The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1884.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7070, 13 October 1884, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1884.

The report of the Committee which has recently been engaged in Wellington in making an inquiry into tho working of the Rabbit Act will be read with interest. While its investigations were being carried on it was reported that irregularities of a serious nature had been discovered, and the occasion was taken advantage of in certain quarters to make a general attack upon both the Act and the Department which administers it. We are not at all sure, . however, that tho Act itself is rightly to be found fault with, and we are fortified in thia opinion by the Committee's findings. The purport of tho Act is_ to give power to compel land-occupiera, if need be to keep down the rabbits upon their lands, and it constitutes the inspectors the sole judges of the sufficiency of the work done. If land occupiers fail to do "all such acts, deeds, matters, and things " as in the opinion of the inspectors are necessary for destroying the 'rabbits upon their lands, they are served with notices informing them thereof, and if these are not attended to legal proceedings follow. The inspectors have rarely loat their cases, and when they have done so it has been on account of causes for which tho .Act cannot bo held responsible. The comparatively few prosecutions there have boen have had the desired effect: occupiers have accepted the inevitable, and the result is that the Colony is now about as free from the pest as it Is ever likely to be until it is more thickly populated. In short, there appear to be no grounds for doubting that the Act has really effected the purpose for which it was passed. There is no doubt that its provisions are extremely drastic, and we can quite believe that many of those who have nractically felt the force of them are honestly of opinion that it is altogether too stringent to be allowed to remain on our Statute-book. It seems to us very questionable, however, whether the object which the Act is designed to attain could be effected in any loss irritating way. Whether there are more rabbits on a given piece of land than there ought to be is a question upon which the occupier himself cannot in any circumstances be expected to be able to give an unbiassed opinion, but it is a question upon the proper determination of which the welfare of the country largely depecds, and it seems to us that no person is so likely to be able to answer it fairly and dispassionately as an inspector. He knows that the eyes of the whole community are upon him, that the magistrate will promptly snub him, and his superiors just as promptly haul him over tho coals, if he exceeds his duty. On the other hand, each occupier will, in self-preserva-tion, see that his neighbour is not allowed to become lax in his work. Thus the inspectors are checked on either hand; and notwithstanding that a good deal has been said to the contrary, it would seem that they have on the whole acted judiciously and fairly, though, as the report in question suggests, there have without doubt been exceptions. We are not at all satisfied, however, that the inspectors have taken as much work upon themaelves as they should have done. Probably, if they had done more themselves, and left less to their subordinates, there would have been less grumbling. This is one of the particulars in which we believe the Department is really blameworthy. In the main coastal towns, where the inspectors have highly important duties to perform in connection with the importation and exportation of stock, it is no doubt necessary that they should roceivo help; but in districts where they have practically nothing but their rabbit work to attend to, thero is no reason why they should not do it all themselves. There are a number of inspectors in Otago, and each has one or more agenta under him. These, we understand, are supposed to ride round and inspect the districts, and report to the inspectors what spots are infested. The latter then go and examine, and, if necessary, institute proceedings. One naturally asks, How do the inspectors occupy the time they have on hand after they have visited all the badly-infested parts? Uncharitable persons have suggested that they swell the number of the guards of honour who invariably attend the arrivals of the various mail trains and coaches in the country towns, and that they are always available for any mild spree. Probably there is more or less of truth in this In any case the inspectors must spend a great many idle hours, for which the country has to pay, while their work i 3 being done—if it is being done—by agents who are not wanted, and frequently are unsuitable and incapable. It is boldly aaserted, and we believe it is partly true, that rabbit agencies are looked upon and used aa asylums for tho needy and worthless hangers-on or connections of persona high in the Civil Service and otherwise possessing power at Wellington. Men who cannot succeed in anything else seem to be thought quite good enough at 12s per day for this branch of the Public Service. The whole tribe, with but tho fewest possible exceptions, should be swept away, aud those remaining, as tho Committee say, Bhould

