The Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1901.

Evening Star, Issue 11452, 21 January 1901, Page 4

The Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1901.

Considering the advanced age 'of Her Majesty and her bereaveHBmisß of the ments and the troubles of the Crown. ]. AFt twelve months, the news of to-day must necessarily ba disquieting, and her subjects throughout the Empire must be prepared for the worst. Even up to tho time, of the death of George IT- tho death of the Sovereign dislocated to some extent the machinery of Government, Parliament was ipso facto dissolved, and the Ministers of tho State only retained office provisionally. These inconveniences were provided against- by a statute passed in the first year of William IV., which also enacts that tho commission of ail Governors of colonies and dependencies shall continue in forte for eighteen months. In NenZealand the demise of the Crown is specially provided for by ;m Act passed in 1838, which declares that the General Assembly shall not be determined, or dissolved by such demise, but shall continue as long as it would have, otherwise continued but for such demise. It .is also enacted that any future demiseof the Crown shall not affect anytliing done in New Zealand before the day whereon the Governor, by proclamation in the 'Gazette,' has notified such demise. Every commission, warrant, or authority for the exercise of any office or employment within the Colony issued or exercised by the Governor-in-Council, or the Governor, rtby any other person in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, or under the authority of any Act of the ImperiaL Parliament or of the General Assembly of New Zealand, is to continue in full force until duly revoked and cancelled, and shall be of the same effect as if no such demise had happened. No action, suit, or other process or proceeding, civil or criminal, in or to which Her Majesty may bo a party, or which shall have been commenced or carried on in her name or by her authority shall, by reason of her demise, abate, discontinue, or be in any manner affected, and all contracts of any kind entered into on behalf of Her Majesty are respectively to attach, and belong to the heirs and successors of Her Majesty.

The Postmaster-General has very properly set his face against the proThe Public and posal of the stewards of the the'-Machine."-Wellington Racing Club to close the-telegraph office at the Hutt course, in order that the club might add to their .profits (through themedium of the totalisator. It was-urged on behalf of the club that a large amount of illicit betting was carried on from the course; in other words, that a considerable sum of money -was sent away from the coarse during a meeting, and invested outside at what are called "totalisator odds." It? was averred that fully £80 7 000 -was sent away- in that maimer from the Wellington course during last season, from which statement the obvious inference must be drawn that-the cfrtb (and therefore-fche-Government, who share the totalisator -rax) lost something like £5,000. To check this leakage the crab had the hardihood to propose the institution of a telegraphic censorship, which would supervise the transmission of all " ordinary" messages to and from the course, but would not interfere with Press work. Any proposition better calculated to show what " superior persons " constitute the governing body of the Wellington Racing Club it would be difficult to imagine. The Post-master-General was fortunately in a position to prove the utter hollowness of the club's demand. It was-quire -untrue that any con-siderable-sum of money was wired from the Hutt course for outside investment. An analysis of the telegraphic business during the recent-summer meeting showed that twothirds of the messages sent and despatched were properly classed as "ordinary," and, therefore, had no-reference to betting transactions, wherefore it went without saying that the-telegraph office at the course served as a great public benefit. Such being the case, he was determined that the general public should not be denied a convenience that they had-enjoyed for many years. Of course, when they found that Mr Ward was not to bo bounced into curtailing a public privilege the stewards "'backed down." We wonder to- what lengths the stewards of some-racing clubs are prepared to go. Instead of dealing with the -bookmakers in a rational manner, as the Auckland dub have done, and making a handsome revenue out of the metallicians, the-other metropolitan clubs are engaged in a, wretched vendetta against the layers of odds; and now—in the hope of adding a few thousands a year to their exchequers;—they have the effrontery to invoke Ministerial assistance in playing off a State department against the people to whom it belongs. As well ask that the Post Office be " censored " with the view of dis-

| covering who have written to the turf agents, and made wagers with them on forthcoming events. This proposal is not one whit more audacious than, thcother^

and we are only surprised that the stewards of the W.R.C. did not sec its logical sequence and go "one better" while they were about it. Everything that enters into competition with the infernal machine is to be wiped out of existence, in order that it shall thrive, but the racing stewards will find one of these" days, if they are not more circumspect, that the people will not tolerate the misuse of the monopoly of gambling at present enjoyed by the clubs. Now that the Hon. Mr Ward has had his attention drawn officially to the utility of continuing the telegraph ofiiee at the Hutt course,.he should make it his business while here to inquire how it comes about that visitors to the Wingahii course are denied the privilege of comriuihicating telegraphically with the outside wnrid. What he ha-d to "say at Wellington last week applies with equal cogency, it seems to us, to our own coui'iC —if the racing authorities who own tracks will not study the public utility it is his bounden duty as Telegraph Commissioner to do so.

