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Evening Star, Issue 15065, 23 December 1912, Page 4

Mr Paulin telephoned at 2 p.m. : " S.W. to X.W. winds, and some lain-showers." Two youths, who were bathing near the Portobello wharf yesterday goi into deep water. One was nearly drowned, bub was rescued by the engineer of thoWaikana (Mr Graham), who jumped from the wharf and quickly got the- lad out of danger. During a, recent debate in the West Australian Legislative Assembly on the year's Estimates, strong exception was taken by certain Labor members to the vote for Government House. Many thought that Lieutenant-Governors should bo appointed in Australia, and one went so far as to say that imported Governors were foreigners. The Honorary Minister (Mr W. G. Angwin) said he could nob see why a Governor coming from the British Isles should be termed a foreigner. In his opinion it would be much better to have a Governor who had never mixed in local politics. He did not think, however, that the appointment of a local man would tend to break the tie with the Empire, because it was impossible to separate Australia from th© Empire. He thought, at the same time, that no one in Australia who was eligible for the position of Governor should be debarred from occupying the position. He had no doubt that a British Governor appointed by the King was a means of giving those who provided. the money for Australia greater confidence for lending that money. For many years to come London would be the puree of Australia, and nothing should be done to destroy the confidence of the financiers in that city in Australia. He pointed out that the Government of New South AVales had their loan affected by their i»cent attitude in regard to the GovernorGeneral. A_ visitor from the Gisborne district, referring to the system of party telephones, has given the Whakatar.e journal the following glowing accounts of Gisborne's extensive telephone service :—There is hardly a Maori whare, to say nothing of the settlers' homes, for many miles from the Gisborne township but that has telephonic communication. What the system has done for the district is shown by its flourishing state, and that the system is valued by the settlers is evidenced by the fact that every new house is considered incomplete without the telephone. There are hundreds of miles of private wires in every direction. One batch of settlers had the telephone put into the band room, and by arrangement were linked up on band practice nights, so that, although 20 miles distant; they were able to sit and listen to the music.

The Commonwealth Government axe going into the washing business in Professor Gilrnth's realms at Port Darwin, where a laundry is to bo run on up-to-date electric lines, and the little official colony in the. Territory, wliich contains men and women who think nothing of a weekly laundry bill of 15s, is anxiously waiting the new Federal enterprise. A young man had a, very narrow escape from a serious accident at Harrington Point yesterday afternoon. He "was climbing round the cliffs when he slipped and fell about 20ft. So far as coidd be ascertained no bones were broken. One foot was badly sprained, and he received several nasty cuts about the face. Willing hands carried him aboard the Maheno, and he was taken to town. The point referred to is a dangerous place for people to climb about. On the previous Sunday a girl met with a similar accident on the same spot. A couple of months ago we transferred to our columns an excerpt from a New York paper telling the story of a Mrs Harris, a dweller in that city, who had jumped into prominence by declaring that incurables have a perfect right to die, and who petitioned the Legislature of New York State to sanction euthanasia in her special case. The New York papers were flooded for a time with correspondence on the subject, many of the writers supporting the sufferer's plea for legalised euthanasia in specific cases, and just as many opposing it as unchristian and dangerous to the commonweal. One important argument advanced at the time was that the medical diagnosis was often mistaken and that many apparently hopeless cases recovered ; and that, even if they do not recover, the victims (like threatened institutions and annuitants) live a very long time. Mrs Harris is herself in the limelight onco more; and tho veiy argument above mentioned applies to her in marked degree. She no longer pleads to be placed in a lethal chamber; though bedridden for years,, she can now sit up ; her hands, that were formerly cramped, .-.re now unclosed ; and her mind, formerly numbed, is now nearly restored to its full vigor. A Wellington message states that the price of butter has been increased by Id per lb, making the rate Is 3d per lb. It is thought locally that . the increase is probably due to the Christmas demand. As far as Bunedin is concerned no increase is expected. It ha 6 been decided as a special measure (states a, Wellington P.A. telegram) to throw open nine commissions as lieutenant in the Permanent Forces of the Dominion to warrant officers and staff ser-geant-majors of tho New Zealand Artillery and permanent staff. Seven of these commissions will be in the New Zealand Staff Corps and two in the New Zeaiaud Artillery. After these appointments have been made tho authorities will adhere to the rule that the corps.of officers shall be recruited by graduates of the Military College. ' , •'. ..""..

