THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1890.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8733, 20 February 1890, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1890.

! The City Licensing Committee elections have again resulted in a decisive victory for the self-styled " Moderate" I candidates—although the majority is not nearly so large as that of the previous election, when, it will be remembered, a definite trial of strength ; occurred. It is probably owing to the j large majority last year that the total j number of votes polled on Tuesday was

considerably loss, tho ligurea indicating that a good deal of reliance was placed I upon superior strength. In 1889 there j were polled 6G59 votes, which returned j the " Moderate" candidates by a | majority of 1577. On Tuesday 5975 j votes were recorded, placing the samo party in control of licencing mattery by a majority of 1103. Tho total number of votes recorded was therefore less by 684 than in 1889, and the Moderate majority less by 474. Probably owing to tho superior organisation of the Prohibition party, the number of votes on that sido has decreased by only 155, while the decrease on the side of their opponents was 529. Trhcso figures seem to be indicative, not of an accession of voting power to tho Prohibition party, but of the confidences of tho other side in their ability to win tho election without extraordinary efforts. It appeal's, therefore, that we correctly gauged public opinion when we pointed out that the demands of the Prohibition party left the majority of the ratepayers no alternative but to vote against them, ii fact which tends much to tho hindrance of temperance. This fact is much to be regretted, because it delays the introduction of many reforms of which the liquor trade is susceptible. As the conflict is now carried on, all the machinery of the Licensing Act works in favour of those already engaged in tho liquor traffic. Friend and foe combine at the triennial local option votina; in forbidding the issue of new licenses, which tends to a monopoly by those who may have chanced to be already engaged in the business when the system was introduced. The only point which the local option vote gives in favour of the Prohibitionists is that the number of licenses does not increase with the population; but this again tends against thorn in so far aa it increases the probability of greater profits by the existing licensees, and hence makes the business an increasingly valuable one. A matter for congratulation in the election just concluded has been the noticeable absence of the acrimony which characterised former contests. Energetic partizans on both sides worked hard, and it was evident that considerable sums of money were spent. The outlay of money at elections seems to be considered unavoidable. No matter how good the cause, many of the voters cannot be relied upon to repair to the polling booth unless a diligent agent waits upon them with a conveyance for the purpose. In such a contest the unselfishness of the Temperanca party stands out prominently. Contending only for a principle, they give their time and their money to election after election, which make those who wish well to the movement, and would see it advance, regret that Temperance and Prohibition should have come to be considered synonymous terms. We trust the " Moderate" party will use their victory wisely, and not fall into the mistake of supposing that because the majority of the ratepayers will not tolerate prohibition they therefore wish to encourage license. If we correctly judge public opinion, it is distinctly in favour of discouraging mere drinking shops, and of subordinating the bar trade to the more legitimate fuuetions for which licenses are granted. There is happily in Dunedin an entire absence of the flaunting gin palaces which are the accompaniment of so much evil in large European cities, but there are still too many houses where the sale of liquor is the prime consideration, and where the requirements of the law aro only perfunctorily complied with, and this is contrary to the spirit of the Licensing Act which' voters of all opinions united to bring into operation. The action of the newly elected Licensing Committee will be closely watched, and it may bo depended upon that any laxity in the administration of their duties will not pass unnoticed.

The first day's raciug of the Dunedin Jockey Club's Autumn meeting, which' commenced yesterday, was a success in every reepect. The weather was on the whole favourable, the attendance was one of the largest seen on the Forbury, and the raciug, not excepting the Cup ( which was won by the Hon. G. M'Leau's horse St. James after a game and exciting ttcuggle wich Mr Stephenson's Occident, was of the most interesting character. The meeting will be continued to-day.

In the case of Fox v. Smellie Brothers set Jowh for hearing at the Supreme Court yesterday morning, the. defendant's solicitor handed in a confession of judgment for the full amount claimed and costs, just before the sitting of tfie court. Tho plaintiff at ouce altered up judgment. The court will sit at 10 o'clock this morning, when the special jury case of Birch v. Sparrow will be proceeded with. This is an action for libel in respect of a letter published by the defendant, in consequence of which plaintiff alleges he has been in his reputation and has suffered annoyance and loss of employment. Damages are laid at £200. Mr F. Chapman is counsel for plaintiff, and Mr D. D. Macdonald for defendant.

