The Evening Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1903.

Evening Star, Issue 12068, 14 December 1903, Page 4

The Evening Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1903.

SosiK of the good people of Anderson Bay appear to have rather Tramway elementary notions on the Matters. subject of oratorical pro-

pi'iety. At an early stage of the meting' on Saturday night the chairman expressed a hope that “there would Ire no "warmth ”; buf Mr White’s hint was wantonly disregarded hy two or three of the subsequent speakers, and uncomplimentary epithets, as well as dogmatic assertions of doubtful validity, were flung about in a vcrr superfluous fashion. Rival controversialists nnpnted shady motives to one another with a freedom which may have entertained the more irresponsible, portiea of the audience, but which must have caused the judicious to grieve; while a plethora of irrelevant heat was imparted into a discussion which should have been characterised by a spirit of dispassionate investigation. The meeting wits held in the Sunday School Hall, and we trust that the atmosphere was subjected to some purifying process, prior to the gathering of scholars yesterday afternoon. It stems to ns that both parties were at fault in their methods of controversy; and it is quite certain that the main point in question is one that a public meeting is not qualified to settle. It is essentially a business matter, and the occasion should practically rest with the tramway expert in the employment of the City Council. Ami be it remembered that Mr Goodman has never definitely reported on the rival routes at Anderson Bay. He should be asked to do so at once, and his special and impartial intelligence may be trusted to arrive at a right verdict. Which route will give the better financial return?—that, after all, is the main question; though in considering the answer, of course, a me.asnre of foresight will he necessary, as well as exact appreciation of present conditions. Air Goodman and the City Council mav be counselled to disregard all the local amenities which gave a unique distinction to last “ Saturday at e’en ” at Anderson Bay. Thev have nothing to do with land interests, bus interests, petty jealousies, or personal considerations of any sort. They have to take thought for the convenience of the people and tbs commercial success of the tramway system; and it will probably be found that the two motives have a happy compatibility. No help is to be had from the report of Saturday s meeting. Patent blunders were made on both sides. Air Oakden’s “ gradient” bogey is neither more nor less absurd than Air White’s contention that the Citv Council are irrevocably pledged to a particular route. We strongly deprecate tiro endeavor which is being made to induce the Cemetery Board to show tight over this matter, winch is quite beyond their province. Air Begg, one of tire Cemetery Trustees, treated this point in a sensible manner on Saturday night: “He understood the “arrangement to bo that they wanted the “tramway, and the route was to be left te £l the good sense of the City Council and “ their engineer. Air White had stated that “it was made a condition of handing over the cemetery that the tram route should U go along the Main road, bat so far as he “ was concerned he would have handed over “the cemetery without any condition at all. “He had communicated with the Aiavcr, “and the Alayor had said the question of “route would come up for consideration later on, and one of the city councillors “had informed him that if the Anderson Bay people dictated to them they would “ have to wait for their tramways."’ We trust, b> the way, tnafc there is no warrant for the persistent insinuation that some of the controversialists would be very glad “ to have to wait for their tramways.” For our own part, we have an open mind on this issue of the rival routes. We only ask that the question should be decided in' a judicial spirit and by the proper judge or judges; and we are bound to protest against the ration that it has been settled already. Tim so-called “'bargain” in respect to the tramway and the cemetery was never meant to include a definite stipulation regarding the route to be followed; and if such a stipulation has slipped in,, the City Council should repudiate it, and the moribund Cemetery Board should make no difficulty. The Citv Council, acting on the advice of their trusted expert, may ho depended upon to do the right thing; and Air Goodman should be asked to prepare-a definite report on -he potentialities of the two routes without delav.

We have just received news of the Governments determination not to allow a double lino of rails to be laid in the narrower streets on the Flat. Wc cordial],welcome the intelligence, believing as we do that this slight restriction will make for public safety and probably prevent more than one serious accident. Of course, some practical inconvenience will be caused at times; but thoughtful people, looking at the matter on both sides, are not likclv to complain.

