The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1882.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6447, 11 October 1882, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1882.

From time to time we hear of the grievances of men in the locomotive department of our railways, and last session these grievances were partially investigated by a Parliamentary committee, with the recommendation that a commission of independent persons should be appointed to inquire into them. In pursuance, however, of a decision previously arrived at by the General Manager, and only delayed in execution by tbe illnessof the locomotive superintendent (Mr Alison Smith), a circular was addressed to each of the employes, inviting him to state his individual grievances, and a good many replies have been received. An association called the Engineers and Firemen's Association, presided over by Mr Bracken, M.H.R., has, however, endeavoured to step in and stop this very proper mode of departmental investigation by asking that it should be postponed till the Commission of In-

auiffljCpHld meet. In a correspondence which, we published yesterday, Mr ."Maxwell replies to this request, declining to accede to it, and he thus addresses the President of the Association :—" The intervention in the working of the Railway Department by persons who are responsible neither for the efficiency and economy of the service nor the safety of the public could not fail to be a grave evil, and the dictation of a society which would make the convenience and interests of the public secondary to that of the employes would not fail to cause public dissatisfaction." We certainly think there is ground for this reproof. Mr Bracken, as a member of the House, where his duty is to consider the interests of the public, should not, in our .opinion, place himself at the head of an association of public employes, whore, so far as he acts in their behalf at all, he must act as an advocate and a partisan. Mr Maxwell, in a memorandum [aid beforo tho Committee to which

we have already referred, emphasises his opinion, on this point in the following language:--."There are influences, I regret to find, constantly at work which strike; at; the root ..of all order and discipline. It is a notorious fact that I cannot now, as chief officer of the railways, order the removal of a drunken man, or a bad workman, or a loafer, without having remonstrances from persons who are ever ready to condemn any shortcomings, yet still, by the course they follow with the employes, do their best to make railway working extravagant, unsafe, and inefficient. It is to influences of this kind that I attribute the present tone of a small section of the employes." Now, as we have made it our business from time to time to inquire into complaints, and have discovered in the majority of the cases that they arose from men disappointed of a particular billet, or who were petent, or unreasonable me with their superior here will always be some y large body of employes nsiderable degree of syme position thus taken up LL. It must be rememach of the men has n his immediate chief of the department, him to the Minister, sible to Parliament—an c are informed has never cd. There is therefore ck on individual acts of foreman would willingly f to censure for unfairly employe •no general A, for his own credit's sake, sustain an underling in such unfairness ; and no Minister will willingly subject himself to rebuke in Parliament for sanctioning any such act. We do not say that grievances never arise; but we do say there is ample machinery within the limits of the Department for redressing them, and that the constant interference of members of Parliament anxious to curry favour with the men is likely to be most injurious both to discipline and to economical management. Parliament has already brought pressure to bear on the Government, and induced them to increase the expenditure for wages by £30,000 per annum, and we very much question whether there was really just ground for the increase, which, of course, comes out of the pocket of the general taxpayer. But individual cases are taken up by members, and pressed on the Department most injudiciously. For instance, Mr Maxwell says, in his evidence before the Committee above referred to :—" I had three letters about Bradley, whom I had dismissed for incompetency, from Mr Fish, Mr Green, and Mr Bracken, to which I replied. I did not write to Wilson, but he clearly had access to one of my letters. I think I am justified in saying that irresponsible persons are interfering with the Department." The Wilson referred to we shall characterise presently, but the above will give an idea of the sort of pressure brought to bear in individual cases. We have reason to believe that the dismissal of Bradley was decided on solely in the interests of tho public service.

