Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY MAY 19, 1906. MARRIAGE LAWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 May 1906, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY MAY 19, 1906. MARRIAGE LAWS.

Oi.n iti*as tala- imuh killing, even afire it has brni dcmonslrated to all n , as<ilia!>!<_• am! <>jn u mimls that those iii.-v ,<iv v,]' , iir.r lii regard 1" •..•nr mama.:;!' laws this i partinilarly im tieeahie, lor lilt,* best nf reasons close marriages—it! rst, between two close bhmil relations—arc illegal, but thero are other marriages legal, ami perfectly inst ami correct in the colonies, !hat aiv not recognised in llritain, ami lienee very frequently unpleasant contingencies occur. In order to obviate this, the Government at the opening of (he present session of the British Parliament promised a measure for legalising in the United Kingdom certain colonial marriages and a Commitle has been formed to support the Government in carrying out this pledge and securing a unanimous vote in

both chambers of the Legislature. I leafing with this proposal, the Church Times says: —“As long us theft l are such persons as Lord Spiritual, we .should have thought itnaitiinilv would he impossible. Certainly the Bishop of Salisbury has spoken in a clear-headed way against this at(enipt to lower our laws to (lie level of Colonial laxity. For ii will be impossible to retain a statutory prohibition of certain unions for native-born Englishmen, while recognising them for persons of colonial origin domiciled in this island. Two families may be living in the same village or street, one of which is tinder it legal stigma of illegitimacy, while in the other hereditary honors and entailed propertv arc freely transmitted. This would be intolerable. No doubt persons who have contracted in the colonies unions which the Church forbids, hut which the civil laws of the colonies allow—and the permitted unions are not confined to those with a wife’s sister—feel a grievance that those marriages do not in the United Kingdom carry rights of inheritance. But the colonies cannot have it both ways. If they assert an unchecked independence of making laws for themselves, they have no right to claim that those

aws shall react upon and modify the

laws of the Old Country. It is of profound importance for the future of the Anglo-Saxon race that the higher standard of civilisation should bo resolutely maintained by the Mother Land. But wo do not doubt that the cheap cry and easy view will prevail, and the measure be carried by an enormous majority.” There is a marvellous weakness in the contentions of our contemporary that can only be accounted for by the absence of sound argument. When mention is made of “lowering Britain to the_ level of Colonial laxity” an insult is offered to countries which have shown in times of trouble more loyalty than the British people themselves, and J o people whose morals compare more than favorably with those of the British. Why is it inn-ally wroivr to marry a deceased wife’s sister? No blood relationship exists, and a sister-in-law is likely to be a better step-mother to the children of a dead sister than to those of, a stranger. We are told that “the'cheap cry and easy view will prevail.” What does our c a temporary mean by such words? Is is hot the gibe of affected scorn that is exnsotod to do duty foj want of als aiuiumt’? 'l’t fs of profound rmnovb MIW M fe future .of the AMtatai 9ft ?6SS \rn higues itßpauf ?|j

civilisatioiivshould be resolutely maintained by the Mother Land,” says the Church Times. What higher standard of civilisation or morality does our contemporary mean? The Church Times holds to the things’of a hundred years ago. Is it the civilisation and morality of Britain then ? Such civilisation and morality, wo gladly declare, does not exist in the colonies. In opposing the abolition of an old and bad law the Church Times has spoken foolishly. A GAMBLER’S DONATION. Gamclees are, by a certain class of people, deemed bad men and women, devoid of sentiment and humane feeling, Wo may not defend the occupation of the professional gambler, but apart from their calling, they are in many respects big-hearted and generous to a degree. They are, as a rule, loyal to each other. A cable message in yesterday’s paper, though some will express horror at its trend, will not cause much surprise to those who look at things as they are, rather than as they would like them to be. The immaculate man lias not yet been found,

and gamblers certainly make no proleu tions of infallibility. The message wo refer to runs ns follows: —“New York, May 17.—Daly, a noted Broadway gambler, who recently died, left £IOO.OOO to relieve aged ‘crooks.’ ” The last word “crooks’’ is a term ap-

died to the gambling element, to perlaps the lame ducks of society; verj ,ften made so through force of cir

