THE Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5213, 27 June 1876, Page 2

THE Daily Southern Cross.

ll,ci:o, nox lro il I luve Wn uxtuijiuisheJ, jtt th«ie iwo A UiouMud Lic*luuk fioui Uio up<irk 1 but*.

rn^DAT, JUNE 21, 1S7G.

DisU'pointed because being so much behind hand in noticing the condition of the Lunatic Asylum, a contemporaiy the other day talked about " exaggerated statements got up for purely sensational purposes by a portion of the local Press." The observation was hazarded some ten days ago, after tho Asylum inspector, Mr. B. McLeax, had made his formal complaint to tlio sitting magistrates respecting the over-crowded condition of the Asylum. The same day that the complaint was presented, a special representative of tho Daily Soi'tiiekn Cross visited the Asylum, and found it in tho state which was detailed next morning in his graphic report. It is a pity that paltry party feeling, or a no less weak spirit of rivalry, should induce any journal to assail efforts at much needed reformation because another happened to be more quickly on the trail of the wrong than itself. Surely it is not necessary to carry tho ephemeral elements of political differences into every social question. There may he points of difference 'which place politicians and political prints on opposite sides, but in important issues of tins nature ordinary co.irtesy need not always be forgotten. Leaders of tho people, however, have of late indulged in tho rudest kind of speech, directing towards each other accusations and charges which, not being proved, or being met bycountei charges, offer a painful spectacle, which, to the, philosophical observer, should operate as a salutary warning. l>ut if in these i ases of political feud, interchanges of by no means elevating compliments mark and mar the political debates of tho day, and make the judicious grieve over the decadence of what they hoped to behold as New Zealand statesmanship, that is no reason why journals professing, at least, to have one aim in the improvement of social conditions, and in the amelioration of the evils which aggravate tho suflerers from mental disorders, should snarl at eacli other, when the object they both seek to attain may be more readily secured by the aid of both. No one, wo should fancy, can be so warped and bigoted as to desire to make a party question of the state of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum, and the totally inadequate accommodation which that buildingon'ors for the largo number of unhappy patients it now holds. I'nluopily our moining contemporary, a tew days ago, instead of seeking to aid us in our endeavours to show the imperative necessity for providing proper accommodation for tho insane, seeks, with mistaken and weak argument to show that we have stooped to "sensational" extravagance in sotting forth the condition of tho Asylum. We admit that our reporter made a mistake. He s t aid that the present building was planned and constructed to provide accommodation for " about 75 patients," while at the present moment there are no fewer than 155 unfortunate lunatics in the establishment ; and that 1(50 have been "packed" (for that is the word) in tho building. There was undoubtedly an error hero, but it is an error which more strongly proves our case. The building was planned and constructed not for To, as our representative put it, but for only 50 patients, yet it contains at this tune over throe times that number ! Ft is said by our contemporary, with reference to the application of Dr. Amkin', the Resident Surgeon for 50 additional beds, thai the Provincial Government of Auckland made efforts sometime in March or April last, to secure these beds in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand, but in vain. Can we, tinder any circumstances, believe this ' NVe undertake to say that within a dozen hours from tho moment the words now being penned appear in print we should be able to send to tho Asylum not only fifty bedsteads, but mattresses, blankets, and all tho other necessary paraphernalia therewith connected. Tins attempt at excuse simply shows a boundless ignorance of ordinary business and of the piactical mode of providing necessities which reasonable capacity in the Provincial authorities ought to havo had no difficulty in compassing. No doubt, ,is both Mr. McLeax and our representative showotl, there have been numerous mistakes on the part of the committing magistrate in sending to the Asylum many harmless imbeciles and Maoris who cannot properly be classed as insane, especially considering the demands made for cases of a really scnous nature. But, making the most ample allowance for these, there can bo no question that tho present accommodation in the Asylum is only about oncthnd what is requisite, and that our Provincial authorities have utterly failed in making proper provision for the clamant wants of tho province in this regard. Tho real practical wants of the piovince have been sacrificed to the ventilation of some pet theory, the application and usefulness of which ordinary social and sound admin-

isti.unc piudence could not ieeo^nisu. Our too critical eontemporaty iails to perceive, this fact, which for jeaii has been productive of .so much damage to Auckland. The benefit ;it hand whit.li could bo easily seized anil held has boon neglected, because of some futile attempt to .soar into the region of impossible notions ; and by this means the Auckland Asylum has been reduced to its present condition, where, as is ad mitted, the patients are frightfully overcrowded, the surgeon and warders aie over-tasked, and the prospect of cure is reduced to a minimum.

