The Otagao Daily Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4663, 27 January 1877, Page 2

The Otagao Daily Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877.

The Hospital Committee are pursuing their useful researches into the interior management of the Institution, and are doubtless preparing much useful material for the report which we presume they will make to the Colonial Government at tbe expiration of their term of office. It would be a pity to hinder them in their difficult task by any foolish and ignorant criticism, attempting to show supposed faults and supposititious errors. The men who compose the Committee may well be trusted to do Ihe work well, and at any rate far better than self-appointed critics. Until the recommendations are made by the Committee, we therefore think it only the dictate of common sense and reason to give them the benefit of the doubt, and to suppose at least that they will thoroughly examine, and impartially report on, the whole working of the Dunedin Hospital. When they have made all the requisite change?, when they have enabled the patients to wash, &c, then they will have before them what will after all prove the hardest nut of all to crack, that is, they will have to make some l-ecommendation about the method of maintaining the Hospital in the future. Now, we pointed out the other day that by a proper system, enabling those who could pay to contribute towards the expense of their maintenance in Hospital, the total expense might probably be considerably diminished. Still, supposing that the Government, gives, as in Melbourne, pound for pound on all contributions, and supposing further, that out of the coffers of the Colonial Ministry, or out of our Land Fund, or out of any other such source—it does not matter for the argument where—an additional sum is raised to mset contributions, would it be a satisfactory way of supporting the Hospital that the original amount should be given by the charitably - disposed public 1 It is a matter of common remark in Dunedin, that there are a certain number of men who give to everything, in the shape of charity, and a far larger number who give to nothing. The burden of benevolence falls entirely on a certain limited few. We do not know that this is peculiar to Danedin. A perusal of the balance sheets of religious and philanthropic institutions at home, will show us that the same names appear in each, that there are a limited number who give to almost every object brought under their notice, and who hardly ever shut their purses; and that there are many more, whose names might be expected to figure in the accounts, but which never do. This state of things it will be allowed is altogether bad, the only remedy is a rate. We are by no meana admirers of a rate per se j on the contrary, we hold that when it it is possible, and where it is possible, it is incomparably better to trust to the voluntary benevolence of the generous public. At the same time, there are purposes and institutions for which it is lawful to tax, and to these purposes and institutions all

ought to be made to contribute. Of these, the Hospital seems to us one, and while we do not doubt that if it be decided to throw it on the subscribing public and ask them to take care of it, a noble answer will be made to the appeal, we think that a full consideration of the question will be likely to lead enquirers to a different conclusion, j as desirable. The fust requirement to be looked for when ib is proposed to levy a rate for tho support of any one institution is that it should be of a kind that commands universal or almost universal approval. It*'cannot be denied that a Hospital meets this requirement to the full. i There are few assertions that will meet with a more general agreement than this, that we ought to have Hospitals for the treatment and cure of-the sick. The objections that lie against a poor rate do not lie against a Hospital rate. In the former case ;we are truly told that a rate will probably increase pauperism : in the latter it cannot be said to be likely to increase sickness. The imposition of a rate for the support of the local Hospital would be a wrong to none, and a right to those who are among the first victims to every subscription list. The imposing a rate would assure us all that every man was contributing to the support of the Hospital according to his means, and that the meaner members of the community were not escaping the burden they ought to bear, or attempting to thrust its whole weight on the shoulders of a^ few. We believe that the Hospital Committee will do better service to the institution by well considering the point before us than can easily be measured. If they decide to recommend that the.Hospital should be supported by voluntary contributions, their recommendation will very properly have great weight. Before they determine this, we trust- that they will well consider the other side, and give its full weight to the argument fora Hospital rate.

