AUCKLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12136, 31 August 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(Fbou Our Own ConiiEsroxDf.:,T.)

August 22. Tire tidings of the death of Sir John M'Kenzio were received in Auckland with regret, for it was folt that, however many might differ from his views, lie was urinated by an honest and sincere desire to settle the lands of the colony, and to give tho humble settler a chance of settling himself on the -oil, and to havo a future for himself and family. Men forgot his lirusiiucncss and some of his foibles in the solid, excellent work he has done as Minister of Lands. The deceased statesman lad always a sympathetic reception in Auckland whenever ho visited it, because the Aucklanders recognised the honesty of Ins intentions, and his desire to act fairly botween all sections of the colony. My personal visitation to the north ho had many of his prejudices removed, and he was generous enough to admit that he had somewhat misjudged the country north of Auckland, Ihe home of tho until - ! settler.

The great question of interest during the past fortnight has been the poll in the city on rating on unimproved value. It is not often that the Aneklaiulars get roused out of their political apathy, hut on this occasion they were thoroughly woke up by the attompts of the .Single Tax party to carry the proposal. The whole question was thrashed out in every ward, Mr Foivlds. M.H.U., coming up from Wellington to take part in the discussion, it is alleged at the request, of the Premier. Mr .1. 11. Upton, who spoke at some of the meetings, denounced the proposal as immoral, and, as a trustee of tho Auckland Savings Hank and of the South liritish Insnrance Company, mentioned some curious facts. He stated that the city could not have obtained the last loan but for the assistance of thoso two institutions and the Gas Company. He stated iliat hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of Savings Haul; deposits were invested in property, and they would shake that institution' to its foundations if rating on unimproved land were adopted, as it would lead to a, fall in property of 40 per cent. According to the scheme, the (ias Company-one of (ho wealthiest and largest dividend-earning ,„. stifntions in (he city, and whoso JCS shares were sold by tender the other day at £13 3s—would be relieved of about £800 a year which would have to be made up by j.,,,,]! holders. The Electric Tramways Company would also be relieved of a large sum iii taxation, which it would otherwise have to pay, according to its agreement with the City Council., It W as noticeable at Ihe polling that many of those who would temporarily benefit declined to he parties to what they regarded as an unjust and dishonost mode of taxation, and voted against the change of the incidence of taxation Among citizens who voted against the taxwas Mr Arthur Myers, whose handsome Strand Arcade, which cost £50,000, witli c^y, oll ' l ' llaVe I,mi msml to lllfi "'"'l of bid a year. These men saw that this was but the thin end of the wedge and hat in th« immediate future there would ho another turn of the screw to place every oharge upon land. The result was that at the poll (he scheme was decisively rejected it, was ft matter of surmise that it wa.i rejected by a majority of two to one, because the noisiness and a( ,|. ivilv nf Ifc hii'Slo Tax party had led to its strength heinpr miscalculated, and therefore the idverse sweeping majority came in the nature of a surprise, but as the majority was uniform „i all the wards there could'h« no mistaking the popular verdict. One. of those who too,- a conspicuous part in opposing the change u-ns I),-.Wallisl ox-M.H.n n,e veteran'politician, who is now a „ octogenarian, coming [~,„„ ( |, O ntircmn f nf . lotia, up (ho harbour, to take a pari ■u the fray. ' Mr Foivlds is severely blamed for prcclpitatai* In, contrst. f or ;, j, ,„ '~ „ t when ol«;tc.l at the last general elation lie EMO his supporters a pledge that h« would not; use his position to promote Ihe sin»l° at lie hns broke, f n „.|, ,„■„, „„,,„ jp {h part in the recent agitation for ,-aii„e ~n unimproved values. They talk nf nskine him to resign, but not much'is likely | 0 come of thomolion-IFi; I owlds has proved himscir. apart from Ins f„d, m em \] mt K]nmnh . tivc: but ihero is no concealing the fart that his present action will seriously militate against Ins return at the next general election It » feared that he «HI ruin a useful parliamentary career, as did Mr K. Withy by the same fad, and be ostracised from political life. Tim question has done some good in inducing the citizens to take some interest in municipal affairs, and to study questions affecting tho welfare of the Comrnnnily. Some Queen street merchants, who ought, to know better, and who could tell oft-hand the weights and odds in the Melbourne Cup, were so ignorant as regards the ballot paper that they struck out the top line, nod voted for the rating on unimproved values without being nwnrc of the fact! Perhaps (hey had been accustomed to hearing the cry, "Strike out the top line!" in another connection, and were prejudiced against the appeal. A movement ha« Iwen set on foot to educate the pnhho mind as to tho maladministration of the present Government by a series of lectures in public halls, given by various public men. It is hoped by this means to turn the tide of public opinion, and to direct attention to the evil effects of the present labour legislation, to parliamentary extrava■gniiees- of various kinds, including - "the infamous bonus." The president of the Women's Political League (Mrs Daltly) is tearing a hand, so that the Premier will be sorry that he conferred the franchise upon women. The Women's Political League are greatly incensed at tho members hcliiing themselves out of the Treasury, to a £40 Ironus, and no not pcviiplc to characterise il by terms which should make the care of lion, memlwrs tingle. The Auckland branch of the Farmers' Union are having brought home to them that they are sacrificed, and their Interests, in order to placate the proletariat cr the large cities, and that while working early and late there are no half-holidays, anil holidays paid for, in their case. The feel ing of resentment among the farmers againv this class legislation is deepening" „nd strengthening, and will make itsclt felt a, the next general election.

