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New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 2

Last night's meeting for establishing a gymnasium and providing classes of an improving nature for boys who at present are in the habit of running loose about the streets in the evening is a movement meriting general support from the public.. Its necessity will bo acknowledged by all observant

persona, more especially by those who feel that, however the present system or education may give instruction to the pupila, something more is wanted, The verb educate ianot auffioie&tly conjugated. The drawing out of the good that may lie latentin ayouth’smind ia not ao fully taken advantage of as under a more embracing system it might be. The Bible is a tabooed book, because conflicting creeds emmet concur in its introduction, and the State considers that it is not its duty to teach dogma in view of the existence of such conflict of opinion. Nature’s holiest school, the home fireside, has done in too many cases little or nothing to promote ' by precept and example that teaching of morals and manners, -which, with carefully nurtured children, is never wholly forgotten when maturer years are reached. This, of course, is to be regretted, and hence any effort of the sort now being made which will keep boys off the streets, and inculcate finer feelings and better behaviour, should be cordially welcomed by the whole community. Our colonial communities are not singular in experiencing the fact that the Board school system, great good as it has unquestionably ■wrought, does not meet the full expectations which its promoters at the outset cherished. A recent tvriter points this out. “ 111 manners,” he says, “ are increasing with the spread of Board education. Hodge, Giles, and their wives have but little time to teach their children good behaviour, and can hardly be brought to think that all the good old traits of manners—of children to their elders and employers—are left untaught in the fine new buildings by the new, certificated teachers. Accordingly the youngsters, neglected at home, as at school, are unthinking and untaught, turned out by our Board schools the worst behaved, ill-mauuered and riotous little rabble that village streets and town thoroughfares have ever known.” It is to remedy this state of things from which our towns suffer, and Wellington not less than others, that this judicious movement his been undertaken, and wo hope it will proceed to complete success. The chairman of last night’s meeting, Mr Aitken, is well known for his philanthropic and benevolent efforts, though he makes no show of these qualifications. Kindly in his nature, he belongs to the stamp of men who can exercise good influence, and draw out of even unpromising subjects whatever right impulses be hidden in some remote corner of young mental constitutions. Tenderness to animals, kindness and courtesy to their fellows and to the aged, respect for the other sex, a knowledge and a love of duty, die great value of having to obey, without which no man can over properly command, and not least respect for themselves, these and similar aims in morals and in manners, combined with reasonable amusement, are what will, we trust, he instilled into the minds of the youth whose cultivation and advantage now and in later life, this patriotic Association will ultimately attain.

The Opposition, we understand, meet to-day to elect a leader, and generally arrange their affairs. They meet, in other words, to organise and submit to discipline. It is the obvious thing to do. The duty of the Opposition has been defined more than once to be to turn out the Government. But there are many ways of turning out a Government. The last Opposition, for example, waited for three years ; and some Oppositions, notably in the year 1884, did not wait three days before doing their constitutional duty. Turning out Governments is an affair of numbers and opportunities. But cohesion, vigilance, and care for the public business—these are to bo had every day for the arranging. The Opposition have not made any use of the recess, apparently, for they were a little abroad at the opening of Parliament. But however abroad they might have been, there was no obstruction on their part. That argues a due regard for the despatch of business. There are good men at the head of the Party. The sooner the Party selects one as a loader the better it will be for them and for the public business. A compact and wellorganised Opposition always deserves well of the country.

There is a rumour in the air that pressure is being brought to bear upon Ministers to obtain their influence for the candidature of Mr W. C. Smith in the matter of the Chairmanship of Committees. That pressure, wo take it for granted. Ministers will res.st. If the rumouris correct—we think there is something in it—it is a case of putting the foot down promptly. The only way for Ministers to do that is to declare at once for Mr Hamlin. Mr Hamlih is fitted by long experience for the position, and hue filled it impartially. Mr Smith has no experience, and the bent of his mind is not sufficiently j udicial. He is too good a partisan to make anything else than a bad Chairman. Mr Hall-Jones is, we have heard, been appointed Government whip in his place. That lends some colour to the rumour that Mr Smith seeks another position. If the Government announce Mr Hamlin quickly as their nominee they will, by preventing members from pledging themselves to Mr Smith, secure an overwhelming majority for the better man.

The Vaile system is always with us, and yet never with us. It is always under discussion, and it never gets adopted. Its advocates declare that to be the only reason why the railways do not pay handsomely, and at. the same time develop the resources of the country handsomely. It is a pleasant, easy faith. Given the premise, all the rest of course follows. But who shall guarantee us the premise? Mr Yaile and his friends point to Hungary ; but we can only answer that New Zealand is not Hungary. They give their personal assurance and ask for an experiment. An experiment in a country of sparse population would lead to a certain loss. It would be better to save the loss by declaring Mr Yaile wrong at the outset. After all, we would not do anything so hurtful to any one's feelings. Let us accept Mr Vaile’s principle and wait until the increasing density of population enables us to apply it.

