The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1910.

Evening Star, Issue 14527, 1 December 1910, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1910.

_____ __ I Mb, Hanan, chairman of the Special Com- | mittee, in closing a, too Mr Hine'3 memorable discussion, deCharges. dared that the country, from one end to the other, i . was eick of the Hine business. Certainly' the country -would soon grow sick of the passion and recrimination that-characterised ; the debate which began in tho small hours ■ of the last day of November, and lasted, r"with brief intervals, almost to the first of the new month. Now that the ißorry affair is done with, two points should . _6.ftpe__lly emphasised. In the first place, the Government and (generally speaking) the politicians of the Dominion 6tand acquitted of the far-reaching charges of *" Tarainanyism" or corruption which were recklessly advanced by tho member for Stratford in his epeech in the Financial Debate. We should be sorry to endorse all that was said by Mr T. E. Taylor in the course of his too provocative harangue, but the following words are quite just: The net result of tho Hino charges was wholly di-proportionate to the volnrae of innuendo levelled against the whole Parliament. While the member for Stratford might bo given credit for what ho had done, he should apologise to the House and to the Government for slandering them. Unfortunately, the author of tie charges, though he took part in the discussion, failed to rise to tho occasion. He might have won considerable kudos if he could have been magn_nimoTW enough to express regret for having sought to implicate the Liberal Government—the Government of ' to-day- aa well. _s pi -lr Seddo__ time—in

w ■■» a vast Tammanyistic scandal; and 6uch an amende would not have weakened hie claim to justification in regard to certain specific allegations. We shall not go so far as to suggest that Mr Hine is disappointed at having failed io make good his reflections upon the Seddon ami Ward Administration, but his reticence yesterday, whe<n some sort of admission would have been so appropriate, will assuredly leave a painful impression on the public mind. In the second place, it has to bo dispassionately recognised that Mr Hine succeeded in establishing a number of particular charges, and we should strongly deprecate any attempt to minimise the import of this result. Whether the member for Stratford is entitled to any considerable amount of credit is another matter. Wo believe, with Mr Taylor, that " he was out after the Executive of the day," and that belief makes us disinclined to give him much praise iu connection with the proved charges against Messrs Kaihuu and Symes. Nevertheless, due recognition must not be withheld from the fact that these special charges—some of them, at least—were actually proved. Nay, more: it must, wo think, be admitted that there is ground for serious doubt as to whether the evidence did not point to Mr Kaihau's culpability in respect to the first charge brought against him as well as the second. We think, however, that the House did right in rejecting Mr Allen'6 amendment; first, because it was much too wide (including, as it did, the questions of Flaxboumo and Mr Symes's letter), and, secondly, because even in regard to the Te Akau matter the evidence may be held to have lacked absolute conclusiveness. But there will be a pretty general opinion that Mr Kaihau has been decidedly fortunate, not only in securing an acquittal on the Te Akau charge, but also in being treated with exceptional leniency by the House. It is to be expected that his sense of propriety, though it Lias been too little manifested in somo parts i of Ids conduct, will prompt him to give his constituents an immediate opportunity of I deciding whether he should continue to | serve as their representative. We would ! fain trust that the bitterness generated by | Mr Hine's ill-balanced enterprise will have j no permanent vitality, and that th© recriminatory methods so freely, not to say • wantonly, used yesterday will be eschewed by politicians on both sides when they take the platform during the recess. Let legislative means be adopted in order to obviate the recurrenco of such incidents as have justly brought censure upon Mr Kaihau and i Mr Symes, and them let "the Hine busi- , ness" become a thing of the past. For the country the main consideration is tliat the existenco of "Tammanyism" in New Zealand, in any real sense of the term, has been conclusively disproved. Mr Taylor was probably warranted in declaring that the net result of the inquiry went to show that no Legislative Assembly wis cleaner than oirrs.

