THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1886.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7637, 10 August 1886, Page 2

THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1886.

In any disagreement between the two Chambers of the Legislature with regard to a money Bill, the presumption is enormously in favour of the Lower House. Nothing can be clearer than that the Legislative Council have no constitutional right to amend Bills wbich affect the Colonial finance, and few tilings as clear as that their right of rejecting such Bills should be exercised with greit cautioD. The first point has long been settled; the second is settling itself more and more decisively every year. A nominated chamber is in a peculiarly bid position to interfere with the constitutional guardians of the public purse. If they venture to oppose the wishes of the Lower Chamber, it is with a sword hanging over their heads. Happily there seems to be little doubt that the threatened difference between the Legislative Council and House of Representative s over the Loan Bill will be arranged to the satisfaction oMioth parties. At first it looked as if the Council had taken it upon themselves to interfere with the details of the Bill, but such a course would have been so outrageous that we could not believe that it would be taken at the instance of so exceedingly prudent and thoroughly democratic a statesman as Sir F. Whitaker. For this reason we refrained from comment until we had the materials for understanding the position thoroughly. These show that the Council have not made any attempt so far to amend the Loan Bill. They merely appointed a Select Committee to discover whe' her the Government and the House of Representatives have not acted illegally in including in the schedule of that Bill a vote for a line wliich has not been formally authorised by Parliament. It appears clear that a mistake has been made by the Oovernment and the House in this matter, and they have acknowledged tliis by introducing a Bill to authorise the' North of Auckland line Though the ►Select; Committee of the Council may have given a piece of useful advice to the House of Rrepresentatives, the Legislative Council itself has taken no action to amend the Loan Bill, and it would be an absurd punctiliousness on the part of the Lower House to pretend that its privileges were infiinged. Mr Pyke's resolutions are admirable as a statement of the general position between the two Houses in relation to money Bills ; but there is such a thing as running admirable principles to death, and that is just what we should all feel if the Government and the Lower House were to object to the action of the Council in the present case. The House has made a mistake, and the Council has given it a gentle hint in the mostf inoffensive manner possible. Stern sticklers for an ultra - refined constitutionalism may protest that the pn cedent will be mischievous ; but we are ernfident that the common sense of the House will assert itself, and the spirit of the Constitution be their guide. We always doubt tlie wisdom of refraining from doing what is clearly expedient and right under the circumstances for fear of i!s being distorted into a precedent for some mischievous course which bears a superficial resemblance to it. And the thin-end-of-thc-wedge argument has peculiarly little force in a case in which the whole current of the times is flowing in the direction of reducing

tie power of the Upper Chamber. J f the Government and the Lower House will ask themselves how else the Legislative Council could have acted in tho position, they will rather thank them for calling attention to a little mistake whicli might liave had serious cnscquences than try to cover it by disputing whether tho Council had the right to " think of thinking for itself at all" on tho point.

_It wero easy to follow our Northern contemporaries in indignant censure of Mr Arthur Olayden's very indiscreet letter on " New Zealand Commercial Morality" whicli we republish in another column. But it is evident that tho poor man has erred with tho best intentions, and makes his exaggera'ed and indiscriminating wails over our want of honesty out of the overflow of his heart. Neither is it likely that Mr Olayden lias been so disloyal to (he Oolony as to say all tliis at Home. We have a certain sympathy with the manwhofrompatrioticmotivps and without malice tells us our faults to our face, even if his remarks are not particularly wise; and Mr Olayden's letter is not entirely valueless. When we have laughed at hia heroics and dismissed his accusations with the reflection that commercial morality is certainly quite as good in New Zealand as in London, wo may with advantage recognise that Mr Olayden is in this matter to a large extent acting as a " fooolmeter " for us. He is reproducing in a more or less exaggerated form stories which he hears quoted in the Old Country to the disadvantage of New Zealand, and his caution should be paid attention to, even if he be reviled for not taking greater pains to ascertain the veracity of his accusations. Mr Olayden's letter only supports an impression wo have formed from many o'her sources, (hat the credit of New Zealand is in bad odour publicly and privately just now. The fault is not so much that of our commercial morality as of the ex'raoulinary fall in values in lhe Oolony. People in England can hardly unde - stand how easy it has been to lose money here during the last four or five years, how much and how quickly investments have declined in value. It is only human r attire that they should attribute their misfortunes to our dishonesty instead of their own want of foresight or causes beyond human control. We are not prepared to deny that New Zealand companies have been floated in London under circumstances far from creditable to tbe Oolony and to tlieir promoters. But the instances are more gross than numerous, and the singuine disposition bred of the public works policy and its firet blush of prosperity has had far more to clo with the failure of colonial investments than any question of morality. It is, however, no good crying over spilled milk. What we have to bear in mind is that this Oolony is under suspicion in the Old Country, and that this is largely the result of illfated private speculations. We must be very careful in private as in public business for some time to come—not even look over a hedge, although other countries maysteal sheep by thedozen. There is no getting out of the fact that the confidence of the Mother Country in our honesty and ability to pay had been sapped by private experience of bad investments in, the Colony before Mr Froude gave it his careless blow. This must militato strongly against our efforts to attract small farmers here. All we can do is to live our bad reputation down ly stifling all over-sanguine attempts upon the purse of the British investor from this side of the ocean, and becoming more than ordinarily prudent.

