CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11574, 7 November 1899, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

The caseJof Dr Fraser, of Melbourne, is un, ) doubtedly one of the most rea sukge/o.v's 3narkable of the century. When bight to ha vas Bhot by his wife in the OPERATE, streets of Sb. Hilda ifc was I generally bolieved that he could ncit possibly live for more than a day or two at |he outside. That was in the end of September- A few days after his admission to the Ailfred Hospital he Bank so rapidly that the staff, definitely gave him a few hours only to live./ Not only is he still alive at the present tinie, when six weeks have elapsed, but, we are informed, he actually contemplates the institution of an action against the doctors wno op/crated upon him for the- removal from his bra>in of the bullet his wife had fired into his head. If he did not consent to the operation, si nice point in law is raised: Hay a surgeon {override a patient's will? It was em-phatii-ally held by the doctors that an operation (was necessary in Dr Eraser's case, as it offerfed the only hope that was apparent of raving the patient's life. Dr Fraser himself declined at first, to permit an operation. Eventually, however, he is alleged to have consented. Even if he had stubbornly withheld his consent, however, it had been "decided by the hospital staff that they would take the risk of operating. They were fortified in i their determination by the advice of the Victorian Attorney-general, who,' upon being informed by them that the injury to Dr Fraser'a head had affected his judgment, and that it was absolutely necessary to operate, gave the opinion .that, under the circumstances, to operate, whatever the attitude of the patient, would be justifiable on moral grounds, as it was a matter of saving life. r The law on the subject ia said to be that if the man i B mentally responsible he cannot be operated upon if he refuses consent, but if the patient is not mentally responsible, the surgeon's duty is to operate, supposing that' the operation is necessary. Dr Neild, of Melbourne, who is a wellknown authority on medical jurisprudence, is responsible for this statement of the law aa to operations. He points out, however, that where it is not a criminal matter the law is very clear on the point of permission by the patient being neceFsary before an operation. In Taylor's "Medical Jurisprudence" the ease of Absolom v. Statham is quoted, in which a medical man was sued for forcibly administering chloroform to a patient, and extracting six of her tet.Ui. In that'ease Chief Justice Cockburn, in his summing up, said, "No surgeon had a right to perform anj operation against the will of the patient so long as the patient preserved consciousness and will."

Presuming that Dr Fraser does really intend to proceed against the.doctors WHERE is who operated upon him, one of THE Btjilet? the grounds of his action will presumably be that the operation was not necessary. He now asserts that the bullet fell at the back of the skull, and that he swallowed it! If that were so, an operation, which had as it's object the rempval of the bullet from the brain, would clearly be unnecessary. If" there was not in existence the useful invention of the Rontgen rays, Dr Fraser's statement might receive more credence' than will now be given to it. ' As a matter of fact, however, the position of tho bullet has, with the'aid of the rays, been , clearly located iri the head. It was seen there prior to the performance of tho operation. A sciagram was taken by the X-rays specialist of the hospital, which showed where the bullet - entered just below the left temple, the hones being broken and splintered. Further up in the skull, but more towards the back of tho head, was the bullet, lodged in the brain, about 2Jrin from the crown of the head.. The ' bullet after entering the temple had taken an upward and backward course, and it remained m that position in the brain, the point being upward, but at an angle of about 45deg, the' missile being tilted slightly towards the back of the head. The upper part of the biillet,-on the right-hand or lower side from the base'of the conical curve to the point, was flattened, ' indicating that on striking the head close to the temple it met with resistance, this accounting for the bones near the temple being all ■ broken and oplintered. A second scia-ram, which was taken with the view of ascertaining ■ how far the bullet had penetrated the'skull from the temple, revealed it in the centre.of the brain. Mr O'Hara, the eminent Melbourne surgeon, had thig knowledge "of the position of the bullet when he operated for its removal, but it was so embedded in the brain that the operation could not be successfully completed. As to the location of the missile, " however, there seems to be no doubt. "When Dr Fraser 'asserts that he swallowed it -he makes a statement which, in face of the evidence of the sciagrams, a.jury will have some difficulty in believing. '.

