MINISTERIAL HEARTLESSNESS.

Evening Post, Volume XL, Issue 8, 9 July 1890, Page 2

MINISTERIAL HEARTLESSNESS.

Even when the iniquitous 10 per cent, redaction on Civil Service salaries was made, under pretence of retrenchment, Ministers showed some consideration for mere wages earnera and those in receipt of salaries barely sufficient; to live upon. In the terms of surrender to the Skinflints, however, Ministers havo not had the courage to stipulate for any snoh merciful consideration for those who manifestly cannot possibly afford to be mulcted in a speoial tax. It has been left to an Opposition member to come forward with an amendment to fix a minimum below which the redaction shall not apply. The faofc is eloquent as showing the Bense in whioh members generally interpret the meaning of the infamous compact, and also the utter callousness of the Ministry, which, to save itself from the threatened loss of a dozen votes was willing, without soruple or diffidence, to sacrifice every one, down oven to tlio charwomen in the Government Buildings. Possibly Ministers may argue that as a matter of abstract principle all should be made to contribute equally, in proportion to their means, to the necessities of the State. They aro welcome to the argument if they like to use it._ The pnblio, however, will prefer tho principle embodied in Mr. Smith's amendment, and will thank him ' for his efforts to save the poorest class of public servants from spoliation. ______ _^,« A round-robin, promoted by the .Opposition members, and signed by Mr. Ballance and all his adherents, has been presented to Sir E. Stout, asking him to re-enter political life, and pledging themselves to follow his : lead in the next Parliament should be consent. Sir Eobort has taken time to consider the request, but it is thought by his late supporters that he will comply with their request. A return laid before tho House yoßlerday shows that when on the work of the East Coast Native Commission Mr. Commissioner Edwards reoeived no salary, but drew travelling allowance at the rate of two guineas per diem. A saving of .£291,201 is claimed in the Estimates of tho present Government (Ordinary Revenue Account), as compared with those of the lost year's administration of the Stout-Vogel Government; or, including tho Land Fund Account, a saving of £351,608 mall. Mr. Buchanan's Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill provides for the constitution of new hospital districts at Patea, Wanganui, Wellington, Wairarapa (comprising Wairarapa South, Wairarapa North, and Patea Counties), A6hburton, North Canterbury, Manawatn (Oroua and Manawatu Counties), and Waimate. Mr. Izard wants the Postmaster-General to arrange for a postal delivery at Johnsonville. In order to obviate the difficulty arising from tho cost of a second Bossion in one year, Mr. Moss advocated last night that the honorarium for both branches of the Legislature shonld be made annual instead of sessional, with the usual deductions for non-attendance. He intonds to press the matter further by asking tho CtoyertimoDt a direct question whether they will legislate in that direction this session. Mr. A. R. Guinnees, member for Greymouth, was elected Chairman of the Goldfields Committee at its meeting this morning. Mr. W. Fraser, momber for Thames, was also proposed, but withdrew in Mr. Gain" ness' favour. The West Coast Native Reserves Committee set up yesterday held its first meeting this morning. Mr. Downie Stewart was elected Chairman. The Inspector of Hospitals, in his annual report, states that thero is steady progress in economy in nearly all the hospitals of the colony, and in all of them a very keen looal interest secures an almost entire absence of neglect or unkindness. The report concludes as follows :— " The hospital Byatem has olose and intricate relations not merely with the whole problem of charitable aid, but with the whole social life of the people as well. For instance, the great good done by friendly sooieties is not without some drawbacks. One of their least noticeable effects is to increase the number of our hospitals. The lodge system is so prevalent that in nearly every community a very large proportion of even well-to-do people are members for the sake, among other objeots, of getting medioal attendance aheap; and several of the largest societies admit honorary members, who join merely for the sake of getting medical attendance at lodge ratos. The result is that the doctor has so few paying patients that he must either leave or get a State subsidy. -"Every effort is made accordingly to found a hospital, not because it is really wanted, but because the residents cannot get a medical man to settle without some guarantee, whioh is thus thrown largely on the State. A good many of our hospitals exist for the simple reason that, as things are, it is the only way of getting a dootor to stay. One hospital chairman was bo candid as to tell me that they wanted to keep the hospital going beoause it enabled them to have a second dootor to call in to assist the other, who was already there, in certain cases." Our report of the proceedings in Parliament yesterday, including the continuation of the debate on the Financial Statement, and also the discussion in the House on the proposed retrenchment agitation, will bo found on the fourth page. The English and Australian mails, ox Rotomahana, arrived in Wollington by the steamer Rotorna from the South this afternoon. Sir John Hall, M.H.R., has contributed £Z 2a, and Sir Robert Stout .