CRIME IN WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1885, Page 2

CRIME IN WELLINGTON.

Within the hist few weeks the bodies of two newly born infants have been fonnd exposed in gardens within this city, and up to the present time no clue appears to have been discovered as to how they came there. It crime was not actually committed in either case, and the inquests failed to show that death had resulted from violence in either instance, it is hardly too much to assume that crime had been distinctly contemplated in each. If the infants had not died naturally, it is to be assumed that no preparation had been made for their nurture or care, and that the mothers had concealed their condition from friends and observers, or the bodies could scarcely have been disposed of in the way they were withont attracting attention and remark. The very disappearance of the child, if any provision for it had been made, or many persons were cognisant of its birth, would have sufficed to attraot notice and comment. The law very properly regards conoealment of birth ob a serious offence, and non-proparation for the birth of a ohild as strong presumptive evidence of an intention to commit infanticide. It is exceedingly unsatisfactory to think that two such cases should have occurred in our midst, and that things were so managed as to escape detection. In suoh a comparatively small community as ours detection, one would think, would be almost oertain. The unfortunate mothers can soarcely have been withont some accomplices or oonfidant3, and we rather fear that the circumstances point to tho existence of something like a systematic manner of getting rid of infantile encumbrances. Bo this as it may, it is far from reassuring to know that the polioe have been unable to discovor the mothers. There are other unsatisfactory circumstances whioh have occurred of late in regard to the existence of crime in our midst. Yesterday we drew attention to two oases of attempted assaulta on females, whioh occurred the other night on Cambridge Terrooe. We have heard of other and more serious offences of the same kind having been 'perpetrated recently in th,o city, although identification of the offender being impossible, matters have been hushed up to avoid necessarily unpleasant exposure. We desire to utter a word of warning to womep — not to pass through lonely streets or plaoea after nightfall without adequate protection in the way of escort. Very serious danger will be incurred by thoae whonegleot the warning, for unfortunately there are some most atrooious ruffians at large in the city just now. An influx of criminals may, indeed, be looked for in conneotion with the Exhibition, and while our oitizons shonld adopt all possible preoautionß on their own part the Government Bhould certainly afford increased polioe proteotio/i. The Detective Department might well be strengthened from other towns.

Mr. Fisher is going to move for a Seleot Committee to enquire whether a portion of the work now done in the Government Printing Offtoe could not advantageously be executed by contraot. This is a question whioh has very often been raised, and always, we believe, decided in the negative. Whether Mr. Fisher's oommittee will throw any new light on the Bubieot, or decide differently, remains to be seen, but if proper conveniences were supplied, and the work was done in suitable premises, the management wonld, we think, be at fault if any private firm could do the work better or more choaply than it could be done by the Government Printer. Even, under the undoubted disadvantages he at present labours under, Mr. Didsbury'a work leaves little to be desired, either as to cost or quality. Although we have never been able to recognise the necessity for what is termed legalising the eight hours system, by whioh is meant passing an Act to deolare that eight hours shall be a legal day's work, we are excessively glad that tho desperate efforts made by Mr. Fergus laat night to get tho House to say that boys might be required to work more than eight hours in tho day were indignantly rejeoted by an overwhelming majority. The eight hours' system is a bleasing to the country. We hope most sincerely that it will never be altered, or any extension of the hours of labour be countenanced. Our only objection to its being "legalised" is that we do not believe any man could draft a Bill which would be of the slightest avail in maintaining the system, or whioh would avoid causing grave inapnvenionoes, and giving rise to muoh litigation. To ask the House, however, to legalise the employment of boys for BJ, 9, or 10 hours per diem, as was proposed last night, is Bimply monstronß, and the attempt wa3 most properly resisted. mmmmm The statement that an officor has been sent to survey the Mokan River and estimate the cost of snagging it is inoorreot. No officer has been sent as yet, nor has it beon deoided to send one, but the subject is under consideration of Government. No time is being lost in placing in position the goods whioh are coming to hand for the New Zealand Exhibition. Under Mr. Burton, a gentleman who has had some experience at the Melbourne and Sydney Exhibitions, a staff of 18 men are busily engaged in allocating the exhibits, and already good progress has been made with the work. Several exhibitors from other parts of the colony are now in Wellington superintending the erection of their maohinery in the new building opposite the Supreme Court. A large quantity of exhibits oame to hand from the South' by the Rotomabana this morning, and another shipment will arrive from the North by the Wairarapa on Monday. The barmaids of the city are enthusiastic in their admiration of Mr. Vincent Pyke'a gallant defenoe of their interests and character laat night. We have to-day received several communications expressive of their feelings, and it is suggested by one of our fair correspondents that a barmaid's league should be formed to keep the member for Dunstan perpetually supplied with the very freshest and tastiest of buttonholes aB a floral tribute of gratitude. Mr. A. Macgregor, Librarian to the General Assembly Library, haß, we learn, resigned that office, and has been granted three months' leave of absenoo prior to permanent retirement £n the Banco Court this morning, Mr. Justice Riohmond granted the application maie by Mr. Izard jun., on Wednesday that a certain solicitor should be called upon to refund moneys paid to him by a client for servioes whioh were not rendered. There was a special sitting of the Banco Court this morning for the purpose of dealing with the oase of George v. the Australian Mutnal Provident Sooiety, an action for the speoifio performance of a oontract for the purchase of certain land in Dunedin valned at £2£,Q00. The Attorney-General, with whom was Mr. Edwards, appeared for the plaintiff. Mr. Chapman appeared for the defendants. After hearing argument, his Honour Mr. Justice Riohmond adjourned the caso until Monday. Captain Popham, who brought tho s.a. JRotomahana up from the South this morning, is to aot as a relieving officer for tho Union Co.'s "fcToats, and will go round the whole fleet, relieving t^e captains of the varioua Bteamers, who are to g# a month's holiday in turn. Captain Carey, feeing the first to get away, has gone to Melbourne by the Waihora. The Gear Meat Preserving Co. and the Wellington Meat Preserving Co. had each a pplendid display of meat in their respective shops throughout the city last evening. The public are to be congratulated on being the gainers by fchia healthy friendly rivalry between the companies, fca they certainly obtain thereby the very primest quality of meat. The No. 2 shop of the Wellington Meat Preserving Co. was specially worthy of notice last evening, owing to the artistic arrangement of some splendidly dressed lamb and jtbjJ, the credit for which is due to the foreman of jthe establishment, Mr. W. Hickson. 'A mariupojth oj was shown in this shop weighing nearly llcwt., which was grown by the Hon.' R. Campbell, ot Oroua Downs, Manawatu district. ' The beast attracted considerable attention. ' ' The annoal examination of pupil teachers under the control of- tho Board of Education was conduoted in the Training College during tha present week. There were about 50 candidates. Mr. Lee, the Inspector of Schools, and Mr. Howard, Principal of the Normal School, acted aB supervisors, and are also new engaged in examining' the papers. The results will be reported at the meeting of the Board of Education on the 29th inst. A transfer of the license for the Kilbirnie Hotel has been granted from John Compton to Sarah Anne Compton.