Reports of yesterday's courts, letters to the editor, and the letter written by Mr Claydon to an Auckland paper dealing with the low tone of commercial morality in tho colony, appear on our fourth page.

Our usual summary for Europe, for transmission by the San Francisco mail, will be published on Frielay morning.

In the Council yesterday the Loan Bill was committed, the report of tho speoial committee being to tho effect that the line in the schedule not authorised by law was about to be authorised bythe Government by a special bill.

In the House of Representatives a number of important bills were reael a third time aud passed, including the Local Bodies' Finance and Powers, Government Insurance Association, and Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bills, a clause having been introduced into the latter making the subsidy at the rate of £l to £1. The Premier moved the second reading of the Representation Bill, and the debate on it was not concluded whenthe House rose.

The steamer Pelham went ashore at the Bluff yesterday, and it is not expected she will be floated off again. How she came to grief we have no intimation. The vessel is valued at about £10,000, and the insurances amount to £4500.

Tho chief business that came up for consideration at the City Council last night was the report of a special committee which had been appointed to draw up some recommendations with regard to what reductions could be made in the official expenditure of the corporation. Cr Murray, who moved the adoption of the report) referred very feelingly to the dire necessity wbich compelled the council to go in for retrenchment. Several other councillors also spoke in favour of the motion, which was eventually carried. The annual saving effected by the adoption of the report will amount to £1142.

Three men, named Patrick Kavanagh, Maurice Edward Baxton, and John Patrick Davis, were charged at the Police Court yesterday with passing valueless coius on the 31st ult. The first alleged that he received a token for a sovereign as part payment of a totalisator divielend at the May races, and that he thought there was no dishonesty in attempting to pass it at the totalisator at the races held ou tho Slst July last. He was committed for trial, as also was Davis for passing a counterfeit half-crown to Mrs Hardie, wife of the licensee of the Pioneer Hotel. In his possession, when ho was arrested, another spurious coin, similar to that he had passed, was found. Baxton, charged with passing a counterfeit florin to a tram conductor, was liberated, there being no evidence to show that when he handed it to the conductor he knew it was valueless. Tho same conductor seems to have been very unfortunate ou the day in question, for when his day's takings were checked another valueless coin, intended to resemble half-a-erown, was discovered.

The following tenders were received for the post and telegraph contract at Ophir: — Accepted—Leslie, Arthur, aud Co. (Cromwell), £323. Declined—G. B. Aiken (Alexandra), £329; G. Dempster and Son (Duuedin), £357; J. Simmonds (Alexandra), £368; G. Drummey (Alexandra), £377; W. Duncan, £379; H. Daueby (Dunedin), £470.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held this evening to receive a statement regarding the Otago Dock Trust.

It has been definitely decided to play the annual interproviucial football match against Canterbury on the 28th inst.

Our Pukerau correspondent telegraphed yesterday that M'Nicol's store had been burned on Sunday morning, nothing whatever being saved. The stock was insured for £400. Tho building was also insured.