A new question in connection with the working of the Counties Act has cropped up in Auckland.. A meeting of the Road Trustees of the County of Eden was held recently to hear the pros and cons which might be adduced in reference to bringing the Act into full operation within that County, and .during the course of the proceedings, Mr Tole, M.H.R., who was acting as Chairman for the occasion, expressed the opinion that whether the County Council availed itself of the permissive clauses of the Act or not, it would not get any subsidy unless it levied a County rate., The opinion seems to have created a little surprise; but we apprehend that it is a perfectly sound interpretation of the Financial Arrangements Act, which regulates the granting of subsidies. The eighth clause of that Statute enacts that certain subsidies shall be paid out of the; Land Fund every year to River Boards, County Councils, and Road Boards," in respect of all sums received by way of general rates during the year ending on the 31st day of March previous thereto," subject to the limitation that subsidy will not be paid on a higher amount than the product of a shilling rate. The sum payable to each of the bodies mentioned is further defined in detail. Each County Council will be entitled to "a sum equal to one half of the sum so received (i. e., by way of general rates) by such Council, or equal to one half of the total of the sums so received by all the Road Boards or parts of Road Boards within the County, , whichever of such two sums is the greater."' Those who contend that the S,___ v -o^«^i_ _:u .-.v A -:^_j.i... au bsidy in any event appear to base their argument mainly upon the occurrence of the conjunction " or " after the word "Council " in the foregoing clause; and consider that if the County Council fails to levy a rate it may use the rate-rolls of the Road Districts as a basis for computing the subsidy. It is, however, plain, in the first place, that the essense of the policy upon which the subsidies are granted is that they shall serve as an aid to local taxation. It rests upon the old principle that those who will not work shall not eat, and lays it down that those districts which decline to tax themselves shall not participate in the advantages of the subsidies. The terms of the beginning of the Bth clause are distinct— the subsidies are to be paid upon rates alone. Then comes the. question of computation. The County Councils have a choice left them—they may either take their own rate roll as a basis, or that of the Road Boards, "whichever of the two is the greater." That is the reason why the option is given—i£ the County Council can get a larger subsidy by reckoning it upon the basis of the road district rating rolls, it is at liberty to do so ; but it is not thereby exempted from levying rates itself. Such, at least, seems the correct interpretation of the clause, although it must be admitted that the ambiguity of its wording might possibly justify the Colonial Treasurer in paying a subsidy even without a County rate being levied. :

A correspondent from Lawrence telegraphs as follows : —" lam glad to say that after the late famine prices of flour, we have now new wheat delivered in good condition at Mr Young's mill. It was grown by Mr B. O'Neil, and thrashed by W. Fowler. It is to ve hoped that the late heavy winds will not have injured the general crops."

The case of Robertson v. Ross is still proceeding at the Supreme Court. When the Court rose last last the evidence for the defence was not concluded, and the further hearing was adjourned till Monday next, at 10 a.m. With reference to the claim made by the unfortunate Juror3 for an additional allowance, His Honour said yesterday that he was afraid there was no power for granting their request. The Act was very precise on the subject. It not only said that 20s ■was to be the remuneration for- a special Juror on one case, but that he shall receive no greatei- remuneration. The only course he could suggest for the Jurors in future was to move Mr Stout or some other gentleman in another place to get the law amended. Hia attention had been directed to a decision in Victoria in a case where there was an agreement to pay the Jury a guinea a clay. The Court afterwards held that it was entirely illegal, as being against public policy.

From a private source we learn that tho cricket match between Lawrence and Bruc e resulted in a victory for Lawrence, with four wickets to spare.

At tho Hospital at noon to-day, an inquest will bo hold on tho remains of the unfortunate women which wero found in tho wator at Lawyer's Head on Thursday morning.

An infant five monthb old, the child of ono of the passengers from Melbourne, died from exhaustion during Thursday night. Tho circumstance was rnported to Mr Monson, the Registrar at tho Port, and tho requisite certificate being issued, the remains of the little ono will be intorrcd in tho Port Cemetery to-day.

A large and influential of the Licensed Victuallers' Association and of the trade in general, took place last evening in the Fire Brigade Rooms. No business of importance was conducted. The meeting adjourned until Tuesday, Cth February, when also the usual quarterly meeting will be held.

