THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 132, 8 June 1881, Page 2

THE NEW LICENSING BILL.

It is understood that the new Licensing Bill, UoW in preparation by the Government, will embody the main features of.that introduced, but dropped, last session, but will contain certain new provisions of considerable importance. It will adhere to the principle of applying local option to applications for new licenses, but not to renewals of those already in force, because this latter would necessarily involve compensation, which the Government do not see their way to provide. It will also bring clubs of every kind under the operation of the law, compelling them to take out licenses, and bringing them under police supervision. Those two points were indicated by the Premier in his speech at Leeston. Bnt some additional provisions are contemplated. Chief among these is tho increase of the fee for bottle licenses from i>lo to i»4O, it being considered that eiperienco has Shown this change to be & desirable one. Another novelty will probably be the introduction of a special license at a merely nominal charge for the exclusive sale of wines produced in New Zealand, the object being to encourage wine-growing as a local industry. This, however, will involve some vry stringent precautions against the abuse of the privilege by selling other wines or liquors under the New Zealand wino license, and so defrauding both the revenue and the holders of regular licenses. We believe that careful provision will be made for guarding against any abuse of the license, and for ensnring that no other liquor than that to which the license applies shall be sold under its sanction, a^d that the penalties for abuse will be made extremely severe, so as to thoroughly deterrent. The draft bill is still undergoing careful revision, but is expected to bo in print during the current week. I

The formal opening of Parliament will take place to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. A number of members will arrive from the South to-morrow by the Rotomahana, and the Hinemoa will arrive to-morrow morning with the Auckland contingent. Tho D Battery Artillery and Wellington Guards will parade at the Drill-shed at 1 p.m. to-morrow. Tho former fice the usual salute when the Governor enters and leaves Parliament, and tho latter form a guard of honor to his Excel; lenoy and suite in front of the Legislative Council chamber. It is understood that tho Spec h to be delivered to-morrow afternoon by his Excellency the Governor at the opening of Parliament will be somewhat shorter than usual, and that in addition to the usual reference to past events it will simply set forth the political programme indicated by the Premier in his recent speech at Lceston. Some little surprise was created to-day by the absence of any notification that Sir Maurice O'Rorke, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, had left Auckland for Wellington. Should it turn out that he i 3 not on board either the Hinemoa or tho Hawea, both of which are duo to-night, the situation would be awkward, in view of tomorrow's opening of Parliament, especially as tho Chairman of Committees, Mr. Seymour, is not likely to arrive before next week. Councillor Fisher has tendered to the Town Clerk his resignation as Councillor for Thorndon Ward, and it will be seen from an advertisement appearing elsewhere that an election to fill the vacancy will take place on Thursday, the 30th inst. Nominations of candidates must be made before noon on the 17th insfc. Since yesterday morning the depth of water in the reservoir has only increased five feet. Wo understand that inquiries have been made respecting tho destitute family in tho bush, of whom the City Missionary, Mr. Hall, wrote t« us a short time ago. It appears that they are woll known to numbers of people, and that the parents have been in the conntry almost since tho foundation of the colony, and never been able to make any headway. Several parcels of clothing and boots have been sent to them; and, when visited recently, they were clean and comfortably clad, so that the notification in our columns of their destitution has not been barren in good results. Argument was heard before Mr. E. Shaw, R.M., after we went to preas yesterday, in the civil action, Duncan Cameron v. Henry Elliott (trustee in M'Diiff's estate) — a olaim for i>so in connection with the seizure of a brake. Hia Worship reserved judgment until Thursday morning. Some reference was made at the committee meeting of the Benevolent Institution yesterday evening to complaints of charitable aid recipients respecting tho quality of the meat supplied them. Mr. Johnson said people often grumbled about getting scrag ends of mutton and beef, but he had been unable to discover any ground for the complaints. One woman once ordered a hind quarter of mutton, and because she did not get it she would take nothing. Another woman had come to him and said she could get nothing but bone and fat, when, upon enquiry, it turned out that she had demanded pork sausage 3. Mr. Waterhouae remarked that tho paupers of Wellington seemed to be an exceedingly independent set of people. It may be mentioned that where people are in ill-health, and not able to take the ordinary tood provided, a change of diet is allowed. Mr. Shaw, R.M., accompanied by Mr. W. P. James, the Clerk of the Licensing Bench, proceeded to the Lower Hutt this morning to attend the annual meeting of the Licensing Commissioners for that district. No applications will be made for new licenses, but there were eight applications for the renewal of licenses, which were unopposed by the police. Application having been made to tho City Council for permission to play a football match on the Newtown recreation reserve next Saturday, the Town Clerk has been instructed to reply to the effect that, as the young grass is just commencing to spring up, the turf would be ruined if the songhtfor permission wore granted, and tho application has accordingly been refused. Tn addition to tho business transacted yesterday at tho annual meeting of the Licensing Bench for the Wellington district, a3 already reported, a largo number of applications for the transfer and renewal of licenses were granted, whilo a few were adjourned in order to be dealt with at a meeting of the Commissioners to be held a fortnight hence, whon, also, the decisions with regard to the applications for new licenses will be made known. Constable Withers, who has been stationed at the Lower Hutt for a considerable time pa«t. his resigned his appointment, lie will be succeeded at that station by Constable J. G. Mackay, who is at presenb in charge of the Nowtown station, to which Constable Stewart will now be transferred. Tho Pompadour Juvenile Minstrels appeared in a new programme last night at the Theatre Royal, and wero greeted with a good downstairs audience. The entertainment appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed. The Minstrels will re-appear on Satnrday afternoon and night. Tho Perseverance Tent, I 0.R., held its usual session in the Primitive Methodist School-room, Sydney-street, last evening, Bro. Barnett, C.R., oconpying the chair. At the next quarterly meeting, the question of holding the Tent on Friday evenings, instead of Tuesday, will be considered. Tho Rising Star Juvenile Temple held its weekly session last night, at the Athenseum, under the superintendence of Bro Thompson. The meeting was well attended, and several recitations and songa were given by the children. Mr. C. J. A. Stevenson writes to us, drawing attention to tho "very dangerous amusement of firing stones from catapults," which, he says, is "indulged in by Thorndon boys." He adds :: — £ " My vrindow3 have once or twice narrowly escaped beingbroken, the stone 3 striking the house with, considerable force, quite sufficient to seriously injure or even kill a child struck by one."

