THE WEREROA LICENSE.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 132, 6 June 1895, Page 2

THE WEREROA LICENSE.

The long-ponding and hard-fought Weroroa licensing case is at last settled, and settled, we venture to think, in the right and proper way, by tho granting of the transfer There was really no just or sufficient ground for opposing the transfer of a Hoense from a place whore it was not wanted to a place where thero was strong evidence to show that it was required for tho convenience of the public. The opposition to the transfer arose mainly from those who are opposed to all licensing — the extrqme Temperance Party, who were too shortsighted to soe that the continuance dt a liconee in a place where it was not neoded for legitimate purposes was likely to prove muoh more injurious to the interests of true Temperance than its removal to a place where it would meet legitimate public requirements. Added to the opposition from this quarter, was some arising from tradoand looal jealousy. These various opposing forces were fair enough 111 their way, and only constituted such an opposition as any applicant under the circumstances might reasonably expect to encouutor. This, however, cannot bo said of the opposition offered in tho name of the Government through the Labour Department. It was an unprecedented and most improper thing for the Minister for Labour to assume the attitude he did. The pretence that the opening of a licensed house at Weroroa would prove detrimental to the residents on the State Farm at Levin was an utterly hollow one. If Mr. Beeves' State farm proUges cannot be trusted in tbe vioinity of a public-house, he should not have exposed them to temptation by ohoosing a site for the farm in very convenient proximity to an already established licensed hotel. Their virtue would be no more endangered by iho temptation of a licensed house at Wereroa than by tho existence of one at Levin. The distance from the farm in either case was immaterial. What we object to in the Ministerial opposition is that it was oaloulatod to overawe and unduly influence the tribunal established by law for dcaiding such questions as the one at issue. The presidiug officer of that tribunal is a Govornmont officer, holding office at the will of Ministers, and the fact of the Government throwing all its weight on ono sido of a caso pending before tho Committee was certainly calculated to unduly prejudice tho other side, however independent the Stipendiary Magistrate might bo. Tho action of the Government in this matter deserves, wo think, strong condemnation, and it is satisfactory to know that the Ministerial opposition proved unsuccessful.

Our report of last night's meeting in connection with the proposed birthday presentation to the Premier, a budget of Australian news, and other matter, will be found on the fourth page. It is probable that tho Premier will return from the West Coast on Sunday. The health of the Mmistor for lands has improved,' and he is expected to bo able to got back to Wellington next wc&k. The circular issued by the Land Department to the various local bodies in the colony aßking for data for the purposes of the Fair Bent Bill, and also for an expression of opinion with reference to that measnre, has not had the anticipated result, very little information having been reoeived by tho Government. Only a Email number of local bodies have furnished tho information required. The replies aro now being classified Tho Railway Department has arranged to {rarchase totara railway sleepers in small ots from bushmen in the Southland district. The Government has agreed to make a concession in the matter of the foe payable by coastal pilots. Hitherto the fee has been £3 per annum. In future the holder of a license will only be required to pay that amount for the first year, and for every subsequent year the fee will be only JEI. The Under-Secrotary for Public Works and Railways (Mr. H. J. H. .Blow) has returned from the South. Sir Bobert Stout was a passenger from the South by the Botomabana this morning. The s.s. Anglian did not wait at Lyttelton last night for the mails brought to tbe Bluff from Australia by the Taluue. They will, however, come to hand by tho Takapuna tomorrow morning. A £5 postal note, the first of this value, has been prepared for issue by the Government, and will be available for purchase at the various post offices of the colony on the 17th instant. This note is the work of a London firm of engravers, Messrs. De La Rue & Co. It is of striking design, showing