Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1894.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 49, 27 August 1894, Page 2

Evening Post. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1894.

AUTOCRACY IN LIBERAL DISGUISE. ? The true quality of tho Ministerial Liberalism has reoeived sovoral illustrations recently. Every now and then Ministers afford a glimpse of their real character. They throw aside the cloak and mask of Liberalism for a moment, and rovoal themselves as tyrants and would-be autocrats. The manner in which they have whipped their Party into condoning tho moat monstrous jobs and swallowing the most unjnst measures tending to undermine the liberty of ihe subject and the security of property, affords ample proof of how little regard they have for the principles of either Liberalism or Liberty, A really Liberal Government would not have countenanced the Frasb.ii job, would not have sought to boyoott tho independent press of tho colony, would not have abandoned tho unearned inoremont to etornal leaseholders, would not have forced on the prepayment of the Land Tax, would not have shaken all security in titles issued by the Crown, would not seek to destroy the anonymity of press writing, would not propose to withdraw from the people tho privilege of eleoting the men to administtr the Licensing ]aw, would not class commercial travellers with hawkers and pedlars, would not sanction and encourage qnaokery, would not propose to tax the poof man's luxury of_ fruit, would not persist in maintaining tho duties on the necessaries of % life, would not havo set up a Star Chamber inquisition like the Fox Commission, would not persist in driving a House of exhausted members, worn out in mind and body, into sitting till all hours in the morning to pass measures whioh, if in thoir sound sonses, they would object to, and would not, in faot, do a thousand things which the present Ministry has done or attomtpedtododuringeventhoprosentseasion. Never.lperhaps, did tho real naturo of the Premier reveal itself so distinctly aB in the suggestion ho made a few nights ago that Parliamentary business would be expedited if the public wore excluded from the galleries of the House on three or four nights of the week. This is a perfectly delicious proposal to emanate from a Liberal Premier, a leader of _ the Democracy ! That the Ministry objects to and resents press criticism we all j know, and there can be no surer proof of ' autocratic aims than such reativenesa. It now appears that the Promier thinks the public are learning too much of what is said and done .in Parliament. Of course, if the public could be debarred from hearing what goes on in the House, and the newspaper press could be prevented from reporting it, Hansard reports would be manipulated by "corrections" so as to effectually gull the public as to the sayings and doings of their representatives. Sitting in camera, Ministers would have it all their own way, and could do preoißely what they pleased withont being subject to any independent or outside criticism. This would oxaotly suit Mr. Seddon and his colleagues, but we do not think it would suit the country. Doubtless if Mr. Seddon had his will he would abolish Parliamentary disonssion altogether, and treat Parliament as merely a body to register the decrees of the Ministry. As the right of discussion cannot be abolished, the noxt best thing would of course bo to prevent the echoes of such discussion reaching the ears of the profane pnblio. ' There would be splendid opportunities for all sorts of jobbery and corruption if the proceedings of the House could be carried on in secret and the doors of the Public and Press > Galleries be closed exoept on certain set oooasions when the Order Paper could easily be arranged so as to enable Ministers to play to the galleries. Of course the suggestion about excluding the public was made in an offhand manner, bo that the Premier may Bay he meant nothing by it. Probably it slipped out inadvertently, but there can be no doubt that it embodies a wish secretly cherished, and which he would give effect to if ho dared. The public will do well to note tho suggestion, and, noting it, to ask themselves whether a Ministry whioh fears publicity is a Ministry to trust. Those who desire to do deeds of darkness fear the light, and evidently the publicity which now attends all Parliamentary doings is not to the mind of the Premier. He, at least, does not trust the people. Tho people are to him merely taxpayers, whoso duty it ia to find the money for him to spend. Ho fears and resents their knowing anything about how thoir money is spent, and he wonld have even Parliament sit in private and with closed doors. This is the latest development of Liberalism and Demooraoy in New Zealand !

