Evening Post. MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1886. A SOCIAL CHANGE.

Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 2, 4 January 1886, Page 2

Evening Post. MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1886. A SOCIAL CHANGE.

Whether it is duo to the labours of the various temporanco associations or not, we aro not quite prepared to say, but there can bo no doubt that a marvellous and most bonofioial change has beon wrought in the sooial, and what may bo termed the holiday, habits of the pooplo in this colony within the last fow joars. No ono who remembers tho manner in which tho Christmas holidays ÜBed to be celebrated and tho New Year ushered in, say ten years ago, could fail to bo etruok by the great ohango manifested in the proceedings of the last fortnight. There has not been any lass merry-making, or any less \ enjoyment. There has beon plenty of monoy about, and of course a great many more people than there used to be, but there has been far loss drunkenness, and an almost total absence of the rowdyism whioh used naturally to result from over-indulgence in strong drink. It naod to bo a very common thing to see crowds of drunken men in the streets during holiday time. Now it is the exception to ace a solitary inebriate. The hotels used to bo orowded with rowdy, shouting mobs. This year they had no laok of legitimate trado, but their customers wero, as a rule, quiet, orderly, and comparatively temperate. Tho reokloßß " shouting "—tho praotice of forcing liquor nolens volene on everyone around— seems to have fallen into disuse. Tbo holidays have not been enjoyed less, but probably far more, because in a moro rational manner than used to bo the fashion, and whatever the caußo may be, the ohange is one for profound thankfulness. Of course there has been a good deal to deplore even within the last fortnight, and perfection has not yet been reached in sooial life any more than in other things, but there is ovidently some reformatory influence at work, and it is aohieving great things. We should be very sorry to see our oitizens take their pleasure sadly. We desire to see all enjoy themselves fully, thoroughly, and freely, bnt we cannot feel otherwise than thankful when we see them seeking enjoymont in a rational and healthful manner, instead of seeking it in sensual indulgence and brutal intoxication. The great gathering on the Caledonian Ground on New Yearß' Day was remarkable for its orderly, and in one sense of tho word, sober character. There was a marked absence of intemperance, and everyone seemed thoiougbly to enjoy themselves without any over-indulgenoe. A few years ago, at suoh gatherings, taking " a weo drappio " too much was regarded as if not quite the correct thing, at least os a very venial and almost amiablo offence. It was thought nothing of, and ontailed no sooial disgraoo. There is a vast improvement in publio Eontiment on this point now, and it is certainly not considered compatiblo with respeotability to fall undor tho influence of liquor in a publio place, even if it be a Caledonian gathering on New Year's Day. Whether this improvement in publio sentiment is tho oause or the effect of the reformation in publio manners to whioh wo have alluded may be open to argument, but really matters littlo. One preat oause of the increased order, sobriety, and decorum, which year by year marks tho celebration of our festive season, without in the least detracting from its hearty enjoyment or genuine pleasure, is, we think, the rapidly increasing number of colonial youths who are reaohing manhood^ It ii one of the most hopeful indications of what the future of the colony will probably be, that New Zealand youths aro pot addicted ;o indulgence in drinking habits. In temperance thoy set a good example to their elders. Very rarely indeed are New Zoaland-born ycung men found giving way to intemperate habits. Drink is not a favourite vice with them. We wißh we could add that smoking was not either, but we aru forced to confess that indulgence in the "pernicious weed" is almoat universal amongst the rising generation. Perhaps come day smoking will become as unfashionable as exoossive drinking has undoubtedly become.

It is probable that his Excellenoy the Governor will return heie from Christohuroh this week in order to meet and oonault with Admiral Tryon on the latter's arrival in H.M.S. Nelson.

