CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11401, 19 April 1899, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

Sir Michael.Hicks-Beach has disappointed all i expectations with the , Budget TilK \ which lie delivered in the impehLu, \House of Comnlbiis. If' he is budget, -given to chuckling, he must

have chuckled considerably over tile discomfiture of the amateur and unofficial Chancellors of the Exchequer Who, anticipating a heavy deficit, have heen.making suggestions as\to the way ln which he should adjust the financial equilibrium/ As the cable messages liave told Us, Sii Michael Hicks-Beach had ho deficit at all to announce, but, 6h tlnrcohtrary, was able, to show that, the year's Revenue had exceeded the expenditure hy £1£6,000. As the' siir-. plus upon which the Chancellor reckoned twelve months ago was £155,000, it will be seen that the year has tinned out very, well— £31,000 better than was anticipated. Some lime ago a deficit Of four millions was stated to be pt-obable. . That can .never have been seriously conteihplated. Th_\ last English papers that are to hand contained various speculations as to the likely amount to! which, tho country would he to. the bad. At the end of February The Economist, an excellent authority, looked for a I deficit of a. million and a-haif, and casting 'about for, a source of revenue by means of which. to bring the ensuing year's receipt's above the outgoings, suggested that the . Chancellor should " take back the million or so that he unwisely gaVe last year to the. tobacco manufacturers, and .an extra million anil three' quarters coitkl be raised by an addition "of Is per barrel to the beer duty." Besides that, The Economist expressed itself in favour of the Treasury securing again some portions of the millions a year that " hnvo Leon devoted to swelling objectionable grants-in-aid." The same authority -anticipated that there would be some alienation of a portion of the debtsinking fund. What the proposals of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach in respect to this are' has-not heeii made clear. Ai embers of the Opposition have, however, protested against tampering with the sinking funds. The Economist, in anticipation also, protested against any such step: "Seeing that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has already diverted to other purposes many millions of money that ought, according to our fiscal rules, to liave .been applied to the reduction of the debt. We trtist that he does not intend to tamper with the terminable .annuities which constitute the regular machinery for paying off debt.": The Daily Telegraph had two " not very heroic but quite sound plans" to offer the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the immediate necessities of the case. One wos to reimpose tho tobacco d'rtty and the other was to suspend the operation of the sinking fund. Tha Times, without recommending either, menl tioned two proposed reforhiE—the reitnpb.utiori of the shilling duty on corn and a, diity of a half-pehny in the pound' on sugar! Froih here, thefe, and everywhere the Chan, cellor of the Exchequer was supplied with advice, much of which he- seems io have calmly ignored. It must nave been, under all the circumstances, exceedingly gratifying 7 to him to be able to Announce a surplus at all. It is small—exceedingly so compared with the £~209,4-72 of 1896, the £2j4-73,00fl of 1897, and the £3,678,000 of 1898,—but there was none expected.. <

Hard upon the fact that the Manchestet Chamber of Commerce has ad. tbade dressed a letter to the Preimeri with urging the desirability of esMAX- tttblishing - regular lines r-f chesteb. steamship communication be-

tween Manchester and New /iealand conies the information from Messrs M'Kerrow and Pease of the departure on the 28th February of the Gulf liner Gulf of Taran.o for Australia from Manchester, with

a cargo consisting of a fair amount of cotton goods and merchandise. This service, it will he observed, does not embrace New Zealand, hut Messrß M'Kerrow and Pease state that they expect before very long to have some important information to give respecting a a direct service with this' colony. They say:

'" We understand that iv future the. service of the Gulf Line Association from our Ship Canal to Australian ports will he much betlev calculated to meet the requirements of Manchester shippers than it has been in the past, and wo are hopeful that the direct

