STATUS OF GAOL OFFICIALS.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 60, 9 September 1881, Page 2

STATUS OF GAOL OFFICIALS.

In reference to Civil Servants' salaries, a discussion took place in Parliament recently, and objection taken by an honourable member to the new scale of salaries placed upon the Estimates for gaol officials. He states that ''the Inspector of Prisons seems to have classified the gaols into first and second classes." As bo explanation followed thiß statement, we may point out that No. I. 4 of the Appendix to Journals of the House for 1878 contains a report of the Gaol Committee appointed by the House. From this document it will be aeon that the above classification was recommended, together with the scale of pay. The Estimates appear to have been prepared upon this scale, as Wellington, a first-class prison, has a salary of JBIOO for the gaoler, being made up of .£3OO salary and £b per annum for twenty years. Dunedin would appear by the same method to have a gaoler with fifteen years' service. In the cases instanced of Nelson, Napier, and Hokitika, the salary for second"class prisons is recommended by the committeo at ,£2OO a year, with £b extra per annum up to twenty years' service. By thin scale an officer of 14 years in office would only draw With regard to salaries under .£2OO, they will be found upon examination to be worked out upon the pay recommended by the Gaol Committee, together with allowance for length of service. It is only fair therefore to point out that Captain Humo had nothing to do with this system of classification, which waa recommended by a Parliamentary committee two years prior to his appointment.

A return was presented to Parliament last evening showing tho number of persons drowned in New Zealand rivers since the last return of such casualties laid before the House; also, a summary of previous returns. Tho total number drowned from Ist July, 1877, to 30th June, 1881 (four years), has been 240. Previous returns were as follow : — Ist July, 1875, to 30th June, 1877. 179 ; Ist July, 1870, to 30th June, 1875, 375; from 1840 to 1870, 1115. Th« total number of persons drowned in New Zealand during 40 years is thereforo 1909. Mr. Murray is to ask the Government this afternoon, " What salary, if any, his Excellency the Governor may draw from this colony daring his absence from New Zealand ; also, how much salary the ActingGovernor may draw, in addition to his salary as Chief Justice, during the absence of the (Governor ; also, if the prolonged occupation of the position of Acting-Governor will in any way interfere with the duties of the Chief Justice?" No fewer than 176 telegraph offices throughout the colony will be closed to the public on Sundays on and after Sunday next. Those in this district are Balls, Carter ton, Castlepoint, Featherston, Feilding, Government Buildings (Wellington), Greytown, Halcombe, Hutt, Mar ton, Masterton, Palmerston, Sanson, Turakina, Upper Hutt, Worser's Bay. Mr. E. Shaw, R.M., presided as usual at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. William Jackson, for drunkenness, was fined ss, with the usual alternative. | Charles Allen, a previous offender, was ordered to pay 10s for a similar offence, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. The only other case dealt with was a remanded charge of vagrancy against a man named Alfred Deane, who was granted an opportunity a week ago of ridding the town of his presence. Mr. Shaw informed the police authorities that Deane visited his office the other day to acquaint him with the faot that he had now left the house of ill-fame formerly occnpied by him. Sergeant Anderson — Very likely, your "Worship. Thero was a row there, and he was kicked out. He is now loafing about the streets without any ostensible means of livelihood. His Worship thereupon instructed the police to arreat l3eane if he was seen *' loafing about" during the day, and bring him before the Court to-morrow morning. :