Among the passengers by the Maunganm, which arrived at the Bluff this morning, were a number of'delegates to the convention of the Australasian Christian Students Union, to be held at Rangiora tins week. One of the delegates is Dr Thomas Dunhill, a leading Melbourne surgeon, who will preside at the convention.

With the roses to gladden, the eye, the St. Kilda Band to gratify the ear, and plenty of sunshine to comfort the whole body, the visitors to the Botanical Gardens yesterday afternoon were tuned to pleasure and the Christmastide feeling of good-will. The band played well. Mr E. Smith, the conductor, likes things to go all right, and ho must have been pleased with the way his men tackled the 'Der Freischutz' music, which was, perhaps, the most difficult item on the programme. The cornets, though one short, manfully sailed into it. The 'Crown Diamonds' os-erture brought up recollections of old days, and tho 'Hallelujah chorus' was given with accuracy and sonorousness, 'lliefo were tho outstanding features of a good programme, which included the quickstep selection ' Harlequin.' anthem. 'Sun of my Soul,' 'EI Duca D'Alba,' and marches 'Oriental' and 'The Traveller.' In thanking the Kaikorai Band for their excellent carol service vesterday afternoon, the Rev. W. Slade" said he hoped the occasion would be the forerunner of many such musical recitals. On behalf of the trustees of the Central Mission he offered the free use of the Octagon Hall to the band on any available Sunday afternoon for a benevolent object, such as a benefit in aid of a widow or orphans or a needy citizen, or to help one of their own band members. The hall was built, he said, for the people of Dunedin. It was designed—and he hoped it would not fail of its intention—to be the centre of all sorts of good things, whether pertaining to this .lite or to that which is to come, and music and charity were certainly of those good things. The average daily attendance at the Carnegie Public Library for the week ended Saturday was 482 persons. The following is the list of additions to the lending library for tho week :—Verdad (S.), 'Foreign Affairs for English Readers'; Macgregor (Mary), 'The Netherlands'; Hewitt (C. G.), 'House Flies, and How They Spread Disease'; Hullah (Annette), 'A Little History of Music'; Rose (.J. Holland), ' Pitt and Napoleon'; Low (A. Mamice), ' The American People,' vol. 2; Drennan (G. T.), 'Everblooming Roses'; Lawson (W. R,), ' Modem Wars and War Taxes '; Rogers (R. A. P.), ' A Short History of Ethics'; Fried (A. H.), The German Emperor and Peace of tho World' ; Jekyll (Gertrude), ' Flower Decoration in the House'; Der Ling (Princess), 'Two Years in the Forbidden Citv.'

A meeting of the Waterside Workers' Union will be held in the Trades Hall at 7.30 this evening. Coma and inspect the splendid assortment of new pictures and artistic goods at Chiaroni's gallery. Specially selected for Christmas presents.—[Advt.]

The sailors' Christian tea and gathering will be held in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening at 6 o'clock. Particulars are advertised.

Just opened, new photosfrapbie goods; best brands of plates, papers, mounts, etc., always in stock. At Gill's, Frederick street; t«L 1,144. Agent for Harrington, N.Z., Ltd.— [Advt.] The Union Assurance Company have sent us an artistic calendar.

Wilkinson and Son, chemists, for Xmas gifts. Perfumed greeting sachets, Is 6d; spravs. scents, smelling bottles, soaps.— [Advt.]

One bottle of Baxter's Lung Preserver will prove its worth. Try it. Is lOd large-size bottle, at chemists and stores, or post free from J. Baxter and Co., chemists, Christchurch.—[Advt.] A glass of Speight's beer at lunch and supper is better than all the tea in China. —[Advt.]

Mr Morris, photographer, Garden Studio, George street (near St. David street), exhibits some beautiful ladies' portraits in Bepia on left-hand side of the Zenith Studio vestibule, in Princes street. Appointments made in Zenith Studio, or telephone 2,279.—[Advt.] We assure you that your every requirement ■will be met out of our large and" choice stock. Simon Bros.. George street, near Octagon.— [Advt.] The Acms Photo Company, George street, are making quite a. new show of exquisitelyfinished photographs. Country visitors are delighted with their portraits. Tel. 965.-^-[Advt.]

Xmas, 1912.—F0r the convenience of their customers, the D.I.C. will close their warehouse at 1 p.m on Wednesday, the 13th, and remain open till 9 p.m. on Saturday, the 21st. This will be a splendid opportunity to do your Xrnas shopping in comfort. Santa Claus will welcome the little ones.—[Advt.]