THE SENTENCE OF THE FLANAGANS

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 55, 6 March 1891, Page 2

THE SENTENCE OF THE FLANAGANS

What wo oan only imagine to be a cruel hoax appears to have been played on the Lyttelton Timea by a Wellington correspondent, and our morning' contemporary has fallen into the trap, and graciously commends what it terms " the deoision of the Government to commute tbe sentence on the Flanagans." The grave impropriety i of the correspondent's statement aa to the nature of the advioo on the subject said to bare been given to tho Governor by his Ministers here, and the folly of aseuming that snoh advice, even if correctly stated, ia equal to a commutation of the sentence, must be apparent to any one who knows what the law ia on the subject. Tho prerogitive of meroy reatu solely in tbe Governor's hands, as personally representing the Sovereign. He is not in the least obliged to aot aooordlng to the advice of Ministers, altbongh bound to aßk it, and if he does not accept it to enter on ihe miuufce3 of the Kxeoutive Counoil his reasons for differing therefrom. The Judge's report on a capital case must be considered by him at a meeting of the .Executive Counoil, and it is provided by the Royal Instructions that "the Governor shall not pardon or repriove any such offender uuloss it shall appear to him expedient ao to do upon the advice of the said Executive Council thereon, but in all such cases he is to decide either to extend or withhold a pardon or reprieve aocording to hia own deliberate judgment, whether the members of the .Executive Council concur therein or otherwise." The Governor has not been able _to personally hod an Executive Council since the santenoe on the Fknaagans was passed, nor will he be able to do ao until two Ministers ara present in Auckland. It is a gross breach of etiquette, therefore, if nothing more, to anticipate what his decision may be on the case when it comes before him in due form, or to assume that in a case where the personal responsibility is his own, ho will necessarily accept the advice whioh the members of the Ministry acting informally may have determined to offer him when the proper times oomes. It is inoredihle that Ministers would permit the nature of such advice to transpire before being formally tendered to His Excellency The cruelty of raisins? hopes iv tho hearts of the friends of the oond-mned women whioh possibly may not be realised will at once be perceived, and we expect His Excellency will be very greatly and justly annoyed at the premature announcements made on the sub j tot. _____________ The prize-list of the Wellington Horticultural and Ploristß' Sooiety'a Show, whioh opened yesterday, will be found on our fourth page to-day ; also a report of last night's City Counoil meeting, the racing at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting yesterday, and our Grey town letter. Amongst our Supplement matter to morrow will be found the following :— " How Mick Koverne Won the Race." " Temperanoe Articles," " Items for Ladies," " Post Office Curiosities," "A Russian Scandal," " Music Hall Hnmour," " Sir Arthur Snllivan'a New Opera," "The Governor of the Bank of England," " Newa in Brief," " Wit and Humonr," &o. An order under the Eleotric Lines Act provides that the fee of twopence heretofore oharged for the receipt demanded for the amount paid for a telegram ia to be restricted to inland messages. Ihe receipts for the amounts paid for international and intercolonial telegrams are to be granted free of charge. New regulations for the us a of Government telephonic bureaus ara gazetted. W. J. Eeeves is appointed Clerk of the R.M. Conrt at Fahiatua. We notice with deep regret that the Rev. Joseph Berry ia about to sever his connection with New Zealand, toaooept pastoral duties in Australia. Mr. Berry ia undoubtedly one of tbe foremost men in the clerical ranks of this colony, putting all denominational distinctions aside. He ia a man of vast energy, great natural ability, and broad and liberal views. An admirable preacher and lootnrer, he by no means confines his energies to the pulpit or platform, but is always in the front rank of usefulness aa a citizen in any good publio movement. In Wellington, while endearing himself to his congregation, he has won the esteem and admiration of all ether denominations, and he will carry with him to his new sphere of usefulness the best wishes of the entire community in whioh ho has resided now for several yrars past. While regretting hia departure all will wish him God speed in the future, wherever he may be. " Rambler " writes directing the attention of the Inspector of Nuisances to the fact that tbe