It is satisfactory to know that the late Mr Mackay’s report, though incomplete, is sufficiently forward to put the public in possession of his views on the subjects within the scope of the enquiry. On some points Mr Mackay differed from the other Commissioners, but he was from first to last, as we have authority for saying—no authority at all is required by those who know him personally—on the friendliest terms with them. He was with them in all cheir travels, worked with them, and used his judgment with his usual great care, penetration and shrewdness. Without his report, even in its incomplete state, the value of the Commission’s report would have been considerably diminished. With it, Parliament will have before it all the materials necessary to make as complete a measure of reform as the most exacting may desire.

Continuation of the article * 1 The South Seas,” also sporting notes, will bo found on our fourth page. The Manapouri arrived at the Bluff yesterday morning from Melbourne with an English mail on board. The mail should arrive here to morrow by the Penguin. A young man named Walter Larsen was arrested by Detective Campbell late lost night on a charge of stealing a gold broooh, value £4, the property of Mary Ann Abernathy.

At the meeting of tho Harbour Board on Thursday Mr Speedy will move, in accordance with notice, “ That tho Engineer be asked to visit and report to this Board the best site for a wharf at Petone.” Tho first contest under the auspices of the New Zealand Brass Band Association will be held in Dunedin at the end of December next. It was originally intended that the contest should be held in November. Weiliogton will probably be represented by the Garrison Baud.

■ Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., presided at the sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Three oases of drunkenness were disposed of. A Native waa dismissed with a caution, and a first offender was dealt with in the usual way. Bernard McSwigan, who had previously been convicted, was fined 10s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. The total amount subscribed towards the Boys’ Institute Fnnd is £386 12s. Tho latest subscriptions . are— :John Dnthie, M.H.R., £lO 10s ; J. Kirkoaldie, £lO ; J. Nathan and Co., £5 ; A. J. McTavish, £2 2a ; J. Jameson, £2 2s ; A, W, Brown, £1 la ; D. Sladden, £1 la ; C. H. Snow, £1 Is : A.T., £1 Is j F. Martin, £1 Is ; Friend, 12s : J. Scott, 5s ; W.C.F., ss; W.H.M., ss. Total to date, £386 12s.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Employers’ Association, held yesterday, it waa resolved that the conference of Employers' Associations should be held in Wellington this day week, Tuesday, the 23rd instant. We learn from Mr Henry Wright, the secretary, that all the Employers’ Associations throughout the Colony will send delegates, and that the first business for discussion will ho the Labour Bills introduced by the Government.

A Bpe'oial meeting of the Shipmasters’ Association was held yesterday morning, bat the business transacted was not of an important nature. The Sheriff gives notice by advertisement that special jurors summoned tor to-day (Tuesday) will not be required until Friday, the 19th inst.

The Palmerston subsoription list being sent round to raise funds to defray the cost of taking proceedings against the Railway Commissioners for stopping two streets in the borough is receiving good support, A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society will be held at the Museum to.mor. row evening, when Mr Tregear, the Presi. dent of the Society, will deliver an address, and several papers will be read. The Columbia Elite Skating Rink keeps up its attractiveness, the cold weather apparently acting as a stimulus to lovers of the roller pastime. Lady beginners are received and specially instructed on Thursday mornings.

On enquiry at the Hospital last night we find that the ship’s carpenter of the Tongariro, who was injured by falling from the vessel on to the wharf on Sunday, is progressing favourably. The slander case of Nicholson v. Meek occupied the whole of yesterday at the Supreme Court, and will bo resumed to-day at 10 o’clock. The case of Howell v. Kitchen ie eat down for hearing to day before a special jury.

The installation of W. M. and investiture of officers of the Ulster Lodge, Petone, will take place to morrow (Wednesday) evening. A special train leaving Wellington at 7.15 p.m,, and returning after the osremony, will be laid on for the occasion.

At the sitting of the Municipal Conference yesterday, Mr P. A. Phillips, town clerk of Auckland, gave notice of motion to the effect that in the opinion of the meeting it was desirable that a Municipal Association should be established in Now Zealand. The Maori will ease, Wiremu te Hlra v. Paweue and another, was continued yesterday before Mr Justice Richmond in the Supreme Court. The case for the plaintiff was concluded, and the hearing was thou adjourned tiil to-day, when the defence will be commenced, ’

The Rev E. Nielsen, Scandinavian missionary, assisted by Mies Nielsen, with the harp and singing, conducted an interesting Gospel service last evening in the Primitive Methodist Church, Webb street. The rev gentleman will to-night conduct a similar service in the Wesleyan Churoh, Newtown, and to-morrow evening will hold one at Thorndon.

