THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1895.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10289, 21 February 1895, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1895.

I Tile triennial session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church is an I event of some importance, and usually of considerable interest, but the proceedings at the recent gathering at Nelson appear to have borrowed something of the proverbial calm—not to use a less equivocal word—of the locality. Lack of excitement on these occasions is not necessarily a mark of weakness, however, and we doubt not that good work of a more or less routine character lias been accomplished at the assembly of the " three orders." The Anglican body is not usually given to gush or wordy enlarging, and though some people may think that the opposite extreme is sometimes reached, and that seemliness is apt to degenerate into formality, we are not inclined to make any complaint regarding such a tendency in these days when religious energy so often stands in need of restraint and reticence. It is noteworthy that of the seven bishops who attended the General Synod at Dunedin six years ago, only two—the Bishops of Auckland and Dunedin —retain their seats on the episcopal bench of New Zealand. Bishop Haiipee, full of years and honour, has passed away; Bishops Hadfield and Suteb are in retirement; Bishop Sttiaet has bravely taken himself to a more arduous field of work; and Bishop Joins' Selwtk, after worthily following in his father's foot- j steps till strength failed, has found a suitable sphere of new usefulness at the Cambridge college which bears his name. The resignation of Bishop liADi'iEr,Dleft the primacy vacant, and so quietly was the election carried, out at the recent synod that the event may almost be said to have passed unnoticed by the general community. The Bishop of Auckland was entitled to the position by seniority and (there is every reason to believe) by fitness. Dr Cowih is not a Sejtwtn, nor is he ever likely qiiite to inspire the feelings which used to be associated with ohe mention of Bishop Haepee's name; but he is a man o£ sagacity, culture, courtesj', and reasonable liberality of thought, and the interests of the Anglican Church are not likely to suffer in his hands. We need not linger over the more ordinary proceedings of the recent synod. About the rather miserable business of the Dunedin representation the less said the better, though we may note that the Bishop of Dunedin found himself in a minority of very sorry proportions, and that the Dean of Dunedin mußt be apparently exonerated from all personal blame in the matter. Sir John Hall fought gallantly on behalf of the ecclesiastical woman, whose claims are also favoured by the visiting Bishop of Salisbury; but the proposal to give women the right to vote at parish meetings-was defeated by a majority of bishops and clergy, though 13 out of 19 laymen voted with Sir John. We do not see why the New Zealand Church should be more conservative in this matter than the Church of England, and the large share of church work performed by women certainly entitles the sex to special consideration. But the concession is pretty sure to come in time, and meanwhile female influence has no difficulty in making itself felt in ecclesiastical affairs.

In one sense, no doubt, Lord Rosebert

and his colleagues have scored a victory on the Address-in-lleply in the House of Commons, but it is a victory which can have brought them little comfort. A majority of 14 would be a fairly substantial preponderance in the New Zealand House of Representatives, which consists of only 74 members, but in a House numbering 670 it must be taken to indicate an exceedingly precarious state of affairs. It is a majority which may be converted into a minority at any time by the merest accident, and the force of Lord Rosebeey's brave language concerning thp House of Lords is obviously minimised by the insecurity of the Ministerial position in the representative Chamber. Sir William Haecoubt is reported to have declared that "the Government had a reasonable chance of passing their measures," but the result of the divisions on Monday fails to confirm this over-sanguine statement, and it will be matter for surprise if Ministers succeed in postponing the appeal to the country till the end of the year. It will have been noticed that the first division —on Sir William Haecouet's motion to apply the closure to the debate— resulted in a Ministerial majority of only eight, and it can hardly he doubted that the closure was not meant to be used in cases where nearly 300 members desire the continuance of the discussion. The Labour members, while apparently voting with the ■Government on the main question, opposed the application of the closure, and the fact is welcome, showing as it does that the industrial representatives are properly concerned for the rights of large minorities. As for the general state of affairs, it is tolerably clear that the Unionist position, and especially the position of the House of Lords, must be strengthened by every additional day ■that the Ministry clings to office. If Lord Rosebeey complains of the obstruction of the Upper House, Lord Salisbuey may fairly rally him on his pitiable majority — his 14 and his B—in the Lower House; and ,-wlien nearly 300 representatives

j of: tho people demand a disj solution and declare their conviction that the present Parliament has lost the confidence of the country, tho demand can only bo refused at tho peril of further loss of prestigo to tho resisting Government. The simple truth seems to bo that the Ministry and the Liberal party are afraid of tho general election ; but we should imagine that a continued display of pusilla nimity is very unlikely to improve their prospects.

