INSURANCE OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 102, 28 October 1881, Page 2

INSURANCE OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT.

Everybody must desire that those gallant volunteers who are going out for active service iv the field slruld not suffer for their patriotism, and still more, that suffering should not be entailed on those nearest and dearest to them. It would be a sad weight on tho mind of a volunteer on the eve of some perilous duty, to think that if he fell his wife or children would be left destitute. It wou'd be no less sad for this apprehension to be added to the anxiety felt by a wife for tho safety of her husband. It j occurs to us that the Government might perform a just, generoiis, and popular act by immediately instituting a sptcial system of insurance for volunteers against ''war risks" for the period of their service in the field, charging a very small premium and giving erery facility for advantage to be taken of the opportunity. The business might be managed by the Insurance Department, and should liabilities unhappily accrue under these " war risks," the balance not furnished by the premiums paid should be contributed out of the Consolidated Fund A similar system of " war insurance" is in force in Germany, and has been found to work admirably. We hope the Government will see their way to take immediate steps in the direction above indicated.

The time appointed for holding the election for tho Hutt County Council has been extended from the second Wednesday in November next to the Wednesday following. There was a clean charge-sheet at the Resident Magistrate's Court *>"'« morning. Mr. Edward Shaw, R.M., is expected to reach Wellington on Sunday. A supplementary Gazette has been issued containing the revised tariff of railway charges. It comprises 40 closely printed pages, mostly of tabular figures. It supersedes the scale of charges which was gazetted on 23rd June last, and was to come into operation on the 25th inst. The new rateß corns into force on Ist November.

At the nomination of candidates for the Kaiwarra Local Board, held to-day at Kaiwarra, the following five gentlemen were nominated, and, no poll being necessary, wpre declared dnly elected by the Keturning Officer (Mr. J. Ihompson) :— M»eßrs. Wyatt, Holmes, Taylor, Phillips, and Cameron. As ofcated in these columns some daya ago, the new electoral rolls for the City of Wellington have now been printed, and copies may be inspected by the public at the office of the Evening Post. The electors for the Te Ago district number 1092 ; for Thorndon, 1109f%nd for Wellington South, 1215. The supplementary rolls are at present in course of formation, and claims may be registered up to the date on which the writs for the approaching general election shall be issued. Already no fewer than 900 adoitional claims have been received toward the completion of the supplementary lists fo* this city^ These are distributed among the following districts:—Te Aro, 350; South Wellington, 310"; and Thornrion, 210. The Hntt electoral roll contains 917 names, and 79 additional j claims have been received towards the supplementary list. The result of the recent prosecutions for alleged grog-adulteration will not, we understand, be such as to deter the Inspector of Weights and Measures from instituting proceedings under the Adulteration Prevention Act against other publicans whose wines or spirits may be found to have been unduly adulterated. It will be remembered that the grounds on which the late prosecutions proved abortive were first that the Inspector had failed to show that the defendants possessed a guilty knowledge of the fact of adulteration, and, secondly, that the Act fixed no standard of strength below which the spirits must be considered to have been adulterated. With regard to the first point, the Inspector contends that the onus probandi is not oast upon him but on the defendant ; and respecting the remaining objection, he holds that whatever the standard may be, it certainly cannot exempt from punishment those publicans whose spirits are much as 34 per cent, under proof, as was the case in one or two of the samples which formed the origin of the prosecutions last week before several Justices of the Peace. At any rate the Insppctor is naturally dissatisfied with the fate of the prosecutions, especially in view of the fact that only a few weeks a?o convictions were obtained in two cases of a precisely similar kind before the Resident Magistrate, and he is still pursuing his visits for sample 3, in order to have the matter finally determined upon by a legal mind. Mr. T. Smith writes to say that Dr. Newman, at