Th e return of traffic for the Auckland find Mercer Railway during the four weeks ending the Gth May last shows the following facts and figures : —

Tho return is anything but satisfactory, as it displays an average amount of weekly receipts of less than £400. This is not a paying rate, and until some marked alteration is effected in its management, we fear little more satisfactory returns can hardly be expected. On several occasions we hsyve shown some radical defects, and though these have tosome extent been remodied, great defects still remain, and demand alteration. Yesterday wo learned that a short time since a concession was made to the settlers sending produce by the rail to town, after lengthy negotiations had been carried on respecting tho proposed changes. The change was made, and settlers were enabled to send, say from Pokono to Auckland, butter at the rate of 7d. per cwt. , while formerly they w ould have had to pay for the conveyance of a hundredweight, or, for that matter, for a package, if only lull), weight, as much as they would h.ue h.ul to pay for transmitting a quarter of a ton. Tlus extravagant charge has now been altered. Hut while the railway authorities i educed the carriage of a 1001b. keg of butter fioni Pokeno to Auckland to 7d. , they continued to make a charge for the return of the empty keg of no less than :>s. ( I<1. ; in other words they charged for the conveyance of the empty keg or box, nearly seven times as much as they charged for the same keg when fnll|! The height of absurdity can no furthei go. This tinkering at tho rules which guide the operation of our railway traffic is not what is wanted. A thorough system of reform is required, so that the charges, the hours of running trains, tv.c, shall be so fixed as that they shall be most conducive to the development of the trade of the district through which the railway runs. Other incongruities might be pointed out, such as the fact that there is no stationmaster provided for the Pokeno Station, although there is considerably more traffic at that station, under the present careless system of managemont, than thero is at the Tuakau Station where such an officer is provided. Tt is saving at the spigot and losing at the bung-hole to have such a station without a station-master. Xo system of chee.se-paring can possibly succeed w here the administration of a large business is concerned. Then again, none of the three or four stations between Drury and Mercer is connected with the telegraph, although at Pokeno the telogiaph line is within a few chains of the railway station, and passes in front of the Post - ofiice, but is not connected with it. These are defects in the management of the line which evidently show some degree of misunderstanding of tho wants of the district, and the necessities of a sound railway system. A curious piece of cheese-paring economy has been mentioned to us. At the I'okuio Station, until lately, an iron water-tank was provided, as is the case at nil the other stations, for the supplying of water to the public who travel by tho line. These tanks can be purchased in Auckland •it about £4 each ; yet, though they are so cheap, tho one which was tat the service of the railway patrons who visit the Pokeno Station has been removed to supplement tho water supply at some otherstation on the line. Some wild jester am«ng the settlers has suggested as an explanation that the railway authorities aie in collusion with tho public-house inteiest in the district, but this charge is, of course, palpably absurd. On former occasions we have urged that more authority ought to be left in the hands of the local managers of tho several lines than is now reposed in them, so that any alterations which circumstances require, and which are leally necessary, may be left to their discretion for the benefit of the traffic on the line, and the advantage of tho public. Were such discretion allowed, the alterati jns could be immediately carried out without the constant reference of every little item of detail work to Wellington. When such alteration is seen to be to the advantage of the trailic, the local manager ought fairly to be allowed a certain latitude, which, in the interest of the public, as well as for his own reputation, he would certainly not be likely to abuse. When a responsible and able manager is tied up by the necessity of orders from Wellington as warrants for piussing changes, the public suffers, and the railway system is more or less blamed.