a view -of Mount Egmont, surrounded by vignottc3 of native birds, tree ferns, and nikau palms, the value being boldly shown in white letters on a blue background. These notes will be reoeived by any Government Department in payment of fees or for the lodgment of deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank. They differ in two particulars from money-orders— they need no letter of advice from the issuing offioe, while their period of circulation is not limited, so that they may bo cashed at any time after delivery, an arrangement which is now made, we believe, for tbe first time in the British dominions. The poundage fee is 6d. It is expeoted that the effeot of making tho time of payment unlimited will be that the public will come in time to treat them as ourrent notes. An action has been commenced by the City Corporation against the Government to decide whioh of the parties iB liable for the maintenance of tho extension of Bannystreet from Featherston-street to Waterlooquay, and the extension of Davis-street from Thorndon-quay to the sea. Mr. T. F. Martin, City Solicitor, is aoting for r the Corporation, and Mr. H. Gully, Crown Solicitor, for the Government. ' ' The directors of the New Zealand Candle Company have deoided to tbrow open for inspection of the sohool children of Welling, ton the company's candle works at Kaiwarra. The visit should prove of great assistance to the technical education of the ohildren, as the manager of the works will escort them through the establishment and explain the process of candlemoking. In addition, the company offers prizes for the beßt essays on tbe manufacture of candles, to be awarded as follows :— For competitors in Standards V., VI., VII., for compotitora in Standards 111. and IV., £2 ; for competitors in Standards I. and 11., £1. The essays will be judged by Mr. C. Wilson, Editor of the New Zealand Mail, and by the Manager of the faotory. Mrs. Jane Russell, widow, who it was lately alleged in the Magistrate's Court was drawn into a bigamons marriage with Chas. Waters in London in 1891, is Buing Waters for .£2OO damages, olaiming that he induced her to go through the marriage oeremony with him by false representations. The case was formally called on in the Magistrate's Court to-day and adjourned for a week. The new Terrace Sohool Committee held its first meeting yesterday afternoon. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Education Board to the unsatisfactory condition of the asphalting in the sohool grounds, and to urge tho necessity of immediate repairs. As it had been found that' the form of sohool desks compelled the ohil-. dren to adopt a constrained posture, and had a tendenoy .to make them roundshouldered, the Committee deputed its Chairman (Mr. Van Staveren)and Messrs. Meo and Scott to have the desks altered to a more suitable shape. Among other matters it was mentioned that the roll number waß 564, and the average attendance a little over 500. Three topers were brought before Mr. Martin, S.M., in the Magistrate's Conrt to-day and treated as first offenders. One of the trio was a woman -a well-known ohiraoter—who was only liberated from gaol at nine o'clock yesterday morning 1 , and was re-arrested four hours later. The ohair at the monthly meeting of the Operative Tailors' Sooiety last evening was occupied by Mr. C. Lamb. Messrs. H. C. Jones and Allan Ward were eleoted to represent tho Sooiety on the Board of Conciliation. Consideration of the question of the establishment of a newspaper jn the interests of the workers was deferred. Nominations for the various offioes were reoeived as follows : —President, Mr. C. Lamb; Vice-President, Mr. Swanson; Seoretary, Mr. A. Ward; Treasurer, Mr. F. Jansen ; Tras'eea, Messrs. Houtohen and Neilson ; Committee,-Meßßrs. W. Smith, Costello, Black, and Mines; Delegates to the Eight Hours Demonstration Committee, Messrs. Lamb, Morrison, Mines, and Costello f Delegates to the Trades Council, Messrs. Lamb, Rodger, Morrison, Ward, and Mines; Auditors, Messrs. Swanson and Marekftnt. The- Stipendiary Magistrate entered up judgments for plaintiffs to-day in the following oivil cases :— Empire Loan Company v. D. M'Carthy and Thos. Bnrke, olaim .£9 16s, judgment for £7 16s : E. W. Brodie v. E. H. and Jane Buckeridge, £54 12s 6d ; E. J. Dempsey v. W. E. Hugo, £7 10a ; Stewart * Co. v. A. Bowman, £2 2s 6d ; same v. S. Geary, £1 9s 9d. In the oase of J. B. Harcourt v. Eb. Baker, a olaim of £30 12s 6d for commission, whioh was beard an Tnesday, judgment was given for plaintiff.