Pahantanui, simply received a vote of thanks, and not a vote of confidence, as reported. A cricket match will be played between the Taita and United Cricket Clubs at the Lower Hutt to-morrow. Mr. W. Prance writes to explain that he did not say at Foxton, as reported by the Manawatu Herald, that "there were a good many loafers in the Civil Service," but that ' ' there were some few loafers in the Civil Service, for which the Ministry of the day were responsible, by making appointments of men totally unfitted for the positions they were called on to fill." # A meeting was held at the Athenasum Hall last evening with a view to the inauguration of a series of entertainments on behalf of the Asylum Kecreation Fund. Mr. J. S. M. Ihompson presided. It was stated that promises of assistance had been received from various quarters. A number of ladies and gentleman offered their services for a concert; the advertising and printing had been tendered free of charge by the Evening Post, New Zealand Times, and Messrs. Lyon and Blair ; the Athenaeum Hall was placed at the committee's disposal for holdin? practices and meetings ; Mr. Hamilton offered the free use of the piano ; the Chief Justice had forwarded a present of five guineas toward the object in view ; and the Theatre Eoyal Company had been written to for the gratuitous use of the Theatre for the inaugural concert. On the motion of Mr. J. G. Holdsworth, it was resolved, "in order that the public may be made fully aware of the object of the undertaking, and that Dr. Neill, the Superintendent of the Asylum, might be consulted, the meeting be adjourned." Letters of naturalization have been issued in favour of George Friedrich August Carl yon Schoen, master-mariner, Wellington ; Kobert Koderick Dunn, tanner, Petoni ; and Adolph Kohn, watchmaker, Wanganui. His Excellency the Governor has, in pursuance of tho provisions of seotion 23 of " The Harbours Act, 1578," been pleased to appoint John Wright Gower, James Linton, and Ernest Stephen Thynne to be members of the Foxton Harbour Board. " Twelfth Night, or What You Will," was repeated at the Theatre Eoyal last night by the Pomeroy Company to a capital house. It' anything, tho performance was even more -successful than on the opening night. The applause throughout was frequent and enthusiastic, and the principal performers had to appear before the curtain in succession — some of thorn over and over asfain — to receive the well-merited approbation of the audience. As Viola, Miss Pomeroy acted in as charming a manner as before, and wa^ worthily supported. On his entry, Mr. Hoskina, a3 the Clown, was again greeted to a tumultous round of applause. Reference must also be made to the "letter" and "duel" scenes. Those were surely perfect. In the former Mr. Holloway's impersonation of Malvolio was characterised by so much ganuine excellence as to evoke unbounded acclamation from all parts of the house. To the success of the "duel" scene, which excited the liveliest merriment, Mr. J. J. Wallace and Mr. Theodore Hamilton, as Sir Andrew and Sir Toby respectively, contributed in no small degree. This evening " The Hunchback " will be produced, with Miss Pomeroy in the part of Julia. There ought to be a large attendance. Mr. Buck, coal merchant, who went Home at the same time as Captain Williams, returned to Wellington per s.s. Arawata today. Mr. Buck has always taken a lively interest in election matters, and has ju&t come back in time to be in tho thick of a contest for Parliamentary and Mayoral honours. The Bishops of Wellington, Nelson, and Waiapu were passengers by the s.s. Wanaka this afternoon to Lyttelton, on their way to attend at the consecration of the Chribtchurch Cathedral. The steamer Manawatu will, weather permitting, make an excursion round the harbour to-morrow afternoon. The Artillery Band will be in attendance, and will help to make the trip a pleasurable one A large audience assembled at St. Paul's Church-room, Tinakori-road, last evening, to hear Mr. Robert Parker's lecture on MendelßSonn, given under the auspices of the Parochial Association. Mr. Parker, in addition to a detailed account of the great musician's life, gave copious extracts from his charming Letters which exhibit so foroibly the gentleness and nobility of character wnich Mendelssohn so eminently possessed. Some admirably-selected specimens of the great composer's works — ranging from the tiniest of his delicious little song-fragments to the Overture to the Midsummer Night's Dream, and including one or two part songs, duets, and choruses — were performed, under the direction of Mr. Parker, by members of the Harmonic Society. These were evidently thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, and the lecturer was greeted with a hearty round of applause when he pointed out that Mendelssohn's song 3 were to be had complete ".for the price of two of the ephemeral ballads of the day," and how much better it would be for amateurs to devote themselves to the former rather than to the latter. A cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer and the ladies and gentleman who had assisted him concluded the proceedings. The Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly cession last night at the Athenseum, the chair being occupied by Bro. Thompson, W.C.T. Six candidates were fully admitted to membership ; one was received by clearance card, and one by re-admission. The election of officers for the ensuing quarter was then proceeded with, when Bro. W. Guise was chosen for tho presiding officer, and Bro. J. Sinclair secretary. The installation will take place next session, when the reportß for the past quarter will be tendered. There were a number of members present from H.M.S. Emerald's Lodge, Borne of whom gave addresses. The Juvenil6 Temple Eising Star gave an entertainment on Monday evening, which, notwithstanding tho inclemency of the weather, was largely attended. The Cricketers' Association have decided to open the season to-morrow week at the Newtown Eeserve. The elooution class in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association at their last meeting, at the Athenseum, discussed the^ subject of Bible-reading in Bchools, the majority of those who addressed the meeting being in favour of the Bible being read in schools. At 10 o'clock the debate wa3 adjourned till ihe next meeting. Messrs. Luke, Son, and Williams have just completed a large mulidtnbular boiler to the order of Mr. E. Holt, of Napier, which does them credit for the workmanship displayed. The firm has received Borne large orders recently, and are making headway in spite of the depressed times. Mr. W. Bishop, of the Newtown Hotel, has made Borne extensive improvements on his premises for the accommodation of pleasnre-seeker3. The grounds have been divided and tastefully laid ont, and possess a quoit ground, a dancing- green, and as;r&rd suitable for many pleasure purpjsea. No doubt the grounds will be extensively patronised during the Bummer month*.

A narrow escape from a serious fire oo carred at the stablea attached to Mr. J. Gear's butcher-shop, Cuba-street, this afternoon. About 2 o'clock the hay in one of the stalls took fire, and quickly spread to the loft. Fortunately the flames were noticed at an early stage, and were extinguished before any damage was done. It is supposed the fire was caused from a spark from the smithy at the back dropping through a chink in the wall into the hay in the ctall. His Excellency the Governor leaves for Lyttelton by the istella, probably on Sunday, to attend tha consecration of the Chri&tchurch Cathedral on Tuesday next. The following additional subscriptions have been received on behalf of the Doran family : — Jame3 Brown, 53 : J. D. Band, .£1 ; T. K. Maodonald, 10s 6d ; Friend, 2s 6d; Friend, 10s ; Friend, 53 ; George Leslie, 5s ; H. Somerville, 10s; Friend, ss; A. de B. Brandon, JB1 ; C. C. Graham, 10s ; Buckley, Stafford, and Fitzherbert, £1 2s ; W. Scott, ss. Mr. Bryce, on hearing of Titokowaru's threats at Manaia, Eaid that if Ti toko warn, or any other native made use of such language again, he would be at once arrested. Mr. Bryce is evidently determined to " stand no nonsense." John Petf ord , junr. , of Cuba-street, plumber and eras-fitter, is the successful tenderer for building gas houses and magazines and the fittings necessary for lighting the Auckland Asylum throughout with gasoline. Ihe number of lights is about two hundred and thirty, and there are to be three large gasoline machines. Mr. S. F. Beard has been appointed Public Vaccinator to the district of Cast'.epoint. The Sydney Bulletin publishes a sensational article on the alleged malpractice's of undertakers in that city, it states that not long ago a mau brought into the Bulletin office a wooden box, like a gin case, which he placed upon the floor, preparatory to explaining his business, ihe box was an empty cherry-case, in which, the merest chance had led him to discover, the body of his infant had been doubled up and crushed down for burial. It alleges that undertakers frequently levy blackmail on the poor by refusing to deliver the coffin at the last moment, unless they are paid an exorbitant amount in cash, the relatives generally acceding rather than have a " scene " at such a painful moment. 