£1 Is, through Mr. George Woodward, to the Freo Publio Library fund. The shareholders of the Wellington Cooperative 'Bus Company held a meeting lost evening in the Alhambra Hall, Mr. J. Barr, the Chairman of Direotors, being in the ohair. Tho attendance of shareholders was large. Mr. W. M'Lean, as a shareholder, explained that he had hod a conversation with one of the proprietors of ths Tramway Company in referenco to the sale of the property, and the shareholders of the 'Bus Company had therefore been oalled together to debate the subjeot. After a long discussion, it was eventually decided that the directors should wait upon Dr. Grace with regard to the terms of the proposed purchase, and report the result to a meeting of shareholders to be convened for next week. At the last annual meeting of the Petone School Committee, tho Chairman (Mr. W. J. Kirk) advocated the planting of trees in the school grounds, and invited contribntions of trees and shrubs, with the result that a number were promieed, together with monetary assistance. Next Saturday afternoon has been Bet apart by the committee for the planting, and there is to be quite a little oeremony. It is intended to plant the frontage of the school ground only, a distance of about two and a half chains. The Chairman of the committee informs us that they will be glad to receive contributions of suitable trees ; also that they will be glad of offers of assistance in the work to be done on Saturday afternoon. Mr. T. Knuokey, of Tory-street, writes informing us that while he and his family were away from home on Sunday night, his house was broken into by some thief, who managed to find and abstract the sum of 14s in silver whioh had been lof b at home. Mr. Knuckey says he feels it his duty to warn the publio to look after fastenings when leaving their houses of an evening. The chess tourney at the looal club is in a very interesting state. Messrs. Maokay, Littlejohn, and Barnes ore each within half a point respectively, tho first leading. The following is the result of the play last nieht : —Barnes, Zelling, Littlejohn, C. L. Barraud", Petheriok, and Osborne, beat Anderson, Mackay, Allen, Dryden, Gooder, and Richardson, respectively. A oabman named William Baghnrst was fined 20s, with 7b costs, in tho Magistrate's Court this morning, for refusing to remove his cab from the wharf when ordered to do bo by J. Hogarty, a wharfinger. The defendant, who was represented by Mr. Coates, admitted the offence. The owe of Hatfield v. the Publio Trastee is still before the Supreme Court. The plaintiff's evidence was conoluded after we went to press yesterday, and before the Court adjourned the evidenoe of her mother and John Maginnity was also taken. The remaining witnesses examined on behalf of the plaintiff this morning were J. Dransfield, T. W. Young, J. Staples, and C. E. Zohrab Sir Robert Stout opened the case for the defence at some length, and called the Publio Trustee, who was under examination when we went to press. Mr. Knott, the exponent of Mr. J. B. Gough's famous temperance discourses, gave the second of a aeries of recitals at the Exchange Hall last night. The attendance w«b good, in spite of the wet evening. After the usual hymn and prayer, the Chairman (tfr. F. H. Fraser) introduced the leotnrer with a few appropriate remarks, and Mr. Knott, without further ado, entered upon his subject, " Habit." He gave a graphic description of the terrible effeots of drink, and depicted both the serious and comic side of the degrading habit. In conclusion - he deplored the apparent want of combination amongst the temperance workers in Wellington, and strongly urged them to be up and doing. Before the audience separated several persons came forward and took the pledge. The third lecture is to be given this evening in the Webb-street Primitive Methodist Churoh, the subject being " The Evils of Drunkenness." • The Garrison Band, following their programme of last winter, havo determined to give a fortnightly dance during the Boaaon, and the first of the series was held last even ing at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street. The attendance, however, doubtless on acoount of the weather, was not large. It is intended that the proceeds of the ontettainm<mts given by the Garrison Band during the winter shall be devoted towards liquidating the expenses of their contemplated trip down South in January next, when they intend competing in a brass band contest. Private Robinson of the City Rifles officiated last night aa M.C.

