The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1897. AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7976, 30 January 1897, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1897. AT HOME AND ABROAD.

That barmaid case in Dunedin is a peculiar one. Tho law provides that no keeper of a licensed house shall allow a barmaid to be employed in his hotel after 11 o'clock at night. In the case under notice a barmaid was about her work at ten minutes to 2 o'clock, a.m., and the hotelkeeper was sued. On his behalf it was urged that the prohibition as to 11 o'clock could only apply to any one day of twentyfour hours, and that when the barmaid was discovered at work she had commenced a new day's work.

There is something ingenious about the plea, it must be confessed. It reminds us of some of the Premier's excuses when challenged with breaking the law as to appointments to the public service. If it should be finally upheld as good in law, all the hotels in the colony, although compelled to close at stated hours, may be reopened as soon as midnight has passed. This will give the Prohibitionists another handle.

But we need not go from home to find ingenious pleas raised. A few days ago a man was charged with creating a disturbance in a licensed house. The evidence given appeared to completely prove the charge. The chief, witness, the licensee, deposed to the annoyance received, and described how what was complained of took place in a well-known licensed house. The case for the police was closed, and then Mr Oresswell, counsel for accused, raised the objection that there was no formal proof of the offence having been committed upon licensed premises, the license not having been produced. The point was upheld and the accused discharged. A fair question is, Why was not the license produced ? Do not the police know the law ? Or are they careless?

On Monday week there will be an eleotion in connection with the Harbor Board. There are three vacancies to fill and five candidates for them. Of these five, three are the members who retire by effluxion of time. Their opinions, their value as representatives of the ratepayers, and their fitness for positions on the Board are well known. The other two candidates no doubt conclude that they possess qualities which will commend them to the public, and induce the latter to oust two of the old members in their favor. But these qualities require to be stated. Messrs Large and Bennett will doubtless therefore make known their views by addressing a public meeting, or by means of the Press.

In the case of Mr Bennett, one of these courses is absolutely essential if his candidature is not to be regarded as pour r/'re. He may possess numberless qualities of superlative excellence, and those, if generally known, might be held to counterbalance the fact that he is not prominent in the commercial world or from the point of view of having a stake in the district. But till he proves that he possesses such attributes tho ratepayers cannot be blamed if they are in a state of semi-bewilderment as to what can have induced him to come forward at all.

With regard to Mr Large, his long residence in the district, his position in the town, aud tho interest he is known to have taken in harbor matters, entitle him to aspire to the position he seeks to Jill. With him the only question is whether he would be likely to prove a better representative than any one of the three retiring members. He must think that his return would be an advantage, or ho would not bo a candidate, hut as he is appealing to the public the least that he can do to justify his position is to lay before the public an outline, even if a brief one, of how he proposes to improve on the old men. hers.

Possibly a word or two on the Chamber of Commerce and its nomination of a member to tho Board will not bo out of place. There are two candidates, Mr J. Vigor Brown and Mr Coleman. Either gentleman would mako an excellent member, but it must be pointed out that Mr Coleman ia standing as tho avowed opponent of tho breakwater works. If elected he will therefore not only go to the Board practically pledged to oppose the completion of tho works, and so to the almost absolute waste of the money already spent upon them, bnt in addition bis election could only

j be taken to mean that the Chamber of ! Commerce is also opposed to the work. I That is hardly the position which should J be taken up- by a body professing to j represent the commerce of the district. j We have received from the Regisj trar-General a copy of the " Official \ Year-book of New Zealand " for 189*1. It i_ welcome, though late, for under the Seddon regime it is so difficult to obtain reliable figures that any means of getting over this can only he regarded as a boon. Even as it is, with the last i _ue of the " Year-book " to hand, there is not much to boast of in the way of late information, for the bulk of the statistics do not come down later than 1894.

An exception must be made with regard to the figures as to the national debt, which, although not giving the full amount of indebtedness—amounts due under Treasury hills are seemingly ignored—are yet sufficiently explicit to show that our net indebtedness per head has increased from £f)7 8s lOd in 1804 to £00 2s 4d in 189 G. This does not include nearly a million of Treasury bills, or the million loan authorised by Parliament last session, or the five and a quarter millions we have been kind enough to pledge our credit for to oblige Messrs Ward and Seddon and the directors of the Bank of New Zealand.

It is pleasing to read through the criminal statistics. These are of a cheering nature, and must afford satisfaction to every person who can derive pleasure from contemplating the advancement of the race. All the figures, from whatever standpoint they are considered, show a marked decrease in crime during the fourteen years ending with 1894. It is probable that the improvement noted did not cease in that year, but, as the figures do not come down later than that year it is impossible to say anything with certainty. But from 1882 till 1894 there was a steady decrease. The charges before magistrates dropped from 43 - 41 per thousand of the popuj lation in 1882 to 25-55 per thousand in 1894.

