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Otago Daily Times, Issue 10449, 27 August 1895, Page 2

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1595.

By the decision of Parliament the Railway..Commissioners- vacated office at the end of last year, and their functions were vested in a Minister, thus reverting to the system of management that formerly existed, arid thus practically . condemning nonpolitical management. But this condemnation counts for nothing more than its value as a political move in the face of the facjrtMfc in the Australian colonies, in two of which—Victoria and New South' Wales—railway, matters have exercised the public, mind to a considerable degree, it has not been thought well to revert to political control. ■"' There is; however, the special reason to be urged for this that by shifting the responsibility from the Government on t<r a convenient buffer in the shape of railway commissioners Ministers make life more endurable from the absence of incessant complaints and requests jrom all parts of the colony; In this colony there are few "political" railways, and there is practically no demand for them compared to that which has existed in Australia, so that the position of adminis- j trative head of the railway system, whether political "or not, is a bed of rpses compared to an analogous position in Australia. The Kail way Commissioners—Messrs M'ivEREOW, EOjtaxkb, and Scots— went out of office at the end of the year, as already stated. On December 31 they rendered an account of their stewardship in a report to' the Minister for Public Works. They, reported that the lines, rolling stock, and workshops machinery were in good working order. The revenue had shown a falling off: for the nine months, and the expenditure had increased by nearly ,£II,OOO, the latter caused by the ■ [ necessity for renewals, ballasting, and bridges of the permanent way. They allude to the fact that the railways of the' colony are in 10 ■ independent sections, and claim that this explains the fluctuations in expenditure, especially where so many of the structures are of timber, and where it has become necessary to provide for heavier rolling stock. They also recommend that the policy be continued of increasing the capacity of the main lines for heavier rolling stock. It will be noted ;that there is no professional question of the wisdom of this course, and that it is practically a departure from the original design. A portion of this report was dissented from by one of their number, Mr J. L. Scott, who considered it due to himself to point out defects in the maintenance and locomotive. departments, to which his previous training led him to give special attention. He alleges that the workshops were equipped in a style that would not be creditable to a country blacksmith. He went so far as to say that the work done in the workshops costs from 50 to 75 per cent, more than it ought, " while a j great deal of it ought either not to be done at all. or done in an altogether different manper." In the locomotive department, also, he found much subject for adverse criticism. He said that the conversions of engines were of doubtful utility and unnecessnv !y costly. And he concluded by saying that a competent man could readily place j his finger on other faults. Unfortunately for the position taken up by Mr Scott, lie appears to have done nothing during his tenure of office to prevent this waste. Reports on his memorandum were obtained from the chief engineer and the locomotive superintendent, and they concur in stating that not ' only had MiScott not even so much as hinted at anything of the kind, but Mr KoTiiEßiujr asserts that lie actually appeared interested in some of the experiments and requested that they should be continued. The accuracy or otherwise of Mr Scott's charges'can j only be determined by experts, but his i case is undoubtedly prejudiced by the