Iruelkvant as the topic may have been, strictly considered, wo A Slandered think that it is notaltoPrlme Minister, gother to be regretted that Mr T. E. Taylor, by a perhaps too pointed allusion, gave the Prime Minister an opportunity of delivering his soul in referenco to the malignant and despicable slanders to which he has been subjected during tho last few months. Needless to say, we entirely disapprove of Mr Taylor's insinuation that prominent Opposition politicians have had anything to do with the production or circulation of the unspeakably atrocious " pamphlet " in which an attempt is made to blast the fair repute of a statesman whose best energies, for nearly a quarter of a century, have been given to the public service; but there aro base, unscrupulous spirits in every party, and it is certain that the pamphlet has been used —as it was meant to be used—for political purposes. Mr Massey's unequivocal pronouncement may possibly serve as a check upon these nefarious tactics, but there will be general agreement with Sir Joseph Ward's remark that it seems an extraordinary thing that a man in his position has no legal means of redress. Wo cannot help thinking that some way of stopping the circulation of the foul print ought to be found. Mr Buchanan stated that a man had tried to push the pamphlet into his hand, and "had it not been for mak"ing a scene ho would have thni6t it down "the man's throat." We are disposed to be rather sorry that the esteemed member for Wairarapa did not risk the danger of making a scone on that occasion. Certainly it is a wonder that forcible punitive methods have not been employed in some instances in connection with the tender of a publication which cannot be offered to a decent man or woman without insult. At the same time, while Sir Joseph Ward's anger is natural and righteous, wo are convinced that ho can suffer no real harm, either personal or political, in consequence of these base slanders.

The Prime Minister told the mombor for Avon yesterday that Day Sittings, the Government will consider the desirability in future sessions of the House meeting in tho day-time, and went on to say : Personally, I would hail such a change with , much satisfaction, but 1 recognise that there aro considerable ' difficulties in the way of enabling committee work to be carried out .safcisfac- . torily unless such were done at nightj time. ! The difficulties are more apparent than i real. If the House were to 6it daily for I the transaction of business from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an hour's adjournment | for the mid-day meal, or without any ad- ) journnient at all if a suitable buffet or | dining room were provided for tho convenience and comfort of those who have to be in constant attendance while Parliament is sitting, the work could be easily and satisfactorily apportioned by reserving Mondays and Tuesdays for- committee

•wotlc and sitting conunuowy on w«other three working days of the week, thus allowing member* who are within a low miles of Wellington to visit their homes at week-ends. The real legislative work of the country would be carried on to the decided advantage of the people, and the health of bon. members would be preserved. Mr Russell does not exaggerate when he doclares that the present system causes the proceedings of the Legislature to be recognised by a section of the Wellington folk as a competitor of the picture shows, besides often providing a free entertainment, and is a menace to the health of all who help to drive the legislative machine. On economic and hygienic grounds the experiment should receive a fair trial, which it has never yet had. The objectors are those who always want to be in the full glare of the limelight and who persistently play to the galleries, and will only air their eloquence when those galleries are full, which adds to the general discomfort and largely increases the amount that the unfortunate taxpayer has to pay.

