MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1903.

Evening Star, Issue 12026, 26 October 1903, Page 4

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1903.

Theke was a time when an Otago free fight was an expected sensaThe Ccaffertnrc tion during a parliamentary re session in Wellington, but Drainage. fortunately that is a thins: of the past. People who could find amusement in such spectacles need net despair, however, so long as the interests of the citizens of Dunedin and suburbs are divided up among so many local bodies with overlapping powers and duties. At the present time much contentious activity is being displayed by the City Council and the Drainage Board, the subjects of debate being, without doubt, highly important in themselves, and not likely to have that factor discounted by the manner of fighting now in vogue. That there should be frequent differences between these two bodies need cause no surprise, seeing that the younger one has been endowed with almost unlimited power to tear up those streets which the older corporation for nearly half a century hare been spending money and brain power in forming, while the senior body have had extensive powers conferred on them in the matter of tramway construction, against which the junior Beard feel compelled to protect their yetunborn sewers. We believe that, given proper professional skill and a conscientious desire on each side to do the best for that public which both bodies are supposed to be serving, there should be no difficulty in the two working alongside of each other in perfect harmony—the skill because if an engineer feels that he is doing all that the best rules of his profession, lay down he need not fear criticism, and the honest desire ruling every step tbroughoat, so that no person can convict him of being animated by any but the very best motives. A conference between the City Council and the Drainage Board has been proposed, the subjects for debate being set forth iu a letter frcm the Town Clerk to the Board on the 13th insL, and thtae, ;;s enumerated, arc no doubt comprehensive enough, including a discussion of the complete drainage scheme within the limits of the City. Of course, the Board are responsible for the conception and execution of that scheme, but it is not unnatural—in fact, we coneider it incumbent on the City Council to investigate somewhat closely the Board's proposals, and to look forward to see how these are likely to affect City interests. In the matter of existing sewers, the City Cooncil are unquestionably entitled to be paid interest on the cost of construction of all those that are "capable" of being included in the new scheme. Rightly or wrongly, there is an impression abroad that thero is a risk of many of these sewers, winch might properly and profitably be included in a scientific design of work, being left severely alone That the Council have a. right to investigate that matter at this stage cannot be disputed, and the same remark applies to the other boroughs included within the Drainage Board's jurisdiction. Now, provided that the Board havo matured a complete scheme of sewerage, there might be a desire on their part to show that this feeling is groundless, and there should be no difficulty in convincing the City Council that all that was possible has been done to include the greatest length of existing sewers on the new scheme, consistent, of course, with the most recent requirements of sanitary engineering* The Council have a right to make a claim, and quite prudently they may advance it at such time as will save endless trouble in the future. There are other matters marked for debate, but into these we cannot now enter. On the main point, the solicitors of the Board have advised that there can be no harm in listen-

ing to what the City Council have to say so long as it is clearly understood that the Council are not to dictate to the Board. This advice is temperate and tactful, for it is simply tantamount to "Watch your opponent." If the City Council find that they have no influence at tliis stage they can later on bring their claim before the stipendiary magistrate, winch means a costly procedure for the public, who will have to pay the costs -of both sides. We believe that there is a great want in New Zealand of some established authority^—a permanent Board or Commission—who would quickly and economically decide disputes such as tho one now in full vigor. This Board or Commission should be endowed with powers and possess functions similar to those of the Board of Trade in Great Britain If the Government of tins Colony, after calling into being a host of local bodies with overlapping rights out of which differences are sure to arise, would create some such authority, with power to maintain order among them, it would be much more to the national benefit than the

tune-wasting process of drafting Bills on quite unimportant subjects, of which we have had so much during the present session. Such a Board or Commission should be composed of a few able- men, who should be as carefully selected as are judges of the Supreme Court, and, like the latter, they should be placed in a position entirely beyond the possibility of, or even snspician of being amenable to, political iuiiaenee. It should be their duty to make tiwaasaLvcs independent of biased witnesses by close personal examination of all circumrtances surrounding the question in dispute; and wMls not forbidden such assistance, experts should only be called in on their own mart-Wit, and en points in which the special training of experts would be most helpful to the Commission. Writing on this subject, our recollection reverts quite naturally to the discussion that took place in our columns and elsewhere in regard to the site of the Ihmedin railway station. We feel certain that if thgr© then been m-.esistezice-.suclk acourt of rifggxi*- ansUfii

hadtlieminyoked to act mtJbo interests of the general community—not of a section thereof —this City would not hare been plunged into its present unfortunate condition, -which we shall bitterly regret for all tuns—with iza wharves only approachable directly from one street leading to the business part of the town, with its foreshore almost absolutely cot off from the City, and with the Railway Department monopofcing an extent of territory unsnrpassed m any other part of the worH that we are familiar with Nor would the Harbor Board have been allowed to betray the interests of tiieir tenants, their bondholders, and their constituents in a manner that is and for ever will remain, a blot on the history of that body.

