CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6870, 14 July 1909, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS.

"COASTWISE ON A FOREIGN STEAMER/’ Our delightful navigation laws are a source of unending wonder to tho profane uninitiated. into their sacro-sanci arcanum (says New York "Shipping Illustrated” of recent date). ■ A voyage front the mainland to Hawaii being ' "coastwise” navigation under this mystic pact, to embark from the United States for a foreign port on a foreign linor touching at Honolulu, is to "shanghai”' oneself without hope oi discontinuing the trip', unless a heavy fine is paid for violation of tho coastwise navigation laws. This delightful expsrionoe has just befallen no less ; person than tho daughter of ex-Vice-President Fairbanks. She booked for Japan on a Japanese liner from San Francisco and broke the journey at Honolulu. She now wishes to give up tho trip, but finds that she must go on to destination and cannot return home unless she pays HtO as e fine for having travelled “coastwise” on_ a . foreign steamer. Oould a more ridiculous situation bo imagined in an enlightened country? ABE AUSTRALIANS UNTRUTHFUL? In a paper on “The Teacher’s Work and its Recompense,” read before a gathering of teachers at Sydney last week, bliss Pickering, mistress of tho Marriokville Girls’ School, threw some interesting sidelights’ on national characteristics. Discussing ■ the moral aspect of the teacher's instruction, she remarked that it was tho proud boast of tho Britisher that his word was his bond. ‘‘But what of us Australians?” sho asked. .“Sadly it muist be owned that it is not every man Of. woman of the Sunny South whoso 'Yes’ is ‘Yes,’ and whoso ‘No’ rings true however much wo pride ourselves upon our moral ancestry. To remedy this iA tho. beginning and to continue tho task throughout the life at school) is olio of the teacher’s least easy' duties. Whatever W tho cause, the fact is evident that- this is a difficulty, with Which teachers have to grapple, and to their credit bo it Said than they do not shirk tho task, ■ but, weald in and week out, try to make theifi pupils brave enough to face tho punishment a misdeed brings, and to own: a fault or tell tho ; truth even to their own hurt.” Frequent comment has been, made by judges as to the. prevalence of perjury, so it is good to know that the Schools are doing everything possible to produce boys of the Washington type. , "HUSH MONEY.” Echoes of tho notorious Thaw dbr trial are still apparent. The London ‘‘Telegraph’s” New Y T ork .correspondent, writing, on May 24th, says American: counsel are) permitted to sue for their fees, and Mr Clifford Hartridge, who defended Harry Thaw in his murder trial, is availing himself of that privilege. Mr Hartridgo claims, inter alia,, £BOOO as ‘hushmoney' paid to conciliate persons who would otherwise ■ have injured liio client.’ Harry Thaw has always been! rather thrifty in paying, professional bills, and, aided, by hia mother, i.» now putting up what he calls a ‘vepy good fight against extortion.’ Ho has the advantage of .being immune front arrest, because ho is in a Statu' lunatic asylum, while his property! has- been transferred to trustees/ Both Mrs Thaw and her son rate tho seri Vices of Mr Hartridgo. rather low, and decline to reimburse him without full particulars of the sums alleged to • have been paid in ‘hush money,’ which so far are not forthcoming. Harry Thaw issued a Statement yesterday in .which he says that , tho affidavit published by Mr Hartridgo in support of his claim for sums spent in huslil money, has no foundation in fact. jßotlt Mr Hartridgo and the Thaws have taken the newspapers into their confidence-, and axe Issuing their statements to them for publication; and the'strife, as revealed fo-day, promises still mere interesting developments.”

' HEWS NOTES

Mr Flower, flourmiller, of Bulls, .has given to tile Wellington Benevolent Trus- ■ tees twenty 251 b bags of flour, f.o.b. Greatford. The third quarter of the Technical School begins next Monday.- and there is an important notice to students in onr advertising columns. "The Palroerstonian,” the journal oi the High School, Palmerston North, is to hand. The roll for the. first tern: this year Was 173, a record for tin school. An indigent woman, who did not ap pear before tb© Benevolent Institution yesterday, asked for A pair Of boots. She desired that they should not be oi potent leather. The Trustees decided they would not force the lady to accept anything she did not like.

