CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 10, 12 July 1881, Page 2

CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.

+ The provisions of the clauses in the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Bill, introduced in the Imperial Parliament by Sir William Harcourt, are understood to be in process of incorporation in the bill having the same object, of which the Postmaster-General now has charge in the House of Representatives. If so, we anticipate that they will undergo considerable modification in committee before being allowed to pass into law in New Zealand. They are indeed of a truly Draconian nature, for if not absolutely written in " letters of blood," like the famous code of the stern old law-giver, they are at least written in letters of fines, imprisonment, and hard labor. The definition of corrupt practice is so wide that, we have heard it remarked, hardly any member would be sife, and probably a considerable portion of members elected to each Parliament would speedily discover, to their coßt, that they had inadvertently rendered themselves liable to the perpetual disqualification, the ten years' disfranchi3euient, the JBSOO fines, and the two years' imprisonment with hard labour, which agreeable combination forms the penalty for any infringement of this law. 3t would be awkward just after a new Parliament was elected, to have half the members hurried off to chains and dungeon to undergo lengthened terms of imprisonment, be branded with perpetual infamy, lose all political rights, and pay ruinous fines. No doubt there exists an absolute need of more stringent legislation against electoral corruption than that dow in force, but we fear such excessive severity as that proposed in the new English bill would defeat itself in the long run, and lead to a dangerous reaction. It is qnite time that the present enormous expenses of an election contest should be compulsorily lessened, and that many objectionable practices which now prevail should be resolutely checked. The risk, however, is that undue stringency and severity may be in reality prejudicial to the attainment of the objects which the measure is designed to compass — the increased purity of elections.

Several letters to the Editor are crowded out. As reported elsewhere, the special jury in the case against Whitelaw were locked tip during: the whole of last night, and being unable to agree upon a verdict, were discharged at 10 o'clock this morning. It is understood that the rock on which they split was the solution of the question as to whether the fact of M'lntosh having been kept under the shower for the space of some minutes constituted a common assault. The division of opinion regarding this point was about equal, though, if anything, the preponderance was in favor of the prisoner's acquittal on this count. It is understood that the Public Works Statement will be delivered by the Hon. Mr. HaH, as acting Minister for Public Works, and that it is in course of active preparation but probably will not be brought down for some considerable time. Grave complaints have been made to the Government by some of the Sydney passengers, who were recently quarantined in Auckland, as to the disgraceful condition and conduct of the Quarantine Station. A deputation waited on the Premier yesterday on the subject, and, we understand, the whole matter is likely to be thoroughly investigated. The steamer Bowen, which arrived at Auckland on Sunday night from Hongkong, leaves for Wellington to-morrow afternoon, and should arrive on Friday night. She will discharge at the Queen's Wharf. Captain Dark, formerly of the Panama service, commands the Bowen. An information has been laid against John Simpßon, the man in charge of the engine on the occasion of tho recent boiler explosion on board the hulk Woodlark off the Queen's Whart, for that he "on the 29th June did knowingly and wilfully fasten down the safety-valve of a boiler on the hulk Woodlark in the harbor of Wellington, whereby the pressure upon the said boiler was increased beyond the pressure stated on the ceitificate of the Inspector under ' The Inspection of Machinery Act, 1874,' and ' The Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Act, 1873.' " The case will be heard at thd Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday next. The Bight Hon. William Page Wood, P.B S., Lord Hatherley, whose death is anncunced to-day, was the second son of Sir Matthew Page Wood, many years one of the members for the City of London, was born in 1801, and was consequently 80 years of age at the time of his death. He was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating with high hon&rs. He was called to the Bar in 1827, and was successively appointed Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster in 1849, Solicitor-General in 1851, Vice-Chancellor of England 1852, Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal in Chancery, Maroh, 1868. From August, 1847, till December, 1852, he represented Oxford in the Liberal interest. In December, 1868, when Mr. Gladstone became Prime Minister, the dignity of Lord Chancellor of Great Britain was conferred on Sir William Page Wood, who was also created Baron Hatherley, of Down Hatherley, Gloucestershire. On the 15th Ootober, 1872, he resigned in consequence of rapidly-failing eye-sight, and was succeeded on the woolsack by Lord i-elbourne. Like the latter, Lord Hatherley was known as a zealous Churchman, and is tho author of a work entitled " Continuity of scripture as declared by the. Testimony of Our Lord and of the Evangelists and .Apostles." In a case at present before the E.M. Court the Magistrate has certainly a hard problem to solve. A Loan Company Bues, on a bond, for the recovery of money advanced, to which two men, defendants in the action, are said to have attached their autographs as securities for the advance. The only attesting witness of the execution of the bond was at the time secretary to the company, but since that time has sought "fresh fields and pastures new" under somewhat clouded circumstances. The defendants absolutely deny that the signatures are theirs, whilst the plaintiffs declare that they are identical with admittedly genuine signatures to a previous document of the same kind. When tho case was before the Court on Monday, his Worship regretted that there were no acknowledged experts in handwriting here to assist in coming to a conclusion. In reply to this, Mr. Gordon Allan, who appeared lor the defendants, remarked that however desirable such evidence was, it occasionally proved to be rather perplexing than otherwise. In London there were two persons especially iamcus in this line, but it had been found on more than one occasion that, whilst one authority swore positively to certain handwriting, the other just as stoutly testified to the exact contrary. The conclusion arrived at seemed to be that experts were like doctors as far as disagreement went, and that the only way to arrive at a judgment in cases where any hard and fast swearing took place was to judge of the probabilities by the surrounding circumstances. Thomas Cooper, of Wellington, cab-driver, convened a first meeting of his creditors at 11 a.m. to-day. Hi 3 liabilities are filed at 11s Sd and assets .£3O los. The latter include .£3 worth of household furniture, the balance being composed of sums iue to the debtor. The meeting lapsed. Our attention has frequently been drawn to an abominable nuisance in the neighborhood of the Theatre. Everyone who goes to the play will know what we mean. During the last week, the need we allude to has become more manifest than ever. Power is given in the Public Health Act, 187t>. section 41, for the provision of the kind of accommodation alluded to, and it is incumbent on the City Council to remedy what is at present a disgraceful and indecent scandal. While they are about it, they should also direct their inspector to go down to the wharf, and see whether he cannot detect there an almost equal need for their interference. The Bishop of Nelson is giving a series of lectures on the revised authorised version of the New Testament.