During the same period the summary convictions decreased from 23-55 to 18-57 per thousand. In 1881 the number of sentenced prisoners in gaol was 631. This had dropped to 483 in 1894. Taking it by percentages, the proportion of the population in gaol for all causes in 1881 was 1.28 per thousand, and in 189-4 only 0-7G per thousand. The Registrar-General, in summing up the figures, says that they prove the New Zealander not to be greatly addicted to drunkenness or to crimes of violence, but more dishonest than prisoners of other nationalities.

This is hardly to bo wondered at if we allow any force to public opinion, for although in this country a large proportion of the people look upon the consumption of a glass of beer as almost a crime, many shameful frauds (for example, those recently exposed in connection with the Colonial Bank) are regarded by a large percentage of beerabhorrers as little more than an amusing form of misplaced political energy. While dishonesty in high places is thus encouraged, we can hardly wonder if the lower class New Zealander should conclude that although sobriety is advisable, and circumstances do not permit him to manipulate banking accounts, to carry out more vulgar frauds is no greater offence than to " fly kites."

And although the vulgar criminal usually gets to gaol, and his more select prototype occupies the chief seat in the synagogue, this only tends to discourage vulgar stealing indirectly. That is to say, it teaches not so much that stealing in itself is wrong, but only that some forms of it are safer than others. Hence the man who gets to gaol may resolve that in future he will devote himself to higher flights, and become a financier (since by that means he can make more money and keep out of prison), but if he knows what is going on " outside" he will hardly conclude that honesty, as honesty, is necessarily the foundation of a prosperous career.

President Kruger is reported to be " incensed!." He has heard of the accusations brought against the Government oo which he is the head, and the good old man is angry. Mow it may be observed, as a matter of cheap and very commonplace philosophy, that persons get angry in two ways in connection with accusations. Sometimes they get " incensed " because the accusations are not true, and at other times because the accusations are only too well-founded, and therefore awkward things to be made public. We confess to feeling favorably disposed to the theory that Oom Paul is incensed because some of the little tricks of his Government have been found out.

We have before referred to the arms and ammunition supplied to the Matabele during the late war. That is a matter not easy to forget. Those who suffered most by the Matabele being thus armed— i ~ those whose fellows were shot down by them—believed that the rifles and cartridges thus used against them came from Germany to the Boers and from the Boers to the Matabele. Many also believed that the Matabele outbreak itself was fomented and supported by Boers from the Transvaal and from the Orange Free State. Sir James Sievwright has gone further, for he has openly accused the Boers of both those territories of secretly trying to foment insurrection in Cape Oolony, and it is something more than a coincidence, we think, that his charges should be apparently confirmed by tbe arrest of three Boers from the Orange Free State caught in the act of supplying rifles to the Basutos,

We shall bo glad to find it proved that Sir James Sievwright is wrong. At the same time we are not very hopeful that such proof will be forthcoming. A man in his position does not speak without authority. To hear him charging such treachery against the Boers is a different thing to listening to the gossip of the man in the street. His position not only enables him to acquire information at first hand, but imposes on him great responsibilities. If what he has said is mere " cackle," the result will be his speedy removal from office. If we do not hear of that within a few days we may be sure that his colleagues of the Ministry believe he is right, and are with him in what he has said.

As Lord Brassey's yacht the Sunbeam is expected to call at Napier, a few particulars about this now famous vessel may not be out of place. She is over twenty-two years old, having been built in 1874, by the well-known yacht builder Bowdler. Her length is 150 feet, her beam 27 feet G inches. By yacht measurement she is 53!? tons, her registered tonnage being 22715. "Hunt's Universal Yacht Register," from which these details are taken, gives her number as 4030 and her signal letters as W.G.T.F. Her distinguishing flag is the Blue Peter. Lord Brassey, who is Vice-Commodore of two yacht clubs—the and the Queen—is also a member of the following other clubs : — Squadron, Mersey, Victoria, Albert, Ulster, Junior Thames, Cornwall, Forth, Corinthian, and Cinque Ports.

