THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1900.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11922, 21 December 1900, Page 4

THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1900.

Dr Colquhoun's valuable remarks on the subject of consumption, published by us last Friday, will have been pondered, we make no doubt, by many who have hitherto failed to appreciate the full significance of the revolution which has taken place in the medical view of this fell disease during the last decade of the century. No apology need be offered for reiterating and endeavouring to drive home, so to speak, information, much of which has appeared more than. once before in our columns: on the contrary, such repetition will be necessary again and again before the public mind assimilates the new doctrines. For it would be idle to deny that the- revolution in medical opinion and practice has not yet been followed, afc all events to an adequate extent, by a revolution in the mind of the lay community. To take one salient instance, it is certain that the majority of people have yet to learn to appreciate the danger accompanying accidental contact with the dried sputum of consumptive persons. This recognition will be generally arrived al, let us hope, before the twentieth century is out of its nonage, and then there will be an end, once and for all, to the barbarous and indiscriminate spitting habits in which such a large section of the community indulges,—to say nothing of the special precautions necessary in the case of known consumptives. It may even be questioned whether the majority of, say, the people of Dunedin clearly understand the established fact that consumption is at once contagious, frequently preventable, and frequently curable. It is the question of the cure of consumption that is engaging special interest in New Zealand just now, but the question of prevention is at least equally important, and we beg to draw the attention of the City Council to the leaflet issued by the Lambeth Vestry (reproduced in our issue of last Friday), and to the following annotation offered by Dr Colquhoun :—"That will show that the much-despised London vestry not only gives information and advice, but it undertakes the disinfection of homes polluted by consumption; it shows, too, what this body deems to be municipal duty, and in this respect sets an example to our municipal bodies." At present, as regards both prevention and cure, "the municipalities do nothing and say nothing," and Dr Colquhoun notes the curious fact that

while thousands of pounds have been spent on the work (proper enough in itself) of warding off " a plague which

lias never ' yet rooted itself in any jivilised community," no action lia-s been taken in respect to a scoiu'ge which claims 400 victims in New Zealand every ydar. It may be a moot point whether it is the duty of the City Council to take a leading part in the establishment of a sanatorium for the cure of consumption, but we think that there can be little doubt as to its duty in the matter of taking precautionary measures. Overcrowding, bad ventilation, building on unhealthy sites—these things the municipality may fairly be expected to prevent; and at the same time it may be expected to follow the example of the Lambeth Vestry and other municipal bodies in the Home country in disseminating necessary information, witli a view to instructing the public mind and quickening the public conscience. There is little use in " condemning " old houses if people are allowed to build new houses under conditions almost equally dangerous. Busy medical practitioners know pretty well what is going on, and this ris Dr Colquhoun's observation: " Rents are getting very high here, and the consequence is that people are crowding into small, badlj'-venti-lated houses, and that houses are being built where- dwellings should not be put—that is, where the drainage is bad and the sunlight faulty. We are allowing conditions to grow up from which our population must suffer severely in time to come ": and the doctor records the domestic conditions of two cases in his own practice, —conditions which can only be described as lideous and scandalous. We must not keep all our sympathy and anxielv for the overcrowded poor of London while such a state of matters is possible in Dunedin. The two painful cases mentioned by Dr Colquhoun—both girls —were removed from their unfavourable surroundings to the hospital; but the hospital itself has no proper facilities for the treatment of consumption. Well-to-do sufferers can obtain treatment at a private sanatorium, but a sanatorium for the poor is imperatively required. Who is to provide it? The hospital authorities plead that tliey have no money available for the purpose, and we are afraid that there is too much justification for the plea. The fact remains, however, that so long as tins want is unsupplied the institution is not adequately fulfilling the primary function of a hospital—namely, the proper care of the sick poor. We have not always felt quite sure, by the way, whether it is clearly recognised by the Hospital Board that this is, in simple truth, the primary function of a hospital. The Government has also been applied to, but Mr Ward raised the objection that to establish public sanatoria would be tantamount to popularising the country as a dumping ground for the world's consumptives. The fallacy at the root of tin's objection has been fully exposed by us on a previous occasion, and Dr Colquhoun aptly points out that if the New Zealand sanatoria are successful outsiders will not flock hither but will imitate our action, and make similar provision for their own wants. We trust that Mr Ward lias been converted by this time, and that he will frankly admit the fact when he is approached in regard to the subject, as he is likeh 1 to be before long.- ■ Dr Golquhoun evidently looks to the Government to supply the chief aid, and we are inclined to agree with him. At the same time he rightly holds that the municipal corporation should busy itself in the direction wo have indicated :. they, should instruct the people, undertake the work of disinfection, and prevent overcrowding. Moreover, pending the provision oi n permanent sanatorium, " the local hospital authorities should, in the meantime, put aside at least one ward where the open-air treatment of consumption could be carried out. until better arrangements have been made. If they cannot do this from want of money, they should get funds. I have no doubt the people here would supply them, and a temporal'}' erection for the purpose could be put up in the hospital grounds." Thus four agencies are expected to participate in this good work, —the Government, the City Corporation, the Hospital Board, and the generous and philanthropic public. It only remains for us to hope that the responsibility will be cheerfully accepted in each instance, and to express our own profound conviction of the urgency of the project.

