TOWN EDITION. The Daily Telegraph WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3272, 28 December 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. The Daily Telegraph WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1881.

The London Daily Telegraph has a leading article on a recent speech delivered by Sir William Harcourt, the Home Secretary, on Industrial Schools. The subject is one not without interest in this colony, where, with our comparatively small population, our reformatories are already too well filled. Summarising the speech, our London namesake says it is Sir William's desire, as it is the desire of all parties in the State, that the law should offer as many alternative forms of treatment for juvenile offenders as possible, leaving the magistracy to deal with every case on its merits. A whipping and a few hours' imprisonment might often do more good than a longer term of incarceration or reformatory treatment. In cases where small fines are inflicted the costs, as he suggests, should not be made out of proportion to the mulct, and it should assuredly be in the discretion of the magistrates to send a juvenile offender to a reformatory without the existing compulsory condition that the child must have been once at least the occupant of a common gaol. This last is a most admirable suggestion, and the sooner it can be carried out the better. At the same time we cordially concur in the opinion " that children are sent too young and kept too long in reformatories and industrial schools," and that infants offender years should in all cases be divided from lads already old in sin. It is likewise important that, whenever possible, parents should be made to smart for their children's offences. At least two-thirds of tbe juvenile crime of the country may be directly traced to the selfishness and neglect, the cruel and callous indifference, of fathers and mothers who sutler their unfortunate offspring to run wild about the streets of our large towns. The School Board inspector has done much to rescue these poor waifs and starvelings from an Isbmael existence, but it should be the business of the criminal law to aid the Education Acts m enforcing the duties of citizenship upon idle and dissolute parents. Sir William Harcourt appears to be of opinion that no artificial system can replace home to a child ; but, unfortunately, the worst prison, with all its moral contamination, would sometimes prove a Bafer place, so far as a good example goes, than the homes, well known to the-police, of thousands of poor children. As the speaker pointed out, our industrial school system is in need of the addition of wards where juvenile offenders might be sent for terms of a few days' duration. A taste of stern discipline and wholesome correction would in many cases serve as a life-long deterrent against crime. Sir William Harcourt in Parliament is sometimes accounted—alike by friends and foes—a sturdy intellectual gladiator, ever ready to engage in politi-

cal combat; but ia regard to this question of juvenile offenders—a question raised high above the acrimonies of party strife—he ehowa himself in the nobter aspect of a far-seeiug statesman and philanthropist.

Messrs Murray Roberts and Co. report having- leased to Mr Thomas Tanner, of Riverslea, Mr Hutton Troutbeck's station at Petane for a term of fifteen years.

From a Waipawa correspondent we learn by wire that the sale of Mr Gillett's stock and effects, started by Mr Liddle under a bill of sale to-day, was stopped, owing to a protest being read that had been procured by other creditors.

A match between teams chosen from the "Waipawa County and Civil Service Cricket Clubs was played at Waipukurau on Boxing Day, resulting in a victory for Waipawa by one inning and fourteen runs. The Civil Service Club played with one man short, but in any case their play was too weak for the County. •

Mr Broughton's horse Tare in the Novel Race at Pakowhai yesterday did not forget to show his powers of endurance. After winning the race he went twice round the course in spite of every effort on the part of the jockey to pull him up. On the conclusion of the race he was put up to auction, and sold to Mr G. P. Donnelly for £35.

Hitherto we gave the Napier bank clerks credit for being fairly well educated members of tbe community. Our faith in their scholastic attainments was, however, rudely shaken yesterday when we beheld exhibited in the window of one of the principal banking establishments in town a notice to the effect that the bank would be " closed on 26th and 27th insty." ! Why not have said the " 26th and 27th of Decembers" at once.

Master Herbert Gilding, who has been messenger of the Corporation offices for some three years, has been successful in his application for apprenticeship to the New Zealand Shipping Company's marine service, and will join the ship Waikato next Friday. Pending the appointment of his successor by the Municipal Council, Master George Gilding will act as messenger.

