THE HOSPITAL TENDERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 11, 13 July 1885, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL TENDERS.

As wo anticipated would bo the caso, the Government had a very plain and straightforward explanation to offer for what at first sight seemed an extraordinary courEe for tho Colonial Secretary to adopt in cancelling several tonders for Hospital supplies. It appears that tho tenders in a ties tion had lieon accopted by the Beaident Surgeon on his own responsibility, without authority from or reference to the hoad of his dopartmenfc, and that when tbi3 fact was brought under notice, and the whole mattor looked into, the indgmont of tho Colonial Secretary did not coincide with that of the Eosident Surgeon a3 to whioh tonders it was mo3t benofioial to the public service to accopt It certainly scorns a most remarkable assumption of authority for a subordinate offioial to accept tenders of this kind without any reference to his superior officers, and as an enquiry has been promised into the matter -we trust tbat it will be mado a searching and public one, so that all the faotß may be brought out. The public want to know how tho tenders woro invited, how they wero Bont hi, who opened them, what communications, if any, took place between any officials and the respective tenderers, tho discrepancies between the tendors, the grounds on which the Resident Surgeon alleges he preferred one tender to another, and thoso on which tho Colonial Secretary differed from him, and all the surrounding circumstances, so as to bo enablod to judge whether all was fair and above board, or whether any personal or impropor motives could bo supposed to actuate any person concerned. All thoso points can readily be cleared up by a proper and exhaustive enquiry. It is evident that there is a good deal which did not come out in the Parliamentary question and answer, but which it is desirable should be mado fully known.

In his report to Parliament upon the prisons of the colony, Captain Hume draws attention to the great expense caused by the detention of debtor prisoners, as thoy perform no labour and therefore give no return for tho coat of their maintenance. He says: — "They receive tho snalo of rations laid down for prisoners not employed at hard labour, and, aa they merely suffer the inconvenience of the deprivation of liberty, they Boldom pay the debt, but prefer to remain till the stipulated alternative has expired. I venture to recommend your conEiderat ; on of the question as to whother or not such debtors should be compelled to pay for their maintenance while incarcerated Thcso misdemeanants are never committed to prison unless the committing Magistrate is satisfied by proof adduced, that thoy are contumacious debtors, able, but unwilling, to pay their judgment debts, and preferring to suffer imprisonment and obtain free quarters rather than di-charge their liabilities. If, in addition to imprisonment, such contumacious debtors were compelled to pay a reasonable price for their maintenance in prison, I believe future statistics would show a considerable reduction in the numbers of Buoh prisoners. In connection with this olass of prisoners it should be borne in mind that they require a larger amount of oare and supervision from tho officers, in cont equence of their being permitted to receive daily visits from their friends and to enjoy the privilege of daily correspondence by letter with the outside world." Captain Hume also protests against the prisons of the colony beiDg utilised for the detention of supposed lunatics and porsons suffering from delirium tremens, as the limited number of the staff at eaoh prison entirely prevents such cases being properly cared for, watched, or attended to, while tho harm they cause by setting at defiance all discipline and order is oaloulato'd not only to lead others to commit acts of insubordination, but also to peril lifo and lead to frequent destruction of Government property. According to Mr. M'Kerrow's annual report to Parliament, twelve plantation reBerves, covering 730 acrea, have been mado during Iho year. Nearly the whole of this area ia in Canterbury, making, with formor roserves in that provincial district, an area of 25,324 acres set aside for the planting of forest trees. This, together with 25 strips of an aggregate area of 1688 acres in the interior of Otago, and an area of IG3 acres in Anokland land district, comprises all that has been reserved in the oolony as yet for public plantations. Tbe following is a copy of tho acknowledgement sent by Lord Loftua, Governor of New South Wales, to the congratulatory Address adopted by both Houses of tho New Zealand Parliament in reference to New South Wales and to the Empire during tho Soudan war :— " Sydney, 29th June, 1885. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of tho 20th inßt. enclosing to me at tbe request of the House of Kopresontatives of Now Zealand copy of their Address to Her Majesty the Queen congratulating Her Majesty on the steps taken by New South Wales and other colonies to aid or to tonder effectual aid to the Empire at a timo of tomporary difficulty. I bog that your Excellency will convey to the House of Representatives of New Zealand, in the name of this colony, our grateful appreciation of and cordial participation in the terms of that Address, and in their loyal desire to aid the Empire should the necessity to do co arise.— l have, &c, (Signed) Augustus Loftus. His Excellency Lieu-tenant-General Sir Wm. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8.," &c, &o. The Government intend to-morrow to prooeed with their Local Bodies Finanoo aud Powers Bill and the Hospital and charitable Aid Bill, tho second reading of which has already beon moved.

