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Evening Star, Issue 15537, 6 July 1914, Page 4

The Maitai, with an Australian mail on '•card, is expected to reach the Bluff from Hobart about 6 o'clock this evening. She is being delayed by fogs. Her mails will be brought to juunedin by the first express from the South to-morrow.

The average daily attendance at the Carnegie Public Library for the week ended Saturday was 738 persons.

Information was received at the National Headquarters of the Salvation Army, Wellington, on Thursday, from Toronto, to the effect that there were 176 Salvationists on the ill-fated Empress of Ireland, which foundered in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on 29th May. Of this number ISO perished. It was originally understood that the number who lost their lives was 109.

Very hard frost is being experienced in the Tuapeka district just now. Saturday night's frost was exceptionally severe. There is every probability, as the outcome of recent local agitation in the Tuapeka and neighboring districts for the acquirement and cutting up of freehold lands tor closer settlement, that the Government will be successful in their negotiations for a number of properties. It is reported (writes our correspondent) that a largesized estate in the Waitahuna district has been acquired by the government, and that one .#' two large, properties between Lawrence and Beaumont will also be acquired shortly. It is understood that the negotiations which were opened up by the Government with the owner of Gillamy Station iiave ended in failure, due to the high price at which the owner assesses his freehold. In the course of an address to the electors of Grey Lynn on Tuesday evening Mr Payne, M.P.. who fell foul of the Prime Minister on Friday night, said:—" I did promise Mr Massey that I would support him on a no-confidence motion." (Voices : "Oh!"') Mr Payne: " Xever mind 'oiling.' I had an interview with Mr Massey, and I asked him what he was going to do for Labor. He tcld me that Labor would be treated better than ever before. I went to Wellington, and T found that Mr Massey was not speaking the truth before I had been in the House a week—(great uproar) —and when I found that the Massey party were the same old Tory party, [ considered that J had a perfect right to withdraw my promise." (Interruption.) Mr Payne *aid he was not afraid of criticism, and he would give up his seat if 99 per cent, of Grey Lynn electors asked him to do so. All his life, he said, he had been building up a character for industry and integrity. This statement aroused some interruption, and Mr Payne became hoated. "I have sonic scoffers here tonight," he remarked. -; I can give you facts, but I cannot give you brains. 7 ' He then named a number of prominent business men who, he said, would speak favorably of his private character. Mr Payne said he had never been asked by the present Opposition party for his vote, and then proceeded to make numerous charges against the Government. From the Auckland ' J^fcrald's' report it appears that the speaker was subjected to a good many interjections, and there was much laughter. The voting on a motion of thanks and confidence and an amendment of thanks only appeared to be about even, and_ the chairman declared the motion carried.

"I have been greatly struck with the vast difference between Sydney and Melbourne," remarked Mr C. *J. Parr. Mayor of Auckland, to an interviewer. "In Sydney everything is in the ' go.' Progress, development, and growth are the order of tho day; while in Melbourne things are quieter, though very stable ami sound. In general terms, Sydney is a pleasure-loving city; Melbourne is staid and respectable. Sydney is wicked enough to have three Sunday newspapers, while Melbourne will not stand one. There is nothing for one to do in Melbourne on a Sunday but to go to church. Sunday finds all Sydney and his wife out of doo'rs, so mild and seductive is the climate. It would be out of place for me to express any opinion upon this comparative state of things, except to remark that while wholesome recreation is necessary, and, indeed, part of a good life, I don't know but that tho type of manhood evolved in the staid and sound cities will not, in the end, be the better onc. : '

_ Up till 2 this afternoon the only nominations for the positions on the Education Board rendered eligible by the statutory retirement of Messrs A. M'Kerrow (North Ward), J. Smith (South Ward), and the Hon. T. Fergus (Central Ward) were the renominations of these .gentlemen. Nominations close at 5 to-night."

As a result of the decision of the Minister of Public Works to send the inspecting engineer to inquire into the local unemployed question ajid provide employment on public works for such persons as the Labor Department recommends, the officials of the General Laborers' Union have asked us to statethat applications for employment should be made to Mr A. Montgomery or Mr S. Boreham at the Trades Hall.' It is expected that fully 200 men will sva.il themselves of the opportunity to get work, a great number of them being married ; but it is suggested that a day's notice should be given in order to allow the. men to make preparations. One hears in the streets now and again that John So-and-so is to be the Labor candidate for Dunedin South, or that Peter What-d'ye-call-him will get the Labor votes for Dunedin West, and so on. As a fact, all such statements are entirely unauthorised. There is a set procedure prescribed by rule, and we are informed officially, in answer to an inquiry, that the first step has not yet been taken by the Otago Labor Council. It will be 'taken on Thursday next week. That is the day on which the council meet to consider what seats are to be contested. After that is settled nominations will bo made in the_ form laid down, then follows the examination of the candidates, and, finally, the. authorisation of the men presumed to be the fittest to represent Labor in Parliament. Meanwhile there is nothing going on but whisperings.