Mr T. Wllford; M.P., made some suggestions to the Minister of Railways yesterday in regard to alterations In the morning trains from Lower Unit to Wellington. .Ho . Asked . for a 7.15 or t.IS a.m< train from the Hnfcti to stop at all stations; and a- 7.30 fast tram to arrive in the city about ten ■ minutes to eight. These- trains’,- he urged, would be more convenient than the present 7.11 and 7.19 trains. The Minister promised to consider the matter. A meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took place yesterday. Ati Jameson was in the chair, and other members present were—Mesdamcs Kernot and Christie, and Messrs Jtlott, Cook, Brown, Williams, Giasson, and Watson. Subscriptions have been received from the following Wairarapa Farmers' Co-op. Association, 10s 6d; Miss' Callender, Messrs C. Er Galway; i\ do J. Clere and “N-Z. Times," 10s each; Messrs L. G. Bcid, T. B, Boyea, L, W. Ludwig, Thos. Ballinger, A. H. Turnbull, T. A. Wells, P. V. Waters, A. V. Knapp, and W. and J., Staples, 5s each; Lady Atkinson and Megdames M. Kennedy Arid Babe, 5s each; ilrS Chatfield, Mr J. Hopkirk and "A.E.,” 2s 6d each : a total of £6 19s. The society intends to take* action in several cases, A correspondent has written to the S.P.C.A.. stating that certain pigs are allowed to live in the open, without beds, ac-i that their food is thrown down in the mud. One lot two of the members smiled, and the chairman solemnly desired to know if the inspector had* seen these pig's. A member, who possibly hkd hiS Own ideas About animals generally, Expressed sorrow for the pigs, that had to sleep under gorse* bushes. The Stock And Health Departments’ are’ ter be communicated with about these animal^.

The next conference of the United Tire Brigades' will be held at Hostings on Tebnmry lith, lUIO.

During the June quarter the Wellington City Tire Brigade received th calls, including 23 false alarms, against 10 for the corresponding three months Nh 1908. when there were only seven tain*, alarms. Last month the brigade attended 28 calls, of which 9 were false alarms. The Finance Committee of the City Council yesterday had under coiiHtleraticn the Wadestown tramway. Thcqucs--1 ion has lawn further iiu-Apom-d for a iorlnitfht. Tlie Rhodes trustees, whose will largely benefit by tho proposed ••■yamway, are again to be approached with, respect to the matter. A Morse signaling lamp has been erected at the top of the signalling mast on the end of the Queen's wharf, ‘Wellington. The Harbour Board’s night 'staff is becoming proficient in the dot ami dash business, and night tne now {iffy-candle-power .signalling lamp was whispering at a groat rate through the darkness. Commercial men in Western Australia are moving for the introduction tlicro of a Public Trnufc on the line* followed in New Zealand. Yesterday the local Chamber of Commerce received a communication on the .subject from the chamber at Perth, in which a- request was made for a copy of the Act and information as to the lesuit of its working in the Dominion. Messrs ifarcourt mul Co, held a property sale at their rooms yesterday, rhe-re was a good attendance. The ground rent of a property situated in Hospital' road, having'' a frontage* of 120 feet by an irregular depth of 71 feet to Hi feet, was \>old at .£lB per annum fur a term of 21 years. A property in Taranaki street was passed in at *£675, and a farm property containing GSO acres was passed in at *£ll 5s per acre. A death occurred on the liner Athenic on Sunday last when half way between Hobart and Wellington. Elizabeth Cammack, aged 17 years, who was accompanied by her parents and sister, suddenly developed acute pneumonia and tmccumbed at 0.35 o'clock in the evening. The body was buried at sen on Monday. Captain Kompsou read tho burial service. The Cammnck family corn© from Lanarkshire, Scotland, and are booked for Auckland.

A meriting of citizens in sympathy with tile principle of taxing land-values is calk'd for this evening in the rooms of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, 27a, Panama street, for the purpose of adopting a commendatory resolution and cabling the same to Sir BloytlGeorgc on the inclusion of the principle in the Imperial Budged. The meeting will open, at 8 p.nt., and a cordial invitation is extended to all supporters of land-valao taxation. At the annual meeting of the Kelbnrne Volunteer Fire Brigade the secretary reported that the finances were now in a satisfactory condition. As a. result of n canvass tho debt on.the brigade building had been extinguished. The election of office-bearers resulted a® follows:—President. Commissioner Dinnie; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs Arthur Young and J. P. Campbell; foreman, Mr .T. Darling', de-puty-foreman, Mr Hill; secretary, Mr J, Wilson (re-elected); treasurer, Mr Clouston. Several residents having loft the suburb, vacancies have occurred in the brigade, and tho secretary is desirous of enrolling new members'. Many children apparently merely exist in ■Wellington, and, considering that children are a nation's most valuable asset, ft seems a pity to withhold from n child what any domestic animal is forced to have. It was shown yesterday at the meeting of tho Trustees of the Benevolent Institution that a large family of children lind been practically starving. Rations had been granted, and the children, who before had "been always ailing," are now normally healthy.

