The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, MAY 25, 1885.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7260, 25 May 1885, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, MAY 25, 1885.

Major Atkinson's address at Hawera coiifii'ms our impression that he does not want to get into office this year. The tone which he adopts is rather that of the candid friend than of the leader of the Opposition. There can be little doubt but that ho has given us his opinions upon current affairs with the utmost impartiality possible to a man in his position. Wo shall expect to find him maintaining the Fame attitude during the session. Upon matters of finance, in which he and the Treasurer are rival doctors, ho will vigorously oppose the Government for the maintenance of his reputation, but he will make no serious attempt to oust them from office. The House will have thn benefit of his criticism upon the measures which the Government bring down, but it will be for the improvement of the measures and not for party purposes. As was the case last session, we may expect to find Mr Bryce the practical leader of the Opposition, and M»j'ir Atkinson frequently doing the Government a goad turn whrre he thinks that they deserve it. The Major will not, however, for that reason lose his hold upon his party. They for the most part now recognise that their right policy is to " bide their time," and we expect that the Government will find their chief difficulty lies in keeping their supporters together. From external dangers they have little to fear.

Turning to the matter of Major Atkinson's address, we find him first not only supporting the Federation views of the Government, but going a great deal further than they or the Colony is prepared to. The chief necessity for the Federal Council he sees in the annexation of Foreign Powers in the Pacific, with a view to forming bases of operations against these Coloniea in time of war. To the Government proposal, that no action of the Federal Council should bo operative in the Colony without the consent of the Legislature, Major Atkinson objects that such a condition would render the Federation useless, and worse than uselesp. As to defence, he gave a guarded approval of the action of the Government, but announced his disapproval of any proposal to purchase a Colonial warship, his idea being that we should contribute to the cost of the Imperial navy conditional on being protected by them. "He thought that would be tbo most efficient naval defence, and more tlian that it would lead to Imperial Federation. It was not likely that the Colonies would contribute in this way to the maintenance of the British navy unless they secured some voice in the control." To the action of the New South Wales Government in sending a contingent to the Soudan the Major paid a fitting tribute, but agreed with the Government tbat under the circumstances New Zealand could not be expected to do the same. Of the Hinemoa-Samoa expedition the Major accepted and approved of the Ministerial version, and as to the annexation of Samoa, he said the most sensible thing we have heard on the question for some time : " Whether it would be advisable for New. Zealand to accept the responsibility of annexing Samoa he need not go into, for neither the Imperial Government, Germany, nor the United States' would permit New Zealand to take possession of these islands." We have frequently urged this view before, and the only wonder is that anyone who has studied the question should be found to differ from it. As to local Government, the leader of the Opposition spoke much more openly than is usual in his position, and made some excellent hits at such phrases as " larger bodies with extended powers," and the "more assured finance," whilst he aptly translated " greater facilities for borrowing " into " greater facilities for taxing ourselves." He insisted upon the necessity of roads and bridges to the development of settlement, and would not support a Government guarantee to local bodies on loans for public works. On Native policy he naturally took occasion to object to Mr Baloance's administration, and announced that he would oppose non-political railway boardß. The last part of the address

was occupied by a dissertation on the need for encouraging local industries, which showß, we fear, only too clearly that Ihe Government will have the powerful assistance of Major Atkinson in any attempt to reorganise the tariff on a more Protectionist baais.

From first to last the address Las a pleasing ring of outupokeoneßS, and id remarkable for the complete absence of anything like captiousnoss, or elevation of molehills into mouutaius. It is a plain, common-sense deliverance, and as such cannot hut be nteful both to the Government and to tho House—to the former in that it tells them in what direction they may expect opposition, and to the latter in that it gives tho lead to their private criticisms on the Government policy. Whoever may be in power, there is no public man in New Zealand who commands so wide confidence •as Major Atkinson. He may not be a great statesman, nor an original genius, but he is an industrious and straightforward politician, who does his best for the Colony, and acts up to a higher moral standard than is usual in politics. Even those who dislike Hb policy most, and deny his capacity, are forced to admit his integrity and honesty of purposo.