be selected with the greatest care. The host of agents who are now employed are not roquired, and are most expensive. Probably, were all those who aro not wanted diamiaaed, tho charge for salaries would bo reduced by nearly one half. Wo believe the retrenchment wo suggest could be effected without jeopardising tho effectiveness of the Act. Tho administrative machinery, it is imperative, should be sufficient; for if it ia not, the country will soon be overrun agalu, and tho result of all the good work of the past be forfeited. Oa the other hand, extravagance is not to.bo tolerated. The Committee were said to have discovered that a large sum of money had been improperly handled, and to be of opinion the Department is rotten. They do not so express themselves in their report, but the last statement la probably partly true. A3 to the former, if it is correct it is likely that the Treasury is mainly responsible. Doubtless, too, the cost of poisoning unoccupied Government lands has exceeded the estimate. The recommendation that immediate steps should be takon to provide for the occupation of these lands on anch terms as would lead to the extermination of the rabbit peat is excellent in its way. But we rather think the whole Colony has for a very long time been agreed on this point. The difficulty has been to provide such occupation as is suggested; and the Committee, notwithstanding their opportunities, do not venture to suggest a solution of the problem. We thought it possible that the Committee, urged on by landowners smarting under a sense of their wrongss, real or imaginary, might in their righteousness be too aealous. We are glad to see that this has not been the case. The report is sensible and dispassionate, and is surprisingly —even disappointingly—short, considering the enormous quantity of evidence known to have been taken. It is not even suggested that the Department may be worked more cheaply. But we are confident that the pruning-knife may be applied, and that liberally, with advantage. At the same time, caution and discretion must be employed, or every pound saved will cost the country a hundred. In no case, we think, should the Act bo interfered with The Department alone appears to be in fault.

Sir Georoe Grey has earned such a reputation for introducing mischievous and whimsical measures that we doubt whether proposals emanating from him receive the consideration due to their merits. The House, and for that matter the country, is apt to dismiss the wholo catalogue of his bills on the one principle that no good can come out of Nazareth. Even where the prima facie aspect of a bill is promising they suspect some deeplaid scheme, and we are far from saying that they are not warranted in being very cautious where they have to deal with Sir George Grey. "He that sups with the de'il," says an old Scotch proverb, " must c'en have a long spoon." Provided, however, we do not forget the long spoon, there ia sometimes advantage to be gained from supping with tho old gentleman, as may be gathered from the extent to which the practice of holding the candle to him prevails. Sir George Grey will, we trust, forgive us the simile—which, indeed, is used in a purely Miltonic sense—in consideration of our acknowledgment that there is good grain to be found in the immense bag of chaff which he brings to the notice of Parliament every year, and amongst that good grain we are by no means sure that the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries Bill, which has just been rejected on the second reading, was not to be counted. There are, undoubtedly, objections to the creation of an additional number of salaried Parliamentary offices. It would put more influence into the hands of the Government of the day, and tend to the further corruption of the House. Against this, however, may fairly be put Sir Georoe Grey's argument that these offices would act as an admirable trainingschool for Cabinet office. It seems to be taken for granted nowadays that anybody i 3 good enough to be a Cabinet Minister, and that the work of framing laws and administering the public business can be undertaken at a moment's notice by tho first come. Surely thia is not reasonable, and leads to great mischief. Again, there can be no question but that at the present moment the influence of the Civil Service over the Administration is much greater than is at all desirable, and that this is chiefly caused by the impossibility of the most industrious Ministers keeping pace with their administrative as wellas their political work. It seems to have been admitted in the course of the debate, by all the speakers who had held Colonial office, that there would be plenty of work for the proposed under-secretaries to do. It is on tho face of it absurd that there should be 31 under-secretaries, or, indeed, 31 departments in the Civil Service of the Colony. Sir J. Yogel rightly pointed out that if we want to economise in the departments, the first step will be to classify them under fewer heads. We can easily believe that the number of separate departments leads to no littlo friction and expense. This, however, seems to ua a • matter which should be dealt with whether political under-secretariea are established or not. To discuss the details of a bill which haß been knocked on the head for the session is useless ; but we may point out that whilst it is desirable to reduce at least three-fourths of the present under-secre-taries to the status of chief clerks,we doubt very much the wisdom of altogether abolishing the office of Permanent Under-secretary. It seems to us that the whole of the departments might be grouped under, say, eight permanent heads, one to correspond with each Minister, without interfering with the appointment of political under-secretaries. In England we see the two classes of undersecretaries working side by side, and why should it not be the same here 1 We agree with Sir J, Vogel, moreover, that the change might be effected without any great expense by abolishing one of the Ministerial portfolios. We havo never been able to see the necessity for a Minister of Justice. His duties might easily be divided between the Colonial Secretary and the Attorney-general's office. ThePostmastergeneralship is also now properly tacked on to another department, and one Ministerial silary should be sufficient to pay two political under-secretaries. The whole question ia worth the consideration of the country during the recesa.