The Conciliation Board may now bo said to he in permanent Bcssinn. Nearly every trade is being cited before the Imard, and the evidence of the employers is that the interference with their businesses is intolerable, and the general unrest hurtful to the best interests of the community. They stale that the Factories Bill must have been drafted by men who knew nothing about the industries they propose to regulate. At present the cases of the nartcrs and bakers are before the hoard, and there are several other trade: to be cited after these are disposed of. As showing the mischievous effect of some of the proposed labour measures before Parliament, it may be stated that a gontlemitn proposed to establish a factory in Auckland, which would have led to the distribution of a weekly wages fund of £120 a week. He had purchased the ground at n cost of £1500, and intended to commence operations immediately. As soon as. he saw (lie now Factories Bill he disposed of the land at a loss and abandoned his intentions. In another case a gentleman had contemplated commencing a factory, and paid a deposit on the ground, but when he saw the Factories Bill lie forfeited his deposit, and gavo way to any idea of going on. These aro samples of the sack. Employers say Mini they are unable to meet the demands of the unions, and faco the severe competition to which they are subjected, and it cannot he put on the iiublic, as the importations in pome cases will not permit of it. For instance, an order was sent away to America during the last fortnight for 6000 pairs of boots.

The Chamber of Commerce, now that it lias won its case and obtained possession of the surplus from the late Auckland K.vhibition, is setting about the preliminary stops towards building an Auckland Hall"of Industries. The idea is to obtain a section from the Harlow Board at a peppercorn rental, or at least at a nominal rental, and erect a Hall <}f Industries at a cost of £5000, to which thoy hope to obtain £1000 from the Government. It is intended, as Hie Government has been taking great interest in commercial nmsounus anil similar matters.

that the Chamber of Commerce should allocate a certain space for their exhibits and also, if necessary, set aside on office, for Government use. There is some diflinulty in getting a suitable section from the Harlmur Hoard, the two sections available being somewhat unsuitablo owing to costly foundations. Tlie board also lias not j>ouor to sell, only- , to lease, unci that after advertising the sec | tious for two months. Mr A. 11. Nathan, . a member of the- Harbour ltoard, snid that 1 when he spoke to that hotly about the, chamber giving the section at a peppercorn rental, "a smile went round the table," so ! that tho project of creating a Hall of In- , dustnes is not yet all plain sailing, as if the Chamber of Commerce elect to arrange, for a freehold tho balance left will not erect tho building, unless they mortgage , tho ground, au alternative, which is not , desirable.

We have been favoured with a visit from . the Rev. Dr Whitelaw, the delegate from Ihe United Presbyterian Churches, and the Rev. Dr Marshall, delegate from the Established Church of Scotland, to the first ■ Australian Presbyterian Genera! Asj scmbly. They have been deeply, improved with the heartiness of the ! welcome which they received in Australia, and think that there is a great, future before Australasia. Tho reproduction of home life and homo institutions impressed them, as to the Greater Uritain which is beingestablished in the Southern Seas. Thoy oxpress regret that they could not stay in i\'c\v Zealand a littJo longer, to take a - hand in the, union of the New Zealand Presbyterian liiurches. They received a hearty reception from the Auckland Presbytery, am! have given addresses at various churches. Dr Whitelaw has taken a run up to Hutorua, while Dr Marshall intends t<i take the Tokaami roulo ami go down to U'aiiganui and Wellington. Both men have a wide reputation in their respective churches, and Dr White' has written several theological works. .- leave by tho San Francisco steamer heir return to Scotland carlv in Septoi, >r.