We are not at all surprised that the Tariff Committee promptly " sat upon " Mr Earnshaw's audacious proposal in favour of an immediate reduction in the duties on the necessaries of life. The very idea of such a thing must almost have deprived the Colonial Treasurer of that primary necessity of life — breath. It was most unkind of tho member for Dunedin to frighten the Colonial Treasurer by suoh a proposal at a moment when he knows that Minister and his colleagues are at their wits' ends to know how to make up the deficiency caused by the serious falling off in the Customs revenue, a deficiency which has been steadily increasing since the year began. So far from thinking of parting with any item of revenue— and the duties on the necessaries of life form an item to be depended on — Ministerial ingenuity is being stretched to find some other equally reliable item or items whioh can be included in the tariff, so as to bring in more revenue. The growing deficiency in Customs revenue is very serious, aud the Treasury is beginning to feel the pinch. Instead of bringing down any proposal for a remission of duties, however oppressive, we are quite prepared to find the Colonial Treasurer at any moment springing a surprise on the House by asking its assent to the increase of existing duties, or the imposition of fresh duties, which, he thinks, may bring in additional revenue. He may do this under cover of a Ministerially-prompted recommendation from tho Tariff Committee, or he may do it by a sndden resolution in Committeo of Ways and Means, which some night members may be invited to swallow without notice, and be " kept in " until they do so. Whatever the method may be, there is strong reason for believing that, notwithstanding the boasted surplus and the talk about an elastio revenue, the Treasury is beooming very hard pushed for money, and that the only feasible way of replenishing it is by increased taxation through the Cnstomß. It will be seen, therefore, how inopportune, from a Ministerial point of view, Mr. Earnshaw'a proposal would be. That the already sorely-tried general taxpayer would welcome a reduction of the duties on the' necessaries of life as an inestimable boon, is a consideration not likely to have much weight with the present Ministry, whose whole policy is to get money — honestly if it can, bnt to get money. The Auokland Star considers the News, paper Libel Limitation Bill to be " probably nothing more than a random shot fired in jocular mood by Mr. M'Kenzje into the camp of his enemies on the Wellington press."

If our contemporary were not so very anxious on every occasion to sneer and snarl at ail things pertaining to Wellington, and were a little better informed regarding what goes on in the colony outside of Auokland, it would know that Mr. John M'Kenzie's bet t noir in tho New Zealand, press is not any Wellington journal, but the Otago Daily Times. His feud with that paper is of long standing, and he has on every possible opportunity in Otago denounced it from the platform. He probably cares little for Wellington criticism. At least, it does not strike home as the trenchant and scathing criticisms and merciless exposnres by tho Otago Daily Times of Mr. M'Kenzie Bland policy and land transactions of the Pomahaka purchase class have done. Under theae the Minister of Lands has writhed, and his galled withers have apparently caused him agonising pain as the Otago Daily Times has touched npon the raw. It is not difficult to trace the genesis of the present Bill to Mr. M'Kenzie's reeentment towards the Otago Daily Times. He shrewdly — whether correctly or not we cannot say — attributes tbe authorship of the most telling attacks to the pen of another Maokenzie — the redoubtable Scobie. He Views his own tartan on tho fatal dart Winging the shaft that quirers in his heart. This free adaptation of Byron's celebrated lines will explain why the Minister of of Landß is so anxious to have all newspaper articles signed. He thinks he would have a better chance of protecting himself against Mr. Scobie Mackenzie tban against the editorial "we" of a powerful paper like the Otago Daily Times. He feels that his fulminationß and denunciatory speeches against that journal fall rather flat, and lack the directness and pungency of tho retort he made to some of Mr. Scobie Mackenzie's utterances in connection with the last election for Waihemo, when the only way_ he could meet his antagonist's open criticism was by calling him " a liar." Tho Hon. John no doubt derived great satisfaction from this polUhed and gentlemanly retort, and he probably thinks that if he could apply it personally to the Otago Daily Times writer who deals with him so unmercifully, he would get the best of the controversy. It is to get behind the editorial "we" of the Otago Daily Times that is the principal motive in Mr. John M'Kenzie's desire to withdraw the veil of anonymity from press writers.