In connection with the quarterly returns of exports and imports at Wellington which wore published yesterday, it was pointed out to a "Neur Zealand Times” reporter that the- imports include =£300,000 worth of specie.' For tho corresponding quarter of last year the specie imported was worth only =£12,000. This actually means, it was stated, that the ordinary imports have decreased irr value by nearly a quarter of a million, which is looked upon as being- very desirable, especially in view of the excess of imports over exports as previously shown. Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., has received a letter from a reputable resident in the Suburbs electorate,! alleging that sly grog-selling Is going on in a certain locality. The communication makes serious charges, which Mr Luke has deemed it his duty to bring under the notice of the Minister of Justice. “I regret exceedingly/' remarked Mr Luke last night, "as member for the district, that there should be any need for such representations, seeing that we have only just started out on. a policy a& given expression to by the electors at the recent poll.”

Representations regarding the necessity for more appropriate accommodation for the juries and witnesses at Greymouth sittings of the Supreme Court were made to the Hon. Dr Findlay (Minister of Justice) yesterday by the Hon. A- li. Guinness, who also urged that a. Registrar of the Supremo Court should bo appointed at Greymouth so as to obviate the necessity of going to Hokitika for mibpoeiiias and other 1 processes. The Minister replied (hat .the necessary accommodation would be provided, and ho would consider the advisability of appointing a registrar. The Minister of Railways is of opinion IKafc tho difficulty in connection with running a service on the Hutt Park •ailway lino could bo overcome by the ideal authorities instituting a motor-car service on the line. In England, he mid, motor services were being instituted for light traffic with good results* ooth in thickly and sparsely settled districts. The cars could be started, and Mopped nearly as quickly as tram cars, and they cost from =61600 to J 22500 each, and travelled up to thirty-five miles an •hour. He was going carefully into the matter and getting estimates. Steam was the motive power.

A serious foes befel a lady passenger who arrived by the Athenic yesterday. Shortly after 1 p.m. yesterday, while she was loaning over the side at the forward part of the- vessel, a small handbag, containing about forty pounds sterling and some valuable papers, dropped front hot hand into tho harbour between the steamer! and the wharf. The assistance of the Harbour Board officials Vraa obtained,- and Diver Finlayson was quickly on the scene with diving - gear. A crowd soon gathered to watch the operations, Although the- diver worked for" nearly three hours he failed to locate the bag. There is over' thirty feet of water at the spot, and tho diver groped in vain in the mud in almost a nightlik© darkness, as the water became very muddy and discoloured.

A while ago action was taken against carters who drive overloaded horses from the Wellington wharves. Tho Harbour Board supplied a list of one-horso vehicles which had been weighed on its weighbridges. There were seventeen overloaded vehicles, and it was shown that plenty of horses had to draw anything up to. 3i tons. Four of the cases- were taken to Court, and it was said that in tho other thirteen cases not brought there were mitigating circumstances ■Which made it inadvisable to bring actions under the city by-laws The inspector of the S.P.C.A. has power to sue under tho city by-laws, but, it is argued it is not the province of a poorly-paid and overworked official to undertake tho duties of another man. Oh the other band, it is considered that as Mr Seed inspector to tho Society for the vention of Cruelty to Animals, does work which the police do not do, he might os well (fa work the, city Will not undertake. It Is possible that - the S.P.C.A. therefore will hale to Court f. number of carters alleged to bo guilty of driving overloaded horses.

There are 88 men and 25 women in Hie Ohiro Home. Tour men have left during the week, and one has been discharged from the casual ward sick. In Hie casual ward tho re nro 25 men. Fourteen have been admitted and 12 have left. Only It of the ca«uaL ore classed as “able-bodkd.”

In connection with tho proposed acquisition of tho Heath properly for stroot-widening purpose?, the- Finance Committee of the City Council is not to increase the offer already made, for the estate on behalf of the ratepayers. The owners are asking more than the committee is prepared to recommend the council to accept.

