CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11113, 14 May 1898, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

-— 4 —— I Although the financial year ended on the 31eb March, neither the quarterly nor customs the annual returnsof the cußtoms keturns, revenue were published until Thursday lost. This delayi ag was stated in the resolution passed by the Duaedin Chamber of Commerce, is the cause of great inconvenience to th? traders of the colony, and it is impossible to conceive what motive impels the Colonial Treasurer in withholding the information for so long. Now that the public accounts for the year »re before us, it appears that there was a surplus on March 31 of £521,144. When there is so excellent a story to tell, from their point of view, the reason for the unreasonable delay is still more inexplicable, and can be accounted for only by the hypothesis that the present Government have a rooted objection to furnish returns on any subject whatever. In other countries the information required in placed before the public at ag early a date »s possible, and New Zealand is unquestionably (but it''is to be hoped only temporarily) behind the ftge in this matter. Even when the customs returns are published in the Gazafcte they are extremely incomplete, as the details in regard to pur imports are so meagre that it is impossible to arrive at any certain conclusion regarding the fluctuations of various classes of goods brought into the colony. This information, it may be mentioned, is. given with respect to our exports, and there is no reasou why it should be omitted in the case of tha imports. It is to be hoped that the resolution passed by the Dunedin Chamber of Commercu, which will no doubt bo followed by similar protests from other parbs of the colony, will induce the Colonial Treasurer to issuß theae returns in, a, reesonable time after tho erpiry of each quarterly period, for tha delay that the Government is reaponsibl c for in connection with this1 matter is totally inexcusable. . ■ The band of ladies who form the Hospital Guild are to be congratulated the on the success of their efforts to hospital alleviate the sufferings of the guild. patients. The work carried out is none the less important because it is dona in a quiet, unostentatious manner, and it is satisfactory to learn from the report pressnted to the annual mseting on Thursday lusfc that there has been an increase in the membership. This increase has, however, not been large, but we feel sure that were the objects of the guild more widely known, the spirit of- philanthropy is strong enough »moag the lsdies of Duuedin to enfiure many additions to tha ranks. During the last winter a considerable quantity of cloiihiDg waß presented to the hospital, and, on the 24th of Juno an entertainment was given for the benefit of the patients, in whicia no less than 53 members of tho guild took port.' The monotony of existence which is inseparable from the life of a patient in the hospital wag pleasantly broken by this concert, and it was heartily appreciated. There was also collected by the ladies the substantial sum of £121 2s 3d in aid of the Victoria Children's Ward, which the Hospital Trustees have decided to build in commemoration of her Majesty's Jubilee, and it i» only; a graceful and well-deserved complimsnt that one or two of the cots should bo named after the guild. The balance sheet shows that there is a balance on the .right, side of the account amounting to £27 13s 9d,'iff'-that the' money has evidently been C3cpe||d«d economically. There is no necessity t<> emphasise the value of the work performed by the guild, which;is heartily recognised by the medical jlnen' connected with the hospital, and, as the report says, the association is not of in ephemeral nature, but "has corns to stay," . " ' ' In order that the Otago frozen meat export trade may keep, abreast of the the new; time, it is evident that the Zealand be- appliances .in connection with ttbigekating the wcrks should be up-to-date. company. Recognising the importance of this,,.the Now Zealand Refrigerating Company have resolved to enlarge their premises at Bucnuide and modernise their plaut, and the resolution will be universally ■. approved by the farmers and graziers, as the need for , additional storage accommodation and more efficient , plant- has long been recognised. Nor can .there be any doubt that the company will reap a substantial profit, from: their enterprise, as there will bo no lack of sheep to be frozen when the new machinery of the latest and most improved type is in working order. The refrigerators at present used at the company's works at Oamaru are superior to those ab Burnside, but that reproach is not to be allowed to remain much longer. In connection with this matter it may b8 mentioned that, the enormous development of the rabbit freezing industry this season shows that there is overy prospect of a largely increased trade in the future. There can be do doubt that before long the pent that has troubled the Otago farmers ,for so muuy years wiil not only,be.considerably abatedj but that an increasingly large business will be earned on in the rabbit export trade. ,ffhe New-Zealand Refrigerating Company are evidently in earnest, and for this reason it is to be : regretted that Ofcago should be so heavily handicapped in respsct to the harbour dues on her frozen meat exports, which placet! this port at such a disadvantage. as