A budget of football news, a variety of telegrams from other parts of the colony and Australia, and the weights for the Rangitikei Hunt Club's meeting, will be found on the fourth page. We have received from Mr. Georgo H. Oatway, of the Buckeye Harvester Company, a lengthy printed reply to the letter we recently published from the Hon. J. G. Ward in reply to Mr. Oatway's original communication. When Mr. Oatway in the first place addressed us we accepted his letter on the implied understanding that it was addressed to us only. We never accept letters whioh we know to be also addressed to other papers. Mr. Oatway, however, addressed his communication either in precisely the same, or only slightly varied, terms to a number of other papers. Had we known ho intended doing so, we should have refused his original communication. Having published it, we were obliged in fairness to find room for Mr. Ward's reply, although it was of inordinate length. Mr. Oatway now Bends ns another letter in print, and evidently intended for other papers as well as the Evening Post. We must therefore decliue it. We oannot publish letters intended for simultaneous publication elsewhere. Mr. Oatway and Mr. Ward have each had a say in our columns, and, so far as we are concerned, the controversy must end where it stands. Had we been aware that it was to be carried on in other_ papers as well, we should never have permitted it to be commenced in our columns. The mails brought to the Bluff from Australia by the Hauroto came to hand by the Penguin yesterday afternoon. H.M.S. Wallareo was visited by large numbers of people yesterday afternoon. The officers wore unremitting in their attention to the visitors. The twentieth anniversary of the ordination of the Very Rev. Dr. Watters, Reotor of St. Patrick's College, was celebrated yesterday by Solemn High Mass in &t. Joseph's Church. The Rev.- Father Aubroy was deacon, Rev. Fathor Hickson sub-deacon, and Rev. Father Bower master of ceremonies. Subsequently tho Rector entertained the clergy and a number of the laity at dinner in tha College, among those present being the Vory Rev. Father Devoy (Vicar-General), Very Rev. Father Dawßon (Administrator), the Rev. Father Mahony, of Nelson, all the clergy of Wellington and the Faoulty of tho College, the Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley, the Hon. Sir Geo. Whitmore, the Hon. Dr. Grace, Dr. Cahill, Messrs. M. Konnedy, R. A. Loughnan, P. S. Garvoy, J. J. Devine, R. P. Collins, W. C. Gasquoiue, Cumin, and R. J. Collins. The health of tho Rector was proposed by the Very Rev. Father Devoy, and Sir Patrick Buokley also expressed good wishes. Dr. Watters returned thanks in appropriate terms. An inspection of the College was afterwards made. Another old settler has been removed from j our midst by the hand of death, Mrs. C. A. Knigge haying breathed her last at her husband's residence, " The Bungalow," Rox-burgh-street, early yesterday morning Tho deceased lady was a native of Inverness, Sootland, and came out to Now Zealand with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Alex. M'lntosh, when she was only six years of ago. The Bhip in whioh the voyage was made was the London, which arrived in Wellington in 1840 v — 54/ years ago. Her parents left Wellington in 184G and took up their residence in Pigeon Bay, Canterbury, removing two years later to a naigbouring bay, which has since borne their name. Miss M'lntosh was married in 1860 to Mr. Knigge, and has left a family of four, three of whom are daughters, one being married to Mr. W. F. Ambler, of the Railway Department, another to Mr. H. Haro, of the Wellington Hotel.andanothertoMr. W. Fraser, of the Union S.S. Company. Her son, who is also married, is a settlor at Silverstream. Mrs. Knigge had been a great sufferer for over three years, and. death came as a happy release. The immediate cause of death was dropsy, for which Bhe had been attended by Dr. Collins. The deceased lady was of a very kindly disposition, and her death will be regretted by many of our readers. This morning Bhortly before 2 o'clock, a fire destroyed a six-roomed dwellinghouse at Creswiok, on the Karori-road, the property of a poor widow named Mrs. Paulmier. Not only was the plaoe consumed, but also its entire contents. The family of Mrs. Drysdale, residing next door, were aroused by the crackling of burning wood, and every effort was made to subdue the flames, but without avail. The place was unoccupied, as Mrs. Paulmier lives in town during tho session, to do work at tho Parliamentary Buildings. Tho cause of the fire is at present a mystery. The building was insured in the Palatine office for .