The number of patients admitted to the hospital last week was 26, and 30 were discharged, leaving 102 inmates in the institution on Saturday. " There wera two deaths (George Bristow and Wong Joy Jan).

Ct Sandilands intends to move at Tuesday's meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council: —" That the . new street between Queen's Drive and Princes street be named Onslow street; that name-plates of all the principal streets in the borough be erected ; that; as the streets in Park Ward, St. Kilda, have two names each, which is unnecessary and eoni'usihg. one of them be dispensed with, the Council to determine which will be retained."

The poll of the ratepayers for the auti.-'--rising of a loan of £200,000 for the purchase and improvement of the tramways is taken to-day. Voting was fairly active, although at no time was there much stir at any of the three booths. The poll will close at seven o'clock, and the result, which it is anticipated will show a considerable majority in favor of the proposal, should be made known from the Town Hall about half an hour later.

Lieutenant-commander Colquhoun, who last month was personally decm-ated by the Queen-with the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his services in South Africa, is well known in New Zealand. He came out as fourth officer of the Rotomahana, and, staying in that vessel during the whole of his service with- the Union Company, he rose to the position of first mate under Captain Carey. The company had a good opinion of Air Colquhoun as a thorough sailor and a man of wide resource, and when he resigned in order to join the Victorian Navy it was generally predicted that he would make a name for himself.

There is a report in Bankstown (NewSouth Wales) that n, constable recently stationed there, and known by the name of Helsliam, has proved to be heir to a Scottish earldom. The man recently resigned his position in the force, and said something about his circumstances being likely to change shortly. He had been a somewhat reserved man, and little was known of his connections. It is now said that owing to a recent death he haS become an earl, and owner of considerable landed property, though no particulars are procurable, nor is it known whom the fortunate man is. The general opinion (says the Sydney ' Telegraph') is that on receiving information of his accession to Urn title lie left for the Old Country quietly. His Wor-hip the Mayor (Mr R. Chishohu; will to-morrow confer with the Minister of Railways, the Hon. J. (,'. Ward, on the matter of the new railway station. A telegram from the. Minister on the. subject of tho silo will be found in another column, but it need cause no apprehension, for the department has already officially intiiiLiU'd that the site most, suitable, both from a, railway a.ud business point of view, is that at Stuart street, and the meaning taken from the wire i< simply that the station will he built at Stuart street-, and St. Andrew street he dosed as at present,, in accordance with the arrangement previously agreed upon. The pre-arranged business at the Police Court, this morning ] Klc l fo een p U ,ti Y W ell finished when in walked a well-dressed young woman, evidently a stranger to courts, in the custody of an unrealised bronxed-faced officer in plain clothes. "None of the court habitues could sruess wha', was up until tho sub-inspector briefly explained. The pursuer was a Townsvill's sergeant armed with a warra.nt for the arrest of the lady on a charge of committing big;;mv at Clifton, Queensland, by marrying a second time, whilst, her first'husband was alive. Detective Campbell, who arrested her this morning at Maori Hill, where she has been living peaceably for the past eighteen months, told the Court that the lady was married to her first husband when she was only fifteen years of age, just on leaving a convent school, and that she had not seen him for eleven years. The magistrate granted the order asked for. authorising her deportation to Charters Towers to answer the charge.