The pooplo of Napier will on Monday evening next have an opportunity of hear uifj again Mr John Fuller, tho famona tenor voeolu. Hi nca he waa here with tho .i.cv ai _or ß Home threo or four years ago be has eung with the greatest success in a.n_o«t ovary town in the Australasian z.Tm'ot l^ m ohe "bringingwithhim a loun oi out,., amment. new to a Iff apier audi-uco. it i.something in tho flt lo of £-■. /■ ;■ ' the Vollou .vastly superior. In addition to Liaj,. u 0 h . ,upporting him Mr Ho W «aOj.a____r. a baritone singer quite new to *^p W r. and considered by critics to be one of the beat iv ,-tustrala .a. Mr Ben I'ulk.r will be toe fuide on the tour, and will enliven tna proceedings i n aD inimi . ab.ewuy. .-hen we mention that besidea these artels the company includes Mi . liydia.-alters, akdy elocutionist, of tho hrrt rank, and Mi_ Hetty Warden an entertains of exception . ability, tho publio '■" rl \'- ~t HH " r d that tho entortainment will he of tlm hiitlr,. t cl ..*, and there should be a crowded houre.

." f- Dying Patiiaroh's Benediction " will be tbo subject of a sermon by the Key. George I). Cox at the Baptist Church, lonnyson street, to-morrow evening, Bervices ut 11 and ".* Ihe colonial mails whioh left Anokland via San £ ranoisoa on the 2Gth ultimo arnv;d in London on Thursday. " The Haymakers," Trinity sohoolroom. Tuesday no ~ by special request. Pianist _i. Q ; orguni st, Mr J P Mooton, of Auckland. Orchestra. Ad. propnate accessories. Bright music from start to finish. Tuneful so>o_ and concerted pieoss, and rousing ohoruses. One of the best cantatas written.* Baron Sternberg, Consul of Eussia at Melbourne, ia gazetted Bussian Consul for New ijoaland.

The committee of the Nepi.r Swimminc. Cub met last aight, JSir F. jffloeller (president) in the chair. A protest against J. Hamiltou for not having touched the top end of the bath iv the White Swan Handicap at the recent .ports was considered and it was decided to order the fivo competitors ti swim the raoe ovor again on Wednesday evening next. The iitrnl sports of tho sea.on will be held about the middle of February, wben a ladies' race will be among the attractions.

Congregational Sunday school anniversary services to.morrow in the i'oreatars' Hall. 11 a.m., Rev. George D. Oox; 3 p.m., Mr Enoch Wood, Kupariutetideu. of the Newton Congregational Sunday school, Auckland--7 P „? 1, V I R6V - HW- J - Mlll «- Subject': " The Borne and National Life." Speoial collections for Sunday school funds.* Lord Bcassoy has been asked to deliver a lecture at Auokland on " Imperial federation."

Mr H. W. Northcroft.S M. at Auckland, has received the following telegram from Mr F. Waldegrave, Under-Scor.tary, Wellington:— "X am directed by tha Minister for Justice to inform you that as part of the Magisterial re-arrangement the Government wishes you to take the distriot of the West Ooast of this island, now in charge of Mr Brabant, who wx:l rolieve you ia Auokland."

_ A Chrißtcliureb. telegram states that on Thursday a fire started in the sorub near Oourtenay, aud spread over some thousands of acres, burning a considerable quantity of gram in etook and ____:, a i alge areß of feed, and several miles of fencing. The township and several detaohed houses had a narrow esoape.

To-morrow morning the subject of Me Pateraon's sermon will be •' Some of the Things Prayer Can jDo," and in the evening tho subjeot of theleoture will be "Wanted ! A Man." Young men specially invited.* The reoord of this season's meteoric "showore" has been enlivened by two tales from the sea. The German steamship Heligoland, whioh reoently arrivedat Philadelphia from a German port, had a narrow escape while off tho Newfoundland banks. A huge meteor straoir the water about 300 ft. from the ship, bursting with a loud report and generating great waves. The heat of the incandescent mass was felt by the dookhands. The master of the steamship Wilkomrnen, whioh arrived at Hew York on the Ist December, from Dantaio, reports that at midnight on November 17, ia mid-ocean, a great meteor, "glowing like a small sun," fell into the sea about two miles ahead of the vessel, leaving a streak of light in its wake, and that soon afterwards a grtat wave ■• rushed ont of the blackness ahead," broke over the bow, and swept aft, luokily doing very little damage, beoause everything had been scoured. Trinity Methodist Ohurch. Servioea to. morrow, morning and evening, Eev. W. H. Beok.*

There is a girl at New Plymouth who is oxoecdingly proud of her collection of autographs. . nd whenever a visitor calls, the album is sure to be trotted out. A friend to whom it was shown teemed to doubt tha genuineness of the Premier's autograph, whioh forms part of the collection. "Are ycu sure Mr Seddon himself wrote it ?" he asked. " Yea, quite sure," responded the artloss maiden, ' . out it out myself from a telogtam that papa received from him."

