NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10267, 26 January 1895, Page 4

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

It is somewhat consolatory to hear from an independent quarter—we will not yet, call the Hon. Mr. Gabbabd an, independent authority—that in New Zealand "it appeared to him that the effect of socialistic legislation fulfilled its intentions, *nd equalised the comforts Of life more." It is always to be hoped that onr legislation will be justified by such a result, but we cannot yet say that we have seen it. If it be true — of which pro6f is still lacking—that a certain number of persons have had their measure of comfort raised by the recent legislation, it.muEt be at the .same time admitted that contemporaneously the volume of employment has decreased and the number of unemployed has increased. To attribute this to the legislation would be a mistake, in face of the visible contributing causes such as low prices.and financial disturbance ; but the new legislation has undoubtedly contributed partly by direct restriction and partly by indirect disturbance. We do not admit Mr GabiUkd as an authority, because however correct his observations be has but limited means of judging of the conditions previously prevailing. His condemnation of Ministerial influence and Ministerial interference is wholesome, and his phrase, " The industrial system appeared to work fairly well, and ho thought that it would continue to do so if the politicians would only leave it alone," deserves to be remembered.

The failure of the Mount Cook Hermitage is a matter which everyone interested in healthful recreation must greatly regret. It is to be hoped that it will yet be taken up and run with success. la all probability its failure is mainly due to the fact that the season is a very short one. Colonists have not yet learned that the alpine season may with advantage be extended well into the winter; at least, this is dona in Switzerland. It wonld perhaps be too much to suggest that Government should haadle such a subject as a mountain hotel, but it is a pit; that some-fif-these inland counties

have not some means of establishing or enoouraging such institutions. In Switzarland, where private enterprise has not sufficed, the canton has occasionally assisted. Of the Importance of such establishments to this country in attracting visitors there can be no question. It must be recognised as a fact that in future N«w Zaaland will have to depend for the support of a considerable number of her inhabitants on the annnal influx of strangers ready to spend money here, We have always given the present Government credit for greater foresight in matters of this sort than any previous Government, and although it is difficult to ace in what way they could aid in the present instance it is a pity that this important tourists' resort is threatened with collapse.

Tnis Australian papers make reference to an interesting and apparently important judgment of the Privy Council in dealing with the will of the late Dr Bbanky, who amassed a large fortune by his somewhat peculiar practice. Some years ago he re-visited his native town Of Canterbury, and at his death if, was found that he had left £10,000 to the corporation for the purpose of enabling them to buy a block of land and erect on it a library and reading room, to be called the " Beaney Institute for the education of working men." He left the residue of hia estate to Melbourne charities, which disputed the validity of this one. In England Bach a legacy would be void as contravening the time-honoured statutes of mortmain, which bave no force in the colonies. Mr Justice a'Bbokhtt held it good. The Fall Court reversed his deoision on the ground that, the cjrporation was by law dlsahleil irom accepting, such a gift. The P/lvy C mocll reversed that, i restoring the original judgment-, on the ground that the Fall Court had erred "in exaggerating the amount of prohibition imposed by the English statutes and in ascriuing to it a more absolute effect than it really has." The judges go on to explain that the statutes of mortmain were intended to prevent deathbed gifts of land, or money to ba laid out in land, unless by a deed executed at least 12 months before death. In other words, an English Parliament had ■ thought fit f for the protection of its own people, to impose this preventive measure on them. They treated this as a foreign will made in a country the Parliament of which had declared so each polio;, and they: saw nothing in English law to prevent the acceptance of such a gift from abroad. It 1b significant to notice the declaration of the judges that "the most . recant Act prevented deathbed gifts as strictly as did the earlier Act."