Reports of the annual meetings of the Manufacturers' Association and Caledonian Society, with lettera to the editor, appear on our fourth page.

Later news regarding the reported massacre of Colonel Stewart's party on their journey down the Nile is to the effect that 14 of the party had their lives spared by the Arabs, who hold thorn as prisoners. General Wolseloy has ordered the Egyptian troops at a town in the vicinity to rescue or ransom the prisoners. The British Government have decided upon forthwith establishing a protectorate over portion of New Guinea and some of the small islands adjacent, and Commodore Erskine has received instructions to take the necessary action in the matter.

" The delivery of the Public Works Statement has been postponed bo many times," telegraphs our Wellington correspondent, " that it has become unsafe to hazard any prediction as to when it is likely to be delivered. I understand that it is all in typo, and that an effort will be made to bring it down on Tuesday evening. It is said to be an unusually full document, being nearly twice the length of the Statement delivered last year."

An adjourned meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Otago Educational Institute was held at the Normal School on Saturday morning, when there was a good attendanco. Mr Fitzgerald introduced tho subject ot the constitution of the New Zealand Institute, and some considerable discussion ensued thereon. The subject will be resumed at the next meeting.

Owing to the wet condition in which the Caledonian grounds were left by tho rain during the latter part of the week, the High School sports, whiob were to have been held on Saturday, had unfortunately to be postponed.

Our correspondent at Naaoby telegraphs that a mau named John M'Pheo, who was working on tho Linnburn Station, has boen missing for a weok. He was last seen at tho Serpentine, which place he loft for Linnburn on horseback but two days afterwards the horse turned up riderlesß without the bridle, but with saddle

still on its back, Tho police and several ufKU'ch parties have since been scouring tho country between liinnburn and Serpentine, but as yet no traces have boen found. It ia almoat cortain that the unfortunate man met with a fatal accident on the road, and littlo hope ia entertained of finding him alive.