On the 23th inst. a poll of the ratepayers of Kfirori will ho taken upon tho proposal to borrow, by way of a special loan, the sun of .£27,500 for the purposeof extending the tramway to the toot of Maka.ni Hill, and for the purchase of a stoiie-crushing plant. The polling booths nil] be the Borough Council office, Karori, amt Mrs Webb’s refreshment rooms, near Karori Cemetery. A certain service book which it is suggested should lx? brought into general ua? in tho Wellington district I.Tesbytennu churches is, according to ono member of the presbytery, rather cumbrous and awkward for a minister to carry about with him when attending burial and other services. The member mentioned that one of his Auckland brethren l)ud surmounted this difficulty by extracting the portions relating to the births, deaths and marriages services and had put it in a binding, for himself. Ho had shown it to the sneaker. On the outbids it bore the title *' Elementary Trigonometry/' A discussion took place- at the meeting of tluv S.P.C.A. yesterday relative to the- domestic condition of a man who was alleged to have treated a horse with crindry. It was. shown that tins man luwl been recently fined heavily for cruelty* but that he was at present indigent. Two members saki the S.F.C.A. bad nothing to do with the financial position of people who are cruel, and action should be taken. Mrs. Kernot said that, while ifc way the object of tho society to see that animals were not treated cruelly,, it was not the function of the society to be cruel to woman and children. The inspector was instructed to bring a case against the 1 alleged offender. The- Athenic, which arrived at Wellington yesterday morning, brought it) second saluo-n and 338- third-class pmssungers-; 12 joined the steamer at Capetown* Of this number, 165 were assisted by tho High Commissioner's- office, comprising 73 women, 53 children, and 33 men. Those nominated by relatives in New Zealand were 13 men* 11 women and 3 children. There were 18 domestics on board for various ports-, only two of whom were upon for engagement. The male passengers included 11 and U farm labourerrs. The total capital of the assisted. immigrants is TSU7. The immigrants were met by Mr Dauby (Immigration Officer) ami Miss Brenmer and Mr Proctor (Labour Department). The^ passengers are distributed as follow:, —95 for -Wellington, 157 for Auckland*. H for Napier, 10 for Now Pi.viiKUuU, 3 for Wanganui, 12 for Westport, 3 for Nelson, 16 for Groymouth, 63 for Lyttelton, i for Timaru, 8 for Oftmani* 35 for Dunedin* 15 for Bluff, Ther Trustees- of the- Benevolent Institution met yesterday, Mr J. Smith presiding. Other Trustees attending wen* Miss M. E. Richmond, the Ktsv. A. W. Evanv* and Messrs- H. Cook, R. W. Short, D. Robertson and J. Wakeham. Examination- of numerous able-bodied men who

ro at present in the casual ward occupied much time. A number of cafjes of destitution were dealt with. Discussion took place relative to the paying of -applicants’ clxl debts' by the ratepayers. Individual Trustees said that they considered it a wrong thing to assist an applicant with food so that the- applicant's earnings might be spent in defraying law costs, A woman applicant mentioned that a solicitor s account for which she had been respond Mo had been paid, and that she was needing money to reony the sum she had borrowed in order** to give the-solicitor tho money. The Trustees decided to give the applicant rations for one week pending applicant's endeavour to increase her earnings.

