OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1403, 19 January 1899, Page 34

OUR LETTER HOME.

Fito h? ii srn sfts

PER SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Mail Office, Wellington, January 18, A number of settlers in the Ilutt district aro interesting themselves in favour of a new route for the Rimutaka deviation. The route proposed was surveyed by Mr C. O'Neill, of the Thames, about 1872, and appears to present several features of a very favourable nature. By this route tho present line would bo departed from between Lower Hutt and Taita, and run to the Nai-Nai, whore it would enter tho Wainui Bill, and go thence past tho Wainui Post Office, alongside the reservoir, and cross a low saddle of the hill between the Orongorongo and Wainui-o-mata streams. From that point it would traverse fairly good country to Mr A. Matthews' property at Wairongomai, and come out on tho Western road, and join tho present line about a mile past Cross' Creek. The grade in no place exceeds 1 in 40, and will, wo understand, be about tho same length as the proposed Tauherenikau route. No big cuttings will be required, and only two tunnels, ono at the Nai Nai, and ono through the saddle between the Orongorongo and Wainui streams. Mr J. Mcllbride, of Newtown, was with Mr O'Neill when tho survey was made on behalf of tho settlers in tho vicinity. Another proposed route is to follow the course of tho Wainui to the coast, cross tho Orongorongo, and then turn inland to tho Wairarapa Like, when it could either be takon to Cross' Creek, or skirt the other side of the lake and come out at Foathciston. This would be a longer route, but it is contended that if it were adopted a largo amount of wool and produce would be brought to the railway, and a very great convenience afforded to the settlers generally.

The Magistrate's Court criminal returns for the past year have been made up, and show that the number of offences reported during the year was 2435, as compared with 2300 for 1897. Of these 67 ma'cs and 3 fomalcs were committed for trial, 1536 males and 276 females were summarily convicted, and 489 males and 64 females were discharged. The number of p or sons apprehended or summoned was 2435. Going into details, it is found that cases of threatening and abusive language docreased from 31 cases, reported in 1897, to 4 in 1898. There were three cases of arson—the same as in 1897. Cases of common assault increased from 105 to 120; assaults on constables increased from 10 to 26; cases of assault occasioning bodily harm increased from 3 to 9; cases of assault and robbery decreased from 5 to 2; indecent assaults decreased from 9 to 7. There were 12 cases of betting on racecourses, as compared with none the previous year. Breaches of the peace decreased from 41 to 9, and burglaries from 58 to 9. Cases of carnally knowing children decreased j from 5 to 3, and cases of fail- I ing to vaccinate children increased i from 2 to 6. There were 7 cases of ' conspiracy, against none the previous year, and a decrease of cases of cruelty , to animals from 18 to 17. There was also a decrease (from 111 to 102) in cases of deserting wives, etc., but cases of drunkenness show an increase from 820 to 928. There were 129 cases of disobedience of maintenance orders. False pretences decreased from 30 to 27, and forgery and uttering from 19 to 11, and grossly indecent acts from 13 to 6. Cases of being illegally on premises increased from 6 to 18, and importuning decreased from 15 to 10. Loitering on footpaths also decreased from 17 to 4. Cases of establishing lotteries increased from 1 to 13, and mischief to property from 55 to 56, whilo cases of lunacy show an increase from 37 to 73. There were no cases of murder, as compared with 2 in 1897, but there were two of attempted murder, an increase of 1 over the figures for the previous year. Cases of nuisances increased from 3 to 4, and obscene language from 35 to 45, but cases of obstructing and resisting the police decreased from 18 to 7. There were 17 cases of omitting to allow half-holi-days, as against 21 in 1897, and two cases of perjury in 1898, a decrease of 1 over the figures for the previous year. Tho cases of selling liquor during prohibited hours increased from 2 to 22, and cases of selling liquor to children decreased from 6 to 2. There were 65 applications for separation orders, an increase of 31. No sly grog-selling offences wore dealt with. Thero was one instance of attempted suicide. Cases m which sureties of the peace were asked for increased from 9 to 47. Cases of theft undescribed show a decrease from d/5 to 215, and theft from the person from 30 to 19, but cases of theft from dwell- ; imr,s increased from 51 to 74. There were 22 cases of vagrancy, a decrease of 13. Id is definitely announced that in \ conformity with tho banking legislation of last session the GovernI ment hsve chosen Messrs J. R- Blair v and Harold Beauchamp (Wellington), "'Mi' ( '° M"let CChristi church) and Mr William Milne (Oamaru) Stjjri the representatives of the colony on Wmi board of directors of the Bank of . Jfew Zealand, These gentlemen, to-

gether with Messrs William Watson and Martin Kennedy, recently elected by the shareholders, will therefore constitute the whole board of directors under tho new condition of things. Mr J. R. Blair has been elected Chairman of the new board.