rejoinders we have quoted. Furthermore, no mention is made of the charges in the report of the Minister. The Minister's report, though dated August 2, is for the year ended 31st March, for the last three months of which only the lines had been under direct Ministerial control. It" showed | that the net receipts had fallen off by j .£18,743. The percentage of expenditure had also increased, with the result that the interest earned had fallen to £2 14s 6d peiv cent. ~Some of the principal sources of income show j a falling off, as, for instance, Wheat, of which the export declined by over 2,000,000 bushels. Passengers also showed a. declension of 67,123, and general goods of 5367 .tons, while 45 additional miles of line were opened during the year, and the total mileage travelled wa.s greater by 108,389 miles. Credit is taken for the introduction of cheap holiday excursions for school children. . The, revenue was not largely affected by them, but if is hoped that one result will be to further popularise the railways. Further concessions are proposed with this view. Those who have. occasion to use, the ■railvrays' by night will hail with satisfaction the intention to replace' the present obsolete system of lighting by the introduction of compressed gas. The Pintsch system is contemplated, and this will necessitate the erection of three gas generating plants. Unless we are very much mistaken, the ordinary gas supplied to the towns is used in railway trains in Australia. It is carried in tanks under the body of the carriage, Almost any change would be a welcome one, for the existing appliances only seem to make j darkness ' visible. -The new system will be initiated on! the Hurunui-Bluff section. The light is said to cost an hour per light, with 5.0. per cent, more light, as compared with f d an hour for the present apologies for lights. The acceleration of the train service between Dunedin and. Christchurch is still' far j distant. The engines are ready,-but the line is not. ■■•The locomotives are too heavy for the present bridges and the 401b rails which still remain, and. txi the present rate'•■'of renewal it will be two years before they can run through tb'Danedm. ; It is not. difficult to' share the Minister's regret tliat the money is hot available for an earlier completion' of this work. An Order-in-Couricil has been issued authorising the setting-up of boards of appeal, one for each island. Mr J. G. Maetim- will preside over that of the North . Island, and District. Judge Ward over that oi! the South. The elections to these boards are now in progress. Several innovations are under consideration. One of these is legislative provision for employees who are injured or worn out in the service, and the other is the amalgamation of'the Public Works and .Railway departments. • . In order that complete. > assurance might be given'of the condition of the lines, a minute and personal examination of them was entrusted to the Engineer-inrChief (Mr Hat.es) and Mr G. Kapieu Bell. These gentlemen spent nearly six months on their task, and the result of their examination appears as a separate report tp. the Minister, and it has been laid on the table pf the I House. Concerning the North Island, | they say:—" Taking into consideration i the whole of ths ifo'rth. Island" lines, they have been constructed on the most economical basis, and they appear to be. maintained on the same principle. All parts are kept up to, serve their purpose with safety and . efficiency, and beyond that nothing is spent on them." And they say of the South IslaTid lines;—" On the yrhoie, these lines of railway appear to be-main-tained with economy, but their working condition is not impaired. They do their work well,.and carry a large number of passengers with as' much safety as any other lines." If Ministerial control can show as good results after the same length of time as the lines were in the charge of the commissioners, it will be well.

Our Wellington correspondent has made a mistake-^a very natural one—in his forecast of the Bank Committee's report. He anticipates that there will be two reports—thab of a majority in favour of the Government proposals and another of the minority objecting to or protesting against them. There can be no doubt that this course is not permissible by parliamentary usage; and very properly so! The rules which govern the proceedings of a Committee of the whole House are strictly applicabl ■?, except where otherwise mentioned, to the sittings of a select committee; and no .written or verbal protest is allowed from a Committee of the who]e House to the House itself. The rule as regards select committees is, moreover, stated clearly enough in the various parliamentary authorities. Sir EegiiYALD Paxghath, who succeeded Sir Erseose Mat as Clerk to the House of Commons, says on the point: "Members of a Eoyal Commission are by usage empowered to accompany their signatures to a report with' a statement denning the extent of their assent thereto. This power is not possessed by a body that acts by a delegated authority gU ch as a committee." • May himself is equally explicit on the same point. It is not even allowable for a member in the House to discuss speeches made in a committee. But although a committee's report must be the report of the majority and no other, members of the minority are protected by the fact that their vote in committee against the adoption of the report is recorded. And in their speeches in the House they can, of course, attack the report as much as they choose. As knowledge of. the rules of the House was always a strong point with Mr Seddon", he may safely be trusted to see that on this particular occasion the Baid rules are not evaded.

The warm weather of the last few days has melted the snow so rapidly that it is feared floods may result. The Upper Taieri river had risen some 3fs by noon yesterday. The OJutha river commenced to rise on Sunday night, and was still rising slowly yesterday. The punt at Clydevale ferry, which has been laid up for the past five weeks owing to the low state of the river, was taken across ou Sunday for the first time. There was a warm wind blowing and every indication of rain. Mr Duthie, the secretary of the Osago A. and P. Association, has received intimation that the Government are considering the request to delay the collection of the shes-p tux owing to the loss of sheep by the recent severe weather. Me Ritchie states that the depaitmeut has given directions not to collect the tax (which is due on September 1) till a decision is arrived at. The Tost says: "The customs authorities have, under Ministerial instructions, cessed to demand the duty of 25 per cent, on gum boots."

