SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14280, 31 July 1908, Page 4

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

The City Council would consult its own dignity if it could see its way to adopt ; a definite policy in respect to the ques- , tion of Sunday entertainments. Special • pleading availed this week to cause it ) to reverse, in favour of a local organi- ( sation, a decision ou the point at which | it arrived only four or Jive lheetings before. And it will, we are afraid, be a little difficult for it, without being further inconsistent, to draw a lino be- l tween its most recent determination j and its direct sanction of the secularisation of the Sunday. The obvious answer to an application for permission to hold an entertainment on a Sunday evening is that there are six evenings ' in the week upon which entertainments may be held without it being necessary to obtain leave from the local authority, ! and that there is, therefore, no occasion for the invasion of the Day of Rest to the violation of the feelings of a large section. of the community. But the Mayor, who, while protesting 1 his readiness to "put his foot down" to stop all Sunday concerts, offered various thin reasons why this particular application should be granted, really surrendered the whole ease for the applicants when he said that, if the entertainment were held on any night other than Sunday, " the enterprise could hardly pay." It is as we suspected : the object of holding this entertainment on a Sunday night instead of some other night is that it is more profitable to have it then. Councillor Gilkison, who supported the application because ho saw no harm whatever in a sacred concert being held on a Sunday evening, was more perspicacious a few weeks previously when he voted against a similar application because the proposed entertainment was merely a money-making concern. And it is simply because these entertainments are promoted for the sake of profit that the objection to their being held on Sunday lies. No person who is not extremely narrow-minded objects to music being played on a Sunday, and it is .a manifest confusion of thought that leads Councillor Fiddis to argue that, since a. brass' band which is in receipt of a, subsidy from the Corporation plays in the Botanical Gardens on a Sunday afternoon, it has established a claim on the Council to be allowed to play for pecuniary gain in the evening. lint when once tlje principle that entertainments may be'held on a. Sunday evening, because the profits are likely to be greater than on any other evening, is admitted by the Council a dangerous step is taken towards the secularisation of the Day of Rest. And such a consummation as'that could only , be viewed, even from the secular standpoint, with the gravest concern. Tho conferenco between the Bruce coalminers and their employers, held at Milton yesterday, was of a quiet awl conciliatory nature. There was a wide margin between the demands of the employers and those of the workmen on all the most important questions, and these were, by mutual consent, left in abeyance, probably for settlement by the Arbitration Court. A large number of minor points were settled by I,ho parties themselves, after duo discussion. Tlie. Taratu miners and their employers will itieot in conference at Kaitangata tonight, and Messrs Weston and I'orbes (district president, and secretary respectively) leave for that place to-day, in order to be present at the meeting. At tho meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday Mr W. Belcher, in accordance, with nol.ioe of motion, moved that the minimum wages of labourers employed by tho board be not less than 8s 6d per day, that persons in receipt of more than £150 per year receive an increase of 5 per cent., and that those in receipt of less than £150 per annum receive an addition of 7 per cent. He also moved that tho board fix the maximum and minimum salary of. harbourmaster, pilots, and signal station 'keepers. In support, of tho proposals tho mover urged that the price of commodities had gone up,, and were going up to suoh an extent as to warrant the increases proposed... The proposals were referred to the Officers and Servants Oommitteo for consideration. • Tho effect- of tho increases, it was stated, would increase the expenditure of tho board by £1300 or £1400 per annum. About a Week ago Ihe police submitted to Professor Black, Government analyst, 16 samples of milk taken from 16 milkvendors who reside within a radius of 10 miles of the city, and who supply city customers. The persons from whom, the samples wore taken reside north, south, east, and west of the city. In 11 of the samples it was found that the milk was pure, and contained milk-fat beyond the requirements of the "Sale of Foods and Drugs Act, 1907"—viz., 3.25 per cent. Three ( samples, however, were found to be under tho required standard, and prosecutions in these cases will likely follow. I jTwo samples, it was found, were on the border line, very slightly below the requirements of the act, and.in these probably only cautions will bs administered. Our Cromwell correspondent 6tates that the stations have now got the sheep safe from the snow, but the spring will probably •ill » number of the weak ones. The • losses are not thought to be very heavy in tho district, Tho reserved judgment in tho case of Koidy v. To Aroha Dredging Syndicate, hoard at. Gore on June lb, has been delivered by Mr Kenrick, g.M. The claim was for £100 compensation for loss of the little finger of claimant's right hand. Mr W. F. Inder appeared for claimant, and Mr L. 