The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1912.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11657, 12 June 1912, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1912.

If a demonstration of undeniable and impregnable truth goes for anything at a time when political trifling and unthinkiiiigness appear to have become a disease, then the Hon. George Laurenson's last night's address at the Opera House must effect its object—the enlightenment of that section who were led captive at last election. He made point after point and sheeted home his thrusts with "wise saws and. modern instances." There is no more effective platform speaker in the Dominion than Mr Laurenson and no better cause than his, and the enemies of the friends of his popular ideals fall down like ninepins if they dare to face him. But truth is always powerful in the end, even if only dealt with in all its simplicity, and, in the present . political emergency must prevail, 1 when, people awaken from the anaesthesia of Masseyism. Before Mr Laurenson's artillery the' paper fabrics concerning over-bor-rowing and extravagant expenditure, of favoritism in the Civil Service, of Ministerial nepotism, were blown into impalpable atoms. Those flimsy fabrics will be erected again and again, probably, for the success of false assertion ia the Opposition's only hope; but there is no man amongst the Massey contingent who would dare to stand on a pube platform, or ia the House, or who would care to .write in the correspondence columns of a newspaper categorically and specifically denying the truth of Mr Laurenson's allegations that the accusations are nothing more than the i chimeras on which Opposition souls feed. There was encouragement in the mr at last night's exposition of the truth; The audience wias in a continuous simmer of approval. -Moreover it consisted of sturdy Liberals, for the most part. There were a few—perhaps a half-dozen aliens —amongst the mass of loyalists, but they appeared to be half ashamed of their cause, ias the result, probably, of the partial restoration of their true manhood in the light of reason. We advised those of the Government's opponent's who desired to escape conversion to a more rational frame of mind not to bring themselves within, the range of Mr Laurenson s guns, and they seem to have taken our advice. There were only a handful of them present last night, and they kept significantly quiet. There was no amendment to the motion of thanks and confidence in the Government. Only a solitary "No!" when the question was put. . We warn the Masseyites that the New Zealanders will beat them badly if they feel their cause to be so fragile that they dare not trust it out at nights. Even the Otago Daily Times could find nothing to say more to the point, in reply to Mr Laurenson's admirable defence of the New Zealand patriotic party, than that Mr Laurenson was "impertinent," meaning that he was insulting. This has always been the refuge of the superior person from time immemorial when his selfishness and tyranny were- exposed in all their ugly nakedness. If Mr Massey would retain Oamaru as an instrument in his hands he must come along with his henchmen and administer fresh doses of his hasheesh. •-

Speaking of the Waihi and R,eefton strikes to an Oama.ru Mail Teporter last night, the Hon. G. Laurenson said that a* Waihi a section of men belonging to a union, that was not registered under the Arbitration Act had refused to work with another section of the workers who had formed a union registered under the Act, hut in this case there had been no breach of an award nor a breach of the law by either side. The men could refuse to work if they liked, when they were not under any legal agreement. The department was absolutely unable to interfere, and it would only interfere if asked to do so bv one of the parties concerned, and if the department should do so it would be only acting upon the request of the parties concerned. As regards the Reefton strike, he had submitted the matter to the Crown Law Office to see whether there had been any breach of the law, and the officers had advised him that there had been no breach of any Act or award, and in this case, too, the Labor Department was absolutely unable to interfere. Some time ago the "Dominion" newspaper stated that -Mr Fisher had responded to the challenge issued by Mr Laurenson to the. whole army of the Opposition to meet him on the public 1 platform, but that Mr Laurenson had

backed out. This is another falsehood of the paper which in theory and profession is tJio very cream of journalistic respectability. Neither Mr Fisher nor any other of the Oppositionists has yet, taken up Mr Laurensori's challenge, and jet tho "Dominion" and its wasters are so lost to all sense of that rectitude without which society would crumble and the world become a ball of fiery horrors that they declared that Mr Laurenson's challenge had been accepted by Mr Fisher and repudiated by Mr Laurenson.