On Tuesday last two caaes of larceny were reported to Sergeant Mulville at Port Chalmers, one being of a suit of clothes taken from the cabin of the hulk Esk, lying alongside the steamer Elderslie, the other being of a coat taken from the hulk California, lying alongside the Bowen pier. Sergeant Mulville having investi. gated the matter found that the clothes had been pawned in Dunedin, nnd arrested two boys ( who acknowledged the thefts. They were arrested, and will appear at the Police Court

this morning,

• .".We understand that there is every prospect of the conference of delegates from Miners' Associations, which meet in Dunediu on the 24th inst., being well attended.

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was to have been held last night, but on account of the holiday it was postponed till this evening.

Dean Jacobs, of Christchurch, has published in the Cbrktchurch Press a vigorous letter in reply to that of Bishop Suter, published in our columns oq Tuesday. After pointing out that the letter quoted was written on th-f 271b September by instructions of the Diocessn Synod, the dean says:—" It is not his action which requires explication, but hi.s inr.ction'— his inaction in taking no steps for the convening of a special sessiou of the general synod— his inaction in being content to occupy fnr more tban two months a- position to which ho was not sleeted, and in allowing another bishop to be deposed from that position, to which without question be was elected, on the sole ground of an informality in his election, for which he was himself in no way responsible. The one thing, I vfc'.ifcuio to say, which requires explanation hi this, why his Lordship has shown such manifest unwillingness to convene a 6pcc;a! S'B;ion— why, under the circumstances, ho did not, immediately on the decision being given, move two other bishops to request him to convene it, in order to extricate him at the earliest possible moment from what one would have thought he would have regarded as an intolerable and humiliating position. The bishop closes his communication with thesu words: 'I appeal to the people who.'her my actions have not been justified'; will his Lordship appeal to the people to decide whether l.is inaction has been justiaed ?" The raemV-rs cf tho Victorian bowling team, who havo been on a visit to Canterbury, have returned to Duoralin, end mott of Uirsm leavo for Melbourne to-(!ay. Nr;il Mattersoa, champion sculler of England, and 0. Stephensou, champion of New Zealand, .leave to-day for Sydney.

Lieutenant Andrews, th<i young New Zeulander who reemvud a commission from the War Office, lirb been transferred to the Ist Cavalry (Central India) Hyderabad Contingent, and has secured the qunrtermastcusbip of his regiment. Lieutenant Audrew U at present stationed at AurunyabaJ, Bombay Presidency.

A Mr Prater, who recently visited Waimato, has published in NewciwUu-oii-Tync, England, a pamphlet giving the result of hia experiences. If m: extract in tho Waimato. Times of what, ho learnt while visiting two Newcastle (jtjntlcinoii engaged tmUini; iinibrr in WnimiiU- liush is a fair mimplo of his pamphlet, hi's render* will gain

some curious inruruniitimi regarding New Zealand. Ho says:—" Tho bush contained black men mid wild nnimuls, tall trues ami wild flowfrs. Ferns wcroßrowing 12ft high. It was glorious to bo far awny from the noise curt tumult of the busy world—roaming the forest by day, and sleeping by night with a revolver by your side. Before retiring to rest a huge fire was lit outside the house); this precaution was necessary in order to prevent wild animals and other disagreeable people from approaching too near. A sentry was on guard all night. armed with n ride and revolver."

On tho person of Patrick Cottfir, aged G2, arrested at Shepparton, Victoria, on a charge of soliciting alms, were found deposit receipts for JEB32, silver and gold to the value of 225, and an extraordinary collection of rusty knives, pieces

of iron, &c.

Mr J. Timsou, organist and choirmaster of First Church of Otago, has been appointed conductor of the Caversham Choral Society. Mr V. Christie Murray's lecture " Looking at war," which he will give in the City Hall this evening, should attract a large attendance. His treatment of this subject; is stated by the Australian papers to be even more generally interesting than his " Making a novelist," and that is saying a good deal. The Choral Hall was filled to its utmost capacity kst evening to listen to Mrs Baeyertu'

address. The audience consisted exclusively of

females, and they paid the deepest attention to the lecturess as she quoted text after test from Scripture to prove the three propositions witU which her discourse opened—viz.: That there is

a hell, or place of future punishment; that

there is no repentance after death; and that r.he punishment of hell is never-ending-. This evening the meeting will he for men and boys only.

