The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1888.

Evening Star, Issue 7655, 4 July 1888, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1888.

snt Mauwce O'Rorkk, *a Speaker of the House of Representatives, has - ■ " *a undoubted right to £ght for his«wn hand, but the position which be takes up, that the , are not under any circumstances to touch in their Estimates the salaries and allowances of the officers of the Legislature, is altogether untenable. Jt is not in the power of the House to reduce expenditure in any direction except on the initiation or with the approval of Ministers, who control the majority, so that if Sir Maurice's theory is to hold good the legislative officers' salaries could never be subjeot to redaction, The facts cf the case are that the Speaker, Chairman of Coiamittees, and Clerk in each Chamber enjoy salaries permanently appropriated by the LegUfcijive Officers' Salaries Act, 1867, but it has Jbeen for some years the practice for the Colonial Treasurer, in his Estimates, t* propose an additional sum £n each case .supplemental to this perinaiieDt appropriation. This the Committee of Supply haye been asked to vote, and have done so, but not always wiihont protest. The Treasurer, £n carryfog .out Wa.economip policy, has, we think, Tery»roperiy dropped thefle items out of the Estimates for the current year, leaving the officers named -to 4beir statutory remuneration, whieh, if not munificent,-is suffiofcatly liberal. Not only has there been no idea of jiterfering with these appropriations, .but

T.eglslatlTe Salaries. Government

Ministers have resisted, on the part of a section of the House, the attempt to repeal or amend the Legislative Officers' Salaries Act. The annual vote of an increment has never been other than an act of grace, and its withdrawal under pressure of financial exigency can in no respect be rightly construed as au infringement of any right or privilege. Throughout the whole Civil Service officers of every grade have had to put up with reductions of salary, whilst many have been dispensed with altogether. We can see no valid reason why the legislative officers are to escape scot-free. It is quite proper that they should be entirely independent of the Government of the day, and their independence is secured, as we have shown, by the statute which appropriates their salaries, without the necessity of an annual vote. The extra allowances have never been so appropriated, and, having been placed on the Estimates by one Ministry when money was plentiful, may with equal propriety be withdrawn by another when the financial shoe pinches. Sir Maurice O'Rokke would seem to argue that any movement towards retrenchment in the legislative departments must proceed from those departments themselves—a proposition the absurdity of which is manifest, since it is equivalent to maintaining that no such retrenchment shall take place. Ministers are responsible for the tvhole expenditure of the Colony, and for finding the ways and means to meet the same ; and, so long as they possess the confidence of Parliament, it is manifest that they can, and must, directly control every branch of expenditure. They might find it their duty to materially reduce salaries appropriated by statute, and to introduce for this purpose amending or repealing Bills, and would hardly, if such a course were forced on them by circumstances, be required or expected to consult and act on the advice of the officers interested. The country demands a finance of the strictest economy, carried out without fear, favor, or regard for persons, and the Government should be supported in their action in this direction by the full force of public opinion.

A philharmonic society has been started at Mosgiel. The Hon. Dr Grace proceeds to FiUrope shortly on a twelve months' trip. Mr John O'Neill, a well-known cattle dealer of Woolston (North Canterbury), died on Sunday night from heart disease.

At the Christchurch Police Court yesterday George Kyriason, William Batchelor, and Thomas H. Batchelor were committed for trial for sheep-stealing on an extensive scale.

Jean Luie or Louis, who was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for giving false evidence at the Tichborne trial, appeared as a witness in a case in the Sydney District Court last week.

