CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6382, 3 December 1907, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

"DEADWOOD DICK” TRASH. A little time ago some youthful '‘hushrangers” were taken Court at Auckland, when it appeared the leader of the gang had been inspired by seeing animated pictures of Captain Starlight and his desperate deeds. At the Juvenile Court at Gisborne yesterday, two hoys —on© aged twelve, the other ten years—were brought before the Magistrate on eight charges of breaking and ■ entering shops' in town. In one case tho boys admitted taking ,£lO, most of which they had thrown into*the river. Tho boy© had hidden fifty-two keys taken from various premises. Detective Maddern stated that tho boys had been reading "Deadwood Dick” trash, to which attributed the crime. The boys had spectable parents and good homes, but got beyond control. The parents pleaded that the boys be given another chance. The Magistrate remanded them till ho had ascertained the amount appropriated. COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE. The question of compulsory military service is likely to be discussed at the next meeting of tho Council of Churches. At last night's mooting the Rev. A. Dcwdney drew attention to the attitude of the Education Board in seeking to compel a, teacher to act as a military officer. While ho had nothing to say with respect to that particular case, he personally strongly resented the Government or any governing body of any body of men having the power to compel any of its servants to act in a military capacity. Mr J. G. \V. Aifken, M.P., said with regard to the case of the school teacher, that person did not object to hold office or control the boys, but what be did object to was to nave to come out in full dress. Mr Dewdney said the question was one which bristled with difficulties, but ne would give notice of a motion for next meeting. THE GAMING ACT. The recent legislative enactment regarding the control of gambling in the Dominion was briefly discussed by the Council of Churches last evening, and the following , motion carried: —"That this council believes that the passage of the Gambling Bill means a high advance in social legislation; that the Premier's programme of tho confinement of gambling to the racecourse is thoroughly practical, and believes that it will command the support of the bulk of the people, and that the utmost effort ought to be made to defeat all attempts at the evasion of the new law/' During the discussion it was pointed out that the law was drastic, but that in order to make it fully effective it would have to be enforced by the authorities with the utmost vigour.

SWEATING WORSE THAN EVER. Mr Arthur Henderson, a member of the British House of Commons, has written for the “Women's Trade Union Review” a short account, or rather impression, of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Homework. Though Mr Henderson was a member of that committee, he makes no attempt to forecast the report. He says that the revelations “out-rival for notoriety anything recorded by the Dunraven Committee,” and that the evidence showed that "socially and economically the status of the homeworker has fallen just as regularly and methodically as the numbers of the victims have increased in each trade.” That is a fact worthy to be insisted upon. The comfortable lady who purchases sweated parasols for the park and confirmation wreathe for her daughters, says a London paper, is too often allowed to comfort herself with the fiction that sweating has long since died out. “The Daily Nows” exhibition somewhat shattered the complacency of the West End in this respect, and society is ripe for a strenuous effort on the part of Parliament to allay this shameful evil. Mr Henderson’s strong

warning is that it must be put in the hands of a thorough administration. THE UNION LABEL. The preliminaries to an important action in which the constitutionality of the workers' trade mark, more generally known as the union label, may be tested, have been arranged (says the Melbourne "Ago"). The plaintiffs in the case are his Majesty’s Attorney-General for New South Wales, "at and by relation of" Toohcy’s Brewery Limited and other breweries, including the Castlemaino Brewery, and the defendants are the Brewery Employees' Union, Mr S. H. Watson, secretary of the union, and Mr George Townsend, Registrar of Trade Marks. Plaintiffs seek to upset the registration, of a brewery union label under Federal law, and they challenge the whole position of the Federal Parliament in the matter. The Commonwealth Government is, of course, defending the Registrar, and the Attorney-General, Mr L. E. Groom, has briefed Mr Duffy, K.C., and Mr McArthur, K.C., as counsel. The Full Court has at its , first sittings in Melbourne next year to decide two highly .important issues;—(1) Whether tho plaintiffs together or any of them have any action at all as disclosed in the statement of claim, and (2) Whether it was competent for tho Federal Parliament to enact a workers' trade mark at all. NEWS NOTES. His Honor Mr Justice Button will sit in divorce to-day to hear tho case of Tolley v, Tolley, which comes from Napier. The rainfall in Wellington for tho month of November was 3.02 in. Bain fell on seven days, tho heaviest fall being 2.51 in on the 11th. The vestry of All Saints' Anglican Church at.Foston has decided to give its old chffrch bell to eomo poor country parish. Tho bell is 14in at the mouth and of beautiful tone, i Tho Customs revenue and beer duty collected at Wellington during the month of November totalled respectively .£62,475 18s lOd and .£1289 15s 9d. Tho figures for November, 19U6, wore Is From Ist January to 30th November, 1906, the births in Christchurch numbered 1923; deaths 811, marriages 776. In the same period in 1907 tho numbers were:—Births 2171, deaths 1126, marriagcsSßS. For the past month tho births were 192, deaths 73, marriages 69. The Dunedin City Licensing Committee at its quarterly meeting yesterday commented on the increase of j uvenilo drunkenness, especially on Saturday nights. A caution was given that if any case« of supplying drink to juveniles was sheeted home to any hotel-keeper 'ho will be severely dealt with.