Our Wairoa correspondent refers to the notification in the New Zealand Gazette setting forth that the Government have paid money on account of the Houpapa block, and have entered into negotiations for the purchase of it. The Houpapa is a large tract of country, about 100,000 acres in extent, at the head of the Hangaroa consisting mainly of forest ranges. The Houpapa settlement, an open spot surrounded by dense forest was for along time the secure retreat of Te Kooti.

There was a large attendance of brethren present at the Victoria Lodge E.C. last evening, the occasion being the installation of Bro. Frank Bee as W.M. The installation ceremony was most impressively performed by P.M. Bro. W. Beilby. After his installation the W.M. invested the following officers:—J.W., Bro. R. E. Mackay ; Treasurer, Bro. C. Raven; Organist, Bro. Rudman ; S.D., Bio. John Chicken ; J.D., Bro. F. Smith; 1.G., Bro. W. Wiikie. Owing to the absence of Bro. R. J. Duncan, S.W., and Bro. J. Upchurch, Secretary, the investiture of these two officers was postponed until next meeting of the lodge. A large number of visiting brethren were present during the evening.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court today, before H. Eyre Kenny, Esq., R.M., the following cases were disposed of :—James James, charged on remand with wilfully damaging property to the value of 14s at Taradale, pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s and costs, with 14s for damages added. Manihera, charged on remand with lunacy, was further remanded for one week pending medical examination. Kahia and Te Aranga, for assaulting'Moko, at Waiohiki, and occasioning him bodily harm, pleaded guilty, and were respectively sentenced ■to one month and two months' imprisonment with hard labor. Eliza White (an old offender) was fined £4 and costs for keeping a house of ill-fame at Napier. The prisoner pleaded not guilty.

The juvenile "Pirates" were again favored with a good attendance last night, when the performance went off much better than on the opening night, the children having evidently quite recovered from the fatigue of their trip up the coast. The several solos and choruses were given with correctness and expression, while the orchestral portion of the performance left little to be desired iv that direction. Miss Lena Robinson and Master Williams were again the favorites, their inimitable performances receiving frequent rounds of well-deserved applause. Several choice bouquets were thrown upon the stage during the evening, and were politely acknowledged by the recipients. The " Pirates " will be repeated again to-night, when we hope to see a crowded house.

The Sunday School children and friends md members of the United Methodist Free Church, to the number of 120, held a picnic on Boxing Day at Mr Hurst's farm, Woodville. Abundance of eatables was provided by the lady members of the shurch, to which full justice was done. The usual games, kiss in the ring, and races, were indulged in, and all seemed thoroughly pleased with the day's enjoyment. A Christmas tree having been trimmed out on the ground, with about 170 gifts and prizes—comprising toys and books, &c, of all descriptions—they were given to the runners on the principle of all run all win something. Afterwards the remaining things on tho tree were given to all the children present, so that each child had at least one gift, and in many cases much more. On the arrival of the Rev. J. Worboys on the ground, he was received with three ringing cheers. A quarterly church meeting held in the evening showed that the church was making satisfactory progress under the labors of the Key. J. V/orboys. The day was fine, but rather hot. On Sunday last we had a visit of the Rev. Mr Barnnett, of Waipawa, who preached three times, and was well received by the settlers here.—[Correspondent.]

The fourth annual firing of the Hawke's Bay Rifle Association took place at Petane on the 2Gth and 27th instant, ©ompetition was keen, and them were a goodly number of visitors present. The match for the challenge cup resulted in a victory for the Artillery team by fourteen points. The President's cup was won by Mr H. Hcvell, who scored a total of 79 points, Messrs James Ross, A. Garry, and W. Duncan, taking three lesser prizes with 78 points each. Mr James Wilson scored 77, and Mr S. Hooper 75 points. The Publican's trophy fell to Mr Duncan, who scored 22 points at the 300 yards, and 26 points at the 500 yards range. Mr Redward also scored a total in this event of 48, but owing to tho firing of Duncan at the 500 yards range being superior to his, Redward was awarded second prize only. Mr Galbraith took third place with a total of 47. The three principal prizes in the third match were awarded as follows, Vice-President's trophy, Mr Ross, total score, 77; second prize, Mr Cato, total score 76 ; third prize, Mr 11. Hovell, total score 75. Mr Beck secured the silver medal in the fourth match by putting together a of 64, Messrs Cato, Duncan, and Pram, taking second, third, and fourth places respectively. The aggregate scores in the four matches resulted in favor of Mr W. Cafco, who gains the Rifle Association trophy. The Tradesmen's match was won by Mr John Chicken, the prize being a silver-mounted emu egg.