unfenced paddock in Upper Tngestro-streat, opposite Watson-Btreet, is being made a dep6b for the deposit of all kindß of rubbieh. A correspondent is very anxious to know whether obeap return fares aro to be available to the -Wanganui races on Wednesday. In former years, special arrangements have always been made, and a large number of sports wish to attend the Wanganui meeting this year if the uanal facilities are afforded. We have muoh pleasure in drawing attention to another instance of promptitude on the part of the Government Life Insurance Department. Mr. William Hamlin, of Messrs. W. and G. Tnrnbull and Co., had the misfortune to lose hi 3 wife a few days ago. .Her life was insured in the Government office, and, although Mr. Hamlin only deposited the naoesßary proofs to establish bis claim to the sum assured late on Monday afternoon, a cheque waa handed to him yesterday. The difficulty with the Giiloher Eleotrio Lighting Company as to the oity listhtinsr cuntraot waa diaenssed by the City Counoil in oommittee laat night. No decision wns arrived at, furthor than that a special meeting of tbe Counoil should be held some day next week— probably on Tuesday. The Bank of New Zealand, upon whose property " Big Ben," the Lambton-quay fireball, ia situated, have made a request for the removal of the noisy alarm. The City Couacil are now cauaing enquiries to be made aa to the titls under which the land occupied by the bellhonse is held. The net result of the oity valuations for the current year, aa revised by the Assessment Court, is that the total yalue of city properties is .£1334 more than last year. The Mayor expressed the opinion last pight that this waa not anything like tli3 inorease that might have been looked for, considering the way the oity had progressed. There were, however, elements which would vory materially increase the totil of next yeai 'a valnep, Councillor Harris pointed ont that Wellington was fortunate in having on increase of value, for he understood that in Christohurob, Dunodip, and Auckland there were great deoreagos. Tho Mayor said Wellington was fortunate in that for many years its values had not fallen whereas those in other towns had decreased for some years in succession. The well-worn quotation, " Mnoh ado about nothing." aptly applies to a oaße whioh oame into the Magistrate's Court this morning. Mrs. Maria Cashman charged Mrs. Norah Ryan with assaulting her little daughter, by striking her with a bottlo of ink, on the 28th ultimp The defendant's explanation of the oocurrenpa waa that in emptying a. bottle of inferior ink out of her shop door, a part of it aooidontally splashed the little girl, whom ahe did not perceive. The case was dismissed. Mr. M'Alister acted on behalf of the defendant. Tho ourront contracts for the principal oity services will expire at the end of this month. It was deoidod by the City Conpcil last night that for the next twelve months the street watering, scavenging, asphalting, and the quarrying of seoond-olass metal should be done by day labour, instead of oontraot ; hat that the collection of household refuse, tbp concrete paving work, and the maintenance of the Destruotor ahonld continue to be oarried on under the oontraot system. Conrt Sir William Jervois, A.0.F., celebrated its second anniversary in the Bchoolroom, Donald M'Lean-atreet, Newtown, on Wednesday evening, with a oonoert, tea, and dance. There was a crowded honso, conslating of Foresters and their frienda. The newly-formed Sunflower Minstrel Troupe made tbeir first appearance, consisting of the following :—" Mr. Johnson," Mr. A. Skene ; " Sambo," Mr. P. Saveri j " Bones," Mr. G. Thurston; and Messrs. Marley, Hoy, Burn*, Wooda, Torreni, Keroher, Collyer, Hayes, and Claridge. Messrs. Reedy and Mercer contribnted a donble hornpipe, and Mr. Hnlke addressed those present on the benefita of belonging to friendly societies. Mesßrs. Ballingall and White gave recitations. Mr. Dean ably proeided at the piano. A warrant was ordered to issue from the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day for the j a.vtest of a tailor named James Muckie, who ! has failed to comply with an order for the maintenance of his six children, whioh waa made some time ago in the Resident Magistrate's Conrt. The polioe stated that they were nnable to aerve Maokie with a summons, bnt thought they might be more suo oeesful with a warrant.