The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1900.

Evening Star, Issue 11266, 13 June 1900, Page 4

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1900.

Dtjbtxg the course of his parliamentary enreer (and he has now been The Btsikor elected four times consecutively for by the same constituency) Mr !»"»«*• James Allen has built "up a reputation for sound, good teii3«, foil recognition of his responsibilities as a representative of the people, and assiduous devotion to his duties. Ho has always had the courage of his opinions, and expressed them straightforwardly, at the risk occasionally of incurring popular edhun through misconception of his motives. Jt ■was very riaht and proper that the honor-

able gentleman should have been honored, as be ■was yesterday evening, by his constituents, and accorded the brilliant reception so well merited by His public services, rendered under exceptional circumstances, since he has been in the cold shades of Opposition, member of a party -who have had a hopeless, uphill -fight against’ large majorities, and been consequently, unable to do more than closely criticise the action of the Government, and to some extent modify and check legislation which they deemed to be injudicious or dangerous. Although essentially a party man, the member for Brace has never sacrificed principle to party. He has consistently dealt with measures—whether promoted by Ministers or not—upon their merits ; and in regard to matters social and

otherwise, outside the range of party politics, he hus ever taken a broad, liberal view, with evident realisation of public requirements and what might be most advantageous :n tho best interests of tho masses of the people. Wc may point, for instance, to his enthusiastic support of the established system of education, his.advocacy of its further extension so as to give every child in the Colony who has the necessary qualifications the opportunity of rising to the highest positions, and to supply that meed of technical instruction which is absolutely indispensable if onr artisans and workers are to hold their own against outside competition. In connection with the Otago University, he has r exerted himself to stimulate scientific studies and the higher branches of education generally, and has always taken an active interest in our School of Mines. Quite independent, indeed, of his services in Parliament, extending over more than a decade, Mr Allen has given much time and attention to public affairs. Energetic, as wc have noted, in the cause of education, he has been for years an active volunteer officer, exerting himself in every way praietieable for the improvement of the status of the Force, and in other respects placing the defence of the Colony on a more effective basis. He is. in fact, an all-round good citizen, while his record as a politician promises a future in which his sphere of usefulness will be very materially enlarged. His constituency have delighted to honor hhn, and in doing so honor has boon reflected on themselves. In regard to the speech delivered by the honorable gentleman at Milton last night, wc shall take another opportunity of referring to the principal points discussed. Suffice it at present to note that he did not disclose or hint at' the possible organisation or policy of the members who in the new House will confront the Ministerial benches. They will be, at the outset at least, few in number. and their task as a constitutional Opposition is likely to be arduous. A'o business at the Police Court this morning. The Shag Valley lime kilns, on the Hunback line, will be ready shortly to sumdy lime for manure purposes to the settlers* in ills district. The kilns will be worked for a time under the Lands and Survey Department, and the branch railway line by the Railways Department. The Inspector of Stock (Mr Mills) had occasion last week (says the ‘Tuapeka Times’) to order the immediate destruction of a bull suffering from tuberculosis in an advanced stage. A few weeks previous a cow in the Roxburgh district, suffering from the same disease, came under his notice, and was immediately destroyed. There was an excellent attendance at the Alhambra Theatre last night, when a new artiste, Miss Rose Helmont, made her first appearance, and was favorably welcomed. The Lennon, Hyman, and Lennon contortionists went through some clever acrobatic feats, and Air Charles Faning, Miss May Marlow, and Miss Gcorgie Dcvoe all did goad work. The same programme will be icmlered this evening.

The Gore felimongerv. the property of Messrs R. and P. Wale:?, was discovered to be on fire about ten o'clock on Monday morning, and the two large three-storey' drying sheds at the fellmongery, together with some 180 bales of wool;- were destroyed. The sheds were insured for £250 in the Victoria Office, and the wool by a floating policy in tho South British. The estimated damage U £3,000.

The statement having been oflieiallv made that Hie Melbourne Hospital was £IB,OOO in debt, and that unless the Government or ether assistance was forthcoming some of the wards would require to- be closed with a, view of reducing the expenditure, a Hospital Fund was started by some leading citizens, and £7.700 promised in subscriptions in a few days. This is the roll of honor:—Messrs John llilfe, Alfred Felton, •lames, Paterson. and the Edward Wilson trustees, £I,OOO each: Messrs PercyChirnside. Michael's,' Hallenstcin, and Co., Joseph .Kronheimer. J. S. Horsfall, and Mrs James Paterson. £SOO each; Flinders lane warehousemen, £1,200. The Benevolent Trustees' meeting tlis afternoon was attended by Mr C. Haynes (chairman), and Messrs Colin Allan, P. Trcseder. R. Wilson, and C. Ziclc. The secretary reported that Amelia White and Henry Simkin had died during the week. An offer of the New Zealand Clothing Factory to give four dozen straw hats was accepted with thanks. Dr Closs reported that the foneral health of the inmates had been satisfactory during the past month, while the wards and dormitories were in their usual condition of efficiency. The chairman intimated that ho had prepared a statement with regard to outdoor t/elicf, but would hold it over for a full meeting. Thirty-two eases were dealt with. The funeral of the late Volunteer W. Richardson took place this afternoon, with full military honors. The procession, which was a very lengthy one, •n as preceded by a firing party of the North Dunedin Rifles, carrying their arms reversed, and behind these came the Garrison Band, followed by a gun carriage, on which the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was mounted. The North Dunedin Rifles mustered in strong force, in order to show'their respect for their late fellow-member, and there was also a fair number of volunteers from the other companies. Amongst the large number of private friends present 'were a good many rifle club members. The Foresters were likewise represented, and the North-east Valley School cadets were present in force. The Rev. D. Borrie officiated at the grave, and on the way to the cemetery from the North-east Valley the Garrison Band played Beethoven's 'Funeral March,' 'ln Memoriam.,' and the Dead March from 'Saul.' , Wo acknowledge receipt of the Mutual' Life Chronicle for June. A lecture will be given by Mr Maurais in the Theosophieal Society's Rooms to-night at eight o'clock. Mr'A. Sligo forwards £2 2s and Mr J. A. Park £1 Is in aid of the Robin memorial fund. Further contributions: A. Lees £1 Is, G. Drew 10s 6d. Bowden brakes; Humbor, Osmond, and Anglo-Specials; repairs our specialty. AngloN.Z. Cycle Company, 6 Princes street.— ([Advt.] Odd lot men's heavy colonial tweed trousers being cleared—7s 6d, 9o 6d, 138 6d; also youths', 6s 3d. Clothing Factory, Octagon [Advt.] Mollison and Co. have jurt received, per s.s. Waikato, 1 case of flags—Union Jack, with Queen in centre, General Buller, General White, General Kitchener, General Hector M'Donald; also a great variety of flags. Mollison and Co., George street.—[Advt.] Messrs Gresham and Boot, surgeon and mechanical dentists, 63 Princes street, Dunedin (late A. B. Boot). Mr Gresaam was for seven years a pupil of the late Mr AHred Boot, and has been practising successfully for the last eleven years in Invercargifl. All fees strictly moderate, consistent with highclass work. Consultation free.—[Advt.] A Leeds (England) blacksmith named William Roberts has been given six months' hard for neglecting and starving his children. The prisoner's excuse m ha had been atteadisg to hit deg.