The unexpected is -always,, happening. It has certainly happened in the fact that- Sir William1 Lyne lias been commissioned to form the first Federal Government for Australia. He was hardly regarded even as in -the running for a place in the Cabinet. .He was not in the first front of the movement in favour of federation—he was, indeed, an "antiBillite," if not actually an anti-federalist —and he is scarcely, despite the accident of his being Premier of the largest and wealthiest of the colonies of Australia, in the front rank of Australian politicians. Ho has done creditable enough work .since ho ousted Mr Reid from the Premiership of New South Wales, but ho has never evidenced the possession of any of the qualities of a statesman as distinguished from a mere politician. Under the circumstances, it is natural that surprise and disappointment should have been caused in Australia at his being entrusted with the distinguished honour of forming the first Cabinet for the united colonies. It is true that Mr Reid has never faltere.d in the conviction that Sir William Lyne was entitled to the first refusal of tho task of selecting tho Government. But the opinion of Australia as a whole is probably reflected in tho comment contained in one of the " nominations " of a Federal Cabinet, collected last month by the

"Review of Reviews" from all the federating States, that, as an alternative to Mr Barton as tho first Prime Minister of thp. Commonwealth, Sir William Lyne is "quite unthinkable." Lord Hopptonn has undoubtedly balked the. expectations of the Australian continent in overlooking the leader of the Federation Convention. He could have pointed to precedent if he had sent for Mr Burton—the precedent sot in Canada, where Lord Monck called upon Mr (afterwards Sir J. A.) Macdonald in 1867 to form the Ministry for the Dominion, the reason being that that gentleman had been unanimously chosen as chairman and spokesman of the provincial delegates who met in England to

draft the Dominion Bill in conjunction with the Imperial Law Officers. Lord Hopetoun has apparently been influenced by other considerations. Mr Barton is at the present time a private indiviauat

in Australia. He is not even a anembor of the New South Wales Parliament, On the contrary, since his return from England at the close of his mission there as a federal delegate, he submitted to the complete divorce, for a time, from politics that the acceptance of an acting-

judgeship involved. Lord Hopetoun has probably concluded that the prpper coa stitution.il course for him to pursue >vas to consult the constitutional Advisers of her Majesty in Australia. In^that case lie would necessarily turn to the Premier of the mother colony. .Sir William Lyne has been given a great opportunity. All well-wishers of the Commonwealth will unite in the hope that he will adequately utilise it. It is not, however, a hope-

ill sign that his overtures to Mr Barton iave met with an unfavourable recep-

On Tuesday, 25th December, Wednesday, !6th December, and Tuesday, Ist January,

the Telegraph Office will open from 9 a.m. till <^ p.m. and from 7 p.m. till midnight. The Telephone Exchange will be open con-

tinuoiisly. The Postmaster-general has agreed that the hours to be observed on Christmas Day for telegraph work shall be 9 a.m: to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., instead of the ordinary holiday hours.