Dk Brown ia to be commondod for calling atteution to the overcrowded condition of the public schools. The evil is intensified by the circumstances under which it takes place. It would seem that it is in the infant schools the overcrowding is most frequent. That children of " a tender and critical age," as Dr Brown puts it, should have to " sit for honrs in a cramped position " with their arms folded in front or behind, through lack of space, is an unpleasant consideration. We would fain hope that an extreme view has been taken of the subject, or an extreme case quoted. It seems that Mr Goyen has reported of the Forbury School that there were 180 pupils in a room where there was only sufficient room for 90, according to the Board's own scale of eight superficial feet per pupil We presume that this is an exceptional instance, for in his general report Mr Goyek declares that "the schoolrooms are airy and cheerful," which could scarcely be the caae if the children were huddled together as described. In fact it would seem to be rather occasional rooms than entire buildings to which Dr Brown's strictures rofer. In the Porbury School itself, as we learn from the annual report, there are 3206 square feet of iloor space to an average of 451 pupils, or about seven feet each. This is less than the Board's scale allows, but it is very much more than occurs in the infant classroom specially alluded to. Whether eight superficial feet ia sufficient we have no means of judging, since much must depend on the cubical measurement of each room. In asking that 200 cubical feet should be the minimum allowance for each scholar, Dr Bkown is seeking rather too much. To carry such a proposition out would involve heavy fresh taxation, and tho country is not in the mood to submit to further taxation just now. Nevertheless it is apparent that something will have to be done to remedy the present state of affairs. For insufficiency of space means foul air, and foul air means disease and tho undermining of health. When medical authority declares that the air in achoolrooms is " foul and poisonous " — which we tske to be convertible terms,—it will not do for us to sit down with folded arms and say wo cannot afford the expense. Professor F-iiand was unable to see how the Board could do anything in tho matter, as all the money given for buildiug purposes was expended. No doubt this is so ; but at least the Board may investigate and gauge the extent of the evil to which public attention has now been directed, and this the Committee appointed should do with unsparing hand, in order that tho Government and the Legislature may be placed in a position to form a just judgment and apply an appropriate remedy. It seems apparent that not every schoolroom is overcrowded, even in the same building, but only some ; and the question therefore arises whother better arrangements could not be made for the accommodation of the pupils. That the springs of life should bo poisoned at their sources by cramming" infants of tender age, either physically or mentally, is a wrong which demands immediate redros3, and must not be lost sight of in the hurly-burly of politics. The remedy for overcrowding suggested by Mr Begg is matter for further and serious consideration.

A number of local reports and other matter appear on our fourth page.

Our cablegrams this morning announce that the dissension in the English Cabinet has been Bottled, and the Prevention of Crimes Act will be renewed for one year. Sir Donald Stewart, commander of the Indian forces, baa arrived at Herat, and has been well received. M. Victor Hugo, the celebrated French author, is dead. He will be accorded a state funeral. Wheat is still receding in price, notwithstanding the bad news of the crop in England and America. Another of our products, frozen meat, shows a slight advance in price.

Yesterday was the 66th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria. In most of the churches reference was made to the occasion, and in St Paul's the National Anthem was played as the closing voluntary at both morning and evening services.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's R.M.S. Toogariro arrived at 0 ago Heads en Saturday af ernoon, three days in advance of time-table date. She came into pore yesterday morning.-

The Defonc6*Department have just received a C'i-pounder gun from Home, via Australia, which will be mounted at the Jyaiwarra battery. The gun was originally a ship's 68-pounder, and has been converted into its present calibre by boring it sufficiently to admit of the insertion of a mild steel rifled tube of a thickness of 2Vu. The gun passed the usual ordeal by the Ordnance Department before it was sent out.

Some time ago it was announced that tbo operation of tho Aims Act of 18S0 had been suspended so far as tbo Middle Island of tba Colony is concerned, Tbo effect of this is to do away with a number of reatriotions which were previously imposed on dealers in arms and ammunition. It also does away with the necessity for taking out licenses for the sale of these articles, which waß a heavy tax upon dealers, who were often unable to effect sufficient sales to pay the cost of the tax.