<nimst ances. Wo all know how difficult it is to “reform” when once the game is fairly commenced. Many of those “crooks” are generous men,

many suffer a great deal, and they i-areiv tell the world their sufferings,

The late. Mr Daley, doubtless, was very well aware of their failings, Iheir disappointmont.s and their difficulties and distress. Being aware, he has devised a means of giving them aid. Many will ask, why did he not leave (]u> £IOO,OOO to some deserving charity, some noble institution? Wo can-

not answer that question. Possibly he has left other sums to such causes. Many gamblers before him have done SO. hut none, so fur as we are aware, has ever left: money for “sinners” of his own class. The highest authorities tell us that ’tis noble to assist humanity in distress. In times of trouble the Samaratan does not stop to ask whether the unfortunate person’s previous life had been blameless. ’Tis enough for him that he is in distress and want; ho comes to his aid. Who will therefore say that the late gambler did wrong in donating a fund to aid “crooks” in the hour of trial and distress ? We at all events would not dare say so. Wo only trust that much suffering will be relieved, much distress obviated by the fund thus created. If so, good will follow.

TRIBUTE TO LABOR UNIONS. A Tun'Llxu cablegram from America which appeared in our Thursday’s issue 1 may possibly have escaped notice further than a mere cursory perusal. Yet the "little item” deserves special notice and recognition; Owing to the San Francisco disaster, and the feverish anxiety to re-build with as little delay as possible, all building material is in great demand. As a result all such articles have had a smart advance in price. Holders were not above profiling by the opportunity, though that opportunity was brought about through misfortune and distress to a large number of people. Many will 'affirm that the advance was perfectly legitimate ; that holders of such stock were right in striving to turn the state of the market to their advantage. IVe do not intend expressing any opinion upon tho matter. But wo would remark that owing to the same cause a great deal of extra skilled and tinskilled labor was also required. The Labor Unions of America speedily realised this fact, bn! they did not seek to take advantage of the extraordinary position by advancing the rate of wages. On the contrary, they seemed to realise that it would be unfair to profit by such a national disaster. They accordingly held meetings and decided tli,-it Ihr v would neither seek advanced wages, nor would they support those endeavoring to do so while the urgency existed. What a comparison to b\ sun l between labor and capital. Tie former declines In seek for benefit at the expense of the unfortunate; the latter -have no such scruples. Undoubtedly Labor has scored heavily, and deserves recognition. Many will say : “Well done. United States Labor Unions!” ll is announced by the Commissioner of Taxes that returns of income must bo sent iu to the Department not later than dune Ist The Hokitika Borough Council has re ceivcd from the Defence Department as trophies of the Boer war, twelve Mauser ami three Murlini-Honri rilies. We draw contractors’ attention to the alteration in the Arthur’s Pass Tunnel Contract. The length of the tunnel should read about live miles 25 chains. See alteration in another column. In the colony during April 3246 persons were employed on co operative works. Of these under the Department of Roads, 117 were employed m Westland district, and under the Public Works Department log ou the Hokitika-Ross railway. In future, racing and other boats for use in contests at regattas will be conveyed on the Government railways free both ways, providede they are accompanied by their crews. .Messrs F. R. Flatman (Geralrline) ami A. Kidd (Auckland) wiio acted as Gj \eminent "whip” during (he last session of Parliament, have been again offered the positions, and have accepted another term. At the. mart, .Man kay Street, on Monday, at 11 60 a.in.. Messrs G. W .Moss ami Co will sell by public auction six upstanding saddle and harness horses, one mare with foal at foot, and set of harness. in St. John’s Presbyterian Clnireh tomorrow, the morning service will be taken by the Rev. R. Stewart, and the evening service by Mr A. Reese. Mr

■esc, who has occupied the pulpit or. former occasions, is a most acceptable preacher. All are cordially invited.— Advt. The Grcymouth Harbour Board intend to exhibit at (lie International Exhibition at Christchurch samples of the cores oh lainod from the Dobson bore holes. A large map will also he prepared, showing the different strains gone through and their thickness, while explanatory notes of ( V methods employed, etc., will he attached. Anyone in search of a really first class home in the best residential part of the town should call upon Messrs H. C. Harley ami Go., as they have for sale Mr Coleman’s residence, High street, six moms, and every modern convenience. The property is freehold. The section adjoining the above property is also for sale. The anniversary services in connection with the Taylorville Wesleyan Church will he held to-morrow (Sunday) ami Monday evening in the Brunner Church. The choir and the Sunday School have been rehearsing for some considerable lime, and under the leadership of Mr .Watchman will give an excellent and 1 varied musical programme. I _ A good story is going the rounds. On : Thursday last. Mr Blight visited the Grey- j month State School, and lectured the ]