Modesty is not one of the besetting weaknesses of the Wellington ' Evening PreßS,' which entered last night on the fifth year of its existence, and indulged in an outburst of gelf laudation very pardonable under the circumstances. But the longbow is drawn to its fullest extent when the writer claims that the ' Press' has been made the largest evening paper in the colony, and that it has the widest circulation without exception throughout the colony.. A report got abroad in London on May 10 to the effect that while a gang of men were engaged in dismantling some premises at the rear of Messrs Hart's coachbuilding establishment, in New Bond street, a roll of canvas was discovered in the corner of a disused cellar, and this, upon examination, turned out to be the portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire, which was cut out of its frame in May, 1870, and disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The picture was in a filthy condition from the accumulation of dust, but is otherwise not seriously injured, At Bristol an inquest was held on the body of Emily Hunt, wife of a tailor. She was preparing her husband's supper, when a paraffin lamp fell on the floor and exploded close to the cradle containing her infant child, and the flame set fire to the pillow. The deceased seized the infant, and her own clothes then took fire ; but she ran with the child to the further corner of the room, laid the child down, and then fell near the door. When the neighbors came to her assistance the mother was dead, her body being terribly burned. In its account of the accident to Samson M'Whinney, on the Weatherstones road on Sunday, the 'Tuapeka Times' says:—"He appeared to be under the influence of liquor, and not at all secure in the saddle ; but, doubtless, would have reached his haven securely had he not tried to jump his horse over a cow which was standing on the side of the road. The horse turned a clean somersault, throwing the rider with great force on the crown of his head, and rolling over him into the bargain. The only thing about the unfortunato fellow that was not injured was a bottle of whisky which he had in his pocket." A lady, writing to a Wellington contemporary, discusses the subject of employjnent for women, which is creating such a stir at Home just now. She says :—"There are many branches of useful work not yet taken up by ladjeg here—mending, dressmaking, altering and trimming hats and bonnets, and cooking, including preserving. A clever mender might find constant employment. Baby linen and children's frocks could always find a market, and a family of girls could earn a very good income if they understood dressmaking. Would not this be more honorable and lucrative than taking up the genteeler occupation of teaching, and outcrowding really competent professors ? Would they not by any of these occupations gain more money and respept than by professing to teach music, of which they kno»v little more than the notes ; singing, when their own voice is not cultivated; and dancing, when they are ignorant of even the steps ? The following was the division on the tea duty question:—For increasing the duty, 43: Atkinson, Ballance, Blake, Buxton, Dodson, Feldwick, Fergus, Fisher, Fish, Fitchett, Graham, Hall, Hislop, Hobbs, Hodgkinson, Jackson, Jones, Joyce, Kelly, Kerr, Lance, Larnach, Lawry, Levestam, T, M'Kenzio, M'Gregor, Mitchelson, Most, O'Callaghan. Parata, Perceval, Pyke, W. P. Reeves, K. Richardson, G. F. Richardson, Ross, Samuel, Seymour, W. J. Steward, W. D. Stewart, R. Thompson, Turnbull, Valentine. Against, 35: Anderson, Barron, Beetham, Bruce, Buchanan, Gadman, Cowan, Duncan, Fraser, Fulton, Goldie, Grey, Guinness, Hutchison, Izard, Macarthur, M. J. S. Mackenzie, Moss, Newman, O'Conor, Peacock, R. 11. J. Reeves, Russell, keddon, Smith, Stuart-Menteath, Taipua, Taiwkanga, Taylor, T. Thompson, Walker, Ward, Whytfl, Wilson, Withy. The following were the pair lists :—Ayes: Vogel, Fitzherbert, Loughrey, Pearson, Mills. Noes: Tanner, J. M'Kensie, Gnmmond, Ormond, Allen.

A great deal has been lately said (writes the 'Press' London correspondent) concerning the new departure of the aristocracy in taking to trade as a means of livelihood, 'Punch' pokes fun at it, and daily papers Hive notes and articles to it. The thing »s indeed assuming considerable proportions ic London, ihe cases are bo numerous that thsy escape one's memory ; but here aro a few of th'iiii; Everyone is aware that a son of the Duke of Argyll is in the tea trade. The Idde3leigh family owed, and owe, a good deal of their money to the 6rm of Northcote and Co., importers of silk and cloth, in St. Paul's Churchyard ; the Earl of Shrewsbury is thfi largest cab proprietor in London ;, Lord Londonderry sells coals, and what is WW, advertises them; Lord Coventry and hoti $P d >ury both make jam, and adverttee <Mfciß .gudbury dames are extending all over London, pesides these large and what may be called whoje-; sale undertakings are many instances ofi, retail trades. I hear of two banjolste who' make something like L3O a week by appearing at music halls. They are both Oxford men, and reta{n their.connections with their friends. " Claude .Claude " is the business name of a fashionable male dressmaker in Mayfair, whose real iiarne is Alwynne Maude. He tr,ied cattle : ranohinfy and failed; then the stage, and failed agajn. Evidently, therefore, he was made .for dressmaking, and a dressmaker he became. One of Jibe Stafford family is a.Court Milliner, whose fewness name is Rouhet and •Philip. Lastly, a m of Lord Nort ? hh ? recently started as a butcher in Banbury. Truly, tb.e pld changeth." '