A slight accident occurred yesterday to the train from Masterton. While descending the steep gradient north of Upper Hutt station a truck, which formed part of the train, jumped off the rails owing to some unexplained cause, and wa3 dragged along for fully a chain before the train could be brought to a standstill. Fortunately, the other vehicles did not leave the metals, and we understand that no damage was done. We aro informed that the derailed truck waa of a different construction from those which left the rails in tbe ( Kaitoke accident. The cause of yesterday's mishap is not yet known, but an enquiry into the circumstances is now proceeding. Mr. Andrews intends to ask the Minister for Public Workß this afternoon, if the Government wjII explain how it is that Post Office clerks, telegraphists, police, warders, &c, have the 10 per cent, reduction discontinued from their pay, while engineers, permanent-way, and other railway hands Btill suffer from this reduction ? David Eaymond, a seaman belonging to the barque G. M. Tucker, which reached our port from Newcastle, N.S W., yesterday afternoon, was arrested soon after her arrival by b'ergeant Burtenshaw with a parcel of smuggled tobabco, weighing 61ba, in his possession. Without unnecessary delay ho was brought befdre Mr. Hislop, J.F., at the Resident Magistrate's Court, and charged under the 170 th section of the Customs Regulations Act, 1858, with being concerned in carrying and concealing certain tobacco on which no duty had been paid. The case for the prosecution was clearly proved, and Mr. Hialop ordered the defendant to pay a fine of i»4 4s, baing double the value of the tobacco, estimated at ts per lb, in default oiia month's imprisonment. rlher lhe following tenders were received at the Publio Works Office, Wellington, for the Forest Hill tramway contract : — Accepted — M. H. Bennett, Winton, .£3295. Declined— W. MTherson, Inveroargill, .£3401 ; Frazer and Stevens, Waipori, .£3522 ; T. W William, Winton. £3628; Davidson andConyers, Dunedin, .£5664; Sheddon and Taylor, Invercargill, i>36?3 ; Simon and JKennie, Invercargill, £4120. A sensational " bolt " occurred in Moles-worth-street about half-past 7 o'olock this morning A horse attached to a fish-cart in charge of a man named Alfred Williams, who is employed by a fish-hawker called Porrotti, suddenly started off while opposite the Metropolitan Hotel, and prcceeded at an exceedingly dango-ous pace in the direction of the Treasury buildings, in which vicinity the vehicle collided with a telegraph-pole, sustaining a good deal of damage. Luckily, no perbona wore injured, though many ran extremely narrow escapes. The fish which the vehiclo contained were thrown out on the road, and the fish-vendor's trip cannot therefore be said to have been a very profitable one. A number of practical miners and others assembled at the premises of Mr. J. K. Chew. Willis-street, yesterday, to witness a trial of an Ashcroft's quartz-crushing machine just completed by Messrs. Mills and Cable to the order of the Phoenix Gold Mining Company. A full description of the machine has already appeared in our columns. The one tried yesterday appeared to have been very faithfully constructed, and quickly reduced some road metal, and subsequently some quartz from the Phttinix Company's claim was speedily and effectnally pulverised. The machine is stated to be capable of crushing 2-4 tons of quartz per diem. The death is announced of the Eey. James Bonthorne, M.A., Pre byterian Minister of East Maitland, New South Wales. Deceased, who was a brother of Mr. A. M. Bonthorne, of this city, was for nine years assistant to the late Dr. Cumming at the Crown Court Chapel. He was born in Fifeshire, in 1827, and distinguished himself greatly at St. Andrew's, where he was gold medallist of his year, and took his degree of M.A. with the highest honours He was greatly respected at Maitland, and his funeral was attended by representatives of all denominations— Roman Catholic as well as Protestant. Dr. George William Cole is gazetted honorary assistant-surgeon of the' Wellington City Rifloa. A captain'B parade of the Wellington Guards took place last evening. It was well attended, and the officers in command were Lieutenants Young and Blundell. Inspection over, the men paraded through the leading thoroughfares at the Te Aro end of the city, preceded by their fine ban!, whoao strains were greatly enjoyed by a very large collection of followers. A list of the subscriptions raised in this city on behalf of the distressed Jews in Southern - Russia is published elsewhere. From this it will bo perceived that already more than .