The financial position of the Harbour Board seems to be steadily improving. At yesterday's meeting of the board it was reported that there was a credit balance of £13,382 15s 9d. At this time last year the credit balance only amounted to £4-916, and in the meantime the board lias paid out of revenue for additions to wharves and new shed accommodation.

Tho taking of evidence in the case of Aitehison v. the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company was concluded in the Supreme Court yesterday, havin? oeiupied the attention of Mr Justice Williams for nine days on the previous trial and for nine days on the inquiry. Counsel will address the court after the vacation, which terminates on the 31st of January.

A good deal of interest was taken yesterday

in Porl Chalmers in the election of a member of the Harbour Board to fill the vacancy caused by tlie resignation of Captain G.

i'j-'Kinnon. Mr D. Leech received 145 votes, Captain T. H. Hodge 96, and Mr J. M. Cameron 73. The returning officer (Mr R. «. Anderson) having declared Mr Leech elected,

the three candidates thanked their supporters. Captain Hodge and Mr Cameron both intimated thai they would probably come for-

■ard on a future occasion,

The Otago Harbour Board yesterday passed a resolution placing on "record their high appreciation of, the valuable services rendered to the board and the citizens of Dunedin by the late Mr A. H. Ross during the many years hfi occupied a scat at the board, and especially while he occupied the position of chairman of that body. It was also decided to forward a copy of the resolution to tlie widow and family of the deceased, together with an expression of the board's sympathy with them in their bereavement.

A pleasing example of tlie amount of good which may lie accomplished even by young people who have the right spirit is afforded by a donation received to-day for the Mrs Edwards fund. Throe young gir]s named Dorothy, Ethel, and Alice, aged 13, U, and 15 years, being desirous of contributing to this fund, organised and .conducted rt small private sale of work, and as a result of their industry the handsome sum of £3 ISs 6d is contributed. We have received, in addition to this sum, 5s from "Sympathiser."

During tlie past month the following vessels have come up to tlie Bunetlin wharf, drawing the undermentioned depths of water aft: — Mokoia. 19ft sin; Mamari, I9ft Bin; WestraHn, 17ft lOin; Mamari, ]9ft lin; Monowai, 18ft Tin: Waikare. 19ft tin; Mokoia, 19ft ; Greta. 19ft lOin ; Moana, 20ft ancl 20ft 7in : Mokoia, 19ft 3in; Mavaroa, 18ft 6in; Wnihova, 17ft lin and 16ft 6in; Rotokino, 18ft 6in; Monowai, 19ft.

An old man who died recently at the Coromanclel Hospital was supposed to be in poor cireuniFtances. The nurses, however, discovered that he wore a flannel belt, which, upon closer examination, was found to contain a sum of £100 in bank notes, sewn inside the belt. A further sum of £20 in sovereigns was found in a purse which he had been carrying.

During his recent visit to Hawke's Bay, tho "Minister of Lands spent a day in riding over the Hatuma estate, Waipukurau, recently acquired by the Government from Mr Purvis Russell. The lion, gentleman informs t!--e Post that he was very much, pleased with the land, and is certain that the purchase will turn out. to be one of the best the Government has ever made. The work nf cutting up the estate into Mocks of from 300 to 900 acres has been more than half completed, and there is every reason.to believe that the land will be thrown open £or selection early in April. About 100 acres are to be reserved as a site for a township.

According to the New Zealnnd Times, the Very Rev. Father Augustus Koogh, M.A.. has been appointed rector of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, in raccossion to the Rev. Dr Wattor.vnnd will take up Ins duties after tlie Now Year holidays. Father Keogh was formerly rector of St. Mary's College. Dunchilk. He took his degree at the Dublin University.

