The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1910.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10595, 26 October 1910, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1910.

In the Supreme Court at Wellington 1 the other day an The Helplessness of unhappy NorweInternational Law. gian was brought up for sentence on a charge, to which lie had cheerfully pleaded guilty, of desertion. During the proceedings it became very evident that the man had a vivid objeetion to going back to the ship—a German one in which be had taken a. berth. To the astonishment of all concerned be announced a preference for going to gaol. Enquiry led to a complaint of most extraordinary character. The man declared that he had been constantly beaten and otherwise ill-treated, and that this systematic ill-treatment to which he had been subjected had culminated in Westport, in a British harbor under the noses of the authorities, in his being gagged and triced up by the heels until he had become black in the face. If the story is true this mail has been subjected to a treatment the barbarity of which it is simply impossible to characterise as it deserves in decent print. But the only thing the Court could do for him was to sentence him to a period long enough to give him his wish not to go on board again. The case is complicated by the fact that the poor fellow is a consumptive and cannot bo allowed to land, on our hospitable shore: but that as he lias landed the captain, his enemy, is called upon to give a bond for £IOO that he will not be left in the country. The Judge in sentencing the man to imprisonment—with instructions that lie shall as an invalid be cared for and kept separate from the felons —intimated that the Consul of his country should have tho case brought to his notice so that steps might be taken to investigate tho man's story. It is of course possible that lie may be a romancer. On tho other hand it is possible that his story may be quite true in every particular. At present the other side of the question lias not been given. In any case tho position requires to be cleared up. The Chief Justice said lie thought that as the alleged outrage had been committed in port the law of Britain applied. But he was not sure. Are we then on a level with the Chinese and others who are forced- to allow foreigners to bo tried for offences against their laws by a. Court of foreigners. Are we forced to close our eyes and let this-ship with the captain' against whom this heavy charge has been made go out of port as if lie were an archangel? Wo trust the AttorneyGeneral will have his attention drawn to the case so that some investigation may bo . made. If there is a "prima facie" case for the skipper to answer he ought xo answer it before a British jury, and if guilty lie ought to be the object of severe punishment. It is of the last importance that this, question of international law should be cleared up as soon as possible. It lias, we believe, long been doubtful, but here is an opportunity for removing the doubt. If it should turn out that the doubt is good and that we have no power, then the law sliould.be altered with the consent of all parties which in the interest of humanity ought not to be l'difficult to obtain. No government in i the world, we take it, desires to project its citizens in any attempt to break the law of any other State with impunity. We do not say that the law has been broken in this case. We only declare .that complaint having been ■ made there ought to be instant and ■complete investigation, no matter what the national color of the accused person .may be. '

The all-night sitting which was devoted to the final disposal of The Estimates, the Estimates is to be regretted because as the outcome of the most stupid Parliamentary practice on the world, our Standing Orders hand oyer the command of; the public business to the ■minorities of the House of Representatives. • Every individual member has liberty which easily degenerates into license, and many often-make it their business to force into license; What a.man will not do for himself out, of a sense of decency, that he will not be Testrained by any rule of decency or •good manners or principle from doing 'in his public capacity as a member of "Parliament, especially if he lias to act in conjunction with a political party. •The consequence is that the leader of the House is compelled to force business "to inordinate hours in order to get it done. The men responsible for this waste of time have the audacity to complain of "Government bv exhaustion." But they arc right- alt-hough in the obverse sense. They are right for their tactics compel the government to the disastrous course of legislation by exhausting themselves. What can be worse than the factthat after a night- s misery the Opposition leader, who had been absent through illness, actually came into the House spick and span and criticised the members on their dishevelled appearance and made that appearance the excuse for a motion to adjourn without completing the busi-

ness. Ifc is characteristic of tho spirit in which business is done that it never occurred to the leader of tho Opposition that lie was laying his party open to the charge of having obstructed business for the mere pleasure of delaying it. No question put by any singlo member throughout the long sitting had any real bearing on public affairs. Most of tho criticisms of the Estimates wero puerile and many of them had been answered several times. Still the waste went on. Such things are very well in comic opera. But for serious work it is time the Legislature turned its attention. to the possibility of devising Some better way of doing its business. A closure is* objectionable of course. But nothing that coil bo mentioned is so objectionable as this unconscionable, purposeless, and inexcusable wasto of time.

