A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 9, 11 July 1892, Page 2

A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

Saturday last was the twenty -fifth anniversary of the institution of the Now Zealand Hansard. It was during the recess of 1866-7 that the Stafford Government determined to arrange for an official report of the debates in the New Zealand Parliament, and the task of organising a staff and initiating the system was entrusted to Mr. C. C. N. Barron, at that time Editor of the Wolling-

ton Advertiser. Mr. Barron has evor hince retained hi» position as Chief Reportor) and has displayed great ability, skill, and tact in that poar.ion. The debates of tho last quar^ tor of a cCntUry art now recorded in seventyfour volumca, and thoy afford an admirable example of correct reporting. The session if 1867 comnienced on the 9th. of Jfaly; and on that day the FirSt "noW" f&r HahUard wae taken in tti »•» <iol§liy. The original staff ¦loniifeted <Jf Mr. Barron as chief, and Mesars. J. L. Kinsella, Geo. M'lntyre, William Mitchell, E. T. Gillon, and A. J. Dallas. With tho exception of the last-named, all survive. _ Of tbo thirty-six members of tbe Legislative Council of that session there are only homo ten or eleven alive now. The recently - elected Speaker (Mr. Miller), and Messrs. Acland, Baillio, Holmes, Mantel], Pollen, and Sir George Whitmoro, still retain their seats. Mr. J. D. Lance and Mr. A. P. Seymour, who were also in the Council at tho time, and have since sat in the other House, are no longer in either, although alive and well. Of the seventy who sat in tho House of Representatives of 1867, Sir John Hall is the only one who i« a member of tho present llouho. He v,-a3 Postmaster-General in 1807. He hap not, however, Eat in the Houpq continuously since thon, as in 1872 ho went to the Council, and lie did not re-enter the House until 1879. Messrs. Dignan, Ormonel, Reynolds, and Stevens, who wero members of tho Houao of Representatives then, now sit in the Legislative Council. Somo siiteen or sevonteen others still live, amongst whom may bo mentioned Sir F. D. Bell, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Sir Julius Vogel, Sir Edward Stafford, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Travers, who are no longer in Parliament. Of tho wholo 100. members comprising the Legislatn.ro of 1867, upwards of throefourths have passed away during the quarter of a century.

If the House is determined to place on record the fact that from tihie immemorial the conduct of its members lias been immamilato, and to canonise all who were unfortunate enough to incur tho formal censure of their Parliamentary contemporaries, it should dt least use the whitewash brush impartially and thoroughly. Whoover has searched the records with a view to drawing up the oxpurgatory resolution has not done the task thoroughly. There are two vory noticeable omissions to which we may draw attention. On 10th September, 1867, Mr. (now Sir Julius) Vogol, member for Tho Goldfiolds, complained of the Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hugh Carleton, acting in a partial and unfair manner towards him, and moved that Mr. (now Sir Manrice) O'Rorke should take Ihe chair instead of Mr. Carleton. After considerable debate, Major (afterwards Sir Harry) Atkinson moved as an amendment, " That this House, having perfect confidence in tho judgment and impartiality of the Chairman of Committees, is of opinion that tho charges made against that officer by tho honourable member for Tho Goldfiolds (Mr. Vogol) are entirely unfounded, and should not have been made." This amendment of censure was ultimately carried by 42 to 2, Mr. Vogel and Mr. Reynolds, who supported him, leaving the chambor, and Messrs. Ludlum and Wells acting as tellers for the Nfaos, anil explaining that they did so, in Mr. Ludlam's words, that " thorcsliould bo an ample record on the books of tho House of the judgment entertained of the charges which had been made." Why should this record now endure when othor records of censure aro expunged ? Another palpable case occurred in 1871, wo think, when Mr. D. H. Morvyn, member for Mount Ida, behaved in an obstructive and offensive way at any early hour in tho morning, until at last Mr. Wi Parata, ono of the Maori members, in all seriousness offered to romovo the hon. member bodily by force of arms if the Speaker (Sir. F. D. Boll) would authol-iso the proceeding. As Mr. Mervyn was a vory small man and Wi Parata a very big one, this method of restoring order could havo been adopted effectively without any difficulty, but Sir Dillon Bell objected to such a summary solution, and on tho House meeting next day tho galleries were cleared, and the bpcakor, with great solemnity, admonished and reprovod tho ropentant member for Mount Ida on his conduct. Surely all record of this censure should now bo wiped out, although Mr. Mervyn is no longer alive. The process of expurgation and of Bowldorising the Journals should bo made complete.

