rains should come in due season and soak into' the ground. For a water supply .which is dependent on the flow of a creek it is very desirable that the ground should be thoroughly saturated with the winter rains, as a few hours of fall during a dry season will have only a few hours' effect. The long spell of dry weather since July last, .a time of the year when the rainfall is usually heavy, had put some little anxiety into the minds of the waterworks officials. If we had had a very dry season right through the •winter there must have been a scarcity I in the summer, although with the present measures taken by the Council to increase the supply for the city it is not considered that the least difficulty would have arisen." H.M.S. Pioneer, third-class protected cruiser, Commander Miller, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon from Sydney direct. The Pioneer, which has recently undergone a thorough overhaul in Sydney, is expected to remain at Lyttelton for about two months-, in order to enable the Eoyal Naval Reserve men to go through their annual training. Mr. Felix Tanner of "ark" and "fasting"' fame, writes that he is willing to undergo a long fast in Auckland, under strictest medical supervision, to prove that a few ounces of pure water daily is all that is required for a long fast, and that, if fresh water is not procurable, such as is often the case with shipwrecked crews, salt water baths will suffio?, the water being filtered through the pores of the skin and admitted as fresh water. Mr H. R. Devereux, of Waihi, reports that the rainfall during September amounted to 3 inches. The average in previous years was 7.5 inches. The past month was the driest September recorded in ten years, with the exception of that month in 1899, when only 2.45 inches -were registered. The mean daily temperature was 50.3 deg. Fahr. This was the average of the previous three years exactly. Regarding the past winter months of June, July and August, the rainfall in the aggregate was 30 inches. The average for the same period is 24.8 inches. June and August were below normal, but | July was excessively wet. The driest ; winters were those of 1902 and 1903, when the rainfall was 17.5 inches and 15 inches respectively. It has been decided to hold an open contest for bands of all grades in connection with the Whangarei carnival. The secretary is in communication with the Fiji Island Band, and there is every likelihood of this band entering the contest. Entries close on the 15th of October. Colonel Hammond, of the Salvation Army, who is representing General Booth, and who is on special business regarding the army's social work in the Dominion and Australia, arrives in Auckland from London by the Sydney boat on Sunday. The Colonel, assisted by Brigadier Glover, who is also one of the army's prominent social ofi-fers, will be conducting the services in the Albert street Hall on Sunday. The Devonport Sunday afternoon meetings for men -will be started at the Masonic Hall, Victoria-road, at 3 p.m. tomorrow, when the scope and objects of the movement will be explained and an address will be given by Professor Dettmann on "Literature, Life, and Religion." A meeting of hotel servants and others employed in similar capacities, will be hold in Palmerston Buildings to-morrow afternoon, for the purpose of forming a union. Special services will be held in the PittEtreet Methodist Church to-morrow in connection with the 42nd anniversary, and during the afternoon a sacred concert and organ recital will be given. The date of the sale by public auction at Paeroa of town leases is December 3, instead of November 26, as stated yesterday. Will you allow your cough to get tbe best of you? Zymole Trokeys stop coughs and strengthen the throat. Try them. They will please yon, — (Ad.) White box dresses 14/11, 17/11, 19/11; Sfwdal assortment at 23/9, 29/11 to 59/6; 36in to 40in tucked edge i rocking, 6Jd, 9*d, ll'fd, to 1/11J yard. Embroidered flouncing, 40in, 3/3, 3/6, 3/11 to 5/6 yard.—McCullagh and Gower's for -.-kite muslins. —'(Ad.) Mr Postles has just returned from England, and is opening in the A-M.P. Buildings,, Victoria-street, with latest London styles and fashions in tailoring. (Ad.) Large stock of our well-known make of P.D., C_B., W. 8., and La Vidx corsets, just opened, to fit all figures, prices 4/11, 5/11, 6/11, 8/11, 10/9, 12/11, to 39/6; underskirts in immense variety, in print, cambric, zephyr, moirette, glace, etc., 3/6, 4/11, to 87/6.—McCullagh and Gower.— (Ad.) Illustrated Guide to Auckland; pri*., 2/. All stationers, and at "Star" Ott_-» —(Ad.) The new hunting stock collar, white. , and all shades, special value. "Peter Pan" bags, big variety, all colours, from 2/9. Tbe new Russian and complexion veiling, alt leading shades.—(McCullagh and Gower's for value.—(Ad.) Smart dressers should not miss this opportunity. A most seasonable range of fancy vest here. An article of comfort.— Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) Our Manchester department is now fully stocked, cheaper than ever. Our noted makes in calicos, in fine, medium and heavy weights, 3/3, 4/6, 4/9, 4/11, 5/6, to 10/6 dozen; sheetings, 54in to 100 in. wide, B|d to 2/9.—McCullagh and Goraver's for value.—(Ad.) This is the shirt season. Let us re* commend the neglige to you. It is an article of comfort. Lovely colourings here.—Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) Just opened, a large shipment of fabric gloves, long and short, all colours, 1/, 1/3, 1/6, 1/9, to 3/11; laoe mittens, 1/, 1/6, 1/11 up. A full stock of Morley's hosiery, in black, tan. and fancy. 1/, 1/3, 1/6 to 2/6. See window.—MeCullagh and Gower's for value.—(Ad.) Above all others. Our new seasoncaps stand ahead of all others in the extent of patterns and colours. Nobby lines here. —Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) Ladies! All that is itneresting in dress is represented in our fine showroom. The latest creations in millinery and stylish blouses; perfection of cut in costunje.; popular makes in underclothing. Moderate prices. Inspection invited.—At McCullagh and Gower's, popular drapers.— (Ad.) Suits for lioys. We stand ready to satisfy you with a collection of boys' suits. All ages and tastes catered for.— Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.)