The presentation of medals and certificates won by the members of St John’s Ambulance Association will take place in the Musenm Lecture Boom on Thursday evening at 5.30. The Presidents of the Society in New Zealand, Lord and Lady Onslow, will be pre. sent, the Countess presenting the models and certificates, and his Excellency the Governor presiding. All interested in the Association are invited to attend.

The District Coroner, Mr H. W. Robinson, held an inquest at the Hospital yesterday morning into the circumstances attending the death of John Goodlet, a patient in the Mount View Asylum. Mr C. E. Luxford was foreman of the jury, and evidence was given by Dr Fooks, the Medical Superintendent of the Asylum, to the effect that the cause of death was general paralysis, from which deceased had suffered since he was admitted in 1889. A verdict was returned and entered up accordingly. The meeting of creditors in the estate of Charles Robertson, butcher, which was to have been held yesterday morning, lapsed for want of a quorum. The debtor submitted a statement to the effect that be filed by the advice of a private meeting of bis creditors. He began business last September as a meat hawker, and after this he took a shop, but the business did not pay. He borrowed money to start business with. He had also bad considerable sickness in his family. The meeting stands adjourned until this morning.

The United Hunt Club hounds leave for the Wqodville district to-day to fulfil their engagements there. It was thought that the hounds would have met in the Wairarapa this week, but as the men of that district would not entertain hunting until about throe weeks ago no definite arrangements could be come to for fixing the meets. The Woodville, or rather the Danevirko men, arranged to have the hounds for eight runs, paying a lump sum for same, at the same time fixing dates from the 17th to the 25th instant. Tho Wairarapa people wished to fix runs for the 20th and22ud of this month, but as these dates had been filled up before they applied, they could not have the hounds, Tho cireumstanoas are to be regretted, as the Wellington men are anxious to work with their Wairarapa friends. An adjourned meeting of the Land Board was hold yesterday for the purpose of further considering the case of allsged dummyiam against Mr X. C. Anderson in connection with land applied for by him at Mangahao. The members present were— Messrs J. H. Baker (Commissioner), W. A. Fitzherbert, W. W. MoCardle, A. W. Hogg, M. U.R., and E. H. Maoarthur, M. H.R. After Mr Anderson had been further examined, Mr MoCardle moved, and Mr Fitzherbert seconded, “That this Board is satisfied with tho explanation given by Mr Anderson.” On the motion being put it was docUrod oarried, Mr Hogg voting for the motion; tho cUsseutldnVa being Mr Baker (tho Commissioner), and Mr Macarthnr. The Board then adjourned till the 25th lost.

The various Trades Unions of the city took the occasion of Mr T. Seward entering upon the proprietorship of the Pier Hotel to entertain that gentleman at a smoke concert last evening. A splendid spread was provided in the large ro-m of the Pier Hotel, to which about sixty did ample justice. Mr Graham occupied the chair, and after the usual loyal toasts had been given. Mr Millar proposed the toast of “ Our Visitors,” the names of Mr Judge and Mr Slater, vice-president and secretary respectively cf the Otago Trades and Labour Council. The toast of “ Our guest ” was the next on the list, tho honours being most enthusiastically given, with one cheer more for “ Takapuna Tom.” “The Parliament of Now Zealand ”, was responded to by Mr George Fisher, M.H. K. Several other toasts were given during the evening, being interspersed with songs and musical selections by the band. Tho party broke up at a late hour after having spent a most enjoyable evening, all present joining in cordial good wishes towards Mr Seward in his new venture.