Football Gossip and other roading matter will be found on our fourth page. As Bhowing the effeot whioh such illadvised attempts as tho one recently made to alter the tariff have on the consuming public, we may mention that we know of one comparatively small dealer in a particular line in this city who boasts that the now tariff during its brief continuance put JE6C into his pocket. Immediately the new duties were announced he raised the price of hie stock-in-trade, whether imported or oi Colonial make. Everything which he bought from wholoaalo housos was on an undertaking that if the new tariff was not passed, the extra dnty would be refunded. This extra duty, however, was charged to the retail oußtomera without any corresponding undertaking, and now the retailer finds himself £60 in pocket, and his customers are of ouurso the poorer. The agreement for the transfer of the Black Diamond fleet to the Union Steam Shipping Company has now been completed and signed, and the transfer of the fleet will take place on the Ist of August. The Union Company will use the Blank Diamond steamers in oonjunction with Borne of their own smaller boats' in maintaining a special passenger and general cargo sorvice between the West Coast portß, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and intermediate ports. It is not, we beliove, intended to uso the monopoly now obtained to in any way increase the rates either for passengers or cargo hitherto ruling by theso boats. We understand that the negotiations between the Borough of Palmerston North and the Government Insurance Association for a loan'fromthe latter of £50,600, for municipal improvements, have fallen through. Tho Government steamer Stella lotthere early this morning for Cape Palliser, taking Captains Johnston and Babotand Lieutenant Smith, who will make a survey of the coast in tho vicinity of the Cape, in order, if possiblo, to fix the exact spot where the steamer lonic struck recently. [As we go to press, wo hoar that tho Stella is returning, having probably found the weather too rough for the work.] On Satnrday afternoon one of the torpedo detachmonts of the Naval Artillery Volunteers, under tho command of Lieutenant Hislop, proceeded out in the launch for instruction in torpedoing nnder Mr. Smythe, the Government Instructor. The weather was favourable* and the usual programme was gone through, viz., out-hauling and inhauling the spar with tho torpedo attached, and running into buoys fall speed and then reversing to full speed astern. The instructor intimated that on tho next occasion ho would havo light charges ready to be fired by electricity nnder easy steam, and he would gradually increase the charges to the full at full speed ahead. There will bo a sitting of tho Divorce Court to-morrow for tho purpose of dealing with a petition for a rnlo absolnte in the case of Colo v. Cole and Watson. Mr. Shaw will appear for the petitioner. The application will be unopposed. A large nnraber of exhibits for the New Zealand Exhibition came to hand from tha North by tho Wairarapa to-day, and from the South by the llawea"ye3terday. In the Art Department, 300' pictures have already been received, and a start will be mod« this avening to bang them.