Jr appears to be whispeied in political circles m \\ ellington, m c onset inenco of the serious illness of our Agent-Oeneral in London, Dr. FuArur.Ubiov, whose death or resignation is said to ])e liiiiuiiicat, that Sir JtmusVooel is likely to lehign the ollice of Premier, and proceed to London as Agent- General for the colony. Sir .luj.irs is at present not what is called popular in Auckland. If dirt is flung for a long time, if a man who has a personal spite to a leader of the people cau from time to time gratify that spite in the columns of a newspaper, some of the dirt will stick, and for a space the miscrablo ancient grudge of a weak mind will be fed fat on its still weaker writings. But maugre all this personal abuse and contemptible personal antagonism, people w ho possess the straightforward reason and honest feeling of fair-play sufficiently strong as to divest their minds of vague mid unproved assertions, will admit the ability of Sir Julius Vogel, and that piobably no more fitting person could bo chosen to go to England as AgentGeueral for New Zealand. The credit he has gained in commercial and financial circles by reason of his railway and immigration scheme, is well attested by experienced gentlemen in England, and by prominent colonists who were in London while the late loan negotiations were progressing. Those who have watched his career in this colony will bear witness to his mental vigour and financial capacity. Hence these fair-minded and nnpiojiidiced persons will conclude that the colony would be wellrepresented in England' were Sir .h T iir« Vof! el to accept the appointment of AgentfJeneral. But we do not believo he will. We are disposed to think that he feels he, has yet work to do in this Colony for its future prosperity. He has put his hand to the plough, and those who know him, know that he is not one to " look back," until the work he has set before him i«i either accomplished, or i> in a fair way of being so. Sir .1 n.iri \ o<:n. m still a young man, and in spite of the detraction, some of it weak and envious,

to wliii li lie has hi on subjected, lias, wliLtlu i he be m powei 01 in Oppo bition, a lnillicint c.ucer before him in New ZcaLiud, from which wo :ue fain to believe hi-, somewhat lofty ambition w ill not allow himself to bo withdrawn. It is true there are pii/es in England to which colonial statesmen may fail ly as>nii e KonrR r Low i , an Australian Minister, gained a seat in the House of Commons, and became Chancellor of the British Exchequer. Sir JuriUt. Vookl may have hopes of achieving a similar position. But for all that he has still impoitant ■noik to do in New Zealand, and we very much mistake the character of the man if he will lea\e that work unfinished