The prospects for the orphanage startxl by the Wellington Presbytery are turning out admirably, according to a statement made by Dr Gibb at the meCt,ng of the presbytery yesterday. They had now thirteen children in the iustituou, most deserving cas-es, and also most promising ones. The schoolmaster at Brooklyn had reported pn the improved appearance physically of tho children, nd m respect to one two who had been lacking m subordination ho had noticed considerable improvement. Very good work was, being done on the premises, and it promised one day to be a big work. The institution was in a satisfactory position so far staff was concerned, while the condition of tho funds was not unsatisfactory. When they had this kind of work to perform Jie method to be adopted seemed to him , -v be to g 6 straight ahead. They always got as much as they needed. The Institution will be officially opened on Friday week at 3.3 ft p.m. by his- Excellency the Governor* Tin Minister of Education, the Mayor,, and other public men will be present. The St. Aloysins branch of the Hibernian Society Held its half-yearly meeting last evening at the lodge rooms. South Wellington. The following officers for the- ensuing half-year were appointed President, Dro. T. Pender; vicepresident, BrO. J. J. McMahon; secretary, .Bro. H. W, Giles; treasurer, Bro. C. J. MoEiTeftn; Warden* Bro. A. Pitfcgibbon; Guardian, Bro. B. Simon; Sick Visitors, Bros* McMahon and Simon; auditors, Bros. .J. W.- Callaghan and W. J. O'Mearjw After the investiture of officers, a- banquet was tendered to tho visiting representatives of various lodges and clubs, including Bro. V. H. Clifford, of the Melrose Druids, and Bro. C,. J. Hickson, of the Island Bay Drukis. Tho toast of "The Pope, and King” was proposed by Bro. T. Render, responded, to by tho Rev. Father McDonald (Chaplam),, '‘Kindred Societies and. Clubs" was proposed by. Bro‘. J. L. Murphy, and responded to bv Bro. Clifford; "Retiring Officers" by Bro. J. W. Callaghan, and responded to- by Bro. V. J. O’Meara; "The Hibernian Society’ by Mr Moriarty, Of St. Anne's Chip executive, and responded fo by the president of St. Aloysius branch, BrOr T. Fender.

The NaVy League became involved in a discussion which took place at the meeting of the Wellington ITesbytery yesteivlay morning concerning the preservation of peace between Britain and- Germany. The Eev. Mr luglis,- in speaking on a motion submitted, took exception to a statement which had appeared- in the local press,- and apparently endorsed by the secretary of tho Navy League. Tho statement made by a member of tho league was to the effect that if Germany's conduct towards Britain was not altered he hoped Germany Would be given a good thrashing. The Eev. W. JL Comrie asked if the motion was intended as a reflection on the Navy League, and was opposed to the means taken for the advancement of our nation ? If 80, he would not support it. Dr Gibb, , the mover, wished it to bo quite clear’ that nothing of the kind was intended. Mr Comrie pointed out that Mr Inglis's remarks wore open to the construction that this was a kind of counterblast to the Navy League. Mr Inglis explained that ho did not intend his remarks as a counter-blast fo the Navy League. He had simply referred to the statement made to 1 the Navy League, and which had evidently been" Approved by the" press of the city. If this was the spirit that the Navy League was fostering it was doing a very doubtful Service to the Empire. Mr Comrie accepted the ■xplariation. Neither the Navy League nor the presbytery could he held responsible for what the members or supporters said. Mr TngltS; The statement shriuld not hate been Supported by tho public press, With the Approval of the secretary.

Tlie Public Service Superannuation Board is holding its quarterly meeting in Wellington this week. Frisky horses in an ambulance one, to say the least, a little out of place, and the Wellington Hospital Trustees arn not anxious to see a repetition of a iwent experience. Mr Smith asked the Hon. C. M. Luke at yesterday's meeting of the Trustees if a complaint regarding the horses used in the ambulance had been referred to the Sfc. John Ambulance Association. The reply was that owing to the recretary’s illness tho letter might not have b«*2n sent, but it would be forwarded in duo course.

There are 213 patients in the Wellington Hospital tliis week, as compared with 261 at the, corresponding period of last year, while out-patients number 261. The financial statement submitted at yesterdays meeting showed a credit balance. of *£sso 7d. Recommendations were adopted from the Flo use Committee as follow:—That the nurses who passed the final hospital examination bo classed no tseiiior nurses, and receive-the privileges of senior nursesv that a cot or bed may be endowed for one year, the former easting *£2s and the latter .£SO, and that the donor be allowed to nominate the- patient; that the question of the rules and regulations in regard to employment of mauls in the hospital bo goin? into more fully by the matron and the* medical tiuperinfendp.nt, and brought down again at a subsequent meeting" of the trustees; that the question of part payment of patients, from the Ohiro Homo bo postponed till a subsequent meeting; that the tender of If. A, Smith (being tho lowest) be accepted for tho extended fire alarm; that the. tender of Luke and Co. (being the lowest) be accepted for lagging the steam pipes. The Lux Light Co. wish it known far and wide that the Lux Incandescent Kerosene Cl«s Lamps give the Cheapest and Most Brilliant Light on Earth. Seeing is believing. See Te Aro House, Bate* and Lees*, Wardell Bros/. Petono Workshop* (whore Lux replaced the Intent devices-in lighting). House lamps, 22. s fid. Lamps lip to 2006 candle-power. 35, 37, 39, Old Custom house street (back of Opera House). Wellington. *