The Estimates for the current year hay* undergone final revision, and are now being printed. They are expected to be brought down either to-night or to-morrow. The new clauses which the PostmasterGeneral is to propose for addition, in committee, to the Corrupt Practices Bill are not vet printed, but will probably be ready tomorrow. John Home, a sailor belonging to the barque Adamant, was taken on board last night in charge t>f a constable, having been undergoing a term of imprisonment for disobeying the captain's commands. Shortly after being placed on board, he applied for leave to go ashore, but being refused he became noisy, and attacked the chief officer, whose hand he bit in several places. As the vessel was on the point of leaving, it was decided not to prosecute the sailor at the R.M. Court, and he was instantly placed in irons for punishment. It is evident that his few weeks' incarceration has not had the effect of putting him in a proper frame of mind. A shock of earthquake was felt thi3 morning about 3 o'clock, but it was only of short duration ana was not at all of an alarming nature. Feilding has been gazetted a Municipality. Already there are two candidates for the Mayoral chair, viz., Messrs. Macarthur and Chamberlain. The election for Mayor takes place on 2nd August, and for the Councillors on 4th August. The Wellington College seems likely at last to take the position it oupht to have occupied long ago, and the infusion of so much new blood appears to have already had most beneficial effects. There were fifty pupils in attendance on the first day, and sixty on the second. The number of boarders has largely increased, and Mr. Mackay has had notice of more about to come. The attention of the governors is about to be devoted to financing. This is certainly above all things necessary, and it is to be hoped that something will come out of it which will place the pecuniary position of the College on a far better foundation than has of late been the case. The adjourned annual meeting of the Thorndon Public Baths Company was appointed for last evening, but, as on the former occasion, a sufficient number of shareholders to form a quorum was not present, the proceedings again lapsed. Though this indifference on the part of shareholders may be somewhat prejudical to their own interests, it seems to be a substantial proof of confidence in the present management, at one of the main objects of the meeting was to appoint officers f"r the ensuing year. A dividend has already been declared, and despite its lapsed annual meeting, the affairs of the company seem to be in a very satisfactory condition. The railway authorities have granted free passes to twelve members of each of the \\ airarapa fire brigades to enable them to attend the competition at Wellington. A distressing accident occurred in Campbelltown on Sunday last (says the Rangitikei Advocate), when the wife of a respected settler named Newman fell into the fire, and received some very bad burns. It would appear that Mrs. Newman has for some time being suffering from weakness, accompanied by fits of fainting, and it was during the occurrence of one of these the accident happened. Engaged near the fire, busied in morning house dutiea, when the attack came on her, she suddenly was deprived of consciousness, and, falling towards the fico, would have been burned to death but for the cries of her children, which brought her husband upon the seeno to her succour. When rescued it was found that the unfortunate lady had sustained very serious but fortunately not fatal burns, and remedial agents were at once applied to alleviate her sufferings. The Free Methodist anniversary tea meeting, held last night, was a decided success. The attendance waa so large that numbers had to wait for a second sitting. The public meeting was presided over by the pastor of the church (the Rev. H. B. Redstone) who, in his opening remarks, expressed his gratitude for the success of the year. Mr. John Kershaw, Trust Secretary, read the report, which was very encouraging. He also gave the financial statement, which showed that the receipts, on account of the Trust Fund, from all sources, amounted to J8779 8s 10£ d; the expenditure, including payments for interest, bills, improvement of the property, &c, reaching the same amount. Earnest and able addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Paterßon and