One of tbe demands made is that enginemen who are now receiving 12s a day should receive 13s, a maximum rate which is paid to a few leading drivers. Of course the men are quite right in looking after their own interests and getting an extra ls per day if they can, but no one will regard the case of a man receiving 12a a, day,--„,;(.". ~•_.„(.* „c.~ Trt 1 .rework, calculated at time and a-quarter, as one of great hardship. Nor, taking the case of the men in the lowest class of engine-drivers, who are paid 10s per day, with overtime, and a certainty of rising from year to year by good conduct to the highest class, is there much to complain of. A good deal has been made of the excessively long hours during which, on some occasions, men have been kept, not constantly at work, but in charge of their engines, and in some few cases there has been good ground of complaint. But we are in a position to say that no man is obliged to take the long runs if he does not desire it, and that the men themselves are for the most part anxious to take these long runs, on account of the large amount of overtime they make; and they absolutely make it a grievance that they are now obliged to take a day off in the week. It would be utterly impossible, -without an immense increase in the cost of the working staff, to avoid long runs; and it must be borne in mind that the men are not all the time at constant hard work, but have considerable Intervals of rest while their engines are not actually running. Another more serious grievance applies chiefly to the married men, who are frequently shifted from place to place. This cannot, we believe, be entirely avoided, but is being remedied as far as possible by shifting the single men in preference to those who are married and have settled homes and families, whom it would be expensive, to remove. No Minister or general manager worthy of his post would refuse to give every consideration to a point like this. We are, however, well aware that there are several men in different centres of population who, having been in the Railway Department, and having failed in obtaining what they wanted, or having been dismissed for very good reasons, have set up public-houses or stores and made themselves centres, of disaffection. We publish in another column a letter written two years ago by dne of these men, named Wilson, who is the individual already referred to, and who has made himself very prominent in connection with attacks on the Department. This letter will show the disposition of this man, for though he then did his utmost to praise up Mr Alison Smith, he has since turned round' and has done all he could to discredit him in the eyes of the men, because Mr Smith could not be induced to reward his merits as he desired, by giving him a good appointment. There are similar cases elsewhere, and we think we have said enough to show that members of Parliament may do a vast deal of harm to the Department by encouraging the efforts of such agitators as these. We do not know whether a Commission will be appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee of last session or not. We believe the Minister and the permanent head of the Department are quite able and willing to do substantial justice to the men without a Commission, but in any case the preliminary inquiry. by circular addressed to each of tho men is a very necessary step towards ascertaining whether such a Commission should be appointed or not j it eliminates the objectionable outside element to which we have alluded, and will probably effect all that is now needful, except, perhaps, relieving the Minister to a certain extent from responsibility ■ and it is a great question whether that is eitheu needful or desirable. Wo believe the Hon. Mr Johnston and Mr Maxwell, the head of the Department, to be eminently just men, and that such a matter m..y be more safoly left in their hands than in the hands of irresponsible persons.

The report of the proceedings at the Supreme classes will not be slow to appreciate such a Court yesterday will be found on our fourth work as that to which this gentleman'has page this morning. .- devoted his life. Could not something be done The Sublime Porte does not appear to be during Dr Stephenson's brief stay in Dunedin satisfied with the answer given riyEarlDuf- to glean from his experience suggestions that ferin as to the withdrawal of British troops might help us to grapple with our own larrikin from Egypt when the pacification ofthecoun- difficulty? try was complete. It is now stated that Turkey demands tho withdrawal of the forces within three months

Mr E. T. Conolly, the member forPicton, has joined the Ministry as Minister of Justice. It is intended that the Hon. Mr Dick shall take the portfolio of Postmaster-general and the Electric Telegraph Commissionership, thus allowing the Hon. Mr Johnston to devote his whole time to the Public Works Department.

Wo are desired by Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. to state, in reference to the case of the unfortunate woman Mrs Mary Parker, that the furniture was removed from' her house by her express desire in order that it might be sent to Melbourne, where sho wanted to go; and that when the storeman who went to see after the removal discovered the condition in which she was he at once recommended that a doctor should be sent for, which wa3 done as soon as Mrs Wilson could get the poor woman into a more decent condition, and the same day she was taken to the Hospital. Thinking she could not live the day, and that she would be at once removed to the Hospital, the man took charge of everything not actually wanted for the woman's immediate use, and arranged for thoir removal. This explanation will show that there was no cruelty in the removal of tho goods, and that everything was done with the best intentions.

