EVENTS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5712, 6 October 1905, Page 4

EVENTS OF THE DAY.

THE AUDIT COMMISSION. It is one of the first principles of justice that a fair trial of either a man or his cause shall not ho prejudiced by newspaper coiiunent upon tho trial during its progress. This principle is, as a rule, conscientiously observed hy all reputable journals. Tho investigation provided for by the Commissioners Act Amendment Act is to bo conducted by three Supreme Court Judges, and would be therefore essentially judicial. Why in this case the usual rule that judicial inquiries must not bo prej udiood by improper newspaper comment should not apply it is difficult to see. Abundant opportunity will be aliorded the press for discussion after tho findings are pronounced; bub while the inquiry is in progress it should clearly be treated as a proceeding sub judice. The excision of the provision, against unfair newspaper comment does not, it appears, in any way limit the power of the Judges who will form the Commission to prevent, by commitment to prison or by fine, any attempts made in tho public press by improper comment to prejudice a fair trial. The act gives the Judges all the powers of Judges exercising the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on its civil side, and these powers clearly include the power to punish as contempt unfair journalism. . ■ ' ' '

THE DATE OF THE INQUIRY. 1 hero is one aspect of tJiis appointment of three to condudt- an inquiry into the audit system of the colony that needs immediate attention. It is to bo hoped that the Judges to ho appointed, will treat the, matter as one of urgent public importance, and conduct the inquiry before the Court of Appeal takes in hand any private legislation. The session of the Court of Appeal begins on. Monday-nest; and it seems imperative in the public interests of the colony that the inquiry should he carried through before the Court of Appeal cases are taken. It seems, to us that it would be within the powers of the Court to adjourn its hearing of these cases in order to give precedence to this investigation. Tho promptness displayed hy the Legislature in setting up the machinery of the Commission, and the high judicial status of the persons doomed heoessaxy to conduct it, alike point to the public need for an immediate settlement.

THE SICK MEN OF THE WOULD. The Sultan of Turkey has been the “ Sick Man ” of Europe ever since _ tho day tho Gzar Nicholas I. prescribed Bleeding, and invited Groat Britain to share the proceeds. China was taken ill by the common consent, of. the civilised world some years later, and partitioned into “spheres of influence" —a policy which was defined between the lines of every treaty as the preliminary step to complete absorption, Many years passed, and then Japan suddenly rose up and gave the most convincing proof that the tendency to delicate healthy she had once shown after the American doctor had felt her pulse (and quickened it greatly) had been thoroughly shaken off. The story is so fresh of the last proofs of Japanese health and strength. that the ink on the record is still wet.: While men are speculating on what it all means, the cable informs us that China, has returned a most prompt and positive refusal to a German .request for further privileges in the German “ snhere of influence.” It is a marvellous departure. But scarcely have we begun to feel astonished than the news oomes that the “Unspeakable Turk,” who was supposed to have really reached the last gasp, has peremptorily declared that he will not have any more interference with his internal affairs, and has expelled tho officers stationed within his borders to carry -out the policy of foreign interfdrenoo. At the same time, Russia, through the mouth of the most pr ominent of tho .official organs, 'advises the world to respect the AngloJapanese: alliance, contenting itself with, if possible, tho “status quel’ and free commerce. Tire same journal recommends tho Government of the Czar to arrange a “ modus vivendi ” with Great Britain in Central Asia. This, completes the chapter of marvels going on before our eyes. Russia preaching “tho open door for the country out of which she has been hopelessly driven, preaching peace after disastrous defeats in war, preparing a policy of retreat for the future, while the two “ Sick Men ” actually are getting out of.hod to stand upon their own feet—these are events which prove the decisive character of the great war just ended. The world is beginning now to realise how that war has changed the current of history.

LOCAL AND GENERAL, His Honor Mr Justice Cooper will nit in Chambers at 10.30 o’clock this morning. • Examinations for masters and mates of vessels are in future to be held at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin, and not at Wellington only as hitherto. The Public Health Department has been granted the us© of the hospital at Berhamporo for the treatment of a consumptive patient. The building is to be thoroughly disinfected afterwards. A meeting of the promoters and persons interested in the proposed Wellington Turbine Steam Ferry Company is to bo held on Monday next. A prospectus of the company will be published shortly. Mr Glen, head gardener for the City Council, has informed the Town Clerk that the Botanical Gardens are looking particularly \ well at present. This assurance shoiild induce citizens to make themselves bettor acquainted with Wellington’s first beauty spot. Councillor Coben mentioned at the City Council last evening that the time within which holders of city reclaimed leasee had the out ion of surrendering and converting their leases under the act, of last session, would expire on November .Bth, that is, twelve months from the act coming into operation. The City Solicitor had informed him that there were still about a dozen lessees who had not surrendered their leases. Two or three applications were under' consideration by tte committee.