The Wellington and Northern portion of the Kaikoura's English mail arrived in Wellington by the s a. Eotorua at 11.15 last night. The Auckland and New Plymouth portion of the mail was Bent on by the Penguin early this morning. The inward San Francisco mail is due at Auckland on Friday next by the Maripoea, but as that vessel was a day late in leaving, it may be Saturday before sho reaches there. The s.s. Hawea, arriving hore from the South on Wednesday, leaves again the same day for the North, instead of waiting until Thursday, so as to reach Onehunga in good time to bring down the Southern portion of the mail. We oro Borry to learn that tho Govornment have, for the present at least, abandoned tho intention of allowing delayed telegrams to bo -,ont on Sundays. Sir Julius and Lady Vogel sailed for Woiwera by the Hinemoa un Saturday evening. The Government Insurance Association have appointed a lady canvasser in Wanganui, with tho special object of extending inßuranco amongst women. The Nativo Ministers who is attending the great native meeting which is being held at Waipatu, intends to mako Hastings his headquarters during the continuance of the proceeding. At the oiuii-aiy meeting of the Harbour Board, to be held on Thursday nf-xt, Mr. J. H. Hoaton will move, according to notico, that the Chairman and the members of-the Harbour Board interview Admiral Tryon on his arrival in Wellington re the question of a graving dock for Wellington. Amongst tho paosengers by tho Kaikoura, whioh arrived at Port Chalmers from London on Saturday, wore Lord and Lady Dalhousie, General Sir Patrick and Lady Macdougall, and Count Eoeon. Mr. and Mrs. James Gear, Mr 3 Ling, and the Misses ling and Eeid, of Wellington, who loft on a visit to Great Britain about a year ago, have returned to the ooloDy by the eamo vessol. Tho passengers for Wellington and the North ex Kaikoura will arrive here on Wednesday by the steamers Wanaka and Hawea, from the South. The Wellington and Manawatu Railway was well patronised on Saturday. Tho total number of passengers was 1156. The Anglo-New Zsalandor and Australian Timoa now pnbliahi-s a list of the namoa and addresses of Australasian visitors in Europe. In tho Doeomber report on tho produce markets of the colony, issued by the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, wo notico that in conaeqnanco of the drought in Australia supplies of butter are very short on the other side, and that heavy shipments aro being cent over there, principally from Auckland. Another fact ohronicled in the repoit, which, is specially deserving of note by our up-oountry cheese f actoi ios, is that in Auckland there has been a big rise in the price of cheose, and that at present tho demand is far ahead of the supply. The Sydney market is also in want of supplies of the same commodity. It is understood that tho Houso Committeo of the Hospital will, at the mooting of the Hospital Committee to be hold thfc afternoon, recommend tho appointmont of tho wife of the dresser to the position of matron, rendered vacant by tho illness of Mias Marsdon, at a salary of £75 per annum. It is also proposed, wo learn, to increase the dresser's salary by X2O a yoar. A slight accident happened on Saturday night to the train which loft Wellington for the Wairarapa at 10.15. The train, which was a very large one, arrived at Hay^rard'B in due course, and was Bhnnted there to allow the Wairarapa train ±0 pa«s. In coming out of tho Biding on to tho main lino, the Grivor appears to havo had the signal to stop before the whole of the train was clear of tho points. At any rate he did so, and the train went baok a short distance, the result beiDg that the points being opened the last oarriages wont back on tho siding, whilothe next ono struck the points, and was forced off the rails. The passengers were greatly alarmed, and several sprang from the carriages. Boyond a fow bruises caused by tbo sudden jerk, and a delay of ton minutes, the accident was not productive of any inoonvenience. Mr. Gonio, a well-known Hutt Bottler, who was a passenger, roceiyed a contusion on tho hoad, whioh wo believe was the most Borioua injury sustained. Mr. John Coombo, ono of tho candidates for tho vacant seat in the City Council, will address the ratepayers of Cook Ward in tho Lyceum Hall this evening. The other candidate, Mr. Charles M'lntyre, addresses tho burgeßses through the medium of our advertising columns. The junior scholarships of the Wanganui Collegiate School have been awarded to Donald M'Both, son of Mr. M'Both, Chief Postmaster, Wanganui, and Hamilton Gilmore, a Wellington lad. These scholarships entitlo the holders to froo tuition, and to board in tho sohool-houso at half tho usual cost for two yearß. Some persons have recently made a practice of racing their horses up Nairn-Btreot and two or three narrow escapoa from Berious accidents to