Tub promoters of the Dunedxn Competitions Society have good reason to Th * be satisfied with their latest ComprtitfoM. efforts. The initial undertaking twelve months ago was only partially successful. Experience had to bp gained and paid for; there was. a financial deficit; and if the originators of the movement had been of a pessimistic spirit the first programma might have been the last. Happily they had the insight and courage of a wise optimism, and their confidence has been thoroughly and speedily justified. The educative possibilities of the competitions, as well as their value in the way of piquant amusement, have been recognised by the public in no stinted fashion; and the healthy interest of the rising generation has been adequately aroused. The permanency of the contests as an annual institution is now assured—^though there is still scope for a larger amount of support on the part of well-to-do citizens, in order that the element of financial uncertainty may be entirely removed. We hope that next year's prize-money will be fully guaranteed beforehand, so that the Committee may be able to proceed with light hearts and in an enterprising spirit, and frame a programme still more worthy of the central idea of the undertaking than that which has been so successfully carried out during the past week.

The judges have deserved well of the society and the c-onmronity. The nadustry, intelligence, and cheerfulness which they have displayed in discharging their arduous tasks are really beyond praise, and they can afford to ignore the cavils of the cantankerous and the disappointed. They are not infallible, and doubtless there is room for difference of opinion upon some points; but petty criticisms cannot be too strongly deprecated in the interests of the competitions as a permanent institution. We sincerely trust that no criticism will tempt the (Committee to touch their standard of excellence, or to make the slightest concession to the demands of ignorance and mediocrity. On the contrary, the standard requires to be raised in some respects—not so much in the region of competitive performance as in the choice of literary matter. It is true that the deplorable bathos of last year's selections was, for the most part, avoided this time; but there is still much room for improvement in this direction. We venture to suggest that Mi Wilson (who judged the original poetry so admirably) should be asked to select the poems for reading and recitation next year. There would then be no danger of such fatuous doggerel els < Elihn' bemg foisted upon the young people as a fit sample of the high poetry in which they should learn to steep their souls. English literature is so superbly rich in the best poetry that selectors have no excuse for choosing even the second-best. Such stuff as ' Elihu' (like the majority of last year's pieces) is neither first nor second hut tenth-rate; and our counsel to all the competitors who have been constrained to learn it. is that they should forget it as speedily as possible. It has been severely but truly said that a large proportion of readers "do not know the difference be"twean good poetry and bad—except that "they ra-thor prefer the bad"; and the only w;iy of correcting this widespread error is to be continually exhibiting the good. In short, the judicial standard should be maintained and the selection standard should be raised.

We heart-fly congratulate the Committee. They hare achieved ;l most gratifying success, and if they do "half as veil again" next year they \rill accomplish more perhaps than the public have a right to expect No doubt they will have gained a few valuable hints from last week's experience. For instance, it is obviously too much to ask one man to judge both the instrumental music and the singing; and, admirably as Br Bradshaw did his work, the wonder is that- he did not break down. One word of caution, however. We do not know who was responsible for the introduction into the programme of the selection from the Scriptures, but we cannot help thinking that it was done without due consideration. It is an innovation that we trust will not be again attempted, for we say without hesitation that it was entirely out of place, and does not produce on the part of a mixed audience that reverential spirit which should always characterise Biblical readings.

The ' Manawatu Standard' records an incident of tin old man. aged eightv-four years, (a widower), residing in the Pahiatua district, who called on a local clergyman and asked him to marry him to his intended bride. The applicant" said he had got a billet as station manager, and he thought it would be convenient to get married. On being asked to whom he wished to be united, he named a girl aged twenty-four. The clergyman was not In favor of the marriage, but he saw no just cause for objecting to it, and the couple were duly married and left for their new home. At one time or other we have all met the knowing man from Home who, in the earlv days of his arrival, contemptuously asserts that, always excepting the very poor, the people at Home "have no time" for New Zealand frozen meat, ibid out of an inherent spirit (5f modesty, the answer invariably is that, after aIL, it is merely a question of taste. Inwardly it is sometimes thought to be more a question of prejudice. If the opinion of one who ought- to be an authority on this interesting subject goes for anything, it is simply a question of cooking. In a little but comprehensive book entitled ' Cookery for Two and More' some particularly interesting information is given about our frozen meat. And we may say here that we don't believe the author is subsidised by the New Zealand Government Numerous recipes of appetising dishes are submitted wherein New Zealand frozen meat forms the chief material to be used in their concoction. Nor is the advice given simply because our meat is cheaper. Not at ail. But here is what this particular authority says in one instance (assuming that an economical housewife desires a delicious loin of mutton for two):—"Buy 31b of loin of mutton frozen}—probable cost Is 6d (English mutton, 2s 9d): then follow author's specific instructions in cooking, and when served it will be found only inferior in price to English mutton." Quite so. Probably it is this inferiority that prejudices the "better people" at Home. At the same time, there are grave objections raised against- New Zealand frozen beet This is one in particular which the author cites in his little bock. He says "that it is not advisable to take cur frozen beef eveiy day, for at the end of the week you probably would have a feeling of not feeling quite up to the mark." One can readily believe this. Even here in New Zealand prime fresh beef every day for six consecutive days would "get.most of us down." If this authority be right, there is little sting in the sneer of the " better people " »t Home when they dub tho rush made by poor navvies' wives and others to get frozen meat at ridiculously low prices at a late hour of Saturday nights as the "feeding of tfce ravens." it as if the very Jj«^sep3^e^t;i[«^