The body found at Point Resolution (Auckland) on Sunday has been identified as that of William M'Millan, whose relations reside in Auckland, and who is supposed to have committed suicide through disappointed love.

Percy Geddes (five years), whilst attempting to cross George street yesterday afternoon, was knocked down by a passing tram; but, beyond a slight cut upon the lip and a bi uised ankle, the little fellow seenutobe jone the worse for his mishap.

The question of establishing branches of the Royal Naval Reserve in the different colonies, so as to offer facilities for the members of the Federated Seamen's Union, numbering 1,200, to enrol themselves for defence purposes, was recently brought under the notice of the First Lord of the Admiralty, by Captain Rounding, of Sydney A reply has just been received that the matter has been referred to the Colonial Office, which has promised not to lose sight of it, and has assured the Admiralty that any scheme submitted by the Colonial Governments will receive the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government.

A peculiar action was tried in Sydney last week. Mr J. H. Want, the well-known barrister, who claimed Lf>oo from S. A. Moss and wife, lessees of the Theatre Royal, as compensation for the action of the defendants in depriving him of the exclusive right of a dress-circle opera box, which he alleges was conveyed to him in writing by the late Samuel Lazar in 1881. This right to the exclusive use of the box for the rest of Lazar's lease was given in consideration of the plaintiff's relinquishing a percentage of the profits derived from the business. The written conveyance had been lost or a<v ! Vntally destroyed, but the plaintiff and others gave evidence as to its contents. The jury found for the plaintiff, but a legal question was reserved for the Full Court.

In reference to the latest Auckland benefactor, the ' Herald' says :—" Dr Elam was an Auckland settler, having resided in the West Tamaki district, near to the old St. Thomas's Church, on the road leading to the residence of Mr W. I. Taylor, for about twenty-five years, though he has never practised his profession since his arrival in Auckland. He was a native of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and was a married man, but his wife died three or four years ago. He had no children, and was sixty-five years of age when he died. During the whole of his residence here he had lived a quiet retired life, and took but little part in public affairs. He was a gentleman of considerable means, and, having no family to leave his wealth to, he has bequeathed it for the benefit of his adopted home. At the Auckland Police Court yesterday, Cury and Jasparine, the French convicts, were charged with the larceny of the yacht Martinet at New Caledonia. Mr Williamso i (Crown Prosecutor) stated that while it was not proposed to abandon the old charges, there was another charge of having been convicted in the French Republic of penal crimes. The French Consul had represented this fact to the Governor, who had issued his warrant for their arrest on a further charge. Dr. Giles, who was on the bench, whilst granting the remand, said he should have no hesitation in dismissing the charge of larceny if it were not for the fact that an officer would be in Auckland in a few days from Noumea, and that a new warrant had been issued. He had doubts whether he would grant the remand, as the course \tyks altogether contrary to the spirit of our laws. The prisoners were rem? nded for eight days.

Rev. R. Waddell lectures on the • Hihtory of Socialism' in St. Andrew's Church Hall tomorrow evening.

Mr R. C. Jonon will lecture on ' Electricity,' with experiments, in the Independent Church, King street, to-morrow evening. We remind our readers that the Rev. R. Waddell will lecture in St. Andrew's Church Hall to-morrow night on ' Modem Socialintn'and its Leaders.' The second of a series of soc'al meetings in connection with the Moray place Congregational Church took place last night, and was well attended. The Rev. R. Waddell gave a very instructive lecture on ' A Day in Rome.' Mr James Crow, postmaster at North Dunedin, has been promoted to the Chief Post Office, and is succeeded by Mr James Capper, of cable station, Wakapuaka.