Great interest was taken in the proceedings of tho Parliamentary Union on Saturday night, and there was a largo gathering of visitors in tho droM-circlo of tho Lyceum. Tho debate on Mr Denniston's motion of censure ou theJago Government was resumed by Dr Brown, who was followed by Mr Darling, Hon. Mr Low, and Mr Eindlay, and Mr Denuiston then replied. Mr Darling's (Opposition) speech was applauded from all sides of the House, and was [ declared to have been the best of the session, Quitea storm of " bravos" greeted him atits conclusion. The result of the division was awaited with the keenest interost. The voting was— for the motion, 43 ; against, 38. The Government were thus defeated by five votes, and the announcement drew forth much applause from the victors. The rest of the evening was devoted to clearing the order-paper of Government measures. Tho bills now standing on the paper are those for the abolition of trial by jury, for tho amendment of the Law Practitioners Act, for the representation of the people, and a bill fixing the duration of the Parliamentary Union. During the week the Opposition, of which Mr Wales is leader, will proceed to the election of a new Government from amongst the party. Messrs .T. Logan and A. Rsnnie, J.P'b, presided at the City Police Court on Saturday! and punished two offenders for drunkenness. Three charges of breach of the city bye-laws were also disposed of. Mr J. Jackson announces himself as a candidate for Leith Ward in the City Council. We are informed, also, that a requisition is being got up by the ratepayers to Mr Paul Frodric to allow himself to bo nominated for the vacancy. Wo have received from Mr James Horsburgh a pamphlet published under the auspices of the Colonial Laud Association, on "The Reduction of Mortgage-interest Rites," by J. H. Newlyn, which will no doubt be very interesting to the many persons concerned. Prom the Government Printer we have also to acknowledge receipt of a little volume by Mr J. H. Pope, entitled "Health for the Maori." It contains a number of plain directions calculated to be vory useful to the Maori race, and is thoroughly practical and simple. Prom Mr S. E. Sleigh we have received "Two Lectures on Physical Education," by Mr Francis B. Hutchison, honorary physician to tho Wellington Hospital. The subject iB treated in the fullest manner and with a great deal of thought and ability. On Saturday afternoon the Otago Rowing Club's boatshed presented quite a lively appearance — old and new members were assembled in force to celebrate the opening of the season. Tho bay was as smooth as a millpond, thus enabling the new members to give a good account of themselves. Seven four-oars and a number of pair-oars were manned, and some of the crews did excellent practice. The few showers which fell during the afternoon were the only drawback to a capital day's boating. The boats have all been overhauled, and are now in excellent form for the commencement of the season, and with a strong complement of working members, and good weather for frequent practice, the Club ought to give a good account of themselves in aquatic contests. The third annual conference in connection with the Baptist Union will be opened on Wednesday in the Ox-ford terrace Church, Christchurch, by a public meeting, at which Mr T. Dick will preside, and addresses be delivered by the president (Rev. A. North, of Dunedin) and other ministers. A prisonor named Watson, who pleaded guilty at the Wellington Supreme Court to charges of larceny, was represented by Mr Shaw, who urged in extenuation that prisoner was evidently one of those unfortunates who periodically suffer from a disease known in tho practice of medicine—and also, perhaps, in the practice of the law—as kleptomania. Mr Justice Richmond very suggestively remarked that there was a hospital for incurables of this class. The first of a aeries of combined special sor. vices arranged by tbe ministers of the Wesloyan and Presbyterian congregations of Momiugton was held last evening in the Presbyterian Church there. The Rev. D. J. Murray gave an eloquent and powerful address from the text, " How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ?" Inclement weather somewhat marred the attendance, the condition of the streets in the locality being at present anything but inviting, especially after nightfall. The services are to be continued throughout the present week in the Presbyterian Church, and during next week are to be held in the Wealeyan Church. A lad about seven years of age, named James Warnock, mot with a nasty accident yesterday afternoon. It appears tho little fellow was following the Salvation Army procession which was coming up George street towards the Octagon, when a cab coming in the opposite direction knocked him down and ran over him. It iB not known exactly how he received the injuries, but it is supposed that the pole of the cab or one of the horßes' hoofs struck the boy on the head, the result being the infliction of a severe scalp wound, the breaking of the cheek bone, and the infliction of a deep gash in the left cheek, about five inches in length. Constable M-'Laughlin, who was passing at the time, put the lad into a cab and took him to the Hospital, where he was attended to by Dr Brown. The reason of the accident seems to have been that both the cabman and the little boy had no eyes at the moment for anything else than the procesßicn. It is right to add that the cab was being driven at a walking pace at the time. Ou Saturday evening, the 11th mat,, Mr W. A. W. Wathen was the recipient of a handsome gold lccket as a token of the esteem in which ha is held by his fellow employes who compose the staff of the Evening Herald. The gentleman referred to is on the eve of departure for Australia, en route for England, and in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers, Mr H. E. Muir referred to Mr Wathen's long connection with the Press of this city, and lo the universal esteem in which he is held by a large circle of friends throughout the province, and also expressed the hope that although he was leaving the Colony, he would return at some future time, and that the friendß who now said farewell would have the pleasure of welcoming him again. Mr Wathen suitably responded, expressing gratification at the action'of his fellow employes in making him the possessor of a souvenir of his co-operation with them, and his hope that the " whirligig of time " would so fashion matters that he would have the pleasure of again meeting and labouring with the majority of those from whom he now separated. After the ceremonies usual on such occasions the meeting separated, wishing Mr Wathen bon voyage.