pedestrians havo beon roported to us. The offenders are known, and should thoy again repeat their equestrian feats, thoy will be summonod to appear beforo the Resident Magistrate to answer for thoir folly. Tho exoursion trnin from tho Wairarapa arrived in town thia morning at 9.25. As sho was timed to roach Wellington boforo half-past 9, tho punctuality was very commendable. Mr. James Wilson, tho contractor for tho erection of To Aro House, has made a starb with the work. _ A gang of men are now busily engaged in laying the foundation. The premises ara expected to bo ready for occupation about Septomber. A number of valuable trocs and shrubs wore destroyed by tho fire in, the Botanioal Gardens on Saturday, tho dam'ago being estimated at about .£6O. Two little boys named Arthur and William Parsonage, who resido in the Lewisville-road, have admitted starting the fire, and the polioo have decided to lay informations against them, The Hospital Steward tondors his sincere thanks to Mrs. Coatall and the children of the Bethel Sunday Sohool for the nice lot of flowers sent by them to tho Hospital yesterday afternoon. The usual half-yearly summoned meeting of the "Star of New Zealand" Lodge, U.A.0.D., was hold at the Lower Hutt on Saturday evoning, Bro. F. Fiske, A.D., being in tho chair. The Lodge was visited by Bro. W. K. Bishop in his offioial oapaoity as D.P., and as such was received with Druidio honours. The eleotion of officers for the ensuing six months resulted as follows:— A.D., Bro. J. J. Hobbendj VA., Bro. J. Cramp ; Secretary, Bro. F. Wallace (reelected) ; Treasurer, E. F. Pottard (reelected) ; M.S. W. J. Hagan, P.A. : J.P.A., Bro. F. Fiske ; A.D. Bards. Bros. J. Neill and Geo. England; V.A. Bards, Bros. L. Jansen and C. Lund; J.G., Bro. E. True; O G., H. Cunningham ; Auditor, Bro. Hagan. The above were duly invested with their badges of dffioo by the D.P., to whom speoial thanks wore carried by acclamation for his attendances and for tho advioe and assistance at all times tendered to tho lodge during the five years ho had co ably fulfilled the duties of President. In reply to a question Bro. Bishop* stated that he did not intend offering himself for reeleotion. Bro. E. Jones, P.A. of the Excolsior Lodge, was nominated for the vaoanoy. The auditor's report and balance-sheet for the past half-year were reoeived and adoptevi. The funds of the lodge, after paying all liabilities, amount to J2264 Os lOd, out of whioh .£l4B is invested on mortgage at 8 per cent. The Management Fund showed oredit balance of £12 2s 'Id. Financial members good on the books number *>8. During tho term very little siokness has been experienced by either the members or their families, and consequently tho disbursement of sicks benefits has been small. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers, and special mention made of the zealous manner the seoretary, Bro. F. Wallace, performed his duties. Tho newly-installed officers having returned thanks for the honour done them, the lodge adjourned. St. Leon's Cirous and Menageno appeared in Wellington for the last time on Saturday evening. Before the audience separated , the manager announoed that the season had been a very successful one, the receipts having amounted to £1050. He stated that tho combination would probabry visit Wellington again in about 18 months' time. Mr. Thomas Walkor, Freethoflght lecturer, arrived from Sydney via Aucklard yesterday, and delivered a discourse entitled " Mother Eve and the Fatal Apple ; or, the World on Fire,' ' at the Lyceum in the evening. The City Missionary, Mr. D. Hall, thankfully acknowledges the receipt of tho following subscriptions for tho last month of the old year, the largest proportion of whioh was either sent to the house or given while in tho performance of duty:— Wm, S., 2s; Mr. W. 8., 5b ; Friend, ss ; G.8.Y., ss ; Mr. T.C., 43; Bethel, 6d; Mrs. W., £1; J. Co., £1 Is; A Friend, ss ; Mrs. S., £1; G.G., tis; J.H., 2s 6d; Friend, 10s: Mr. A.E., sa; Mrs. T., £1 Bethel, Is 6d; Captain H., 10s; Mrs. D., 2slsi; Union S.S. Co., £1 la ; J.H., per Editor of the Evening Post, for Seamen's Mission, £1 ; Gratitude, ss ; Bethel, Is ; T.S. & Co., £1 Is ; L.P., £1 Is ; Andrew L . £5; Mra. J.F., £1; J.K.M., £1 Is; GT. and Co., 58; W.F.8., ss; JJ.C. 2s 6d; Bethel, 2a. Total, £19 8s (sd. Mr. Hali also acknowledges with thanks a parcel from Messrs. Laery & Campbell and a bundle of clothes from a lady in George-street for the poor, received the month previously. The steamer Go- Ahead made an excursion round the harbour on Saturday afternoon, about 150 persona being on board. The invitation was a general one, all those on the Queen's Wharf at the time being asked to take part in the outing. On returning to the wharf at 6 o'clock, cheers were given for Messrs. Johnßton A Co., the owners of the vessel, and Captain Plumley who was in oh&rge.