DurmgthoKanakalabour debate on Friday night, tho Premier sought to make political capital by stating that a person engaged in tho Queensland labour traffic had come to Now Zealand and applied for a license for his vessel, and that tho Administrator, Sir James Prendcrgast, had granted tho license in spito of tho protests of Government, "a power," concluded Mr. Ballance, " which no Administrator of this country should havo, sir" — whereat Government supporters applauded vociferously. Unfortunately for Mr. Ballance, his claim to have endeavoured to prevent this country becoming associated with tho Queensland labour traffic in this particular instance will not bear investigation, and tho facts published by us whon the claim was put forward outside the House wore scarcly in harmony with the Premier's inferences. Tho facts are that tho Island traffic is regulated by an Imperial Act, under whioh all vessels carrying nativo pasBongors must bo licensed by tho High Commissioner of the Pacific, or one of the Governors, as Imperial Representatives in tho South Seas. The applicant was Mr. Arundol, of Arundel and Co., a well- known English firm engaged for the past 20 years in various Island industrios, but at no time connected with the labour traffic. Amongst othor industries tho firm worked guano deposits, and were in the habit of taking their labourers from island to island in tho course of their work. Mr. Arundel usually got his permits from Sir John Thurston, but in his absonco came to New Zealand, and one of Lord Onslow's last acts was to issue a license to him. Wanting another license ho came to Now Zealand again, and Sir James Prondergast, having ascertained by report from the Customs _ officers that Mr. Arundel and the captain of his schooner wore men of good character and repute, and were not engaged in the Queensland or any othor labour traffic, issued the permit as a matter of course, in accordance with tho directions of tho Imperial Act.

Our report of Saturday's races, and of the final meeting of tho Municipal Association, with somo interesting particulars of tho careers and views of somo of the leading Liberals returned at last week's elections for London constituencies, appear on tho fourth page. A largo number of lottors to tho Editor aro unavoidably hold ovor. Tho Mayors who havo boen attending tho annual meoting of the Municipal Association woro ontortaincd at lunch by tho Governor to-day. Ministors and their mouthpieco shonld moderato their raptures over the largo number of votes polled by Mr. Stovcns in Rangitikei when they remembor that to gain those votes, or indeed to have any chance whatever in tho contest, ho had to condemn in the strongest terms their policy in regard to tho freehold tenure, and to promise to support provisions which Ministors havo absolutely refused to accept in their Land Bill. Mr. Stevens expressed as great opposition to tho Ministerial policy on this important matter as Mr. Bruce did, if not greater. The local agents have been advised that the steamer Coptic, which loft Lyttelton on the 26th of May, arrived at Plymouth on Saturday morning last. Her meat is reported to be in good condition. About a month ago Alexander M'Naught, of Oamaru, was ordorod by District Judgo Ward to be imprisoned for contempt until lie submitted to the Court, for refusing to answer certain questions in the course of | bis public examination under the Bankruptcy [ Act. A petition praying for his release was ; forwarded by residents of Waitaki County to the Governor, and the Minister for Justice ¦ las just advised the Hon. Mr. Shrimski that ; His Excellency sees no reason for interfering , in the matter. i The Magistrate's Court roturns for tho naif-year ended 31st; June last show that 1533 civil and judgment summonsos woro issued during the six months, of which number 673 were doalt with. On the criminal side 557 persons wero summoned or apprehended. The revenue of tho Court in Tespect to the above amounted to JJ1052 6s, •of which .