His Excellency tho Governor has confided to the Wellington representative of the Christchurch "Press'' his impression's that New Zealand's scenery is not sufficiently advertised. In the light of facts this would seem to be an entirely erroneous impression. It seems to us that r, great deal of money is wasted in catering for the information of " tourists who never come," which might, with advantage, be expended on undertakings of a reproductive character likely to prove of great benefit to the colony—such, for instance, as an extension of the plan of the Agent-Gen-oral in attractively placing before the British public the virtues of our frozen meat. Advertising New Zealand is at present running this colony into an expense of thousands of pounds a year. The Railway Department ha 3 a standing arrangement with Messrs Cook and Son to proclaim our natural advantages world wide; the Lands and Survey and Mines Departments are perpetually issuing pamphlets, posters, Handbooks and publications of various kinds, beautifully printed and profusely illustrative of New Zealand as the most desirable place of residence on the face of creation. It was only a month ago that upwards of 15,000 copies of a New Zealand Tourists' Guide of 1000 pages, containing numerous lithograph pictures and plans, and explicit information about every place worth seeing from the East Coast to the Bluff, were distributed from the Government Printing Office to be circulated gratis over the world. This cry about " encouraging a tourist traffic " seems to bo a good deal overdone, because, after all, there are limitations to the number of people with means t o travel from England and America to the Antipodes, or from the Australian colonies to New Zealand. If for every tourist penny dropped into the hats of expectant Maorilanders sixpence or a shilling is to be expended in illuminated invitations to prospective globe-trotters, the sooner we pass a Tourists' Restriction Act the better. Otherwise the British money-lender—who is understood to have no peripatetic sympathies—will become affrighted in the customary way, and vast quantities of capital—vaster than the best of our show scenery could ever earn —will be prevented from " flowing into the country."

An ex-Maorilander writing from Kimberley (South Africa) makes an interesting comparison between the New Zealand and South African police forces. He says : " I see the New Zealand press and public are always commenting on the New Zealand police force. Now, I have served in that force for nearly four years ; and I have served one year in the British South African Mounted Police, and one year and two months in Division 11. of the Capo Police. I consider New Zealanders have nothing to sing out about; they have an excellent police force and don't know it. I only wish they had Division I. or 11. of the Cape Police to contend with. During my 14 months in Division 11. I can say it is quite common of a Saturday night or pay night, when the constables, about 24 in number, fall in for night duty, for three or four to have often to be sent back to barracks,- being in a state of drunkenness. This occurs weekly. Others, again, get helplessly drunk

while on duty, and have to be arrested by ono of their comrades and taken to the station. Others again go out whilo off duty and often don't roll up for two or three days. Others again desert, and are often arrested on warrent for the same. Some refuse to do duty at all. Some become violent and disorderly in barracks; and for many of these offences they have often to bo locked up in the cells to keep them out of mischief. They aro accordingly made defaulters and lined any sum not exceeding £2. That h, of course, before their inspectors. Several have been taken before 'the Resident Magistrate and fined heavily for deserting or refusing duty during my- short time amongst them. They are a poor class of men in physique and education compared with Nov/ Zealand policemen; besides the constables have no knowledge of police work. Division 11., mounted and foot, is> about 600 men. The average of dismissals in this force in about 80 annually. About 15 or 20 purchase their discharges, and a few are pensioned. They are constantly recruiting and discharging in this force. I notice the number of dismissals in the New Zealand force does not exceed, or is under a dozen in number. The constables here are only too pleased to receive tips of Is or such sums. Such a thing is almost unknown in the New Zealand police. The men in the New Zealand force write out their own reports when called upon to do so. Dozens of men in this force couldn't write a report of any description if they were offered South Africa. The town of Kimberley alone, which is a little larger than Invercargill, has seven Inspectors, an Assistant Commissioner, and ono Commissioner (nine officers in all) New Zealand has about that many for the whole of that colony. Does this not seem extraordinary? Division 1., Cape Police, is still worse. There is no fear of the police here being had up for affiliation orders, as the girls won't have anything to do with them. Another thing I might add that a large number of the force are old soldiers. The low habits of the army still stick to them. Obscene language is common in the barracks. Two or three which I forgot to mention were committed for trial at the High Court for theft and embezzlement, but got acquitted. Now, I can assure you the facts herein are correct. Can you compare the New Zealand force with a force like this ?"

Mr Edw?rd Villiers Briscoe, who died at the age of ""* years, at his residence, Lower Hutt, on Dec. S, arrived in New Zealand in 1859, and found scope for the exercise of his profession of eivil engineer and surveyor under the Otago Provincial Government. Before that, and subsequent to hi£ departure from Ireland, his native coiintrv, he was in Canada and Australia. When the seat of Government was removed to Wellington, Mr Briscoe came here, and engaged in survey work. Thirteen years ago he retired from the active pursuit of his profession. He was a son of the late Dr Briscoe, of Waterford, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. His widow survives him. The deceased was a well-informed, genial man, anil for some years was leader of the Hutt Band.