The Dunedin Star has the best authority for Btating that the Government Insurance Board on Thursday appointed Mr. Henry Driver to the charge of the Dunedin branch at a yearly salary of, it is stated, JSIOOO. If this be trne the Insurenoo Board ought to be thoroughly well ashamed of itself, for the sa'ary named is an outrageous one to pay to any lcoal agent, and Mr. Driver, though a clever political intriguer and an excellent stock auctioneer, oan have no special knowledge of insurance bußinees to entitle him to such a salary. We have made enquiries on the subject, and find, however, that although Mr. Driver is to receive the appointment, the salary will be a moderate ono, but with commission he may, if successful, realise about the cum named. An examination of ovndidatoa for officers' commigßioEß in the Volunteer and Militia forces was commenced at the Mount Cook Barracks this morning, Major Butts aotinjr ob supervisoi'.Only three candidates presented themselves, viz., Lieut. Prinple, Herotaunga Light Horße ; JAaxtt. Motfrhoase, I> Battery of Artillery ; and ex-Lieutenant Drake, of the Nekon Naval Artillery The candidates are being examined in five out of the following subjects :— Musketry, guard mounting and Bontry duty, battalion drill, Equa'idrill, company drill, and cavalry drill. Tho sufferers by the late oxpress accident are reported to be progressing very satisfactorily. Mr. A. Whiteford, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, ackmowhdges with thanks the receipt of .£1 from Mr. Edward Dixon as a donation to tho Brigade aocident fund. Miohael Rocho, who was dofeatcd by Scott in the wrestling match at the Caledonian sports on Friday last, is not satisfied with tho decision of the judges, and advertises his willingness to urrangrf a match with Scott on terms mentioned in the advortiaemont elsewhere. Mary White, alias Mary Andorson, a msmber of the unfortunate class, expired at tho Hospital at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, the cause of death boing alcoholic poisoning. Deceased ia tho porson who waa admitted to the Hospital on the 17th of last month suffering from a broken leg sustained in a quarrel with another woman named Ann M'Dermolt. in Quiu-Btreet. M'Dormott iB now in the Terrace Gaol on a charge of having assaulted the deceased. During the time deceased was in the Hospital bho had an attaok of delirium tremens. An inqueßt will be held to-morrow morning. A mosting of the members of the Distriot Board, created under tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, will be held at tho City Council Chambers on Wednesday afternoon at half-past 1 o'olook, for the purpose of striking a rate to support tho institutions which will be under tho control of tho Board. It is etated that tho rate to be struck will probably be 3d in the JS on all the ratoablo property in the city. It is certain that it will not be less than 2£d in the £. A meeting of tho Hutt Small Farm Apbooiation will bo held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lower Hntt, on Wednesday evening. Tho yacht ißca left Lyttelton on her return journey to Wellington at 8 o'olock yesterday morning. The Lyttelton Times of Saturday gives the following account of the race which ' the Isca won easily on Now Yoar's Day :—: — "The following boats started :— lsoa, 6 tonp, E. C. Batkin; Little Wondor, 6 tons, J. Sinclair ; Zopbyr, 7 tons, T. S. Baker ; Surprise, 10 tons, Veal; Gowan, 9 toDB, Hutohinson; Neva, 8 tonß, Galbraith ; Fleotwing, 10 tons, Maude ; Try It, 4 tons, M'Lellan. There was a flying start, tho yaohts having to oross tho lino at noon. At gun-fire the Isca was smartest away, the Zephyr second, well to windward, Surprise third, Nova fourth, Gowan fifth, Littla Wonder, Fleetwing, and Try It in order named. Some very protty Bailing reßultod in the boat to the reof, which was rounded by the Zephjr first, leoa second, Gowan third, and Surprise fourth. They ran down the harbour in this ordor, and on showing up again the Gowan led by a length or so, leca seoond, an equal distanao in front of the Zephyr, all three being interfered with more or less by tho traders. The Surprise and Nova then brought up a strong northoast wind with them, which tho Surprise soon loat. The Zephyr was first round the reef, Isoa seoond, Neva third, Surprise fourth, and Little Wonder