£2OO, but tho furniture was uninsured. At tho meeting of the Trades Council on Saturday night the deputation appointed to wait upon the candidates for City Council seats reported having interviewed Messrs. Wilson, Myers, Higginbottom, and Lingard on the subjeot of the acceptance of such tenders as would enable contractors to pay fair wages, and having reoeived favourable answers from the first-named three gentlemen. A complicated native will case was mentioned in the Supreme Court this morning as having been praotially settled. It relates to the will of Tiki Mahupuku, a well-known Wairarapa Maori chief, who died at Hastings in 1893. The plaintiff is his only daughter, Martha Mahupuku, who, being an infant in the eyes of the law, sues by her guardian. She alleges that her father died intestate, and that the execution of a protended will four days beforo his death was attained by unduo influence, as the deceased was not of Bound mind, and did not know or approve of the contents of the will, whioh boqueathed his property to the defendant, Tamahau Mahupuku, with a condition that ho was to provide for his (testator's) child. She alleges that defendant, as exeoutor of the will, refuses to provide for her, and accordingly asks that probate may be rovoked, and that administration of the personal estate of the deoeased may be granted to her, or such other person as to the Court may seem meot, the Court to release what interest she is entitled to, and grant an injunction restraining the defendant or his agents from disposing of any of her father's estate. The defence filed alleged that the will, of whioh probate had been obtained, was a genuine one, and defendant denies that any undue influence was exercised on the testator, or that he has refused to provide for the plaintiff, but ho is and always has been willing to administer the will according to the true meaning Mr. C. H Izard appeared on behalf of the plaintiff and Mr. Chapman for the defendant. The latter stated that terms of settlement had been arranged, part of the arrangement being that tho will should be proved in Court. The case was adjourned sine die to allow of the settlement being carried out. Mr. James M'Bain, boilerjnaker, of this city, and nephew of Mr. W. Hutchison, M.H.R., met witha serious accident recently while engaged on the s s. Waihi at the Patent Slip. A splinter of steel Btruok him with considerable force on the right eye, completely destroying tho sight. An operation for the removal of the injured eye was performed by Dr. Mackenzie, and tho patient is progressing satisfactorily. Twelve tuns of oil, from three whales caught in Tory Channel by Jackson and party, of Tawaite, were brought over by the Waitapu yesterday, for local use. Tho ordinary meeting of the Wellington Branoh of Amalgamated Society of Bailway Servants was held at the Railway Hotel on Saturday, a large number of members being present, also Messrs. Earnshaw and J. W. Kelly, M.H.R.'s, Mr. Skinner being in the chair. Messrs. Kelly and Earnshaw gave a short address, both gentlemen giving it as their opinion that the present Commissioners were anxious to promote the interests of railway employes as far as lay in thoir power. Many grievances amongst railway men lay not bo much in any fault of the Commissioners past or present, as in those in direct authority over the men. However, since the present Commissioners had held office, this petty tyranny had to a great extent ceased to exist, which augured well, not only as far as railway men are concerned, but for the Commissioners and the people in general. A question was put by one of tho members aB to what was done with moneys deducted from men <as fines) by the Commissioners. Mr. Earnßhaw replied that up to the present all moneys so -deducted had been paid to a fund held by the Commissioners, and its disposition would be a matter for the Conference to deal with. Mr. G. Hunt, of the W. and M. Railway Co. was elected Secretary for the Wellington Branoh, vice Mr. Fraser, resigned. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Earnshaw and Kelly for their attendance, also to the retiring Secretary (Mr. Frwer) for his past services. Nominations for the vacant seats in the Onslow Borough Council will be received by the Returning Officer on the 4th September.

Sharland's Trade Journal contains the following .-—From the treatment shown the Pharmacy Act, 1894, -wo can only assume that our legislators desire — (a) That the New Zealand Pharmacy Board shall, for some peculiar reason, be required to move its headquarters every three years. Possibly it is desired by the present Government that Parliament Bnall bo managed on the same principle. For a period of three years we may therefore expect that the New Zealand Parliament will sit in Auckland. After that Dunedin, say, will be favoured for a similar period, then Chriatchurch, and then, hey ! presto ! away to Wellington, and so on. (b) That Tom, Dick, and Harry, without any _ education whatever and without any preliminary training, are quite competent to fulfil the duties of a dispensing chomist. (c) That the New Zealand Parliament views with favour the adulteration of drugs ; and (d) that our Parliament objects to confining the practice of pharmacy to experienced and educated men, but earnestly desires to throw it open to every quack who is prepared, as Dr. Bakewell so aptly puts it, " to ihin out the fools." The following report of the Public Works Committee of the Melrose Borough Council will be laid before the Council to-morrow evening :— Jour Committee begs to recommend—l. That the sum of £2 bo paid as a grant in aid of the repair of portion of Roderigo-road, Kilbirnie, and that 10s be granted towards the cost of repairing the footpath aoro3B the Town Belt to Nelsonstreet. 