At the meeting of the Union street Sohool Committee last night it was reported that at the inspectors' examination, jus; concluded, seventcsn more passes were mado this year than last, and one failure less; and that the extra marks were also higher, the percentage in " class subjects " being Cfi instead of fIW, and in " additional subjects " 88 instead of 82 The weekly meeting of the Trinity Musical and Literary Society was held last night j Mr J. Harris in the chair, and 100 members present. At the concer: a piano solo was contributed by Miss Gray, songs by the Misses and Wathen ; recitation by Mrs Bnrnard; and a dialogue by Messrs Wathen and <juine; Miss Christie and Mr Wathen obtaining encores. Mr Charles Arnold and the company supporting him in ' Hans the Boatman' opened at luvercargill on Monday night, and attiacted large houses that and the succeeding evening. The company open here on Friday n-ght for a short sea33n. In our advertising column* will be found the exceedingly complimentary notices Mr Arnold has received from the English Press and some of the principal members of his own profession. The half-yearly meeting for the installation of officers, etc.", of the Antido e Division, No. 1, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, wes held in the Choral Hall on Monday night, July 2. The quarterly balance-sheet was read and adopted, showing the receipts to have been L 133 Hi 7d ; the expenditure—Lß9 lis for sick pay to member?, L 34 2s 2d for drctor and m dicines, and for management and goods LI 5 3s Id. The following officers were instnlled by Bro. Oarr, D G.W.P. :-C. J. Thorn, W.P.; J. 0. Todd, W.A.; R. Slater, R.S.; J. Oraig, A.R.S. ;A. Low. F.S.; R. Jack, treasurer; J. M. Fraser, chaplain; D. Gain, con.; G. Walker, A. con.; O. W. Fogarty, I. P.; R. Ferrier, O.S. ; William Crawford, P.W.P. Two candidates were initiated, making a total of 164 benefit members.

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hand and Heart, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held in the Stuart street Hall on Tuesdiy evening, and was presided over by N.O. Bardsley. There was a large attendance of members and vis-ting brethren. A very handsome illuminated address was presented to P.G. K. S Clarke by G.M. Hopcraft on I>3half of the lodge, and in making the presentation tho G.M. eulogised P.O. Clarke for the manner in whioh he had carried out the duties of his office. P.G. Clarke, in replying, assured the brothers that he would always take a lively interest in the lodge and order. The illumination was executed by Bro, S. George. N.G. Knowles of the Albion, G.M. Robortson of the Caversham, and N.G. Wilson of the Dunedin lodge, replied to the second toast of the evening, and D.D.P.G.M. Wood replied on behalf of the district, The receipts' amounted to L 53 12s 2d.

The following new patents have been applied for:—Mark Sinclair, Dunedin, for improvement in the means of access to hind seats of double buggies ; Albert Bergor, Auckland, for putting out the flame of candles; John Young, Auckland, for Young's process for extracting metals from their ores j S. R. Bolton, Ohristchurch, for eoonomibing or saving fuel; Joseph Richards. Ohristchurch, for a motallic tube penholder ; William Taylor, Ohoka, for a threehorse Rwi'igletree and fittings for swingletrees; Alexander Storrie, Invercargill, for a plough wheel; S. J. Leith, Auckland, for a bag and tube for the economical sowing of artificial or other suitable manure; Samuel Morrell, of Wellington, for improving the draught in chimneys and other flues and passages, also for ventilating rooms and other places; Henry Waite, Auokland, for Waite's patent firelighter; H. D. Gardiner, Purau, for a combination of beaters and grooved plates for use in machines for threshing clover; J. F. Kitfco, of Ettriok, for an apparatus for applying the power of the currents of rivers to raising water for the purpose of gold mining or irrigation, or to dredging the beds of rivers by means of the same power. What the doctors say: Don't uso oocoa which thickens and makes an indigestible soup, t but try Cadbury's oocoa essence, absolutely pure. Wholesale off Mackerras and Hazlett and R. Wilson and Co.—[ADTT.]