A meeting was held in the V.M.C.A. Rooms yesterday evening of those interested in temperance matters, to consider the advisability of inviting Mr AY. Noble, a well-known temperance lecturer, to visit Dunedin. Mr J. A. D. Adams was in the chair. It was decided after discussion to cable Mr Noble an acceptance of his terms, and a committee was appointed consisting of Messrs F. Fulton, D. O. Cameron, Dyson, and Adams to report to a meeting to be held on Saturday evening. A list of subscribers was oponed and about £12 was collected in tho room. Mr Odell was appointed hon. secretary to the committoe.

A Wellington telegram stales that the Alameda, with London mails of 15th July, left San Francisco for Auckland on the Slst ult.,

time-table elato. Tho Mariposa, with the July colonial mails from Auckland, nrrived at San Francisco on the 20th inst., ono day in advance of due elate.

At a meoting of creditors iv the estato of the absconding debtor Peter Casey, held yesterday, tho Official Assignee stated that as yet he had received no information from tho police regarding tho search instituted for Casey.

Three eases of sly grog-selling in the Nentliorn district will be heard at tho City Polico Court on Thursday.

The Athcnraimi Committee's ordinary monthly ' meeting was held yosterelay evening. I'resent — Mr jj. It. Sinclair (in tho chair), Messrs J. A, Barr, S. Elborn, J. (1. Moody, W. MAdam, J. ' C. Morris, W. B. Harlow, and l'rof. Maiuwaring ' Brown. Tho committee's thinks wero recorded 1 for four volumes of " South Australia Proceed.- • ings of Parliament and Papers for 1885,'" and ono volume of "Acts of the Parliament," also catalogue of the General Assembly Library at Wellington. The librarian's monthly statement was considered very satisfactory. The suggestion book was duly dealt with, accounts passed for payment, and tho meeting adjourned. An accident occurred at Palmerston this (Monday) morning, writes our Palmerston correpondent, whereby Charles Low, the guard of the G. 30 Dunedin train, had his leg broken, besides receiving a severo shaking. It appears that just aftor leaving the station Low noticed that tho sido door of the guard's van was not fastened, and he got down from the front platform of the van to close it, intending to get on tho train agaiu at tho back Iv attempting to do this he missed his hold, and was thrown down with tho rosult stated. Dr Brown was soon iv attendance, and applied the necessary remedies, after which the injured man was removed to his home. lam informed that the guard was not missed until tho arrival of the train at Waikouaiti. From all accounts it appears that although the result is rather serious for Low, it might have proved far more serious, as it appears his leg was broken by getting entangled in the connecting rod of tho break, but fortunately was soon released, otherwise he might have been dragged with the train until discovered. The French Government contemplate a bold deed in introducing a bill for the total extermination of betting. In England (says the Pall Mall Gazette) without a doubt, racing and betting would fall as they stand together, for though tho Britisher's innate love for the " sport of kings" is proverbial, it is mostly kept alive by the hopes of what he will be able to make out of tho object of his affections. Broadly speaking, racecourse attendances comprise two classes —those who come to bet, and the roughs, who do not bet, because they have no money, but who come to make themselves generally unpleasant. By tho side of these two main divisions the number of true sportsmen who love racing for racing's sake is almost inappreciable! and certainly insufficient to maintain tho sport on its present magnificent scale. And as it would be iv England, so in all probability will it be in France, inasmuch as racing there is wholly an English importation—trainers, jockeys, grooms, bookmakers, and horses all' alike being of British extraction.

The reported contract made with a Scotch firm for the supply of the iron needed for the Hawkesbury Bridge is a very timely reply (says tho Sydney Morning Herald) to those of our Protectionist advocates who, for the instruction of the peoplo of New South Wales, are continually saying that in America Protection has cheapened commodities. Over aud over again we have beeu told that America can now beat England and is continually increasing its export to England. But here we havo a caso of American buyers going away from their own market and placing a largo order by preference iv Glasgow. In competition with all the world, an American firm of engineering contractors produced the best design for the great railway bridge ovor the Hawkesbury. Having secured the contract, it would have been perfectly natural, and no ono would have been surprised, if American contractors had gone to American ironmasters for the material. Nearly all their work hitherto has been done in America, and they have had large dealings with their own people. They know where to lay their hands exactly on tho best American metal, and local houses are familiar with their orders. But, notwithstanding all the strong inducements they are under to place their order in America, they go out of their own country, and tako it to Glasgow. They certainly would not do this unless they could save monoy by it. "When they are working in Amercia.Protection compels them to employ American material and American latour. But the moment they are free to go to tho cheapest market, there they go.