An unoccupied Bix-roomed house at Maori Hill, owned by Mr Andrew Fairbairn, was burnt down on Friday evening. The adjoining houses, occupied by Mrs Cameron and Mrs M'lntyre, also caught fire and were slightly damaged. There is no clue as to how tho fire started, Mr Fairbairn's house was insured in the London and Lancashire Office for £200. Mrs Cameron was insured with the Standard Office for £1.00, and Mrs M'lntyre with the Equitable for £100.

At St. Joseph's Church yesterday Bishop Moran took occasion to announce that the wing of tho Cathedral now in course of construction would be opened in February next. He stated that he had invitad the Archbishop of Sydney to attend on the occasion of ths opening, and he might be expected to do so, as well as several bishops from this and other Colonies.

It is the intention of Mr ,T. Macandrew,. M.H.R., to addreßa his constituents at Port Ohalmerß on Friday evening next.

Mi R. T, Booth, the leader of the' Blue Ribbon movement, left for Oamaru, where he is now conducting a mission, on Saturday afternoon. A very large numborof people-^ several hundreds -assembled at the station to say good-bye'and to show their esteem for him, and noarly all present wore tho distinctive badge adopted by the Goßpel Temperance organization, Mr Brunton was accompanied by a number of the members of his choir, and tho "Sweet by and-bye" was sang as a farowoll hymn. Mr Booth thanked his friends for the assistance they had given him, but his remarks were cut short by tho moving of tho 4 train, which was also the signal for very hearty cheering^

The football match between tho Dunodia and Inveroargill teams, which waa played on Saturday, resulted in an easy viotory for the local team, who scored six points to nothing. Today tho Invercargill men try conclusions with tbo Pitatea Olub. The match will commence at 11 o'olook on tbe Caledonian pound,

Tho olerk of the Dunedin Licensing Bench h»H received two inomorialu for consideration "of the Banoh. The first objoots to tho renewal of the liconse to the Australanian HotelMaolaggan street, and is signed by 210 male and ;-15 female residents or ratepayers. Tho Becond objects to tho removal of tho license of the Australasian Hotel to the Leviathan Hotel, at the corner of High and Cumberland streetß, and iB also signed by 21b male and 43 female residents or ratepayers.

Evening classes are to be started at Mosgiel by Mr Macleod, head mastor of the school, and Mr Miller, designer of tho Mosgiel Woollen Faotory. Mr Macleod will teach drawing nnd arithmetic, and Mr Miller will take magnetism and eleotrioity. This Reason some ; of the necessary instruments have been obtained, and by tbeir aid the students will be enabled to pass the winter evenings in a profitable manner.

The attendance was not very large at Forbury Park on Saturday, the first day of the Dunedin Jdokey Club's winter races, but unless we are favoured to-day with the very worst Bample of Queen's Birthday weather, there should be n much stronger muster. The racing on Saturday was very interesting, and speculation was brisk among the people present.

The carriages for the Wellington and Manawatu railway, in appearance and comfort, far outshine anything soon in New Zealand hitherto. They havo beeu irnportod from Amerina. There is very littlb differeuoe botwoen the first and (second class, and tho latter are said to bo superior to the ordinary first-elans on the Government linou,

Karly in the ensuing session tho Government will introduce a bill to afford protection to inventors exhibiting tbeir inventions nt public industrial exhibitions in New Zealand. Tho preamble (says the Wellington Times) recites that it is expedient to encourage the manufacture and exhibition of articles made in tho Colony, and that persons may bo induced to exhibit such articles if assured that such exhibition will not prejudice any rights which the inventors might otherwise be entitled to under the patent laws. The Bhort title is "The Publio Exhibition Inventors Protection Act ISSS."

The stationmastor at Mataura, Mr Grieraon, bad a narrow escape from serious injury on Thursday last, While closing tho entrance to the gooda shed the door came off the hinges and fell on him, crushing him to the ground. Luckily be was speedily rescued, and he is expected to be able to resume his duties in a week's time.

Tho Government hava decided to grant a year's salary to the widow of tho late Thomas Macffarlane, who recently died in Auckland from in juries received by beiag run into by a train. The gratuity (says tho Post) has nothing whatever to do with tho accident, the Government accepting no liability in that respect, but is given to the widow as a recognition of the late Mr MactiVlane'x long service as a public officer,

The Like County Pres3 is informed that orders hava been received from tho authorities of the Bank of Mew Zealand at the local agency lo raise tho price of gold to the rate ruling previous to May 4—viz., £3 15j per ounce for alluvial gold.