compared with Lyttelton and Wellington. At the meeting, of the board, held on the 29th ult., the question was discussed, bat the majority voted ; against any. reduction. Mr Begg, who has taken the matter in hand, is not, however, likely to allow it to remain where it is, and ,w^ hope that better counsels will prevail in the near! future, as it is evident that the local frozen meat industry is materially impeded by these indefensible charges. / ' . The breach that has been causefl in the Sandhills at Sb. Kilda, owing to the the sudden inflow of: the soa, has ! breach resulted in considerable damage. : in the and distress to tho inhabitants sandhills, of that borongh, The report of the meeting of the Ocean Beach Domain Board, held on Thursday in the Town Hall, shows that the damage to property was the result of failure of duty ob the part of the Defence department; Nor cab it be urged that a disaster of the kind, although not perhaps of such 'magnitude, was not foreseen, ac a deputation waited on the Minister some 12 months ago and pointed out the necessity for erecting a protective : fenosj. A promise was given that this should be done, but with a dilatoriness which unfortunately is not unusual, the department seems to have moved no further in the matter, Even after the breach occurred and Mr Culling, the Mayor of St. Kilda, had telegraphed to the Minister for Defence, the latter sent the following laconic reply: — "Order been sent to district engineer to take temporary steps for protection of works. Further action will be taken when reports are received." This shows plainly that the department cares only for the safety of the fort, and looks npon - the inconvenience and distress of the inhabitants of tho borough as of little or no consequence. Whether Ihe wholesale removal of sand from the hills, which, in spite of numerous protests, has been sanctioned by the Government authorities, is a contributing cause of the disaster, need not be discussed. The point is that the damage has ba»u done, and ingtant steps should be taken to effectively prevnut any recurrence of the trouble. The Domain Board is a body that possesses very little money, but they have power to obtain what is .required should the people interested be in favour of the foreshore j i»Ai'v. protected. At th<* meeting referred to, i Mr Huncoclr gave notice of motion fc'J tile effect

that steps should ba taken in tbe direction indicated, but in the meantime it is manifestly the duty of the Government to thoroughly protect the weftk spot near the buttery.

Parliament will bo convened for the despatch of business cm June 30. Mr Paulin telephoned at 9 o'clock last evening:—"S.B. to N.B. wjndK, and fine for' 2* hours." Dunedin's senior member appears to have been in good form when addressing the people of Auckland on Thursday night. A private telegram received from a protainsnt business man there by a friend in Dunedin ia to the following effect:—"Your friend Scobie Mackenzie was a big treat last night. He had a grand reception. We would like to keep him." Mr Mackenzie was do doubS; in a humorous vein, and how enjoyable he is when at his best j many of our readers well know. ] A good deal of amusement was caused in the j Felice Court ye»fcarday morning by the volu- ' bility of an inebriate with a long string of pre- I vious conviotions, who rattled off an address to j the Bench at a speed, to which the flow of eloquence of the Hon. J. Q. Ward,-the fastest public speaker ip the colony, ia not a^circumstance. The accused, who claims to be a descendant of one of the kings of Ireland, came.! uuder the clause of the Police Offences Act which caused him to be treated as an habitual j offender ; but he coolly requested the police not to press the charge on this occc-'sion, promising not to appear again, and magnanimously offered in the event of his being again arrested to ask the Bench to inflicb the heaviest penalty ! possible. " Have you finished ? " inquired Mr j Mallard, one of the jnaiices. John Burke O'BrieD, the accused, signified that he had. Mr Mallard elicited from the police that j on the last appearance of O'Brien before the court he had been treated as an habitual offender, and expressed the opinion that on j that account he should now be treated as a " mere drunk." " Some magistrates hold that view," Sergeant O'Neill said, but Mr Mallard's colleagues did aot agree with him in it, and the accused wes sentenced to a month's imprisonment. " I'd like to appeal against the decision," said O'Brien, thickly, as he sidled out of the dock. .- '~'.''• A gentleman whp travels through the Central | Otago district informs us that the rabbit trapping industry is assuming large dimensions, j Not long ago 14- tons of rabbits passed the Middlemarch railway station iv one day. A depot has been opened at Wedderburn, and in sis days 500 cases were despatched from that -1 point, each case containing 24' rabbits, the price 1 given being s£d..per pair. Another depot is being opened, at White Horse Hotel, Becks, and rabbits are being brought .'