'I'. Eurnarcl for respondent, who admitted that £9 9s was due for the period of total incapacity, but claimed that no further lump sum should be paid. The court gave judgment for ihe amount admitted, £9 9s, with £5 4s costs, and made an order for tho payment of 3s per week until such order should be redeemed, increased, or diminished under the act. 'ihe usual monthly social evening under tho auspices of tho Women's Christian Temperance linion was held in the Sailors' Rest on Tuesday. The St. Andrew's Bible Class kindly supplied the programme, and a very enjoyable time was spent by both sailors and friends. The Social Committee thanks all who so kindly helped by donations to purchase a piano for tho Rest, which was used for Ihe first time on Wednesday evening. The Harbour Board will be well represented at the Auckland reception of the American fleet, as far as bunting is concerned. At yesterday s meeting of the board the flag provided wits spread out for admiration at tho back of the chairman's seat. It is about 12ft long and Bft wide. The ground is as blue as the deep sea, and has white letters 18in long that Tead: "Otago Harbour Board greets you." In the upper corner is painted a life-buoy, which forms the frame for the picture of a rod funnel steamer afloat, wjth rather a -"isky amount of .top hamper*

The Infectious Diseases Hospital overlooking Lake Logan was thrown open for tho first time yesterday morning, when tho four remaining scarlet fever patients in tho canvas camp woro removed there. The widening of King Edward street and the settlement of claims for compensation for land to be taken in connection therewith aro now engaging the attention of the Public Works CommiUco of tho City Council. Tho special committee's report oil the purchase by the city of Forbury Park did not como before Wednesday night's meeting of tho City Council as was expected. It is confidently expected, however, that it ' will bo available for the next meeting. Mr Slinger, Drainage Board engineer, is at tho present time making a flying survey of that portion of Maori Hill Borough which tho local body desires to be reticulated. As eoon as the survey is completed— and that, will he very soon,—tho members of the board, who will then be possessed of the necessary data, etc., will mako a visit of inspection to the district, after which it will be considered - whether or not tho board will undertake the reticulation of tho area in question. A meeting of the newly-formed Hotel Employees' Union was held in tho Trades Hall last evening, There was a largo attehdance, and a number of new members were enrolled. A set of rules was drawn up, and adopted, and officers elected; Mr J. Haymes (president of the Trades and Labour Council) was appointed president of the union, and Mr R. Breen secretary It was decided to make application to the Registrar of Industrial Unions for registration under tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act. A comniitteo was set up to draw up a schedule of working conditions, which will he submitted to a future meeting for consideration and adoption. Tho present strength of tho union is 60 members, and Micro is every indication of that number being considerably increased in the near future. Mr A. M. Finlayson left Wellington for London by the Ruapehu Yesterday. He is the holder of tho Otogo .University 1851 Scionco Scholarship of £150 a year, and is going to study in the Royal School of Mines in London. At the annual meeting of the congregation of Chalmers Church last night one of the elders, in reviewing the reports, made regretful reference to the -lessening of the contributions. Tho Rev William Thomson then arose, and having made congratulatory remarks on the reports, 6aid he had been interested ii> what tho elder had had to say. Ho would like, however,, to draw attention to tho fact, which ho bad on oxcellont authority, that the elder , ' n question, while criticising tho conduct . of others, did not himself contribute to the , Sustentation Fund. Tho Chairman (tho Rev. D. Maclennan) requested tho Rev. W. Thomson not to continue to speak in Sucli , a strain, but the elder said: " Oh, let hiih | go on; we may as well have tho rest of ; 't'" Mr Thomson bowed to tho ruling , of the chair, anr 1 went on to speak on . general subjects. Mr Hogan, M.P. for Wanganui, wants i tho State to take over tho flourmilling • industry, and conduct it in tho interests of 1 the people by fostering grain-growing and ' cheapening tho cost of food to the masses I of this Dominion. 'i| The grievances of Mr W. N. Mitchell, of Oamarii, in connection with tho Otokaike caeo are fully set out .in a. petition presented to Parliament yesterday. He alleges that through being unable to obtain possession of his allotment at tho time ' desired he lost £180 by being obliged to postpone the purchase of sheep, and that | he sustained a further loss of £50 on , account of .the purchase of implements. Ho also, he stales, sustained other incidental losses, and lie asks for an inquiry | with a view to being granted relief for 3 such losses. A deplorablo slate of affairs in regard to 3 a minister's stipend fame to light at tho. . annual meeting of tho congregation of one s of the city ohurche.s. Tho minister him- . self, on being asked to speak on tho subject, f stated that during his ,threo yea.re' tenure he had beer £100 out of pocket eaoh year. I Tho Canterbury Private Schools Association and C. H. Gilby have petitioned ' Parliament asking that tho privilege of permitting ptipils attending certain private 1 schools in the cities to travel on the railg ways at commutation rates may be granted to their schools. The Education Commitj tee has recommended that the petitions bo referred to the Government for favourable consideration. e At a meeting of the Auckland City i. Council last night (says a Press Association r telegram) the Mayor said that now that the il ratepayers had .sanctioned the £130,000 loan i for various works, including tho building - of tho Towh Hall, every effort would bo B made after "fleet week" to absorb the . surplus labour that existed in the city at i present, ' At a mooting of the Dunedin and r Suburban Presbyterian Office-bearers' Association on Tuesday evening the Rev. Dr J Nisbet delivered an address on the subject of "Desirable Reforms," The speaker dealt at l&ngtli with a variety of reforms, ,[ which, in his opinion, were really essential y if the Church were to discharge the respone sible functions expected of her in these, 1, new lands. The tenure of the office of the e ministry and of the speoially lS dealt with, both by Dv Nisbet and all those e Who took part in the discussion, and tho J almost unanimous feeling was that a t, change was needful, and that the Assombly , c of the Church must grapple with these and kindred problems. A small sub-committee was eet. up to consider what practical steps e should be taken, and to report. The Education Act Amendment Bill now 7 before Parliament will be disoussed by the Otago Educational Institute at a meeting ( j. on Saturday morning. c .At a meeting of the Harbour Board, hold y yesterday, it was resolved to frame a e by-law for compelling motor and fishing n boats to carry proper lights when navigating tho, harbour or fairway. )f The trade of the port of Dunedin is 2, evidently growing apace, judging by tho n increasing revenue derived by the Harn bour Board during the half-year just ie closed. The Finance Committee's report Lp submitted to members of the board yesterd day by Mr T. Ross gave him tho occasion o for stating that the revenue for tho period d named was a record one, exceeding that of o the corresponding period last year by ie £2000. This, too, was in spite of the fact it that the reduction in dues for tho d past four years represented approximately . r £10,000. '> A resident of Christehurch is reported to have come in for a remarkable change >r o! fortune. For tho past 40 years he has n been the faithful servant, in the compara- ,> tively humble capacity of carter, of a welle known firm of warehousemen and importers J doing business throughout the Dominion. h Now it appears he has just successfully t . proved his claim to ah estate in the Old Country, the value of which Is said to run nearly into six figures. .1- An interesting ceremony took place last week at St. Luke's, Te Roti, when the Rev. G. Dent unveiled a brass tablet which has been placed in the church by the congregation and friends in memory of Mr e Frank L. D<h.Ul, who for some time had )t acted as lay reader at Te Roti. The late Mr was a son of the Rev. Canon , Dodd, of Mtsgiel, Olaso. id ° ie Wo have received from Mr H. W. Mew ig of C&versham, the sum of £6 19s, collected U by himself and family among I,heir friends a and acquaintances for Mr C. Arthur Pearie son's "Fresh Air Fund." The total h amount rQoeiyed by lis for this fund ds £19 ?*,

A man was arrested at Kurow yesterday by Detective Hunt on a charge of deserting his illegitimate child in New South Wales, in which State a. warrant ha<l been issued for his arrest, and arrangements made for his extradition. Ho will b« convoyed to Dunedin, where u. remand will bo asked for until «i> officer arrives from Sydney to escort him back to that State. Messrs Alex. Harris and Co. report * very successful stile of original oil paintings from the easel of .Mr J. Elder Moultray. Tlk> collcction included specially choice specimens of this artist's work, and tho pictures sold realised over £125. There aro a few of tho largo pictures still unsold. Passengers «m] cargo ex Kimutalia, which arrived at \\ el ot 3 p.m. yesterday, will como by the Wimuera, due hero on faunday. ° w^ St , niA at ,^, Cli 's' Council mcetinp on Wednesday night that lie regretted that the application ol llessrs John Fuller >n d Sons or a reduction ot the liccnse f c6 0 u the Alhambra Theatre had been declined The words that lie regretted thai" Wprß inadvertently omitted from yesterday's issue Ladies Gibson coats, only a few left light and dark tweeds; full length "and "g ? fitting; woith from *)s Gd to 49 S cd Molli sons' sale price, 10s Gd each.—Advt ' Wo do expert repair work to watches and jewellery of all kinds. Do not run the risk of spoiling your watch or losing a valuable, ft one out of a ring, but liavo them seen to now. G. and T. Young, the dependaDlo watchmakers and jewellers, 88 Princes street. iJunedm.—Advt. * For bronchial coitgliß take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is Cd and 2s Cd. The coughs, colds, ami sore throats which are so prevalent at this season of the year may easily be cured by a bottle or two of ' Benjamin Gum." . The great featuVe of "Benjamin Gum" is that it gives relief with the first dose I Is Cd bottle. Wno 19 Peter Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charses strictly moderate.—Advt.