New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1871. THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 40, 28 October 1871, Page 10

New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1871. THE WEEK.

The principal topic of the week has been the Brogden contract. It has furnished matter for endless discussions in and out of the House. The chief points discussed have had reference to the relative merits of large and small contracts, and as far as these points are concerned we think the Government have made out a very good case in favor of the former. We must refer the reader to Mr Yogel’s able speech on the subject which will be found in another column.

We should like to possess the public with a thorough contempt for all shams, and more particularly for sham patriots. A series of useful articles might be written on the subject, which would prove well-timed, and possibly of some service. We cannot, however, divest ourselves of the belief that to secure sincerity and earnestness on the part of the press and Parliament, we must show that we are ourselves earnest and sincere. When that is the case, shams will meet with the contempt they merit. Since our leader was written we have come across an article in the “ Nelson Examiner,” under the heading of “Local Rating for Railways.” After acknowledging that a rate on persons benefited by a railway is legitimate enough, and offers a hope of protection against log-rolling and scrambling, for the expenditure of the public means, irrespective of the interests of the general public, the writer labors hard to show that such a rate may be quite inadequate to form a guarantee) and that on the whole there are serious difficulties, and inevitable unfairness, in a rating system for railway objects. So much does he pretend to be impressed with this idea, that he would prefer to abandon this check upon scrambling, and rely wholly on the judgment of an independent Board of Works. No doubt a similar view will he taken by all those whose property will be enormously benefited by the proposed railways. They would rather rely on the decision of a Board of Works, than indicate to that board their belief in the paying character of the line by giving any such guarantee as that recommended by Mr Vogel. The bill entitled “ An Act to regulate the sale of alcoholic liquors,” now before Parliament, appears to have been drafted with great care, and, if passed, will effect a vast improvement in the existing laws on the subject, the whole of which will then be repealed. The colony is to be divided into licensing districts, corresponding with existing municipal, road, or school districts. Applications for licenses are to be made to the Resident Magistrate. Licenses are to be divided into three classes, wholesale, publicans, and packet licenses. For the first a fee of £3O is to be paid, within boroughs and towns, and £lO elsewhere ; and for the second the amount fixed by provincial acts, which is to be paid into the provincial treasury. No publican's license is to be granted unless one-third of the residents of the district sign a memorial in favor of the application; and not then, except at the discretion of the Resident Magistrate. Under the prohibitory clauses, every man and woman is entitled to yote, and when tw r o-thirds of the aggregate number of votes collected are in favor of the adoption of those clauses, they are to be carried into effect. When adopted a declaration to that effect is to be made by the Resident Magistrate and published in a newspaper and the Gazette. After prohibitory clauses have come into operation no license within the limits of the district to be issued. A penalty of £2O is imposed on any party divulging the yote of any individual voter. Then come provisions with respect to the transfer of licenses, which appear to be very similar to those now in force. Each licensed house is to have at least two sitting rooms } and three bed rooms, for the exclusive accomodation of the public ; and, when not within the limits of a town, also a four-stalled stable, with a sufficient supply of wholesome provender for the same. No drinking to take place between the hours of ten o’clock in the evening and six in the morning. No traveller, unl®ss he be under the influence of liquor, ox

a known disreputable character, to be refused accommodation. Heavy penalties are imposed in case of non-fulfilment of conditions, and for selling liquors without being duly licensed. For adulterating liquors a penalty of not less than £lO for the first offence, £2O for the second offence, and in the case of conviction for a third offence three months imprisonment may be inflicted, when the culprit will be rendered incapable of holding a license. Perhaps the most important clause in the bill is that w r hich enacts that relatives of intoxicated persons, if injured, shall have a right to sue for damages the person supplying the liquor. The Hon. Mr Wateiiiouse, it will be seen by referring to another colxxmn in our present issue, has brought into prominence two questions of great public interest. One of these has reference to the desirability of establishing institutions for intellectual recreation and social enjoyment to supersede haunts and amusements not favorable to the healthy development of character; and the other has reference to the honorarium now paid to members of the Legislatui’e. The first of these qxxestions is too important to be properly discussed in an editorial note, and we propose in our next issue to devote a leader to its elucidation. We certainly think, with Mr Waterhouse, that so far as members of the Legislative Council are concerned, they oxxght to render their services gratxiitously, unless they be in future chosen not on accoxxnt of their social position, bnt on account of their superior talents, experience, and virtues. Until this practice becomes the rxxle, payment, in the case of members of, the Upper House, should be discontinued. But the members of the Lower House are in a different position, and we cannot see how, in their case, payment can be refused. A lump sxun for the session, at the first blush, appears prefei'able to the system new in vogue; but there w r ill be as much danger then of the business of the session being hurried over, as there is now of its being indefinitely prolonged. Members of Parliament, no less than members of the Government, require to be under the check of an enlightened and effective pxxblic opinion. Shearing has now generally commenced throughoxit the province, and we ai’e happy to learn that more care in sorting and packing is being taken than was formerly the case. The weather, dxu’ing the past week, has been very favorable for sheai’ing operations. It will be see that the Wairarapa Agricultxmal Association propose to hold their first stock show during Christmas week. Notwithstanding the talk about establishing meat preserving works in this province, it turns out that there is not sufficient fat stock to supply the current demand. The low price obtained for agricultural and dairy pi’oduce, and the rise which has taken place in the price of wool, have together caxxsed our farmers once more to turn their attention to the raising of sheep, which appears after all to be the most profitable of pursuits.