The following recommendations of the Publio Works Committee of tho City Council will be considered by the latter body on Thursday evening :— That the application for kerbing and channelling at tho southern end of Brougham-3treet be not cranted. That a reply in t.rras of tho City Surveyor's report be cent to the applicant for a water service and drainage in Bidwell-street. That the request of residents of Coromandel-Btreet that the Counoil will accept X2O, instead of £35, as their contribution towards the work to be done in that street, be ooceded to. Further, that Mr. D. M'Grath ba allowed to take up the contract in lieu of Mr. W. H. Herd, at tho price put in by the latter, Mr. M'Grath being the next lowest tenderer. That the further application for part formation of Grass-street and a right-of-way across section A, Town Belt, to Roseneath be not acceded to. That accounts amounting to J872C3 10s 2d be passed for payment. The Benevolent Society Trustees held their usual weekly meeting at their office, Queen's Chambers, yesterday afternoon. Tho following Trustees were present i— The Rev. H. Van Staveren (Chairman), Messrs," C. E. Willeston, J. E. Smith, P. Monaghan, and J. Collins. The Chairman mentioned the fact that one of the old men pensioners had beon boforo the Magistrate's Court on two occasions during the past week, and informed the Trustees of tho action he had taken in the matter. The Chairman's statement was substantially the Bame as that ho furnished an Evening Post reporter with a day or two since, and which has been published. The Rev. Van Staveren's aotlon in the matter was entirely endorsed by the Board, who directed that the pensioners should be required to do any little light work in the boardinghouse they may be asked to do. The Relieving Officer brought up a large number of new oases, which were ordered to be relieved. Some small accounts having been passed, the meeting adjourned. Evidence in the Palmerston case of Hastings v. Wilson waa taken in the Magistrate's Court this morning. The plaintiff olaims an amount for wages and expenses. He had been engaged in Wellington by a firm acting on defendant's behalf, but when he got to Palmerston was not employed. Mr. F. J. Preston, the fate proprietor of the Adelaide Wine Vaults, Lambton-quay, to-day entered into possession of the Kilbirnie Hotel, tho interost in which he has purchased from the lato licensee, Mr. A. W. L. Cottrell. Henry B. Slo.de has been ordered by the Resident Magistrate to pay up JBIS 15s arrears of a maintenanoo order within a fortnight, or elso go to gaol for a month. The handioap tournament of the Working Men's Chess Club is now nearly half over, and the competition for first place is as keen as ever. The following five players are bidding for the lead, the first figure following each name representing wins, the second defeats i — P. Frank Jaoobsen, 11—5; R. J. Barnes, 9-5; W. Brown, 15-7; W, Chatfield, 10*— SJ; and F. Kelling, 6—4. Mr. H. Osborno, of Lambton-quaj, has kindly presented a trophy as a special prize in connection with this tournament. This will probably be oompeted for by those in the lower grades, who nearly always find the odds insufficient to wrest the usual tourney priaes from their stronger opponents. Thomas Puoill, the Benevolent Board pensioner, whose oaso was referred to on Saturday and Monday last, was brought up on remand at the Magistrate's Court thia morning. Tho Rev. H. Van Staverc n, Chairman of the Benevolent Institution, was present at the Court, and stated that Pucill would bo re-admitted to the Home provided he would do the light work required of him. He pointed out that it was impossible for the Board to permit the men to act as they thonght fit, and there must he some recognised system. After disoussing the matter the Benoh, whioh consisted of Mr. Robinson, R.M., and Messrs. G. Allen, J. W. Poynton, and F. H. Piokering, Justices, decided to discharge Pucill from custody, in which he was