A grand complimentary farewell benefit will he tendered Mr George Darrell by his many friends and admirers on Monday evening next' when the military drama, entitled "The Forbrn Hope," will be presented, the principal incident being the departure of the Australian contingent from Sydney for Egypt. The benefit will be under the patronage of the leading citizens of Dunedin, and to make the attraction worthy of the occasion, permission has been obtained from Colonel Wales for a number of the North Duuedin Rifles to take part in the performance. The Ordnance Band, under the couductorship vof Mr A. F. Robertshaw, have silso kindly volunteered their services, and will play several first-class selections during the evening.

We have received n small broohuro by Mr G. W. liiißsell, entitled a '• Msnu.il of th« Duties of Life," dedicated to tho boya tud girls of to-day. The author states that the little work is intended to supply ft want in regard to our public school system—■ viz., the teaching of morality nnd duty. The manual teaches tho dignity of all noneßt labour, and enumerates Uie d\itie» uttHcliinf! to the various rcliitiona of life, as parent and child, master and BOrvaut. and as a citizen. It alsoincludes the general range of duties we owe to our fellow men. I'no catechetical form lias beon adopted.

Mr Eden George, photographer, has sent us a welltinished and capital photograph of Lord Cnrrington, Governor of Wow South Wales, who visited his studio while in this city. Mr T. S. Goodridgo has shown 113 n new process of engraving on steel, iron, brass, and white metal, wliich can be used by any persou without any previous knowledge of engraving By means of n chemical preparation the smallest writing can bo engraved, mill Mr Goodridgo exhibited tho blade of a knife, on which was written within Uie space covered by a threepenny-piece tbe Lord's Prayer. Die process, which oulv occupies a few mirjntea, s'iouM be of service to householders, botelkeepers, mid others, as their cutlery can bo engraved with n nrune or mark which cannot be obliterated without deteriorating the article. An announcement referring to the process ap[..e,\rß in anotiifcr column.

A special passenner train will leave Dunedin for Invercargill atS a.m. to-morruvr cairying passengers lor stations south of Waipalil. The Tiinaru wool sales will be continued on February 25, when over IOOU hales will be submitted.

Messrs Wright, Stcphensou, and Co. (in conjunction with Messrs Reid. Madam, and Co.) sell a pureiirfd Clydesdale on Friday next.

Meetings of Uie W.U.T.U. will be held to-day at the Uible dupr.t as follows :-9 a.m., 3 p m., ami 7.30 ''"Undoubtedly Hie most popmV flowers are the Hose mid Carnation. .Mid all the latest nowlMes ■i>*(* obLa-iii'iblt* at Ukohpk M iTTitEws' Nuvscrits itorningtou. Inspection invit.nl.-[Aim-t.] We advise, visitors to l;e photographed by Eden tit'orge, as his iira the best photos in IJuuetfin.— ' The lovers of good Pork Sausages etui Pork Pic 6 ■>■ ho have been sending to Oainaru for years past for their requirements will be pleased to hear the announcement that Messrs Wilkik and Kav, of Oamaru, havo opened an establishment at 73 George street, where their patrons can now be supplied with the best makes of these goods. For mild-cured Hams nmt Bacon they cannot be excelled. The premises being large, airy, and commodious, every tiling can be guaranteed fresh and sweet, and up to Uie liigh standard of merit always turued out by Meesrs Wilkienml Kay.-r.ADVT.]

lUbby's Tmcopukrous for tub Haib. —This etcelieut article is admkted to be the standard preparations for all purposes connected with the hair. It prevents its falling oft, eradicates scurf, dandruff, •ec, aud keeps it in the most beautiful condition, its habitual use renders the use of oil,pomatum, or any other preparation quite superfluous. It is richly pet fumed with the most delicious floral fragrance, and is warranted to cause new hair to grow on bald placet. "