THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 50, 27 August 1885, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING.

The Seleot Committee of the Legislative Counoil appointed to oonsider the working of the Government Printing Offioe have come to a conclusion directly opposed to that arrived at by the Committee of the House of Representatives appointed to consider the same question. They report that they consider it conclusively proved "that a considerable portion of the printing and lithographio work could be done equally as well and cheaper by tender than by the Government Printing Offioe, and that if tenders were called for throughout the colony there would be a large number of competitors fur the work. And they reoommend — " (1) That the Government should take the subjeot of the Government printing and the supply of stationery into their consideration during the reoes«. (2) That it would be advisable to appoint a commission of experts to be ohosen from various parts of the oolony, to examine and report on the working of the Government Printing Office, with special reference to the expediency of having some of the work distributed over the oolony." We are not at all surprised at these recommendations. Considering the composition of the committee, and the class of^ evidence it took, the result was almost a foregone conclusion. The Hon. Mr. Reynolds is well known for his unreasoning and violent antagonism to the Government Printing Department, whioh it is believed evon renders him blind to the disgraceful oondition of the premises in which that department is located, 'ihe Committee included the direotor of one large printing and lithographio establishment in another part of the colony, and most of the witnesses examined were proprietors of similar establishments, all eagerly "at fat contraots squiutin'," and no doubt desirous of poking their nosea " inter the Gov'ment print in." The Lower House Committee was a mnoh fairer one, and the evidence it took was more independent and exhaustive, and, writing with no inconsiderable knowledge of the subjeot, we say, unhesitatingly,, that it 3 conclusions are much Bounder, and more just, If the Government, whioh will have to deoide between the two conflicting reports, does adopt the reoommendation of one so far as to appoint a Royal Commission of experts, we hope they will be seleoted from outside the oolony, and have no possible personal or local interest in the result of the deoision they may arrive at. To choose them from " various parts of the oolony" would be by no means a fair proceeding, as printers from all parts of the oolony mnst be more or less interested in the question.

Ihe Premier yesterday intimated that the Municipal Corporationsßill would be dropped for. this session; the Friendly Sooieties Bill would also be deferred, and they might not be able to prooeed with the Representation Bill.

The Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill, introduced by Sir Julius Vogel, amends the existing law in certain partionlara, in acoordanoe with the expressed desire of a large number of Friendly Societies. By clause 2 provision is made to compel all lodges, "courts, &>., wbioh are praotically branohes of a central body, to be registered as such, in order that their affairs may be under the oontrol of suoh central body. Provision is also made whereby the names and particulars of snoh brandhes are to be sent to the Registrar, who is to issue ao* knowledgemont of registry. Exemption from Customs duties is extended to inolude oert&in goods belonging to Friendly Sooietiea in addition to those already admitted free. These inolude regalia, emblems, banners, letter and note paper with printed Friendly Society headings, account books speoially printed for societies' use, &o. Owing to the adverse motion tabled by Maior Atkinson, Mr. Ballance has written to the Native Lands Committee, stating that fae desires that the consideration of the Native J^ands Disposition Bill should ba postponed for wje preset^, and the Committee has therefore adjourned for a week. It is stated that Mr. Vincent Fyke intends to move an amendment on Major Atkinsons no-confidenco resolutions by substituting the words, " This House doss not approve of tho Public Works proposals of the Ministry."

Several notices of exhibits in the Home Industry firanoh of the Exhibition, letter oc the same subjeot, and somo supplementary nevre by the can Franoisoo Moll appear og our fourth page to-day. We have been gratified by receiving from " A Mother," "'The Parent of a Family," and several others, oommnnicationa expressing warm approval of the decision we yesterday announced in reference to the Pall Maty Gazette artioles, and thanking m heartily fof refraining from republifihing them. Mr, John Smith, jun , announces himself as a oandidate for Te Aro Ward in the City Council. Mr. Sidney Hair yesterday laid an information before Mr. Willliam Dawson, J.P., against two persons, whose names to the in> formant are unknown, for having assaulted him at the Lower Hutt on the 19th inst., with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The information was placed in the hands of the police, and the case has, we believe, been entrusted to Deteotaye Chrystal to follow np and, if possible, identify the assailants. Mr. Travers is acting for Mr. Mnir. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Robert Thomas Stookbridge, labourer, Wellington, wad convened for to-day in the Supreme Court, but lapsed f<jr want of a quorum. The liabilities were set down at £59 2s 10d, at the assets at £17 15j.