There was a moderate attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening, when the M'Adoo Jubilee Singers pave another of their highly enjoyable Vor.il entertainments. The programme, was similar to that presented on the preceding oveninc and was gone through in a manner that left no rom far adverse criticism. Tlie part singing was especially effective, and encores 'wore frequently demanded. To-night another performance will be given. Tin: popularity of Dixs Gaiety Company continues, last night's audience- being one of tlie most appreciative thai. lias ever patronised the Alluunbra Theatre. The frequent applause bestowed upon the performers was evidence of the delimit afforded by the various items. Special plaudits were, of course, showered upon the Winprato Sisters for their elevev work on the high trapeze. Another welcome performance, but in a different line-, is supplied by Mr Johnnie Cowan, whose ftmnyisms cannot but oxide the greatest merriment. He was encored again and again. MisH Eile*i Soyd. Miss Connie Moreni, Mr Frank Yorke, the Do Vella Sisters, and others whose namca appear nightly on tlie programme also contribute a items that elicited hearty applause.. To-night the programme will be repeated.

Particulars of the alterations in and additions to the railway time table for the New Year holidays appear in our advertising columns.

Tickets for the 10.35 p.m. train to Christchurch to-morrow may bo obtained at the railway booking office at any time during the day. The same thing may bo done in connection with the night trains to Christchurch and Invercargil] on Monday.

A notice to creditors in the estate of the late Mrs Mouritzen, of St. David street, appears in our advertising columns. Messrs Sligo Bros., stock and sharebrokers, notify their removal to offices lately occupied by Messrs Baker Bros. '

On Christmas Day the Invercargill will, weather permitting, run an excursion down the harbour. The Rimu and Invercargill will also: run excursions on Boxing Day.

The City Corporation offices will be closed for the Christmas holidays on Monday, 24th, Tuesday, 25th, and Wednesday, 26th mat, and for the New Yea-r holidays on Monday, 31st hist., Tuesday, Ist, and Wednesday, 2nd January.

In the report of the Rev. P. W. Foirelough's address to the children at the breaking up of the Arthur street School that gentleman was reported to have said that when they learnt to enjoy the groat authors of our language then they might bo sure they were growing up to be men and women of fine make, etc. This should read " men and women of mark."

We have to acknowledge receipt of- a neat card conveying the season's greetings from Messrs Joseph Sparrow and Sous,

Our leaders are reminded of the Druids' picnic and sports at Evahsdale on Boxing Day, and, given a fine day, a large crowd should avail themselves of this opportunity to get a real outing at .a small outlay. The railway fare'is reasonable, being 4s first class and 2s second'class. Mr Began has the grounds in splendid order,' swings, etc., being available for the"children,- The committee have opened a. shop-at No. 30 George street, where the prize he purchased there, ■ Reference to our advertising columns will give all details.

We have received the Royal Insurance Comancl Co., the district agents.

Xmas Bargains.—Carter and Co., Dunedin and InverVjargill, announce special bargains for-the holiday, ceason. "Read their advertisement. . Try Carter and Co.—Advt. ■

Kruger does not now think much of Europe. We ■wonder'-what he- would think of New Zealand if he saw' the Men's Heady-made Suits fioiu 22s 6d to-475,-6a,-^-hioh fit a)! biutde— short-stout and-tall-slender men—now offering for the holidays-at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Ootogcm.—Advt.

For .the Christmas and New Yenr Trade.— Frank Hyams,' jeweller and watchmaker, :14 Princes slreet, -is now-showing a choice and varied assortment of'-new goods suitable for presents. .Novelties-in-all departments. Call and inspect.—Advt.

G-. and T. Young, jewellers, Princes street, having enlarged, their premises are this year making a 'specially-laige display of goods suitable fov Christmas and New Year presents. Thay -guarantee, excellent quality and good value.—Advt. .......

Who is Peter DtcK?—The moat reliable Watchmaker Mid -Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt.