NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10291, 23 February 1895, Page 4

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

There is an unpleasant significance in the announcement that the wages of farm labourers and station hands are in some parts of this district to be reduced as much as 25 per cent.—viz., from 20s to 15s per week. The reductions have, we understand, already been made by some large employers of agricultural labour. There can be no doubt that the farmers themselves have suffered a far greater proportionate reduction in the profits both of their labour and their capital, and it is not too much to say that almost all classes in the community who, either by holding property or working on their own account, have to earn their incomes otherraise than from a master have had in like manner to suffer greater deductions than this. There are, however, classes of workmen who remain untouched and insist on so remaining. We need not specify these; they are probably in the main those whose occupation is carried on nnder such circumstances as to admit of a more perfect organisation. The masters of these favoured classes, however, are suffering nearly as much as those employers who are able to claim a reduction. It is under these circumstances that political favour is extended to some classes of workmen which cannot be obtained by others. If a general reduction becomes imperative some of our industries will have either to get it or go to the wall. In the latter case neither mast3r nor employee will benefit.

Whether or not Mr Hbsketh is justified in his statement that tha action of the Attorney-general in refusing to issue his fiat to test in the Supreme Court the Gazette notice declaring Saturday to be a half-holiday is without precedent we do not , know. It is hard to find either a tyrannical, 's stupid, or a cowardly act that has not at some time had a precedent. We know from good authority that the proper course is for the Attorney-general to issue his fiat whenever it is asked for with an apparently honest intention. That it was asked for with suca intention in the Auckland case cannot admit of a doubt. The decision means this: The question is one capable of being tested in the Supreme \ Conrt only. In this instance, unfortunately, lan arbitrary Government holds the key of that court, and simply without reason j refuses to open it. The only inference is that it feara that its action would be held to ba illegal. A country can put up with a good deal of. high-handed oppression, but the shear refusal of justice is the grossest of injustice, and will some day recoil upon those who are guilty of it.

The capture oE Weihaiwei by the Japanese may be found to possess a significance beyond anything that has yet characterised this war of surprises. Judging by an illustration in one of tha English illustrated papars depicting tha first brush between the Japanese fleet and the forts, the place 1» a deep harbour with a narrow entrance guarded by two high headlands, on each of which was a fort. These forts, -we may assume, were silenced at an early stage. The drawing depict 3 the Chinese fleet within and the town beyond. The scene in somewhat suggestive of Port Nicholson with rather higher heads. On the inland side the town was guarded by the forts, which the Japanese managed to take by means of land forces. The interest, however, centres in the fate of the fleet, consisting of two first-rate battleships, two second-rate battleships, and other vessels, besides a dozen torpedo boats. Evidently the Japanese closed ths entrance of this harbour by means of mines, trapped t.b.3 Chinese fleet there, and then destroyed it by means of the captured battery guns. The novelty of. the situation consists in tha

use of mines virtually for offensive operations by the Power which commanded the pea. Now, In olden Urnes England wd.b always preponderant at ssn, save on a few occasions whaa Dhe Dutch or French obuinod a temporary mastery. During the 23 years of the wars of the Huvolution, her five or six first-rats naval victories ensured her continued supremacy, and her blockades ex* grided in one continuous lino from the Adriatic to the mouth of tho Klba. The great port of Toulon, of winch we hear so much cow, was sealad by her (lest; might it not bo bo sealed again? [t has long bean considered probable that It is now impossible to blockade a port, ns fast steamers slip out at night, and the cost of maintaining a llaet at sea always under steam is prohibitive. It now appears possible, however, that the safer tbe port tha easier it may prove to blockade it. Wo havo yet to be told t.ho full story of the taking of Weibaiwei. but U« Importanca in enhancing the value of the dominant fleet ia quite apparent.

We have a difficulty in following; the reasoning which brought Mr Northci'.oft to the. decision by which he dismissed the information against John SwANN, charged with attemptiDg to murder Mr Campbell, a solicitor, in Auckland. It is not a comfortable reflection to consider that a man may enter the office of a citizen with a loaded pistol in his hand apparently with the objuct of killing him, and that in the result the public should be treated to a homily on the improbability that anything serious was intendod. As a rule intention ib teatod by acts. The act of Swarm is described as a

" foolißb act," and we are told that " ia the struggle tha other party might have been injured or the ball might have killed one of ; the clerks on the other 3ide of the partition." We should have thought that a jury was the proper tribunal to decide this sort of case.