The half-yearly meeting of tbe North Dunedin Rifles Band was held in the Sussex Hotel on Friday, the 10th inst. The Committee, in presenting their report and balance-sheet, showed that although within the past six months the expenditure was very great, they were able to carry forward a very creditable balanco. The following officers were elected : — Treasurer, Mr Pay ton; secretary, Mr Harris ; committee—Messrs Jackson, Wicks, Rusden, and Henderson. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring officers.

We learn from Tapanui that the hunt there on Saturday waa a groat success. Young Taggart showed the way, followed by 00 male and female riders. The sport was all that could bo desired. The jumping, which waa difficult, waß excollent.

At the recent session of tho Auckland Diocesan Synod there was considerable discussion on a resolution moved by Mr C. C. M'Millan as to the desirability of collections being made in the churches annually in aid of the Auckland Benevolent Society. Exception was takon to the motion on several grounds, and it wa3 lost, an amendment recommending to Churchmen tho claims of the Society being carried.

At the R.M. Court at Port Chalmers oa Saturday Mr E. H. Carew occupied the Bench. In the case 0. Hudson v. J. Honeybone, a claim for £113 a Id, judgment for plaintiff was given for 13s Id and costs. The Registrar of Births summoned J. Allan for failing to have bis child vaccinated. His Worship orderod the child to be vaccinated before tho loth November, and the defendant to appear iv Court on the 22nd prox.

In a loading article the Invercargill News says : " Through the frequency aud oxteut of the fires in Invercargill, certain insuranco companies have decided, we are informed, to abolish their agencies here at once. Thi s decision Bhould act aa a further incentive to the citizens to provido improved means for copiug with the destroying element. Fewer agencies means less competition, and decreased competition probably signifies higher rates, or

greater difficulty to get insurance at any price for property in dangerous situations. Representatives from tho Australian Mercantile Company (Mr Hannah, agent), the United Company (Mr Perkins, agont), and tbe Standard (Mr J. G. Ward, agent) aro now in Invercargill for tho purpose of investigating claimb in connoction with tha late fire ; and it is reported that at least one of those offices has decided to cease business altogether in this toivn. Tne Union Company resolved some time ago to taka no more risks hero, and other companies havo talked about the possibility of their withdrawing. Should the movement extend any further among the insurance companies, the look-out ia a very blue one indeed." The movement for abolition of agencies will j probably have received a fillip by the second fire.

One of the latest numbers to band of the London Athenteum (says a contemporary) contains a favourable review of Mr Thomas Bracken's new work. The Rev. Rutherford Waddoll, who contributed the introduction to the book, is handled somewhat severely by the reviewer, who asserts that the reverend gentleman haa selected the least meritorious of tho poems for commendation, while overlooking those which bear the stamp of excellence. A long extract from " The March of Te Rauparaha " iB quoted with approval, and regret ia expressed that a man who could write such poetry should not have given hiß readers more vorso of equal merit.

At the annual meeting of the Caledonian Society, referenco was made to the insinuations which have beon thrown out from time to time as to the unfair use members' tickets are put to in the way of gaining admission to the ground. The particular case referred to was the occasion of the sport 3in aid o£ the Benevolent Institution, and Mr John M'Gregor asked if it wa3 known how many members' tickets had been used on that occasion. The secretary stated in reply that admission had been gained on " not a single, solitary ticket." The members of the Society are thuß cleared of a somewhat unenviable stigma.

The Wairarapa Star has the following remarks concerning the charge against M'Kenna and Perry of " salting a quartzreef":—"The general theme of conversation in Masterton at present ib the bursting of the gold bubble. On Monday morning Mr Parsons and a mining expert named Eaton got on the scont of M'Kenna and Perry's quartz-reef. About eight miles from Masterton, between the Te Ore Ore and Rangitimau Hills, they discovered 'the diggings.' Beside a beautiful cascade, above a romantic cavern with a stream circling at the foot of the hill, they found a huge boulder embedded in the sand and almost covered with ferns. The boulder had been nicely bronzed. Near it lay a Bmall bag of broken stones evidently picked up from the river, Since then the spot and boulder have been identified by Mr Horn, blow, of this office, as the reef which he was shown at night by the prospectors. The Aladdin'B cave which the latter said was glittering with gold contains seven feet of water and is inaccessible. It now transpires that M'Kenna and Perry have been prospecting the pockets of a number of Masterton citizens to the tune of £30 and upward, and proceedings are to be instituted against them."