£250 has been collected towards the fund. On account of this a draft for will, we understand, be remitted by the outgoing mail. The distress beiugf so severe .. we feel sure the residents of Wellington — at least those who have not already done bo — will contribute as much as they are able to afford to assist such a good cause, especially ¦when it is remembered that our Jewish citizens seldom have occasion to appeal to the sympathies of the charitable of other denominations. Additional subscriptions will be acknowledged by advertisement. Several handsome silver lamps, exhibited in the window of Messrs. Kohn and Co.'s establishment, Lambton Quay, have attracted considerable attention on the part of passers-by for some days past. Ihey were exhibited at the Melbourne International Exhibition, and are peculiar from the fact that they may be used aB flowerstands, to adorn the dinner table or otherwise, the upper portion being removable, thus leaving a receptacle for the flowers. In height they stand nearly three feet, and being elegantly finished, are not only useful, but of a highly ornamental character. According to the Manawatu Times, Mr. Sanson, a local preacher at Sandon, has been charged at Bulls with stealing certain hooka from the office of Mr. John Prior, solicitor, of Feilding. Some conflicting evidence was given, and the case remanded to the next sitting of the Court at Feilding. defendant being allowed to leave the Court without bail. Pollard's Liliputian Opera Company will occupy tho Theatre Royal during the whole of next week. Robert Planquett's comic opera, " Les Cloches de Corneville," is to be placed on the board 3on Monday night, and is likely to attract much attention at the hands of amusement lovers. Mr. Moss, the advance agent, has succeeded in placing the announcement prominently under the notice of the public by means of advertisements, posters, &o. A complimentary benefit to Bro. W. W. Hale, of the Loyal Antipodean Lodge, tendered to him in recognition of his energy in regard to previous entertainments, took place at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, in tho presence ot a large audience. The programme, under the very able management of Mr. Hare, was gone through in a most efficient manner. Miss Sutcliff sang in her usual admirable style, and the singing of Miss Augustus was also well received. Mr. Wise gave a stump speech, and Mrs. Doyle and Mr. Hare a comic duet, both of which created" great amusement. A "pedestal dance," by Mr. Morgan, was warmly applauded, and the efforts of Messrs, Wiseman and Anthony also deserve favorable mention. Miss Rex presided, with her usual skill, at the pianoforte. Mr. Hale, in a few appropriate words, thanked the audience for their attendance, and an enjoyable entertainment was then brought to a close. A reminder of the performance to be given at the Theatre Royal this evening by the Wellington Amateur Dramatic Club, m aid of the Dewar family, is scarcely necessary. The programme will consist of a negro " drawing-room entertainment," and tho clever local burlesque entitled " The Very Witty Diggings," written by a member of the club. Special train arrangements have been made for the occasion. The Band of Hope held it 3 weekly session at the Wesleyan Ccapel, Taita, Lower Hutt, on Tuesday evening, which was very largely attended by parents and children. At the close of the meeting a number of the adults remained behind, and it was resolved that an application be made for a charter in order to establish a Good Templar Lodge. "A list of namea was made out, and it was found that more than sufficient signatures were secured, so that soon we may expect to hear that another temperance organisation has been formed in the Hutt Valley. The special session of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars in connection wifih the jurisdiction of the R.W.G. Lodge of the World, was held at No, 9 Room, Athenaeum, last night, Bro. W. Johnson, G.W., occupying the chair. The following officers were present :— Bro. W. Speight, P.G.W.C.T. ; Bro. W. Price, G.W.S.. The following appointments were then made :— Bro. Boyd, G.W.C. ; Bro. Sinclair, G.W.a.S; Bro. Hall, G.W. : Bro. Edwards, G.W.T. ; Bro. Relf , G.W. ; Bro. Beecher, G.W.M. ; Sister Sinolair, <J.W.D.M.. A number of candidates were then admitted to the Sublime degree. The following important questions were then brought forward, and discussed : — " How can we best increase and retain our members?" ; and " How can we make the Order more useful?" The following brethren took "part in the discussion: — Bros. Douse, Hall, Sinclair, Speight, Dawson, and Price. An interesting session was brought to a close by the chapalin reading the,conolnding ceremonies. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wellington Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society waa held last night, when a paper on "Greenhouse Plants" waa read by the President, Mr. W. Jay. The reading of the paper was followed by an interesting disoussion. Mr. Ball exhibited a dish of eea-kale, and the President a pot «f laohanalia tricolor.