The census tables that are published (says an exchange), do not give the returns of tho religions of the colonists. This will come wo suppose, in time. We notice that in the list of criminals there is a large preponderance of Catholics. The most heretical sects produce the fewest criminals.

The Dunedin Echo says : —No sooner had the spire of the Christchurch cathedral been completed than an earthquake came and shook it, making some of its stones tumble. The earthquake shocks never tumbled it till after the consecration. Is there any

reason for this ? If it had been a Lyceum or Freethought hall that had been injured, of course there would have been no doubt why the injury had been done. But a consecrated cathedral ! There is the rub. Whenever anything happens to the pious it is a dark mystery of Providence, but the same event coming to the heretical is a judgment.

As an instance of the general depreciation in the value of land (says Truth), it may be mentioned that a farm in South Lincolnshire which was sold within ten years for £8,800, only fetched £2650 recently, an unpleasant result for the mortgagees, who had advanced £3500 on the security.

Mrs Langtry is not strictly beautiful. She has a fair skin, and large, round dark eyes, which she uses very expressively, and with all the art of a professional actres3, in conversation. The natural colour of her hair is chestnut, but she is as often seen with very light or reddish frizzes as with those bestowed by nature. These artificial adjuncts enhance the effect of her really fine eyes.

The German papers state that the Queen on the suggestion of the Crown Princess has presented to the Museum of Berlin a picture by Rembrandt of " The Money Changer," formerly in the Royal galleries at Windsor. It is dated 1627, when the painter was only nineteen years old. The only other picture by Rembrandt known to be of the same early date is the " Paul " at Stuttgart.

As if nature had not made the Niagara Falls beautiful enough already, they are now illuminated at night by electric light supplied by two companies. The lights have been arranged to distribute their rays on the Canadian and American falls, but not yet with perfect effect, owing to the new machinery; but as soon as it is properly geared and the remaining six lights in position, the effect will be wonderfully grand.

The two wealthiest widows in England are the Hon. Mrs Meynell-lngram, daughter of Lord Halifax, and Mrs Gerard Leigh. The first inherited from her husband two splendid seats, each wiih a deer park and an income above £30,000 a year. Mrs Gerard Leigh, who sails in the finest steam-yacht afloat, owns Luton Park, formerly the seat of the Bute family, and a fine house in Grosvenor square, London. She entertains liberally, whereas Mrs Meynell-lngram lives quietly.

A curiosity in engineering has been constructed in America by a clockmaker named Buck. This is in all probability the smallest engine ever made, for it is almost microscopic in its dimensions. It weighs only about fifteen grains, and is entirely covered by an ordinary thimble. The stroke of the piston is a little over two millimetres, or 1.12 in., and its diameter is less than a millimetre and a half. Nevertheless, the engine is built of 140 distinct pieces fastened together by 52 screws, and three drops of waiter are sufficient to fill the boiler and set the engine in motion.

M. Lepinay has drawn up his report regarding the canal to connect the Bay of Biscay with the Mediterranean. He proposes that the canal should start from Bordeaux, and after traversing 252 miles, terminate at Narbonne. The number of looks would be 62, and long enough to admit vessels of 439 feet in length. The depth would be 27 feet 2 inches, and the breadth at the surface where the canal is to be of single width, 18-1 feet, and where it is to be of double width, 262 feet. The estimated cost is £22,000,000. By means of this canal ships using steam can go from sea to sea in 54 hours.