The Mount Ida Chronicle states that Mr Coroner Hickson held an inquest on tbe body of a child named Elliot George, aged two years (a son of Mr Walter George), at Little Kyeburn, on Saturday last. The evidence went to show that the child had fallen into a duckpond a foot deep. No ono Baw him fall into the water, and when found he was lying on his back, with his hands raised in the air. The top of his head was dry when the body was taken from the pond. An attempt was made to secure re-animation. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that there waa no evidence to Bhow how the deceased got into the w»ter: hole in which he was found, and that there was not sufficient testimony to prove whether he had died from drowning or from fright.

The Lake County. Council, as the outcome of a discussion on the gold duty question, have authorised the Chairman to telegraph Government to the effect that if Parliament decides to abolish the gold duty, the Council, not having been consulted, will hold Government responsible for a substitute. The Council have also carried the following resolution, on the motion of Cr M'Dougall:—"That, in view cf a Local Government Bill being framed during the coming Parliamentary recess, this Council request Mr Pergus to urge that, in framing such a measure, power therein be given to county councils to supervise and manage all forest lands,, lakes, and rivers within the respective counties, and respectfully insist that auch revenue arising from the forests and lakes within the several counties become county revenue in future."

A correspondent at Timaru writes to us as follows:—" Mr Stumbles, of Messrs Allen and Stumbles, of this town, and Mr M'Gregor, of Messrs M'Gavin, M'Gregor, and Co., Dunedin, were placed in a very awkward and dangerous position on Friday night when crossing the Temuka River in a buggy. The horse, when in the strongest part of the current, stood still, refusing to move except when lashed, and the effect of lashing was to make matters worse, as he kept dancing about in the same spot, causing the wheels to sink more than a foot in the shingle, and the water to come nearly over the buggy. One more attempt was made to start him, but it was of no avail, and he wound up by throwing himself into the river. Fortunately, however, he got up without coming in contact with the shafts, thus saving him from being drowned. Messrs Stumbles and M'Gregor remained in this predicament for an hour and a-half—until they were rendered assistance. Tho individual who kindly came to their rescue procured a horse, thinking the " jibber" would follow, but he would not move. The last and only resort was to procure a draught horse and draw the animal out with a chain, which was done before the night got too dark. The lega of the horse had by this time become so benumbed that he ceuld not start for a considerable time after being dragged out."

A Bad fatal accident is thus reported by the Christchurch Press : —" Between 5^ and 8 o'clock on Friday morning Mr James Patterson, who for the past 10 years has been farming in the Ashburton Forks district, met his death through a kick from one of his own horses. Mr Patterson went to the paddock for the purpose of bringing in the horßes, and shortly afterwards his wife noticed the animals still at large. Finding her husband did not return, she went out to ascertain the reason, and was horrified to find Mr Patterson lying dead underneath a fence. Hearing cries for help, Mr Isaac Sargeant and Mr Frisby, who live close by, wont out and found Mrs Patterson supporting hor husband in her arms. Ho was bleeding at the nose, and there were signs of deceased having received a violent blow in the face. Dr Rosa was immediately sent for, and on arrival pronounced life to have been extinct some little timo. Mr Patterson was over CO yeara of age, and was much respected. The presumption is that in attempting to cut out from others the particular horse he required, he received a violent kick in the face from one of the animals."

The Wairoa Guardian gives the following account of the burning to death of three Maori children near that place:—"lnformation was received in town yesterday to the effect that throe Native children, two aged 12, and the other aged three, were accidentally burnt to death at Whakaki on Sunday night. It appears that a party of 15 Natives were holding a tangi on Sunday evening over an old woman in a large wkare, when they all fell asleep, leaving a fire burning. About S p.m. the party were made aware of the fact that a fire had broken out, and all tho adults rushed out, leaving three children behind, who wero burned to death. Tha remains were interred before Constable Shaw reached Whakaki.