The delegates from the friendly societies, who luld so many meetings to discuss the new Act, ha\e forwarded to Mr. Swanson, M. II. II , punted copies of the amendments and alteiations agreed upon at those meetings. Theoe have been distributed by that gentleman among the members for consideration. The societies in Dunedin have held similar meetings, and proposed alterations and amendments substantially the same as those passed in Auckland. Many of the roads in Auckland are in a very bad state. In many of them, wheie the water-pipes have been laid, a long unsightly ridge of yellow clay is left, as if tor the special purpose of punishing unwary travellers beyond the footpaths by plunging them ankle deep into mud. Even the paths in main streets are as bad. The path, for instance, just in front of the Pitt-street Weslcyan ( 'Imrch, and up to the corner of the K.irangahape Road, was in such a horrible condition last Sunday as to compel people to walk on the newly laid metal in the roadway in order to avoid being bogged. Another curions thing in connection with Pitt-street is that the road has been made and metal laid, and yet the water-pipes are lying still on the sides of the street, so that in a short time much of the work that has just been completed at considerable cost will be undone, and the last state of the road will probably be worse than the present. State of her Majesty's Gaol, Auckland, for the week ending June 24, 1876: — On remand, 4 males ; awaiting trial, 9 males, 1 female ; penal servitude, 33 males ; hard labour, 77 males, 27 females ; imprisonment, 1 female ; default of bail, 5 males ; debtor, 1 male ; received dining the week, 2." males, 4 females ; discharged, '24 male"!, 6 females ; total in gaol, 131 males, 29 females. Return of sick treated at the Provincial IIospit.il for the week ending Satin day, 24th June: Remained last return, 91; admitted since, 11; discharged, 13; died, 2; remaining, S7 ; males 73, females 14. Arrangement of cases : Zymotic, 11 ; constitutional, 11 ; local, 4."); developmental, .">; violent, 1.1. — Two deaths occui red during the week, viz., O. K., male, aged 3S years, ou June 14, of double pneumonia. 2nd, M. I., female, aged 48 years, en June 20, of serous apoplexy. —Thanks are returned for a parcel of linen from an anonymous friend, per favour of < '. K. ftoldsbro,' J7aq., M. D. On Satin dsiy List <a sciatuh ia.ee, between Mr. Wheeler's Judy and Mr. T. Ceres'a pony Kauri Gum, took place at Potter's paddock, for five pounds aside. Mr. Osborne acted as starter, and Mr. Bond as judge. A good start was eflected, both getting well away together, Mr. Ceres stealiug away in front, when Mr. Wheeler's girths broke, and he was thrown, which made Kami Gum will easj. The programme for the next session of St. .1. vines' Mutual Improvement Association has been printed, aud circulated among the menibeis. Four meetings are to be devoted to elocution, three to debates on the following questions : — " Ought the Bible to be read in our public schools ''." Affirmative, Mr J. Crawford; negative, Mr. W. Gome. " Wa* the execution of M.ny, (Jueen of Scots, justifiable '' Athrmatne, Mr. Tudehope ; negatne, Mi. A. McCulsky. "Is the charactu of Oliver Cromwell worthy of adiuualion " Alhimati\e, Mr. J. M.icky ; neg«iti\o, Mr. E. Cooper. Kssays on the following subjects will be lead : — "On Fiction," by Mr. D R. Caldwell ; '"John Stuait Mill and Utilitaiiaimm," by Mr. E. Piurton ; " Mormamsm, " by Mr. W. Cooper; "Luther .vnd hib tune-!," by Mr. }'. M.icky; "New Zealand since 1S45," by Mr. J. M.aeky; "Mythology," by Mr. E Cooper, and a number of shorter pipers by other members. By advertisement it will be seen that Mr. Charles Wheatleigh will again favour an Auckland audience with his unrivalled impersonation of Conn the Shaughraun. The commendations he has received from all parts of the woild for this, his great impersonation, were fully borne out by his successful season here a few months ago. Xo doubt the three performances he will give previous to his depaituie tor Ameiica will be witnessed by his former adnnreis, and many of those who missed the previous opportunity. Tenders ior the erection of a two-storey building on the Ponsonby Road were opened yesterday at Mr. Hammond's office. The competition was fair and satisfactory, and Mr. Mills has been chosen as the successful tenderer. The building is to have a corrugated iron roof, and to be completed within two months. We understand our enterprising settler Mr. Owen C. Mcflee has made a most useful addition to our draught stock by purchasing that magnificient entne horse Champion, 3 yeais old, lately imported from Canterbury. Champion is a bright bay, standing Hi hands, with great bone and good symmetry. His sire (Lofty) was imported from Scotland, where lie took live first and one second pri/es, aud ha-> beaten every horse shown against him in New Zealand. He has gained upwards of twenty first prizes. Champion's dam (Ilelle) was bred by Mr. Hubert Stephenson, East Taieri.Otago, an I she has taken twelve first prizes before leaving that province, and three first prizes in Canterbury, showing against imported mares from Scotland and Victoria. Lofty was bred by Mr. Yallance, of Great Hill, Lanarkshire, and was got by Clydesdale Tom, in 1S50, when he took the society's premium of £40. He took first prizes every time he was shown in Scotland, except once, when he stood second to all Scotland at the Highland Agricultural Society's show, held at Keln. He gained three first prizes in succession at Oamaiu, 1866-7-8, and was awarded the first pri/e, a gold medal, at Dunedin, in January, 1869 ; first prize, a gold medal, at Tokomairiro, in December, 1869 ; first prize at the Taien, in December, 18(59 ; firstprize at Christchurch, in November, 1870 ; and first at Southbridge, in 1871. Belle is by the well-known prize horse John Blair's Champion, imported from Scotland to Otago ; and her clam Duchess, a first prixe mare, was bied by Dr. Wilmcr Longford, Tasmania, out of the best imported mare, and by au imported horse from Scotland. Champion will stand for the coming season at his owner's place, Otahnhu ; his fee will be four guineas. On Thnrsday evening, July (>, an entertainment will be given in the Newton Hall for the benefit of the widows aud orphans of the men who were lately drowned at the Northern Wairoa. The programme is to consist of solos, part songs, recitations, &c. The fact of the performance being for such a laudable object will doubtless draw a crowded house. The Committee of the City Council, appointed to inquire into the case Errington v. ISivniiiff Star, will meet at the Council Chambers on Thuisday afternoon at two o'clock. The new Regulations for the Civil Service of the colony are published in the -V* 1 ?" Z>*lond (he//' of the l.'ith inst. An Order in Council has been issued authoiising the establishment of a school of anatomy at Dunedin, in connection with the local college, the so-called Dunedin UniM'lSlt\. The share register of the Tuion Beach G.M.Co. is to be closed from the 29th inst. to the 3rd July, when a dividend will be payable.