2. That repairs be effected to Duncan-terrace, Kilbirnie, in accordance with the report of the Inspector of Works. 3. That a few loads of metal be supplied to a resident of Kilbirnie on his paying the cost of same. 4. That accounts amounting to .£126 Is 7d be passed for payment. We are very sorry to have to record the death of Miss Isabel Johnson, youngest daughter of Mr E. P. Johnson Miss Johnson contracted a severe cold about ten days ago, and was obliged to take to her bed. Medical Ekill was unavailing, and she passed away at half-past 9 o'clock this morning. She was born in New Swindon, England, and was only 19 years of ago. Being of a very amiable disposition she was a general favourite, and the news of her early death will be regretted by many people, whowill also sympathise with Mr. Johnson in his bereavement. In consequence of his daughter's death, Mr. Johnson, who was to have sung " The Little One that Died " at the concert in aid of the Home for the Aged Needy next Satnrday, will be unable to take part in the affair. Captain Mahon, formerly of the barquentine Jessie, has taken Captain Gibbons' place on the Bohooner Clydo. Captain Gibbons returned to Lyttelton by the Omapere on Saturday evening. The schooner resumed her voyage to Foxton this morning. The steamer Tarawera, whioh passed throngh Wellington on Satnrday, had on board the life-boat built a few months ago by Logan Bros., of Auckland, to the order of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for service at Sumncr. She was found unsuitable for the purpose, and is being returned to the builders. The memory of the late Very Key. Father Kerrigan, for 14 years in charge of Te Aro Parish, is to bo perpetuated by tho erection of two stained glass windows in the sanctuary of St. Joseph's Church, Buckle-street. The "Vicar-General (Very Eev. Fathor Devoy) is to procure various designs and submit them to a committee of parishioners. The criminal business at the Magistrate's Court to-day was of little pnblio interest. Mr. Martin, S.M., presided, and had before him one first offender. Mary Wakoham was charged with habitual drunkenness, and also with stealing a coat valued at 5s 6d, the property of Mrs. Nicols, a second-hand dealer in Courrehay -place. The garment was offered by prisoner to W. Whittaker, another seoondhand dealer, in Manners-street, who refused to purchase it. The accused was sent to gaol for three months' hard labour on the first charge and seven days' for the theft, the sentences to be concurrent. Henry Bear was remanded for medical treatment. He was charged with illegally entering the dwellinghonßO of Mrs. Hamilton, laundress, Sussex-square, early on Sunday morning. It appeared the prisoner broke a pane of glass, and got into the houeo by lifting the sash. He then divostcd himself of the greater portion of his clothing, and calmly took up his lodgings on tho cold ground, and had to be ejected by Sergeant Shirley, who was called in. Mary Valadoro, for drunkenness, was sent up for seven days' hard labour. Tho Trades Council held its weekly meeting on Saturday night, tho President (Mr. Allan Ward) ocenpying the chair. A communication was received from the Labour Department with reference to the Bheariug disputo in Australia, intimating that the Government would not assist in an industrial quarrel. Tho solicitor to the Council intimated that it was necessary that all printing presses should be registered, under a minimum fine of £5. Tho Coachmakers' Society wrote undertaking to receive a deputation to discuss the question of affiliating with the Council. It was decided to distribute copies of the Hon. J. Rigg's recent speech in the Legislative Council on the Currency Question amongst tho various Unions and Trade Councils. A letter was received from Mr. W. Hutchison, M.H.K., thanking the Council for its action with regard to hiß Bill conforring tho municipal franchise upon householders. It was resolved to forward a letter of condolence to Mrs. Adam Porter, of Auckland, upon the death of her husband. Tho following nominations were received for office-bearers for the ensuing year: — President, Messrs. Allan Ward and A. Collins ; Vice-President, Mr. H. B. Mason ; Secretary, Mr. H. G. Jones ; Treasurer, Mr. D. Haggett. It was resolved, "That this Counoil, while disagreeing with the eternal lease clause, observes with pleasure the endeavour made by the Government to deal with the land question by having introduced such a desirable measure as tho Land for Settlements Bill." The following notice of motion was given -.