The Lone Hand for June (sent to us by Messrs Gordon and Gofcch, Melbourne) n"s a good readable number, in which fiction bulks/largely. There nri; no fewer than eight complete stories <u varying merit, and all illustrated, ; n addition to the serial "The Drawn Blind." Among the articles of a -more solid Mature may be mentioned Fjanch Birtles illustrated diary, and O. '**. Baeyertz's "These Competitions." A quartette of essays in verse, and tho miscellaneous section (which is more than usually interesting) complete the number. The illustrations arc plentiful and some of them decidedly humorous.

When questioned yesterday regarding a strike of butchers at the Eveline Works, the Hon. G. Laurenson told an Oamaru Mail reporter that this .strike had not been brought under lii.s notice as yet, and he did not know the. facts of the case, but when, he returned; to Wellington he expected a report from the department. The monthly meeting of the Oamaru Middle School Committee, hold last night in the schoolroom, was attended by Messr,s ISiach. (cliairmani), Wcsipiial, Grecoil. Ogilvie, Gren.fell, and Pygall (secretary). The headmaster's report showed a decrease in attendance, on account of measles and colds. It was decided to instal new heating stoves in the school rooms for the benefit of tho children, and other improvements were authorised which, will grea.tly add to the comfort of the scholars. Accounts amounting to £2O 13s were passed for payment. The [visitors appointed;" for the month were Messrs Riaeh and Westphal. The Hon. G. Laurenson told an Oamaru Mail reporter lost night that the Marine Department was considering tho erection of a lighthouse at Tere.whiti Point, where the s.s. Penguin was wrecked a few years ago. The department already had several lighthouses in course of construction in different parts of the country.

i The course of first-aid lectures, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association, was continued last evening. Dr Gowei-'s subject was, "'Fractures and their Treatment," and ho dwelt with it in. such manner .as made his remarks not only instructive, but interesting as well. The treatment of dislocations and sprains was 'also touched upon by tho lecturer. Subsequent to the lecture the members of the class received instruction in the application of splints and bandages. Next week's subject will be "The Organs of Circulation and Haemorrhage," At the Magistrate's Court- this mornun.g, before Messrs G. Browulee and J. Cagney, J.P.'s, judgment was given for plaintiff by default, in the case of Bruce Meek v. "Charles Gibson, a claim for £l3 12s. "Tn reference to life-saving at sea, and in view- of the Titanic disaster," said the Hon. G. Lauren-son to a representative of the Oamam Mail last night, "it is satisfactory to know that all the large passenger steamers on this coast are amply provided \with lifeboats and rafts, in ease of any disaster, and they have capacity for the maximum number of passengers that they are allowed to carry. The department is fully alive to th" JVt that when a disaster occurs it is not so much the want of boats that is the difficulty, but it is the impossibility of getting them out and the people away in safety. It is proposed- to hold an international conference: in London at an early date, and no doubt if this is held New Zealand will be represented at it, with the view to seeing whether no more effective course than that at present followed can be -adopted, in saving life at sea when a marine disaster lakes place. The Right Rev. Monsiguor Mackay.of Oamaru. has left on a tour of the South Sea. Islands, and will bo away about two months. During his absence the Rev. Father Farthing has charge of the parish.

