The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1900. HOME AND ABROAD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9823, 24 July 1900, Page 4

The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1900. HOME AND ABROAD.

It would be an interesting question to decide whether undue severity or misplaced lenity by Judges and Magistrates is the greater evil. Harshness at first sight seems to affect the individual who is cruelly punished, and him alone. Sappy unwillingness to punish offenders is apt to injure society by inducing a feeling amongst the lawless that anti-social action may be indulged iv at moderate risk. This is probably a greater and more real danger than that which is involved in severity, in spite of the latter undoubtedly exercising a reflex influence upon the public. We have been led to make these observations in connection with a case heard in the Wellington Magistrate's Court. The master of a harbor steamer chose to go out one night at the beginning of the month without showing any lights. As a result there was a very narrow escape from a serious collision between the unlighted vessel and the Union Company's Eotomahana. For his dangerous prank the offending master was fined three pounds.

Surely it is not unfair to hold that the Magistrate so dealing with the circumstances failed to apprehend their seriousness, to say nothing of his duty to society. Without assuming that the master of the steamer without lights deliberately risked committing manslaughter, and merely basing our views upon the theory of mere negligence, it must be obvious to all who will give a minute's thought to the matter that a fine of three pounds was quite inadequate to meet a case in which a bare fluke saved the colony from a marine catastrophe. Similar laxity is not infrequently shown with regard to owners oE wandering cattle when animals stray on the railway line and are run over. Some day the whole country will be shocked by a dreadful accident due to this cause, aud then we may get a change. It | may be said that if the railway line were fenced animals could not stray on to it. There is some truth in the observation, although it must be taken with limitations, for there are some beasts cunning enough to negotiate the cattle stops in districts where the Hue is fenced. ; But the proper reply is that whether the lines are fenced or not the cattle ought to be kept within paddocks or other enclosures. Hardly a week passes by without some accidentbeing recorded in ISTew Zealand as arising from straying cattle. In most of these instances magistrates are forbearing and sympathetic in the wrong direction. They do not pity the people injured when walking or riding on the public roads, but those who make traffic on the roads unsafe by illegal acts. We cannot help thinking that it is high time many New Zealand administrators of their law altered their tactics in this respect. Whether it is a sea captain navigating without lights on the water, or a vehicle driver not carrying lights on land, or reckless cattle-owners turning their stock out on to the public roads, when punishment is being inflicted the risk to the general public by the acts 1 complained of should influence the Bench when imposing fines. The mawkish sympathy'which can see no further than the offender or his legal advocate inflicts direct and sometimes far-reaching injury upon the lawabiding.

If Napier is not above taking a lesson from Gisborne there is an opportunity for some of our townspeople to take action. Our northern neighbors have formed what they call a Town Beautifying Society, the object being to make their borough not only attractive to visitors, but a more enjoyable place of residence for its citizens. References to this new departure which we have seen seem to indicate that at present, at all events, the members of the Gisborne society are enthusiastic and are . meeting with considerable support in their appeals tor funds. While hoping that such commendable zeal will prove lasting, may we not also suggest that Napier has in the facts an example which it would do well to follow. This is a matter which the Mayor might well stir in. It should-suit him admirably, as falling in with his well-known willingness to push on improvements tending.to make the town more attractive. We feel sure that if he would take the initiative he would find some of the more energetic members of the Council willing to back him up.

We are glad to see that we no longer stand alone in our contention that the various patriotic funds raised in the colony should be dealt with honorably and in accordance with the feeling which led. to them coming into existence. When it was first proposed from Wellington that all these funds should be pooled in order that they might be administered by politicians we strongly objected in the case of the Napier fund. We held that honesty was not only the best policy, but the only policy not mean and contemptible. The money was contributed for the general fund being raised under the auspices of the Lord Mayor, to be applied in relieving all cases of distress among soldiers or their dependents, whether belonging to the regular army or forming units iv tlie colonial contingents. For some time after the fund was started cheques drawn upon it were sent to the proper destination, but when,Mr Seddon sug-

gested the advisableness of tbe Government taking possession of all the funds, the remainder in hand in Napier was kept back because the Mayor wished to oblige Mr Seddon.