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives notifies in the Gazette that tbe seat for Newton 13 vacant by the resignation of Mr. Goldie. Captain Edwin forecasts heavy gales from the northward changing by the west and south-west between midn ght to-night and mi n'ght on the 7th instant. He states that the hurricane reported by the Wainui travelled in a south-south-west direction until about 5 p.m on the 22nd nit., when it curved to'the sonth-cast, bein» then about 150 miles to the eastward of the Kaßt Cape. It passed north of the Chatham Islands, where it has probably oiuEed heavy easterly ga'es with heavy rain and unusually heavy sea. The pcmeral route taken by these etorma baa besn followed iv this instance, but they sometimes come muoh closer to tha COABt. The new cemetery by-laws were formally adopted by the City Counoil last sight, the discussion of their details V>ein? left over until they come up for confirmation a month hence, or at any meeting of the Publio Works Committee in the meantime Councillor Worth suggested the inclusion of provisions enabling persons who choose to do co to cover in coffins in graves (as well as in vaults, as already provided) with concrete. He Eaid he know of several citizens wbo intended to carry out pome such plan, co as to absoluttly provide against the escape cf noxious gases. Consideration of this matter was, however, alsD held over. It was resolved that the by-laws should come into force on the 15th of April next. The traffic returns of the Wellington and Manawata Railway Company for the week ending 28th February, 1891, amounted to ■£1575 63 ld.nnd for the corresponding period of last year .£14 16 2s Bd, showing an increase of £169 3i 5d The committee of the Cricketers' Association havo applied for and obtained permission to use the Basin Reserve on Saturday, the 28th, and Tuesday, the 3lst mat., for the purposes of their annual match with Canter bury. Patriok Cavanagh was fined ss, with 7a coats, in the Magistrate's Court this morning, for permitting oattle to graze in Thorn-don-quay on the 27th ultimo; and Harry Roberts, cabman, was fined 10s, with 7s coats, for leaving his cab unattended in Winsfield Btreet on the 25th ultimo. The last-named defendant did not answer his summons, and the offence was proved by Constable Harris. It is satisfactory to loam that the lecture tendered by Mr. W. W. Collins last evening in aid of the family of Mr. J. Bailey, who was reoently injured by an accident, is likely to realise a satisfactory sum Tho exaot amount will not be known until the returns from outside ticket-sellers are handed in to the seoretary. Mr. Collins delivered a capital lecture on the subject of " Curiosities of Animal Life," and waß warmly applauded by the Isrge audience present. Mr. T. K. Macdonald, M.H.R., occupied tho chair. A few evenings ago several civilians banded over to the police a man named John Hliby, who was caugrht in the aot of illasing a woman in Taranaki-street. Ruby was duly brought before Justioea the next morning, and punished for disorderly behavioue whilst drunk, a second charge of assaulting the woman being allowed to stand over for further onquiry by the police. Sergt -Mojor Kamsay Btated in tho Magistrate's Court this morning that ho was unable to proceed further with the oaae, as the woman declined to prosecute Ruby was thereupon dißoha r ged. Applications are about to bo invited by the City Couticil for the post of sexton and enstodian at the new Karori Cemetery. Tbe salary will be .£l2O if a house be provid-d, or £140 without house A healthy-lookiD.tr lad of about 12 or 13 years of age was found by the police last night asleep in a spring: oatt whioh stood near to the central police station. In reply to questions he stated that his name was James Astridge, that his father and mother were dead, and that an elder brother, aged 15, wai working at the Hutt. The polioe brought tbe lad before Mr. Kobinson, EM, this morning, and ohararcd him with having no settled plaoo of abodo and no visible moans of eubsistenoe. -His Worship said i hat before deciding what should be done with the boy he wonld like come enquiries to be uiado. and with a view to this end, the boy was remanded for a week. Messrs. W. H. Field and A. S. Paterspn, captains of the Star and Wellington Bpatin? Clubs, waited upon the City Counoil last night and asked tbat as the olub3 already pay watrr rates, they should, as regards Water consumed, be treated on the same footing aa householders, and not charged by quantity, aB in the oase of manufacturers. The matter having been discussed at considerable length, the Mayor pointed out that the relief Bought for could only be granted by means of an alteration of the city bylaws. The deputation withdrew, and the matter was then referred to the Publio Works Committee for consideration. The usual weekly session of the Star of Wellington Lodge of Good Templars was held last evening in the Exchange Buildings, Bro. Sherwood, C T., presiding. There