A. J. Smith, and. Mr. R. Young. During the evening the choir rendered effective service. The usual vote of thanks being tendered to the ladies, the speakers and the choir, the meeting closed with the doxology and benediction. The competition between the Carlerten and Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigades with the hose and reel takes place at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, in this city. The Carterton men arrived in toim this afternoon. The Wellington firemen have been busily preparing for the contest, which is purely of a friendly nature, by a good deal of practice ; and the demonstration, which is to take place in Featherston-street, near Mills' foundry, is certain to attract a large number of spectators. The Jewish Synagogue was re-conseorated on Sunday afternoon by tho Eev. H. Van Stayeren, in the presence of a large congregation, among Avhom were many GentO.es. The interior of the building has recently been renovated, and now presents a very attractive appearance. The ceremony was most impressive. In the courae of his sermon, Mr. Van Staveren referred to the liberality of two members of the congregation, who had made handsome donations in order to clear the debt on the building. Their example, he said, was one worthy of much commendation. To-night's lecture, at the Athenaeum, by Mr Howard, on the great church musician, Dr. Dyked, is likely to prove of a particularly interesting and instructive oharaoter, and a literary and musical treat as enjoyable a3 it is novel. Mr. Howard is well-known as a popular lecturer, and was intimately acquainted with the late composer. The programme will include two anthems of surpassing beauty, hitherto unknown ir. Wellington, and some of Dr Dykes' compr&itions, oi which the original MSS are in Mr. Howard's possession. A curious complaint was made at the meeting of the Butt County Council thia morniog. Mr. Heading, a resident of Karori, attended the meeting for the purpose of complaining of the behaviour of the local pound-keeper (Mr. Page). Among other things, it appeared that on Mr. Keading driving Mr. Page's cattle to the pound the latter declined to open the gates for their admission. Against such a line of conduct the Council determined to take a stand, and a resolution was passed authorising the chairman to enquire into the complaints against Mr. Page, and, if necessary, to dismiss him, and recommend a suitable person to take his place. The regular session of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.G.T.. was held last evening in the Friendly Societies' Hall. Several candidates were admitted into full membership. The Library Committee reported that a large addition had been made to the library, whioh now numbers some 200 volumes. Sevaral songs, &c, were given by the members, the meeting being brought to a close at 9 30 p.m. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, at Courtenay Place, household furniture and effects. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, a quantity of furniture, removed from a boarding-house, produce, &c. Me3sra. Laery & Campbell will hold their usual market sale to-morrow. Messrs. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, drapery, blankets, furniture, &c.

The marvellous success attending the great sale of Surplus Stock at James Smith's, Te Abo House, has been the theme of universal comment. The advantages offered hava been easerly embraced by a very large section of the public, in both town and country. And, why? Because faith has been kept ; advertised prices have been a reality ; the large reductions proved to be genuine, and the quantities sufficient to supply the numerous demands. There is, however, a large abundance of bargains still, and those who are wise will select the early part of the day as the most advantageous time to make their purchases at the Surplus Stock Sale at Te Aro House. — fADVT.] Tbai.s Mabk, Waltham, Mass.— The American Watch Company, of Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.A., hereby give notice that their trade mark, " Waltham, Mass.," is now registered in the Australian Colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, and New Zealand. Proceedings will be taken against any copying or imitating same, or any vendors selling or offering for sale watches bearing colorable imitations or in any way infringing our rights. — American Watch Company, i Waltham, Mass. — TAdvt.]