I In the Supreme Court to-day the case of ihe Gear Meat Preserving Company v. Bnrt was heard. The aotion was brought to recover the sum of £37 as rent of certain premises at the Taita, and possession of the said property. In opening the case for the plaintiffs Mr. Barton stated that the original owner of the property was Mrs. Boss. She leased it to Mr. Richardson, and the latter transferred it Mr. Freeman, who in turn handed over possession to Mr. Gadsby. The latter transferred it to Mr. Gear, who handed it over amongst the properties purchased by the company. The defence was that the property belonged to Mr. Avery, and not to the Gear Company. Mr. Shaw was for the defendant. After taking evidence and hearing counsel, his Honour reserved judgment. A deputation from the Education Board, consisting of Messrs. J. E. Blair (Chairman), Beetbam, M.H.R., H. Bunny, and A. Dorsett (Secretary), was introduced to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works this morning by Mr. W. Buohanan, M.H.fi. The Hon. the Minister of Education was also present. The deputation explained that the Board of Education were desirous of asking the department to permit about 1500 State school children, residing in the Wairarapa distriot, to travel with their teachers to town during the continuance of the Exhibition free of charge. Mr. Bunny explained that it was proposed to send the ohildren down in detachments of 300 or 400 eaoh towards the end of September next. The department would be put to but little expense or inconvenience by the school trips, as it was intended that the children should come down by the ordinary morning train and would leave town the same day at 4 25. Mr. Bichardson remarked that he considered a oharge of Is for children and 6s for each teaoher would be reasonable enough. He oonld not see why the Railway Department Bbould be called upon to concede more than thiß. At the Chiistchuroh Exhibition sohool ohildren travelling by rail were taken at low rates, and their teaobers and parents were oharged full fares. The deputation urged that the Christohurch Exhibition was a private speculation, whereas the present Exhibition was a State exposition. Mr. Stout thought that parents would, willingly pay the small rates proposed to be charged. In reply, Mr. Richardson promised to give the request of the deputation his consideration and would communicate the result to the Chairman of the Board of Eduoation. The present high dnty on spirits, together with the facilities that exist in various parts of the country for running illicit stills, hold out strong temptations to many persons to embark in the alluring enterprise of producing illicit whisky, and the authorities are therefore constrained, in the interests of the revenue, to offer substantial rewards for information that will lead Jo the suppression of this pnrßuit. It will be seen, by a recent notification in the New Zealand Gaeette, that a reward not exceeding £50 and not less than £5 will be paid to any one who gives such information as will lead to the diaoovery of illicit distillation, and to the detection and conyiotion of persons engaged therein, or in buying or selling spirits illicitly distilled, or supplying to ilfioit distillers materials for making spirits. This reward will be paid on conviction being obtained, and it will be independent of and in addition to one-third of the net proceeds ef any seizure, and of the penalty to which by law the person giving information is entitled. The amount < of the reward will be in proportion to the importance of each oase. Persons willing to give information are requested to oommunioate with any offioer of Customs or of police. It ! may be relied on that any communication of the ftbore nature will be regarded as strictly confidential, and that the name of the person givieg information will not be divulged without his consent. The delegates from the various temperance bodies held a meeting at Wesley Churoh Sohoolroom, lost evening, for the purpose of making arrangements for the proposed temperance demonstration, which is to be held at the Exhibition on 23rd September next. The chair was occupied by Mr. F. H. Fraser. A letter was received from Mr. Callis, Secretary of the Exhibition, offering to assist the demonstration in evory way he could. Adults will be admitted for Is eaoh and children for 2d eaoh, this charge to cover admission to the Exhibition both during the afternoon and evening. Tho offer was accepted, and committees were appointed to oarry out the arrangements for the prooeseion, the concert, &o. Mr. F. Billman was appointed musical oouduotor. It having been deoided to invite tradesmen in the oity to close thoir places of business on the afternoon of the day of the demonstration, the meeting terminated. The meeting in reference to the revival of the Caledonian Society, which was oiiginally fixed for Tuesday last, but was afterwards altered to this evening, will be held at 8 o'olook in the Chamber of Commerce, and it ia to be hoped that there will be a Urge attendance. Wellington is now almost the only huge town in the colony whioh doea not possess a society of the. kind, and we feel certain that the project