North Otago Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 2. 1885.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3970, 2 June 1885, Page 2

North Otago Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 2. 1885.

If our readers are not fairly well posted as to government insurance affairs, the fault is not ours. At any rate since the Government Insurance Association Act came into operation in January last we have tepeatedly described the character of the act itself, and the transactions of tbe central board at Wellington. Those transactians have not been of & kind to inspire policy-holders with confidence in the statute under which they have taken place. To spend some LBO.OOO in unneeded buildings and building sites at tbe outset of its career may be, for a board presided over by the Colonial, Treasuter, good policy from a political point of view, but it; surely cannot be so from the point of view of the business interests of the policyholders. Neither, though it seems to place the business of the department more and more under the control of the policy - holder/8,

should we- think that it can be sound economy to establish local boards, with paid chairmen nominated by the government, in such towns as Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. This appears to be the view of the policyholders themselves at Wellington and at Invercargill. At Invercargill on tbe 25th of last month a number of policyholders formally resolved — "That in their opinion the proposal of the central board to create local boards in Auckland, Cnristchuvcb, and Dnnedin waa premature ; and, further, that before local boards were established a vote of the policy-holders should be taken on the subject." Everything considered that was a reasonable resolution to adopt. Two evenings later, at the first annual meeting of the central board in Wellington, at which some 200 policy-holders were present, a similar course was resolved upon, on the motion of Mr G-. Beetham, M. H.R. What Mr Beetham moved was tbat no loc*l boards should be appointed j and it was further resolved 8 a a result of his motioD, tbat, with tbe view of allowing policy-holders in other parts of the colony to express their opinions, a poll should be taken at an adjourned meeting of the central board to be held that day month. What do the policyholders of this part of the colony think of these matters? Do they not think it would show an intelligeut regard for their own- interests if they were to hold a meeting too for the purpose of giving formal expression to what they think on the subject of local boards 1 Or do they prefer to stand indifferently by, careless, in so far as action goes, whether the question is decided rightly or wrongly by other places 1 It appears to us that a meeting should be held here, but if local policy-holders are apathetic as a body, or if rone amongst them are sufficiently energetic to take the initiative, there is, of course, an end of the matter. Perhaps, however, we shall yet bear of a meeting being called in good time to discuss tbe question.

Some estimable persons who either do not know or do not care for the facts of the matter are in the habit of ranking us as ou v >\ nd out supporters of the government which was Major Atkinson's. ..That we praised what, according to the best we know about government, was praiseworthy in Major Atkinson's adininiatratioD, we frankly admit. So far as we know ourselves and practices, that is our use and wont with regard to all governments and all public men and things. At the same we deny, and there is the evidence of our columns to support us, that our attitude towards Major Atkinson's government was anything but tbat of fair appraisers and firm critics. And we do not say this with a view to make appear other than it was our attitude towards a party now in the shade : we make the statement as a matter of loyalty to fact Our readers know the story of the Irish man who, on landing in New York, asked if there were a government there, and instantly exclaimed, " Because if there is, begorra I'm agin it.' With some qualifications we might take the anecdote to ourselves as describing our attitude towaids our New Zealand governments generally. We want foi the people of the colony nothing less than the best government possible according to the first principles of the science of government ; and that being the case, while we will condemn no men or movements except on princ : ple, we are necessarily constrained to criticise more or less unfavorably a good deal that is proposed and done by every government we have in the colony.

We certainly criticised in this way a good deal that was proposed and done by Major Atkioson's government. Major Atkinson's own inclinations and ruses as a protectionist — as a politician unenlightened and unpatriotic enough to aim, by means of protection, at the injury of the many for the benefit of the few — were, for example, consistently held up by us to public obloquy. An instance of this " old Adam " in his political character was given by Major Atkinson in the speech which be delivered at Hewera the other day. The instance also illustrated the inaccuracy, or the exaggeration, which protectionists appear to fall into with peculiMr aptitude. "He was not," said Major Atkinson — how curiously unanimous all protectionists are in regard to this matter, — " going to enter into the question of freetrade versus protection, but he said this — If tomorrow they were to remove the whole of the customs duties, supposing the colony could afford to do without the revenue, one-half the population would, of necessity, leave the colony. What tbat argument might be worth was a matter for people to consider; but it was as certain as possible that, if the protective duties of 15 and 25 per cent were to be removed, it meant tho closing up of the industries of the colony. That was a matter that needed consideration, and he was certain that tbe local industries question was one of the greatest problems that v as to come up for their consideration." Now, may we ask our readers to consider what Major Atkinson says about one-half of the population of necessity leaving the colony — may we a&k them to consider that in connection with these figures ? In 1884 the total population of the colony was 540,877, classed thus : Agricultural, 323,938 ; ruHnufacturing, 11,446 ; other occupa* tions, 150,827; not enumerated, 54,666 — total, 540,877. How do these figures tally with Major Atkinson's extravagant statement, or rather, how does his statement tally with these figures 1 What the figures themselves teach we shall not at present dwdl upon, but leave our readers in the meantime to ponder over the ingenious statements of protectionists and over the saintly holiness of protection itself, as suggested by the advocacy of special taxation to keep 11,000 people going at the expense of 530,000 of their fellow mortalp.