With reference to coming ohanges in the Bank of New Zealand staff, a Wellington telegram states that the management preserve reticence bat it is commonly stated that Mr Mucker zie is to be relieved of the position of general manager. To tho original report that he was to havo _ix mouths' leave of absenoe i_ now added another to the effect that he will be offered an appointment in the service of the bank ia Australia or London.

News from Auokland states that negotlationa for the sals of the Viotoria Gol-mining Company's property are proceeding, and although they are in an advanced stage definiteness has not yet been arrived at. This, however, may be expeoted in a few days. It is understood that tho term, aro favorable, giving about two Bhares for every one nowheld.withample working oapital. At a meeting of shareholders of the Great Barrier Gold and fcilver Company resolutions were unanimously passed authorising the directors to sell the property on the negotiations entered into, and a deposit of £1000 will be paid in a few days.

At the second of the season's wool Bales at Invercargill about 6fioo bales were offered. Sales seem to have been satisfactory, the lotß passed being few. Good qualities half and orossbreds brought last sale prices, medium and inferior dropped fully a farthing, fine bright long crossbred brought up to S£d, merino and bellies and pieces were keenly oompeted for, strong lustrous crossbred free of grease brought 7fd to S£d, sound crossbred, good quality 7£d to 7_-i, half-bred 7d to 7|d, merino 6d to 6|d, first pieces orossbreds 4§d to 6d, second do and looks l£d to 3Jd. In the opinion of several buyers the class of wool was not quite up to the standard of tha first sale.

Commenting on the railway exten .(_, to Pahiatua tho local Eerald has the following :—*'Within the next few days the iron horse will be bringing into and taking away alt our Euppliea from the Scarborough station. Ihe tffeot upon our carriers will be very considerable, as they will be compelled to seek fresh fitlds for their enterprise. The opening of the railway extension will throw out of work at leastfrom, 25 to 30 horses -whioh up to the present have been used for transit purposes. \) a or about tho first of April the extension will be available for passenger traffio, whioh will displace another _0 horses. Iv _ about 45 horses and ten or twelve men will be thrown out of employment by the extension of railway to »hia town. Whether the baok oou-try trade will be able to absorb all these horses and ooaohes we do not know, but we hope that ere long the main road to Pongaroa and Aohanga and one over the Tararua Bang, to Palmerston will be open for vehicular trcffio. This aooomplished, there would be no doubt about the absorption of this displaced power. In the meantime residents in this vioinity ehould bestir themselves and bring preseure to bear to get theso lines of road open with as little delay as possible."

Duiicg the course of the a.c. Tarwera'g West Coas: Sounds trip ehe was anchored in Gaer Sound owing to a heavy gale. The wind, however, did cot uffect the water of the Sound and a rog .ta was held by the passengers. The ladies' race created great interest, aa .uoklacd orew winning A ball and supper followed, the events liassaing cfi vory merrily. A pat fy of.«tfisea oonsisnog of He .rs H. K. Walker H Harper, W. Fairbanks, and Dr. Fried! ander and valet proceeded overland to .Lake To Anau. At the variou. Sounds picnics, eto were indulged in, and oonoerts and dances were held alternately each evening MrJesse TimBOU being musioal director. '

Tho cereal crops throughout the Waira* ropa are expected to tarn out a very f d jf average (says a locsil paper). On high, and light land, the straw is short and tho heads are a little light. In low and he&w \__ B this year's orops Bhould givo every satisfaction ; they are good in both head and straw and could scarcely be in a better condition for harvesting to the bost advantago. Had tkaj been heavier thero is every probability they would have boon laid dowa by tha recent strong wia.sand considerable lois would have resulted thereby.

•the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol ia the latest oycling ireoruij.. His Lordship ! has been teen astride a bioyole more thaa once in the neighborhood of Gloucester lately. Thjp, for a man in his seventyeighth year, is not bad. !Or _Ilioott, who is of a thin, wiry build, is well-known as an accomplished Alpine climber, ekater and billiard player. The Bishop of Chichester, in the days when he was a curate used to patron if c oyoling, of whioh exercise he became very fond, but he never rose to the heights of a bicycle, deeming the more .aid aud dignified iricycle a sufficient departure for ono of his oloth: Even that laxity ho did not permit himself to indulge in when he advanoed higher up the ecclesiastical ladder. The Bishop of Carlisle (Dr Bardsley) is another whilom cyoliat who abandoned tho exercise and pastime on attaining episcopal honors.