held on a oharge of vagranoy, and agreed to his returning to tho Homo, on the understanding that he was to do the work required of him, provided a medical man certified ho was of ability to perform it. Pucill had handed in a oertifioate from Dr. Ewart to the effect that he waa incapable of doing work, but Mr. Van Staveron said that he had since seen Dr. Ewart, who had exprossed an opinion that the man could do light work. The Benoh, however, thought it advisable that another certificate should be obtained before the man was set any task. Michael M'Grath, who was before the Magistrates yesterday on a oharge of stealing 23s 10|d from the bedroom of the barman of Barrett's Hotel, on Saturday morning, produced evidenco in defenoe^ this morning. Constable Foley, who first searched the prisoner at the hotel, stated, in reply to Mr. Coates, who defended, that the complainant, Porter, oould not identify any of the money found upon the accused when he was searched by witness. Joseph Greenwood, a jockey and trainer, stated that ho saw the aooused change a pound note Jn payment for meals at a Chinese restaurant, and subsequently the accused ohanged a half sovereign at the Albert Hotel. The barman of the Albert Hotel corroborated the statement of the last witness. The defendant also gave evidenae, denying the charge, and he made the same explanation as the previous witnesses as to the way in whioh he got the ohange. At 8 o'olook tho oose was allowed to stand down for a while, in order that the waitress at the Chinese Restaurant, who waa said to have ohanged ihe pound paid by the defendant for meals, could attend the Court. Subbequently this witness was procured, and as she reoogniaed the defendant as the person who changed a pound note, ho was diaoharged from custody. The case of the man Lawrenoe Gosling, oharged with the theft of a pair of trousers, y in which the Probation Officer yesterday morning said he could make no rooommendatian, as there was a second charge against tho defendant, again came before tho Court late yesterday afternoon. Gosling was then charged with the theft of an oilskin coat, the property of W. T. Whittaker. After hearing the evidenae for the prosecution, tho Court adjourned the matter until Friday next, to give the defendant an opportunity of producing: a witness with the view of proving an alibi. • In spite of laat night's miserable weather — which was unfavourable alike to the musicians and to a good audienoe — neither failed, and therefore the saored concert in connection with the celebration of the eleventh anniversary of the United Metho> dist Free Churoh came quite up to expectations. Tho vocal soloists were Mrs. Parsons, Miss Trehair Osborne, Mr. Pusohell (of Christohuroh), and Mr. F. V. Waters, eaoh the audience. Mrs. Parsons Bang Haydn's "With Verdure Clad," Mendelssohn's Jerusalem," and was associated with Mr. Puaohell in Dr Stainer's beautiful duet " Love Divine." She was in exoellent voice, and Bang most tastefully. Miss Osborne's seleotibns were Mendelssohn's "O Rest in the Lord," and Handel's favourite, "Angels Ever Bright and Fair," the laat named suiting her voice best, and she lopeated the second verae in acknowledgment of the eulogiuma of the audience. Of Mr. Puschell's solos, undoubtedly the boat was Garoia's " Salve Maria," with violin obbligato, whioh was excellently played by Mr. F. A. King. The rioh tenor voice of our southern visitor was heard to the best advantage in this delightful melody, whioh waa deoidedly the gem of the evening. Mr. Pusohell also sang Handel's " Comfort Ye" and "Every \ alley," and, as before mentioned, assisted Mrs. Parsons in the duet "Love Divine." Mr. F. V. Waters sang best in the well-known solo "Nazareth," bnt the exeoution of his second solo, " Why do the Nations," was skilful. The orchestra —a very good one, by the way- contributed Batiste's "Andante in G," "Handel's Worthy is tho Lamb," and J. P. Knight'B Where is the Place of Rest," in