fifth. Tho Zephyr then reofed down, and the Neva took in her topsail. Then ensued a very pretty race, the Isca finally showing hor superiority, winning at 4hr 3min, Little Wondor jnst beating the Zephyr, 4hr l-ljmin by throe-quarters of a minute, Surprise, Gowan, and Nova finishing in that order, the other two giving it up. Tho first prize was JE3S, and the cup for the steersman. Tho days of graoe having expirod, summonses aro being taken out against thoßO who have not paid thoir rates. Now Year's Eve (says a looal paper) was obsorvod by the larrikin element in Masterton in a style that must havo been highly pleasing to the participators. Not oontent with pulling off shutters and indulging in the yells whioh usually form a portion of tho festivities when this class is ooncerned, a small outhoueo cm the promisoa of tho Daily office was Bet alight. An alarm was quickly given, and the firigado station being next door, the fire was put out before any damage to tho extent o£ more than J& or M was dono. About midnight soveral hundred persons gathered in front of tho Polioo Station and Post Office, and a eoloct gang of five indulged in most disgusting language, whioh was addressed to the police. Two of them very quickly found thoms>olveß under look and koy, and for a time ordor was rostored. Later on, howevor, fooling again ran high, and threats were utterei to pull down the police station. Bail being offered by roßpeotable citizens, the two men wore liberated, and the crowd Boon afterwards dispersed. Small parties of mon. however, continued to parade the Btreots till daylight, and the polioo had their hands full to maintain order. Tho Nelson Mail Bays that a party consisting of Mossrs. Campbell (2), Hugh Gully, Hartey, Smith, and Connall left Wellington in tho Rotorua on Christmas Eve, taking with them a whaleboat. On arrival at Pioton thoy pulled up to the Grove, and with the aid of a horse draggod their boat over the neok of land whioh separates Quoen Charlotte from the Pelorus Sound, and pullod and Bailed down the latter to tho Frenoh Pass, tho journey oooupying a day. Tho next morning thoy came through the Pass, but wero provented by the strong Eou'-wosfer which was blowing from getting down Blind Bay, and had to put into Waikawa Bay, where they lay until Wednesday morning, whon they wero pioked up by tho Kennedy and brought on to Nelson. The party returnod to Wollington this morning. Tho business oarriod on for somo years past by Mr. Southee, grocer, Molesworthstreot, has changod hands. The purchasers are Messrs. Stuphensou and Mitcaff, who have a notioo to thateffootin onr advertising oolnmnß. Mr. F. Sidey will soil to-morrow, at Plimmer*B wharf, produce ; also, at tho Aroade, furniture, &o. Mr. N. J. Isaacs will sell to-morrow, salvage goods saved from Mr. T. Myers' premises. _J Oub Christmas andNewYoar's presonts seem to have hit the publio taste exactly, as a very largo distribution has been mado. Wo shall continue the proooßS'on tho same basis to the end of next month (January) ot Te Aro House. No one is exoluded from these gifts, there is a present for everybody. A purchaser of even co small an amount as one shilling will fret something at Te Aro House. We are showing some extraordinary bargains in tho mantle, costume, and millinery departments, expressly adapted for holiday wear, and the purohase of these, although so muoh under regular prices, will not preolnde the customer from a participation in tho -gifts at Te Aro House. We are very certain that parents con buy their boys' suits most advantageously at Te Aro House, as our stock is largo, well selected, and of excellent value, and there are at the present time come exceptional bargains to be obtained, with a present for the bairns, at TeAro House. We can supply the men of Wellington with suits of English and colonial manufaoture, with trousers, trousers and vestas and coats, at the very lowest prioes ; while for shirts, socks, ties, scarves, and men's underolothing generally we are simply unsurpassed for extent of stock, value, and low prioes at Te Aro House.— Advt. Sobe thboat quicky yiolds to " Baxteb's Lung Pbesebveb.— AdVt. The originator of Wolfe* b Schnapps will live as long as his splendid preparation performs its marvellous ouros and is rooognisod as a standard remedy for the ailments it undertakes to treat. — Advt.