In an old number of Blackwood's Magazine we notice an interesting account of the wreck of the Strathmore by Mr and Mrs Wordsworth, passengers by that ill-fated ship, who were rescued, after a weary captivity, from the Crozet Islands, on which she was wrecked. Mrs Wordsworth, in her narrative, speaking of the second mate of the Strathmore, Mr Peters, says:—"l think him the beau ideal of an officer. On the island he did not belie the good opinion that the poor captain had of him. In danger he was cool-headed, and nothing seemed to turn him away from doing what he thought was right." Mr Peters, we may mention, is now captain of the barque Strahathro, at present lying in Auckland harbour. The portable standpipe fire-extinguish-ing apparatus invented by A. Greenleaf, of Baltimore, there used for about a year, has on several occasions proved of the highest practical utility. It is made in three sections, the lower mounted permanently on trunnions, while the other two are carried on a side rack. On reaching the fire, the two upper sections are coupled with the first, making a pipe fifty feet long, which is raised in a minute by means of a hand wheel at the rear of the truck, and quickly connected at the base with the water supply. The great advantage of the tower lies in its getting a solid stream of water forty or fifty feet nearer the fire by raising the point of delivery. By means of a flexible pipe at the top of the tower, operated from the ground, the stream can be sent in any direction, sweeping an entire block if necessary. The apparatus weighs 6,500 pounds. The pipe can be put in working condition in three minutes after its arrival in front of a building on fire. In a recent sermon by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher upon " Death," the preacher asked, " How should a Christian look at death ?" Mr Beecher replied—" Well, in the first place, he should not look at it at all —on purpose. Or, if he looks at it, he should do so only to stimulate himself to lead a better life here, and not to brood over the horrors of an imaginary hereafter." People wondered how they would feel dying. " I'll tell you how you'll feel—most of you," said Mr Beecher; "you'll feel stupid; that's all you'll feel. You 11 want to go to sleep. Dying is as easy as going to seep in most instances." Once in a while there was a triumphant or a radiant death, or a remorseful death, hut not once in a million times was there such a death as is described in books. That was all "flummery." Mr Beecher attached no significance to the manner in which a man expired, as it was principally the result of physical accidents, and afforded no test of his moral state. Every man can just as well be his own physician, just as there are self-teaching methods of acquiring foreign languages. Nor are text-books and manuals as necessary in the latter as in the former case. There are certain remedies known to consummate certain cures, and when the troubles appeaz', let the remedy be adapted to the affliction. Everybody, intelligently informed, must know the uses and benefits of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aeosiatic Schnapps.— [Advt.]

Tho railway arrangements for Kaikora races and Waipukurau sports on Monday appear elsewhere. Mr Lyndon sells Hastings town sections, with buildings thereon, on January 3rd.

Tenders are invited for the purchase of interest in certain properties in the estate of W. H. Simpson. Apply E. Lyndon.

Subscriptions to Napier Land and Build ing Society, No. 5, payable to-night.

Blythe and Co.'s tables are re-arranged and replenished with New Year gifts.

R. G. Graham has for sale a horse-power thresher.

A reward is offered for gold and jet broach iost in Hastings-street.

A " poor boy " who lost a purse containing £2 in Emerson-street will reward the finder.

Leonard and Co hold an auction sale of horses, harness, buggy, &c, at the Albion Hotel on Saturday, 31st instant.

Settling for 11.13. Racing Club's summer meeting takes place on Friday evening. The Tahoraite races will take place in Mr Knight's padd'ock'on 2nd January. Summoned half-yearly meeting of Loyal Napier Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., this evening.

Subscribers to the proposed Forester's drum and fife band are requested to meet this evening at the Eire Brigade station, at 8 o'clock, to elect a committee of management, &c.

A chestnut gelding will be sold in the Napier pound at noon to-morrow.

All claims against the Wave Queen must be rendered to Murray Roberts and Co. by noon on Friday.

W. A. Dye, being about to visit Auckland, is prepared to take private or trade commissions.

A number of new advertisements appear in our " Wanted " column.