A telegram from Derby, via Cossack, dated the 30th ult., to tho Melbourne Argus states that a police party has arrived from the goldfields. They found a good road from Derby. Only 50 men were on the field when they were there. 300 have left Derby since, and about the same number, or more, Cambridge Gulf. Nearly 500 men are still in town. The New Zealand steamer Triumph has arrived from Wellington with 205 men. The police report that all the men on the field are getting some gold, though water for washing is scarce. Some returned diggers report the finding of a 20oz nugget. Several teams had reached the field from Derby, but nono, as yet, from Cambridge Gulf.

Samuel Laird, late of County Waimate, was committed for trial for bigamy at Melbourne on the 30th ult. The accused was married in Timaru to Fanny Fleming in 1875, and after living in Timaru for some time, Laird and his wife removed to Christchurch, where four children were boru. In 1881 Laird left his wife and family without means of support. In 1885 he was married to Miss Fanny Sheppard, of Armadale. His first wife appeared to give evidence against him.

The aeljourued inquest touching the eleath of Julia Georgina Warburton, who died at a house iv Young street, Fitzroy, under suspicious circumstances ou the 22ud July, was concluded on the 2nd inst., says the Melbourne Argus. Professor Allen, who made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased, gave evidence that death was due to malpractice. The jury returned a verdict iv accordance with the medical evidence, and added that Elizabeth Taylor, who had been arrested on a charge of causing the death of the girl, was guilty of wilful murder. Mrs Taylor was thereupon committed for trial at the next sittings of the Criminal Court.

There is a chance yet for an enterprising goleldigger in New Zealand (says the Timaru Herald). An old Otago miner says he knows of a field which surpasses in richness any yet worked in this colony, the exact location of which he intends to keep to himself for tho present. He says that it is beyond the Kakahu, which affords plenty of room for an adventurous prospector to work in, but he admits further that it is within a hundred miles of Temuka. The ouly reason he is not working it himself is lack of capital, aud as soon as that little elefect is remedied we may expect to hear of a new Ballarat in our midst. Meanwhile, tho summer is coming on, and tbo walking will be good for the crowds of prospectors who will doubtless Hock to the.Kakahu.

The two football clubs at Invercargill havo decided to ask the New South Wales team to play a match iv Invercargill.

A resolution was carried at a meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce that the coast line of the colony should not be leased for sealing purposes for terms of years, as provided in the Fisheries Amendment Act at present before the Legislature, inasmuch as such a policy would inflict a great commercial injustice on the fishermen who look to this pursuit for a livelihood, and would certainly lead to the creation of monopolies—which will be of a most irritating character, likely to result in constant litigation, and tend to retard instead of promote a most useful industry.

The Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association has received a concession in railway rates on fruit and fruit trees. Fruit is to be charged under class D ; trees in packages under class C; and trees to bo conveyed over tho Lyttelton and Christchurch line at deadweight.

It is announced in the Gazette that James Rendel has been appointed lieutenant of the Caversham Rifles.

Mr Thos. Rodger, foreman of works on the Otago section of the New Zealand Railways, having resigned his position for the purpose of introducing in other countries his valuable improvements in self-emptying hopper ballast-wag-gons anel plough for spreading ballast on railways, was entertained at the Coffee Palace on Saturday evening nt a social spread, anel presented with a gold watch suitably inscribed, and also an illuminated address, by the employes of the department immediately under his charge. Several songs and recitations were contributed during the evening, and the proceedings were altogether of a very pleasant character.

In connection with the Intercolonial Council of tho Salvation Army held at Melbourne, a eablo message was recoived from tho General, promoting Major Barker, the pioneer of the army in thoso colonies, to the rank of colonel. At the opening of tho council the proceedings wero much tho same as usual, only ever so much moro eiithuiiast:c. The principal representative speakers were Major Pollard (head of the army in New South Wales), Major Barrett (New Zealand), Major Lindsay (South Australia), Adjutant Wright (Queensland), and Adjutant Quick

Tasmania),

Messrs Rignold and Ali-;on's dramatic company aro working their way back, after a season of unexpected brilliancy in the North. At present the company are playing "Called Back" in Christchurch. After finishing thero they play two nights at Timaru and two nights at Oamaru. A season of 14 hights at Dunedin will follow, producing "Called Back," "Faust," and "My Partner."