One of the seven applicants for the position of assistant electrician for the borough of Patca at .£7O a year mentioned that he was forty years of age, had had an English public school and University education, had spent two years in Paris, and had studied electricity for two years. The plans for the proposed crematorium to be erected by the City Council on land reserved for* that purpose at tho .Karori cemetery have not yet arrived from England. The City Council exptects the receipt of the plane at an early daffe, and the building necessary for the purpose of cremation will bo commenced.

Sixteen bookmakers who were sentenced to terms of imprisonment of from one or two months for trespassing on the Riocarton racecourse on November 13tli have had the uhexplrod portion of their sentences remitted by his Excellency the Governor Tho Minister of Justice has recommended that those who had previously offended should have their sentences reduced by one-half. Six candidates have been nominated for tho election to fill the seat on tho Marlborough-Land Board granted under the new legislation to a direct representative of the Grown tenant©. The nominees are;—John Duncan, J. S. Armstrong, S. M, Neville, Jas. Boyd, senr., G. M. Gunn, and F. J. Monk. There are over a thousand Crown tenants in the Marlborough district.

The work done by “working bees” in removing spoil at the Home of Compassion at Island Bay. and thus assisting in the construction of a reservoir, has been of so substantial and useful a character that appreciable progress is reported. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert informs us that there is still work for willing helpers, and it is understood that fresh parties are being organised' to carry on the scheme. The annual election of six trustees to represent the various contributing local bodies other than the Wellington City Council on the Board of the Wellington Benevolent Trustees took place yesterday morning. . The following were elected ;—Mrs". Da.rvoll, and’ Messrs A. AV. Hogg, M.P., H. Cook, A. C. Pearce, Robert Smith, and F. G. Bolton. The AVcllington City Council is represented by Councillor J. Smith.

In the AVellington Physical Training School’s gymnasium on Saturday evening the annual physical tournament, between teams from AVellingon College and St. Patrick’s College resulted in a win for the former by C37J points to GOD. The judges wore Messrs T. S. Eonaldson, AV. H. Jones, AV. AVeston, and Colour-Ser-geant Davis, of tbe City Rifles. Both colleges are instructed in physical culture by Mr B. Dover, and the excellent exhibition given by the lads speaks highly for his training. Five of the alleged members of the "Feather Gang,” which has sprung into notoriety during the past few weeks by raids on warehouses, appeared before Mr AV. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Juvenile Court yesterday, and were remanded till half-past nine o'clock on Thursday morning. The boys’ ages range from about eight to ten years. There are ten charges against them, mostly of breaking and (entering warehouses and stealing goods therefrom. Pieas Of guilty will bo entered in the majority of the charges.

One hundred and twenty students of the AYctoria College held a picnic at Trentham ■on Saturday, proceeding thither by brakes. No definite programme of sports was laid down, but tho students indulged in various field eSerciste, including cricket, which was played by rival teams of ladies and men. On the return journey, the box of a wheel of one of tho brakes became heated and took fire, and a halt had to be mado to effect repairs. The people who travelled by the damaged vehicle did not reach Wellington until 11.30 at night.

The quarterly meeting of tho Wellington Licensing Committee was held yesterday at noon. There were present— Dr McArthur, S.M. (presiding). Messrs J. Smith, E. A. Wright. A. J. Rand, C. H. Jones, and G. J. Petherick. Tho following transfers were approved, there being no objection on the part of the police :—Palace Hotel, George Edwards to A. AV. Harrison (Mr Blair); Shepherds’ Arms, Patrick William Corby to Robert Buekeridge (Mr Young); Empire Hotel, C. G. P. Eagar to E. W. Sofield (Mr Young). • . "You might also state that you are a barrister of the Supreme Court," said nrmosing counsel tc a witness who entered the box at the Supreme Court at Christchurch on Friday to give evidence in bjn own case, which he conducted. "AVell,” replied the witness, “I am suing as a flaxmiller, not as a (solicitor.” "I don’t suppose it matters,” observed Mr Justice Chapman. “There is nothing to bo ashamed of, is there?" "On the contrary," said the witness, “I am very ■ proud of it." "Are you practising?" queried his Honor. "Yes," said the witness, "since I have been forced put of flaxmilling, which I much prefer.” The witness stated later that he had served before the meet at ««&.