Gold purchased in tho AVaitaki County during August amounted to 115oz. Our correspondent, in Wellington, wires to-day, that tho Oamaru Harbor Board Enabling Bill was passed into law to-day. A rumor, lacking official confirmation as is the custom with rumors, is abroad to the effect that during the visit to Oamaru of H.M.S. Pioneer cigarettes and tobacco'found .tlicir way from tho

warship to tho shore. Further, it is said that as some of these were liable for Customs duty, the Customs Department will take proceedings to recover the same.

At the Magistrate's Court this morning, Robert Hart proceeded on a judgment summons against Thomas Hickey to recover a debt of £'l. Tho Magistrate ordered tho debtor to pay. tho amount within one week, in default four days' imprisonment.

Malieno people were favored with a dual entertainment on I'riday night, writes a correspondent, when the He v. P. C. Ronnie delivered his Hums lecture. The lecture and Mr Ronnie's liappv manner of giving it have already been'described. On this occasion tho

lecturer was capably supported by tho Church choir, ami a number of soloistß. 'Che Choir's tuneful rendering of tho various songs was much appreciated. "Ai'ton Water" was sweetly sung by Miss Lily Elder, and Mrs Low was servedlv encored for iior singing of "Ga' the Yowes." "Mv Naunio'H Awa'," and "0 a' tho Airts" wero capably rendered by Mr Young, and Mrs A. Ross' reciting of "Tho Cottar's Saturday Night" must liavo carried manv old Scotchmen back to tho land of the heather. Miss Elder was an able accompanist. At tho conclusion of tho lecture Mr Geddes called for a vote of thanks to Mr Rennie, and it was heartily accorded. In replying, Mr Rennio reminded the audienco that ho had been to Mahono twice, so that, it was now Maheiio's turn to visit Herbert. He promised a real Scotch Welcome to the Herbert Choir if' they would pay the visit and render tho cantata which they havo in hand. Ail important sale of household iurniture and effects' is to bo conducted by Messrs J. D. Familton and Sons in conjunction with Mr Walter Sumpter at 1 p.m.' to-morrow on behalf of Mr Jas. M'Diarmid, Tees street. In our advertising columns will bo found a list of the numerous articles to come under the hammer. Forty packingcases will also be offered.

The programme"of animated pictures to be screened at tho Opera House tomorrow evening appears fully able to maintain tho popularity of this form ol entertainment. Amongst the new subjects is a film devoted to an inspection of the German National Zoo. This should at least prove interesting to nil; to many who find a study of the countless forms of animal life on this earth somewh.it absorbing, it will be distinctly instructive. "In the Nick of Time is an exciting story and of the sensational order might be anticipated from "Among the Red' Indianß. The Boy Scout movement as carried out in England also furnishes material for a film. Of those of the lighter vein, "The Chemist" and "The Latest Delicacy" are calculated to achieve their object.

At the meeting of the South Canterbury Education Board the Chairman reported that owing to falling average attendances notices dispensing with their services had been served on Miss Watt, secondary assistant, Pleasant Point, Miss Moore, assistant Wailiao Downs, and Miss Bannerman, assistant Tawai. The Willowbridge Committee applied for the enlargement of their school, which at present measured 26H by 20ft., and had been originally built to seat nbt more than 25 children. Now they had 45 on the roll, and' expected the number to increase to 55 next year. The Waihao Downs Committee wroto asking that certain repairs should be carried out to some damaged windows, and the foreman was instructed to report on the request.