Mr Dyer, Mayor of Milton, was yesterday '. severely rebuked in the Resident Magistrate's Court, on account of his hesitancy in I answering questions put to him while undergoing examination for the defence in the case of Manning's Trustees v. Dyer. His Worship, addressing Mr Dyer, said, "Your manner of giving your evidence was very discreditable." Whereupon Mr Mouat, who appeared for Mr Dyer, said "I object to your Worship lecturing witnesses." ■Mr Denniston, counsel for the plaintiff, then re"marked, "I quite agree with your Worship/' Mr Mouat, "In no case is it justifiable.'' His. Woiship : "It is my duty to state it, and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that I have not Been such a painful .exhibition of a witness for a long time. ' That is my decided opinion, and I am not going to hear a further word upon the subject. Addressing Mr Dyer, he con- ■ tinu'ed : A person:of your intelligence, when asked a question, should answer at once. It does not require hesitation or a long time to ; olapse, you should answer in a straightfor* ward way." Mr Dyer ':"" What does your Worship refer to ?" His Worship, "Not another word." The case was then proceeded with. ! One of the members of Messrs Reid and Duncan's survey party met with a serious accident yesterday afternoon. He is named James Munro. As he was crossing a creek by means of -a log his foot slipped, and he fell upon a atake, which penetrated his body several inches— near the anus. A messenger was at once despatched to the Port for surgical aid, and Dr Drysdalo, who responded, examined the poor fellow, and recommended his removal to the Hospital. He was conveyed to the Port and sent to town by the 7.45 train. . . At the City Police Court yesterday morning, the adjourned assault case, Williams v. Dunne, was withdrawn on the application of Mr G. K. Turton, who appeared for the complainant. There being no further business, the Court adjourned till the following day.- ■ ■/' ■■■•'. .; ;:. ■ ' '■■.'■ \ -:* " A youth named Angus Gilchrist unfortunately met with an accident at Whare Flat yesterday. When jumping out of a cart he stumbled on a pitchfork, the prongs of which entered his hip. He was conveyed to the Dunedin Hopital last evening, and is piogressing favourably, the injuries not being of a serious character. At the annual meeting of the City Guards, I the following were elected members of the* Committee:—Sergeant M'Knight,' Sergeant Simpson, Corporal Trevena, Volunteers Waddell and J; Brown. Secretary, Corporal Smith; bugler, Volunteer Black ; auditors, Volunteers Treseder, Greagh, and P. Dick. The report showed a balance of £60 to the. credit of the Company. D.G.It. Bro. Tints, 5.D.0.1U Bro. Pinkerton, assisted by the officers of Court Pride of Dunedin, opened a Gourt'of the Ancieni Order of Foresters in the Mornington Dis-' trict Hall, on the evening of Thursday^ January 25th. . The Court was named the Court Excelsior, No. 6128, and was opened with 11 members. After the opening and initiating ceremony,. the, following members; were: elected > officers for th3 first term:— '■ , C.R., Bro. Ireland, P.C.R., Court Pride of Dunedin; S.C.R., Bro. Kewish ; Treasurer, Bro. Stokesj Secretary, Bro. Malcolm; S.W., Bro. Blackie; J.W., Bro. Simms ; 5.8., Bro. Dunn; J.8., Bro. Grigg; Surgeon,"Dr Murpby. The officers having been duly installed in their respective offices, the health of the District Officers and visiting memberß were given with the usual honours, and duly responded to. ;; v :. , : ; At the Port Chalmers Police Court yesterday, Richard Medex, arrested on warrant for wife desertion, was brought up to answer for his conduct. He pleaded guilty,, and said he Had left for the: purpose of procuring work, andTßaa Deeu^wbrking at" Shag~ronnr on the railway. The man left his family, On December 24th, and his wife laid an information against him for desertion a day or two afterwards. He returned on Thursday, and called on, the Resident Magistrate, but as the warrant was still in force, he had to appear, in Court. During his absence, his wife was a pensioner on the Benevolent Institution, and had 'received five shillings weekly. This, Medex promised' to refund to Mr Mansford, and upon that condition he. was discharged from custody. The Botanical Gardens, near the Water of Leith, have been greatly improved.within the past two or three years, and it affords no small matter of surprise that they have not been frequently visited by the large bulk of our citizens, The:fl.ower. beds present a charming appearance, nearly all the colours of the rainbow being displayed, and the numerous well-formed arbours are delightful retreats from, the heat of the sun. The gardens could be made even more iuviting if ■'further portions of the large grass plots were set apart for flowering plants, and additional seats provided. Last evening the Taieri Caledonian Society celebrated the 118th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns—Scotland's poet—at Snow's Hotel, Mosgiel, wh^re an elegant and excellent spread was provided. The chair was occupied by Mr R, Charters, President of the Society, and the vice-chair by Mr R. Donnelly. After full justice had been done to the " haggis " and other viands, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and responded to. The toast, ". To the memory of- Robert Burns," was proposed by the Chair in a neat and approbative speech. Several readings and songs were, given by various gentlemen present, and altogether a pleasant evening was spent. The monthly inspection of the. Dunedin Naval Brigade took place at the Head Quarters D«U Shed on Thursday evening last, the inspecting officer being Lieutenant Pell, North Dunedin Rifles. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 5 petty officers, and 35 gunners. Lieutenant Pell expressed himself as highly pleased. After the inspection the members competed at cutlass exercise for a medal presented by Petty Offifier M 'Naughton. The competition was keen throughout, and the first stage was ultimately won by Gunner B'.ack. There are to be three other competitions, and the medal will be awarded to the member who makes the highest aggregate in tho four. This Company purpose having shot and shell practice at Lawyer's Head on Saturday afternoon. It is a pity they are not provided with proper guns— say 25 or 40-ton guns—as the site of their battery commands the whole of the Ocean Beach, and with proper guns they could protect Dunedin in case of a visit from an enemy's ship. The following engagements have been mado during this week at the Immigration Barracks :—Single men : Four at £55, £52, .£4O, and £50 per annum ;. three at 30s, 40s, and 52a per week ; and six others also obtained engagements. Female servants: Five at £26 per annum; four at £35 per annum; thrco at £30 per annum ; two at £25 and £20 per annum ; ono at £2 10s per month, and two at lls and 8a por week. A married couple havo been engaged at £55 por year, with double rations, and another at £65 per year. Six other couples also obtained engagements. All tho single girls at tho Barracks wero engaged during tho week. . The Rev. W. Ronaldsou, of Picton, is shortly expected in Milton, to succeed tho Rqv. Mr Coffey in tho incumboncy of St. John's. The Australasian Sketoher of the 20th contains several extremely attractive illustrations. The one occupying the first page ia a view of tho wrecked steiuuer Otago.