In various ways it becomes apparent that a "Congo question " is looming in the distance. The history of the Cocgo State is entirely modern. After Stanley's discoveries a sort of anomalous international State was constituted. The King of the Belgians as a neutral sovereign was chosen ruler, and was found willing to put half a million o£ his own money into the venture. The idea of the now State was that its trade should ba free. Ttia, however, was found impossible, and, much to the disgust of some oil the Treaty Powers, customs duties had to ba imposed. There is a general opinion that the State cannot last in the presant anomalous condition, and overtures have been made suggesting that Belgium ahall take it over from the King aa a colony. This could only ba an artificial treaty arrangement, as Belgium, which never posaessad a colony, does not own a single war ship. There has been a sort o£ consensus of opinion that if the King of the Belgians ever retired from his onerous position the State would fall to France, which was recognised as having ;i kind of right of pre-emption. How this right arose nobody ecerns to kaow, and the British Ministry has formally declined to recognise it. Aa, however, it is likely that some strong European Power will have ultimately to take the Congo country over, it is not improbable that that not very profitable task will be entrusted to Franca on suitable terms as to the rights of the treaty Powers. These questions, however, are not easily or quickly settled, hence in the next few years ws may hear of the Congo question. Bo far as British interests are concerned the control might prove a convenient set-off against our control of Bgypt, which France alons disputes. It is quite clear, however, that England intends to dispute tho advance of the French into ths Nils Valley to the north of the Congo State.

The death of Mr Labilliere is noted. He was a Victorian by birth though he has long lived in England, where we believe he practised at the bay. For the last 25 years he bas taken a prominent part in colonial discussions in London. From the days of the now-forgotten " Cannon street Hotel " meetings to oar own time Mr Labilliero's conduct, good sense, and great moderation have always been in evidence, imparting sound! unbiassed information to the English public on Australasian topics. His small twovolume work on the early history o£ Victoria is among the best books of the kind yet published. It is a fair model for the history of a colony. In it he traces the story of discovery and Bettlament step by step from the earliest times, and in it too he reveals many Interesting facts previously unpublished, which he managed to unearth in the archivas of the Admiralty, the Colonial Offica, and other receptacles. We regret exceedingly to have to chronicle his death.

The reception which the treaty of Adelaide has met with at the hands of tho Victorian Cabinet ought to prove encouraging to our Government and that of South Australia. It shows that but for the unfortunate clause prohibiting the tnakicg of other treaties it might have proved 0. powerful instrument in the cause of Intercolonial Freetrade. Tlie general result of the meeting was an exhibition of a sense of alarm at the possible effect of the treaty on Victorian trade. This could give bo possible ground of complaint were it in the fair cour.33 of intercolonial trade. If, for instance, instead of a clause such as that which hampers each of the parties to the treaty, it contained what is known in international diplomatic circles as " the most favoured nation clause," it would have left this country free, and helped to force the hand of Victoria. That clause runs somewhat thus: Each of the contracting parties is free to enter into treaty engagements with friendly States, but, engages to extend to the other party all tha advantages which it concedes to the most favoured nations. We have much to learn in the making of treaties.

A portion of the plantations at Jubilee Park was unfortunately seriously damaged, if not quita destroyed ,by fire yesterday. On tha face of the hill at the Serpentine avenue aide of the park a large number of tcees of various kinds had been planted, and were growing very satisfactorily. The grass araang the trees wa3 high, and, owing to the absence of rain for some weeks, had become very dry. Shortly before midday yesterday some of tha neighbours noticed that it had been set firs to, and the whole plantation, covering an area of fully an acre, was quickly enveloped in flames. The fire brigade were telephoned for, and a number of the men arrived on the scane and beat out the flames, but, as we have said, not before serious damage to the plantation had resulted.

The following sections of Crown lands were disposed of at the Dunedin office during the past week: —Section 6, block V, Woodland, 181 a 2r, selected by Elizabeth Mary Fleming, on leaso in perpetuity, at a capital value of Jss 6d per acre; section 42, block VIII, Grookston, 8a 3r 32p, selected by Ellen Wilkins, as a village homestead allotment:, at an annual rental of Is 7d per aero.

The Dean of Dunedin, referring to a sentence in our article of Thursday on the General Synod, explains that we were not justified in stating, with respsct to the representation of Dunedin in the synod, that the bishop "found himself in a minority of very sorry proportions," but that the Standing Committee, of which the bishop was chairman, was the body whose action was appealed against. Dean Fitchett draws an analogy between the Standing Committee's position and that of a magistrate whose judgment is appealed againsS; but says that while the Standing Comiaitteo based its decision on the canon law of the church, the synod, in reversing it, relied on analogies derived from civil law. We need scarcely say that we had no wish to make the bishop occupy an invidious position, and are glad to draw attention to Dean Ktchett'a explanation.