The young man Daiiiol Connor, who, on Monday, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing £l9 10s by "ringing the changes" on tlio North Ota go Jockey Club, was this morning admitted to probation for six months and ordered to pay costs £1 8s in connection with the case. In giving his decision the Magistrate (Mr T. Hutchison, S.M.) told accused ho was really going further than he should, as the probation officer did not recommend probation. This leniency was extended to defendant on account of his extreme youth and the fact that this was Ins first offenco; but he should understand that he had had a very narrow escape from being sent to gaol. His Worship hoped: that it would bo a. lesson to. him. '1 think it will be, your Worship," remarked Mr !I jorrine (defendant ft counsel); "he feels his position very keenly." The Duke of the Abrurai recently won 00,000 lire in the lottery as the result of a curious incident. The Duke never traffics in the lottery himself, but it seems that while ho was out walking in Venice a little girl, not recognising hllil, asked him for money. Tlio Duke, goodnaturedly, handed her a silver com, whereupon the child ran to an adjacent lottery office, purchased four numbers — For winch he paid 1 frnno GO centimes — and gave the tickets to. her benefactor, keeping only a 50-centime pieco of tlio money he had given her. All four numbers proved winners, and tlio JJtiko found himself in possession of 1)0,000 lire, to which lie declared ho could not consider himself entitled. The "American-Asiatic" relates soino amusing incidents of' Chinese superstition in connection with the extension of the great Hanyang Iron and Steel Works (employing about 15,000 men) at Hankow, China. "Owing to the company's rapid expansion in the last 'few years it is now cramped for ground, being hemmed in on one side by the Han Kivcr, on.'another by the mighty Yangtse -Kiting, on the tliird'by the Turtle Hill. There is only one method of escape, and that is through tlio •sacred Turtle Hill. About three years ago the company proposed tunnelling through this barren and unused hill, but a great cry immediately rose from the people, and even the gentry. I'rotests came from all sides, that i. company tunnelled the bill it would dtsturb the sacred dragon, greatly him, and bring disaster upon.the people. So extensive • was the protest that the company' was forced to abandon tho project. ; The company then t>egan to fill in a small marshy pond, which was. near the- base of the hill —again a wild protest, this time that the dragon washed his feet in this pond, ancT that Ins bath-tub should by no means be disturbed. Through strenuous efforts the company persuaded - the people that. it wished only, a small part of. the pond filled, and would leave a wholesome bath-tub for the honorable Mr Dragon." A correspondent, in a French medical journal has discovered what he says is a simple and efficacious plan for scaring -away burglars. It is simple enough.. The scare consists of a phonograph. A popular air is inserted and the machine placed in readiness to play. It is kept silent by means of a string attached to the door. As soon as the door is opened the music begins and the intruder is met with cither a comic song or a classical piece. Ho ventures no further, for he thinks a concert is in progress. If the householder is awakened by the disturber, all he has to do is to shut the door, when tin 1 music will at once coase. It is added that it is advisable to change the record before again retiring, so that if the thief should make an attempt later on lie may not hear the same piece again.

Zyniole Trokevs clear the throat and revive the voice—important iaets for aU who talk or sing. Their widespread ( popularity shows their value. lo

' iTlfS'-iegiilar meeting of the. Waitaki HigK : Schools Board of Governors was lifcjd.* this morning, 'where there were grfeiimt: Messrs 1). Sutherland (cliairHtah), Brown, and Mitchell. The fiiiiititos of the last meeting were road

aiitTadoptcd. The Rector of the Boys' Sclkj'6l reported on the various activities df the'school, and emphasised the successes iri the Empire essay competition, cable results having been received that Qvril King and H. K. Christie had been successful in the competition open tio all schools in the Empire, for pupils under tlie age of 16 years. The Rector

also reported that the nuiiiber of can- _• didiites ill the various public examinations for tlie end of this yi-ar would be 94. •Tlie break-up was Jixwl for Wednesday, December 7th, to be preceded By the girls' and boys' sports on the sth and 6tli. Lease of section part 1 of 30, block 4, was, on the recommendation of the Board's solicitor, signed and sealed. Tenders for the supply of rock and gravel at the Boys' School, were 'received, and that of Thomas Stewart was accepted. It was resolved to thank the Borough Council for permitting the gas manager to report on the installation, and it was generally agreed that tlie lighting was fulfilling expectations. Accounts and salaries amounting to £456 9s were passed i'or payment, and " after confirming detail matters in connection with tlie break-up function, the Boilrd rose.

Mr J. Swindley, Surgeon Dentist, visit Hampden on Thursday next, October 27tb, and may he Consulted at jth<i Hampden Hotel. 71