| Tire selected Otago cricketers leave for | (-liristchurch to-day in order to play tho annual match against the province of Canterbury, and wo hope that they will return victorious. No doubt the feat would be a considerable one, as tho Canterbury team, when at home, is decidedly strong, and last year's match can hardly be regarded as a criterion ; but, win or lose, it is at least to be trusted that the Otago pla}rers will quit themselves like true and capable cricketers and wipe out the stain of that deplorable exhibition in the second innings of the match against Wellington. Mr Knox, tho selector, though he has had to put up with a good deal of provokingly unreasonable heckling, has accomplished his task satisfactorily,

and we understand that all the selected men are able to get away. It is always easy to find fault with these selections, and it might perhaps be urged that one or two—not more—of the choices are-a little doubtful. But on the whole there is every cause for satisfaction, and though Otago has lost Lawtoh, and though our men have to face a redoubtable body of cricketers on their own ground, we see no reason why they should not give a creditable account of themselves. At all events they must look to it that the.match ba not lost owing to faults of pluck or nerve.

We defer commenting on the speech made by the Minister for Lands last night until to-morrow, but cannot allow Mr M'Kenzie's unwarrantable statements concerning the editor of this journal to pass without stating that the paragraph referring to the reported engagemeat of his daughter to an officer in his department admits oE a very simple explanation. The paragraph ill question was first published in the Wellington Evening Post, and was copied from that paper into the Daily Times by the sub-editor in the ordinary course of his duties as an item likely to be of interest. The editor never saw the paragraph until after its appearance. This is the form in which the item appeared in oar columns :—" The Wellington Post says: ' It is currently reported, and apparently on good authority, that the recentlyappointed Chief Inspector of Stock has received » guarantee of three years' employment, at £500 ft year, with 15s per day travelling expenses, and j'j is added that he is about to become closely related to the Hon. the Minister for Laada by marriage.'" A few days after th» appearance of the paragraph to which the Minister takes exception the report was denied in the Lyttelton Time 3, and the following correction was printed in the Daily Times: — "According io the Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times the story that Mr Ritchie, tha newly-appointed head of the Stock department, vras about to become connected by marriage with the family of the Minister for Lands is a pure canard."

Mr J. D. Fitzgerald, who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales prior to the last general election, and is now on a visit to Dunedin, is, his friends will regret to hear, suffering from a severe attack of illness.

The Autumn meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was commenced yesterday. Rain fell in the morning but cleared away before noon, and the weather for the rest of tha day was fine and mild. The principal event of the meeting—the Dunedin Cap—induced biz starters, and was won by the locally-owned horse Casket, whose chances were not greatly fancied. The Champagne Stakes also fell to a Dunedin candidate, this being Gipsy Grand, who was foaled in New South Wales and imported to this colony last year. The other races were well contested, but there were no close finishes. A noticeable feature about the day's sport wag the regularity with which well-bscked horses won the races, the highest dividend that was paid being only £6 4s. The shrinkage in the totalisator investments aa compared with those on the corresponding day of l&sfc year's meeting, when the attendance was not appreciably larger, wan somewhat remarkable.

It was anticipated that between three and four hundred people would avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the Railway department of visiting Waihola, yesterday, but owing to the inclement morning and other causes not more than 150 went by the train. The weather cleared shortly after the excursion train started, and those who went by it spent a very enjoyable day. The trains running to the racecourse and also those on the Fort line were well patronised during the afternoon.

Mr Paulin telephoned at 10 o'clock last night:—"Moderate to strong N.W. to S.W. windß and rain showow."