The poll for the election of two borough auditors yesterday, resulted in the return of Messrs Ferens and Church,

On Sunday evening a fire occurred at Weston, by which a cottag* close to the Railway hotel, and used as a store room, w*s destroyed. Nothing could be done to cheok the flames, and the bnilding, with what it contained, was totally consum«d»

The sitting of the District Court has been further adjourned until to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, at 11 o'clock,

We have been requested to mention that the fire brigade had nothing to do with the smashing of the windows and doors in the efforts made to save Mr Greenfield's furniture at the fire on Sunday night.

The ship Dunedin is expected to leave for London on Tuesday next. She has taken on boari nearly the whole of her cargo of mutton, and when she gets her coal on board will ba in nloo trim for the homeward run.

The Victorian government (says a Wellington telegram of yesterday) have asked the government of New Zealand to reduce the charge on cables along the *• ew Zetland land lines to 6d per ten words, but the Cjoimisßioner of Telegraphs has declined to accede to tho request.

A Wellington telegram says that Maj ir Csutley will hand ove- the charge of the defence works to Major Bod ham on the 10th, and will shortly afterwards prooeed home. Colonel WMtmore will Ball South on defence business this afternoon. In oonae. quence of the pacific natn r e of the cables from home in connection with the RnssoAfghaa difficulty, expenditure on defences will be largely reduced.

An inquest will be held at the Globe hotel this morning, at 10 o'clock, on the body of a child named Henry Davey Cormack, aged two years and nine months, who died gulden y on Sunday afternoon, at the residence of his father, Alexander Cormack, in Eden street. The particulars of the case are that the deceased was Buffering from a cold, and his sister went to Mr Haynea' chemist's shop for a b ittle of cough mixture. About three o'clock she gave deceased a teaspoonful, »s direoted, and he seamed to be getting on all right, but three-quarters of an hoar later he asked for a drink of milk and water, which w» given him. Immediately after swall .wlng it he began to tremble, and expired a few minutes later. Dr Fleming was called in, but the child died some time before he reached the house.

A good day's work was got through at the port yesterday. The Mahinapua, Penpuin, and Tekapn were being loaded f»r various po-ts with cargo, the tonnage *b ( .pped being close upon 1000 tons. This was accomplished satisfactorily, and the vessels despatched at the advertised times. In addition to taking 700 cons of cargo the Tekapo shipped 50 horses, and notwithstanding t^at the shipment of live stock interferes largely wi.h rapid despatch, everything was in its place by about 6 p.m. This was mainly due to the excellent facilities provided by the steamer for taking in cargo, but something must also be said for tbe management. The despatching of the three steamers with co muoh celority is also satisfactory evidence of the faci'itles provided for the loading of vessels at the port.

St. James's Hall was crowded last evening on the occasion of the umal weekly meeting of the B!ue Ribbon Army. The president was in the chair, and spoke on the importance of those who were leaders of religious thought being decided, and unmistakably pronounced on the question of total abstinence. He instanced as a deplorable case where a minister of the Gospel had been the cause of one breaking his pledge who had sig' ed at one of the army's meetings (crios of shame). The chairman said it was a shameful fact. Mr K. Evan's was the next speaker, and related an instance of a man coming into town last week with LI 3 in his pocket ; of ataying at one of the hotels, getting drnnk, and losing the lot in one night. Mr T. M. Cunninghams was the next called upon, and he expressed himself as being highly pleased at seeing so good an attendance after fuoh crowded gatherings as greeted Air R, T. Booth, and trusted that many members of the army would take new hie from the vsit of that gentleman, and push on the war to the gates. Major Evans on being called upon, stated that he felt out; of place when speaking after such great guns as had addressed the people of Oamaru during the past week The Major was racy and humorous, and kept the audience in a continued state of merriment. The secretary announced that during the past two months 284 adult pledges had been added to the register.

