The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1911.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10753, 28 April 1911, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1911.

Mucn has been heard lately about the ' action of the Supreme The Secret • Court in Wellington in ' Case. preventing the report-

ing of a certain case. There has been an agitation, of which the worst feature was the injustice done by a certain journal to the Chief Justice. The point is that the practice of not reporting is the rule in Chambers, and that rule was enforced in the case in question by the other Judges who had it before them, before the Chief Justice came into the matter at all. Now, when the case got to the public as it did by simply coming out of Chambers and into the Court of Appeal, the public learned all about it. • It turned out tu be the case oPGreeufield against the Hon. T. K. Mac Donald, the object of the action being to get u writ of attachment involving imprisonment in case of default. Had there been no reference of the case to the Appeal Court, and had there lieen default, then a man would have been imprisoned by process of law absolutely secret, surreptitious, and unknown. That would have been a bad precedent and absolutely contrary to the first principles of our administration. lias practice, then, of secrecy in Chambers, though it be of a venerable antiquity—ought to be at once done away with, with the usual exception of cases in which decency and public manners require the exclusion of the fourth estate from the proceedings. In this case it is said that the parties were agreeable, one of them, indeed, being 01 the opinion that publicity would have effectually prevented a verdict entitling them to recovery of anythmg.mit are we to consult the convenience nt litigants on matters of principle.'' Are we to establish bad practices in order that individuals may arrange their concerns to their own satisfaction at the public expense. The right course, when litigants want to take advantage ot the law, is to compel them to do so according to the usual conditions It the conditions do not please them let them do without the advantages ot the law.

■ As no satisfactory information .could . be gained concerning the Minister s promise to carry fodder free on the , railwavs in cases of real distress through the failure of the root crops and other accepted forms of winter feed the Hon. G. Jones wired again to the Hon. J. A. Millar as follows:—"Hon. Minister for Railwavs, Wellington.—Many farmers have purchased fodder on the strength • of Your conditional promise of tree carriage Kindly advise how conditions mav 'be fulfilled, and authorise local | stationmaster. I would point out that, rains have brought only temporary alleviation, which will he removed byearlv frosts.—Geo. Jones." To this Minister of Railways has sent- the somewhat extraordinary reply, which we , hope will lead to satisfactory arrangements:—"Hon. G. Jones—ln reply to your telegram I have to say that up to the present time no representations whatever have been made by rarmers to departmental officers on the ouestion ot carriage of fodder. Instructions were issued at the time I originally wired you that if application was made suitable arrangements were to be entered into for free carriage of fodder m bona fide cases. I suggest that those concerned should communicate with the Traffic Manager, Dunedm, who will do what is necessary.—J.' A. Millar. j There was a fair attendance of bot.i ladies and gentlemen at Wesley Hall last evening, the purpose being the formation of a library and debating society. The Rev. W. J. Williams occupied the chair, and, after the opening exercises, briefly explained the objects of such a society, and the benefits to.be derived therefrom. After discussion a society was formed the following officers being appointed: President, Rev. W J Williams; vice-presidents, Mrs Williams and Mr J. C. Yorke; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Clark- Ihe inaugural meeting was fixed for Inursday night next, when a social evening will be held. - It is fitting that the Regent of Bavaria should be the most democratic ot rulers, for his subjects rank among tlie most democratic of nations. In no European capital do the classes mmgle so freely as in Munich. The public elementary schools are attended by rich rnd poor alike, and there are scarcely any private schools. The spirit of comradeship thus gained does not vanish with years. Nothing surprises a visitor 'more when he first enters the 'Hotbrauliaus," or some similar establishment in Munich, than the composite nature of the crowd. Cabmen, railway t porters, and working men ot all kinds [ sit with prosperous business and proi fessional men, and chat freely together. The army is the only section' of Bavarian . society where class distinctions are closely observed. . • i -Our. National Anthem, we know, is at least native in origin; but that is more than can-be said for many known songs. "Auld Lang Syne, the J unofficial national song of Scotland, is f Scotch only in words, the music being A adapted from the opera "Rosma," by 3 William Shield, an Englishman. "The Wearin' of the Green," Ireland's ballad of patriotic woe, had a Scot, James Oswald, for the composer of its melody. A Scot, again, namely, James Thomson, was responsible for the words of our "Rule Britannia"; an American, J. H. Payne, wrote the intensely English "Home, Sweet Home," and an Englishman, Stafford Smith, was the composer ■of the old convivil glee from which was adapted.the melody of "The Star Spangled Banner" of America.

The excellent programme of animated pictures screened at the King's Hall last evening drew a large and appreciative audience. The programme was one of West Co.'s latest and best, and all the subjects were of an extremely interesting character. A scenic film entitled "Dolomite Alps" gave a good idea of the grandeur of these mountains, and "Birds in their Nests" was another interesting and instructive subject. "The Brother's Village Story" was a clever and interesting drama, and it received loud applause. The rest of the programme contained many excellent dramas and ' comedies', "Ladies Wrestling," "Auld Robin Gray," "Captain Barnacles," and "The Wild Man from Borneo" being the titles of some. Mr S. O'Neil provided suitable music. The programme will be repeated th is evening and to-morrow evening, and the public should not miss the chance of seeing , this really very good programme. • The Opera House was well filled in all parts last evening, when the Universal Picture Company presented another of John Puller and Son's magnificent programmes. Instructive, interesting,. exciting, and amusing films of varied character held the interest of the audience from.start to finish and all the subjects were screened in a manner which was pleasing to the eye. "Winter Sports at- Ghamounix" was an exciting and interesting film, and "Historic Spots of Old London" also proved extremely interesting. The dramas were all of a powerful nature, and the many exciting incidents in "The Girl Spy liefore Vicksburg" held the interest of the audience. "Foolshcad" and" "Tontolini" were seen '"n very humorous characters, and "Fat Jack and Slim Jim at Coney Island" caused roars of laughter. The Pa the Orchestra supplied suitable music during the evening. Is there anything more miserable than to suffer with Indigestion, to dread your meals because of the suffering that comes afterwards. Why allow yourself to get into or remain in this distressing state, when your nearest chemist or store can-' supply you with Dr Grassland's Noxol, the great remedy which cures you in Nature's own way. Don't put it off. send for a- bottle now, and he rid of your trouble once and for all. Price, 2s, but be sure it's Dr Crossland's. Tho ladies of Oamaru and districts irill bo delighted to learn that Mrs Hemslov Burnet, principal of Hemsloy Burnet," Ltd., Ladies' Hair Specialist, has opened up a branch of tho business in Tyne street, nest Hjorring's, solicitor. "The now business will carry foil stocks- of ornamental hairwork, nets, etc., just imported from the' best Paris houses. • Mrs liemsloy Burnet will bo in Oamaru personally for_ a few davs, and extends a general invitption for a visit to her rooms. 1000