Tins Otago University Council will shortly be called upon to appoint a The University registrar in place of Mr Registrarship. Hamilton, and two aspects of the situation roem. to demand a word of notice In the first place, there is a pretty general opinion that the salary offered—£2so per hnnum—is inadequate. We have already pointed out that a somewhat rare combination of qualities 's required for this office: the registrar should be a cultured scholar, a progressive educationist, and a good man of business. If the Council want an elderly Barnacle, an “ emeritus” pedagogue, or a jeanne hack, £2SQ

may be enough to offer ♦ but they should be glad to give the right sort of man at least another hundred. The duties of the post, if pioperly discharged, are not light. The registrar has a considerable amount of financial responsibility; be is 'or ought to be) a sort of guide, philosopher, and friend to all the students 4 and he is expected to give Lis whole time to the University work in one form or other. A salary of £350 would not be excessive, to say the least; and a sound business man would probably he worth the extra £IOO in. the most- material sense. In the second place, there is good reason to believe that a certain amount of intriguing—or, kt us say, quiet work—is going on with reference to the "Vacancy. For one thing, an attempt is being made to damage the prospects of a particular candidate who hap pens to have dene excellent service as Mr Hamilton’s assistant for some months. Now, we -are ready to admit that Mr Hamilton and Mr Mason made a mistake, and that the pod lion, of the latter gentleman ought to have been regularly recognised and defined by the University Oooncil, We further grant that Mr Mason ought to obtain no advantage by reason of bis gratuitous and successful work: in other won Is, that tbs mere fact of bis having been Mr Hamilton's locum tenons should not cause the Council to appoint him to the permanent office. These admissions, however, are not enough for seme of the Uniters for another candidate, who are doing their best to damage Mr Mason’s chances by continual harping on the circumstances just mentioned, and by suggesting, to all intents and purposes, that the assistance given to Mr Hamilton should be regarded as an actual disqualification. We are not advocating the election of Mr Mason or anyone else; we merely wish t> see fair play; and it is certainly to be hoped, that the Council will not miss an. opportunity of securing the right man—if they should really think that the right man is within reach—on account of merely punctilious coinideratwiiii. The general community have been brought into closer relations with the University during the bust year or two ; they have practically been called upon to share the responsibilities of University maintenance; and we are sure, that they would feel aggrieved if the regisirarship were bestowed upon, anyone who does not “fill the bill” to the extent we have indicated.

The children's anniversary in connection with the Salvation Army was celebrated yesterday, when special services were held The meetings were well attended, the gathering in the evening being very large. The children, of whom a large number were present, sang special hymns under the conductorship of Air Alanley, and also gave several recitations. The services were conducted by Major Cummings, whose addresses were most interesting. His remarks at the morning service were based on Deuteronomy vi., 7, and in the evening he spoke on ‘ Home Rule,’ his text being taken from Timothy x., 3 and 5. The Army Band, under Bandmaster Lupp, rendered valuable assistance. -An entertainment will be given by the children to-night, when the prises won during the year will he distributed.

On Saturday afternoon Air and Airs P. Duncan, in their grounds .at Tolcarne. Newington, entertained the members of the Early Sen tiers’ Association at a garden party. A large marquee had been erected on the lawn, and in the afternoon tea and light refreshments were provided. Chvirw to the threatening weather the attendance was somewhat limited.

ine Darnel Frawley season came to an end cn Saturday night with the production of a new play, " Brother Officers.’ The piece was admirably presented, and characterised by that attention to detail, nicety of appointment, and high average of acting for which the. company “have gained a great reputation. Dunedinites, in not patronisin“. the Fmwleys, have missed an opportunity that is not often afforded of seeing finished worn. V e have seen infinitely poorer stuff more cordially welcomed.

"The Two Air Wetherbys’ at the Princess’s Theatre was followed with the keenest interest by Saturday night’s audience, '-nes. interjections, dissent, and “hear, hear."’ being not infrequent. During the dialogue absorbed spectators called '’out: “ That’s right, old man,” "" Let her go,” Don t tale ncr track,"’ “Good riddance.” and so on. Perhaps this fom of interjection is lire highest compliment that ran be given to play and player-. Air K. H. Carew, AM,, sa t at the Alagistrate’s Court tins morning, and dealt with the usual list of civil cases. Plaintiffs secured judgment in the absence of defendants as follows Walter Taine ( Air Rim) v. Robert Vinson, Greymouth, for £lO 9s ten promissory note), with £1 10s 6d costs; same v. George Gilbert, New Plymouth, for £lO Gs 8d (on promissory note), with £1 10s 6<l costs: John Bowie (Air Sim) v Margaret Henderson, for £ll 4s lid teood*d" with £1 16s 6d costs. ” ’

Ijie Taieri Plain was visited by a thunderstorm last evening lor over an' hour. The lightning was very strong, and rain fed heavily for Mime hours at the time and during the night, Tlmre appeared stars of clearing at an early hour this morning. Negotiations, which have been going on ior sola.; time, have, we understand, "culminated m the. sale of the W orkm.vn ’ rev, a. paper. air J. ,\. Scott, of Milton, is the nominal purchaser. The paper is to be run on labo-ciun-tempennce linef. In this ccn-m-ction it may be mentioned that the prohibttion party have a, proposal on loot to cstaijll-sh an official organ in each of the large centres of the #louv, run on mutual hues, and to be distributed free. Rumor s.tys, further, that the ‘Trades Review’ has also chapged hands, and will in future be run by tlr .1. Weils, still in the liquor interest. _ Those changes seem, to promise some interesting pen lights in the near future.