During the recent fow days of fine weather tho farmers in the Tuapeka district have been enabled to secure their outstanding ofopa in fair condition. Although damaged the grain is not nltogotker spoiled, and will be useful for coed, it is feared (says tho Tuapeka Times) that heavy rains v/ill Lave done material damage to tho stacks, as most of these are built with tho view cf having them threshed out at the earließt opportunity, and in cense. quence aro not thatchod or made secure againßt heavy rain. Tho yield of oats through out tha district is good. One farmer at Tuapoka West, wo are informed, baa 3000 sacks of grain this season. Some of the farms at the samo place yielded exceptionally well, the return* being from 70 to 80 bushels of oats to the acre, and yet this is some of the land which our philanthropic runholders declared to be almost useless, even for grazing purposes.

An inquest was held on Saturday, before Mr I. N. Watt and a jury, on the body of Margaret Jamieson, who has been an inmate of tbo Lunatic Asylum for 12 years. The deceased was a widow, 04 years of age. The medical evidanqe was to the effect that death resulted from apoplexy.

A man named George Tucker, a patient in the Arrow Hospital, attempted to commit Buicido on the Kith by cutting bia throat with a razor. Tucker died from the injuries on the ISth. At the inquest held (we learn from the Lake County Prese) evidence was led to show that no one bad the Rlightest idea that tlio unfortunate man would make an attempt on his own life; but it was also proved that he carried a razor about with him, ostensibly for shaving purposes, though why it should be constantly on his person was not dearly accounted for, It appears that on taking to his bed after the attempt on his life Tucker had a will drawn up, in which he left bis property and money tn Mb brother in Victoria. The deceased had in a pocket-book a deposit receipt of the Bank of New Zealand for £100. Tho jury brought in a verdict of "Temporary insanity."

A new goldfield has been opened up on Hospital Flat (says the Tuapeka Times), but a rush is not anticipated. A party of Chinamen have purchased the right to mine on a ooup'o of acres of one of Mr M'Alpine's paddocks on the Flat. They have opened out a paddock and commenced putting the washdirt through their sluics-boxes, but so far we are not aware with what result.

According to the Riverton Star tho forocity of ferrets, in a wild state at any rato, has been frequently demonstrated, although admirers of these animals are slow to admit the fact. An incident, related ou vory good authority, occurred during the survey of Drummond township, shows their combative nature, and gi"os colour to the assertion that in large bodies they would prove themselves dangerous and aggressive peats. On the survey party returning to one of the tents after an absonce of a few days they found that haif-a-dozen ferrets had taken possession. The intruders refused to be evicted, and showed determined fight, and it was not until two or three of their number had been despatched that the balance beat a retreat.

On tho occasion of bio leaving Riverton for Auckland for the benefit of his health, Father Kehoe was presented with an address and a puvso of sovereigns by his flock. The people of Rivei'ton presented him with a gold albert chain, the presentation being made by Mr lustoao,

O'Donovan Rossa hold a public reception on Sunday evening, March 29. According to a telegram in a Home paper, it was attended by 500 Irishmen, who applauded wildly the incendiary spaeches by Rossa, Mezzarolf, and other dynamite advocatoß. A resolution was adopted declaring that if the Priuco of Wales set foot on Irish soil ho would be an alien invader, and would merit death under the laws of war. llossa supported this motion, saying that he believed overy Englishman going to Ireland merited death.

A fire on a somewhat large scale occurred at Mr Alexander Mowatt'a farm, Middle J£yeburn, on Wednesday evening last (says the Mount Ida Chronicle). Mr Mowatt was in Naßeby at the time, only Mrs Mowatt and a boy being at home. In a vory short time six, stacks were destroyed, comprising five and ahalf stacks of oats and half a one of wheat— the former containing 4400 bushels, and the latter 210. The produce of 7Q acres of oats was insured in the New Zealand Office for £290. —Three stacks of oats, of the value of £150, ths property of Mr Honry Martjn, of Lauder, were destroyed by firo last Thursday week. Tho origin of ths corjflagiation is shrouded in mystery. The stacks wero in surod in the Standard Office.