At midday yesterday the cruiser Pegasus, at present in port, fired a Royal salute in honour of Queen Alexandra's birthday.

After the first few days of the Te Whlti tangi a party of Ngatikahungunu, from Hawke’s Bay, under the leadership of Mohi Atahikoia and Hapuku, arrived at Pariluika, and took part in the ceremonies. Though the tangi will go on for some time longer, nearly all the natives who were present at the burial have returned to their homes, and are not likely to see Parihaka again. All accounts agree that there has been no drunkenness whatever in connection with the tangi.

A meeting of persons interested in horse racing was held at the Albert Hotel last night for the purpose of making preliminary arrangements for tho formation of a pony racing chib in A\ellingtou. It was stated that negotiations wore at present proceeding for the leading of a racecourse within seven miles of the city, and that the money necessary for the equipment of the < course and the enrx-ying out of all details was already available. Substantial sums of mo hoy wore offered in the room towards tho object aimed at, and it was decided that racing men bo circularised, a definite scheme be devised, the ground t cured if possible, and a second meeting hold in a fortnight, when members win bo enrolled and a committee set up.

Tho Queensland Government is endeavouring to secure from abroad tho services of a pathologist, with a view to attacking in a systematic wav the whole question of stock diseases. This is ae it should be. In a country which is so vitally concerned in stock as is Australia, tho marvel is that tho best scientific knowledge and skill has not long before been brought to bear in original research work into tho nature of tho diseases which affect our stock, and in devising remedial measures. Mr Pound, the Queensland bacteriologist, has placed stockowners under a debt for tho work he ha© hitherto accomplished undor somewhat discouraging conditions; but now that, as head of the Bacteriological Institute of the Northern State, better facilities have been afforded him, ho will bo able to extend his usefulness. At the present moment ho is preparing himself for a systematic handling of the tick ; problem. .It now seems pretty certain that woolgrowfers will before long have to face a slightly greater expenditure in tho matter of -woolpacks (says “Australian Country Life”). So embarrassing hna the presence of jute fibre in the wool become that the old world manufacturers have determined there must bo a change; and it so happens that they are in a position to force their views on growers. Tho conference that has boon called of representatives of the industry both on the producing and manufacturing sides will probably bo able to make some suggestion which will get over tho difficulty. The nett result will probably bo tho recommendation either of a coloured jufco pack of better quality than now in use, or a cotton pack. But, after all, the increased expenditure involved in such a recommendation would not bo great. If a wheatgrower can afford to pay 8d for a hag in which to pack up 10® to 15s worth of wheat, the paste raiist should be able to spend a little more than; say, 3s, on a package for JlO or <£l2 worth of wool.

A now business has been successfully launched in Wellington, the principals being Messrs W. Moncrioft and F. 13. Young, -who wero < for a considerable time associated with tho firm of John Duthie and Co. Both arc men of adequate experience an the hardware line. Their premises, which are situated in Customhouse quay, were formerly in the occupation of the Bank of Australasia, and have been altered to meet tho re* quiroments of the business. Tho firm commences with an entirely new stock imported, from Groat Britain and America, and has also been fortunate in securing agencies for several recent novelties and specialties in connection with the large and miscellaneous stock of general hardware held by them. The demands of country clients will be promptly attended to.

The issue to-day of Messrs Hnrcourt and Co.’s monthly publication, “Tho Register and Property Investors’ Guido,” marks the eighteenth year of its publication. Tho firm aro to bo congratulated upon the excellence and regularity of their publication, which has now become quite a necessity to tho investor and those In search of all kinds o£ properly. The firm claim that their list of city, suburban, and farm properties as published in their Register lo Unequalled in tho Dominion.

Gualtor, Dykes and 00., Feathorstou street, ■will sell the sections beside the Tawa Flat railway station at their auction rooms to-morrow, at 2.30 pan. The taking over of the llQuawafu Railway line will bring these sections—'which are sail to ho picturesque with knolls, clumps of bush, and gentle rises, with charming views and a clear trout stream—within, easy distance of tho city. Gualtcr, Dykes and Co. will supply plans and particulars on request. Tan Gibson tie shoes in quit© the latest styles arc advertised by E. Hannah and Co.. Ltd. The transfer books of the Loan and Mercantile Company will be closed from December sth to 18th, both days inclusive. The Education Board invites applications from pupil teachers for admission to tho Training College.

Some particulars are given in our advertising columns of music to bo plavcd .by the different bands next Sunday—Hospital Sunday, Men's suits may be obtained at low,prices from Mr Darcy Ford, Willis street. Orchard’s Agency has farm lands for lease 'with purchasing clause. An advertisement in reference to Vitetia Bros/ string band appears in another column.

The Harbour Board invites tenders for printing tho annual accounts. Torcx, Barker and Finlay announce a special discount during this month to purchasers of roll-top desks and other office appointments.