The only business before the Bonce Court this morning was an application by a woman for the remission of arrears on a maintenance order, -amounting to £27 15s. As she has been in the Salvation Array Home, and therefore unable to keep up payment, these arrears were cancelled. Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. presided. A sign of the times. There have been a greater number of marriages in Dunedin for the eleven months ended yesterday than tor any previous twelve months in 'the history of the local office. The total number for the present _ cloven month is 605. For the same period last year they reached 563. At the conclusion of the Council meeting of the West Harbor Borough ou Tuesday next, which will be the last meeting in the present year, it is the intention of the Mayor (Mr H. E. Holier) to entertain the councillors at supper. Mr E. H. Clark, M.P. for Chalmers, will also bo a guest, and the opportunity will bo taken of presenting to him an illuminated address expressing the gratitude of the electors of West Harbor for the manner in which he has advocated their many requirements. These include the new post office, the main road improvements, etc. The Railway Department intends opening the new station mid yards before Christmas. The Council's water scheme is well trader way, and the main footpaths in the district are being asphalted. West Harbor is tut enterprising borough, and is now beginning to get the benefit of the services rendered by the progressive members of the Council. The police want owners for a garden syringe and a gold brooch, both of which articles were found in the^streets. Dr Bonham, in the course of his lecture last night, said that the principles which the Eugenics Society were striving to bring to general recognition were oven now anil always had been influencing many persons, and, he continued, “wo cannot tell what advance may come about in a very gentle wav, if we go on stating the facts. One may believe in the work of the Eugenics without proposing to overthrow all human institutions, or to accept the methods of tho stud farm, or to initiate a campaign of surgery or sensational or drastic legislation, or even, as yet, tho employment of marriage health certificates, such -is has been proposed by more than one country. Most assuredly it is possible for tho clergyman, tho doctor, the teacher, oven tho leader of fashion, to strengthen such Eugenic forces as already exist in society, without outraging sentiment or custom. ’ Cr White, on tho state of the Leith (delivered at last night’s mooting of tho City Council) : “On a warm day tho an ell is so thick that you could almost bottle it.” Cr Clark added his word, stating that the lower end of the stream is a menace to the health of the City. “Blame it to tho Drainage Board,” said Cr Wilson, who pointed out that the smell was occasioned by the drainage into tho stream Irom private properties. A kinematograpli machine, stationed just forward of the funnel, was being worked on tho Terra Nova as she moved away from tho Port Chalmers wharf on Tuesday,and before tho Plucky cast off the operator handed tho film to a friend, with instructions to forward it to England os the first of what will be a unique series of moving pictures. A booming of guns sounded from Otago Heads last night, and people looking from Port Chalmers could distinctly see sparks of light flash through tho darkness a few seconds before each report was heard. The Port Navals were doing their annual night firing at the Heads batteries. in tho first series eighteen rounds were fired in Imin 6sec, and seventeen hits registered. In tho second scries of eighteen rounds, which was fired in luiiu Bsoc, there wore thirteen hits. Tho company maintained an average of fourteen rounds per minute, the maximum being fifteen rounds. Last night’s firing, as the figures show, was very successful, and averages very closely to tho figure of merit which won tho Hudson Cup last year for tho Port Navals. Tho third scries will be fired on Saturday from the 12p q.f., a gun on which this company have not previously fired for classification and competitive purposes. The Lady Roberts towed tho targets last night, and a detachment of tho Navals worked the searchlight by which the targets were illuminated from the shoij. The Otago Education Board's junior scholarship examinations and the Junior National Scholarship exeminations were being held to-day, and will be continued tomorrow at tho Dunedin Technical School and at Oamarn, Balclutha, Nasoby, and Lawrence. Eorthe Board’s junior scholarships there are 182 candidates, and of that number 142 are sitting also for the Junior National. For tho Board’s senior scholarship examinations, held last week, there were sixty-five candidates. There are 100 candidates for jnnior free- places. Tho examination of these candidates is held concurrently with the junior scholarship examination. The examiners are men selected from all over tho Dominion by the Education Department. The results will be known about the middle of Jannary. Twice last night the audience at the Eugenics lecture broke into loud applause. They gave ready acquiescence to Dr Benliam’s opinion that there is urgent need for some action on the part of the community in regard to young people being in the streets at night; and the audience also supported tho lecturer when ho praised Dr Findlay for his courage in trying to formulate means to abate tho ravages of scourging disease. Tho vital statistics for tho month ended yesterday were : Births, 134; deaths, 64; marriages, 65. For November of last year tho figures were : Births, 134; deaths, 71; marriages, 79. A Clyde orchardist (reports tho ‘ Dnnstan Times’) has made a straight-out sale of 600 cases of the coming season’s crop of poaches at a price that should leave a very substantial margin of profit to the grower. Arrangements are being made for the holding m Christchurch next October of a physical development competition for the selection of tho best-developed man in New Zealand (reports our Christchurch correspondent). The various physical culture schools throughout the Dominion aro being approached, and a largo entry seems to be assured. Tho competition will be the first of its kind in New Zealand, though local competitions have been held in most of the centres. Mr F. A. Homibrook is secretary of the Committee who have tho j undertaking in hand. Speaking last night at the Stuart Street I Hall, Dr Benham said that Bernard Shaw’s criticisms of the Eugenics movement had been quoted with some show of authority. But as a fact Bernard Shaw’s ignorance of the fundamental facta of Eugenics is as appalling as are his suggestions as to the future, and his opinions about Eugenics are absurdly opposed to the opinions of representative Eugenists. Indeed, Mr Shaw’s opinions as an exponent of Eugenics are of no more value than Mr Keir Hardie’s opinions about Imperialism. To take only one point, instead of ridiculing, marriage, tho Eugcni.st insists upon tho sacredness of.