A neat little Anglican church has been opened at Waikanae. Tho opening ceremony was performed by tho Yen Archdeacon Fancourt, assisted by the L vs J. McWilliam and D. H. Jenkins. Conveniently situated in the centre of the township, the church is seated to accommodate 70 adults.

It is understood that it has been decided to proceed at an early date with the erection of a new vicarage for St. Paul s parish at a cost of about ,£IOOO. Part ol the grounds will probably be leased, and the vicarage erected on higher ground than the present one has been.

Complaints are sometimes made of delays in the mails via Vancouver reaching London, but it is satisfactory to note that this is in no way the fault of the CanadianAustralian Steamship Company, as the steamers are now running with commendable regularity. No penalty for late delivery of mails has been incurred by the company during the past nine months. There is, however, considerable room for improvement in the arrangements for conveying the mails between Vancouver ana London. The only fast steamers which leave New York on a Wednesday, the due date of arrival of the mail at that port, are those belonging to the American line, viz., the St. Paul, St. Louis,' New York and Paris. The steamers of other lines leaving, on that day are all slow—they are

called seven day beats, while the steamers of the American line are five day boats. As an illustration of the effect thie has on the Vancouver mail service, it may be noted that the mails which left Wellington on the 13th October and were due in London on 16th November, arrived in New York up to time, and were put on board the s.s. Cymrie, an aged steamer of the White Star Line, which did not arrive in Liverpool until 18th November, the mail being delivered in London three days late in consequence. Pome people have queer ideas as to the duties an inspector of police is expected to perform. Recently, Inspector Pender received a telegram from a lady on the West Coast of this island requesting him to meet a young woman who is expected to arrive in Wellington from the South, and forward her to a place named, and at the same time to send a telegram stating by what train she would arrive. Neither of the persons are known to the Inspector, whose duties are sufficiently numerous already to make him by no means anxious to take up the role of " forwarding agent.' The Jubilee clock that has been erected in one of the busiest parts of Christchurch is a very handsome addition to the many beautiful adornments of that city. The chimes with which the clock is supplied, however, are a miserable failure, and can barely be heard 200yds away; evenwhen close up to the clock one cannot detect the air they are supposed to be chiming, and the bells are wretchedly out of tune. A headstone provided by the subscriptions of the children of the Newtown School and others has been placed" over the grave of the late Mr Charles Hulke in the Karori Cemetery. The stone is of plain marble, the inscription being a simple one, to the effect that it has been " erected by a few friends." Four pedigree Lincoln rams, imported from England by Mr John Wilkie, of Lillybank, Wanganui (three from Messrs Wright Bros, and one from Deans and Son, Lincolnshire)—which arrived by the Ituapehu on her last trip—were released from quarantine on Tuesday. Claims under the Old Age Pension Act are being investigated at Napier. Dr C. IT. Bi'ohcock, of Darfmouth Collcee, New Hampshire, U.S.A.. and Prr feasor Edward M. Shepard, of the M''s-<ouri Geological Survey, are at present in Wellington, Amongst the passengers by the Aorangi, from Sydney, la*t week was Major-General Frerch, Commandant of the New South Wales forces, who has come over to this colony " to spo as much of it as one can in a month." Major-General French will remain for a few daj s in Wellington before proceeding to the Mot Lakes district. Professor Liversidge, of Sydney IJniver : sity, also arrived by the steamer Aorangi on a holiday visit to New Zealand. After a very brief stay in Wellington he proceeds to Dunedin, en route to the Southern Lakes. The professor was last in this colony five years ago, during the session of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. The 7'ar l rf Stamford, nephew of Giev, written 1o tho 'J own Clerk of WclIhifitcn oi b«b&lf ef th<» rela<ivcH of ili-* deceased gentleman i letter of cud■ l»tiftn from <ho < ity Courcil, and onriv< vi:j<r on hi* ami their behalf sincere thanks for ih.6 expression of sympathy " which testifies to the widespread appreciation of the character and services of our dittinguisbed and beloved kinsman." Mr Charles Olliver, Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales railways, passed through Wellington on Saturday. He has been having a short holiday in the South Island, and spent a week at Queenstown (Lake Wakatipu). Mr Olliver is very much impressed with the appearance of the country which he passed through during his tour, especially in comparison with the drought-stricken nreas of New South Wales. While in Wellington he paid a visit to Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways. Signor Roberto Hazon, conductor of the Sydney Philharmonic Society, and one of the best ' nown musicians in Australians en jo ' g a holiday at the hot springs in the Eotorua district. Mr C. W. V.m bow, manager of the South British Insurance Crmp-ny, was re-elected chai'man of the Wellington Fire Underwriters' Association at tho annual meeting held last week. Among the applicants for the position