A remonstrance from the ratepayers living in Clyde Quay and Oriental Bay has been extensively signed in reference to the neglect of the City Council to construct and keep in order a proper footpath round Oriental Bay, in spite of the fact that the money for the work was voted some months a<;o. The remonstrance will be sent in to the Public' Works Committee to-day. It ia certainly not without cause that this protestihaa been drawn up, as tho footpath alluded to is much required, tLo neighbourhood being largely resorted to by th 9 general pnblio in addition to the residents in the neighbourhood. The roadway, iii its present condition, ia not only discreditable to the authories, but also dangerous, seveial accidents from persons falling into the numerous fissures in the eidc-path by the rocks having been recently repottod. The matter should bo attended to at once. Owing to an attack of bronchitis, Judge Richmond was unable to attend at the Supremo Court to-day and hear the remainder cf tho argument in tho case of George v. the Australian Mntnal Provident Society, which was commenced on Saturday. Ths oase will be called on again on Wednesday. The suit of Plimmer v. Wakoford has been settlod. The action, it will be remembered, related to the performance of certain conditions in the lease of Barrett's Hotel, of which plaintiff is the owner and defendant the lessee. The music ordered some three months since for the Exhibition festival ohornsha? arrived by the Rimutaka. It includes the five chorused for tho oponing ceremony, the " Hymn of Praise," "Jubilee Cantata," " St. Cecilia's Day," &c. "ThoCroation 1 ' will be rehearsed this evening. Vocalists and instrumentalists intending to take part in the Exhibition Musical Festivals are requested to attend the rehearsal to take place this evening at the Drillshed. As the time is rapidly approaching for the opening of the Exhibition, a full attendance is earnestly requested. A meeting of creditors in the estate of James Thomas, late licensee of tho Panama Hotel, was couvoued for this morning to consider whothor the Official Assignee should take stops for the reoovory of a large sum of money lying in the Post Savings Bank in the namo of Mrs. Thomas. Only two creditors put in an appearance, and no business could be transacted. Tho steamer Penguin, arriving here on Wednesday from tho South, will bring up tbo Manapouri's English and Australian mails. Messrs. Johnston & Co. aro advised by cablo that the China Navigation" Company's steamer Tamsui sailed from Foo Chow for Wellington direct on tho 11th instant, with now Benson's tea as follows: — 300 tons for Wellington, 210 for Lytteltou, 450 for Dunedin, 20 for Napier, 375 for Auckland, 160 for Kelson, and 30 for Invercarg ill. She may be looked for on or about 3rd Augnßt. During the progress of the sermon at St. Paul's last evening, the Eov. John Still made reference to a subject which he said was not a aavonry one, but which he thought he should allude to. The rev. gentleman mentioned that within a short distance of the church there existed a hotbed of vioe, a place where persons of the most depraved character flaunted themselves in broad daylight. In his opinion, it was particularly objectionable that tho children of persons living in the neighbourhood should witness the Bcenea whioh went on, and ho considered that Bomo strong effort should bo made to put an end to a state of things which could not fail to be a source of the greatest evil. An exceedingly loquacious juryman turned up to-day, and gave the Coroner some little trouble. When requested to tako the Bible in his hand, he distinctly refused to do bo, and entered into an incoherent and what bid fair to be a lengthy explanation why ho objected that the oath should be administered to him. At length ho was peremptorily stopped by tho Coroner, and was told to make an affirmation, which he very reluotantly did. On the jury returning from viewing th 9 body, the man's manner again attracted the attention of the Coroner, who relieved him from further attendance, and at tho same time directed the police to dispense with the services of the man for the future. The latest additions to the Telephone Exchange are— W. Chalmers, Waterlooquay; Union Bank of Australia, Lambtonquay; and Wriggleaworth & Binns, WillisBtreet. During the last few days the horses engaged in the Steeplechaso Meeting of next Saturday have been steadily arriving. A large number, including local and foreign candidates, are now looated in the various stables at the Hutt. Charles J. Painter was lodged in the city lockup this nfternoon, oharged on warrant at tho instigation of his wife with being of unsound mind. Painter was some time since an inmate of the Lunatic Asylum, but was discharged as being cured. The Riverton oarsman, Harrington, is evidently no duffer. He has now rowed two raoos in Sydney, and been victorious in both, so that, in spite of his defeat by Hearn, it