£BGB 13s was paid on account of ¦civiHoes, 16s in criminal feos.and JBI2O 17s in satisfaction of criminal finos. The Court sat on 151 days, the Residont Magistrate presiding on 110 days, and Justices of "the Peace on the remaining 47. The Tainui's staff of officers has been slightly altered since the vessel was here last. Mr. Metcalfe, formerly second officer, has exchanged places with Mr. W. G. Innes, ¦chief officer of the s.s. Eangatira, and Mr. W. G. Colbook, formerly of tho Atlantic line, now occupies the position of fourth officer. The former second engineer's post having become vacant, the position has been filled by Mr. Thomas Angus. Mr. W. H. Pickett, late purser of the Now Zealand Shipping Company's Ruapehu, is now purser of the Tainui, vice Mr. Moulo. His Honour the Chief Justice took his seat at the Supromo Court this morning with the intention of bearing tho case of J. F. Ross v. F. W. Cottrell, a claim of as damages for malicious prosecution. On the cas« being called only tho defendant, a witness, and his counsel (Mr. Travers) were in attendance, and Mr. Travers said he assumed that in the event of there being no appearanco of tho plaintift his client was entitled to a nonsuit. His Honour was about to record a nonsuit, whon Mr. Skerrott, solicitor for the plaintiff, came into Court,_ and explained that in consequence of a misunderstanding neither tho plaintiff nor his witnesses wero in attendance. Ho therefore asked that tho case shonld stand over. Mr. Travers objected to any lengthened adjournment, pointing out that his client had been obliged to leave his business in Sydney to attend to-day. His Honour Baid he would grant the odjonrnment upon the plaintiff paying tho costs of the day — £5 5s and witnesses' expenses. On these terms the case was adjourned until Friday at 2 o'clock. As the next case, that of M'Lennan v. M'Kerrow, had been discontinued, the Court adjourned until Friday. Tho District Coronor (Mr. H. W. Robinfion), with a jury of four, of whioh Mr. J. J. Webb was foreman, held an inquest at the Hospital, yesterday morning, as to tho cause of the death of Bayno Nettleship Martin, a child aged 18 months, who died in the institution on Saturday morning last from burns. The evidence went to show that, on Thursday evening hist, the child was left by his mother in her house in Boulcott-street whilst sho went on a message. Hearing screams, a Mrs. Thatcher, residing next door, entered Mrs. Martin's residence, where she found the infant sitting in a chair at a table, which was on fire. The child's night-dress was also on fire, and his head and one hand showed marks of fresh burns. Thero was a broken kerosene-lamp on tho floor. It is supposed that the boy pulled the tableoloth towards him, and thus upset the lamp. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Tho s.s. Wakatipu, which arrived from Sydney at 10 o'clock this morning, brought &t passengers, of whom 66 wore for Welling* ttJn. The vessel was boarded by the Health officials before bbing allowed to come to tho 1 berth, as also" was the Te Ahau oh her arrival later in the ddy. M&esra. l>. F\ Jacotjseri, architect, and F. C. Millar, compositor, have been requested by the Government to inspect the Government Printing Office, and devise means for obtaining a bitter light in the daytime than at present exiits in the com-posing-rooms. The head office of the Industrial Bureau found employment for 59 men during last week. Captain Edwin finds that the centre of a low pressure from the north-west is now off the coast between Westport and Hokitika, and it is travelling to the south-east. There are strong evidences of the southerly gale and cold weather indicated last Friday as likely to occur about the 10th inst. In reference to the verdict of the Supreme Court jury iv the case of Hales v. Jollicoe and Glascodino, it should be stated that the jury at first found, in answer to the third itino submitted, that the value of the plaintiff's services was 20 guineas. When this finding was presented Sir Robert Stout pointed out that the maximum which could have been claimed for the fortnight at the rate of £o 5s per week assessed by the jury was 10 guineas, and hinted at proceedings for a new trial. With tho approval of tho plaintiff's counsel the matter was returned to the jury, who brodght in their final verdict for 10 guineas, as already reported. The Coroner (Mr. Eobihsori, R.M.Jbeld an inquest at the Hospital on Saturday on .the body of Elizabeth Tr'enhßry, did Asylum patient, who died on Thursday last. Deceased, it appeared, was admitted to the institution in March, 1891, suffering from acuto mania. In December last she had so much improved that she was sepo to her friends. She was sent back again shortly afterwards, and died somewhat suddenly on the day named. Dr. Fookea, Medical Superintendent, said that a post mortem examination had revealed syncope as the cause of death, and the jury, of which Mr James Martin was foreman, returnod a verdict accordingly. Mr. R. P. Ward, who has filled tho position of assistant clerk at tho Resident Magistrates' Court at Wellington during the las>t few woeks, has been transferred to Oamaru, where he will occupy a similar position, but with an increased salary. Mr. Ward, who is a son of Judge Ward, of tho Native Land Court at Wanganui, has proved himself to bo an able and courteous officer during Ill's short stay here, and there are many who will bo pleased to hear of hi 3 promotion. He leaves for Oamaru to-day. Mr. A. A. Corfield, formerly of Gore, will temporarily replace him in the local office. George W. Smart applied to tho Residont Magistrate to-day for a renewal of his pawnbroker's license; Inspector Thomson opposed the application, alleging that in a certain case Mr. Smart had not given tho assistance ho ought to have done to the police to aid in recovering tho stolen property. Mr. Smart, in reply, alleged the police hod not given him notice of tho robbery in time, or for seven days after it occurred. Inspector Thomson donied this, and applied for an adjournment to enable him to prove the service of notice. On its being pointed out that an adjournment would compel Mr. Smart to shut np his shop, Inspector Thomson withdrew his objection, and asked his Worship to caution Mr. Smart as to the duty of pawnbrokers to assist the police. His Worship said that the case was interesting alike to the public and to the all pawnbrokers in the city, and ho hoped the latter would take notice of tho present case, and would always assist tho polico in their endeavours to investigate orimo. The renowal of the license would bo granted. Subsequently, on the civil side of tho Court, John O'Conor sued G. W. Smart oo recover the sum of £7 10s, boing .£5, the amount paid at auction as the price of a watch and chain, which turned ont to have been stolen boforo it reached the defendant's hands, and had been returned to tho rightful owner, and £2 10s for damages and loss of timo. Mr. Hutchen appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Brown for defendant. The defence was that Smart gavo no warranty as to title at the timo of sale. Judgment was reserved till the 18th instant. Owing to tho alterations in tho running of tho Union S.S. Co.'s boats, tho Takapuna, being one day lato, will not leave Lyttelton for^ Wellington until Wednesday evening, arriving: hero on Thursday afternoon. Until then, the only boat coming to Wellington from the South will be tho Omapero, which loaves Lyttolton this afternoon. Tho arrangements with regard to the movements of the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s steamer Otarama have, we understand, been altered. After loading at Townsville, sho will leave for Wellington, whore she will fill up her available spaco. In any case sho will take in a quantity of coal for consumption during the voyage Homo. The Wellington friends of Mr. S. Firth, lately third engineer of the Union Steam Ship Company's Australia, will regret to hear of his death, which took place at Auckland on Monday last. He had been suffering for some timo from diseased glands of the throat, and ou the last trip to Auckland he stayed behind in order to undorgo an operation. Inflammation set in, however, and reaching tho brain causod his death. Deceased was a son of Mr. J. C. Firth, tho well-known Auckland millowner, and was 35 years of age. His wife died more than two years ago. Mr. J. Mandel, tobacconist, whose premises woro damaged by fire a fortnight ago, has written to Captain Kemsley forwarding a cheque for five guineas towards the funds of the Brigade, in recognition of the prompt and energetic work of the firemen, and tho way in which his loss was mitigated by the careful manner of directing their operations. Mr. Mandol also expresses his wish, if the regulations will allow it, to add £2 2s for Foreman Woolcott, for his caro and forethought during the progress of the fire, his judgment in handling the goods, and the valuablo aid renderod after the fire had been subdued. As Mr. Lawry has rcintroduced tho componsation question into tho House of Representatives, it has been deoided to hold tho public meeting of protest in the Opera House this evening, as originally intended. Mr. H. W. Lawson, a son of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, will be one of the speakers. The sugar crops at Fiji this season are unusually heavy. Mr. Woolley, chief