The benefit tendered to Mrs Klingenfeld

(Miss Heath) at the Princess Theatre last evening drew only a fair audience, but thoso present' seemed thoroughly satisfied wilh tho entertainment provided. A varied programme had been arranged. Songs wero giveii by Miss Fanny Marsden (Mrs Rice)—who on her first appearanco in Dnnedln met with a.favourable reception—Mrs Klingenfeld, and Mr J. P. Harris. Owing to the number of items lo be got through, demands for encores woro not complied with. Professor Rice in mind-reading experiments was as successful as on the previous Monday eveniug; and feats of strength by Mr J.Doylowere loudly applauded. Herr Mosoh contributed several pianoforte selections. Tonight a complimentary benefit will be tendered to Miss Fanny Marsden.

Frank M'Callum, of Mil'urn, has Wed a petition tobe adjudicated a bankrupt. Creditors meet on Friday.

The gymnastic das.es in connection with the e.x----::i„h School Boys' Club will open to-morrow evening. The interim dividend of 3d iv tlio N. 55. Accident Insurance Company is now pajablc. Messrs Jimics A.'Park and Co. will sell household furniture to titty. Mr Montagu Pym will hold an important sale of whisky, rum, kc, on Thursday. The Toronto Door Mat Company are introducing to A'e.v Zealand a novelty iv their own particular line in the form of an indestructible door mitt, Tiie mat has japanned steel frames, wilh copper crossburs, and ti.e mat proper is of galvanised wire woven by machinery. For this it is claimed that the mat is always clean and is indestructible.

At the meeting of the Otago Institute to be held this evening Pr..lessor Parker will read a paper on tho New Zealand species of paHiiurus—sea crayfish— and come interesting old maps of Australia and recent additions to tlie museum will be exhibited. Arrival of the lonic with £5000 wortii of new drapery and clothing for Curler and Co. Owingto their great Increase in trade during the last twelvemonths Carter and Co. arc determined to cell their goods at a smaller margin of profit than heretofore, and will commence with tliis lonic shipment, ladies arc invited to call aud see the latest novelties. Gentlemen should not f.iil to sec the wonderful va'ue we are offering in clothing. New goods being marked off for every depai tment. Please note address and call early.—Cahter axii Co., ihagivat ready-money drapers and clothicre, 60 ar.d G2 George street, Dunedin.- [Advt.]

There is no tradesman in town who studies the wants of the public more than A. DoitNWßl.l.. Hot. only has he ore of the very best appointed and largest shop in the colonies in tho centreof the town, but; lor the convenience of his numerous potrons he has opened branches in Princes street and King street, as well as Port Chalmers, and sends travelling butcher shops to the suburbs, all having the primest me.at in great variety, and sell at the lowest possible price.—[AdVt.] List of new goods just opened at The London in George street, tho noted establishment for good valuo:—1000 gross new metal buttons, 2§d_, 3£d, 4£d dozen; 3000 pairs evening silk gloves; six-button kid gloves, 3s 0d; gents' evening kid gloves, 2s 0A; 50 boxes tinsel frillings; pretty muslin work, 2JU-, 3^4, 4§d; handsome loug jackets, ISs Gd, 21s (id, jersey bodies, braided and yldo, lis lld, 8s lld; Yak laces, S_j(l; splendid lot coloured laces; 1000 girla' hats, 3d and Bd. Call and inspect. The Loudon.— I'IIICK AND BUIXKLD.—[ADVT.]

Visit at once the Annual Clearing Sale at Fyfe ami Oiwivef's Ready Money Warehouse, where they sell at all times desperately cheap, hut during their annual sale goods almost given away. Especially would V, aud C. call attention to the accumulation of remnants now being offered at one-quarter their value. See remnants flannels, remnants calico, remnants eircsscs, remnauts velveteens, remnants ribbons, remnants laces, remnants frillings, remnants embroideries. Odd lot soiled blankets, must bs sold at any sacrifice.—The Read v Mox^ir Warehouse, ',12 and 9-1 George street.—[Advt.]