The Ardgowan Estate, near Oanraru, owned by the Now Zealand and Australian Land Company, whioh is about to be compulsorily resumed for settlement under the Land for Settlements Act, comprises 4200 acres, and is said to oonsist of very rioh and highly -improved agricultural land. As the Otajfo Land Purchase Board, now sitting in Wellington, will not accept the prioe fixed by the vendorp, the Government will submit the matter to arbitration. Mr. Justioe Williams will be tbe presiding Judge. Mr. B . Harrison, caretaker of the Volunteer Drillshed, reported to the polioe last evening that on nnlocking the shod that night he had discovered that one of the small side rooms had been broken >into, and-ths sum of £i Ids stolon from it. An examination of tho building leads to tho oonclnsion that the robber gained an entraneo from the roof. Tho stolen moneys wrre entranoe fops reoeived on Vfonday night in connection with a sweepstake for Morris-tube shooting. At the sooial gathering of the Cricketers' Association last night, Mr. W. E. Woods expressed the opinion that the Association shonld follow out the practice now adopted by the football authorities in the matter of the selection and appointment of umpires and referees. He urged the Association to have some such system in vogue next season, and paid a high compliment to Messrs. Ashbolt, Knapp, and otherß, who, Saturday after Saturday, at personal inconvenience, give their services as umpiros. Yosterday afternoon tho District Coroner held an inquest on the body of Henry Schultze who h-xd been an inmate of tho Mount View Asylum Biaoo 20th September, 18S0, and died on Tuesday. The medical evidence showed that the cause of death waa the rupture of an ulcer in the aorta, and the jury, of which Mr. K. Clarke was foreman, returned a verdiot accordingly. Today there will be an inquest at Karori on the death of the infant child of Sarah Anne M'Millan. It is intended to place the Government steamer Hinemoa on the Patent Slip as soon as the overhaul of tho Stella is completed, for inspection. While the steamer is on the Slip it is intended to fit her with Stone's new patent bronza propeller blades, after whioh a trial of her speed will bo made. Sanctuary Sir George Grey, A.0.5., held its half-yearly meeting last evening at the Foresters' Hall, Lambton Quay, Bro. W. Knapp, Pastor, presiding. PP. Bro. J. J. Harris tendered his resignation as Trasteo, which was accepted, a vote of thanks being given to him for his past serriceß, and Bro. G. Keys was elected in his stead. The balance-sheet of the late " social " showed a oredit balance, which was voted to tho Benevolent Fund. The election of officers resulted as follows :— Pastor, C. F. Worth ; S.P., H. B. Pago; F. Att., C. Johnson; S.A.W., A. V. Knapp; F. Keep., J. fiobertson ;S. Keep., W. Knapp ; Auditor, H. J. White ; Treas. aud Scribe as before. During the wintor months it is intended by the Union Steam Ship Company, circumstances permitting, to dospatch it 3 steamers from Wellington for Northern and Southern ports 0110 hour earlier thin has been the rulo hitherto. Tbo Tivoli Company atrain appeared at the Exchange Hall last night, the audionce showing its appreciation by oordially applauding and encoring nearly every item. Tho company intends to re-open on Saturday night, when several new artißts will appear. The weekly mooting of the Loyal Antipodean Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held in the lodgeroom last night, Bro. M. Maxton, P.G., in the chair. Five candidates were initiated. The Social Committee's report was presented and reoeived, and the committee was given a vote of thanks. The members of tbe juvenile lodge reque3te4 the attendance of adult members at their entertainment on Monday evening. The Master of the Ohivo Benevolent Homo desires to thank the Mayor of Wellington and the ladies who took part in the reoent children's foto for some tea left from the same. The Government steamer Stella, which haH been chartered by Mr. Fleming, will be paced on tho Patent Slip to-morrow for an examination by Mr. Mowalt, Chief Inspector of Machinery. She is intended to be principally employed in towing logs in connection with tho Auckland district sawmills, and in the suramor months will rnn oioureions. Another steamer, the Invincible, is now used for towing, and her present captain will command tho Stella. Captain Butt will probably take tbe vessel up to Auckland. A public leoturo on " George Eliot," in connection with the Forward Movement Literary Sooiety, was delivered last night at the Ballance Hall by Mrs. W. A. Evans, M.A. The hall was uncomfortably crowded, and the lecture was listened to throughout with the greatest interest and pleasure. Mrs. Evans gave an admirable sketch of the life of George Eliot, aud illustrated her development, intellectual and emotional, by well-chosen and well-rendered extracts from ■ tho nove.ist's workß. Mr. Evans was in tho chair, as President of the sooiety. On tho conclusion of Mrs. Evans' able and scholarly looture, the Bey. Mr. Glasson proposed, and Miss Richmond seconded, a very hearty vote of thanks to the leoturer, which was carried by acolamation. It is a pity that a larger hall waß not secured for the lecture. If tbe other public lectures of tbe society attract audionces of the same dimensions, it will be absolutely necessary to do so. Mr. Bourne is now purser of the Rotomabana, Mr. Crawley hayingbeen transferred to the Hanroto. Mr. Siegal, lato purser of the Hanroto, is