We regret to hear, from a tole?ram received from Nelson this afternoon, that Captain Evans has disappeared in a mysterious manner from the b.s. Wakatu, of which he was master. Captain Evans is well-known in Wellington, having been for some time captain of the s.s. Rangatira. At St. Paul's Chnrch-room, Tinakori-road, last evening, Dr. Hector delivered a most interesting lecture on "Tho New Zealand Geysers," nnder the auspices of the Parochial Association of St. Paul's, the proceeds of the lecture being devoted to the library fund of the association. Nearly 300 persons were present, and the Eev. B. W. Harvey ocdupied the chair. Dr. Hector treated the subject in hi 3 usual lucid, masterly manner, his remarks being illustrated by a series of diagrams and lime-light views. At the close df tho lecture he was awarded a hearty vote of thanka. It wa3 announced by the chairman that, commencing on the 15th instant, a series of periodical concerts would be given in aid of the same fund, and that the performance, which is to comprise vocal and orchestral music, &c. would be contributed to by about 30 lady and gentlemen amateurs. We have received tho following additional subscriptions in aid of the Dewar family :—: — W.M.. ss ; Anthony Wall, Porirua, £1 1b ; Mrs. P. J., 12s. At a meeting of the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, held last night, Mr. E. W. Brown read an able and interesting essay on " English and American Humour." The essayist was listened to with great attention, and received a vote of thanks from the meeting. Next Thursday Mr. R. C. Kirk will give an essay on " Trial by Jury." Our Foxton contemporary, the Manawatu Herald, has taken a step forward and come out aB a " trl-weekly." It has our best wishes for its success in ita more extended sphere. The following gentleman are gazetted commissioners of the Foxton Local Board t — Messrs. E. S. Thynne, J. Colley, J. Fntter, J. Purcoll, and A. Gray. It will be scon from onr advertising columns that the members of the Kising Star C.C hold their annual meeting thi3 evening, at Orr'B City Buffet. The report and bal-ance-sheet will be submitted for consideration, after which two bats will be presented, one each to the most successful bowler and batsman during the past season. Members and intending members are requested to attend. The tea-meeting and concert which was held yesterday evening in the Karori Church Room was both financially and musically a pronounced success. The good things (of which there was no stint) disposed of, the room was cleared and the performers ascended the platform and opened the Concert with the fine old glee " All among the Barley," which was charmingly rendered and enthusiastically applauded. Mr. Batten then gavo the " Village Blacksmith," which was much enjoyed. The next item was a trio by the Misses Graham and Mr. Percy Brown, the young ladies sang with spirit and finish. Mr. Clapoott's reading of Sergeant Buzzfuzz's speech in tho trial of Bardell v Pickwick was excellent. Mr. Graham's rendering of " Alonzo the Bravo " elicited uproarious applause. Tho gem of tho evening was, undoubtedly, Miss G aham's song the "Land o' the Leal." The dtiet of Mrs. Redward and Mr. Lewis, " Jnanita," brought a pleasant evening to a close. Mr. Ballachey announced that his congregation might shortly expect another evening's entertainment in the way of an amateur dramatic performance. Next year Mr. Gladstone will celebrate his Parliamentary jubilee. Elected for Newark in December, 1832, he will have Berved his 50 years next December twelvemonths. It has been proposed to celebrate tho occasion. An interesting aocount is given in Scribner's Monthly Magazine of tho " Solarium " of tho New York Hospital, whore those patients who can leave their bods are treated to a " sun-bath." Tho roof is mansard, and a large part of it is taken up by a skylight. A fountain, plants, easy chairs and pillows, nre placed there, and tho good effect upon those able to sit there, even for a short time, iB eaid to be wonderful. A "happy father" inserts tho following birth notice in a New South Wales paper : — On the 22nd instant, at her residenco, Bom-bala-street, Cooma, tho wife of John E. P. Walker, of a son. Persons Indebted to the father will kindly look upon this as an appropriate occasion to settle thdir accounts." The sale announced for to-morrow, by Messr3. T. Kennedy Macdonald & Co., of a quantity of stores and machinery, commencing at noon, Bhould attract tho attention of the trade, as the sale, being by order of tho trustees in the estato of E. W. Mills, is unreserved. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, hams, bacon, drapery, chinawaro, &c. Mr. Franoia Sidey will sell to-morrow, furniture, clothing &o. Messrs. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, furniture, jewellery, drapery Ac. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, bacon hams, &c. Mr. Alfred A. Barnett will sell to-morrow, household furniture and effects. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell tomorrow, oranges, produce, horses, trap, &c.