An interview took place this morning between the Colonial Secretary and a deputation of the piece hands in the Government Printing Office. The deputation were introdnoed by Mr. Geo. Fisher, M.H.E. Mr. William Daniels, the father of the chapel, explained that the objeot of the deputation was the increasing of the rate of payment to men employed on piece work in order that the wages of the latter might be placed on more of an equality with those of the men who are paid by the hour. The matter was very fully gone into. The Hon. Mr. Buckley admitted the deputation had a grievance, and promised to bob what could be done in the matter. He intimated that bis decision would be made known early next week. The coronial inquiry on the body of Alice Barnaby will be held at the Morgue on Monday morning at 10 o'clock. A pott mortem examination is being made to-day, in accordance with the direction of tho Coroner. Councillor A. W. Brown intends bringing forward a motion at the meeting of the City Counoil to be held on Thursday evening next, having for its effect the ereotion of notice boards at the entranoes of the Newtown Park informing the pnblio that no charge for admission to the park will be demanded on any occasion whatever, and that any donation whioh may be given to witness any football matoh or any other exhibition will be regarded as purely a voluntary one. Councillor Brown does not think that the motion, if it is agreed to, will at all affect the receipts at the gates on the occasion of any special match taking place, aB he considers there would be few people so mean as to desire to avoid payment when the object sought to be attained is a charitable one or one for raising funds for paying the expenses of a visiting football team. His objeot is merely to show beyond dispute that the reserve is to all intents and purposes a public one. The business of the Magistrate's Court this morning consisted of the hearing of two charges of drunkenness. One first offender was fined 5s or 24 hours, whilst an elderly Scotchman, who made his third appearance before the Court within the past three days, and who admitted that he did not know what was coming over him, was ordered to nndergo T days' hard labour. The inauguration of the Wellington branoh of St. John's Ambulance Association is cvi- 1 dently attracting attention in other parts of the colony. Captain Lovoday, the secretary of the Wellington branoh, has reoeived a letter from Colonel Pitt, the officer oqmmanding the Nelson distriot, asking for information upon the subjeot, with a view of forming a branch of the Association in Nelson. The adjourned meeting of the new rowing olub came off at the Royal Oak Hotallast evening. Mr. James Stewart 00.-apied the chair. There was a good attendance, and tho proceedings wero characterised by enthusiasm. A Bet of rnleß were laid on the table by the sub-committee appointed at the previous meeting, and were adopted without alteration. It wan decided that the club should be named tho Wellington Rowing Club, and that the colours should bo pink. Mr. James Stewart was elected captain, Mr. R. R. Mansfield rioe-oaptain, Mr. T. W. Rapley hon. secretary, Mr. Charles Stewart hon. treasurer, and Messrs. Cummins, Rose, Hearn, Sinclair, M'Grath, Ludwig, and Wilde a committee of management. A president and three vice-presidents are to be elected at the next meeting. The oommittee were instructed to make arrangements for a boatshed, plant, &o. A number of persons present enrolled themselves as members, and it was stated that several gentlemen had promised to give prizes for rowing. Votes of thanks wero passed to the chairman and the secretary, and the proceedings then terminated. The newly-formed committee decided to meet on Thursday night to consider what steps should be taken to seoure a site for a boatshed. The additional refrigerating maohine for the Gear Company's hulk Jubilee is expected to arrive in Wellington about the end of September. Messrs. Luke and Sons, of the Te Aro Foundry, have commonoed the construction of a boiler in connection with the new maohinp, and expeot to have it finished towards the latter end of next month. The boiler is to be 9ft long and 9Jft in diameter, and is to be constructed of iron Jin thiok. It will be provided with two fnrnaoea, and the combustion chambers will be of the best Lowmoor iron. It is to stand a teot pressure of 1401bB to the square inch. The working pressure will be 751bs per inch. The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company are calling for tenders for the erection of temporary Btation buildings on Thorndon reclamation. Mr. Meldon, the mining manager of the Carawell Sound Marble Co., has made up a variety of little nick-nacks from the atone taken from the company's qnarriea, with a view to showing the density of tho marble and its fineness of grain. Amongst the artioles mado are a tobacco pipe, cigaretteholders, miniature books, &0., all of whioh not only show the quality of the marble, but also boar witness to the ingenuity of the artificer. The Hpecimens of Mr. Meldon' s handiwork may bo seen at Mr. W. M'Lean's office. The following tenders have been received at the Public Works Office for the Wiusratui Viaduct contract i — Accepted — John Blaok andCo.,Dunedin, .