appears he had some grounds for his freelyexpressed confidence in his own powers. His opponent in the match rowed on the Partamatta conrse on Saturday was O. Nelson, who has not, certainly, a great reputation, but who is spoken of by the Sydney Mail aa a worthier antagonist than his former opponent, Paul. Tho raoe was for JBIOO aside, and, according to tho articles of agreement, was rowed in two skiffs known as the Boar and Thetia, which were built some years ago. In reference to this, the Mail says: — "There is no accounting for the whims and fancies of rowing men, and it is not at all clear why the preference should have been given to these two old boats, unless it is because in one of them, the Bear, "I believe, William Beaoh, the champion Bouller, was thrice victorious— viz., when he defeated T. Clifford for jfclOO, December, 1882, ; Solomon for £100, Maroh, 1883 ; and Roynolds for .£IOO. April, 1883." It is more than probable that Harrington, emboldened by his suocess, will again ohallengo Hearn on his return to this oolony, bo that we should advise the-ohampion to keop himself in praotioe. Messrs. O. and E. J. Hill, of this city, who are_ well known as owners of greyhounds trained for conrsing purposes, have within the last few days had commodious kennels built for their dogs on ground adjoining Wilkinson's Toa Gardens in Oriental Bay. Separate quarters are provided for the dogs in training and dogs whioh are kept for breeding purposes, and the comfort and health of the animals have been consulted in a very complete way. The steamer Tekapo, which passed through Wellington yesterday from the South for Sydney, had on board 25 howes and 1300 tons general produce. " Vigilant " desires to acknowledge receipt of the programme of the Canterbury Jockey Club for tho season 1885-6, which has been kindly forwarded by Mr. Ponfold, the Seoretary of the C.J.C. The half-yearly meeting of the Wellington Working Men's Club will be held to-morrow evening. The announcement that Mr. Gerald I/. Dillon would give readings from the works of a number cf well-known authors had the effect of securing a large attendance at the V°jKm Hall last ovening. The beat effort tfrihfl reader perhaps, from a declamatory point of viow, was " Shamus O'Brien." The Lyoeum Band, under the leadership of Mr. Mitohell, gave Boveral selections dnring the eyoning. Mr. Dillon will give another selection of readings next Sunday evening. Preaching last night from Epheaians V., 31—32, the Rev. R. Coffey eaid that the Government were patching the marriage and divorce law, and now that tLey had broken the bonds of the main principle in the marriage state, as expressed in the words " one flesh," the Legislature would find circumstances thoy had never thought of constantly cropping up ; unforeseen hardships wonld bo continually coming to light whioh would have to bo patched up. Ho pointed out that marriage was a religions ceremony, and one of the rules of the Church was that it should be by banns, and not only was this the proper way, 'but it was considerably the cheapest. Another rule of tho Church in regard to marriages was that they were not to be carried out in Lent, and this had been the law till the last century. One-third of the marriage ceremonies performed in St. Mark's Church during the late financial year had been arranged to tako place in Lent, but in one case at least he had managed to get tho arrangement altered. He believed the wedding breakfast was going out of fashion, while marriago by bann3 was becoming more fashionable, at all events in England. The " wedding breakfast" practice was theresnlt of the Holy Communion forming part of the marriage ceremony, but since the rubrio, which made the communion an essential portion of tbo service, hod been altered, the practice of having a wedding breakfast had ceased to bo necessary, and was falling into disuse. , The annual service in connection with the celebration of the Battle of the Boyne was conducted in Wesloy Chnrch yesterday morning. The members of the three Loyal Orange Lodtres belonging to Wellington, to tbo number of about 130, assembled at the Eechabite Hall, Manners-street, and marched from thence to the chnrch, where the Rev. L. M. Isitt, one of tho chaplains of the Grand Lodge, preached an excellent Bormon appropriate to tho occasion. At tho conclusion of tho srrvice the brethren, who were in full regalia, returned to the hall and then ditperaod to their respective homes. The animal tea and concert comes off in the Rechabite Hall this evening. Tho annivorsary services in connection with the Molesworth-street Wcslevan Sunday School wore held yesterday. Tnoßev. J. Patereon preached in the mommas in the afternoon the Rev. L. M. Isitt addressed the j parents and children, and in the evening the Ifev. W. C. Oliver preaohed. Special hymns were sung by the children. The usual tea and public meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 14th instant.

