TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1908, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Comparatively quietly Sir "Joseph Ward ' ' begar his camThe Old Leader paign, but his pace and the New. has become hotter as the polls have drawn nearer. At the outset it seemed that he desired to merely go calmly 'through tho country, pointing to the Government monuments and the Government purse, but Mr. Massey's attacks spurred Sir Joseph on. His record for rapid transit now is in line -with the performances of the late Mr. Seddou. Before the close of his expedition through the Wairarapa and Manawatu fields, he was going as fast as a forty horse-power motor-car could whirl him, and he has been travelling mostly at that gait ever since. In his own electorate he spoke at about seventeen meetings, and he made extra • speecnes by the wayside when flying from one place to another. This rapid movement awakens memories of Mr. Seddon's last mighty 'charge through New Zealand. Ho opened his campaign in a characteristic way at Ethelton, a, little place on tho Waipara-Cheviot railway, where he opened a section. It was a rush from WelHngtori and a rush back, and on up tho line. He worked up to Auckland, and there ho started with his "not understood" /series of addresses. The leader's health was failing, but he had strength enough to talk down tempestuous opponents at Christchurch. Sir Joseph has powers of endurance to compare with his predecessor's, but he has not so many platform arts as his late chief. Mr. Seddon had a habit of catching an audience by the lapel of tho coat and telling it "secrets." He got more into grips with the people, but tho gripping was mostly in Mr. Seddon's favour. Sir Joseph lacks the gripping force, and loses politically for it, but the country, is the happier' for it. Bruin's embrace may be nice for the embracer, but is rather trying for the embraced. Even the calm of Mr. Balfour was nevef more philosophic than Tired Timi." the Hon. J. Carroll's. From the broad of his back (only figuratively, of course), in the shade of a nikau patch, somewhere far away from the hurly-burly, the Native Minister catches stray echoes of the strife, and between puffs of his pipe he utters soothing comments. He plead,s for a ' legislative rest," and continues the restful example which he set long ago. Compulsory military service gave him a little languid reflection while he blew pretty clouds through the fans of the nikau up to the blue vault of heaven. "Compulsion is not what the British mind adapts itself to," is the statement with which he momentarily breaks the elemental peace with which he has surrounded himself. Happy Minister ! He carries his portfolio as lightly as my lady flourishes her beaded bag. His confreres may profess to be groaning under the burden of their packs, and Mr. Carroll smiles pityingly at them. " Don't worry. It will all come rifhl in the end, if you wait long

enough, ' is his favourite doctrine. The Briton, who does not like compulsion, is compelled to obey the law of the land, except when it refers to strikes, but ho is not to be compelled to save a land for the operation of the laws which he is constrained to obey. It is good for society to compel the units to be oDedient (or pay the penalty) about driving a vehicle on the right side of the road, but it is demoralising to make the units of society do something for the salvation of tho whole fabric and the whole country, containing all the roads and all the vehicles. Mr. Carroll is a genial humorist. The charitably-disposed have no lack of calls on their The People that purses, and a col- , sit m Darkness." lector may soon be looked for in Wellington on his 'annual round appealing for aid to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, one of New Zealand's worthiest of philanthropic institutions, the headquarters of which are in Auckland, but which has inmates from the remotest parts of the islands. Experience of former years has shown that this appeal meets with generous response, but the cause is so worthy that, we are sure that if more were known of the institute and its work there 'would be many contributors in places where there are now but few, and that many beyond the collectors' reach would subscribe direct. By its constitution the institute devotes itself to the amelioration of the condition of the blind, by providing instruction in elementary knowledge, and in such arts or handicrafts as will enable them to earn their own living, and in such other ways as the general council may deem advisable. The council includes some of Auckland's most honoured citizens. We have a copy of the eighteenth annual report, from which we gather that the institute has benefited by a handsome bequest during the year, but that, on the other hand, it has in progress a new building, which, without extras or equipment, will cost £14,000. In the report special reference is made to the career of Mr. Ernest Chitty, 8.A., admitted in 1892, who secured various university successes, graduated in 1905, won a scholarship at St. John's College, Tamaki, in 1907, studied theology, took a first-class in Grade 11., and in Grade I. a secondclass, missing the first by only four points. In each grade he stood second in New Zealand, and he was awarded an exhibition of £20. He is now reading for Grade 111. and his M.A. degree. The collector, Mr. Robert Miller, is also blind, and the council acknowledges the kindness and consideration with which he is everywhere received. Interesting departmental and examiners' reports set forth the progress of pupils in music, etc. Much work is done among the non-resident blind, and branch libraries are maintained in the chief centres for the loan of books. Tt is unnecessary to say more to commend this good work to readers of The Post; we will only add that the address of Mr. R. Leslie Hunt, the secretary, is 322, Victoria Arcade, Auckland. Two men, in public, have been trying to please New The "Better Half" Zealand's woof men. One is Mere Man. Mr. Lawry, , of Painell, who is catching the feminine vote by telling the men to look for 'the '"maid in New Zealand" for matrimony in preference to England's "cross-eyed, screwed-up, consumptive daughters of fashion and idleness." Mr. Lawry was gallant and ungallant in one breath. He fondled Arena's cheoE with one hand, and slapped Rose's face with tho other. He represented the Rose of England as a flower bitten by the green aphis and other insects, and he is now warned to steel himself for the darts that will be i justly hurled at him. The other preacher at the fair is a Socialist who last night discoursed on "Woman c Place in Society." He pictured man as a hypocrite, belauding woman as his better half and treating ncr as a tenth, styling her "guiding angel,'' but forcing her to guide scrubbing-brushes." The Socialist urges women to revolt, but she has • already revolted. " Mary Ann " became "Wary Ann," and is now almost " Nary Ann." The hand that guides the scrubbing-brush, for a consideration; is a vanishing factor, so say the heads of households. But perhaps the Socialist was referring more to the wives or sisters who do their own housework. 'In that case he and his fellow Socialists may have the remedy (the scrubbingbrush) in their own hands, and guide it along its appointed way. The Wellington brand of Revolutionary Socialist talks about the workers getting a fair share of the product of industry, but they omit to say who is to do the work. Work (according to them) is ignoble for woman, and utterly base for man.