shipments from the Manchester docks to the colonies, which hr.ye hitherto been almost nominal, will be very largely increased.' The abolition of the diflerential freight of 2s'6<l per ton, which hits deprived shippers of the advantage naturally obtainable by tho use of the Ship Canal route, will give the, port of Manchester a chance to compete, for export cargoes on equal terms with its rivals, and the change of itinerary, which will make Manchester in- future the final port of departure for the Gulf Line, should attract a good deal of cargo for the colonies from our Midland counties and elsewhere." The directors of the Manchester Ship Canal are alleged to have in the past imposed an obstacle to the establishment of direct trade with the colonies. A distinct charge to that effect is made in alettei signed by Mi J. Gibson Whittles, which appeared in the Consular Journal and Greater Britain of the 4th 'March. Mr Whittles in that letter asserts that a condition which tho directors of the Ship Canal Company tried hy various means to forco him to comply with was that he. should commit to writing that the doings of the' Manchester brokers would not concern or influence him, his ' actions, ot movements now or in the future. The reason given for such a proposition was, Mr Whittles declares, that as, the "brokers" in question were bringing traffic up tho canal, {he directors of the Ship Cnnsil Company must take that into consideration, and be very careful what it did with him in respect to Australasian traffic, because of the interest, of this " one" firm of Manchester brokers. From this. Mr Whittle draws the inference that- the Ship Canal Company prefers the ■maintenance of its connection with a single firm of brokers to fostering the direct trade offered and given by the Australasian colo-' nics. Whether Messrs M.'Keri-ow and Pease have exercised more iufluenco with the Ship Canal Company than Mr Whittles- or not it is impossible to say. One step in advance has, however, been made when a steamer has left Manchester direct fur Australia. Considering the market that the Midland counties of England offer for New Zealand produce, it is much lo be hoped that an extension of the service to this colony will speedily be brought about.

Mr Seddon, we have lately been told, works in his ofiice until an extremely SLEEP. late hour in ihe morning, and is **- again at work by tiie time that people who enjoy their leisure are at breakfast. He is a man of considerable power of endurance, whi^i-ises early even when lie situ up very late, wut. no medical man would recommend this habit. The praclice of bur,*ing the candle at both ends is recognised as highly dangerous one. There are, of course, many men who take onij- a small amount of sleep. The present Emperor of Germany rise; witli the lark, often at S o'clock, and aftei 'a bath, immediately dresses in uniform. Ther.

is no idle lounging for his active body. Fivo o'clock in the morning was also the hour, all the year round, at which M. Fame, the late French President, rose, but us lie made a practice cf 'cliviug at 11 o'clock ho had a fair allowa.ice of nlco]i. Edison sleeps for a few bonis only, and is in his laboratory parly in the morning. Humboldt, who lived to bo 89, is said to have declared that when he was young two hours' sleep was enough for him, aiid thai the regulation seven of eight hours of repose represented an unnecessary prolongation of the timo of somnolence. It is also said that Sir George Elliot, who commanded at the siege of Gibraltar, never indulged in more than four hours' sleep while the siege lasted, and I hat little affair occupied at lea.l font years. Sir George died at the ago of 81. Dr Lcggc, professor of Chinese at Oxford, who died recently at the age of S2, was declared to bo,satisfied with five hours' of sleep only, and rose regularly at 3 a.in. These last three must be taken to bo altogether exceptional and, assuming the correctness of the details, thoy prove only that certain men arc ablo to recuperate their brain cells more quickly than the bulk of their fellows. Thoy arc the exceptions, which, by their very opposition to the common run, prove the rule that a good, sound sleep of seven or eight hours' duration,represents the amount of repose necessary for the average man oi woman. Il must not bo forgotten, the " Medical Record " recently showed, that in this matter of sleep we have to lake into account the question of the daily labour and the nature of the work.in which the individual engage;,. In the case of Dr Lcgge we have it picture of the student whose labour is solely Df the intellectual kind, involving littlo drain on tho muscular system. In the case of Sir G. Elliot we have an active commander, who, in addition to the mental anxieties involved in the conduct of a long siego, had no doubt a fair amount of physical exertion to undergo. But while the case of Dr Loggu may be explicable on the ground that his live hours' sleep compensated him for ally wear and tear his quiet life presented, we may fall bacilli the instance of the general on tho theory of a special organisation, set, as It were, 30 as lo satisfy . itself with a limited imount of sleep. The personal equation, in short, plus the kind of diameter of a man's ivjrk, determines, the duration of his repose; and tha. the average period required by the ordinni-y individual in health is frum seven to eight hours is the one opinion confirmed by die collective experience of the civilised race.

it is reported that the crops in Central Otago are unusually heavy this .season, but in m.-injr cases the farmers have beeii delayed in their harvest operations through the excessive rainfall. Although such .weather 'is very unusual at this lime of year, it is not anticipated that the crops will suffer in consequence, and, on the other hand, the farmers have hailed the advent of rain with a great deal oi satisfaction, as it will ensure an abundant growth of winter feed. The rabbit industry, it may also be added, is assuming- very large proportions in the inlenoi, and as a result, hundreds of men and youths are finding very remunerative employment.