£8037. Deolined— Bobt. Kydd, Ritohio and Co., Dunedin, .£8805 ; Edward Kirk, Dunedin, .£8871) C. W. Gore, Dunedin, .£8952 j White and Clark, Dunedin, .£10,249 ;¦ John Wright, Dnnedin. £10,419} Matheson Bros., Dunedin, £10,866. Mr. Gerald L. Dillon, who will be remembered aa a member of several dramatio companies whioh have visited this city from time to time, will give a number of select readings at the Lyceum Hall to-morrow evening. The Lyceum Band will also be in attendance. The Star of Wellington Lodge mot aa nsual on Thursday evening, when Bro. W. Johnson, W.C.T., oocupied the chair. Considering the unpropitious state of the weather, the attendance waa good. Two candidates presented themselves for initiation, and were added to the roll of membership. The routine business having been transacted, a conversation arose on the good of the Order, after which the proceedings closed. The Orangemen of the city have made more than ordinary preparations for celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne this year. To-morrow the anniversary sermon will be preached in Wesley Churoh. Toranaki-street, on whioh occasion the Loyal Lodges Nos. 16. 23. and 46 will attend in full resalia. On Monday evening a tea, to be followed by a concert, will be given in the Eeohabite Hall. The programme of the concert is no t_ only an unusually liberal ono, | but has been judiciously Beleoted by the oondnotor, Mr. M'lntosh. The vocalists will beMrs. M'lntoah, Misses Randall, Smith, and Warren, Messrs. Pilcher, Munt, Gooder, Baker, and Prioe. The instrumental portion of tho entertainment will inolude a duet (bassoon and oboe) by Messrs. Harland and M'lntosh, and one by the Rev. P. N. Hunter and Mr. M'lntosh (olarinets). The affair bids fair to be an unqualified eucoess. Mr. J. T. Floyd, evangelist, from America, preaches to-morrow evening in the Christians' Chapel, Dixon-street, on the snbjeot of, " Our Right to Exist, and Our Aim as a Religious People." Aa advertised in another column, the ordinance of Christian baptism is to be observed at the close of the servioe. Mr. Hall, the city missionary, informs us that the congregation is still increasing in connection with the Bethel Bervices, and that last Sabbath the number was larger than was known before! those present consisting principally of seamen. The Bethel will be resumed on Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock, at the Athenceum, and strangers will receive a hearty reoeption. Subject of discourse — "Tekel, Thou art Weighed in the Balances and Found Wanting." We notice from our Canterbury filea that at a oommittee meeting of the Bt. John's Ambulance Association, Christchurch Branch, lost Tnesday, the Secretary reported that he had oommunioated with Colonel Reader with reference to the attendance of the police at the oourae of lectures given by the Association, and the reply was to the effeot that the Hon. the Defence Minister has approved of the suggestion, and instructions had been given to carry it into effect. The speoial duties of the police render it particularly desirable that they should acquiro the knowledge which these associations are intended to disseminate, and we trust that the Wellington police will be ordered to attend the leotures given here. The Civil and Military Gazette of 6th May allnding the unfounded rumour oi the assassination of the Ameer, Bays':— "A similar rumour, though much mote circumstantial, was Btarted about a year or two ago, and was believed, not only in the Lahore bazaar, but in Peshawur and on the frontier. This time the story has apparently been invented in Lahore, as no mention is made of anything of the kind in lettera from Peshawur or other out stations. The numerous and distinguished company whioh assembled at the annual dinner of the Newspaper Press Fnnd on 16th May (says a Home paper) were highly gratified to find that the old toast of the " Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces" had been replaoed by a new one, ''The Naval, Military, Auxiliary, and Colenial Forces." There was loud and oontinned cheering when it was proposed by that old and tried member of the newspaper press, Dr.- William Howard Russell, and when Mr. James 1 F. Garrick, the Agent-General for Queensland, rose to respond, the cheers were so deafening that it was some time before he could proceed with : his speech. He Baid that, if he remembered rightly, this was the first time the colonies : had been linked with the Army and Navy in such a toast, and hiving some Australian pride in J&e matter," he looked upon it as almost a national event. The colonies had lately expressed their sympathy with the Mother 'Country according to their little means, and he honoured New South Wales for it. She had set an example whioh all the other colonies, aB Boon as they were strong enough, would follow, fighting shoulder to shoulder against the common enemy. There can be little doubt that the new tout will replace the old one at most of the festive gatherings held on this side.