The pantomfmes at the three Melbourne Theatres are well illustrated. There is a fine view of Sydney Heads ) and-'.other. P*o' tures are the Melbourne Grand Stand, the EaglesNest, Mount Richmond, N.Z., Brisbane Botanic Gardens, &c. The following paragraph, referiing to the well-known Madame Cora, appears in the Melbourne Herald :—"ln a private letter o^ a late date from the Cape of Good Hope, the startling intelligence Ja conveyed—' The town (Cape Town) is in a state of the most intense excitement, in consequence of the unfortunate affair of the Cora troupe. Business with them had been very good, and everything looked pleasant for a successful season. All of a sudden the whole town was thrown into a state of the greatest ex'citement by the news that Madame Cora, in ia fit of jealousy, had strangled to death the i young vocalist, Miss Alice Wren (si&ter of Mrs F. M. Bates, the actress). Madame : Cora has s:nce been sentenced to death, but ithat penalty was afterwards commuted to i three years' imprisonment, xvith solitary confinement. Mr Bushe (Cora's husband) has gone to England, and Val Vose, the ventriloquist, has formed a company and gone into the interior. Mr J. B. Howe is with the Roebuck United Service Company, and doing well.'" . The Hobart Town Mercury says that His Excellency the Governor, when on a visit recently to the New Norfolk district, was anxious to catch some salmon, and thus personally prove beyond doubt that that fish had been successfully acclimatised in Tasmania. He fished two mornings and two evenings in the rivers Derwent and Plenty, and his success was as follows :—One salmon weigingß&lb., which Sir Robert Officer states is the largest salmon yet caught in Tasmania, and which was l':'led with spinning bait; one salmon grilse, 41b., -caught with a salmon fly (the second which has been captured in that way); one trout, 31b.; one do., lflb.; one do., ljlb.; one do., about lib. ; one do., 41b. The total weight of the fish caught was a little over 201b. The distinction between the salmon and the trout is clearly marked, not only by the colour and shape, but a)so by the teeth, which is one of the most reliable tests.