• from ■as i far inland as the Clyde commonage. One agent at Hyde has paid out already tbwssaoon over £1200. At Qaeenslown the rabbits are being boxed and shipped across the lake for freezing at the Bluff, and the price at Queeuttown is now 6£d per pair. The amount of money thus being put ia circulation is enormous! and the coasequence is. that everyone is busy and trade b much brisker than it has been. • A hotelkeeper informed our correspondent that he had not seen a swagger for many months, whilst every boy and youth in Central Otago is provided with remunerative1 work in the vicinity of-their homes. The Hon. W. J. Steward,' M.;H.R,, has just concluded a tour of his constituency, having received votes of thanks and confidence at the various centres where ha hao spoken. Mr John Mill, mayor of Port Chalmers, has been moving in the direction of getting H.M.S. Royal Arthur, the flagship on the Australian station, bow in New Zealand waters, to pay'a visit to Port Chalmers. It is understood, how- ; ever, that tha flagship draws so.much water that the Admiral is'not likely to. "send her down here. ...... , It is believed that tha attempt, now being made to reduce the number of hours of hair" dressers' assißtant3 will1 be successful. One j great difficulty has been the combination of the j business of tobacconist with that 6f hairdresser ; j i while in the suburbs billiard rooms are m mpres I than one instance attached. This difficulty will .probably be got over at the meeting to be held hezt week if there is any real desire to s'heirfcen I the number of hours worked. We are informed that tao hours of assistants in JOunedin average 10-^ per day, and it is not. Creditable to the city that such long hours should be worked,' while | in Wellington and Meibpurne only seven hours per day »re averaged, and in. Christehnrch and i Auckland eight hours. Ths early dosing movement in this oase would not be likely to seriously inconvenience : the public, . and if I general there would be no loss of trade. : ; The drifting sand question has been receiving considerable attention in Chrietehurch ia connection with the New Brighton beaoh, where an incomplete stop-wall has naturally: not proved efficacious. Correspondents are to the fore with suggestions of various kinds, .and j among them is one which might be of use in dealing with the breach-caused' by the late high tide at the central- battery at the Ocean Beach. It seems that at New Plymouth, where marram grass planting has been carried on for many years, use was made of empty . cement barrels. These barrels, of whioh a very large supply was available' from the break- | water, were placed in rows in the worst parts'1-' of the drifting sand. • They were then partially . filled with sand aad tufts of marram grass" planted in them. The sand naturally banked up and over these walls of barrels, but at the, "name time the grass had a chance to grow as the sand could toot be blown from its roots. As the plants grew they would have no diffi- j culfcy in thrusting their roots through the bottom of the cask and eventually bursting it ', asunder. Another correspondent suggests the; planting of willow cuttings in horizontal rows, allowing cittle to graze oh the branches, after j the trees are well established; iv order to kesp ! them shrubby. ■ : ] The regular meeting of. the Kaikcrai School \ Committee was held last evening, and attended by Messrs Bentham (chairman), Caldsr, Crawford, Duncan, Ferry, Moir, and Scott. The Head Master reported that the number on the roll for last month was—Boye, 404-; girls; 387; total, 791. The averago attendance had baen 701, and the highest attendance in anjf one day 749. Ifc wa« agreed to procure 100 macrocarpa trees to complete the live fence around the school ground. The Visiting Com- ' mittee, Messrs Duncan and Ferry, reported having found ererything in excellent order on ' the occasion of their visit to the school. This committee was authorised to purchase aufficieni ashes to cover the new playgrouud. Messrs Calder and Parry wci'e appointed a visiting cornmUtee for next month. Accounts amounting to £3 153 were passed for payment. Mr James Dnff was re-appointed as janitor. The chairman and Mr Moir were appointed as delegates to the Softool Committees' Conference. ' * 1 There was a good attendance of niftmbc-ro at the, usual meeting of the Hope of Caverßham Lodge, 1.0.G.t. One member was admitted by clearance card. It being question-box night, questions were given to each member and replied to. The lodge then went into harmony, when Sister 3 Irvine, A. Thorn, and South, sen., and Bros. Tilly and Dunne contributed items. Bros. Hampton (Star of Roslyn) and Blackie responded for the visitors. • The monthly meetiug of the North-Bast Valley School Committee, held on Thursday evening, was attended by Messrs Scoones, StouD, Strain, Drake, Roberts, John Arthur, Mitchell, and Thomson. Mr W. A. Stout was ] elected chairman, and Mr George Scooues clerk and treasurer, and Messrs Drake and Roberts Works Comtnifctea. Several urgent repairs were referred to tbe Works Committee with power to act. Accounts amounting to about£3 were j passed for payment;." j The Clutha Free Press states that at a meeting of the trustees under the Kaitacgata Relief Fund to oonsider three fresh applications for relief, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Shore —"That in view of the rapidly deoreasiag state of available funds, bsfore proceeding to consider further claims the Public Trustee | be furninhed with a list of the names and agea of the original beneficiaries still claiming on the fund; and that he (the Public Trustee) be requested to havo an aci.uarif.l investigation i made and submitted to this board, to as to enable tbe trustees to malco provision for continuing the present n-llowanne to tbe original wio.ows (hiring their lifetime."