The members of the Dnnedin Barns Club held their quarterly meeting in the Choral Hall last evening, there being a large attendance. Dr Stenhouse occupied the chair, and expressed his pleasure at seeing so larga an attendance, which, in the face of other meetings and attractions, spoke well for the enthusiasm of the members. He introduced to those present Professor Rentoul, .who spoke briefly on Robert Burns, the influence his writings had h&d on literature of all kinds, and their oflect in keeping alive the patriotism of Scotchmen. He was loudly applauded on concluding. Mr A. J. Burns also addressed those present, giving an account of hi 3 recent visit to Invercargill and fcis meeting with the members of the Sonthland Burns Club. A concert programme was gone through under the direction of Mr J. B. Fergusson, Mr A. Gray playing some bagpipe mußic by way of preliminary. Four part songs were rendered by the choir, songs by Miss Keenan, Mr S. M'Donald, Miss HarrisOD, and Miss Henderson, and a violin eolo by Mr R. Duckworth. Master Webster recited "B&irnies, Cuddle Doon " with such success that ho was brought back and had to give something in addition. Miss Fraaer, Mr Fergusson, anil others acted as accompanists, and the programme concluded with the singing of " Auld lang syne," after which the hall was cleared and a short dance followed.

Colonel Fox, superintendent of the British Military Gymnasia, states in the United Service Magazine that in the " rubber skate" lies the ideal means of locomotion for the infantry of the future. According to Colonel Fox, the use oE these skates is very easily learnt; they are very fairly durable, the initial cost is low (about £3), and on roads in good order a speed of about eight miles an hour can easily be maintained. To quote from Colonel Fox: —" I have no doubt that, with loads in good order, & brigade of infantry could mcva down from London to Brighton, allowing for halts, in about six hours, and do it with no more exertion than would be requited for an ordinary day's march of 12 milee."

Little has been heard of late of Peter White, who went out to Burma from England in quest of Theebaw's missing crswn jewels, of which he professed to know the whereabouts. It seems, however, that White arrived in Mandalay in due course, and was for some time in the station seeking employment. Eventually he is said to have disappeared.

The officers and men of the " Black Watch " have been commemorating the centenary of the "Red Hackle." A hundred years ago the Koyal Highlanders were on active service under the Duke of Cumberland in Flanders, and as Guildorsmalsen were ordered to re-capture gnus which the French had taken. With a wild cheer the Highlanders charged down upon the French, scattering them in all directions, and brought back the guns in triumph. It was in acknowledgment of this that each officer and man received a red feather to be worn in his bonnet.

The sentence of a flogging passed at Sydney iilion a young man named Robert Strong for n brntal assault upon a suilor belonging to the Wolverene was carried out ou fcho 9fch inßt. at Dailinghurat Gaol. At the first stroke the prisoner broke down utterly, howled aloud, wepi, and prayed, his ejaculations, " Oh God I have morcy ! " being beard outride- the Ea°lAt the lust stroke he emitted n, sallen roar, and then his head fell forward towards tho supporting triangle. When released he was able to walk away without difficulty. When bis short term of impriionment expired and he was released, his last words to the officials were, "No more of this for me. I'll keep out of the handa o£ the police in future."

Eighteen months in gaol for contempt of court would be severe punishment for tho moat hardenod offender who ever incurrod a judge's displeasure, but when the culprit is a poor white-haired woman of 74 years, tottering on the brink of the grave, her expiation may well be regarded aa complete. Mrs Hannah Pockott was a sister of tho late William Wright, of Wright and Edwards, ironworkers. Wright amassed a fortune, but the evil times came, and when he died his estate was insolvent. Then it was found that before his death he had made over considerable property to Mrs Peckett, who kept house for him, and upon an action being brought she was declared to be a trustee for the executor of a sum of £14-4*, besides certain freehold property and furniture. She was ordered to ezecnto certain transfers and to refrain from dealing with the property, and it was for her failure to comply with this order that on tho 30th August 1893 she was lodged in the Melbourne Gsol, and there she remained till the other day, and might have remained till the day of her death but for the good offices of the prison chaplain. Some four or fivo months ago she executed the transfers that were required. It seems, however, that the solicitor who had previously acted for her had left Melbourne, and there waß no one else to move in her behalf. The case at length came to the knowledge of the Key. H. F. Scott, and he took counsel with Sir Hartley Williams, with tho result that his Honor directed the old lady to be brought befora him, and called upon the solicitors for the executor to show cause why she should not be released. Mrs Peckett appeared befora the judge in the custody of the governor of the goal, »nd a forlorn and pathetic spectacle she presented. Mr Westley said there was ,no objection to her release, and an order was made accordingly.