officer of the Ovalan, informs us that over 16,000 tons are awaiting shipmont from thero to tho rofinery at Auckland. Coal is at present rather scarce in tho islands, and fully 6000 tons are requirod. On tho day of tho Ovalau's departure from Suva for Auckland, tho labour schooner Meg Merrilies, from Solomon Islands, arrived with a full complement of islanders. A meoting of the Band Contest Committee was held on Saturday evening, and the commiteo decided to give a benefit promenado concert and danco on the 20th inst. in aid of a distressed bandsman who has boon laid up with typhoid fever for some weeks. The mnsicianin question has always been willing a ssist in bsnoSt porformancos for other people, and it is hoped that a ready rosponse will bo made now that ho is himself in difficulties. The city bands will assist. The Musin Concort Company closed their Wellington season on Saturday, and loft for Lyttelton by the Brunner at midnight. The matinee attracted a good attendance in tho two circles, and the evening concert a full house in all parts. As had been the case throughout the season every programme item was encored, and tho audience was most enthusiastic. At the close of M. Musin's last solo tho crowded pit rose and gave three cheers for tho violinist, the cheers being echoed by the rest of tho honse, and the circle clapping a decorous acquiescence. When Herr Scharf came on to play the National Anthem, tho audience gave him thrco cheors also, in tho same manner, while behind tho scenes the Orchestral Society wore cheering Madamo Musin. The grand piano upon which Herr Scharf 's tone during the concort soason was so markedly excellent, was supplied by tho Dresdin Company. Judgment for plaintiffs in tho following cases wero given in tho Magistrate's Court to-day by Mr. Robinson, X.M. :— Cadbury Bros. v. Mrs. Prostidgo, £2 13s 6d, and 7s costs ; Melroso Borough Council v. E. E. Edmunds, claim .£9 7s 6, judgment for £4 13s 9d, and 8s costs ; E. Baker v. A. Carccek, £2 2s, costs 11s ; South Pacific Loan Company v. T. W. Gieso, £4 15s, costs 7s; same v. G-. C. Fownos, .£49 9s, costs 30s. More than 150 people were present at tho Pleasant Sunday Afternoon in the Courtenayplaeo Congregational Church yesterday. Mr. H. Wilfrid Lawson, son of the wellknown M.P. and tomperance advocate, was in tho chair, and gave an address. A sacrod solo was sung by Mrs. C. D. Mackintosh and a clarionet solo played by Mr Mackintosh. The Wellington Harmonic Society announce their second 1892 subscription concert for Thursday next, whon Mendelssohn's " Elijah " will be performed. There will be a rehearsal in the Opera House to-morrow evening. A general meeting of the Philosophical Society will be held at the Museum on Wednesday evening, when some " Ornithological Notes " will be read by Sir Walter Buller, and a paper on " Eels," by Mr. E. OH. Canavan, will be included in the programme. This week's New Zealand Graphic contains a special four-page supplement* giving capital portraits of the Earl and Countess of Glasgow, and views of their reception proceedings ; portraits of the Colonial team which won the Skating Rink tug-of-war contest, besides a variety of other pictorial matter. The Pier Hotel, one of the oldest-estab-lished honseß of its kind in the city, has recently undergone extensive alterations and improvements nndcr the supervision of its new proprietor, Mr. P. Healy, who has had large experience in the licensed victuallers' trade. Both outside and inside the house has been re-painted and decorated, and every room has been re-furnished in a manner which reflects the greatest credit upon the Eroprietor and Mr. H. Fielder, the upolsterer, who had [carte blanche in the matter. A new brass band has jnst been formed in Wellington, and is to be known as the Wellington Junior Brass Band. Mr. George Grey, jun., is the bandmaster, and Mr. M. Manthel secretary and treasurer. The band will in all probability take part in the approaching contest. The annual church parade of the Loyal Orange Institution took place yesterday and was well attended. Between 50 and 60 members, in full regalia, walked from the lodge-room to the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenay-place, where a stirring sermon was preached by Bro. the Rev. Alfred Peters from St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, sth chapter and 13th verse. The annual conversazione will be held in the Foresters' Hall, Tory-street, to-morrow evening.

