Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1914, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Delivered every morning in Greymontb. Kumara, Hokitika, P^son. Walliend, Taylor, Tille, Brnnnertou, StLlw iter. Ngahere, Blupkball, Nelson Creak, Ahaara, Ikainatua, Waiuta, Beefton, Cronodun, Bunauga, Dunollie, Cobden, Baxtei's, Kokiri, Patara, Kaimata, Aratika, Kutuku, Moana, Bura, Te Kinga, Botomanu* Foecaa, I bonnte, Jaoksons and Otn a>

FRIDAY, JULY 3rd, 1914

Visitors to the House of Commons familiar with its li.'.s'fc-iry look with i«v.e on the figure in wig and gown seated in the big carved-oak chair. He is the embodiment of its traditions, the symbol of its power.' Even the most sluggish imaginations may be stirred by an appeal to the Chair or' the Mace. Part of the history of bygone centuries, they continue in our own changed day to play their ancient *o\n aud vxtTeise their undiminished authority. Muny alterations have been. made in tho riles of procedure during the last thif+v years, and the duties and responsibilities of the Speaker have increased. Even the Parliament Act adds to them. "Like some Prometheus fastened to a

rock" he occupies his throne for, many hours at a stretch, but even if he feels weary there is little danger o£ his falling asleep. Consulted by the Clerks, interviewed by members and whips and Ministers, regulating business, acting as censor on questions," deciding points of order, keeping watch on debate — how with these and other functions could he nowadays fall into the slumber enjoyed, by -the predecessor of whom Winthrop Mackworth Praid, the satirist, wrote: "Sleep, Mr. Speaker— it's surely fair." If you don't in your bed, that you should in your chair." On the other hand, there is less excuse now for him to nod. During the greater part of the session the closing hour rule enables him to get to bed by midnight. Many of the occupants of thy British Press Gallery have sat over four Speakers — Mr. Brand, who had to deal at first with Nationalist obstruction without the aid of closure rules arid who on his own authority terminated a debate which lasted from a Monday afternoon till a Wednesday morning; Mr. Peel, a man of stately presence and severe dignity, with dark, grave face, and impressive voice; Mr| Gully, who ruled with "the literalism of the lawyer," and impaired his authority by calling in the police to carry out suspended Irishmen; and jiow Mr. Lowther, Who has occupied the Chair si nee 'l9os, and hus ruled accocding to the spirit as well as the letter of Parliamentary law. Mr. '-Peel has left the most vivid impression. There have been few more dramatic moments in the House than when the son of the great Sir Robert first stood on the steps of the Chair and when members were

thrilled by the majestic figure and voice which* held them ever after in domination. On two occasions only in the nineteenth century was opposition offered to the Government nominee for the Chair when it fell vacant by resignation. One of these was in .May, 1895, when the' days of Lord TEtoseberry's unhappy administration were numbered and a successor had to be

appointed to Mr. Peel. Mr. Balfour supporting the Opposition candidate said in a manner that caused some offence that he had not the honour even of knowing the Liberal nominee Mr. Gully. It fell to him, however, a few weeks later, when he himself had become Leader of the House, to congratulate that gentleman on re-election. The Unionists, having failed to carry their own candidate at the vacancy, acquiesced in, and maintained the selection which was made. Thus was marked homage paid to the tradition that the Speaker is not the choice of a Party, or even of a majority, but of the whole House; and that; once he has been elevated to the Chair, he is re-elected as such without respect to the political opinions he may have advocated before he donned the wig and gown of Speakership. Humour is among the v qualities which contribute to the success of the present Speaker in the House of Commons. The authority of the Chair was never higher than it is under his rule in these troubled times. A Conservative, an aristocrat, a landowner, his personal feelings may be disturbed by what he hears from the Government side of the House, but his fairness is unquestioned. A shrewd, practical, calm-minded man, he is slow to intervene, and slower still to resort to disciplinary measures. He appeals to the • fair-play of the House, and sometimes even by a timely appeal to its sense of humour he restores good feeling.

The monthly meeting of the Grey District Permanent Building and Investment Society will be held this (Friday) evening at 8 o 'clock. -

Dr. W. E. Thomas, of Auckland, intends to form a ladies' choir of 200 voices, to be worked on the lines of the Auckland Liedertafel.

The Railway Department advertise that the evening train for Greymouthj on Saturday will leave Reef ton at 5 p.m. in connection witti the West CoastInangahua, football match.

• The funeral of the late William Donnellan, of Nelson Creek, will leave Sheedy's Brian Boru Hotel this (Friday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, for St. Patrick's Church and thence to the Greymouth Cemetery.