has only to be taken in hand by the right people to be well supported. A meeting of creditors in the estate of J. Whitely King, journalist, was held yesterday afternoon in the Supreme Court Buildings. Tho liabilities are set down at £227 183 3d, the majority of whioh was incurred at Taranaki and Gore, whilst the assets amount to £6?. Mr. E. Shaw appeared for the debtor. In the absonoe of the Official Assignee, the ohair was occupied by Mr. Gaudy. Mr. Shaw stated that the debtor had been oompellod to seek the protection of the Court owing to tho aotion of' creditors outside Wellington. It was decided that tho Official Assignee should enquire into the statement of debta and assets furnished by the debtor. The meeting then olosed. The following gentlemen have $een appointed to aot with the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union in receiving the Hawke's Bay and 'Egmont Football teams : — Messrs. G. Campbell, C. E. Batkin, C. A. Knapp, P. M'lntyre, W. N. Werry, J. Dumbell, D.G. A. Coopor, and j — Lynch. Referring to the team selected to play againßt Wellington on Saturday, a writer in the Hawke's Bay Herald says:— "It is matter for extreme regret that our beat men are unable to fret away to take part in the game. In sending to Wellington a weak team Hawke's Bay football is likely to be brought into disrepute, and will materially affect the personnel ot any team that might be selected in Wellington to visit üb. The final Beleotion of the oommittee was made known on Saturday evening, and grounds of dissatisfaction were heard on every side on aooouutof the weakness of the team. Several rood men who oculd have got away are lsft oat and their plaoea are filed by inferior players." Mr. C. E. Carter, of the Wairarapa, who was formerly a member of the House of Representatives; has purchased an Eiryptian mummy, whioh he has forwarded to Dr. Heotor as a gift to the Colonial Museum. In a letter of the 16th July, advising the Bending of the curiosity, Mr. Carter gives the following particulars :— l. " The mummy was found last summer at Aohmin (anoiently Panopolis), near Sohaz, on the Nile. The time is the Ptolemaio period, or XXXIII. Dynasty. 2. It is of the date of the Ptolemies, whose, dynasty commences wi-.h the reign of Ptolemy the First, 323 B.C. Under the Government of the Ptolemies Egypt continued free till the battle of Aotium, whioh ooourred 30 8.C., when Egypt finally became a province of the Roman Empire. Under these oiroumstanoes, the age of the mummy in question is at least 2000 years old ; or, to be more accurate, it cannot be less than 1914 years old, and may even be as old as 2207 years. 3. The original cost of the oase or coffin and first-clasß embalming, like this specimen, would, according to a calculation by Herodotus, be about £170 of our present money. The wood the case is made of is probably sycamore. 4. The translation of the hieroglyphic inscription on the lid of the mummy found at Aohim, the anoient Panopolis, is as follows (— 'Priest of the God Khem, named Petisiris, son of the mistress of the houße pf Khem, the Ptießtess KhemNafrion. Ptolamaio period.' " The public will be glad to learn that the difficulty in regard to getting the unfortunate lad Wilkinson a passage Home has been obviated, and that arrangements have been made for his departure by the Bnapehn. It appears that all the managers and agenti of the New Zealand Shipping Company have standing instructions not to book persons who are afflicted in any way until they have communicated the particulars to headquarters. Captain .Rose, on being applied to on the subjeot of booking Wilkinson, stated that his passage-money oould not be reoeived until the head office had been consulted on the master. Yesterday word waa received trom Christohurch that a steerage passage could b» booked. We learn that arrangements hava.bspn made with Mr. Lingard, the present lessee of the Theatre. Royal, to allow the use of the house on Wednesday next for a benefit perforrranoe of Mr. Thomas's Exhibition Cantata. The merits of Mr. Thomas's work are now generally acknowledged, and the benefit whioh it ia intended to give the oomposer is a graceful tribute whioh ia thoroughly deserved. Popular prices of admission will be oharged, and the performance of the Cantata will be supplemented by a popular concert. ° Atriantrular rifle match was oemmenced at the Polhill Gully Eange this afternoon between teams representing the D Battery of Artillery, City Rifles, and Masterton Rifles The teams are as follows:— Masterton Rifles — Captain Donald, Lieutenant Cameron, Sergeant Matthews. Corporals Kibblewhjte and M'LaohJan, and Volunteers G. Bentley, C. Bontley, F. Rummer, F. Bright, and W. Weloh; emergencies, Volunteers C. Hoffeins and G. Blanc j referee, Volunteer W. A. Wilten. D Battery— Captain M'Credie, Quartermaster-Sergeant Scott, Sergeants Webb, Holmes and Kuchen, Corporals M'Kenne, Petrie and Gray, and Gunners M f Williams and Turner. City Rifles— Sergeants Burton and Madeley, Corporals Moore and 11'Bsan, and Priratet Jackson, Hanson, Cato, Canty, Bowie, and G. Palmer ; emergency, Private Fearn. The annual meeting of the ' Midland Cricket Club will be held^/on Monday evening. " " * ¦

