The Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1911.

Evening Star, Issue 14637, 5 August 1911, Page 6

The Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1911.

It is disconcerting to learn that there

is a renewal of the old The Auckland scandalous conditions Mental in relation to over* Hospital. crowding at the mental hospitals. Some years ago this evil was deplorably rife. Dr MacGregor's annual reports, during the latter part of his tenure of the Inspector-Generalship, were full of complaints concerning the way in which Auratix-A »wt was-hampered by the

lack of adequate {accommodation; and we ourselves must hare written at leasi a score of articles on the subject. Then Parliament and the Government turned their attention to the matter with some degree of resolution. There was a vigorous debate, in which Sir William Russell took a prominent • part; and so much progress was subsequently made that Sir William Hall-Jones, as Minister in charge of the department, was at last able to announce that the* object in view—the proper housing of all patients—had virtually been attained. That would be only about four years ago, and already it seems that there has been serious retrogression towards the o)d mischief in at least one of the mental hospitals. The shortcomings at Avonsido may have been over-colored—Mr Bollard, the Opposition member for Eden, asserts that there has been "gross exaggeration "—but it would be idle to doubt that conditions are not what they should be. Mr Fowlds, Sir William Hall-Jones's successor, does not question the substantial truth of the exposure. Indeed, criticism is disarmed to some extent by the Minister's candid plea of " peccavi." Ho told the House yesterday that ho '' was " not for one moment prepared to say " that there was not serious over- " crowding at Auckland. Ho supposed "that ho. was to blame for the con- " dition that had arisen." He was able to show that the department had had to contend with some unexpected difficulties in connection with the project of the new hospital at Auckland. Naturally there has been a disinclination to extend the buildings on a site which is to be abandoned, and some allowance must bo made for what appears to have been an abnormal increase in the. mimber of admissions (a disquieting phaso of the question, by the way, which calls for anxious consideration). Even so, Mr Fowlds and the department in general cannot be acquitted of all blame. There has been a lack of reasonable foresight, and the only consolation is that the mischief does not seem to involve the mental hospital system as a whole. It is strictly localised, and the Minister assured the House that by this time next year provision would have been made for the proper accommodation and classification of all the mental patients in the Dominion. Of Mr | Fowlds's excellent and oven enthusi- | astie interest in this branch of his work we entertain no doubt—his new Mental Defectives Bill furnishes additional proof of his progressive zeal—and the publicity which has been given to tlie fault which lie so frankly admits will probably incite him to increased exertions. Accommodation and classification, however, are not the only matters that require to be dealt with. We are inclined to think that there is more in the complaints of attendants regarding the conditions of service than the Minister is prepared to recognise. The new Bill has not yet reached us, but we are glad to hear that it provides for direct communication between the official visitors and the Minister, without employing the Inspector-General as I an intermediary. The necessity of this change has been obvious for some time; and, to speak quite frankly, any extension of the functions of the In-spector-General requires to be jealously guarded - against. Thero will he differ- I once of opinion regarding the soundness i of Mr Massey's plea for the appoint- j ment of a Royal Commission. Mr I Fowlds's explanation satisfies us that the reappearance of the overcrowding [ trouble will only be temporary, and I there is no reason why any other matters should not be resolutely and : intelligently examined by the depart- i ment. The question of the increase in I the number of mental patients might j be submitted to a small body of ex- j ports; but, speaking generally, the | results of I!oyal Commissions are apt j to be disappointing. j