The following will b* read with interest by a number of persons in this district. The Mr Oliver referred to in the following was at one time settled in the Marawhenua dittrict ; and many will regret to hear of his death, which occurred at Tungamah, in Victoria, caused by a till from a horse,

<he local paper says — '• Mr L. Oliver, of Waggarandall, who received such severe injuries from a fall from his horee, when returning from diTine service a f«w Sundays ago, died on Wednesday, the 6th May Dr Nicholson did everything possible for the unfortunate man, but held out no hopes from his first visit. Mr Oliver was a native of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, and was only 39 years of ag« at the time of hit death. On Thursday a large number of friend 3 assemble 1 and followed tbe remains to their last resting place, the Deveniah cemetery. It is eßtima'ed that fully 250 people were present when the fuueial rites were read. The Ber. W. Souter was in attendance, and gave a most impressive and instructive addreap, which went to the hearts of the mourners. The deceased was well known all through the district sn'l highly respected for his unimpeaohablo character. The greatest sympathy has been shown for the berenved widow and orphans, and the neighbors have already ploughed about 50 aorei of land. It is intended that this shall be Biwn and harrowed gratis. Too much credit cannot be given to those who showed such practical Christianity in a time of severe troab'e. Mr E-. Harris wai the kind originaMr of the movement, The deceased leaves a widow and four young children to mourn their loss."

A eervioe of music was given last night in the Cave Valley schoolhouse by a number of the members of St. Paul's church chiir, the proceeds from which will be devoted to the Sabbath school library fund. Tho schoolroom was filled. The Rev. Mr Will occupied the chair. The musical portion of the programme consisted of anthems, glees, etc. Between the first and second parts, the Rev Mr Steven, of Papakaio, piesentad Mr Robert Jackson, superintendent of the Sabbath school, with a handsome marble timepiece. Mr Steven said he hoped the clock would prove a " grandfather's clock," and be handci down to children's children. Mr Jackson had been for a large number of years among them, laboring in the Sabbath school, and he was pleased that the parents in the district had Bbown their appreciation of Mr Jackson's services in such a substantial manner, and he h->t>ed he would live long to eD j >y the same. Mr Jackson thanked the people of the district for their handsome praaent, an 4 remarked that he looked upon the Skbbath Bchool as tbe nursery for the church. He had been engaged ia Sabbath schools for over twenty yeans. The Cave Valley school was begun with 10 scholars, and now there were over 100 He ag4in thanked them for the expression of their appreciation of his humble effo'ts for the good of the children. He had not leaked for a reward for these services. He recogniied that every Christian should b' a worker, that there should be no idle Christians. He remarked that presentations were usually made to persona leaving, but in hi* case it was not so. for he had no intention of leaving the di trict, but hoped to be amongst them for many years yet. The clock bore the following insorip ion ; " Presented to Mr Robert Jackdon by a few friends for services rendered in connection with the (ava Valley school." The Key Mr Will said he was glad to have such men as Mr Jackson and Mr Rnssell in the district, who were invaluable to him for the advice and assistance given at all times. The various pieces renderci by the choir were well received by the audience, each uumber being heartily applauded. Solos were given by MJBaes Spedding and Hewat and Mr Frew. A humorous Scotch reading was given by Mr Birr ell. Mr Kemshed acr compsnitd the singers, the piano being lent by Mr W. F. Johnson. There being a debt in connection with tho Sabbath school of L 5 a collection was made the result being, that L 3 was subscribed. The customary voteß of thanks were passed, and the proceedings terminated.

A. SARGBANT, PHOTOGRAPHER, TEES STREET. IS NOW TAKINO PORTRAITS FROM 12s 6d PER DOZ.

They cay Russia wants India. Let them say, for they will hae to tak it first, if they oan. They say P. CoittfAOX ia very busy. Is he ? Aye, is he. Get a suit frae him, if ye oan. He has lots of cletb, and he does not mak slops for ye. The cheapest house in town is Corkack's, tailor and clothier, Tees street, Oamara. — [Advt.

Catarrh of ihh Bladder.— Stinging irritation, inflammation, all Kidney and similar aomplainte, oared by "Baohn-paiba," Kempthorne Prosser and Co., agents Christohureh.

" BtTOHtT FA»A.'— Qaiok, complete care all annoying Kidney, Bladder and Urinart Diseases. At Druggists. Kemothorne, Prosser, and Co., Apents, Chriatohurch.

Flies and Bugs, beetles, insects, roaches, ant», bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jackrabbits, cleared ont by " Rough on Kate." Kempthorne, Prosser and Co., agents Christcharch