During i..e present session of the Supreme Court, Mi Justice Conolly lias given venr salutary Sentences, aparenlly finding that leniency was thrown away upon some, people. In one case, where a young man had committed a series of heartless swindles, an application, was made for probation, hut the judge refused it lie said that wherever the prisoner was able to fee a clever lawyer to defend him there was sure to be nn application for pronation, as had been done in a previous session for a man who had committed a series ol embezzlements. He supposed that in tho case of the present session the men who had been swindled had never seen a penny of their money, and a large ,„,,, Imd disappeared without any explanation being given. The session was marked by the almost complete absence of assaults upon women or children, which has arisen from the deterrent sentences which have recently been inflicted. At the omening of the session his Honor gave the Tlrand .lury a piece of bis mind, based on the letter of a grand juryman, who had been guilty of a great indiscretion in reviewing judicial action and in disclosing the secrets of the gram]- jury room. HI late a disposition had been shown by grand jurymen to go beyond their functions and to try (lie accused, practically, instead of simply ascertaining whether there in a prima facie ease, and passing on the piisnncr to the petty jury. Tho case during lb" session which elicited the greatest interest was that of Dr Wilkinii. who was charged with the manslaughter of the wife of a. hotelkeepcr by a\i alleged illegal operation. The (lying depositions of the woman were not taken, but the woinan.in.idc certain statements in her dying moments. 'J'he Crown prosecutor and the counsel for the defence both exercised the right of challenge freely, 11 persons altogether being challenged before a jury of 12 could be got together. There were several nice points of law involved m this case. It lasted several days, and ended in the jury disagreeing, and the accused being released on bail, to appear for trial again n»xt week. Dr Wilkins is well known, throughout the colony, and for years was resident in the south. He has been medical officer for the permanent forces stationed at the North Shorn. He is a man of from 60 to 70 years of age. He was formerly resident in Victoria, whero he had an extensive medical practice.

Ihc great snration of (lie past fortnight has been the apncarnnee of what is known as " the Mount Roskill ghost." Tin"- ppiritnal visitant look to frightening women on the lonesome roads of the district, awl finally lo (riving Ihc ni"n a livnlr linn. ~f it. AH who have seen him say that lie hid phosphorous over hi* clothes' to the must, and a fairy lain)) nn each slioiildor. Soma women were so seriously atferlcd by the nervous shock and fright that they have taken to their feds and are seriously ill, So great has been the terror instilled into the children that they will not now roam about at night, consequently good comes out of evil. He has visited all the suburban districts in turn, but nlthougti n number of police and detectives have been out on the job, they I'.nve not been able lo capture " pprinshccled .fnck." Tlmrn is danger of there being loss of life over the busiricsp. In one case his appearance led to a horse bolting, and the driver n( the trap having a narrow escape. Some of the volunteers of the Mount Kdcn and Mount Roskill districts have been out of a night, with their rifles m\ the lookout, with the hope of ." winging " him. An. amateur "ghost" was captured lie other night by Mr Arthur, auctioneer, on the Newton road. He was wearing a. "sweator" over hir, clothes, and had a white handle-r----eluct attached to « slick. He was a routli of about 18, who apparently thought it was a fine thing to fright en women and children. Mr Arthur handed him over to the police, after trying his stick on the "ghost" to sen whether it was real flesh and blood, or otherwise, and the "ghost" bitterly complained that Mr Arthur had hurt him. The knell took a lenient view of his escapade, and released him on bonds to he of good behaviour. There is no reason io believv he had any ronnection with "the phosphorus man," who m still at large. After visiting tho Western Park Inst Sunday night, tlm ghost has not been seen, and it is now slated Hint the whole affair has arisen nut of a, wager that a young man would play the ghost for a certain period without 'being detected. Some years ago a similar fioak was played in the suburbs, the principal in ivl'ich is pretty well known. It apnea™ thai ghosts made their aptiearance early in the history of Auckland. In 1845 we hall .what is known as " Mrs Maloney's Ghost." She was supposed to have been thrown down a staircase in n house in Shortland street, while she and her husband were in tlieir cuni Ho was put on his trial, but acquittal. Still, for a long time afterwards, tho neighbour? board at the "wiiching hour" nocturnal unison, and the body of Mrs Maloney trundling down the staircase! The old house was pulled down a few years ago. and the landlord had some difficulty in letting the new premises, in case "Mrs Maloney's Ohost" look up his abode in tho dwelling.