addition to assisting the choir in three anthems, namely, "Daughter of Zion," "Zion's Pilgrims," and " Praise the Lord, O Jemsalem." The only other item on the programme was a 'cello solo by Mr. C. S. I'homas, who waß enoored for his fine play* ing of one of Beethoven's compositions. Mr. W. J. Harland played all the accompaniments with good taste, Mr. P. Bennett provided the organ- musio, and Mr. W. E. Redstono oonduoted most ably. During an interval the Rev. H. B. Redstone thanked the musioiana for their assistance, the audience for their attendance, and also Mr. J. Pinny for the loan of the piano. The audienoe left the church after singing the Doxology. A woman named Sarah James was to-day sent to the Terrace Gaol for a term of three months for habitual drunkenness. The committal was ordered by a Benoh of Justices consisting of Messrs. G. Allen, J. W. Poyn. ton, and F. H. Piokering. The adjourned meeting of the United Furniture Trade Union will be held to-morrow evening. A oonoert and dance in aid of Mrß. James Moore was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Johnaonville, a few nights ago, and proved very successful. Miss Curtis, of Welling, ton, and the Star Gymnastic Club assisted, and their services were highly appreciated. The net proceeds, amounting to £7 10s 6d, have been handed to Mrs. Moore. Tho weekly meeting of St. John's Literary Association was held last evening, the Rev. J. Paterson in the ohair, when the Journal was read by the editor (Mr. W. Miller), the various papers whioh it contained being afterwards disoußsed. The Perseverance Tent, No. 6, LO.R., held its fortnightly session last evening in the Primitive Methodist Sohoolroom, Sydney-street, under the presidency of the Chief Ruler, Bro. Taylor. A lady, with a doctor's certificate, presented herself for membership and was initiated and added to the roll, a gentleman was also proposed. The balance-sheet for the past quarter was submitted for tho consideration of the brethren, and showed that one week's sick allowance had been paid, and that the funds were greatly on the increase. The financial statement, which was considered highly Batiafaotory, was adopted unanimously. It was stated that none of the members were on the sick list. The proceedings olosed with the usual concluding ceremonies. A lecture will be given to-night at the Central Hall by Pastor M. C. Israel on the Bnbjeot of sanotification and a sinless state ; does the Bible teach that it oan be attained in the present life i The drawing in connection with Mr. Stenson's art union will take place at Bowie's Hal], Lower Tnj-anaki-streot, at 8 o'clock, this ereninff. Herr Moseh's string hand, which is composed of leading musicians in Wellington, is open to engagement for balls, soirees, garden parties, &o. The latest music is played, and the terms, which can be ascertained on application at Herr Mosoh's residence, Cuba-street, ore reasonable. The specimens of clothing exhibited by Mr. Dalton, tailor, in the Dnnedin Exhibition, and for which he received five first prize*, are now on riew at his Cuba-street shop, where they ore attracting considerable attention. The display is a first-class one, and reflects great credit upon Mr. Dalton and the workmen employed at his establishment. George Thomas ?& Co. will sell to-morrowt hoop iron, wire, mouldings, paint, axle grease, *e,i without reserve.

It is hardly neceasirjr that we should remind buyers of hotiiehoW furniture th»ttheiale at the rfaidenceoflhe iiun. Mr. Waterbouue, commences to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock, at the family residence. Raleigh Home, Hobson-street. Uenrs. T. Kennedy Hacdonald & Co., the auctioneeri. have uiued i detailed catalogue, which comprise! upwards of 600 lota. From the catalogue it will be noted that the sale will include the aiticles in garden, conservatory, Sec, dimnxroom. drawingroom, study, and kitchen. The sale will be resumed oa Friday morning, at 9 o'clock.