We cannot go quite so far as our correspondent 1' BnUdogi" whose letter appeared in Thursday's issue. His figures may be perfectly correct when he shows that the withdrawals of deposits in the Postal Savings Bank of Danedin in 1894 exceeded the deposits by £1185 8s 4d, but we do not think that this necessarily results in the conclusion that the depositors an a whole " have saved nothing, but spent £4185 8s 6d of their precious savings." No doubt the year was a bad one, but the figures are arrived at Upon the basis of the deposits in the bank in 1893. The operations of that year Were of such a character an to affect the statistics for several years. Whan the Australian crisis occurred in 1893 a great many deposits were made in savings banks throughout this colony which wonld not ordinarily have found their way there. Some of these were withdrawn later in the same year and more were withdrawn in 1891. These were used in various ways, some being taken to other ■banks when it was found that the panic was not: to extend to New Zealand, and some being used in building houses. It will be remembered that in 1893 and 1891 a great many buildings were erected in and around Dnnedin. There may be a good deal that is correct in what our correspondent suggests, but without farther explanation the mere,statistics cannot; be relied on as showing what our correspondent claims. • • ■ '

It Is not very comforting to find that the crew of H M.S. Wallaroo hare exhibited signs of discontent. The Press Association's telegram states specific facts—that of 200 men 60.are suffering from ulcers and climatic debility, and that the captain on his own responsibility brought the vessel down to save the crew. Some of the other assertions may be mere questions of opinion and degree. These are serious allegations. We cannot tell who is responsible for the order for the retnrn. of the Teasel to Samoa.—whether the Admiral in Sydney or the Admiralty authorities in England. In either case, if it has been done wir<h a knowledge of these specific facts, it appears to be such an acj as could only be justified by an' emergency akin to a war. We do not, of coarse, know what orders are now given. There may be places within the assigned cruising limits which are perfeotly healthy; but it would be more satisfactory were some explanation given which would tend to relieve the anxiety aid irritation which the incident will naturally, cause..

The Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, accompanied by Mrs Ward, arrives this evening by the express train'from the south, and will be met on his arrival by the membars of the committee and others, by whom he will be driven in a four-in-hand to the Choral Hall, where the hon. gentleman will be entertained at a social gathering. As will be seen from the advertisement, a programme of vocil and instrumental mnsio has been arranged, and in an interval Mr Ward will deliver an addreß3. A transfer of the portfolio of Justice from the Hon. Mr Cadraan to the Hon. Mr Beeves is likely to take place as soon as Mr Cadman returns to Wellington. ! The local committee of the St. John Ambulance Association have received intimation fr >m Major Elliott (private secretary) that time will not permit oE Irs Excellency the Governor staying in Dunedin next week, and that he will consequently be uuahle to present the certiI ficate*, &c. to those members who were successful in passing last reason's examinations. Major Elliott adds that his Excellency rfg-ets this the more as both be and Lady Glasgow take a deep interest in the work done by the association. The annual revenue from the Cheviot leases now amounts to about £14,000, and £35,000 was received from cash sales. The estate is yielding aboub 5 per cent. Mrs Miller yesterday gave the fifth of the series of lectures on ga3 cookery in the corporation chow rooms, and 130 ladies were preyed into 100 chairs, while some 50 others coming iate had to be refused admisaioD. It has been decided to give special evening lessons for those ladies who are anxious to acquire a knowledge of the use of the gas stove, of which due notice will bo given. We are informed that some 50 stoves have been sold as the result of the lectures to elate. During au ' inters al in yesterday's lecture Mrs Miller took occasion to explain to her hearers that " Civis " hud lost sight of one important factor when he kindly criticised her artisan's bill of fare—viz , that owing to the enormous saving in fuel effected by the use of a good gas stove the artisan who might ut« one of these articles ,w&s enabled to introduce dainties. The cost of the gss yesterday in the preparing of the menu was 01117 Z-^d. In our issue of Thursday last wo recorded a, narrow escape from drowning at Brighton and a plucky rescue by a boy of 13 years of age. We have pleasure now in reporting that the little fellow's pluck has been suitably recognised by the parents of tho boy saved, Mr Cuddie having forwarded to Mr Pryde, to bo presented to his son Arthur, a handsome silver hunting English lever watch and chain. The watch bears the following inscription:—"To Arthur Pryde, from the grateful parents of Torranca Cuddie, whom he saved from drowning at Brighton on the 18th of January 1895." Mr Cuddie, in forwarding the watch snd chain, referred in very warm terms to the obligation which Mrs Cuddie and he were placed under by young Pryde's brave conduct—an obligation which, in their case, time and memory never can efface. The Oam»ru Borough Council have decided to write to the Hon. Mr'Cadman to ask that the £750 voted for a clock tower be transferred to his department for the purpose of the extension of the waterworks scheme as promised by the Colonial Treasurer, who had said that the whole of the £1500 vote could be devoted to the waterworks extension. It is expected that the extension proposed will only absorb £250 of tbe unexpended grant, and that the (.balance may bo expended on a clock tower. Mr Stanford, S.M., has left Napier for Palmerston North, where he is now to be stationed. ,