This afternoon Mr. Buckley applied to tlio Judfr^ in Chambers for an injunction to restrain the LydU Howards Troupe from performing "H.M.S pinafore" in New Zealand withont a license from the agent of the Dramatic Authors' Copyright Society. "We understand the injunction was granted. Mr. Buckley also intends to claim heavy damages against the company for the unlicensed performance by them of the opora. The usttal wpgkly sittings in Bailed were resumed at the Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Justice Richmond. Five case 3 were adjou-ned to various date 3, and the case, Squires v. Stratford, motion to dismiss, was struck out by consent The case, Wellington and Hutt Budding Society v. Thos. Ancell wa3 submitted to the Court for opinion. The affair, though Bomewhat complicated, may be briefly explained. The company some years ago became the mortgagees of a lease held by a man named Apfln4 Aplin assigned his equity of redemption t > Mr. Augustus, hairdresser, who, in 1877, aIBO mortgaged to the same society. He, however, remained in possession for some time, and put up a house on the pre« miaes, which he divided by partitions for bathß. He put baths into the rcouis and tanks on f he roof , pipes beinjr used to convey th 9 water from the tanka to th'o brithS. Neither tanks nor baths were attached to the freehold, but the latter had wooden ledges, fixed with screws, which overlapped the edges of the baths, although not attached to thorn. Subsequently Augustus made a deed of arrangement with his creditors, Mr. Ancell boing the trustee. In the execution of the deed of assignment, the trustee entered upon the_ premises while Augustus still remained in possession, and took away three tanks and eight baths. The question now arises, between the Trustee and Mortgagee Society, as to which of them rto entitled to the property removed ; in other words, the question is, were the baths and tanks fixtures or chattels ? Mr. Brandon appeared for the Society, and Mr. J. H. Shaw for tho defendant Ancell. Argument had not concluded when we went to press. The proceedings at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning woro brief and uninteresting. William Webb was again brought up as a deserter from H.M.S. Wolverene at Wellington, and was further remanded. Georgo Perris, charged with inadequately providing for tho support of his daughter, Eliza, aged 14, appeared for sentence, but applied for permission to produce witnesses to show that he had treated his children kindly and provided them with ample food and clothing. He said he would have been in a position to adduce evidence of this character when the matter came befßre the Cotfrt on Saturday lacsfc had it ndt been for the fact that the summons was only served on him at a late honr on Friday night. The magistrate granted the application, and the case was further adjourned till to-morrow morning. This concluded the business. Several applicants for charitable aid were yesterday refused assistance by the Committee of the Benevolent Institution, on the ground that they were not deserving. One of the applicants— a woman — state 1 that her husband, having been unable to get employment, had gone to Sydney, and she wished some help till he could send for her. It waa stated at the meeting, however, tho husband had been in a permanent billet, but had left it without any apparent cause ; that he had refused stone-breaking when offered him ; and that the wife, who now asked for assistance, " went about with three ringa on one hand, four rings on the other, and earrings in her ears." The Committee declined, under tho circumstances, to take any notice of tho application. Mr. It. W. Gary has been fortunate enough to secure the services of Sifrnor Carmini Morley to take the part of Frederick, in tho "Pirates of Penzanco," which is to be produced at the Theatre Koyal on the 27th inst. Signor Morley is well-known as one of the finest operatic tenors and most accomplished artists who have ever visited New Zealand. 'J he chorus will number 40, and altogether Ml*. Cafy seems to be sparing neither pains nor expense to put tho opora on the stage in a thoroughly efficient manner. A musical entertainment will be given this evening at Petono. Tho proceeds are to be devoted to the Church-rconi Building Fund. The sale of useful and pretty articles in connection with the Wellington Baptist Church was very successful yesterday. It is to be resumed this afternoon, in connection with a tea mooting, and it is expected a large attendance will repay the ladies for the care and patience which must hive been given to produce so valuable a collection. The chief of one of our principal telegraph offices (says the Napier Herald) possesses a fair voice and some knowledge of music, and ho is accordingly in request at concerts for benevolent objects. He is also popular with his subordinates, who can venture on a little joke with him. Their latest idea is to attend the concerts in full force. When their chief conies on a tapping is heard at various points in tho hall. Tho public cannot understand the tapping, but the Binger can He knows that the telegraphists are signalling to each other, and that such messages aa "What a month he's got !" "Do you boo his tooth in the upper starboard tier ?" are flying about in the air, and he finds it difficult to keep his countenance. The following letter