bins on the desirability of good behavin',1 * At the conclusion, the head master asked all who intended to bo “good” in the future to stand up. All did so, with the exception of a little boy, ten years of ago, who, when interrogated on the matter, replied. “Well, I can be good without standing up." Complaints reach ns of pocket-picking that has occurred on Victoria Park during the progress of football and hockey matches. Jn one instance, while a match was in progress, a player had a halfsovereign abstracted from his pocket. In another instance, a player on counting his money after a match found 3/6 missing. A more despicable, mean and contemptible offence than tins could not bo perpetrated, and it is to be hoped the culprits will be brought to book. The usual Friday meeting of the Trinity Institute was held last evening. A large number of new members were elected. The meeting decided to take Thackeray’s “Henry Esmond” us the book for the reading chib, and the first reading will be taken on Monday next. Next Friday the members will entertain their friends with an “evening at home.” At the request of the Patron, the meeting then adjourned to allow the members to bo present at Mr Bligh’s meeting at the Opera House. Mr F. W. Batchelor, the well-known I amateur boxer, return to town from Ash- j burton on Thursday, where he competed j in the contest conducted by the South j Canterbury Boxing Association. In the heavy weight Mr Batchelor (12st 121 b) Imet R. G. Bains, of Christchurch (13st). I The latter is exceedingly tall, and Batchelor short and thick set. The result of | the bout was much clinching, and Bat- j chelor found difficulty in landing on his ! opponent, Rains getting in the best I punching. In the third round, after a , clinch, Batchelor struck in k breakaway, i and the tot was awarded, on a fouls to Sato* This decision enipd dlWWOval frojl* 11 f*m«B Ss sl>J StuliS-SEBi

The inward ’Prised mail leaves Web Imgton to-night by the Arahura, and is due here on Monday morning. I Wrs .Annie Shcrmcn lias boon appointcu registered licensed midwife','• wreordiug to the Act. Her address is Molan’s Lane.. ■*- articmars may be : obtained from®our 1 advertising columns.

The Sodden U.A.O.D. Druids’ ball held last evening proved a great success, about fifty couples being present. Representatives were present from nearly all the lodges on the Coast, and the fancy dresses were very numerous and pretty/ The following will represent the Banks m their hockey match against the io st Office on Tuesday, at four o’clock sharp: Lmdop, __ Garth, Harper, Kempthorne, Hugo, Kenny, West, McLean, Petrie, Kerens and Bundle. Captain Edwin wired to-day to expect strong winds to gale from between northeast and north and west; glass rise, but Jail after twelve hours from now; tides nigh, sea heavy, rain probably heavy: rivers m heavy fresh. Encouraged, no doubt, by the discovery of oil in New Plymouth, and the favourable reports coming to hand regarding the prospecting operations at Kotulcu, a numtei of applications for oil prospecting iiCourt laV ° bCOU filcd 1,1 the Warden’s

An opportunity hj given to acquire a dwelling in Ulaketown on exceptionally easy terms. Mark Sprot and Co. advertise cash and 10s weekly will acquire a dwelling in this suburb. The auctioneers will he pleased to give full information and show the property to intending purchasers. _ Elsewhere .Mark Sprot and Co. advertise an hotel for sale in a colliery township on the West Coast at a price of £doo. Full particulars will be given to bona fide enquirers on application to the auctionoers.

The very large attendance of the members of tlie local Lodge of the M.U.1.0. O.F. bears striking testimony to the interest now being taken in Friendly Society business. The question of thelodge room in the new Town Hall was discussed, and a committee set up to ’enquire with the assistance of the Druids’ Committee the cost of furniture, etc., required, and the earliest date that the lodge can take the room over. A large number of the now members attended the lecture and took the first degree. Three new members wore elected. A petition praying the Mines Department to supply a small quartz battery plant lor the Ross district is now under singature. It is felt to be a very important matter to be able to properly assay the various sample’s of quartz lodes as they arrive from time to time from the Mt. Greenland extensive system of reefs, besides many others in and around Ross. Indeed, some go so far as to believe that had a similar convenience been provided years ago, the value or otherwise of the promised gold-bearing reefs would ere this have been definitely determined.’