—" That for tho future no entrance fees bo charged to Unions affiliating to the Council, and that the rnles be amended in that direction." The Kia Toa football team was entertained on Saturday evening by the Solwyn Club at a smoke concert in the Oriental Hotel. Mr. W. M'Callum, the Selwyn captain, presided, and during tho evening proposed the health of the Kia Toa Club, the toast being responded to by the visiting captain, Mr. Hislop. A number of songs were snng during the evening, and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " shortly before 11 o'clock terminated a very enjoyable reunion. Mr. Walter Smith presided at the pianoforte. An address entitled "The Fulfilling of Political and Social Obligations as a Divine Condition of National Revival," was given in the Baptist Church last evening by tho Rev. E. Walker, of the Now Zealand Alliance. At its conclusion the following resolution was* passed :—": — " That, regarding the liquor traffic as an agency productivo of much poverty, sin, and misery, this congregation rejoices in tho prospect "of legislation to give to tho people the power to completely suppress it, both within licensing districts and throughout the colony, and appeals to Parliament not to lot this session pass without its enactment, and to so shape its local and national opt'on provisions that there shall be nothing to obscure the issue nor trammel the free expression of the people's will." Saturday night's performance of the St. John's Burlpsque Company was witnessed by a very fair audience downstairs. " Sinbad" and his merry companions met with a hearty reoeption, and most of tho songs introduced were encored. Professor Beaumont's greatest feat was remaining under water for 10$ minutes, only coming to the surface for an instant occasionally. Tonight the company, will stage the burlesque " Aladdin," whioh is aaid to be one of the most entertaining in its repertoire. Mr. T. W. Shute, formerly a well-known Masterton settler, but now an inmate of the Benevolent Home, visited the Primitive Methodist Sunday School yesterday, and at the request of the Superintendent delivered a brief address to the children. Mr. Shute is now 81 years of age. In his younger and more prosperous days he always took a great interest in Methodist Sunday Sohool work, and when in the city always visited the Bchool. The Critorion Theatre will be re^bponed on Saturday night by a Vaudeville Company from Sydney, under the management of Mr. F. De Lisle, who has taken the theatre for six months, and purposes introducing fresh talent every fortnight. The chief feature of tho first company will be the performances of the Fredo Family of acrobats and gymnasts, who were through Australia with Fitzgerald's Circus. The Sunday leotares by Mr. W. W. Collins, M.H.8., at the Exohange Hall'continue to be well attended. The subject last evening was "The Blunders and Crimes of Superstition," whioh was illnstrated by views of interest. Mr. William Dear, bricklayer, of Roseneath, has perfected an invention which he is sanguine will effect a gre\t ohange in the building of houses. Mr. Dear's invention, whioh has been patented, may briefly be described as follows .- — The frame of the structure to be erected is of totara, with the exaoption of tho corner studs, which, instead of being timber, are Btout galvanised iron rods, let into concrete foundations and bolted securely to tho top plate. The sides and ends of the frame having been strongly braced with galvanised iron wire, ooncrete is poured between the totara studs, thus forming solid and soundproof walls. The same operation is carried on with regard to the ceilings of the various rooms, and no Bcrim or Barking in the case of roof ceilings is consequently needed. The walls and ceilings are smoothed off, and, of course, may be plastered, painted, or papered, according to oiroumatances. The inventor claims that his method rednces danger from earthquakes to a minimum, inasmuoh as the iron bars will permit the building to "give and take" without a chance of collapsing-. Mr. Daar submits that by his system ljuildings may be constructed combining the solidity and imperishableness of stone with the comparative cheapness of timber, and perfect safety, as has been said, in case of earthquakes. The inventor states that the cost of his composite houses will not exceed that of wooden buildings. The members of the Addington Football Club have been photographed by Messrs. Kinsey and Co., Lambton-qnay. The annual " social " is to be held in Thomas' Hall on the 27th proximo. The prompt manner in whioh Messrs. Levin & Co., local agentßof the Victoria Insurance Company, have settled the claim of Mr. Thos. J. Chapman with respect to the fire at his residence in Alpha-street, was acknowledged by that gentleman through our advertising columns on Saturday. A telegram from Christchurch states that the Walter Bentley Company played " The Silver King " all last week to crowded audienoes, and that Mr. Bentley lectured, last night to an overflowing house, when a collection was taken in aid of the unemployed, amounting to .£lB. We remind our readers of the paper by Mr. Gifford on " Carlyle and Ruskin on Political Economy " at the Citizens' Institute to-night, and that the meeting will be open to the public.