to join the Mararoa. In spite of the threatening weather, there was a fairly large field at the United Hunt Club's meet at Kilbirnio yesterday afternoon. The hounds wore under the charge of Geo. M'Donald, and the followers were— Miss Skerrett on The Liar, Captain Campbell-Preston on Pink 'Un, Captain Gathorne-Hardy on Ely, Messrs. Taggart on Lord John, Hughes on Gladstone, Turner on Freshfield, and several others. The course was from the sands to the kennels, round by the garden, and back to Kilbirnio. On Saturday afternoon the hounds will meet at the Hutt Bridge. The Knox Church Literary Society oponed its third session in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lower Hutt, last night, with a concert and dramatioontertainment. Ike hall waspaoked to overflowing. The fir^t part of tho programme consisted of instrumental duets (violin and piano), by Miss Archer and Mr. Craig ; songs by Misses Steel, Watson, and Smith, and Mr. T. M. Wilford ; and reoitations by Mr. F. W. Haybittle and Dr. Pardy. Every item was well received. Miss Smith and Mr. T. M. Wilford played the accompaniments. The second part consisted of the performance of Williams' eccentric oomedy, "Who is Who?" the characters being ably sustained by Misses Pierce and Archer, and Mesars. A. W. Stevona, G. S. Pringle, and W. W. Welch. Miss Pieroe's Matilda Jane, the housemaid, was an especially notable pieoe of aoting. The "making-np" of the performers was well done by Mr. D. D. Hyde. The performance will be repeated at the Upper Hutt to-morrow night. A concert in aid of the ohoir fund was held last evening at the Wadeßtown Churohroom. The soloists wore Mesdames Greenwood, Morison, and Soutt, and Messrs. Carvell, Cook, and Soutt; pianoforte pieoes were played by MissOß Kllia and Cook, and a reading and recitation givon by MajorGeneral Sohaw. The acoompanißtß were Mesdames Boscoe and Soutt, Misses Cook and Ellis. There was a capital attendanoo, and judging from the applause, the audienoo was well pleased with the entertainment. The piano was supplied by the Dresden Company.. Cf the thousands of tourists who vieit Now Zealand only a very small proportion move off the well-known tracks to tho Hot Lakes region of the North and the Cold Lakos dietriot in the South. An attempt is now being made by Mr. W. Tyree.the well-known Nelson photographer, to bring the natural beauties of tbe West Coast of the South Island under the notice of travellers. Mr. Tyree has the negatives of some 5000 different views of gorge and bush and mining distriot soonery at his command ; and he is arranging thess for exhibition in large and handsome frames, and fixing termß with business people for the disposal of these for exhibition in their warehouses, together with advertisements of their businesses, and also presenting similar frames to museums and othorpublicinstitutions. It iB hold that by this means attention can be direated to localities as yot little known to tho general stream of travellers, bnt well worthy of their atten-tionj-ond that Wellington, with the Nelson towns and other places it supplies, will benefit largely from the tourist traffic thus oreated. Specimen frames are on view at HiU & Sons' shop and the Dresden Music Warehouse. Mr. Tyree's representatives are now in Wellington, and will shortly oall npon tradespeople to explain the system. The firstof the four lecture-entertainments by the popular London preaoher, the Bey. H. B. Haweis, will be given on Tnesday 'next at Thomas' Hall. The subject ohosen is " Music aad-Mornk," with violin illustrations by 'the leoturer. The other subjeots to be dealt with in succession are " Tennyson, the Poet of the Age," " Musio and Noise,-" and " Marriage 1 Is it a Failure ?" The box plan is now open at Messrs. Bobert Holliday and Co.'i, where seats may be booked and tiokets obtained. Miss Gough, a lady who comes with good testimonials from English and Continental sohools of cookery, began a series of lessons on high-class cooking at Thomas' Hall today. The hoars at wbioh she oan be found at the hall are stated in an advertisement. Such a movement for the improvement of household systems should meet with largo support. An announcement appears in another oolumn as to Mr. A. H. Gee's conoertß on Wednesday and Thursday next. The management have seonred the services of Mr. Maughan Barnett, the popular solo pianist. Mr. Barnett is generally averse to making publio appearances, but for this objoot he has been induced to overcome his objection. A rehearsal of the oratorio of " St. Paul " for the ohoras and Btring part of the orchestra will be held by tho Festival Choral Society on Friday evening. The perform, anoe is to be given in aid of the Hospital funds. i A meeting of journeymen plumbers is to be. held in the Exchange Hall to-morrow night. The sooial gathering in aonneotion with the looal Boman Catbolio sohools is to be held in the Skating Bink this evening. A speoial feature will be the exhibition by the Bey. Father Goggan of limelight views, by means of his splendid lantern, dealing speoially with the illustrations of Diokens' lf Old Curiosity Shop." The Kilbirnie Cricket Club will hold a concert and dance in the Kilbirnie Halt tomorrow evening, to oommemorate the winning of the Dixon Cap. Speoial arrangements are turaounoed as to the bus conveying people from the oity. Members of the Wellington Gynmutio Club are reminded of the excellent exhibi* tion of athletics arranged to take place at the Gymnasium this evening.