At eleven o'clock mass yesterday the St. Joseph s Cathedral choir gave an excellent rendering of Weber’s Mass' in G-. The soloist* were Mrs Neilson, Mre Costelloe, Messrs Carol hi and Hussey. A special feature of the evening service was the *lnlkwninalwV sung by Mrs Neilson with splendid effort. The incidental chorus work was capitally rendered liy a strong choir. Mr Fed acted as conductor, and Mr Albert Vallis presided ar tlie organ

The draft order of the South Dunedin tramway Ordsr-in-Connci! has been returned "with numerous alterations made by the official of the Public Works Department. It is stipulated that there must be a single line in Cargill road from Josephine street (near Air Hancock's store) te the Porhnry road, and also along the present Ocean Beach line from Ogg’s Comer to the corner of Bav View and Kennedy roads.

The monthly meeting of the Kensington School Committee was hold on Friday evening last; present—Messrs Bridgman (chairman). Buddy, Hansen, Reid, Ecrrei!, Whyte, North. The head-master’s report was- received. Roll number, 289; average attendance, 269. It was moved and seconded tint the new portion of the school yard be asphalted daring the holidays; and that the matter be left in the hands" of the Works Committee, with power to act; the cost not to exceed £2O. It was resolved to close the school on December 23, and to reopen on February 8. The boy Smith, who was knocked down by a motor cycle in George street three weeks ago, is still unconscious, although his condition has improved somewhat.

Received: Sun Fire Office almanac for 1904. Tho mayor requests Dunedin citizens to observe from twelve o'clock on Wednesday as a holiday in connection with the opening of the electric tramway service. Important Notice. —First series art post cards New Zealand scenery, by Morris, photofnipher, Dunedin. Sold by all stationers.— Advt.] Readers’ attention is directed to T. Ross’s advertisement of gloves, umbrellas, and other goods, imported specially for the Xmas trade —[Advb.i The Morningtou Corporation advertise an amended tramway time-table in this issue. Everyone interested in artistic house decorations should inspect the metal ceilings and wall coverings at Briscoe’s.—{Adst-l

Miriam Eebekah Lodge. No. 5, 1.0.0. F., will hold a fair in the Town Hall, South Dunedin, on December 17, 18, and 19, in aid of charitable purposes. The fair will be opened by Grand Secretary Bro. Reid. A new Christmas card, “The Great Waimangu Geyser,” by Muir and Moodie, to be had at all booksellers.—[Advt.] For Xmas fnrits, cleaned and ready for ass, mild-cured Otago hams, try Irvine and Stevenson, and you will get satisfaction.— [Advt.]

The North-east Valley School hreak-up will take place in the Gymnasium Hall to-morrow, at 2 p.m. _

Mr Ernest Boot, surgeon-dentist (late of Hunter and Boot), has resumed practice in Central Rooms, above Montague’s (opposite City Hotel). Entrance from Moray place.— [Advt.]

Ladies or gentlemen who anticipate purchasing Christmas . presents are invited to inspect splendid selection at Hendy’s hairdressing rooms, 104 Princes street.—[Advt.] The Railway Department advertises in this issue alterations and additions to the ordinary rimo-tablo in connection with the Christmas holidays.

Gresham and Boot, dentists, 63 Princes street (opposite Bible, Tract Depot).-—[Advt.] The DUG. issue a cordial invitation to all parents to bring along the children to see tueir grind Christmas carnival. The whole of the ground floor in their furniture warehouse, Rattray street, has been ‘laid out and decorated for the purpose by Mr Carr, the world’s champion decorator and window dresser. Special efforts have been made to cater for tho little folk, and we are confident that they will be both surprised and delighted. Santa Claus will bo in attendance daily, and may bo consulted between tho hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.—[Advt.] For that tired feeling this hot weather try one of our American sea foam dry shampoos. Only at Ilex’s, hairdresser.—[Advt.]