Considerable difficulty having been experienced in regard to the impounding of straying animals in certain cases, a clause has been, inserted in the Public Works Act of last session, under the head "Offences on Roads," to the following effect:—(lo4). "X any animal is found straying on a road which is fenced on both sides, or having a fence on one side and the sea on the other side, it shall be lawful for the Board or for any other person to cause such animal to be taken to the nearest publio pound, whether in or out of the district in which it is found straying, to be dealt with as in the case of animals lawfully impounded."

The sixth Diocesan Synod of Dunedin commenced their sessions yesterday in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Bishop Nevill, the president, in the course of his opening address dwelt chiefly upon local matters, again advocating, amongst other things, the establishment of a Theological College, Ho also alluded to the numerical strength of the various religious denominations throughout Otago, and expressed the opinion that efforts might be made to formulate a basis upon which the Wesloyans could be induced to rejoin the Anglican Church. Special services were held during the day in the pro-cathedral (St. Paul's Church), there being a choral celebration of Holy Communion at 8 a.m., Rev. R. A. Kerkham officiating ; matins at 10 a.m., and full choral evensong at 7.30 p.m., with a sermon by the Rev. John Hobbs. The members of the Choral Association assisted at the latter service, under the direction of Mr A. J. Towsey, and there were large attendances both in the morning and evening.

A young woman named Alice Bramble, wanted by the police at Timaru on a charge of larceny from a family in whose employ she had been, gave herself up on Monday. She stated she had been concealed in the grand stand at the cricket-ground since Wednesday last, and had had nothing to eat or drink for five days, and no covering but the clothes she wore. She presented such a very haggard and distressed appearance that it was decided to send her to the Hospital for a few days. Her parents reside in Dunedin.

The Papakaio murder case came before the Supreme Court yesterday, Alexander Beattie being arraigned upon a charge of having murdered the woman with whom he had lived for the last six years. The accused is a labourer, a man well advanced in years, and of respectable appearance. Until after the quarrel which shortly preceded her death, the deceased was regarded as the prisoner's wife, but it appears that they were never married, and that she was the wife or widow of a solicitor, and the daughter of a medical man. The evidence, as opeued by the Crown Prosscutor, is purely circumstantial. An unusually large number of witnesses are in attendance, and the case will in all probability occupy the Court some three or four days. Mr; O'Meagher (of >v—.... a="—■*- iU- _••"*—*■'"*_ and jWrHoggl'.b conducts the case for the Crown.

The remanded charge of horse-stealing against Thomas Barratt occupied the attention of Messrs J. Logan and J. M'.Neil, J.P.s, at the City Police Court yesterday afternoon, and after the whole of the evidence had been taken they decided to further remand the accused till Friday next, when, it was intimated, their decision would be given. Mr Denniston, who yesterday appeared for the accused, in addres*. ing the Bench said there was no doubt that he and Corcoran, one of the witnesses, had been trying to work a point, and endeavouring to force the exchange of horses on to an extent that was not justifiable; still the transaction was done openly enough, and though it was a case that was certainly not particularly creditable to accused, there could not be said to be anything criminal in it.

Messrs Watson Bros, have received by the Manapouri a consignment of Swan's incandescent electric lamps, which they intend at once to fit up, in order to give the electric light a proper trial as to cost in comparison with gas. They will endeavour to light the whole of the establishment.

We understand that Mr W. P. Street has retired from the candidature forthe Mayoralty, and that Mr A. H. Ross announces himself as a candidate.

A butcher named Robert Adcock, in the employ of Mr A. Dornwell, met with a serious accident yesterday afternoon. He was unloading meat from a cart standing at. the back of Mr Dornwell's shop in St. Andrew street, and stepping backwards, came into collision with another cart which had rounded the corner at a walking pace. His right leg was caught in the wheel, and fractured in two places. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where the limb was set by Dr Roberts, and he was then taken to his own home.

A publican in Christchurch, having the misfortune to appear before a magistrate for not keeping his hotel-lamp burning throughout the night, rather puzzled the Bench in the follow, ing manner -.—Defendant: Your Worship, the Act says the light is to be kept burning from sunset to sunrise ? Mr Ollivier: Yes. Defendant : I thought as the sun was a fixed body it never sets or rises. The Bench enjoyed the joke, but did not remit tha fine.