Winter sports are beinsr actively pursued in Central Otago. Mr "R. S. Black has been advised that there is splendid ice at R>cugh Ridgo (Oturehua), Naseby, S:.. Batfians, and Cambrians. The Rough Ridge Club intend playing off for trophies to-morrow. It is expected that the bonspiel will be held at Nascby at the. end of this week. A new sport" that is finding much favor at Naseby is ski-ir.g. Captain Head, the _ well-known alpine climber and explorer; jV< conducting operations on behalf of the Government.

The jury in the Melbourne case of Frederic Shipman against Erne«t Romavno Simmons, for alleged slander, returned a verdict for the defendant (as we were advised by cable last week), and Mr Justice Hood entered judgment for Bimmons. Shipman, who was manager of the hito Madame Xordica's concert tour in Australasia, sued Simmons, pianist of the company, for £2OO as damages for alleged slander. The jury, answering a series of questions, found 'that Simmons had said at Highfield Hotel, Hobart, that Shipman had mismanaged the concert tour, but that he did not say that Shipman had misappropriated funds; that Simmons did not on board the Loongana speak, and publish of Shipman: "This is the finish'of Shipman; madame could put him in gaol for misappropriating her money." It was found also by the jury that the words "Shipman has misappropriated the funds (or money)" were true in substance and fact, so far as they alleged a wrongful misapplication of Madame Nordica's money, without any criminal intent; that Simmons did not. speak the words complained of at Highfield Hotel or on the Loongana maliciously or not honestly believing what he said to be true. After the announcement of the Court's decision Mr Shipman stated.that the had instructed his counsel to appeal to tlnj High Court for a new jLrial.

Mr Paulin telephoned at 2 this afternoon:—Strong N.E. to winds, and baitmeter falling; cold rain showers in 24 horns.

It is stated that a burglar entered a house at St. Kilda in the early hours of Saturday morning, and although disturbed in his work road© oft* with a post office savings bank box containing a few pounds. It appears that the wife of the occupant had occasion to go into the kitchen for a thermos flask containing some baby's food, and on opening the kitchen door she was not a little astonished to see the intruder, who did not wait to offer apologies, but made good his escape before pursuit could be given. He had effected an entrance through the kitchen window. It is understood that the'site-day week arrangment was introduced into the local hotels to-day. Mr E. Jacomb, a resident of the New Hebrides, interviewed at Auckland, considers the chief reason why the Now Hebrides should not bo handed over to the French is a moral one. Mr Jacomb has written a book to demonstrate the failure of the Anglo-French Condominium, which provides for the joint control of the islands. This failure, which is now generally admitted, opens alternative courses. The islands may be divided between the two Powers or they may be taken over by either Britain or France. Mr Jacomb urges that moral consideration forbids Britain abandoning them. The natives have suffered much at-the hands of the French. They are rapidly dwindling in numbers as it is, and Mr Jacomb considers that the withdrawal of the British would be their death warrant. It has been estimated by Dr Speiser, a Swiss ethnologist, that the natives of the New Hebrides have decreased in numbers from 650,000 to 65,000 in 30 years. Even if this figure is approximately correct, it indicates an appalling mortality, and the French attitude to indentured labor is so callous as to suggest that the rate would not bo decreased if Britain withdrew. The partition of the islands is considered by Mr Jaccmb to be impracticable. Their relative positions are such that to secure anytiling like a fair partition the group would have to be divided into three or more strips, and the British territory would be sandwiched between French territory, and vice v:?rsa. This is due in part to the fact that there are only two good harbors in the group, one of which would have to go to each Power, and these harbors arc'not far apart. A solution that appeals to Mr Jacomb is that Britain should purchase French rights by a cash payment.

Liquid Paraffin, "Three Star" brand., the purest for internal use. Wilkinson and Son, chemists; 3s large bottles. —[Advt.] Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt,] How easy with Camp Coffee, how delicious Hie result. Camp Coffee solves for ever the old breakfast (.able problem of a beverage swift to make, d-licious when made, cheering, stimulating, satisfying, handy to a degree.—[Advt,.]

Ensign T?oll Films, absolutely the finest, and best. These films guaranteed fresh; 25 per cent, off list p'tces. Obtainable at Gill's, 11 and 13 Frederick street.— [Advt.] If you wish the services of Mr Morris per< sonally, he now makes portraits at his horns or garden studio 554 George street; telephone 850. [\Advi.l The Key. V. ii. Bryan King acknowledge-, the receipt of the following; sums in response to his recent appeal:—Mrs S., £1 Is; ""Medjco," 10s. Anyone who likes good whisky will appreciate the fine mellow flavor of Watson's No. 10.—[Advt.l A most interesting lantern lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Frank Oldrievo tomorrow evening at St. Paul's Schoolroom. It will deal with 'Lepers,' and as Mr Oldrieve has had charge of a leper asylum in India he will have some first-hand information to give. Speight's ale and stout are acknowledged by the Dominion publio to be the beat on the market.—rAdvt.l The tier. Robert Wood will give a limelight lantern lecture in Chalmers Presbyterian Church to-morrow evening. His subiect will be ' How the Bible Came Down to Us.' No charge for admission.