A splendid audience gathered in the Garrison Hall on Saturday evening, when Miss Alice Hollander gave her last concert for the present season. This young artist has been already so highly referred to in onr columns that further praise is superlluous She is the possessor of' a remarkably powerful voice, and with years and their consequent experience should rank hitjh in her profession. Her most obvious faults at this hour are her lack of clearness of enunciation —the majority of her words being quite unrecognisable without a previous knowledge of her songs or a programme—and some, perhaps unconscious, affectations of manner. These time will cure, but reform of the first is imperative for any artist who soars high. The rest of the programme was admirable! Mr Percy Denton had the ovation of the evening for his ' Adieu, Marie'; Mr Densetn and Miss Murphy had a deserved encore—and all encores are not deserved—for their 'Singing lesson' duet, which was rendered with, a grace and finish that we could not wish bettered. Herr Zimmerman's items were of a high order, and cordially approved; whilst Miss Little added to her reputation as a brilliant pianist. Mrs Murphy and Mr A. W. Lilly were the accompanists, lb is unnecessary to dwell upon each contribution, as it would be merely to reiterate onr appreciation of a programme the like of which is not too common in Dunedin.

Tito Kivers Commission, consisting of Mr H. A. Gordon (Auckland), F. R. Flatman, M.H.E., J. Hayes (Inspecting Engineer of Mines, Wellington), and the Commissioners of Crown Lands of Otago and Southland, set up early last year for the purpose of inspecting and reporting on the rivers of Otago and Southland, and particularly those which are not proclaimed slndge channels, but on which mining operations are being, or are likely to be, carried on, completed their duties on Saturday. It was understood that they h-id finished the southern portion of the province on Tuesday last, when they left for Oamaru, but it was found necessary to return on Friday and proceed to Gore for a little matter requiring attention. That work done, the Commissioners returned to Dunedin by the morning train from Clinton to-day, and left by the eleven o'clock express for Christchurch, en route for Wellington. Although finished their labors here, the Commission have been virtually reappointed for the purpose of performing similar work on the West Coast. Mr Hayes retires from the Commission, however, and in their respective districts the Commissioners of Crown Lands for Nelson v Marlborough, and Westland will be associated with Mr Gordon and Mr Flatman. Mr A. M. Kay, of the 'Hansard' staff, who was secretary and shorthand writer to the Commission throughout the Otago and Southland inspection, goes witinihem in a similar capacity to the West Coast, it being anticipated that they will be able to enter on their new duties in about ten days. ' Heads and Faces' is the title of the lecture in Choral Hall thtß evening by Rev. J. J. Brown (of Victoria). Jam and jelly jars at Braithw&ite's.— [Advt.] Come and inspect our show of novelties. Lovely goods, suitable for presents; toys and dolls in. endless variety. Montague's.—{Advt.l On Wednesday some special trains will run between. Dunedin and Port Chalmers. Particulars are advertised.

_ A meeting of the Organising and the Sports Committees for the reception of the returning troopers will be held in the Town Hall this evening at eight o'clock. Xmas bargains; presents for cyclists; special prices; free wheels; novelties. AngloNew Zealand Cycle Cbinpahy.—[Advt.] The Mayor of Port Chalmers respectfully begs citizens of that district to observe Wednesday as a whole holiday. Two" hundred dozen cashmere stockings from 2 pairs foi' Is 9d;. Lisle thread stockings. 2 pairs for 2s 6d; silk stockings, 2 pairs for 2s lid. T. Ross, direct importer.—[Advt.] Messrs Gresham and Boot, BUrgetm and mechanical dentists, 63 Princes street, Duneditt (late A. E. Boot). Mr Gresham was for seven years a pupil of the late Mr Alfred Boot, and. has been practising successfully for the last eleven years in Inrercargill. All fees strictly moderate, consistent with highclass work. Consultation free.—fJAdvi.] Mr Morris, photographer, Pirinceß street, Dunedin, finds it i 3 not generally known that his charge is one guinea per dozen for cabinet portraits of children. Any extra charges are for vignettes, groups, large mounts, also the various methods of printing.—[AdTt.j The Kinematograph and Gaiety Company will make their appearaheo to-night in the Foresters' Hall, Port Chalmers, for one night only. The company were recently appearing to crowded houses in Christchurch. They have n large number of animated pictures of the China and Boer wars, and some of the great Paris E:dlibilion, including a picture 600fh long, a lion and bull fight in Which tub lion is defeated, and scenes from the trial of Captain Droyfus, and Dreyfus, meeting his wife iti the cell at Rehnes after four years' confinement on Devil's Island. The company have also a powerful Gaiety Company.