The Premier- unblushingly threw off the mast at Riversdale on Friday night. ministerial "Some people were unkind impeo- enough to say "h9 was elec-. pbieties. tioneering," he stated hi the course of his speech, " but he defended this by saying that he Bad as good a right as any man to do it," In the past he has never openly confused that, on his expe-' ditions through the country, he was merely electioneering. - He is to be congratulated upon his candour at Riversdale, even if hie conduct can only ho deprecated. The interference of Ministers in elections involves a breach of constitutional usage such as has' been specifically and forcibly condemned by resolution of the House of Commons aa "highly criminal." In this colony Mr Sed-' don sets constitutional usage in this respect regularly at naught.' On liis present jaunt h* ' has visited the three constituencies of Wakatipu, Clutha, and Bruce on -what he admits to be electioneering business. It is not true that he has as good a right as any man to do it. Even if his conduct in interfering in the elections was not grossly unconstitutional, tho taxpayers of the colony have a right to complain of the appropriation of public funds to furthering the interests of one political party. The rank unfairness of Mr Seddon's conduct consists in the fact that he travels, not at his own expense, or at the expense of the party to which he belongs, when he is prostituting his office by active electioneering on Behalf of. the candidates who are standing in the interests of his, party, but he is all the time drawing his expenses and handsome allowances to boot out of the public treasury. The supporters of Mr Fraser in the Wakatipu district, of Mr Thomson in the Clutha,.and of Mr Allen in the Bruce eleotorate, are all made to bear their share of the expenses incurred by Mr Seddon when he travels through the country electioneering on behalf of candidates in opposition to these members. If anyone were to follow Mr: Seddon through the country, exposing the glaring misrepresentations with which he seeks to influence the minds of the 1 people in favour of his proteges, he would have to do so at his own expense. It is not open to a private'individual to dip his hand into the public treasury to defray the expenses c' his peregrinations. Even if Mr Seddon had as good a right constitutionally to interfere hi elections as any other person would have, it would therefore still be unfair that ho should busy himself in electioneering in the way ho does. It may #be trusted that the sense of - fairness of the electors will lead them to resent sucli improper conduct on the part of the Premier of the colony.

The topics of his speeches being regulated by, , the character of the audience the he is addressing, Mr Seddon gram made a point of referring to freights, the question, of the grain, freights when he had the,far-, mers of Kiversdale-before him. He reiterated the baseless assertion that the arrangement the Government had made with the Tyser Com-' pany for the conveyance of grain to London had brought down the rates of the other shipping companies. The fact is—and it has been repeatedly shown—that before the arrangement with the Tyser Company was entered into the other companies loaded grain at rates lower than these fixed in the Government's agreement. Moreover, Mr Seddon did not disclose to his audience at Riversdale the full tenor of the contract with the Tyser Company. It is not a frank statement of the case to represent, as Mr Seddon did, that the Government " made the arrangement with ihs

Tyser Company, by simply giog them back freight from London." Tb he explained by saying that it meant the Overnment trade and carriage of rails, and " iiy undertook to guarantee a certain amount (<■ each steamer." Tho Government has bound ielf to do a great deal more than this. ItAot merely entered into an agreement wit the Tyser Company for the carriage of whit at 30s, and, oats at 32s 6d per ton, pluß b pr cent, primage, but if the grain cargo suolied by the Go- ' vernment was insufficient i> fill the uninsulated surplus space in thfcP.tcamers, then in terms of tho agreement, a i>py of which was laid before rarliamont la.- session, " the Government undertake to fay dead freight on all such space not filled it the rate of 25s per ton of 40 cubio fcot (vfthout primage), such space to be measured .n the customary manner, and to be agreej' upon by two experts, ono to be appointed- >y the Government, and the other by the TyiwAme." More than that oven. Tt is covenanted that, in the event of any other slpam.sh!p company reducing its rates below 'those agreed upon between the Government 'pnd.the Tyser line, and thus compelling tie ?yser line to make a corresponding reduction, the Government undertook to make good fee difference in the rates. With regard to bact freight, the agreement is that a preference im be given to the Tyser line for all shipments of stores, rails, and general cargo requirat by tho Government for the ports of AucK'and, Napier, and Wellington at rates not exegsding those charged by tho other companies,. • bargain, it will bo seen, was all in favour bf the Tyucv line. According to at Riversdalo, there was in the -""""agreement " iomething the people were getting for nothpg." It will probably turn out, ■when the result of the adjustment of accounts is made public, that the Tyser Company got a great deal for nothing.

The inspector- of factories has been officially advised that the Prevention of Employment Without Wagos Act is now in force. Those .who erdploy boy 3 and girls should therefore -make themßoJves acquainted with the provisions of the measure.

A sitting of- the Supreme Court in Chambers will be held before hig Honor Mr Justice Williams, commencing at 11 o'clock this (Tuesday) morning.