The Hon. George Laurensbn, Minister for Labor, Onstonis. and' Marine, went on to Christ-church by tlio. first express to-dav. Be-fore lie returns to •WelTington Mr Lanrenson. will visit the Cheviot district, where he will be waited upou bv several deputations, and attend a eomplfinentarv social to Mr Forbes, M.P. Included in. the entertainment to be given in, the Wear street Hall in, aid of the Y.M.B.C hall building fund on Friday evening is a comedietta entitled "Two" Heads are Better than. One," to be given by class members andi friends. A splendid" vocal and instrumental programme- has been arranged, and: everything points to a very successful concert. When Mr J. Lomas, the secretary of the Labor Department, was in Oaniaru last.week he, inspected five different sites for workers' homes, and he will report fully on them when the, Minister reaches Wellington. The Hon. G. Laui-eneon, Minister for Labor, told an Onmaru Mail reporter last night that there was a very large demand for workers' homes from all parts of the country, and the department would do what it possibly could to satisfy the demand. Tt was proposed next "year to take a, very large vote for this service. Oamnru's commercial interests have more than once been made to suffer by the railage of produce to Port Chalmers and other ports for shipment to the Home markets. On the occasion of the present loading of the Waimate at Oaniaru the position has been somewhat reversed, four wagon loads of mutton having- been railed from Port Chalmers for "shipment by that vessel from Oaniaru. ■ Much interest- was'taken in town today in a two-ton motor lorry, one_ of several lately introduced by the New Zealand Express Company and now on its way to Christcliurch, where it is to bo permanently' located. The wagon possesses little of the clumsiness, not to say ugliness, that is usually associated with street motor traction, and in appearance resembles in many respects an ordinary eovered-in rati such as is used sometimes for i'urniiure removal. The motor lorry, like the motor car, come to stay and marks another epoch in the march of progress.

Yesterday afternoon, the Hon._ G. La.urenson, Minister for Labor, visited the Waitaki Boys' High School, and subsequently he told an Oamaru Ma.il representative that he was very much impressed with his visit. It seemed to him that it was one of the finest educational institutions in the Dominion, and one Oamaru might be justly proud of. This morning Mr Laurenson visited the Girls' High School and was 'also very favorably impressed with what he. saw there. The death was announced in April of Mrs Agnes Livingstone Bruce, the elder daughter of Dr Livingstone. Mrs Bruce was born in Africa, at Kuruman, .sixty-four years ago. "When four years of age she was sent home for her education", and on her father\s return, after the famous journey in the Dark Continent, she spent a long time in his companv, travelling with him in Scotland and England. Her enthusiasm for her father's work in Africa was maintained all through her life. Mrs Bruce herself made six journeys to Central Africa, and visited and explored the districts, associated with her father's name. A picture palace, where examiners will sit to approve cinematograph films before they are shown to the public, is likelv to be instituted in London shortly A committee, representing all sections of the cinematograph industry, will discuss plans for the founding of a British cinematograph censorship board, which will have the power to reject a film if it contained undesirable features or to recommend that certain portions of the film be cut out. A showman found exhibiting unapproved films would., it is proposed, have his supp.y stopped. . . „, , Eat hearty and enjoy it. Stearns Wine of Cod Liver Extract creates an appetite, helps digest food, assists n the body nourishment and strengthens broken down tissues. 13

During his lecture Inst night M Laurenson. to illustrate u point he wi.slied to make regarding inappropriau nts.H, told of an experience lie had as a visitor to Lyttelton Gaol. One of the inmates complained that tho Salvation Army was allowed to play outside. Ho admitted that he liked uiusie, hut, took exception to tho tunes the band played. "When you can see a warder walking up and down that wall, armed with a. loaded rifle.," he said, "and another one standing at each of tho gates, it is out of place for tho band to strike up 'When Shepherds Watch their F.'oeka by Night.' "

Repairs to the Waitaki bridge are irow completed, and, by a 1:0: iiie.'i tiojL n our advertising columns, the bridge is now open for traffic at all hours.