Two cases of drunkenness were tho only offences dealt with in the Magistrate's Court to«day. To-Trtorrotf, at 2 o'clock, J. fi. Betliune & Co. submit for absolutely nnreserred sale by auction, at their rooms, Feniherston.street, by instruction* frdm the mortgagees, il valuable freehold property HnviHtf a frdnfoge Of tt)ft to filntoul:st+eet, with two cottages erectea thefedn, adlolmuff the Wes-lej-Rn Parsonage. Afterwards the flrnl will aeJl , without reserve, op account of whom it may concern, ex b.s. Worcester and s.s, Selene, fr&m London, 150 splendid watci -colour drawings and oil paintings, by English artists ; also, a few line 3 of superior jewellery and a handsome walnut piano ; and, ex b.s. Tekapo, one case choice cigars (in bond). The local ascnt for the New Zealand Graphic notifies that his headquarters have been removed to Customhouse-quay — between the Bank of Australasia Hod the Post Office. R. Hudson & Co. of Dunedin, have re-appointed James Macdounld & Co., st Hill-street, sole ajreuts for the sale of Uuuceiaan's brands of flour and oatmeal. J, Maude!, tbe well-known tobacconist, announces that the sale of the spools damaged by fire will be continued until to-mor ow nfeht, after which the balance of tho stock will be offered at auction. T. Kennedy Macdonald & Co. (Limited) will sell to-morrow, at half-pust 2 o'clock, on tbo cround at the back of the Dnllshed, all the galvanised iron used in the construction of the suppar-room for the Citizens' Ball. Franc's Sidey & Co. will sell to-morrow, at Newtown, first-class furniture, without reserve. The sale takes place wet or dry. George Thomas & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, &c. A. J. Reid will sell to-morrow, sundries.

The great "sensation of the day" is without doubt tho big sale of surplus winter stuck at Te Afo House. We do not mean by this aliy disparagement of our great rivals in the art of sensationalism, honourable members of the House of Representatives now in Parliament assembled. Neveitheless there are s"ome points of resemblance between us. Thoy are supposed to look after tho wants of their constituents, and we are ever considering the advantages of our customers at Te Aro House. At the same timo there are manifest points of difference. Their sensationalism nearly always springs from party politics, and therefore partakes in a great measure of self, whereas ours consists of doing tho " greatest good to the greatest numlier," and naturally culminates in a big sale of surplus winter stock at Te Aro House. Odk big sale is now merrily proceeding, and we hope before its close, at tho end ot 15 days, to have admitted a larger daily throng of customers than have ever on similar occasions passed between the portals of To Aro House. — Advt. Foe variety and value in lamps and lampware our stock is unsurpassed. The list is too long to enumerate, but wo would draw special attention to the "Rochester" (which we keop in three sizes), the " Haida," " Duplex," and '" Bibmarck." These are all excellent value, and warranted to give satisfaction. We have also a large varioty of hanging lamps, suitable for tho oottago, mansion, or public building. Wo stock tho best brands of keroseno at bottom prices. Wilkins & Field, Manners-street. — Advt. Pianos. — We have ]ast landed, ex steamer Duke of Wostminstor, one of the largest shipments of pianos wo have yet received, including Lipp & Sohn, Ibach & Sohn, Collard & Collard, and other well-known makers. These instruments are really superior to tho usual shipments of pianos to this market, and need no trumpeting to sound their praise, as their oxquisite tone and touch will recommend them anywhere. Tho 75 guinea piano wo are giving away gratis to purchasers of pianos at pur establishment on 21st August, 1892, is now on view in our window, and we solicit buyers to inspect our stock at once. — Scoullar and Chisholm. — Advt