'Our 'Sports Special' to-niglit will contain general notes on various forms of sport, and full reports of the afternoon's football, ladies' hockey, and harriers' interclub run. The illustrations will l>e the 'Varsity Fifteen, who left the field after scraping home against Southern last Saturday, and captains of three Soccer teams— Roslyn-Wakari, Northern, and Christian Brother*;. Fraulein Wardyss, a poor girl employed as :i saleswoman in a boot and ehoe shop in the small town of Kisujs/.allafi, in Hungary, has just inherited a fortune of £26,C00 in extraordinary circumstances (says the Vienna correspondent of the London ' Daily Mail'). Heir Croney, an elderly bachelor, was among theat the shop, and expressed indignation at the small wages puid to her. Recently he entered the shop to make some small purchases, and said that he intended to make Fraulein Wardyss heiress to all his property. She laughed, as she believed him io lie bndly off. his clothes being shabby. i Saying "l"veally mean it," he unfastened his cuff, and laying it flat on the counter i drew out a fountain pen and wrote a will. | lie called two apprentices to sign it, and ! having placed it in his pocket left the shop. A few minutes later Heir Croney, in making a violent effort- to avoid a. motor car in the roadway, overstrained his heart and fell dead. Next day Fraulein Wardyss ! was informed that his estate of £26,C00 I was at her disposal. ! The Library Committee of the City ! Council recommend that authority be i granted to invite tenders for the erection ! of the Coronation wing at the Free Public Library in accordance with plans and speI cificaticms to be prepared by the city buildI ing surveyor, at an estimated cost of £7OO. j Mr J. Reid. 8.A., speaking at the- anj nnal meeting of the Dunedin Presbyterian j Sabbath Schools' Association last night, forcibly attacked the system of examinations and prize-giving. He declared that it vitiated the children's mental appetites ; that it led them to strive for gain instead of working for Christ; that the money allotted for prizes could bo spent to greater advantage in supplying the teachers with material for graded lessons ; that only a small percentage of the pupils competed, the cther3 being lookers-on ; and that the same sort of children generally won every time—children of ministers and elders, and so on. The time had come to ennoble effort and take- away the struggle for valueless Towards. He would like to see the system abolished in all teaching. The Rev.'H. B. Gray agreed with Mr Reid that the examination system was to a eerI tain extent vitiating the taete of our children and perverting the aims of education. In the discussion that followed Mr R. Duncan said that thoughtful teachers sometimes swayed to the one and sometimes to the other side of the argument on this question. His own view was that prizegiving was an advantage so far ae the juniors -were concerned. Instructions have been given the City Electric Engineer to proceed with the necessary extensions to the Halfway Bush 6ub-station required in connection with the extensions to the power plant, the estimated cost being £1,700. The foundations will be constructed by contract, and the building itself will be erected by day labor under the general supervision of. the city building surveyor. In the Magistrate's Court to-day Mr Haselden, &.M., resumed the hearing of a case in which the inspector of awards sued the Uneeda Trawling Company, for £lO as penalty for a breach of the Dunedin trawlers' award, in employing four men for more than 70 hours in the week ended 12th May. After further evidence His Worship "reserved his decision.

The Tramways Committee of the City Council report that, in reply to a request from the Commandant of the New Zealand Defence Forces for tramway concessions to members of the citizen army, a communication has been forwarded intimating that a recent decision of the council abolished the concession that had previously been given, and fixed the scope of concessions within certain defined limits. The Christchnrch North election has been fixed for Thursday week, the 17th inst., and nominations close on Monday next. The following candidates are definitely announced:—Mr J. D. Hall (Opposition), Mr L. M. Isitt (Independent), Mr L. R. Wilson (Socialist). The Labor Representation Committee have decided to take no action as regards this by-election, which means that members of the Labor party will have a free hand. A writ was served on Mr Beauchamp, manager of the Wellington branch of the Australian Kodak Company, having their headquarters in Melbourne, claiming £19.000, the sum said by the Customs Department to be due for duty and penalties for evasion of duty on importations. The claim involves a review of the company's imports over a long pqyiod, and charges of systematic evasion by means of fraudulent invoices. With reference to the installation of a fire alarm in the car depot, the Tramways Committee report having further considered the question, in accordance with instructions from council on the 15th November, 1910, and now recommend that the tender of the May-Oatway Company of the sum of £145 for a complete installation be accepted, subject to the installation being passed by the inspector of the Fire Underwriters' Association.

An officer who had to do with the medical examination of the Christchnrch Territorials said the teeth of the majority of the lads examined were simply deplorable. Not one in 20 would get through the Royal Navy test for the teeth. The number of lads of 16 or 17 with artificial upper sets was simply terrible. The examination preached a graphic sermon on the necessity of steps being taken to have the teeth of children seen to. The general physique of the lads was not satisfactory. It was disappointing for a new country. The majority of the lads did not know how to breathe. A fair number were rejected on account of deficient eyesight.

It is recommended by the Works Committee of the City Council that about 26 chains of a 4in water main be laid in Queen Alexandra street and Ravenswood road. St. Clair, to serve residents of the district, at an estimated cost of £320 ; and that the tender of Mr A. Ferry of £240 for additions to the underground conveniences, Custom-house square, be accepted. An important judgment was given by the Chief Justice to-day. The Miramar Borough Council decided to reduce the width of King's road from 99ft to 66ft, but. .Mr M'Leod lodged a envoat which the council desired removed. Bis Honor (says an Association wire) held that the council had no right to diminish the width by special order unless the electors agreed and unless a .Magistrate approved.