The number of patients admitted to the imoedin Hospital last week was 21, and 23 were discharged, leaving 101 inmates of the institution on Saturday night Mr K H. Carew, S.M., held a sitting'of the court at Mosgiel on Saturday to consider old age pension claims, the deputyregistrar, Dunedin, representing the department Twelve renewals were granted hi all, consisting of nine at £lB, one at £ls, one at £9, aid one at £B. One application was adjourned for further proof of age. His Worship the Mayor being of an aspiring turn, and conscious that no heights are closed to him, this morning smxessfuily essayed the task—pleasant or other—of climbing up the inside of the tall chimneystack that "like a tall bully, lifts its head and "-—well, we don't think the gentleman who lisped in numbers because the numbers came is a reliable authority beyond this point The tube inside, is some 6ft in diamenter, and about 120 ft high. The top is reached by a series of iron perpendicular ladders, with a rope one at the highest stretch, go that the climber mav imagine that he is really "up aloft." The feat is an arduous one. It requires nerve, coolness, and muscle, whilst a false step or slip means ! His Worship tackled the business as gallantly as Romeo did Julief s balcony, and with equal success. Three times he had to stretch out for the final "corded stair" before gripping it, and then he looked down. Alany a head would have turned at the view—a depth of space with a circle of daylight at the far bottom. Mr Goodman commenced the upward trip, but failing to secure an airship, "rested," and, wisely, perhaps, remained resting. The down trip is even more trying, inasmuch as one does not know where his foot is going. We are, however, in a position to state that there is no probability of a vacancy in the mayoralty before the statutory limit has been reached, nor is it correct to assume that because the mayor has been up the spout that there is anything wrong with the City's finances. Mr A. Thomson, J.P., presided at the Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon, when Robert Gunn, for drunkenness, was fined ss, in default twenty-four hours; and John M'Millan, for a similar offence, was fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment.

Reminiscences of old shipping days at Dunedin and Port Chalmers found place in quite a number of the speeches which were delivered at the meeting of members .of the Institute of Marine Engineers held at the City Hotel on Saturday evening. In speaking to the toast of "Kindred Trades," Mr A. Walker said that he still had a lively remembrance of the big job which was undertaken in 1883, when the Rotomahana ■was fitted with a new stern-post At the fame in question it was the heaviest piece of ship repairing undertaken in the colonies, and it would be looked upon, as a big job even at the present day. He (the speaker) believed that the ship-repairing firms here had staffs capable of coping even with the bmldmg of a largo steamer, and all that was ante ?n_ to show %yhAt the workshops at Port Chalmers could really do were certain extra facilities in the way of water, and perhaps a little in the waV of plant. Mr Cook another speaker, remarked that he was pleased that the Rotomahana experience had been brought up. Considering the facilities and appliances which < existed in lbSo, Messrs B, Sparrow's success in the matter almost amounted to a mira.de. Mr vv. C. Burt was of opinion that after the experience gained in constructing dredging plant dnrmg the past six vears, loud foundries and workshops were now able to cope with any job, however heavv, which might come along. His experience in these matters prompted the conclusion that our young generation of New Zealand mechanics were possessed of more entemrise and resource than was the case in any of the Australian ?? , sta ? e '°f the proceedings Mr D. A. De Mans remarked that it was a pity that the damaged Niwaru had not been brought here, as it would have served to show the colony how a job of that sort ought to be dope.