During last month the estates of fortj'-nine deceased persons were placed, under tho management of tho Public Trustee. Of tho twenty-five Chinese Who arrived from Sydney by the Monowai yesterday, fifteen were new colonists, four being women. The naturalisation of twenty-three persons is notified in this week’s “ Gazette.” Most of them appear to ha Scandinavians or Russians. Tho following tenders were received by the Public Works Department fop alterations to the post office' at Now Plymouth : Accepted Pikett and Wilkie, New Plymouth, £6990. Declined—A. Cliff, £6997; Boon Bros., £7049; J. T. Mannix, £7744; M. F. Grayling, £7805. Tho Hawke’s Bay Presbytery haul nominated tho Rov Dr Sldey as Moderator for New Zealand in 1906. Tho Presbytery, on the casting vote of tho Moderator, recommended adherents tq vote no-license at the coming poll. Exception was taken to the motion on tho ground that such matters should be loft to individual conscience. “ The Boys’ Training Farm ” is to bs tho name of tho institution at Weraroa of which Mr Burlinson, late of Otago, has been appointed manager. It is ta be a home whore boys who have.appeared before the Bench, hut who show no criminal tendencies, are to - bo controlled and trained; it is not to be si reformatory institution of the character of the Burnham Industrial School. Tho Education Department informs us that tho farm will be opened in a few weeks. The September number of' “Tho Catholic Magazine,” just to hand, is_an exceptionally good one. The loading article, is on “Education, and its Relative Value to Young Men.” and there is a well-written and finely-illustrated description of “Whit-Week in Man*’ Chester,” contributed by Mr L. Heichel. The other contents, are interesting, in. eluding very full news notes from the various Catholic Young Men’s Societies in tho colony, while the portraits and other illustrations are well executed. A number of companies have recently . been'formed in Buenos Ayres, almost exclusively with British capital, for tho purpose of dredging for gold in the rivers of Argentina, Brazil. Chili, and Bolivia. The capital, involved exceeds a million and a-half. :A large number of dredges will ho ordered shortly, in all probability from British.- builders. New Zealand .has already supplied dredging machinery for Argentina, and it will be interesting to see if any orders come here. A meeting of the Wellington Convalescent Home Trustees was hold on Wednesday morning. Present —Mosel am es Newman (in the chair), Grady, Brandom, Miss Coates, Mrs Barron (treasurer), and Mrs Pearce (hon secretary). The matron reported that nine patients had boon admitted during the, month, 1 and nine discharged. The following gifts were acknowledged:—Mrs narrower, cake; Mis D. Smith, Mrs Snaddon, and Mr Donniston, magazines and illustrated papers; Mrs Wilson and Mrs Pauli, fruit, preserves,'and butter.

Inconvenience has at times resulted from persons filling post office pillarboxes with magazines or parcels. An Order-in-Council in yesterday’s “Gazette” declares that receiving-! boxes are primarily for letters. Newspapers and other articles not exceeding 18in in length and 2in in thickness may also bo posted in receiving-boxes. Not more than six newspapers or other printed articles'may ho posted in any ono receiving-box in ono day by the same person or on behalf of any. on<v person. Articles identified as posted in breach of this limitation will be dotained. ■ Mr W. S. Short, solicitor, of the Department of Roads, has been appointed a Commissioner tq inquire into a claim, made by the Oroua and Kairanga County Councils, that the cost of maintaining the Manawatu Gorge road and Upper Gorge bridge should bo reapportioned between themselves . and the Pohangina, Woodvi He. Pahiatua, and Waipawa County Councils, and Palmerston, Feilding, _ , Woodvillo, Pahiatua, and Dannevirko Borough Councils. Tho inquiry will ho commenced to-day. Arrangements have been made to take evidence at Woodvillo next Tuesday. New Zealand seldom lacks defenders when her reputation is assailed. A few days ago a Sydney newspaper, writing of tile wreck of the scow Moana, referred to “ the : treacherous, rock-bound coast of Now Zealand.” Thereupon, Mr P. A. Phillips, a former Mayor and Town Clerk of Auckland, now resident in Sydney, wrote to the journal, pointing out that the adjectives were, quitsundeserved. “ Alter a - half-ccntury’n residence in New Zealand,” ho continued, “ I can, I think, say that in the North Island there has not been a wreck a. year, and few, if any, - iffi Auckland. The coasts are well lighted, and the harbours many, and easily accessible. , . ■ :■ ■ j