The criminal sittingß of the Supreme Court j were commenced yesterday mofs.' Dg bafore | his Honor Mr Justice Williams." Sixteen in- j dicfcmentj were presented to thegraud JarYj "ho i found true bills in every case except one—ijhs .' case of George Munro, Jan., who was charged jwith forgery. For hou»ebreaking Donald Jones, j Albert" Gods, and. James Blue were each: sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with ' bard labour; James Hadaen was sent to gaol for three months for committing a larceny in a dwelling; aad George Wilkie got six month's' j imprisonment;, with labour, for stealing four overcoat*. A lad 14 years of age, named John Melvin, who pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking at Moagiel, was admitted to probation for a tarm of nine months ; Patrick M'Gree, who also pleaded gailfcy to sfcsaliug £16 af; Hyde, was' likewise admitted to probation for a term of 12 months, on certain conditions ; and Mary Bibby was ordered to enter into a recognieaucn for £25 that sbe would come up for sentence when i called upon. Daniel M'Farlane was placed on ■! probation for nine months on a charge of i assault; and Mary Joyce got six months' impri- ; Bonmeßfc, with hard labour, for assault and robbery. Five cases on the calendar are still ; undisposed of, but it is expected that they will : all be concluded to-day. Mr-James-Smith, jim., and the Hou. T.I Fergus (representing tha Ofcago Agricultural j and Pastoral Society), and Mr A. C, Begg ! (representing the New Zealand Refrigerating j Company), leive here next Monday to attend j the conference convened by the Miuister for j Agriculture to; consider the present methods of conducting the frozen meat trade. ■'.-.. Commencing on Monday next, the Railway department have decided to run a daily train service on the Ota go Central'line, the incenfcion of which has long been desired by the residents of Central Ofcsgo. The tarain will leave "Dnnedin for Hyde at 6.4-0 a.m., and return from Hyde at 12.45 p.m. each day ; and on Wednes-' days an extra train willleayeHyde for Dunedin at 6.5 a.m., and return from Dunedia at 4-.20' p.m. Ths following, colotiies have prohibited the importation of swine from New Zealand for the periods stated :-—Sonth Australia, one year from .Augast 1: QaGenelaad, till revoked; Tasmania, two years from July 19; Western | Australia, till revoked ; New South Wales, one year from July 11. Victoria admits swine under strict quarantine.

Mr Frejburg, lately the Government timber expert in London, has returned by the Gothic. He says that if the exporters of New Zealand woods prove true to themselves and send Home a good'article they must command a fair share of the timber trade. Well-seasoned New Zealand wood is esgerly sought after in London by; the leading piapofqrta manufacturers' arid West Eud cabinetmakers. He thinks that most of the Australasian wood will prove acceptable fpr street pnrposes. ■■■."

Commenting on the report which appears on our fpurth.page of the Jiome expefts on the fish sent from Oamaru, one of which is declared to he a Califomian salmon, the Mail gays:^"This is the first proof of the actual existence of salmon in New Zealand waters. It is an interesting fact in connection ; with ths subject; that 16 or 17 years ago 13,000 Californian salmon were liberated in the mill race (now Hay's), at Kakanui. They. disappeared from human ken, and nothing was heard of them until now, wheu a noble specimen has been identified. It is worthy of remark thai after tb.6 introduction; of: the brown trout from Tasmania"' ; it was 16 years befors they were found in the rivers in jiny quantity, and, as Dr de Lautbur remarks, it seern^that <ihia period is necessary to develop and acclimatise the fish. If this be so we may in a few. years look out for the Scotch salmon .which, were liberated in numbers some 10 years agO."-' '■ ' : : •■'..■ : : .J ■-■"■.,■

The Rev. 'H.'.J. Lewis preached at the Mornington Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening one of a series of Old (Testament character sketches, His subject was "Rath the flloabites3; or, The Queenliness of Constancy." In conclusion, the rev. gentleman, who kept the attentipa of the congregation enwrappsqi during his discourse, said :-r- 1; The true queens oi society are tije women whose livis are deep well-Heads of purity and gentieneas, sendiog forth streams of influence strong enough aud swett euough to save their husbands, brother.?, and sons from the fiithiness by which they ?.re in daily danger of bsing polluted, aad the selfishness by which they are in hourly danger of being soared. God's greatest gift to mankind is good, women. For it is a simple fact; thai; the best men the world has ever seen^ifcs Gordon, its Garfield, its Father Mathew—have been men who owe all'the beat' that, was in them to the power of women, whoae lo7q was a sunshine in' whjoh selfishness could not live, and whose purity was an atmosphere in which coarseness oould not.breathe. And bo Christ offers to each of you, dear girls, a brighter crown; than ever graced the brows of statesi.-ian, orabpr, poet, or prince,: the crown of the love that is content to sink itself to save others. To you, even more than to us ministers, Jesus Christ says: ' As the Father sent me inta the world even so hive I sent you into the world.' Can you drink of the cup that I drink of and be baptised with the baptism that Ism baptised ? Rsceive Jesus, Rest in Jesus. Represent Jesus. Saturate your heart with the spirit; of the Saviour whose finest work and whess most royal crown is a woman's heirfc, i and if you do not know on earth you shall | know in Heaven that the strong, sweet, saving | influence of tija Christ-like woman is the graudi est of all commentaries on the noble truth, i ' Thy gentleness hath made me great.'"