Mr. C. Montgomerie, at present assistant clerk in the Magistrate 's Court, Thames, is under transfer as clerk in charge, Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Ahaura, and proceeds there at the close of the current week.

Watson's No. jo. engenders a fine spirit of geniality. — Advt.

Men's Denim Trousers, best quality, flannel waist ban4s reduced to 4s lid pair at W. McKay and Son and Thomas and Mcßeath, Mawhera Quay. — Advt,

Watson's No. 10. mellowed by. age.-— A.dvt. On the premises, Mackay Street, this afternoon, Harley and Co., Ltd., will sell by auction in the bankrupt estate of H.L. Ppdds, confectioner, a quantity of stock, also plant and machinery - . ; *m& We .still have a fefr lots of sheet music for the Piano and Violin. Usual 2s music now 6d. Music Albums, usual price is 3d, now 6d. Your inspection i s invited at B. Dixori's, Tainui Street.- — Advt. „...,'/

The caretaker of the Titirangi Eeserve' has been instructed to .collect some cabbage tree and nikau palm seeds for transmission to India. This is an outcome of correspondence which has passed between the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India and the Auckland City Council, with a view to exchanging seeds of various ornamental trees.

In the y,ery neat future Christchiirch is to have three new picture theatres (says a local paper). Two have been already announced, one in Cathedralsquare at the Chancery-lane corner, and one in Cloucester-street, adjoining the Dominion Hotel. The third is to be erected in Cashel-street, on the site where Claridge 's stables now stand. The promoters of this third enterprise are a Wellington syndicate.

A well-known New Zealand shearer, Mr. D. Darrell, in a letter relating to the conditions in the* Argentine says':

— ' ' The shearing in the Argentine commences about September, but it is no place for a white man to shear, or, indeed, to do any other kind of manual labour; the half-breeds that do the shearing here receive what would be in English money about a penny halfpenny per head, just about half 'what we would get in Australia. The conditions of living,. too, are very rough."

. One of the passengers by the Riverina when the steamer left Auckland for Sydney a^fortnight ago was a 14 year-old boy, who is alleged to have

run away from his home in Ponsonby.. Tne lad (the Herald adds) soon found' himself in a parlous condition in the New South Wales capital, and his experience included sleeping out in the parks and domains of that city.' Evidently tiring of his self-imposed hardships the boy joined the Rivvrina On her return trip, but this time, as a stowaway. When the vessel arrived at Auckland last Sunday night he was handed over to the police by the captain. -

The Mayor, of Danneyirke (Mr.E. A. Ransom) and Mr. ,T. M. Wilford,. -M.P., have something in common (says the News). In introducing the latter to the audience at the Town Hall on Monday night, Mr. Eansom mentioned that they had both been born near the place known as the Black Bridge, Lower Hutt; .they had played marbles together; had gone so far as to inspect neighbouring .orchards.,' together — there were not so many Government inspectors then; they had played football in the same team, with Mr. Wilford as captain; and Mr. Wilford had been elected to the proud position of Maj r or of Wellington in the same year as the speaker had been elected Mayor of Dannevirke.

The Supreme Court, Greymouth, was occupied yestreday in hearing a case in which an infringement of patent rights was alleged. His Honour Mr. Justice Sim presided, and with him an assessor, Mr. J. E. L. Cull, B.Sc, of the Public Works Department, Wellington. The contending parties- were Messrs Chas. Uddstrom (Greymouth) plaintiff, and Mr. George Davidson (Hokitika), defendant Messrs M. Hannan and F. D. Sargent appeared on behalf of plaintiff, and Messrs James Park and P. A. Kitchingham for the defendant. This case, commenced in the Supreme Court^ Greymouth, in February of last year, before His Honour Mr. Justice Denniston, and adjourned to enable the appointment of an assessor, concerns the patents rights of a sprocket and chain, for which the plaintiff alleges he holds patent, rights granted on Qctober 15th, 1907. The defendant claims to be the prior user and to hold a prior grant and right to that of plaintiff. Models of the sprockets and chains were before the Court, counsel for plaintiff alleging an infringement of the combination spocket and chain. He pointed out the difference, principally in regard to the sprockets, in which it was claimed that plaintiff's was fitted with "guard teeth, ", carried a greater strain and was less liable to breakage artd slipping of chain on going round curves in sawmill and other work. He submitted the onus rested with defendant to show that he held a prior patent to that held by plaintiff. Mr. Park pointed out that the . infringement, as alleged, was not in regard to "the spoc- ' ket, but concerned the chain. His Honour ruled that the onus rested with plaintiff to show that there had been\ an infringement. Witnesses were then called in support of plaintiff ?s case, the evidence being of a technical nature. The decision was reserved.