The Licensed Victuallers of Melbourne held a meeting and came to a solemn pledge and resolution that they would strictly carry out the law forbidding Sunday traffic in liquor. A Vigilance Committee was appointed to see that their obligations were not violated. It is expected that if the law is carried out to the letter the public will rebel against it.

The first of Mr Charles Blight's second course of six lectures is to be given at the Princeaa Theatre to-moirow evening. This lecture, which is entitled :" Infallibility and Inspiration," was, when delivered in Melbourne some two years ago, pronounced one of the best of this gentleman's free theught compositions. As a report of it extending to over three columns appeared at the tune in the A'gus, Mr Bright has not since repeated it in any of the Colonies. •;" . ',

The lovers of the mysterious will shortly be in a position to obtain ample gratification; as those world renowned spirit-mediums— according to some—clever conjurors, according to others—the Davenport Brothers, have arrived at' Invercargill, and will in a few days present their extraordinary entertainment before a Dunedin audience. The Davenport Brothers have, in the course of their long career, had many imitators, but it is admitted, even by their opponents, that the originals still maintain the p?!m of undoubted superiority. Mr Maskelyn (of Maskelyn and Cook), in his book, recently published, purporting to be an exposure of spiritualism, owns" that the performance of these celebrated Brothers is of the most baffling description.

--_At *W -Qttooii^t .IT.Heatre last evening, '' How to Settle Accounts with your Laun. dress," a concert, and " The 1/iineiick Boy,' formed the programme. An attractive entertainment ria announced for to-night, when Mdlle. Franzirii will take a farewell benefit and perform blindfolded" on the bicycle.

There was a good attendance at the Temperance Hall last evening, when Messrs Kohler and Bent took their benefit. Anew feature in the programme was the grand minstrol scene, in which some favourite ballads were excellently rendered. The piano passages of the choruses were: very effective. Mr Bent's eccentricities convulsed the audience with laughter, and the gentleman amateur who played the bones was a prominent member of the Dunedin Coloured Opera Troupe. The. other minstrels were Messrs H. Towle, J. Marshall, R. Gary, and W. 0; Hawkins. The latter was encored for his song, " I want to kiss Papa," and indeed those present seemed desirous to have.each,selection repeated. This perform, ance terminatel with " A Trip Bound the World," which was very amusing, besides introducing the "Marsellaise," the " Watch on tho Ithine," and " Rule Britannia." To-night is set apart for the benefit of Miss Lucy Ashton, who is reported to be in reduced circumstances, owing to the failure of Mr Shepperson, the recent manager of the Lydia Howarde Troupe.

" Much Ado About Nothing" was repeated at the Princess Theatre last evening, and attracted another crowded audience. That Mrs Scott-Siddons has infused new life into the legitimate drama since her advent here will, be generally admitted, and indeed has been proved by the large numbers that have regularly attended to witness her performances. As Beatrice, she again met with the enthusiastic' reception that her vivacious and brilliant acting merited, and the other characters were well sustained. " Macbeth," with Mrs Scott-Siddons in the role of Lady Macbeth, will be performed to-night, when there will doubtless bo a large attendance.

Given fine weather, the Field Olub should have a pleasant excursion to-day to Signal Hi?'. The place of meeting is the Albany street Post Office, and the hour 2.15 p.m. As the rifle range at Green Island is covered with water, the firing for the Cadet District Prizes will take place at 2 o'clock this afternoon on the North Duncdin Range. Mr J. J. Haley will preach at the Christian Chapel, Great King street, to-morrow.