were over 100 members and visitors present, and during the evening two ladies were admitted tv membership by olearance, and three ladies and one gentleman by initiation Bro. Sherwood was unanimously recommended for Lodge Deputy for the coming year, and Bro. Vercoe, of the Pioneer Lodge, was nominated for District Deputy, polling nearly three to one against the other nominee. Sister Johnson was unanimously chosen representative, and Bro. Mao Curdy unanimously elected ulternato representative, for the Star of Wellington Lodge at the ooming Grand Lodge session at Nelson during Easter week. Bro. Mao Curdy, L.D , oalled tho attention of members to the faot that Bro. Bowen, of the Hope of Christchurch Lodge, was lying ill in the Hospital, and the Sick Committee were asked to yi3it the brother. Tbe Decoration Committee has nearly oompleted it 3 work, and great satisfaction was expressed at the progress already made After business was conolndrd songs and recitations were given until 9.45 p m. t when tha lodge adjourned for a fortnight to allow the social gathering to be held next Thursday. Next session a proposal to throw the lodge library open free to all Star of Wellington members will be discussed. Throe persons who were unsteady in the legs from the pffeots of drink wero looked np last night by the police. They appeared before the Resident Magistrate this morning, when two of them wore let off with a oaution, and the third, William Thompson, was fined 20s with the alternative of undergoing seven days' imprisonment. He had been warnnd by the Court on two previous ocoaaions apparently without effect. Old Auoklanders will be glad to know that copies of the Auckland Star may now be obtained at the Graphic office. Mannersstreet. Court Bloomfield, No. 7879, Hutt, ia regiatered under the Friendly Societies Aot as a branch of the Wellington District Anoient Order of Forestera. A meeting is convened by advertisement in another ooluma of butobers and stockmen in the habit of driving cattle through Johnsonville. S. Cimino inserts a notice to footballers and others. A. "W. Brown advertises a new list of cheap properties in another column. The sale of unredeemed pledges to-morrow afternoon at Messrs. Laery & Co.'s mart. Willis-strept. should attract some competition, judzing from the list advertised elsewhere. They also hold a sale of fruit, &c. Francis BiSey * Co. will sell to-morrovr> furniture, tee. Cuningham, Badham & Co. will sell to-morrow, at the rear of the New Zealander Hotel, horses, &c. O. W. Smart will gelt to-morrow, sundries.

This week we shall display several special lots of bargains, to wit handsome first-class Bilks, as described below, tbe balance of our ladies' trimmed hats from Is lid to 3s 6d eaob, and sundry lots of washing dreas fabrics, garribaldi jackets, &c, at Te Aro House. This week there will also be a display in the windows of the clothing and meroery of some very tempting articles and prioes at Te Aro Honee. Notwithstanding the numerous and extraordinary bargains with which a multitude of oafltomers have been delighted, and have eagerly purchased, notwithstanding that our snrplus summer stock has been considerably lessened by the vast quantity of sales effected, we have in reserve and will bring forward during this week some of cheapest lots of first-olaBS goods ever seen in this city, thia province, or the colony of New Zenland, at Te Aro House. For this week we shall offer some marvollous bargains in silks. Light blue rich gros grain Bilks at 5s Gd for Is 6d per yard ; evening shades in broche silks at la Cd per yard ; dark broche silks at 7s 6d for 2s 6d per yard; fall dress lengths of shot merveilleaux sold at 52s 6d for 30a; and some very handsome combination silk, merveilleaux, and faille dresses in f nil dress lengths), reduced from 8 and 10 guineas respectively to two and three guineas, at " The Fair," Te >ro House.— Adtt. The shooting season is near, and sportsmen will require gnns, rifles, powder, shot, oa'tridges, Ao. The best place in Wellington is Messrs. Wilkins & Field, Mannersstreet, who hive on hand or to arrive immediately the largest, best, and most varied stock of everything neoeseary at the lowest poßsible prioes. — Advt. There can be no doubt that the best display of ironmongery in Wellington is to be seen at Messrs. Wilkins & Field, Mannersstreet. Amongst the numerous articles just arrived is a beautiful set of fireplace brasses, comprising: onrb, fireirons, fire dogs, stop, and ooal rase, all to match, also a large variety of black and brass fenders, afternoon spirit lamps, As , &o — Adyt. Patent Wheels, Cycles, Pebambulatobs. — Agents wanted. Dunkley, Birmingham, England. — Adtt.