Vlie cusb M'Phee v. AVright, Stephenson, and Co., occupied the attention of the Supremo Court from 10 a.vi. to 4 p.m. yesterday, that being eight full days this case has been before his Honor Mr Justice Pennel'ailier. During yesterday evidence was given for the defendants by I. Oldham, 11. Harraway,, and AY. E. Reynolds, and Dr Batchelor was called and deposed that -Mr Fotheringhani, who was to have been called, was not in a fit state of health to attend the court. The plaintiff called Dugald M'Phce to give rebutting evidence, and as it was not probable that Sir Hosking could finish his nddress that evening, his Honor consented to adjourn, remarking that he could utilise the time by reading over the evidence, so as the better to follow the addresses of counsel. The court was then adjourned until 10 o'clock this (Wednesday) morning.

The Rev. .1. Gibb has given notice that at the. May meeting of the Duiiedin Presbytery be will move that the presbytery take the initiative m the formation of a council, similar to the council of the Free Church of Scotland, for the uniting together of all the Nonconformist churches, for the purpose of taking common action against social evils.

At a 7 large and enthusiastic meeting in Auckland of the newly-formed New Zealand Literary and Historical Association, after the election of officers, the registrar (Mr Thomas Cottle) mentioned that there was a. project on foot to form a company for the publication of a first-class New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, in, say, 1000 or 1500 shares.at £1 each, shares to be offered first to members of the association," and. afterwards to .the general public. One member of the association has already announced his intention of taking 500 shares. A letter was read from Dr Hoeken, Dunedin, expressing his readiness to join and further the excellent objects of the association, and promising to bring it before the local associations with which he was connected. Of the magazino, lie remarked .hat there was abundant room for the publication of so interesting a venture.

The usual monthly meeting of the Kaikorai School Committee was held oii Friday e.ening, and attended by Alessrs Bentham (chairman), Cameron, Calder, Crawford (clerk), Ferry, Matheson, and Scott. Tbe Head Master submitted his usual monthly report, which was as follows:—The roll now stands at —Boys, 416; girls, 351; — total, 769. The monthly average is—Boys, 376; girls, 314; —total, 690. The average for the quarter ending March 31 was 706. Pie also forwarded £7 '19s 2d, being the voluntary contribution to the school fund for the' quarter. The .Visiting Committee reported that the school and grounds were in good order, with the exception of somo re pairs which required doing to the roof of the infant room.

In connection with the claims for injuries sustained in the Rakaia railway collision,, the Christchurch Press states that a number have been received, ranging from £20 to £1000. Tho matters are referred to the medical officer as they come in, hut it will be a long while yet' before any final steps are taken, as many negotiations are pending.

The Bruce Herald roports that as the result of the canvass made in the district by the Rev. Mr Cameron about £120 has been added to the Jubilee memorial fund of the Presbyterian Church. The Jubilee fund nonstands at about £5000.

There died at Balclutha on Saturday, at the house of her daughter, Airs Hugh Bower, a very old resident of Otago in the person of Airs Francis Marshall, aged 91. Mrs Marshall landed at Port Chalmers from, the Philip Laing on Saturday, April 17, 1848, and it will be observed that by a remarkable coincidence she died on Saturday, -April 15, exactly 51 years later. The deceased lady was born at Paisley, and came out'-with her husband and six of tbeir. family in that historic vessel. ' Her husband was on the survey staff, then employed by Captain Cargill, and settled at Halfway Bush, dying there in 1887, where his relict lived until about two years ago, when she came to live with her son Matthew at Hillend. Five of the family who came out in the Philip Laing are still alive—viz., Matthew Marshall and Airs Bower (Balclutha), Francis Marshall (Mosgiel), Alex. -Marshall (.Milton), and Mrs Dewar (Ratanui), —and three born in this country—Mrs Dall (Invercargill) and Robert and John Marshall (Invercargill). The deceased leaves, in addition, 44- grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.—Clutha Lcadei.