. The Liverpool Mercury says : " A singular accident through the breaking of a telephona wire connecting the North Staffordshire Infirmary with the surgeries of the various visitiug surgeons of the district, occurred at Hanley. The wire broke in Cannon street, Hanley, and knocked down a chimney of a house to which it was attached, the chimney and the brickwork falling on the roof of a kitchen and demolishing it. The wire rebounding, and curling up in the street, caught hold of a child five years of age, lifted it up in the air soma distance, and dashed it to the ( ground, rendering it insensible and injuring i one of its legs severely."

Dr Rigg writes in the Contemporary Review for August: " The native born American hates drudgery ; and all the mechanical arts, when pursued without some knowledge of scieuco to employ and interest the mind while tho hands aro active, aro more or less drudgery. Accordingly we find that the American is scarcely ever to be found as a mere workman. It has indeed passed into a proverb that the real American never takes off his coat to work. The railway porters, tho pointsmen, the navvies on tho various railroads of tho country, are foreigners; tbe conductors aro American. Call at the pointsman's cottage, and you may

tind him Irish or French Canadian, certainly not American. The porter at the railway-station may ba Irish or German. The navvy may be English or Irish, or Canadian, or even Italian—ho may possibly be German or Scandinavian; American he never ia. The factory operatives of Fall River or of Providence, of whoie 'strikes' we heard so much four or live years ago, may bo Canadian, or Irish, or English ; it is certain they aro not Americans. Tho pianoforto - makers of New York —another 'striking' trade—may be German; they are not American. The men employed in tha heavy work of the mines and ironworks of Pennsylvania— among the Alleghanies or in that 'black country' of which Pittsburgh ia the centreare of many different countries, not a few being Belgians, but they are not American."

The Auckland papers state that a subscrip-tion-list has been opened by some of the friends of Mr Mac Alexander, of the Wilmott Dramatic Troupe (and well known in Dunedin), for tho purpose of raiaing a fund to enable him to proceed to Australia for change of cimate He is at present lying in Auckland in a dangerous state, owing to congestion of the lunge. Dr Knight, who has been attending him, says the only chance for the poor fellow is removal to a drier and warmer climate.

The second of the serieß of popular concerts attracted a fairly large attendance at the Garrison Hall on Saturday evening. The Garrißon Band again contributed four selections —a march from " Rip Van Winkle," "II Burgomaestro di Landaam," a waltz, " Bien Aimes," and the popular selection from " II Trovatoie,' introducing the "Miserere." Of these items the last-mentioned was certainly played in a very brilliant manner, and the encore which the audience insisted on waß well-deserved. The second selection waa also encored, and the clarinet solo which it contained was very tastefully played. The vocal part of the concert also proved highly enjoyable, Miss Bell acquitted herself, as usual, in a very creditable manner in Pinsuti's song, " Carrier John." She also took part in the trio "Ye shepherds, tell me," with Messrs Newbury and M'Donald. Mr.Newbury also sang in a very artistic manner the song " I seek for thee in every flower," and in response to an encore he gave "The Romany Lass." Mr M'Donald gave " Once upon a time " (Planquette), and responded to an encore with " Onery, twoery," a selection from " Boccaccio." The only other soloist who appeared was Mr Hopkins, who, in singing the rather difficult song, " Let me like a soldier fall," made a favourable impression. Mr Towsey accompanied at the piano.

Messra Jatcej Samaon and Co. will sell shirting, &c.; also butter, sugar, &c, and a camera lens to-day. Mr D. M. Sptdding will sell furniture and billiardtable on Wednesday, and oilmen's stores, &c. on Fridoy. Mr M. Pym will sell a consignment of Wedgwood pottery, crystal, &■-- on Friday. Mr A. Wilson, M.A , will lecture in St. Andrew's Hall on Tuesday evening on "The Education of Burns." The great dissolution-ot-partnership Sale at Carter and Co.'s, ready-money drapers, George street, is well worth a visit. The whole of their new spring shipments (imported direct) a-e being sold eff cheap to raise money to settle partnership accounts — (advt.) The Grand Hotel, Duncdin.—Extract from " Hansard," September 18. Debate on the Licensing Bill. Mr Wakefield: "There haa been one hotel recently erected in Dunedin which haa not its equal in the Southern Hemisphere."—lAdvt.]