We regret to hear of the death of Bey. Father Landouar, S.M., late of Nelson, which took place this morning at the Presbytery, Boulcott-street. The deoeased, who was a native of Britanny, France, arrived here in 1887, and since that time he has been assistant priest to the Very Eev. Father Mahoney, S.M., at Nelson, where he was universally esteemed, not only by hia own people bnt by all classes of the community. Father Landouar was never very strong, being a sufferer from consumption. Lately the doctors of Nelson advißed him to take a change. He camo over to Wellington about four weeks ago, but althongh every care has ben taken since his arrival, he gradually sank, and expired this morning in his 36th year. There is at present in the Parliamentary lobby_ an extraordinary example of penmanship in the shape of a targe frame, apparently filled with newspapers, colonial and English, folded, opened, or addressed, addressed envelopes in various well-known handwritings, cheques, bank-notes, letters, and so forth. The realism is extraordinary, and the onlooker haß to pepr into the frame to persuade himself that the various articles are not what they pretend to be The wonderment of the onlooker is increased when he is assured that the whole thing is an exhibition of penmanship, the work of Mr. Harry Wrigg, of Auckland, late of the Public Works Department. No description could convey any idea of the realism and perfection of the work. If Mrs. Yates has reason to complain of want of respect on the part of her own .Councillors at Onehunga, she oannot do the same as to the Executive of the Municipal Association, whose meeting she attended this morning. The Lady Mayor was introduced by Mr. Lawry, M.H.R., and the moment she made her appearance all presont sprang to their feet and remained standing till she was seated in the huge Mayoral armchair, which had been specially reserved for her. Archbishop Eedwood has formed Petone into a parish, together with Ohariu, Johnsonville, Tawa Flat, and Pabautanui. The clergyman in charge will reside at Petone, namely, Eev. Father Donnelly, formerly rector of Palmerston South, who began his duties there yesterday. Eeport speaks of him in the highest terms as an administrator, and as a most zealous, hard-working, kind, broad-minded, and liberal priest. Death has removed a very old and esteemed colonist, namely, Mrs. Barton, sen., of the Hutt district, who died at Alioetown yesterday. She came to the colony when a mere child, with her father, the Eev. Mr. Butler, ( one of the first Church of England mission1 aries tD this colony. Tho earlier part of her .life was spent at the Bay of Islands. After her" marriage with- tho lato Mr. E. Barton, who was one of the earliest settlers of the New Zealand Company, they took up land near the Upper Hutt, and called the place Trentham, a name which it still retains. There are two surviving sons, both well known in the Wellington district. Mr. John Barton, one of the sons, and the owner of Trentham, is at present at Parapara on business, and Mr. William Barton, of White Bock station, Cape Palliser, the other son, is on his honeymoon trip in Europe. Mrs. Barton, son., removed from Trentham to Alicotown about 12 months ago in order to be nearer her medical attendant. She was in her 77th year. During her life she took a foremost part in church workin the Hutt Distriot. Her husband, we understand, presented the site for the present churoh at Trentham, and some years ago the deceased made an endowment of .£SOO to the Church of England for chnrch work in the distriot. She was highly respected, and her death will be generally regretted. An excellent contribution to tho educational side of the Forward Movement was made on Saturday night by Dr. Findlay, M.A.. in a lecture on " The Origin and Object of Anarchism," delivered before a largo audience at the Eechabite Hall. Dr. Findlay defined Anarchism as the dootrinc whioh declares that men can and should live according to the law of Nature alone, that the curse of the race has been human laws and institutions, whoso fruit is seen in all the world's misery and woe, and that no remedy exists but the extermination by all means, fair or foul, of established Governments_ and social systems. Going back to the time of the Greek philosophers, he showed how they pictured a golden age when'the law of Nature should hold sway ; how their ideas found their way throngh Home to France, and were last century translated by Kousseau — whoso writings were the gospel of present-day Anarchism — into the theory which now prompts the use of the bomb and the dagger, liousseau adopted the " social compact" theory of Hobbes and Locke, argued that the people were entitled to reßcind_ tho rights they had surrendered to the King,- and advocated a return to a state of Nature under which each man would be free to bo guided by tho dictates of his own reason. The lectnrer stigmatised Anarchism as " Stoicism run mad." While he saw under tho present unrest in Europe a sensitiveness of undoubted social evils and impatience of slow means of rectifying them, the only effective antidote to Anarchism was such an education as should Bhow its advocates the falsity of tho supposed philosophy of their system. Dr. Findlay answered a number of questions, and received a h arty vote of thanks for his lecture. It was announced that next Saturday's lecture will be by the Hon. .T. W. Hislop, on " The Political History of New Zealand for the Last Eighteen Years." A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Municipal