Sir James Hector, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, writes as follows to the Christchurch Press respecting the statements made hy correspondents of mistakes made in the registrar's office, and recently quoted by us:—"The cablegram from London is well known to all students as only a provisional notice for then- convenience. The candidate, who was informed that he had passed in papers which lie bad not written, knew he had- sent in nc papers, and therefore no harm was done. The candidate who passed according lo the cablegram and was subsequently informed that lie had failed, failed in a subject that was examined in tbe colony, and though passed according to the cablegram, his case could not be settled until the arrival of the examiners' reports and marks. The case of the candidate whose paper was mislaid in England was one in which the Knglish examiner did not report on one English paper. It was at once cabled for, and io was passed by Senate. In none of these, cases is the university to blame, any more than it was for the loss of the Mataura, which your very injudicious correspondent terms a 'fiasco.' " '

The Post reports that a Porirua alleged assault case underwent an investigation of a kind in the Magistrate's Court at AVellington last Friday, when a young man was charged with having assaulted and beaten a middle-aged man. " That closes my case," said M. AVilford, after the evidence for the prosecution had boon, given, and tbe chairman replied, almost ""■"•■vli-.itolv. " '''''« c^e

is dismissed." Mr Wilford (in surprise): " But you haven't heard any defence offered, your Worship!" Tho Ohuirmaii: "Never mind; we dismiss the case." -Mi- Wilford:

"Why, the defendant hasn't even domed tho charge yet, and surely the sworn testimony of n rcspoclublo mini calls for some answer, whatever yonr decision may bo then I" The Chairman; "We are quito satisfied." Mr Wilford (in tours showing astonishment and disgust): "Well, so am I. 1 have seen a good many specimens of justices' justice, but this, 'really!" Mr .Icllicoc asked for costs, and J3l ls was allowed against Beckham. Mr .'Wilford protesting. The 'presiding justices were the Rev. .1. Crowes (chairman) and Messrs F. Killo and 10. Fraser Jouos.

A meeting of the Dunedin Pipe Band was held in their rooms, It-iUrr... street, on Monday evening, when there wan an attendance of 15. Pipe-major A. Gray occupied the chair. The following wore appointed a Working Committee:—lo. 11. .himiesou, .1. 11. MnePliorsoii, C. Fi-ascr, John M'Lcan, R. Murray, Angus Chisholm, .lames Priest, G. M'cifcl.julin, aud Donald M'l.iiul. Noncommissioned oflicurs wero then elected as follows;— Pipe sergeants—Alfred Murray and W. Duncan Hume, pipe corporal, Liiehhm MTCciizie. The band practice nights are Mtmlays and Thursdays, anil those interested arc invited to visit the band orderly rooms in Rattray street. Subscriptions arc now being received lo provide uniform lor the band by Mr William Reid, secretary of the Caledonian Society, who is hon. treasurer of the band. '' ' ' .

An Albany telegram in the Melbourne Argus says:—A family named Newman, living near Ileiity, had an alarming experience at noon on Sunday, 9th inst., during a thunderstorm. A little distance from the house stortd a large true, which was riven from tho ground to the top of the trunk, and pieces were hurled in every direction at tho same lime. Tho force ot the lightning flash seemed to have also been received by the building and the occupants. The walls on ono side were completely driven in, while some brickwork was torn up and hurled ail Over the place. All tho inmates were completely dazed for somo seconds. Mr Dtii'compt, a visitor, who had been sitting on the bed, fared the worst. After the terrible shock it was found that he Was quito paralysed in both legs. Mrs Newman '.was similarly affected, while her husband and two sons were dizzy and Buffering from a severe shock to the nervous system. Mr Duncompt remained in a paralysed slate for some thro., hours, but has since fully recovered, together with the members of the Newman family.