To give an idea of what it costs in South Australia to clear the ruua of marsupials and other pligueß which eat the grass and do damage to flocks, a correspondent of a contemporary gives the following as the account of the run known as Paratoo: —In 188} there were destroyed 926 wild dogs, 61,324 kangaroos, 11,605 wallabies, 201,919 rabbits, and 251 oaglehawks. In tbo previous year there wore 526 dogs, 770-1 kangaroos, 3838 wallabies, 35,779 rabbits, and 335 eaglohawks, showing that with the exception of tho rabbits the destruction has beon greater in 1881 than tho previous year. The total cost for last, year bas been estimated at £7437, out of which £3365 was paid for rabbits, £875 for doge, £13 for eaglehawko, £195 -fer wallabies, and the balance for kangaroos. And yet " squatting " pays handsomely.

A little boy named Frodoriok Alexander, an inmate of the Industrial School, was found dead in his bod yesterday morning". He had baen suffering from ctoup.

An amateur dramatic entortaiument is to ba given at the Lyceum Hall on Thursday next, under the auspices of the Olago Rowing Club and the Cariabrook Cricket Club. Byron's oomedy "£100,000"and the farce of "Jack's Dcvi;; "are the pieces selected,

Messrs W.G. Fail and d. li. Asiaer wera olectfld auditors for the borough of Port. Chalmers without opposition on Saturday.

A general meeting of tho Otago Guarda will bo itu'A to-morrow evening. Mr II Pym will cell (in on Thursday. An entertainment will be givoo at tho Ljcoam this ■'voning by Mr Pcritv Proctor, who announces that ho will expose and oxplain Thousrht-roadin;;, &c. Messrs M'Lanaresi, Hepburn, nnd (Jo. v»III fl.'ll lurt.lturoou Thursday. On tho 6th prox. they will toll n number of City Corporation leases. Mosrs Simpson, Djoomb, and Co. will cell the Provincial Hotel, Goro, on the 20 h prox. Mo-srs Wright, Stopheneon, and Co. will sell thoroughbred horpes to-morrow. Notice of a ra'.o by tho Taicrl County Council appears < laowhore. in contiequence of the retirement (through 111 health) of Mr 3. 11. Carter from the well-known firm of Carter aid Co , Ready-money Drapore, tho whole of tha stock is now being sod off »t grea'Jy reduced prices, and an extraordinary discount of in in the pound allowed oft all purchases, largo cr small, as tho stock must ho cleared.- [Anvr.] Pdmo Meat.—Frlnio rx moat, 21,3 d and 4A per lb; wether multnn, 2i aad 8d porlb; corned aid fresh pork, 3d and 01 per lb; veal, 2d and ad per lb, guaranteed dairy fed; tripe, sausages, and all other kinds of pudding*, 4d per lb; 'lamb, Is Cd and 2a f)d per quarter; lard (by tho keg), Od per lb; rennets, Is oac'i, or 9i per d^zen; cooked pig*' feet nnd bheep'd tongues on Saturday.*; call's hold and feet, 2s per set; ox tongues (sugar cured), 23 each ; sheep's kidneys, 8d per dczen ; prime emckod legs of mutton, id per lb. Strictly f r cash. Shop 3or carts, E. F. Lawrbnok, butcher. Goorge Btreet -[Advt ]- OV3TKK3I Otsteiuj 1 <jybt3R3 1 Grand Hotel Restaurant. An oyster stall has been opaned in abore rooms. Open till 11.30 pm. Oysters In every stylo ':( cooking. Plate of Oysters and bread and butter, 19.—J and J. Watson, ['dvt.l

Thoro fs only one romedj to make the hours of Uhour uniform -legislation. It is nonnenso to talk of in'rlnKcment of the ri^ht to do Rf you like. No citizen can do Hub. Why legislate for publicans to cloba their places uf business and not for butchers nnd grocers 1 Surely from 0 o'clock' to 6 o'clock is long enough to libour, i( only behind a counter. Competition will compel mo to keep up Into, but not inclination. The boat saus ges and the best moit at the lowest prices, from 2J pet lb, at A. DohhwbMj's — [4nvr.l