In the Divorce Court this morning, Mr. Justioe Richmond heard a petition by William B. Goodman, of Motueka, Nelson, for a dissolution of his marriage with Emily Goodman. Mr W. B. Edwards appeared in support of the petition, and there was no appearanoe for the respondent. The parties were married at Wanganui in 1876, the isßue of the marriage being five children, four of whom are still living. Tho respondent Bwore that his wife eloped from her home at Auokland in 1885 with Charles Clifford, with whom she was now living in Wellington, and by whom she had had children. Petitioner said he hod been unable to bring the case into Court before for want of funds. His Honour said it was a caso in whioh the petitioner appeared to havo shown little sense of his rights as a husband or as a father. Ho granted a decree nisi, but refused the petitioner his costs. A quiet wedding was celebrated yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mr. James Brown, Buller-Btreet, the contracting parties being Mr. C. H. King and Miss Nellie Brown. The bride, who wore cream nunß' veiling, Empire sash, and was attended by Miss Britten (in oream and heliotrope), was given away by her fathor, and the Bey. Mr. Shirer was the officiating minister. The wedding presents included a marble clock from the fellow-employed of tho bridegroom at B. Hannah & Co. 's, and a handsome set of silvermounted carvers from the ohoir of St. James' Presbyterian Churoh, of which he is choirmaster. Mr. J. King aoted as best man. The oase of A sb worth v. B. Martin, in whioh the plaintiff, an expressman, claimed damages f or in j uries said to have been oaused through a collision with a vehicle driven by an employe 1 of the defendant, was conolnded in the Supreme Court this morning. Mr. Justice Biohmond said the evidence had been conflicting, aud ho had come to the conclusion that the plaintiff had failed to make out a oaso of negligenoe. It was impossible not to feel regret for the plaintiff, who had suffered very sovero injuries, and had to depend on his own bodily strength for his living. Still, as Mr. Martin was not legally liable, tho Court conld not make him compensate for them. Judgment was entered up for the defendant, with costs, his Honour certifying for a two days' trial. Mr. W. Leslie Morison, of tho School of Art, now has at his studio, in tho National Mutual Life Assurance Buildings, a lifo-Bizo buat of the late Mr. Henry Blundell. The artist may be congratulated upon the faithfulness of his work. With tho aid of photographs, one at least of whioh was taken in Melbourne 20 years ago, he has succeeded in prodncing an admirable likoness Tho front view is excellent, and the profile even more life-like. The bust has been executed to the order of Mrs. Blundell, who intends to present it to tho Hospital Trustees, so that it may bo placed over the Henry Blundoll Memorial Cabinet in the new ward of the institution. Tho sale of a valuable collection of oil paintings and water colours, to be held by T. K. Maodonald & Co., Ltd., at their rooms, to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 o'clock, should attract a large attendance of buyers. Tho collection is one of the finest which lias been suhmitted in tho City, and such an opportunity of obtaining a share of an art collection which has taken many years to acquire does not often occur. Catalogues cau be had on application. A. G. Tame & Co. advertise a room full of furniture for to-morrow, at 2 o'clock, and a number of special entries for 2.30 o'clock. Tlipt also advertise a number of special entries for their horse sale on Saturday, at 2 o'clock sharp, including five good draughts from Canterbury and some harness horses from the AVairarapa. W. , F. Shortt will sell to-morrow, a quantity of tobacco, furniture, &o. George Thomas ana Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit. Townsena & Paul will sell to-morroir, fruit.