of captain of the Wellington Fire Brigade will be Superintendent Smith.of the Christchurch Fire Brigade. Mr Smith, who is credited with being an excellent officer, only devotes part of his time to the brigade, and consequently only receives a comparatively small salary. It is understood that the Christchurch Council will make an effort to retain Mr Smith's services by offering him a larger salary. Mrs Everest, wife of Mr David Everest, and a resident of the Lower Hutt district for the last 25 years, died on Friday, aged 75 years. A press telegram from Oamaru states that Mr H. Aitken, who had just entered upon his fourth year of office as Mayor of the borough, died on Friday. He underwent an operation about two months ago and never recovered from its effects. The special effort recently made in connection with tho Wesleyan churches of tho city for the extinction of the circuit debt hr.s resulted in tho raising of a sum of J-60, which reduces the debt by about onehalf. Since the 20(h December the authorities hnve received no fewer than 142 applications for pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act. These will in due course be forwarded to the Stipendiary Magistrate, whose duty it will be to investigate the claims of the applicants. It is understood that another attempt is about to be made to recover the valuable jewellery lost in the wreck of the Tasmania on Mahia Peninsula. A previous effort in the same direction ended disastrously, the salvage schooner itself being lost. The syndicate interested has, however, not lost heart. The members have re-engaged Mr J. O. Pascoe to do the diving work, and he left, for the north last week by the We - tralia Rangers' reports submitted to the Land Board yesterday showed that out of 89 selectors in tho principal blocks in the Forty-mile Bush district, 8j had more than complied with their conditions. In the Rising Sun Farm Homestead Block j#6o worth of improvements were required, and .£1032 effected. In the Hall Farm Homestead Block tho figures were respectively £B7O and ,£3319; Malum and Mount Cerberus Blocks, ,£4341 and £9834; Afakairo Village Settlement, £ll2 and £591. Eating a green beetle is said to be the cause of the death of a largo number of trout in tho Manawatu river. It is feared that the recent storm in the Wairarapa district has seriously damaged many of the crops there, which gave promise of producing a record yield. According to the " Journal of Insurance, Mining and Finance," the price at which the Northern Roller Flour Mills were sold by the Bank of New Zealand was about £50,000. The same paper's Auckland correspondent states, however, that the price was " something under £35,000." A meeting of members of the Opposition side of the House is to be held in Wellington towards the end of this month to take into consideration the present position of affairs political, and to decide probably upon some future course of action. There are indications that the advisability of conducting an organised pre-sessional campaign throughout the electorates will be amongst the matters which will be discussed. In April Lord Ranfurly—if all goes well, His Excellency says—will make a trip to the Cook Islands in one of Her Majesty's warships. Lord Northland, the Governor's son, returns to England in the Gothic early in March with a view to passing his examination for admission into the army. It is understood that the marriage of Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia, with Miss Ethel Julius, daughter of the Bishop of Christchurch, will take place in Christchurch on the Ist February. Mr Angus Macdonald, who was born on the 24th December, 1795, celebrated his birthday at Rangiora last week. A prisoner named Bertrand Thomaa Turner escaped from the hard labour gang at work near the New Plymouth gaol, but was recaptured after a desperate struggle, by the warders. Turner, who is 30 years old, is a notoriously bad character. He was sentenced in 1896, at Auckland to six years' imprisonment for false pretences, Mr Justice Conolly then remarking that he should never be out of gaol. He was refractory in Auckland, and was sent here. He has been 12 years in the colony, the longest period spent out of gaol being three months. Mr W. C. "Kirkcaldy, manager of tho Live Stock General Insurance Company, died suddenly at Dunedin on December 28, aged 59. The remarkable point about the vital statistics for the last two years, so far as the Wellington registry is concerned, is that the birth total was practically the same for both years. In 1897 there were 1305 births registered in Wellington, and in 1898 there were 1304, a difference of only one. In 18)7 the deaths numbered 537, as against 611 in 1828, or an increase of 74 for the vear just closed. The marriages for 1837 numbered 494, as against 542 in 1838, or an increase of 48 for the latter period. The figures for December were as follow: —Births, 113; deaths, 55; marriages, 68. In the 50 bankrupt estates which came under the administration of the Official Assignee for Wellington during the year just closed, the total liabilities amounted to about £25,000, and the total assets to about £13,000, leaving a deficiency of about £12,000. This i* an approximate estimate based on the statements of affairs lodged by the bankrupts, and excluding from account amounts due to fully secured creditors. In one estate the unsecured liabilities were £7480, in another .£4688, in another £3053, in another £2667,in another £2466, in three they were between £IOOO •SiL" 820 ? 0, and in Bix tlbie y w ere between £SOO and .£IOOO.