At the conclusion of the inquest at the' morgue this morning, Mr. Eyre, the foreman of tho jury, took occasion to call the attention of tho Coroner to what he designated an " the shameful condition of the morgne." The foreman remarked that, considering jurymen wero taken from their business 'ana received no remuneration for th°ir services, he considered that at least 'a-flre might bo provided for them. The Coroner-admitted that the place was exceedingly cold and uncomfortable, especially in the winter, but" as there was some prospect of an alteration being shortly made in the existing Act, he presumed that it was tot thought worth while to effect any improvement in the building at present. The mischief effected by boys vising catapults in the public stroots has uioro than once been referred to. It will bo seen from an advertisement that Sir. John Ore, of the City Buffet, offers a reward to anyone giving him finch information as shall lead to the conviction of the young rascals who have lately been amusing themselves firing bullets into his baok windows from the Terrace. Aa an indication of the progress made in the plea for the Bible alone as the basis of faith and moralß, Mr. Floyd mentioned in the oourse of his sermon last night that the religious people whom he identified himself with had increased in the United States alone, from a little band of 13 in 1812, to over 600,000; that they possessed 35 colleges and universities, they published over 40 religious periodicals, and thoy were aotively engaged in both Home and foreign missionary work. These faots woald show that they were not such an insignificant people as many were led to think. The attention of memb«rs of tho Heretaunga Light Horse is directed to a district order. Those not attending the parades are liable to a fine of XI. There will be a Church parade on Sunday at tho Lower Hutt. The seamen who in May last were sentenced to ten weeks' imprisonment in the Torraoo Gaol tor refusing to prooeed to sea in the Bteainer Coptio were roloasod from custody on Saturday, their term having expired. There wero 20 men. The first annual meoting of Tattersalla Club is to be held at the olub room, Post Office Hotel, this evening at 8 o'clook, when the report and balance-sheet will be submitted, and the election of officers for the ensuing year will take placo. There was a crowdod audience last night at the Christians' Chapel to hear Mr J. F. Floyd on the subject of " Our right to exist, and our aim as a religious people." The speaker said if they had nothing distinctive as a religious body to mark their existenoe, but wero simply a denomination amongst the denominations, they were not needed, aa there were far too many of these alroady. Ho, however, demonstrated that they had gopd and tenable grounds for their separate existence, and Bhowod that the Boriptures taught the existence of but one ohnrch, of nhioh ho traced tho history from its oiigin in the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ down to tho present century. Tho Christian's plea was for the Bible, and it alone, in opposition to all human creeds and confessions of faith, and they aimed to see iill God's people take that ground as the only possible one for unity. Mr. Floyd lectures this evening on "The Devil. Is there oner Wore did he come from, and how does he work?" And tomorrow evening on " Hell and the Philosophy of Future Punishment." Mr. F. Sidey will sell to-morrow, at Plimmer'a "Wharf, produce, land, &o. Messrs. Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, Buporior household furniture. We would respeotfully remind our lady oustomers that in addition to the extensive assortment of new choice coloured dress fabrics, we have a splendid range of black dress material just opened out at To Aro House. We are showing black cashmeres from Hid to 3s 6d per yard ; blaok Frenoh merinos from 2s 6d to 4s 6d ; black Parramattas from Is 6d to 3a 6d ; black Persian cord from Is to 2s ; black Ensael cord from 10id to Is 9d ; black lustres from 6d to 2s j black nuns' veiling from la 6d to 2s j black Batin cloths, from la 6d to 2b 9d; blaok broehe ottoman cloths, 7Jd to Is 9d ; blaok embroidered costume cloths, Is 4Jd, Is 6Jd ; black ottoman silks, Is 6Jd to 4s 6d ; black grosgrain silks, 2s lid to 5s 6d ; black broohe Bilks, Is lid to 5s lid j blaok velveteens, Is 3d to 3b 6d per yard ; at Te Aro House. Onk 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 catastropho has been sold long sinoe. Our customers may thoreforo depend upon gotting the latest styles and the best value obtainable in this city, at To Aro House.— Advt. We understand they are at a loss to find suitable men for judges of tweed for the Exhibition. Huxley, the Tailor, Bays that there is not a better jujge of tweeds than himself anywhere to be found, or a man more independent of merohants or manufacturers. — Advt. The originator of Wolfe's Schnapps will live as long as his splendid preparation performs its marvellous cures and is recognised aa a standard remedy for tho ailments it undertakes to treat.— Advt.