A copy has reached us of the report presented at the twenty.ninth annual meeting of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company (tor which Messrs Johnston and Co. are tho local agents), held in London on tho 30th April last. Tho following are the main features of itThe net premiums, after deducting sums paid to other offices In reduction of the Company’s liabilities, amounted to £702,316 12s, against £587,081 13s Id in the previous year. The net fire losses, including full estimates for all such as wore not adjusted at tho closing of tho books, amounted to £382,618 5s Bd, The balance of tho year’s working, after provision for all expenses, bad debts, depreciations, and other charges, and including interest on investments, amounts to £119,284 14s 9d. Adding this sum to the balance of £140,930 0s 5d brought forward from the previous account, there results an amount of £260.214 15 2d to bo dealt with, loss the interim dividend of 3s pot share, amounting to £11,112, paid to the shareholders in November last. The direotore propose to pay on the 6th proximo a further dividend of 7s per share, free of income tax, making a total dividend for the year of 20 per oent, as against 16 per cent paid -for the previous year. During tho year the company has taken over the entire assets, liabilities, and business of tho London and Provincial Fire Insurance Company of Lon. don, and in connection ‘ therewith the Dinotors have issued 3283 new shares of this Company, which will participate in the dividend. The total dividend to be now paid will therefore absorb £27,077 Is. The Directors propose to increase the reserve and re insurance fund by tranferring £50,000 thereto, and to carry forward the balance £172,025 14s 2d to the next account. The Company is evidently in a high stats of prosperity. The Conference of delegates from County Connells which have been affected by the abolition of tho gold duty and by the repeal of the Crown Lands Eating Act, was re. sumed at the Government Buildings yertor. day. The f-.-llowing additional resolutions were passed : —(1) That the contributions, under which the moiety nf hospital ond charitable aid sustenance is provided for by local taxation, allows the wealthy and thinly populated portions of the Colony to escape paying their jnsfc share, and throws the burden on the poorer classes grouped in towns and thickly settled districts : (2) That the Counties Aof should be amondod so that County Councils may legally vote subsidies to cemeteries situated within the county and under themanagementof trustees; (3) That an amendment should be made in the Local Bodies Loans Act, ISS6, in the direction of enabling County Counoila to raise loans under the Government Losos to Local Bodies Act, 1886, for paying off liabilities incurred prior to March 31st, 1891 (say to tho extent of £7OOO or £BOOO ; (4) That this Conference strongly recommends the Government to have a vote placed on tho Estimates this session for prospecting purposes ; (5) That this Conference recommends the Government to have reinstated on the Estimates a anm of money for subsidies to Literary Institutes and Public Libraries, It was resolved that tho Conference did not wish to dictate to any of the counties not represented, as tho loss of revenue caused by the abolition of tho gold duty precluded thorough representation. It waa decided- to sand a copy of tho resolutions passed at this Conference to oil the counties in the Colony, and invite them ti be present at the General Conference to be held in Wellington next year, for the purpose of discussing government generally, ami with a view of having tho Counties Act amended. The members of tho Conference waited on the Government yesterday afternoon and laid the resolutions before the Minister of Lands.

Mr T. G. Macarthy has been elected chairman of directors of the, Hutb Park Railway Company, in place o! Mr J. S. M. Thompson, who recently left for Australia.

Hume and Son, wine and spirit merchants, tea importers and wholesale and retail grocers, have an advertisement over the leader in this issue, in which they recount the leading lines of wines and spirits they have on hand.

The Metropolitan Building and Investment Society intimate that they are. prepared to receive deposits for six months or longer at 5 I>er cent per annum.

Hr G. B. Davy, District Land Registrar, notifies by advertisement elsewhere that certain lands in the city of Wellington and at Porirua will be brought under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act, 1885, unless caveat be lodged by the 11th July next. To-day at 2 o’clock Messrs J. H. Bethur e and Co. will sell by public auction at their rooms, Featherston street, ex Nelson, on account of whom it may concern, absolutely without reserve, a large shipment of splendid china and earthenware, direct from Messrs Tidmarsh and Brown’s manufactory, London. The catalogue includes handsome tea sets, dinner services, breakfast sets, desseit sets, toilet sets, trinket sets, Derby and tapestry vases, etc. Messrs Bethune and Co. will afterwards sell a quantity of superior household furniture, removed for convenience of sale, including drawingroom, diningroom, bedroom, and kitchen requisites, first-class walnut piano by A. MittagNachf, Berlin, e.p, ware, pictures and sundries.

In the ladies’ underclothing department there are some specialities which are well deserving of notice, now that cold, wintry weather seems to have set in. We invite a special visit of inspection from the ladies of the city and suburbs at Te Aro House We have some very nice ribbed spun silk under vests, in such colours cream, sky, pink, and also white. In addition we have out some ribbed silk undervests, beautifully trimmed with lace, very suitable for evening wear, in flesh colour, sky, pink, and white, at Te Aro House.

The newest thing our London buyer has sent in undervests this season are some very pretty wool bodies in shaded colours, s ;ch as cardinal shaded crimson, electric blue shaded pink, pink shaded crimson, fawn shaded brown, etc.; and these very attractive bodices are at the extremely moderate price of 3s fid each, at Te Aro House.

In natural wool underclothing our assortment is very select, and comprises combinations, drawers, vests, and nightdresses. We have a splendid lot of ladies’ wool skirts, flannel skirts, and our flannelette skirts are not only warm and durable, hut are exceedingly cheap, ranging from 2s fid to 7s fid each, at Te Aro House.

Then there is a small but very select assortment of ladies’ flannel dressing jackets, wool embroidered, in creim, pink, cardinal, sky, blue, crimson, at Te Aro House,