A considerable addition was lately made, by volpapic upheaval, to an island in the Santa Barbara group, which lies about 60 miles from the Califoruian coast. Between sunset and sunrise a mass of rock. 1000 ft lcpg- by 300 ft broad, rose from the sei and added itself to the coast liae of one island. The island is occupied by a single proprietor, and wbea he retired for i;hf irghti he lt-f-i his lriai; moored 400 ft away j from a sandy b?ach. In the morning he found i between the snnd and the boat, which no-w lay l-lOOfc off shon;, a rugged mass of rock covered with seaweed and swatvnjug with lobsters, iiiusissia, crabs, and even fish that had evidently b=en lifted up from tbe depths int > ihe light of d«.y. Still stranger things were also found— odd growths such as ci-dwl on thasett bottom, and an ancient Indian s'sull, while 100 ft in froni the edge were some ballast" iron, pieces of an aaehoir chain, and the decayed ribs j of a wrecked schooner.

The proposals of the Guarantee Committee of the Southland Frozon Meat Company have been submitted to the bank (says the Southland Times) and forwarded to headquarters for the consideration of the directors. It is probable that the guarantee fund will reach £30,C00. In connection with the sureties required for £550 costs in tha company's action egainst Nelson Bros, no oiffipmty was experienced, there having been quite a small tush for what were apparently considered the pieces of fcoaour. The gentlemen who will give the security when the papers arrive from Dunsdin are Messrs Q. W. Nichol and John St'Qqeau.

From Germany conies the first; official nsws of h, great American discovery said to euro the most dreaded. of diseases, consumption and 5 cancer. Consul-general Dakay Albsrtie, in a ! report to the States deportment at WashiDgi-on, says the discovery, which was antiouaced kfca in March in the most serious and trusfcworthv g medical school in Germany, is iikely to receive j considerable attention at the coming Medical j Congress in Munich. The discovery was made t by Dr Louis Waldstein, of New York, a brother , of the famous avci; ceologist, Dr Ctear'e* "Waldj. stein. The new treatment, which has been pera fected by studies abroad, consists of injeetia" b minute doses of pilocurpiae until the lymphatic system is stimulated and the white corpuscles of j the blood overcome the poisonous psrbicles which produce disease. Dr Waldstein'u researches have gone to the fountain w'uenca those healthfal white corpuscles spring, au d by enlivening i its action the productiveness restores the coae dition of the blood, dostroying poisonous -.^mj s Tha impo.t^ce of the discovery is thought to « be far beyond those of Psstruir, Koch, and - others.

lna Norua fanfl Boating Club's carnival is to be opened on Wednesday, 4fch September in the Garrison Hall. A rehearsal of the d»n--os m connection with iheq iea h lfi ceremouy kok place U»t evening, and f rom this it i S c-videttt; Bignor Boraoni has been to some coi^derable trouble to supply something novel