A girl from Weston some months ago was married at the registry office at Oamaru to a travelling advertising agent, who subsequently took her to Christchurch, where the couple lived in style at a leading hotel fer some three months. At the end of that period the man left the girl, forgetting also to pay his hotel bill. It has since been discovered (the Mail says) that the scoundrel was c. married man with a wifo and family HviDg ht Fitzroy, Victoria.

Yesterday baing the festival of the conversion of St. Paul, special services were held in St. Paul's Cathedral. In the morning there was a celebtatiou of Hely Communion, while evensong was held last night. The " Magnificat" and " Nunc Dimittis " were Winchester's in F, and the anthem was, ■■ Sleepers, wnke! a voice is calling" (Mendelssohn). The Very Rev. Dean Fitchett preaohed on the life and character of St. Paul, after which Mr Taylor, the organist, played an an offertofium Bael's toccata and fugue in D minor. At the conclusion of the service selections from Mendelssohn's " St. Paul" were given, those taking part being Misses E. Vivian and' B. Leech, Messrs Blenkinsopp and Knox.

The Rev. Professor Reutoul, of Melbourne, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, wilt during the mouth of February occupy the pulpit of Knox Church.

Tiia Rev. T. Cook, the Weileyan evangelist, now in New Zealand, was interviewed on his arrival in Auckland. Among other questions asked of him Was ose as to the fruits of his mission on the other side, and Mr Cook's reply was that in the Australian colonies during nine months over 5000 persons had passed through the inquiry rooms, most of whom had connected themnelves with one of the various branches of the Christian church. As an evidence of the benefit gained by the Methodist Church, the South Australian Conference reported this year the largest increase with bat two exceptions it had ever had in its history. In two or three instances after the missions the churches had had to be enlarged—namely, ?ort Pirie (South Australia) and Perth (Western Australia) — owing to increased membership. In some places, Mr Cook says, the success has continued after he has left, and been mere marked than during the mission. In -Mcouta, in South Australia, 600 were .added te the respective churches after his visit, as the result of the work of the various minister*. .

At the meeting of the Oamarp Harbour Board yesterday it was stated that the receiver was drawing a remuneration equivalent to £500 per annum—a statement which' elicited the remark that the billet was almost as "fat" as that of a Minister of the Crown. Mr Burbury pointed out (the Mail reports) that these heavy payments to the receiver were only increasing the board's debt. It was stated that the interest in suspense had now run up to £18,000 in three years. Mr Meek said it would ran up faster if interest upon interest were to be charged. Mr Burbury aaked if there were no means to stop this awful accumulation. The Chairman said the only scheme wa« the consolidation of loans. The Secretary said that the receiver had an idea of consolidating the loans at 3 per cent, if the 1876 bondholders would come in. A brief discussion ensued, during which it was generally admitted that the position would have to be faced.

A portion of the Erlstoke estate at Willshire Bay, which formerly belonged to the late Mr R. G. Wilson, has recently been surveyed and cut up into small sections for building sites, and within the past few weeke about 60 allotments have been sold, the buyers in a few instances selliDg their land again at an advance on the original purchase money. The portion being disposed of consistl of about 105 acres of land, for the most part covered with deßse bush, which for many years was religiously conserved by the late owner. There, however, appears to be a demand for land in the locality, which is a favourite seaside resort ia the summer season, and so the lovely bush is being cleared to make room for seaside residences..

The Daily Telegraph thinks Mr Seddon musi

feel rather sorry he went to Napier. At the

commencement of hia address the Premier had everything in hi» favour, as the. building was packed with an audience the majority of whom were inclined to be more thaa sympathetic, and they manifested their feelings by a readiness to applaud at the slightest excuse; but the eagerness at first displayed to be amused by Mr. Seddon's small "jokes"—to dignify his elephantine attempts in that direction by a name they do not deserve—soon gave way before the dnll weigkt of lsthargio twaddle that' jerkily dropped from the Premier's lips, and for the greater part of the-three leaden hours daring which the wearisome drip of words without knowledge continued his bored hearers sat and silently endured him. Now and again a

bit of tjie stile old gag about land monopoly

cheered up the hearts of the disappointed •'committee of arrangements," and they worked off a mechanical round of applause, but their efforts did not infuse any liveliness into the meeting generally: Mr J. R. Blair has resigned his seat on the Wellington Education Board. He has been identified with educational interests in Wellington'for many years past, and has been chairman of tbe Education Board since 1882.

The annual picnic in connection with the Caveraham Industrial School was held yesterday at Taieri Mouth. The children, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Burlinson, the school teachers, and Mr A. Morrison, M.H.R., left the Cavertham station by the express train in the morning and proceeded to Titri, whence they were taken by the s.s. Staff* down tbe river. On the arrival of the party at the Taieri Mouth the young folk were regaled with rafreshmehts, and games of various kinds were set on foot on their behalf. The weather was all that, could be desired, and the picnickers spent a thoroughly enjoyable day, returning to town by the evening train. The school bund, it should be stated, was amongst the party, and played a number of selections at intervals on the upward and downward journey.

The (schoolroom of the Anglican Church at Port Chalmers was the scene, on Thursday evening, of an interesting function in consaquence of the appointment of Miss Macdonßell, the honorary organist of Holy Trinity Church, to the staff of the Girls' High School at Ashburton, and hsr conseqnent disconnection with that church. A large number of enthusiastic friends subscribed for a purs 9of sovereigns, and arranged a valedictory social to evidence their hearty goodwill. The incumbent, the Rev. F. C. Platts, »poke in felicitous terms of the valuable services that had been rendered to the church durifig Miss Macdonnell's five years' tenure of office, and made the provided presentation. Mr E. O. Allen, a member of tb« church veetry, on behalf ef the recipient, io I graceful terms acknowledged the gift, and expressed, on behalf of the large company preaent, their best wishes for Miss Macdojmell's success and happiness in her new sphere ef duty. A concert was thereupon improvised, and a very pleft3ant evening was concluded with dancing. On the Ist of January Mr J. W. Israel assumed the Auditor-geDeralship of Tasmania, at a salary of £500. Mr Israel, who is a brother of Mr 6. C. Israel, of the Bank of New Zealaud, North Dunediu, has risen to this position—the premier official one of the colony—from an assistant's position in a country store at £40 por annum. Mr Crombie, who has been appointed railway gfcationmaster in Dunedin, was presented by the members of the Phcenix Bowling Club in Oamaru with a handsome pair of silver-mounk-d bowls as a parting gift, and has been elected a, life member of that club. The Rev. J. M'Kellar, oq the severance of his connection with tbe Riversdale Presbyterian Church, was presented by the congregation with au address and a purse of sovereigns. The Kennedy Dramatic Company will produce "Peep o' Day" at the City Hall to-night, and Mr Kennedy will make his reappearance.