CHRISTCHURCH NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12801, 23 October 1903, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS NOTES.

(Froji Odr Own Correspondent.) CHRISTOHURCH, Octobor 22. Cashel street habitues have boon much moved during til© past day or two by tho unique #nd diverting j-pcctacio of the respectable matrons cf Christehurch being hustled along the side,yelk by an enlightened ami fearless Police I'orcc. As every woman in this city knows, an eaterprising business firm acquainted with the leading characteristics of feminity and tha attraction.) of a free show for all classes, roceutly imported a champion windowdresser from the Land of NoveltiesAmerica,—and turned him looso on its windows. Result: A large crowd of ladies outsido those windows, and an opportunity for tho polico to show what a, "fino body of mill" it is by solemnly inoviug them on. Tho death of Mr H. C. Satchell, which took place this morning, will be learned with regret by a wide circle of friends. For some years ho lins been in. charge of the Canterbury branch of the National Mutual Life Association. He was born in Kent _ in 1861, and educated at Epsom College and Neuwid, Germany. In 188t lie came to Nolson, and in 1885 joined tho National Mutual as agent at Nelson. In 1838 he was transferred to tho oharge of tho Canterbury district for tho same company. Mr Satchel! was an enthusiastio fisherman—indoed, it was in pursuit of his favourite pastimo that ho caught the cold which ultimately dovelopod into pleurisy and caused his death. In Masonio matters Mr Satchell took a deep interest.

In connection with tho Government regulations for mates holding certificates of competency a deputation of owners of coastal trading vessels is leaving Lyttelton this cvoning to interview the Ministor of Marine on the matter. There are about _even owners in port, with 12 or 13 vessels, who will be so far affccted that they say it is not possible to obtain first mates for vessels of 60 tons who hold certificates. In vessels over 100 tons both first and second mates will have to bold certificates, and in vessels with oil engines a certificated engineer only will bo allowed. The action oE tho Government is in tho direotlon o£ hampering tho coastal trade, as the certificated mates aro not obtainable, and it is thought tho proposition is in every way unreasonable, as many of the present mates —experienced men—will bo thrown out of employment till they can qualify. The city, having declined to purohase tho Cantorbury Hall, tho company sold somo of ■tho land adjoining tho property 'by pubio auction to-day. Mr Staveloy, who occupied tho rostrum, said ho did so with regrot, because ho thought that the city should have acquired tho property, and not lot it be disposed of piecemeal, as it -was now proposed to do.—("Hear, hear.") In May, 1902, tho shareholders made an offer to tho City Council,- but for 18 months this hung fire. Then (ho directors made an offer of the whole property to the City Council at 10 per cent, loss than its cost, and a very great deal loss than it would bo acquired for now. Tho City Fathers, however, gave them a decided, and, he must - say, somewhat curt refusal. This in tho face of the fact that they did not think it worth while to refer the matter to a referendum of tho ratepayers, Tho council was going in for loans for a number of matters, somo of which might bo described as unsolvable problem?. Howover, as lie lmd said, tho City Fathers had in their wisdom declined tho offer curtly. A thoughtful opinion on the new Licensing Hill has been given by Mr S. Blackbur.no, the "moderate" member who was elected at the head of the poll «t the last licensing election. Mr Blackßurne does not approve, of. tho elimination of tho reduction issue, which he considers is a valuable. one. and meets the liews of a large section of the public, who feel that licenses should not be abolished altogether, but that their number should bo kept within reasonable limits, and that a proper check should bo maintained on their administration.- One effect of the elimination of this issue would bo that much loss caro will be oxerciscd by publicans in tho conduct of their licensed premises, as they will consider it leiis probable that (ho majority would vote for prohibition than for reduction. In Mr Blaekburnc.'s opinion there is no justification for the proposal to make the possession of liquor by persons other than members of "the trsdo" illegal in no-license districts. Be-fore any such stringent- interference, with the liberty of tho public is enacted there ought to be a very elear and very strong demand for such a provision from the ttiiWic. Up to the present no such demand has been made—not oven by the prohibitionists;— thereforo the proposal siioufd ho viewed with very great suspicion, especially when it was found that practicaMy the only persons who desire it are those interested in "tho trade." Ho was entirely opposed to the proposal to make, the mayor of a borough and tho chairman of tho county council members of tho licensing committee. There aro objections to the committees being elective, and he liimself held that they should be judicial Bodies. That- they were not- was due to tho pavtv element imported into tlio elections of licensing committees, but the apathy of tlio non-extreme section of the community had also much to do with the election of non-judicial committees.