was received by tho Sydney Everting Newa from a Northern correspondent, and is a verbatim copy : — " Sir— Would you kindly inform me in your next issue if you think their would bo a chance of obtaining a Wife out of the Emigants comming out by the Clyde as i am ¦working in a very lonesome plase and young Woman are very scarce. I am 25 tall and Considered Good looking and in constant Work earning £2 5s a week by informing me where i would have to apply to for the same you would oblige. (PS) I would make a good and loving Husband." Two boys were brought before tho Sydney magistrates the other day on a chargo of letting off fireworks in a public place. It appeared that at a new sewer in course of construction the workmen ha.d occasion to use dynamite for the purpose of blasting. During their absence these boys stole some of the dynamite, and digging a hole in a vacant piece of land, buried it there, and, after placing a quantity of large stones on the top of the powder, fired the charge. A tremendous explosion occurred, which broke Beveral windows, and, of course, greatly alarmed the neighbors. Having pleaded guilty, tho culprits were fined 103, and received a reprimand for thoir mischievous conduct. Somebody has been hoaxing tho writer of "Passing Notes" in the Otago Witness. The following story, he says, has " reached him from Wellington" :—": — " A certain learned Judge, well known in Wellington, has a habit of using illustrations to a very large extent to make hia meaning clear. On one occasion a witness was before him who was somewhat scrupulous about swearing a certain thing, though he was morally sure of it. The Judge accordingly remarked, 'Well, you feel quite convinced in your own mind that it was bo, though you cannot deny you might be mistaken. For instance, I left my gold watch at home this morning. lam morally certain — I feel quite sure— that I left it on a table at the head of my bed, though it is just within the", range of possibility that I might be mistaken.' The witness was comforted, and the case went oiu. When that learned judgo returned to his 'am fireside ' he was met by the wifa of his bosom with the remark, 'Why, my dear, what a fuss you were in about your watch to-day, you sent no less than three people after it. Of course I gave it to the first that came.' Tableau— The Judge aghast; fond memory recalling his unhappy illustration in open court, and the fact that there had been time for clever rogues to act upon it. He never scno that watch again " The stsry i 3 not a bad one, but is somewhat musty, having been told for many years of an English judga. It was repnblished some months ago in an article in Chambers' Journal, entitled '" Mis-ap',licd Ingenuity," and since that time ha* been reprinted in more than one colonial newspaper. The startling results of tho Victorian and tho New South Wales census are thus commented on by the Federal Australian : — '" The population of -New South Wales is likely to be 100/00 beyond what has boon estimated. The census of Victoria has fallen short of what was anticipated by 70,000 souls. This anticipation was not mero conjecture. It was tho result of a mathematical calculation. The accuracy of this could on'y be affected by some social phenomenon, which could not possibly obtain in the history of a nation's progress, and therefore is peculiar to the history of a nation's decline. Has, then, Victoria reached tho second and final part of a nation's history — that is, the commencement of a nation's decay ? Has the senility and dotage of old age come upon the colony even before it has reached the first blush of youth ? Or is there some social or political worm eating at its core, and superinducing disease which the census by its diagnosis has brought to light ? What does this blight upon the population mean ? Has it to continue, or muat it be got rid of ? What is it ? Is it protection or its results ? Or is it that harpies are preying upon and consuming the entrails of that which belongs of right to the population of a country and to nothing else ? As the moving straw shows the wind's direction, so have social and political straws for some time guided us in judging the art from which and the destination to which the rniasmaticbre?zeof our colonial policy for tho iast few years has been wafting the population that should now be ours." Messrs. W. and J. Staples announce that their boot and shoe establishment, opposite the Evening Post printing oflice, will be closed on tho 23rd insfc., owing to the expiration of the lease. They are now selling o£E " regardless of manufacturing' cost."

The complimentary snpper to Mr. Stmttan, prior to his leaving for England, will take piace at tho N^w ftealacder Hotel on Friday, 10th instant, at 9 p.m. — Advt. Dressmaking properly carried out iS a work of a thoroughly artistic nature. It is one thing to make a garment that shall somehow or other be possible to wear ; it is quite another thing to combine tho elegance of all tho details of a dross with accuracy of fit. In these respects the art of dressmaking at Te Aro House stands pre-emineut. With a large and varied stock of every kind of dross fabrics and fashionable trimmings, ladie"3 will find no difficulty in gotting (what is so particularly desirable in a dreas, felesjancft of appearance and accuracy of fit, at James Smith's, To Aro House, Cuba-street.— Advt. j^___^