For a satisfactory line of furniture et reasonable price visit Sanders's Furnishing House. 175 George street. —fAdvt.J Notification of Sunday services as enumerated below appears in our advertising columns: —Presbyterian : First Church. Knox Church, St. Andrew's, Caversham, South Dunediu, North-east Valley, Chalmers, Musselburgh, itoslyn, St Clair. Anglican: All Saints', St. Matthew's. Methodist: Trinity, Garrison Hall, Mornington, Cargili Road, Roslyn, Si. Kilda, Belleicnov.es, Woodhaugh, North-ea.si Valley. Congregational: Moray Place;, Iving Street, Leith Street. Baptist: Hanover Street. Koslyn, South Dunediu. Primitive Methodist: Dundas Street, Kcw, Abbotsford, Ruvensbourne, Anderson Bay, North-east Valley. Church of Christ: Tabernacle, Soutli Dunedin, Fi'.leul Street Hall. Albany Street School. Spiritual Scientists. Metaphysical Society, Gospel Hall, Moray place; Gospel Hall, .South Bunedin. Wallace's Dreadnought Sale of high-class men's wear successfully launched. A great victory scored on Saturday. Hosts of bargains for this week. Genuine, good goods, not warehouse sweepings Come and see for yourself. Everything reduced in price. Country visitors aud patrons specially welcomed at the Golden Hat Shop, Princes street. See Wanted Knowns.—{Advt.J Mr A. M'Carthy will deal with a subject which is causing discussion in the Dominion at Trades Hall at 7 o'clock to-morrow. The St. Clair Life-saving Club meet on Monday evening at the St. Clair Gymnasium to elect officers, etc. An exhibition of lifesaving drill will be given. No softer or more beautiful effects in photo portraiture can be seen anywhere than in the showcases in vestibule of Morris, photographer, Princes street. Telephone 859. [Advt.]

' St. Paul's Private Letters"' is the subject of the Rev. P. W. Fairclough's address tomorrow evening in Trinity Methodist Church. Ladies know them to have no equal. Martin's Apiol and Steel Pills, sold by all chemists and stores throughout Australasia. — [Ad*.] On Tuesday evening Dr Gordon Macdouald will deliver >i lecture, entitled ' Contagious and Infectious Diseases,' at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, Stuart street. Tho lecture is the first of a series to be given by prominent men in tho medical and legal professions. Points where we score—pose, expression, and finish of photographs, accompanied with moderate charges for work. Acme Photo Co.. George street. 'Phone 965.—TAdvt.l Mr R H. W. Bligh addressed meetings in Ravenshounic last night. The Mayor presided at that for men and lads. He will speak in the Garrison Hall to-morrow —to women at 3 p.m , and to men and lads at 8.15 p m. What is meant by Fraser's " full value" system of painting and decorating? Simply this: Every penny you pay is returned to you in work and material. There is no charge for non-workers, etc. I give better material, better workmanship, at less cost. Let me give price. W. Fraser, Box 57, Dunedin. 'Phone 2,972.—{Advt.] There's a cold in practically every New Zealand home to-day; but if Baxter's Lung Preserver is used the colds will have to go. Price, Is lOd, large-sized bottle.—[Advt.] The treasurer of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association acknowledges with thanks the following sums: —Mr J. Sidey, £2 2s; Mr Rutherford, ' Otago Daily Times,' R. Hudson and Co., Mordy and Stephens, Mrs J. Allen, Mr J. F. M. Eraser, Mr T. W. Kempthorne. and Mrs Ban-on, £1 Is each; Mr J. ,T. Clark, Mr Coun, Mr Woodhouse, Mr Walker, Brinsley and Co., Mr F. Wilkinson, Mr J. M. Brown, 10s 6d each; Mr Griffith and Mr W. F. Ednrond, 10s each; Mr Connor, Mr Manengarb, Mrs J. Morrison, Mrs Dickie, Mrs Vanes, Mr Lawrence, Mr Wood. Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Bossence, Mr Richardson, and Dr Don, 5s each: Rev. C. Boyall, Mr Hudson, and Mr Stevenson, 2s Gd each; smaller sums, lis 6d. A. D. Edgar, dentist, Cargill's Corner. South Dunedin. Full upper or lower set of artificial teeth, £3 3s; extraction under gas, 3s 6d; painless extraction, 2s 6d, each additional tooth Is.—-[Advt.] The Otago Mutual Starr-Bowkett Society will dispose of two appropriations f£soo free and £SOO sale) on Thursday next, at the society's office, Cumberland street. A glasii of Speight's beer at lunch and supt>er is better than all the tea in China.— [AdVt.] Extraordinary bargains in house furnishings are now on view for a few days only at F. and F. Martin's, Octagon, just prior to stock-taking and the alterations to our premises. Now, don't forget to.call and see for yourself.—[Advt.]