great buzz down about Invercargill The obir wflis not caused by the fall of the water tower or anything like that; it was the song of devastating grubs. It appears that voracious insects nave been plaguing agriculturists and pastoralisbs to a serious extent. Now the lawns of proud householders ore being attacked. Last S&mday evenjng a Gladstone resident heard a loud buzzing. It was so arresting that ho called the attention of others to it. They attributed the ‘hum to a motor car or to the singing of telephone wires. No motor car came, and the buzz increased. The sound was traced to the lawn, and in matchlight the searchers found that the grub fly was issuing from the ground in tans of thousands (as reported by the ‘ Southland Times'). Sunday morning had been very hot, and there most have been a big hatch. The insect is brown in color, and winged like a beetle. Gardeners know him. lull him! The hour of 10.30, at which the mayor, in accordance with the standing orders, insists upon the Council rising, saved a scene last night. Or Douglas had been previously told by His Worship that the information he asked in respect to law casts incurred for certain years could bo got at the Town Hall without notice of motion. Or Douglas said he would be satisfied with that if it was .truthfully answered. Several questions he had asked had not been truthfully answered. This brought Cr Clark to Ids feet, and the mayor, interjecting, asked by whom they had not been truthfully answered. Or Douglas: “I am prepared to name the questions.” Gr Barr; “I move that the councillor bo asked to withdrawtbe words.” Cr Douglas: “ I cannot withdraw, because it is a truthful statement. If the Council will give mo the opportunity I am prepared to prove they were incorrect.” Cr Stewart; “Do you mean untruthful or incorrectOr Douglas v. “If there is any difference in the meaning of the words, the questions were not answered correctly and truthfully.” An awkward position was at onco saved by the mayor announcing that it was 10.30, and the business of the evening was over. Between October 13 and November 9 900,103 passengers wore carried on the City cars. The revenue for the period was £6,180 13a lid, and the working expenses £2,941 18s lid. After adding to these the sums set aside for interest and sinking fund, renewal and accident funds, etc., the credit balance is £571 12s lOd. Cr Barr, -last evening, referring to a newspaper criticism on the balance-sheet for the last half-year, said as to tho electric power installation that their depreciation cl large 0f 222' 2 per cent, would write off the test of the installation in forty years, and tho life of the system should be much longer than that. They bad also a general depreciation and accident account, which now amounted to close upon £30,000, and this was a cash account to tho credit of tho Council at the bank. 'This could not affect the question of depreciation. It had been said that the profits were not on the wliolo satisfactory—that they were but 2 per cent, on the capital. That was for the half-year, making it 4 per cent, per annum. They had made at tho rale of 4 pc* cent, per annum after paying interest at tho rate of 2i per cent., and that should satisfy either a private concern or a public corporation. Seven years ago Allred E. Scott was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for assault at Wellington. Ho did not hear the sentence, not being in court at the time, and ho evidently intended not to servo it. Yesterday morning ho was arrested at Tauranga, where he was employed on the Tauranga-Tc Puke Hallway. Scott will now servo the term in Mount Eden gaol. Tho Law hoe a long memory. By special resolution of the City Council hist night tho names of nearly forty-four streets in the nowly-inoorporated Valley Ward wore changed to avoid confusion with identically-named streets in the City, Tho new names will be duly advertised. 'The Native Land Conrt, which has visited Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Kaiapoi, and Puketeraki, held a sitting in the Port Chalmers Court Boom to-day. Tho busincvss dealt with was principally as to confirmation of leases. There was an application for confirmation of a deed of gift of laud between natives, also confirmation of a mortgage and applications for appointment of successors to six blocks of land in the estate of the late Teoni Wiwi Taiaroa. The Court adjourned to Invercargill, where a sitting of the Native Appellate Court will bo held on the 7*.lr hist, to determine several appeals in respect to which, families have tho right to catch mutton birds on the respective mutton bird islands (Moutere Trti). -H the conclusion of the hearing of these cases a sitting of the Lain) Court will ho held. Natives attending the Land Court arc privileged to travel on the railways at three-quarter fare, and this concession Iv-s been a valuable one 1o tho natives who came from Christchurch to attend tho sittings of tho Court at Pidcoleraki. Tho benefit will be of greater value to Inc natives who arc travelling from Christchurch to attend Ihe sitting of the Land Court at Invercargill. Surf-bathing at Ocean Beach has been much indulged in for several weeks, tho weather having been a consistent delight. Many people who used to begin the day with splashing in a hath of tepid water now go down to tho sea of a morning, and <ltc all the better for it. Unfortunately, however, surf-bathing at St. Clair or St. Kilda is hardly as safe as dipping in a coffin-shaped bath. This morning a young man got into difficulty whilst in the surf opposite St. Kilda. Ho dived into a deep patch and was immediately swept out beyond the line of safety. Help was at hand, however, and at the direction of a business man of tho City the young fellow swam ashore. He was much exhausted after his struggle with the- tide-race. The incident is not reported by way of scar-in g people from a beneficial exercise. But caution must bo exercised, especially if the tide is at the- obb. Perhaps the local branch of the Life-saving Society will consider the advisability of erecting lines in tho surf or something of tho sort. As much as possible should be done to encourage sea-bathing. Trouble has arisen at the Waiata gold mine, owing to a dispute between tho manager and tho men (says a Grcymouth P.A. wire). Some 250 men aro involved, but there aro no particulars available. Cr Shaddock (chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee) told the Council last night that it would soon be necessary for tho Council to consider extending the plant. Cr Rhodes, who had just returned from a visit to Waipori, said that he came away strongly impressed with the potentialities of tho installation there. He was satisfied that as tho year’s went on it would justify more capital being put into the work there. It may not be generally known that the now Licensing Act is now in force, one provision of which forbids tiro sale of liquor to any person under twenty-one years of ago. Another point in licensing law is deared up by Mr A. S. Adams, an acknowledged expert. It has been said and published that bolds on the West Coast and elsewhere which close at eleven o’clock instead of ten can continue to do so until tire next poll is taken. “ That is not so,” said Mr Adams to-day. “The eleven o’clock extension is not a license, it is a mere extension of license which may be dealt with at a meeting of licensing committees. It would he illegal for anylicensing committee to grant such an extension next year.” In tho Magistrate’s Court this morning tho inspector of awards (Mr J, Hollows) proceeded against Edward Crosiand, a baker, of Ravensbourno, for paying Iris second hand in the bakehouse 50s a week instead of 60s, as prescribed by the Otago and Southland bakers and pastrycooks’ award. Tho sum claimed as penalty for breach was. £lO, and Mr Widdowson, S.M., gave the inspector judgment for £l, with Is costs. Mr Sinclair appeared for defendant. At the monthly meeting of the General Laborere’ Union it was decided that any employer who engaged non-union labor when there were names of unionists registered on tho employment book should be prosecuted. It was contended that to employ non-unionists and permit them to join the anion afterwards was giving preference to non-ugianista.