The settlers at Burwood, Victoria, have been greatly alarmed lately by well-authenti-cated reports of a tiger having been Been prowling iv their neighbourhood. Those who have seen the animal describe it as much larger than any dog, and its footprints, whioh have been plentifully discovered, confirm the theory that it belongs to the feline race. About eight miles from the township a farmer at the beginning of the month lost six sheep in a mystenona manner, and subsequently discovered their carcases in a mangled condition in one of his paddocks. Between his plaoe and the Upper Yarra several farmers and aeleotora have had some of their b took killed in the same way. The Melbourne Telegraph of the 15th ult. states that the settlers were urging that the blaok trackers should be sent out for the purpose of oapturinar or destroying the animal. Curious stories reaoh Dongola of what the Arabß Bay of us:— "The Ingleßi," so one Sheikh writes to another, "have after all a good plan of fighting. They stand still, they wait for us, and then they fire : thus we lobo a great many. But when one Inglees is killled or wounded, another takes him out of the way on his baok, and another man takes his place. Thus in battle you do not see huge piles of dead mixed with wounded amongst the Inglesi as it is with us ; and the ground is not obstructed with the dead. The Inglesi like fighting, and do the fighting themselves ; whereas the Mudir of Dongola Bends Soudanese to fight, and keeps his own men in rear." The etory of the English having a long pole, whioh they climb up, and from which they "see everything" is again repeated. Mr. J. Huxley, the well-known master tailor, announces that he has opened a branoh establishment in Willis-street in one of the Bhops recently erected by Mr. J. Dnthie. The branch business has been established by Mr. Huxley with a view to meet the convenience of his Te Aro customers. Mr. G. L. Jenneas announces that, having received back the jewellery stolen from his shop, he will have it on view this evening in the south window of his shop, and will offer it for sale at a large discount. On Monday, at 2 o'olook, Messrs. J. H. Bethune & Co., will hold an important sale of town and oonntry properties, including, by order of the mortgagee, under oonduot of the Registrar of the Supremo Court, that valuable freehold land in Evans' Bay distriot, suitable for villa residences, containing four aores one rood 24 perohes, having frontages to Bodrigo-rqad and Childers' Terraoe, formerly occupied by Mr. James Lyon; also, that splendid block fit land, containing ten aores, near the publio square, Palmerston North, together with the well-known Crown Brewery ereotod thereon, in the ocoupation of the Palmerston Brewery Company, Limited, after which will be sold the superior plant, maohinery, and rollingstock ÜBed in conneotion with the brewery ; eight first-class business sites situated in the oentre of the township of Featherston, and in the estate of Jease Hammond, deoeased, by order of the eieoutor, A. Maodonald, Esq. ; freehold land and dwellinghouses off Taamaa-Btreet ; also, by order of the Pnblio Trustee, the book debt 3in the estate of the late Mr. Peter Laing. Immediately after the Bale of land, the same firm will dispose of a splendid lot of locally grown pot plants, ferns, roses, and flowering shrubs.

Wb would respectfully remind our lady customers that in addition to the extensive assortment of new choice coloured dress fabrics, we have a splendid ran?o of black dress material just opened out at Te Aro House. Wb are showing blaok cashmeres from ll^d to 3s 6d per yard ; blaok Frenoh merinoß from 2s 6dto 4s Gd; blaok Parramattas from Is 6d to 3s 6d ; black Persian cord from Is to 2s ; blaok Eusael oord from lOJd to Is 9d ; blaok lustres from 6d to 2s ; blaok nuns' veiling from Is Cd to 2s ; black satin clotha, from Is 6d to 2s 9d; blaok broche ottoman clotha, 7}d to Is 9d ; blaok embroidered costume olotha, Is 4£d, Is 6£d ; blaok ottoman silks, Is 6H to 4s 6d ; blaok grosgrain Bilks, 2s lid to 5s 6d ; blaok broohe silks, Is lid to 5s lid ; blaok velveteens, Is 3d to 3s 6d per yard ; at To Aro House. One thing we wish particularly noted, that all our stock of dress materials is perfectly new, having been bought and imported since the fire. What was saved in that catastrophe has been sold long sinoe. Our oustomers may therefore depend upon getting the latest styles and the best value obtainable in this city, at Te Aro House.— Advt. We understand they are at a loss to find suitable men for judgos of tweed for the Exhibition. Huxley, tho Tailor, says that there is not a better judge of tweeds than himself anywhere to be fonnd, or a man more independent of merohants or manufaoturora. — Advt. The originator of Wolfe's Schnapps will live aB long as his splendid preparation performs its marvellous cures and ia recognised as a standard remedy for the ailments it undertakes to treat. — Advt.