Tiie Timaru Borough Council have realised a profit of about £5 for the past year by the impounding of stray dogs.

The boundaries of the Kaitangata and Balclutha districts under the Marriage Act of ISSOarc given in tho New Zealand Gazette, and also the conditions for trout-fishing in Otago.

In the New Zealand Gazette it is notified that Mr A. C. Begg has been appointed a school commissioner for Otago under the Education Reserves Act of 1877.

■ Our Gore correspondent vrites: —" The crops are now beginning to make a show, and with favourable weather will soon change the aspect of the present bare fields. lam sorry to report that the wireworm is causing some damage to the early-sown winter wheat."

The distribution of prizes in connection with the shorthand school established by Mr Bayliss took place last evening. Donald Cargill took first prize, John Markhamsecond, and William Ewing third.

Last evening, at the Kew Church, a very successful temperance meeting was held, when it was resolved that the Kew Primitive Methodist Band of Hope and Temperance Association should be formed. Forty-ono persons signed the pledge. An efficient committee was formed. The Rev. C. E. Ward was elected president, Mr C. J. Thorn vice-president, and Mr H. Matting secretary. A publio meeting of the Association will be held in tho Kew Church on the first Tuesday of each month.

Wo note in the South Australian Advertiser of the 28th ult. that the Rev. T. B. Stephenson, LL.D., of the Children's Home, London, has arrived in South Australia, and may be shortly expected in New Zealand. He lectured to a crowded audienco in Adelaide upon "How to Save the Children," and stated that of the 1300 children who had been under his care, 700 had gone out into the world, and 600 still remained in his various "homos.'' Of these 700 children tho report was so satisfactory that only 3 per cent, were registered as "criminal." Seeing that nearly all these children were gathered from London streets and gutters, such a result is certainly a remarkable evidence of what Christian philanthropy may accomplish when well directed. AVo aro glad to hear that the clergy of Dunedin of different denominations have undertaken to give Dr Stephenson a cordial welcome to this city, Colonists of all

The last lecture.of tho course on "Hymns and Hymn-writers "will be delivered this evening in St Andrew's Church by the Bey. K. Waddell, }he subject being "Church song and religious life." "The choir will render suitable music.

The attention of country competitors at tho forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association is drawn to a clause in the advertisement which appears ia this iasue. ,

Over 13,000 applications for shares in the Equitable Insurance Association have boen forwarded to the Dunedin oflico from Hokitika, and as many more have been applied for thero since. The following additional names havo been added to tho provisional directory:— Nelson : Peter Donald, Dr Irvine, C. E. Bunny, S. Kirkpatrick, A. Palmer, K. C. Parker, J. A. Harley, and John Grabam. Napier: J. S. Largo (of Large and Townloy) and H. S. Euddock (of Buddock and Fryer).

Attention is directed to tho preliminary prospectus of the Nelson Collego for Girls, which appears in our advertising columns.

Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. will soil freehold suburban residences on Monday, 10th October.

A bouso surgeon, a steward, and a dispenser are requited for the Wellington Hospital.

Messrs Maclean and Co. sell cattle at Mosgiel Yards on Tuesday, 24th inst.

Messrs Gillies, Street, and Hislop will sell a city freehold property on Saturday next at their rooms.

The quarterly meeting of the Dunedin YoungMen's Societies'|tlnion will be held this evening.

To-day, at 11 o'clock, Messrs M'Landress, Hepburn, and Co. will continue the sale of furniture, be. on tho premises, Queen street; and will sell general merchandise at their rooms at 2 o'clock.

Mesars Gillies, Street, and Hislop will hold an important sale of property in Dunedin, East Taieri, and Tokomairiro, early in December.

On Monday, 23rd October, Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co., Christchurch, will soli leasehold property in tbat city.'

Mr H. J. Bacon will hold a sale of household furniture to-day at tho Southend Auction Mart, Princes btrcet.

Baker Pasha.—Ada's Consultation will positively close 25th October. Apply early.—[AnvT]