The application to settle the list of contributories to the Now Zeaiaad Dairy Farmers' Co-operative Company, which ia in liquidation, came before hio Honor Sir Justice Williams in Chambers yesterday. Fully 50 of the settlers affected appeared in connection with the proceedings, and were represented by no less than eight lsgal gentlemen. The list was partially settled, the evidence of a number of objectors was taken, and the consideration oE their cafes was adjourned to Thursday next. The grounds of objection were in substance that some of those who were 3ought to be made contributories had never applied for shares, that others had received no notice of allotment, that; conditions under which applications had been mado had not been fulfilled, while some alleged that there had bssn misrepresentations with regard to the formation of the company. Counsel ou behalf of the objectors will be heard when the matter next cornea before the court.

Mr Paulln sent as the following forecast at 9 o'clock luat night:—"Strong to moderate S.W. winds, and rain nhowcrß,"

At a special meeting cf tha Anderson's Bay School Committee held last evening »nd attended by all the roembsrs, it was decided to recommend the Education Board to appoint Miss Janet Walden as mi3trces. Mias Walden is at present mistress at the KigbcliO School There were 41 applicants.

Only two competitors entered for the raining scholarahipK providing for three years' frea tuition at tbe Otago University College. J. M'Laren, of the Thames Sshool of Mines, obtained 80 per cent, of ths marks, and ha 3 been awarded the scholarship.

The annual competition for the Ladies' j Challenge Shield taken place this afternoon at j Pelichct Buy range, commencing at 12.30 p.m. j Great alterations have recently been made in i the range, Sight canvas targets hs-ving been j substituted for tho four iron ones lately in use. j This change will permit of the match being j fired in much less time than in former years, and will also do away with the complaints of some teams getting bettor targets than others. A notice to the competing teams, giving the hour at which each is to comrnance firing, appears in our advertising columns. Lieutenant Johnston, of the North Dunedin Rifles, will have charge at the 200 yds firing point; Captain Gillie?, of the Dunedin Highland Rifles, at 4-OOyds ; and Capiain Chalmar, of B Battery N.Z. Artillery, at 500 yds. Given good weather a c!o3s competition may ba expected, aa several teams are shooting well. E Battery will be represented by Lieutenant Baron, Sergeant Stewart, Corporal West, Gunners Davys and Willis; emergency, Captain Chalmer.

Two lads aged about 16 years walked into a Gore bank on Thursday and sold a smtH parcel of gold, receiving £0- 13s for it. Tha Gore Standard on making inquiries learnt that the lads had bsen working for nearly eight days on a beach of the Mataura near Mandevills, so that they had made a daily wage of 5s 9|d. Tho moral is obvious.

Messrs W. H. Hales and C. Napier Bell have arrived in Dunedin. Up to date they have inspected 1400 miles of railways in 80 days. This includes the minute inspection of about 800 bridges and over 3000 of the rolling stock and engines, with all stations and their appurtenances.

At the monthly indoor meeting of the Dunedin Field Club, Mr J. S. Tennanfc occupying the chair, Mr Geo. M. Thomson, the president of the club, gave an interesting address, in the cource oi: which he showed some problems in concoction with our native flora which still required solving. The drag for the Mount CargiH excursion leaves the Grand Hotel aii 2 o'clock to-day.

As showing the value of the Otago Witness as an advertising medium, the following extract from a. letter from a well-known sheep farmer in tho Auckland dirtriefcis of interest:— " I may say the Witness is very generally read in the north, not for news, but for its farming matter, useful reading, &c. I believe no paper is cftener read at second hand. We have no less than two copies coming regularly.—l am, &c, T. 51." In the country districts of Otago and Canterbury also the reading of the paper is seldom confined to the actual subscriber. It frequently passes through two or three households, thus practically doubling its large circulation.

We learn that "Fabian Ball" has been fortunate enough to get her new book accepted by Messrs Tilloteon, the syndicate publishers. The story, which is one or Australian life and adventure of thrilling and sustained interest, will appear in due course in the pages of ths Witness, when it will no doubt ba esgerly welcomed, since "Fabian Bell's" name has been connected with the Witness, especially the Christmas number, for many years. 'This lady's present success is another instance in which the appeal to a wider public has justified the confidence of our own local editor.

