FIRST EDITION. GORE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1895.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 19, 13 August 1895, Page 2

FIRST EDITION. GORE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1895.

NEWS AND NOTES. The public of Gore will have been considerably surprised to learn that none of tlie insurance insueance companies companies doing and fibb BEIGADEB. business here do anything in the way of subsidising the local Fire Brigade, and further than that, it was stated at the last meeting of the Borough Council that these companies do not wish to see the Brigade put in a too-efficient state, us this would have the tendency of reducing the premiums paid by insurers. In an important and growing municipality such as this, it does seem a trifle absurd that the Council's L 25 subsidy — whioh by the way is not a regular payment, but only a kind of donation paid annually or not all as the Council feels disposed— is virtually the only sourcs of revenue ef the Brigade for tbe maintenance and repair of its plant from year to year. Why, this amount is barely adequate to snpport a decent-sized syringe much less a full-grown Brigade and apparatus. It was pointed out upon the occasion above cited, that it was the duty of insurance companies not to prevent fires but to pay for them, and if these companies are willing to run the risk of having to pay large sums for fires, through the inefficiency of the Brigade, it is clearly nobody's concern but their own. Fire Brigades exist as much as anything for the benefit of insurance companies, and in almost every other town and borough v? 8 are acquainted with, they come down handsomely and every year donate a substantial sum toward the Brigade's finances ; and who shall say that these sums are not wisely expended P The sheep dog trial to be held under the auspices jof the Gore Sheep Dog Club at the racecourse tcsheep DOa tbial. morrow_ is the first competition of the kind told here, and, all things considered, promises to be a thoroughly successful gathering. Competitions of this description, if held regularly, can have only one effect— namely, that of raising the standard of oanine assistants to a very high degree of excellence. One thing, however, that might have a deterrant effect upon the number o£ entries received, is the amount of entrance fee .which, as at present fixed, amounts to 10 par cent, of the prize money. This, we are assured, will result in keeping back a large number of dog owners who would have otherwise entered their animals for the different trials. Thirty entries at 4) would mean precisely tbe same as fifteen at 8«, and there can be no question as to whioh would conduce more to the ultimate success of the Club as a popular institution, and one which should, under favorable conditions!; do a vast amount of good. However, it is too late in the day to efEeot any alteration*, however desirable, bat porgibly tie ex.

psrience of to-morrow will suggest some reduction in the entrance fee as beiDg desirable. Meantime, we cordially wish the infant Olub that measure of sucoess that is the righteous due of any organisation whose objects are akin and similar to those of the Gore Sheep Dog Club. A coebespokdent signing himself J.G. draws attention to the large amount of juvenile depravity and prejuvenile oosity visible in the streets depbavity. of this town, laying most of blame at the doors of the State. Though wo are compelled to admit the truth of his assertion that larrikinism is largely on the increase, we must differ from him as to its causes.. In this matter nobody is so much to blame as the parents. With the most puritanical laws imaginable, we could not expect to see our young men growing up to be decent and desirable members of sooiety if home influences — the most powerful factors for good upon the lives of all of vs — were not exerted. Parents nowadays appear to take a much too philosophic view bi the responsibilities imposed upon them in the care of their ohiWrep, hence we find tbat juvenile crime of all descriptions flourishes and grows apace like a foul and noiseome weed which threatens one day to choke out all that is morally beautiful in colonial society. The criminal records of the past few years in New Zealand tell a tale in too solemn a tone to permit of any mistaking, and until parents arouse themselves to the sense of the grave respoDsibilityi they owe to themselves as parent.*, and to the community generally as custodians of the rising generation, it is the veriest folly to expect that legislation, however wise, will avail in this grave question one jot or tittle. Whateveb can be- said regarding the diabolical cruelty of this woman in extinguishing the vital spark THE end or of infant lives, moral mbs dban. cowardice can never be inoluded in tbe sum total of her failings, and never perhaps' in the awful history ef antipodean execution has a criminal met his or her doom with more fortitude and courage- _ As at the time of pronunciation of the dread sentence at the Snpreme Court, so at its fulfilment 'yesterday, was the central figure the most outwardly calm and self-possessed of all those present. The execution of Mrs Dean marks the occasion upon which a woman has suffered the extreme penalty of the law in New Zealand for the first time, and we can only express the hope tbe instance will be a solitary one. By this we do not infer that women should be regarded in the eyes of the law in a different light to men, but with the knowledge of their gentler instincts and more lofty aspirations and ideals we trust that New Zealand may never again harbor such a murderess.