! < A meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon in the Young Men's Christian Association Booms, the ohair being occupied by Mr. G. B. Uavey. There were also present Messrs. J. 0. Harris, Damant. F. Brady, G. Thorne, Jan., Bey. H. Van Staveren, and J. £. Baker (hon. sec ) A draft agreement to be entered into with the inspector was agreed to. The proposed by-law for the suppresson of cruelty to stock when landed at the pens was received from the Secretary of the Harbour Board. It was decided to suggest to the Harbour Board that a tarpaulin should be provided for the shelter of animals in the pens. It was arranged that the Committee meetings should be hell on the first Monday in the month. It was decided to ask the Government to give the Inspector a free railway pass. Mr. Miohie, M.E C.V.S., forwarded a receipted bill for £2 2s, which he tendered as the amount of his BubEoription. The Inspector's report for the past month, which was received, did not contain any items of great interest beyond the fact that the sum of £3 8s (id had been collected during the past three weeks. At the Magistrate's Court this afternoon Charles Marter, a dealer, sued T. H. Smith, dealer, for the sum of £15 under somewhat . peouliar circumstances. It appears that the plaintiff had been the proud possessor of two anoient copies of the London limeß, one of which contained a " full, true and particular account of the Battle of the Nile, and a list of the killed and wounded," whilst the second copy recounted a "full, true, and particular account of the battle of Waterloo." The defendant conceived the idea of reprinting these old ohronioles of the times, and offered to purchase the papers, for whioh Mr. Marter asked the rather stiff snm of £20. The eloquence, however, of the enterprising would-be publisher, Mr. Smith, induced the owner to abate his terms on the Dutch auotion system, until he reluctantly parted with the death of Nelson and the narrative of Waterloo, with the authentic particulars of the meeting of Wellington and Blncher for the sum of £7 cash and 800 copies of the reprints. The cash had been paid, but the papers had not been handed to the plaintiff. Mr. Jellicoe, on behalf of the defendant, applied for a nonsuit on the ground that there Lad been no contmot. Mr. Wardell, although he considered that the defendant wag really the martyr in making the bargain, he would give a verdiot for Mr. Marter for £5. Mr. Howarth appeared for the plaintiff. The monthly meeting of the Board of College Governors was held this morning, there were present— The Hon. A. de Bathe Brandon (Chairman) Bey. J. Pateraon. and Messrs. Bunny and Blair. Mr. Blair, as Treasurer, reported that there was no alteration in the oondition of the College finances. A letter was read from Mr. C. Hill, Inspector of Nuisances, Palmeraton North, giving notice to the Board to out down some dangerous trees on their reserve in that township. It was decided to give instructions to have the trees removed. Mr. Maok&y, Prinoipal of the College, wrote suggesting that instead of his engagement being made terminable by six months' notice on either side, he should be engaged for a fixed term. The consideration of the matter was deferred. Professor Aldis, who had been requested to 'examine the Wellington College and the Girls' High Sobool, wrote that until he knew exaotly what was required, he could not give a reply, either in the negative or affirmative. The Secretary waa imtruoted to write to Professor AHia supplying him with all partioularß. The consideration of a motion by Mr. Bunny, to give the Co^ege pupils a half-holiday on Wednesday and Saturday instead of a whole holiday on Saturday, was deferred. The Hon. De Bathe Brandon reported that the Wellington College Beserves Bill had been hung tip for the session. A suggestion by the Bey. J. Paterson, on behalf of Dr. Newman, that the hour of meeting should be altered, in order to make it more suitable for those members of the Board who have legislative duties to perform, was not adopted. The consideration of a notice of motion by Mr. Bjair, " That in future prizes be awarded on the basis of the examination marks, and that the examiners be instructed to examine on the widest possible basis," was deferred. It was deoided to renew the lease of the Girls' High Sohool premises for two years. Mr. Blair reported that the finances of the High Sohool were in a satisfactory oondition. The meeting then terminated). The polico have sworn an information igainst Charles Cudby, the landlord of the Provincial Hotel, Upper Hutt, for having oommitteda breaoh of tho Licensing Aot, 1881, for that on the 20th inst. " he did permit violent and riotous conduct to take place on his licensed premises— to wit, permit certain persons to knook down and grease Edward Irving Wilkie " The oase will be heard on Wednesday next, at the Lower Hutt Court. The following team will represent the Karori Football Club in the matoh to be played against the eecond fifteen of tho Wellington Club at Karori on Saturday :— Backs —Hume, Smith, Dasent, Bandell, Porter, Murphy; forwards— Brown, E. Graham, T. Graham, Dasent, Hudson, Hutchison, Kennedy, Mitchell, Ktoddart ; emergencies — Harper and Nixon. The subjeot ef sooial purity was dealt with at length by Bey. Mr. Cecil, at Carter's Hall, Pfltone, last evening. Mr. H. Williams was in the nhair. The rev. gentleman denounced the state of affairs which rendered the debauchery of females so easy a matter, and called upon the audience not to tolerate the abuse any longer. In the course of his remarks Mr, Ceoil stated he had hoerd on good authority that, in proportion to the population, the social evil was as bad in Wellington as it was in London. The Chairman and Meßsre. Haines, Masters, Calvert, and Trueman, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for farthering the cause. Mr. H. M. Williams was subsequently appointed secretary to the committee. Another meeting has been arranged to be held on Thursday, the 3rd September. At the adjourned meeting, held in Greytown last Saturday to disouss the question of starting a starch faotory in the Wairarapa, Mr. Coleman Phillips' statements ai to the paying nature of the industry were oombatted very strongly by Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., who said that ,from Mr. Phillips' remarks they oonld come to no other conclusion than that the farmers of the Wairarapa had, for a number of years, been bo blind to their own interest*, or to unintelligent, as not to see the advantage of -growing potatoes' It was resolved, on the suggestion of the Chairman, that the meeting be adjourned Mine die, it being considered advisable to await the arrival of full information from America, the Government being in the meantime asked to extend the time during whioh a bonus would be granted, for twelve months. A report has been presented to the New York Board of Aldermen relative to the comparative cost of illuminating the streets of the city with the eleotrio light and gas. The eleotrio lights now in use displaced 8016 gas lamps, whioh oost the oity 52,780d015, or 112,528'50d01s lees than is now being paid for the eleotrio lights. Besolutions have been pasted by the Board to provide for 2093 more, whioh it is reokoned will dieplaoe 5345 gas lamps, the oost per annum of whioh would be 93,537 50dol», or 4i1,224d01s less than would have to be paid for the eleotrio light. The cost of the 2093 elrotrio lights would provide for 30,557 gas lamps. The exhibition of the Diorama of Scottish scenery attracted another good house to the Theatre Royal last evening. A topioal song by a member of the concert party appeared totake well with the audience. The entertainment will be repeated this evening. ' ' Reminiscences of the Now Zealand War " is the title of what promises to be an interesting leoture to be delivered in the Wesleyan Sohool, Taranaki-street, to-night. The lecture is in connection with the Mutual Improvement Society, and will be free to the public At the meeting held in Patca on Saturday last in reference to starting meat-tinning works in the diatriofc, it was ascertained that the canvassers appointed at the last meeting had succeeded in getting the snm of .£1320 guaranteed towards the bonus of .£5OO a year, which it was proposed to offer to any person or company building the faotory or starting the industry. As about J8250 more wa« required, it was decided to adjourn to yesterday to get the balanoe. "We gather from the report," says the Hawora Star of Monday, "that up to the present no definite arrangement has been entered into with any outside capitalists to re-erect the works after the bonus has been raised. Messrs. M'Dougall and Jack's offer is apparently considered to b« rather high." The unfortunate career of the West Coast Meat and Produce Export Company, Limited, id thus summed up by the Patea Mail:— " The first general meeting of shareholders to elect permanent directors was fceld on Wednesday, 14th October, 1883. The first annual general meeting of shareholders to receive the report and balance-sheet was held on Thursday, 23rd Ootober, 1884, and the last general meeting of shareholders (for tho conduct of bnsineea other than the format requirements of the Aot in winding up) was he}d on Saturday, ljjth August. 1885. Seeing that no one anticipates any surplus after the expenses of winding up have been paid, ono ia safe in saying that the oompany succeeded in losing nearly £800 a month since it started." Dobs not the experience of this company show what a mistake it is for the residents in little towns and ports to imagine that by their own exertions they can force-to m successef ul issue an industry which overtaxes both their> resources and the capital at their command. Patea is a very promising distrjet, and possesses the elements of future progress, but turely it might be contented for some time to oome to feed the well-established exporting companies of Wellington. By this me«ps the settlers would maintain an outlet for their stook, and at the same time would not incur responsibilities whioh are too heavy for them. The Waitara correspondent of the Taranaki Herald writes:— "Mr. Holme*, the contractor for the new wharf for the f reeling works at Waitara, ia poshing ahead with the work, and expects to complete the same within a month.*' ~