The Clutha Leader states that ths recently formed Social Reform Vigilance Committee are taking steps with a view to building a hall for popular lectures, literary, and musical entertainments, technical classes, chess, draughts, &c.

" The Flying Scud " was again placed before the public at the Princess Theatre by the Rosa Dramatic Company last night, and drew a fairly numerous attendance. Misses Gresham and Carlton, and Messrs Leitch, Boothman, and Martin were especially good in their respective parts, and received efficient support from the other members of the company. Tha drama will be repeated to-night.

TO-MORROWS CHURCH SERVICES.

St. Paul's Cathedral.—The Bishop of Dunedin in the morning anii the Dean in the evening. ICnox Church. —Rev. Dr Rentoul, morning and evening. St. Andrew's Church. — Hey. R. Waddell, morning and evening. Trinity Wesleyan Church.—Rev. J. J. Lewis, morning and evening. North Dunedin Presbyterian Church. —Rev. Mr Kilpatrick, morning and evening.

AH faints' Church. — Morning, the Dean evening, Rev. E. P. Hood.

Disciples of Christ (Stuart street Hall). —Morning, worship ; evening, Mr A. 8. Adams.

Bible Christian Church (Garrison Hall). —Revß. W. Ready and L. Ryan.

Salvation Army.—Special meetings to-morrow all day.

E-ationalistic Church, Rattray street Hall.— Mr John Qammell, 8.A., in the evening, on "Xhe Prophet Amos."

The Rev. J. J. Lewis's lecture to youog men, " Through Melbourne with a Detective," has elsewhere proved the most popular of the series. When delivered in Christchurch the church was filled to overflowing. Mr Lewis having come into contact with some of the sinß and sorrows of European cities, determined to see how far these were reproduced in the colonies. He therefore accompanied a detective in a midnight inspection of some of the dark scenes of Melbourne life. Believing these to be found in an incipient form close to our own homes the lesson thence derived will be addressed to the yount' men of Dunedin in Trinity Church to-morrow evening.

Dr Rentoul, principal of Ormond College, Melbourne, will preach for the last time in Dunedin both morning and evening in Knox Church on Sunday. The officers and men of the Dunedin Engineers corps will attend the church in the morning for divine service. The fourth serieg of wool sales in Dunedin will be held on Thursday next. Common jurors summoned for Monday next are discharged from attendance. The transfer books of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand will be closed from the Ist to the Bth March.

The valuation lists for the Borough of Roslyn are now open for inspection. The annual meeting of the Hutram Societies" Hall will be held on Saturday. March 2.

The directors of the Sew Hoy Big Beach Company have declared a dividend of 3d per share payable on the 25th inst. Iv view of Miss Rose Blaney's concert on Tuesday evening at the Garrison H2II, a selection of Victorian press criticisms in another column will be of interest.

Me?srs Greig, Park, and Co. will sell tomatoes to-day. Messrs Stronach Bros, and Morris will sell crossbred ewes at Wyndham on Thursday, 28th inst.

The Mutual Asency Company will sell dairy cows at the Bay View Hotel on Tuesday. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Cr>. will sell on Monday, 11th March, on the premises, Caversham, the late Mrs John Sibbald'a freehold property, with household furniture. &c.

Mes3rs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell racehorses on Monday. Mr Larnach, town clerk, Ravmsnourne, says "I can commend 'Wahoo' for indigestion. It cured me after Scigel's Syrup failed." 2s Gd, erocers'.-[ADVT.] Moixison and Co. s annual summer sale of drapery, clothing, and household furnishings now oa. Bargains in all departmenta. See them.— [Ain't.] We would draw your attention to the fact that our stock is absolutely new, and sold at very lowest caah prices.—W. Scott & Co.— [Advt.^l John Hislop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Priacas Btreet. The oldest established houao iv town. Repairs of all kinds. Good aanortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.—[Advt.] Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention.—f 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 tJo. to the Dunediu Hospital, TJ nion Company's entire lleet, and other public institutions. In nearly all cases of sickness Thomson and Co.'a Bodawater is held in high esteem by physicians for its purity and wholesome action in assimilating with milk and other nutritious liquids. Labelled with name and trade mark.—(Advt.]

The name of William D. M. Glaister was mutilated in the wire containing the list of those who had passed the junior civil service examination.

Mei.lin's Food for Infants and Invalids.— Perfectly adapted for the youngest infant. Keeps good iv all climates ; free from animal germs. To be obtained from all druggists and stores.

The Otago Yacht Club's regatta takes place this afternoon.

KOYAL COLORS TOBACCO.