We learn that in many parts of Central Otago the weather has of late been exceptionally floe, and the paddocks are greener tbau they have been nil summer, this being especially noticeable from Ophir upwards. Professor Pfluger, the Swiss ophthalmologist, has performed a very miracle of healing the blind. More than a quarter of a century ago the popular novelist and journalist Bmil Bassere, who was a tutor at the University of Berne, was seized with an acdte affection of the eye?, which ended in total blindness. For 25 years, until quite recently, he has lived in darkness, and all tha oculists whom he consulted agreed that his case was incurable. Dr Pfluger has performed an operation which h&a completely reetored his eight, r.nd Hsrr Bessete is now again looking upon a world which he has not Bean since the year 1872. If Milton could but have found such an operator, what new meaning would it have given to his pathetic " Hail! holy light ! " Mrs Jackson, of Clitheroe, tho lady whose abduotion by her husband a few years ago caused such a great sensation, and whoso case came before the court 3, died ia March at her residence in Clitheroa from blood-poisoning, following a slight operation to one of her feet. Mrs Jackson was a lady of wealth, and was the patroness of the living of Clitheroe parish church. | A pkjßiciiiii of respectability in Berlin (says the Daily Chronicle) calls attention in a medical paper of that capital to a state of things which may well arouse anxiety in the minds of invalids and their friends. He asserts that the nurses in the private hespitak are in league with the i undertakers, who distribute amnngsfc them oirculars offering as much as £5 by way of gratuity for a .good job. The worthy doctor calls the attentioa of his professional colleagues to this infamous combination, which has be«n in force, so he declares, for half a century, and exists in other large towns. He suggests the employment, whenever it is possible, of womsn working in sisterhoods or actuated by some higher motive than the mere pursuit of gain. The arrival of the • troopship Simla at Southampton recently attracted, special attention, 8S she had aboard Piper Findlater, of the Gordon Highlander?, whose conduct at Dirgai j in playing his cotnraclea to victory after being I shot in the leg created such a sensation all over the kingdom. Findlater, a big Scotsman, was looking well. It turns out, says a London paper, that he has not lost a leg, but was shot in the ankle. He told a correspondent that he had hRd a very pleasant voyage, but' that his woaud broke out afresh on the way. He would, however, have it seen to directly he gbt.to Netley. He was very loth to say anything about Dargai, and seemed aurprised at the fuss made.over him. Ho was not playing-"^Cook 6' the North " when he fell, but "The Heights of Cromdale." Piper Milne, who is still in India, recovering from a shot in the lung, was playing " Cock o' the North " ' ' Mr Shale, Fairfield, the owner of some land at the mouth of the Kaikomi Stream, informs us that he was for a long time at a loss.to know how to protect himself from the encroachments of the sea at high tides. He wrote to Messrs Sutton, Son, and Co. for advice, aud was informed that Biymus arenarius (sand or upright sea lynne grans) should^answer the purpose. It would require half a cwt to sow upoD an acre. Amraophila arundinacea (sea reed or mat grass) was another very suitable variety, and it might be well ■to sow the two sorts together iv equal proportions. Neither of tho foregoing grasses was suitable for stock, and if something was wanted which, while binding the sacd, would produce, good herbage Mr Shale was advised to try a mixture of Agrosti3 stolonifera, Avena elatior, Festuca rubra, P6a prateusis, and such like grasses. Mr Shale procured some of the seed referred to, with good results, and he supplied us with the information in the hope that his experience might be of service to others. Tha place where the »eed is to be sown requires to be made aa firm as possible. The seed is sown broadcast and covered by harrowing with ambush or light chain harrow, ; and then well rolled with a heavy roller. JMr W. Carnoross, M.H.R., will.addreis his , constituents at various centres next week, be)gintrtng oh Monday •evening" at Middlomitch. ' ! There will be a general exchange of pulpits to-morrow evening in all the city aud suburban (Protestant churches, with the exception of, the Anglican churches. Next week there is to be a series of united meetings in the Moray plat* .Congregational Church, concluding -with » united communion service on Friday evening. : On Thursday