A brief but bloody revolution aimed at the over-turning of the Government of Costa Rica broke out at San Jose on February 25. A mob of 50 men, led-by General Velltude, attacked the barracks of the artillery, regiment, and a bloody fight- ensued. A. son of General Arelaude and Colonel Satero Antillon closed in a deadly struggle. Antillor. fell, and then one of the loyal troops killed A'elaude. Colonel Juan Arrayo, commandant of the barracks, was killed, The light lasted half an hour, and ended only when the police arrived. Ten of the revolutionists and soldiers were killed, and a number of citizens were wounded. Scores of arrests were made. The rebels gained access to the barracks by tho treachery of a sentry. General A relaude escaped, and has not been captured. Quiet has been restored, but President Iglesais will probably be summoned from Europe.

A meeting of tiie New Zealand Native's' Association was held last evening, when Air T. K. Sidey gave a lecture upon his trip to Europe, his remarks being illustrated l-.v some very good limelight views. The following office-bearers Vor the ensuing year were nominated for election:—President, Mr E. Withers j vice-presidents—Alessrs E. C. Reynolds and T. K. Sidey; auditors—Alessrs James Brown and G. E. Brown; secretary, Mr Thomas Jenkins. Seven nominations were also received for six vacancies on the committee.

About two hundred persons were gathered in the Choral Hall last evening, wh.n Mr A. H. Bitrton delivered the fifth of his enjoyable series of readings or entertainments designated "Evenings with Great Authors." The subject of the discourse on this occasion was of a i miscellaneous character, and embraced some well chosen selections from the works of Teipiyson, Carlyle, Buskin. Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, and Rudyard Kipling. The excerpts from the writings of these authors were delivered with all the elocutionary skill and effect for which Mr Burton has become noted, and .that they afforded the audience the very greatest pleaSure was abundantly testified to by the frequency, and the heartiness of the applause throughout the proceedings. Master Ivan Moore also contributed to the success of the evening by playing a pianoforte solo. .

Another large house greeted, the' Jubilee Singers at the Princess Theatre last evening, when the programme which was presented on the preceding night Was repeated. The various items were received with fervent demonstrations of approval, and a great many of them were redemanded.. The company's season will now extend, for a few nights longer only, after which they proceed to Invercargill. As it is not intended to give any supplementary ' entertainments when passing through Dunedin again, those who wish to hear the Singers should not miss the opportunity afforded by the present season. Tq-niglit a complete change of programme will be presented.

Mr Frederick E. AVincbcombe, member of a well-known Sydney firm, is a candidate for the position of director of the A.M.P. Society. Nominations for the election of one member for the Portobqllo and North-East Harbour sub-division, and two members for the Broad Bay sub-division of the Portobello Road Board, close at noon on Wednesday, 2Gth inst. Mr H. S. A'alentine will sell, on Friday, on the premises, Roslyn, household furniture and effects. An acknowledgment of prompt settlement by the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company appears elsewhere. The Gaelic Society's annual meeting called for this evening has been postponed. Dr Hendry, late of Mataura, will commence practice in Port Chalmers this week. Nominations for three ordinary vacancies on the Tomahawk Road Board close at noon on Tuesday, 25th inst. The burgess list for the borough of Green Island is now open for inspection. Tho sale of pictures announced by Mi H. S. Valentine has been postponed. Messrs AVright, Stephenson, and Co. will hold a sale oh Saturday of Syracuse chilled ploughs and American harrows. Nominations of candidates for vacancies for the Anderson's Bay, Highcliff, and Sandvmouni sub-divisions of the Peninsula Road" Board will be received till noon of AVednesday, D.th Nominations for three ordinary vacancies on the Otago Heads Road Board close at noon on Wednesday, 26th inst. Mr Thos. Littlejolm, one of the retiring directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, notifies that he will be a- candidate for re-elec-tion. AYe have.to acknowledge receipt of a nicely got up Rechabito's Calendar from the Hope of Dunediu Lodge. AYe have received from Mr E. If. AVhitmore (Invercargill) a highly creditable specimen of three-colour printing in the form of a calendar, on which appear portraits in full costume of the drum-major and pipe-major of the Southland Caledonian Pipe Band. The King street Congregational Church animal soiree and public meeting will be held tonight. (AVednesday, 19th inst), the soiree being held in the Union street School Hall at G. 30 p.m.. instead of in the church as'formerly, to be followed by the public meeting in the church at 7.30 p.m.