'Ihe same journal, on the authority of an ex-assistant, also accuses undertakers in Sydney of robbing corpses of shrouds, face-cloths, &c, when they are left alone in the rooms to fasten up the coffin. It adds :—": — " And there are worse indignities than even this. A quick wrench of the mouth, a dexterous scoop of the blackcoated thief's finger, and the artificial teeth with their gold mounting i 3 in the violator's palm, quickly to be slipped into his pocket, and afterwards to be beaten out of shape and sold to the jewellers or pawnbrokers as battered old gold. Many a maiden wears upon her finger an engaged ring, many a wife wears a wedding hoop, of which the gold hag been filched trom the month of the dead." The Bulletin is a journal known for its devotion to the sensational, and it is to be hoped, for the credit of Sydney, that these alleged " disclosures" are not truo. Last night several very small boys were out in tho streets at a late hour making a house to house canvas on behalf of a dissolving view exhibition to be given at one of the city schools. The lads were not at all bashful, but knocked loudly and impatiently, and then begged whoever opened the dopr to buy a ticket for the exhibition. Besides the evil of allowing children to knock about the streets for such a purpose at night time, the practice of sending them on begging errands of the kind at any hour is very objectionable, and ought not to be permitted. The question cropped up bt the last meeting of the Board of Education, and two or threo members strongly expressed their disapproval of the practice. The postponed united service of teachers and scholars in connection with the Sunday School Union will bo held at the Wesley Church on Sunday next. The committee desire friends to provide bouquets for the occasion, and these will afterwards bo sent to the Hospital for distribution. Complaints are made as to the bad state of the permanent way between Masterton and Featherston. Those who have to travel on the line between those two stations say that something is radically wrong, as the carriages shake like an earthquake. It is impossible to read, sleeping out of the question, and to sit up is to run the risk of having one's head shaken off. It is reported that an elderly lady had her eet of false teeth shaken o\it a day or two ago, but possibly this is only a pleasant fiction, got up at the expense of the lady and the railway authorities. The Rev. William Webster, aPresbytorian clergyman, refusing to pay a fine of 10s imposed by the Wilcannia (N.S.W.) Bench for using insulting language to a magistrate (Mr.il homas Cos, who was recently appointed to the Bench), was sent to gaol for a day. A public meeting was called, and the flue subscribed. The meeting would not allow Mr. Coe to address them. The Terrace School Committee will give another exhibition of dissolving views tonight in aid of the school funds. There will be a display of some special novelties in the windows of Te Aro House this evening, from 6 to 10 o'clock. The manager of the New Zealand Clothing Factory announces a large reduction in moleskin trousers on account of the abolition of duty on piece moleskins. An advertisement appears in another column. The whole of the cargo of choice fruit from Figi, by the schooner Albatross, is to be sold by auction to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock, by Mr. A. A. Barnett, to whom the vessel is consigned. The fruit consists of new season's bananas, pine apple 3, and cocoa nuts. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will hold their usual market and horse sales to-morrow. Messrs Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, produce, &c. Messrs. Francis Sidey & Co. will 8311 tomorrow, furniture &c. Messrs. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, drapery, jewellery, &c. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, groceries, &c. Mr. A. A. Barnett will sell to-morrow, bananas, pine apples, cocoanuts.

Our Homes. — In all homes of taste there has long existed a desire to bo relieved from the monotony of whiteness, so characteristic of the present style of lace curtains. The patentee of the Imperial Lace Curtains claims to have satisfied this want by the production of an article pleasing from its novelty, elegant aa to its fabric, and profitable from its durability. Composed of Cream Guipure dArt Lace, and beautifully illuminated with natural colours, the efleot produced is magnificent. Careful housekeepers will be pleased to know that the colours are perfectly fast, as the patentee guarantees that every pair is tested in boiling Boap before leaving the factory. Aa the quantity is but limited, ladies should at once inspect those at James Smith's, Te Aro House. — fADVT.]