The New Zealand Federated Seamen’* TJr.ion has several actions for enforce* ment of award against the Union Steam Ship Company now pending bo fore the Arbitration Court. When these were mentioned yesterday morning, Mr Kirby, the company’s representative, said he would raise the miti ter of jurisdiction. This matter involves the question whether a.n award applies outside the industrial district in which it is made, and to a seaman who has signed articles at a po'rt outside the district. Mr Jones, representative of the New Zealand Federated Seamen’® Union, said the question affected the whole policy of the act. The President of the Court (Mr Justice Chapman) stated that he had recommended legis. lation on the subject some time ago, but had not seen anything in the statute hook. Mr Jones states that it is open to shipping employers to maintain that they drop the award when they get throe miles from shore. The quarterly number of “Tho Now Zealand Surveyor” 1 is to Land, containing tho usual selection of matter of interest. The principal article is a reprint one entitled “A Protest Against tho Metric System,” and it is pointed, out editorially that leagues have been formed recently, both in America and England, to agitate for the retention of existing measures, and resist the introduction of the French system, while Canada also is taking a firm stand on tho subject. “Me in New Zealand,” continues the writer, “ought to lose no time in starting a vigorous campaign against this obnoxious measure, as legislation regarding the French metre is "already on the statute hook. Remember ! if the French metric system is forced upon us by law, it will be a much greater calamity for Britain and Australasia than the Boer war was; and as Britain’s colon’es came forward nobly then to the assistance of tho Mother Country, let us again join hands with Canada and Australasia, and repulse the insidious attack that is now, being made on our liberty 1”

The Wellington Hose and Carnation Club is again urging the City Council to Get apart plots in the city reserves to bo planted by school children. The City Council last evening accepted the tender of Mr A. Maguire lor the construction of the tramway tunnel through Mount Victoria. Iho 'amount of tlii.H anrl oi other tondors iri connection vwilh the Jfelroso lixiinway ■oxtonoions has not been divulged. At Rotorua yesterday, Robert MoJjartsn, alias Johnson, and Lwdhara Whitehead, alias .Mills, alias Sweeney, tvoro charged With escaping from Waiotapu Prison on September 27 th. Mo-Lai-on pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment; Whitehead, who denies:! the charge, was convicted, and sentenced to nix months’ imprisonment. On charges of breaking into the Waiotapu Hotel and stealing 'therefrom, McLaren pleaded guilty, wan committed for sentence, while Whitehead pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial.

The fence round the ancient guns forming the saluting battery at i’ipitea Point is very much out of repair. Owing to the expense of keeping the Baored plot in order, the Defence Department proposed to remove the guns to the Alexandra Barracks, presumably to bombard the joyous air from that vantage point whenever occasion demanded. When this proposal was Bommunleated to the City Council that body objected that serious inconvenience would be caused by firing salutes in that locaJity. The Defence Department has taken no further steps. Mr Roland T. Robertson, Consular Agent for Italy, has been notified that the Italian cruiser Calabria, having on board his Royal Higimess the Prince of Undine, a member of the Royal House of Savoy, will probably arrive in Wellington on November 7th next. The Calabria is a third-class stool-built twin-screw cruiser of 2442 tons displacement, and was built in 189-1 at Spezia (Italy) at a cost of £183,120. Her armament consists of four 5.9 in quickfirers, six 4.7 in, one 2.9 in, eight 2.2iu, ■eight l.din, and two Maxim guns. Prince Ferdinand, who became of ago last April, is the oldest son of Prince Tomaso Albert Victor. Duke of Genoa, and uncle to King Victor Emmanuel, the reigning monarch. The last Italian warship to visit New Zealand was the ■cruiser Liguria, which also had on board a Royal personage in the gallant commander, the Duke d’Abruzzi, explorer and scientist. The birthdays of the King of Italy and King Edward VII. occur while the vessel is expected to bo in port.

Ono of the most popular hotels on the West Coast is the Clarendon, at Palmerston North. This fine new building, which is on tho Square, contains fifty ■ipacioas rooms, and ia t conducted in such a manner by the proprietress Mrs J. Tait, that it has become a favourite hostelry With the travelling public. • . Lost week, Messrs Parata. Moffatt and Co. sold Mr liowes's farm at Awahuri, lontaining 1020 acres for .£16,312. The paintings by Mr W. J. Baker, to 'he sold by Messrs W. H. Morrah and Co. at their rooms, next Tuesday afternoon, are to be quitted without reserve. The premises of Messrs J. Myers and Company, and Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., will be closed for holiday next .Monday. Fowls and ducts will be sold by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Company to-day. Tho Globe Proprietary Company has a new advertisement in another column regarding businesses for sale. Messrs Maodonald, Wilson and Co. will sell to-day at 1.30 o'clock at the residence of Mr 'VV. Anld, No. 6. Princess street (off Roxburgh street), the whole of his superior househola furniture, etc. The firm, announce in the advertisement appearing that there will bo a gaslight display to-morrow night from 7.30 to P o'clock of the jewellery, gold and silver watchers, etc. which they will sell on behalf of Messrs Marourson Bros., of Dunedin on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday next, commencing each day at 1.30 o’clock. Detailed catalogues can he had on application. The firm also insert the advertisement of the sale of 66 seaside building sections, which they will submit, to auction on Thursday evening next at their Exchange Land Mart.