Wonderland was not largely patronised on Saturday, and Professor Driscoll, ,who was announced to ''undress and dress himself on the wire," did not perfoian his act. This will bo done on Wednesday if the wind is not too strong — as was the case on Saturday. With the coming of the fine weather the attendance at this popular place of amuse- j ment should greatly improve. Before Mr. Riddell, S.M., to-day, James Moore was convicted and fined 40s, with costs 7s, for cruelly ill-treat-ing a horse. Shack Home was convicted and fined fas, with costs 7s, for a breach of the Births and Deaths Registration Act. An information charging Mabel Barber with having failed to support her mother, Maria Bo wen, was dismissed. Henry Archibald Bowen was ordered to pay 2s 6d, and Charles Arthur Bowen 2s per week towards the support of their mother, Maria Bowen. A charge of breaking and entering the residence of 'Laurence O'Donoghue, in Alameda-terrace, on the night of Ist November, with intent to commit crime, was preferred against Maurice Daniel Paulmer at the Magistrate's Court this morning. Sub-Inspector !Phair / appeared for the police, and asked for a remand till 4th November. Bail, in self £50 and two sureties of £25 each, was granted. Mr. Perry appeared for accused. For insobriety, Peter Mulcahy was convicted and fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment^ Timothy Donovan, for a similar offence, was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon." A prohibition order was ordered to be issued against Donovan, to take effect in Wellington, Newtown, arid Hutt districts for a period of twelve months. One first offender was fined 10s, in default 24 hours in gaol, .while two were fined ss, with a similar alternative. Mr. Jas. Moore gave a lecture on Friday evening at the Seamen's Mission on the advantages and disadvantages of a sailor's life. Mr. Powles presided, and Miss C. Picot and Picot recited during the evening. The lecturer, while admitting that the life of "those who go ' down to the sea in snips" is not all disadvantageous, said that the drawbacks and difficulties of a sea life were many, and some of them were very grave. Improvement was slow, but the lecturer rejoiced at the vast difference between the life today and that of twenty or so years ago. Some of the hardships were inevitable, tout others could and ought to be removed. Mr. Moore advocated the necessity for extended' wira.less-tele'gfraiphic provision as a means of saving disabled vessels, and the need for the improvement of stores for castaways. Better quarters were urgently ' required for seamen on the majority of vessels. Votes of thanks closed an interesting meeting. i A farm at Hayward's, Hutt galley, ' -was considered in a judgment delivered by Mr. Justice Chapman to-day, the parties being Crespin Parker (plaintiff) v. Reginald Palmer Greville and Alary Jolly Edwards (defendants). Parker sought specific performance of a covenant to renew for a term of" ten years the lease of a larm containing 231 acres at Hayward's, owned by Hayward's trustees, R. P. Greville and Mrs. Edwards. The defendants opposed the- granting of the renewal on the ground that the plaintiff, Parker, had not complied with the covenants and conditions of his lease, and that the granting of a new»lease was conditional on the due performance of these covenants/ and conditions. His Honour, in delivering judgment, held that the plaintiff had not convinced him that he had complied with his covenants. There were admitted breaches in respect of insurance premiums upon, which he expressed no opinion, but aa to the eradication of noxious weeds — particularly tauwhinu — he was satisfied that the tenant had not taken proper steps. He had . also allowed the orchard to be destroyed, and as this was a means of piofit before he had taken possession, it amounted to a breach of his covenant His Honour held that the plaintiff was not entitled to the renewal of the lease, and gave judgment for the defendants with costs as if £250 were claimed, ten guineas counsel's fee for the second day, and five guineas for t the third day. Mr. D. M. Findlay appeared for the defendants, and Mr. Johnston, with him Mr. Rothenberg, for the plaintiff. Mr. Johnston asked for a stay of proceedings, with a view to appeal. His Honour said he could not make any order as to that. Plaintiff would have to find security for costs in the-ordin-ary way if he decided to appeal. Though there has been nothing very stirring in the Wellington oleotoral contests'so far, perhaps it iB a little too early in the fight yet. The peoplo who are anticipating excitement need not despair. If you wish to get full value for your money visit the shop 'of C. Smith, Ltd., Cubastreet, and see the splendid value in ladies' fine white muslin and lawn blouses. You will at once vote that they are the smartest line in the cicy. All the latest styles in embroidered muslin with kimono effect. Note the prices — 6s 6d^ 7s 6d, 8s 6d, 10s 6d.— Advt.