Association residing in and near the city, and of members of Parliament representing' boroughs at the late Conference, was held in the Mayor's room this morning, there being present Messrs. A. de B. Brandon (President), H. S. Fish (Mayor of Dunedin), W. A. Fitzherbert (Mayor of Hutt), and It. C. Kirk (Mayor of Petone), Councillors L. L. Harris (Wellington) and G. H. Baylis (Melrose), the Hon. Mr. Shrimski (representing Otasro), Mr Guinness, M.H.B. (Greymouth), Mr. Crowther, M.H.K. (Auokland), and Mr. Lawry, M.H.E. (Newmarket). Mrs. Yates, the Mayor of Onehunga, was also present. It was resolved that the Government be asked to enpply the Secretary with copies 6f the more important Bills affecting: municipalities for transmission to each affiliated Council. The following Bills were considered: — 1. Rating— Approved generally. 2. Eating of Crown Lands— Resolved that all Government lands and buildings be assessed at full rates, instead of some only being rated at quarter rates, as proposed. 3. Rating on Unimproved Value — This Bill, which is permissive, was approved. 4. Firo Brigades — To be opposed. 5. Tramways — Postponed until the Bill has passed tho Committee of the Legislative Council, and evidence given before that Committee is printed . 6. Hospitals Special Empowering: — Opposed. 7. Hawkers — Postponed until passed' House. 8. Designation of Districts — Approved. 9. Auctioneer* — Approved -with existing amendment as to bazaars, Ac. 10. Abattoirs— Postponed till passed Select Committee. 11. Public Works — Postponed till passed Statute Revision Committee. 12. Harbours— Provision re Electoral Wards, to apply only to Boards having ratable area. 13. A motion from Gccymouth to compel proposals for fire insurance to be laid before local bodies before acceptance, was lost. The 'telegraphio match between the Canterbury and Wellington Chess Clubs commended on Saturday evening. The following team is doing battle for the local club :—: — Meßsrs. Benbow, Barnes, Littlejohn, James, Maokay, Barraud, Kelling, Cocks, Parker, Skeot, Wright, Still, Janion, Allen, and Tame. Mr. Parker, however, played his game, by arrangement, in Christchuroh last week, and won it. At the time of adjournment another game had beerivfinished, in which Mr. Eyre, who had adopted the Evans Gambit, apparently through an oversight allowed his opponent, Mr. Littlejohn, at the 16th move, to force mate in two moves. At the other boards the gameei are fairly eqnal except at board S, the Wellington man, Mr. Cocks, being there a piece to tho good. At present, therefore, the Wellington Club has two actual wins in hand. Tho match will bo continued next Saturday, and also the following Saturday if the gameß are not all finished. Any gameß that may be then unfinished will be referred to Mr. R. A. Cleland, of Dunedin, for adjudication. Another evening paper is to be started in Sydney at an early date, and Mr. J. W. Kilner, formerly of the Evening Post, has reoeived the appointment of reader. A concert and sooial gathering in connection with the local Catholic Church, is to be held at the Petone Oddfellows' Hall on the 12th proximo. Assistance will be given by Wellington talent. A meeting of the Porirua Jookey Club will be held on Thursday evening. George Thomas ana Co. will sell to-morrow, wines, spirits, tobacco, &c. A. G. Tame and Co. will sell to-morrow, stock, &c, in bankrupt estate of G. T. Harris, baker.

If there is one feeling stronger than another in the hsart of the female shopper it is a love for remnants. Bemnants of all sorts she fairly revels in, and remnants of all sorts she may now secure during the last days of the annual stock-taking sale at Te Aro House. Thk great sales of the past two months at Te Aro House have had the effeot of leaving a large quantity of short lengths in every department. These are the remnants which are now being offered, for a few days only, at Te Aro Honse. Therk are remnants of all materials, of every colour, and of every quality. Dress department, Manchester department, furnishing department, and fancy department, all contribute their share of remnants, to be sold during the last days of the annual stocktaking sale at Te Aro House.ADVT. Among the most ueeful of modern inventions is the Kerosene Water Heater, introduced and manufactured by Meearß. Wilkins and Field, of Manners-street. With the aid of a few chips and a little kerosene, water can be heated at the rate of 3 gallons per minute up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit; by reduoing the quantity, the greater the \ heat. At the cost of one penny a hot bath can be had. The heater cannot be put out of order even by careless using. It can be used anywhere, provided only that the supply tank is higher than the heater. It is suitable for both town and country, does away with the expensive high-pressure boiler and fittings, is always ready for instant nse, and is perfectly safe. One can be Been in operation in the show room of Wilkins and Field, Manners-street. — Advt. Bough on the Pios. —In Canterbury, which is pre-eminently the baoon province of New Zealand, the curing season is now m full swing, and the piga are having a very rough time of it. Every week Wardell Bros. & Co. receive large consignments of their own Canterbury cure, and the hams and bacon they have now on sale leave nothing to be deaired in the way of quality. As their buyers select nothing but guaranteed grainfed pigs, consumers can rely on getting a first-class article. Hams, 9d ; baoon, per side,7|d. Willis-street, Wellington.— Advt.