" At thft monthly meeting' 1 of iho Homing ' ton School Committee tie head master reported the roll number to be SOS, the average attendance for the past four 'weeks being 480. Arrangements wore made in connection • with the annual broak-up, which takes place on Wednesday, the 21st inst It was stated that £l9 had been collected for the prize fund. It was resolved to send a letter of sympathy to tho relatives of the lato Mre Newman, jonitrcss of the school. 'fho crushing and overcrowding on tho ferry steamers are not likely to be repeated this year. Gates have been put up at the Rattray street wharf, and that part of the wharf where the ferry steamers berth is to be fenced off. The new steamer Waireka is to bo bunched at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. There will not be any elaborate cc-remouy, however; that may take place Liter, when the steamer goes into commission. The work is to bo pushed on, in order to have the Waireka ready for the Christmas traffic. The Otago Mutual Starr-Bowkett Society will dispose of free and snle leans on Thursday, December 8. Owing to the launch of the Waireka, winch ■srill tako place to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock, tho Moerangi will not. run the 5 p.m. trip from Portobello.—[Advt.] Conscientious and faithful effort is what, you receive at the Acme Fhoto. Company, Geor-e ofcrcct. You certainly obtain the most beautiful portraits at moderate charges. Telephone 965.—[Advt.l The very latest and most up-to-date photo picture U the " artist's proof portrait by Morris photo, Princes street. Call and see specimens. Telephone 859.—[Advt.l Thomas Fogg, dental surgeon, has Temoved to his new premises at tho corner of George and Park streets.—[Advt.] Speight's ale and stout are acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the best on the market. —[Advt.] No lady should be without Martm's Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by all chemists aDd stores throughout Australasia.—[Advt]