A service of song, entitled " The Story of Maggie O'Doaoghne " was given by the Guards Baud at the Salvation Army Barraclra lasb night, there being a large attendance upon the occasion. The members of the band not only ..sang the solos, part songs, and choruses in a ve£J creditable mann.er, bnfc also played tfc<3iccsdeifel music, in addition fcg-y Jjft t)orsdo" and the 'NDe^Jferc^'-ta~«_Saui,'" in n, way which gained the warm approval of the audience. The connective readings were like- | wise given very effectively by one of the members of the band. | As tha season of "The Land of the Moa " Dramatic Company draws to a clo3e the attendances at the Princess Theatre are increasing, the audience last night being an ; exceedingly large one. The production of the drama from which the name of the company is derived was received with repeated demonstrations of : the heartiest satisfaction, and I unbounded enthusiasm was displayed over the I singu-fttly fine scenic effects, the views of the i Pink Terraces: and of Sulphur Island evoking ! : loud applause, Vand the concluding tableau being also greatly admired. The piece was distinctly well acted by all the performers. There will be only two more representations of this spectacular play, and those who h&ve not yet I seen it should not lose the opportunity. !■■:";... •'■."■'—- -^—' ■ ■■■ • ■•■■■ '. Messrs Wright, Stijph'epsori, and Co. will sell j on Saturday the booths, race books, <£c. in con- ! nection w.ifcb the Hunt Qlub races ! Passengers and cargo ex X.M S. Gothic will j: arrive from Wellington on' Wednesday morning.- , The annual election of councillors for the ■Borough"of; Maori Hill will be held on September 12, Nominations for South and West Wards are ..due::on ije'ptember 3,.and for North and Bast Wards on September 4. -.-■.• Councillor Wales 'notifies tbat he seela reelection: for High Ward in the City Gguncil. A «oncort will be given in the City Ha Tin aid of .the Industrial School Band fund on Se jcembar 6. rMr D. : M. Speddjng will sell valuabfe jewellery on Saturday next,-..-...,. , . ' : 't'Ue Mutual Ajrency Cpmpaiiy will sell heifers at Burnside on Wednesday. :. In copnoctipn , with tbe St. John Ambulance Association, a course of lectures on home nursing and hygiene will be cdmmeuced this evening in the.V. W.C.A. Roouis by Dr Stenhouse. : Nominations of councillors for the Borough of West Harbour will be. : ba.'received, as follows:— Raveiisbfiijrne Ward and Rothesay Ward, Septeinbai- 2: Sawyers' Bay Wai-d, September 4; St.' 1 Leonards "Ward, September 5. No'iiiiuations of councillors for-tjie extraordinary vacancy'for St. Leonsids Ward; Bofpiigh of West, j Harbour, will be received till fepteniber 5, and the poll will take placa on Septsniber IS. Aus anubuncemunt apr>e*rs in another column this inorning with. reftfronce to Government advances to settlers. Fprnjs^of application m»y !I be obtained a.t any post pftice or from the agants j of;the.Public '.I'nisirf-e. ...-■ •:.'"■;, •'.

We are requested to call the attention of the public 10 this lecbiin! tn be given to-nigtt in the Garrison Hsll at S o'clock by the Rev, \v. Ready, entitled " tfroni London Streets to the Pulpit: or, The Story of My Life," the whole to be illustrated by limelight view.? by Mr G. H. Marsdcn' The proceeds are to be in aid of the niatiHe fund. Mr Keady Rave this Iscwo m the City KrII s-ome time ago, when ihe li.vl wbk crowded. On that occasion the legtuur L-volw for over rv»n bouis, holding the people >v ripe wttention. "'his time, he will have the ;iid of views which, will greatly enhance i.hu interest apil a,ttractivene-.i3 of the lecture. The choir will sing from 7.30 to S Mr P.* Nqvlon, an elderly gentleman, who resides in Walker street, suffered for over a year with Hver complaint and indigestion. \ He took Loasuv's " W.iU"o," and was cured in four days With le<;3 than ona bottle. 2s (ji. Grocers and chemists.—[AnvT.]

The cheapest shop iii Duhedin for: tea sets, dinner sets, and all hmisSKhold requisites is Montague's. Sale now on.—[Advt.]

We wmijd respectfully request intending pa* rons to our Tailoring. Department to order as early in the season as possible, and so save disappointment. - "VV. and 11 Srorr.—[AnvT.] Mesrrs Kli)l> and Co., ouigical and raenhanjcnl dentists, notify that, they have cotnruenctid business opposite Cargill's Monument, Princes St.—[Advt.]

attars A. arid J. iNfb'Mti.ANis beg ti> i:a!1 attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention. —[AWT.]

MoLtlsoN and ■ • :o.'s annual sale now on. Send for price Hat of 12p3i?i's. Post free. Mollisonand Co., drapers p.nd clothiers, l!l5 and 197 George strost, liunediti.—[Advt.]

John Hisi-op, "Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The nfdest established house in town. Repairs of all' kinds. Good assortment Watches. Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit, all sights.--[Anvt ] Special display of sterling silver and electro-silver-plated foods in G. and T. Y6ung:s window, SS Princes street. It is worth seeing.—[Aim1 ] PiiblicNotice.—N<sv,' Libel. —Owiu#to our registered sodawater lab=l being so extensively imitated by other makers, we have b^en compelled to again alter the colour of our soda label t-> a 'brown instead of a blue colour. Thomson and Co. supjriy the Dunedin aiid Wellington Hospitals and the Un,ion Company's entire .fleet with their pure cryital soda. Specially prepared sodawater for invalids, prescribed by physicians for its purity and whole-iomp action in assimilating with milk and other nutritious liquids.—[Advt.] >