evening a very successful social was held in the Asylum Hall, Se»«liff. The Rev. Canon Richards presided. A good programme had been framed, including selections by tho Asylum Baud, vocal soloi by Miss King, Miss Gardner, Miss Puller, Miss Ruesell, Messrs Maebamney and Buckley, a duet by tho Misses Gardner, a flute solo by Canon Richards, recitations by Miss Aitchison, and Mr Kay, eiub exercises by Miss Scott, Miss Birnwell, and Miss Robertson. All the items were effectively rendered. Refreshments were then provided. A vote of thanks to Dr King and the ladies and gentlemen who kindly assisted having been passed, brought a very enjoyable evening to a close. In another column will be found the full programme for the bsaefit concert to Miss Mill? Jacobs on Wednesday evening, and as will be seen it is an attractiveono. Daring the interval the Rev. W. Hewitson will present the certificates ga;ned at the October Trinity College practical music examinations. ■♦ • TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. St. Paul's Cathedral.—Holy communion, 8 a.m. : matins anil communion, 11 a to.; evensong, 6.30 p.m. The Yen. Archdeacon Robinson will preach morning and >• veiling. - -■: : ' ■: All Saints' Church.—Holy communion morning and midday. Preacher (morning and evening), the Dean. Trinity "Wesleyan Church.— Mornirg, Mr T?;] Arnold; evening, Ray. W. Fell.' : : Central Mission, Ganiaon Hall. —Morning, Rev. W. Ready ; evening, Rev. W. Hewitson. St. Andrew's Church. -Morning, Rev. Dr Waddell ; ev«ninsr, Ee>v. A. North. • ] Disciples of Christ, Stuart street Oddfellows' J Hal).—Mr slazen?arb, morning and evsning. | Wesley Church, CarglU road. —Rev. T. G. i Brooke in tho morning; Rev. T. Neave in the evening. Mosgiel Church—Mr J. Belton, morning and evening. Albany street Oddfellows' Hall.—Dr Coininins in the evening. • St. Matthew's Church.—Holy communion, S a.m.; clioral celebration, 11 a.m. ; evensong, H. 30 p.m. , Preacher (morniDg and evening), Rev. W. Curzon-Siggers, M.A. There will be a general exchange of pulpitß in the evening at the various Protestant churches, j with the exception of the Anglican Church, as set j out in our advertising columns. Claims against tha Golden Gate must be rendered by noon to-day. Messrs Donald Reid and Co. will hold a clearing s*le of stoclc, implements, &c, at Langlea farm, AVyllie's Grousing on Thursday next. Messrs Wright:, Stephenson. and Co. will sell at Oamaru, on Saturday, 28th inst.. Clydesdale stock from Windsor Park. On an early date t.bey will sell freehold land in Green Island Bush district. '• ■ ■ • The next term, at S. Hilda's Collegiate School begins on Tuesday. The Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Company will sell building sites in High street on Monday, 23rd inst. The football match Dunedln v. Caverabam will be played on the Caledonian ground this .afternoon. ; ■Tha University and Pirates senior football teoms play at Cstrisbrook'this afternoon. Shtuvbolders of the Trustees,. Executors, and Agency Company can obtain their dividends on Mondny Those favourable to the formation,of a ohrysaiithemuin club meet at the CaftS Continental on Tuesday evening. The Railway department announce excursion fares iv connection with the D.J.C. May meeting and the Queen's Birthday. John Hislop. oldest established Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment AVatches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles suit all sights.—Advt Our Specialty.—A double bed colonial blanket for 19* tJd. Tho best 19s (id bUnkot in tho city at MOLLISON AND Oo.'S.—Advt. Visitors toDuuedin during the Jubilee holidays are cordially invited to inspect G. and T. Young's I niagnificeut stock of watches, clicks, jnwellery, I silver and silver-plated good?. G. and T. Yout'g supply the best at reasonable prices.—Advfc. For Punctual Time /—Pjetek Dick most reli»bl« Watchwaker and Jeweller, opposite Ceffce Palace, Moray place, Duuedit:. Charges strictly mode>nte.—Advt. An interesting collection of novelties from the old couutry and tha Continent, just arrived ex Tekoa, has been very considerately opened out by Mr J. T. Cartkr, at liis premises, 45 George street. The collection consists of specimens of the very j latent fasihions iv tea, dinner, and lamp ware dad j mantel ornaments, soihk flower vases beiog | exceptionally pi'et.ty.—Advt j Waterproof Coats_ (Men's).—A magnificent j stock, superior qualities, at very low prices, and should be inspected by all before purchasing elsewhere at N.Z. Clothing Factory, Octagon.— Advt.

50,000 raised Daffodils seat posfc free to any ndiirefts in N«w Zealand for Is per <?oz:n by