Notice is given that a poll of the ratepayers of the County of Waiwate was taken'on June Bth, 1912, on the proposal of the Waimate County Council to borrow the sum of £-1011!) for the purpose of consti noting bridge works iliroujihout the Waimate County, and that the proposal was carried, the number of votes reeoulcd being 217 for nod 7G agj.uist the proposal. A confession that a dream prevented him from sailing in the Titanic \va.-- made by Mr J. C. Middleton. vice-president of the Akron-Canton Railway of Ohio. Mr Middleton told the dream in his friends ton days before the t raged v, and this is vouched for bv several wellknown people. Mr Middleton says:— "1 booked a cabin in the Titanic, on March 23rd. I felt'unaccountably . dopressed at the time, and on April '3rd I dreamt that I saw the Titanic capsized in mid-ocean and a lot of passengers struggling in tho water. The following night I dreamt exactly the same dream. Tho next day I told my wif<> and several of my friends, and'afterwards, on receiving cable advice from America that my business did.not nc-ccs*-sitate my crossing at once, I decided to cancel my passage." | Sir James Whituey, the Premier <-.| Ontario, recently announced that, with the consent of the Duke of Connnuglu and Princess Patricia, the 147.0'.K) square miles of territory to be added to Ontario under the terms of tho boundary settlement, with Manitoba would bo known as the district of Patricia. In giving her consent, Princess Patricia said she was glad that her name was to bo associated with the. increase in the prosperity of Ontario. Tho late Mr Brain Stoker <S'> - f '-;ary Irving's manager) used to tell n story in which Nansen, tho Arctic expkr'.'r, figured. Sir Henry was playing u. i.u"; don one night when his theatre wi'«visited by Nansen, newly back from rua dash "Farthest North,'' a.nd tho imrtain was hardly up when Stoker w-.i> behind to tell the actor that the oxplorer was in ono of the boxes. Irving received tho news in silence. A little later a member of-tho company repeated the intelligence, and Irving merely grunted. Yet another anxious informant camo to him and said, "Oh, Sir Henry, do you know that tho great Nansen. is in front?" "Nansen? Nansen?" said Irving, as if trying to remember who Nansen was. "Oh, yes— I remember, now; the chap who stands the cold so well!"

According to French statistics, tho wealth of" Europe—real and personal property—is estimated at 1175 milliards of francs, and tho amount of capital in circulation is given as 260 milliards of francs. If we take a milliard as being equal to £1,000,000,000, the 1176' milliards would represent. 47,000,000,000. The principal contributors of this colossal sum arc —Britain, 270 milliards; France, 247 ; Germany, 201; Russia, IGO ; Austria, 100; Italy, SO; Belgium, 25; and Holland, 22 milliards of francs. The original manuscript- of the hymn "Nearer, My God, in Thee," was sold, at Sotbebv's, London, on December 2nd, 1910, for'the sum of £3O 10s.

A gang of women poisoners has discovered at Lippa, in Hungary. Tho leader, Frau Kapruzan, who recently contracted her fifth marriage, confessed that she had poisoned her four i'ormor husbands, and.that she sold arsenic to peasant women in the village and' neighborhood, of this concession been arrested, of whom 'fivo-hiiye.^already admitted that they have plotted former husbands. ■ A Frenchman-; who had attracted .much attention in the streets of Lausanne "bv the'•extreme elegance of his clothes. 'stood a shop window, carefully parting his hair while an admiring crowd collected round him. Tb»'n he drew out.a revolver, and, sliding its muzzle under a curl, blow out his brains. A Catnelot du Roi (French Roya-iist), who had been imprisoned for iusuit-mg a magistrate, was unexpectedly released in Paris through a ruse of .mother Royalist, who telephoned to tho Ministry" of Justice, impersonating M. Pomcare,, the Premier, and ordered tho prisoner's release. . ■Mr .1. fiNYIN'DT.FY. Bumeon Dentist, will visit KU.ROW on TEFRSDAY. 13th hist., and may be consulted at Spiers' Hotel. G&* Messrs Baldwin and Rnyward, whose I'.-'icstl Representative is Mr E. Piper, Thames street, report that ilie manv applications for patents i hey have just riled are: —A. G. Sudden, Denniston, bronchitis medicine; G. A. Rliasv, Auckland, hatpin point protector; H. B. Williams, Christehurch, securing spare rim to motor vehicles ; .]. Gort, Hove, England, submarinecable working; J. King, Melbourne, ruling maehine attachment.