We observed with regret that what was proposed found a certain amount of support in the town, partly for political and partly for other reasons, not one of which could be held valid in face of the obvious fact that to divert the money would not be honest. We therefore advocated, first, to do right ; that is, to send tbe money to its proper destination. Secondly, we maintained that if political or other unworthy motives stood in the way of honorable dealing, we should at least do as little wrong as possible, and even then do it circumspectly ; and, if we refused to send the money where it honestly belonged, we should at least dispense it under local supervision, aud not allow it to drop into the Wellington maelstrom. It therefore gives us pleasure to observe that our view now seems to be coming into the ascendant. Some towns in objecting to the Premier's wrongheaded scheme advocate being honest straight out, while others argue for the local supervision. We still maintain that it would be better to be in the right, but if that fails of acceptance we at least hope that the money locally contributed will not be allowed to fall into the political gulf prepared for it.

The latest addition to plague literature is by a Spanish expert who has studied the disease in many parts of the world. We gather from favorable notices of his book in British journals that he is most emphatic in giving rats the first place among agents for the transmission of the malady. The plague, he says, is a disease of rats, which infects man. Generally, before the epidemic breaks out in a city, bodies of rats which have died of plague are found in the streets and houses. This was observed in Karad andMundra in 1897, and in Kurachee and Bombay in 1898. According to the observations of Simond, the epidemic among rats follows a course analogous to that of the epidemic in man. Hankin has proved that generally the first cases in a population occur precisely in those quarters in which the existence of the dead bodies of rats has first been discovered, and on many occasions it has been possible to demonstrate that the propagation of the epidemic from one town to another does not follow the route taken by the fugitives from the infected human population, but that taken by the rats iv their flight. In a short time cases appear in the towns situated on this route.

A day or two ago tlie cable informed us that Sir Gordon Sprigg had a majority of six in the Cape Parliament. One reason for that is that several seats formerly occupied by Ministerial supporters are vacant because those who formerly sat in them are now in gaol for rebellion or still in the field. They had sworn to be loyal to the Queen when they entered the House, and they had even heard Schreiner, that Prince of Trimmers, plead with them to be kind enough to observe neutrality towards the Queen's enemies, as he intended doing. But neither that oath nor the eloquence of Steyn's brother-in-law could charm them. As for the former, the Bond would absolve them after the verdommed roinek had been driven into the sea, and possibly give them office in the new Dutch Government which was to replace that of the British; while as to Schreiner it was permissible to hold that if they did not see him " wink the other eye " the failure was in all probability due to their defective sight, not to his winking apparatus.

Any way, these gentry will be absent from the House when ifc has to discuss the appointment of a Commission to try the rebels. By the way, those who professed to disbelieve in the rebellion, and in the conspiracy which had for years planned it, will feel a trifle embarrassed, doubtless, when they learn that in addition to the thousands who did a little shooting and then scuttled back to their farms, there are several thousand cases of known rebels to be brought to trial. Everything points to the conclusion that the war happened in time, and that the Boers did us a favor when they set the ball rolling. Had they waited till now, with China occupying the attention of the Powers, instead of the British flag floating at Pretoria and Bioamfonteiu it might have been confined to Simonstown and Durban. As it is things have gone the other way, and Kruger and Company have more to federate the Empire than years of talk could have accomplished. The most deep-seated conspiracy and the blackest treason that ever faced a Government have been vanquished, and although we all regret the lives laid down because Kruger wanted to be " Baas," our soldiers have not died in vain.

Cables re the China war and the Gil-

gandia tragedy appear on page two, Transvaal w_r news and telegraphic relating to the Patriotic Fund on page three, serial on the sixth page, and wires and other news on page seven.

We have received the sum of 10s from " a Friend " as a donation to the Indian Famine Relief Fund.

A petition is now in course of signature a-king the Governmeut to take over the Omatanui and Puketapu estates with the object of cutting them up for close settlement.

Another of the series of popular lectures arranged for the winter evenings will be delivered in the Athenamm Hall this evening, Mr J. C. Westall being the lecturer ana " Macaulay " his subject.

There vms a large muster at the parade of the Napier Rifles last night. The men were Orilled by Captain Halpin and Lieutenant Hudson, and afterwards put through bayonet and physical exercises by the non-commisioned officers.

_ At the Magistrate's Court this morn- £ B {*i v MeSsrs J ' H - Vautier and WK. Blythe, J' B p, judgments were given for the plaintiffs in the following undefended ™ eS ri~ J .- R ' Ross and Co. v. Frederick W. Hemes, £1 2s 6d, costs 10s; Neal and Close, v. Frank Edward Gordon, £8 Is lid, cos's £1 3s 6d; Neal and Close v. Patrick Linehan, £117s 6d, costs ss.