There was,a large atteridanco of juveniles at tho afternoon performance given yesterday by Fitzgerald's Circus Compp.ny. Noodlesa to say the youngsters were delighted with the entertainment and the menagerie. In the evening the attendance was again very large. The programme was substantially the same aa on preceding; evenings, and the performers were heartily applauded. This evening there will bo a change of programme. It should be mentioned that, by tho invitation of the Messrs Fhzgerald, the children of the Industrial School, headed by the school band, attended at the afternoon performance.

Despite the strong counter attractions there was a good attendance at tho City Hall last night, when "The Strategists," which was played by the Kennedy Dramatic Company a few months ago, was repeated by them with as great a measure of success aa attended its first production. Bliss Lilla Wilde and Mr Albert Lucas, who were cast as the female and male strategists respectively, succeeded thoroughly in amusing the audience, and met with a very cordial reception ; while tho other members ef the company had also good reason to ba satisfied with the manner in which their efforts to entertain were recognised. To-night the company play " Basi; Lynne."

A Mrs Borthwick, of New Thebarton, South Australia, celebrated the hundredth anniversary of her birthday on the 7th inst. Several residents waited on hsr, and presented her with some money. The old lady sang with much gusto the song entitled "The Battle of Waterloo," and rendered it creditably for her age.

Tho valuation lists for the Peninsula, Portobollo, and Tomahawk road districts are now open for inspection. Messrs "ieorge King and Co. draw attention to the fact that the Canterbury ram and ewe fair is to be hold on Thursday, the 14th March.

Owing to the races Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will hold their weekly horse sale on Monday.

Messrs A. Lorie and Co. will sell potatoes and fruit to-day.

A sacred and secular concert is to be given in the Temperance Hall to-morrow in aid of the funds of St. Mary's Church.

The ordinary meeting of shareholders in the Standard Insurance Company will bs held on Monday, 4th March. There will be on view to-day in Messrs Wilkio and Co.'s window a framed photographic shield of tha officers and delegates who attended the Oraoga Grand Lodge meeting at Gore in December last. The photographs were taken by Mr C. Clayton, of Gore. Choir practice for the Rev. Thomas Cook's forthcoming mission commences thia evening in the Trinity Wesleyan Church. All willing to assist will be welcomed.

Miss Rose Blaney haa secured the services of the very best of our local musicians for her concert next Tueeday, and Miss Laura Fisher, the popular Wellington contralto, has also neea specially engaged. With such an array of talent the concert should be a success, both musically and financially.

The uunual meeting of the Technical Classes Assocntion will be held this evening in the Towa Hall.

Visitors f ram the country should try J. Ander. son and Co. (late iluller and Anderson) for genuine bargains in furniture. No. 83 George str«et.—[Ad vt.] We have received from Messrs Charles Begg and Co. their catalogue of new and popular mußic. It is a book of over 150 paKes.

From Mr James Horsbursh wa have to acknowledge receipt of samples of "Chambers's Fluent Readers," with word-building and coloured illustrations.

Mr Larnach, town clerk, Ravensbourne, says: "I can commend 'Wahoo' for indigestion. It cured me after Seigel's Syrup failed." 2s (id, grocers'.—[Ad vt.] Mollison and Co.'s annual summer sale of drapery, clothing, and household furnishings now on. Bargains in all departments. See them. — [Advt.] We would draw your attention to the fact that our stock is absolutely new, and sold at very lowest cash prices.—-W.. Scon <fc Co.— [Advt.] John HrsLOP, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.—[Advt.] Messrs A. and J. M'Faexane beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention.—[advt.] See G. and T. Young's Christmas advertisement on first page, and note that watch, clock, and jewellery repairs receive personal supervision of Mr T. G. Young. Competent workmen only employed. Satisfaction guaranteed. Moderate prices?—[Adv.] Specially prepared sodawater for invalids, as supplied by Thomson and (Jo. to the Dunedin Hospital, Union Company's entire fleet, and other public institutions. In nearly all cases of sickness Thomson and Co.'s sodawater is held in high esteem by physicians for its_ purity and wnolesome action in assimilating with milk and other nutritious liquids. Labelled with name and trade mark.—[Advt.]