[ Miss Ntothard s ladies' classes for botany, astionomy, &c , are to be leorganized at the Pro\ mcial Council Chamber. On reference to our advertising columns it will be .seen that Mr. W. H. Hazard, gunsmith, so long well known in Volunteer circles, has begun business in Auckland, For many years Mr. Hazard has proved an, active friend of the Volunteer cause, and for some time past has rairied on business at the Thames. He has now come to Auckland where he anticipates to have a wider scope for his skill as a tradesman. His place of business is near to Mr. Montague'3 ware* house. The annual meeting of the Mangere Highway ratepayers will be held on July 17. Writing upon the illiberality of some poople attending church, "^Eglea " says : — " I know a sincere churchman, who assigned as a reason for absenting himself from public woiship that his gorge rose to see a wealthy Chustian fumbling in his trousers pocket for the (smallest coin in it, after singing with sympathetic energy — Were the whole realm of nations mine, That were an offering far too small ; Ltn e so amazing, so div ine, Demands my life, my soul, m> all. These, in the plate being represented by a threepenny piece." An old song tells us that " it is well to be off with the old love before we are on with the new." A recent marriage that has given rise to a good deal of gossip would go to prove that it is well to make sure of a new husband before you are off with the old. A gentleman in a most chivalrous manner fought the battle of an injured and deserted wife in the law courts, and succeeded in the end in obtaining a divorce for her. It was arranged that they were to be married wheii the courts granted her freedom, and in anti« cipation of the happy day they lived together as man and wife. At last the decree was pronounced that would enable them to legalise the union they had themselves formed, and the lady commenced her piepations for the happy event. But alas for the faithlessness of man ! Her half-husband, as I suppose we might call him, had in the meanwhile met a young (twenty-eight), lovely and accomplished widow, and fallen a victim to her charms. He married her quietly, without Riving an opportunity to any one of forbidding the banns, and the poor divoi'ci f found herself at one fell swoop deprived both of her husband in < *se and iii po=t*.e. If she brings an action for damages against the deceiver, the lawyers will have some nice points about the legality of a promise of marriage to a married woman. — 1 ' Atticus" in the Melbourne Leader. The directors of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, of London, recommend the payment of a dividend for the past year of f 1 1 3s. per share, or 28 per cent on the paid-up capital, together with a bonus of 10-5. per share, 15s. of which ha"» already been paid a» interim dividend. It is not geneially known that, in addition to the largest variety of carpets in Auckland, there may also be seen at the City Hall furnishing rooms a nice assortment of furniture, so that buycis can make their selection of drapery, clothing, millinery, carpets, furniture, bedding, &c , at one establishment, and depend on getting goods at most reasonable prices. Holloway and Garlick are fortunate 111 seeming the services of Mr. R. Cianwell (late Cranwell and Co. , Short-laud-street), ■» ho i-> now siipei intending their cabinet department, and is pioducing the same class of substantial and handsome furniture which gained for that firm such a good reputation. Some very chaste drawingroom suites are now on view, also dining, bedroom, kitchen furniture, and an immense variety of chairs, to suit any class of rooms. Hotel keepers, boarding house proprietors, house-keepers, and young people contemplating matrimony are recommended to pay a visit to Holloway and Garhck's, drapers, clothiers, cabinet-makers, and uphoLtereis, City Hall, Queen-street, Auckand.

Passengers (l,i,702) Parcels, &c. ■Season tickets .iooch (1,303 tons) 17 14 4 2 570 !) Total . . £1,5GG 19