The French schooner Tamarii Tahiti ( Boys of Tahiti"), ac present in port at Auckland, was recently at Pukapuka (Danger Island), an i-olated little coral island away up in the Central Pacific north-east of Samoa. Captain Dexter, master of the schooner, had an American phonograph with him on board the schooner, and when some natives came off from the idand and boarded the vessel he gave them an exhibition of Edison's wonder, the first in that part of the Pacific. Tlie natives were quite awestruck by the voices speaking and singin" from the machine and at last came to the conclusion ihat there must be "a spirit in the box."

At a meeting of the Western Spit Beach Protection Committe in the Union S.S. Co.'s office last night, Mr R. Puflett presiding, the deputation who waited on the Minister for Public Works at Wellington (Messrs R. D. D. McLean, S. Caruell, and J. Northey) reported as to the results of their interview, and were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their services. Later in the evening the committee and the Mayor met Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R., i>nd Mr Hales, Government engineer, in the Masonic Hotel, when the matter was discussed. To-day Mr Hale*, accompanied by Mr Fraser, visited the Western Spit, to personally watch the effect of the §ea at low and high tides.

Being in society has advantages that are not always appreciated. During the hearing of a-Christchurch case (says the Press) a defendant complained that two of his wife's rieees had come to live with them, bnd had practically run the establishment. Their followers were in the habit of coming nearly every night, and did nob leave until early the next morning. The unfortunate piano was pounded upon without cessation, singing described >.s ' execrable" was.indulgein, and repeated roars of laugHter filled in the ci>vic>s. He had • frequently remonstrated, but his wife had alwaysreplied that they weie in society now and must put up with these things.

The Colooial Secretary's professed desire to "improve the status" of the NewZealand Chambers of Commerce has been interpreted in an amusing way in at least o-.e of the sisier colonies. Let the followingletter, received by the Secretary of i he Wellington Chamber of Commerce from the Adelaide Chamber bear witness :— " De>r Sir—l understand that the Government have introduced, or are about to introduce, a Bill in your Parliament giving ali Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand recognition, at State function's. Kindly let me have full details, with a copy of the proposed Bill. — (Signed) John CreswelJ. P. S. —Please let me know if this includes the right of private entree to Government; House."

The death of Mr McAdoo, the wellknown colored minstrel, recalls an incident that took place at Johannesberg in 1896. During that year Mr McAdoo p<»id a visit -to' the golden city beyond the Vaal and delighted the people with the rich melodies of the American' plantation songs. Strolling down Commissioner street, in the vicinity of the Chains, one pleasant afternoon, a zarp (i.e., policeman) ordered Mr McAdoo off the side walk, as the law forbids any person of African descent to walk on the footpaths, as they are reserved for the use of white people. Mr McAdoo refused to obey the zarp, as he claimed the right of a freeborn American to use the sidewalks if he chose to do so. The zarp was not easily convinced of this, and attempted to enforce his order, but in a very few minutes he had cause to regret his action, for the tumult that was raised soon brought a number of Americans on the scene of the disturbance, and these were soon reinforced by many others as the news spread along the mines, until by 5 p.m. every American within five miles of Johannesberg was in town, and was engaged in making an assault on the zarps. The night that * followed was one of great excitement, for the zarps were driven out, a-d Mr McAdoo afterwards played to crowded houses.

Householders would save money just now by buyir-g their blankets, Flannels, and all Woollen Goods from Kirkcaldie and Stains, Limited, who arranged for their winter supply prior to the recent heavy advance in the price of wool. BLnkets may be obtained from 15a to 50s per pair, and discount allowed of la in the £ for cash.—Advt.

We are informed that a well-known man about town has made rather a good " deal." Me was suffeiing with rather a nasty cough, which although not very troublesome during the day, annoyed him considerably as soon as the ai/got the least damp. Advised to try Dr. Pascall's Cough Mixture, he bought a bottle from MR ECCLES, the chemist, and his cough was soon cured. For eighteen pence he got rid of that cough, and now swears by "Pasoall," and says "It's worth it's weight in gold." After all, it does seem silly to keep a cough when it can be cured for eighteen pence.

Ladies should see the Special Bargains now being bhown in Kirkcaldie and Stains' Limited, prior to their Annual Stocktaking, which must be completed by the 21st ins% Children's Knickers, Chemises, and Wool Vests, are being sold at Is each ; Ladies' Flannelette Chemises at Is lid, and a host of other bargains too numerous to mention. — Advt. What brings the color to the cheek Of those that suffer and are weak, Whose ailments have but made them

crave To be released and iv the grave ? What now has given such desire To live again, you may enquire, Consumption cannot well endure The strength* of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. f