Some surprise was expressed in town en Sunday night at the' spectacle of a band of 12 or U young men, in' volunteer uniforms, noisily parading Hie principal streets. These young men must'have been on leave from the encampment at Tahuna Park. It is much to be regretted that they should have brought discredit on tho uniform they wear by conduct of a disorderly description on a Sunday night. It is suggested that they are recent additions to tie volunteer ranks. It so, a warning from Iheir" officers may have a beneficial effect up ( on them.

The proceeds as the result of the Salvation Army self-denial week are:—Wellington, £540 10a; Dunedin, £451 10s; Auckland and suburbs, £375; Christohureh, £200.

A large and ■ enthusiastic meeting of Mr Chetwin's committee to secure his election as Mayor of Souih Dunedin was held on Thursday evening. Mr Duguid was elected chairman and Mr Marlow treasurer. It was resolved tha£ a general meeting be held every Wednesday. JLi was also decided to form a Ladies' Committee, as there were quite a number of ladies who were desirous of seeing Mr Chehvin returned as mayor, of the borough.

■ The monthly meeting of the exeoutive of" the Dunedin and District Christian Endeavour Union was held last evening in the Y.W.C.A. rooms, Moray place, the Rev. F. TV. Bore ham in tho chair. Final arrangements wero made for carrying out tho convention to be held at-St. Leonards on the 24th inst. It was agreed that the union should affiliate with the New Zealand Union. Mr J. 0. M'Leod ■was appointed to represent the union at the Clutha district convention, to beheld at Balclutha on the 9th inst., and also convener 16 make arrangements for the carrying out of the evangelistic services among the societies.

It was'reported to the police on Saturdayevening (ea.y.3 the Timaru Herald) that tho body of"a man w,as lying on the £eaoh south of the town. Constables Crawford and-Mil-ler made a search, but they could find no body. On Sunday morning a. young man who was bathing in Caroline Bay picked up a letter on the beach, the contents of which went to show that the writer, (a woman) had committed suicide. The police made diligent inquiries, but could find nothing to confirm tho letter, i ■ .

The Hawke's Bay Herald says:—Mr Murray M'Gregor, formerly of Clivo, who:succeeded to the Earldom of Caithness a fow years ago, has just died in the Wairoa Hospital. Deceased had been laid up with pleurisy for some time, but his death was not expected so suddenly.

The Rev. W. Hewitson and Bishop Nevill are to be asked to preside at the- break-up ceremony of the Girls' and Boys1 High Schools respectively.

Mr Thomas Scott, J.P., presided' at the sitting of the City.Police Court yesterday morning, and inflioted a fine of 5s on Richard M'Pherson, and on a first offender, who,were charged with drunkenness; the alternative to not paying the fines being 2$ hours' imprisonment. ' ■ ■

Wo have to acknowledge receipt of the following amounts for the Cree fund".—Ferguson and Mitchell, £1 Is; D. X., 5s- R P 1 8 - A., ss; H. C, £1. ' • '' \

Commenting on the movements of specie, the New Zealand Trade Review says:—The figures shoV that since'lß9l the banks havo imported coin in excess of' exports to the amount of £1,126,364,, and yet the stock of coin and bullion, in the hands of the banks in the June quarter of 1899 only'exceeded that held in the December quarter of 1891 by £182,722. There is thus a disappearance to be accounted for of no less than £9*3,61-2 in U years, or a rate of £125,800 a year. The fact of a continuous leakage of coin is well known to bankers, but the rate of leakage thus disclosed is much higher than has been experienced previously, There are certain well-known causes of 'this disappearance, such as use by jewellers and dentists; pocket money of well-to-do colonists on' holiday tours; chinamen leaving for their own country ;with their "pile" of £200 or £300, or occasionally more. Wo believe that in addition to these factors must now be reckoned an increased habit of carrying gold on the part of the community:- For one reason jf another gold is preferred to notes much more than was the case formerly. Wo believe also that an improved financial position of the average colonist is a fact not without its effect m this direction. Whether these factors are sufficient to account for the heavy increase now disclosed in tho rate of leakage we are not very clear. It is f or banker*, to consider whether there is any necessity to increase the lr holdings; also whether the banknote could not be restored to some of its former favour by exercising' a stricter supervision over the reissue of notes whose "appearance may be insanitary.