The train which leaves Abborsford at 7.18 p.m. for Dunediu contrived an Saturday eveii.in ? last to justify much of the :■ arcasm which has been expended on New Zealand railway speeds. Never at any .ime a fast concern, this particular train occupied almost an hour m accomplishing 5 miles 7 chains—a performance which many a good waikei would doubtless be equal to on foot. In answer to a query as to how lon«- a lota long waft at the Cattle Yards was .join->- to last, the guard said: "Oh, well, if we* do not wait here we will just have J .o wait at Cayersham," a remark that raised hoi rs which were, however, dafhed to the <rr o ;ii.d when, in the fulness of time, Cavereiiam was reached, and the engine indulged :n anoth-r hvng, deliberate rest. The 'impatience o'f the passengers reached a climax when, ne.uing the Dunedin overbridge, it was fmi-d that the signals were adverse, and inuthar halt was necessary. Quite, a nnmo?r <f people then left the train and walked up 'he line, and as they turned into Rattray st eet the headlight of that deliberate - mm?, was still discernible standing motionless cowa the line.

The erection of the new tramway poles in St. Kilda has been delayed. The* Borough Council wanted an indemnity from the City pending the receipt of the Order-in-Coimel Believing this to be something very Hie a work of supererogation, an answer was sent to the effect that no work would be gone rn with until the Order-in-Council had arrived.

In the course of a recent inquest at Christchurdi Br Crooke stated that five phosphorus matches might be enough to cause the death of a child.

Mr E. H. Carew, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning, when ail the cases called on were aljourned, confessed, or struck out.

There was again a capital attendance at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, when an elocutionary and musical programme was given, to the evident enjoyment and satisfaction of those present. The idea originated, we believe, with Mr Clark, one of the judges of the elocution at the contests last week, and was happily put into execution. The Mayor of Bunedin again presided. Mr Clark led off by reciting ' Jud Brown on Rubinstein,' and during the evening he also gave 'Napoleon's Tomb' (in which he was heard to the most advantage), Mark Twain's 'Story of the Ram,' and a ccuple of comic pieces. Mr Baeyertz gave ' Moving the Points,' and essayed to show how the parable of the Prodigal Son ought to be read, while Mr A. C. Hanlon deserve<lly gained chief honors by Ids spirited rendering of 'Clarence's Dream.' MrWnitson's^ selection was 'Henry V. Before Harfleur,' and Mr Burton read Thackeray's account of the whilom ' First Gentleman in Europe.' Messrs Hanlon and WLitson also read a scene from 'Othello.' Mrs- Montague, along with Mr D. Cooke, played brilliantly Dvorak's 'Polonaise in E flat,' whde the gentleman gave 'Le reveil du leon' in a finished style, "Every young man must feel that he is doing a mean, contemptible thing when hie puts into Lis pocket the first money he receives in any gambling transaction." Such was the opinion expressed by Bishop Nevifl last night He warned young men against taking the first step towards gambling and drunkenness.

Cricketers' carnival and art union, show week. Sixty prizes, valued £258 10s.—f Advt] A notice to members of Lodge Dunedin, 8.C., appears in Hiis issue.

Photograpns of chiiaren are made a specialty by Mr Morris, photographer. Prince* street. Charges. 21s ner dozen.^-TAdvt.] All intending visitors should note that the Dnnedin Competitions Society's grand concert this evening commences at 7.3Q jjj place of the customary eight o'clock. This is necessary owing to the length, strength, and variety of the programme.

Visiters to town will find Wendy's hairdressing rooms replete with every modern eomfort. Nine thoroughly competent hairdressers. Gentlemen's haircutting, 6d. [Advt.] The D.LC. are now making their second grand display of spring and summer novelties, a large shipment ex s.B. Wakanui having just come to hand. The millinery' department is replete with everything choice, new, and povel, from the stylish picture hat to the French sailor. In straw hats an immense assortment is being shown, including Swiss capelines, curacoas, sailors, etc; also a large assortment of children's hats in galateas, white and speckled, and mushroom hats in white and burnt, suitable for school or holiday wear. The JJJ.C. are also making a very fine show of ladies' underwear and children's garments [Adyt-J Everyone interested in artistic house decoStions should inspect the metal ceilings and

The annual meeting of the Hiram Lodge, No. 46, N.Z.O, win be held in the Mosonie Hall, Cargfll road, South Dunedin, to-mar-row, at 7.30 p-m. Gresham and. Boot, dentists, 63 Princes street (opposite Bible, Tract Depot).—[Advt.] If you desire a good head of hair use Hes'a cantharides and rosemary, as used by Ladt Banfurly.-{Advt.] Mr Ernest Boot, surgeon-dentist (late of Hunter and Boot), has Tesumed practice in Central Booms, above Montague's (opposite City Hotel). Entrance from Moray place.— [Advt.]