Standing room was at a premium at Fuller's Waxworks last night, when the popular vaudevule company gave one of their pleasing entertainments. Every item on the varied programme was well received by a very enthusiastic audience. . ,

On the Prince of Wales's Birthday (Thurs-' day, November 9) the telegraph office will open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. -The telephone exchange will be open c'ontirmougly. . ,; Mr H. S. Valentino will hold a, sale of furniture on the premises, Argyle street, Mornington, to-morrow afternoon. MessM James Samson and Co. will sell furniture, piano, sideboard, and a set of harness at their rooms to-morrow at 2 o'clock. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell the privileges in connection with the coming A. and P. show in the Agricultural Hall board room on Monday, 13th inst. On Tuesday, 14th mst., they will sell a number of privileges in connection with the Dunedin Jockey Club's Suramer meeting at their wool and grain stores, High street. ■ ' ' The annual meeting of the Sixpenny Clothing Club will be held in the Y.W.C.A. rooms to-day at.B o'clock. , Tenders are invited for. the erection of a store in. Cumberland street for the New Zealand Hardware Company. The Huneain. Betailers' and Traders' Association notify that the shops -will remain open all day to-morrow, and will be closed all d!£JSLJfcirgaax. 9th i»st.

The Government Life Insurance Commissioner notifes his intention to supply a copy of the policy on the life of Thomas Huddleston, of Wedderburn, in lieu of a. lost policy, unleßS objection be lodged before the 28th inst.

All claims against the ship, Oamaru must be lodged in duplicate to Messrs Murray, Koberts, and Co. by noon to-morrow.

Passengers, periodicals, and cargo by the s.s. Wakanui, from London, will arrive in Dunedin by the Tarawera on Thursday, 9th inst. • A lecture will be given in the Agricultural Hall on Friday evening by Mr.W.W. Collins, of Chriatchurch, on "Prohibition: Unjust, Tyrannical, and Impolitic." The a.s. Taupo will run an excursion outside the heads and towards Moeraki on Thursday next, leaving Dunedin wharf at 10 a.m. Tho annual meeting of the Otago Institute is postponed until further notice. Tenders aro invited for the position of caretaker of the public baths, Port Chalmers. Members of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., are requested .to attend the funeral of their late Bfo. K. Watson, which takes place-to-day. -, >. ■-■"-. ~' A Land Transfer Act notice with respect to a mortgage appears in another column. The nomination of candidates for the position of mayor of South Dunedin will take place on Tuesday, Hth inst. If necessary a. poll will be taken on the 29th inst. . ' ' \

"Two Wrongs, One Right".by Dunbby, is tin title of an interesting publication which makes its appearance this week., The pamphlet deals with the prohibition question from an original point of view, and, while giving,credit to those now engaged in the struggle, the author gives other suggestions for the treatment of the drink evil. The subject is treated with considerable ability, and will furnish crisp and interesting reading to those who are studying the great problem.. ' --.■■.. •■-. ■" Mr Marshall H. Brown, representing the Bile Beans Manufacturing Company, has just arrived in town for the purpose of bringing-the merits of the medicine which he more prominently before the public. MiBrown, well-known in Christchurch -for the past 25 years, will supervise the distribution of an-attractive cookery book, entitled "Everybody's Cookery," which is marked to; Sell at Id, but the book will be given away free. The production is got up in a really first-class'man-ner, and has 32 pages. The recipes have been prepared by several Australian first chefs, 'and the cost.;of each dainty dish Is. the lowest possible, combining economy with: excellence, so that the book-is-'equally useful, to Hhe poor as to the;, rich. A perusal „ of•"' the pamphlet will well repay tho time occupied, as, in addition to the information'already mentioned, it contains copies of a large number, of testimonials from persons whose ailments have been cured by Bile Beans. ' ■

John Hislop, oldest established Watch' maker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles suit all sights.—Advt. Bowling Green' Bowls.—G-. and T. Young have just received their stock for the season. A' full selection of Taylor's prize and ordinary bowls .at lowest prices.—Advt.

Who is' Peter Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place) Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt. \

Just landed, ex Rangatira and Maori,' a splendid lot of new season's drapery, all\ at strictly.moderate prices. Call and see—Cakier and Co. ""' '■•

My mother says you need only scan the newspapers to know which Teas to avoid buying. She never buys expensively advertised ten, or tea with which you are promised something for nothing. It all has to be puid for by reducing quality. She buys Kozio, at 2s, and gets value and purity always.—Advt. Treatment by massage and electricity for rheumatism, paralysis, nervous, and joint troubles. Mr and Mrs Edwin Booth, Stuart street. Under medical patronage.—Advt.